By: Anna Hardy

Libido is a term used to denote the sexual drive in people. It is existent in both men and women, and it is difficult to say in whom it is greater. This is because libido is not something that can be measured; and to top it, libido varies very greatly from one person to another. People feel different sexual urges at different times, even within the same day. Libido also depends upon external factors like climate, geographical location, day or night, etc. Hence, any discussion on libido is very difficult to conduct in terms of quantities.

It has been observed that the sexual drive in women is much more dynamic than that in men. There are many more factors on which the female libido depends, simply because the female sexual biology is much more complicated than the male.

Women could find an increase in their libidos under the following conditions:

- When girls are midway into their puberties, there could be an increase in their sexual drives. Actually this is the period when the girls come to understand more about sex, and this revelation leads them to want to experiment and find out.
- Most girls find themselves infatuated with a male member in their lives quite soon in life. This could be a neighbor, or a school/college friend, or a teacher, or even a relative. Women who are thus infatuated will find an almost uncontrollable increase in their libido at times. The libido could be sometimes so high that the women would not be able to perform if at all they manage to have sex with the man of their fantasies.
- When women fall into love for the first time, their libidos are generally high.
- Women have high libidos when taken out at a solitary place. That is the reason why couples prefer lonely resorts for their honeymoons.
- Sometimes women get an increase in their libido when they are undergoing their pregnancies. This could be because of the changes in their bodies, which could be turning on their men.

Yet, women are not always at a sexual high. The following are the times when the libido of women could be low:

- Women having their menstrual periods are generally lacking in their sexual drive. This is because of both reasons – the hormonal changes occurring in their bodies and the discomfort around their genital areas.

- Drastic moods can also affect libidos. Women are generally moodier than men, and this could show in their desire for sex. Anything wrong with their environment could make them perform poorly in sex.

- Pregnancies can increase libidos, but it is also responsible for decreasing libidos in many women. This could be because the woman is in anticipation of a greater joy – the baby that is to come – and sex may not hold her interest anymore. Also the woman may find her body too heavy to perform active sex.

Libido is one of the most important factors to have a good sexual experience. Without a sexual drive, the intercourse becomes nothing more than some kind of a physical exercise. Therefore a couple must make efforts in order to bring about an increase in the libidos.

This puts a greater responsibility on the male partner, as it is he who can arouse the libidinous instincts of a woman. Men should begin with stimulating conversation about love and caring. Surveys have revealed that women perform better when they have comfortable conversations before the sexual encounter. From the conversation, the man should gradually lead into the foreplay, which could begin by kissing and then carry on to caressing and fondling. The length of the foreplay should be very carefully decided. It should not be so short that the woman may feel dissatisfied; and at the same time it should not be so long that the woman may get bored.

During the foreplay, the man must touch all the vital sexual areas of the woman’s body so as to arouse her fully for sex. The important regions are the nipples, the genitals and especially, the clitoris. The clitoris is as important to the female as the penis is to the male. For this reason, it is necessary that the clitoris must be properly stimulated. The male can do it his own way by either rubbing or stroking the clitoris. This is very important if he wants the woman to reciprocate better. A woman with an aroused libido is also a better performer at sex.

Needless to say, several methods have been employed since ages in order to increase the female libido, since it directly influences the satisfaction of both partners. Apart from conventional medicines, several herbal remedies are also being used since age-old times. Herbs like Ashwagandha, wild yam, Avena sativa, ginseng, ginkgo, kawa kawa, maca are an integral part of Ayurveda. These herbs have all the aphrodisiac properties required for making partners perform better.

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By: Anna Hardy

Breasts grow sporadically at different times in the life of a woman. At some times the growth is rapid, while at other times the growth is so slow that it cannot be observed. However, breasts do keep growing right from the fetal stage till a much later stage in the life of the woman.

In order to better understand the process of breast development, scientists have divided the entire stage of development into five stages. The development journeys from the newborn infant stage until adulthood. The development explained is not just in the size of the breasts; but also in their functionality and shape.

The initial stage of development begins at infancy itself. During this stage the breasts are flat and there is no major distinction between the breasts of male and female infants. But on minute observation, there is a thin milk line on the breasts below the nipples. There could even be a little discharge from this line for a few days after birth. This is the only indication before puberty that the breasts will become functional later on in life. As the woman advances in years, it is this milk line which will develop into full-grown breasts.

The milk line is actually an external termination point of the milk ducts that lie beneath it. The milk line could be present in both male and female babies at birth. But in males, this milk line disappears later, whereas in females due to the presence of the female secondary sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone, the milk line continues to develop. In some men, the milk line may not disappear at birth due to hormonal imbalances. This is what causes the condition of men having breasts, known medically as gynecomastia.

In the period between infancy and puberty, the female breasts show very little development. They are visible only as mounds of flesh around the nipples. This is actually undeveloped breast tissue. When puberty sets in, the tissues begin their development. This is seen as protuberances around nipples. The areolas and nipples appear raised. Milk ducts also begin to develop at this stage, but they will remain nonfunctional until the first pregnancy occurs.

Puberty occurs at different ages in different women. It could be as early as 8 years, or could be delayed in some women up to the age of 13 years. All through puberty the breasts increase in size and can be made out from the outside. However, the contours and the shapeliness of the adult breasts will not be present at this stage.

The fourth major changes occur just when the woman is stepping out of her puberty and entering into adulthood. This could happen in the late teens and they are also called as the post-pubertal changes. During this period, the breasts gain in their firmness and the nipples and the areolas become more pronounced. This indicates that the woman’s breasts have become ready for sexual intercourse and pregnancy.

But the final changes will be the ones that occur all through the first pregnancy and during lactation when the child is born. During the pregnancy due to hormonal triggers, the breasts will become larger in proportion with the increasing tummy. In the later days of the pregnancy, the milk glands will become fully developed and some milk may also start oozing out of the nipples when a few days are left for the baby to come. When the baby is born, the suckling produces definitive changes on the nipples and the areolas which last a lifetime.

It can be said that women who do not become pregnant will never have fully-developed breasts. Hence, pregnancy and lactation could be very important factors for the full development of breasts.

Natural breast development occurs due to hormonal changes that take place in the body at every stage in their lives. But some women try to enhance the shapes of their breasts by several methods. Herbal supplements are much in vogue today. Today, there are many herbs being used such as a kawa kawa, ginkgo biloba, ashwagandha, pueriria mirifica, saw palmetto, fennel, etc. which can produce changes in the anatomy of the body. These could increase the hormonal concentrations of estrogen and progesterone, which could increase the size of the breasts. Massage and exercises of the chest are also known to bring about some development of the breasts. The simple circular massage technique is being used by women today in order to improve the circulation of the blood and improve their shapes.

Even the simple practice of wearing a good bra is important in determining what the final breast shape will turn out to be. But it is important to first determine what size of bra would be best for the woman. Too tight bras could stifle the breasts, while loose ones would give them a sagging shape.

But, just as all organs of the body are susceptible to age, breasts are too. Hence, when the woman reaches her old age, several changes take place in the breasts which are indicative of the breasts becoming aged with the woman. Breasts would lose all their functionality and sag. At this stage, the sexual feeling of the breasts is also lost to some extent or the other.

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By: Anna Hardy

Breast self-examination is a very simple procedure which women can perform in the confines of the bedrooms or bathrooms. This test is a very important self diagnostic tool to determine the risks of breast cancer. Nowadays, doctors are emphasizing on the point that each woman should perform breast self-examinations regularly so that they can find out if there are any abnormalities in their breasts.

One important factor that is in favor of breast self-examination is that no one will know her breasts as accurately as the woman herself. Doctors are encouraging women to become more familiarized with their own breasts so that they can immediately find out any abnormalities. Women should know the contours, the feel, the texture and the color of their breasts perfectly. This is an important part of the breast self-examination technique.

How to Self-Examine the Breasts

The first part of self-examination of the breasts is pure observation. The woman must remove her upper body garment and stand in front of a mirror. Then she should place her hands by her sides. The next step is observation of the breasts. For this, the woman must first observe her breasts in their frontal positions, then turn to the left and right sides and observe the breasts from those sides in the mirror. This observation must be repeated with the hands on the hips and finally with the hands placed over the head. Any abnormality in the breast must be noted.

The next stage of breast self-examination is actually touching the breast to find out any abnormalities. There are two methods to carry out this part of the self-examination.

(i) Circular Sweep Method

For this method, the left hand is to be placed behind the head and the right hand is used to touch different parts of the breasts. Women who are more comfortable with the right hand behind the head and the left hand touching the breasts may do so. The free hand must be kept on the top of the breast region, just where the bulge begins. Then the hand is to be moved gradually in a clockwise manner, feeling the breast carefully at each point for lumps or any other kind of deformities. When one circle is completed, the hand must be taken a little inside the breast and the circular sweep must be done again. In this way, the circle must be progressively decreased until the hand reaches the nipple area. At every point gentle but steady pressure must be applied to check that there are no anomalies in the breasts. Finally, when the hand reached the nipple tissue, the fingers must be used to squeeze the nipple in both vertical and horizontal positions to check if there is any secretion.

(ii) Pie Chart Method

Here too, the woman self-examining her breasts needs to keep one hand behind her head and examine the breasts with the other hand. The hand is to be placed on the top region of the breast and then swept downwards, towards the protuberance of the nipple. Along the way, the fingers must be used to check if there are any lumps in the breast. When the hand reaches the nipple after one sweep, then it must be taken to the top again, placed a little to the left and swept downwards again. In this manner, the whole breast must be covered, even from the lower region, checking every point. If a firmer touch is required, then the fingers can be moved in a walking type of motion over the breast. Again, this examination must be ended with a pinching of the nipples in both vertical and horizontal directions to check for any abnormal secretion.

Age to Begin Breast Self-Examination

Hormonal changes begin occurring from the onset of puberty, i.e. when the girl reaches twelve years of age in normal circumstances. When the girl is in her post-puberty, which is roughly twenty years, the estrogen amounts have generally built up to their maturity levels. This is when breast self-examination must begin.

The breast self-examination must be carried out as a routine procedure. In fact every woman who has crossed the age of twenty years must carry out the examination once a month while in the shower. When the woman has crossed the age of forty years, then only breast self-examination is not enough. At that time, the woman must have a mammogram taken at least once a year.

The Best Time to Self-Examine the Breasts

Breasts are prone to undergo several changes within the menstrual cycle of the woman. At some times during the cycle, the breasts are soft; while at some other times, they may be firm. This happens generally in the later days of the menstrual cycle. When the breasts are firm, it is more difficult to check them for any lumpy growths. Therefore, the ideal time for carrying out breast self-examination would be one week after the menstrual flow has occurred.

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By: Anna Hardy

When a woman becomes pregnant, one of the questions uppermost in the minds of the couple is whether they will be able to enjoy any sexual intercourse in the following months. Some couples dread pregnancies as it could put a dampener on their sexual life. But the good news is that pregnancy may not necessarily intervene in your sexual life at all. There are several misconceptions about having sexual intercourse during pregnancy and that is why couples develop wrong notions. However, most of these notions are quite unjustified.

The first thing one must understand is how pregnancy affects the body of the woman. Pregnancy occurs when the male sperm fertilizes the egg cell of the female. This fertilized egg is called as the embryo, which gets implanted in the uterus. Pregnancy brings about a host of changes in the woman, the first of them being the pause in the menstrual cycles. The embryo develops into the fetus. In order to protect the fetus, the amniotic cavity develops around it. The amniotic cavity is a fluid filled cavity meant for supplying the fetus with all the nutrients it requires for its development. At the same time, in order to prevent further fertilizations, the uterus opening, i.e. the cervix, is blocked off by a layer of mucus.

Now we know the changes that take place in the uterus when pregnancy occurs. Nature provides the growing fetus with all the protections necessary. The mucus layer cuts off the growing embryo from the rest of the outside world.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no harm in having sex when a woman is pregnant, and this could continue till late in the pregnancy. First and foremost, there is no way the penis or the seminal and vaginal fluids can come in contact with the embryo and cause any infections. This is because of the mucus layer that blocks off the cervix. Also for this very same reason, there can be no dislodging of the embryo inside the uterus in any manner.

However, care must be taken with the sexual positions that are adopted. The missionary position must be avoided, since in this position there is a tendency to lay more pressure on the uterus. The missionary position is the one in which the male lies on top and both partners are belly-to-belly in contact. Also the woman-on-top position must be avoided. Any other position in which pressure is not exerted on the woman’s uterus is acceptable.

It is necessary to speak to the doctor about sexual intercourse when the woman is pregnant. This is because though there are no technical problems with sexual intercourse during pregnancy, there can be some biological problems linked with the past of the woman. Like if the woman has had a premature birth in the past, then the doctor would advise the couple to refrain from penetrative sexual intercourse in the last three months of pregnancy. Women with miscarriages previously must not indulge in penetrative sexual intercourse during the first three months. And women who have a short cervix (this can be ascertained with a sonography test) must abstain from sexual intercourse throughout the pregnancy.

Yet sexual intercourse during pregnancy takes on a new meaning as the couple soon realizes. Since the woman’s body undergoes numerous changes – including the increase in the size of the breasts and the hips – the male partner may become more aroused. Hormonal changes may also induce the woman to become more libidinous during pregnancy. At the same time, on an emotional level, the partners develop greater love for each other in anticipation of their shared joy.

But the contrary of this case can also be seen. During pregnancy, some women might become too preoccupied with their thoughts to become interested in sexual intercourse. They may be intrigued by the changes in their bodies, and even scared of them to an extent. If such a situation arises, then it becomes the man’s responsibility to put the woman at ease.

Some couples could find sex during pregnancy too difficult to manage, due to the increase in the size of the couple. This could make the vagina difficult to access considering some sexual positions. The man may be reluctant to lie on top because of fear of harming the fetus, and the woman may not lie on top for fear of putting more weight on the man. Both of these situations could lead to difficulty in managing sexual intercourse.

Finally, it must be remembered that there are alternatives to sexual intercourse if things become too difficult. Mutual masturbation is one of the options. The couple can stimulate each other’s genitals by hands and lead them to orgasms. This could help relieve the sexual frustration. Oral sex can be performed without any problems. Though not advisable due to hygienic reasons, anal sex is also an option. But the most important thing is, the couple should develop stronger emotional bonds of love for each other. During pregnancy, it is best to make love with the mind than with the genitals.

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By: Candy Williams

Breasts are body tissues, which can be effectively self-massaged or massaged by someone else. At some time or the other, most women experience physical and psychological trauma related to breast congestion, breast pain, discomforts of surgical procedures, and anxieties about changes in their breast tissues.

The fact that breasts are strongly associated with sexual touching and attractiveness, does not rule out the fact that they should not receive physical care. Breast care is an important area of health that is often neglected, due to the stigmas surrounding the treatment of this part of the body.

The breast tissue contains an abundance of lymph vessels. Unlike other areas of the body, the breast lacks sources of external compression, such as muscles or strong overlying frontal part that promotes natural lymphatic drainage. As a result, fluid has a tendency to stagnate, which may lead to breast problems. This is where gentle, non-stimulating massage techniques can be used to aid fluid recirculation.
Massage therapy is an effective non-invasive treatment for breasts, as they also require need good circulation and tissue mobilization for optimum health. It is at times believed that there may be a correlation between chronic poor breast drainage and susceptibility to cancer. Massage techniques is one of the most effective ways for addressing such problems and promoting breast health.

Advantages of breast massage:

# Breast massage is a concept used by women since centuries. It is a simple process, which can be done in the privacy of home. Secondly, it is an easy process and doesn’t take more than a few moments to accomplish.

# The breast is made up of tissue and adipose fat. A firm and proper massage helps tone these tissues and firms them up. This gives the breasts a healthier and more natural look.

# Breast massage help create a beautiful bust line by helping to shape and tone it, thus increasing its overall attractiveness.

# It helps one be aware of any fibrous areas of possible indications of breast cancer.

# It helps flush out high toxin materials from the breast, bring nutrition to the tissues and specifically remove the toxins via the lymphatic system.

# It gives women a feeling of their femininity, and promotes relaxation and peace of mind, as massage of other body parts does.

# Breast massage helps correct sagging, droopiness and other features, which are considered unattractive.

# Breast massage helps enhance the health and elasticity of the support ligaments, which in turn provides better breast support.

How to do breast massage?

Women’s breasts vary considerably in texture and sensitivity to pressure. Hence, gentle strokes for those who are sensitive or have softer breasts. Moderate pressure may be more effective for those with firmer-textured breasts. A lotion or massaging oil can also help avoid friction, and lessen sensitivity.
Gentle-to-moderate kneading, rubbing, and squeezing strokes with the hands are enough to encourage increased lymph and blood flow to the breast. The breast can be kneaded and squeezed by contracting the palm and fingers of the hand.

1. To drain the lymph fluid from the breast, a common massage stroke is a gentle radial outward stroke from the nipple to the outer edge of the breast. This is done by applying light pressure starting from the centre of the breast and making several strokes outwards from the nipple.

2. Hold your breast. But, instead of squeezing it out, give it a twirling kind of motion. Rotate your hands (and thus the breast) in a clockwise motion, followed by an equal anticlockwise motion. Continue this for about ten times.

3. Open out your palms on the breast such that are facing downwards. Then move your palms downwards so that the fingers rub against the side surfaces of the breast. This should be avoided on the nipple, as it may spoil its shape.

A gradual feeling of warmth in the massaged area indicates increased blood flow to massaged areas.
To gain maximum benefit and therapeutic effects, breast massage should be practiced daily, as part of a routine - perhaps when fresh out of the shower, since the skin is still somewhat moist. Massage can also be done several times a day, depending on requirement and schedule.

Precautions:

Breast massage is a very simple process that can be done by the individual. However, it must be done with the utmost care. Improper breast massage can actually boomerang, like damaging of the glandular tissues that hold your breasts upright.

Lymph drainage therapy for breast care:

Lymph drainage therapy (LDT) is a gentle, non-stimulating technique with few contraindications. LDT is particularly effective for treating breast tissue because it involves extremely light pressure. Mastopathies respond well to lymphatic breast care.

Breast problems, which benefit from LDT include:

# Menstruation related problems - breast pain and swollen breasts.

# Pregnancy and breast-feeding problems – engorgement due to massive breast edema, sore nipples, inflammation/infection, plugged ducts or nipple pores, fissures, dermatitis and stretch marks.

# Chronic non-malignant lumps –

# Breast implant complications

# Cosmetic concerns such as surgery and trauma recovery; scarring.
It is time for efficient breast care to be brought into the realm of accepted practice. Armed with proper knowledge and a clear understanding of our limits, we can eliminate the controversy and stigma surrounding this necessary therapeutic application.

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By: Tom alter

Menopause is the stage in a woman’s life when the menstrual cycle stops. This is not a disease; rather it is a natural process in a woman’s life. However, the stage when a woman has her menopause could be a very painful and mentally debilitating stage. There could be several complications.

From an Ayurvedic point of view, menses is the flow of excess pitta from the woman’s body. Menses is called as Raja in Ayurveda. For this reason, the stoppage of the menses flow permanently, i.e. menopause is called as Raja Nivrutti, which literally means retirement of menses.

Menopause is a culmination of all the three doshas of the woman’s body. The menses themselves are pitta, while the woman may gain in her weight during this time. This indicates a kapha imbalance. Since the woman may become moody and even lose her sleep during menopause, there is a strong indication of the vata dosha at play also.

Menopause can occur in women after the age of 45 years, though this widely varies from one woman to another. The average menopausal age could be taken as 51 years. It must be made clear that menopause is not an abrupt end to the menses. The decline of the menstrual flow occurs gradually as the months progress. Generally, a woman is said to have had her menopause if there has been no menstrual flow for at least one year.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Menopause

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Ashwagandha is more popularly known as Indian Ginseng for its believed aphrodisiacal properties. In the case of menopause, this herb is usually prescribed to cure insomnia and mood swings.

2. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

Beetroot is found to be extremely effective in making the menopausal experience less painful. It should be taken as a salad, in which the beetroots are boiled with their peel on. The peel must be removed before eating.

3. Indian Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)

Known popularly as the jatamansi in India, this is another herb prescribed to cure insomnia and mood swings. For such benefits, this herb is prescribed to be taken along with ashwagandha.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Menopause

The complications during menopause can be reduced by bringing about changes in the dietary patterns. There are some very beneficial points that can be followed:-

4. Bitter foods are good dietary indications. The dark green leafy vegetables are mostly bitter in taste. They must be regularly incorporated in the diet as a woman is moving towards her menopause.

5. Astringent foods are also advantageous. These foods include beans, soybeans, potatoes, cabbages and poultry foods. Both the bitter and the astringent foods help in reducing the excess heat in the woman’s body that is produced during menopause.

6. Foods that are sour, salty and pungent are contra-indications for menopause. Onions, garlic, mustard and chilies are pungent foods. Tomatoes, tamarinds, vinegars and curds are sour foods. These must be avoided.

7. Consume foods that can provide some phyto-estrogens. Such foods are watermelon, berries, legumes, licorice and pomegranates.

During menopause, the need of the following nutrients increases:-

a) Vitamin D – obtained from egg yolk, milk and animal liver

b) Vitamin K – obtained from green vegetables, cereals and animal foods

c) Magnesium – obtained from nuts, bananas and dairy products

d) Manganese – obtained from cereal, bran, nuts and tea

e) Calcium – obtained from milk and milk products.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Menopause

Chandraprabha is the tablet of choice that most physicians would provide for menopausal problems. This tablet helps in reducing the vata vitiation which is one of the foremost causes of menopausal problems. Along with this, Punarnavasava or Lodhrasava must be taken thrice in 15 milliliters doses for a month. In order to increase the strength of the body, Dashamoolarishta and Pradari Lauha are prescribed.

If there are hot flushes during menopause (which increase body temperature and then cause sudden chills), then Ashokarishta is given along with Useerasava.

For any irritations or infections that may occur in the vagina during menopause, Gokshuradi Guggulu is prescribed to be taken in doses of two pills twice a day.

Massaging the back with Chandanaadi taila helps to allay insomnia and mood swings which can occur due to vata vitiations during menopause.

(4) Home Remedies for Menopause

1. Licorice must be consumed in fair amounts during menopause. It has the phyto-estrogens that are necessary to correct the hormonal imbalances during menopause.

2. Have beetroot juice daily or include it in salads.

3. Another recipe is to boil a few carrot seeds in a glassful of milk. Consume this milk with carrot seeds in it on a daily basis.

4. During menopause, there is a chance of osteoporosis setting in due to loss of calcium. Hence take adequate care of your calcium intake. The foods mentioned above must be had in the proper amount to maintain calcium levels.

5. Maintain a healthy active regime. Sluggishness and a sedentary life will make the menopausal process quite difficult.

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By: Clint Jhonson

Puberty is the period in life that each of us experienced some time ago or is soon approaching. It’s the time our bodies begins to develop and change as we move from a child to an adult.When children reach this first major point in their lives, parents tend to get scared, panic and simply don’t have or choose not to answer the blunt line of questioning from their children. Questions typically focus on subject matters like sexuality, period, PMS or TSS.

It’s advisable that parents play a major role in educating teens on this stage in their lives. Open dialogue and communication a key factor in having a close relationship with our children prevents them from seeking outside advice, which potentially could be harmful to them. So, parents, start preparing to have that “talk” with your child and be ready for very direct lines of questioning from them. The following provides an overview about puberty and other related subject matter, to inspire your ”talk”.

Puberty is a period of time when young adults mature physically, sexually, emotionally, intellectually and psychologically. This stage takes place between the ages of 8-16 in girls and 10-17 in boys. Sometimes, these transformations come smoothly in step by step process; and at other times, puberty starts out as a shock. Don’t panic, this is totally normal.

During puberty growth hormones are awaken and a teenager’s body will experience major growth spurts. Girls typically experience physiological development first. They gain weight and the overall shape of their bodies will change, making them more womanly and rounder, especially in the hip area. They also experience breasts development also known as, “breast buds” in the beginning stages. Typically, within one to two years after a girl’s breasts starts to grow, she will experience her first menstrual period, another change that indicates that puberty is occurring.

In boys, puberty brings a changing voice and a rapid growth, particularly in their shoulders and muscles. Another early sign of puberty is new hair growth in places like the pubic area, under arms and on their cheeks – mustache and beard. These are the so called secondary sexual characteristics. The growth of axial and pubic hair is pertinent for girls as well. At the end of the puberty period, the genital organs for equally girls and boys reach their maturity stage, which means that they are ready for copulation. In other words, around age of 18, teens are physically ready to have children, but are they mentally prepared?

Puberty comes along with behavioral and mental changes. This is adolescence. Puberty and adolescence start together, but adolescence ends up much later than puberty. Teenagers typically want to stand out. They have a point of view, a personality to show in relationship with adult their adult counterparts, particularly in conflicts with their parents. The new emergent personality signals its presence by sometimes adopting radical ideas or an awkward fashion style and look. Teenagers start to look inside and begin to question themselves some suffer from an identity crisis. They are unsure of their feelings, and don’t understand what it is they’re experiencing. Fear not this is normal; it’s just the insurgence of hormones.

Puberty also brings on new sexual sensations. Sooner or later, teens become aware of the opposite sex; and prefer and look for attention from them. School is no longer the number one priority. This is the age when dating becomes important. They also become obsessed with the way they look, and dress. They feel the need to belong to a group or to have close friends who have common interests, like music and sports; they begin to share their feelings, sensations, worries and desires. Physical attraction can then ultimately lead to a sexual act. Adolescent girls need to be particularly educated with regards to having sexual experiences at a young age due to possibly unprepared pregnancy once they’ve had their first menstrual period.

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It’s so easy to blame hormones for all the overwhelming changes occurring during puberty: sexual activity, menstrual period, mood swings, rebelliousness, you name it. No matter how teenagers manage to get through, the reward will be worth the struggle: they eventually become young men and women.

By: Christy

Do you think you’re pregnant, but you don’t know for sure? Pregnancy testing can provide the answer to your question if you’re experiencing signs of pregnancy. A pregnancy test works by measuring the levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your urine. This hormone is first produced once a fertilized egg has implanted in your uterus, which generally occurs about six days following fertilization. The levels of hCG present in your bloodstream will then rapidly rise over the next few weeks at a rate of about twice the amount every two days. Approximately a week after you would normally expect your menstrual cycle to begin, you should be able to detect hCG in your urine with pregnancy testing.

A pregnancy test is very simple to use. Depending on the test you choose, you may need to collect some of your urine in a cup and dip a test strip into the collected urine, or even urinate on a test stick. Additionally, each test displays results differently. Some may indicate a result with a pink or purple line and others may display a plus or minus sign. Most tests will show results within 5 to 10 minutes.

If you receive a negative result from a pregnancy test, this should not be taken to mean that you are not pregnant. If your normal menstrual cycle does not begin within a few days, it is recommended that you take another test or consult a medical professional to confirm whether you are pregnant or not. It may also be possible to obtain a false positive from a test, which can be caused by a “chemical pregnancy”, which is a term for a fertilized egg that began producing hCG but then failed to continue developing for some reason. In any case, the best results from a test can be obtained from testing first thing in the morning, to ensure the highest concentration of hCG in your urine.

In addition to pregnancy testing, there are several common signs of pregnancy that can give an additional confirmation of your pregnancy, including:
Your breasts become tender and swollen. This is a result of increased hormone levels.
Fatigue. Progesterone levels rise during pregnancy and changes in your body as it adapts to pregnancy can cause you to feel more tired than normal.
Nausea and/or vomiting. Morning sickness affects most women about a month following conception and usually stops by the end of the second trimester.
Frequent urination. Extra fluids produced by your body presents more of a load for your kidneys to process, as well as the pressure of the growing baby on your bladder.

Heightened sensitivity to odors. You may notice that certain odors can cause you to feel sick or trigger a gag reflex, even if they normally wouldn’t do so. This may be caused by increasing levels of estrogen in your body.

If pregnancy testing has returned a positive result and you are experiencing any of the common signs of pregnancy, you should contact your medical professional to confirm that you are pregnant, as well as to arrange necessary prenatal care during your pregnancy.

Article Source: http://www.article-buzz.com

Information about the Author:

The article is prepared by Christy Berger who writes for TestCountry.com.Some information about this article is taken from these resources: Pregnancy Tests at Home: Early Pregnancy Tests Longer Version of Article can be found at Pregnancy Testing

By: Anna Hardy

Women also relieve their sexual frustrations by masturbating, just as men do. But in women, the mechanism of masturbation is more complex than in men. While men can achieve their orgasm just by applying a steady and strong pressure on the penis, women require a mental framework along with physical contact to reach their climax. In women, the touch is not the important part of the masturbation; the thought in their mind is. Also, male masturbation is a largely external process; but in women, masturbation is done by stimulating the internal genitals like the vaginal tract.

As already mentioned, there are various techniques of female masturbation. One of the most popular techniques women use is to arouse the clitoris. Women may begin with caressing their vulva and labia first; but gradually they will work their way to the little pea-sized pink organ known as the clitoris which lies between the folds of the labia. Women respond a lot to a rubbing kind of movement on the clitoris, which is generally done by the women with her first two fingers. The pressure and the rapidity of the strokes differ from women to women.

Since masturbation in women is an internal process, they can afford to be more adventurous than men. Though a woman produces enough lubricating fluids when fully aroused, some women would still apply lubricants such as KY Jelly or Vaseline. An external object in the vagina leads to an enhanced stimulation in most women. For this reason, women also experiment by inserting several objects shaped like the penis into the vagina. The list includes fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, gourds, bananas, radishes, etc. While putting any foreign objects such as these, it is necessary to lubricate the vagina more than its natural lubrication.

There are many sexual toys available to help women in masturbate. The most popular one is the dildo, which is a device shaped just like the human penis. This device could be mechanical or it could be battery operated. The idea is to insert the dildo into the vaginal tract to get a similar feeling as during penetrative sex. Advancements in the dildos have provided vibrators to them, due to which the pleasure it provides is greatly enhanced. Women use dildos even to stimulate their anuses. Thus, it can be said that the dildo is a versatile masturbatory device designed for women.

Positions adopted by women during masturbation also vary greatly. Most women prefer a sitting position with their legs stretched apart. This provides them easy access into the vaginal tract, and also facilitates a better stimulation of the clitoris. It also provides them with a comfortable posture. Women can also masturbate while lying down on a surface, but this is very inconvenient as the woman will need to stretch to reach out to her genitals. Standing postures are also employed. Some women rub their crotches against hard surfaces such as desks or kitchen stands and get themselves masturbated without having to touch their genitals.

It has been observed that in women, masturbation is more of a mentally aided process than a mere physical activity. Women need to be fully sexually aroused before they can achieve their full pleasure by masturbation. Women would love to have some music or to be able to look at something aesthetic like a painting or an erotic sculpture to masturbate, rather than looking at a nude male body. Several women can masturbate just by listening to some favorite music of theirs or by reading some erotic book, without even touching their genitals in actuality. It is possible for women to achieve masturbatory pleasure by just folding their legs and providing muscular pleasure within the masturbatory tract. For this reason, it can be said that in women masturbation is more of an intellectual activity than a sexual activity.

When it comes to a couple, then masturbation takes a different meaning altogether. Masturbation is very much useful in couples where the woman is pregnant and penetrative sex becomes cumbersome for that reason. When couples masturbate, it is called as mutual masturbation. This is usually preceded by foreplay. The male stimulates the genitals of the woman. He could begin by caressing the vulva, then the labia and finally reaching out to the clitoris. Rubbing the clitoris provides the woman with immense pleasure. At the same time, the woman can masturbate the penis and the scrotum of the male. Such mutual masturbation can also be employed when the couple does not want to have a baby or do not want to indulge in penetrative sex for some other reason.

Long since considered taboo, today women are becoming more open with their masturbation sessions and are even discussing that with their gynecologists. Doctors are in fact prescribing masturbation to some women in order to relieve themselves of their sexual frustrations especially when suffering from some diseases that make penetrative sex difficult. Masturbating women are at more peace of mind than women who indulge in penetrative sex with several men to douse their libidos.

Article Source: http://www.article-buzz.com

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Read more about Female masturbation and other Secret Sexual Issues at www.mysecrethealth.com
Also read more about the Secret of How to Increase Libido.

By: Rebecca Prescott

Whilst it may seem far fetched to think of beer as a natural menopause treatment, there is actually credible scientific research to support it. The key feature of beer in relation to menopause is the presence of phytoestrogens.

Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like plant compounds that are also in alternative menopause treatments like soy. They work by binding to estrogen receptors, and so provide a mild estrogenic effect on the body. Phytoestrogens are not as strong as regular estrogen, but as estrogen levels decline in menopausal women, this boost of estrogen has a balancing effect on the body. Supplementing with phytoestrogens in soy and hops (which is made into beer, but can be purchased as a supplement), can alleviate hot flushes and improve the general quality of life for women during menopause.

Hops has more typically been used by herbalists for its mild sedative effect. It’s great for sleeping problems, and also for nervous gastrointestinal and stomach problems. It is stimulating to the stomach, and has been used for anorexia, irritable bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, dysmenorrhoea and amenorrhoea.

Hops has long been suspected of having an effect on the hormonal system. Before the advent of machine pickers, women and girls picked the plants at harvest, and would often spend 3 weeks doing so. It was observed amongst the young girls picking hops that their menstrual periods would come on early. But it wasn’t until hops was studied scientifically that this result was explained and validated. It turns out that hops contains very high levels of phytoestrogens - between 30,000 IU to 300,000 IU per 100 grams. The levels of phytoestrogens are highest when the plant is fresh.

The phytoestrogen in hops is called 8-prenylnaringenin (8PN), and is stronger than other estrogens studied so far. It is present in beer, but levels are low compared to levels in plant extracts.

8-prenylnaringenin (8PN) is a flavone. It has been found in the animal model to have milder but similar effects to estradiol. The hops flavone also had a stimulating effect on the uterus in this study (on animals). It has not been established if this effect is also present in women taking hops. If so, progestins, or natural progesterone, would need to be taken at the same time to prevent overstimulation of the endometrial tissue.

Czech scientists have developed this research by using a new technology to create a non-alcoholic beer that contains the same amounts of hops and malt as regular beer. No mention was made at this stage as to whether the menopause beer would have higher levels of phytoestrogens. The idea came about because the Czech Republic is a strong beer drinking nation, and menopausal women there had low levels of estrogen in their diet. The menopause beer is aimed at relieving the symptoms of menopause and improving bone density.

Scientists have also found hops to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Compounds in hops have an effect similar to regular pain killers like ibuprofen, but with less of a disturbing impact on the gastrointestinal system. These active constituents of hops work in the same way as the arthritis drugs vioxx and celebrex, in that they are COX-2 inhibitors.

Hops is also an antioxidant, it may reduce insulin resistance, and is being investigated for its potential anti tumor properties. Hops was found to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells ‘in vitro’, or in the lab, paving the way for further studies to be done. Hops should not be taken by people with depression however, according to traditional herbalists.

References:
1. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=68117
2. raysahelian.com/hops.html
3. R Weiss, Herbal Medicine
4. Fisher and Painter, Materia Medica of Western Herbs
5. joe.endocrinology-journals.org/cgi/content/abstract/188/3/397

Article Source: http://www.article-buzz.com

Information about the Author:

For more information on natural treatments for menopause, click here. For a discussion on pre-menopause symptoms, click here. Rebecca Prescott runs the site, Menopause to Health

Author: Bryanna Bredius

For those of us who have acne know that it can be quite a struggle to treat. The good news is that there is a wealth of research and knowledge that enable us to make new breakthroughs more often than not.

What exactly is Acne?

That would be the first step in understanding just how Acne is treated. Acne simply starts out as a pimple. The pimple starts out as a hair duct which becomes clogged in some way. The most common “clogâ€� is usually caused by skin debris, fat, and keratin (this is the same protein that our nails and hair are made of). After time, the pore either stays open or it closes. If the pore closes while the clog remains, it eventually turns into what is most commonly called a “whiteheadâ€� or if you want to get technical, a closed comedo. I just love those little guys! They’re so awesome! If they don’t close over, the clog becomes hardened and turns into “The Great Blackheadâ€� or an open comedo. Basically, the end result is bacteria that run a muck causing redness, inflammation and even pain (pain is usually associated with a nodule or a cyst). This is Acne.

What causes Acne?

Well, it’s not determined what the actual cause is. I suppose that it could be more of an individual thing. Just because medical science has no explanation, doesn’t mean that you can’t document your own flare-ups to see if a pattern emerges over time.

Is there a cure?

There is treatment. The key is to do your research (such as you are) and find what works for you. I would only use products that will offer a money back guarantee. Be aware that some products can lose their potency after extended use.

What are some good ingredients to look for in a treatment?

Well, Sulfur seems to be an ingredient that has been around for quite some time. It’s definitely proven its worth.

Another ingredient to look for would be Zinc. This aids in calming the skin (helps ward off colds as well) and helps to soothe the affected area.

Alpha Lipoic Acid seems to have a couple different uses. For one, it acts as an antioxidant which minimizes pores while firming the skin.

Salicylic Acid is another useful treatment when it comes to acne. It helps to dry out the affected area while minimizing redness. The tricky part is that you need a product to contain between 20 to 30 percent concentration in order for it to be as effective as if it were in a clinic.

The last thing that may be helpful is Licorice. Licorice is good to help balance out the skin tone because it’s actually somewhat of a bleaching agent. So it will be helpful when trying to repair some of the brown discolored spots that some people develop.

Though little is still known about what acne originates from, why or how it chooses its victims, there is one thing for sure; it does not discriminate. Whatever the skin color, whatever the age, and whatever the gender is completely inconsequential. Acne has been around forever and to my knowledge it does not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. The good news is that you’re not alone and treatment gets better all the time. So in the meantime, the best thing to do is to stay educated, think positive, get involved with support groups and continue treatment the best way you know how.

Bryanna Bredius’ experience in this topic has come from an abundance of research, study, and a first hand trial and error approach. She considers herself to be her best test subject. To learn more about this topic and related issues, visit www.what-u-need.net/acne

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Source: http://www.a1articles.com/article_132832_49.html

Author: jyenterprises

Diamonds

About Diamond Weights

Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If adiamond is referred to as four grains; this also means that it is a one carat diamond. The word Carat comes from the word carob. A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was one carob, or one carat. However, in the Far East, where Carob trees do not grow, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed as much as four grainsof rice, it was four grains – or one carat, as we know it to be now. The majority ofdiamond purchases are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.

Beware when shopping for diamonds that are already set or mounted.

If more than one diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total Weight – it does not tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying.

All About the Clarity of Diamonds

Clarity is an important aspect of a diamond, and it is important to know how to grade the clarity of a diamond before you buy one. It is actually quite easy to learn how to grade the clarity of a diamond. There are basically two things that you must understand: Diamonds with visual inclusions and blemishes, and those that are ‘eye clean’ meaning that there are no inclusions or blemishes that can be seen with the naked eye. From there, the clarity of a diamond is further broken down into subcategories.

Many people mistakenly think that diamond clarity refers to how clear it is. This isn’t so. Clarity actually refers to the internal and external imperfections of the diamond. The best diamonds, of course get a grade of FL or IF – Flawless or Internally Flawless – meaning that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 means that the diamond is imperfect, with a grade of I-3 being the worst.

Other grades are VVS1 and VVS2, which means that the diamond is very, very slightly imperfect; VS1 and VS2, meaning the diamond is very slightly imperfect; SI-1 and SI-2, which means that the diamond is slightly imperfect.

Are Diamonds Really Rare?

When you walk into a jewelry store and see all the diamonds in all of the various settings that are for sale, it is difficult to realize that diamonds are indeed rare.Most people don’t even stop to consider how that diamond came to be sitting in that jeweler’s case! There is quite a bit of work that is done before a diamond isready to sell to the general public!

For every one million diamonds that are mined, only one will be found that is a quality one carat diamond. In order to find a two caret diamond, about five million diamonds must be mined. More than two hundred tons of ore must be mined tofind one small diamond, and even then, more than 80% of the diamonds that are mined are only good for industrial use, such as diamond drill bits.

So, the next time you visit your local jewelry store, ask to see the one carat diamonds. You should look at this diamond with new appreciation – knowing that it truly is one in a million!

Buying Diamonds Online

With all of the potential for scams concerning diamonds, buying diamonds online almost seems unthinkable! However, you actually can purchase diamonds online, without any problems – as long as you are careful.

First, think about your reasons for wanting to purchase the diamond online, as opposed to making a purchase from a local jewelry store. The most common reason is price. Due to low overhead costs, online jewelers and wholesalers are able to offer lower prices. However, you must be careful – sometimes a price that is too low is a sure indication of a scam.

One of the best things about purchasing online is the unlimited selection. When shopping offline, you are limited to the selection in the stores in your general area. Online, there are no limits. But again, you must use a great deal of care and consideration before handing your money over to someone that you cannot see and have never met!
Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds – especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. When you are knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you off. Once you know more about diamonds, you will be ready to start shopping.

Take your time. Don’t purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale. Do some comparison shopping to find the lowest prices. Once you have found the lowest p rice, start doing your investigation. You know about diamonds, you’ve found a diamond that you love, and you’ve found the lowest price – but you are still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that diamond!

Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. View and print the seller’s return, refund, and upgrade policies.
Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on this particular company around the Internet. Also check with the BBB Online to see if there have been any complaints.

Ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS. You should see this before making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds – preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller. This is the surest way to protect yourself…again; make sure that you use a reputable escrow service!

Choosing The Cut of A Diamond

There are many different cuts of diamonds to choose from. The cut essentially refers to the shape that the diamond is cut into – unless you are in the diamond or jewelry business, but this shape has a great impact on the much the diamond sparkles.

The most popular cuts are heart, marquise, oval, pear, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. The shape has an impact on how much the diamond sparkles, but the actual cutting itself – when the diamond cutter actually cuts the diamond into a particular shape – also matters a great deal. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose its sparkle.
However, in the diamond industry, the cut of a diamond doesn’t refer to its shape at all. Instead, this is a reference to the stone’s depth, width, brilliance, durability, clarity, and other aspects of the diamond. Common cutting problems include a missing or off center culet, misalignment, and a diamond that is too thick or too thin, cracks, or broken culets.

When shopping for a diamond, you should of course choose the shape that you like the best, but then look at several different diamonds of that shape to find the one with the best cut – the one that sparkles the most, in all types of lighting.

Colored Diamonds

Fancy colored diamonds are all the rage these days. Gemologists have
developed new ways to create versions that are affordable for the average person - by treating less desirable diamonds. These less desirable diamonds are treated with irradiation followed by intense heat. This turns brown and yellowish diamonds into beautifully colored diamonds that you can afford. This produces stunning greens, blues, yellows, reds, purples and other colors. These colors are considered permanent, but there is a possibility they could change during repairs if a high heat is used.

Treatments like irradiation make it possible for more people to own these vividly colored diamonds. Most natural colored diamonds are rare and also extremely expensive. When shopping for colored diamonds you need to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated. Ask about the stones origin and request to view a lab certificate to verify authenticity.

Synthetic colored diamonds are another option if owning a colored diamond is something you desire but cannot quite afford. They are real diamonds, but they are created in a lab.
Natural fancy color diamonds get their coloring from different trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond.

Diamonds can be colored by exposure to radiation during its creation. An example of a diamond affected by radiation is a Green diamond.
Another way that a natural colored diamond gets color is by its inclusions.

Regarded as flaws and undesirable in a colorless diamond, inclusions give unique tones and brilliant flashes of color in a fancy color diamond. Remember that Natural fancy colored diamonds are very expensive, any colored diamond labeled to be sold as natural should be accompanied by a certificate from a respected grading lab.

A "fancy" diamond is a natural diamond that has color. These colors vary from red, green, purple, violet, orange, blue and pink – and most shades between. Fancy color shades vary from faint to intense.
The most famous diamonds in the world are Color diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond, which is yellow, and the Hope Diamond which is blue, are colored, diamonds. Color diamonds have an amazing financial track record. The value has never decreased on wholesale level in more than 30 years. Blue and pink diamonds have doubled every 5 years of a strong economy. In the 1970’s you could have bought a very high quality blue diamond for about 50K and today the very same stone would be worth between 2 and 3 million.

Diamond Certificates

A diamond certificate is also known as a Diamond Grading Report. This report comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and you should require this report when you are purchasing a diamond.

With a diamond certificate, you can verify the color, cut, carat, weight, and clarity of the diamond. You don’t have to worry about a diamond dealer telling you anything less than the truth, because the certificate comes from the GIA – not the dealer. You may be required to pay for the certificate, but the cost is usually low, and in many cases, it will help you negotiate a better price on the diamond – or keep you from purchasing a lower quality diamond altogether.

If you buy a high quality diamond, and then later decide to sell the diamond, you will need to have the certificate, or you will have a hard time selling it to someone else. Furthermore, you can use the Diamond Grading Report to look up the wholesale value of the diamond in question. Use the guide that is used by the diamond cutting industry.
With the Certificate, or Diamond Grading Report, there won’t be any doubts when you are trying to purchase a diamond. You can easily find out what the diamond is worth. This will prevent you from overpaying, and it can prevent a seller from under-charging as well.

A copy of the Diamond Grading Report should be given to your insurance company as well, when you insure the diamond. This provides absolute, unquestionable proof of the value of the diamond should it be stolen in the future. Insurance companies cannot argue with the report.

Avoid diamond dealers who seem reluctant to provide a certificate! Also avoid sellers who tell you that a certificate diamond will cost you more – the only additional cost should be the cost of the certificate, which is low. If the dealer doesn’t want to provide a certificate, then you don’t want to do business with that dealer.
Don’t accept certificates from Gemological Laboratories other than GIA. There
are many fly-by-night Gemological labs these days, but in the end, GIA has been established as the most respectable and trustworthy – not to mention oldest – of the lot. So avoid dealers who don’t want to use GIA for certification purposes as well.

Don’t buy an expensive diamond without paying the extra cost of the certificate. If a dealer tries to convince you to make the purchase without the certificate, or if they want to use a company other than GIA, you can be sure that the dealer has probably greatly inflated the price of the diamond – they have something that they are hiding from you.

Diamond Scams

When it comes to diamonds, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. Scams occur simply because most people who buy diamonds – for whatever reasons – don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled.

A common scam that most jewelry stores participate in is the Carat Total Weight scam. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond. This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is.

Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a ¾ carat diamond, it is probably between ½ and ¾ carat – but closer to ¾. Jewelry stores often run ‘fluorescence’ scams to varying degrees. Referring to a diamond as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality – even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well.

Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth – and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action.

Another common dirty trick is to switch the diamond you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past.
There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your diamonds with the utmost care and consideration.

Famous Diamonds

Among the most well known diamonds is the Hope. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. This diamond was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky 110-carat rough.

The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored diamonds. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless.
The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII.

The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary weight of 128.54 carats.

And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.
The Koh-I-Noor ( Mountain of Light ) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah Jehan‘s famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.

The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.
The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa.
The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier o f New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it "Cartier." The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond for Elizabeth Taylor.

He renamed it the "Taylor-Burton�. In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale. Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.

How to Buy Diamond Engagement Rings

There is much to consider when purchasing a diamond – especially diamond engagement rings! The tradition of presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring when proposing began in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy – and in most cases, the woman you plan to propose to will expect a ring to accompany that proposal!

First, determine how much ring you can afford. Most people use the ‘two months salary’ rule. This means that the ring should cost the equivalent of two months of your current salary. Because you have other bills to pay, saving up this amount of money may take quite a bit of time. You should consider financing. Simply go to the jeweler of your choice and tell them that you plan to buy an engagement ring, and that financing will be necessary. Go ahead and get the credit check out of the way, find out what your payments will be, and how much of a down payment is required.

Now, have your mother, sister, or your girlfriends best friend take your girlfriend shopping, and make sure that they gaze at the engagement rings to get an idea of what she might like. Make sure that the jewelry store you buy the ring from will allow you to return the ring, if that is required, or allow your girlfriend to exchange it for another if she isn’t happy with it!

How to Care for Your Diamond

Caring for a diamond takes more than occasional cleanings. Diamonds are forever, but they can be damaged if you are not careful. By learning how to properly care for your diamond, you will ensure that your diamond is indeed forever.

First, you should take your diamond jewelry to a jeweler once a year. Have him check the mountings and prongs that hold your diamond in place. Have him make any needed repairs. This will prevent your diamond from falling out of its setting and becoming lost.

Diamond jewelry that is not being worn, or diamonds that are loose should be stored in a fabric lined jewel case, or in a jewelry box where it can be kept separate from other jewelry. Each piece should have its own compartment. This will keep diamonds from becoming scratched, and it will also keep your diamond from scratching other jewelry as well.

Remove your diamond jewelry when doing physical work. Diamonds can be chipped and scratched easily. Also avoid allowing your diamond to come into contact with bleach or other household cleansers – this can damage or change the color of the settings and mountings, and it may even irreversibly change the color of the diamond!

How to Sell A Diamond

There are many reasons why you may want to sell a diamond that you own.

Perhaps you’ve gotten divorced, or you are strapped for cash. The reasons why don’t really matter – getting the best possible price is what counts! The way to obtain the best price for the diamond is to not be in a rush. Slow down, and carefully consider all of your options – there are many.

First, have the diamond appraised. In fact, have it appraised by two or three jewelers to get an accurate idea of the diamonds value. Tell the appraiser that you want the Rapaport Value. This is the wholesale value of the diamond, and it basically tells you the highest price that you can sell your diamond for. If your diamond has no certificate, you should consider getting a certificate from GIA. This may help you get a better price for the diamond as well.

First, try to sell the diamond yourself, to people you know. Friends and family members may be interested. If you don’t have any luck with friends or family members, you should turn to outside sources.

Absolutely avoid pawn shops! A pawn shop will only offer you about 10% of what the diamond is worth! Also avoid offers of selling the ring on consignment. There are many things that can go wrong, and there is no shortage of diamond scams – even in well known jewelry stores.

If the diamond is important, you should strongly consider auctioning it off through one of the famous auction houses, such as Christie’s or Sotheby’s. If it isn’t what is considered an ‘important’ diamond or a high-end diamond, you should try to sell it to an individual using classified ads, or even eBay. However, selling to an individual that you do not know could put you in danger – especially if the diamond is worth a lot of money.

Your final option should be a jewelry store. It is vital that you not let your diamond out of your sight while in the jewelry store – you might find that the diamond you walked in with is not the same diamond that you walk out with! The jeweler will try to tell you that your diamond is of poor quality or low weight.

Inevitably, there will be some problem with the diamond. This is where your appraisal and/or certificate will come in handy.

If the jeweler is fair, they will offer you between 60% and 80% of the value of the Rapaport Value. Do not accept anything less than this. Again, do not let the diamond out of your sight until you have been paid for it.

How to Spot A Fake Diamond

In this world of advanced technology it is almost impossible to simply look at a diamond and determine whether it is real or not – especially if you don’t know much about diamonds. There are some steps that you can take to avoid buying a fake diamond, however.

First, only deal with reputable jewelers, and when you find a reputable jeweler, stick with them. Avoid buying diamonds or other jewelry from jewelers that you have never dealt with before in the past. Ask to see the certificate for the stone.

If no certificate exists, walk away.

Look at the setting that the stone is in. Fake diamonds, such as zirconias, are usually set in low quality metals. Take a close look at the stone. Fake diamonds are not durable – natural diamonds, on the other hand, are the most durable stone on the planet. Look for scratches or nicks.

After purchasing a diamond, take it to another jeweler for appraisal. In fact, take it to two or three other jewelers for an appraisal to make sure that the appraisals are all fairly close. If you find that you have purchased a fake diamond, you may be accused of making a switch when you return to the store of your purchase;
therefore, it is important to have a certificate for the diamond. No two stones are alike.

Selecting Diamonds

Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using grading criteria. Four of these criteria are critical to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment. Known as the “Four C’sâ€� these criteria are: color, cut, clarity and carat.

Color is the result of the composition of a diamond and it does not change. When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle.

Cut refers to a diamonds reflective quality. Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets. The brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut. The different angles and the finish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and cause its brilliance and fire. Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty.

Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage. A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and appear not to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is probably the most important of the Four C’s.

During the formation process, inner flaws, or inclusions occur in most diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced. To be considered “flawless�, a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible upon being viewed by a skilled diamond grader using 10 power magnifications.

Carat is the unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 segments called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats.

When you go to the store to make that all important diamond purchase, do not be shy! Ask questions, get the answers needed to make an informed purchase. Shopping for certified diamonds enables you to make an informed selection. Knowing the “four C’sâ€� allows you to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price. But, before making a purchase, shop around and decide what shapes and styles really appeal to you. Enjoy your diamond for years to come!

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Source: http://www.a1articles.com/article_135749_49.html

Author: Robert Closs

What ever happened to Fay Wray? We’ve lost her in the tunnels of time, but the new starlet captured in these beastly arms is just as gorgeous as Wray ever was- and we’ve done it all with a little bit of air! Sounds light? You’re right! Airbrushing! The flawless coverage and natural translucency that airbrush makeup offers is a huge step in the evolution of makeup art.

When the average person hears the word airbrush, we think of a car being painted, or the final stages of prints for magazines that are finessed into perfection. Today, these processes are accomplished digitally. The model’s print (who already happens to be stunningly gorgeous) is color corrected, her teeth are made whiter, her pupils enhanced, her lashes made thicker, her skin tweaked to perfection, her legs thinned out and elongated. It’s quite an artificial process and it leads me to the conclusion that I …or any farm animal in Bruce County, for that matter… could probably model for Vogue. However, what would you say if some of these adjustments could be made on your face instead of on your picture? I said prove it!

As I watched the tiny droplets leave the airbrush gun and dance in the air before landing on the subject’s face I was intrigued. I was sold when I saw a pretty great result dry into flawlessness. "Lets just wait a minute and watch the paint dry to see the final result," the demo makeup artist whispered. (It reminded me of an episode on the original Star Trek with William Shatner hanging out with a colony of women taking "the beauty pill " and watching all the "Plain Janes" turning into sexy amazons with the blink of an eye).

Spending time with the system I discovered the secrets that airbrushing holds. The airbrush gun takes the tiniest, most fragile foundation molecule and oxidizes it into a high opacity. In other words, one can wear the sheerest of sheer foundations and have virtually perfect skin. When I took the airbrush foundation and tried to apply it by traditional methods (a sponge and my fingertips) it was too watery to work with. Yet the same foundation passed through the air system takes on a new characteristic and a strength that I have not seen in the twenty-six years I’ve been painting faces.

Our model, a mother of two in her mid-thirties is posing for a "beauty and the beast" concept photo shoot. Genny has had her foundation, contour, and eye shadow air brushed. This photograph has been slightly lightened but is untouched. Genny typically has darkness under her eyes, and an uneven skin tone.

THE PROS OF AIRBRUSH MAKEUP:

• Maximum coverage with minimal product

• Delivers a natural and translucent look

• Great for oily skin

• Fantastic for overly active skin that tends to "eat" makeup up

• Lasts ten to twelve hours - a bride’s best friend

• Does not require powder, which can be ageing

• Some foundation formulations are silicone based

• Silicone is as smooth as silk

Author: cheetu

Hypnosis is the natural way of improving your breast size without any surgical approach. Through this process you can increase up to 3 inches of your bust size.
Hypnosis is as much safest as surgical implants are not. It is the best way of getting bigger and softer bust without any side effects, pain and scars.

Complications of Breast Implant Surgery
Do you know that 75% of the women are moving into natural alternative of improving breast instead surgery?
Because breast implant surgery involves risk and other major complications like surgical infection, breast pain, breast cancer, loss of nipple sensation, problem in breast feeding, unnatural and asymmetrical appearances etc.
Women who have implants will need to have one or more additional surgeries due to the cosmetic concerns and capsular contracture.Not only this, in breast implanting silicone and saline like chemicals are used which results hardening after surgery.

Most of the women have claimed that they have become ill after surgery. They have complaint including systemic fungus, neurological and rheumatologic problems.
How Does Breast Enlargement Hypnosis Works
Bigger And Natural Breast in two simple steps…
1. Understanding how your mind responds to self hypnosis. Your mind is impressed by what you see in your body. Your present body is manifestation of an image that you possess deeper in subconscious mind, so if you want to change your body you have to change that image and it’s very easy by hypnosis.
2. By the help of hypnotic suggestions your subconscious mind to enlarge your breast size. Hypnosis is the process of communicating your mind. Through hypnosis we can instruct, your mind to stimulate that hormone which causes the growth of woman’s breast.
The growth of woman’s breast is caused by sex hormones chiefly estrogen. Estrogens are present in both men and women. They are usually present at significantly higher levels in women of reproductive age.

During hypnosis we’ll take you so deep where your mind becomes receptive and then we’ll put such suggestions, which will effect direct to your mind.
This process is so cool, calm and relaxing that you will enjoy doing it everyday.
For
More on Feminization and Breast Enlargement cheetu.com

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Author: Terri-leigh

Had enough of standing in front of the mirror and plucking out your sneaky, little gray hairs that seem to be sprigging-up more and more. Well I am going to help you decide what color is best for you and your hair and guide you along with an easy step by step guide to getting rid of gray hair.

1. First of all you need to decide how much of your hair is gray, look at your hair and estimate a percentage of gray.

2. Use a semi-permanent if you estimate your hair is around 20 percent gray. The semi-permanent will begin to fade after 6-12 washes. So your hair will require frequent re-coloring if you shampoo your hair everyday.

3. If your hair is around 50 percent gray then I would opt for a longer lasting semi-permanent, often called a “quasi”. These colors will last roughly around 24-28 washes. So if “quasi” isn’t labeled on the box then look to see how many weeks the color will last which will be on the box.

If your hair is more than 50 percent gray and you are looking to color most or all of your gray hair then you will need a permanent dye. If you are more than 50 percent gray and you would prefer a semi-permanent then that is okay but you should know that all of your gray will not be covered, however some clients actually prefer this as:

· A small amount of gray left which looks very natural. People that see your hair will just assume you don’t color your hair because they can see a little gray, when in actual fact most of it is covered!

· You don’t need to do touch-ups (roots) as often.

· Semi-permanents are kinder on the hair and leave hair with an incredible shine and in great condition.

4. If you decide that your hair needs a permanent dye then I would advise doing a strand test. One reason for this is to check your hair is compatible with the chemicals in the color. Secondly, to assess the result of the color.

· Cut off about a ¼ of an inch of hair from underneath, near your neck and bind one end with some tape.

· Mix a small amount of the hair color solution from the directions on the box.

· Place the hair swatch in the solution and leave for least amount of time according to the box. (It’s generally around 40 minutes).

· Although do keep checking for the desired color, take a note of the time it took.

Choose colors that closely match your natural color. The natural color you’re looking for is not the gray; it’s the darker strands in your hair. Once you have determined your natural hair color consider a shade darker for your chosen color as the color can appear lighter than expected, and will most likely fade a little due to washing and UV rays from the sun.

You will need to regularly touch-up your roots, around 6-8 weeks depending on your hair growth. I would suggest coloring your hair on a Saturday morning, if possible, so you have time get used to your new look before you go back to work.

Give yourself plenty of time to apply the color as it may seem tricky at first. Take your time and apply neatly over your hair.

Be especially neat around your hair line as the color will stain to a certain degree. However there are ways to prevent bad staining by apply a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) around your hair hairline and the tops of your ears and around the back of your neck.

Make sure you don’t get any petroleum jelly on your hair as this will act as a barrier against the color, which means you will be left with patches of hair uncolored.

Lay an old towel over the bathroom and wear an old top. Wear fitted protective gloves and now you can begin the coloring process. Follow the directions on the box exactly.

Set the timer and sit back and relax while you wait for your hair to develop.

Top 3 Don’ts When Coloring your Hair!

1. If you have used a Henna Color, make sure you never use any Chemical products on it i.e. Color and Perm solution as the chemical reaction will be extremely damaging to your hair, scalp and skin. You will have to wait until it grows out.

2. Some color-enhancing products can be quite irritable to the scalp so always test on very small amount before hand. (back of your neck or behind your ear)

3. Avoid chlorine for a few days after coloring, this could change the color.

Author: Danielle Bennett

Deciding to buy a baby bath tub may be as easy as a picking out cute little baby booties, or as hard as choosing the right name for your baby. With prices on some infant bath tubs as high as 30 and 40 dollars; many may wonder if having one is really a necessity, or just an expensive baby luxury.

Well consider this… The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that dozens of children drown each year. Two-thirds of these accidents happened in the home in bath tubs. While the majority of these drownings took place when the child was left unattended, a few incidences occurred while a parent was trying to give their baby a bath in an adult-sized tub and the child just simply slipped away.

For safety reasons, baby bath tubs are clearly a necessity, especially during those first few months when an infant cannot sit up or provide their own support.

Many of these specialized baby tubs are designed with slings or hammocks that will hold a newborn securely in place. Others have a foam grip inside that will prevent slipping. All of them are small enough to fit inside a regular bath tub which gives the parent the convenience of bathing their baby in an environment that is water-friendly and easy to keep clean.

But make sure you do some research and read product reviews on the various baby bath tubs on the market before you fork over your hard earned cash. A tub that is perfect for one baby may be a complete disaster for another. A Soothing Spa and Shower Baby Bath Tub may sound like a wonderful thing, but if you later find out that the sprayer is too difficult to use you may end up feeling ripped off. That’s why it is always best to find out what other parents have to say before you buy.

Lastly, if you are giving your baby a bath for the very first time, consult your pediatrician or get some information online on how to do it right. Experts say you should not immerse a baby in bath water before the umbilical cord has fallen off or the circumcision has healed. Sponge baths are the only way to go in the first few weeks. You should also line up all of your baby bath items before you start the bath.

More importantly, NEVER EVER leave a baby unattended in a bath tub! If you have to leave the room, take your baby with you.

Author Bio:
Danielle Bennett is an editor at http://www.BabyBathBasics.com . The site provides baby bath information and advice for new parents as well as product reviews and helpful online baby bath videos.

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Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_148127_40.html

Author: CharleyHwang

Some people want to enjoy their intimacy of their life but one of the ways is to consume birth control pills. However, people believe that taking birth control pills will help to control acne. How far is this true? Women sure will think about this statement as if ‘killing two birds with one stone’ and fear of side effects surely comes into the mind.

Back in history, in 1997, Us Food and Drug Administration or FDA approved low dosage of birth control pills to treat acne patients. SO to those teenagers who are more prone to acne, birth control pills are the answer they are seeking. Dermatologist will recommend different kinds of creams, antibiotics and other medication but even birth control pills. Birth control pills can stabilize fluctuating hormone level in the person’s body which causes acne. Thus, the usage of birth control pills is not only what it seems on the surface.

Acne usually develops at the teen period of our life and this is when our hormone levels begin to fluctuate. At this moment, our glands which are located under our skin near the hair follicle will begin to produce oils. Combination of oil and dead skin cells will form acne that is trapped in our skin pores.

Birth control pills are prescribed for mild to severe acne if other medications fail to do its part. Hormone that contained in birth control pills prevents can from forming on our skin. Most of the birth control pills work the same thus any of those pills will work the same way but the effectiveness of these pills will be quite long. It will take from several weeks to months for the effect to be obvious.

The decision making of taking birth control pills is very subjective to personal and also medical point of view. Thus, before making decision, get the facts right of the pro’s and con’s before proceeding. This may be important as some people might develop allergies to the medication or the sight effect of it. The side effects are vaginal bleeding, fluid retention, melasma and depression. However, the pills side effects not only stop at there, it also has some relations to heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer. Smokers should stay away from birth control pills as the risk is higher to contract cancer. Some women who stopped taking birth pills after some time find it even worse than before.

Combinations of estrogen and progestin hormones are very common in most birth control pills. For those pills which contain estrogen and progestin hormones with high contain of androgen, which is a male hormone will make our acne worse.

In conclusion, be wise when making decision to take birth control pills as acne treatment and there are other alternatives to enjoy sex instate of taking birth control pills.

For more information on Acne Treatment or visit http://www.myacnetreatments.com/treating-acne-with-birth-control-pills/, a popular website that offers information on Acne Treatments, Acne Solutions, and Acne Medications. Please leave the links intact if you wish to reprint this article. Thanks

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Author: vincent platania

Make Soap and Water Time Special

Creating special times to bond with your small child is an important part of parenting. The daily bath can be a struggle or a special, relaxing, and fun time for both of you. From your newborn’s first bath, you have the opportunity to teach your child to enjoy the bathing experience. Bathing children the right way from the very beginning can teach them to trust their caregivers and to look forward to time set aside for personal care.

Baby’s first bath at home can be in a special infant tub or in a sink next to a counter or dressing table in a warm room. Gather a fresh diaper, a soft wash cloth, soft towel, mild soap, swabs, lotions, and any other product recommended by your family doctor for baby skin care. Have on hand a small, soft to use during baby’s shampoo. Gently scrubbing baby’s scalp with this soft brush will help eliminate any cradle cap. Use this brush also to style you little one’s hair until baby is ready for a regular brush.

Before undressing your baby, wet the washcloth and gently wash baby’s face, paying special attention to the eye area, ears, and folds under the chin. Then, gently cradle baby’s head in one hand and, using a mild shampoo and the scrub brush, wash and rinse his scalp. Remove baby’s shirt and wash his hands, arms, tummy and back. Then, remove the diaper and wash the diaper area and legs and feet. Wrap him in his big, soft towel and gently pat him dry. Apply any baby skin care products and dress him quickly to keep him warm. If his naval has fallen off and healed, you can set him down in the tub, in a couple of inches of water, while you are washing his body. That way, he can get used to being in water, and you can rinse the soap thoroughly off his skin.

Before placing your infant in the tub, be sure the water is neither hot nor cold. Most babies will prefer water that is skin temperature to slightly warm. Remember to hold your baby securely and to work quickly so your baby does not startle or get cold. Keeping baby comfortable during the experience will help him eventually look forward to bathtime.

When your child is walking, he is ready to move into the big tub, with lots of help. A toddler bath is a teaching experience and play experience, as well as a time to get clean. Let your child help you gather and organize everything you will need: a clean, soft towel and washcloth, mild soap, a mild shampoo, a good, soft bath brush, two or three special bath toys, bath salts or bubble bath to make sudsy bubbles. Don’t use bath oil for very young children. Their skin usually doesn’t need the moisturizers, and the oil can make the tub slippery. If a toddler slips in the tub, he might get hurt or become afraid of the bathtub.

Have your child “help” you fill the tub and add a small amount of bubble bath. Be sensitive to the water temperature your child prefers. Some children prefer a cooler bath than an adult might. Also, be careful of too hot a bath. Often, water heaters are set to a temperature that can scald a young child. Never let your toddler run his own bath. Also, never leave your toddler in a tub of water alone—even for a few seconds. If the doorbell or phone rings and you have to answer, wrap your little one in a towel and take him with you. Toddlers can be scalded or drown in a very short time.

If your child has a fear of water, start with only two or three inches of water in the tub. Let him put his toys in the tub and wash them with the shampoo, soap, and washcloth. Make a game of playing with the bubbles, and a game of getting his skin wet and soapy. Before you know it, a game of “peek-a-boo” using a wet washcloth can result in a washed face. A sudsy back rub can result in a clean child. Carefully avoid getting any soap in his eyes, and be sure to rinse all the soap off your child. Help him rinse, dry, and put away his special toys until the next bathtime. Then, wrap that clean toddler in that fluffy towel and enjoy! With care, your toddler’s bath can be a highlight of the day. Bathing children the right way can strengthen your relationship with your children as well as help them enjoy the rituals of personal grooming.
Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com

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Author: Timothy Millar

Planning a baby shower is the loveliest gift that you can give to a mother-to-be. When planning the baby shower remember that its meant to be fun, so don’t get all stressed out about everything being perfect. 

Planning
When you are planning to throw a baby shower, there are a lot of preparations that must go into the celebration. There are two main keys to planning the baby shower, making lists and delegating some of the work. Here are several mistakes common mistakes to avoid when planning your baby shower – 

Not considering if you have too many guests – can the location, food or activities cater to so many people?
Keep a watchful eye on the budget its no fun looking the bill at the end of the day that will break the bank. 
Avoid the temptation of trying to mix too many different themes together in many cases it doesn’t work.
Make sure that the food sufficient – nothing can be more embarrassing than running out of food mid-way.

Do remember that baby shower involves planning, invitations, decorations, themes, color schemes, and so much more. 

Theme
Just make sure that when choosing a baby shower theme, once you pick something - stick with it. As mentioned, you should try to avoid the temptation of trying to mix too many different baby shower themes together. Unless you are confident in pulling it off, avoid at all cost - in many cases it doesn’t work.

Decorations
From the gifts, to the decorations to the food and drink, it is important that all the elements of the baby shower reflect the joy that the expectant mother is feeling. After all, it is the baby shower decorations that will set the right theme for the entire baby shower. 

Baby shower decorations range from simple to extravagant depending on what you are looking for. When it comes to planning a successful baby shower, the importance of baby shower decorations simply cannot be overstated. Lots of balloons, streamers, banners and colorful decorations make the baby shower party area livelier. Whether the baby shower is held in someone’s home or rented hall, try to make sure that all the decorations are all baby related. 

Location
Typically the person throwing the baby shower hosts the party at their house or at an alternate location such as a park or reception hall. Anything you plan to use to spruce up the location of the baby shower falls into this category. Use them outside the party location to direct people to the event. 

What one should also take into consideration when inviting people, is whether or not the location of the baby shower can accommodate only a few or a large group of people. 

Invitations
The baby shower invitations can be mailed 4-6 weeks before the actual date for out of town guests and they can be mailed 2-3 weeks before for local guests. There are many baby shower invitations available, you can go to specialized stores, order them online or use free baby shower templates that are available on the Internet.

Favors
The baby shower theme you choose will dictate the type of cake you purchase, the decorations, the games, the party favors and so on. And there are so many baby shower favors that choosing the most suitable one can be pretty confusing. But offering your guests baby shower prizes and favors that they can take home with them to thank them for their gifts and commemorate the special day is a gesture that is well worth the time spent in preparation. 

Games
Baby shower games are generally inexpensive and just require a little planning. It’s important that you organize games that everyone can play. So it’s vital that the games also have to be designed so that the male guests do not remain spectators and observers during the entire celebration. 

Foods
Finger foods are simple to prepare and can fit around any theme. For an early afternoon or early evening party, appetizers, salads and finger foods will suffice. The baby shower menu can be anything from a selection of finger foods and scrumptious desserts to a full course sit down meal. Of course, choosing foods and drinks that are free of alcohol, caffeine and other substances that could harm the baby is an important consideration. If you want to keep the food a bit simpler you can plan to serve a variety of appetizers, baby shower finger foods and desserts.

The Author is the owner of the Baby Shower Informative Guide.

Please visit the website for more information on Tips and Resources on Baby Shower Planning, Themes, Favors, Hosting, Gifts, Games etc. at the Baby Shower Informative Guide.

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Author: kevinor

There is no shadow of a doubt that a sexy silky satin bra and panties set does make the perfect romantic gift for the lady you love. Women adore silk or satin next to their skin and those lacy bras make them feel really feminine too. The problem for you guys out there is just where to start your search for that perfect lingerie gift. You may even have made a fuddled attempt at purchasing a lingerie or nightwear gift in the past and fallen at the first hurdle so in this article we have put together some useful tips to help make the whole process a little less painful for you.

The first and foremost thing you must absolutely get right is the whole issue of size. This is the main reason why most guys give up before they even start looking at the idea of buying her a bra and pantie set. They have no idea whatsoever as to her size and then there is all that confusion about cup sizes to throw into the mix as well. Don’t panic though because there is an easy way to get all the important information you will ever need and believe it or not it’s probably right there under your nose.

You are going to need to do a little research but it will be an "undercover operation" into some unknown territory and it will require a little stealth or cunning if you are to pull it off successfully. You need to take a naughty peek into her lingerie drawers (in the nicest possible way of course) and hopefully without detection or your surprise gift won’t be a surprise at all. O.K. choose a time when you know that you aren’t going to be disturbed for at least fifteen minutes and in you go.

You need labels. You know the little tickets sewn into the garments with the all important information relating to size. Whist your in there it may be well worth your while to check out the kinds of lingerie styles she already wears because that way you stand a better chance of getting it right first time. Check her bras especially one you think she wears on a regular basis and make a note of the two measurements on the label. One will be the cup size which follows the letters of the alphabet starting at "A" for the smallest size and the other will be her actual chest measurement in inches. If you are thinking of buying her a bra and pantie set you will also need to read the label in a pair of her panties as well. This will usually relate to a standard dress size like 12, 14, 16 and so on although some times it may be labeled small to extra large ect.

Now if your mission into the depths of her lingerie drawers has been a success you will be armed with all the information you need to buy her that perfect lingerie gift. A visit to your nearest lingerie store is not going to be necessary because everything you need can be found online. On of the great things about the internet is how its revolutionized lingerie shopping by making it safe, secure and very discreet too. Don’t be tempted by all those vivid colors which look fabulous but will show through most of her clothes meaning your new lingerie gift isn’t going to get much of an outing if at all. Stick with pastel shades and remember that sexy doesn’t after mean uncomfortable. The more practical the lingerie the more she will wear it so try to base your choice around some of the stuff you saw in her lingerie drawers. If all else fails the more reputable online lingerie stores will offer a returns service so she can always exchange it for something else. Happy lingerie shopping!

Kevin Moore owns and runs several lingerie web sites. He also writes weekly articles about the pleasures of wearing silk and satin against the skin. To learn more visit here Bra And Panties

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Author: David Yrui

The process involved with purchasing jewelry can be at the same time fun and confusing. You can purchase jewelry either for someone you love or for yourself. The decision you make may turn out to be a tough one. Because gold jewelry represents something you will cherish for a very long time or maybe your whole life, you should allocate as much time as possible so the choice you make will be a wise one. There are some things you should consider in before you go for the purchase.

The first thing you should keep in mind is the source of the jewelry. Bargains are at hand. But always remember that you get what you pay for. If you are a person that shops online, the best choice for you would be a web store that specializes in fine jewelry. You should not have very high expectations if you choose to purchase from a website that offers home appliances alongside gold jewelry, even if it is a bargain. You should also look for a return policy in case the jewelry is not what you expected it to be or has a defect.

A very important aspect of purchasing gold jewelry is the quality. You can choose to purchase jewelry at low prices, but what are you really getting out of it? The quality of gold jewelry comes from karats. For instance, 24k gold is pure gold, but 18k represents 75% gold, 14k 58.3% and 10k 41.6%. All the other percentage is made of alloy or different metals that give the jewelry shape and strength.

You should not e hasty in your purchase. Try to get an idea about what you want by looking at a lot of designs. This may prove helpful and the satisfaction of the purchase will be even greater, because you know you have bought exactly what you wanted. The design and engravings, the look and feel, the ornamental detail and the finish are all things that you can use to determine whether that jewelry is suited for you or for the recipient you want to buy it for.

If you want to purchase gold jewelry for somebody else, be sure you are well-informed. You must know what your recipient’s ring size, neck size, wrist size or ankle size is, depending on the type of jewelry you want to purchase. You should do this in order to avoid any later unpleasant situations, like miss fits. You should also choose something that bears a special meaning or has some kind of special energy.

David Weitzman is a cosmic jewelry designer. He started designing this type of jewelry in 1998 and he received responses about the changes and the experiences that occurred in the lives of customers all over the world. The gold jewelry he designs represents symbols from Jewish culture –Star of David–, from Egyptian culture –Eye of Horus–, Tibetan symbols –Endless knot, Lotus– and others. You will also find representations of sacred geometry symbols found in all the cultures mentioned afore, like the Seed of Life, the Flower of Life and the Tree of life.

The jewels are hand crafted and finished. All of them are submitted to a special energizing process that involves special meditation. They are intended to cast light on the road of the truth seeker. The jewels are designed for a specific purpose and can be worn as talismans for success and good karma, others for healing and self balance purposes and some as symbols of unity. You can purchase them for yourself or as a perfect gift on a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.

All the jewelry designed by David Weitzman can be found at ka-gold-jewelry.com. Ka represents the life force of the human spirit in ancient Egyptian culture. Gold has always been a symbol of the sun and can be used to represent life, light, love and well being.

All the criteria enumerated are filled by David Weitzman’s unique jewelry. Good health, luck and success are often believed to be promoted by gold jewelry. Be sure to visit the website of this cosmic jewelry designer and choose the one that is best suited for you, enjoying its special energy.

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Author:Michele Rogers

There is no greater joy than bringing a new life into the world. New parents have a long road ahead of them and there is no better way to help them with their new addition than getting them items for the new baby.

There are many articles out there giving advice on what to get the new parents for their new baby, but many give too much advice. Simply worded a gift that has the essentials is the most used and most appreciated by the new parents.

A gift with the following items is the best used: baby manicure set, baby door pillow, baby soap, wash cloths, beanie, tee shirts, photo frame, baby brush and comb, a first tooth keepsake box, and first haircut box, security blanket, and a rattle. These are all items that the new parents can put to good use. You may also want to include baby bottles, but this is up to the giver, if the new mom chooses other methods of feeding you may want to leave it out and give at a later time.

There are many retailers that offer items as mentioned that are themed for a boy or a girl. At times, it’s also appropriate to include a gift that has a neutral color. When buying a gift for new parents at times the items are purchased before the baby is born and it is unknown whether it is a girl or boy.

New parents are very appreciative of such items. No matter how prepared parents now days seem to be there is always one or two items that are overlooked while buying items for the nursery. New parents are grateful of the givers thoughtfulness.

Author is Michele Rogers, owner of http://www.lilyputts.com Lilyputts Gift Baskets , an online gift basket retailer. Also hosted is a http://www.lilyputts.blogspot.com BLOG that reviews gifts and welcomes other comments as well. Please visit Lilyputts Gift Baskets for descriptions and product presentations. Please, if you use any portion herein be sure to email author first.

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Author: John Hartley | Posted: 27-09-2006

Want to use aerobic exercise to keep healthy? So did I, and so do I! But when I first came upon the idea of aerobic exercise the only option was jogging, although I think ‘aerobics’ or really aerobic dancing was just coming in. Not for me. So I joined the band of people who went around jogging up and down the road.

I learned that you needed to exercise every other day from the original exponents of the idea of aerobic exercise, and so that’s what I did. I used to be quite good at doing it every couple of days, except when travelling on business or on holiday.

Jogging for aerobics for a while –

Then I stopped doing it for a while, and took it up when I realised I was getting out of shape. Eventually, I got fed up with jogging. It is not much fun. Now if you are a really long distance runner, you get a kick from running - it’s a natural high. But I can’t say I got that.

Then, I heard that you can damage your joints, especially the knees, with too much jogging on concrete, so I gave it up - except at times of stress when I found the exercise helped calm me down! Of course, if you can jog on grass or heathland that will be OK, especially if you don’t do it too much.

Then I started swimming regularly

Later I tried swimming. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise you can take, as it exercises nearly every muscle in the body - and is definitely aerobic. I found I soon got bored with pounding up and down the pool, probably because I am not a good swimmer and use too much energy doing it.

So I gave that up, too! Next came cycling, and when I started I was living in a very hilly area, so you could not go more that a mile without coming to a steep hill and getting your heart beat up suitably. Despite those hills I enjoyed cycling - always have I suppose, ever since my first proper bike gave me some real freedom at thirteen years old.

So now I cycle every two days. Although it is fairly flat where I live there just enough hills for this to qualify as aerobic exercise. I enjoy it, and it keeps me fit. Of course you need some other exercise as well - and this can be walking occasional swimming or whatever.

So, to keep fit do some aerobic exercise. Try one you think you will enjoy, and if that doesn’t work, try another. Cycling, power walking - preferably in a hilly area - jogging, swimming, roller blading, many sports and lots of other forms of exercise qualify as aerobic. The minimum according to the experts is that you exercise for eight minutes with your heart beat up about 40%. You can achieve the same result with a lower increase for a longer period, so choose something that you enjoy as your form of aerobic exercise.

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About the Author:

John Hartley is a business writer who has always enjoyed sports and exercise. He cycles regularly wherever his business takes him, and runs the web site, http://www.best-aerobic-exercise.com, where you can find plenty of information about aerobic exercise

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Pranic healing encompasses a broad array of curative approaches, both ancient and modern, based on the notion that illnesses of consistency or mind involve an imbalance and/or blockage in the stream of full of life liveliness vigor. In ancient India, this vigour was known as prana, as it still is in the contemporary practice of yoga and Ayurvedic practice of medicine. Traditional Taiwanese music uses the term qi to describe this lively vim. Pranic healing seeks, by widely varying agency, to tone and equalize the pranic flowing.

as the figure of option therapies has mushroomed during the shoemaker’s last several decades, the conception of prana/qi has become almost a common denominator among approaches that may otherwise seem wildly diverse. The belief in a fundamental spirit violence flowing done the human consistence (and, by extension, through with(p) all living things) is an ancient 1, common to many healing systems worldwide. More recently, many Western therapies rich person incorporated a similar construct. The of prana evolved thousands of days agone in India, apparently in connection with esoteric spiritual practices. A central in both yoga and Ayurveda (an ancient healing organisation), it is discussed in the earliest scripted sources for these disciplines–the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the ancient Hindu scriptures known as vedas.

As with prana, the origins of the of qi lost in the distant past. Acupuncture, which uses needles inserted at particular points to arouse the menstruation of qi, has been practised extensively in China for thousands of old age. Archaeologists wealthy person unearthed stone stylostixis needles dated to around 3000 B.C. The Nei Jing (or Classic of Internal Practice of medicine ), the oldest known text that discusses the theoretical basis of traditional Formosan medication, is believed to give birth been roughly 2,000 years ago .

Practitioners of pranayama, or respiration, believe that prana is moving when the human hint, which is a manifestation of universal prana, is flowing freely. When the organic structure’s Department of Energy is blocked, this stagnation tin can lead to illness and disease. Because Ayurvedic medicinal drug considers prana a kind of nutrient that i toilet take in through and through the intimation, ventilation exercises play an important role in promotion in Ayurveda. Pranayama soothes the nervous scheme, induces relaxation, regulates respiration, and balances the hemispheres of the brain. The major technique of pranayama is alternate nostril eupneic. Over the cobbler’s last century or so, more especially in recent decades, a identification number of mutually exclusive therapies deliver emerged that manipulate the physical structure and/or noninvasively energize points to promote , achieve healing, and tone up the critical effect.

About the author:
Rich Gully http://www.sweetinfo.com

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Caring for your skin is important for good health and beauty, but especially so if you are prone to acne. One of the best ways to keep acne under control is to maintain your skin’s health as much as possible. This means keeping the skin clean and protecting it from damage from sunshine and harsh cosmetics.

Cleansing Your Skin

Wash your face twice a day with a gentle soap or special acne skin cleanser, using a gentle, circular motion of the fingertips. Do not scrub, since this can aggravate acne. Moisten the face with warm water, then apply cleanser from the hairline to the neck. Rinse with lots of water and pat dry with a soft towel.

Those with especially oily skin may need to use an astringent, but it must be alcohol-free, and used with care. Apply it only to the oiliest parts of the face and discontinue use immediately if your skin becomes irritated. If you feel you need an astringent, you may need to see a dermatologist instead.

Hair care is also important — shampoo twice a week to as often as daily, keeping the shampoo away from your face as much as possible.

Protect Your Skin From The Sun

A suntan may dry your skin, making the acne less noticeable, but this is only temporary. As your skin becomes accustomed to sun exposure, the acne will flare up again. Meanwhile you are risking skin damage that can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Many medications that treat acne cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight and more vulnerable to burning. Whatever the weather, you should wear sunscreen on your face and any other exposed skin when outdoors.

Choose Makeup With Care

The best choice for good acne skin care is to wear no makeup at all. But if you feel you must wear makeup, choose products labeled noncomedogenic — that means they will not clog your pores. Be aware that these products may still cause acne in some people. Above all, avoid makeup with an oil base. Read the labels carefully and use sparingly.

Shaving

Try both electric razors and safety razors to see which causes the least irritation to skin blemishes. Always use a sharp blade in a safety razor — change the blade every 2 or 3 shaves. You may have to shave around blemishes to avoid cutting them. Be sure to soften the beard as much as possible with warm water and shaving cream before starting. If your skin is covered with blemishes, perhaps it is best to skip shaving that day.

No Touching

As tempting as it may be to squeeze pimples, don’t! That invites more trouble by spreading the bacteria which cause pimples. It can also lead to permanent scarring.

Try to avoid touching your face as much as possible because the hands carry dirt, oil and germs.

Rest assured that acne can be brought under control. Medications will go a long way toward clearing your skin of acne. Your job is to help the healing process along as much as possible by taking good care of your skin.

About the author:
Visit http://www.relief4acne.comto learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer at http://www.ronxking.com

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

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It is quite evident that we are living in one terribly noisy world and it seems to be getting worse every day. Everywhere we go we are accosted by loud, unwanted sound. When we enter elevators, malls and restaurants we are engulfed by musak. I recently had lunch at a popular restaurant and found the background music so loud that it interfered with normal conversation and the enjoyment of my lunch. When I asked the waitress if she could turn the music off, or at least down, she said, “ I don’t think we can.” Surely we as a people are still in charge of volume controls.

When you add lawnmowers, snow blowers, leaf blowers, jack hammers, jet engines, transport trucks, and horns and buzzers of all types and descriptions you have a wall of constant noise and irritation. Even when watching a television program at a reasonable volume level you are blown out of your chair when a commercial comes on at the decibel level of a jet.

We seem to have created a cultural acceptance of our noisy world in spite of the fact that it is making us ill physically and psychologically. We can’t seem to live without background sound. We have friends who turn on the television the moment they awaken in the morning and leave it on all day. The house is just too quiet if it isn’t on. Former highschool students of mine used to tell me that the first thing they did on arriving home after school was turn on their CD player as loudly as would be tolerated by their parents.

Cornell University recently conducted a study to determine the impact of noise on employees in an open area office space where people are constantly exposed to fax machines, telephones, office chatter, shredding machines, etc. Test results revealed that workers in an open area had high levels of adrenalin in their urine. Adrenalin is released by the body when under stress. It prepares us for fight or flight. When these employees were compared to those in self contained office spaces the results were startling. People in a quiet, self contained work area did not have the same high levels of adrenalin in their urine. They were much more relaxed and less stressed.

A puzzle, demanding attention and concentration, was given to both groups of employees. The open area group was found to be less diligent in the solution of the puzzle becoming easily frustrated and giving up much earlier than the group from the quiet office. The study also found that workers from the quiet office slept better at night, had better digestion, were much less irritable at home and felt better at the end of their workday than employees from the open concept office. Noise does seem to effect focus, productivity and general physical and psychological well being. Noise tends to increase stress levels which in turn can result in increased frustration, anger and strained interpersonal relationships. We must begin to establish a friendship with silence.

How to Make a Friend of Silence

While we have very little control over noise in the environment at large, we do have control over our own private environment. This is where we begin to cultivate a friendship with silence.

* Make a conscious commitment to the experience and appreciation of silence.

* Go for a walk in nature. Let the silence soothe your spirit.

* When you are alone in your residence turn off all noise making appliances. Begin with fifteen minutes of silence and gradually increase the duration.

* Learn how to meditate and schedule a ten minute meditation period once or twice a day. Gradually extend your meditation time.

* When driving to work, turn off your car radio and drive in silence.

* Go camping for an night by yourself. Find a quiet campground where they don’t allow people to blast their music without consideration for others. I usually go solo camping for one week each year to be alone and silent in the outdoors. It has become something I eagerly look forward to.

* Drive to a lake at sunset and rent a canoe. Paddle slowly along the shoreline observing the silent sights and the gentle sounds of nature as the sun sets and darkness approaches.

* In silence listen to your breathing. Get a sense of the silent rhythm of life.

* Just before retiring go outside and look up at the night sky. You will soon sense another universal rhythm so unfamiliar to many. Let the night sky and the darkness embrace you and calm you as you prepare for a night’s rest.

* When you read a book, do so in silence. Many of us read to music or during television commercials. Try silence. You’ll grow to love it.

Soon you will begin to cherish the periods of silence you have built into your day and long for more. You will quickly discover that you are becoming more relaxed and less tense even in the midst of our noisy world. You will have made an invaluable new friend of silence, a friend which can comfort, heal and soothe your spirit. What a gift you will have given yourself.

Be still and know the restorative power of silence.

About the author:
Mike Moore is an international speaker and writer on human potential, motivation and humour. You can check out his motivational books, tapes, special reports and manuals at http://www.motivationalplus.com/store.html

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