Our mental health is closely linked to our physical state, meaning a poor diet or being unfit is not only detrimental physically, but also mentally.Keeping our brains active, practising meditation and tackling our personal demons are just as vital.

Statistics for rates of physical and mental illness are correlated – and that’s no coincidence. You must nourish both your mind and your body for a healthy life.

1. Healthy Eating       

A foundation of healthy living is eating well. Be sure to incorporate all food groups in your diet, but moderate fatty and sugary foods. Don’t get rid of them altogether and attempt any extreme diet though as eating well is all about balance; faddy diets that cut out essential groups do more harm than good. Conversely, if you feel salads just aren’t cutting it and you’re craving unhealthier foods, there are plenty of delicious, wholesome recipes to be found online.

2. Exercise

A fearsome word for many, but exercise can be incorporated into a busy lifestyle. Just going for a walk for half an hour a day will suffice, and can even be divided into a morning an evening walk. Bring along a pet if you have one to make it more enjoyable. Work your way up to floor exercises and the golden rule is: Keep active. Leave the intense gym sessions if your goal is to keep healthy, not lose weight.

3. Meditation

Meditation is not all about a new-age pursuit for enlightenment; it is proven to provide a wide range of benefits: it relieves stress, combats anxiety, relaxes muscles and promotes happiness. It even changes structures of the brain involving emotion control. The simplest exercise is focused breathing, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth ten times while concentrating on the underlying sensations.

4. Keeping Your Mind Active

Turn off the TV – unless you are watching something stimulating – as it is mind numbing. Our reality TV generation means TV is polluted with rubbish and programs that leave no room for thought. Instead, read, challenge yourself, try something new, solve puzzles and go outside and socialize.

5. Tackling Your Demons

Smoking, drinking, abusing drugs, anger and even clinging on to mental illness all have one thing in common: they offer a certain amount of security. You can only break the cycle of self-abuse by facing up to your problems and working to fight them using the above strategies. It is harder to change than to stay as you are, but you will enjoy life with enough determination to overcome these demons. And by accepting that some problems are here to stay, it’s just a matter of minimizing them.

Although living well is a deep topic, the key points are summarized here. As you grow, you will learn more about yourself, others, happiness and gain a broader understanding of life. If your demon is smoking and you are struggling to quit, click the link here for help with giving up smoking .

What is most important to your well being? Comment below.

Bio: Harry Whiteman is a self-appointed guru who dispenses helpful advice based on his passion for self-improvement.

Description: We tend to think of healthy living as a good diet and regimented exercise routine, but there are so many more facets of well being.

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• 10 Ways to Be Healthier (apartmentguide.com)

So you love your man, but he dresses like a slob? Not to worry! Stock his closet with these five classy summer essentials, and he’ll have everything he needs for a first-class summer.

The Polo

A short-sleeved, high-quality polo shirt has been the stylish man’s version of a t-shirt for over 50 years. Put your honey in any color you like, although he’ll earn extra points in the class department if he sports pastels or white. Choose a polo made with all cotton, like the Voi Jeans Redford Polo at www.reemclothing.com, and it can look fantastic for years to come.

The Oxford Shirt

Made with fabric that features a handsome, sturdy basket weave pattern, the button-up Oxford shirt makes it easy to achieve a comfortable upscale look every day. Have your man pair his with khakis, khaki shorts, or colored chinos, and fasten all but the top two buttons. Tuck the shirt in, add a grosgrain ribbon belt, and voila– instant summer class.

Cotton Chinos

The word “chinos” refers to pants made from twill, and most guys are familiar with them in the form of khakis. These tan-colored chinos are a classic, easy-to-wear summer staple that your man should be proud to be seen in, but to help your guy achieve an even higher-class look, try a pair in white or bright summer colors. These exude an all-American, JFK-style classiness that’s timeless and fun.

Boat Shoes

Now that your man has a couple of shirts and a few pairs of pants, it’s time to talk footwear. The upper crust of society equates summers with lake houses, sailboats, and yachts, and they consequently wear boat shoes as often as possible. These durable leather shoes look similar to moccasins, but they feature adjustable leather lacing around the top and a non-slip sole. If your man balks at the old-school styling, just get him to try a pair on “for fun.” Boat shoes are so comfortable; he might just be hooked despite himself.

Classic Sunglasses

Nothing polishes off a classy man’s look like a great pair of shades that complements his face shape. The right sunglasses suggest a carefree life of leisure, a breezy Devil-May-Care attitude, and frequent opportunities to be out and enjoying the weather. Choose a classic style, like Aviators or round lenses, and opt for traditional tortoiseshell over plain black. Feel like Old Money yet?

How do you class up your man? Share your stories below!

Summertime is supposed to be a fun time, but it’s not really a whole lot of fun to be sweltering in the heat doing nothing interesting while your friends are out gallivanting around the world.  So what can you do to enjoy summer, without having to run up your credit card bills or spend a fortune? Here are some tips that life coaching experts recommend:

Look for free or cheap summer-specific things to do in your city

Do you have things you always mean to get around to doing in your town in the summer, like checking out Shakespeare in the Park or the symphony’s outdoor performances or a local food festival, but you just have not gotten around to doing these things? Well, there is no time like the present. Look in your community for some of the many fun summer-specific event that there are, and make it a point to do one of those things every week.

Act like a tourist in your town

Along those lines, there are plenty of year-round things to do in your city or town.  For example, I recently walked Manhattan’s High Line, an old elevated railway line that has been converted to a beautiful park.  It is something I have been meaning to do more often – the flowered plants in the park bloom at different times, so it means a different experience every single time you visit it. Anyhow, I saw two tourists taking photos of each other, so I offered to take a photo of the two of them together. As I was doing so, the wife mused about how much there is to do in New York City, and wondered if people visited the great attractions all the time. I thought to myself that I had all these great things to see and do in the city, yet I did not do many of them. Anyhow, it is something to think about – consider what tourist attractions are in your town, and get to them now.

Consider taking three-day weekends

If you cannot afford to take a week-long vacation, think about how you can take a three-day weekend at a location within driving or public transportation distance. And make it a real break away from your life; spend your time enjoying the time away, not checking your email every five minutes.

Do that staycation

If you have leave time coming to you, but not a huge amount of money to spend, you can do that staycation. Incorporate the things suggested above, like finding free or cheap things to do, acting like a tourist in your town, and taking a mini-vacation. But also consider doing even more simple pleasures like just going to the movies or binge-watching a TV series like Arrested Development. You can get some exercise classes in that you have not have time for, or spend time in the local pool.

To learn more about tips on how to enjoy your summer, you might want to talk to a life coach. Click here to find out more information.

•  Image source: SmartPhotoStock

Lisa Swan writes on a variety of life and career coaching topics. She lives in New York City.

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Nabisco hopes Oreo purists and non-fans alike will be taking a bag of the new, limited edition fruit-flavored cookies to their next picnic.

The Watermelon Oreos, available only at Target (TGT) for $3 a package, feature a bright pink and green creme filling between two vanilla-flavored cookies; the creme bears a strong resemblance to Play-Doh. Two cookies contain 150 calories, 7 grams of fat and 21 grams of carbohydrates.

Food bloggers had plenty to say about the new summer flavor. JunkFoodGuy wrote that he was expecting an “awful fake watermelon smell to come wafting out” but there was none. “As soon as I bit into one of these Limited Edition Watermelon Golden Oreos, I got an immediate light watermelon taste. I’ll just say it right off the bat…I liked these. A LOT.”

Read Full Article – Watermelon Oreos: The Latest Twist on an Iconic Cookie

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• Watermelon Oreos Are Real, And They’re Here For The Summer (consumerist.com)
• Racist Or Nah? Nabisco Releases Limited Edition ‘Watermelon Oreos’ (bossip.com)

If social media are supposed to help spark national conversations, why do so many turn so ugly?

This comes up in the wake of the Lil Wayne stomp-on-the-flag controversy, which set off a torrent of abuse from Facebook posters who said he desecrated the flag.

Even after he attempted to explain himself — no desecration intended, he said on Facebook (45.6 million “likes”) — some critics kept up with the abuse, even to the point of wishing him dead from a seizure.

It started over the weekend when video footage showed the rapper, who’s been hospitalized several times recently for seizures, walking all over an American flag while shooting his new music video for God Bless Amerika in New Orleans.

Read Full Article – Lil Wayne and the flag: No desecration intended.

Dear Paris,

I have spent the last few days trying to numb myself to the sad news of your extreme distress and your attempt to leave us. See, for those of us who love you for the beautiful young lady you have become, in addition to the love we have for you vicariously through your father, the reality of that close call is nearly unbearable. We have suffered endlessly since 1993 with allegations of deplorable acts which, though never ever corroborated with a single piece of physical evidence, set our lives on a collision course that would, ultimately, take him from us and bring you to this point.

Read Full Letter -“Behind The Mask”-An Open Letter And Essay To Paris Jackson.

No ‘Tits And Glass’ On Google Glass

Developer MiKandi launched the very first (and what likely will be the very last) porn app on Google Glass. Dubbed ‘Tits and Glass,’ the app allowed users to browse sexually explicit photos and videos, or, if they preferred, upload their own adult content. But this ability only lasted a few hours before Google revised its Glassware policy to include a ban on any sexually explicit content. App developers are likely to try and get past this restriction in any way possible, but even if they manage to do so, users should assume that their access to adult content will be far more restricted on Google Glass than it has been on smart phones and tablets.

Bans Include Facial Recognition Software

Also banned on Google Glass is something that may seem far more innocuous than the adult content presented on MiKandi’s short-lived Tits and Glass: facial recognition software. On the smart phone, facial recognition apps utilize special sensors to identify individuals on Facebook and other social media sites. Of course, the difference between using such an app on a smart phone and using it on a wearable device is that, with the smart phone, it is instantly obvious when someone is taking a picture of someone else. On the other hand, a Google Glass user can take a picture of someone and look up his or her information without that person ever knowing. This feels like it’s straight out of a science fiction movie and is incredibly creepy for anyone hoping to maintain some semblance of privacy.

The Influence Of Third Party Developers On Google Glass

Google Glass may be party to more restrictions than other Google products, but that doesn’t mean that users need to worry about being limited if they invest in the wearable technology. A wide range of application opportunities should be available in the near future, due, in part, to the opening up of Google Glass API to third party developers. Internetserviceproviders.com predicts that consumers will soon witness all kinds of ways to interact with Google Glass than they ever thought possible. Some of these opportunities will be much like what users already have available with their smart phones and tablets, but the wearable nature of Google also will provide for plenty of hands-free experiences.

Google Glass is still in its early stages and, if anything is clear, it’s that we have no idea what to expect in this promising technology’s future. Although adult content and facial recognition apps have been banned from Google Glass, these minor losses will surely be made up for by the infinite new possibilities brought about by the product’s innovative nature.

image by Erica Joy

Morgan is an information technology expert from Corpus Christie, Texas.

If you’re looking to build muscles, you need to do more than just work out.

Working out can be tough, demanding work. You deserve pay-off in return: building muscle. But that requires more than just the right work out.

You need to give your body all the muscle building materials it needs. The foods you eat play a huge role in your success – or failure – to build more muscle. Here are some tips for success.

1. Eggs – Eggs are the best food for building muscle – and perhaps the best food period. First, eggs are one of the only foods – along with fish and meats – that provide all the essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. They’re widely available, cheap and can be prepared many ways. Can’t have eggs during the day? Think again – hard boiled eggs are convenient, anytime protein snacks.
2. Fish - Another food that provides all the amino acids you need. As an added plus, this protein-packed food is high in healthy oils, in particular cold water fish. These oils are essential for everything from heart health to good mood and energy. Sardines are a great choice: cheap, low in mercury, and sold in tins, they’re easily enjoyed as a post-work out protein infusion.
3. Meats – The go-to protein food. Lean red meats – preferably grass-fed beef or venison – are great protein choices. Chicken is an even better choice for the heart healthy, as it’s lower in fat.
4. Legumes – Often overlooked, beans, peas and lentils are excellent choices for building muscle. Nuts such as peanuts are highly portable. A big plus of beans is they’re not only really nutritious, but one of the cheapest foods available – fueling the hungry athlete more economically than expensive meats.
5. Vegetables – This might be a surprising choice, but vegetables are essential to building muscle – and good health in general. That’s because building muscle requires more than just protein. After a work out, your body is in serious need of some TLC – and repair. Vegetables are important to body building because they’re high in vitamins and fiber, while low in calories.
6. Fruits - Again, a key part of building muscles. As mentioned above, your work out requires the right nutrients for muscle repair and growth. Many fruits are also a source of anti-oxidants, which means but feel and look younger. For example, bananas are excellent for after exercise, providing much needed potassium and healthy sugars for rebuilding muscles.
7. Carbs - This is the fuel that keeps you going. Carbs include potatoes, rice, pastas, cereals and more. Potatoes can be a particular good choice, with great glycemic index, giving you the healthy sugars you need to fuel your work. Be sure to choose only complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains and brown rice.
8. Coffee and Tea – A surprising choice. But coffee is high in caffeine, which can extend your endurance, leading to longer, more productive work outs. And studies have shown that caffeine can reduce exercise-induced pain – how’s that for a bonus? As for green tea, it offers healthy anti-oxidant, prevents cancer, and improves blood circulation.
9. Water – This might seem an obvious choice, but the fact is every day millions of people exercise – and get seriously dehydrated. The human body is more than 60% water – and blood is 92%. During exercise you lose much of that. If in doubt, drink more water than you might think, and ensure you go the restroom frequently.

That’s it: get a healthy mix of protein, vitamin and mineral-packed fruits and vegetables, and plenty of water to keep you hydrated and keep blood flowing. Keep up the good work, it will pay off!

This is a guest post by Mark Lynch. Mark recommends reading more about food benefits, food ideas, recipes and much more at Chefs.edu.

Music is the one thing which truly rules the apps in your smart phone irrespective of whether you own an Android or an Apple OS. All the top notch smart phone manufacturers make sure that they provide plenty of free music apps in their app world to keep the users interested always. So if you’re one such user who’s on the lookout for some cool, happening music apps, then read on for some of the options available in the market today (all free of course).

1. Pandora:
The first free music app available on all smart phones is the Pandora app which lets users bookmark their favorite radio stations. The best part is that you can shortlist the various artists, genres and songs according to your mood and let Pandora do the rest for you.

2. SoundCloud:
SoundCloud is an enhanced version of YouTube available on the smart phones these days. It provides upcoming artists to upload their videos and songs for others to download. Guess what? Even celebrities like Beyonce use it to upload their songs and clips so that the listeners get to hear the music first hand, without any interruptions.

3. Spotify:
Like Pandora, Spotify is another music app which lets people listen to their favorite radio station, totally free of cost. Although, this is a free version, interested people can upgrade their player by paying $10 to get some additional features. Though, even the free version allows you to listen plenty of songs in an offline mode.

4. GrooveShark:
GrooverShark’s working is pretty much based on its counterparts in the app industry. Accessing the app is extremely easy and it allows you to listen to music absolutely free of cost. So simply login, choose your favorite song and you are all set to rock and roll.

5. Google Music:
Tired of storing all those peppy numbers on your smart phone memory? Well, how does the idea of storing your music on a Cloud sound to you? If you think I’m talking through my hat, then you’re mistaken. Google Music, the uber cool music app, lets you store all your favorite music numbers in their dedicated Cloud Service, totally free of cost. You can store up to 20000 songs, absolutely free of cost.

6. Last .FM
As the name pretty much suggests, the radio app streams music from its online counterpart, channeling it into your smart phone. No more hassles of sitting and downloading music when you can hear music on your phone, absolutely free of cost. The free app is available for Android, Apple and Windows users.

7. Uberhype:
The name itself has a very tingling ring to it. It’s the mobile version of The Hype Machine and is based loosely on the concept of the parent website. Being a music discovery app, it ranks the various songs on their availability and their popularity. The more number of times the song is played, the higher the rank it gets on the music app’s charts.

8. Jango:
Like its parent website, the mobile version is also pretty trendy. Functioning on the lines of Pandora and Spotify, it provides users great utility in terms of the music options available and people can tune into their favorite stations any time of the day.

9. Audiogalaxy
It incorporates the streaming capacity well within the app. Available for Apple users only, Audiogalaxy resembles the iPod layout and provides the user with an ease of access and utility. The music is not stored on your device and you need to upload all your songs via a web interface. All in all, it’s an excellent music app.

10. mSpot Music:
An extended version of iTunes available for all the Apple users out there. It streams the music onto your device, allowing you the play your favorite songs as and when you want it. It’s free and it makes ripples in the app world.

So which app are you choosing today?

This article was written by Kristen Hamilton, apart from contributing to information on African music and entertainment, she loves singing and listening to music.

Related articles

• Apple unveils music streaming service (news.yahoo.com)

Summer is a wonderful, magical, romantic, relaxing time of year.  It is also hot, humid, and uncomfortable!  But just because it is hot doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous.

To look fabulous, you need the best beauty products that were specially designed with summer in mind.  Many people focus on their skin during the sun-scorching summer months.  While that is great, it is not ideal for optimal beauty.  You should never focus on just one aspect of your beauty regimen.

Your hair, makeup and everything else is just as important as your skin.  Here are some products that will help you look great this summer – from top to toe!

1. Sunscreen

While sun protection isn’t the only thing you should worry about, it is worthy of some thought.  So, we’ll get the most obvious out of the way right now!

Invest in some long-lasting, sweat resistant sunscreen.  Check to make sure it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.  If you have sensitive skin, you might need to invest in two bottles; one for your body and one specifically designed for your face.

2.  Lip Balm

It is easy to overlook our lips when slathering on the sunscreen.  But just like the skin on any other part of our body, our lips need a little sun-preventative TLC too.

Look for a lip balm that includes SPF.  When you find one that looks great, tastes yummy, and protects your lips, stock up!  Lip balm is notorious for disappearing at the exact wrong moment!

3.  Aloe

Isn’t it frustrating to come home after a fun day in the sun to find you did get burned, despite your best efforts with the sunscreen?  That is where the aloe comes in.  Aloe won’t be able to undo the damage you’ve inflicted, but it will help soothe the pain.

4. Waterproof Mascara

The summer months are usually packed full of trips to the pool or beach.  Don’t be stuck on the sidelines because you are afraid of being seen without your makeup.  Or worse – with raccoon eyes!

Invest in some waterproof mascara.  Then, you can sashay out of the water knowing your lashes still look plump and fabulous.

5. Light-Colored Eyeshadow

Summer is all about embracing natural beauty.  You don’t need to go crazy with obnoxious colors during the summer.  However, it is beneficial to have some color.  And at the very least, eyeshadow can help protect your lids from the sun (it all comes back to sun protection, huh?!).

Try out various natural, light-colored tones.  For example, a golden shadow could be perfect.  Or, try an apricot.

6. Nature-Inspired Fragrance

Since you’re trying to go natural this summer, make sure nature permeates your scent.  Find something that really highlights the season.  For example, a sweet floral would be great.  Or a citrus aroma brings to mind summer fun.  Something beachy – like coconut – is often very appropriate for summer.

7. Beauty Pillow

A beauty pillow should be a must at any time of the year.  However, it is especially important during the summer.  Acne outbreaks are especially maddening when you have big outings planned with a ton of people – which happens a lot during the summer.

Your face is already taking a beating because of all the sunscreen you are applying on a regular basis.  Don’t add more chemicals to the mix.  Instead, try this all-natural skin care solution to keep breakouts at bay.  Natural skin care products work wonders any time of the year – but they are especially great during the summer.  You’re going natural with your makeup tones and fragrance; why not naturalize your other beauty products too?

8. Pink Nail Polish

No self-respecting female should ever be sans polish on her toes!  Whether you do it yourself or schedule a mani/pedi appointment every week, make sure you cover the essentials all summer long.

Go girly!  Summer is the perfect time to be a little flirty.  Dump those drab hues you’ve been using all winter.  Grab something bright, festive, and feminine.

What do you think of our list of summer beauty essentials?  Do you have any suggestions we left off the list?  Have you gotten all your necessary supplies rounded up already?  Or, which do you still need to pick-up?  Let us know!

Martha Delgado is a health, fitness, and beauty writer.  Do you want to read more of her suggestions for staying healthy and beautiful this summer?  Look her up on Google+ or Twitter!

In the Beginning

The very first version of Superman was created by Jerry Seigel and Joel Schuster in 1933. At that time, he was a bald man who used mental powers as a villain. The next year, they rewrote the character to be a hero and the rest is history. He has since seen many different revisions, after his rights were purchase from the original creators for only $138.

Variations

Over the years, Superman has gone through many different revisions and has seen many different formats. For example, there have been 25 different versions of the “S” logo on the front of his chest over the years. There have been five different official versions of Superman in comic books over the years. They are Earth 1, 2, and 3, Prime and Man of Steel. In one form or another Superman has been in comic books for over 75 years.

The Particulars

While most people are least familiar with Superman, many are not scholars on all of the details surrounding him. The one weakness that Superman has is kryptonite, although he does have several arch nemeses. Some of the most popular villains in the franchise include Lex Luthor, Darkseid, Bizarro, and General Zod. Superman’s real name is Kal-El, and his real father’s name is Jor-El. When he arrived on Earth, he was adopted by John and Mary Kent. He took the name Clark Kent on Earth and his love interest is typically Lois Lane throughout the comics, movies, and TV shows.

Going Forward

With such a big following and an impressive resume, Superman isn’t going anywhere any time soon. In fact, the recent reboot movie Man of Steel, will most likely create a new legion of fans and introduce a new generation of people to the power of Superman. There are talks of doing a Justice League movie and multiple sequels to the new Man of Steel franchise. How Superman impacts this new generation of fans remains to be seen.

Source: SuperScholar

You got out of an unhappy marriage that came with many perks. What was the ultimate deal breaker in that relationship?

Whew! (LOL) looking back, there we’re so many deal breakers but like so many young girls, I was hopeful! Hopeful that marriage would change me, change him and change us as a couple. Marriage was supposed to just somehow magically fix everything that was wrong. In addition, being brought up in a Christian home, divorce was no, no! So there was definitely an internal struggle of going against my beliefs, society’s messages of being married to your Prince Charming and living happily ever after and then there was reality. And ultimately, I lost myself and was on the verge of destruction. But there were two major situations that resulted in my decision to finally leave: 1) I had shrunk into a former shell of myself. I had been reduced to nothing and I didn’t even realize who I was anymore. It was disgustingly heart wrenching to look in the mirror and hate what you have become. 2) I discovered he was cheating again so I asked him about it. Of course he denied it. So then of course I presented him with the evidence. He got so upset that he pushed me into the wall; I hit my head and blacked out. Let me tell you it’s a scary feeling to come to with someone standing over you yelling and cursing at you. But the one thing about all of it is that I never told him that I was going to leave until I had and plan and was absolutely sure I had enough courage and strength to make it on my own and never go back.

What inspired you to write L.I.F.E. Live Inspired! Feel Empowered!?

My story! And the stories of so many other women who believed that they are trapped and that there is no way out of an unhappy and unhealthy relationship. God did not take me on this journey to keep it to myself. I had to go and grow through it so that I could be a resource, a tool to other women so that they would know that they too, could find the strength and courage to leave. I also wrote it for that little girl growing up so that she could know how not to get into an unhealthy relationship and if by chance she did, she’d be able to utilize the tools and activities in Live Inspired Feel Empowered to find her way out. I wrote it for the person that’s lost and looking for a way to find themselves. It’s an olive branch, it’s hope, it’s inspiration for LIFE!

What will women gain from reading L.I.F.E. Live Inspired! Feel Empowered!?

Throughout the pages of Live Inspired Feel Empowered, you can expect to find yourself, your passion and your Purpose! You will laugh, cry, scream and shout praises as you turn the pages of this book. But most importantly, you will find a healing and you will find peace. You will learn to live L.I.F.E.!   When you find it difficult to read some of the pages in the book, I encourage you not to give up but to push to your breakthrough. No one ever said that growth was instant or easy because if it were, we would all be where we want to be and who we want to be. It takes time, effort and work! “Faith+Action+Movement =The life you so desire,” (the Empowered Consciousness Paradigm from Live Inspired Feel Empowered.) So be patient and loving with yourself and the process.

Can men also relate to the material within the book?

Oh Absolutely! Contrary to what we’ve been taught, men and women are not that different. We both experience all the same emotions but we just may express them differently because that’s how we’ve been conditioned by society. But are the core of it all, we are all human and we all experience hurt, pain and challenges. So all the tools and activities offered in Live Inspired Feel Empowered are definitely useful to men. In fact, a few men have already read the book and said that it actually really helped them to not only understand some things about themselves but their female partner as well. So perhaps the second edition of Live Inspired Feel Empowered will be gender neutral! J

Happy is something that we’re all reaching for. How have you become one of the happiest women in the world?

(LOL) I have become one of the happiest women in the world because I have learned to Live Inspired and Feel Empowered! I know who I am! I have fully come to love, celebrate, cherish and embrace ALL that I am, without regrets or apologies! I am living my LIFE authentically within my Purpose and Passion. Within that there is an unparallelled level of peace, love, Grace and Mercy that is so profoundly powerful!

What’s next for you?

What’s next for me?! Great question! I will be finishing up my Master of Social Work degree and Doctorate of Education in Human Sexuality in December 2013. And I’m sure somewhere inside of me there are a few books waiting to present themselves to the world! (LOL) I also am in the process of writing a producing a short documentary of Black women and sexuality as part of my Doctorate program, so that should be out soon as well! I’m trying to a movement of empowered women that are going to change this world! At the end of the day, I just want to leave a lasting legacy of empowerment, love, joy, peace and sex positive messages that will transcend time!

Where can we purchase your book and find out more about you?

Live Inspired Feel Empowered is available from the following locations: www.tamararosecampbell.com, www.bn.com, www.amazon.com,  Pages Bookstore in Flint, MI and Nubian Bookstore in Southlake Mall, Atlanta, GA. Please continue to check www.tamararosecampbell.com as more locations will be added soon.

Related articles

• TaMara Rose Campbell’s Highly Anticipated Book, L.I.F.E. – Live Inspired! Feel Empowered! A New Book Focused on Self-Discovery and Empowerment for Women (prweb.com)

In your busy day, sometimes convenience trumps being healthy and that can take a serious toll on your body. With the start of bikini season already upon us, you may be feeling a little guilty about the fact that you grabbed that microwave burrito for breakfast instead of sitting down for a proper meal, but where are you going to conjure up the time for that? The truth is that there are tons of simple recipes out there that you can make right in your Cuisinart blender that are both healthy and quick to make and will help you to get back on the right track with your health. Here are some of the best healthy recipes you can make right in your blender.

Start the Day Right: Strawberry Breakfast Smoothie

There really is nothing easier than a breakfast smoothie as you are running out the door, and Yummly has the perfect start to your day. Simply take two cups of strawberries (they can be frozen if you don’t have fresh),  one and a half cups of mild, two tablespoons of honey, a half cup of plain yogurt, and if you’d like you can add a couple packets of vanilla instant breakfast drink mix like Carnation. Blend all ingredients together, and voila! A healthy breakfast to get your day started right.

Something More Substantial: Blender Tomato Soup

When you think of homemade soup you probably think you will be cooking for hours and hours, but really you just need your handy blender to help you get the soup all ready to be heated up, according to the Blender Expert. To start, you will need five tomatoes chopped, one chopped onion, one clove of garlic peeled and chopped, a cup and a half of water, one teaspoon of chopped parsley, salt and pepper to taste, and a drizzle of olive oil. You will start off with this soup in a large soup pan on the stove—but don’t worry this will still be super quick and easy! Drizzle the olive oil in the pan and add the onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally being careful not the burn the mixture. Once the flavors of the onion and garlic have been released (you will notice the mixture is very aromatic) add remaining ingredients and cook, stirring occasionally until tomatoes are softened, about 15 minutes.

Then you remove the pot from the stove and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Next pour the mixture into your blender and blend it until it is smooth. The soup is then ready to be heated up for serving, you can either transfer it right back into the pot to be heated then or place it in a container to bring with you to work for a warm, mouth-watering homemade lunch that took you no time at all.

Cooking does not have to be a chore and eating healthy does not have to mean sacrificing all of your free time. The truth is you work with what equipment you have available to you such as your Cuisinart blender parts, and that can help to really speed up the cooking process and thus help you to live a healthier life with a bit more ease.

Sean Carter is an experienced writer who has written for many blogs all over the internet. His main interests include health, medicine and dieting

One of the fashion garments and collectibles of women are pants (or trousers as some people named them). Women pants and trousers are very flexible in terms of design, fabric, color, length and fit. And different fashion brands have their own ways of customizing and presenting their products to consumers. There are 8 major producers and marketers of pants and trousers for women.

Everlast Pants for Women

Everlast is a global leading brand of sport and fitness clothing and apparel for men and women. Originally a swimwear producer, Everlast has 7 major designs of women sports pants. The strength track pant, pride legging, authentic knee tight, authentic woven short, pride mesh tight, pride short and pride knee tight are among the leading Everlast pants for women. Most of these pants are made from fleece material which provides maneuverability, breathability and comfort. Everlast pants are snug yet have adjustable fit. Price points for Everlast pants start from $40 and can range up to $75.

Diesel Pants for Women

Diesel pants are one of the great choices for women who are petite and yet have larger hips. Diesel caters a wide array of pants and trousers for women that do not have excessive flare styles and bagginess that might handicap women’s fashion and style. Due to the brand’s never-ending chic and attractive selections of pants, Diesel has awarded as the Fashion Brand of the Year in 2012. You can purchase a pair of Diesel pants for women for as low as $168.00.

Pieces Pants for Women

When you are looking for high-waist, supple pants for women, Pieces has all the selections. Pieces is one of the successful brands for women and ladies known for their street and catwalk style of pants and noted comfort, chic and cheap price points. Most of its products are high-waist leggings and funky coats that are made from cotton material. Other than pants, Pieces also sell feminine accessories such as bags, scarves, belts and jewelries. For as low as $ 68.00, you can already grab a pair of Pieces pants!

Levi’s Pants for Women

One of the oldest brands for men and women is Levi’s. Over years of existence and proven expertise, Levi’s has improved and developed their products for women. Perfect fit, curve fit – words that describe Levi’s pants for women. Despite a hundred worth dollar of pants, they are worth a run for your money! Levi’s is perhaps the sole brand that can cater different body shapes of women. From pear-shaped women to tall women to flat butts, Levi’s mete out solutions! The perfect sizing system of Levis pants for women help them choose the right jeans for their body type. There are three basic curves Levis pants available for women.

• Slight Curve Levi’s pants are for those ladies who have flat butts and larger hips.
• Demi Curve Levi’s pants are for women who have shaped derriere and hips but not adequately curvy.
• Bold Curve Levis pants are for women who need more space for their curvy, larger behind and hips.

The fact that Levis pants are quite a bit costly, purchasing women’s pants directly from their website entitles customers free shipping.

Hummel Pants for Women

Hummel is a sport brand that offers wide athletic collections and accessories for men and women. Much of Hummel pants for women are running tights; hence, they are made from stretchy polyester fabric to facilitate cooling zone. Hummel pants for women are made for top performance on the field; they have proper fit that allow freedom of movement as well as comfort. Some Hummel pants are combined with cotton material for great moisture management.

Noa Noa Pants for Women

Noa Noa is a Danish fashion brand for women and kids. It is a recognized international brand that features products that are Bohemian-inspired and absolute feminine. With most markets found in Europe and Canada, Noa Noa is best known for their stylish, classy and sophisticated style of pants for women. They ensure good condition of their items and absolve from harmful chemicals that are deemed carcinogenic and allergenic. Noa Noa pants for women are 100% viscose, delicate and geometrically patterned. Most of the pants also come in waistbands with roomy pockets. These Bohemian-inspired trousers are available for as low as $58.00.

VILA Pants for Women

VILA is a family-owned business which main handiwork involves feminine, stylish and trendy pants for girls, ladies and women. Established in 1993, VILA is well-known for their top-selling and patterned pants, jeans and leggings for women – good enough for any occasions. Majority of VILA pants for women are loose-fitting with baggy effect and the fabric is made of cotton. The newest VILA pants for women are the printed pants with neon-colored sides.

Pulz Pants for Women

Pulz is a Danish brand that specializes in producing corduroy trousers and jeans for women. Right fit, right wash and right details – three phrases that sum up Pulz pants. Pulz pants have simple and timeless designs that have made them peerless and incomparable to other brands.

Peony Amorette is a fashion and style enthusiast who helps Danes find great fashion deals online.

Tinted balms make great presents for teen birthday parties, hen dos, Christmas presents and making them is a simple, great crafting activity.

There are lots of ways to make lip balms, with some recipes adding special oils, Shea butter and using beeswax as a base, but a simple petroleum jelly based balm is an easy way to start, and is a cheap way to make a great, useful, pampering product, for yourself and others.

You Will Need

• Petroleum jelly- this doesn’t need to be branded, it just needs to be unscented and colorless.
• Lipsticks
• Natural food flavoring
• Mini tins
• Bowl and saucepan
• A spoon and a knife

Step One- Melt the Petroleum Jelly

Spoon large dollops of the petroleum jelly into a bowl. The amount of jelly you use will depend on how much lip balm you want to make. If you are making large quantities of the same tint and flavor, then you will want to use considerably more jelly than if making a single pot.

There are two methods of melting the jelly, either by using a microwave, or using a bain-marie method. With a microwave, you will want to place the jelly into a microwavable bowl, and heat for around 20-25 seconds, so that it is completely melted. If using a bain-marie method, heat on the hob until the jelly is fully liquidized.

Step Two- Add Some Color

If you don’t want to use old lipsticks, or are making lip balms to give as a present, you may want to pick up some cheap lipstick that is an inexpensive brand or from a discount store. If you want a strong tint, then go for a darker lipstick shade, as the color will be fainter as a balm.

Cut the lipstick into chunks to help it melt easier. Add the lipstick to the jelly and either return to the heat, or stir the color in until it has fully melted. Make sure you put enough in to get the desired tint color. If making more than one tin’s worth, then you may want to add more than one lipstick. If too strong a tint is achieved, then you can add more jelly to weaken it.

Step Three- Add Some Flavor

One of the best things about lip balm is the lovely scent and flavoring. You can scent your balm, by adding some drops of natural food flavoring. These are easily found in the baking aisle of supermarkets, or more adventurous flavors can be bought online. Add the drops to the mixture and stir thoroughly to make sure that the flavoring is evenly dispersed.

Step Four- Leave to Cool

Once all your ingredients are fully blended, pour the mixture into your tin. Allow the balm to set by leaving it in a cool, dry place. To speed up the process, leave it in the fridge. It usually takes an hour for petroleum jelly based lip balm to set, but you may want to leave it for longer to make sure, and to avoid spilling.

Step Five- Decorate

The container you use needs to be small and have a lid. You can purchase empty tins in a variety of shapes, including heart, and some online tin companies offer a labeling service, giving your lip balm a professional look. You can also create your own labels, thinking up witty or personalized names for the balms you’ve created.

Beth Stubbings works for Tinware Direct. She thinks that getting crafty and making your own tinted balm is a great way to make a gift with a unique style.

If you are looking to move, do not be a last-minute Linda and decide to call a local moving company the night before you need to hire the mover. Guess what? You either are 1) not going to find somebody who can move you, or 2) if you do find someone with such a short notice, chances are that you are not going to be very happy with the movers.

It is important to not decide to get a mover at the last minute. All it will result in is stress and hard feelings.

You may need to plan ahead when it comes to moving

What is a better time frame? If you are looking to move at the end of the month, the time that most people like to move, you should call at least a week or two ahead of time, depending on how big a town you live in, and how many moving companies are in the town. Keep in mind that summer can be a big time to move, as can the beginning and end of school years in college towns. In such cases, or if you live in a small town without many movers, you may want to schedule your move at least a month ahead of time, if not earlier.

But really, if you want to find the best movers, especially if you are looking for movers in New York City, you may want to spend a little time researching your movers. You can start by asking your friends, co-workers and family members who they have used for moves.

You can search online for movers as well. For example, if you are looking for movers in New York City, why not do a search for those keywords – movers in New York City. Most reputable websites will have some sort of internet presence, even if it just a splash page with their address and phone number. Needless to say, you want to find a moving company in your location. It will not save you money to hire a moving company housed in New Jersey when you are moving in New York.

Then, check on websites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Angie’s List to make sure that the moving company has a good reputation. You want to make sure that the company has some good reviews. Of course, talk negative reviews with a grain of salt – some of them may not be legitimate and could simply be the work of somebody with an axe to grind. The same goes with positive reviews, though – you want to make sure there are multiple good reviews, with different voices, that look real.

Get at least three estimates, if you can

Once you find some moving companies that you like, you should get written estimates from them. For the most accuracy, this may entail them coming out to your home to see how much stuff you have. After doing so, you can pick a mover. But do not assume that the cheapest estimate is the best. It could be inaccurate.

Good luck with your move. To learn more about moving, click here.

Related articles

• National Moving Month: What You Need to Know (apartmentguide.com)
• 5 Common Moving Mistakes to Avoid (allstate.com)