The Beauty Denominator

I started a feature last week where I decided to share blogs and posts that I like and that I think will be helpful for you and this week I decided to highlight Heidi of the Health Nut Wannabe Mom blog. This mom shares a lot of good information that I think you will enjoy reading.

Everyone is trying to live a healthier life so they can live longer and enjoy their families and careers. It has been reported that we are living a lot longer now so who wants to be decrepit at age 50 and not be able to enjoy a good quality of life? You will find many good health tips on this blog and her latest is about the health benefits you receive from having a pet.

I think it’s great how they take trained animals into nursing homes to help the sick and give the older patients something to look forward to. However not everyone is an animal lover and when Bob’s Mom was there they brought a beautiful dog by and asked if she wanted to pet him and she told them to get that dog out of her room. 

I think you’ll find a lot of useful information at Health Nut Wannabe Mom and you can pick up some skin care tips and find out why you should eat spicy food. I’ll be on the look out for next weeks feature blog or post and it might be you. I hope you find something useful you can use on this blog. I’m sure you’ll like it.

If you’ve ever been through a divorce or separation and you have children then one of your biggest concerns will be about how the divorce will affect your children. My son was 10 when I left my ex and he had a hard time with it. Children learn very quickly what pleases a parent and what annoys them and they are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.

Believe it or not many children learn very quickly how to manipulate their divorced parents. You might not believe it about your children, but it is a very common issue that occurs. Of course with my son it happened even before the divorce, he always tried to play the two of us off the other. He even tried to manipulate his teachers, they called me in for a conference and told me about things that he was up to.

Children of course want their own way just as we adults do and they often figure out how to manipulate very effectively. It’s not just the older children that do it though, you will see that the young ones are also quick studies, they just go about it in different ways. If you’re in the process of divorce you may give your children too much leeway. You really don’t want to do that very often.

A divorce is very traumatizing for all concerned and as parents we feel inadequate. That’s one of the reasons why children are able to successfully manipulate their parents. We don’t want to let our children down any more than we feel we already have. We also fear that our children won’t love us as much as the other parent if we don’t give in to their desires, but that’s not true. 

You have to understand the difference between what your children actually need and when they are attempting to get one over on you. Children sense that your vulnerable and your defenses are down after a divorce and use it to their benefit. If you find that this is going on you shouldn’t be too hard on them because they are also going through some big changes.

You do need to let them know you are disappointed and that they aren’t going to be allowed to continue doing it. It’s understandable why parents would fall for this though. After all, they don’t want their children to be traumatized by what has taken place. They want to see their children happy and thriving in their environment. Make sure you are consistent with the rules you have set for your children though.

Children are always going to test the limits. They may even tell you they want to go live with their other parent when you don’t give in to them, Eric did this quite often. This will hurt you and they know it, but you have to stand firm and tell them that you’re sorry they feel that way, but that you are sticking by your decision.

It would be nice if communication were still open with your ex then you could work out similar rules for both homes.

Children always have to be a focus in our life because they are our future and the most beautiful little creatures that I have ever seen and I was reading a press release from LifeLock from January called “Ident-A-Kid Has Selected LifeLock As Identity Theft Protection for over 3 Million Clients” You and I both know that children are our future and there is nothing more important.

From what I understand and see it’s not only you that needs protected, but your children and you have to proactively protect them from some con taking their identity away for years before you even realise what is going on. We are sick and tired of being victims and our children have to be protected. Don’t just turn your head and say that will never happen to me because it might already have happened.

People are always looking for jobs that they may be qualified for regardless if it’s in the beauty field or not and what could be more beautiful than protecting a life? Many people want to find a way to make money and there are so many opportunities. Lifelock is looking for new employees and you never know, both you and I might qualify. I know I’m always looking for new ways to bring extra money in.

There is so much diet information to be found everywhere we look, but we always repeat the same mistakes over and over. I have been guilty of the all or nothing diet through the years which means throwing everything out that tempts me and my intentions have always been good and I might stick with it for a few weeks then I start feeling deprived and have something that isn’t on my diet.

I then think what the heck, why bother then get back into my old routine and put the weight right back on, but after being a yo-yo dieter for many years I realized I didn’t have to deprive myself, I simply needed to learn to eat smaller portions of whatever I wanted. Then I didn’t have to feel guilty and throw in the towel.

Yo-yo dieters lose weight and then each time they add it back plus some and that’s no fun. I have often over the years tried to starve myself and there has to be a reconditioning of the way you think if your this type of dieter. You have to learn to take baby steps and take it slow and steady and change the way you think to keep that weight off permanently.

You don’t have to deprive your self of anything just smaller portions. I’m sure everyone has watched the diet programs on TV, The Biggest Loser and the celebrity fitness one so we all know by now that you have to set a realistic achievable goal like two pounds a week for several weeks and then maybe a pound a week after that.

Of course some weeks you’ll probably lose more and some you may even gain, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up. All programs suggest that you track your progress on a graph and that way you will see that ups and downs are natural and you can continue on toward your ideal weight goal, but taking it off fast isn’t the answer, the slower you lose it the longer it will stay off and that’s what we want.

Some women find that they gain weight around the menopause years and are advised to eat a healthy, low fat diet with plenty of fiber and avoid sugar. ( I love the cocktail hour so I have a problem with that one) and exercise regularly. As we get older usually the physical activity levels drop also. I have noticed that more so over the past 4 years and I simply can’t do what I use to.

There is no magic way to take off the pounds we manage to put on, but many people are using Alli or orlistat which is a fat blocker and it’s an over-the-counter drug, you can also get it in prescription form known as Xenical, but there are side effects which center around digestive and bowel problems and it should be used with a low fat diet plan under a doctors supervision.

The FDA does back it, but I’d check with my doctor before using it to make sure it would be right for you. He can explain all side effects and what to expect, but there has been some good results reported with this pill. You can read more about this product at their web site just do a search for Alli.

I have always loved the sun and always looked forward to getting a tan because I looked better. I went to Rehoboth Beach one year with my sister and got sun poisoning after that if I was out in the sun I would break out all over in blotches, that was horrible.

So I decided to use the tanning beds and found that after I had a base tan I could be out in the sun again. I know all about the effects of the sun and tanning beds, but I like having a tan although I stopped tanning 4 years ago because I became a recluse and hated going any where for a period of time. For me tanning was relaxing and I felt better.

Since riding the Bike with Bill I found that my body changed and I can be in the sun without a base tan now. Since I basically wear jeans and t-shirts my arms and face get tanned, but the rest of my body is white and since I don’t see it, it doesn’t bother me. I already have a tan on my face from riding the bike, but under my eyes where my glasses shade are white and it looks funny.

Instead of the dark circles I have a white circle. When we were at the store Saturday I picked up Jergens^® natural glow Daily Moisturizer and they included a sample tube of natural glow face. I haven’t tried that yet, but I tried the bigger tube. You are suppose to see a change in skin color after a week.

I was afraid it was going to be like that instant tan thing from the 60’s and make you all orange and streaky, but it isn’t so I’ll keep using it for awhile and see what happens. It rubbed in easily and I didn’t find it greasy plus it had a pleasant smell. I need to start applying it all over so I can really see if it makes a difference

It only cost about 7 dollars so it’s no big deal if it isn’t any good, but so far it feels just as good as the expensive stuff I’ve used as far as moisturizing goes. This is day 3 and it says a difference after a week. Let me know if you’ve tried this product and the results you got.

I ran across a blog that I like called “Curiously Awesome” while I have been dropping Entrecards  and I have enjoyed reading many of the post. I don’t always comment on every blog that I visit, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy some of the post that I read.  I know it’s important to the webmaster to at least receive some kind of appreciation for what they even bother to post about.

I have decided that I will find at least one blog every week that has some really good post that may interest you and post the link to their blog and or article that could be of help and this week belongs to Curiously Awesome and the post Stock Your Holistic First Aid Kit was very informative and the kind of natural home remedies that I like to supply. All of us regardless of how far we like to think we are advanced in other aspects are trying to get back to basics.

We are trying to repair the earth and reality that we have known and taken advantage of during our life time to create a better and longer lasting world for our children. Everyone is becoming more conscious of what it takes to preserve our world for the generations to come. I am excited to see all the changes and how we will deal with progress that is inevitable. I want our children to be able to enjoy their life as we have ours. Your post might be next!

I received a comment from a student in Oklahoma and I decided to turn it into a short post encase other students needed the same sort of information, but as I always tell people it is always best to contact your state board for the information you seek because regulations for the different states change constantly. Rules and regulations are not the same in all states.

Shannon: Hi, I attended a beauty school here in Lawton, Oklahoma and got half way done. It has been about a year since I quit and am now re-considering going back. I would rather apprentice with a hair stylist that I know and get my hours through working with her than going back to a school. I was wondering how many hours I would need being an apprentice to take my state board and if it would be easier to apprentice or go back to a school. Thanks!

My Reply: I personally think it would be easier and a lot faster to go back to school since you already have half of the 1500 hours. I can’t tell you for sure how that will be calculated, but apprenticeship hours are 3,000 for your state.

You do understand that you have to go through certain channels with the state board don’t you? This is what Oklahoma says:
Apprentice Requirements:

Has submitted evidence of need and been approved by the Board. ( You will have to show the board that you need to make money while training) Student/Apprentice registration - $5.00

Apprentice is required by law to obtain training under a licensed Oklahoma Cosmetology Instructor (An apprentice must train under the direct supervision of a current licensed master instructor or an instructor that is licensed in the particular field of practice that you want to learn).

Training to be conducted in an approved licensed establishment (salon). ( If her shop isn’t qualified by the board you can’t apprentice with her).

Complete 3000 hours of study. (It will take you a lot longer, but you will earn money and experience at the same time).

Since you were already in school the last 2 wouldn’t apply for you. I threw those in for other young people that are interested.

Is over the age of sixteen (16)

Has completed at least the eighth grade.

Ego says we have to be better than everybody else and feel important. We have to have the best of everything to be happy, but just how happy do we really feel when we achieve what ego says we want? Sometimes I listen to ego because after all he has my best interests at heart doesn’t he? No, not always and he doesn’t always know what is going to make me happy.

I was reading about ego on the Wikipedia site and I found the following excerpts interesting concerning the ego, id, and super-ego. The ego is the mediator between the id and the super-ego, the go between guy.

1. The id is responsible for our basic drives such as food, sex, and aggressive impulses. It is amoral and egocentric, ruled by the pleasure–pain principle; it is without a sense of time, completely illogical, primarily sexual, infantile in its emotional development, and will not take “no” for an answer.

2. In the opinion of Eckhart Tolle the ego is the minds identification with forms and social labels (body, thoughts, memories, social roles, life-story, opinions, emotions, material possessions, name, nationality, religion, likes and dislikes, desires, fears, etc.) and includes “the pain-body”, which is created by the cumulation of suppressed emotions, the suffering of non-acceptance of what is in the present moment.

3. The Superego is the moral part of us and develops due to the moral and ethical restraints placed on us by our caregivers. Many equate the superego with the conscience as it dictates our belief of right and wrong.

The super-ego retains the character of the father, while the more powerful the Oedipus complex was and the more rapidly it succumbed to repression (under the influence of authority, religious teaching, schooling and reading), the stricter will be the domination of the super-ego over the ego later on — in the form of conscience or perhaps of an unconscious sense of guilt.

I have always found the psyche a very interesting subject even though it’s hard for me to follow all the different ideas that are debated by well scholared individuals in that field. Even they have their differing opinions same as any other field. I have my own opinions also and I love to watch people and watch their mind work, I have always found that to be an interesting pastime.

The point is I try to be grateful and happy for the people and material things in my life right now and not dwell on what was or how I can get more tomorrow because right now is all that matters because there is no past and no future there is only this moment. I know you have heard people say “live for the moment” and depending on how you see reality that’s really all there is.

My name is Jude and I’m a procrastinator, I wonder if there’s a  12 step Program? Does that sound anything like you or are you one of those well organized people that always get things done in a timely fashion? I have tried most of my life to manage my time and stay organised and get things done. I have made so many lists that I actually managed to overwhelm myself with things to do.

Many people may not even realize that they are procrastinating and putting things off until they miss a few deadlines. I always tell myself I have plenty of time to get something done and that I work better under pressure, I fib to myself. This habit will add a lot of stress on your system and it’s not healthy. On several occasions I have worked so hard through the night that I have actually made myself sick.

I am a world class procrastinator and I simply hate that saying, “Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” I always manage to keep things out of sight so it will stay out of mind until I feel really guilty and put whatever it is I need to do out in the open so it mocks me. When I can’t see it I can concentrate on something else more pleasant.

Sometimes I have even given myself permission to avoid doing some unpleasant task by telling myself how difficult something is going to be or what a disgusting and yucky job to get started and I just know I’m going to hate doing it that I make it okay in my mind to not even bother starting it and besides there’s always tomorrow.

I can remember times that I have actually made myself so tired just from thinking about that enormous looking job that needed to be done that I hated to even start it so I figured why even bother? So of course I would usually put it off, but then I decided I would start doing a little at a time and then it didn’t seem so bad and before I knew it I would have the task accomplished. I then always feel very proud of myself.

There are many self help programs out there for we the procrastinator and many books have been written to help us, but of course I always put off seeking that help. I do know that you have to create an environment conducive for being productive, like turning off the TV which I should have done earlier so I could concentrate on this post.

Unplug your phone, turn off the cell, shut your door. If your easily distracted find ways to lessen those distractions so you can concentrate. Everyone finds doing an unpleasant chore reason enough to wait till tomorrow. I know on the weekends I put off all kinds of things I should be doing so I can spend time with Bill and go riding on the bike, I never procrastinate when it comes to that.

I was looking at the collection of shoes from Infinity and if you can’t go to New York it looks like they have a wide variety to choose from online. I have never ordered shoes online because I have weird feet, but most people I know are normal and they really aren’t that hard to fit, however I was recently looking for moccasins and had a hard time finding them anywhere. I did notice at this site they had a couple pair of minnetonka boots that I liked and since I can’t find them around here this is an option I need to keep in mind.

My sister also has weird feet like mine and she is like me in that we can’t wear heels so we are stuck with low heels that have to be comfortable and the tsubo shoes from what I was reading work on pressure points and they are firm where they should be and soft where they need be. I saw the Edom and she would love that type, so would I for that matter and her birthday is coming up, but so is mine and since she isn’t talking to me they would suit me just as well.

I know a lot of people love the vintage and retro look and you can find some of the seychelles shoes at Infinity also along with a lot of other brand names. They have a lot of wild looking new arrivals and I can only marvel at how great a person’s feet would have to be to wear them. Overall they have quite a selection and free shipping over 60.00. I always like to see what’s hot even if I can’t wear them.