Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Local Car Dealers

I have come across this new car dealers website and I would surely like to write something about it.

I was searching for car dealers near my area when I found this website. Its called Wexu, (I don't know what does this name

stands for (wexu.com)) but it provides quite huge database of all local car dealers in any state, or even in cities of

America. For example, lets say if you are looking for a Ford car dealers in Chicago, the you can just checkout Ford Chicago or similarly Toyota Houston for Toyota car dealers in Houston. I tried even smaller

cities and it worked great for them also. I am really impressed. I have been looking for such a car dealers site from long.

So if you are looking for any local dealers of car and don't know where to look for, I would surely recommended this small online car dealers website to help you. I am sure it would be of great help to you.

Wedding Makeup That Lasts

On your big day, you want your wedding makeup to last. Not only that, but you want to look stunning in your photographs. In order to insure that your makeup will last as long as possible, it may be best to hire a professional to take care of it. However, here is some advice to keep in mind even if you do hire a makeup artist.



Use a makeup base. Several cosmetic companies offer products that go on under your eye makeup or lipstick that help your makeup last. Eye makeup base provides a layer that your eyeshadow and eyeliner can adhere to. This prevents creasing and helps the colour stay on longer. They offer similar products for lipstick. However, try to find a lipstick base that is also moisturizing. Some products contain ingredients that dry the lips out. You'll need your lips to stay nice and moist so you can smile all day.



Get rid of extra shine. A shiny face looks even worse in photographs, especially if the photographer uses a flash. After washing your face, apply an oil controlling product. After that absorbs, apply a thin layer of loose powder. Apply foundation and the rest of your makeup as usual. Follow up with another thin layer of loose powder. Carry some pressed powder with you so you can control any shine as the day progresses.



Lasting lipstick. One of the first things to fade is your lipstick. Follow these tips that will help your lipstick last. First, apply a moisturizing lip base. Then, apply lip liner in a shade that is a little darker than your lipstick. Use a soft pencil. Fill the lips in with the pencil. Apply one coat of lipstick and blot gently. Apply another coat of lipstick but this time do not blot. Press a thin layer of facial tissue gently to your lips. Using a large brush, apply a thin layer of pressed powder to the tissue. The tissue acts as a screen, letting in only a small amount of powder. The powder helps the lipstick set and keeps it on longer.



Pack a makeup bag. No matter how hard you try to create a lasting look, you still may need to do some minor touch ups throughout the day. Pack pressed powder, lipstick, mascara, and eyeshadow just in case your colour needs a boost.



Sally Lopez is a freelance writer and marketing manager of Marcell "Professional Make-up Artists".To learn more about wedding makeup and the latest makeup tips visit www.marcell.com.au.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Things To Remeber In Photoshop Editing

Adobe Photoshop is an amazing program that lets you manipulate photographs to get a more desirable result. It is a program that accommodates your penchant for creativity and your boundless imagination. But used incorrectly, Photoshop will only give you mediocre images.

To avoid poor quality Photoshop work, you should remember a few things that professionals keep in mind. First of all, you should remember to feather the edges of the image you have lifted by around 2-3 pixels. For example, if you had selected a particular image and moved it to a different background, you should feather its edges so that the picture subtly blends into its new background.

You must also remember to retain the proper lighting, perspective, focus and color cast. All the elements that make the photograph realistic should be considered in a Photoshop composition. In the previous example, if you moved the subject to a background where other things have shadows, then your subject must also have a shadow in the depth and orientation that is expected in that background had the subject been originally part of it. If you combine two images of different focal lengths, you also have to adjust the perspective of the resultant image to conform to each other. You also have to remember that if you have different images at different orders, the forefront image must be sharper than those behind it. Finally, the white regions of your image must match in tone and cast so as to present a harmonious-looking composition. To learn more about Photoshop and to see examples check out Photoshop Tutorials at PS Workshop.

Thursday, December 14, 2006

SaveOnConferences.com - Audio and Web Conference Calls

Looking for a conference call company that offers web conferencing and local or international conference calls at prices well below the competition? SaveOnConferences.com has all of these services bundled together, and offers excellent service and 24/7 customer support.

Check out their site and receive 60 minutes of free conference call service with no stings attached. SaveOnConferences.com offers competitive rates too, which is something you usually won’t find with a full-featured teleconferencing company; in addition the rate decreases automatically as your volume increases. There is no setup fee or minimum monthly charge; you simply pay for what you use.

SaveOnConferences.com offers direct digital connections, and has relationships with major long distance service providers ensuring that you will get the highest quality service available, along with prices of 50% less than other conference call service providers. Whatever your web or audio conferencing requirements, SaveOnConferences.com offers a high quality service to meet your needs.

Netspoke.com - Audio and Web Conferencing

Looking to impress your clients with your next web presentation? Netspoke.com is the perfect company to help you close that important business deal. Recently acquired by telecommunications giant Premiere Global Services, Netspoke offers a full variety of web conference, audio conference and reservationless or assisted teleconferencing services.

Invite over 500 people to your next team meeting or seminar with Netspoke’s web conference service and host a highly productive event at a fraction of the cost of face-to-face meetings. Engage your audience and boost participation with professional operator assisted conferencing. Netspoke will manage every detail of your conference from beginning to end.


Netspoke boasts an impressive client list, and is now owned by Premiere Global Services, so your company can be confident going into their next web or audio conferencing meeting knowing that the presentation will be a smashing success.

StarConferencing.com - Audio Conferencing

With all the teleconferencing companies out there these days, choosing the best service for your needs can be confusing to say the least. Some require long contracts and commitments, and many of the well known telecommunications companies charge outrageous prices.

Well, I’ve found the most inexpensive conference calls service available. StarConferencing.com specializes in providing audio conferencing for under $20 a month. If you currently are paying more than 3.9 cents for your conference calls (and who isn’t) then you should check them out. StarConferencing.com uses the latest audio conferencing technology on the market for the highest quality conference call experience, so you are paying the best price available and you are still receiving a great quality service.

StarConferencing.com offers access to toll or toll free numbers, can handle up to 125 participants in your call, and provides all the features and controls you need to conduct a professional conference call event.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Great Directory by Jim Westergren!

Jim Westergren has again done a fantastic site - this time a directory.

Check out Add URL-Free.com. It has over 30 000 active links, very nice detail pages and real time editing of links from users.

Here you can for example see a the category News.

What is also very nice for those submitting is that they can preview the detail listing and edit their links even before the link is officially approved by the editor.

Getting Instant Secured Loans

Although taking your time to find a loan is the best option, there are times when this simply isn’t possible and you need money fast. Generally, these loans will be needed for a short period of time, after which you can pay the money back. Although there are a number of instant unsecured loans on the market, they are usually for small amounts of money. If you need a larger amount of cash quickly, then you should look at an instant secured loan. Instant secured loans can help you can get a decision in just a few minutes, even if you have a poor credit history.There are many reasons why you might need a loan within a very short space of time, although it is usually due to unexpected expenses that you could not hope to budget for. These expenses are usually essential, and can include items such as car repairs, healthcare costs and house repair costs. If you don't have the money readily available but need to pay these expenses fast, then an instant secured loan might be the best option. This is especially true if you have a poor credit history and are unable to get an unsecured loan.

The Thrifty Scot

The Scottish people have earned themselves a reputation through the years as a plain spoken, down to earth and honest bunch of folks. It makes sense, then, that one of the best sources of financial advice on the Internet should be ThriftyScot.ThriftyScot is a simple, easily navigable site that gives no nonsense, down to earth advice on personal finance. Arranged into several categories, ThriftyScot's advice guides you through the often confusing world of personal finance and leads you towards the best money-saving deals available.Of all the categories offered at ThriftyScot perhaps the most useful is the credit cards section. With advice on credit cards offered by a wide range of lenders.Beyond the credit card pages, ThriftyScot offers fantastic advice on remortgages and secured loans. Since a home tends to be the most expensive and important purchase of your life, it makes sense to find good solid advice before you take out a mortgage. Additionally, it's just as important that you make sure you have all the facts before you take out a loan that uses your home as collateral.

Credit Cards Vs Debit Cards

Although credit cards are the most popular forum of credit around, alternatives such as the charge card also have their benefits. Despite both forms of cards being popular, many people do not know the difference between them. If you are looking for the best type of credit, then you really should compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of credit cards and charge cards. They might serve the same purpose, but if you know the differences between them you can get the right type of credit for your needs and hopefully save yourself some money.It is hard to say which type of card is better, although if you want to carry a balance then you have to opt for a credit card. Credit cards generally have more flexibility, as you can pay the money back more slowly. Credit cards also have the facility for 0% balance transfers which gives a huge advantage. However, if you are someone who always pays his or her bills back in full each month, a charge card might be the answer. This will give you greater spending power when you need it without allowing you to go into debt and pay interest on it.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Improve Communication Skills

Improve Communication Skills
In almost any career you can think of, you are going to have to have good communications with your coworkers and your clients. Some people are born with the ability to speak their mind in an effective and beneficial manner, but others need help to improve communication skills on all levels. I know that I have a hard time with speaking to strangers at times, and when it comes time for me to interview someone, I am definitely nervous about it because I am afraid my skills are not up to par.
There are many ways to improve communication skills, and one of the simplest ways is to practice. The more you talk to people, the better you will get about talking and sharing ideas. Perhaps you should engage in a few debates with friends or even your spouse, just make sure they know that you are trying to improve communication skills for work, and not trying to pick fights all the time. They may have fun helping you sharpen your wit and your thought processes.
Another big problem many have is communicating to a large group of people. This might be otherwise known as stage fright or fear of public speaking. Some people have stated that they would actually rather be fired than to speak in front of a group. I can totally relate to that thought, though I am much more at ease with it than I used to be. It really depends on the topic and whom I am speaking to though, and there are certain scenarios that make my blood run cold. If you have this problem, you need to find some public speaking opportunities to help you improve communication skills. Small groups or even groups of children may be the best place to start.
If you want to really improve communication skills for you and your employees, you should consider getting outside help. There are people and programs designed for just this matter, and they are most effective in helping your business grow. Employees are more valuable when they improve communication skills, and it can only help boost not only their confidence, but the bottom line as well. Even those who think they are great public speakers might benefit from a brush up as well. There is always room for improvement, and most people will be scared of such courses before they begin, but will thank you once they are over.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

U Tube Video

Utube Video has become one of the most popular ways to get you video clip online these days and with te help of camcorders that most houses have these days some very interesting video clips are showing up on sites like utube video clips on the other end of the scale we have smaller scale sites making the most of the action such as utube video camcorder also taking advantage of the u tube video keyword phrase although both sites have different intentions both site full the need for other utube business such as utube.com which recently has been seeing over 2 million vistiors per month and the owner of the piping company has even gone as far as to sue youtube.com the original u tube video site . WHY ? many would ask surely having an extra 2 million visitors to your website per month is a good thing ? right ? even if you are selling pipes it must be tempting to change to a site something like u tube video clips you never know google might turn around and see you as a threat and buy you out , they did pay around 1.6 billion for youtube so something has to be said for the video site craze. All i know is if it was me I would be sure to have my site advertise at least some sort of video product if it was me . Could easily kick up your feet and move to some island and relax you life away while you smiled away at your fortune .
Well thats my small rant for today
Smiles

Monday, November 20, 2006

Dr Dre

"Andre Young, a.k.a. Dr Dre, co-founded the notorious rap group N.W.A. (with Ice Cube and Eazy-E). The group was one of the most successful hip-hop groups of the late 1980s and helped lay the foundations of west coast gangsta rap. Dre's 1993 solo effort, The Chronic, was a critical and popular success. Later in the 1990's, Dre turned his attention to producing. He helped launch the careers of Warren G., Snoop Dogg and Eve of Destruction, and in 1999 Dr. Dre helped produce Eminem's top-selling The Slim Shady LP."Dr Dre Snoop Dog Fan Site

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Chocolate Peanut Butter

Protein is important for growing bodies but it can be a struggle to get small children to eat meat or cheese. You can try hiding the cheese by mixing it with macaroni or grilling it in a sandwich, but kids are bright and they’ll probably realize what you’re up to. An easier approach to getting your children eating protein is serving chocolate peanut butter to them. Most kids love peanut butter and chocolate so when they get to eat them together, they’re probably going to ask for seconds.
When most people think of peanut butter and chocolate they associate it with a candy. Granted those candies are delicious but with all the added sugar, they certainly can’t be viewed as a regular staple in anyone’s diet. However, actual chocolate peanut butter can be made from organic ingredients and sweetened without sugar.
Most grocery stores aren’t going to be selling this product. The main reason is that it’s viewed as a specialty item and the demand just isn’t there. It does have quite a different taste than traditional peanut butter does, but for children, especially, it can be very appealing. A good rule of thumb is to purchase a small jar of chocolate peanut butter to test on your children’s taste buds.
If jelly is a regular part of their lunch time sandwiches try to choose one that will complement the taste of the chocolate peanut butter. Strawberry goes very well, as does raspberry jam. Peach or apricot jam may not be the best choice, but again it’s really a matter of personal taste and your children may think it’s a delicious combination.
Some industrious individuals do their own canning and may decide they want to try this as well. The most important thing is to find a good recipe for chocolate peanut butter. Just making peanut butter and adding melted chocolate isn’t going to give you the same results. Again, it’s advisable that you make a small amount of the peanut butter with chocolate so your family can taste it. If it’s not a hit, you won’t have wasted money or time making more than anyone will ever eat.
It’s a great gift for the holidays as well. Most people welcome homemade gifts because of the extra thought and time that goes into them. You can purchase small jars along with colorful, festive ribbons. Fill the jars with the chocolate peanut butter and produce a label on your computer for it. Then tie the ribbon around the rim and you’ve got an original and delicious gift for almost everyone on your list.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Cat Christmas Ornaments

There are a few approaches you can take to a cat Christmas ornament. There are holiday decorations designed to delight feline lovers and there are decorations to delight the cats as well. Following are some great ideas for cats and cat-lovers who would appreciate a unique cat Christmas ornament this year.

I found a great hand-painted cat Christmas ornament. The cat’s face is painted right on the glass bulb. Two soft ears are glued on to the top of the bulb. This adorable item comes in many different styles and each kitty has a cute expression. None are identical so this cat Christmas ornament is truly one of a kind.

I figured that I could make this project on my own so I bought some glass paint and some felt for the ears. After collecting the bulbs I went right to work on my first cat Christmas ornament. I have to admit that the process seems easier than it is. Painting on glass is difficult to begin with. Painting on rounded glass objects is a real challenge.

My first project wound up as fodder for something else entirely. I just haven’t figured out what exactly that something else is besides decorating the inside of my garbage can. I wasn’t about to give up on the cat Christmas ornament, though. My second attempt would turn out better.

Better does not always mean good. “Better” can sometimes mean really creepy looking. My kitty looked a little more like a Halloween production than anything associated with Christmas. At least I knew what I was going to do with the second cat Christmas ornament.

The third and final attempt made me realize that some things should be left to the professionals. The third cat Christmas ornament looked more like a reindeer than a feline. Don’t ask how. It just did. I guess that I can still use this one; maybe as an accent piece to the first ornament that is going to decorate the trash can.

Reason had led me to the simple decision that there would be no fourth attempt, at least not this year anyway. I decided to just purchase the cat Christmas ornament that originally caught my eye. This adorable addition to my tree is my pride and joy. After all, I had already told everyone about my project. I really don’t need to mention where my cat Christmas ornaments are.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Christmas Present For A Man

Christmas is the season when we all stop and take the time to show our love and appreciation to others by giving them different types of gifts. Some of us shop for Christmas gifts all year round in order to find the perfect gift. Many times I have heard that the most difficult thing is to get a Christmas present for a man; well, here are some tips, which I hope will help you to pick the perfect gift this Christmas season.
First and foremost you must take in consideration the relationship between yourself and the man in question in order to decide how much you want to spend and how intimate a present to purchase. Once you have decided these two options you basically know what Christmas present for a man to look for.
If the man is your husband or close friend, I suggest you pay attention to his likes and dislikes well before Christmas in order to get the perfect Christmas present for a man; why, well, because your husband or friend is bound to express some desire to acquire something, which you can purchase and surprise him with at Christmas time. The Christmas present for a man does not have to be expensive, remember, it is only the gesture that matters in the end.
If it does happen however, that you are part of the last minute shopping frenzy before Christmas and you have not yet come up with a great Christmas present for a man you can use the following suggestions: DVD games, power tools (all men love power tools but you need to know what he already has so you don’t end up buying doubles) or indulge in adding to some of his hobbies for example if he collects stamps try and find him a unique one that will fit nicely into his present collection.
Choosing a gift is not hard at all when you know the man however, it can be a bit tricky when you are mere acquaintances and yet you still need to get something. Here are a few suggestions which hopefully will help you when choosing a Christmas present for a man you don’t know very well and don’t have the resources to find out or the time: a tie is a great gift especially if he is your office colleague, a pen, chocolates as everyone loves them and/or the latest big movie release on DVD.
When you are getting a gift remember to have a couple of little things besides the main gift, for example, a tie is the main gift and you also have a chocolate in a Christmas ornament shape and a symbolic greeting card. The extras add to the main Christmas present for a man and therefore to the excitement of the person receiving them; it’s always more fun opening a few gifts rather than just one.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Perfume Samples

I have a problem, and though I love perfume, I have come to loathe perfume samples. They are everywhere, and they are dangerous. I’m not kidding! Not only that, they give me a headache, and there are times I have to put a magazine down before I can continue to read. Perhaps my sense of smell is too sensitive, but when a magazine is full of perfume samples, I have to go through and rip them all out before I can read it. I know many people like them, but I’m not so sure I like them very much.
Perfume samples not only come in magazines, they have recently come into my home by way of a Macy’s sales flyer. Macy’s in new in my area, and I don’t know why I am getting the flyers, but they arrive in my mail each week. I don’t mind this so much, but what I do mind is the numerous perfume samples that are always included. They aren’t even secured in the flyer. They are loose and they fall out everywhere. Last week I dropped one on the way up the steps from getting my mail. Later, I stepped on it and promptly fell down three steps.
Now that I know the perfume samples are coming, I have to clutch the flyer rather tightly until I can get upstairs. Then I hold the flyer over the garbage can and shake. I can only hope they have all come out. It’s not so much that I mind trying the new scents. It’s a matter of safety, you see. Who would have thought a tiny scented slip of paper could be so dangerous right? It almost makes the perfume samples in the magazines a bit more pleasant. At least those are attached. I understand why they make perfume samples, and I understand why they want to get them out there, but surely there is a better way.
Of course, the ingenious woman can save a lot of money on perfume if she does not have a particular scent she must wear. If you save your perfume samples, you can have a new scent to wear each day of the week, but you’ll have to have access to a lot of samples. Get on the mailing lists for all of the department stores in your area, and look online and in the stores for other samples. Use them as they come, however, as they may sour quickly.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Christmas Lights For Yard

Ho, ho, ho! Have you got those Christmas Lights For Yard decorations and holiday glee yet? Yeah, you know exactly what I'm talking about. This is the yearly ritual for most American households. We all just love to go all out when it comes to Christmas. Well there's that, and we also like to compete with the neighbors. But that's all in good holiday fun as well. Last year I actually went crazy with Christmas Lights For Yard appeal. I'm talking people could ride by my home and literally be blinded by the glare of it all. They probably thought the second coming of Christ was upon them. Are you going to this level for the Christmas holidays?
Many people like to set the bar, if you haven't already noticed. A few in my neighborhood even like to toss those massive Christmas Lights For Yard illumination throughout the trees. Last year I was flabbergasted by how decorative folks got. I saw Santa Clause and about 20 little reindeer on my neighbor's roof. The entire thing was animated and dowsed in fake snow. Did Santa even have this many reindeer? That's okay though. This year we shall see who is the most inventive when it comes to Christmas Lights For Yard and oodles of decorations. I plan to have the entire North Pole spread out on my front lawn. We're talking the whole Santa house with the elves making toys and all. I can't wait to see how my neighbor is going to top that. I might even hire a guy in a Santa suit to stand out there and yell "Ho, HO, HO" at the top of his lungs. Yeah, that may sound a tad extreme, but like I said, it's all in good holiday fun.
You may find it easier to head out to the ginormous home stores now. They always have truck loads of Christmas Lights For Yard decoration, props, animated figurines, and artificial trees. Just take your pick from the vast selection. I mention that now is a good time simply to avoid the rush, but the reality is that you may have to wait until after Halloween for them all to come out. This is the yearly schedule if I'm not mistaken. On the other hand, you can always resort to the web for Christmas Lights For Yard decoration, and much more. Hop on and see what you can find.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Baby Proofing

One of the most important things a new parent can do to welcome their new child into their home is to do a thorough baby proofing to avoid any dangerous encounters with every day household items. Baby proofing is fairly inexpensive, but the benefits definitely outweigh any cost that may be incurred.
When I was a child, baby proofing seemed to include basically just picking things up off of the floor that were deemed dangerous. My parents don’t remember outlet covers or anything of the sort, and in fact my husband was given a slight shock from sticking something into a light socket at his grandparents’ house. His parents say that he never did that again, so they had nothing to worry about! Now baby proofing is a huge business, and you can purchase items from outlet covers to splash guards that attach to the stove top to prevent burns.
Essentials of baby proofing can be purchased at a very small cost. Realistically, if you are attentive or if your child is not interested in items that can harm them, then you can get by with minimal safety items. Outlet covers are very cheap and just about every household should have them. In a split second a baby can insert something into an outlet, such as the instance with my husband, and it is certainly something that has the potential to be deadly. In addition to the outlet covers, there should ideally be cupboard and/or drawer latches to protect children from getting into things like household cleaning items and silverware, especially knives. While it is a pain for parents to have to open the latches each time they desire to get into a cupboard, the benefits of keeping your children safe definitely outweigh that inconvenience.
Essentially, the outlet covers and cupboard latches are all that is really needed for a safe and baby proofed household. If you would like to go above and beyond the essentials, you can purchase items like door handle covers that don’t allow little hands to turn knobs to open doors. Also available are latches for toilets, which might be essential if you have a child like my friends’ that is fascinated with the toilet water. These can prevent accidental drowning, but most houses do not need them. There are a myriad of safety items available, but if you know which items your child need protected from you can save a lot of money by not purchasing things you will not really need. However, if you get peace of mind from having all the safety items then they are worth the cost ten fold.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Artificial Christmas trees

Although nothing beats a fresh Christmas tree, with its fragrant pine-needle scent, there are several reasons an artificial Christmas tree makes sense in certain situations. Some artificial Christmas trees are so realistic, you'd have to get quite close to tell the difference. If you're a veteran decorator (and “un-decorator”) of Christmas trees, you know some of the disadvantages of the real thing, beautiful and fragrant as it may be. Let's look at some of the reasons you might favor an artificial tree.
If you live in the city and have an apartment or condo on the third floor, it requires considerable effort to purchase, transport and install the tree before you ever start decorating.
Grandma and Grandpa may just not have the energy for the running around and muscling the tree in place. Getting the tree in your home and setting it up can be hard work.
Even if you're physically up to it, you may simply not have the time. Sometimes an artificial Christmas tree just makes good sense in your situation.
It's fun to let children have their own small Christmas tree in their room – they love gazing at the lights at night, with dreams of sugarplums in their heads. On the other hand, many parents worry about fire danger from a tree that's too dry. An artificial Christmas tree resolves this worry.
Perhaps you want a white Christmas tree, to suit your taste or color scheme. Fresh trees do not come in white. Artificial Christmas trees do!
Unlike a fresh tree, an artificial Christmas tree is perfectly symmetrical, and this is an important point for some decorators. An artificial Christmas tree lasts for many years and may simply be stored away out of season, in a relatively small space. Most come in sections, easily and quickly fitted together when you're ready to decorate.
To make up for the lack of that fresh tree fragrance, try using bowls of potpourri in strategic locations. You can even purchase spray scents that simulate fresh pine. A simmering pot of apple cider on the stove with cloves and sticks of cinnamon creates a heavenly fragrance all around the house.
If you've got your heart set on genuine fresh pine scent, gather or purchase pine branches to make into a garland for the fireplace or stair railing.
Probably one of the strongest points for an artificial tree is cleanup after New Year's. After becoming entangled in lights, pierced by dry needles and decked with sap in your hair, you may go for the artificial Christmas tree next year! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Pottie Training

There are many experts on every topic imaginable. There are people who are experts in finances, outer space, science, mathematics and computers. The one field seems to have the most out spoken experts is the field of human psychology in general and child rearing in particular. It seems that everyone feels that they are an expert on how people should raise their children. How a person was parented seems to be a leading defense in our criminal system and many psychologists have people in therapy for years discussing their childhood. So often experts refer back to potty training to explain why someone behaves the way they do.
I have been in the human services field for many years. I become outraged when I hear so called experts make blanket statements about how potty training and other child rearing techniques are to blame for a person’s actions. I have worked with children that have been severely abused and neglected by their parents, and yet they are able to move on with their lives and become happy productive citizens. I think that the experts that go on talk shows and write books, like to give people excuses for their poor behavior. They also simplify major mental health issues and the actions that can result from the illness, by blaming the parents of the individuals. It is ludicrous to believe that potty training techniques that are done are going to cause a person to become a criminal. To me this is irresponsible and damaging for the people that listen to these experts. There are many excellent therapist and psychologists that make real differences in the lives of those they treat. Their time is so filled with appointments that they do not have the time to go on talk shows. The famous experts tend to be attention seekers that want to be celebrities and they use basic knowledge in psychology to make a name for themselves.
Anyone that has been involved in good growth producing therapy knows that the best way to move on with their lives is to make a plan with obtainable goals and to move forward. They may need to process things that happened to them as children, but they are taught not to dwell in the past. I have never seen anyone become a well adjusted adult if they are clinging to the memories of their potty training. Most adults do not even have any recollection of the potty training techniques that were used by their parents.
Many new parents find themselves afraid to parent their children because they feel they will scar them for life. If they use the simple techniques of correcting undesirable behavior and present consistent guidance, their children will have the desired behaviors. You do not need to listen to the experts to have a well adjusted child; you need to listen to your child.

Potato Salad

Potato Salad
Potato salad is a traditional favorite made in a variety of combinations from quick and easy recipes. There are lots of substitutions that can be made to the recipe that won’t take away from the taste at all, but add to it in a different way. Common ingredients to most potato salad recipes are potatoes of course, eggs, onions, mayonnaise, vinegar, and mustard, but additions or substitutions like sweet relish, bacon bits, celery seed, kalamata olives, and other ingredients are also common. For hot versions of the recipe, , like hot German potato salad, vinegar, water, flour, and bacon drippings are used to make the sauce instead of mayonnaise and mustard. This recipe is a delicious favorite and complements brats, sausages, hamburgers, and anything else you are grilling.
There are lots and lots of potato salad recipes, and most of us have at least a couple in our compilation of cook books, but if you’re in the mood for something new, check out the web to try something different. How about picnic potato salad or sour cream potato salad, maybe try it warm with green beans, or Hawaiian style with sweet potatoes. Caesar or Greek recipes are also popular variations. Cooking light magazine features healthy versions of a variety of potato salad favorites on its website at www.cookinglight.com. For more healthy recipes visit www.fatfree.com for fat free potato salad recipes and others great ideas if you want to cut more fat from your diet. If you are trying to cut down I would recommend making your own over purchasing deli potato salad by the pound. There usually are not light versions, and you can control how much and what kind of fat when making your own, and it will be better anyway! You can add the ingredients you want and leave out what you don’t. It will cost less too!
Now that you’re almost finished reading this article, your taste buds should be tantalized and ready for you know what! You should also visit www.hungrymonster.com or www.southernfood.about.com/potatosalads/ for other classic potato salad recipes that everyone will love. No picnic or other summer gathering is ever complete without this must have mouth watering dish. Just picture it now, brown sugar baked beans, coleslaw, deviled eggs, corn on the cob, barbequed chicken, hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, and, yes, your favorite potato salad in the biggest bowl on the table, because it will be gone in no time! Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Airbrush tan/tanning

It has always amazed me how the majority of celebrities always look so healthy, tan and absolutely perfect. They show up on the red carpets looking younger than they are and as stunning as possible. It makes me envious and yet, curious. Afterall, how can you have a tan for so many years and not have a single wrinkle? How do they never manage to gain a single ounce even though the years are moving by rapidly? Hollywood certainly has some secret weapons to fighting age and wrinkles, don't they? Plastic surgery has become commonplace now. Don't like your lips? Change them. Don't like your stomach? Change it. Hate your hair? Change that too.
I have discovered through some investigation and advertisements, how the celebrities get and keep their incredible tans no matter what the season seems to be. It is called airbrush tanning. It doesn't require weeks of laying in a tanning bed just to get a base tan. You can walk in pale as can be, and walk out within 30 minutes and have a tan. I wasn't quite sure what airbrush tanning really was, so I asked. Airbrush tanning is a mist of self-tanner that is sprayed onto your body. Some salons have booths that you can enter and little sprayers will spray the mist onto you. A few minutes later, you can dry off and walk out with a tan. I was pretty intrigued about this concept. I had tried self tanning lotions before and always had an orange tint afterwards which I thought was hideous. I couldn't help but wonder if getting an airbrush tan would be the same way.
Everything that I had read or heard about airbrush tanning was positive. It is deemed safe and there are no harmful dyes or chemicals. It is a lot safer than exposing yourself to the sun or tanning beds. Most people that spoke of it claim that it did not make them look orange, it looked very natural. Supposedly, it also lasted for a little longer than a week and faded naturally. I had no choice but to try it. I found a salon near my house that offered airbrush tanning and decided to go for it. If it didn't like it, I'd just return to my normal pale appearance - no harm done. I'd never know unless I did try it.
It was a bit more expensive than I'd anticipated but I imagine the cost varies from place to place. The only part that I can complain about was the temperature of the mist as it hit my body. I think that I actually squealed when the cold mist touched me. Minutes later, I walked out of the salon, looking more colorful. I'm happy to say that my experience with airbrush tanning was a positive one. I did not look orange or streaked, and loved the comments I received on my tan. I am now a fan.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Frying Pan

Every cook has their favorite equipment. For some it’s their collection of knives, while others can’t live without their blender. For an everyday cook who feeds a hungry family, quite often their favorite item is their frying pan. Almost everyone is extremely conscious about what they are eating. With an increase in cancer and heart disease rates it’s vitally important to choose foods that are low in saturated fats. Mistakenly many people think that if you cook in a frying pan you have to add oil which in turn will create long term health problems. In fact, some people shy away from using the frying pan completely for this very reason. That doesn’t have to be the case. It can actually be one of the healthiest ways to cook many things, including fish, beef and chicken. The key to low fat cooking in a frying pan is to use one that has a coating on it. Teflon is applied to the frying pan during the manufacturing process. Not only is it completely safe it also serves as a non-stick surface. This means that you can cook anything without it sticking to the surface of the pan. Cleaning it is just as simple as using it to cook. Anything that is left in the pan can be wiped away with a damp cloth. The outer surface of the frying pan should be cleaned with a mild detergent. It’s really important not to use any type of abrasive on the cooking surface of the pan as that can lead to damage of the Teflon. Some types of frying pans are dishwasher safe and you should read the label carefully when you first purchase it. If you are a vegetarian you are probably interested in cooking dishes that contain vegetables and perhaps tofu. These also cook up nicely in a frying pan. Without the extra added fat during the cooking process, your dish will be very healthy and will taste so fresh. That’s one of the complaints about vegetables that are cooked in heavy oil, such as zucchini sticks or French fries. The taste becomes so compromised that it’s difficult to recognize it. If you instead throw some small pieces of potato in your frying pan with a mixture of fresh, seasonal herbs, you have a treat that’s much tastier than a deep fried dish could ever be. Don’t give up on the idea of cooking without fat. Your food will be tasty if you just add the right seasoning and use a good quality Teflon coated frying pan.