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40 Ways to Get Rid of or Prevent Stretch Marks

There are several myths surrounding stretch marks. They can happen to men and women, young and old. Stretch marks can happen anywhere on the body. There are many reasons stretch marks can develop, from physical changes to dietary changes to environmental factors. And for as many reasons that stretch marks are caused, they can be reduced in severity by several methods too.

Stretch marks occur when the skin loses its elasticity and collagen. When the elasticity is gone, the skin cannot “snap” back into place. Usually when it is pulled apart like that, the collagen is damaged too, which results in the difference in appearance of the stretch mark skin.

There are many things a person can do to prevent the development of stretch marks on their body. Some ways are by healthy living, other ways are by getting regular check ups from the doctor.

One major cause of stretch marks are from a pregnant body. The skin can only stretch so far without damaging. Thus, when baby stretches too far, the stretch marks are forever imprinted…or so you thought.

When pregnant:

1 - Cocoa Butter

Cocoa Butter hydrates and replenishes dry skin. There are many different quantities and qualities of cocoa butter creams in the store. Pick one brand and try it. If you like it and it seems to work, stick with it. Follow the package directions or rub once a day all over your tummy where stretch marks may develop. This is especially important when you reach the middle and last trimesters of your pregnancy. Cocoa butter can be used on any skin that is dry or flaky to rejuvenate it.

2 - Vitamin E

Vitamin E can be purchased by itself in a health food or supplements store. It is normally found in a gel or cream. It also hydrates the skin and gives it added elasticity. The added help to elasticity is what prevents future stretch marks from happening. Follow the directions on the package or use twice daily on your growing tummy.

3 - Control Weight Gain

Weight gain is important during pregnancy. However, how you gain the weight is the most important. Slow and steady growth, of one to two pounds per week is safest for you and the baby in the middle trimester. The weight gain should slow during the end. When the weight gain is rapid, the skin doesn’t have a chance to stretch naturally. Stretch marks occur from skin that is pulled too tight too quickly. If you can moderate your diet and exercise, it will go a long way to helping control any stretch mark outbreaks.

4 – Enriched Drinks

You can purchase a mix in the health food stores. It is called Calc Fluor 6X. It is safe for you and the baby and contains many vitamins and nutrients to hydrate your body. Follow the package directions. It is suggested to use three times a day every week in your early trimester. Then once you hit midway, alternate weeks of using it. It helps build and repair your skin from the inside out.

5 - Drink lots of Water

Even with all of the products designed to keep you and your skin hydrated, water is still the best option. It is free and available everywhere. Drink eight glasses a day to keep your system flushed of toxins and your skin moisturized.

Creams & Lotions

Scientists have created many creams and lotions full of ingredients to help your skin. These ingredients build collagen and help with elasticity. The same lotions that help with stretch marks have the same effect on wrinkles. Therefore, the skin care products are a billion dollar industry!

6 – Copper

Copper is one of the essential ingredients needed for firm skin. It is used in almost every skincare product available. Products are being created now where copper is the main ingredient. Buying and using copper fortified skin care products builds firmness of the skin and makes it look younger. Toned and fortified skin won’t stretch too fast, resulting in stretch marks. Rub all over where you may get (or want to get rid of) stretch marks: thighs, butt, hips, stomach and arms.

7 – Moisturizers

Moisturizers are available everywhere from dollar stores to luxury skin care chains. The price range is $ 1 all the way up to thousands of dollars per ounce. Do they work better? Not necessarily. The important part is you take care of dry skin. The cream, no matter what quality, will have some vitamins and hydrating ingredients that you will benefit from. Keeping the skin moisturized will increase your chances of preventing the dreaded stretch mark.

8 - Retin –A Cream

Retin A cream is a type of moisturizer that prevents wrinkles and stretch marks on the skin. The Retin A is a protein used to build collagen in the skin. The belief is that adding this on top of your skin builds the collagen even further. The more collagen you have, the more elasticity your skin has too. With more elasticity, you have less wrinkles and stretch marks. The Retin A cream can be used as a preventative tool and also to combat existing wrinkles and stretch marks. Retin A creams can be moderate to expensive in price.

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Introduction

Your personal power is all about having self-confidence and be able to be your true self in all aspects of your life. From the time we are born, we will be raised to be a version of ourselves that please others. Whether it comes from the way, you interact with your family or how you were taught in school. We learn to put a mask on and be an actor in our life.

Unfortunately, that behavior will not lead you to be happy and live a fulfilling life. With commitment, vulnerability, and curiosity, you will be able to be the best version of yourself and put away the mask that you’ve to wear for much too long. Are you ready to claim your power?

Then let’s start with this 5-step guide!

Step 1: Assess Yourself

Have you ever felt like your behavior and the way that you held yourself varied depending on who is around you and where you are?

We tend to play a different role when we are with individuals that we want to please or want to make sure that they like us. For example, you might behave in a completely different way if you are at work or with people you just met and want to be friends with them. We tend to be ourselves when we are at home or with childhood friends. That is when we let our guards down and become more vulnerable and less worried about how others might perceive us.

The following questions will help you identify which area of your life you are the best version of yourself. The answer is yes or no, pick the answer the closest to how you feel (mostly yes or mostly no).

Business, Career and Professional World

YES NO

Are you satisfied with your work?

Do you get along with your colleagues?

Do you know what you want to do for work?

TOTAL:

Love and Romantic Relationship

YES NO
Are you experiencing happiness in love?

Do you feel like you can be yourself in a love relationship?

TOTAL:

Family

YES NO

Do you feel like you have a connection with your family?

Can you be yourself around your family?

TOTAL:

Friends

YES NO

Do you trust your friends?

Would you say that the level of “give and take” in your friendship is balanced between you and them?

TOTAL:

Acquaintances and Neighbors

YES NO

Do you stay true to yourself when you meet new people?

(Meaning you don’t change your demeanor.)

Are you honest with yourself when you meet someone new that you don’t like? (Meaning you don’t try to convince yourself that you need to give them a chance.)

TOTAL:

Self

YES NO

Do you appreciate your physical body?

Would you say you have healthy self-talk?

TOTAL:

Compile all the “yes” and “no” from each section. TOTAL:

The more “yes” you have, the easier it is for you to be yourself. The goal is to be your true self in all spheres of your life. Based on that quick survey, which area of your life has more “NO”? Keep that in mind; we hope that by the end of reading this book, you are more comfortable being yourself in that area of your life.

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51 Ways to Overcome Low Self-Esteem and Shyness

If you Google “low self-esteem,” you’ll get over 1,600,000 articles. Google “shyness,” and you’ll get over 6,000,000 articles. People really want to know how to overcome these things. Low self-esteem and shyness are socially debilitating. They can be very difficult to overcome them. This ebook will give you some simple things to start.

BASIC NEEDS

Every one of us has the basic need to feel important as a human being. This first set of tips will go over a few of them and help you understand their importance.

1. Attention

We are a society that needs other people. Everyone has the basic need to give and receive attention from others. As you acknowledge this you can start to understand yourself. A great way to start is by giving attention to those around you.

2. Meaning and Purpose

We all need meaning and purpose in our lives. Think about your own. Are you a student? A mom? A dad? A son? A daughter? A co-worker? Whoever you are, as you acknowledge your purpose get excited about it.

3. Connection

We all need to feel connected to others. As you look at your life, ask yourself who you’re connected to. Here’s a partial list to help you get an idea:

- Spouse
- Friends
- Children
- Grandchildren
- Co-workers

4. Creativity

We all have need for creativity in our lives. If we do exactly the same things every day, our lives will get boring, and it can lead to depression. Make sure you frequently add something creative, even if it’s small, into your daily routine.

5. Intimacy

Intimacy is a very important human need. Babies need to be held, children need to be hugged, and adults need affection from other adults. Sometimes the search for this intimacy can become depressing, but you need not let it.

6. Control

As humans, we have a need to be in control of our own lives. Sometimes, though, it seems like life controls you. It’s during these times that you need to step back and take steps to regain control. You can do this by:

- Planning out your day.
- Choosing what you do every day.
- Tackling problems head on.

7. Status

You need to know where you stand with the situations in your life. This status helps you to understand who you are and exactly what’s expected of you. If you’re unsure of your status in your life, depression can easily set in.

DEFINITIONS

Let’s go over some definitions of terms and conditions that are commonly used together. Hopefully one of these will strike a cord and help you to understand your condition.

8. Depression

There are several types of depression, but it basically means being sad or down for more than a few weeks at a time. Depression can be made manifest by lack of energy, and motivation interest in normally pleasurable activities.

9. Shyness

According to wikipedia.com, the definition of shyness is “a feeling of insecurity or awkwardness that certain people experience while being among others, talking with others, asking favors of others, etc.”

10. Social Anxiety

5.3 million adult Americans suffer from social anxiety. Again, wikipedia.com’s definition of social anxiety is an experience of fear, apprehension or worry regarding social situations and being evaluated by others. It’s also sometimes described as "crippling shyness." Many people that have social anxiety have had it all of their lives.

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45 Baby Nursery Decorating Tips

A little bundle of joy will soon be joining your household. What better way is there to welcome your addition than with a beautifully decorated nursery? There isn’t a nicer way, but how do you do it? What requirements does a nursery have? And most importantly, where do you start? Below are tips and ways to decorate your nursery so it is safe, friendly and soothing to your baby.

1 - To Determine Gender or Not

With the creation of ultrasounds, many expectant parents know the sex of their baby before it is born. Are you one of them? If so, that knowledge can help you design a room specifically for your baby. If not, never fear, there are plenty of gender-neutral themes and designs to use in a nursery. Even after knowing the sex of their baby, some parents choose to remain gender neutral with the theme. The ultrasound could have been fuzzy, the doctor wasn’t sure, or just wanting a neutral theme for baby are all reasons to consider before making your decision. Therefore, your first decision as soon-to-be parents is boy themed, girl themed or neutral. Once you make that decision, you can move forward.

2 - Neutral, Please

You’ve decided to go with a neutral them for your baby’s room. To begin decorating you can go one of two routes. Pick the wall color first and then look for matching bedding or two, pick out the bedding and then coordinate the paint scheme. The furniture you bring into the room can also factor into the décor, as there are many options now. Most baby furniture is made of wood that can be stained a light color, painted white, or uses its natural cherry, oak or even pine colorings.

3 - Noah’s Ark

A Noah’s Ark theme incorporates animals in its décor more so than religion. Either sex loves animals, and Noah was one who brought them all together. In a Noah’s Ark room, the bedding, sheets, curtains and even rugs can all carry the same motif. The Noah’s Ark theme can be used as the child grows up too, since any of the stuffed animals they receive growing up will match! Install a stuffed animal net in the corner for displaying all of the creatures. Paint a window or several windows with animals poking their heads out on the wall in lieu of pictures. Add a rainbow across part of the ceiling and a dove with an olive branch to complete the theme.

4 - Winnie the Pooh

This lovable old friend is perfect for anybody! Who doesn’t like a fluffy hug? Winnie the Pooh motifs have many different styles to choose from in of itself. There are bright colors, pastel colors, color blocks and beige designs to choose from. Paint a huge tree on one wall and make a sign that says “100 Acre Wood” so it is just like where Pooh lives. Murals or pictures of the rest of the cast along the walls add for more color.

5 - Stars and Moons

Many nursery rhymes involve the stars and the moon. And since the stars and moon represent bedtime, there isn’t a better place to use this theme. Little glow in the dark stars can be placed on the ceiling and around the room with sticky stuff. Make sure when placing the stars that they are not where they can fall into the bed or be pulled off and put into the mouth. If you don’t want sticky residue, paint stars on the ceiling. Be serious and follow the patterns of the constellations. Be creative, add the planets, and give them all a happy face.

6 - Sesame Street

The characters on Sesame Street have been educating and entertaining children for decades. Their bright colors and vivid textures even aid in motor development in children! To make a Sesame Street theme, get a stuffed animal of each character. On the other hand, if you have a lot of talent, paint them on the walls imitating a scene from Sesame Street.

7-ABC

The alphabet will be drilled into their heads as a preschooler, but in the infant years, they can enjoy the pretty pictures of the letters coupled with animals or other objects. A letter theme can be easily carried from the bedding to the walls with wallpaper or a paintbrush. Make posters or paint large letters and spread them all around the room. Add words to the letters or leave them how they are – baby will learn them quickly and easily from seeing them everyday.

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51 Ways to Organize Your Home

Your home is supposed to be the place where you feel the most comfortable. Keeping it organized and clutter free is important. For many of us, though, this is a challenge. This ebook is intended to make it a bit easier to organize your home and help you enjoy being there.

MAKE A PLAN

Organizing your home can be overwhelming if you don’t have a plan. This first set of tips will help you know where to start.

1. Master List

The first thing that you need to do is make a list. Get a pen and paper and go through every room in your house. Write down everything that needs to be organized. Don’t worry if your list is really long, you’ll break it down later.

2. Prioritize

After you’ve made your master list, it’s time to prioritize. Sit down with your list and decide what needs to be done right away verses what can wait. You can do this by using a letter or number system. For all the things you want done right away, pun an “A” or a “1” by them. If the job can wait a week or two, put a “B” or a “2” by it. If it can wait even longer, place a “C” or a “3” by it.

3. Daily List

Once you’ve prioritized, you can make your daily lists. Get a big piece of paper and write the days of the week across the top. Then look at your prioritized master to-do list and start writing all of the “A” projects under a week day on your paper. Be careful to put not more than two or three projects on one day, otherwise you may get overwhelmed. You now have a daily list of projects to get done (“A” projects, then “B” projects, and so on). Keep doing this every week until you get all of your projects done.

4. Don’t Get Distracted

When you start carrying out your daily projects, it’s important to only concentrate on what’s on the list. Chances are, as you start doing one project you’ll see ten other projects that need doing. You’ll be tempted to do them, but don’t. You’ll wind up getting overwhelmed, and possibly not even finishing the first project. If you notice an additional project you need to do, simply write it on your master list and continue with what you were doing.

BATHROOM

Whether your bathroom is big or small, keeping it organized is important. This next set of tips will help you keep your bathroom organized.

5. Throw Out

Before starting to organize your bathroom, go though and throw out anything that’s outdated or no longer needed. Things like:

- Old scissors or razors
- Expired prescriptions
- Any make up over a year old
- Throw out empty and almost empty bottles

6. Making More Storage

It’s easier than you think to create more storage in a small bathroom. Here are some ideas:

- Put a magnet strip inside your medicine cabinet to hang razors, scissors and tweezers.
- Make a simple fabric skirt to put around free standing sinks to hide things underneath your sink.
- Roll towels instead of folding them.
- Give each family member a square, see-through container for his or her personal things.

7. Keep Cleaners Handy

Keep cleaners in their own portable container under the sink so they’re accessible when you need them. It’s also a good idea to label your cleaners by room. Take a permanent marker and write “bathroom” on all of your bathroom cleaners so that you don’t take them out of the bathroom and have to hunt them down later.

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51 House Cleaning Shortcuts

According to a survey done by the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA):

- 98% of people feel good about themselves when their house is clean.
- 97% of people believe their families appreciate a clean home.

That said, housecleaning can be a very overwhelming job. This ebook is designed to help keep your home clean without all the stress

ONE-MINUTE CHORES

Only have a minute for cleaning? No problem. This first set of tips will give you some ideas for chores that take less than a minute.

1. Dust One Thing

It only takes a minute to choose one thing and dust it. You can either use a feather duster, a dust spray and a rag, or a dust wipe. Here are some things you can dust quickly:

- TV screens
- Shelves
- Blinds
- Ceiling fans
- Air Vents

2. Change Vacuum Bag

It doesn’t take much time at all to change your vacuum bag, and it can make your vacuum run more efficiently. A good tip is to take your vacuum outside to change it so the dust from the bag doesn’t go back into the room.

3. Clean a Mirror

A clean mirror makes a room look cleaner. If you don’t have glass cleaner and paper towels, try vinegar and old newspaper. This is a lot less expensive and it works just as well.

4. Change Towels

Fresh towels make a room smell great, whether they’re in the kitchen or the bathroom. It takes less than a minute, and it freshens up the whole room.

5. Change Trash Bags

Even if you don’t have time to take the trash all the way out, just taking full bags out of the cans and replacing them with clean bags can help tidy up when you only have a minute.

6. Sort Today’s Mail

Mail can really pile up if left alone. If you take 30 seconds every day to organize that day’s mail, you’ll have a lot less clutter. Don’t be afraid to throw away junk mail.

7. Treat a Stain

Got an extra minute? Treat that nasty stain that you noticed last week.

Here are some tips:

- Flush stains with water.
- Blot the stain with a dry cloth.
- Apply a mild cleaner and let set.
- Blot again.

8. Take Care of Plants

A minute is more than enough time to care for your favorite houseplants. If they need water, fill a pitcher so you can water them all faster. Take a pair of scissors with you to snip off dead vines or leaves.

9. Wipe Down Forgotten Areas

Grab a wet washcloth and quickly wipe down areas that might be forgotten when cleaning. Areas like:

- Doorknobs
- Remote controls
- Light switches
- Handles
- Telephones

10. Sweep Entryways

Most entryways are small and take less than a minute to sweep. Grab your broom and dustpan and you’ll be finished before you begin. You can even cheat and sweep dust onto the carpet, then use the carpet-sweeper to clean it up.

11. Shake out a Floor Mat

Floor mats are sometimes forgotten during cleaning. If you have an extra minute, grab a mat or two and shake them out outside. This will reduce the amount of dust in your home as well as keep those mats fresh and clean.

12. Collect Garbage in a Room

If you don’t have time to clean a whole room but want to make it look a little bit better, clear out the garbage. Grab a trash bag or a waste paper basket and start stuffing. You’ll find that this improves the look of a room dramatically.

GOOD HABBITS TO START

As you start developing simple housecleaning habits, you’ll notice that your work will get easier and easier. This next set of tips will give you some great ideas of good habits to start.

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51 Ways to Fight High Cholesterol

Everyone needs some cholesterol. But too much cholesterol can be bad for your health and can put you at risk for heart disease. Approximately 1 in 3 Americans (over 100 million) have high cholesterol. This ebook will help give you some ideas on how to get your cholesterol where it needs to be.

GENERAL INFO

In order for you to start lowering your cholesterol, you first need to understand it. Let’s start with some simple definitions:

1. HDL

HDL’s, or High Density Lipoproteins, are what’s known as “good cholesterol.” A HDL attaches itself to cholesterol and escorts it through your liver and out your body.

2. LDL

LDL’s, or Low Density Lipoproteins, are the “bad cholesterol” that we don’t want in our bodies. It’s the LDL’s that clog our arteries and can cause heart disease.
3. RATIOS

Finding a good balance between HDL’s and LDL’s is very important.

Here’s a table that shows what they should be:

Desirable
Borderline
Undesirable
HDL
Above 45
35-45
Below 35
LDL
Below 130
130-160
Above 160
FOOD

Eating the right foods can greatly reduce your cholesterol. This next section will list all sorts of foods that have been proven to greatly reduce cholesterol.

4. Know Your Oils

There are so many cooking oils out there. Knowing the healthy ones vs the non-healthy ones can make a big difference in your cholesterol levels. Here are some good oils:

- Canola oil
- Olive oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Flax seed oil

5. Dark Chocolate

Surprised? Oh yes, chocolate can actually help reduce your cholesterol. People who eat lots of cocoa powder and dark chocolate have lower levels of bad LDL cholesterol and 4% higher levels of good HDL cholesterol!

6. Go Nuts

Love nuts? No worries! Nuts (especially almonds and walnuts) are finally off the no-no list. A study found that eating 25 almonds a day for 1 month cut bad LDL cholesterol by 4 percent and raised good HDL cholesterol by 5% (Circulation, Sept 10, 2002).

7. The Lowdown On Eggs

Through the history of health awareness, a lot of people have had much to say about eggs. Are they good? Are they bad? While eggs are good for you, they do have a lot of cholesterol. Holly McCord, RD (www.prevention.com) says, “Since one large egg has about 210 mg of cholesterol--almost three-quarters of the 300-mg daily limit set by the American Heart Association (AHA)--you need to pair eggs with low- cholesterol foods the rest of the day.”

8. Poultry

In general, chicken and turkey are low in saturated fat, especially when the skin is removed. This can really reduce your cholesterol, specifically when you’re substituting poultry for red meat.

9. Menu Smart

These days most restaurants have low cholesterol sections on their menus. If you don’t see one, ask your waitress; it may be on a separate menu. You can also ask for smaller, or appetizer-sizes portions of your order.

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51 Calorie Burning Activities

Our bodies need calories. Depending on age and sex, we need anywhere between 2000 and 2600 calories every day. Unfortunately, most of us consume double and triple this number. The good news is there are many activities that you can do to get rid of those unwanted calories. This ebook will help you to understand and decide which activities are right for you.

*Keep in mind that all calorie-burning examples in this ebook are based on a person weighing 150 pounds. If you weigh less, you’ll burn fewer calories; if you weigh more, you’ll burn more calories.

SPORTS AND EXERCISE

This first set of tips covers a variety of different sports and exercises. If you’re already actively doing one of these, or looking for something to start, this will give you some good information on some good calorie burners.

1. Bicycling

Whether it’s a real bike, or a stationary one, cycling is a great way to get your heart pumping and those calories burning. Just cycling for 15 minutes a day will burn 119 calories. If you extend it to 30 minutes, you’ll burn 477 calories.

2. Stairs or Treadmills

Stairs are great for toning up those legs. They can also burn calories. Don’t have stairs near you? Use a treadmill! Just 15 minutes can burn 102 calories, or the equivalent of each of these:

- 1 tbsp. of mayonnaise
- 1 banana
- 1 oz. of pastrami
- 2 small chocolate chip cookies

3. Weight Lifting

Working on that muscle tone? Weight lifting burns calories as well. 15 minutes of pumping iron burns 51 calories. Not much, but if you extend your training to 30 minutes a day, you’ll burn 204 calories.

4. Running

Lace up those tennis shoes. Running is an all-around great calorie-burning exercise. Running 12 minutes at 5 mph burns 109 calories. If you kick it up a notch and run 15 minutes at 7 mph, you’ll burn 196 calories. If you’re really devoted and run for an hour a day, you’ll burn 784 calories!

5. Badminton

Hit that birdie! Badminton is a fun way to get in shape. A 20-minute game burns 102 calories, and an hour game burns 306 calories.

6. Basketball

Hoops, anyone? A fun 20-minute game of basketball burns 137 calories. Challenge your teammates to a rematch and you burn 409 (for a 60-minute game).

7. Bowling

Dust off that bowling bag! Even if you’ve never bowled a strike, bowling can be a fun way to get into shape. Bowling a 60-minute game will burn 205 calories. Extend the game to 90 minutes and you’ll burn 307 calories.

8. Football

Whether it’s flag, touch, or tackle, football has always been a great way to stay in shape. A 30-minute game will burn 273 calories. That’s the equivalent of each of these:

- 2 oz.
croissant
- 1 Hot dog
- ½ cup of ice cream
- 1 bratwurst sausage

9. Frisbee

Headed for the park? Take along a friend and a Frisbee. Tossing a Frisbee for 30 minutes will burn 102 calories. Stay out a bit longer and burn 205 calories (in an hour).