Saturday, July 28, 2012

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD DO AFTER A BREAK UP


1. Go Away-
For couples who live together, this is very important. Sharing a common living space can make a clean break seem virtually impossible. There are so many things to consider once two people have decided to divide their lives again. If you find yourself breaking up with your special someone, try going away for a while. It does not have to be a long and engaging vacation. One or two nights in a nearby hotel should do the trick. Do NOT stay with friends or family. No matter how supportive they are, they will more than likely be biased one way or the other because they love you. It's best to find some neutral space to do whatever you need in order to deal with the shock of the separation. You'll need someplace where you will not be surrounded by souvenirs of your relationship. In a quiet and clean hotel room, you can have total privacy to cry, shout, sleep, think, read, or do whatever you need to, to alleviate some of the shock and pain.
2. Make a Pros/Cons List-
Get out a sheet of paper and make four columns. Label the columns as follows : Pros, Cons, Pros, Cons. Let the first set of Pros and Cons represent the advantages and disadvantages of being together with your former mate. Do the same for the next two columns. Only these columns will represent being apart. It may sound silly. And if you're feeling exceptionally raw about breaking up, you may find that one or more columns are filled to capacity, while others only have one item. That is just fine. Write down your feelings anyway. Keep the list and continue to go back to it. You may find that over time, some items may move from one side of the list to the other. This is because people often see their mistakes in retrospect. And some things that we thought were good for us, were actually detrimental to the relationship.
3. Treat Yourself-
Some people rely on pints of Haagen Daaz. Some people grab a few beers with the buddies. And some indulge in a little retail therapy. While these may seem like viable options for soothing the wounds of a nasty split, they are not always the wisest. Pigging out on ice cream feels good temporarily. But eating out of frustration is never a good thing. "Break Up Shopping" may also result in some negative repercussions. The kind of treat that you should give yourself will feel good from the inside out. Try to delight yourself with new experiences. Take a class or attend a seminar. Visit a tourist attraction in your own city that you may never have seen before. The point here is to do something that is healthy and engaging for your mind. Sometimes people put so much energy into their relationships that they rarely make time for themselves. The fragile time after a break up is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
4. Change Your Routine- 
Many couples establish certain routines without even thinking about it. When suddenly, the person that you loved no longer wants to be with you, not only is your ego damaged, but you also feel a loss of control. One way to re-establish control over your life is to change your routine. If you normally work from 8 to 4pm, try changing your schedule so that you include other activities in your workweek. Changing things up a bit will make you feel like you're taking charge of an adverse situation.
5. Therapy- 
When all else fails, there is always the good old therapist. No longer do you have to have stacks of cash in order to get some quality objectivity. The stigma associated with mental health has subsided over the years. Many corporations offer programs (called EAPs) that have been created for the sole purpose of helping their employees deal with difficult life issues. Typically, the employee is offered 3 free sessions with a counselor or therapist listed in a directory (further sessions require payment). Sometimes it simply helps to be completely candid with a stranger who is unbiased to your situation. You can see things that you might not have seen. And a therapist can also help you to regain a sense of balance when things have gone awry.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Things for Singles to do on Valentine’s Day

Have a Party Invite all your single friends (guys and girls) or those whose dates are unavailable, and have a bash at your place. Get some cocktails, appetizers and music going and make the night memorable by taking it easy with your close friends. This is a great option if you don't want to spend Valentine's Day alone

Treat yourself got to a spa or get a massage
Go to a spa or get a massage. No matter what you do spend Valentine's Day doing what you enjoy most and feel good about yourself

Veg out, eat and watch EXACTLY what you want to!
After all you deserve it

Be smug – Coupledom isn’t all it’s cracked up to be
Enough Said!

Hang out with your fave male/female friend
Spend quality time with the female/male friend that you feel closest to. Who knows, maybe a night of two lonely souls might lead to more interesting casual encounters!

Do the usual
Go about your routine, and it'll feel like just another regular day. Go to work, and then head to the gym and when you go home enjoy your dinner in front of some quality TV. Go to bed and when you wake up it'll be the 15th of February and you can carry on as normal

Make it your day
Valentine's Day is really no different from any other day, and it's simply another commercial holiday. But if you don't want to spend the next Valentine's Day alone, then think about how to avoid becoming an eternal bachelor/spinster - although it's a great life, isn't it?

Monday, January 30, 2012

10 Tips To Remove Acne And Pimples Permanently

1) STOP popping the spots, also known as pimples and zits. This may make the pimple look worse due to inflammation and irritation. Popping a zit can spread infection under the skin and produce even more pimples than before. If you do pop a spot then immediately clean it with soap and water or rubbing alcohol in order to prevent infection.
2) Remove any make-up you have on. Wearing make-up can clog pores, making them dirty and causing pimples.
3) Use a mild soap for sensitive skin but it doesn't matter exactly what type of soap you use. It can be designed for acne-prone skin or not, but you will want to treat your skin gently. Harsh antibacterial soap may actually make your acne worse by irritating skin.
4) Remove dead skin cells regularly by exfoliating. Use a gentle scrub with natural defoliants like ground walnut shells, or use an over-the-counter chemical defoliant like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Adding ground walnut shell to a thick moisturizer like cocoa butter can be effective too.
5) Use a good toner. Spray onto face or wipe on with a cotton ball and wipe off with a clean, dry cotton ball. This gets rid of excess cleanser and tightens pores. Good, inexpensive choices include plain witch hazel for normal to dry skin, lemon juice, or 3% hydrogen peroxide for oily skin.
6) Bacteria in pores is one cause of spots. Reduce the amount of bacteria by using toners containing anti-bacterial agents like alcohol, peroxide and benzalkonium chloride, and by using creams that contain benzoyl peroxide, which kill bacteria as well as cause the skin to regenerate faster.
7) Maintain a routine. Most acne treatments take time to work. It usually takes between two and eight weeks before you see any significant improvement, so you are going to have to be patient. Once you've gotten your acne cleared up, it's important to continue with the treatment that's working so it does not return.
8) Understand that if all else fails, contact a doctor. Mild antibiotics that are available only by prescription can help reduce acne. Keep in mind though, that the widespread overuse (taking antibiotics when you really don't need them or for something they don't treat) and misuse (not taking medication for the specified amount of time) of antibiotics has led to the development of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria.
9) Keep hair off of your face if at all possible. If you want to keep your bangs, then consider taking showers regularly or keeping your forehead clean with oil-dabbing cloths / clean tissues / etc.
10) Get some good sleep. Stress increases your skin's oiliness, which, combined with sweat and dirt, can clog pores and cause pimples. (Change your pillowcase frequently.)

Traditional Kim Chi Recipe

Ingredients:
Napa cabbage - approximately one pound
4 cups of cold water
3 tablespoons of sea salt
1 tablespoon of fresh garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh green onions (scallions), finely chopped
1 teaspoon of dried red chili pepper flakes (more if you like things spicy, less if you don't)
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of sugar

Directions:
Separate and wash cabbage leaves. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sea or kosher salt evenly on cabbage leaves. Place salted cabbage leaves in a large bowl, add 4 cups of cold water, cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator overnight. Be sure that water covers all cabbage leaves - place a plate or other heavy object on top of leaves to ensure that they stay covered with water.
The next day, pour off water and thoroughly rinse cabbage leaves. You can shake them gently in the sink to remove excess moisture.
Place cabbage leaves back into large bowl and add garlic, green onion or scallions, ginger, dried red chili flakes, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of salt. Use your hands to rub seasoning evenly into all cabbage leaves. Be sure to use gloves to do this, otherwise, your hands will burn from the chili flakes. If you are pressed for time, mix seasoning ingredients with about a cup of warm water before adding them to cabbage to allow for easier distribution on cabbage leaves.
Transfer seasoned cabbage leaves into a large glass bottle. Be sure to use firm pressure with your hands to push down on cabbage leaves as they stack up inside the bottle. Transfer any liquid that accumulated during the mixing process into the bottle as well - it will become kim chi brine. Some liquid will also come out of the cabbage leaves as you press down on them as they are stacked in the bottle.
Leave about 2 inches of room at the top of the bottle before capping it tightly with a lid. Allow bottle of kim chi to sit at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Your kim chi is now ready to eat. Use scissors or a knife and cutting board to cut cabbage leaves into 2 inch pieces before serving as a side dish to a bowl of rice, soup, and perhaps a piece of fish. Refrigerate remaining kim chi and take out small portions right before meals. The refrigerated kim chi will continue to ferment slowly in the refrigerator over time, becoming more sour and flavorful with each passing day. So long as you use clean utensils to take out small portions, it will keep for up to a month in your refrigerator.
Kim chi, Korean miso soup, a bowl of rice, and some dried anchovies are a typical Korean meal - high in omega-3 fatty acids and friendly bacteria.

Tips on How to Say Sorry Gracefully

  • The first thing you should remember is to not to fake your feelings or apologize for the sake of it. You should apologize to the person only if you genuinely feel sorry. Secondly, you should not lie or give false excuses; keep your apology brief and direct.

  • When expressing your apology to someone, always look at the person in the eyes, stay calm and say it. Even if the person takes a longer time to respond, do not let your temper rise as you cannot expect a person to accept your apology immediately. Same is to be followed if the person pretends to ignore you.

  • When saying sorry, just say it and end the topic, then and there. Do not start the blame game as to who was the cause of the fight as it will lead to further arguments.

  • Now, how will you say sorry to your boyfriend or girlfriend? Once you have accepted your fault, remember never say sorry to your guy / girl over the phone or by texting. It is better if you meet him / her in person and express your apology.

  • There are different ways to apologize. You can say sorry with flowers, or a card with suitable apology quotes. On the other hand giving a small gift is also a sweet gesture and will really be appreciated. You can even take your girlfriend / boyfriend for a date, coffee or a dance.

  • Another tip, if you wish to apologize after a fight, the first thing you need to do is to bury your pride. Once you realize your mistake, give some time to your partner to cool off a bit and then apologize (do not expect the person to accept it soon). However, remember that saying sorry melts the anger of the person and hence, it will be easier for you to mend things.

  • It is famously said that couples should not go to bed sulking. It is always better to sort out things quickly and bury the issue. Remember, it does no good to answer back or argue when tempers are flying.

  • Lastly, if the person is ignoring you, you should try to figure out the reason for the same and apologize for it. If the person continues to ignore you, then the reason may be something else which cannot be solved by your apology. So, in that case, it is wise to let go and move on.