Constructive Ways to Express Your Anger

We all experience it. Whether we're angry with our boss, our friend, our spouse or our kids. Sometimes, things get out of hand when we can't control our anger. We tend to say things that we regret later when our emotions have toned down. Another bad news is: it's bad for our heart.

I did some research and was able to get some tips on how to express our anger in various constructive ways:

• Take a beat. If you're furious with your boss, call a good friend and blow off steam --- or have an imaginary conversation in your mind before addressing the issue. Once you're ready to deal with the person directly, don't use finger-pointing. Instead, calmly explain how you feel and ask for what you need. The point of expressing your anger is to heal your relationships, not to be right. Don't just talk about what you don't want, talk about what you do want.
• Get physical. Move the anger out of your body by taking a kickboxing class, beating up cardboard boxes with a plastic bat, or hitting golf balls at a driving range. Vigorous exercise is the single best way to discharge aggressive feelings. You'll feel more energized and less muddled about solving a situation that may be frustrating you.
• Try healthy yelling. Shouting in a safe place is a terrific way to vent anger. Schedule some time alone to rant, roll up the windows in your car and howl, or scream int he shower. Once you've expelled your rage, you'll feel calmer and better able to think about what might get your needs met.
• Use the three-day letter-writing technique. On day one, write a letter about what upset you, without censoring yourself. Then, on day two, read what you wrote and write a second letter. Finally, on day three, read the first two letters and jot down anything else that occurs to you. When you've finished, burn all three letters int he kitchen sink and wash the ashes down the drain. If you still feel angry, go back and do it again, or continue to vent your anger using another technique.
• Ask for help. If you tend to turn your anger inward, call a loving friend or family member and ask her to gently listen as you give voice to your inner critic. Isolation is the culprit when anger is turned inward. Share your thoughts and bad feelings with someone who can act as an intimate ally by reminding you to be tender with yourself. Then ask for her assistance in dealing with the situation in a more effective way.

Whatever technique you choose, let the clearheadedness that follows inform you of what needs to change. Then get to work.

How do you help your kids with their homework?

Being a working mom, it's difficult to maximize the time that I spend with my kids when it comes to assisting them whenever they have homework. It's not easy because most of the times it takes a 2-hour drive to get home from work, and by then, sometimes my daughter is already asleep, or is about to sleep.

Since my two other kids are already in College and High School, I only have to monitor their school activities, and make sure that they are not behind their lessons or projects that they need to submit.

How can we help our kids?

(1) Get them to use the computer. The Internet is an amazing resource. There are a lot of homework sites which offer reliable information for all grades.
(2) Get involved. Make sure that you know what's going on with your children when they are in school.

Grades three through six

• Give lots of feedback. Have your child solve problems or answer questions five or so at a time, then check the work. This way, you can spot errors right away and correct them.
• Zero in on good work first. With kids this age, it's especially important to point out what they did right.
• Don't let homework drag on. If an assignment isn't further along after an hour, there's something your child just isn't getting.

High School

• Help kids get organized. Review daily assignments as soon as your kid gets home from school.
• Set priorities. You can help by ranking the work from easiest to hardest. Then encourage your child to tackle the easy jobs first. Break down big projects into little pieces over a period of several weeks.
• Foster independence. Encourage your child to work more on his own. Check an assignment only when it is actually complete.

(3) Find help when necessary. Some kids are particularly reluctant to do homework. This may signal a more serious issue, perhaps even a learning problem. Yelling or punishing rarely does any good. Instead, set up a conference with your child's teacher and together, come up with an action plan.

(4) Provide a good work space. Kids need to get into a homework bubble. When you provide a quiet, uncluttered place for them to study, it sends a powerful message that homework is valued.

(5) Respect different work styles. Some kids need a break after school, while others prefer to power through homework. Help your child figure out what works best for him, then stick to a consistent schedule.

(6) Experiment with different study aids. Most kids are taught to highlight important passages in the assigned reading. But making small notes in the margin can be a better strategy.

How to Travel with Kids in Peace

My family loves road trips. And of course, doing this with kids at the back of the car can sometimes take its toll on us. So, how do we keep sane? How do we make sure that we have a stress-free driving experience?

(1) We make sure that they are clothed comfortably, especially during long drives. Cotton shirts and shorts are best. I bring at least one extra change of clothes for every two to three hours of travel.

(2) We make sure that everybody does their bathroom duties before leaving the house. This will ensure unwanted discomfort and delay while on the road.

(3) Comfort food on a trip is still one of the best ways to make them fall asleep during the trip, so, we always bring lots of food to eat along the way. But I also make sure that these are drip-free and easy to eat. I always go for food that last until we reach our destination, I don't bring food that needs refrigeration.

(4) When my kids were younger, I always pack toys for them, and I also include new ones to keep them occupied. I also ask them to bring at least 3 of their favorite books to read.

(5) We always have small throw pillows for aching backs and sleepy heads.

(6) Of course, I always remember to bring first-aid kit for minor cuts and bruises. The article on Travel First Aid is really very useful.

These really help us and although bickering couldn't be avoided once in a while, we just consider it as part of our family bonding.

Tutorial Services

Working moms like me sometimes find it difficult to monitor their kids' performance in school. My youngest is in 4th grade and I still check her books and assignments everytime I came home from the office. And although my other daughter is in 3rd year high school already, I still check on her once in a while just so she knows that I am monitoring her school activities. But sometimes, it's difficult to do this especially when I'm tired or when I'm late in coming home, and it's also difficult to do tutoring over the phone.

It's just good to know that there are home tutoring services being offered that could really help working mothers. Although there's still no better teacher than mothers as other people might say, we sometimes have to leave it to the experts when it comes to some subjects which we must admit we have limited of knowledge about. A website which offers this service is the Club Z Tutoring, and they don't just offer tutorial services for the three R's, they also have the SAT Test Preparation which really helps in preparing kids for college. Availing of this kind of service is a must especially if your kids are in High School, just like what I did before my son entered College this year. It was a big help to him, mentally and psychologically.

Flu Fashion Respirator Masks

Would you believe? There are now designer fashion masks with fabric covers being sold online. It's just simply amazing how entrepreneurs can come up with ideas that they know people will grab at the right time. Although the Department of Health had cautioned people about wearing masks even though they are not afflicted with the swine flu, I can still see a lot of people wearing masks in the Mall and in public transportation. And if they cannot be prevented from wearing such masks, maybe they should just try ordering some of these fashionable masks that can even go with their clothes.

Great Photography Articles

I'm sure if you've been reading my previous posts, you would know that my latest hobby is photography. I have subscribed to a few websites which offer some tutorials, articles, tips, and ideas about this. There are lots of articles available, and so far, I found the great photography articles in photography.com quite comprehensive. They are meant for beginners like me. The articles are easy to understand, the tips easy to follow, and the ideas are easy to apply.

So, if you're also into photography, you might want to read the articles from photography.com. I'm sure you will see that they are a great help for beginners like us.

Natural Therapy to Treat Heart Blockages

We all know how important it is to have a healthy heart. I know how it is not to have a normal heart because I have problems with my heart rhythm, and when I'm having episodes of attacks, it can be scary, I tell you. I'm just blessed with a good cardiologist who always assures me that I shouldn't be scared with the kind of arrythmia that I have, and that I should just avoid the things that trigger the attack, which in my case is my lack of sleep most of the time.

It's one thing to have arrhythmia, and another thing to have a heart blockage. The second one is more serious, and will really require a massive change in lifestyle, and constant trips to the doctor and the pharmacy for the maintenance medicines, let alone, potential bypass operation or angioplasty. Again, I know how it is because my husband was diagnosed to have a "small and mild heart blockage" and he's taking lots of maintenance medicines for this. Although the block was still there for the past three years, at least, it's not getting worse and the medicines have been helping him, and of course, he also made a lot of changes in his eating habits. What he lacks now is the exercise, although the cardiologist has already given him a go signal to get some mild exercise.

So, when I got this in my email, I thought to myself, this could possibly help my husband, because it promises to treat heart blockage, and it's a natural therapy for heart vein opening and major diseases.

For Heart Vein Opening

1 Cup Lemon juice
1 Cup Ginger juice
1 Cup Garlic juice
1 Cup Apple vinegar (apple cider)

Mix all above and boil in light flame approximately half hour, when it becomes 3 cups, take it out and keep it for cooling.
After cooling, mix 3 cups of natural honey and keep it in bottle.
Every morning before breakfast, use one Tablespoon regularly.
Your blockage of veins will open (No need for any Angiography or heart bypass).
Nature's wonder drug is a cheap way to beat obesity, cancer, asthma and more.

Top doctors have revealed that the combination of garlic, vinegar, and honey is a wonder drug that can cure every thing from cancer to arthritis. Amazing studies from respected universities around the world prove the miracle home remedy that costs just pennies a day to make is a super way to fight just about any affliction.

Experts have verified that this health-restoring trio of garlic, vinegar, and honey can wipe out both common and uncommon ailments. Successes include ache, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer, excessive cholesterol level, colds, flu, gas, and indigestion, headaches, heart and circulatory problems, hemorrhoids, infertility and impotence, toothaches, obesity, ulcers and many other diseases and conditions.

In a study of arthritis victims Dr. Angus Peters of the University of Edinburgh's Arthritis Research Institute found a daily dose of vinegar and honey reduced pains by 90%. A daily dose of garlic and vinegar has proved to be a powerful fat destroyer and weight reducer, according to Dr Raymond Fish of London's famous Obesity Research Center.

The prestigious British medical journal Lancet reported that cholesterol levels plunged on average from231.4 to 224.4 after volunteers consumed 50 grams of garlic and four ounces of butter. The study proved the dangers associated with high fat foods can be neutralized by adding garlic to your diet. A study of 261 adult patients by the German Association of general Practitioners indicated that serum cholesterol and triglyceride level factors associated with the risk of heart disease are significantly reduced by regular use of garlic in the diet.

Studies at Housing's MD Anderson Cancer Institute in Pennsylvania State University, and GCLA support earlier evidence that certain ingredients in garlic block agents the cancer of the breast, colon, esophagus, and skin. The National Cancer Institute found in a study of 1,000 people that eating a lot of garlic is linked to a reduced risk of stomach cancer.

Dr.Etik Block of the State university of New York at Albany has discovered garlic unleashes at least 100 sulfur-producing components, all of which are powerful medicines. There appears to be little doubt that this astounding remedy of garlic vinegar and honey can extend life by protecting the user of many proven killers. Dr. Hen Lee Tsao writes in China's respected journal of Natural Medicines. Patients given this miracle drink before breakfast showed a remarkable reduction in high blood pressure and cholesterol in less than a week.

Italian nutritionist Emilio Steffani adds, 'Years of scientific investigation by experts around the world have proven beyond a doubt that garlic, vinegar, and honey are nature's magic potion. The three powerful ingredients are available everywhere and they cost only pennies a day.

Considering all that these natural substances can do for human health, it is amazing they are not more widely used' Dr. Jack Soltanoff a nutritional expert from New York, praises the benefits of the apple cider vinegar. He has recorded remarkable success stories involving arthritis sufferers, I have seen many arthritis patients start to loosen up at once 'says Dr.Soltanoff.

Some even call it (apple cider vinegar) a natural arthritis tonic that frees them from stiffness pain and throbbing aches. Within just few weeks most pain wrecked arthritis patients can perform normal activities because of this simple tonic 'boxing legend Mohammad Ali reportedly take a daily dose of garlic.

Vinegar and honey to fight the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and many other athletes use it to gain competitive edge. Dr. Tsao is sweet on the power of honey. 'Honey has been described as the perfect food 'notes the respected researcher. It contains at least 31nutrients, 13 minerals, the component parts of nine vitamins six acids and four key enzymes. Patients, who took the traditional vinegar and honey drink daily, were more vigorous, had never cold or infectious diseases, and in general were healthier than those who did not.

There is no question that this astounding drink elixir can extend life by protecting you from many proved killers. Honey not only makes your daily dose taste better. The sweet stuff also aids in your body's ability to absorb the medical properties of the powerful ingredients.

Garlic provides in storehouse of vitamins and minerals, but what excites researchers most is growing evidence that allicin, an enzyme (amino acid) present in large amounts in garlic stimulates the immune system.

BASIC ELIXIR RECIPE

Here is how to make your own miracle medicine:
In a bowl, mix together one cup of cider vinegar-use only cider vinegar, one cup of honey and eight cloves of chopped garlic.

Place the combination in a blender and mix on high speed for 60 seconds, pour the mixture in to jar or other glass container, seal and have in the refrigerator for minimum of five days. Normal dosage is two teaspoon in a glass of water or fruit juice, grape or orange juice is best, before breakfast.

A second dose, if desired can be taken in the evening.

Wishing you a very good health.

New Layout

It's been a while since my last post. I was busy changing my layout, didn't realize it takes a loooongg time to do that, I ended up with this layout, which I'm sure I will change again in a few weeks.