Author Archive

Author: AN
• Monday, November 24th, 2008

CHOOSE YOUR CHARITY, THESE ARE SOME OF MY FAVE AND WHY.

With Thanksgiving and holidays approaching, this is the time of year where people reach out in a spirit of good will to each other. I have been reflecting on some charities that I have been involved in that not only do change the world but have changed me for the better in one way or another. I share these with you in case you may wish to try some of them and see if they might enrich your life as much as they have mine. There are millions of charities in the world but I am recommending the following right now. The criteria is I that have had to have some personal involvement with them and I have seen personally how much they can help and change people’s lives. I hope that if you get involved with any of these fine organizations that you will be uplifted also as you see how much they enrich both yours and others lives.

Special Olympics This was probably one of my most favorite organizations. It made me believe in a better world, in the best of people and in a brighter future. I have never worked with people who were so warm, positive and inspiring. I worked both as a coach (power lifting) and later as a Director for the Winter Games. I was always in awe at the childlike innocence, purity and joy of the athletes. I remember after an athlete would do a few sets of weights, he’d put them down and excitedly go”Did you see me? Didn’t I do well? I did a super job, teacher! Hey, did the rest of you guys see-I did perfect!” Everyone would start high- fiving each other. Usually the same enthusiasm was shown irregardless of how good or bad they had been-they were so proud of their effort. Then their friends would try. The whole time they would yell encouragements to each other and whenever someone completed an effort everyone would start cheering and jumping up and bragging to each other about how good they were. I can’t ever remember any mean-spiritedness or negative outbursts ever to anyone. I was so happy to see people celebrate for everything that they or their friend did-even an opposing team. They genuinely loved themselves and each other and were proud of the attempts made by anyone. I only wish everyone could display that sportsmanship and goodwill to others-it certainly is heartwarming. If I can find the video of Special Olympic race and post it here, I will. That is their whole spirit and it always made it a joy and honor to work with them. I aspire to take such pride in my efforts-even when I fail. If I can ever emulate the genuine love and joy that they have for the success of their fellowmen, I would consider myself blessed. more…

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Author: AN
• Friday, October 31st, 2008

I recently was thinking about some strange but really good beauty tricks that I have used over the years. I hunted down these for different beauty emergencies; some I was a bit skeptical about trying at first, but the thing is… they have really worked! They may sound weird, but they’ll do the trick and do an amazing job!

LIST OF STRANGE ITEMS AND WHAT THEY HELP WITH
-

KETCHUP-takes chlorine out of blond hair (shower with it)

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR-use on your hair as a rinse-it gets rid of product build-up and leaves your hair with a healthy shine

LEMON JUICE-spray on your hair before going outside to get more…

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Author: AN
• Thursday, October 30th, 2008
After almost dying from swallowing hydrogen peroxide, due to the advice of a popular health book, I shared with my family the Poison Control’s reaction to this health experiment. I did not quite get the sympathetic reaction I had hoped for (from them or Poison Control). I thought my friends were much more understanding and wrote this to my family, sharing a friend’s take on the incident. (Both this and the Tylenol bra injury made me much more aware of the need for warning labels that work. Manufacturers should think about how their products are used by all people. Also, best-selling books might want to check with poison control before they advise people to take something. However, that is just a personal opinion of mine- based on past experience.) Here’s the letter I wrote to my family-
source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/abraysive/91822543/

source: see below

Dear Family,

Thank you for your concern with my recent brush with death. It meant a lot to me that a few days after I notified you all of keeling over, that some of you wrote back at how grateful you were that I hadn’t been killed. “Who would we make fun of and laugh about?” you wrote,”There’s no one ditzier than you; you are such an idiot you could make millions telling people about this-most people aren’t such total losers-you could actually become famous for messing up so bad!” Thank you for your support and confidence. It means a lot to know that my own family, those who know me best, believe in my airheadiness with such certainty and conviction.
Apparently it is not just family that cares about me and feels this way. Some of my friends have similar viewpoints. This Sunday, at Church, some friends of mine who had read my story came up to share their concern. more…

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Author: AN
• Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
source:http://flickr.com/photos/didmyself/2369566320/

source:http://flickr.com/photos/didmyself/2369566320/

Having a bad day? Read on!

If you are having a bad day, check out the following sources and see if you just don’t feel better!

I want to share some of our favorite sites for you that always make me laugh and cheer me up when I’m having one of those days. They are fun to read. The first one my daughter told me about-

http://failblog.org/

It’s all about mess-ups and is super funny! Great to read when you have a bad day or have your own-mess-up-you won’t feel so down anymore!

Another one is:

http://rejectioncollection.com/

This was started by a writer who wanted a forum where people could share their own rejection letters with each other and laugh together amidst their misery. It’s for writers, artists and they even share some celebrities stories of rejection also.

One of my all time favorites is The Darwin Awards. I can never stop laughing at these. These are annual awards given in honor of some of the stupidest things people have done. They have alot of other funny real life incidents on their site also. It is at:

http://www.darwinawards.com

more…

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Author: AN
• Saturday, October 25th, 2008

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MODELING

WANT TO BECOME AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL? HOW TO MAKE IT WITHOUT BEING TAKEN IN THE PROCESS, FLEE FROM FRAUD, SPOT A SCAM AND THE SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES YOU NEED TO KNOW

Within the modeling industry there is an even bigger industry set up of modeling scams. This industry makes millions of dollars each year from taking money from people anxious to break into modeling and unaware of traps and tricks to avoid. DON’T BE ONE OF THEM!

While there are many books and guides on the market that can give you more of the nuts and bolts of a modeling career, this guide is meant to warn and protect yourself from being taken advantage of while in pursuit of your modeling career. Think of this as the foundation-that will help you to be strong and not get distracted and mislead along the way. You can add in more of the details later-but you will know more…

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Author: AN
• Friday, October 24th, 2008
credit: www.takegreatpictures.com

credit: www.takegreatpictures.com

I have to share with you one of my favorite and most inspiring books-SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER. If you are into human rights you will love this book! I’m going to share with you quotes from Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi below who more eloquently describe the spirit of the book. However, anytime I want to find examples of the best of humanity and read about heroic human rights defenders who are changing the world-I reach for this book. It always gives me hope from seeing the courage of those who battle injustice and stand up for what’s right no matter what the cost. It also illuminated my eyes to the plight of many people worldwide and the some of the struggles they face that I wasn’t even aware of. A life changing book-one you want to share with everyone. This is a book that I will keep forever!

Speak Truth to Power gives us an insight into the power of the human spirit. It tells us why and how men and women all over the world struggle against oppression, injustice, and cruelty. There is horror but there is also immense hope in this world where dedicated people translate their commitment to human rights into action.
– Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Prize Laureate

You cannot kill an idea, you cannot imprison freedom. The lives of the common women and men in this book, heroes every one, inspire all who believe in liberty and justice. This book is a tribute to the human spirit and proof of the capacity of one person of courage to triumph over overwhelming evil.
-- President Nelson Mandela

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Author: AN
• Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

credit: www.amazon.com

This story is a humorous, powerful and empowering story about a woman who goes to Afgahnistan to help out. While there she gets involved with helping the local women as she starts a beauty school for them. You’ll laugh as you read about her struggles, cultural misunderstandings and universal women’s issues she discovers. It will make you laugh and cry and come away feeling inspired and in awe of women everywhere. This is one book I couldn’t put down. It is a fast and entertaining read that is empowering also! Let us know how you like it!

The following review was found on amazon.com

Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil
by Deborah Rodriguez (Author), Kristin Ohlson (Author)
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School–In 2002, just months after the Taliban had been driven out of Afghanistan, Rodriguez, a hairdresser from Holland, MI, joined a small nongovernmental aid organization on a mission to the war-torn nation. That visit changed her life. In Kabul, she chronicles her efforts to help establish the country’s first modern beauty school and training salon; along with music and kite-flying, hairdressing had been banned under the previous regime. This memoir offers a glimpse into a world Westerners seldom see–life behind the veil. Rodriguez was entranced with the delightful personalities that emerged when her students removed their burqas behind closed doors, but her book is also a tale of empowerment–both for her and the women. In a city with no mail service, she went door-to-door to recruit students from clandestine beauty shops, and there were constant efforts to shut her down. She had to convince Afghan men to work side by side with her to unpack cartons of supplies donated from the U.S. The students, however, are the heroines of this memoir. Women denied education and seldom allowed to leave their homes found they were able to support themselves and their families. Rodriguez’s experiences will delight readers as she recounts such tales as two friends acting as parents and negotiating a dowry for her marriage to an Afghan man or her students puzzling over a donation of a carton of thongs. Most of all, they will share her admiration for Afghan women’s survival and triumph in chaotic times.–Pat Bangs, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Author: AN
• Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

If you happen to visit San Diego-here is a guide to some restaurants that are sure to be a hit!

Ketchupdaily is an expert on restaurants and fine cuisine. She has worked in the restaurant industry for several years and used to work evaluating restaurants. She has traveled extensively over the last twelve years dining in hundreds of restaurants. She is a connoisseur of gourmet food and has sampled and compared many four and five star restaurants from many regions of the United States.

For a wonderful evening or a night you won’t want to forget, here is her list of places that you don’t want to miss in San Diego.

MARINE ROOM- This is one of the most romantic restaurants in San Diego with one of the best views of the ocean. This wins many awards and is one of the DiRoNA restaurants selected in San Diego. The cuisine is outstanding and the atmosphere is heavenly. Go on a weekend when they have live music playing or come for breakfast during a high tide and see the waves crash on the windows. This is a must for that special date-you won’t regret it and will wish all meals could be so perfect.

PAMPLEMOUSSE GRILL- The chef, Jeffrey’s credentials are amazing and he lives up to his reputation. Food is always a wonderful and perfect blend of flavors and ingredients. The caviar is incredible and has an unusual presentation. Although the meat and fish selections are sure winners, I have to say the five star vegetarian dish is hands done the best gourmet vegetarian dish in the city. The restaurant is popular year round but especially a favorite during race season where you may find yourself dining along with many celebrities.

TRATTORIA ACQUA- If Martha Stewart had a restaurant in San Diego this would be it. Some seating has ocean views but there is not a bad seat in the whole place. Attention is given to decor down to the littlest details. The food has pleasing innovative approaches to Italian food. You must not miss the Butternut Squash-Amaretto Cookie Ravioli served seasonally in the winter. I am told Cindy Crawford more…

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Category: Food, Travel  | Tags: ,  | One Comment
Author: AN
• Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

DIET AND HEALTH SECRETS-GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK-LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT FOOD THAT WILL HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF WHAT YOU EAT!

-Did you know that the skin on a tomato has more nutrients than any other part? That is why scientists say grape tomatoes are even better for you than the larger kind.

-Keep the seeds! You know how people say drinking red wine is good for you? That is due to the antioxidant properties of the seeds found in grapes. They even sell it as a supplement! Eat seeded grapes-you get all the health benefits with none of the negative health consequences from the alcohol intake found in wine.

-Did you know that bananas are called “natures coffee”? Supposedly, eating a banana gives you more energy than many other food options and is healthy too.

-Figs-never liked them when younger but I can’t get enough of them now. They are packed with nutrients and fiber and eating one makes you feel like you are having dessert. When they are in season, we go crazy!

-Eggs-a great, quick and cheap way to get protein. For awhile, they were hard on the egg yolks but know say that they are good for your skin.

-Spicy food-do you know boots your metabolism and helps with your immune system? From ordering spicy food or nibbling on chili peppers, I get an adrenaline rush also. If it is cold, I take a cayenne supplement and it immediately warms me up. It is healthy and a way to keep warm in the winter!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Author: AN
• Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

THE OUCHLESS BRUSH BY GOODY-This is the best brush for getting out tangles. My hairdresser recommended it and it has changed our life! It goes through your hair so easily, we never have a struggle with long hair anymore. Amazingly cheap-about $6. So far, I have only found this at Wal-Mart.

INFUSIUM LEAVE IN HAIR CONDITIONER-Many years ago, someone told me about this in a store. Her sister had beautiful long hair and this was the only thing that she could ever use to get the tangles out and keep it so strong and healthy. I’ve been using it ever since. I will say that I have tried many other products-some that are way more expensive but always come back to this. It beats them all!

CITRE SHINE ANTI FRIZZ SERUM-This is my secret weapon. Most days I put a tiny bit in my hair and it leaves my hair as smooth and soft as a babies! Hairdressers can never believe what good condition my hair is in and it is all due to this product! Without it and all the wear and tear I put my hair through, my hair would be ruined! It is a lifesaver!

CITRE SHINE SHINING SPRAY-I usually use this brand but also found others just as effective. I spray a tiny bit in the serum I always put at the ends of my hair and rub them together before applying. It gives my hair a beautiful gloss and shine.

GARNIER FRUCTIS CONDITIONER-I love trying new products and especially conditioners. I have probably tried almost all of them. Currently, this is my favorite. Both my daughter and I love it! If one of us is running low, we have actually stolen it from each other because we like it so much! That is also with having many other conditioners at home and available. I do have some other faves. Right now, we just prefer this one. The nice thing is it’s not even that expensive and does a great job!

Here’s to healthy hair-hope yours shines!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!