Winter is officially here. It’s the season of long nights and short days, of reflection and looking inward, and of thinking of ways to keep warm: scarves, gloves, fireplaces, cuddling… and soup.

Ahh, soup.

When I want to remedy that “cold to the bone” wintertime feeling, a delicious steaming bowl of soup often comes to mind. Here are four great reasons to eat more soup this season, followed by some easy and delicious recipes:

1. Unlike some other comfort food (especially holiday comfort food), soup is generally good for you.
Soup can be part of a comprehensive plan to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. Research suggests that soup can help to increase satiety and reduce caloric intake when consumed before a meal. Soup can help you feel full and satisfied but not heavy and weighed down.

2. Soups are a great way to follow your New Year’s resolution to increase vegetable consumption.
Still trying to figure out a simple way to eat more kale, Swiss chard or spinach? You may want to consider adding your favorite greens to soup recipes as well as experimenting with other veggies.

3. Making soup lets you be creative in the kitchen, no matter how “culinarily challenged” you are.
Soups are relatively easy to make, so unlike with some dishes, where it wouldn’t be advised for an amateur to alter the recipe too much, when it comes to soup, even a novice can enjoy some culinary creativity. It’s fun to experiment with a favorite soup recipe and add your own twist, such as varying the types of vegetables or herbs used.

4. You can put ingredients in your soup to support a healthy immune system, which is especially helpful during the cold and flu season.
In traditional Chinese medicine, soups are sometimes part of the treatment plan, and there are so lots of “food as medicine” ingredients that can be added to soups. “Medicinal” mushrooms such as shiitake and maitake can provide substantial support to the immune system; ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial for the digestive system; thyme can be beneficial to respiratory health; and garlic has numerous health benefits — it is known for its antimicrobial activity and can help to prevent infection. And those are just a few examples.

Recipes:

It is recommended to use organic ingredients when possible. Enjoy!

Do you have a delicious soup recipe to share? Please share your favorites with our Healthy Living community in the comments section below. Being served a warm bowl of soup is such a treat. Sharing tips and recipes is a close second and are warmly received with gratitude.

Soup’s on!

How can you edify (build, improve) your mate and thereby enhance his self-worth? By discovering–and doing–what pleases him.

Excerpted from the Resurgence website

Porn is a problem. It’s a personal problem for many and a cultural problem for all. You may think you have not been affected by porn, but you have because it’s embedded in the surrounding culture. The staggering size of the pornography industry, its influence upon the media and the acceleration of technology, paired with the accessibility, anonymity, and affordability of porn all contribute to its increasing impact upon the culture.

Pornography affects you whether you’ve ever viewed it or not, and it is helpful to understand some of its negative effects, whether you are a man or woman, struggling with watching it, or simply a mom or dad with a son or daughter. There is a plethora of research on the detrimental effects of pornography (and I do not think that what follows are necessarily the worst of them), but here are seven negative effects of porn upon men and women:

1. Porn Contributes to Social and Psychological Problems Within Men

Anti-pornography activist, Gail Dines, notes that young men who become addicted to porn, “neglect their schoolwork, spend huge amounts of money they don’t have, become isolated from others, and often suffer depression.” (Pornland, 93). Dr. William Struthers, who has a PhD in biopsychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, confirms some of these and adds more, finding that men who use porn become controlling, highly introverted, have high anxiety, narcissistic, curious, have low self-esteem, depressed, dissociative, distractible (Wired for Intimacy, 64-65). Ironically, while viewing porn creates momentary intensely pleasurable experiences, it ends up leading to several negative lingering psychological experiences.

2. Porn Rewires the Male Brain

Struthers elaborates,

As men fall deeper into the mental habit of fixating on [pornographic images], the exposure to them creates neural pathways. Like a path is created in the woods with each successive hiker, so do the neural paths set the course for the next time an erotic image is viewed. Over time these neural paths become wider as they are repeatedly traveled with each exposure to pornography. They become the automatic pathway through which interactions with woman are routed….They have unknowingly created a neurological circuit that imprisons their ability to see women rightly as created in God’s image (Wired For Intimacy, 85).
In a similar vein regarding porn’s effect upon the brain, Naomi Wolf writes in her article, “The Porn Myth,”

After all, pornography works in the most basic of ways on the brain: It is Pavlovian. An orgasm is one of the biggest reinforcers imaginable. If you associate orgasm with your wife, a kiss, a scent, a body, that is what, over time, will turn you on; if you open your focus to an endless stream of ever-more-transgressive images of cybersex slaves, that is what it will take to turn you on. The ubiquity of sexual images does not free eros but dilutes it.

3. Porn Demeans and Objectifies Women

This occurs from hard-core to soft-core pornography. Pamela Paul, in her book Pornified, quoting the research of one psychologist who has researched pornography at Texas A&M, writes,

‘Softcore pornography has a very negative effect on men as well. The problem with softcore pornography is that it’s voyeurism teaches men to view women as objects rather than to be in relationships with women as human beings.’ According to Brooks, pornography gives men the false impression that sex and pleasure are entirely divorced from relatoinships. In other words, pornography is inherently self-centered–something a man does by himself, for himself–by using another women as the means to pleasure, as yet another product to consume.

Paul references one experiment that revealed a rather shocking further effect of porn: “men and women who were exposed to large amounts of pornography were significantly less likely to want daughters than those who had none. Who would want their own little girl to be treated that way?”

Read More…

Take a look at Erica share the good news in the video below!

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The simplest of changes and techniques can make all the difference, so I have put together a few tips to hopefully help you out.  In the meantime, you can hear my personal story on how to completely get rid of this irritating skin disease whether you are an infant or adult age.

<<Hear my story here>>

First and foremost is to STOP USING THE STEROID CREAMS..whew..did I say that loud enough, they burn the skin and can cause skin cancer.  Stop immediately

Fix Your Diet-
There’s a whole lot more to skincare than just fancy creams and lotions. Real skin care starts on the inside-if you give your body the tools it needs to fix the eczema damaged skin, you will have a definite advantage. Continuing to eat the wrong foods while trying to clear up your eczema is like trying to run your car without gasoline! It just can’t get going! Scientists have found that foods with high acidity are linked to increased Eczema symptoms. For some reason high acid content makes the skin more prone to irritation, which of course brings on the eczema. You can avoid this by obviously steering clear of acidy foods, which is easier than it sounds. A dietician should be able to steer you the right way though. Fear not though, there is a much simpler way to improve this too-kelp supplements. Kelp is very high in alkali, which will neutralize the acid it finds in your system, so you may find relief there.

Moisturize Regularly-
You need to get into a habit of moisturizing your skin at least twice a day, preferably after taking a bath or shower. This is great for your skin because the more moisture there is inside it, the suppler it will be, and obviously soft supple skin is far less likely to crack and itch than dry flaky skin. The reason you need to apply the moisturizer after bathing or showering is because this will help lock in the moisture from the bath. You should pat yourself almost dry with a very soft towel, and then apply the moisturizer to damp skin. It’s a little harder to rub in, but it’s worth it in the long run!  We have the perfect solution and lotion to fight eczema and keep moisture in

Protect Yourself-
Be aware of all the things than can trigger your eczema, and do your best to avoid them. As a general rule, avoid wearing any kind of perfume or scent, as well as all scented soaps or toiletries. You will also probably find a little relief if you can get rid of all the perfumed detergents in your home. If you can wash your clothing in unscented natural detergents you will probably find that your clothing is suddenly not so itchy!

As I’ve tried to illustrate here, you don’t have to go to huge lengths to get some control in the battle against your eczema. In most cases all you need is common sense and some consistency. I hope these tips bring you some relief, but remember to be consistent!  Hear my story and let me give you a free consultation on how to get it under control.

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Certain everyday situations have huge potential for causing stress. But by being organized and easing up on self-imposed time pressures, you can dodge these situations and skip the stress.

Sometimes, stressful situations occur because we let them — once you allow stress get to you, tension and anxiety can mount very quickly. Here are some common anxiety-creating everyday events, and ways you can reduce stress and minimize their impact on your life:

1. Being stuck in traffic. There are few feelings as frustrating as being in traffic that has come to a dead stop or is crawling along when you need to get somewhere in a hurry — your child’s school, your office, or a doctor’s appointment. You can’t anticipate an accident on the road, but you can do some advance planning to avoid stress:

• When possible, avoid scheduling appointments during peak traffic hours; when that’s not possible, give yourself twice the time to get to your destination.
• Research alternate routes or adjust your work schedule if leaving home 15 minutes earlier, for instance, can help you avoid traffic. And if you do get stuck, keep in mind that while you can’t control the traffic, you can control your reaction to the situation: Use your time constructively and reduce stress by listening to an audio book or practicing deep-breathing relaxation to prevent frayed nerves. If you’re going to be late for a meeting or appointment, call ahead to explain what’s happened rather than keeping someone else waiting. The person on the other end of the phone will probably be more understanding of your predicament than you expect.

2. Arriving on time. To reduce stress from being late, plan for unforeseen delays and give yourself extra time to reach your destination. If you arrive early, use the extra minutes to freshen up, get organized, return a phone call that you thought you’d have to delay, and delight in the fact that you avoided the stress of cutting it too close!

3. Meeting a deadline at work. It may not be uncommon for your boss to ask you to complete a project on short notice. You can use this opportunity to flounder or shine. Being organized in general can help make a pressing deadline a little less stressful. Practicing good time management skills will also reduce stress when you’re crunched for time. Consider writing out a concrete to-do list or making a schedule to help stay on track even when a major deadline is looming. Taking these methodic steps will increase your confidence level and help you avoid stress.

4. Making a presentation. Many people become anxious about giving a presentation whether it’s at work, a PTA meeting, or in front of a volunteer group. Taking the necessary time to get ready, though, can help you avoid stress. Plan ahead so you have plenty of opportunities to prepare, review, and give a dry run in front of a friend or your spouse — if you feel confident about your knowledge of the material, you will reduce stress. If you’re feeling nervous, relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing before, during, and after your presentation, can help slow your heart rate and make you feel calmer.

5. Arguing with friends, family, or coworkers. It’s normal not to always see eye-to-eye with those around you. Even so, a disagreement doesn’t have to become a stressful confrontation. When you approach your loved one or co-worker respectfully — and recognize that you are each entitled to your own opinion — and having different opinions doesn’t have to change your opinion of one another. If it seems like an argument is spiraling out of control, take a deep breath and step back from the situation. A brief time-out can help both of you keep things in perspective.

6. Having a financial problem. Planning for potential financial issues ahead of time can help you reduce stress. Focus on building up your savings, consider taking an additional job if necessary, and stick to a reasonable budget. Living within your means and replenishing your savings account can help significantly reduce financial stress. If you do find yourself in a financial bind, seek out the advice of a financial counselor who can help you deal with creditors and find ways to cut your bills.

7. Waiting in line. Lines always seem to be longer when you’re in a rush. Unfortunately, waiting in line is another stressful situation that you can’t control, but you can anticipate and plan for by shopping at off-hours and online. If you’re pressed for time, put off tasks, like going to the post office, where there’s likely to be a long line. Look for stress-free ways to get your tasks done; using the U.S. Postal Service, it’s now possible to mail almost anything from home — you can print out postage and even request a pickup. Use self-checkout aisles at stores; they’re often less crowded. And if you have no choice but to wait in line, take deep breaths, think of something soothing, and simply try to let your stress go (but don’t give in to that impulse candy purchase!).

Careful planning and a change in your overall attitude can also go a long way toward reducing stress … and what a relief that will be!

Sending you a smile, Robin Downes

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1-   Set an example. Let teens see you reading for pleasure.

2- Furnish your home with a variety of reading materials. Leave books, magazines, and newspapers around. Check to see what disappears for a clue to what interests your teenager.

3- Give teens an opportunity to choose their own books. When you and your teen are out together, browse in a bookstore or library. Go your separate ways and make your own selections. A bookstore gift certificate is a nice way of saying, “You choose.”

4- Build on your teen’s interests. Look for books and articles that feature their favorite sports teams, rock stars, hobbies, or television shows. Give a gift subscription to a special interest magazine.

5- View pleasure reading as a value in itself. Almost anything your youngsters read—including the Sunday comics—helps build reading skills.

6- Read some books written for teens. Young adult novels can give you valuable insights into the concerns and pressures felt by teenagers. You may find that these books provide a neutral ground on which to talk about sensitive subjects.

7- Acknowledge your teen’s mature interests. Look for ways to acknowledge the emerging adult in your teens by suggesting some adult reading you think they can handle.

8- Keep the big picture in mind. For all sorts of reasons, some teenagers go through periods without showing much interest in reading. Don’t panic! Time, and a few tips from this article, may help rekindle their interest.

Adults know how important it is for their teenagers to read. Reading is not just important while teens are in school; good reading skills are essential to future success in the workplace.

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This psychological condition often has its greatest impact on women in autumn, the season when children will leave home to pursue college, military service, or professional careers.

4 Essential Things Every College Student Needs In Their Dorm

This departure, although you have known it was coming for quite some time, can provide an emotional upheaval in your life with the effects hitting you like a ton of bricks. You suddenly feel lonely. What are you going to do with all of this extra time? The burdens of washing mountains of laundry suddenly seem like a much missed blessing. Yes, empty nest syndrome is real. Psychologists note that next to childbirth, this unique experience is one of the biggest transitions of motherhood.

The emotional feelings can catch you off guard as you experience the sudden reality of extra space in your life–both physical space in your home and emotional space in your heart. Just yesterday it seems both spaces were fully occupied by your child. This transition can bring with it a feeling of sadness, loneliness and depression. You may find yourself dealing with crying spells out of the blue. If the crying becomes excessive, or if you find that you have lost interest in things that used to be of interest, seek professional help to assist your handling this period of transition. Visit this website with the Mental Health of America for additional references about the empty nest syndrome.

As your child moves out of the house, carefully think about how this relationship will change. Instead of being the nurturer for your child, you may find yourself more of a mentor. This is a time when the child is transplanted to a new location where she has the opportunity to flourish and to grow into a mature adult. Just as you have new found freedom, so does your child. It is sometimes hard to do, but you have to allow the child opportunities to navigate life without your being a “helicopter parent.” No hovering to check every decision the child is making. With the convenience of the cellphones, it is easy to keep in touch. But keeping the child on a “cellular leash,” texting or calling daily is not the answer.

How To Get A Great Mentor

Remember, this is a time of transition, and there still is a lot to experience now that children have left. The empty nest allows you freedom to grow and expand in ways you have not had available while attending to your child’s needs.

Make sure you are following @Elev8official for stories like this and more.
[ione-gallery id=”450325″ src=”http://elev8.com

Here are 8 steps for the basics in manners

1. Saying “Please” Saying “please” should begin as soon as your child is able to ask for something. If she’s old enough to ask for sippy cup refills, she should be able to tack a “please” onto the request.

2. Saying “Thank You” Following close on the heels of “please,” your child should be able to say “thank you” whenever she is given something. She should be able to say thank you to her parents, her teachers, other adults, and her own friends.

3. No Interruptions This one is harder for kids to grasp, but your child should not interrupt adults when they are talking. If you can at least teach your child to say, “Excuse me, ” before steamrollering your conversation, consider it a lesson taught.

4. Holding the Door for Others This is so basic, but it’s a breach of etiquette that happens all the time–even between adults. Just observe it in a busy mall on a Saturday. It’s so much more pleasant if your child learns to hold the door for you and for others. It’s even better if you can teach them not to bolt in and out of elevators.

Be sure to read : How To Help Your Child With ADHD

5. Using an “Inside Voice” Establish a rule in your house–shouting, yelling, and hollering is for outdoor use only. Inside, a normal–or even, dare we say, quiet–voice should be the norm. Again, this is a social skill that is reinforced in school, but it’s one that should be started at home.

6. Walk, Not Run Running is great exercise…for the great outdoors. The great indoors is made for walking. End of story.

7. Basic Table Manners Use a napkin, sit still in your chair, chew with your mouth closed, no smacking, no slurping. We are so often on the go, dining whenever and wherever we can, that these basic table manners are often disregarded but they are crucial to social acceptance. And they make mealtime so much more pleasant for everyone.

8.   Sensitivity As a parent, you are responsible for installing a kind of social filter in your child, one that teaches her sensitivity towards others. This means that your child may be curious about people who look different or sound different than she does, but it’s not OK to point at a stranger and loudly describe his differences. Detailed explanations of race, handicaps, or other obvious differences are best had in the privacy of your home.  Children leran through pets what behavior is appropriate and inappropriate.  Be sure to read: 8 Guidelines For Teaching Children How To Care For Pets

Remember to teach at an age appropriate level.  Once you begin the behavior children thrive with the expectation. After all, depending on your child’s age, some rules are easy to teach but others are developmentally impossible. Take it one step at a time.

Moms wonder why daughters want to wear certain things. Daughters don’t understand what the fuss is about. In order to resolve these fashion dilemmas, every mother needs to know a few things before heading to the mall.

Step 1: Consider the mind of a teenage girl.

She may want to wear clothing that is suggestive, sexy, or immodest because she wants attention, is trying to establish her own style, or wants to be fashionable. However, the most important reason lies in the fact that she doesn’t understand why she shouldn’t expose herself. She doesn’t understand or embrace her dignity.

Step 2: Teach your girls at a young age how valuable they are.

She is worth far beyond any jewel. Being a princess, she must present herself in a respectful way, which includes her choice of fashion. Her face should be her focal point; encourage her to draw the attention to her face and eyes. The eyes are the “window to the soul” that portrays thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Help her to choose a flattering hairstyle. Wearing earrings or other jewelry, appropriate makeup, and colors that are becoming to her skin tone will all draw the eye to her face. (If you are not confident in teaching these things, seek out help from a salon or cosmetics consultant.)

Conversely, putting emphasis on the bust, midriff, or bottom draws the eye away from the face and reduces her to mere body parts, or an object to desire. This includes not only her peers but the old man at the grocery store.

Step 3: Understand that she may not understand what message she is sending.

Along those same lines, girls may not realize the negative impression they give of themselves when they choose to wear t-shirts with nasty sayings, or to show cleavage. Many a decent girl is walking around giving others thoughts of her that simply are not true. Whether we like it or not, we are judged by the way we look. This may be wrong, but it’s a fact and all of us do it, even if it’s unintentional. A bad impression can cause the loss of a possible friendship or a part-time job. Once your daughter understands why she shouldn’t dress immodestly, her desire to do so may be diminished. Offer modest yet stylish alternatives: She can get the attention she desires by being the girl who likes bright colors or wears hats. There are styles to choose from (not always in the junior department) that cover the appropriate areas and look hip. Many stores offer at least a few things that are acceptable.

Step 4: Try to have Fun with your rules for clothes

When shopping this fall, expect  that it will take a lot of time. You will have to hit many, many stores to find a few acceptable garments. Check the petite department to fit smaller bodies. Several stores have merchandise available to purchase online, which  saves time. The selection can be better as well. There are a variety of gently worn clothes at thrift stores and consignment shops at a fraction of the cost. Be prepared to spend an afternoon at these establishments. Also, consider   layering tops if a single piece doesn’t offer enough coverage. Moms, after you have set some guidelines, let your daughter have some space in picking their fashions. However, continually remind them of the desired focal point: always the face. Say “NO” when necessary, but try not to veto her choices unless it is essential, letting her have some freedom in her choices. You must help your daughter learn to choose appropriate items, which may cause conflict. Some of the disagreements arise when mothers and daughters don’t have the same taste.(Take the fashion personality test at the left) Embrace these differences! Do not try to dress your daughter as a clone of yourself. Your girl is a unique person with a style all her own. The reverse is also true. Instruct your daughter that you have a style that you prefer and no, you won’t be wearing that leopard-print tee shirt (unless you like that kind of thing).

Step 5: Set the Example

Mom, keep up your appearance in order to have a positive influence on your girls. You are the first and most important example of fashion to them. What teen will be open to mom’s advice on fashion if she looks sloppy and unkempt? Keep abreast of basic fashion styles. You do not want to embarrass her by neglecting your appearance. Make no mistake; we are not talking about spending a lot of money or embracing vanity. We are simply speaking of knowing your own dignity and expressing it in your overall look. You make a good or bad impression, just as much as your teen does. This can be a challenge for busy mothers. Fashion can be a major issue in families. There are girls that are rebellious in this area. The above strategies may fall on deaf ears. Continue doing your best to influence your daughter and stick to your guidelines. It may be helpful to have a friend of yours, whom she admires, talk to her. Many times hearing the same message from someone else makes all the difference. Pray and keep things positive, using shopping as a fun   activity to do together. Educating your girl on her dignity and using fashion to portray this can be rewarding and enjoyable for mother and daughter.

Have fun at the mall! The time for mother – daughter bonding can be successful if you truly try.