In English it is Called Passover and in Hebrew they call it Pesach. The holiday is 8 days long and is a reminder to the Jewish people of their release from slavery in Egypt over a thousand years ago. One of the traditions of Passover is that observers are not allowed to eat leavened bread, so they have to eat Matzos instead.
It is also a tradition to rid themselves of all crumbs and even the smallest scraps of food that is not deemed ok for the holiday. To do this they clean every room of the house like it has never been cleaned before. Books get taken off the shelves and wiped down, refrigerators and large appliances get moved even the kids toys get cleaned. In most Jewish homes around the world the week before Passover there is a major spring cleaning taking place.
To help add some levity to a very busy time here is a joke about Passover called Impossible Timing, which is about this very subject.
Impossible Timing:
A financial genius, and observant Jew, named Samuel, accepted a job as the VP of a large Brokerage firm in Utah, a state known as a Mormon State.
When the company employees herd that a Jewish man was going to become the new VP, the members of the company's board of directors put lots of pressure on the president of the company. "We are religious people here," they said. "It can't be that a Jew will handle all our money."
The president did his best to calm his employees down, but he quickly saw this was going to be a losing battle, so he called Samuel into his office to explain to him the situation. After explaining it to him Samuel was given the option to convert and become a Mormon or to leave a great job that pays a 6 figure income.
Samuel decided that he would convert. So he went home and told his wife that from now on they would be going to Church services every Sunday.
After several months had passed, Samuel's wife was still troubling him about their conversion. "This is too difficult for me. I miss the Sabbath: lighting candles and blessing the wine. I miss the holidays. Money is not everything, Samuel dear."
Each time that his wife would bring the subject up it made him feel a little worse, until he was no longer able to take it and went to speak to the company President
"I can not continue to live like this" Samuel said. "I regret my decision to convert in the first place. Money is not everything. My wife and I have not been able to sleep in weeks. This is too heavy a price for us to pay. I was born a Jew and I want to die a Jew. And if you want me to quit, I will leave now without another word."
The president with a look of sympathy in his eye apologized to Samuel and said that he did not realize that this had been so difficult for him. He also told Samuel not to quit and that he could go back to being Jewish and can keep the job.
When Samuel arrived at home he had a giant smile on his face. His wife, who was watching television at the time, asked him why he was so happy, and he said to her "You won't believe it! It's a miracle. We are going back to being Jews, and I still retain my job."
The expression on his wife's face was clearly showing she was not happy as she started yelling "are you crazy?"
Samuel, who was surprised by his wife's reaction said to her "But this is what you have been complaining about for so long. Don’t you want to be a Jew again?"
His wife's face grew even darker after this as she replied ""Of course I want to. Of course I want to," she said. "But now? Only a week before Passover?"
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Fly-Fishing Gears
Fly-fishing has been around for hundreds of years. In medieval times, anglers, naturally, fished for food, however as intensive methods increased the readiness and availability of fish to the masses; it then evolved more as a form of sport and leisure. Over the years it has grown to become a real test of skills. A warning though - it can become addictive, in a good way, of course.
Fly-fishing is distinctly different from regular fishing. With plain fishing, you use lures and often live bait to bring fish to your line and hook them. When you are fly-fishing, you use a fly that resembles a real insect that the fish feed on naturally. The line is longer and you imitate the movement of the fly or insect on top of the water so that the fish thinks they are biting at a real insect.
Casting is constant in fly-fishing. You put the fly out in the water and then draw it back several times. This makes the fish thinks the fly is landing on the water and then taking off again. Compare this with regular fishing, whereby you cast your line letting it rest until the fish bites making the bobber sink into the water.
You can catch some immense fish using either method, but when you are fly-fishing; you have the opportunity to "battle" the fish for survival. This can be extremely rewarding as 'man' battles nature for the top position.
So what are the flies made from? Well, they are made out of natural materials in fly-fishing. Regular fishing uses man-made materials such as latex and plastic. Most fervent fly fishermen will tell you that the fish are much more attracted to a natural lure rather than a man-made one. This, they say, makes fly-fishing an incredibly fulfilling sport.
You can fish just about anywhere - a local pond, a lake, or even a reservoir. Wherever you choose to go fly-fishing, you will want to ensure that there are lot of fish. This may entail travelling to rivers and streams where fish like trout and walleye are known to inhabit. The challenge in fly-fishing lies in making the fly look real to the fish below water.
Fly-fishing is a great excuse to take some awesome holidays in remote places like Alaska and Canada. Mexico, South America, and even Russia would make for fabulous destinations, too. Turn you newly found addiction into a great adventure - beats fishing at your local lake or pond anytime.
Many passionate fly fishermen consider fly-fishing to be a real sport of kings. By taking skill, finesse, and masses of patience you will become good at fly-fishing. Thousands of anglers couldn't agree more. Once you've been fly fishing, you'll be clamouring for more!
Fly-fishing is distinctly different from regular fishing. With plain fishing, you use lures and often live bait to bring fish to your line and hook them. When you are fly-fishing, you use a fly that resembles a real insect that the fish feed on naturally. The line is longer and you imitate the movement of the fly or insect on top of the water so that the fish thinks they are biting at a real insect.
Casting is constant in fly-fishing. You put the fly out in the water and then draw it back several times. This makes the fish thinks the fly is landing on the water and then taking off again. Compare this with regular fishing, whereby you cast your line letting it rest until the fish bites making the bobber sink into the water.
You can catch some immense fish using either method, but when you are fly-fishing; you have the opportunity to "battle" the fish for survival. This can be extremely rewarding as 'man' battles nature for the top position.
So what are the flies made from? Well, they are made out of natural materials in fly-fishing. Regular fishing uses man-made materials such as latex and plastic. Most fervent fly fishermen will tell you that the fish are much more attracted to a natural lure rather than a man-made one. This, they say, makes fly-fishing an incredibly fulfilling sport.
You can fish just about anywhere - a local pond, a lake, or even a reservoir. Wherever you choose to go fly-fishing, you will want to ensure that there are lot of fish. This may entail travelling to rivers and streams where fish like trout and walleye are known to inhabit. The challenge in fly-fishing lies in making the fly look real to the fish below water.
Fly-fishing is a great excuse to take some awesome holidays in remote places like Alaska and Canada. Mexico, South America, and even Russia would make for fabulous destinations, too. Turn you newly found addiction into a great adventure - beats fishing at your local lake or pond anytime.
Many passionate fly fishermen consider fly-fishing to be a real sport of kings. By taking skill, finesse, and masses of patience you will become good at fly-fishing. Thousands of anglers couldn't agree more. Once you've been fly fishing, you'll be clamouring for more!
Breast Enhancement Surgery
Breast enlargement surgery, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), was the fourth most popular invasive surgical procedure among cosmetic plastic surgeries performed in 2000. In a press release dated July 12, 2001, the ASPS says that breast augmentation was performed on 212,500 women last year.
Meanwhile, millions of women have been subjected to the ill effects of these modern day vanity contraptions that were bought in good faith.
Remember!!
Silicone gel implants were banned in 1992 by FDA.
If you have (or had) a ruptured silicone breast implant, you will be denied Health Insurance Coverage.
Saline-filled implants tend to have a higher rate of leaking and deflation than silicone gel implants, which means more frequent surgery to replace them.
In a study published in the Lancet medical journal, Dr Lori Brown of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says: "There is emerging consensus that both the incidence and prevalence of breast-implant rupture are much higher than previously suspected."
21% overall increase in cancers for women with implants, compared to women of the same age in the general population.
Implant patients were three times as likely to die from lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia as other plastic surgery patients.The study is based on medical records and death certificates of almost 8,000 women with breast implants, including silicone gel implants and saline implants, and more than 2,000 other plastic surgery patients. ( National Cancer Institute (NCI), Boston University, Abt Associates, and the Food and Drug Administration, with Dr. Louise Brinton from NCI as lead author.
Meanwhile, millions of women have been subjected to the ill effects of these modern day vanity contraptions that were bought in good faith.
Remember!!
Silicone gel implants were banned in 1992 by FDA.
If you have (or had) a ruptured silicone breast implant, you will be denied Health Insurance Coverage.
Saline-filled implants tend to have a higher rate of leaking and deflation than silicone gel implants, which means more frequent surgery to replace them.
In a study published in the Lancet medical journal, Dr Lori Brown of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says: "There is emerging consensus that both the incidence and prevalence of breast-implant rupture are much higher than previously suspected."
21% overall increase in cancers for women with implants, compared to women of the same age in the general population.
Implant patients were three times as likely to die from lung cancer, emphysema and pneumonia as other plastic surgery patients.The study is based on medical records and death certificates of almost 8,000 women with breast implants, including silicone gel implants and saline implants, and more than 2,000 other plastic surgery patients. ( National Cancer Institute (NCI), Boston University, Abt Associates, and the Food and Drug Administration, with Dr. Louise Brinton from NCI as lead author.
History of Mother's Day and Gifts Ideas to celebrate
Mother's Day is believed to have its origins in the annual spring festival celebrated in Ancient Greece to pay esteem to Rhea, the wife of Cronus and the mother of many deities. The second Sunday in May is celebrated as Mother's Day not only in the United States, but in other countries also. Mother's Day is a special day of the year, as we have the pleasure of honoring and celebrating the most important women in our lives in-fact the first girl in our life and i.e. our MOTHER. This is why giving gift on Mother's Day has implicit a lot of significance. Walk in to any gift store and you can get a lovely and beautiful gift for your mother. However this is an activity that you need to spare some time for. And in today’s busy world, everybody is short of time. In this case you can always find other options i.e. online gifts; from there you can find lots of gift ideas to decide the right gift for mother's day. If you want to give your mother something different on Mother's Day, a personalized gift is the best way to go. You can get your mother's name and maybe even her favorite picture or painting printed on every individual sheet of paper. You can choose a matching bracelet, chain or ring for your mom. Another gift idea is the usual photo on t-shirt or shirts and a bowl, mug, or plate with a photograph. Mothers of grown-up children would appreciate matching jewelry too with matching necklaces, bracelets and earrings. This gift idea is great for all ages of mothers. One other virtue jewelry and it surely lasts longer than chocolates and roses. After all, how special can these gifts be? Think about it. It's one way of saying "Thank you, Mom, and I love you!" There is other fantastic gift idea – flowers. Millions of flowers are sent out on Mother's Day celebration every year. The flowers have been the symbol of mother’s love for centuries. White, pink and red flowers are common colors for Mother's Day Flowers. Each color has unique meaning in Mother's Day celebration. White flowers are considered as the flowers for those who have missed their mothers either because of death or of distance. Red flowers regarding life and love and considered the pictogram of love for living mothers. Even Roses are always a popular choice and a perfect gift idea. Nowadays, you can always easily pick perfect flowers online for your mother, no matter how far she is away from you; you can send that within 24 hours. The Internet has helped to make shopping not only for Mother's Day but even other important occasions. Online shopping offers large discounts and offers with wide range of choice and suits all budgets. So celebrate this Mother's Day with your mom, wife, mother-in-law, sisters, friends or co-workers with one of the Mother's Day gifts suggested above. There's no better way to let them know that how much they mean to you
Aromatherapy in PregnancyPregnancy and childbirth is the most wondrous experience of a woman’s life. To describe it, one must use a list of contradict
Pregnancy and childbirth is the most wondrous experience of a woman’s life. To describe it, one must use a list of contradictions. What other event can be so universal, yet so personal? At what other time does a woman feel more in tune with her feminine side, while yet tapping into her strongest reserve of raw power? What other rite of passage takes her to the very doors of death, only to open them and find new life? There is no other time when a woman can feel so sick while being in perfectly good health. There is no other event quite like it.
After a century of highly medicalized prenatal care and childbirth, the trend in recent decades has swung back toward natural, gentle birthing techniques. Midwives and doulas, once frowned upon by the medical establishment, are now being welcomed into hospitals, oftentimes replacing doctors at the pregnant woman’s bedside. Much has been written about the benefits of water, hypnotism, and naturopathy in prenatal care and childbirth. This article will focus on the use of aromatherapy to ease the discomforts, relieve emotional stress, and maintain good health of mother and baby throughout pregnancy.
Each pregnancy comes with its own set of discomforts, arising from ordinary fluctuations in hormones and bodily changes. While diet and lifestyle changes are sometimes necessary for best results, many irritations, included those noted below, can be alleviated by the use of essential oils. When selecting oils, purchase only those of high-quality, which have been distilled for therapeutic use, and are free of additives. Due to the heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, limit blends to one or two oils at a time; you needn’t purchase every oil on this list. Try a couple and see which ones you like best. You will see that many oils have overlapping qualities.
Nausea, headache, and morning sickness, which are often the earliest complaints in pregnancy, can be treated by diffusing essential oils into your breathing space. Not only can doing this counteract diagreeable odors, but using oils with antiseptic properties, such as lavender or tea tree, will cleanse the environment of harmful airborne bacteria—protecting against colds and flu. To diffuse, simply mix 3 drops lavender with 1 drop peppermint and 1 drop eucalyptus in a bowl of water. Or if you prefer, specialized diffusers on the market heat and vaporize the oil molecules, which spreads the scent faster and farther into the room. If you are going out, keep a cotton handkerchief and a vial of lavender or peppermint with you. Place 1 drop of lavender or peppermint on the cloth and hold it over your nose, inhaling deeply, to prevent headache or nausea.
Cool or warm compresses can do wonders to restore a feeling of balance and wellness. Fill a bowl with warm or cool water (whichever appeals to you.) Add 3-4 drops of lavender, and drape a flannel across the top of the water to pick up the film of oil. Wring out the flannel and place it on the forehead or front of the ribcage. For warm compresses, cover the flannel with plastic and add a towel.
Citrus oils, such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot, are safe to use in early pregnancy and have uplifting qualities. They are particularly effective in alleviating vomiting. Add 7 drops of any citrus oil to 1 ounce olive oil (or another carrier oil) and massage over the abdomen for best results.
Varicose veins respond well to cypress, geranium, lemon, and lavender oils. Use any mixture of these oils in a warm bath (total 6 drops), with alternating warm and cool compresses(total 4 drops) on the affected areas, or in a massage oil (total 7 drops essential oil per ounce olive oil). When massaging, use gentle strokes from the foot upward, being careful not to apply too strong of pressure where the varicosity begins or ends.
Women who complain of hemorrhoids and swollen anal tissue may find relief in taking a cool sitz bath with 6 drops lemon oil. To prepare the bath set a large plastic tub in the bathtub and fill with water. Add the oils and stir to spread. Keeping legs and feet outside the plastic tub, lower yourself into the water and soak for 20 minutes. Follow up with an aromatic massage of 7 drops cypress and 7 drops lemon oil in 2 ounces olive oil.
Another ailment common in pregnancy is edema, or water retention. Lavender, geranium and rosemary oils combat this condition by stimulating the lymphatic system to drain excess fluids from the body. Gently massage the feet and ankles, using upward strokes, with a combination of these oils in olive oil; or try a cool footbath with 3 drops geranium or lemon oil and 3 drops lavender.
Almost every woman earns at least a couple stretch marks by the end of her pregnancy. These can be prevented or reduced by topically applying a blend of 1 ounce each of wheat germ oil and hazelnut oil with 4 drops neroli, 2 drops carrot seed, and 2 drops geranium. Massaging the blend into thighs, hips, breasts and belly every night and morning will nourish the skin and help maintain elasticity.
Please note that there are some essential oils which should not be used during pregnancy as they are known abortifacients. These include basil, fennel, myrrh, parsley, sage, and thyme. Other oils which are emenogogues are listed in some texts as unsafe during pregnancy, while promoted in others. Cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, jasmine, juniper, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rose, and rosemary should therefore be used with care.
Pregnancy and childbirth is the most wondrous experience of a woman’s life. To describe it, one must use a list of contradictions. What other event can be so universal, yet so personal? At what other time does a woman feel more in tune with her feminine side, while yet tapping into her strongest reserve of raw power? What other rite of passage takes her to the very doors of death, only to open them and find new life? There is no other time when a woman can feel so sick while being in perfectly good health. There is no other event quite like it.
After a century of highly medicalized prenatal care and childbirth, the trend in recent decades has swung back toward natural, gentle birthing techniques. Midwives and doulas, once frowned upon by the medical establishment, are now being welcomed into hospitals, oftentimes replacing doctors at the pregnant woman’s bedside. Much has been written about the benefits of water, hypnotism, and naturopathy in prenatal care and childbirth. This article will focus on the use of aromatherapy to ease the discomforts, relieve emotional stress, and maintain good health of mother and baby throughout pregnancy.
Each pregnancy comes with its own set of discomforts, arising from ordinary fluctuations in hormones and bodily changes. While diet and lifestyle changes are sometimes necessary for best results, many irritations, included those noted below, can be alleviated by the use of essential oils. When selecting oils, purchase only those of high-quality, which have been distilled for therapeutic use, and are free of additives. Due to the heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, limit blends to one or two oils at a time; you needn’t purchase every oil on this list. Try a couple and see which ones you like best. You will see that many oils have overlapping qualities.
Nausea, headache, and morning sickness, which are often the earliest complaints in pregnancy, can be treated by diffusing essential oils into your breathing space. Not only can doing this counteract diagreeable odors, but using oils with antiseptic properties, such as lavender or tea tree, will cleanse the environment of harmful airborne bacteria—protecting against colds and flu. To diffuse, simply mix 3 drops lavender with 1 drop peppermint and 1 drop eucalyptus in a bowl of water. Or if you prefer, specialized diffusers on the market heat and vaporize the oil molecules, which spreads the scent faster and farther into the room. If you are going out, keep a cotton handkerchief and a vial of lavender or peppermint with you. Place 1 drop of lavender or peppermint on the cloth and hold it over your nose, inhaling deeply, to prevent headache or nausea.
Cool or warm compresses can do wonders to restore a feeling of balance and wellness. Fill a bowl with warm or cool water (whichever appeals to you.) Add 3-4 drops of lavender, and drape a flannel across the top of the water to pick up the film of oil. Wring out the flannel and place it on the forehead or front of the ribcage. For warm compresses, cover the flannel with plastic and add a towel.
Citrus oils, such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot, are safe to use in early pregnancy and have uplifting qualities. They are particularly effective in alleviating vomiting. Add 7 drops of any citrus oil to 1 ounce olive oil (or another carrier oil) and massage over the abdomen for best results.
Varicose veins respond well to cypress, geranium, lemon, and lavender oils. Use any mixture of these oils in a warm bath (total 6 drops), with alternating warm and cool compresses(total 4 drops) on the affected areas, or in a massage oil (total 7 drops essential oil per ounce olive oil). When massaging, use gentle strokes from the foot upward, being careful not to apply too strong of pressure where the varicosity begins or ends.
Women who complain of hemorrhoids and swollen anal tissue may find relief in taking a cool sitz bath with 6 drops lemon oil. To prepare the bath set a large plastic tub in the bathtub and fill with water. Add the oils and stir to spread. Keeping legs and feet outside the plastic tub, lower yourself into the water and soak for 20 minutes. Follow up with an aromatic massage of 7 drops cypress and 7 drops lemon oil in 2 ounces olive oil.
Another ailment common in pregnancy is edema, or water retention. Lavender, geranium and rosemary oils combat this condition by stimulating the lymphatic system to drain excess fluids from the body. Gently massage the feet and ankles, using upward strokes, with a combination of these oils in olive oil; or try a cool footbath with 3 drops geranium or lemon oil and 3 drops lavender.
Almost every woman earns at least a couple stretch marks by the end of her pregnancy. These can be prevented or reduced by topically applying a blend of 1 ounce each of wheat germ oil and hazelnut oil with 4 drops neroli, 2 drops carrot seed, and 2 drops geranium. Massaging the blend into thighs, hips, breasts and belly every night and morning will nourish the skin and help maintain elasticity.
Please note that there are some essential oils which should not be used during pregnancy as they are known abortifacients. These include basil, fennel, myrrh, parsley, sage, and thyme. Other oils which are emenogogues are listed in some texts as unsafe during pregnancy, while promoted in others. Cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, jasmine, juniper, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rose, and rosemary should therefore be used with care. v
After a century of highly medicalized prenatal care and childbirth, the trend in recent decades has swung back toward natural, gentle birthing techniques. Midwives and doulas, once frowned upon by the medical establishment, are now being welcomed into hospitals, oftentimes replacing doctors at the pregnant woman’s bedside. Much has been written about the benefits of water, hypnotism, and naturopathy in prenatal care and childbirth. This article will focus on the use of aromatherapy to ease the discomforts, relieve emotional stress, and maintain good health of mother and baby throughout pregnancy.
Each pregnancy comes with its own set of discomforts, arising from ordinary fluctuations in hormones and bodily changes. While diet and lifestyle changes are sometimes necessary for best results, many irritations, included those noted below, can be alleviated by the use of essential oils. When selecting oils, purchase only those of high-quality, which have been distilled for therapeutic use, and are free of additives. Due to the heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, limit blends to one or two oils at a time; you needn’t purchase every oil on this list. Try a couple and see which ones you like best. You will see that many oils have overlapping qualities.
Nausea, headache, and morning sickness, which are often the earliest complaints in pregnancy, can be treated by diffusing essential oils into your breathing space. Not only can doing this counteract diagreeable odors, but using oils with antiseptic properties, such as lavender or tea tree, will cleanse the environment of harmful airborne bacteria—protecting against colds and flu. To diffuse, simply mix 3 drops lavender with 1 drop peppermint and 1 drop eucalyptus in a bowl of water. Or if you prefer, specialized diffusers on the market heat and vaporize the oil molecules, which spreads the scent faster and farther into the room. If you are going out, keep a cotton handkerchief and a vial of lavender or peppermint with you. Place 1 drop of lavender or peppermint on the cloth and hold it over your nose, inhaling deeply, to prevent headache or nausea.
Cool or warm compresses can do wonders to restore a feeling of balance and wellness. Fill a bowl with warm or cool water (whichever appeals to you.) Add 3-4 drops of lavender, and drape a flannel across the top of the water to pick up the film of oil. Wring out the flannel and place it on the forehead or front of the ribcage. For warm compresses, cover the flannel with plastic and add a towel.
Citrus oils, such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot, are safe to use in early pregnancy and have uplifting qualities. They are particularly effective in alleviating vomiting. Add 7 drops of any citrus oil to 1 ounce olive oil (or another carrier oil) and massage over the abdomen for best results.
Varicose veins respond well to cypress, geranium, lemon, and lavender oils. Use any mixture of these oils in a warm bath (total 6 drops), with alternating warm and cool compresses(total 4 drops) on the affected areas, or in a massage oil (total 7 drops essential oil per ounce olive oil). When massaging, use gentle strokes from the foot upward, being careful not to apply too strong of pressure where the varicosity begins or ends.
Women who complain of hemorrhoids and swollen anal tissue may find relief in taking a cool sitz bath with 6 drops lemon oil. To prepare the bath set a large plastic tub in the bathtub and fill with water. Add the oils and stir to spread. Keeping legs and feet outside the plastic tub, lower yourself into the water and soak for 20 minutes. Follow up with an aromatic massage of 7 drops cypress and 7 drops lemon oil in 2 ounces olive oil.
Another ailment common in pregnancy is edema, or water retention. Lavender, geranium and rosemary oils combat this condition by stimulating the lymphatic system to drain excess fluids from the body. Gently massage the feet and ankles, using upward strokes, with a combination of these oils in olive oil; or try a cool footbath with 3 drops geranium or lemon oil and 3 drops lavender.
Almost every woman earns at least a couple stretch marks by the end of her pregnancy. These can be prevented or reduced by topically applying a blend of 1 ounce each of wheat germ oil and hazelnut oil with 4 drops neroli, 2 drops carrot seed, and 2 drops geranium. Massaging the blend into thighs, hips, breasts and belly every night and morning will nourish the skin and help maintain elasticity.
Please note that there are some essential oils which should not be used during pregnancy as they are known abortifacients. These include basil, fennel, myrrh, parsley, sage, and thyme. Other oils which are emenogogues are listed in some texts as unsafe during pregnancy, while promoted in others. Cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, jasmine, juniper, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rose, and rosemary should therefore be used with care.
Pregnancy and childbirth is the most wondrous experience of a woman’s life. To describe it, one must use a list of contradictions. What other event can be so universal, yet so personal? At what other time does a woman feel more in tune with her feminine side, while yet tapping into her strongest reserve of raw power? What other rite of passage takes her to the very doors of death, only to open them and find new life? There is no other time when a woman can feel so sick while being in perfectly good health. There is no other event quite like it.
After a century of highly medicalized prenatal care and childbirth, the trend in recent decades has swung back toward natural, gentle birthing techniques. Midwives and doulas, once frowned upon by the medical establishment, are now being welcomed into hospitals, oftentimes replacing doctors at the pregnant woman’s bedside. Much has been written about the benefits of water, hypnotism, and naturopathy in prenatal care and childbirth. This article will focus on the use of aromatherapy to ease the discomforts, relieve emotional stress, and maintain good health of mother and baby throughout pregnancy.
Each pregnancy comes with its own set of discomforts, arising from ordinary fluctuations in hormones and bodily changes. While diet and lifestyle changes are sometimes necessary for best results, many irritations, included those noted below, can be alleviated by the use of essential oils. When selecting oils, purchase only those of high-quality, which have been distilled for therapeutic use, and are free of additives. Due to the heightened sense of smell during pregnancy, limit blends to one or two oils at a time; you needn’t purchase every oil on this list. Try a couple and see which ones you like best. You will see that many oils have overlapping qualities.
Nausea, headache, and morning sickness, which are often the earliest complaints in pregnancy, can be treated by diffusing essential oils into your breathing space. Not only can doing this counteract diagreeable odors, but using oils with antiseptic properties, such as lavender or tea tree, will cleanse the environment of harmful airborne bacteria—protecting against colds and flu. To diffuse, simply mix 3 drops lavender with 1 drop peppermint and 1 drop eucalyptus in a bowl of water. Or if you prefer, specialized diffusers on the market heat and vaporize the oil molecules, which spreads the scent faster and farther into the room. If you are going out, keep a cotton handkerchief and a vial of lavender or peppermint with you. Place 1 drop of lavender or peppermint on the cloth and hold it over your nose, inhaling deeply, to prevent headache or nausea.
Cool or warm compresses can do wonders to restore a feeling of balance and wellness. Fill a bowl with warm or cool water (whichever appeals to you.) Add 3-4 drops of lavender, and drape a flannel across the top of the water to pick up the film of oil. Wring out the flannel and place it on the forehead or front of the ribcage. For warm compresses, cover the flannel with plastic and add a towel.
Citrus oils, such as orange, lemon, grapefruit, and bergamot, are safe to use in early pregnancy and have uplifting qualities. They are particularly effective in alleviating vomiting. Add 7 drops of any citrus oil to 1 ounce olive oil (or another carrier oil) and massage over the abdomen for best results.
Varicose veins respond well to cypress, geranium, lemon, and lavender oils. Use any mixture of these oils in a warm bath (total 6 drops), with alternating warm and cool compresses(total 4 drops) on the affected areas, or in a massage oil (total 7 drops essential oil per ounce olive oil). When massaging, use gentle strokes from the foot upward, being careful not to apply too strong of pressure where the varicosity begins or ends.
Women who complain of hemorrhoids and swollen anal tissue may find relief in taking a cool sitz bath with 6 drops lemon oil. To prepare the bath set a large plastic tub in the bathtub and fill with water. Add the oils and stir to spread. Keeping legs and feet outside the plastic tub, lower yourself into the water and soak for 20 minutes. Follow up with an aromatic massage of 7 drops cypress and 7 drops lemon oil in 2 ounces olive oil.
Another ailment common in pregnancy is edema, or water retention. Lavender, geranium and rosemary oils combat this condition by stimulating the lymphatic system to drain excess fluids from the body. Gently massage the feet and ankles, using upward strokes, with a combination of these oils in olive oil; or try a cool footbath with 3 drops geranium or lemon oil and 3 drops lavender.
Almost every woman earns at least a couple stretch marks by the end of her pregnancy. These can be prevented or reduced by topically applying a blend of 1 ounce each of wheat germ oil and hazelnut oil with 4 drops neroli, 2 drops carrot seed, and 2 drops geranium. Massaging the blend into thighs, hips, breasts and belly every night and morning will nourish the skin and help maintain elasticity.
Please note that there are some essential oils which should not be used during pregnancy as they are known abortifacients. These include basil, fennel, myrrh, parsley, sage, and thyme. Other oils which are emenogogues are listed in some texts as unsafe during pregnancy, while promoted in others. Cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, cypress, jasmine, juniper, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rose, and rosemary should therefore be used with care. v
Naked Minerals, the makeup that is actually good for your skin
In a time where citizens are inundated with media articles and press reports describing the decline of air and water quality, educated consumers search to find products that provide safer, healthier advantages over conventional wisdom. Organic produce and all natural products tout the benefits of chemical-free lifestyles while still maintaining consistent quality. Although many of these products can be found in grocery stores and specialty food markets, few have found their way into the cosmetic aisle. Naked Minerals provides all the benefits of traditional cosmetics while improving skin quality with healthy, all natural ingredients.
Naked Minerals has only begun to find its place among quality, natural cosmetics and it will only continue to grow. Like other mineral makeup, Naked Minerals uses pulverized minerals and rocks to create a light powder that floats on the skin, creating a lightweight, natural look and feel. Since the powder in Naked Mineral cosmetics contains no additives, fillers, or binders, nothing is absorbed into the skin and pores are left open to let the skin breath. Because of this, Naked Minerals does not weigh down skin or look heavy. Instead, the minerals allow skin to regenerate and heal, providing a healthy atmosphere for cell development.
The natural ingredients in Naked Minerals provides an all-natural protective barrier against damaging sunlight while improving skin quality. The light layer of powder provides SPF 15 protection without the use of damaging chemicals. By floating on the skin, the minerals and mica protects the skin from ultraviolet sunlight while reflecting light in such a way that produces a look of radiance. This glow is a result of both light reflection and healthier skin. In addition to floating on the skin and allowing air circulation through the pores, Naked Minerals makeup contains skin-conditioning vitamin E and will not clog skin or flare acne. In fact, by allowing skin to breath while reducing the appearance of acne, Naked Minerals cosmetics creates an atmosphere in which blemishes can heal. Traditional pimple medicine and treatment clogs pores and increases oil production, causing even greater skin problems. Naked Minerals reduces the appearance of these blemishes while providing healthier skin conditions to promote healing.
Naked Minerals also provides relief from common skin conditions such as Rosacea, brown spots, dark circles, and sunburn. Not only will these natural cosmetics protect skin from continued sun abuse, but the minerals and powders even out skin tones, providing balanced color throughout the face. Naked Minerals skin products combine light reflecting powders that diffuse light around dark areas and create the appearance of smoother, younger skin while promoting healthier skin with each use. The versatility of each product provides a wide range of cosmetic use and skin protection in one small package. These products provide the radiant look while still maintaining healthy and natural beauty.
Naked Minerals has only begun to find its place among quality, natural cosmetics and it will only continue to grow. Like other mineral makeup, Naked Minerals uses pulverized minerals and rocks to create a light powder that floats on the skin, creating a lightweight, natural look and feel. Since the powder in Naked Mineral cosmetics contains no additives, fillers, or binders, nothing is absorbed into the skin and pores are left open to let the skin breath. Because of this, Naked Minerals does not weigh down skin or look heavy. Instead, the minerals allow skin to regenerate and heal, providing a healthy atmosphere for cell development.
The natural ingredients in Naked Minerals provides an all-natural protective barrier against damaging sunlight while improving skin quality. The light layer of powder provides SPF 15 protection without the use of damaging chemicals. By floating on the skin, the minerals and mica protects the skin from ultraviolet sunlight while reflecting light in such a way that produces a look of radiance. This glow is a result of both light reflection and healthier skin. In addition to floating on the skin and allowing air circulation through the pores, Naked Minerals makeup contains skin-conditioning vitamin E and will not clog skin or flare acne. In fact, by allowing skin to breath while reducing the appearance of acne, Naked Minerals cosmetics creates an atmosphere in which blemishes can heal. Traditional pimple medicine and treatment clogs pores and increases oil production, causing even greater skin problems. Naked Minerals reduces the appearance of these blemishes while providing healthier skin conditions to promote healing.
Naked Minerals also provides relief from common skin conditions such as Rosacea, brown spots, dark circles, and sunburn. Not only will these natural cosmetics protect skin from continued sun abuse, but the minerals and powders even out skin tones, providing balanced color throughout the face. Naked Minerals skin products combine light reflecting powders that diffuse light around dark areas and create the appearance of smoother, younger skin while promoting healthier skin with each use. The versatility of each product provides a wide range of cosmetic use and skin protection in one small package. These products provide the radiant look while still maintaining healthy and natural beauty.
Why the opposite breast should be evaluated with MRI?
Breast cancer is a worldwide problem with which causes 502,000 deaths per year worldwide. In the United States breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women. Every year more than 40,000 women in the United States die of breast cancer. It is estimated the a woman living in the United States have one in eight chance of developing breast cancer and one in thirty three chance of dying from the disease.
Incidence of breast cancer shows a dramatically increasing trend since 1970s and this increased incidence is thought to be related to the changes in life style. Compared to 1970s more women are now delaying their first pregnancy and have relatively smaller families. These factors have an effect on the level of hormonal exposure during life time and this is considered to be a major factor in the increasing breast cancer incidence in the western world.
With breast cancer being so much of a prevalent disease everything should be done to prevent the occurrence of the breast cancer and to detect the breast cancer early once it develops.
Mammogram is a technique that is very commonly used to screen women for early detection of breast cancer. Mammogram helps to detect breast cancer at a very early stage when it is more likely to be cured by surgery with or without chemotherapy and radiation therapy. MRI is a better technique to detect breast cancer early and it is proven to be more sensitive and effective in detecting breast cancer early. However this technique is not very widely available and is much more expensive compared to mammogram. Because of this reason MRI is not routinely recommended for the purpose of screening for breast cancer. However MRI is widely used in cases where the women in question are high risk for the development of breast cancer or when the mammogram result is inconclusive.
A recent study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that women who are diagnosed with breast cancer on one breast have high risk of having breast cancer on the other breast at the time of diagnosis. This study showed that more than 3% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer had another cancer in the other breast. These were not detected by mammograms and if mammogram alone was used these 3% of women would not have found out that they have cancer in the other breast. Because of this finding it would be best if every woman with diagnosis of a breast cancer try to obtain an MRI of the opposite breast to evaluate for small breast cancer that may be present in the opposite breast. Mammogram is not enough in this setting.
Incidence of breast cancer shows a dramatically increasing trend since 1970s and this increased incidence is thought to be related to the changes in life style. Compared to 1970s more women are now delaying their first pregnancy and have relatively smaller families. These factors have an effect on the level of hormonal exposure during life time and this is considered to be a major factor in the increasing breast cancer incidence in the western world.
With breast cancer being so much of a prevalent disease everything should be done to prevent the occurrence of the breast cancer and to detect the breast cancer early once it develops.
Mammogram is a technique that is very commonly used to screen women for early detection of breast cancer. Mammogram helps to detect breast cancer at a very early stage when it is more likely to be cured by surgery with or without chemotherapy and radiation therapy. MRI is a better technique to detect breast cancer early and it is proven to be more sensitive and effective in detecting breast cancer early. However this technique is not very widely available and is much more expensive compared to mammogram. Because of this reason MRI is not routinely recommended for the purpose of screening for breast cancer. However MRI is widely used in cases where the women in question are high risk for the development of breast cancer or when the mammogram result is inconclusive.
A recent study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that women who are diagnosed with breast cancer on one breast have high risk of having breast cancer on the other breast at the time of diagnosis. This study showed that more than 3% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer had another cancer in the other breast. These were not detected by mammograms and if mammogram alone was used these 3% of women would not have found out that they have cancer in the other breast. Because of this finding it would be best if every woman with diagnosis of a breast cancer try to obtain an MRI of the opposite breast to evaluate for small breast cancer that may be present in the opposite breast. Mammogram is not enough in this setting.
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