Lioness Rebirth: A Journey of Renewal

Seven Years Later

2017-01-03T07:17:00.000-08:00

I have been blogging for seven years!!!!!

January 7th will be my seven year anniversary on blogger. So much as changed in seven years. Some of the people that I have started with in the community are no longer here. The nature of the blogging landscape has changed. Mom bloggers are now mom entrepreneurs. I am so happy for this.

I have grown tremendously over the seven years. One thing that stood out for me is that over the last seven years, is that blogging gave me a voice when I thought I had none. This was the space I felt like I could be me and a community of strangers totally understood and accepted me. This was the place that helped me through my depression. This is the place that I dreamed and dared to create a new life.

If you are reading this blog now I want to take a second to thank you. Thank you for joining me on my journey.

16 Things I learnt in 2016

2016-12-29T10:26:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite YouTuber did a video post entitled '16 things I learnt in 2016'. This video inspired me to write this blog post. Here are sixteen (16) things I learnt in 2016 that changed my year. Leave a comment below telling me some of the things you learnt in 2016.

1) Be Positive

I have learnt how powerful positive thinking can be. I always thought I was a pretty positive person; however 2016 taught me that I harboured a number of negative thoughts in my mind that held me back from achieving greatness.So, everyday I try my best to project the thoughts that I want to materialise in my life. It is a work in progress but my life has improved as a result of positive thinking.

2) Change is Good

I have said this countless times. I fear change. I like the certainty that comes from familiarity. However, in 2016 I changed jobs, friendships and relationships and now I understand that in order to grow and improve you have to make changes to your overall life.

3)Vision Boards are a Must

If you don't have a vision board what are you doing with your life? I created my vision board on Canva and used it as my computer background and within six months I started ticking off things from vision board. It does work and it makes you actively pursue your dreams and goals.

4) Leave Your Comfort Zone

Sometimes we are happy with just getting by. That has been me for a few years. I was hiding out in my comfort zone and i did not want to leave. Leaving your comfort zone is the walkway to achieving your dreams.

5) Experiences are Better than Stuff

Do you realize that we have got very good at collecting stuff and the more stuff we have the more trapped and depressed we are? However, experiences is what creates memories, facilitate growth and shapes our core selves. So, in 2016 i started going on road trips, exploring my city, taking small excursions and experiencing life.

6) Choose Your Inner Circle Wisely

I have always known this but in 2016 I really realized that the wrong friends and relationships can ruin your life.

7) All that Glitters is NOT Gold

I have learnt that not everyone, everything and every situation that appears to be great and prefect is actually that.

8) Don't Let Others Control YOUR Life

Yes!!!! I said It. This is so important. Often we allow others to control our major decisions, etc. It is key to remember that you have one life to live and you have to live it.

9) Planned Vacations are a Must

This allows you to gain more experiences.

10) Don't Allow Fear to Control Your Life

This quote says it all!!!

11) Dream Big

12) Go Get It

13) Be Your Authentic Self

14) Be Kind

15) Live

16) Love Life

Creating the Ultimate Girl Squad

2016-12-14T16:10:00.000-08:00

Blogmas - Day 3

Squads are the new hit thing among the millennial. Being a child of the 90's I did not get the whole squad trend or maybe I could just be weird (LOL). Seriously though, I have analysed the concept and now I can see the merit in having a squad.

Now, let me break it down for you. A squad is a group of common friends that you have, that you hang out together at the same time. Now I think about it, I remember Carrie and the girls from Sex and the City. Those girls would be the ultimate 90’s girl squad.

With that in mind, girl squads can be great if you have the right type of squad. So, today I am going to lay the ground work of how to create the ultimate girl squad.

In creating my Ultimate Girl Squad I have painstakingly compiled five types of girls who would comprise the squad.

These girls are (but are limited to):

Xena Warrior Princess

At the top of the list, I have Xena Warrior Princess type of girl. This girl is a bad*ss.

She is strong, fierce and downright brave.

She is also the explorer who just gets up and goes.

Charlotte

Then, you have the cheerful cheerleader. She is the positive point of the group. She is also supportive and kind. Just think of Charlotte from Sex and the City.

The Planner Girl

You cannot forget your planner girl. She is systematic, organised and efficient. You aspire to be like her because she amazes you with her creativity.

You are amazed at how on point she is and so you are motivated to get you sh*t together.

Posh Spice

Three words: prissy, pretty and posh. This is the lady of the group. Her hair, nails, clothes and speech is always on ‘fleek’.

The Ride or Die Chick

This type of girl is LOYAL. Notice that the word loyal is in all caps. This is because this friend can be your vault. She is also the one that you can call at a moment’s notice and she will be there. She is the type of friend that will be there though the ups and downs.

Please offer your own girls' squad suggestions. Also, tell me which one of these type of girls you are?

Finally, remember to share your thoughts in the comments and stop by tomorrow for another Blogmas post.

Three Tips to Staying Positive throughout the Day

2016-12-13T01:00:00.002-08:00

Have you ever noticed that when you start your day on a positive note there is always something or someone who tries to suck your positive energy from you? I guess it is the nature of life. However, it is important to note that positive energy attracts positive energy. Therefore, as we countdown to Christmas and then the new year we have to allow good things to come into our lives. Additionally, I am learning that staying positive is an important practice that one needs to engage in on the road to happiness.

Here are three tricks you can use to stay positive throughout the day:

Music

Did you know that music can influence your mood and attitude? With this in mind, you can create playlists of your favourite feel-good songs that you can play throughout the day. I love YouTube and I am always using my laptop so I have created a number of playlists for my different moods and I find that often it takes just popping in my headphones to put a positive spin on my mood.

Free Playlist Makers

http://neverendingplaylist.com/

http://www.listube.com/

Meme Me

A few months I started to follow some positive thinking posters on the gram and can I tell you that they have worked wonders for my mindset.

In the mornings while I scroll through my posts I see all the funny memes that crack me up along with the positive ones.

I in turn share them and spread the positive vibes. This makes me feel great and I am also encouraging the group of people that I surround myself with to be positive by sharing with them.

Walking Away

What?!! Walking away?

Yes, I said it. Sometimes you have to walk away from a negative situation or person to maintain your positive mindset.

Case in point, I woke up feeling like crap; so I decided to change my mood. I was off to a great start with positive memes and thoughts. I was thankful and expressed gratitude through prayer.

I was off to work bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with my positive mindset. Then, wave after wave of negative people and situations came rolling in.

On a side note, have you ever realized that the moment you choice to be positive it is the moment crap starts to rain on your parade.

Anyways, I just started walking. I walked away and it worked. The long and short of it is that in all situations you need to preserve your peace, joy, happiness and positive mindset.

Stop by tomorrow for another post in this journey. Also, please remember to live a comment and sign up posts to be emailed to you.

Blogmas Begins......

2016-12-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

Blogmas- Day 1

For the first time this year I will be doing Blogmas on Lioness Rebirth. Heeeeyyyy!!!

Can you check out the Lioness Rebirth Blogmas poster? Can you say fierce?!!! I usually go girl and cute. However, I love it! Tell me what you think about it in the comments below.

What is blog? You might ask. Well, Blogmas is basically a bloggers way of counting down the days to Christmas by posting a new blog every day.

Guys, this is going to be a serious challenge for me; nevertheless I am excited to share all of what I have planned for you. This Blogmas celebration is my way of giving the blog a new birth. So, stop by everyday with a cup of tea or coffee and celebrate Blogmas with. I am so excited to take this journey with you.

The Countdown Begins...........

2016-12-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

How to Eat Healthy Fast Food this Summer

2016-06-27T16:29:00.001-07:00

Summer is a time for fun, sun relaxation and eating anything we see without thinking about the consequences for our bodies.

Am I the only one who does this?

If you are like me or if you want to eat healthier this summer these tips will help to eat healthier fast food this summer:

Control Your Portions

Do not order extra large combos or go to those all you can eat buffets and try to eat everything in sight. Instead, select the smaller sandwiches and meals that contain less fats.

Eat More Jerked or Grilled Meats

You can have jerk chickens, grilled vegetables, or seafood; instead of deep fried chicken or chips. Remember the goal is to eat less fatty foods without punishing yourself.

Check to Make Sure the Dish is Actually Healthy

Remember, not because a dish proclaims that it is a healthier choice that does not meant it is actually healthier. Find out about the nutrition facts of that smoothie or salad that you are about to consume. For example, many fast food salads are a diet minefield, smothered in unhealthy dressing and fried toppings.

Don’t be afraid to special order.

Finally, many menu items can be made healthier with a few tweaks and substitutions. For example, you can ask to hold the sauce or dressing or serve it on the side. Or you can request a wheat bun for your hamburger or whole-grain bread for your sandwich.

resource site: www.helpguide.org

How to Design Your Blog Yourself

2015-10-10T21:57:00.003-07:00

It turns out that you can design your blog yourself without needing to have any expertise in blog design whatsoever. After paying to design this blog, I was faced with the challenge of having two other blogs with no way to formally pay to design them also; so I decided to do the job myself. Let me just say I had no formal training or expertise in this area. However, I was able to transform these two blogs into a space that was uniquely what I wanted to present to my readers.

Here are some tools that I use to help me:

Free Templates

It was important to me to have my blog design looking visually appealing. I found that there are blog designers that actually gave away free templates that were first rate quality. You can find great free templates on these sites:

I have used Blogger Candy and I have found they offer a number of templates that are well designed and easy to change to suit my preferences.

How to Install Templates in Blogger

Here’s how to install a Blogger template you’ve downloaded from another site:

1. Log in to Blogger, and on your Blogger Dashboard, click the Design link.

2. Click the Edit HTML tab.

3. Click the Download Full Template link and save it to your computer.

4. Make a note of the file name and where you saved it in case you need it later!

5. Unzip the template file you downloaded from another site.

6. Back on the Edit HTML page, click the Choose File button.

7. Navigate to where you saved the unzipped files on your computer, and double-click the one that ends in .xml.

8. Click the Upload button.

Creating Specialized Headers

Sometimes you find a great free blog design or a design on blogger that you love but you want to personalize it with your own unique blog header. Canva is one of the websites I used to create my headers. I find that the website tools are easy to understand and very user friendly. Plus, I do not need to know anything about design to use it. I can upload my images/logos to the site and use them. You will however need to know the dimensions for your header so that you can have the right size and you will need to save the header you have created in Canva as a picture (jpeg/png format) .

How to Install a Header in Blogger

Go to the LAYOUT window and click on “EDIT” in the header widget (little blue link). The following pop-up will open:

Browse for the header image file on your computer and make sure you select “Instead of title and description” (also, do not select ‘shrink to fit’).

SAVE! ALL DONE!

Sources:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-install-a-google-blogger-template.html

http://www.bloggercandy.com/faqs-how-to/how-to-install-a-header-image/

How to Review a Poorly Written Book

2015-09-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

source

You are excited because you have just received your first book to review. You quickly start reading the book with bated breath because you can barely contain your excited. Ten pages into the book you find that you are struggling to move on to the next page. With each page you become more disappointed with the writer's craft. You shake your head at the poorly written plot and the conflict that you are waiting to see develop but seems nonexistent. Finally, at page 100 you give up. You just cannot keep going. You have 100 pages left and it is too painful to continue reading. Then, you remember that you have a write a review on the book.

What then?

How do you review a book that is poorly written?

That is a dilemma that a number of bloggers face. Today I want to address that issue. Here are some tips on how to review a poorly written book:

Your Audience

Always remember that your loyalty is to your audience; it is not any company, author, friend, etc. Bloggers tend to develop a relationship with their core followers; while your core followers depend on your honest points of view on the products, services that you review on your blog. So, your loyalty is to your audience. You must always remember that you should always the true to your readers.

Integrity

In business and in blogging integrity is everything. It is important that you state before accepting any product (book) or service to review that you will give your honest opinion (no matter what). By doing this, you are making it known that you will not write a great review of a book that is sub-standard because you are being paid or you are requested to do so.

Decline

After reading the book you can decline to review it. This is easier if the book was given to you by the author. You should contact the author and explain your experience and decline to write the review or explain the type of review that you plan to write. I find that the author will understand because he/she does not want a bad review to be published.

Be Unbiased

You can also publish the review with your honest opinion. You can state to your readers that although this is your experience it might not be the same for them. If the book is from an author they are familiar with you can suggests that they can read the book and share their own experiences.

Tips for Managing Multiple Blogs

2015-08-27T20:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips on how I manage my multiple blogs:

Use One Blogging Platform

I find it more manageable to have all my blogs on one blogging platform (Blogger). My blogger dashboard has where I can see all my blogs at a glance and I find this very handy and useful.
So I suggest have all you blogs on one blogging platform that way you can see all your blogs and you can better track your blogs that way. I find that blogger helps me to do that.

Never Post Substandard Content:

When you have multiple blogs you might feel like you have to post to keep your readers coming back; however, if you post content that is below your standards you will find that your loyal readers will lose interest and stop reading your blog. It is better not to post than to post content that is not in line with your blog just because you feel like you have to post something.

Set scheduled posts

I am bad at this. But I have found that it is great when you stagger your posts if you have multiple blogs. This is especially good if all of your readers are from one Google + profile. This way you won’t overwhelm your readers. Pretend that you are a reader and you see four different posts from someone you follow from four different blogs on the same day. I am sure you do a double take and become so confused. In short, don’t overwhelm your readers (Google +).

Find Your Niche

You need to have a clear purpose for your blog that way you will definitely know your niche and you will target that niche. When I first started blogging I had no purpose for my blog, Lioness Rebirth. I just wrote about things that interest me. However, over time I realized that my readers gravitated to posts that provided information that they found useful. So, I then focused my blog on that niche.

Network Based on your Blogs

It is good to join different communities on Google + based your different blogs. This helps because you can share with members of that community so that they can read posts that interest them from your blog. Remember to get involve. Do not make it a one way street. That way you can get a discussion going on your blog and in the community itself.

I hope these tips were helpful. Please let me know if there are any posts you will like me to share.

5 Face Scrubs Recipes

2015-08-23T12:45:00.002-07:00

Summer is almost over, however that does not mean you cannot keep summer with you through out the year. Here are a few simple D.I.Y. scrub recipe you can create at home to beautify yourself:

Recipe 1- Tropical Face Scrub

Olive Oil
Brown Sugar
Honey
Lemons

You can use your desired measurement. You cannot go wrong. Combine all of these ingredients until the mixture forms a paste-like substance

Recipe 2- Quick and Easy

Cornmeal
Condense Milk

Combine all of these ingredients until the mixture forms a paste-like substance. Then apply to the skin. It might get hard and tighten the skin. Following this, watch with warm water for a smooth youthful look.

Recipe 3- Summer Fun

1 cup coconut oil
2 cups sugar
10-15 drops essential oil (optional)

Combine the coconut oil and one cup of the sugar in a bowl and mix until creamy. Then, add the essential oil while continuing to stir. After, add the remaining sugar until the formula reaches the desired consistency. Finally, scrub away and love your super soft skin! Store the remaining scrub in a tightly sealed container for later use.

Recipe 4- Clean & Cool

2 cups of white sugar

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/8 cup rosemary essential oil

2 Tbsp. baking soda

Combine all of these ingredients until the mixture forms a paste-like substance. Place in a mason jar. Because of the olive oil ingredient, it is ideal to use this body scrub while showering, and to clean the tub thoroughly when you are finished to get rid of any oily or slippery residue. This body scrub may be used before shaving to leave your skin feeling soft and resilient.

Recipe 5- Simply the Best

Baking Soda
Rag

Wet your rag and pour two teaspoons on the rag (or as desired). Also, rub baking soda into the rag. After this, use the rag to rub your skin. Then, wash your skin with water. This can be done before or after your bath.

I hope you find these useful. Remember, I am not a trained professional and I am sharing my thoughts and opinions.

Resources:

http://www.morethanmundane.com/2013/12/09/101-diy-scrub-recipes/

http://saltlicklessons.com/2014/09/23/homemade-sugar-scrub/

How to Write a Blog Post

2015-08-10T12:48:00.001-07:00

So I have been blogging now for about four years on and off. It is something I enjoy doing and it is purely my hobby. However, over my four year journey I have learned a few tips and tricks that have helped me when writing my blog post.

Getting Started

Sometimes it is hard to get started on writing your blog post especially if what you want to say is not actually what you are typing on the page. You find that you type and delete continuously; before you know it, you are at square one. So what to do?

Brainstorm Ideas

It is good to have an idea of what you want to write before you begin writing. Basically, brainstorming is writing down your ideas and organizing them before you start writing.

I find that brainstorming saves you a lot of time and energy. It also prevents you from having writers block in the middle of writing your post.

Brainstorming helps you to focus your topic, eliminate ideas that are not in line with what you want to write about and also to find an innovative way to present your topic.

Creating Your Title

You can start writing your blog post by creating the title of your blog post. It is important that you ensure that your title concise but it most also convey what you blog post is about.

A good title is one that is also search engine friendly meaning it could be similar to a search query that someone would type to find information on the topic you are writing about.

When you create the title first; it also helps to frame the content. Creating the title first is also very helpful because you can always refer to your title when writing content to ensure that you do not include unnecessary information.

After Starting

Once you start writing make sure your language is simple and easy to follow. It is important that you write in a way that your readers can understand exactly what you are trying to say.

Creating your content

There is no hard or fast rule that says you have to begin writing your blog post by creating your title first. Sometimes when it comes to a title you can be blank. Therefore, you can write your content. Depending on your blog, you can decide to write your content based on any topic. After you have written your content you can examine what you have written and create the most suitable title for your blog post.

Do your research

If it is an informative post you are writing it is good to ensure that you have the most current and relevant information on the topic. Therefore, please ensure that you do adequate research.

Edit! Edit! Edit!

Editing your blog post is essential. I type my posts in blogger then sometimes I copy it and paste what I have typed into Microsoft Word. That way I can see not only the spelling errors but also the sentence structure errors. I them proofread my post in Microsoft Word and paste it back to blogger.

I know it sounds tedious but I find that when I type in Microsoft Word and paste it in to blogger that my margins are off and then I have to go back to word and do more aligning to get it to align properly on my blog.

Preview

After this I preview my blog post clicking the button on the top right hand corner of blogger that says preview. This allows me to see what my post will look like when I post it. I can adjust the paragraphs and check grammar again. I try to check my grammar as much as possible because this is my weakest area.

Visual Appeal

I find that adding pictures add to the visual appeal of the post. Ensure that the size and the colour of the words on your blog post makes it reader friendly. If you have written a long post you can include subheading to break up the paragraphs and to grab the reader’s attention.

Three Fun Things to do this Summer

2015-07-07T09:43:00.004-07:00

Summer is a time for fun, sun and relaxation. However, if you are not on holidays and you have to work at a 9- 5 job; then the beauty of summer will be lost on you. Here are three fun things you can do this summer that will make this summer memorable.

Weekend Road Trip

Planning a road trip is a great way to get away from your everyday routine. A great road trip will enable you to explore different places and to spend much needed time with family and friends.

There are different types of road trips. Here are a few:
Type 1: a direct car trip to get to a specific event or location

Type 2: an extended planned trip with multiple destinations

Type 3: the indefinite trip with spontaneous destinations

D.I.Y. Summer Items

What I love about summer is the sense freedom it brings. As adults we often feel trap by our daily lives. This is because there are times when we are forced to be practical. Designing cool Do It Yourself (D.I.Y) summer items is a way to shelf the practicality of our lives and just have fun.

Here are some summer D.I.Y. items you can make:

Reconstructed Blouses

D.I.Y. Scarf Sandals

D.I.Y Belt

Break the Routine: Tour Your City

Find those tucked away places in your own city that you have often over looked or you have been too busy to explore.

These can include but are not limited to:

Art Gallery Tours
Bicycle Tour around the City
Spending a day at the beach or local attractions
Going to festivals and local concerts
Exploring historical building and churches

The idea is to do something out of the ordinary.

Further Reading: Summer Road Trip

FREE Online Tools for Small Business Growth

2015-03-28T16:12:00.006-07:00

If you have ever started a small business you will know that often you have to grow your business on a shoe string budget. Here are some free online tools that you can use to make your make business grow.

Waveapps.com

Wave provides business with ten or less employees with accounting software. Wave is a cloud-based, integrated software tool for small businesses. The software includes invoicing, accounting, payroll, payment collection and more. It also includes a platform for the user to manage their personal finance along with their business finance. However, users of this site will have to pay to use the payroll software.

What I love about this software is that you can create excellent invoices that you can tailor to your

unique needs for customers. Your invoices can be shared to your customer via a unique link. Once your customer views the invoice. You the business owner will see that reflected in Wave. If you own a small business but accounting is not your strong suit, this software simplifies the process for you. It is very user friendly.

The draw back to this software is that some of the futures are only available for persons operating a business in The United States or Canada.

Jotforms

Jotform is a personal favourite of mine. JotForm is a web based form builder; that allows the user to create forms by dragging and dropping various fields on a template to create a form.

You can create what seems like any document that you need for your small business. What makes Jotform ideal for the small business users is that it you can integrate these forms into your website, blog, email or facebook page at no cost to you.

When you integrate JotForm into your site and you can receive real time messages to your email when someone completes your form. A copy of the completed form is also in the email you receive.

Canva

Canva instantly turns you into a graphic artiste. With Canva, you can create newsletters, blog headers, Facebook covers, business cards and the list goes on. Canva is very user friendly, you can also upload your pictures or purchase pictures from them at a minimal cost. Once you have created your desired design you can download it as a picture and share it with your friends.

Steps to Increasing Your Value as an Employee and Getting Paid More!

2015-03-04T20:13:00.001-08:00

There's a lot of employment advice focusing on finding a new job or starting a new business. Advice on becoming a more valuable employee at one's current employer appears to be virtually non-existent. So, what is a woman supposed to do if she loves her job, but wants and needs to make more money? How does she guarantee herself an opportunity to advance from where she is now without jumping ship? Good news! There are many ways to earn the confidence of co-workers and become the kind of employee that bosses are willing to pay top dollar for. Looking to get ahead at work? Take some time to consider the following:

Don't Become Pigeon-Holed

Expertise can be a two-edged sword. Consider this scenario. Joan is a whiz when it comes to the email system her company is using. If there are problems with the email server, she knows just what to do to get it started up again. If one of her co-workers wants to figure out how to send an email with an electronic signature, Joan has the skills to help. In other words, Joan is the go-to person for that particular piece of technology. Chances are this has earned Joan quite a bit of praise. Here's the problem. A company's loyalty to a particular piece of technology is fickle. What happens if Joan gets a new boss who is a fan of another email system? Can she adapt? Will she be replaced by another go-to person? Hopefully, Joan has also demonstrated leadership skills and adaptability in addition to her technical skills. If she has, she might be up for a promotion.

Become an Example of Positivity

Many people underestimate the value of soft skills. That's a shame. Here's the truth - people want to work for and with people who make them feel good. Not only that, they talk about it to others. So, anybody who wants to earn that raise or promotion should take the following into consideration:

· Life is stressful. Lack of sleep, arguments with loved ones, bad commutes etc., are things that everybody experiences. Shake it off at the door and become a positive, engaging co-worker.

· Notice the accomplishments of co-workers and genuinely praise them.

See the Big Picture

In the corporate world especially, it can be very easy to develop tunnel vision. Marketing people tend to focus on marketing; IT people tend to focus on computers and networks; Operations staff tends to focus on the day to day nitty-gritty of running the business. Anybody who wants to get ahead should ask themselves the following questions:

· What projects would my boss like to accomplish over the next twelve months, and how can I help?

· What is the company doing in the community? Are there opportunities for me to become involved?

· Is there any training I should be pursuing in order to become more valuable in my department?

· Do I already possess talents that I can begin utilizing in order to become a more effective team member?

Finally, Self-Promote

It's a shame that so many people are taught to be modest to such an extreme extent that they cannot use their own hard work and accomplishments to get ahead. Fact is, bosses, admire those who are willing and able to list their triumphs. So, never be afraid of asking to be acknowledged for any positive contributions to the corporate culture or bottom line.

Employers do not want to lose valuable people – it takes a lot of time to recruit, interview, and train a new hire. Make yourself valuable by using the strategies above, and do not be afraid to ask for that raise, once you know that your boss values you!

Bio:

Kateline Jefferson believes that, only through experiential knowledge does one become an engaging and creative writer. Her degree in Journalism and a host of real-world study and experience has made her a permanent and popular blogger for PremierEssay.com

The Different Types of Walking

2015-01-07T19:48:00.004-08:00

SOURCE

Here are some different types of walking you can consider incorporating in your new year health plan.

Fitness walking is called by many different names - power walking, fitness walking, health walking. Power walking is commonly used to represent an exaggerated walking style. This style of overstriding and exaggerated arm movements is often linked with injuries. Because of this, I don't generally use the term power walking. A better term for a healthful energetic walking pace is "fitness walking".

Fitness walking is much more than a stroll or nature walk. When fitness walking you incorporate the muscles of the upper body making it a GREAT aerobic activity. It burns approximately the same calories as running, yet it is much easier on the body. Because more muscles are used it burns calories much quicker than less aggressive walking. It also tones muscles in the buttocks, thighs, hips, shoulders, upper back and abs. Most fitness walkers average about 12 to 15 minutes per mile.

Unlike racewalking; there is no official definition. There are no rules. If you walk at a purposeful fitness walking pace using the good technique you are a fitness walker. Use the tips above to ensure good walking form and to increase your pace.

SOURCE

One FREE App for New Year's Weight Loss

2015-01-04T18:48:00.001-08:00

I will be sharing five free apps that you can use this year to help you achieve your New Year's Resolution goals. Each day this week there will be a new post featuring a different app. Until then check out our recommended weight lost app.

1. Weight Loss Resolution

2014 might not have been the best year for weight loss or healthy eating for you. So, you resolve that in 2015 all of that will change. Here is a a quick and easy app that you can use to achieve your weight loss goal.

Lose it is a comprehensive app that track your calorie and exercise for free. Loseit.com says that the app 'Lose It!' is designed with one goal - to help you lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. No magic pills, no crazy diets - just a simple, easy-to-use program that helps you stay in your calorie budget.

Top Pallet Projects as Seen on Pinterest

2015-01-01T16:28:00.001-08:00

Pallets are made of sturdy wood to support huge shipping loads, such as landscaping materials or boxes of foodstuffs. You most often see them at home improvement stores and grocery stores. Though they can often be reused by companies, many more are simply thrown out once they are used. Some thrifty DIY’ers have found a number of ingenious uses for pallets that save them from the landfill and create some interesting furniture and décor pieces.

Here are just some of the most interesting, unique and appealing pallet projects that you can do yourself, as seen on Pinterest:

Pallet Bedroom (http://pinterest.com/pin/566679565582893311/)

Rustic charm and a solid bed are the result with this easy pallet project. It would be easy to adjust the size for a twin, full or king.

Wall Shelf (http://pinterest.com/pin/385550418070169155/)

A little bit of stain turns an ordinary pallet into an interesting shelf.

Patio Benches (http://pinterest.com/pin/293015519476459045/)

With a little paint and some decorative cushions and seating, these pallets are transformed into unique benches for your outdoor entertaining.

Bed and Playhouse (http://pinterest.com/pin/6966574396625384/)

This pallet project is every little kid’s dream: It combines a loft bed with a playhouse and features a bench and cubby holes.

Pallet House (http://pinterest.com/pin/239746380136252755/)

With a lot of elbow grease, you can make anything out of pallets – even a house!

Pallet Couches (http://pinterest.com/pin/205476801721904031/)

Just like the patio benches, all you need are some colorful seating cushions to make pallets into a beautiful couch.

Garden Patio (http://pinterest.com/pin/105905028710423783/)

Grow herbs, flowers and produce between the slats of your pallets, and create a deck for relaxing. Paint it a bright color for a unique look.

Room Divider (http://pinterest.com/pin/149322543868074255/)

Whether stained or painted, pallets can be used to create a unique room divider.

Dog House (http://pinterest.com/pin/448460075364913008/)

Give your pooch a place to rest in style with some upcycled pallets.

Playhouse (http://pinterest.com/pin/198510296048150241/)

… or build the house a little bigger and make it into a play space for your children.

What other great upcycling ideas have you seen for pallets? Have you made any of them yourself? Share your finds and your experiences in the comments!

About the Author:

Bridget Sandorford is a freelance blog and culinary writer, where recently she's been researching the career path of a chef. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

5 Tips for Mixing and Matching Your Home Decor

2014-12-31T10:23:00.002-08:00

by Jane Blanchard

The idea of traditional decor is being challenged every day by homeowners who want a style that goes beyond the basics. Creating your own design is easy and doesn't require anything other than a little imagination, some planning and a willingness to experiment.

via SF Girl By Bay

Decide on a Theme

Designing a themed room gives you a blueprint to work with as you choose furniture and accessories. Think about whether you want a formal look or something relaxed. Do rugged, outdoorsy styles appeal to you or are you a lover of modern minimalism? Your preferred theme will create a unified look for the finished room.

Anchor the Style with Consistency

Start with one colour or pattern that you love and work your way up from there as you decorate. This may be your favourite deep blue or the pattern on an overstuffed sofa that you've loved for years. Repeat this motif in other elements of the room to create a consistent backdrop for your more unusual decor elements.

When introducing wood pieces, choose those made from the same type of wood or stained in similar colours. The idea is to create uniformity that allows different styles to work together. However, try to avoid picking two styles of furniture that noticeably contradict each other such as mixing ornate antiques with do-it-yourself bookshelves from a department store. Keep color choices to a minimum to ensure that the room doesn't wind up looking busy.

Add a Modern Edge

Once you've established a basis for your design, it's time to get creative. Look for accent pieces that complement the look of the room while adding visual interest. Try placing boldly patterned pillows on your sleek modern sofa or hanging café style art in your formal dining room. Introduce a few mismatched furniture pieces that share a colour or texture element with other fixtures of the room for a unique twist.

Go Beyond Traditional Use

A fun way to mix and match styles is to place furniture pieces in rooms they're not traditionally meant for. Nightstands, for example, make fun end tables in the living room. A sideboard can be moved from the dining area to the front hall and used as a unique place to display photos or flower arrangements. You might even want to shake things up in the bathroom by adding a dresser for storing linens or creating a themed display with an open-back bookshelf.

Make it Personal

You're never obligated to stick to a particular style just because it's how your home is "supposed" to look. What works in the houses you see in magazines or online may not work in your home. Don't be afraid to try new designs and mix things up to find a style that's truly yours. Use decorating advice as a general guideline rather than a strict set of rules. Thinking outside the box can lead you to a style that no one has ever tried before and open up new possibilities for decorating other rooms in your home.

The Big Wide Calm Book Review

2014-08-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

Order Here

First Impressions

The Big Wide Calm first reads like a ‘rags to riches’ story when the reclusive rich multimillionaire John decides to help the talented starving artiste Paige Plant with an arrangement that would see him helping her to record her first album. With this deal, finally Paige would be able to write and create a multigenerational album that will help carve her place in stardom. It seemed overnight Paige would achieve her dream of being famous and rich. The deal John offers Paige almost seems too good to be true and the reader is left wondering when the other shoe might fall.

Peeling Back the Layers

The book progresses and the layers start to peel away. It becomes clear that the story isn't just about a girl (Paige Plant) wanting to become a rich or famous star or a man (John) whose past decisions had made him into a broken shell. In truth, the story is about unconditional love. No, The Big Wide Calm is not your typical love story that you see in a cheap copy of Mills & Boons. It is much deeper than that. It explores love that blooms after pain, rejection and brokenness. The Big Wide Calm offers no clichés just raw human experiences in the stark reality of the need for human connection.

Writer’s Craft

I admire the writing style of the author Rich Marcello. He craftily creates a world in the novel which is surreal yet believable. This technique is also seen in the presentation of John. John is quite unlike any other character I have met before. He is childlike and complicated at the same time. The character of John leaves you wondering what events in his life might be real or is every event craftily created by his delightfully demented mind. Marcello’s development of John’s character leaves you wondering if a number of events in the novel are carefully orchestrated by John to test Paige.

I am normally able to size up the flow of a plot within the first four chapters. This was not the case with this novel. In short, Marcello leaves you guessing with each page. In The Big Wide Calm each page, each chapter is an adventure. The novel will leave you wanting more. This is definitely a good buy. You won’t regret your purchase.

FREE Book Reviews for Self Published Authors

2014-07-22T11:00:00.002-07:00

source

I have observed that there are a number of very talented writers who have opted to publish their own books instead of going the traditional route of being published through a publishing house. I have also noted that these excellent writers often find it challenging to get their book reviewed for one reason or another.

So, starting July 23, I will be accepting self published books for review. Once a book is accepted for review you will receive and email notification. Once, the book review is written it will be published on the following blogs: Lioness Rebirth, New Day Book Reviews and C.S.E.C. English Made Easy. The review will also be shared on Good reads, Amazon, Face book and twitter.

Additionally, I am open to doing blog tours, author interviews and guest post reviews. For further details please read my review policy.

Review Policy

I am currently open to receiving Advance Reading Copies and Review Copies of e books from self published authors. My preferred genres are How to books, D.I.Y. Books, with the occasional Romance novel (Historical, Contemporary). This does not, however, mean that we will not consider books from other genres! I love mysteries, historical fiction, and will consider any book with a great synopsis.

I will not accept any book that is linked to: the occult, erotica, zombies, etc.

I cannot promise to agree to every review request, nor can I guarantee a favourable review of books sent to me. I ,however, promise to be fair and honest in my review. I will consider all queries and review copies sent my way but I regret that I might not able to respond to all email queries. If you don’t hear from me in a timely fashion please resend your email.

My review copy preference is for e books, followed by print copies as I am located in Jamaica. As such, digital ARCs/review copies will be given precedence over print copies. My preferred format is PDF.

If you are willing and able to ship to my location I will definitely review your book.

In order to contact me with a review query, please sent an email @ lionbiz25@gmail.com

Do It Yourself Money Tips- How to Get Paid Blogging

2014-07-17T11:43:00.001-07:00

source

Although money is paper we all have some need for it. We need it to pay the bills, to buy important items that are needed and the list goes on. In short, money is helpful to function on a day to day basis. However, what do we do when the little money we have is not sufficient? What then?

Some of us would love to live in a mansion with hired help but the reality is our merger salary just cannot support the lifestyle. Do we (A) change and adapt to our situation or (B) create more debt while trying to keep up with the Jones?

If we examine nature, we realize that the natural environment adjust itself to each season. Animals hibernate, trees lose their leaves and birds migrate to survive winter. They all adapt themselves knowing that a different season must come. That although it is challenging now, tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow will be better if when life changes; we function more effectively in our new environment of change. In adjusting we will develop skills that will ensure our survival like the animals in nature.

source

With all of this in mind, for this summer we at Lioness Rebirth will embark on a new project entitled, Do It Yourself Money Tips. This will be a weekly post that will explain to you how to make money online, how to save money and how to find great deals. All of these will be simply and easy ways in which you can create additional income for yourself, while saving. At the bottom of this post we will give you a brief preview of this weekly post.

Do it Yourself Money Tip # 1-How to Get Paid Blogging

When I first started blogging I did not have any idea that I could get paid to blog. For me blogging was a great hobby that I loved. It was and still is a joy to sit and create for others to enjoy. However, then I discovered that once you have great content and you have honed your skills as a writer you can be paid to do what you love.

Content is KING

source

I shared my experience above because I wanted to highlight two things about paid blogging that is important. The first is great content. In blogging content is KING. If you are not a celebrity no one wants to really know the inner details about your life. Don’t get me wrong, it is good to share details about yourself to your core audience to build a rapport but it is better to provide information to your readers that they can use in their daily lives. Great content is what will drive readers to your blog and increase your blog stats. High blog stats is one of the things that will help you to gain paid blogging opportunities. Therefore, think about a niche for yourself and develop great content for the readers in your niche. This way you will be successful.

Honing Your Skills

The second important thing I want to highlight is honing your skills as a writer. There are a number of excellent bloggers out there who have worked tirelessly to develop their blogs and their skills and in doing so they are reaping the rewards of their hard work (paid opportunities). In honing your skills you can develop an eye for good content by reading other blogs, books, magazines, newspapers, etc. Basically, immerse yourself in the written word; in doing so you can examine various writing styles and develop your own. It is important to note that in writing your posts; you should aim to keep your language simple and to the point. This way your readers will not be confused by highfalutin terms.

My dictionary is right at my finger tips.

Most importantly, always proofread and edit your blog. If your spelling is poor make your dictionary your friend. If you don’t have a dictionary get one. No one wants to read a post that is loaded with grammatical errors. What I find helps me is that I type my posts in Microsoft Word and then paste them in Blogger. This helps me to edit my posts better. After I have published my posts, I also read my posts to see if I missed any errors while I was editing. Even if you only have one reader always try to produce the best final product.

Paid Opportunities

Once you have done the above you can start looking for paid blogging opportunities. One website that I found that is simple and easy to get paid blogging jobs is Bloggingpro.com. Bloggingpro.com is a website that helps bloggers by providing help tips on how to improve your blog. What I absolutely love about the site is its online job board. Their job board is designed in a way where you the blogger, writer, editor can apply for various blogging jobs from real companies. In doing so you don’t necessarily have to go through a middle man like with a company like SocialSpark.

For additional information on How to Get Paid Blogging you can also read this post: Five Websites You can Use to Monetize Your Blog

10 Reasons Why Men Should Respect Women

2014-02-28T20:05:00.002-08:00

Men's and women's natural tendencies complement one another nicely, creating solid incentives for pairing-up to tackle life's challenges. Of course everyone is different and couples create countless scenarios, but common threads weave their ways through most relationships shared by men and women.

While each gender brings something to the table, men are the biggest benefactors in most pairings; trading sensitivity and understanding for manly traits like stoicism and brute strength. Whether mothers, wives or daughters; there are plenty of reasons for men to respect women, including the following:

Women See Things in ways Men Can't - Women carry a unique perspective that's hard to put a finger on, at times. Perhaps explained by the fabled "women's intuition", they just have a knack for getting to the heart of the matter, without requiring a logical progression of ideas or actions to arrive there. Not that they don't lean on perception and observation like men do, but women somehow seem as though they'd be fine with or without a great deal of forethought.

Men do Better with Women's Support - The old adage holds true for a reason: Behind every great man, there really is a great woman. More often than not, men reach greater levels of fulfillment in their lives, when partnered with strong and understanding women. Whether career ambitions or child-rearing duties, men with female support embark more confidently toward success - perhaps explaining the phenomenon.

They are Mothers - Men share close bonds with their mothers, in much the same way "daddy's little girls" hold special places with fathers. You don't need to be a "mama's boy" to appreciate women on a maternal level, though. The experiences you've shared with mom are enough to carve out an everlasting bond. And you are ever-indebted for her efforts - not the least of which is bringing you into the world.

Mirror Image of Men - In many ways, men and women occupy opposite ends of the spectrum. Physically, emotionally and motivationally; men and women are like night and day. Men's respect for women acknowledges it, and salutes women for filling in the blanks where men fail to see the light.

Women are Smarter - More than just lyrics to an old folk song, women carry unique understanding that eludes men. While it is hard to quantify smarts, it is safe to say women bring insight to the table, which might otherwise escape male audiences.

Compassionate Beings - Empathy and compassion are much-admired traits held by women; especially by men who sometimes need sensitivity training. Women seem to care about others more than men do, at times, so men respect them for getting in-touch with their feelings.

Born Nurturers - In addition to abstract commitments to others, women actually do something about it. Tapping maternal instincts and kind dispositions, women start nurturing others at young ages. Girls help siblings and parents, and then grow up to nurture their own children. Men respect women's ability to take-on nurturing roles without hesitation.

Women are Strong Negotiators - Men are called on to bargain with car dealers and make sure no one gets ripped off by the furnace repair man, but it is actually women who shine brightest during negotiations. Stopping short of manipulation, good-hearted women influence others to see things as they do, yielding compromise and progress faster than men who draw lines in the sand.

Spiritual Strength - Men admire women for strong spiritual connections they develop over the course of their lives. Women earn additional respect for applying their strength of spirit in meaningful ways; through charity and outreach.

Unselfish Actions - Women prove worthy of respect time and time again, engaging in unselfish acts of kindness, at the drop of a hat. As daughters, mothers and mates; women contribute immeasurable positive influences to the lives of those around them.

Men love and respect women for countless personal reasons, but universal adoration stems from some of women's most endearing traits. Men need not look far for worthy reasons to respect their female counterparts.

Author Bio:

This is a guest post by Sarah Brooks from free people search. She is a Houston based freelance writer and blogger. Questions and comments can be sent to brooks.sarah23 @ gmail.com.

Tips for Using Honey in Cooking

2013-10-14T08:00:00.001-07:00

Honey will enrich and add subtle flavour to dishes such as casseroles, sauces and dressings. Honey can be used as a natural substitute for sugar in most recipes but as it is sweeter than sugar, less is needed. Similarly, as almost one-fifth of honey is water, the liquid content of a recipe should be reduced by the same amount.

Honey with meat:-

Honey-cured ham or baked gammon coated with honey and mustard date back from medieval times.

Marinades containing honey and vinegar make meat more tender and succulent.

In a barbecue sauce, golden honey gives a distinct flavour as it caramelises.

Honey gives a delicious crispy coating on roast chicken.

Honey with vegetables:-

Just adding a small amount of honey can do surprising things for everyday vegetables such as honey glazed carrots.

Orange blossom honey is perfect when added to a spicy vegetable stir fry as the sweetness of honey counteracts the spiciness of chillies, peppers, garlic and spices.

Honey in salad dressings:-

Adding honey to salad dressings and sauces can enhance the flavour and give extra body.
Honey in desserts and cakes:-

Honey is great for keeping cakes and biscuits fresh and moist. It's also sweeter than sugar, so much less is needed to achieve the same results.

Today, honey is appreciated as an unadulterated, natural product, less processed than any other sweetening agent, and with fewer calories.

Resource Sites:
http://www.painease.com/honey_in_beauty.htm
http://www.honeyassociation.com/index.asp?pid=11

Who Says You Are a Victim?- Positive Wednesdays

2013-10-09T19:12:00.002-07:00

Who says you are a victim? No seriously, who told you that you are a victim? Yes, I am talking to you. I know that often it might seem like your life is totally falling apart but are you really a victim because of this. Oftentimes, the negative things that are happening in our lives are several learning curves. These are often the lessons we need to learn but we are too pigheaded to acknowledge them. So, does this mean you are a victim? No, you are only a victim when you declare that you are. Yes, I said it. You are the one who is victimizing your own self. You’re the one who is speaking negativity and hopelessness in your own life.

I am dead tired but this post has been in my heart because this is something that I have been doing without even thinking about it. It is day 17 of my 21 day challenge and it has been a serious learning curve. I was in church on Sunday and right after communion and I was praying, out of nowhere, I was stung by a wasp. I kid you not. Immediately, I started saying to myself, why me. I went on, how can this happen? I was about to start pulling out the victim card when it clicked into focus. Why should I cry, worry or be the victim, when I can pray. So, I prayed and I forgot about the fact that I was stung. Do you know that my face was not swollen (this is unusual for me) and by that afternoon the pain was gone.

My experience just highlighted for me that we often claim and speak the wrong things into our lives. I know I have. If you think back, how many times have you spoken sadness and hopelessness into your own life by the nature of your own words? Therefore, it is like I said, you are victimizing your own life. So I will end like how I began, who told you that you are a victim? Who did? Who really did?

SOURCE