THE BLONDE REPORTER

What causes Change?

2010-08-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

These last couple of months, its become clear to me that while we might be comfortable with how things are going, we should always try to step it up a notch. It seems obvious, that others go through this daily but I seem to fall into old familiar habits. It could be as simple as getting into a gym routine and sticking with it or following through with something that is out of your way- I have this friend, well 2 friends actually- who are so motivated- its rare they break their habits or routines during the week. The thing that intrigues me isn't the fact that hey are meticulous about their schedule, but the fact that they actually stick with it. When I watch the way they do things it brings to my attention that I am not doing everything I can to be my best- I have never been a creature of routine- actually I'm not good with it at all- I like the possibility of change- the opportunity for change. But now that I need a change in my everyday thinking and routine to better myself- why do I find it so hard to try? Is it because I'm scared? Or is it because its not what what I want?
Life is full of questions...... Things that make you go hummmmm.......

What your car says about you

2010-08-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

By Brie Cadman, DivineCaroline

Young men drive Camaros, soccer moms drive minivans, and rich snobs drive Bentleys. We usually associate a certain type of car with a certain type of person, but do we really know who’s behind the wheel? After all, our perception of a car is largely based on how it was marketed—Volvos for safety, Porsches for speed. But it can be tough to decipher whether people buy a car because they think it will make them out to be something they are or may not be, or because the same group of people always buy the same type of car. That’s because psychographics—grouping customers according to beliefs and attitudes and selling them products to fit their group—is at play.

So what does your car say about you? What is that SUV driver really supposed to be like? Here’s a clue.

Small Car: Prius, Honda Civic, Smart Car
According to a study by researchers at UC Davis, small car drivers are more pro-environmental and prefer higher density neighborhoods than drivers of others types of cars. This isn’t surprising; if you live in a big city, it’s simply easier to park with a small car and if you’re concerned about the environment, you’ll want something that’s more fuel-efficient. Small car drivers, unlike other categories of drivers, don’t necessarily see their cars as a ticket to freedom. They aren’t workaholics or status seekers who try to display wealth. They want to lessen their impact on the earth and have a reliable car—and find a parking spot.

Mid-Sized Car: Chevrolet Sedan
The authors of the study found that “mid-sized car drivers have no distinct travel attitude, personality, lifestyle, mobility, or travel-liking characteristics.” Ouch! Does that mean they’re totally boring? Maybe, or maybe just pragmatic, or maybe they got their cars as a hand-me-down. The owners were more likely to be female and homemakers; they also had higher incomes.

If you’re driving an American-made sedan, you might belong to the group psychographers call “belongers.” That’s those who need to belong to a group, are very nationalistic, and don’t like change. The stereotype of this person is someone who lives in an average town in the Midwest. When not driving a sedan, they may also be in a U.S.-made pickup or station wagon.

Luxury Cars: Cadillac, Lexus
Those who drive luxury cars are—no surprise—status seekers; they also are more apt to drive long distances. Men and older or retired people are more likely to drive luxury cars. In particular, luxury car drivers are over-represented among highly-educated and higher-income people.

In psychographic lingo, the “achievers”—profit-oriented workaholics who like being independent—are also likely to drive luxury cars and/or sports cars.

Sports Cars: BMW, Porsches
Those who are adventure seekers (even if they never get out of the car) drive sports cars. They’re not calm and are more likely than average to have a college degree. Surprisingly, based on the cost of most sports cars, they were more likely to have lower incomes. Some of these may fall into the category of “emulator”—younger, financially unstable, low self-esteem people who buy flashy cars that aren’t true sports or luxury cars to try to emulate achievers.

Minivan/Van
In the study, minivan drivers tended to be calm and weren’t loners. (Who would buy such a big car just for themselves?) They enjoyed traveling in their car; they were more likely to live in the suburbs, be females, homemakers, and aged forty-one to sixty-four, and surprise surprise, have children.

Pickup
In the study, pickup drivers don’t like high-density living situations and are more likely to be dissatisfied with their lives. They tend to be workaholics, have lower education, be full-time employees, have service related jobs, and be middle-income.

SUV
It’s not surprising that people who favored larger cars were less environmentally-minded. SUV drivers, in particular, also liked to travel short distances in their cars. They were more likely to be suburbanites, aged forty or younger. The drivers came from larger households that were more likely to have children.

Read this-

2010-07-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

I picked up this book while I was waiting for my flight and I hadn't heard of the author Jillian Lauren. This girl call write! It's her own story about her life in a Harem and finding herself.

http://www.jillianlauren.com/

Almost as good

2010-06-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

I've come to the conclusion that my 7 pounds (of marital bliss of coarse ;) that I've gained post-wedding is in part caused by... Starbucks.

I usually consume about 3 "sugar free vanilla soy lattes" in a week and although the sugar free syrup & soy milk combo seem to be a healthier choice, the soy milk has actually 14 grams of sugar!


Calories 110
Total Fat 4g
Saturated Fat 2.5g

Cholesterol 15mg
Sodium 105mg
Total Carbs 12g

Sugars 14g
Protein 7g
Caffeine 150mg

*VS*


Calories 80
Total Fat 3g
Saturated Fat 2.5g

Cholesterol 15mg
Sodium 40
Total Carbs 0

Sugars 0
Protein 4
DeCaf

Beauty Secrets from Around the World

2010-06-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

By Amanda Greene

When it comes to beauty routines, the grass is always greener. Japanese women have it made with their long, glossy hair and Greek women’s olive-toned complexions are always luminous. But how do they do it? Put down your passport—you won’t need to go anywhere to find out. We got insider beauty information from experts on how women across the globe stay gorgeous. Read on to find out their secrets, and learn how you can recreate them at home.

Australia

Australian makeup artist Napoleon Perdis says yarrow extract is used by Australian Aboriginal women to prevent stretch marks, thanks to its moisturizing and hydrating properties. “Yarrow root is also an anti-inflammatory, which soothes the skin.” Calm your complexion with hisAuto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer , which contains the extract as a key ingredient.

Chile

Chilean women credit the antioxidant powers of red grapes for their luminous skin. They create a paste by mashing up a handful of the fruit and adding 2 tablespoons of white flour. They then apply the mask to their face and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. “It wakes up the appearance of tired and fatigued skin to give you an amazing glow,” says Shalini Vadhera, author of Passport to Beauty

Dominican Republic

“If you ever meet a Dominican woman, look at her nails––chances are they’re super-strong,” says Vadhera. What’s their secret? Women in the Dominican Republic swear by garlic to keep their nails tough as…well, nails. They chop up fresh garlic, add it to a bottle of clear nail polish and let it stew for 7 to 10 days. “There will be an initial smell, so if you want to ward off vampires this is a great way to do it,” jokes Vadhera. “But the scent goes away. Garlic has so many strengthening properties and is naturally antibacterial as well.”

Egypt

According to Vadhera, Cleopatra’s beauty secret was taking milk baths to soften her skin and remove dead cells. To try the treatment at home, Vadhera recommends adding 2 cups of powdered milk to your bath. “It will make your skin look absolutely gorgeous and feel so smooth, silky and soft.”

France

“The French woman sticks to a scrupulous and preventive skin and bodycare routine,” says Shannon Gallogly, lead aesthetician for French beauty brands Decleor and Carita. “This means she has weekly facials, regular massages and religiously takes her makeup off each night.” Gallogly’s recipe for an at-home facial without the price tag of a spa version: Mash up cherries and pomegranate seeds and apply as a mask to the skin for about 6 minutes. “This mask will help brighten skin with natural enzymes while firming at the same time.” Remove the mixture with a warm towel to help boost circulation.

Greece

“Greek women are blessed with Mediterranean skin, which is light in color but has enough melanin to shield and absorb harmful UV rays,” says New York City dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD, who is half Greek. But even if you aren’t genetically blessed, you can still take a cue from the women of Greece. “There are other factors that contribute to their glowing complexion: They eat a Mediterranean diet high in fish, which provides skin-rejuvenating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as fruits and vegetables, which provide antioxidants and vitamins. They also believe their intake of olive oil contributes to their great skin." So, start reaching for the olive oil instead of butter for better skin.

Israel

Cygalle Dias, owner of New York City’s Cygalle Healing Spa, was born in Israel and believes in the healing powers of sea salt. “When you swim in the Dead Sea, all of the salt helps your body rid itself of toxins, and it has also been known to help cure skin diseases.” To get the detoxifying benefits of sea salt at home, Dias shares her spa’s Lavender Sea Salt Scrub recipe: Mix together ¼ cup sea salt, 1 pinch seaweed powder, ½ cup massage oil and 10 to 15 drops lavender oil. Apply to skin to gently exfoliate.

Italy

How do Italian women maintain their glossy locks? According to Fabio Scalia, Italian hairstylist and owner of Fabio Scalia salon in Brooklyn, New York, the answer is right in your kitchen. Italian women keep their hair shiny by combining yogurt and olive oil and using the mixture as a conditioner. “The protein in the yogurt gently nourishes and conditions.” To whip up the rich treatment at home, Scalia recommends mixing 1 cup of plain whole-milk yogurt with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Then apply the mixture to washed hair, let it sit for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Japan

Titi Branch, the half-Japanese cofounder of Miss Jessie’s hair care line, credits seaweed for Japanese women’s long, silky hair. Nori is a rich source of the trace mineral iodine, which is essential for healthy hair growth. (According to Branch, the iodine added to table salt isn’t the right kind to nourish your hair because your body doesn’t easily absorb it.) Seaweed is also a rich source of other mane-strengthening minerals—including iron, zinc, selenium and copper. “Japanese women either eat nori seaweed or boil it and apply it to dry hair as a nourishing paste.” Head to your local Asian grocer or health food store to pick up sheets of nori. “It’s traditionally used to wrap sushi, but you can use it like a tortilla to wrap up veggies with a dash of soy sauce, or crumble the sheets and sprinkle them on a salad, rice or stir-fry,” advises Branch.

Spain

Spanish women bring out natural, subtle highlights in their hair by rinsing it with cranberry juice, says Vadhera. Try mixing ¼ cup pure juice (not cocktail blends) with ¼ cup water and doing a final rinse with it in the shower. “If you’re going to be in the sun, the cranberry juice brings out the rich hues in your hair,” she says. “It works amazingly on brunettes, but if you’re blonde you’ll want to use lemon juice instead to avoid ending up with pink hair.”

Sweden

Swedish women attribute their glowing, healthy skin to their diet of antioxidant-packed fresh berries and grilled fish, says Petra Strand, Swedish makeup artist and creator of makeup line Pixi, now available at Target. Give yourself a hit of antioxidants by trying Strand’s at-home treatment: Boil mineral water with a green tea or white tea bag, let the tea infuse the water and then freeze it into ice cubes to use instead of a toner. “Saunas are also a big part of Swedish culture,” says Strand. “The dry, clean heat rids your body of toxins.” To get the effect of a sauna at home, Strand says to take a handful of rock salt and add a dash of olive oil and about 10 drops of pure eucalyptus oil. Rub it all over your body and rinse with a blast of cold water.

All photos by Shutterstock.

Putting the lean in "Clean"

2010-04-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

I am so happy that Spring has sprung- not only because of the weather but because it gives me the excuse to go though and de-clutter my life.
It's amazing how things accumulate over the months and how easy it is to become distracted due to misplaced belongings. I started with the fridge which lead to under the cabinets, storage room and lastly my closet.
I found this checklist off the Martha Stewart website- this chic knows how to clean the right way.

Cleaning Checklist

Health Bill Fact Check

2010-03-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

Major changes in policies?

For those who are in group policies, there would be no significant change in premiums, compared with what would be paid under current law. For those in large groups, there would be somewhere between no change at all and a 3% decrease in premium cost. For small groups, the change could fall between a 1% increase and a 2% decrease.
The only significant increases would be seen by those who buy their policies individually, the average premium per person would be between 10% and 13% higher.
Premiums would go up for 32 million people. (17% of workers covered by private insurance) but benefits would improve in the nongroup market.
The bill would require plans to have a standard level of benefits. However, most of those buying their own coverage would receive subsidies that would prompt them to buy more expensive plans than they normally would.

Taxes. Up or down?

“Taxes” would also cause premium costs to go up – but that’s not really the case, some predict that the Senate bill’s excise tax on high-cost health plans would actually bring premium costs down. That’s because the tax would induce employers and employees to choose lower-cost plans with less coverage, to avoid being hit by the tax. CBO said the average premium for those affected by the tax would be 9% to 12% lower.

What about Medicaid?

Reports have shown that 50% of doctors won’t see new patients. That claim was echoed by GOP Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, who said "Doctors don’t take Medicaid."

But according to a 2008 survey of 4,700 physicians by the Center for Studying Health System Change, nationwide only 28% of physicians won’t accept any new patients who are insured by Medicaid. HSC, which is funded in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and is affiliated with Mathematica Policy Research Inc., also found that 19% accept some new Medicaid patients, while 53% accept most or all of them

So what was all the stink about?

Critics like Mitt Romney are marking this Bill as Socialist & Marxist- saying that the Presidents health-care bill is unhealthy for America. It installs price controls, and puts a new federal bureaucracy in charge of health care. It will create a new entitlement even as the ones we already have are bankrupt.

Approval ratings. CNN expects Obama to get a bump from a week (or several weeks) worth of positive press in the wake of Congress' passage of the health care bill this past weekend. But, if the CNN numbers are to be believed he needs a large and sustained bump to turn public opinion on the bill.

Second term in mind- We've noted before that unlike House and Senate Democrats, President Obama is operating under a long-ish timetable on health care. The strong statements by nearly every one of his potential rivals suggest that Republicans believe the bill is a winner for the Blue- at least in a GOP presidential primary but also, perhaps, in a general election fight as well.

My Favorite things for home

2010-03-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Balloon Shakers

Architect and product designer Masayuki Kurokawa created a unique take on the traditional salt and pepper shaker. Made of cork and a thin-yet-durable glass, the shakers are meant for all kinds of seasonings. They can be found at Merchant_4

$80 a pair.

Design + Home Fruit Tower

$15.50

MOLECULE DISH

Molecule is part of the 'Setcast' Collection designed by London design firm, voonwong&bensonsaw. The dish comes in three sizes and makes for a wonderful condiment display or storage dish. Setcast is handmade bone china, created at Chinas most distinguished china manufacturer, Asianera. Available in Small or Medium size.

Merchant_4

KISHU BINCHOTAN WATER PURIFIER

Japanese Kishu Binchotan is the best quality white charcoal for purifying water. White charcoal is naturally activated through a controlled burning process done by hand and based on traditional Japanese methods. Binchotan soaks up chlorine and other unpleasant tastes from drinking water while releasing natural minerals into it. Binchotan has an alkaline effect, softening the water and improving the overall taste. To use Binchotan, boil it for 5 minutes to 'activate', then place in your water pitcher. Re-use it up to 3 months and then recycle it by breaking it apart into your plant soil. They will benefit from its nutrients. You can boil Binchotan once a month in order to optimize freshness. If Binchotan breaks, thats ok, its still good!

Merchant_4

$25.00

Emergency Green Bag-

2010-03-11T18:31:00.000-08:00

By Carrie Stern Kleiner, Sprig.com

Flat hair? Tired eyes? Wrinkled cocktail dress? That’s no way to attend a holiday party! So we found quick (and green) beauty touch-ups and style tricks to guarantee you’ll look glam even when you’re short on time–disaster averted.

1. Emergency: You pack evening clothes for a quick office change, but they’re filled with wrinkles.

Fast Fix: We admit, it’s hard to keep clothes smooth–and natural materials hold more wrinkles than synthetic ones. So pack each item in an old plastic garment bag and fold them into your carryall, suggests designer John Patrick of John Patrick Organic. The plastic acts as a barrier between the fabric when folded, preventing creases. Save bags from your dry cleaning, or ask for a few from your local dress shop–with each new shipment of clothing, hundreds are thrown away. You’ll end up saving your clothes and saving plastic bags from taking a trip to the landfill all at the same time.
2. Emergency: You have just seconds to refresh your makeup.

Fast Fix: Save time by grabbing a three-in-one cream that you can dab on your eyes, lips, and cheeks, says Joanna Schlip, Los Angeles makeup artist. “Sheers and neutrals work the best since they mimic the shades in your skin. Avoid reds, berries and oranges–those colors are too harsh to wear all over your face,” says Schlip. In a jam, use your lipstick. Try Cargo Plant Love in Lindsay, a sheer pink cream shade that comes in corn-based, biodegradable packaging.

3. Emergency: Your red lipstick looks awful on your chapped lips.

Fast Fix: To combat a dry, peeling pucker, mix up your own lip scrub, says Wang. Combine a pinch of coffee grounds with a dime-sized amount of honey–both things you can usually find in your office kitchen–and “dab on your lips, then massage in a circular motion,” explains Wang. The honey draws moisture in while the coffee exfoliates the dead skin cells giving you smooth, lipstick-ready lips.

4. Emergency: Static cling is giving you trouble.

Fast Fix: The static in winter air can be problematic for that flowing silk dress you love. Luckily, the solution is a no-brainer: Just give the problem areas a quick spritz of water, explains Lindsey Wieber and Gwen Whiting, the founders of The Laundress, a luxury fabric care and specialty detergent line. The water removes the static force, giving you a smooth silhouette.

5. Emergency: A nasty snowstorm messes up your hair.

Fast Fix: When bad weather throws your locks into disarray, pull your hair into party-ready ponytail, says Chaz Dean, creator of WEN, a line of eco-friendly hair products. To make it look chic, start with a deep side part and smooth hair back into a ponytail that hits right at the nape of the neck. Make your own ponytail holders by using old, run pantyhose, cutting horizontally up the leg every inch or two. They’re a good way to recycle and they hold incredibly well. Another makeshift hair elastic–dental floss. If you have some in your handbag, tie it around your hair to keep it in place.

6. Emergency: You need an instant breath freshener.

Fast Fix: When you’re on-the-go, get a just-brushed-feeling by squeezing lemon juice (find two slices at the bar) into one cup of cold water and swish and gargle stale breath away, says Susie Wang, founder of 100% Pure. Citric acid in the lemon juice kills bacteria that causes bad breath and also breaks down food particles and tarter on your teeth. An added bonus: It whitens your teeth too.

7. Emergency: Your hair has fallen flat.

Fast Fix: Don’t waste time and electricity blow-drying hair with a round brush to get sky-high volume. Instead, grab an eco-friendly root lifter, says David Babaii. Try his Volcanic Ash Root Amplifier that has ingredients like rich volcanic ash, jojoba oil and panthenol to add thickness and volume. Lift sections of hair, spraying on the root, then allow hair to fall naturally for an awesome, party-ready style.

8. Emergency: You have a run in your tights.

Fast Fix: Paint a non-toxic, cruelty-free clear nail polish like Zoya Armor Topcoat, on the edge of the run to seal the tear and prevent it from getting bigger. If the run isn’t in a conspicuous spot, the tights can last you weeks and wears to come.

9. Emergency: You spill wine on your dress.

Fast Fix: If you spill your drink, head straight to the bar. The old go-to club soda is still the best cure for a wine spill, say Wieber and Whiting. The bubbles in the soda stop it from absorbing into the fabric, preventing a stain.

10. Emergency: Your eyes are tired from so much entertaining.

Fast Fix: White eyeliner on the inner rims of your eyes does wonders to brighten up the whites, making even the most sleep-deprived eco-ista look awake. Try Dr. Hauschka’s natural Eyeliner Duo

BREAKING NEWS- Tsunami Warning in Hawaii

2010-02-27T13:41:00.000-08:00

The State of Hawaii is under a tsunami warning after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Chile.
Hawaiian authorities were rushing to evacuate up to 100,000 residents and tourists from low-lying coastal areas Saturday morning as an estimated 3-to-8-foot tsunami raced toward the islands at the speed of a jet plane. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a Pacific-wide warning. An advisory, the lowest level of notice, is in effect for most of the West Coast of the U.S., including Alaska, Oregon and California. Hawaii was expected to be among the hardest hit.

This morning the President briefed the press:

"Once again, we've been reminded of the awful devastation that can come at a moment's notice," Obama added. "We can't control nature, but we can and must be prepared for disaster when it strikes."

Los Angeles County fire officials said they were not warning people to stay off beaches because they did not expect waves to rise more than 3 feet. But National Weather Service meteorologists said harbors could see a little bit more turbulence. The largest wave fluctuations were expected on south-facing beaches such as Malibu, but that even those weren’t expected to reach dangerous levels. He said the rise in tides was supposed to reach La Jolla just before noon and that authorities there would warn L.A. County fire officials if there were reason to take drastic action. Corpus said that as of about 9:30 a.m., surf conditions were not good, at least in Hermosa Beach, because of the winter storm.

Want something light? Don't go for these babies!

2010-02-23T15:15:00.000-08:00

The most unhealthy sandwiches

Arby's Ultimate BLT Market Fresh Sandwich

880 calories 46 g fat (10 g saturated) 1,740 mg sodium

Panera Full Chipotle Chicken on artisan French bread

990 calories 56 g fat (15 g saturated, 1 g trans) 2,370 mg sodium

Red Robin Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Sandwich

1,112-calories 62 g fat 2,531 mg sodium

Subway Meatball Marinara Foot long

1,160 calories, 46 g fat (18 g saturated, 2 g trans),3,060 mg sodium

Blimpie Special Vegetarian 12"

1,186 calories, 60 g fat (19 saturated fat) 2,198 mg sodium

Applebee's Grilled Cheese BLT

1,310 calories (no other nutritional information available)

Quizno's Large Tuna Melt

1,760 calories 25 g saturated fat 2,120 mg sodium

Cheesecake Factory Grilled Shrimp & Bacon Club

1930 calories 24 g saturated fat 2,965 mg sodium

love people with a brain.

2010-02-18T14:37:00.000-08:00

We just finished reading a smart article from the Telegraph positioning everyone's fave pop star Lady Gaga as an intellectual, and thought we'd share this quote that we believe should be inspiring for anyone trying to break in the entertainment industry.

You are assuming, rightfully so, that I would care about the same freedoms that other people care about, but I don’t. I don’t care about going to the grocery store. And I don’t care about going to a nightclub and getting drunk and getting photographed, 'cause I don’t do that. I’m home working. I think people need to put things in perspective. I get to make art and fashion and music for a living. If I have to give up grocery shopping, poor me!

Oh, and here's a funky still from her new video for "Telephone," which we suspect once again won't disappoint. You go girl.

Soda linked to Cancer. "Gulp"

2010-02-18T14:32:00.000-08:00

Do soft drinks cause pancreatic cancer? Does chocolate prevent stroke? Two nutrition studies just swept across the newspapers and airwaves. Did you see them? Here are the short-and-sweet headline versions:

1. Soda pop causes pancreatic cancer.
2. Chocolate prevents stroke.

These studies got a lot of attention because these are popular foods. One study warns of a serious disease we all fear, while the other gives you another reason to eat something you want to eat anyway. But are they true? To be honest, even after taking a look at the actual data, I’m still not sure, and I’m not sure the experts know either. But they make sense and fit with what we already know about nutrition, so they do make important points.

The Problem with Soda
Most soft drinks are made with highly concentrated sweeteners, like high-fructose corn sweetener. Even the “healthier” versions made with good old-fashioned sugar deliver it in a highly concentrated dose. The job of the pancreas is to secrete insulin when needed to process sugar, so when you hit your body with a wallop of sugar, the pancreas goes into overdrive. Experts at the University of Minnesota followed 60,000 people in China and found a link between those who drank large quantities of soda and the incidence of pancreatic cancer. The researchers theorize that stressing the pancreas repeatedly with high doses of sugar leads to inflammation, which in turn sets up a vulnerability to pancreatic cancer.

Their study found that people who drank two or more sodas a week had an 87 percent increase in their risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Since pancreatic cancer is rare, and the overall risk of developing it is low, even an 87 percent increase is not as big as it sounds. But pancreatic cancer is a particularly deadly type of cancer, killing most of those who get it within a few years. So protecting our pancreas is something we all need to take seriously.

Is Chocolate Really Good for You?
Yes, say researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, who released data showing that dark chocolate lowers your risk of stroke, and lessens the likelihood of death after a stroke, as well. It’s not the chocolate that’s so healthy; it’s a flavonoid called epicatechin, which is present in the original cocoa beans from which chocolate is made. (It’s easy to forget that chocolate comes originally from plants.) The plant-based chemical relaxes blood vessels and clears cholesterol, easing blood flow to and from the heart.

Flavonoids are present primarily in dark chocolate; the process used to create milk chocolate dilutes them. So the M&Ms and Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses don’t count.

But here’s the rub: To offset the bitterness of the cacao beans, chocolate contains a lot of sugar, and sugar’s not good for you. So yes, chocolate is good for you, but only dark chocolate. And it’s only good for you in small doses, so don’t overwhelm your body with a blood sugar spike. (See previous item about soda pop, insulin, and the health of your pancreas.)

So What’s the Answer? Moderation in All Things.
Limit yourself to the occasional soda — one a week or less. Drink water or fruit juice the rest of the time; the study found no link between juice and pancreatic cancer. Even better, drink milk — it builds bone and contains vitamin D, which is turning out to be the greatest cancer-preventative of all time.

Allow yourself a two-inch square (3-4 ounces) of dark chocolate a day; it makes a great late-afternoon pick-me-up. Then put away the rest of the bar and get out the fruit. This month has also seen the publication of studies demonstrating that blueberries prevent colon cancer, mangoes and pomegranates prevent breast cancer, and the combination of yogurt and blueberries together cures intestinal disorders.

None of this is news, of course; experts have been saying for years that blueberries and other colorful fruits are rich in the phytochemicals that prevent cancer. But the evidence just keeps mounting, with new antioxidants isolated and documented in lab studies each year. I’m sure next week will give us a new ingredient to add to our fruit salads.

Just made my day:)

2010-02-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

CLICK TO VIEW THE STORY

Brittanys death results

2010-02-04T18:07:00.000-08:00

Brittany Murphy's Death Caused by Pneumonia & Prescription Drugs!

Today, the Los Angeles Corners office released that Brittany Murphy's death was due to Pneumonia and Prescription drugs while iron-deficiency anemia and multiple drug intoxication also played a part.

What do I think?

Well although others think that she may have been a girl star-struck by Hollywood-

I think that she was a girl who had heard she "was chubby" most of her life and felt she had to take care of her weight by dabbling with cocaine and amphetamines.

Another adorable talented actress deceased at such a young age.

R.I.P

Want a baby over 30? Fat Chance!

2010-01-29T18:38:00.000-08:00

I read a new study that suggests you better think twice about when you have children.
   When I was young I was taught by my wonderful but ultra conservative father that the time to have kids was when I could afford them the finer things in life and when I had had a good 6 years of my career under the belt. I have always felt the same way, so I had always planned my baby- making -time a little before my 30th Birthday. But then I read today that a new study from a university in Scotland shows that women over 30 years old have lost 90% of their eggs-

   This study has been making some women think twice about their career choices and others think the percentage is rubbish.
Women start off with over 300,000 eggs and each decade gets fewer and fewer, making having a baby at the age of 40 more than difficult with a measly 3% of her overian eggs left.
   Although you can't reverse the biological clock, there are certain factors within your control that have an impact upon your fertility. For example, stopping smoking, keeping your weight down and controlling stress can all slow the loss of fertility- which makes me feel a bit better, and that my time line might work after-all.
Dr. Marie Savard, "Good Morning America" medical contributor says that "That biological clock does tick," and adding that her advice to women who want kids is, "the sooner the better."

Ugh. These studies always get me- let me know what you think!

State of the Union Breakdown

2010-01-28T18:01:00.000-08:00

Last nights State of the Unions address given to the joint session of Congress has many analysts talking about what Mr. President did and did not do-

After months of sharp criticism and heated conversations about The Healthcare Bill and his promise of job creation- his address last night was to get Americans to "regroup" and to think about core issues. At times during the speech, it almost seemed as if President Obama was begging us to please try and get along while insuring us that we are "getting through the storm."

If you missed it last night, these following items were mentioned by the President as potential policy changes, legislative initiatives, or goals coming out of the address:
Job creation

.Giving rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy-efficient

.Slash tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas

Energy Efficiency

.Encourage American innovation (focus on clean energy)

.Building nuclear power plants

.Exploring off-shore areas for oil and gas

.Investment in advance biofuels and clean coal technologies

.Comprehensive energy and climate bill to make clean energy profitable

.More exports of goods (goal: double exports in 5 years)

.Launch of a National Export Initiative

Skills & Education

Renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

.Revitalize community colleges

.Ending taxpayer subsidies to banks for student loans

.$10,000 tax credit for families for four years of college

.Increase Pell Grants

.Only 10% of income to student loans

.Student loan debt forgiven after 20 yrs,10 yrs if they choose public service

.Cost cutting at colleges and universities

Tax credit

.Giving access to a retirement account for every worker

.Expanding the tax credit for those who start a nest egg (retirement fund)

.Refinancing to make more mortgages affordable

Health care reform

.Deficit reduction

.Tackling childhood obesity Starting in 2011

. Freeze government spending for 3 years on discretionary programs

(Excluding national security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security)

.Eliminate programs that are unaffordable or don't work

(giving those breaks to companies that create jobs in the U.S.)

Extend middle-class tax cuts

.Bipartisan fiscal commission to provide solutions

.Restoring pay-as-you-go law

.Fees on the country's largest banks

.Giving $30 billion of recovered TARP $ to community banks to extend

credit to small businesses

Capital Hill

.Require lobbyists to disclose every contact they make

.Limits on contributions that lobbyists give to candidates

.Reform for earmarks, publish them in a single location on the web

.Crack down on violations of equal pay laws

.Immigration reform

.Repealing Don't ask don't tell policy within the year

What would we do if there was an earthquake????

2010-01-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of http://www.fema.gov

If indoors

DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

Do not light a match.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THOSE FAMILIES DEVASTATED BY THE EARTHQUAKE IN THE HAITI!

Who's making a difference???

2010-01-11T16:06:00.001-08:00

Pastor making a difference in the Middle East, one trip at a time-

Most Americans aren’t experts in Middle Eastern culture, nor would ever venture out to be. People wouldn’t travel outside the country to bring others to Christianity or reach out to those who have nothing. Some wouldn’t so much as check on an elder neighbor next door. But that’s not everyone.

Tom Doyle has been a pastor for over 30 years and has been doing mission trips to places in Israel since 1995. He is the author of Two Nations Under God: Why you should care about Israel and Breakthrough: The Return of Hope to the Middle East.

After September 11^th, he was called to do full time mission work in the Middle East. This year, 8 trips are planned to Jordan, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Afghanistan. Traveling to these unpredictable areas, they keep in mind that it’s about changing the situation from the inside out and starting at the core. "We know that Jesus is what's going to bring the peace to this area." Tom says, “Political solutions don’t solve spiritual problems.”

The Missionaries do everything from build churches to talk to Muslims about the dangers of female circumcisions. “The best foot forward for the church is letting them know we’re here to help.” Tom says.

According to mission researchers, estimates show more Muslims have committed to follow Christ in the last 10 years than in the last 15 centuries of Islam. Radical Islamic campaigns have driven Muslims literally into the arms of Christianity. Nowadays, it’s more common to find churches in certain towns then it was just a couple of years ago. The E3 Missionaries what to be part of the solution, and that is what they will continue to pray for.

If you would like to find out more information about Tom Doyle or

E3 Ministries go to www.goodnewsfromthemiddleeast.com

Relax, Refocus, Regroup

2010-01-08T11:36:00.000-08:00

This New Years Eve I spend in bed with an ugly cold. It should of been proof that I wasn't going to ring in the New Year on top of my game. 2 weeks after, my dad went the hospital for a series of back related issues- so I flew home to help mom out.

Now to the problem- With a paper- trail of dead end job leads, I'm starting to loose confidence. Not because I don't think I can do it, but because no one is looking "right now".

My problem is not focusing on myself but on everyone and everything else. I seem to have more setbacks that others, which leads me to believe it's me with the problem. I have always had problems concentrating and its starting to rear its ugly head more than ever these days-

Over lunch the other day, my friend and old classmate told me that she thinks I "might be the unluckiest person she knows" Which is why I am going to throw my shoulders back, take deep breaths and relax, refocus, and regroup.
Wish me luck! (wink)

Sympathy fries

2009-12-03T16:26:00.000-08:00

While I should never have to admit this, I will. For you...
I started with a simple " I'm thirsty, a diet coke sounds good." But after thinking to myself, " don't go through the BBK drive through with an empty stomach", I decided to stop next-door at Starbucks for a friendly cheese and apple plated combo from the cooler shelf. I thought that it would be a healthier alternative to what I was really craving. I sat in line of the drive through after my cheese purchase and recited my diet coke order. " One large diet coke, thats all." Then after about a five minute wait, the man came on the speaker. "Welcome to Burger King, how can I help you?" I blurted out, "one large diet coke and a small fry!" Without a breath. "What size?" the little man squawked. " Small, a small fry." I said looking around, like a weirdo. It sounded like he said said $3.70( muffled) at the next window.
What if he said $4.70, while digging through my laundry change on my lap. I pull up to the window.
"That will be $4.70." He said, looking me in the eye.
Oh crap! I thought, looking behind me as the line started to bend around the corner...
(I swear honking started to sound)
"Umm, Im so sorry but I only have enough for the coke." I felt my cheeks turn pink, not because I didn't have enough, but because I wanted the fries so bad. "How much do you have?", he said looking behind my car at the line.
" I have $3.70", I squeaked. He handed me my guilt bag of grease, and smiled. "It's okay." I looked down and drove away...
Sympathy fries, I thought. Damn.

Tiger, Tiger, Tiger...

2009-12-03T00:36:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I am absolutely heartbroken about the latest breaking news about Tiger Woods. Today, another women in his closeted past came to the "fore" front. Kalika Moquin, a Las Vegas VIP host at the "Bank" nightclub where The Tiger Cat seemed to visit while in town. I'm sorry for those who may not like this.... 3x, and I hope your wife throws you out.

In the words of Tiger Woods:

I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone.

Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.

But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.

Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.

I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.

New Moon

2009-11-29T20:44:00.000-08:00

As a dedicated Twilight fan, I was disappointed with myself that it's taken me this long to see it. Am I am sad to report that I didn't think it was as good as the first (book) because of my "team Edward" status. Although, the ending did make up for the hour of not seeing Edward, I still eat my feelings in popcorn. Jacob did not justify my 1500 hundred calories of buttery popcorn. Ugh!