Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Do you know Saffron?

Saffron has been known since antiquity. It is grown as a spice since. Today it is still one of the most valued spices. At the time of antiquity it was actively produced in Macedonia, Persia, Kashmir. This is when they are installed in Spain that the Arabs introduced saffron in this country.

Commerce is developing with countries in the northern Spanish saffron was introduced in France, especially in the Gatinais. This region was able to recognize the high quality of saffron produced it for two centuries and the world price of saffron were fixed at Pithiviers. (Other sources attribute to the Phoenicians introduced saffron in Gaul or the Crusaders who have returned from the Crusades).

Saffron is grown in warmer regions but not in the tropics.

Nowadays saffron is grown in Spain, Greece, Morocco, India and Iran. It's Spain who made the biggest production.

We grow a little in France. (In recent years several manufacturers have begun to cultivate again, reconnecting with an old tradition. Indeed, until not very old saffron was cultivated throughout the south-west and even into the region d 'Orleans)

Saffron is the stigma of a flower (Crocus sativus) that are harvested in October and November in the morning. It is then dried. Saffron is sun drying artificial drying but retains its flavor better.

To obtain 1 kilo of saffron harvest it took no less than 200,000 flowers in hand. This explains why saffron is the most expensive spice in the world.

That is also why we must beware of false rudders that exist and provide a retailer with seriously. A low cost cache certainly a fraud.

In the Kitchen rudder is indispensable to bouillabaisse or paella, some risottos, soups, fish, the famous rust served with the soup, to name a few dishes.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Yes, I make mistakes -

Everyone makes mistakes in life. You, like me.

Unless someone to be perfect, superhuman, it is quite natural, normal, just human, make mistakes in life.

These errors can be of any kind:

- Talk to rhyme

- Rub the wrong people

- Make the wrong decisions in the education of children

- Do not marry the right spouse

- Choose a wrong career

- Make a wrong decision for his company

- Etc..

If you've experienced or know of these situations, some of you may want to ask how they could get there, how they have reacted that way.

Finally, they come to lose confidence in them, to distrust everything and everyone, to the point of not wanting to commit.

Other people prefer to make mistakes, however, deny their mistakes, hide them. They think that nothing is their fault, they do not understand what happens to them. They persist in their errors and sinking further, putting on the backs of other poor conditions.

The problem with these people is that final, they will accumulate errors, problems and will have great difficulty coping.

If only they had recognized their mistakes, they could get out, something else again.

Acknowledge your mistakes, its faults, is the first step toward success.

Do not be proud, imbued with yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. The hardest thing is to recognize. In fact, do it, it gives you a sense of failure, bad-how to be "void", to be incompetent.

It is sometimes difficult to spot mistakes. In some cases, you need an outside eye to locate them. Do not hesitate to seek advice from experts, professionals, ask them questions. They will be able to help you, help you to solve your problems. Everything is daring to ask for help and especially to know that we accept your criticism, that call into question your work.

But know that detecting errors, you put your finger on the problem that undermines you, preventing you from moving forward. And from there, you can correct your mistakes, not to repeat them and move forward on the path to success. You must stay positive and do not be afraid to take new decisions, change lanes, you question.

You might think that next time, "it will be good!"

"Who trying anything is never wrong. "

Remember Thomas Edison has committed thousands of mistakes before inventing the incandescent lamp. And it is analyzing and learning from his mistakes he was able to correct them and send to materialize his invention. If he had not acknowledged his mistakes and maybe we still shine in the candle!

Monday, September 28, 2009

5 eaters natural fat to lose weight fast

They will allow your body to reshape itself naturally, efficiently and easily. Depending on where you absorb as an infusion, decoction or capsules, or you enjoy the effects through baths, creams or poultices.

You will find these "eating fat" from your pharmacist or herbalist. Choose you own your own strategy based on your personal attraction.

1.The Green Tea

Its main constituents are theobromine, theophylline and caffeine. They act both stimulating and slimming. Indeed, green tea fat tackles and organizes their use in the reserves of the body. This is one of the first "natural fat eaters.

To combat your unwanted cellulite, green tea will be perfect.

a) Infusion: He prepares as black tea. Its taste is unique, do not offset by a contribution of honey or sugar to ruin your efforts to lose weight. Instead, add one or two mint leaves.

2. Pineapple.

The fruit contains carbohydrates, vitamins (A, B, C) and many minerals. It is very nourishing, detoxifying and diuretic. But it is the stem that has the properties of most interest to you, thanks to the enzyme it contains bromelain. This in effect has the particularity to divide large proteins, which thus become more easily digestible for the body.

Pineapple and will help you reduce your body fat and relieve your tissues.

pineapple remains an excellent detoxifying. You can make a cure, enjoying several slices at each meal. Be sure to eat fresh, to avoid the sugar content in canned foods.

3.La Vine Red

It is the specialist in blood circulation. If the blood circulates better, the waste is driven faster and do more stagnate as fatty deposits and cellulite.

You can include the red vine plants friends.

a) Infusion: Infuse 10 minutes 60 g leaves in 1 liter of boiling water. Drink 1 cup after each meal.

b) Decoction: you can mix 40 g of red vine leaves with 40 g of Fucus vesiculosus. Boil 5 minutes in 1 liter of water. Then let stand 10 minutes before proceeding. Drink several cups a day.

c) Capsules: you will find the Red Vine capsules, the radius "Traffic" from your pharmacy, because it is usually classified as venous tonic. You take 2 capsules morning and evening during meals.

4.A algae: Fucus

Fucus costs

If you're at the seaside, take the opportunity to rub your daily fat cellulite with fresh seaweed. You can also offer a seaweed bath home.

- Recipe from seaweed bath: Place 1 or 2 handfuls of fresh Fucus in a large washcloth and add it to a hot water bath before salt with 1 or 2 handfuls of salt.

Stay ten minutes then rub you with the glove, with emphasis on fatty areas.

Shower as quickly in cool water to firm the tissues and avoid getting dry too vigorously after bathing to prolong the effects of algae.

Fucus dry

If you can not buy fresh seaweed, you will find in the trade of bags ready, filled with seaweed. You can use them in the bath or shower to rub you under the same rules as the fresh seaweed.

a) Capsules: 1 capsule per day before each meal is enough to bring you the dose of elements "fat eaters.

After 15 days, if you did not excess and otherwise complied with a healthy lifestyle, you should see the first signs of weight loss.

b) Poultices: You can also get good

poultices with bags of dried seaweed. All you need to soak them in a little hot water and then wrapped with a cloth. Apply them where needed and keep them up about twenty minutes.

- Recipe: Mix equal parts of sound and Fucus fresh or dry. Cook a few minutes in a little salted water with 1 or 2 pinches of salt.

Put the mixture into a pocket of fine cloth and apply at least 1 / 2 hours to the desired location.

c) Cream: To improve the cure marine slimming, you can apply a cream based on algae, you will get excellent results.

5) The apple

This fruit is a real reserve components necessary for human beings: fructose, vitamins A, C, B, B1, B2, PP, B5, calcium, phosphorus, iron.

Easy to eat, available all year, it has been known for millennia to treat intestinal infections, rheumatism, blood disorders, cholesterol, respiratory problems.

It is sovereign against weight problems, as treatments and regular use.

Rich in water and potassium, low sodium, it gives your body a real cleansing and attacks particularly overweight-related water retention.

Choose, if possible, fruit from organic farming to prevent an abuse of pesticide residues. In

Additionally, you can eat the apple with the skin there with no fear, and benefit from all their virtues.

What is noteworthy about the apple

? it is a diuretic;

? it is an appetite suppressant very effective;

? it provides little calories, 60 to 80 depending on the size of fruit;

? through its fibers, it prevents constipation without irritating the digestive tract;

? fructose, sugar slowly, is an energy reservoir;

? the weapon everyday cons overweight.

Conclusion:

Be physically active regularly.

Eat healthily.

And you quickly find your form, your energy and your health.

The secret for almost any cure

Among the many plants that nature provides us, there are many that have been used at all times by man to heal. For centuries, men also using the plants. Little by little, as and scientific discoveries, the pharmacopoeia is moved from natural products to chemicals.

The financial stakes have become such that sometimes we hide voluntarily the benefits of a natural product, to enable pharmaceutical companies to recoup their investment and continue to earn substantial profits.

Thus, a plant proved to have numerous virtues, so much so that pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries have a lot invested in it: aloe vera. But more recent studies, especially those of a Brazilian Franciscan friar, Frei Romano Zago, have shown that another plant was far more virtues, while being easily usable, of course, free: his cousin, aloe arborescens, used in 80% of pathologies.

This plant has two rare qualities: it is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. It stimulates the immune system and the process of regeneration of tissues (skin, mucous etc..) Finally, many reported cases of therapeutic in cases of cancers, including liver cancer.

The study in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating that not only take aloe arborescens decreases the number of cancer cells, but it is useful to prevent this cancer through its inhibitory power on the birth and development of cells cancer (Okada K. Wakayama J. "Studies on in vitro and in vivo effects of aloe extract on hepato carcinogenesis) Journal of the Wakayama Medical Society, 1997, 48/85-95.

Romano Zago, having heard of the experiments since 1988 and before the numerous cases of healing, wrote a book about his experiences. His book, "Cancer tem cura" (We can cure cancer), now in its 25th edition, reported positive effects on many disorders.

Aloe arborescens is a green plant of the lily family. It grows like a weed on dry and acidic, but likes to be watered. They are found throughout southern Europe, in public parks. Simply transplanting a small tree. You can also ask your florist.

Its use is very simple: to make a decoction and drink it regularly. It has no harmful effect.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Respect is what?

"Young people do not respect nothing." "Woe to you if you disrespect me! . "I respect you if you respect me."

These are expressions that we hear regularly. But what respect?

It is a way of saying that we want to be recognized as a person, we want to be appreciated, we want to be loved for what one is.

Moreover, what may seem strange is that the word "respect" is very often found in the mouths of young people while they are often accused of being disrespectful.

It's a real paradox.

In fact, for some young people, the word "respect" is used more as a challenge, just as "eye for eye, tooth for tooth." This does not seem spontaneous home. Rather, the give and take: "I respect you if you respect me." Is it not demean the concept of respect?

Respect for the elderly, for parents, teachers, etc.. is somehow indisputable. It's something that we should give without hesitation, without waiting to return. It's like saying: "I give you this if you give me that." This is not to show generosity. However, the gift must be free. Do not expect anything in return. The same goes for respect. He must give himself naturally free. This must be part of itself.

It is true that before, respect was obvious. Finally, or rather the lack of compliance was less obvious.

This does not mean that compliance has completely disappeared today. The difference is that today we must learn respect. It does not look to go home. Normally, it is the parents that we must instill these core values. Moreover, as we instinctively reproduces the behavior of our parents, the problem is not it fair? More and more people no longer respect the rules of the road, are individualistic, do not respect their neighbors, teachers, parents - People do not respect them more. And thus, the children see more respect in anything. Just as the child is delivered to itself, without support, a model to follow, so that compliance is not natural to him.

Of course, young people are not all tarred with the same brush. There are many seniors who are disrespectful and think they're doing everything possible to invoke their great age. They are evidence of racism against young people.

Respect is essential to the good life in society, family harmony, social. This will, however, to pair with love. With more love, there will inevitably be more respectful. If you love others, attention is paid to them was the consideration for them and respect is all alone

If respect does not come naturally, if not rooted in itself, if it does go without saying, we must learn and it is everyone's business. We have to lead by example, the path.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The eternal dissatisfaction

- I am a wife of 40 years, I am married and have two very nice children who work very well in school. I just bought a house - the house of my dreams - spacious, bright. I have a job that satisfies me and gives me very comfortable income for me to buy what I want. But I am not happy.

- I am a wife of 37 years, I have a friend who did much for me at home. I have a big house, a pretty cool job with a good salary. My parents are healthy. But I feel I'll never be entitled to happiness.

- I am a woman almost 40 years, I have a job, but gives me a very modest income. I was even Rmiste some time, which is far from obvious in financial terms. We must learn to tighten their belts. Yet despite this, I am, mostly, happy.

These two types of people you probably know: the eternal dissatisfaction and those who appreciate even the smallest moments of happiness.

The eternal dissatisfaction have all the material wealth, a lovely family, work okay but they feel unhappy. They do not realize how lucky they are. They always want more and they usually have a knack for complaining about their lives "disastrous" to unemployed people who are struggling to make ends meet, who live in very small places, without comfort, sick and living alone, etc..

In contrast, others who are happy "despite everything, have resolved to stop constantly lament and say that despite the difficulties, problems, there are moments that can make them happy. Thus, a ray of sun, a bird that sings, a well cooked meal, a walk in the countryside, a discussion between friends, a family reunion, a good book, a song on the radio, etc.. makes them happy and they really give the impression that life is worth to be lived anyway.

Precisely what the eternal dissatisfaction had trouble getting. For them, they were not enough, there are always people around them who have more than them. They have identified it, mostly as poor people despite their comfortable situation, as people abandoned despite the support of their spouses and their families. In short, as people to whom it happens all the misfortunes. Thus, they are always bitter, sullen, sad fate of their enviable and yet do not even notice they have everything to be happy, that many would take their place.

Attention to some eternal dissatisfaction, this mindset could be beneficial. It should enable them to advance, to accomplish great things. In fact, always wanting more, they should struggle for the life they truly desire.

But unfortunately, they have everything and they are not yet satisfied. So even if they have even more, they continue to complain, to be dissatisfied with their lot. Moreover, as they will not stop being unhappy, it will be very difficult to advance. They are prevented by their discomfort.

Instead, those who are happy "despite everything" seem to have a better chance of escape, because success is not easy to create, build something when you're happy? Their mood is lighter, more open, more so conqueror.

Anyway, those eternal dissatisfaction do they really know what would make them happy? I think not. As they see everything in black, it is not even sure if they took down the moon, they would be happy.

Of course, these people are not to blame for the depths of themselves, they are really unhappy and create problems where there is none. For them to come to escape, he would have something or someone opens their eyes. Hopefully they understand before they happen "a real misfortune that life is not always wanting more but enjoy the small moments of happiness.

Only if they radically change of mindset, they will be happy and can live more genuinely and daring.

Remember, happiness is here and now!

Feel free to say things!

Do not be afraid! Feel free to say things!

If you do not think like everyone else, tell him! Do not be like those people who, for fear of being rejected, being unpopular, is mostly silent and say the opposite of what they think. They prefer to return to the pan rather than expressing their true opinion.

Dare say you do not like children. Dare to say that you love watching Star Academy, even if you have 50 years. Dare say you do not like Christmas. Dare say you hate your parents -

Feel free to say things even if they are original ideas, unusual. Be honest with yourself. Do not especially ashamed of what you think. It is true that society increasingly condemns individuals who differ, who do not think like everyone else. The mistake would be to succumb to this social pressure. Each is different and does not feel things the same way.

Besides, why should your opinion be the worst? Especially since often those who think the same thing as you hide too, mostly.

If you think about such things is that you have good reason to do so. Events in your life you have certainly led to think that way. For example, if you do not like Christmas, this may be the result of bad childhood memories.

Dare to say that you suffer. Dare to say that you can not stand over your life. Dare to say you're an alcoholic -

Express yourself on you, you unveil, reveal your deepest feelings. The error does not make is to keep quiet. It is true that the company likes people who are smooth, clean on it ", smooth, no problems. But, talk! This will relieve you, as a first step. Then, putting words to your pain, you do the first step toward healing. Some people (not everyone) will be there to listen and help you overcome your discomfort.

From the moment you express yourself correctly and you say sensible things, there is no reason why you are silent. The others should be tolerant. Of course, tolerance works both ways. You also need to be tolerant and accept others' opinions. Understand that you hold may not be the truth.

Do not let anyone dictate to you what you think. Be strong and show everybody that you have personality. Do not fear the reproach that we could make. Be yourself, do not play a role. Do not hide your true nature.

Feel free to say things is the only way to feel aligned with yourself. You will walk through life with honesty and sincerity, qualities necessary for people to trust you and appreciate you.

The benefits of yeast

Do you know yeast?

A priori, this may seem odd to eat this food. Some may say: "Eat of yeast, how awful! "

Those who think it certainly imagine that the yeast is as the baker's yeast, whose smell and texture may put off at first.

But rest assured, it comes in capsules, powder or tablets.

It consists of fungi, germs "nice".

There are two types of yeast: yeast is an inactive derivative of the brewing industry, cheaper and yeast or active living, which is grown in the laboratory to bring out all its therapeutic benefits, more expensive . The first is effective but its effects are less powerful and less deep than the second. So I will mainly discuss the latter here.

It excites a lot of arguments that can get you to consume regularly.

The yeast has a unique composition, making it a wonderful food. It contains the nutrients most effective and active.

It contains proteins, lecithin, amino acids most critical to your body, a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier, glutathione, minerals (14) and trace elements, vitamins (17) with the full group of B vitamins, provitamin D.

The least we can say is that the composition of the yeast is exceptional. Few foods combine many beneficial substances in the body.

Its benefits can only be numerous, although there are no extensive research to confirm them completely. Here are the main

It helps digestion.

It helps to regenerate the intestinal flora, thus countering constipation, diarrhea.

It helps to fight against fatigue and burnout.

It is an antioxidant and fights against premature aging.

It helps to better elimination of toxins from the body.

It fights against the loss of appetite.

It would strengthen the immune system, fighting infections.

It would treat the diabetes condition to be enriched in chromium.

It would have positive effects on the skin. It reabsorbed acne, eczema.

It makes hair more beautiful and less brittle nails.

It would be very good for pregnant women because it would fight against the nausea and vomiting.

It is a very good supplement for people who plan deficient in protein.

Combined with antibiotics, it helps to fight against their side effects such as diarrhea.

There are some cons, indications, including yeast inactive: it would aggravate the inflammatory bowel disease. It would cause headaches, itching in people hypersensitive to biogenic amines.

Regarding the dosage, he must eat every day at every meal. You can mix the powder with your food or take a pill. It can be taken by everyone: children, adolescents, adults, athletes and seniors.

As you can readily see, the yeast seems miraculous and good for all!

Finally, it is not drinking beer that you get all the benefits of yeast. Damage to some perhaps, but it would produce more harm than good!

Monday, September 21, 2009

The new technique to better sell the product!

To understand the purchasing behavior of consumers, a new technique emerged in the early 2000s in the United States and has recently appeared in France. This is the neuromarketing. As its name implies, this method combines two elements: neuroscience and marketing.

This is to analyze the brain activity of consumers view a product (at the time of his act of purchase) or by advertising, using a scanner (MRI). According to the inventors of this sophisticated technique, when a person buys such a product, it means she wants a strong, and in this case, the MRI, it appears clear that a particular part of the brain is stimulated: it is the putamen, which is the seat of pleasure and immediate and instinctive part of the "unconscious zone" on the brain.

The excitement of consumers are somewhat crude but may be troubled by his environment, his conscience. That is why the old methods of marketing based on polls, the tests appear unreliable because it decides that the mouth may be different from what the brain feels now (the design, the idea that there is a brand - can change everything!)

With this discovery, companies (like Coca-Cola, U.S. banks) have decided to analyze the responses obtained through their products to better adapt to them and their advertising to "taste" of consumers.

The neuromarketing appears as a new branch of marketing. It's like the El Dorado for businesses. What's more magical than going into the brains of consumers to know exactly, precisely what and how to sell them.

This opens the way for new advertising campaigns of another kind: more focused, more attentive to the desires of consumers - The neuromarketing would become the panacea -

But is not this too rosy a picture of this new marketing technique?

Indeed, from the outset, we note something very questionable: with neuromarketing, using the techniques of science, namely MRI, for purely commercial. Medical ethics opposes strongly elsewhere. Safeguards the rest have been put in place to monitor the use of neuromarketing in the United States.

Moreover, the idea of manipulation is underlying, pervasive. Now who said manipulation, deception said. The aim of companies is to manipulate the brain so that the consumer buys the product. There, with the neuromarketing, handling seems more profound: it is the primary emotions, almost unconscious of consumers who are targeted. Therefore, it runs the risk of being operated without his knowledge!

Then, finally, neuromarketing is it safe for consumers?

It does not appear, at least for now.

Indeed, few companies have used since neuromarketing studies are very expensive (the MRI does not lie in any street corner!). Moreover, companies that control them prefer to quietly because the opinion is unfavorable to the idea that we can enter such a way into his brain.

Certainly, companies have rushed into this niche "juicy" but upon closer inspection, studies have suggested anything truly scientific.

Anyway, is it that easy to manipulate the minds of people? Apparently not. The act of purchase is extremely complex and comes in a multitude of factors other than the immediate pleasure and instinctive.

Finally, the neuromarketing appears, for now, just as a new way of marketing as a new way for companies to sell more. It just seems to open the way for new ads that will act differently on the consumer: they will aim to boost our implicit memory, to leave traces in our brain without one is really aware. Another kind of manipulation can be?

Morphopsychology. Handle with care!

Morphopsychology is the study of the relationship between your face and your psychology. In this technique, the shape, your face would determine your character deep.

According to the tenets of the proponents of this technique, if you are open, angry, pounding, it shows on your face. No need to ask you to speak, a simple glance is enough to identify you.

This process is old, it dates back to Hippocrates and Aristotle, but it was really systematized in the eighteenth century. It Johann Caspar Lavater (supported by Goethe), who first, has developed a theory to show that the shape and position of the eyes, mouth, nose, ears, forehead, one could infer the character of an individual.

Morphopsychology has persisted until today.

The study of the face is done methodically. Four elements are examined in turn:

- The framework, built bone

- The sensory receptors: olfactory, visual, gustatory. Their structure gives information on how trade is conducted.

- The modeling or contour of the face. It is indicative of how the agency relationship with its environment.

- The expressive gestures. The face is the body part most mobile, his study can not be envisaged without taking into account the mobility of expression vital dynamism.

The study of the face into four steps allows morphosychologist to identify the character of an individual. Were put forward two types of personalities: the "dilated" and "retracted".

The dilated are all curves. Physiologically, they face the open, broad, not sharp and have fleshy receptors. Psychologically, they are tolerant and eager for contact. They are cheerful and optimistic. They are down to earth, realistic. They act with intuition.

In contrast, retracted their faces lengthened. Their receivers are pressed. Their faces are asymmetrical. Psychologically, they do not seek contact and does not bind easily. They seek balance. They are men of thought.

Similarly, the study of the three facial areas (upper, middle and bottom) is important.

The upper zone, known as brain, provides guidance in the intellectual sphere. It is the seat of reason, mind. It contains the entire nervous system, including the eyes, significant movements of thought.

The middle one is emotional. It includes receptors: eyes, ears, nose, mouth. The degree of opening or closing of these receptors provides guidance on the ability to open up to outside world.

The lower zone, or area of instinct. It includes the lobe of the ear, jaw, chin and neck. The shape and size of the mouth, lips, reflect the physical and sensory appetites.

Generally, if the 3 zones have substantially the same dimensions, we are dealing with a balanced person. This balance is present in those who know how to design projects and provide the means to finalize. If the upper zone, or area of thought is more developed, we can assume that the subject is primarily a conceptual, rather than a director. If the middle is the most developed, the subject reacts mainly by its sensitivity, it controls more or less. The social interest is paramount with him. If the zone of action prevails, we are dealing with a subject that is close to reality. He is physically strong and durable.

Other criteria are taken into account and prove that morphopsychology is quite difficult to study and implement. Often, all a matter of interpretation since the face is not frozen and especially changes over time.

It is thus quite complicated to classify everyone you encounter in very specific cases. Nobody really goes into a specific mold. Some are a mixture of everything. This may just give you directions, clues to the personality of individuals, but this does not seem 100% sure.

Moreover, the use of morphopsychology must be made sparingly and judiciously. History has shown repeatedly that it can be dangerous and lead to excessive try to place people in boxes at the mere sight of their faces. We can cite an example, Lombroso, who in the late nineteenth century, developed the theory of the born criminal, that crime is innate and can be deduced from physical characteristics. He said it was enough to see the faces of people whether it is a criminal offense or future. It's just the offense of "ugly mug". He was quickly attacked by criminologists, sociologists, who had shown that only the influence of the environment within which the criminal. The size of the skull has nothing to do, as you would doubt it.

Later, others also fell through in morphopsychology. These Nazis with their deep hatred against Jews, led to portray them as all having a hooked nose, eyes bulging, lips fleshy. An exhibition, "The Jew and France, has even taken place in Paris where the pseudo-Jewish faces were caricatured excessive. Again, a glance was sufficient to identify a Jew. How can we reach such a degree of ineptitude, stupidity? "

Thus, morphopsychology may be useful and provide a basis for a study of personality but beware, it should be one tool among others. The same goes for everything body language, fashion nowadays. Be careful not to fall in through unfortunate.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Water is everybody's business

Winter is almost over and now the word "drought", "lack of water," groundwater depletion "are reappearing!

France lacks water restrictions are already in place in the South and planned in other regions.

The State cares more water problems.

He appealed to the public spirit of citizens, their common sense to avoid wasting water, which no longer seems an inexhaustible resource.

For example, cultures very water-intensive crops such as maize, are stigmatized. Similarly, the summer, we are led to not wash cars, do not water the garden to avoid draining groundwater.

The state is relieved and assisted in recent years by experts, media, websites that offer tips for saving water in daily life. These tips are, of course, the effect of saving water in our basement, save the world by extension. But they also aim to make us money.

Indeed, water is becoming more and more expensive. Like anything that becomes scarce, prices will not decline, however.

So if you do not have many resources or if you have the soul ecological (that everyone should have today to preserve our environment), follow these tips:

- Do not let the water run when you brush your teeth or hands. Fill both trays in your sink, to avoid running the water continuously for rinsing your dishes

- Install special valves with an aerator that will enter the air in your water. You'll have the impression that running the same amount of water but, in reality, the air mixes with the water, you will make savings sacred.

- Install a flush dual control, put a brick in your tank or better, if you can skip steps, install dry toilets where the water is replaced by sawdust (guaranteed odorless "Anyway, I humbly confess myself not yet decided to install them.)

- Invest in appliances that consume less water, type of class A.

- When you wash vegetables, do it in a bowl to collect the wash water, which you can use to water your plants, for example.

If you have a garden, you can recover with rainwater tanks and a system to place on your gutter. Your tanks will fill and high speed. To water your garden or your flower beds with a garden hose, you can invest in an electric water pump which will help drain the water in your tank quickly. This reclaimed rainwater can also be used to wash your deck, your car, etc..

- For the garden, sprinkle the evening, plenty mulch your garden to allow your soil moist at all times, use the micro-drip irrigation.

- Take shorter showers (60 to 80 L) instead of baths (150 to 200 L).

- Check your installation and go hunting for leaks. To do this, check your water meter evening and note the number of your intake, then look again in the morning upon waking, if the number is different, there are one or leaks (unless you have been doing a little pee during the night).

- If you have the means, you can also install an underground tank, decorated with many filters and connected to your indoor facility that allows you to make very large profits by not consuming that eventually rainwater is filtered Free. The water of high purity may serve you to do laundry, fill the flush, wash floors, washing dishes. Some wash with, what seems also very beneficial in that rain water is devoid of limestone and makes skin and hair softer. Since water is softer, it will also save you soap and fabric softeners (40 to 60%). Others drink the same water, which seems safe even if the state does not recommend this absorption. (In this case, I strongly advise you to add a good activated carbon filter or reverse osmosis. Only those systems you can ensure safe drinking water. Check also the type of bacteria and pollutants before they eliminate you dare to drink water.)

Know that in Belgium, these underground tanks are required for new construction. In France, this technique is becoming increasingly popular, even if the cost is still high: 7 000 Euros for a tank of 10 000 L, inclusive. With the savings made and also the opportunity to get some credits or grants to certain local authorities, your tank will pay for the medium term.

That is, all possible tricks and tips to save water. Do the right thing for you and your wallet but also for others, for our planet.

Persevere and why not go further in reporting practices of farmers who pump water from rivers and aquifers to the death (not all are like that, thankfully!). Why not condemn the practices of ski resorts with their snow guns are pumping quantities of water astronomical snowmelt does not compensate? (For the evaporation, the quantity of reclaimed water from the melting of the snow-making is much less important than it has been pumped to create it).

That leaves a lot of work to do. You must be involved. But the state must also act with common sense and limit or prohibit certain deceptive practices and criminal.

Water is everybody's business!

Win to be zen!

"Quiet and strength are a priori mutually exclusive. "If you think this is that you do not understand a basic element that should govern your life force does not mean power, brutality, domination -

The force is an energy that you accumulate in you and you can accomplish great things. This is the basis for success.

However, this energy is you who produce. It is for you: every human being has a strength, inner power. But the recurring problem is whether to use it wisely.

It is often said of some they have energy to spare. But does this mean they do great things? Not necessarily: in most cases, they can certainly perform several activities at once, but they disperse more than anything else. They are wasting their energy by scattering. Others show their energy waving, shouting at every turn, without knowing the success. In fact, they exhaust themselves in cries, in gestures and most of their goal is not reached.

Finally, have energy to spare is a great quality but if you know the channel to use it properly.

However, there is only one way to achieve this: one calm, Zen attitude can help. So before you go in all directions, wanting to show what you are capable, we must learn to remain calm, zen.

This way, you get to focus energy at the bottom of yourself for a positive return. And only from there that you will succeed in accomplishing great things.

To stay calm, you must have a strong internal control. Anyone can do it but we must learn to control himself. It is a matter of learning. You must become the master of your mind, your body, your emotions, your mind. This work everyday. The first thing is whether you are a natural calm or not. He'll find yourself questioning to admit that there is an upset, "a shaken bottle of" impulsive. From the moment you have accepted this default, you will begin your inner work. The biggest step is done. Following is a question of will. Meditation, deep breathing, concentration can help you get there.

Over time, you learn to stay calm in all circumstances. Given the turmoil outside, you stay zen. You'll be able to objectively analyze the situation and respond appropriately. You do not scatter your energy for nothing. You will remain master of yourself, your emotions and you resolve problems smoothly but with more strength, more determination.

Of course, being calm, Zen at any time does not mean not having a character be deleted. Instead, your arguments will be more thoughtful. This is not crying you'll hear better, you will appear as a restless, impulsive. The calm is someone rational, sensible.

Inner peace, meditation can only have a positive side. Nothing can resist it. The thought is more alert, more responsive and also more able to analyze, manage and resolve difficulties.

So quiet is your strength.

Force yourself to change your habits

"We must take early habits, especially the question often and easily change habits" (Pierre Reverdy, French poet of the twentieth century).

I came across this quote a few days ago and I told myself that this author was right.

In fact, doing the same thing, sink into a daily routine that imprisons us, follow our little routine, we can be harmful.

While it is sometimes difficult to change some of our habits: work, school, errands, regular, etc.. require us to meet a schedule.

For some people, however, have such markers is a guarantee of safety. By following a schedule, they feel they have total control over their lives. They give the feeling of being hyper-organized, control everything.

But if one day, well oiled cog flu is one way or another, these people seemed to have everything under control, are lost and do not know how to react. They do not bear their lives is incorrect.

Exactly, if they had become accustomed to change some of their habits, they would know exactly how to behave. They would not be afraid of changes and can adapt to all circumstances.

So if you're routine, if you do not change their habit, even when trying to do. For example, change of route to work, do not eat the same thing at the restaurant, do not run errands on the same day, do not always do the same thing with your children, etc..

In this way, not only, you free yourself from your daily grind, but especially you new experiences that can only be enriching.

In addition, you will now able to approach without fear all situations, even those you have not lived.

Be creative. Live fully. Inevitably, you will not have full control over your life but you will reap in return, more fantasies of unexpected surprises.

You will be open to new experiences, meet new people. Liberated from your shackles, you dare more and you'll benefit trust you. You will be eager to live more.

It'sa bit of a vicious circle: the more you're free, you live more clear patterns, the more you dare things, the more your life will be rich!

Down habits! Try at least to escape as often as possible in your routine. You'll have the sensation of freedom, availability. You will, together, more relaxed, less stressed by time schedules.

Do not make your habits tyranny!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Breast health tips for Beautiful Girls

Breast health is actually important issue to consider for adult women and good self-esteem about breasts and all physical features are very essential for younger girls. The key to breast health is recognizing changes in how appearance of your breasts look and feel. Breast health is an essential part of women"??s lives as they age and face that increased risk of breast cancer. With current women's health statistics in the United States, the need to educate and to give effective nutritional supplements to maintain breast health is a necessity. The primary step a woman know how to take to maintain breast health is to take the time to know the anatomy of the breast and schedule regular physical exams.


Almost every Men likes to squeeze his female partner breast and seduce it then it shows how important breast health is to your happiness. In the Chinese medical view, all elements of the body are thoroughly interconnected, leading to the conclusions that breast health is also connected to menstruation, exercise, diet, and mental health, just to name a few. The single mainly important way for you to actively pursue breast health is with habitual breast cancer screening. Lowering excess weight with healthy foods is a major part of prevention and treatment.

Because the breast right belongs to the energy field of the heart, breast health is also subject to our diet, circulation, emotions, and belief system. Being vigilant about your breast health is particularly important for women at high risk, so knowing your risk factors for triple negative breast cancer is always important. Your breast health is not only required for your self but is quite important for your baby because you breast health concerns with you baby if you are feeding mother.

Here are a few tips on how to maintain your breast health for a complete and healthy body and mind:

1. Relax, Relate, Release
Stress, anger and frustration can cause benign and malignant breast diseases which is main cause that relaxing is important. One of the best things you can do for your breast is to find a way to relax daily. Try yoga, bubble baths with a book, walk in the park, etc.

2. Self Massage
We found actualgreat tip from Acufinder.com about the benefits of massage. According to them, "...any type of massage will help relieve stress and keep the body part all receiving the massage more healthy due to improved flow of blood, body fluids, and nerve impulses. Breast self massage can be as uncomplicated as 50-100 light circles in each direction over the breast tissue and gentle rubbing over the entire flank and axilla area (underarm) to circulate the lymph glands and restore the flow of energy in the breast area. These techniques are simple, painless, and require very little time."

3. Eat Right
Eating right is first thing important to breast health. Some great tips include eating your vegetables, include olive oil in your diet, control unaccepted dietary fats, avoid pesticides and processed foods, keep alcohol consumption much ow, and subsitute cola and coffee with alternative of green tea.


4. Exercise Regularly
Exercise and stress go hand in hand. The more you exercise the less stress you will have, the less you exercise, the more stressful you will feel. Aerobic exercise and weight training have both been show to be beneficial in the reduction of breast cancer.

Natrual way for breast enlargement

Breast Cream can help to enlarge and create volume for the breast. You can see the results within 4 weeks.

St.herb Breast Cream is the best products for breast massage. It constists of high quality Pueraria Mirifica extract which gives best results in breast firming and enlarging. Phytoestrogen from Pueraria Mirifica also can help rehydrate the skin and strengthen collagen and elastin. So it provides both skin and breast rejuvenation.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Baby Safety and Hazards

Every parent is seized by fear thinking that the most precious little one can be seriously hurt injured or worse. That is why it is a paramount thing to childproof the place where the baby lives. The best way to do it is to go down on all fours and you will get the view your baby has.

Electrical Items
So, provide your baby safety by checking electrical outlets, all of them should be covered, even if you think that some of the outlets are out of reach. Do not be so imprudent, babies tend to grow and very soon your toddler will be strong and clever enough to push a chair and reach the same things you can.

Children are curious people and once reaching an electrical outlet he or she will be very eager to stick in his or her finger or other objects. Adults know what usually happens in such situations but children are not so experienced and they can get electrocuted. This idea won't give you much peace of mind. So it is not enough only to explain your baby that sticking fingers is bad, but also provide your outlets with safety caps. It is also vitally important to keep other small appliances such as blow dryers, curling irons and irons unplugged and out of reach.

Medicine and poisonous household cleaners
Be maximum cautious with medicine and poisonous household cleaners. Some medicine might look like the vitamins your child always gets from you and some of poisonous household cleaners can have an aromatic and fragrant smell which can lead astray and the baby can conceive a wish to taste it. The place where these items are kept should be out of reach and advisably always locked. It is ill considered to think that child safety caps can keep your kid out. Children can be very smart and resourceful and in this case it won't do them good. One more piece of advice: always keep the number of your local poison control centre handy for emergencies.

Shopping bags and garbage bags
Playing little children like to hide themselves and they can find it amusing putting their heads into such bags. As shopping bags and garbage bags are airproof they can easily cause suffocation. You'd better keep plastic items such as shopping bags and garbage bags out of reach.

Can curtains be dangerous?
Any kind of drapes and blinds are not dangerous until their cords are out of reach. Otherwise they can form a loop and cause strangulation or throttling. Make sure that your baby's crib is not near any of these items.

Choking hazard
Always keep a watchful eye on the things your baby play with. Infants tend to put everything they see on their way into their little mouths and those objects can be a choking hazard. How small should a thing be to be considered as a choking hazard? You can use an empty toilet paper roll. If the object will fit inside it could be a choking hazard.

Dangerous water
Never leave buckets or any big vessel with water or cleaning solutions out. Babies can drown in less than an inch of water. Keep always in mind that even the best childproofing does not guarantee safety to your baby. Your constant supervision is the best childproofing.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Considerations For Home Care

Taking care of the elderly is something that we need to plan for because it is something that takes resources and money to cater for. Nobody likes to think about it because it always something that is so far away and there always seems like there is plenty of time to put plans in place. However what happens to most of us is that time creeps up with us and very often we have no plans and rely on the government to take care of us. In some ways that should be fine after all the taxes we have paid there should be some level of care for us when we get older.

There is a case to be made for taking control of our own destiny, at least to some degree. One should have a good pension first of all in order to have a means to make a contribution to being taken care of. Whatever happens to us in our later years we will end up in a nursing home, being cared for by loved ones or using some kind of home care system? The point is they all cost money and we should have something in our personal assets to help pay for our care.

I believe that home care is the best form of care if it can be managed. There are a lot of things to consider before deciding whether a nursing home or whether or not homecare is more suitable, however if your general health is manageable home care it is the best for you if you have the support of your family or friends.

Benefits of staying at home;
? Still part of the family on a daily basis.
? Better able to have a sense of purpose if you can help out in a
small way.
? Familiar surroundings.
? Lest chance of infection.
? Maintaining a network of family and friends.
? More choice of what to do.
? More cost effective.

Benefits of a nursing home;
? Access to better medical health.
? Better support for rehabilitation treatment.
? Closer monitoring by health professionals.
? Purpose built facilities to cater for the elderly.
? More access to wheelchairs, walking frames, better toilet
facilities etc.

As you can see there are a lot of issues to consider before you make your decision and often it's not your decision it's a family decision, as it can be a huge undertaking for a family to take on the care of an elderly person even with the support of home care organisation. The easy option is sometimes to send the elderly person into a nursing home and this reduces the burden on the family but increases the burden on the state and I think if we are fair and reasonable about it we can't expect the state to take care of all our problems. The elderly can be the forgotten group having outlived their usefulness but you have ask yourself two things, where you be without them and what would you like to happen to you when you get old?

Taking Care Of The Elderly At Home

Taking care of our elderly is a huge problem for our society and it is really important that we plan to take care of the older generation and one of the best ways to do this is to incorporate a home care plan that works well with our national healthcare strategy. The world wide trend in the developing countries is that people are living longer and this trend is set to continue as advances are continuously made in medicine. Of course this is a huge benefit to us all as every one of us would like to live longer however there are some drawbacks. The fact that people are living longer the requirements for care as we get older is becoming greater every year and the resources to provide this care need to be in place in order for the elderly to be taking care of. One of the ways that care can be provided is through home care. When a patient doesn't need constant medical care that individual can get provided for through the home care program. A Home care program is provided as part of a health care strategy, whereby medical assistance is provided to the patient while they stay at their own home or with a friend or relative.

Taking care of patients at home has huge benefits both to the healthcare system and to the patients. As far as the hospitals are concerned sending a patient home to be cared for will free up bed space for the hospital which would allow more patience to be treated and therefore improving the overall efficiency of the hospital. To complement that, there are far more benefits to the patient because it is a well-known fact that outside the hospital patients are less likely to get infected with viruses like MRSA and would therefore need less medical attention and would recover from illness a lot quicker. Also because patients are being cared for by people who they know and love, the care tends to be of a higher quality when compared to nursing homes. Also if a patient has the ability to get around they can do small jobs around the house and therefore have a sense of purpose which is something that you wouldn't feel if they were staying in a nursing home type of environment. This can have a hugely positive effect on the general well-being of the patient because being in familiar surroundings and being cared for by people they know can have a positive effect on patients overall health and at a minimum would reduce the feeling of loneliness that can be huge part of staying within healthcare facilities.

As home care is generally part of the overall health care strategy there are a lot of supports that one can avail of in-home care situation. Part of that decision to put a patient in the home care support network is as a result of a detailed assessment by the doctors to see if a patient is suitable to be cared for at home. Once that decision is made there are a number of supports available for example home help resources can be allocated so that the patient and the family can get outside help on a daily basis to assist with the extra responsibility of looking after someone in the home. Because of other extra support like grants it makes looking after someone at home more feasible, just ask yourself the question if you were the patient would you prefer to stay in a nursing home or be cared for in the home where you've lived for most of your life?

Monday, September 7, 2009

How to Build a Solar Panel - Not As Easy As You Think - Read This Before You Even Try

If you read this article of course, is because you learn how you want to build a solar panel on your own. Be careful construction is solar collectors DIY not as easy as you may have read in some websites or articles belongs. Neither will you learn to make, such as solar panels with a short videos from YouTube or free reports you can find everywhere in the network that is a fact.

Get Best Make Solar Panel and Make Wind Turbine Guide It is possible that you learn how you a solar panel build, if you your hands in the correct information. Only with a step by step manuals and videos specifically for you detailed from point zero, until you have your Panel and in your House you can do so at some point complicated task set.

Hearing you well to if you start you without project with the correct information and support, armed undoubtedly become at the end will try, frustrated, disappointed and think that it only for professionals. That is not true absolutely anyone who can read and follow step by step instructions can place really learn a you how build solar panel.



The problem, which is most the time that many people in the Internet go, have some research and they think storm on the hardware business some tools and materials they are ready to buy this project if the fact is that they are not. I see every day, dozens of people call my Office to ask for help, when they receive lagernd in the first stages of the process.

Again can you learn one how build solar panel and Yes, you can cut or even your electricity bill to eliminate, by you DIY solar collectors, but if you have placed the right of the statements and support you won't make it capable, period. It is to no abbreviations you need to go through and there without compensation. Waste your time and energy.

Creating solar or wind generators systems could very satisfactorily and payable project and thousands a major contribution to our environment and energy crisis, of dollars in energy costs in the long term and at the same time however it is very important that you a solid and reliable step-by-step are designed specifically instructions for step for this purpose.

If you choose a home study course download, make sure, it is developed management a system of experts with the single purpose, to regular non-technical people from the outset, until the project is and is running. Support along the chain is a must.

Get Best Make Solar Panel and Make Wind Turbine Guide

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Can You Really Make Your Own Solar Panels?

Make to your own solar cells, is a feasible task. However, it is not easy when you not familiar with current or electronics.

The process to build of your own Solar Panel can be involved very difficult for a beginner. You can your own solar cells by following concrete steps are described in a good set of statements. The advantage is of course, complete removal of your Stromrechnung reducing

Get Best Make Solar Panel and Make Wind Turbine Guide The materials for the solar system run around $ 185,00, if you where you know right parts shop and the best offers for which. Tools, easily accessible on any hardware stores, will be necessary. Screwdriver, a gun and a DC includes meters below other basics tools.

You must use caution because you are working with electricity. If you, as you are equipped with solar energy to the collection and storage of energy work, should a good guide not proceeding. Not only all the items to like you do your own solar collectors will. It is a bit more complicated than that.



These words are not to concern but to impress that knowledge power is meant only to you. Can your own solar cells, but the project begins with good and reliable facts armed is a must. Prepared in full time, money and energy costs.

Where the information you need to your own solar cells make will be not free. Can this target to achieve, by you free information and free videos. It requires much more than that.. This project is a very serious commitment, but you can and completes it is so many others have when you correct information for.

Creating solar or wind generators systems could very satisfactorily and payable project and thousands a major contribution to our environment and energy crisis, of dollars in energy costs in the long term and at the same time however it is very important that you a solid and reliable step-by-step are designed specifically instructions for step for this purpose.

If you choose a home study course download, make sure, it is developed management a system of experts with the single purpose, to regular non-technical people from the outset, until the project is and is running. Support along the chain is a must.

Get Best Make Solar Panel and Make Wind Turbine Guide

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Why You Must Conduct a Nanny Background Check to Protect Your Family

Are you looking into childcare for your children and considering a nanny background check? Nanny background checks may increase with the economic crisis putting the financial squeeze on so many families in America the need for low cost childcare is greater than ever, but the daycare industry got hit just as hard with the poor job market.

Why Parents Should Run a Nanny Background Check

A nanny in Connecticut recently was caught stealing checks from the home of her employers. She was an immigrant from Brazil with an interesting life history and such a charming demeanor the people employing her didn't bother to check her background. She made off with $16,000 in forged checks. When all charges were finally brought against her, they included eight counts of third degree forgery and fraudulent use of an ATM card.

This isn't an uncommon story and a poor economic climate fosters a rise in criminal activity across the board and potential nannies are no exception. Just as you may be seeking in-home care for your child as a more affordable alternative to daycare, people everywhere are more desperate to make ends meet. Even nannies who would never do anything to compromise your child's safety may find themselves tempted to steal.

Why You Should Search the Background of People You Already Know

Many people have made nannies out of unemployed friends or family members, which can be a very enriching experience or a complete nightmare. One step that cannot be overstressed is the nanny background check in the selection process. This may be an awkward situation for many reasons, but asking them about any criminal history won't do the trick.

You can do a check online confidentially if you choose or if so inclined just tell them that you are going to do a background check. You could even split the difference with a white lie and give the person a chance to save face while telling them that a background check is on the way.

The background check is quick and easy to do over the Internet. All you have to do is fill out one simple form online, and you can find background, criminal and driving records quickly and easily. Learn more about a nanny background search here. We found this website to be reliable and easy to navigate. No matter what, good luck in your search for a new nanny!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

What makes a fitted kitchen perfect?

If you could have the perfect kitchen, what would it look like and what would you have in it? Mine would have to be big, big enough to have all the workings of a proper kitchen and also space for a table and chairs so that we could sit and have breakfast or just enjoy a cup of tea and a cake at elevenses. I also like fitted kitchens where the appliances are hidden behind doors that match the rest of the cabinets. I prefer real wood in a sort of honey colour, but it really depends on what the rest of the kitchen is like and what the lighting is like. It would not be a good idea to have a very dark finish in a small dark kitchen, it would look like a cave and would not be very inviting or inspiring.

To get some ideas, you could start by looking at magazines, television programmes and on the internet. You may have an idea of your own that you would like to use, however if you are a bit stuck or find too much choice, there are many companies that offer a complete design and build service. The size and shape of your kitchen will determine what sort of kitchen design you will be able to have and how it will be laid out. Having a fitted kitchen makes the most of the space you have available and allows you to have the most storage space you can. If you are completely refurbishing your kitchen, there are some very good deals to be had when it comes to appliances for your fitted kitchen and you can have a really good quality kitchen for a reasonable budget. You can have as many or as few units as you want and you can build around what your requirements are.

The best thing about a fitted kitchen is that you can customise your kitchen and everything fits well together and all the pieces look the same. Kitchens with free standing furniture tend not to be so roomy and can look a bit odd if the pieces don't match properly, plus with free standing furniture you will have to pull it all out from time to time to clean behind it. Whereas with fitted furniture you don't have that added chore. Your fitted kitchen will be a reflection of your personality and will be unique, even if you us a mass produced style. Fitted kitchens also have the benefit of having nice easy care worktops. It is always good to spend as much as you can on this, as cheap ones will very soon start to look scruffy and chipped.

Buying a good quality fitted kitchen means it will last for many years and remain in good condition if it is properly looked after. Do your research and choose a reputable company from whom to buy your fitted kitchen. Make sure they listen to what you want and take advice from them, after all they are experts and are there to help you.

From Roman Baths to Modern Spas: Plumbing in Pampering

The Roman baths have gotten quite a reputation in the intervening centuries since they were the hot place to be during the Republic. While the activities that undoubtedly took place inside these great bath halls may be replayed in modern circumstances, there is a connection between contemporary society and the societal value of the Roman baths that most people are not familiar. The Roman baths were the ancient equivalent of today's gyms, fitness centers and spas. You can't work yourself into a physical state of exhaustion without the need to relieve the multiple effects of such a state, and the Romans were just as concerned with the aftereffects of physical exercise as anyone living in Los Angeles or New York today. Both societies also used state-of-the-art plumbing to create an atmosphere where both platonic and romantic entanglements could begin after the workout.

Today's nautilus machines and Jazzercise are reflected in the ancient Roman practices of wrestling, weightlifting, fencing and games. Roman women were highly athletic as well, preferring to play a game called trochus, which involved a stick and metal hoop. These athletic pursuits could work up quite a sweat, as well as leave the body subject to myriad pains in the joints and muscles that those who ride bikes and play racquetball feel today. The Romans were the leaders in the engineering of plumbing technology, and their baths were the apotheosis of this knowledge. Those designs gave birth to the mud baths, saunas and showers of today where tall tales of conquests can be swapped as easily as flirtatious compliments.

There was a regular procedure that was followed by the Romans when it came to relaxation after exercise. The first step involved entry into what was known as the tepidarium. Tepid water was the preferred method for coming down from a high intensity round of wrestling or weightlifting. After the tepidarium, came the caldarium, which is the equivalent of a massage room at a spa or gym today. The application of oils would take place in this part of the Roman bath house as, unlike in today's workout centers, soap was not readily available. Any visitor to a top-notch spa would recognize certain elements of the caldarium section of the Roman bathhouse, however, once the oils were applied. Of course, there is at least one huge difference that time cannot erase; the oils in the Roman spas were applied by slaves.

Once the oil treatment was completed, the ancient Roman made his way into yet another area of the bathhouse called the frigidarium. Today's spas, gyms and fitness centers tend to bypass this element of the Roman baths, perhaps because the efficiency of modern plumbing has come so far. The frigidarium was exactly what it sounds like: a dip into cold water. The evolution of plumbing technology has certainly come a long way since even the admittedly progressive era of the knowledge of Roman engineers. Those pools in the frigidarium of Roman baths have more in common with the exterior ideals associated with members of the Polar Bear Clubs, those thoroughly insane individuals who would rather dive nearly naked into the frigid waters outdoors during the coldest days of winter rather than recognize that modern plumbing has eliminated the necessity for such an activity.

The more things change, the more they stay the same, as the saying goes. One thing is for sure. The desire for members of society to engage in rugged physical activity followed by the use of plumbing to facilitate both relaxation and the extension of social relationships is hardly a modern invention.