Beauty Favors

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Beauty favors make unexpected and beloved party favors for baby and bridal shower. After all, what woman doesn’t love to receive a gift that is meant to pamper?

Beauty favors can include bath and soap favors, skincare favors, make-up favors, and grooming favors (such as manicure sets). When purchasing these favors for your event you want to make sure that you are purchasing high quality products that won’t be discarded by your guests after the party. In fact, having them swoon and gush over receiving such a wonderful gift should be the goal!

Things to think about when deciding on what beauty favor you would like to give:

1.       Does it appear to be a high quality item? The last thing you want to be stuck with is a poor quality product made mainly from chemicals. Look for at least for a partial ingredient listing. 

2.       Where is it made? Look for something made in the States. My experience is that a lot of shoddy product is produced in certain other countries.

3.       Is it made with natural ingredients that are known for the skin softening or skin pampering properties such as shea butter, avocado oil, jojaba oil, vitamin E, etc.

4.       Is it mass produced? Look for items that are made per order. These will assure you of freshness. Often you can even choose the scent of the product specifically for your order. 

5.       Does it come with personalized labels? Not a ‘must’, but certainly a ‘very nice to have’ – making your party favor that much more special.

6.       Is it something I would want to receive? If you can say ‘yes’ to this – and can address the other 5 questions – you’ve got yourself a winner!

Diva Entertains, Copyright 2009

Addiction – 60 Day Key Fob and a Powerful Thirst

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Cunning, baffling, powerful. These are three words used to describe addiction in 12 Step literature.

I have worked in the addictions field now for 12 years, and I am certainly baffled. We had the honor of watching and walking through, the painful excavating and facing of, the dark places inside a young adult I’ll call Peter.

As with most of the people we help in long-term or repeat treatment, the disease and the twisted way of thinking is planted and tended by the parents and family. Coming to terms with the fact that the people who you believe love you the most are toxic enough to kill you, shakes the very foundations of a person’s life. There is no point in explaining Peter’s history. It is nothing more than a variation of a theme that is played out in hundreds of thousands of families across time and geography. It is something called good intentions of ‘love and nurturing’ gone awry.

Peter had been to treatment before, this was his third attempt. Over the years of being in and out of recovery, he saw clearly the progression of his disease. In 12 Step meetings the fatal nature of the disease is exhibited in the funerals and arrests of those that aren’t willing to go to any length to stay clean and sober. Peter was well past the state of denial about his own disease. More frequent visits to the drunk tank, passing out on the street, and vomiting on a daily basis foreshadowed the end of the road, and it was not very far away.

At 12 Step meetings they often offer key fobs or coins to celebrate and acknowledge lengths of clean time. 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, 9 months, and then yearly thereafter. Peter had taken a 60 day key fob on Tuesday, and talked about how proud he was of this incredible accomplishment. Make no mistake, 60 days without drinking, for an alcoholic, is a monumental feat. People who are not alcoholic seldom count how many days it’s been since their last drink, so one may not understand the import and significance of this.

Thursday morning Peter showed up to breakfast crying. He said his bags were packed, and he was leaving early. Peter was crying, because, he told us, he knew he was going out to drink. He stated very honestly that he was going to a bar, and would likely sleep on the street tonight. He was invited to stay for breakfast so we could talk about it. Peter stated he knew he would die, or harm someone else in a black out and land back in jail. In addiction lingo this is called The Hijacked Brain. There was nothing anyone could say or do to hold back this man back from certain destruction. Peter had packed up his 30 and 60 day key fobs, and left after breakfast.

Addictions can be cunning, powerful and baffling. Alcoholism creates a powerful thirst for self-destruction. Recovery can create a powerful thirst for life.

Diabetes – What Are the Risk Factors?

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There are two types of diabetes, the diabetes mellitus and the diabetes insipidus. The diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin completely or produces very little of it. Insulin enables cells in the body to absorb glucose, which is a form of sugar that is got when food is digested and it is the primary source of energy needed by the body. This lack of insulin leads to an accumulation of glucose in the blood and urine, as a result the person suffers turbulence of protein and fat metabolism, constant thirst, hunger and frequent urination.

The diabetes insipidus is not very common and it occurs when the body lacks a hormone known as vasopressin whose function is to control urine secretion.

Diabetes Mellitus is classified into two types. Type I also called insulin dependent diabetes manifests itself during childhood and it occurs when the pancreas completely stops producing insulin. The second type is called the Type II also known as the non-insulin dependent diabetes; it affects adults and sometimes teenagers. This condition occurs when the pancreas produces very little insulin or when the insulin is not properly used by the body cells.

People who are likely to suffer diabetes include adults over 45, individuals who are overweight or physically unfit, those who hail from families who have a history of diabetes. The most vulnerable races include Africans and Native Americans however reports show that Native Americans have the highest occurrence of diabetes compared to others globally.

There are available diagnostic tests for diabetes. One is done through an oral glucose tolerance test where the glucose level in the blood is measured before and after the individual is given an amount of sugar. The other type of test allows one to recognize certain antibodies which are only found in a diabetic. These tests are vital since they can help one detect diabetes early hence reducing further complications brought about by the disease.

Diabetes is treated by controlling the blood sugar level as well as preventing complications. Diabetes natural care involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle by eating a well balanced diet and exercising on a regular basis. It is important to note that Type I diabetes insulin injections need to be given two or four times within a day, while the Type II is treated through diet control, weight reduction and exercise.

8 Super Foods That All Easy Diets Should Contain

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If you are looking for help in choosing between the many easy diets available today but are not sure if you are comfortable with the foods they are based on, then read this article.

In this article you will learn about eight essential super foods that some of these easy diets contain. You will also learn why a diet should contain a variety of food types and which ones are good for you and which ones are a waste of time.

Firstly, make sure your diet provides a variety of food choices. Diets like the Cabbage Diet or Carrot Diet may (or may not) produce results, but can you really stick to one type of food for weeks at a time? To lose weight you need a varied healthy diet that is going to help you change your lifestyle. Losing weight is about making long-term choices and do this you need to ensure that you are following a diet that suits your lifestyle.

There are many good diets available (and some shocking ones). Before parting with your cash though, consider the food choices on the diet and check that it includes some of these super foods that accelerate your weight loss.

1. Nuts

Nuts are filled with low glycemic fatty acids. These are the good fats that have been proved time and time again to lower cholesterol, provide protein and slowly release energy. When energy is slowly released, the blood insulin stays constant and this helps control hunger pangs. Nuts such as almonds can increase your calorie burn and reduce your appetite. Almonds are also high in vitamin E that helps with memory and brain function.

2. Eggs

Eggs are a great natural product that most people enjoy. Eating whole eggs will have no affect on your cholesterol levels and will boost your energy levels. If you want to accelerate weight loss, make sure your diet includes this super food. Like nuts, eggs reduce hunger pangs and slowly release energy.

3. Whole Grains

Most easy diets will get you to stop eating highly refined white grains (and breads, baked goods, cookies and everything else containing processed flour). Whole grains on the other hand will provide energy, which is slowly released into the body. Slow release foods prevent insulin swings, which cause hunger pangs and fat retention. Whole grains also contain anti oxidants which help remove toxins and by-products.

4. Avocado and Other Healthy Fats

Avocados, nut oil and olive oil contain healthy fats. Avocados also contain fiber. Healthy oils are essential in losing weight, so make sure your diet contains a generous amount of healthy oils.

5. Meat (Pasture-Raised and Free-Range)

Lean meat provides necessary protein. It is important to choose grass-fed beef, chicken or pork (not grain-fed varieties). Traditional beef can contain eight times the fat or grass-fed beef. Grass fed beef and chick also contain higher levels of mega-3 and lower levels of omega-6, both of which will not only make it easier to diet. Omega-3 improves your mood, boosts your metabolism, sharpens your brain, and helps you lose weight.

6. Environmentally Sustainable Fish

Fish are high in protein and low in fat. Fish high in Omega-3 include herring, mackerel and sardines. Varieties that are low in toxins and high in nutrients include Rainbow Trout, Wild Alaskan salmon, Yellow Fin tuna and Pacific Halibut. Avoid farmed fish such as Atlantic salmon, farmed Tilapia, Atlantic cod and farmed shrimp.

7. Raspberries and Other Berries

Berries are generally lower in sugar than other fruits such as oranges. Berries have antioxidants effects and help remove the toxins from the body associated with weight loss. The berries that are highest in antioxidants are cranberries, black currents, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and pomegranates.

8. Instant Oats

All easy diets should contain good breakfast options. Breakfast is one time where we can get a good intake of fiber that is an essential component which mustn’t be overlooked. Consuming more fiber will not only aid digestion in the colon, you will actually lose weight as a result of eating goats over another cereal.

Rolled oats, or porridge oats or instant oats are a great way to get fiber into your diet as well as filling you up and making you feel less hungry. People on type 2 diabetes diets often eat rolled oats. They are low on the glycemic index and reduce the risk of future weight gain. Oats are packed with protein having ten grams of protein per half cup serving so they are excellent for muscle builders too.