Here are a few tips to make your mornings less hectic:
1. If you are always searching for your keys or glasses each morning, place them somewhere so that it becomes a habit. Pick a place that makes logical sense- by the back door for keys, the nightstand for eyeglasses or a purse or wallet. It may take a couple of weeks to train yourself to hang up the car keys as soon as you walked in the house.
2. Have a specified spot for items that you need to take with you. The key is to pick a very visible spot for everyone. This helps all members of the household to be of assistance to each other. If someone becomes so distracted in the morning that they still don't see the big pile of papers in the kitchen, someone else will surely notice the spot and remind them. By choosing a very specific spot, everyone gets used to checking that area and being aware if someone hasn't 'claimed' something from the spot. Mentally run through your activities for the next day. Re-enact every class, every appointment, phone call, et cetera, that must be accomplished. Think if there is anything extra that is needed to be taken the next day. If so, put it in the specified area the night before. Ask your family members to do the same. A good time to do this is right after supper when everyone is still together and before everyone becomes distracted with other things. This also makes it easier for you to help them to remember to do this each evening.
3. Make sure everyone lays out their entire outfit for the next morning all the way down to underwear, matching socks and shoes. Do this at least a couple of hours before bedtime. Again, right after supper is a good time. This gives everyone time to iron clothing, wash a load of clothes, or whatever needs to be done to have a complete and perfect outfit the next morning.
4. Simply take your "I can't forget this" item and pair it with an essential item that you need for the next day. For example, if you always keep your eyeglasses by the nightstand, place them on top of the important papers or book or whatever. Then when you put on your glasses in the morning, take the important item straight out to the car first thing or put it in a place where it won't be missed as you go out the door.
5. Always have on hand items that can be eaten on the way to work or school. Granola bars, bagels, and fruits are good options to keep in your pantry at all times.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Her Secret -- 9 Occasions You Should Stick Up for Yourself
Social psychologist Susan Newman, author of "The Book of NO", named nine occasions that you are totally right to stand up for yourself.
1. Say No to a Really Annoying Favor.
"I'd like to help you out, [sound of you flipping through daily planner], but unfortunately, it just won't work." The less you explain, the less they'll argue or beg ... and you'll be stunned how quickly the person says "okay" and moves on to someone with a weaker backbone.
2. Get Retail Reparations.
First, decide what you want (a comp, store credit, a free trim), and ask for it in person as soon as it happens. But here's the real trick: Stay put for as long as it takes, and coolly respond to any nonsolution ("That's not our policy") by asking to see someone who can help you. No business wants an unhappy customer sticking around -- they'll do whatever it takes to ge tyou on your way. Just stay calm at all costs. If you blow up, they can ask you to leave, and then you don't get results.
3. Tough Love a Whiner.
This is a tough one, because you honestly feel bad for a pal with a jerky man or a negative bank balance. But after the 90th time, you might try saying "we're always having this conversation, but nothing seems to improve. I can't give you the advice you need -- you should talk to someone who can, like a psychologist/financial planner/relative."
4. Press an Issue With Your Joker Boyfriend.
You bring up a beef with your man and he laughs it off. Your reflex may be to drop it so you don't look naggy. Instead, stay on point. Simply press on, "Reall, this bothers me because ..." When you grin, your guy thinks he's off the hook and stops listening. So keep your face serious.
5. Refuse to be B-listed.
Instead of acting find as your pal is b-listing you, respond as if she'd said "Nope, I'm busy," and say "Oh, some other time then." The casual line gives her a wake-up that you were looking for a yes or no, not an "If I have nothing better to do."
6. Demand Your Credit.
When a coworker pipes up with your idea, speak up ASAP. Just say, "I'm so glad to hear you come back to my idea from our talk earlier. Expanding on that ..." It's as strong as saying "go to hell" but gives you control.
7. Undermine Mean Girls.
If you walk in on a gossip-athon about one of your crew, ask a zillion curious questions that make them justify their cuts: "Who told you? How did they find out? How do you really know?" Eventually, they'll get so self-conscious and bored that they'll shut the hell up.
8. Call Out a Borrower-and-Breaker.
Nonconfrontationally say she probably didn't realize the item was damaaged and it needs to be fixed or it cost so-and-so to repair.
9. Ax Excess Apologies.
Chronic I'm sorrys put you in the wrong in people's eyes even if you aren't ... and make you feel wimpy. Save your sorrys for when you actually screw up.
Courtesy of the May issue of Cosmopolitan.
1. Say No to a Really Annoying Favor.
"I'd like to help you out, [sound of you flipping through daily planner], but unfortunately, it just won't work." The less you explain, the less they'll argue or beg ... and you'll be stunned how quickly the person says "okay" and moves on to someone with a weaker backbone.
2. Get Retail Reparations.
First, decide what you want (a comp, store credit, a free trim), and ask for it in person as soon as it happens. But here's the real trick: Stay put for as long as it takes, and coolly respond to any nonsolution ("That's not our policy") by asking to see someone who can help you. No business wants an unhappy customer sticking around -- they'll do whatever it takes to ge tyou on your way. Just stay calm at all costs. If you blow up, they can ask you to leave, and then you don't get results.
3. Tough Love a Whiner.
This is a tough one, because you honestly feel bad for a pal with a jerky man or a negative bank balance. But after the 90th time, you might try saying "we're always having this conversation, but nothing seems to improve. I can't give you the advice you need -- you should talk to someone who can, like a psychologist/financial planner/relative."
4. Press an Issue With Your Joker Boyfriend.
You bring up a beef with your man and he laughs it off. Your reflex may be to drop it so you don't look naggy. Instead, stay on point. Simply press on, "Reall, this bothers me because ..." When you grin, your guy thinks he's off the hook and stops listening. So keep your face serious.
5. Refuse to be B-listed.
Instead of acting find as your pal is b-listing you, respond as if she'd said "Nope, I'm busy," and say "Oh, some other time then." The casual line gives her a wake-up that you were looking for a yes or no, not an "If I have nothing better to do."
6. Demand Your Credit.
When a coworker pipes up with your idea, speak up ASAP. Just say, "I'm so glad to hear you come back to my idea from our talk earlier. Expanding on that ..." It's as strong as saying "go to hell" but gives you control.
7. Undermine Mean Girls.
If you walk in on a gossip-athon about one of your crew, ask a zillion curious questions that make them justify their cuts: "Who told you? How did they find out? How do you really know?" Eventually, they'll get so self-conscious and bored that they'll shut the hell up.
8. Call Out a Borrower-and-Breaker.
Nonconfrontationally say she probably didn't realize the item was damaaged and it needs to be fixed or it cost so-and-so to repair.
9. Ax Excess Apologies.
Chronic I'm sorrys put you in the wrong in people's eyes even if you aren't ... and make you feel wimpy. Save your sorrys for when you actually screw up.
Courtesy of the May issue of Cosmopolitan.
Her Secret -- 3 Simple Lines To Get You What You Deserve
Nowadays, the word "b*tch" is thrown around so often, that it's hard to know what the word actually means. What's disheartening is that it's used to describe driven, assertive, successful women in the workplace as well. Here are three simple lines that will help you get what is rightfully yours, without appearing b*tchy. Curtesy of the May issue of Cosmopolitan.
1. When someone steals your seat, or cut in line
"Excuse me, but I was actually here before you and would like to sit down/go next."
2. When someone takes advantage of you every time
"I know you care about me and don't realize it's coming off this way, but I need you to treat me with respect instead of just assuming I'm always free."
3. When you get bad service
"I chose this restaurant/product/service because I've heard such great things about it, so I'm really surprised by these disappointing results. What can you do to fix the problem?"
1. When someone steals your seat, or cut in line
"Excuse me, but I was actually here before you and would like to sit down/go next."
2. When someone takes advantage of you every time
"I know you care about me and don't realize it's coming off this way, but I need you to treat me with respect instead of just assuming I'm always free."
3. When you get bad service
"I chose this restaurant/product/service because I've heard such great things about it, so I'm really surprised by these disappointing results. What can you do to fix the problem?"
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Health -- Get Your Pre-Baby Body Back
Summarizing a wonderful article from WebMD:
First, let's ease the pressure a little.
Laura Riley, MD, a high-risk-pregnancy expert from Massachusetts General Hospital and spokeswoman for the American Collage of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, says that "we don't have the kind of lifestyle that would allow for that kind of quick loss -- and the sooner women recognize that, the better they will feel about themselves." "[The celebrities] have resources that the rest of us don't have after baby is born." This, she reminds us, includes personal trainers, chefs, and nannies, all of whom allow the celebrity new mom to devote serious time to getting in shape, a luxury few other women have. Neither crash dieting or a stringent exercise program is the way to go -- particularly if you've had a difficult pregnancy, a C-section delivery, or if you're breastfeeding. Riley says she frequently advises patients to not even think about dieting until after their first six-week visit.
"You should be eating at least 1,800-2,000 calories a day while breastfeeding, and if you eat less you will not only be shortchanging yourself, you'll be shortchanging your baby. You can't produce quality milk if you are not eating enough," says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy. "Pregnancy is not unlike running a marathon every day for nine months. You have really put your body through the ringer, so even if you ate well, several nutrients are still likely to be compromised. You need this postpartum time to restore your nutritional status and your energy."
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that you check with your doctor before starting an exercise program, especially if you had a complicated pregnancy or delivery. That said, most experts agree you are free to begin a mild workout as soon as you feel up to it -- and you can keep up with the activity level.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists experts say one of the easiest ways to begin a postpartum exercise routine is by walking. "The idea is to use the stroller as a piece of fitness equipment and doing exercises that actually rely on the stroller, or workouts that can be done while your baby is in the stroller," says Lisa Druxman, founder of San Diego-based Stroller Strides, one of several nationwide programs devoted to helping new moms get back in shape.
"You can start with what you did in the third trimester, then gradually add what you did in the second trimester, then the first, until you are back to doing what you did before pregnancy," says Fleming, who says the process should take between four and six months.
The one area where you might want to start on sooner rather than later, however, involves strength-training exercises to build a strong core, an area that Riley says many women neglect during pregnancy as well as during the postpartum. "Even if you had strong core muscles before pregnancy, you really lose that strength during pregnancy because the muscles are all attenuated and stretched out – plus you've spent nine months carrying extra weight in that area," says Riley.
"You can start simple and slow with a pelvic tilt, a modified sit-up (if you didn't have a C-section), squeeze and tighten your butt then relax, put a pillow between your knees and squeeze and relax. This can start to build your core and strengthen your back," says Fleming.
Experts caution against any activities that put major stress on your joints -- such as jogging, jumping, or running -- for at least six to eight weeks. "During pregnancy you produce a hormone called relaxin, which actually makes joints loose and consequently more prone to injury, and you will still have significant amounts of this hormone in your blood for at least several weeks after childbirth," says Fleming. Get an ok from your doctor just to be sure.
First, let's ease the pressure a little.
Laura Riley, MD, a high-risk-pregnancy expert from Massachusetts General Hospital and spokeswoman for the American Collage of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, says that "we don't have the kind of lifestyle that would allow for that kind of quick loss -- and the sooner women recognize that, the better they will feel about themselves." "[The celebrities] have resources that the rest of us don't have after baby is born." This, she reminds us, includes personal trainers, chefs, and nannies, all of whom allow the celebrity new mom to devote serious time to getting in shape, a luxury few other women have. Neither crash dieting or a stringent exercise program is the way to go -- particularly if you've had a difficult pregnancy, a C-section delivery, or if you're breastfeeding. Riley says she frequently advises patients to not even think about dieting until after their first six-week visit.
"You should be eating at least 1,800-2,000 calories a day while breastfeeding, and if you eat less you will not only be shortchanging yourself, you'll be shortchanging your baby. You can't produce quality milk if you are not eating enough," says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy. "Pregnancy is not unlike running a marathon every day for nine months. You have really put your body through the ringer, so even if you ate well, several nutrients are still likely to be compromised. You need this postpartum time to restore your nutritional status and your energy."
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that you check with your doctor before starting an exercise program, especially if you had a complicated pregnancy or delivery. That said, most experts agree you are free to begin a mild workout as soon as you feel up to it -- and you can keep up with the activity level.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists experts say one of the easiest ways to begin a postpartum exercise routine is by walking. "The idea is to use the stroller as a piece of fitness equipment and doing exercises that actually rely on the stroller, or workouts that can be done while your baby is in the stroller," says Lisa Druxman, founder of San Diego-based Stroller Strides, one of several nationwide programs devoted to helping new moms get back in shape.
"You can start with what you did in the third trimester, then gradually add what you did in the second trimester, then the first, until you are back to doing what you did before pregnancy," says Fleming, who says the process should take between four and six months.
The one area where you might want to start on sooner rather than later, however, involves strength-training exercises to build a strong core, an area that Riley says many women neglect during pregnancy as well as during the postpartum. "Even if you had strong core muscles before pregnancy, you really lose that strength during pregnancy because the muscles are all attenuated and stretched out – plus you've spent nine months carrying extra weight in that area," says Riley.
"You can start simple and slow with a pelvic tilt, a modified sit-up (if you didn't have a C-section), squeeze and tighten your butt then relax, put a pillow between your knees and squeeze and relax. This can start to build your core and strengthen your back," says Fleming.
Experts caution against any activities that put major stress on your joints -- such as jogging, jumping, or running -- for at least six to eight weeks. "During pregnancy you produce a hormone called relaxin, which actually makes joints loose and consequently more prone to injury, and you will still have significant amounts of this hormone in your blood for at least several weeks after childbirth," says Fleming. Get an ok from your doctor just to be sure.
Health -- 4 Foods to Lower Cholesterol
From WebMD:
1. Packed with soluble fiber, oats can bring down bad LDL cholesterol.
2. Nuts aren't just for holidays anymore. Key nuts can help you lower cholesterol.
3. Eating plant sterol and plant stanol-containing (or fortified) foods is an easy way to lower LDL cholesterol. Careful with the extra calories though.
4. Help your heart: Unlock the tasty, healthy benefits of tuna, salmon, and other omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish. If you aren't a fan of fish, try flax seed.
1. Packed with soluble fiber, oats can bring down bad LDL cholesterol.
2. Nuts aren't just for holidays anymore. Key nuts can help you lower cholesterol.
3. Eating plant sterol and plant stanol-containing (or fortified) foods is an easy way to lower LDL cholesterol. Careful with the extra calories though.
4. Help your heart: Unlock the tasty, healthy benefits of tuna, salmon, and other omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish. If you aren't a fan of fish, try flax seed.
Financial Security -- Do guys outearn gals?
Catherine Hill was the lead researcher on a study sponsored by the American Association of University Women. Her study found that one year out of college, women earn only around 80 percent of what their male colleagues do. This pattern holds true across industries, except for a handful of ones, including engineering and education, in which women earn about the same. Ten years out, women make 70 percent of what men do.
Here are some advice on making sure we are earning as much as the guys, from the July 2007 issue of Glamour:
-- Do salary surveillance. payscale.com, salary.com, indeed.com, womenworking.com, jobsearchabout.com, and websites for your field
-- Promote yourself. Research show that men are four times more likely to ask for more money than women when a job offer is made. "But leave it to the prospective employer to talk money first," says Tory Johnson, CEO of Women For Hire, a recruitment firm. "Otherwise you could lowball yourself." When asked about your current salary, if you think it's low, reveal it and add, "I'm not earning enough, given my experience and the market value." If you get a skimpy offer, express interest in the job, then say, "Based on my research, I think I should be earning more." Don't bring up personal reasons you need extra money (like a rent increase). Give your supervisor a list of your achievements a month before your review, says Lois P. Frankel, author of "See Jane Lead." "Say that you'd like to remind her of your successes as she determines raises."
-- Seek out companies with women on top.
-- Two pending bills in Congress: the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 1338/S 766) and the Fair Pay Act (HR 2019/S 1087) would require employers to pay women and men equally for comparable jobs. Urge your legislators to back them (for emails, go to usa.gov). If we don't take action, we'll be passing this problem to our daughters and grand-daughters.
Here are some advice on making sure we are earning as much as the guys, from the July 2007 issue of Glamour:
-- Do salary surveillance. payscale.com, salary.com, indeed.com, womenworking.com, jobsearchabout.com, and websites for your field
-- Promote yourself. Research show that men are four times more likely to ask for more money than women when a job offer is made. "But leave it to the prospective employer to talk money first," says Tory Johnson, CEO of Women For Hire, a recruitment firm. "Otherwise you could lowball yourself." When asked about your current salary, if you think it's low, reveal it and add, "I'm not earning enough, given my experience and the market value." If you get a skimpy offer, express interest in the job, then say, "Based on my research, I think I should be earning more." Don't bring up personal reasons you need extra money (like a rent increase). Give your supervisor a list of your achievements a month before your review, says Lois P. Frankel, author of "See Jane Lead." "Say that you'd like to remind her of your successes as she determines raises."
-- Seek out companies with women on top.
-- Two pending bills in Congress: the Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 1338/S 766) and the Fair Pay Act (HR 2019/S 1087) would require employers to pay women and men equally for comparable jobs. Urge your legislators to back them (for emails, go to usa.gov). If we don't take action, we'll be passing this problem to our daughters and grand-daughters.
Her Secret -- Summer Travel Savings
Summer travel seems to be just as expensive as holiday travel. Besides priceline.com, expedia.com, here are more to try. The trick is to check everywhere, and book early (unfortunate, but true).
Rental cars:
carrentals.com
carrentalexpress.com
Airfare:
airfarewatchdog.com
Hotels:
hotwire.com
hotels.com
Last minute packages:
lastminute.com
Rental cars:
carrentals.com
carrentalexpress.com
Airfare:
airfarewatchdog.com
Hotels:
hotwire.com
hotels.com
Last minute packages:
lastminute.com
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