Hippo Inspiro

The 5 characteristics of qualified husband

2010-10-21T02:37:00.000-07:00

No matter how the personality of man, there are certain characteristics that should he have to be a husband who qualified in the future. For those of you who still in single, immediately check the characteristics of men who will deserve to make your life partner:

Honest

Having an honest partner can give peace of mind. Do not let the lover who would become your husband keep a secret from you. Openness is the key to harmony in the household.

Always Giving Support

Support from one's lover is the spirit alive. Similarly if she has a husband in the future. The husband who always gave support to his wife could be the key to successful marriage.

Have a pleasant personality

Does the prospective husband had a good sense of humor, or not easy to take a joke? He is a person who will accompany you to spend the rest of life. If you do not enjoy being with him now, 10 or 20 years from now your relationship could be more bland. Weddings are always colored by joy and sorrow, but at least there are certain moments can be happy your spouse.

Workhorse but not workaholic

A man's duty is to make a living for his family. Although most women today are also a career to help covering needs of families, a man still has primary responsibility to cover the needs of family life.

The lazy men and not hard-working type of household will only make you worse. For that, try to be selective in choosing a husband. But, that does not mean you only expect to be a rich man's life partner. Find a guy who want to work hard for his family.

Loving you what the way you are

Loving all the shortcomings that exist in a person will be better than love excess. If a man likes a woman of beauty, a time his love may be fading along with your beauty fading. However, if he can receive all your shortcomings, he was the future husband the right to choose.

Types of orgasm in women

2010-10-02T22:17:00.000-07:00

At least there are four types of orgasm in women.

Clitoral orgasm
In the past, we did not know that women need clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm. Now, stimulation of this organ is often used for women to reach orgasm.

Vaginal orgasms
This type of involving an area called the G-spot and other sensitive parts inside the vagina. Orgasms are very different and are physically able to feel more and more intense depending on the ability of couples to play its role. But clearly, when you reach it, your energy rather than decrease, even increased.

Multiple orgasm
When a serial sexual intercourse took place and taste you get peaks of pleasure (orgasm) several times like a strand of pearls that line, it is called multiple orgasms.

The whole body orgasm
Indeed very rarely experienced by most women. It was not that difficult to achieve. With proper training, women, even men, can feel it. It can take up to 30 minutes, although a few minutes also. The important thing to remember is the trauma of the past and our inability to remove all thoughts about work, relationships with friends, family, and other problems become the most significant obstacles to achieve orgasm. Therefore, remove and enjoy until you really orgasm.

The Film Stars Who Died Before The Release of Their Final Films

2008-11-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

Bernie Mac
The comedian Bernie Mac still stars in two movies opening this weekend. He died at the age of 50 of pneumonia this past August. He not only plays opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the endearingly foul-mouthed tale of two washed-up singers in "Soul Men." But he also lends his voice to DreamWorks' animated movie "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa."

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
The Australian actor died while shooting Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," but a trio of other stars -- Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell -- stepped in to film the character's remaining scenes. Though he died of an accidental drug overdose this past January, a full seven months before "The Dark Knight" opened, Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker in Christopher Nolan's grim superhero blockbuster has already garnered Oscar talk.

James Dean - Giant
Dean was a mere 24 years old when he died in a car wreck in 1955. But in that short time, he starred in three movies and garnered two posthumous Oscar nominations, one for "East of Eden" and the other for "Giant."

Oliver Reed - Gladiator
Legendary British actor Oliver Reed died of a heart attack during production of this epic sword and sandal flick. As a result, a number of his scenes had to be re-edited using a double, digital effects, and plenty of shadows.

Bruce Lee - Enter the Dragon
Legend of martial genre film, Bruce Lee died just three weeks before his breakout movie opened, killed suddenly by a cerebral edema. "Enter the Dragon" proved to be such a hit -- one of the most profitable movies of all time -- and there was such a demand for its departed star that Hong Kong soon started cranking out films with leads named Bruce Li, Bruce Lei, Brute Lee, and Lee Bruce.

Brandon Lee - The Crow
Bruce Lee's son Brandon was killed in a freak on-set accident during filming of 1994's "The Crow.", in a coincidence so ghoulish people speculated there may have been some sort of "curse" involved. An improperly-cleaned prop gun discharged a blank that pierced Lee's abdomen and lodged in his spine. After the tragic mishap, production resumed using stunt doubles and digital trickery for the remaining scenes.

Spencer Tracy - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Spencer Tracy starred alongside Katharine Hepburn and Sydney Poiter in the 1967's landmark "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," which broached the then-taboo subject of interracial marriage. Tracy's health was so bad prior to shooting that insurance companies refused to cover him for the production. He died after the film wrapped and posthumously received his ninth Oscar nomination.

Adrienne Shelly - Waitress
When "Waitress" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007, the film was hailed as being a sweet, witty comedy about one of life's true pleasures: pie. Sadly, writer/director/actress Adrienne Shelly was not there. She was murdered months prior by Diego Pillco, a New York City construction worker. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison earlier this year.

Peter Finch - Network
Though he did die two months after "Network" opened, Peter Finch, who brilliantly played crazed newscaster Howard Beale, is the only person to win an acting Oscar posthumously.

Tupac Shakur - Gridlock'd
Rapper Tupac Shakur proved to be almost as posthumously prolific in movies as he was with music. After he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Vegas in 1996, Tupac appeared in both "Gridlock'd" and "Gang Related," both of which were released the following year.

Clark Gable - The Misfits
The day shooting for John Huston's 1960 movie "The Misfits" wrapped, Clark Gable was reported to have said, "Christ, I'm glad this picture's finished. [Co-star Marilyn Monroe] damn near gave me a heart attack." He keeled over from a heart attack the next day and died 11 days later. "The Misfits" also proved to be Monroe's final film as well.

To hear Samuel L. Jackson, Sharon Leal and director Malcolm D. Lee reminisce about their experience working with Bernie Mac on "Soul Men," watch the exclusive interview below.

Source:
http://movies.yahoo.com

Drinking Dangers for College

2008-09-01T05:57:00.000-07:00

From NIAAA Fact Sheet

Campus Problem Greater Than Most Parents Realize

As college students arrive on campus this fall, it's a time of new experiences, new friendships, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately for many, it is also a time of excessive drinking and dealing with its aftermath —- vandalism, violence, sexual aggression, and even death.

According to research summarized in a College Task Force report to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the consequences of excessive drinking by college students are more significant, more destructive, and more costly than many parents realize. And these consequences affect students whether or not they drink.

Statistics from this report, which were updated recently, indicate that drinking by college students aged 18 to 24 contributes to an estimated 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year.

Early Weeks Are Critical

As the fall semester begins, parents can use this important time to help prepare their college-age sons and daughters by talking with them about the consequences of excessive drinking.

This rapid increase in heavy drinking over a relatively short period of time can contribute to serious diffi culties with the transition to college.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the fi rst 6 weeks of the fi rst semester are critical to a first-year student's academic success.

Because many students initiate heavy drinking during these early days of college, the potential exists for excessive alcohol consumption to interfere with successful adaptation to campus life. The transition to college is often diffi cult and about one-third of fi rst-year students fail to enroll for their second year.

Parents Can Help

During these crucial early weeks, parents can do a variety of things to stay involved. They can inquire about campus alcohol policies, call their sons and daughters frequently, and ask about roommates and living arrangements.

They should also discuss the penalties for underage drinking as well as how alcohol use can lead to date rape, violence, and academic failure.

Resources Are Available

For parents who want to talk to their college-age sons and daughters about the consequences of college drinking, a variety of helpful resources are available from NIAAA.

A special guide for parents offers research-based information including the need to stay involved during freshman year and how to get assistance if faced with an alcohol-related crisis.

The Task Force's award-winning website features this guide along with links to alcohol policies at colleges across the country, an interactive diagram of the human body and how alcohol affects it, an interactive alcohol cost calculator, and the full text of all Task Force materials.

source: http://alcoholism.about.com/

Busch beats Johnson to Chicago win

2008-07-13T22:57:00.000-07:00

Kyle Busch beat reigning champion Jimmie Johnson in a spectacular green-white-chequered finish to score his seventh Sprint Cup victory of the season in the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

he current points leader had started from pole position and battled at the front with Roush Fenway drivers Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle in the first part of the race. Come the second half of the 400-miler he was the dominant force, although he didn't seem to be the fastest over the long runs.

Following his last pitstop and with seventeen laps remaining, Johnson came out of turn four on the inside of Busch after a long battle in which he had done his best to keep his car on the bottom lane of the track, where Johnson's Chevrolet was working better that his Toyota.

Busch finally had to concede the lead to the Hendrick driver, who pulled away by two and even three tenths of a second a lap. That was until David Gilliland's Ford engine blew up, forcing the caution to come out with only four laps remaining.

That evaporated Johnson's lead, but at the same time allowed him to get some debris off from the grille of his car, as water temperatures started to raise worringly. But given Busch's speed on cold tyres on restarts, the reigning champion knew the race was anything but won for him.

On the green flag for the final two-lap sprint, Johnson spun his tyres too much when he got on the throttle, giving Busch a run on him. Probably thinking that he would be better off running on the bottom again, he forced Busch to go on the outside into turns one and two.

Busch was able to ride side-by-side with Johnson and then going into turns three and four the Californian got loose as 'Rowdy' drove by on the outside of him to take the lead and hold him off in the last lap, with Kevin Harvick finishing a close third in the best seat of the house to watch the spectacular finish.

"I really don't believe how good things are going," Busch said after winning his fourteenth NASCAR race of the season. "This has been a phenomenal year, just something so special. I don't know where this is coming from but they're blessing us all here at Joe Gibbs Racing this year.

"I good a good restart on Jimmie and was able to push him a little bit on that start, got him going and then had to go to the outside because I knew he was going to go to the bottom there through [turns] one and two and we were able to get by him there."

Johnson lamented losing a victory in that way and admitted he probably made a mistake on the last restart giving Busch the outside when he saw he was under attack.

"He got the outside of me there, you know and got a good run on me," Johnson said. "Deep down inside I knew better to give him the outside but he had a run coming on the inside on the restart and I just thought that was the best tonight, but I should know better I pass guys on the last lap on the outside.

"I should've given him the bottom and been a little smarter with that."

Harvick ran strong all race long and scored his first top-five for a while, capitalizing on his strong finish by moving up four spots in the drivers' standing to ninth place. Biffle finished fourth behind him and similarly moved up four places in the points to seventh.

Tony Stewart ran a strong race and led for a few laps but didn't have enough handling in the end to contend for victory, finishing in fifth place.

Carl Edwards looked a threat for victory when he overtook Busch in the early stages of the race but a damaged splitter right after his penultimate stop forced him to make an unscheduled pitstop under green. As a consequence he fell a lap down that he never got back, finishing 32nd.

His teammate Matt Kenseth also had to make an unscheduled stop earlier due to an apparent puncture, which also put him off the lead lap. However he managed to recover it to finish seventh behind Red Bull's Brian Vickers.

Canadian Patrick Carpentier was the highest-finishing rookie in 30th place despite an early clash with the wall at turn four.

"I think we learned a lot," the Canadian said. "We lost a lap early on and I touched the wall there and got behind and could never get it back. Could have got the lucky dog there at the end but the car was fast, it was fun to drive this weekend."

Following back-to-back wins, Kyle Busch has extended his lead in the championship and gets another 10-points bonus towards his Chase seeding. He currently enjoys a 50-point lead over Edwards and Kasey Kahne in the bonus that will come into play when the 'playoff' starts in September.

Pos Driver Make Laps
1. Kyle Busch Toyota 267
2. Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 267
3. Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 267
4. Greg Biffle Ford 267
5. Tony Stewart Toyota 267
6. Brian Vickers Toyota 267
7. Matt Kenseth Ford 267
8. David Ragan Ford 267
9. Martin Truex Jr Chevrolet 267
10. Ryan Newman Dodge 267
11. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 267
12. Elliott Sadler Dodge 267
13. A.J. Allmendinger Toyota 267
14. David Reutimann Toyota 267
15. Kasey Kahne Dodge 267
16. Dale Earnhardt Jr Chevrolet 267
17. Mark Martin Chevrolet 267
18. Juan Montoya Dodge 267
19. Jeff Burton Chevrolet 267
20. Scott Riggs Chevrolet 267
21. Jamie McMurray Ford 267
22. Clint Bowyer Chevrolet 267
23. Dave Blaney Toyota 267
24. J.J. Yeley Toyota 267
25. Robby Gordon Dodge 267
26. Paul Menard Chevrolet 267
27. Jason Leffler Chevrolet 267
28. Kurt Busch Dodge 267
29. Bobby Labonte Dodge 267
30. Patrick Carpentier Dodge 265
31. Reed Sorenson Dodge 265
32. Carl Edwards Ford 265
33. Casey Mears Chevrolet 265
34. Regan Smith Chevrolet 265
35. Bill Elliott Ford 265
36. Michael Waltrip Toyota 264
37. Sam Hornish Jr Dodge 263
38. Terry Labonte Dodge 263
39. Joe Nemechek Chevrolet 263
40. Denny Hamlin Toyota 262
41. Travis Kvapil Ford 260
42. David Gilliland Ford 259
43. Michael McDowell Toyota 258

Abraham Lincoln Personal Life

2007-09-05T00:04:00.000-07:00

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, two uneducated farmers. He was born in a one-room log cabin on the 348-acre (1.4 km²) Sinking Spring Farm, in Nolin Creek, three miles (5 km) south of Hodgenville, in southeast Hardin County, Kentucky (now part of LaRue County), an area which, at that time, was considered the "frontier." The name Abraham was chosen to commemorate his grandfather, who was killed in an American Indian raid in 1786. His elder sister, Sarah Lincoln, was born in 1807; a younger brother, Thomas Jr, died in infancy. It is sometimes debated whether Abraham Lincoln had Marfan syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder of the connective tissue characterized by long limbs and great physical stature.

For some time, Thomas Lincoln was a respected and relatively affluent citizen of the Kentucky back country. He had purchased Sinking Spring Farm in December 1808 for $200 cash and assumption of a debt. The family belonged to a Baptist church that had seceded from a larger church over the issue of slavery. While exposed to his parents' anti-slavery sentiment from a very young age, Lincoln never joined their church, or any other, and as a youth he ridiculed religion.

Times turned, however, and Thomas Lincoln lost all his property in a series of court cases. In 1816, when Lincoln was just seven years old, the family was forced to make a new start in Perry County (now in Spencer County), Indiana. He later noted that this move was "partly on account of slavery," and partly because of economic difficulties in Kentucky. In 1818, Lincoln's mother, then thirty-four years old, died of milk sickness: Lincoln was only nine at the time. Soon afterwards, his father remarried to Sarah Bush Johnston. Sarah Lincoln raised young Lincoln like one of her own children. Years later she compared Lincoln to her own son, saying "Both were good boys, but I must say — both now being dead that Abe was the best boy I ever saw or ever expect to see." Lincoln was affectionate toward his step-mother, whom he would call "Mother" for the rest of his life, but he was distant from his father.

He married Mary Todd, and they had four boys, only one of whom lived to maturity. In 1858 Lincoln ran against Stephen A. Douglas for Senator. He lost the election, but in debating with Douglas he gained a national reputation that won him the Republican nomination for President in 1860.

Entering the presidential nomination process as a distinct underdog, Lincoln was eventually chosen as the Republican candidate for the 1860 election for several reasons. His expressed views on slavery were seen as more moderate than those of rivals William H. Seward and Salmon P. Chase. His "Western" origins also appealed to the newer states: other contenders, especially those with more governmental experience, had acquired enemies within the party and were weak in the critical western states, while Lincoln was perceived as a moderate who could win the West. Most Republicans agreed with Lincoln that the North was the aggrieved party as the Slave Power tightened its grasp on the national government. Yet despite his Southern connections (his in-laws owned slaves), Lincoln misunderstood the depth of the revolution underway in the South and the emergence of Southern nationalism. Throughout the 1850s he denied that there would ever be a civil war, and his supporters repeatedly rejected claims that his election would incite secession.

Throughout the election, Lincoln did not campaign or give speeches. This was handled by the state and county Republican organizations, who used the latest techniques to sustain party enthusiasm and thus obtain high turnout. There was little effort to convert non-Republicans, and there was virtually no campaigning in the South except for a few border cities such as St. Louis, Missouri, and Wheeling, Virginia; indeed, the party did not even run a slate in most of the South. In the North, there were thousands of Republican speakers, tons of campaign posters and leaflets, and thousands of newspaper editorials. These focused first on the party platform, and second on Lincoln's life story, making the most of his boyhood poverty, his pioneer background, his native genius, and his rise from obscurity. His nicknames, "Honest Abe" and "the Rail-Splitter," were exploited to the full. The goal was to emphasize the superior power of "free labor," whereby a common farm boy could work his way to the top by his own efforts.

On November 6, 1860, Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States, beating Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge of the Southern Democrats, and John Bell of the new Constitutional Union Party. He was the first Republican president, winning entirely on the strength of his support in the North: he was not even on the ballot in nine states in the South, and won only 2 of 996 counties in the other Southern states. Lincoln gained 1,865,908 votes (39.9% of the total), for 180 electoral votes; Douglas, 1,380,202 (29.5%) for 12 electoral votes; Breckenridge, 848,019 (18.1%) for 72 electoral votes; and Bell, 590,901 (12.5%) for 39 electoral votes. There were fusion tickets in some states, but even if his opponents had combined in every state, Lincoln had a majority vote in all but two of the states in which he won the electoral votes and would still have won the electoral college and the election.

As Lincoln's election became more likely, secessionists made it clear that their states would leave the Union. South Carolina took the lead, followed by six other cotton-growing states in the deep South. The upper South (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Arkansas) listened to and rejected the secessionist appeal. They decided to stay in the Union, though they warned Lincoln that they would not support an invasion through their territory. The seven Confederate states seceded before Lincoln took office, declaring themselves to be a new nation, the Confederate States of America. President Buchanan and President-elect Lincoln refused to recognize the Confederacy.

President-elect Lincoln evaded possible assassins in Baltimore, and on February 23, 1861, arrived in disguise in Washington, D.C. At his inauguration on March 4, 1861, the German American Turners formed Lincoln's bodyguard; and a sizable garrison of federal troops was also present, ready to protect the capital from Confederate invasion and local insurrection.

But also Civil war has Begining on 1860, and goverment could not solve that. Conflict over issues of how much control the federal government should have over the states, industrialization, trade, and especially slavery had increased tension between Northern and Southern states. After Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, 11 Southern states seceded (or withdrew) from the Union and set up an independent government--the Confederate States of America. These events led to the outbreak of the Civil War--a brutal, bloody, four-year conflict that left the South defeated and ended slavery at the cost of more than half a million lives.

Lincoln believed in the Whig theory of the presidency, which left Congress to write the laws while he signed them, vetoing only those bills that threatened his war powers. Thus, he signed the Homestead Act in 1862, making millions of acres of government-held land in the West available for purchase at very low cost. The Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, also signed in 1862, provided government grants for agricultural universities in each state. The Pacific Railway Acts of 1862 and 1864 granted federal support for the construction of the United States' first transcontinental railroad, which was completed in 1869. Other important legislation involved economic matters, including the first income tax and higher tariffs. Also included was the creation of the system of national banks by the National Banking Acts of 1863, 1864, and 1865, which allowed the creation of a strong national financial system.

In 1862, Lincoln sent a senior general, John Pope, to put down the "Sioux Uprising" in Minnesota. Presented with 303 death warrants for convicted Santee Dakota who had massacred innocent farmers, Lincoln affirmed 39 of these for execution (one was later reprieved).

Lincoln won re-election in 1864, as Union military triumphs heralded an end to the war. In his planning for peace, the President was flexible and generous, encouraging Southerners to lay down their arms and join speedily in reunion.

After Union victories at Gettysburg, Vicksburg and Chattanooga in 1863, victory seemed at hand, and Lincoln promoted Ulysses S. Grant General-in-Chief (March 12, 1864). When the spring campaigns turned into bloody stalemates, Lincoln supported Grant's strategy of wearing down Lee's Confederate army at the cost of heavy Union casualties. With an election looming, he easily defeated efforts to deny his renomination, and selected Andrew Johnson, a War Democrat from the Southern state of Tennessee, as his running mate in order to form a broader coalition. They ran on the new Union Party ticket uniting Republicans and War Democrats.

The spirit that guided him was clearly that of his Second Inaugural Address, now inscribed on one wall of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C.: "With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds.... "

On Good Friday, April 14, 1865, Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre in Washington by John Wilkes Booth, an actor, who somehow thought he was helping the South. The opposite was the result, for with Lincoln's death, the possibility of peace with magnanimity died.

source: from any source

Safety Tips for College Drinkers

2007-09-01T05:34:00.000-07:00

Risk-Takers Face More Danger While Drinking

Researchers have found that college students who drink alcohol may get themselves into trouble not necessarily because of how much they drink, but more because of their risk-taking attitudes while they are drinking, which can be modified to reduce harmful consequences.

Professors at Kansas State University have found that males tend to be greater risk takers when it comes to alcohol, while women tend to use more protective strategies. They recommend the following steps to all college students who drink as a way to avoid dangerous drinking episodes:

Limit the number of drinks consumed
Use self-protective strategies
Limit money spent on alcohol
Drink with friends
Pour your own drinks
Develop low-risk attitudes

Steve Benton, professor of counseling and educational psychology, Ronald Downey, professor of psychology, and Sheryl Benton, assistant professor of counseling and educational psychology and assistant director of Counseling Services, studied college student drinking, attitudes of risk and drinking consequences.

"Students who tend to have attitudes that make them greater risk takers are more likely to get into trouble when drinking," Benton said. "Even when controlling the amount of alcohol, it's not how much you drink that affects the amount of trouble, but how risky you are."

Benton said in a news release that "if a person doesn't care what others think and doesn't worry about laws, then they're more likely to get into trouble. Those with a lower-risk attitude will get into less trouble."

Males Drink More

"We know that males tend to be heavier drinkers than females," Benton said. "The more you drink, the more you get into trouble. We found that the protective strategies are especially beneficial to male students, because they drink more than females, as well as to students who have six or more drinks."

"Student who drink more heavily also are more likely to experience harm from their drinking if they have high-risk attitudes. When they go to parties, they should be aware of their behavior and how much they're drinking," he said. Benton recommends "pacing" drinking over several hours.

Self-Protective Strategies

"Even students who have more than six drinks are less likely to experience harm if they practice self-protective strategies," Benton said.

The Kansas State group will next research the best ways to communicate about drinking issues to students. "If you begin to talk to an individual about risky behavior, you have to understand where they're coming from," Downey said. "Some individuals talk about risks, but some don't like to."

source: http://alcoholism.about.com
pic: http://www.fbi.gov

Successful Sex -- Use It Well

2007-04-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

Sex is for self-expression and for human bonding. You also want to develop your sexual technique. This article is not about that.

In today's world where so many now can express their sexuality without that much inhibition or moral censure by society, we have opened the gates to freedom of sexual expression.

Remember that it was not so long ago that children in families were told not to touch their genitals and were beaten if they were caught masturbating. The young women were also shamed if they got pregnant as teenagers.

This was an attack on living the existence of the body based on religions attacking the body to prove that they offered spiritual salvation and control for making people good to enter the afterlife.

These mentally unbalanced attitudes have been seen for what they are in modern times: anti-body, anti-existence on earth, anti-passion and anti-feeling, and anti-self-decision making.

In today's world young people should be able to make decisions themselves as to how they express themselves in a body.

Sex is self-expression and its is bonding between two human beings. These are its two primary functions. A third would be baby-making, but now only for a few in modern cultures. Sexual expression as a need has gone far beyond baby-making in modern societies.

Why do most of us have such an enormous interest in sex, stated or unstated?

THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND SEXUAL INTEREST

sexual orgasm, especially shared sexual orgasm, often gives one a sense of tremendous vitality and passion and opens the door to shared feelings between two human being.
sexual intercourse together is often taken as the true marriage contract. It is assumed that once a couple starts mating together they are then to remain a couple together, sharing their lives
however, in today's modern society, to get to experience someone as a possible intimacy partner it is considered important to go to bed together and do some heavy sexual sporting. Thus many use the sexual compatibility and mutual passion as a measure of their being compatible in other ways of sharing life together
we feel in love with someone who may feel in love with us. This is usually interpreted as that we are meant for each other. Love, undefined but felt, is taken as some sort of destiny bonding. Thus most of us are waiting and hoping for the big love to come our way so that we can settle down with the right partner for us
Jungian psychologists have found that falling in love is a big projection of our inner need for unity. We identify usually with the archetype of the genitals we carry and project the opposite archetype onto another person with opposite genitals. Masculine and Feminine. This is all as nature intended. Without sex as the motivator how many would choose to live together in such close proximity as to evoke all the human emotions?

The above points go beyond genital and body fascination. Of course we worship our young years when we had full vitality because we know our vitality is not lasting. We age and we die. Nature wants the next generation produced, and that is done with mutual, sexual orgasm.

STAGES OF SEXUAL RELATING AND EXPRESSION

Since sex is such a powerful force in our lives we would do well to make such a force conscious in our lives.

starting out we experience auto-eroticism. We feel good in our bodies, especially with human contact, thus explaining why little children often love the hugging contact with the parents and family members.
we progress from auto-eroticism into co-eroticism. We share sexual intensity and bodily contact with others, whether as football players jumping onto each other in a pile after winning a game or with pairs of humans of either and both sexes mating with each other in genital contact. Co-eroticism gets us relating closely with other human beings.
we develop in co-eroticism relational skills, how to interest someone in being mutual with us, how to release ourselves more and more freely in the sexual embrace, how to share intimacies and other areas of life-expression together.
we develop non-eroticism. Half the adults in modern society do not live with anyone. They have either regressed to auto-eroticism, having been possibly traumatized in co-eroticism experiences, or they have become non-erotic.
non-erotic adults put their creative energies towards achieving goals, projects, achievements. Some also go non-erotic by having dogs as pets, the faithful positive feeling function.

What all this is saying is that sexual expression should be used consciously and well. If you can agree with the above points you can then be more aware in how you make your sexual choices in life.

ONE EXAMPLE OF MISUSE OF SEXUALITY

One young man who worked with me would always ask a new woman he met all about her father. He said from this he could tell whether he could seduce her or not.

This was a man who was auto-erotic in co-erotic situations. He did not give and receive in mutual sharing with another human being. He was strictly a predator. He did not like my challenging him on this.

Yes, misuse of sexuality, his own and the other person's.

It's not, don't do things. In an age of self-responsibility and free expression you and I may have done a lot of exploring to see what the world is all about and also ourselves in a body. Yet at some point we need to move beyond unconscious exploration into realistic awareness and take full responsibility for how our self-expression affects others and ourselves.

SEXUAL RELATING GUIDELINES

if you are sharing sex with someone be honest about your motives and your experiences, and encourage the other person to be so likewise.
don't hang onto the sexual experience as the goal of your relating with someone.
there is only one great goal in intimate relating and that is to share lives together with the right person that this is possible to do so with.
therefore in your sexual expression you will need to redefine yourself as seeking a full intimacy with someone you respect, admire and dance well together with, metaphorically and actually.
it is not easy to find a full intimacy person for you, so you need to have a committed focus to do so, even if it takes a few years. If you have sex with a number of people as part of your exploration, be honest about your experience and keep looking for that realistic relationship in which you can both fully share the essentials together.
sex will not get you there to the full relationship, but it certainly is part of the process because of the emotions and vulnerability evoked.
thus holding off on sexual intimacy before marriage is not usually an effective method for finding the right person for you, and you for them. You need physical and emotional experience together and not just a talk relationship.

The other clear point that marriage counselors have found is that you two need to be able to communicate in harmony at several levels. They are as follows. You can use this list to evaluate your own mating behavior and what you are going for in life. You can use this list to see if you are using your sexuality well.

-communicate openly and honestly. If you are strangers to each other because one or both of you are hiding your true feelings and instead playing roles, then you should not be together. It's too defensive a situation to allow for fulfillment of expression and to allow love to flourish.

-carry the dance of your interactions into the basic areas of relating. It's the same as sex in bed to also cook meals together in the kitchen.

-have at least five areas of mutual sharing and compatibility. These can include:

BASICS OF SEXUAL AND RELATING COMPATIBILITY

relatively the same level of intelligence
the same level of fitness and working at fitness
the same level and way of communication
no blaming, manipulating and demanding with the other person
ability to relax together without being a pressure on the other person
ability to handle together the relationship as also an economic unit of mutual sharing of income and expenses according to each his and her ability
the sharing of vulnerability, mistakes, wounds, fears, traumas from the past
the ability to work through interaction difficulties, including such things as affairs or freedom to be alone, whatever it is that may weaken the relationship you both have chosen
doing chores and other work together so that both of you carry the load pretty equally of work needed to live life together and progress into the future

In a nutshell! Use your sexual attractiveness and expression to form an ongoing intimate relationship, preferably living together, that has all of the above points working for you both.

We add also that if you are partnered with somebody and you do not have the relating experiences as indicated above, then why are you both still together? Split up and use your attractiveness and relationship commitment to explore and then find someone else to be with that will allow more fully the above values.

source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Penis Size, Sex and women

2007-04-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

Virtually every man forgets that it doesn't matter how long or how short your penis is, because the vagina will accommodate itself to any length.

The vagina of a woman who hasn't had a child is only 7.5cm (3 inches) long when she's not sexually excited. The figures for women who have had babies are only slightly different.
Even when aroused, a woman's vagina usually extends only to a length of about 10cm (4 inches).

This means any man's penis will fill her vagina completely, unless you happen to be one of those rare guys with an erect penile length of less than four inches.

You're probably now wondering how the average man with an erection of six inches manages to insert his penis into the vagina at all.

The vagina has the most remarkable capacity for lengthening if something is introduced into it gradually.

So the exceptional man whose erect penis is eight inches long can still make love to any woman, providing he excites her properly and introduces his organ very slowly. If he does this, her vagina will lengthen by 150 or 200 per cent to accommodate him.

source: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/

Plan a Sex Date for Holiday Sanity

2007-04-18T05:50:00.000-07:00

Holiday planning is usually about everyone but ourselves. We buy presents for everyone else, we plan special meals, we rearrange work and other social events, and we usually cut way back on time for ourselves to make room for the onslaught of others.

This holiday sex tip is part self-loving and part survival tip. One of the reasons many of us lose it over the holidays is a lack of balance. We don’t just cut out some of our “me” time, we take no time for ourselves, or our romantic partners, at all.

This week make plans for at least one illicit rendezvous with your partner (or yourself) during the holidays. If you have a lot of family obligations that’s no excuse. You can always find five minutes to hide in a bathroom, closet, or the car.

Your plan should be very detailed, leave nothing to chance:

Pick a specific date and a specific time
Think about how long you’ll have for your date.
Make it reasonable, keep it short
Choose a location that you know will be available
Decide what you want to do
Consider any props: outfits, safer sex gear, sex toys, and put them away somewhere you can easily get them on the specified day.

If you’re making a plan for you and a partner, you may or may not want to let them in on the plan. If you don’t, you run the risk of them “not being in the mood” and being distracted by holiday stress. If you do let them in you ruin a perfectly good sex surprise.

You might want to plan a phone sex date just before leaving work on the 24th. You might want to plan a late night romp after the presents are wrapped but before the kids wake up on the 25th. It might be a date with yourself sometime in the middle of a long day surrounded by extended family.

Whatever you choose, consider this a complete mental health holiday, and even if it’s only ten minutes, appreciate at least ten minutes of emotional, physical, and spiritual rejuvenation.

Have fun!

source: http://sexuality.about.com/

The Art of Touching Woman

2007-04-18T05:46:00.000-07:00

Sex is not only about penetration but it is all about enjoying each others body, the power of touch and the art of satisfying your partner. Before heading for the last action you should know how to touch and feel your woman. If you learn the art of touching your woman in ways no man has ever touched her before, your chances of getting more sex will increase tenfold.

Spine
When it comes to massaging her spine don’t use your hands. Here you have to use your lips and tongue to make the massage fun and exciting. To drive her crazy, let your tongue graze over the little hairs on her back. Or, you can always use your fingers to tickle your way up to her neck.

Behind the neck
Some women simple love their men to kiss them on the back of their neck. It is a favourite arousal soft spot and you should know how to go about it. Gently move her hair away from her neck (if applicable) and breathe on her neck, letting your lips graze against it before you kiss and then lightly bite into it. This will drive your woman crazy and she will beg for more.

Scalp
And while you're kissing your girl, put your hands on the back of her head and massage her scalp for a minute. As well, feel free to give her hair a little tug from the roots; it will heighten her senses.

Shoulders
You must be wondering why the shoulders but believe it or faint, women just love it when you kiss their shoulders. Gently massage her shoulders with your hands while you are kissing her and then slowly kiss, rub and bite her shoulders.

Breasts (not nipples)
Don’t head straight for the nipples coz fun is when you spend some time kissing and caressing the surrounding area -- the breast. Lick and bite near the nipples without actually touching them and see the effect of it on her.

Ankles
You had never thought of this one before but trust me some women love having their feet kissed and touched. But rather than her feet, opt to kiss and caress her ankles instead. Be careful; don't bite the area because it can hurt her.

Wake up Your Lazy Sex Life

2007-04-17T07:23:00.000-07:00

If your approach to sex is more Hokey Cokey than Kama Sutra, it could be time for a rumpo rethink. Forget fear or the fumbling of a novice: the worst passion killer in the world is indifference.

GOING SOLO

New research from John Hopkins University, USA, shows if you want better moves and orgasms in bed, the best person to practise on is yourself.

Masturbation and sexual fantasies help sustain your desire to have sex so put aside the blushes and experiment.

Vary the ways you touch yourself and where you do it - don't get stuck in a solo sexual rut where only one specific thing will bring you to orgasm.

Not only will you learn what turns you on most, you'll be able to point your partner in the right direction too.

POSITION PARANOIA

Contrary to some sexperts' advice, you don't have to wrap your legs around your head to have a good time in bed.

Most of us work around five key positions we like because a) they work and b) we can do them.

Fair enough - but you might like to know that you can vary most positions with just a small movement and turn something ordinary into a whole new sexual experience.

For example, if you're a missionary fan, lie on your back as usual but keep your legs closer together and straight as your man penetrates you. This will give you major clitoral stimulation.

If the doggie position is more your style try these simple variations:

Lower yourself down onto your elbows, this will change the depth of penetration.
Kneel against the side of the bed, resting your torso on the bed so you don't have to support your weight and can relax more.
Lean over the bed supporting your weight on folded arms with your head on a pillow. Your fella should then come up to you in a standing position and lift your legs up to his waist and enter you from behind.

THE BIG O

The good news for all lazy girls is that trying harder won't actually help you achieve orgasm.

If you're anxious, tense or pushing too hard, your orgasm will move further out of reach.

There are moves you can work on to give yourself a head start though. Take the CAT or Coital Alignment Technique, for example.

Your man gets on top of you and lines up his pelvis over yours. This means he lies higher up your body than usual, resting on elbows, so that when he enters you he's riding high and will press your pubic bone and clitoris as he thrusts.

You then push up with your pelvis as he pushes down. If you press against each other as you do it and keep your pace steady, an orgasm will be yours for the taking not faking.

MORNING HAS BROKEN

The morning after the night before is a minefield of potential disasters.

Guarantee you'll see each other again by:

Having a sense of humour about the night before.
Telling him you had a great time.
Giving him a time frame for another date.
Being nice (even if you're Miss Grumpy in the mornings).
Not freaking out about the fact you had sex.

KINKY ROOTS

While you may not be interested in whipping your bloke into a sexual frenzy or dressing up as a French maid, you're probably more than a little curious about kinky sex and what it can do for your sex life.

While it's definitely not for everyone, adding a kinky twist is the fastest way to add a bit of zing to your sexual encounters.

Try one (or all!) of the following ways to get kinky without trying too hard:

Access his best fantasy and act it out for him.
Drop some naked pictures of yourself into his lap.
Write him a filthy love letter and leave it in his diary or bag.
Buy some handcuffs and leave them hanging from the bed.
Go on a sex-starvation diet where all you can do is talk about it all week.

source: Book "Lazy Girl's Guide to Good Sex", Author Anita Naik

Fantasy Time in Your Sexlife

2007-04-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

Fantasy is an important part of sexual life. When fantasy is positive and pleasing it can add something to a person's life.

Fantasy can be a substitute for sex which involves physical contact; it can lead to sex; or it can bring extra pleasure to your sex life. Fantasy can be a very private way of enjoying thoughts which we are not able or would not wish to act out in reality.

Most people fantasize when they masturbate, and many do so when they are having sex with a partner. This can create problems for some people because they feel that they are somehow betraying their partner and feel guilty about this. There are also situations when people feel guilty about what their fantasies are. However, the fact that people have fantasies does not mean that they will cat them out. It is important to remember that fantasies are NOT reality -- they are fantasy, and can be a helpful part of your sex life.

You and your partner can play games with your fantasies, if you are not too embarrassed to share them.

You could each make a list of your fantasies and discover which ones please you both
You could write a sexy story for yourself and your partner

There are other games you can play to find out new ways of pleasing each other:

Consider telling each other all the different turn on's or exotic things you can think of
Thinking of these in terms of safer sex could give you some new and exciting ideas
You might take turns experimenting with acceptable and safe ideas from each other's lists
You might think about all the ways you can have an orgasm without coming inside your partner
If you have telephone extensions, use them to talk to each other about what kind of sex you like, or try writing sexy letters to each other
Try playing forfeits, strip poker...

Fantasy Role Play

Such personal sharing needs to be done in a caring and sensitive way. Pretending to be a favourite character or role can be fun, liberating and give us erotic fantasies to work with.We can imagine, dress-up, create an atmosphere, role-play, talk dirty and tell our lover what we want.

Fantasy role play is liberating for those who find it difficult to let themselves go, and to express their real needs. Submerged in the identity of a fantasy character, it is easier to voice desires that are difficult to say in day-to-day life. Some role ideas such as:
" American spy and Russian spy
" Call girl and client
" Civilian and cop
" Frenchmaid and millionaire
" Gynaecologist and patient
" Librarian and bookworm
" Photographer and model
" Teacher and student
" Widow and gardener

If you're ready to tell your idea, lure him to the bedroom with the promise of revealing your filthiest fantasy. You'll be surprised how liberating it can be telling him you've imagined having sex doggy fashion with the plumber! Talk about the fantasy in detail, how you've imagined it coming about and all the things you've got up to in your imagination. Then it's his turn to reveal his filthiest fantasy.

Remember, you do have to be prepared for him to say he fancies the next-door neighbour too. This is a very good exercise for couples - it's a sharp, shocking reminder that we're all individual sexual people with individual sexual thoughts, but if it's done tactfully you shouldn't hurt each other. Rather, the idea is to excite each other. And once you're both turned on from all this dirty talking, share a fantasy together, making it up as you go along. Fantasy can't harm and creates a wonderful shared intimacy. Make love as you fantasise together. That was worth waiting for, wasn't it?!

Dressing Up

Imagine yourself arriving home to find your lover seductively dressed for a night of passion. But how they are dressed will depend on individual taste.

Anything goes here: uniforms, fantasy characters, movie or rock stars. Extend the dressing up with a fantasy scenario and really enter into the game. Or use clothing to create a mood: try a short skirt without panties, a see-through shirt with no bra, or go to bed in suspenders and stockings.

To add to the sexual tension, add a new rule such as not being allowed to touch each other at all. Even hand-holding is forbidden. The idea is to create the exciting barriers that are in place when a couple hardly know each other and are desperate for physical contact. Think it sounds simple? Well, to make it just that bit harder you have to stay at home and you wear something wildly provocative.

For her, what about an all-in-one catsuit or black body stocking to prowl around in? Both are sexy and stylish, making the wearer look and feel gorgeously sleek. For something less obvious, try fishnet or sheer stockings, either stay up style or with built in garter. These are a favourite for wearing both at home, and when dressed for a great night out. For an added dash of excitement during a formal or social evening, it's hard to beat stockings without panties. If you both know the state of semi-undress she's in, the night out may be shorter than planned.

The Things You Need to Know to Reach Orgasms

2007-04-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

For Men:

Tell her that she's marvellous, sexy and beautiful.
Remember that most women need stimulation of the clitoris. Touching/kissing/stroking will help reach orgasm.
Give her oral sex. Most women adore this and some claim that they cannot come unless a man 'goes down' on them.
Caress her breasts or her sensitive spots. A few women climax through breast fondling alone or simply by stroking their sensitive spots.
Don't be too proud to ask her to show you what she wants.
If you come before her, don't stop there but try to help her climax too by kissing and stimulating her.
Remember to provide an atmosphere of love, romance, security and compassion.

For Women

A woman who experiences no or few orgasms can learn to bring herself to climax, over time with little patience and self-stimulation. Patience is needed because it will take time to learn the spots, the touches, feelings and thoughts that will arouse you and continue to arouse you to the point of climax. At first the techniques can be practiced alone, but then with your partner since he too has to be taught how to make love to you.

When alone explore your body - touch and stoke yourself in the way you would like to be caressed by your lover - learn and enjoy those things that really stimulate you.
Once you know what stimulates you and helps you reach climax share these experiences with your partner; guide him around those parts of your body that aroused you when you stimulated them - let him find other ways to arouse you too.
Let your partner stimulate your clitoris during foreplay, when you find yourself on the brink of orgasm after your partner has touched and caressed your clitoris, move straight on to intercourse, with you or your partner continuing to stimulate your clitoris.

source: http://www.seasonsindia.com/

Orgasm Facts

2007-04-17T05:25:00.000-07:00

Orgasm is the pinnacle of sexual passion. It is the moment of intense pleasure, which results into feeling relaxed and at ease. The female orgasm lasts a few seconds, followed by a feeling of relaxation and pleasure. Continued stimulation may also result in further orgasms, which though is difficult for females of certain age group.

Everyone can orgasm, but not everyone does. Coming' isn't all that easy - if you're a woman! Nearly all MEN can climax without difficulty, but women just aren't built that way. For a man sexual intercourse alone, that is, penetration of a woman's vagina by a man's penis may be sufficient to climax. But it very often is not enough to make a woman reach orgasm.

Types of Orgasms
Basically there are two types of orgasms that women experience, based on the two different zones of stimulation. The first is a clitoral orgasm, wherein the clitoris is stimulated by lightly touch or stroking it. The second type of orgasm is a vaginal orgasm. This comes from pressure being applied to the "G" spot, usually by the tip of the man's penis. The "G" spot is located on the anterior wall of the vagina, about 2 inches from the opening. Both these experiences are different and women who have experienced both types of orgasms know the difference. However the fact is very few women reach orgasm solely as a result of the penis penetrating the vagina; it's more likely to happen through stimulation (touching/rubbing/kissing) of the clitoris - the highly sensitive bump located at the top of the vaginal lips.

Helpful Positions
Following positions are helpful to reach climax by stimulating the "G" spot:

Woman on top of man
Woman lying on her stomach, with man on top, entering her vagina from behind.

Factor Responsible
Factor responsible for orgasm

Sexual frequency. In order to reach climax it is important that you have regular sex. The more time that passes between sexual encounters, the harder it is for a woman to become aroused, and less likely to have an orgasm.
Another important thing is you should be relaxed and tension free. For a woman to get the most out of the sexual encounter, she must be comfortable with the surroundings and also with the relationship. Thus orgasm is impossible in a situation where there is tension, or lack of trust in the marriage.
Also what is important is a understanding and caring partner who know how to stimulate and arouse you and who helps you reach climax.

source: http://www.seasonsindia.com/

First Night Sex

2007-04-17T05:02:00.000-07:00

First night sex in a couple's life is always filled with anxiety, nervousness, hesitation and there are many questions which creep up in the back of your mind but with proper guidance and information you can make your first night memorable.

For many people, the first time is quite unpleasant. If it is an arranged marriage then it will be very much difficult to open up and be sexually motivated on the first night itself but just remember one thing - sex is not at all important on the first night, get to know each other better and take it easy. You can also begin with touching and kissing and exploring each other but have sex only if you are ready for it and you are comfortable.

Sex under pressure is no good and it leads to bitterness and disappointments. Make sure that both of you understand each other and respect one another's feelings and desire's. However for a couples, who know each other, first time is easier since, you know each other's likes and dislikes, and are more comfortable with each other.

Some women might have pain and bleeding during insertion because the hymen breaks. Men might have premature ejaculation. These things happen because it's the first time your body experiences such emotions and extreme passion but with time, all these will settle down. But you can always make your first time really special and cherish it all your life.

Following are a few questions that bother you.

Both of You

Am I ready for sex?
This is also another question, which bothers you, and you feel that may be it is not the right time or maybe you should wait but you are not sure. If you th9nk that you are not sure then you need not force yourself into doing it coz then you will only hurt yourself more. There are many ways in which you can give and receive sexual pleasure without having sexual intercourse. For some people giving each other massages, kissing and hugging can be very passionate and can be more fulfilling than sexual intercourse. Therefore what is important is to be comfortable in each other company and not to be pressurized into having sex when you don't really want to. Once you think that you are ready then go ahead and do it. And believe me this time it will really be fulfilling and memorable.

Will I be a good lover?
Don't worry about this question at all. Being a good lover doesn't happen automatically and immediately. You have to give it a little time. And of course with the right partner, patience, time, care, and practice, you will definitely become a great lover. Your first times, for both you, will be fumbling, embarrassing and awkward, but hopefully they'll be the start of great times ahead for the rest of your lives.

How do I have "good" sex?
For this what is most important as discussed above is being comfortable and relaxed in each other's company and wanting to have sex without any compulsion or pressure. It's natural to feel some worries but good communication is the key. Being relaxed and able to share things with your partner who is also probably feeling nervous will ease the tension. And what follows is not a set of rules. Rules about sex are impossible-- what should matter is that what you do makes you feel good. And "feeling good" should last past the sex itself. And that means have safe sex so that you don't have to later worry about getting pregnant or catching some horrible disease.

For Her

What do I do first?
You can't expect him to know what makes you feel good. You'll have to tell him or show him, and that may mean taking some of the initiative, taking his hands and placing them where they make you feel good. Go slow. If it's his first time, he may well be totally nervous about what you're about to do, and his penis may not respond at first. Patience, gentleness, and understanding are required to bring it back to life, and that may be hard for you to achieve, but that's why we told you to give yourselves lots of time.

Will it hurt the first time? Will I bleed?
This is the most common question that girls ask. And the answer is "yes" you might bleed and it will hurt a little when you have sexual intercourse for the first time. But isn't it the truth that behind every happiness there lies little pain. The bleeding usually occurs because the girl has a hymen, which breaks the first time she has sexual intercourse. Sometimes a girl might already have broken her hymen as a result of playing sports, doing strenuous exercise or horse riding. However with the right touch and the right partner, you should be able to enjoy your first time without pain. Take your time, do not force yourself, use a lubricant if necessary, and guide him through. Tell him when it feels good and when it hurts.

What position should I use?
Many women prefer to have sex the first time being on top, where they can control the first entry. Others want to be on the bottom and give their lovers that control. Choose what's best for you. Just remember to tell him to go slow, take your time, and if you feel the need, use a commercial lubricant like KY Jelly.

For Him:

What if I can't get it up?
It may sound funny, but your penis, which has worked great for years, may suddenly go on strike at your first chance at "real" sex. That's natural - you're nervous. Take a deep breath. Do something else for a while with your hands, your lips and your tongue. Try to forget about your anxiety, and your penis will respond. It's only a temporary thing.

Should I tell her if I'm a virgin?
Many men think that because they're men, they should be in charge of the sex, regardless of who has the more experience. If you're a virgin and she's not, tell her, and let her lead if she wishes. This is as much a learning experience as a loving one. Don't be afraid to confess the truth. A lot of women would rather know that your fumbling is inexperience, rather than just sheer ineptitude, and will gratefully show you the ways of the world.

Will we come at the same time?
Don't worry about making orgasm simultaneous, either. Some women do not orgasm during intercourse, and even if your girlfriend is capable of climax, the odds are very much against you coming at the same time. Enjoy yourself, and rely on her to tell you the truth when she's enjoying herself.

What if I orgasm too soon?
If you actually climax much too soon before you wanted to, take your time, take a nap, and try again. The second time you should be much more relaxed and ready to take your time - so will your penis.

Am I big enough? Too big? The right shape?
Another common concern is size. The average penis is slightly more than five and a half inches in length when erect, and that's more than enough to hit every major nerve center in the vagina, the legendary G-spot included. The vagina is capable of stretching to take a large penis, or shape itself to pleasure a small one. Size has very little to do with your ability as a lover.

Another common issue is shape. Some men become concerned because their penis bends downwards, or to the left, and assume that because they never see men like them in erotic movies that they're not normal. Others worry that a downward bend will make sex difficult or painful because the vagina isn't shaped with that bend in mind.

Keep in mind that sex can be performed in any number of positions. The penis and vagina can be matched in many different ways, and each new position can bring new pleasures to you and your partner. Some people believe that a downward-bending penis is much easier to perform oral sex upon.

The Male’s Passion

2007-04-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

Libido simply means sexual desire. It is man’s erotic arousal and wish, or intense physical or sexual attraction or craving. It can also be classified as the urge to create life. It is naturally manifested through sex.

However, it is also technically considered to be the free, creative or psychic energy an individual has to put toward personal development, or individuation. Sigmund Freud coined the term and pointed out that libido is the instinctual energy or force that can come into conflict with the conventions of civilized behavior. He further claimed that libido has to be transformed into socially useful energy, through the process of "sublimation."

A man’s libido is different from that of a woman as a man tends to respond to spontaneity, visual stimulation like pornography, and just having a willing partner whilst the latter prefers being romanced, talking, intimacy and lots of time spent with their partner before the sex stuff happens. A man does not seem to be affected by a bad day or fatigue when it comes to sex however there are prevalent cases on men having low libido because of certain factors that affect their interest in sex.

Reduction in libido however can also be the result from psychological causes such as loss of intimacy, stress, distraction or depression. Apart from these, loss of libido may also be derived from the presence of environmental stressors such as prolonged exposure to elevated sound and high levels or bright light.

Physical and psychological causes loss of libido
Although the loss of libido is rare to men, there are physical and psychological causes that are common and more often neglected. Among the physical causes are:

alcoholism
abuse of drugs
anemia
hyperprolactinaemia
obesity
prescribed drugs particularly Proscar (finasteride) a tablet used for prostate problems
other antidepressants and recreational drugs
low male hormone level (testosterone)
any major 'generalized' disease, such as diabetes

On the other hand, the more common issues about are the attributes of psychological causes:

depression
stress and overwork
sex hang-ups
latent gayness
serious relationship problems with the wife/partner

Commercial pills and creams

So far, there hasn’t been any magic remedy or cure for the loss of libido on men however there are a lot of commercial pills and creams that alleviate the diminishing sexual desire. But what’s more recommended by physician are proper nutrition, rest and exercise, moderation on vices and more importantly, re-establishing intimate connection with the partner.

It is NOT normal for a man to have no sexual desire and he is being irresponsible if he refuses to get professional help or refuses to work on this dilemma with his wife or his partner. Bottom line, he is saying that he is not interested in saving himself from absolute uselessness. So brother, start facing the problem so that you can once again enjoy the fullness of life!

source: http://www.sexualhealthcare.net/

What Can You Do To Boost Your Libido?

2007-04-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

There are many women that will wonder if there is anything that can be done. Sometimes, we think that this is just normal and try to forget about it. Yet, there is not a reason to do that. In fact, those women that are experiencing a loss of sex should consider a women’s libido enhancer.

There are several natural products on the market that are women’s libido enhancers. These can improve the sexual desires that a woman has and also can enhance intimate relationships. They work because they address the hormonal imbalances in order to get the body moving in the right direction again.

Safe women’s libido enhancers often come in the form of herbal supplements. Here are some of the herbs that can help with improving the sex drive in women.

· Sabal Serrulata: this is the biological name for the herb Saw Palmetto. This herb can be used to treat both male and female low libido conditions. It works by triggering the body to produce the right hormones to aid in sexual drive.

· Sarsaparilla: herb used as a sexual and rejuvenating tonic.

· Genitiana Lutea Radix Powder: this herb is used for a total well being that promotes the optimum use of all organs in the body. It helps by allowing them to function at the highest level possible.

· Turnaria Aphrodisiaca: it is generally used as a nervous system stimulant. It works as a tonic for the reproductive organs and it can easily help to improve the sex drive in women.

A loss of sex drive in women usually stems from health related conditions. Yet, that does not mean that there is not help out there. A women's libido enhancer in the form of a supplement with any of these types of herbs in it may be really helpful and a safe alternative as well.

source: http://www.yourbodycanheal.com/

What Causes the Loss of Sex Drive in Women?

2007-04-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

The loss of sex drive in women is something that most women will worry and wonder about. What happened? Why am I not interested anymore? While it is frustrating, the loss of sex drive in women usually stems from several health concerns. In most cases, these things can be treated to help your sexual life get back to normal… One option is to consider a women’s libido enhancer but we will talk about this in just a minute.

The first thing to understand is what causes the loss of sex drive in woman. While it is necessary to speak to a doctor to make the final determination here are possible causes of reduced libido:

· Hormonal imbalance. There are many types of things that can be imbalanced here including progesterone. Progesterone is responsible for your libido but can fall quite low during pre-menopause.

· Fatigue. Of course you can see that there is a real connection here. One of the most common reasons for fatigue is the fact that there is another hormonal imbalance or there is poor nutrition coming into the body.

· Adrenal exhaustion can also be a factor that causes the hormones to go the wrong direction. It can be caused by medical menopause occurrences.

· Stress, depression, and even child birth are also contributing factors to the lack of sex drive that women have. These situations may not be as easy to fix, but they are common signs of something being wrong.

source: http://www.yourbodycanheal.com/

Breast Implants -- The Over and Under Approach

2007-04-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Pose this question to any man. "Which do you prefer on a woman, small, natural breasts or larger synthetic breasts?" If you ask most women how they think men would answer, the majority would say the latter. Although there have been no definitive national surveys on this issue, they would probably be right. Why this opinion may be correct is dealt with in the Breast History page and the answers are certainly open to debate. However, for whatever reason, whether it is social, cultural, occupational, or personal, there are millions of women who have already decided to install breast implants inside of their bodies and millions more are most likely to follow in their footsteps. If you posed the same question above to women, the universal answer would be almost unanimous for the natural breasts, particularly if the alternative is surgery. Most people do not "like" to have surgery anymore than they "like" to have a root canal. Yet, somehow breast implants have become more common than root canals.

Life is Seldom Fair

Actually, the entire issue is decidedly unfair to women. If there is some common ground here, men might view the issue like this. To be honest, many men are quite sensitive about penis size and if a medical team ever manages to perfect a penile transplant or enlargement procedure to the same degree of routineness as breast implants, the cultural and financial impact is almost unimaginable. Yet, men can live their entire lives and very few people other than their mother, lovers, or wives will ever see or know the size of their penis. Women are not so fortunate since the size of a woman's breast is considerably less difficult to detect than the size of a man's penis whether underneath clothing or in bathing suits. One wonders that if men had to somehow display their sexual organs on the outside, they might be less obsessed with the size of women's breasts, or at least be more sensitive to the issues from a woman's viewpoint. There is even a strange paradox here since surveys often indicate that women are not particularly concerned about the size of a man's penis.

Either women are more personally enlightened or men have been culturally brainwashed into equating female breast size with sexual attractiveness. If the latter is true, millions of women have also come to feel that larger breasts are the key to personal fulfillment and sexual worth to the male gender. This issue could be debated for years with no solution in sight. From a logical and mental health standpoint, neither sex should feel diminished because of the size of their sexual organs or other body parts. Nevertheless, cultural attitudes change slowly and in this era, the large, youthful, and firm breast look is definitely the norm. How each individual reacts to social pressure should be an entirely personal matter; however, millions of women will still feed the need to have larger, firmer, and youthful looking breasts and millions of men will be encouraging them.

Making the Decision, The Over/Under Option

After considering all the options and alternatives, many women will still decide that breast implants will improve their lives and the majority of the women who already have breast implants are initially quite happy with them. Many women also do not realize that there are two major locations for a breast implant on their body. One procedure is the "on top of the chest muscle" procedure and the other is the "under the chest muscle procedure". Although the phrase, "attractive, natural looking breasts" can mean many different things, most people know what a natural breast looks like even though that can refer to many different looks. The two different procedures are dealt with in more detail on the breast alternatives page but in general, the under the muscle procedure results in more natural looking breasts. This is most noticeable at the top of the breast where the new breast installed by the under muscle method will have a gentle 30 to 45 degree upward slant from the nipple towards the upper chest wall. This is usually how natural beasts look and the downward slope on natural breasts can be even more pronounced. Although there are exceptions and depending on the age of the woman, natural breasts seldom look like they are standing straight out and they are more cone or pear shaped. Breast implants professionally installed under the muscle tend to mimic the natural look more effectively, particularly by having both a degree of upward slant and downward slope. On the other hand, breast implants installed on top of the muscle often have almost no upward slant, stand straight out with little downward slope and look un-naturally rounded. The final appearance of any breast implant varies with a number of factors including the size of the implant, the size and structure of the woman and the skill of the surgeon. The examples given below are not intended to promote one procedure over another and what is appropriate for a specific individual depends upon many factors. This is strictly a matter of personal opinion, but some examples are provided in the next section to illustrate how the different viewpoints provided by the two different procedures might look in comparison with the natural look.

source: http://www.allnaturalbreastcare.com/

Nursing Can Decrease Your Sexual Desire

2007-04-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

Women who breastfeed have elevated levels of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates milk production. For some women, the increase in this hormone can cause a decrease in sex drive.

Your body also produces less estrogen when nursing, and this can result in vaginal dryness--a definite party pooper in the lust department. A vaginal lubricant or estrogen cream can remedy that.

But with three young kids, it's more likely that exhaustion and lack of sleep are putting the kibosh on your sexy feelings. Maybe some changes in your lifestyle and sleep habits can have you sleeping like a baby.

Also make sure you're consuming enough calories (breastfeeding burns about 500 extra calories a day), and don't forget a multivitamin.

You might want to have your thyroid function and iron levels checked with a simple blood test. Both an under- and overactive thyroid can cause fatigue. Low iron is associated with anemia, a big energy zapper.

For now, try to find other ways to express emotional intimacy and affection with your husband. Share a video or a quiet dinner after the kids are in bed. Talk to him about what gets in the way of wanting to be sexual, and enlist his help in finding ways around them. Schedule some time off to recharge your batteries. If you need to become reacquainted with each other, make more "play dates" for you and him.

source: http://www.prevention.com/

10 Quick Sex Questions and Answers

2007-04-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

1. Where can I meet a partner?

Meeting a new partner isn't always easy. So where do you start? Try the following places:

Gyms: It's quite easy to start talking to strangers here.
Friends: Your friends have many other friends or colleagues. Accept all invitations.
Evening classes: Learn something new. Likeminded people will do the same classes.
Check your colleagues: Only the single ones, that is.
Join societies/clubs: People with similar interests will also be there.

2. Is masturbation good for me?

For many years people believed masturbation was bad – it's not. The only harm it can do is to feel guilty about it. Point is, it's actually good for you, because:

It keeps the sperm supply healthy by getting your body to keep on producing fresh sperm;
It helps you to get to know your own sexual responses;
It helps you to learn to postpone ejaculation and get more powerful climaxes.

3. Will sex be difficult the first time?

Many young people feel nervous before having sex the first time. What are the things to remember?

Only if you want to: Don't let other people pressurise you. This is your decision only.
Relax: Stop worrying that you won't know what to do – your body knows.
Condoms: This is a non-negotiable to prevent infections or an unwanted pregnancy.
Do some planning: Choose a private venue where you will not be interrupted.
Wait: Having sex for the first time means so much more if you really care about your partner.
Sex can be messy: There will be natural vaginal lubrication and your own ejaculate around. Be prepared.
Willing partner: It is essential that your partner is not pressurised into doing this by you.

4. Why are condoms good contraceptives?

"Be condom-wise" and "No glove, no love" are slogans seen everywhere. Why are condoms seen as so effective?

Pregnancy prevention: Condoms, when used to correctly, go a long way to preventing pregnancies, but they are not as effective as many other forms of contraception.
Easy-to-find: Many roadside shops and all chemists stock condoms. They are not difficult to find – at any time of the day.
Easy-to-use: Condoms are not complicated to use – in fact, most teenagers will know how. Other contraceptives can be quite complicated.
Cheap: Condoms are not expensive and can also be obtained free at family planning clinics.
STI prevention: Condoms prevent STIs, icluding HIV, as it provides a protective sheath between two sex partners.

5. My husband has no interest in sex

Many wives are frustrated by their husband's lack of interest in sex. What could be the cause of this lack of interest?

Physical causes: These include heart disease and disease of blood vessels, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, alcoholism, smoking, abdominal surgery, damage to the spinal cord or nerves, low levels of certain hormones, some prescription drugs (antidepressants).
Psychological causes: These could include job stress, relationship problems, financial concerns, depression or anxiety about poor sexual performance, psychiatric conditions.

6. My wife has no interest in sex

Many husbands wonder why their wives have no interest in sex. What can be the cause of this?

Physical causes: Hormone imbalances, underlying inefficiency of vital chemical messengers, smaller clitoral size, reduced or inadequate numbers of sensory receptors in the sexual tissues, configuration of the sexual tissues, feedback loops evolving from pain on intercourse.
Psychological causes: Anxiety, depression, overbearing family responsibilities, money worries, miscarriage, bereavement, rape, child abuse and paternal or religious influences.

7. How can I prevent STIs?

There are many different sexually transmitted diseases. Here is a short list of things you can do to prevent them.

Choose your partner carefully. If your partner has had many other sexual relationships, the chances increase of your being infected with an STI.
Stay faithful to your partner. Monogamy is still one of the best ways of preventing STIs.
Never have sex without a condom. Condoms go along way to preventing the transmission of many STIs. Don't ever break this rule – it could cost you your life.
Masturbate. The sexologist recommends this rather than having sex with someone you know nothing about. People don't get STIs from masturbating.

8. How does pregnancy occur?

Not all pregnancies are welcome and all sexual partners are not always chosen with the kind of care that would be wise. But what needs to happen for a pregnancy to occur?

Sexual intercourse ending in ejaculation, or at least an opportunity for sperm to get to female ova.
No contraception or incorrectly used contraception.
Ovulation – the middle four days of a woman's 28-day cycle.

9. What are the symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases?

The frightening thing is that often they have no symptoms. STIs like chlamydia and HIV have no easy-to-spot symptoms. But there are other symptoms that should alert you:

A discharge from the penis or the vagina
Genital warts
Rashes or bumps or small ulcers on your genitals
An itch that wasn't there before you had sexual intercourse with this person

10. What are the signs of abusive behaviour?

Many people who end up as abusers, both men and women, start off as being charming and extremely pleasant. But relationships slowly deteriorate and the following are signs that you could be abused:

Excessive desire for control over your every move
Constant criticism and name-calling
Extreme jealousy and constant checking up on you
Episodes of violence – whether weeks or months apart
Constant threats
Attempts to isolate you from friends and family

source: http://www.health24.com/

Cyber Sex -- How To Do It???

2007-04-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

Cyber sex is an alternative kind of sex that couples and singles alike are engaging in. The beauty of cyber sex is that you can remain totally anonymous and have some of the safest sex possible.

So whether you're in a long-distance relationship or you enjoy engaging in sexual fantasy over the Net, cyber sex can offer you a somewhat fulfilling sex life.

Where can you find someone?

There are plenty of places where you can find eager beavers for cyber sex. They include:

Instant messaging
IRC chat
Online dating services
Chat rooms
Message boards
E-mail

If you already have a partner, you can meet her at an agreed upon destination on the Net or even keep up your cyber sexing throughout the day via e-mail. It's up to you.

How do you do it?

When it comes to cyber sex, you may want to invest in a microphone, at the very least. That way, the woman you're getting it on with can hear your excitement and know that she's turning you on. As well, there's nothing more difficult than being incredibly excited and having to type with one hand.

Talk or write
Whether or not you have a microphone, you will need to be creative with your language. Imagination is the key to successful cyber sex. However, the language you use will depend on the other person. Some women want nasty, vulgar language, while others prefer the "we're walking on the beach and you look over my way," kind of lingo. Feel her out before you start engaging in the fantasy talk.

If you don't have a mic, don't type things like "gasp, gasp" or "oh yeah, baby, yeah!" As well, being a good speller helps a lot, especially if the other person is.

Start off by asking what she's wearing, then describe what you look like (if you don't have a camera that allows her to see you, then you can look like whomever you want). Then converse back and forth. Let her start a fantasy, then you continue it, and keep going back and forth until you both end up having sex in the fantasy.

Touch yourself
While there really are no rules when it comes to cyber sex, you're better off throwing yourself into the scene and surrendering to the fantasy. You may feel somewhat ridiculous ultimately masturbating to a computer at first, but if you can give in to the situation, then it can be a great experience.

If she can't see you, but you have a mic, breathe heavily on occasion to let her know that you're into the fantasy. Describe what you're doing to yourself, or, if you're engaging in a fantasy, what you're "doing" to her.

No mic, no cam

If you don't have a mic or a cam, then, rather than masturbate with one hand and type with the other, rotate. Let her write while you satisfy yourself, and then, after you climax, you do the writing while she gets off.

As well, not having either of these things will likely result in your having a difficult time engaging with someone who does. As well, you should be wary of who you're engaging with, as there are plenty of men who disguise themselves as women on the Net.

Things to keep in mind:

Remain anonymous -- don't reveal any personal information.
Don't make a habit of it -- make an effort to have real relationships with women, away from the Net.
If you surrender yourself to the fantasy, the other person can be anyone you want.

Welcome to cyberia

Enjoy your experience on the Net and until next time, keep one hand on the keyboard.

source: AskMen.com

Cybersex

2007-04-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

Cybersex can be defined as those sexual acts that are derived from surfing electronic media sites that would titillate the sexual mind and that satisfies the erotic needs of an individual, who constantly watches explicit sexual sites.

These sites might be on Websites, Chat-rooms with Web cams, streaming video material, live sex shows and/or SMS messages. Reuters reported that in a period of two years the sexual sites on the Internet, grew with more than 27% (from 22 million – 28 million in 2001).

Reuters stated further that 6.5% of male Internet users are compulsive Cybersex fans. This condition can be defined after a person has developed compulsive sexual thoughts and/or behaviour that would lead to increasingly serious consequences, in both the addict’s internal and external worlds.

The consequences on the psychological (internal) side may include the development of severe depression, suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, shame, self-hatred, hopelessness, despair, helplessness, intense anxiety, loneliness, moral conflict, contradictions between ethical values and behaviours, fear of abandonment, spiritual decline, distorted thinking, remorse and self-deceit. In the external world this person might put his family and work on the line.

The problem starts when the online fantasy lives are so intense that off-line relationships may suffer. These sufferers engaged in Cybersex on average 5.7 hours/week by visiting porn sites and sex chat rooms. The reported reasons for visiting these sites frequently are given as stress relieving and not for entertainment reasons. Usually the addict will engage in Cybersex actions that he/she would not attempt in real life. It is further reported that they have reduced real time sexual activity with an offline partner; this would therefore further alienate these people from real life experiences and enhance their behaviour through sexual fantasy.

source: http://www.health24.com/

Baby Making Sex

2007-04-09T00:55:00.000-07:00

Baby making sex is generally no different from any other sex. However, the goal is to have semen deposited near the cervix. All things being equal, this is not usually a concern for the average couple trying to conceive a baby. There are certain positions that are more likely to help you achieve the goal of getting pregnant sooner, particularly if you are having certain fertility issues. Here are some positions for sex and their potential risks and benefits in the conception department.

Man on Top (Missionary Position)

This is a pretty standard sexual position. This position will help with face-to-face intimacy, perhaps allowing for a greater possibility for orgasm. It also allows you to lay back and enjoy the show, so to speak. In this position, semen is deposited near the mouth of the cervix.

The hard part of this position is that it may be more difficult for the woman to have an orgasm, which is quite important in the conception process.

Placing a pillow under your hips during intercourse and/or after your partner has an orgasm can help you get pregnant. By slightly tilting the position of the hips, you allow gravity to aid in the travel of the sperm to and through the cervix. You only need to do this for about 30 minutes to obtain the benefits.

Woman on Top

This is generally thought as being counterproductive to getting pregnant because the sperm is deposited near the cervix, but immediately heads the opposite direction. This can be corrected if you lay down immediately after your partner has an orgasm. You can also use the pillow under your buttocks after this position. The good news about the woman on top is that the intercourse is deep penetrating and can help both you and your partner achieve orgasms, even if it is from manual stimulation which is easier in this position.

Hands and Knees Position (Doggie Style)

This position has a lot of conception benefits. Since there tends to be deeper penetration semen is placed closer to the cervix. While you lack the face-to-face intimacy of other positions, it is also easier to have manual stimulation of the clitoris, allowing for orgasms. Skip the post-coitus pillow if you maintain this position for a few minutes after having sex.

If you have a tilted uterus, you can use this position to make it easier to reach the cervix. If you also convert the position to a knee-chest position by bending your arms slightly to give you even more of an angle. This can be just what the doctor ordered! This is also true if your partner has low sperm counts or poor sperm motility.

The sperm has to work less to get where it is going.

Side Lying

Side lying sex is nice and slow and passionate. It can also be called spooning. Once your partner has his orgasm you can roll over and use your trusty pillow to help you keep sperm near your cervix. This is also good for manual stimulation of the clitoris.

This position is also good for couples where one or more of the partners have a weight issue. This prevents either partner from having to either bear the weight or to hold themselves up. Back problems also fall into this category.

Standing

This position is fairly counterproductive, but fun. Try this for times in your cycle when you’re not concerned with getting pregnant. Remember variety is a good thing and recreation sex is just as important as procreational sex.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) & Ejaculatory Problems

These issues are common factors for some in infertility. Any position that helps your partner with these issues is the right position for you as a couple. Experiment and see what works best for you.

source: http://infertility.about.com/

Sexual Body Language of A Woman

2007-04-09T00:54:00.000-07:00

When you're in bed with a woman, do you ever get the feeling that she's uncomfortable or that something is amiss? Are you able to read your girl's body language?

Well, you might be right -- there might be something she is telling you. Check out these body language movements and reactions that likely mean that something is up with your girl. If you are able to confront these issues, you may be able to eliminate the sexual party pooper that is dwelling in your girl.

She Won't Look at You

If she lets you get inside her but won't even look up at you, something is definitely up. And not in a good way. If every time you lean in to kiss her, she turns her face and doesn't open her eyes, there is definitely a problem.

Possible reasons: It's possible that she's shy and isn't very experienced in bed. If she won't let your mouth get anywhere near hers, you might have bad breath, she might have bad breath, your facial hair might be scraping her face or, if you went down on her, she might find it "distasteful" to kiss afterwards.

Fix it: The next time you're having sex, pull out and make your way to her face; in a soap opera-romance way, gently hold her head in your hands and kiss her like Casanova. If you feel like she wants to pull away, let her and ask her what the deal is. The only way to figure out why she's reacting that way is by asking.

Her Expressions Are Stoic

If you're giving the session your all and she's staring into space or focusing all her attention on the ceiling, something has got to give.

Possible reasons: It's possible that she doesn't like sex much. As well, she might want to be engaging in some other sex act and is afraid to tell you about it. Maybe she feels like a caged animal and wants to be on top or maybe you're not giving her enough room to maneuver.

Fix it: Put her on top and tell her you want to watch her move. Or, when you're not having sex, ask her about her sexual fantasies; maybe that'll help you get to the bottom of her body language behavior.

She just lies there, she acts like a guy, or worse yet, she never gives...

She Doesn't Move

You're pulling out all the stops; you're going down, coming up, licking, kissing, biting, rubbing, and all that good stuff. And she just lies there -- like a corpse.

Possible reasons: She may not like sex. Or she may not like having it with you. Or worse, she might think that all she's actually required to do is be present. As hard as it may be to believe, there are women who think that lying there amounts to participation. Sad perspective, isn't it?

Fix it: You have to say something. Ask her if she feels desired by your actions; if she says she does, then tell her you would like to feel that way too. If you're too shy to communicate verbally about this ordeal, then tell her that you'd like to role-play and switch positions. Let her be you and you be her. Her body language will almost certainly change. Problem solved -- orgasms for everyone.

She Acts Like a Guy

Okay, so this might be a gross generalization, but she might do things like orgasm and want to come to a screeching halt and not let you touch her after it's over or forego foreplay entirely.

Possible reasons: I don't see the problem... Just kidding. Everyone has differing desires when it comes to the realm of sex, so rather than judge her, find out what's behind the behavior. She may prefer straight-up sex with no frills or she may simply place more importance on her own orgasm than on yours.

Fix it: If you want foreplay, then seduce her. If you want to ensure that you orgasm as well, ask her if she's satisfied; if she says yes, then tell her you want to feel just as good as she does.

She Hides Her Body

So, your girl is acting like a nun and won't get naked in front of you. As much as you want to enjoy her body visually, she leaves the room by slowly backing out. Or, she needs to have all the lights off when you have sex and the blankets need to be covering her. Let's break that habit.

Possible reasons: Well, there's no doubt that she's insecure about her body, and she thinks you might get turned off if you see all her flaws.

Fix it: Show her that even though you have flaws, you know that she loves you anyway -- but don't point your flaws. Perhaps the most important thing is to tell her that you think she's beautiful and that you appreciate her body. It could take time a repetition on your part to break down those walls that she has constructed, but it'll be worth it once you do.

She Never Reciprocates

You go down on her and take your time, making sure to please her in every way possible, but she never goes down on you. You seduce her constantly, doing your best to turn her on and make her enjoy the sex, and yet she never comes on to you or initiates sex.

Possible reasons: First, it's possible she thinks that it's your responsibility to turn her on, and not the other way around. Second, some women think that guys get turned on just by seeing a girl, so therefore she doesn't really have to come on to you. Oddly enough, some women even think that being "aggressive" is unladylike and could turn a guy off.

Fix it: Tell her that you love receiving oral sex and you fantasize about how great she would be at it. Tell her that it's important for you to feel desired and that she can show you by coming onto you every now and again. That ought to do it -- empathy is a great thing.

Make it Work

Sex as you must know by now (because I've written about it ad nauseam) is just as important as trust, love and all that other good stuff. If you and your girl aren't on the same sexual wavelength, chances are things aren't going to suddenly change.

Dare to discuss it. Ask her what she thinks about sex, how important it is to her, and how often she'd like to engage in it. If her responses are way off from what you'd expect, then you might want to reconsider opting to spend the majority of your time with her.

source: http://www.askmen.com

The French Manicure and Pedicure

2007-04-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

Manicure

This neutral look makes nails look clean and healthy and suits all occasions

Although it takes a lot of practice it's worth the effort once you see the finished effect. Most polish ranges include soft pink and white shades that enable you to create an attractive French manicure

Clean and file your nails to the desired shape, then apply a thin base coat.
Apply white polish to the tip. Start at one side and sweep the loaded brush toward the centre of the nail in a diagonal swipe. Repeat from the other side. This will create a 'V'shape, which you can correct by filling the open top of the 'V'. Repeat on all nails.
When dry, apply sheer varnish (beige, clear or pink) over entire nail. Experiment with various colour options in order to create sophisticated variations on the classic French manicure.

Tips

A simpler option is to find some pre-cut, self adhesive French manicure guides. Lift the edge of one strip and remove from the backing paper. Place it across the nail to divide thetip from the rest of the nsil, leaving a small strip. Press down firmly to smooth out any ripples. Repeat on all nails. Apply white nail varnish to the nail tip and allow to dry. Remove guides and apply sheer varnish over entire nail.
Another option is to run a white pencil under the free edges of your nails to accentuate the tips.

Pedicure

This is a neutral option that makes almost any foot look good. If your toenails are not your best feature, opt for clear, pearlized or pale-coloured nail varnish so as not to draw too much attention to them.

Follow the basic steps for a pedicure until you have applied a basecoat.
Apply white polish to the nail tip by starting at one side and sweeping across the nail in a single, steady movement. Keep the strip as narrow as possible. Repeat for all the nails.
Apply sheer pink, natural or peach polish over the entire nail, painting a strip of colour down the centre of the nail, then overlapping with a strip on either side, but avoiding the cuticles. Leave to dry thoroughly before applying a second coat.
Apply a clear topcoat to seal in colour. Leave to dry for as long as possible before putting on your shoes - at least an hour, as socks or tights can leave unsightly imprints if you rush the drying stage.

source: http://www.ivillage.co.uk/

Tips For Nail Care

2007-04-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year for spring cleaning and outdoor gardening. While our hands and fingernails are an integral part of these chores, you don’t have to ruin your manicure.

Consider the following nail care tips and your nails will never show that you have been digging in the dirt or scrubbing that kitchen floor.

1. For spring cleaning and daily household chores that require you to get your hands wet, wear cotton-lined rubber gloves to protect your nails. Why? Our fingernails swell when they get wet and shrink as they dry, which causes our fingernails to have less strength. Cotton-lined rubber gloves will help absorb moisture while keeping your hands and nails dry.

2. While working in the garden, it is important, as with cleaning, to wear the right kind of gloves. When dealing with damp soil, chemicals, or liquid fertilizers, it is best to wear rubber gloves that are water resistant. For gardening projects such as digging or weeding, consider wearing thicker gloves made of cowhide.

3. Before putting on cleaning or gardening gloves, apply some lotion on your hands or apply cream on your cuticles to moisturize. Try hand creams that contain oils such as shea butter, eucalyptus, flower or jojoba.

4. To help prevent cracks in your nails, rub moisturizer that contains alphahydroxy acids or lanolin into nail tips. For another moisturizing agent, you can also massage vitamin E oil into your cuticles. Tip – keep a bottle of vitamin E oil next to your bathroom sink to remind yourself to apply it to your cuticles.

5. When filing or buffing your nails, always go in one direction. If you file or buff your nails back and forth, this will cause splitting.

6. To promote nail strength and flexibility, eat foods that contain folic acid such as whole grains, berries, kale, and citrus fruits.

7. It is also important to drink plenty of water. This is necessary for fingernail health because it keeps the body hydrated.

8. To avoid breaking nails, don’t use them as tools, such as digging or picking.

9. Use products containing alcohol sparingly. These products can make fingernails prone to breaking.

10. Do you file the corners of your nails? This may weaken the nails and cause them to break more easily.

source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Get a Professional Manicure/Pedicure at Home

2007-04-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

No doubt about it: professional manicures and pedicures are relaxing. Just having your hands and feet cared for by another person is powerfully therapeutic. But if you're not in the mood to splurge, you can also do it yourself at home.

Tools:

Aromatic oils
Exfoliator
Lotion
Non-acetone polish remover
Orangewood stick (instead of plastic)
Real cotton balls

Step by Step

Take off old polish.
Use a non-acetone remover because it is easier on your nails and skin, and doesn't have any harsh vapors.
File your nails.
Try not to file the sides too much -- it can cause hangnails and weaken your nails.
Soak in warm water.
Soak hands for two to three minutes, and feet for five minutes. Since soap can be drying, use scented salts or essential oils instead. If your feet are callused, use a pumice stone when feet are wet and use a foot file after they are dry. If you do this once a day, calluses won't build up.
Condition cuticles.
Use oil (if you don't have cuticle oil use olive oil or baby oil), then gently push back the cuticle with an orangewood stick to get a really nice shape. Optional step: Use an exfoliator to slough off dry skin, then rinse and put on lotion.
Give yourself a massage.
Slather hands and feet with a good vitamin E-enriched lotion. Use a non-acetone polish remover to clean the nail bed, wiping off any remaining cuticle oil or massage lotion (the surface can't be greasy when you apply polish). Clean under the nail too, with an orangewood stick wrapped with cotton and dipped in the remover. I prefer wood because it's kinder to the tender skin under the nail. Plastic is okay in a pinch -- but if your remover has acetone, the plastic will melt.
Apply nail strengthener.
Or use a regular base coat. This protective layer is especially important if you're using dark polish (intense pigment can permanently stain nails).
Apply two layers of nail color.
Polish the ends of your nails, too, for extra wear.
Apply a clear top coat.
Touch the ends with this, too -- if your nail was a shiny new car, this would be the front bumper. Let dry and show off your gorgeous hands and feet!

Sonia Kashuk's book, Real Beauty, is available at bookstores nationwide.

Keep Your Hands Healthy

2007-04-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

Without our hands to create beautiful things, express our feelings, and get things done, we'd be lost. Here, 10 ways to pamper yours so they stay healthy and young-looking.

Wear sunscreen. Hands incur sun damage just like faces do. Don't forget to apply SPF daily.
Exfoliate. Use a grainy scrub on backs of hands twice a week to reveal glowing skin.
Keep cuticles neat. Cuticles function as barriers to bacteria and fungus, but they can often overgrow. Use a wooden or metal cuticle pusher after a shower to keep them in line (and you've heard it before: Don't cut!).
Release tension. Most of us hold tension in our necks and shoulders, but we can also carry the stress of the day in our hands. Give yours a daily self-massage to keep them tension-free.
Share facial treatments. Vitamin C, retinol, and alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids benefit the skin on our hands. Apply a bit of treatment whenever you use it on your face.
Seal cuticle tears. Tiny hangnails and bitten edges can catch on almost anything, turning into deep tears and possibly leading to infection. Keep them covered by applying a liquid bandage product (try the new one from Band-Aid) as soon as tears develop.
Keep nails short. Long talons tend to look garish, and invite breaks that can be painful. File nails to a quarter-inch above your fingertips.
Give nails breathing room. Experts suggest you take a one-week break from polish every month.
Tap, tap, tap! Believe it or not, tapping your fingernails on a hard surface stimulates nail health and growth. So drum away!
Get a manicure. Sure, doing your own nails is economical and practical, but a professional manicure every two or three months is a welcome bit of pampering. What's more, pros can deal with tough problems like calluses and flaking cuticles better than you can at home.

Tips For Nails Polish

2007-04-06T00:20:00.000-07:00

Nail Polish Tips:

To prepare your nails for polish, wipe them with nail polish remover. This will remove any grease from your nails and help your polish last longer.
Be sure to let nail polish dry completely before applying another layer.
Apply several thin coats of nail polish to your fingernails instead of one thick coat. This will allow the polish to dry faster and last longer.
To avoid drying out your nails, try not to remove and reapply nail polish more than once or twice a week.
Consider using a nail polish remover that contains moisturizers. This will help moisturize your nails while limiting the damage of the product.
To keep your nail polish bottle from becoming glued shut, use a cotton ball and wipe the top of the bottle with nail polish remover after each use.
The experts believe the best place to store your nail polish is in the refrigerator. If you store your nail polish in a warm place, it will change the consistency.
If you don’t have time to polish your nails or choose not to wear polish, you can rub on a buffing cream and then shine them with a chamois buffer. This is a very pretty and natural look.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Tips for Great Sex After Birth of A Baby

2007-03-30T10:11:00.001-07:00

During pregnancy you may have wondered what the effects of the pregnancy on your body and mind, not to mention a new little one would have on your sex life postpartum. The good news is that many women find that they have better sex lives, just different, after the birth of a baby. Just remember it will be different. Here are some tips to enhancing your postpartum sex life!

Don't rush into anything. Take your time. Having sex before you are ready (your mind or your body) is harmful to your relationship.

Shower together! Or bathe together. Not only will it save time and money for water but you might have a lot of fun.

Plan for birth control. Don't be someone who is caught two months after the birth of your baby wondering if you got pregnant because you took a chance.

Try to plan some time alone, even if it's just to cuddle. Having a baby may leave you feeling "touched out," but some special snuggle time with your main guy can help revive that, even before sexual intercourse is allowed or wanted.

Get to know each other a bit better. Remember you're both having to adjust your life to being parents, even if it's not your first child.

Be spontaneous! Bedtime might not always be the right time. Nor will the bedroom always be the right place. Add some spice to your sex life, act like a teenager!

Lubrication! Make sure you and your partner take enough time to get into the mood and that you're feeling moist enough to handle it. If you think you need some more help than what mother nature is providing, be sure to use an over the counter lubricant rather than worry needlessly. If you're still concerned talk to your practitioner.

Remember it's quality not quantity. You don't have to have sex every night, not even every week. Figure out what timing is right for your relationship.

Talk about your fears of sexual intercourse. Maybe you're worried about the repair of an episiotomy or some stitches that you had. Perhaps you're concerned about how your partner feels after watching you give birth.

Never hesitate to say no. Maybe you need the freedom to say no once in awhile. Your partner might also need the same freedom. There are also compromises that can be made along the way. Maybe intercourse is out but some good old-fashioned kissing and necking isn't?

Source: http://pregnancy.about.com

Tips for Sex After Pregnancy

2007-03-30T10:05:00.001-07:00

Talk to each other about how you feel

Be gentle with each other and build up to things gradually

Avoid penetration and concentrate on caressing or oral sex the first few times

Spend more time on kissing, caressing and foreplay to aid arousal

Until your hormone levels are back to normal your vagina won't naturally lubricate itself very well, so try using a lubricant

If you have had an episiotomy or stitches, let your partner know if you experience tightness or pain.

A warm bath, massage and lubricant may help

Try different positions if you feel discomfort

Lack Sex Drive After The Birth

2007-03-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

While your sex life during pregnancy may continue normally, sex after the birth is probably going to be the last thing on your mind!

A number of things contribute to a decline in sex drive after the birth of your baby. Labour is a physically exhausting and highly emotional process, so it's only natural that your body will need some time to recover! In addition, your hormone levels change significantly after birth, and of course you will also need time to adjust to your new baby.

Why won't I feel like having sex?

It's only natural to overlook sex for days or more likely weeks, after you have your baby. Some doctors used to suggest waiting until after your 6-week postnatal check-up, but this is probably over cautious. You should, however, wait until the lochia (bleeding and discharge) has subsided. This can take between 2 and 6 weeks, perhaps longer for some people. You should also wait until healing has occurred if you had a caesarean, stitches or forceps delivery.

Some of the reasons you may not feel like, or enjoy sex include:

tiredness and feelings of general discomfort
pain or tightness due to an episiotomy or stitches - this can sometimes take months to subside
less natural lubrication for up to 8-10 weeks after the birth, particularly if breastfeeding. You can purchase a lubricating jelly from your pharmacy if necessary.
feeling unattractive because of physical changes after childbirth - exercise will help!
anxiety about your new baby and the new world of motherhood
distractions, such as a crying or unsettled baby
loss of libido for your partner. This is not uncommon and should not be taken personally - remember your partner is going through adjustments too. Talk to each other to ensure that these problems don't become drawn out
fear of getting pregnant - conception can still occur while you're breastfeeding! Don't forget to talk to your health care practitioner about reliable contraceptive methods at your 6-week postnatal checkup.

When should we start having sex again?

There are no hard and fast rules about when desire will return or when to resume your sex life - it varies for different people. While the general opinion is that sex can resume as soon as you feel physically and emotionally ready, it's probably best to seek the advice of your doctor or obstetrician before you leave hospital.

Remember it's not just you that might not feel like making love! You need to talk to your partner about when each of you is ready to resume sex. It's also a good idea to address any other problems you may be experiencing together.

Resuming sex has its advantages. The hormones released during sex cause contractions that will help the uterus to return to it's normal state, and of course, returning to a physical relationship can be good to renew the physical and emotional closeness between you and your partner.

What about contraception?

After you have given birth, ovulation could occur at any time, even when you are breastfeeding. You and your partner will need to think about contraception and discuss the options with your doctor.

Contraceptive pills that contain oestrogen are not recommended for breastfeeding women as they reduce milk production. Progestogen-only pills are available but their long-term side effects on babies are unknown at this stage. Until your six-week check-up, the only other alternative is condoms, used with a contraceptive gel or cream. At your six-week check-up you can discuss the use of a diaphragm or IUD with your doctor.

Source: www.essentialbaby.com.au

The Ways to Lift Your Libido

2007-03-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

1. Make him a cup of tea. Damiana tea contains a South American herb that will stimulate his nether regions. Dr. Sarah Brewer, alternative health expert and author of Increase Your Sex Drive in 12 Weeks (Thorsons/Element, 1999), explains, "The active ingredient is gonzalitosin, which induces a feeling of mild euphoria and a tingling sensation in the penis. It also helps alleviate depression, which can often cause a dip in sex drive." Quick, put the kettle on!

2. Feast on figs. A favorite aphrodisiac with the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, figs are said to build up sexual stamina due to their high amino acid content.

3. Ditch cleansing wipes. "I bet when you first got together with your man you made love with your make-up on." says Val Sampson, author of How to Have Great Sex for The Rest of Your Life (Piatkus, 2006).

"After a while this gets replaced with taking all your makeup off, brushing your hair and slipping into your nightgrown. Try to initiate sex when you're still dolled up. It will rekindle those exciting first-time feelings." And the more gorgeous you feel, the more confident and relaxed you'll be.

4. Draw the curtains. And have sex in the afternoon. "That's when your sex hormones are at their highest," says Val. "Pop the kids in front of a video, or better still, pack them off to your parents' or a friend's house for the afternoon, and get down to it."

5. Bake some buns. According to scientists, the most arousing smell for men is cinnamon buns. In a study at The Smell & Taste Research Foundation in Chicago, scientists tested more than 200 smells to find out which ones aroused men the most -- and cinnamon won. "We discovered that smelling cinnamon increased the flow of blood to the penis, helping him stay aroused," says study leader Dr. Alan Hirsch.

6. Switch ends. "Have sex at the opposite end of the bed," says Tracey Cox, TV sex expert and author of Quickies (Dorling Kindersley, 2006). "It's the lazy woman's guide to pepping up her sex life. It feels a bit different, a bit more exciting, but you haven't got to fork out on a hotel. Just move your pillows down to the other end of the bed."

7. Make it quick. "Don't beat yourself up if your sex life just consists of 1 1/2-minute quickies before the kids wake up," says Tracey. "Sex doesn't always have to last for 45 minutes and end with two orgasms. If that's what you aim for, you'll never find time so you'll go without altogether. "Just a two-minute fumble a week, with intercourse or not, will keep libidos fired up better than one long session every two months."

8. Get some garlic. It contains allicin, an active ingredient that increases blood flow to both your sexual organs, resulting in a stronger erection and better orgasms. Buy a bulb a week, crush it up, and throw it into your meatballs and stir-fries.

9. Go out. A University of California study discovered that an hour in the sunshine can rev up a man's libido boosting testosterone levels by up to 69 percent.

10. Avoid sex. "Make a pact on a Thursday not to have sex until the end of the weekend," says sex and relationship psychologist Susan Quilliam. "Not being able to have something makes us want it more. In the meantime, do lots of kissing and cuddling to get in the mood. By Sunday, you'll be dying to rip each other's clothes off."

11. Turn the TV off. Couples who have a TV in their bedroom make love half as often as those who keep it a TV-free zone, says a new study. Susan Quilliam says: "Unless you're watching a saucy film, a TV in the bedroom will distract you both, disrupt your sleep, and make you less likely to want sex."

12. Ditch the pics. "As sweet as they may be, keeping pictures of your children next to your bedside table won't do your love life any favors," says sex therapist Dr. Lori Boul. "Keep the area around your bed for just the two of you, and leave the pictures of your kids and mother-in-law for the living room."

13. Hold hands. "Touch each other all the time to release bonding hormones," says Dr. Lori. "The touching doesn't have to be sexual -- simply hold hands, snuggle on the sofa, or stroke his shoulders as you walk past him ..."

14. Have a coffee. Whoever came up with the pickup line, "Can I buy you a coffee?" was onto something. Turns out that a mug of something hot really will get you going. Scientists from Southwestern University, Texas, have discovered that coffee boosts the female libido. You have to be an occasional drinker to feel the benefits so, for best results, ditch your six-cups-a-day habit.

15. Give good text. "Text your partner three times a day," says sex counselor Ruth Hallam-Jones. "Be flirty and tell them exactly what it is you like about them. It'll boost their day -- and libido."

16. Rent a movie. No, not that sort of movie -- a scary one! "Sit next to each other and watch a frightening film together," says Relate counsellor Christine Northam. "It'll raise your man's testosterone levels, and he'll want to protect you, plus clinging on to each other during the hair-raising moments will bring you physically closer."

17. Buy trainers. Thirty minutes a day of moderate exercise can help to increase sex drive, say researchers. It's not just the extra energy that will help get you in the mood; if you feel more confident about your body, you'll also feel sexier.

18. Eat chocolate. Ditch white or milk chocolate in favor of a rich, dark bar with at least 70 percent cocoa solids. Cocoa contains phenylalanine, an amino acid that boosts arousal and enhances your mood.

Lovers' Boost in a Bottle
Stick these on your shopping list to spice up your sex life:

19. St. John's Wort. We all know that this herb is famous for lifting a low mood, but did you know it can also do wonders for a flagging libido? Studies have shown it helped 60 percent of people with mild depression to get back their interest in sex.

20. Korean gingseng. This has been used as a libido lifter for more than 7,000 years. As well as improving blood flow to the genitals, it also stimulates your mental and physical energy, so it's good for people with stress-related low libidos.

21. Ginkgo biloba. Boosts blood flow enough to help maintain an erection. A Journal of Sex Education and Therapy study involving impotent men showed that taking ginkgo had a beneficial effect after six weeks, and within six months, half of the participants got their erections back.

22. Vibrance cream. A brand new cream can boost a woman's flagging libido within minutes. During trials, 50 percent of women felt a response within five minutes and the effects lasted between 30 and 45 minutes.

23. Zestra Feminine Arousal Fluid. In a small study, this oil was found to increase desire and arousal in women when applied during foreplay.

Source: Daily Mirror

10 Great Locations For First-Date

2007-03-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

10. Horse Stable

If you're both physically fit and like animals, make arrangements to go horseback riding at a beautiful location. If you can trot on a beach, even better. You'll have plenty to talk about after your ride.

9. Planetarium

Can you think of a better way to get to know someone than gazing at the stars together? Check out your local planetarium for programs, and take your date for a day of "exploration of the cosmos."

8. Wine Tasting

Impress your date with a tasting at a local winery -- or find a restaurant that schedules wine tastings. Depending on how well you get along, you might suggest dinner after the tasting. Make sure your date isn't a teetotaler, first!

7. Botanical Garden

A botanical garden is the perfect environment to cultivate a beautiful relationship. It's the perfect place to take someone you don't know that well, with great potential to spark conversation and romance.

6. Sunset Cruise

If you live near water, treat someone special to a short river, ocean or bay cruise. Water soothes the spirit, makes conversation easy, and provides a beautiful backdrop to rev up romance.

5. Picnic at A Park

Sharing food is always a great way to spend a date -- especially when you have the extra-added pleasure of a beautiful park surrounding you. Prepare a picnic basket and spread out a blanket on a soft spot in the grass.

4. A ‘Buena Vista’

Where do you go to unwind? Do you have a favorite overlook, seaside retreat or mountaintop vista? A great way to measure compatibility is to take someone to see your favorite "beautiful view." Drive there and see what happens.

3. Comedy Club

Laughter is sexy. It's also a great way to break the ice between two people getting to know each other. Take your date to see a comedian and laugh the night away! (Caution: For first dates, stick with a nonoffensive act.)

2. Drive-in Movie

The great thing about a drive-in movie is that you have free reign of the vehicle -- meaning you can laugh, eat popcorn and discuss the movie freely. See a comedy together. Laughter helps create sparks.

1. Home

If you love your home, invite your date over for coffee or cocktails. Show him or her around your home. Keep photo albums or conversation pieces on hand. Take a stroll in your neighborhood. It's a great place to share yourself.

Source: http://www.thirdage.com/

How to Handling and Storage Seafood??

2007-03-30T00:38:00.000-07:00

Finfish and shellfish should be handled with care. Both are highly perishable. Storage life depends on how well you take care of it, whether the seafood is a whole fish or a live oyster. Fish bruises easily, so handle carefully. Lift whole fish with two hands and avoid holding by the tail. Pack all seafood products separately or at the top of your grocery bags.

When your seafood purchase arrives home, store it in the coldest part of your refrigerator at a temperature as close to 32 F as possible. Or fish in waxed paper or place in a covered dish and refrigerate. Wrap seafood in plastic wrap or store in an air-tight container. As a general rule, fresh seafood should not be held more than a day or two before being cooked. From a safety point of view, the maximum temperature for perishable food is 4°C. Based on quality and shelf life, it is recommended that seafood be stored between -1 to 2°C.

Disease-producing bacteria thrive at warm temperatures and can live very well on seafood. In the danger zone - between 4°C and 60°C - bacteria can double in numbers every 15 to 30 minutes

The shelf life depends upon the variety of fish and the quality at time of purchase. Be sure to use fish quickly, within one to two days after you buy it. Fish that is not prepackaged should be washed under cold, running water and patted dry with an absorbent paper towel. The fish should then be wrapped in moisture-proof paper or plastic wrap, placed in a heavy plastic bag, or stored in an air-tight, rigid container until ready for cooking. Even though frozen storage for fish can vary from 3 to 10 months, depending on the oil content of the fish, all frozen seafood should be used within a month or two to ensure the best flavour.

Smoked fish is packaged in many ways – frozen, refrigeration with a limited shelf life, and as a stable shelf product. Consumers are encouraged to follow the storage directions on the packaging and to refrigerate any unused product for a short period of time (maximum two days). Signs of quality deterioration and spoilage of smoked fish include discolouration, mold, and an unpleasant odour. Discard the product immediately if there are any signs of spoilage.

Some varieties of shellfish, however, require different handling and storage guidelines.

Store shrimp, squid, and shucked shellfish in a leak-proof bag, plastic container, or covered jar.

Store live shellfish in a shallow dish covered with damp towels or paper towels. Never put live shellfish in water or in an air-tight container where they could suffocate and die.

Squid and freshly shucked clams have a shelf life of one to two days.

Shrimp and scallops have a shelf life of about two to three days. Before storing uncooked shrimp, rinse them well under cold running water and drain thoroughly. Refrigerate, tightly covered, for up to 2 days.Cooked shrimp can also be refrigerated for up to 2 days. · Freshly shucked oysters have a shelf life of five to seven days.

Store live clams in the refrigerator in an open container covered with a moist cloth for up to 2 days. Shucked clams may be stored in their liquor (the liquid surrounding them) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Store live mussels in a single layer on a tray covered with a damp cloth for up to 2 days. Shucked mussels may be stored in their liquor in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Oysters in the shell, from seven to ten days. Some shells may open during storage. If so, tap them. They will close if alive; if not, discard immediately.

Refrigerate live crabs, covered by a damp towel, until just before cooking. Live lobsters and crabs should be cooked the same day they are purchased. Cooked whole lobsters or crabs should be stored in tight air-tight containers and used within two to three days. Cooked, picked lobster or crab meat should be stored in a sealed moisture-proof plastic bag or air-tight plastic container for three to four days. Canned crabmeat may be stored, once opened, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Pasteurized crab meat can be refrigerated for up to six months before opening and should be used within two to three days after opening.

Refrigerate left-over cooked shellfish dishes as you would any other leftovers. Use within two or three days. Do not allow cooked seafood to come in direct contact with raw seafood or other raw meats.

Tips for Buying Fresh Fish and Friends

2007-03-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

The best way to guarantee you are buying fresh fish is looking at, smelling and (if possible) feeling what is on offer. Whatever the variety, whole fish have certain characteristics that indicate freshness.

Buying whole fish, look for:

Moist, and even slippery
Shiny skin, with scales that adhere tightly. Characteristic colors and markings start to fade as soon as a fish leaves the water.
Bright red or pink gills. Avoid fish with dull-colored gills that are gray, brown, or green. Fresh fish should be free from slime.
Firm flesh, which bounces back when touched. Fresh fish will give slightly, then spring back into shape when gently pressed.
Crystal clear eyes - not sunken into the surrounding skin. Bright, clear, full eyes that are often protruding. As the fish loses freshness, the eyes become cloudy, pink, and sunken.
A fresh smell. Fresh fish shouldn't smell fishy. It should have a fresh, ocean smell.

Buying fillets or steaks, look for:

Firm and elastic flesh and a fresh-cut, moist appearance, with no browning around the edges.
Clear white or red color, depending on the variety of fish. Fresh fillets have a bright, shiny colour without browning. Filleted flesh separates if it is left too long in the case. The flesh should be translucent, light will shine through it. There should be little evidence of bruising or reddening of the flesh from retention of blood.
Even coloring
Moist appearance
A fresh smell. All fresh fish should have no fishy or ammonia smell.. It should have a fresh, ocean smell.
Prepackaged steaks and fillets should contain a minimum of liquid.

Buying shellfish, look for:

Shellfish may be sold live, cooked, or fresh shucked.
The form depends on availability and the shellfish itself. Each form and species will have different quality signs to examine.
Odor is one quality indicator that should be sweet and mild, not overly fishy for all fresh shellfish. This odor has been likened to a fresh sea breeze or seaweed.

The shells of live clams, oysters, or mussels should be tightly closed. Look for:

Fresh mussels, oysters, clams are sold live because when they die, their internal organs start to deteriorate. This way fresh shellfish should have unbroken shells and should be closed. If the shells gape slightly, tap them: the shells should close up. If they do not close up, throw them away.
The shells of fresh, live shellfish should be shiny and moist. It should smell sweet and mild, like a fresh sea breeze.
Fresh lobster and crabs are also sold alive, because they spoil quickly when they die. Thus when selecting them they should show leg movement (they will not be very active if they have been refrigerated, but they should move at least a little bit).
Raw shrimp meat should be firm and should smell mild. The shells should not have blackened edges, black spots or other dark areas, because this indicates loss of freshness.
When buying fresh squid, select those with clear and full eyes, the skin should be cream-colored with reddish brown spots (when they start losing freshness the skin turns pinkish) and the meat should be very firm.
Fresh shucked oysters should have a fresh smell. A clear slightly milky or light grey liquid should surround freshly shucked oysters.

And last but not least, when shopping buy your fresh fish or seafood last and then take them home straight away to storage them appropriately.

Shopping for Fresh Fish and Friends At The Right Market

2007-03-29T23:48:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows freshness is essential to good eating. From lettuce to chicken to bread, the freshness of our food is directly linked to its quality. With fish, freshness is even more important. So, its very important to know how to buy fresh fish.

There are health benefits to eating fish and seafood on a regular basis, whether it is wild or farmed. Studies show that people who eat seafood at least once per week significantly lower their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Fish are fragile creatures, and their quality begins to deteriorate within minutes of being hauled from the water. That's why being able to choose the freshest fish in the market is tantamount to choosing the best.

Seafoods, like many other foods, are perishable and must be handled properly to avoid spoilage and the possibility of food poisoning.

How do I know I am going to the right place?

Choosing fresh fish can be tricky, since most of the fish we buy is already cut up into fillets and steaks. While this makes cooking fish a snap, it also means that we need to pay attention before we buy. Here are some guidelines for helping you choose the freshest catch in the market.

Choosing where to purchase your fish is every bit as important as choosing which fish to buy.

Whether you shop at a specialty seafood shop or in the neighborhood supermarket, make sure that it's a place with a high turnover.

Sometimes a gourmet seafood store, even if they have dozens of varieties for sale, isn't as good a choice as the corner market, simply because fewer people may shop there.

If you shop at a place with a lot of traffic, you are guaranteed a high turnover, which almost always guarantees fresh fish. On the other hand, just because your supermarket does a bustling business in every other department doesn't mean they sell a lot of fish.

A good way to tell is simply to watch the seafood counter while you shop. Is it crowded? Are other shoppers looking carefully over the refrigerator case, being choosy about what they take home to their families? Crowds, especially discriminating ones, can be a good sign.

Presentation is key.

Are the fish beautifully (or at least neatly) displayed and surrounded by ice?

The little plastic signs which list the price per pound should be stuck into the ice (or a lemon half if the store is fancy) next to the fish, not into the fish itself. The counter and surrounding areas should be sparkling clean, without pools of murky liquid collecting. Pools of murky liquid are also bad signs when collecting underneath the fish.

Is your fish store a good one?

Watch the counter people in action. How are they handling your dinner?

Are they carelessly flopping the fish into the wrapping, holding the steaks or fillets by a thin edge (which can tear the flesh), or dangling your snapper by the tail? Fish are not as hardy as chickens, and need easy handling (although you probably wouldn't want your butcher lifting your chicken by its drumstick, either).

Odor is also a telltale indicator.

When you walk into a fish store or approach the fish counter if you're in a supermarket, are you greeted with the crisp clean scent of salt and ice?

This is what you should smell. If the air is at all rank, vaguely foul, or even somewhat less than fresh, something could be amiss. If this is the case where you buy your fish, think about changing venues.

Checking out the Merchandise

Once you've chosen your market of choice, choosing which fish is the freshest should be as easy as asking the fishmonger. Spending a little time talking with him or her will help you make an informed choice.

Find out the fish's history. Where and when did the fishmonger buy the fish? Was it caught locally or shipped in from elsewhere? Has the fish been frozen? (Previously frozen fish cannot be refrozen.) Obviously the longer the fish has been out of the water, the less likely it will be fresh.

Seasonal Summer Shopping at the Farmers' Market

2007-03-29T23:43:00.000-07:00

Summer produce delivers a sensual experience beyond that of any other season, combining the sun’s energy with vibrant memories in every mouthful of juicy watermelon or sweet corn, and in the heady aromas of garden-fresh tomatoes and perfectly ripened peaches. Piled high at farmers’ markets, organic fruits and vegetables beckon with brilliant colors—let them tempt you. Local, organic produce is the freshest, best-tasting, and most nutritious you can find, short of growing it yourself.

This summer, visit your market often for fruits and vegetables at their peak, and try recipes that highlight their flavors. Keep dishes simple, with a minimum of ingredients, and use fresh herbs by the handful. You’ll spend less time in the kitchen, yet the resulting meals will be sensational.

Corn—Best if picked that morning and cooked within a day. Look at the stem: if pale green, it was just picked, otherwise the stem would be more woody. Find ears with bright green, tightly closed husks. If you’re permitted to check inside, pull husks back to check whether the kernels are plump and burst when popped with a fingernail. Some people find white corn to be sweeter than yellow corn. Refrigerate, in the husk, in a plastic bag, for no more than 2 days. Boiling corn: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Don’t add salt, as it will toughen the kernels. Shuck the corn, place it in the boiling water, and let cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Turn off heat and leave corn in the hot water for another 2 minutes. Remove and serve with butter and salt and pepper. Roasting corn: Pull down husks, remove silk, replace husks (secure with kitchen string if necessary) and hold under cold water to dampen. Grill on a rack, turning for even cooking, for 20 minutes; alternatively, place in hot coals for 15 minutes.

Watermelons and Other Melons—Look for melons that are firm but not too hard, with no soft spots. The stem end should give slightly when pressed and have a fresh melon scent. Store melons in a cool place; once cut, or if your kitchen is hot, store in the refrigerator, pressing plastic wrap to the cut side. Some people prefer cold melon—especially watermelon—so refrigerate or ice several hours before serving. Cut lengthwise, remove seeds and pulp, then cut into wedges or chunks, or scoop into melon balls. Melons are wonderful as part of breakfast, in a summer fruit salad, or wrapped in prosciutto as an appetizer. At the farmers’ market, ask for tastes of different varieties to find a new favorite.

Zucchini and Other Summer Squashes—Seek out small firm squashes (under six inches), with bright, glossy skins. Be careful to avoid nicks, which hasten decay. Store in the vegetable bin of the refrigerator in a perforated plastic bag, up to a week. For a simple pasta dish, slice the ends off either one or several kinds of squash, cut into 1/4-inch slices and sauté in fruity olive oil for several minutes or until soft. Season with salt and pepper and toss into cooked pasta (use fresh pasta to reduce cooking time and keep your kitchen cooler) with freshly grated parmesan cheese. If you like, add one or more of the following to the sauté pan: minced garlic, chopped onion, diced tomato, chopped oregano, and parsley.

Peaches—Find golden yellow and red fruits that have a bit of give and no green on the skin. Allow to ripen at room temperature (refrigeration will deaden their flavor). If you are buying to eat right away, ask the farmer’s advice on which are the ripest. Peaches are excellent sliced over breakfast cereal or made into crisps, sorbets, and preserves. To peel: Loosen the skin by gently running the blunt side of a blade over it, turn the knife around, and use the sharp side to lift the skin away. To pit: Cut in half lengthwise, twist the halves, and separate; remove the pit. Fresh peach slices are fabulous over vanilla ice cream. For an even more-luscious topping: Skin, pit, and slice peaches, and toss in a bowl with fresh blueberries, dots of butter, and brown sugar to taste. Broil the mixture (or place in a tinfoil packet on the rack of an outdoor grill) until the sugar and butter melt. Spoon over the ice cream.

Tomatoes—Look for yielding (not too hard, not too soft), vibrantly colored tomatoes that have a strong, earthy tomato aroma. The farmers’ market is a great place to find heirloom slicing and cherry varieties in unusual colors and shapes. Store at room temperature, as refrigeration will ruin both the flavor and texture of tomatoes. If starting to become overripe, they can be chopped up for a sauce or soup. For bruschetta: Chop tomatoes. In a nonreactive bowl, combine them with chopped basil or oregano, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Lightly toast slices of rustic Italian bread in the oven or on an outdoor grill. Brush one side of the toasts with a fruity olive oil, then, using a slotted spoon, top with the tomato mixture.

Blackberries and Blackberry Hybrids—Blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries, and olallieberries all provide fiber, vitamin C, and sweet-tart bursts of summer flavor. Find plump berries with no bruising or mold. To store: Pick out overripe berries and spread on paper towels on a plate or cake pan (do not rinse until ready to use). If not using that day, cover with a paper towel and refrigerate. Rinse gently with cool water and drain on more paper towels. Eat berries as a snack, as a topping for ice cream, or cheesecake, or in a crisp. They are also an excellent candidate for freezer jam, which is much less labor intensive to produce than regular preserves. (Look for recipes on boxes of pectin.) Refrigerate some to eat right away and freeze the rest for a welcome summer taste in the middle of winter.

source: organic.org

How Much Seafood Do I Need to Buy?

2007-03-29T23:40:00.000-07:00

You can never have enough seafood in your life. The amount you'll want per person depends on the recipe, the fish itself, and your appetite. Here is a more precise estimate, per main course serving.

Small whole fish	3/4 to 1 pound per person
Fillets or steak	1/3 pound or 5 to 8 ounces per person
Scallops, peeled shrimp, or crab meat	1/4 pound or 5 to 7 ounces, shelled per person
Shell-on shrimp	1/2 pound per person
Live crab or lobster	1/2 pound per person
Oysters or clams, shucked	1/4 pint per person
Oysters or clams, in the shell	1/2 to 1 dozen per person
Squid and octopus	6 to 8 ounces per person
Lobster	1 1/2 pounds in the shell per person
Clams and mussels	3/4 pound per person

Birth Control -- Intrauterine Devices and Spermicides

2007-03-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

Intrauterine Devices and Spermicides

An IUD is a mechanical device inserted into the uterus by a health-care professional. Two types of IUDs are available in the United States: the Paragard CopperT 380A and the Progestasert Progesterone T. The Paragard IUD can remain in place for 10 years, while the Progestasert IUD must be replaced every year.

It's not entirely clear how IUDs prevent pregnancy. They seem to prevent sperm and eggs from meeting by either immobilizing the sperm on their way to the fallopian tubes or changing the uterine lining so the fertilized egg cannot implant in it.

IUDs have one of the lowest failure rates of any contraceptive method. "In the population for which the IUD is appropriate--for those in a mutually monogamous, stable relationship who aren't at a high risk of infection--the IUD is a very safe and very effective method of contraception," says Lisa Rarick, M.D., former director of FDA's division of reproductive and urologic drug products.

The IUD's image suffered when the Dalkon Shield IUD was taken off the market in 1975. This IUD was associated with a high incidence of pelvic infections and infertility, and some deaths. Today, serious complications from IUDs are rare. Side effects can include pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection of a woman's reproductive organs), ectopic pregnancy (in which a fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus), perforation of the uterus, heavier-than-normal bleeding, and cramps. Complications occur most often during and immediately after insertion.

Vaginal Spermicides Alone

Vaginal spermicides are available in foam, cream, jelly, film, suppository, or tablet forms. All types contain a sperm-killing chemical.

Studies have not produced definitive data on how well spermicides alone prevent pregnancy, but according to the authors of Contraceptive Technology, a leading resource for contraceptive information, the failure rate for typical users may be 26 percent per year.

Package instructions must be carefully followed because some spermicide products require the couple to wait 10 minutes or more after inserting the spermicide before having sex. One dose of spermicide is usually effective for one hour. For repeated intercourse, additional spermicide must be applied. And after intercourse, the spermicide has to remain in place for at least six to eight hours to ensure that all sperm are killed. The woman should not douche or rinse the vagina during this time.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/

Birth Control -- Surgical Sterilization

2007-03-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

Surgical sterilization is a contraceptive option intended for people who don't want children in the future. It is considered permanent because reversal requires major surgery that is often unsuccessful.

Female sterilization
Female sterilization blocks the fallopian tubes so the egg can't travel to the uterus. Sterilization is done by various surgical techniques, usually under general anesthesia.

Complications from these operations are rare and can include infection, ectopic pregnancy, hemorrhage, and problems related to the use of general anesthesia.

Male sterilization
This procedure, called a vasectomy, involves sealing, tying or cutting a man's vas deferens, which otherwise would carry the sperm from the testicle to the penis.

Vasectomy involves a quick operation, usually under 30 minutes, with possible minor postsurgical complications, such as bleeding or infection.

Research continues on effective contraceptives that minimize side effects. One important research focus, according to FDA's Rarick, is the development of birth control methods that are both spermicidal and microbicidal to prevent not only pregnancy but also transmission of HIV and other STDs.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/

Birth Control -- Traditional Methods

2007-03-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Fertility awarenes or ovulation method
Also known as natural family planning or periodic abstinence, fertility awareness entails not having sexual intercourse or using a barrier method of birth control on the days of a woman's menstrual cycle when she is more likely to become pregnant.

Because a sperm may live in the female's reproductive tract for up to seven days and the egg may remain fertile for about 24 hours, a woman could get pregnant from intercourse that occurred from seven dkays before ovulation to 24 hours or more after. Methods to approximate when a woman is fertile are usually based on the menstrual cycle, changes in cervical mucus, or changes in body temperature.

Natural family planning can work, but it takes an extremely motivated couple to use the method effectively.

Withdrawal
In this method, also called coitus interruptus, the man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation. Fertilization is prevented if the sperm don't enter the vagina.

Effectiveness depends on the male's ability to withdraw before ejaculation. Also, withdrawal doesn't provide protection from STDs, including HIV. Infectious diseases can be transmitted by direct contact with surface lesions and by pre-ejaculatory fluid.

source: http://www.fda.gov/

Birth Control -- Hormonal Methods

2007-03-29T06:10:00.000-07:00

Combined oral contraceptives

Typically called "the pill," combined oral contraceptives have been on the market for 40 years and are the most popular form of reversible birth control in the United States. This form of birth control suppresses ovulation (the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries) by the combined actions of the hormones estrogen and progestin.

If a woman remembers to take the pill every day at the same time of day as directed, she has an extremely low chance of becoming pregnant. But the pill's effectiveness may be reduced if the woman is taking some medications, such as certain antibiotics.

Besides preventing pregnancy, the pill offers additional benefits. As stated in the labeling, the pill can make periods more regular and lighter. It also has a protective effect against pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the fallopian tubes or uterus that is a major cause of infertility in women, and against ovarian and endometrial cancers.

The decision whether to take the pill should be made in consultation with a health professional. Birth control pills are safe for most women--safer even than delivering a baby--but they carry some risks.

Current low-dose pills have fewer risks associated with them than earlier versions. But women over age 35 who smoke and women with certain medical conditions, such as a history of blood clots or breast or endometrial cancer, may be advised against taking the pill. The pill may contribute to cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, blood clots, and blockage of the arteries.

One of the biggest questions has been whether the pill increases the risk of breast cancer in past and current pill users. An international study published in the September 1996 journal Contraception concluded that women's risk of breast cancer 10 years after going off birth control pills was no higher than that of women who had never used the pill. During pill use and for the first 10 years after stopping the pill, women's risk of breast cancer was only slightly higher in pill users than non-pill users Women who have or have had breast cancer should not use the pill because the estrogen in the pill may worse their medical condition.

Side effects of the pill, which often subside after a few months' use, include nausea, headache, breast tenderness, weight gain, irregular bleeding, and depression.

Minipills
Although taken daily like combined oral contraceptives, minipills contain only the hormone progestin and no estrogen. They work by reducing and thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. They also keep the uterine lining from thickening, which prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. These pills are slightly less effective than combined oral contraceptives.

Minipills, like combined oral contraceptives, can decrease menstrual bleeding and cramps and lower the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease. Because they contain no estrogen, minipills don't present the risk of blood clots associated with estrogen in combined pills. They are a good option for new mothers who are breast-feeding, because combined oral contraceptives may decrease the quantity and quality of breast milk. They are also a good option for those who get severe headaches or high blood pressure from estrogen-containing products.

Side effects of minipills include menstrual cycle changes, weight gain, and breast tenderness.

Emergency contraceptive pill (Morning After Pill)
Two emergency contraceptive pill for use in preventing pregnancy after intercourse when standard contraceptives have failed or when no contraceptives were used at all. One product contains the hormones progestin and estrogen; the other contains just progestin.

Available by prescription only, both products are believed to work by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, or by keeping a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall. These pills are not effective once the fertilized egg has implanted.

Emergency contraceptives are about 75 percent effective, which means the number of women who would be expected to become pregnant after unprotected sex drops from eight without the "morning after pill" to two when it is used.

Side effects include nausea and vomiting, both of which were reported less frequently in women taking the progestin-only pills.

Injectable progestins
Depo-Provera, is injected by a health professional into the buttocks or arm muscle every three months. Depo-Provera prevents pregnancy in three ways: It inhibits ovulation, changes the cervical mucus to help prevent sperm from reaching the egg, and changes the uterine lining to prevent the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. The progestin injection is extremely effective in preventing pregnancy, in large part because it requires little effort for the woman to comply: She simply has to get an injection by a doctor once every three months.

The benefits are similar to those of the minipill and another progestin-only contraceptive, Norplant. Side effects are also similar and can include irregular or missed periods (which is not harmful and does not mean that the method isn't working), weight gain, and breast tenderness.

Implantable progestins
Norplant and the newer Norplant 2, are the third type of progestin-only contraceptive. Made up of matchstick-sized rubber rods, this contraceptive is surgically implanted under the skin of the upper arm, where it steadily releases the contraceptive steroid levonorgestrel.

The six-rod Norplant provides protection for up to five years (or until it is removed), while the two-rod Norplant 2 protects for up to three years. Norplant failures are rare, but are higher with increased body weight.

Some women may experience inflammation or infection at the site of the implant. Other side effects include menstrual cycle changes, weight gain, and breast tenderness.

source: http://www.fda.gov/

Birth Control -- Barrier Methods

2007-03-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

Birth Control -- Barrier Methods

Barrier methods include the diaphragm, the cervical cap and condoms. These methods prevent pregnancy by blocking sperm from getting into the uterus. Barrier methods must be used every time you have sex.

Male condom

The male condom is a sheath placed over the erect penis before penetration, preventing pregnancy by blocking the passage of sperm.

A condom can be used only once. Some have a chemical added to kill sperm The addition of this spermicide, usually nonoxynol-9 in the United States, has not been scientifically shown to provide additional contraceptive protection over the condom alone. Because it acts as a mechanical barrier, a condom prevents direct contact with semen, infectious genital secretions, and genital lesions and discharges.

Most condoms are made from latex rubber, while a small percentage are made from lamb intestines (sometimes called "lambskin" condoms). Condoms made from a type of plastic called polyurethane have been marketed in the United States since 1994.

Except for abstinence, latex condoms are the most effective method for reducing the risk of infection from the viruses that cause AIDS, other HIV-related illnesses, and other STDs. For people who are sensitive to latex, polyurethane condoms are a good alternative.

Some condoms are prelubricated. These lubricants do not increase birth control or STD protection. Non-oil-based lubricants, such as water or K-Y jelly, can be used with latex or lambskin condoms, but oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly (Vaseline), lotions, or massage or baby oil, should not be used because they can weaken the condom and cause it to break.

Female Condom
The Reality Female Condom, approved by FDA in April 1993, consists of a lubricated polyurethane sheath shaped similarly to the male condom. The closed end, which has a flexible ring, is inserted into the vagina, while the open end remains outside, partially covering the labia.

The female condom, like the male condom, is available without a prescription and is intended for one-time use. It should not be used together with a male condom because they may slip out of place.

Diaphragm
Available by prescription only and sized by a health professional to achieve a proper fit, the diaphragm is a dome-shaped rubber disk with a flexible rim that works in two ways to prevent pregnancy. It covers the cervix so sperm can't reach the uterus, while a spermicide cream or jelly applied to the diaphragm before insertion kills sperm.

The diaphragm protects for six hours after it is inserted. For intercourse after the six-hour period, or for repeated intercourse within this period, fresh spermicide should be placed in the vagina with the diaphragm still in place. The diaphragm should be left in place for at least six hours after the last intercourse but not for longer than a total of 24 hours because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but potentially fatal infection. Signs and symptoms of TSS include sudden fever, stomach upset, sunburn-like rash, and a drop in blood pressure.

Cervical cap.

The cervical cap is a soft rubber cup with a round rim, sized by a health professional to fit snugly around the cervix. It is available by prescription only and, like the diaphragm, is used with spermicide cream or jelly.

It protects for 48 hours and for multiple acts of intercourse within this time. Wearing it for more than 48 hours is not recommended because of the risk, though low, of TSS. Also, with prolonged use of two or more days, the cap may cause an unpleasant vaginal odor or discharge in some women.

Sponge.

The sponge, a disk-shaped polyurethane device containing the spermicide nonoxynol-9, is not currently marketed but may be sold again in the future. Inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix, the sponge is attached to a woven polyester loop for easier removal.

The sponge protects for up to 24 hours and for multiple acts of intercourse within this time. It should be left in place for at least six hours after intercourse but should be removed no more than 30 hours after insertion because of the risk, though low, of TSS.

Source: http://www.fda.gov/

Deciding to Have Sex??

2007-03-29T05:53:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking about having sex for the first time or you already are sexually active, you probably want to know about preventing an unplanned pregnancy. This handout discusses birth control methods most commonly used by teenagers. Although most methods depend on the girl to do or take something, it is important for guys to understand what is involved so that they can support their girlfriends. Also, don't forget that it is only the condom that can prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

No method of birth control is 100% effective. Unless you decide to practice abstinence and not have sexual intercourse, you are always taking some risk of pregnancy. However, if you are correctly using one of the birth control methods described, the risk can be quite small.

Many sexual activities are almost always safe without having to take any special precautions. These include holding hands, hugging, touching, and kissing. Still, some teens decide to also have sexual intercourse. Having sex can be a very loving and special experience between two people. However, you should think about several important issues before you decide to have sex. Not only might sex give you a sexually transmitted disease or cause pregnancy, but you also can get hurt emotionally because of the strong feelings involved.

Decide ahead of time what is right for you. Find an adult with whom you can discuss your feelings and opinions, and ask questions. Although it is sometimes awkward to start the conversation, you can discuss these things with your parents. Other adults from whom you might be able to get valuable information or insights include pastors or rabbis at your church or synagogue, school counselors, teachers, or adult relatives. Also your doctor's office can help you. You can usually discuss issues with these adults confidentially.

Call your health care provider's office if:

Your period is more than a week late.
You have questions about sex.
You know the condom broke, or you didn't use one, and no other method of birth control is being used.
You think you might need emergency contraception (the "morning-after" pill).

Birth Control Methods -- How Well They Work to Prevent Pregnancy?

2007-03-29T04:25:00.000-07:00

Some birth control methods work better than others. The chart below compares how well different birth control methods work.

The most effective way to prevent pregnancy is not to have sex. (That's called abstinence.) However, within the first year of committing to abstinence, almost a quarter of couples become pregnant because they have sex anyway but don't use protection. So it's a good idea even for people who don't plan to have sex to be informed about birth control.

Couples that do have sex need to use birth control properly and every time to prevent pregnancy. For example, the chart below shows that the birth control pill can be effective in preventing pregnancy. But if a girl forgets to take her birth control pills, then this is not an effective method for her. Condoms can be an effective way to prevent pregnancy, too. But if a guy forgets to use a condom or doesn't use it correctly, then it's not an effective way for him to prevent pregnancy.

For every 100 couples using each type of birth control, the chart shows how many of these couples will get pregnant within a year. The information shown is for all couples, not just teenage couples. Some birth control methods may be less effective for teen users. For example, teenage girls who follow the rhythm method may have a greater chance of getting pregnant than grown women because their bodies have not yet settled into a regular menstrual cycle.

We have ranked the effectiveness of different birth control methods based on their typical use rates. Typical use refers to how the average person uses that method of birth control (compared to "perfect" use, which means no mistakes are made in using that method). For a birth control method to be ranked completely effective, no couples will become pregnant while using this method. Very effective means that between 0 and 1 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using this method. Effective means that 2 to 12 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using this method. Moderately effective means that 13 to 20 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using this method. Less effective means that 21 to 40 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using this method. And not effective means that no method of birth control is used.

Method of Birth Control	How Many Couples Using This Method Will Get Pregnant in a Year?	How Well Does This Method Work in Preventing Pregnancy?	Does This Also Protect Against STDs?
Consistent Abstinence	None	Completely effective	Yes
Birth Control Patch ("The Patch")	8 out of 100	Effective	No
Birth Control Pill ("The Pill")	5 to 8 out of 100	Effective	No
Birth Control Ring ("The Ring")	8 out of 100	Effective	No
Female Condom	21 out of 100	Less effective	Yes
Male Condom	15 out of 100	Moderately effective	Yes
Birth Control Shot	3 out of 100	Effective	No
Diaphragm	16 out of 100	Moderately effective	No
Emergency Contraception	1 to 2 out of 100	Very effective	No
IUD	Fewer than 1 out of 100	Very effective	No
Rhythm Method	25 out of 100	Less effective	No
Spermicide	29 out of 100	Less effective	No
Withdrawal ("Pulling Out")	27 out of 100	Less effective	No
Not Using Any Birth Control	85 out of 100	Not effective	No

Choosing a birth control method based on how well it works is important, but so are other things. Other important things to keep in mind include how easy a particular birth control method is to use or how much it costs. Sometimes, a person's health condition or whether that person is taking other medication could affect what type of birth control method should be used or avoided.

In addition to preventing pregnancy, some birth control methods provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Most kinds of birth control methods, though, do not provide much protection against STDs. Abstinence and condoms are the most effective in preventing STDs.

source: http://www.kidshealth.org/

Myths About Getting Pregnant

2007-03-29T04:11:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, a few doctors at Harvard Medical School took a pretty strange take on the Pepsi® challenge. They tested different kinds of cola, in this case Coca-Cola®, and discovered that Classic Coke® and its lo-cal cousin have mild spermicidal properties. The study was inspired by an old urban legend that douching with Coca-Cola after having unprotected sex can prevent pregnancy. It doesn't. The spermicidal effect it has is too mild for that! Separating fact from fiction can be tricky, so here are a few of the more prevalent myths about pregnancy and the truth behind these tales.

I can't get pregnant if I douche after sex.

Douching after sex - whether it's with Coca-Cola, Pepsi, water, vinegar, or any other substance - will not prevent pregnancy (nor will urinating). Douching can cause yeast infections, so it's probably not the best idea anyway. There's just no reason to use Coca-Cola anywhere near the vagina; not only is it messy and sticky, but also it might irritate your skin and cause an allergic reaction. And forcing those tiny little air bubbles into the body can be dangerous. Sperm are excellent travelers and can reach the cervix faster than you can say "not-so-fresh-feeling," so douching is pointless when it comes to preventing pregnancy. (Jumping up and down after sex or switching positions doesn't help either.)

The only 100 percent effective way to prevent pregnancy is to abstain from vaginal intercourse. If you do decide to have vaginal sex, use birth control - and use something that has been proven to be safe and effective.

The only effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse is to take emergency contraception (EC). EC pills can prevent pregnancy - if taken within 72 hours of unprotected vaginal intercourse. EC is sometimes known as "morning-after" contraception.

I can't get pregnant the first time I have sex.

Sorry - there are no freebies when it comes to preventing pregnancy. The chance of getting pregnant the first time is the same as it is the 50th time. Some people believe that an intact hymen - the thin skin that stretches across part of the opening of the vagina (which, by the way, isn't detectable in all virgins because it can be stretched by non-sexual physical activity, such as playing sports) - will keep out sperm and prevent a woman from getting pregnant. However, the hymen doesn't cover the cervix, and it's usually stretched during intercourse anyway if it hasn't been stretched open before. Either way, having intercourse for the first time doesn't protect against pregnancy.

I can't get pregnant if I don't have an orgasm.

The pleasure a woman has during sex has little to do with her chances of getting pregnant. When a woman is sexually excited, certain changes in the body happen. For instance, when sexual arousal is over a woman's cervix dips down into the pool of semen that has been ejaculated into the vagina. This happens whether or not a woman has had an orgasm.

I can't get pregnant if he pulls out.

Not true. Pulling out, also known as withdrawal, means that a man pulls his penis out of the vagina before he "comes" to keep sperm from joining egg. It is only 81 percent-96 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. Pregnancy can happen even if the guy pulls out, if he doesn't ejaculate, or doesn't put his penis all the way in. Here's why: when a guy gets aroused, he produces a fluid called pre-ejaculate ("pre-cum"), which can contain sperm - particularly if he's had sex or masturbated earlier in the last couple of days. When the fluid leaks from the penis before a guy comes, it can cause pregnancy.

Pulling out is not a very reliable method for young people because some guys lack the experience and self-control to pull out in time, or they say they will pull out, and then they get so excited and carried away that they don't. Also, some guys can't tell when they are going to ejaculate.

I can't get pregnant while I have my period.

It's possible to become pregnant from vaginal intercourse at any time in the menstrual cycle. It's true that with a lot of learning and months of very careful recordkeeping and planning some women can figure out when they're most fertile, which can help if they're trying to get pregnant. But if a woman's trying to avoid pregnancy, there may be safer times for unprotected sex, but there is no guaranteed safe time. Most women's cycles (especially teenagers') are irregular, and some women ovulate - the time when an egg is released and a woman is most fertile - very close to the time that they have their periods. Plus, sperm can live in a woman's body for up to seven days waiting for ovulation to happen. So just because a woman isn't ovulating when she has her period doesn't mean she can't get pregnant.

The only 100 percent effective way of preventing pregnancy is to abstain from vaginal intercourse. But using condoms, the Pill, or another tried-and-true method of birth control can also help to prevent pregnancy. Remember, only latex and female condoms prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections.

So instead of playing Russian roulette with guessing when you might be fertile, messing around with pulling out, or treating your vagina to ineffective and unhealthy douches, think about preventing pregnancy with birth control that has been proven to be safe and effective before you decide to have sex.

Source: www.teenwire.com

How to Plan a Long-Distance Wedding

2007-03-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

As if organizing a wedding weren't stressful enough, now you're trying to do it from afar. Fret not, it's doable - it's just a little trickier.

Instructions

STEP 1: Choose a location and date as soon as possible. This will make all of the other planning easier.

STEP 2: Check with the city regarding marriage requirements. Residency requirements and waiting periods can put a screeching halt to your plans if you don't know about them soon enough.

STEP 3: Plan your visits to the site of the wedding carefully. Hit as many places on your to-do list as possible whenever you're in town.

STEP 4: Leave yourself plenty of time to travel and plan. You'll need to check some things out in person (caterer, reception location, salon where you'll have your hair done).

STEP 5: Think about hiring a local wedding consultant who can take care of the details for you. She'll be much more familiar with what services and people are available and can help keep your stress level under control.

STEP 6: Delegate if you can't afford a consultant. If people ask whether they can help, put them to work. Have each bridesmaid cover a different project: caterer, DJ, florist, etc.

STEP 7: Arrange your attendants' attire though a large retail chain, if possible. Then you won't have to mail shoes and dresses.

STEP 8: Reserve a block of rooms at a hotel for your out-of-town guests. Make sure the hotel has an inexpensive or complimentary shuttle service.

Tips & Warnings

Consider holding two small receptions - one in your wedding city and one at home. That will save your guests from having to travel so far and will save you from having to transport all the gifts.

Leave room in your budget for travel and long-distance phone charges.

source: http://www.ehow.com/

Honeymoon -- Plan Using a Timeline

2007-03-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

As with any major project, a timeline can help you to plan your honeymoon getaway Planning, organizing and scheduling a honeymoon will be easier and less stressful if you break it down into manageable parts and allow time to plan for your post-wedding vacation.

While it's certainly possible to accomplish everything below in less time — some couples can pull off a last-minute honeymoon in a week — following this timeline will minimize problems and disappointment on a more well-planned honeymoon. So, let’s countdown.

6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR HONEYMOON...

Set a Budget

Plan your vacation travel budget
See what other couples plan to spend on their honeymoon
Find all to make the perfect honeymoon and learn everything in every honeymooner needs to know
Determine if a honeymoon bridal registry is right for you

5 MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR HONEYMOON...

Determine Your Destination

Discover the honeymoon vacation spots
Understand the advantages of different types of lodging
Explore romantic honeymoon destinations
Consider an all-inclusive resort
Check out classic honeymoon destinations
Hedge your bets and pick a place with good weather

4 MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR HONEYMOON...

Make Reservations

Learn ways to save money on honeymoon travel
Work with a travel agent - online or offline

3 MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR HONEYMOON...

Attend to Details

Obtain passports and, if necessary, visas
Get any vaccinations you may need

2 MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR HONEYMOON...

Get Organized

Select luggage
Plan what items you cannot pack
Find out your airline's carry-on luggage limits
Purchase travel guidebooks
Plan your honeymoon wardrobe (don't forget the lingerie)
Arrange care for your pets

1 MONTH IN ADVANCE OF YOUR HONEYMOON...

Finalize Honeymoon Plans

Obtain your marriage license
Confirm reservations
Draw up a packing list
Don't forget birth control
Consider a small wedding-night gift
Choose a travel camera, buy film for non-digital models, brush up on photography skills
Prepare to traveling

ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE OF YOUR HONEYMOON...

Get Ready to Go

Pack
Secure tickets
Decide how much cash and traveler's checks to take
Learn how and where to exchange currency and find an ATM in your destination
Make photocopies of passports, airline tickets, travelers' checks numbers, and credit cards. Store one copy in a place separate from your wallet and leave another at home with a reliable person
Arrange for the post office to hold your mail (or for a friend to pick it up) while you're away
Suspend newspaper subscriptions

FINALLY, YOUR HONEYMOON!

Time to Go Away Together

Deal with last-minute changes if necessary
Check out Sex FAQ
Above all, relax on your wedding night.

Congratulations! Your honeymoon is just the start of exploring the world together.

source: http://honeymoons.about.com/

Honeymoon -- 10 Step How to Prepare

2007-03-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

ou have your location planned and your reservations made. Get ready for a relaxing getaway - you deserve it!

Instructions

STEP 1: Apply for your passports and visas, if necessary, well in advance. Sometimes they can take up to 10 weeks to arrive.

STEP 2: Talk about your expectations and priorities. If you're planning adventures every day, and your intended wants to lie on the beach, you may be disappointed.

STEP 3: Pack appropriate clothes and choose wrinkle-resistant clothing. Who wants to iron on a honeymoon?

STEP 4: Remember your necessities - but don't sweat it if you forget your toothpaste or film. Unless you're going somewhere very remote, you can pick up forgotten items just about anywhere.

STEP 5: Plan to share the basics (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.), so that you don't have to pack twice the amount. Be sure to put liquids in resealable plastic bags in case they leak.

STEP 6: Pack your tickets and confirmation numbers, passports and other identification, traveler's checks and credit cards. Make photocopies of all of these items and stash them with a family member.

STEP 7: Don't forget your lingerie, candles, bubble bath, extra socks, prescriptions, sunscreen, motion sickness medicine and extra contact lenses.

STEP 8: Pack your camera - and include a couple of single-use cameras for times when you don't want to lug around your camera bag.

STEP 9: Bring along stamps and your address book. You can send yourself postcards from the places you visit.

STEP 10: Bring along an extra bag to fill with souvenirs and duty-free goodies.

Tips & Warning

Leave your itinerary and phone numbers with a family member, just in case.
Make sure your name matches on your reservations, tickets, identification papers, visas, passports and credit cards. If you're changing your name, it's easiest to keep all documents under your maiden name for the honeymoon; you can change them after you get back.
Remember that it may take a few days to wind down from the wedding. That's normal.

source: http://www.ehow.com/

How to Be a Best Man

2007-03-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

Being chosen as best man is an honor and a responsibility. Here's how to fill the role.

STEP 1: Arrive on time or early to every event connected with the wedding.

STEP 2: Plan a bachelor party that suits the groom's personality.

STEP 3: Oversee the ushers' tuxedo rentals and fittings - make sure the tuxedos are picked up and ready the day before the event, as well as returned on time after the wedding.

STEP 4: Hold the bride's ring until it is needed, unless a ring bearer is present.

STEP 5: Be sure the groom has the marriage license. You are an official witness and may sign it.

STEP 6: Remind the groom to be ready with his suitcases for the honeymoon, tickets and anything else he may forget.

STEP 7: Help the groom get dressed before the wedding.

STEP 8: Get the groom to the wedding with plenty of time to spare.

STEP 9: Make the first toast to the bride and groom at both the rehearsal dinner and the wedding reception.

STEP 10: Read any congratulatory Mailgrams at the reception.

STEP 11: Dance with the bride and attendants during the reception.

STEP 12: Unless the couple plan to drive away on their own, arrange for a ride, or drive them from the ceremony to their hotel or the airport.

STEP 13: Order Champagne for the newlyweds' hotel room.

Tips & Warnings

Save your roasts for the bachelor party and make a more formal toast at the wedding. :)

source: http://www.ehow.com

Spice Up Your Sex Life, Now!!!

2007-03-28T04:33:00.000-07:00

Women are not about to take the waning of sex lying down! They're inventing all kinds of ways to keep the good times (and good feelings) rolling. Just take a look at the 20 great ideas below. It must be that we've gotten tired of being "tired." We want -- oh yes -- a little fun. Enjoy.

1. Pretend you just met him
"When our sex life started to slow down, I started thinking about how another woman would see my husband if she just met him -- and this made me want to impress him. I did things like buying new lingerie, getting up just a little earlier than usual to join him in the shower or making time to play later in the tub. We totally rediscovered each other's sexiness after that."

2. Tease each other
"Sometimes, when my husband and I wake up and hear the kids, we start kissing and caressing anyway. Of course we don't continue, but we get all worked up and then go all day stealing little looks and kisses. Sure, we could duck away and end the torture, but I think that secretly, we both enjoy this little dance. It definitely keeps things exciting!"

3. Act on your moods
"My problem was that even if I was in the mood when my husband was at work, by the time he got home I'd be too exhausted. It started to get so frustrating! Then, I figured out a plan. Every time I get in the mood during the middle of the day, I put a blindfold or something suggestive under his pillow. Even though I may be too tired to initiate sex later, he finds my little clue and definitely gets the message."

4. Get high-tech
"I've started emailing my husband sexy fantasy scenarios on his personal email account. This really helps me to get brave. Because sometimes, I just feel silly showing him my sexual side when we're face-to- face. Plus, getting his mind going like that has certainly has paid off."

5. Rent an "adult" video
"There are so many helpful sex videos available that are not intimidating at all. The one I like is narrated by a sex therapist; it's instructional in nature. You learn how to effectively stimulate someone, but on a really nonthreatening level."

6. Take real life and shove it
"My husband and I were always too busy for love. Finally, one night we were getting serious about fooling around and what happened? The phone rang! Even though he picked it up, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and kept right on kissing him, all over. I loved that power, and he went wild too -- when he finally got off the phone."

7. Be at each other's mercy
"Once I whispered in my significant other's ear to take hold of my hand. Then I told him I was going to close my eyes and he had to place my hand anywhere on his body. Then I massaged whatever area it was. He was kind of in control, but ultimately I controlled the pleasure."

8. Surprise him -- and yourself!
"I flashed my husband when he got home from work last night. Enough said, right?"

9. Heat up the outdoors
"We like to pack a picnic and head to our favorite secluded spot. Sometimes we even get to go skinny dipping there. When you try it don't forget a blanket or sleeping bag, pillows and bug spray because you're sure in for a long night! Of course, city dwellers can picnic too. Just create a hideaway spot on your bedroom floor!"

10. Be aggressive
"Telling my husband what to do in bed is very erotic. Although I wouldn't want a puppy dog for a husband all the time, it is so much fun to say what I want, when and how. Then there is seeing his response! He might get even more turned on than me."

11. Share (racy) compliments
"Once my husband and I were going to fool around in front of a mirror. He stood behind me and slowly undressed me. But as he moved along he told me how beautiful each part of my body is. Let me tell you, I didn't mind a bit. Compliments are a wonderful way to heat up any situation. The next time we made love I gave him a few of my own!"

12. Do a little dance
"I know that lots of women feel comfortable doing a striptease, but I'm way too shy to try it. I have my own version of one. I just dance for my fiancé, making him want to touch me, but never let him. After I've taken off just a few items of clothing, I let him do the rest! It's all at my speed, and he loves it! In the end, we're both very happy."

13. Go to a "toy store" together.
"My husband and I had planned a real date, just the two of us. We dressed up and hit the town. After dinner, I was sure the night was finished, but he had a detour planned. We pulled right into a sex store! I think if he gave me time to think about it, I'd have chickened out. But instead, we walked through the whole store -- and it was very exciting! I think that I even managed to control the blushing until we left."

14. Slip into something more comfortable
"One night, after my boyfriend and I went out dancing, he offered to get take-out and bring it back to my place. While he was gone, I decided to make the room -- and myself -- more 'comfortable.' This meant lighting candles, putting on a long satin nightgown, and spraying room freshener. I didn't plan on taking it further, but when he walked in with the food, I saw his eyes jump. So I decided to walk over to him seductively. I pressed my body up to his, and whispered into his ear, 'I have wanted you so badly all night.' That's when his mouth hit the floor, along with the food!"

15. Spend intimate time together
"Read a chapter of a book together every night. You can eat grapes, drink wine, even incorporate adult toys or choose to read erotic literature to each other. But for my husband and me, this is all about making an effort to touch, cuddle and spend intimate time together. That leads to an exciting evening no matter what!"

16. Appeal to all his senses
"I have been known to put cinnamon on a cookie sheet, turn the oven on and leave the door open a bit. This fills the house with the smell of chocolate chip cookies and puts my husband in a really good mood. 350 degrees usually does the trick!"

17. Get -- and give -- sneak previews
"What I like best is when my boyfriend and I describe what we're about to do to each other before doing it. As he talks, I can practically feel what will happen to my body. Talk about a double whammy. When he finally does it, I go through the roof! "

18. Make a bedroom rule "There is one standing 'rule' in our bedroom. We are not allowed to use the same position more than once in a week. Of course we break the rule, but not often, and it generally keeps us from getting into a boring sexual routine."

19. Make a game of it
"I challenge my boyfriend to a game of basketball when things get dull. Whoever wins gets whatever he or she wants. Plus, you could make it a full body contact sport."

20. End boredom with a routine
"We always celebrate the new year with sex! We've tried to time our orgasms so they both strike right at midnight, but haven't been able to yet. The good news is that we just get to keep trying next year!"

source: http://love.ivillage.com/

Reasons to Get Organic Food

2007-03-27T23:49:00.000-07:00

1. Organic products meet stringent standards - Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs.

2. Organic food tastes great! - It’s common sense – well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals.

3. Organic production reduces health risks - Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.

4. Organic farms respect our water resources - The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources.

5. Organic farmers build healthy soil - Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils.

6. Organic farmers work in harmony with nature - Organic agriculture respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

7. Organic producers are leaders in innovative research - Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.

8. Organic producers strive to preserve diversity - The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.

9. Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy - USDA reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops.

10. Organic abundance – Foods and non-foods alike! - Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically – even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way.

Source: Organic Trade Association, www.ota.com

Budgeting for Organic Food

2007-03-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

Kerry Glassburn's experience

While I don’t pay as much attention to my grocery budget as I should, I did notice an increase in my monthly bills after making the switch to organic products. It didn’t seem significant at the time, but over the course of a few months, I began to wonder if organic products were really that much more expensive. I decided it was time to do some research and pay attention to exactly what I was spending and on what.

The first thing I asked was, “Is organic food always more expensive than conventional?” I was pretty sure the answer was yes, but then the real question is, “How much more expensive?” During the last shopping trip to my local grocery store, I did some comparison shopping with a few more commonly purchased items. The results? On average, organic items cost about 42% more than conventional or store brand items at my local grocery store, with the best deal being various produce and the worst being orange juice.

Then I began to wonder if where I shopped for organic products would make a difference in the cost. My next stop was a chain natural food store to see how their prices compared on the same items. I was surprised to find that prices could be significantly lower at these stores for two reasons: store-brand organic products and more selection. In fact, many of the prices were comparable to conventional products, making the decision to buy organic that much easier. Again, produce had the least price variation between stores, making it the easiest to buy anywhere. However, the chain store did have a much larger organic produce section than most local grocers.

Here are my findings from my grocery store adventures:

	Milk (one gallon)	Ground hamburger (per lb.)	Orange juice (1/2 gallon)	Broccoli (per lb.)	Fuji apples (per lb.)
Conventional	$3.29	$4.29	$3.57	$1.99	$1.29
Organic at grocery store	$4.99	$5.49	$5.19	$1.99	$1.49
Organic at chain natural food store	$3.39	$4.29	$3.69	$1.99	$1.9

source: organic.org

How to Have 200% More Fun in Bed ?

2007-03-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

Time Bomb

You need: A clock or an egg timer.

How to play: Pick a time interval — 20 minutes, let's say. (If you're like us, even 10 minutes will be a change from the norm.) Whatever interval you choose, absolutely do not allow penetration until that much time has elapsed.

Why: Most busy couples have foreplay down to a science — and a bare minimum as well. "Time Bomb" refocuses you on the pregame show, the part that used to be so much fun before you lived together. You'll be surprised by how much slowing down changes things. You get really creative. You get really hot.

Blind Man in the Buff

You need: A scarf, a man's necktie or a blindfold.

How to play: Blindfold him. Lead him to the bed or other locale. Then proceed to ravish him — slowly, recklessly, teasingly, however you feel like doing it. You call the shots. Let his arousal be your guide.

Why: Not being able to see during sex has two major effects — it dramatically increases both sensitivity and psychological vulnerability. Either one is a powerful aphrodisiac. Together they can create a love explosion.

Variation: He blindfolds you.

You Are My Prisoner

You need: Four men's neckties or more elaborate restraints available from a sex-toy store or from an Internet site (try www.goodvibes.com); and a bed, preferably with bedposts.

How to play: He ties your wrists and ankles to the bedposts and has his way with you.

Why: I have to admit, this is my favorite game — and I never even tried it until I was in my late 30s. I find it incredibly erotic to be completely powerless, to be the absolute center of his attention and to have no responsibility for or power over what happens. I find it erotic just to think about. If you've never tried it, please do.

Variation: If you don't have bedposts, you may be able to tie your wrists to some part of your headboard or tie them together over your head or behind your back. You can get extra-long ties and be tied to the legs of the bed. This can be combined with blindfolding, but I actually prefer to see.

Bad Girl

You need: A hairbrush or a riding crop — or nothing at all.

How to play: Tell your husband all the things you did wrong today. (You failed to take your coupons to the grocery store. You forgot the name of your new receptionist at work. You told your adolescent son to go to hell.) Then kneel on the bed. Your husband spanks you, using his hand or a hairbrush or a not-too-scary disciplinary accessory.

Why: Spanking feels good, actually. A smart smack on the butt creates a tingly, alert sensation that combines well with the other feelings of sex. This is another thing I tried quite late in life and have been surprised to find is fun. I like it even without any role-playing or confessions — really.

Variation: The sensations are especially interesting if he combines them with playing with the various woman parts that will perforce be on display during your spanking. This is an excellent time to try inserting a vibrator (again, try www.goodvibes.com).

Beach Blanket Bingo

You need: A big towel or blanket and a bottle of massage oil or cream.

How to play: Spread your towel on the bed or carpet and grease each other up with massage oil — legs, torso, breasts, everywhere. Now roll around for awhile and see what happens.

Why: You will really be surprised at the difference a little lubricant makes in the feeling of skin on skin. Sure, it's a little messy. But worth it.

Variation: If you have a favorite secluded spot, this is fun to do outdoors, even on your own patio.

Tip: Don't put mint or eucalyptus oil on sensitive genital areas. But if you have a nonirritating lubricant, greasing up the sexual equipment can be part of the fun.

Note: Oil-based lubricants, including massage oil, can degrade latex. So don't play this game if you're using condoms or a diaphragm.

Close Shave

You need: Scissors, a brand-new razor and shaving cream.

How to play: Your husband shaves your pubic hair. First, take a hot bath to soften your skin and hair. Second, use scissors to trim the length. Third, lie on the bed or on a table and let that shaving expert, your husband, foam you up and shave you. It's scary at first, but if he's gentle you will not get nicked. He can shave everything or just neaten you up. One friend's artistic husband shaved her hair into a heart.

Why: This is how the girls in porn magazines look, and you will be amazed at the sparks that fly. Many women find the whole area much more sensitive without the fur.

Variation: Shave yourself without telling your husband, and let him discover what you've done. Be careful when shaving parts you cannot see (this is what mirrors are for). Also, once you've shaved, decorating yourself with the edible treat of his choice — whipped cream, warmed fudge sauce, frozen orange-juice concentrate — can be fun.

Note: Later, use baby lotion or another gentle cream to soothe the freshly shaved skin. And yes, it does get a little itchy when it grows back.

Twister

You need: A car and a parking spot where you won't be interrupted (your driveway and your garage late at night are possibilities).

How to play: Have sex in the car.

Why: A blast from the past.

Sex School

You need: Nothing.

How to play: Pretend that one of you is a virgin. The other is going to teach him or her how it's all done. Give a step-by-step lesson on how to use hands, lips and other body parts to stimulate the teacher. Part of the game is to correct and improve technique as you go along.

Why: You find out things your partner likes that you didn't even know. When we did this my husband showed me things to do during oral sex that I really had never tried before, and I know I'm doing a better job now.

Board Games

If you'd like to get the action started with a board game, try those available via the Website TooTimid.com. Hearts Are Wild, for example, is a love adventure game for two players; it comes with a game board, card decks, cinnamon massage oil, a blindfold and a feather tickler. Around the World in Bed comes with a dartboard and male and female cutout figures to stick on the wall. Bumps and Grinds involves stripping, drinking and candlelight. This could be a great birthday or anniversary surprise — for both of you.

source: http://redbook.ivillage.com/

Tips Business Meeting Etiquette

2007-03-27T06:37:00.001-07:00

Use these 7 business meeting etiquette tips to brush up your meeting skills and be more productive.

1. Dinner jacket or dinner on your jacket

First decide on how formal your meeting will be. Advance warn attendees about special requirements, for example dress code, to ensure people understand what’s expected and can prepare accordingly.

2. Too many chiefs ….. and not enough Native Americans

There is a skill in inviting the right people to a meeting. Only invite bosses, and the work will never be done, so make sure you invite the right mix of decision makers, experts, implementers and stakeholders to enable post meeting action.

3. …. but too many cooks spoil the broth

The flip side to inviting the right mix of people is that you may end up with an overflowing meeting room. As long as you get about 80% of who you need, you’re doing well.

4. The 37 minute meeting agenda

Prepare a meeting agenda in advance and circulate this to your attendees - remember that meetings can come in all different durations, so get people’s attention by having weird duration meetings. Meetings that start and finish on time (or even early!), and achieve all objectives outlined in the agenda will be appreciated by all, and will increase your chance of a better meeting next time.

5. Empty barrels make the most noise

Good facilitation skills are important when you have people fond of their own voice. Use meeting ground-rules to help avoid speaking for the sake of speaking. Or maybe don’t invite them in the first place! How about introducing stand-up meetings? Brilliant for daily catch-up or review meetings, as conversations shorten when legs tire.

6. Stop violent agreement

And here’s another reason why this is a great idea….. and another… and another. Do you really need to waste time violently agreeing with each other? It might be fun, but get consensus and move on.

7. Any Other Business or Any Old Bull??

Let’s be blunt - Any Other Business can also mean Any Old Bull unless you keep tight hold of the halter. Ask for AOB points at the start of the meeting and only give them airtime if there is time. Check if any points have already been covered, then get the group to prioritise each AOB point and put a time limit on them.

Use these 7 business meeting etiquette tips and have more productive meetings, lasting minutes and not hours.

source: http://www.caffeinemarketing.com/

Tips For A Proper Handshake

2007-03-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

Understanding the proper way to shake someone’s hand can mean the difference between success and failure in the business enviornment. Positive or negative reactions are almost instantaneous in the marketing setting and almost always based around first impressions. This is why the firmness or weakness of your handshake, understanding whose hand you’re shaking, your dominance, and your eye contact all play an important role.

A limp handshake might make you appear weak or hesitant. An overpowering handshake can stamp you as a manipulator or over dominant. The best handshake is sincere and firm with a confident smile and good eye contact.

Be aware of power distance relationships when meeting someone for the first time from a different geographical or culture than your own. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Let the person you’re meeting determine “space distances” for you. It’s always better to be safe so approach with a hidden sense of caution to let the person you’re meeting “take the lead” and determine how close or far to come to you for a handshake. Below you’ll find several excellent tips that I’ve been able to jot down over the years.

Proper Handshake Grasp

In the business setting, whether your a man or a woman you have to express confidence and “shake it like a man”. When interlooping your palm and fingers with another individual, be sure to grasp your palm with their palm. Never interlace your fingers with theirs without touching the palm. Be sure your palm grip is firm but not too tight. You can practice your grip with a friend and strangers. Your friends will give you their opinions on your handshake. The best part of shaking a stranger’s hand is that you can judge how someone you never met will react to your handshake. Judge their eye movements, their smile (or lack thereof), and body language. Keep working til you get it right.

Shaking Hands Is Not A Contest

Decades ago, being able to practically break the hand bones of another person when shaking hands was viewed as a sign of strength and confidence. In today’s business enviornment, you might send a person to the hospital if you treat shaking hands like a contest.

Shaking A Woman’s Hand

Keep in mind that shaking a woman’s hand should be treated the same as shaking a man’s hand. You should clasp palms and match their grip with your own.

Say Something

Never be afraid of the person you’re meeting. For example, if you’re meeting your future boss and you want to make a good impression say something such as; “Nice to meet you” or “A pleasure to meet you” will do just fine.

Forgetting The Name

If you forget someone’s name and you still want to make that super first impression there’s a simple trick. Approaching the individual, extend your hand and offer a warm handshake. Say “(Insert Your Name), glad to see you.” By saying you are glad to ’see’ them and not ‘meet’ them you are actually playing a clever mind game that often works to your advantage. Having met you before, by saying ’see’ instead of ‘meet’ you’re not implying you forget them entirely. In addition, by offering your name you open a door for them to reciprocate your offering.

Sweaty Palms

When you release your grip, pause briefly before continuing the conversation. If you believe your hands became sweaty from the palm exchange you should never rub them off on your pants or suit jacket. The other person will think you believe they have sweaty palms and feel offended. Instead, if your palms get sweaty try touching things randomly as you walk around the office or restaurant. For example, you’re in the hot seat for an interview. You shake your potential new boss’s hand and it’s just wet as a dog. Keep that smile pearly white and say how excited you are to meet them. As you sit down, grasp the armrest of the chair and let some of the sweat soak into the upholestry. You can also try putting your hands on your kneecaps and lean forward as-if you were very intriguied with every word they had to say. Then, slowly let your hands rub themselves off your pant legs.

source: http://www.caffeinemarketing.com/

Male Sweat Turns Women On??

2007-03-27T05:49:00.000-07:00

Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley said women who sniffed a chemical found in male sweat experienced elevated levels of an important hormone, along with higher sexual arousal, faster heart rate and other effects.

They said the study, published this week in the Journal of Neuroscience, represents the first direct evidence that people secrete a scent that influences the hormones of the opposite sex.

The study focused on androstadienone, considered a male chemical signal. Previous research had established that a whiff of it affected women's mood, sexual and physiological arousal and brain activation. Its impact on hormones was less clear.

Derivative of testosterone

A derivative of testosterone, it is found in male sweat as well as in saliva and semen. It smells somewhat musky. "It really tells us that a lot of things can be triggered by smelling sweat," Claire Wyart, who led the study, said in an interview yesterday.

The researchers measured levels of the hormone cortisol in the saliva of 48 female undergraduates at Berkeley, average age of about 21, after the women took 20 sniffs from a jar of androstadienone. Cortisol is secreted by the body to help maintain proper arousal and sense of well-being, respond to stress and other functions.

Improved mood, higher sexual arousal

Cortisol levels in the women who smelled androstadienone shot up within roughly 15 minutes and stayed elevated for up to an hour. Consistent with previous research, the women also reported improved mood, higher sexual arousal, and had increased blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.

For comparison's sake, women also smelled baking yeast, which did not trigger the same effects.

This was the first time that smelling a specific chemical secreted by people was shown to affect hormonal levels, the researchers said. The women had no skin contact with androstadienone.

The researchers used only heterosexual women in the study out of concern that homosexual women may respond differently to this male chemical.

Influence women's hormones

Wyart said while this marked the first time a specific component of male sweat was demonstrated to influence women's hormones, other components of sweat may do similar things.

The study did not determine whether the increase in cortisol levels triggered mood or arousal changes or whether those changes themselves caused the cortisol elevation.

The researchers also said their findings suggest a better way to stimulate cortisol levels in patients who need it, such as those with Addison's disease. Instead of giving cortisol in pill form, which has side effects such as peptic ulcers, osteoporosis, weight gain and mood disorders, smelling a chemical like androstadienone could be used to affect cortisol levels, they suggested.

Male sweat has a positive effect on woman

In a recent study of male sweat, biologists at the University of Pennsylvania say they found male perspiration had a surprisingly beneficial effect on women's moods, helping to reduce stress, inducing relaxation and even affects the menstrual cycle.

"This suggests there may be much more going on in social settings like singles' bars than meets the eye," said Charles Wysocki, an adjunct professor of animal biology at Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine.

In a study to be published in the journal Biology of Reproduction, researchers collected samples from the underarms of men who had not used deodorant for four weeks. The extracts were blended and applied to the upper lips of 18 women, aged 25 to 45.

The women rated their moods on a fixed scale for six hours. The findings suggested something in the perspiration brightened their moods and helped them feel less tense. Blood analyses also showed a rise in levels of the reproductive luteinising hormone that typically surge before ovulation.

Wysocki, a study co-author, said the research could point to a "chemical communication" between the sexes that enables men and women to co-ordinate their reproductive efforts subliminally.

There was no sign women were sexually aroused by male perspiration. In fact, the women never suspected they had men's sweat under their noses and believed they were helping to test alcohol, perfume or lemon floor wax.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers said the study could lead to new fertility therapies and treatments for premenstrual syndrome if the active agent in male perspiration could be isolated.

source: Reuters

Sex After Childbirth, Gives Pain?

2007-03-27T05:42:00.000-07:00

Is sex a nine-day wonder? If seen from the eyes of a new study then we can say, yes! It is. A new study by British researchers, after interviewing about 500 women who had stayed in maternity units in Birmingham, England, has come out rectifying this view.

According to the study published in the journal of Clinical Nursing, 87 per cent of the women complained of at least one health problem, in which sex-related problems were most common. Telling more about sex-related problem Amanda Williams, a midwife at Birmingham’s Perinatal Institute, said, "The most common problems were sex-related, followed by urinary incontinence. 19% of the mothers who had Caesareans reported painful intercourse, followed by 34% who had a normal birth and 36% who had an instrument-assisted birth."

Telling further Williams said, "The study also found sex-related problems were highest among instrument-assisted births at 77 percent and lowest among Caesareans at 51 percent. Sixty-four percent of women having normal births reported at least one problem related to sex."

On the basis of this study, it could be asserted that after giving birth, women definitely fail to have sexual pleasure. However, there is good news too, according to which this phase goes on just for a year, which confirms the fact that at least, after one year they can once again dive deep into the sea of pleasure that comes only from sex.

source: http://www.earthtimes.org/

Kiss -- Secrets to a Great First Kiss

2007-03-24T10:32:00.000-07:00

When man kiss a woman for the first time, she decides right then and there if she ever wants to kiss you again. Most guys just don't realize how important that first kiss is to woman. Use these tips to be sure you always leave her begging for more.

Do it in private

Privacy is key. A big mistake that too many guys make is going for a kiss in the wrong situation. Women want that first kiss to be special, and they'd prefer to share the moment with you and you alone. So if you're out somewhere social and you feel like the time is right, take her to a back room or, even better, to a completely different, more personal location.

Know when to pull out

There's no better way to let her know that you're a catch than by being the first to call it quits. Most guys go for the gold on the first kiss... and they rarely end up getting it. By being the one to slow down, you'll show her that you're in control... and most importantly, you'll leave her dying for more.

Feel her out

When you feel the moment is right, reach over and touch her hair while you're talking and make a comment about it. Say, "Your hair looks so soft," and lightly touch the tips of it. If she smiles, reach back over and start stroking it again, but this time shift your glance between her lips and her eyes a couple of times. If she lets you keep touching her hair, you know that she's ready to be kissed.

Be a tease

News flash: There's nothing that women love more than to be teased, so let her know who's in control by driving her crazy with your lips. Go in like you're going to kiss her, then at the very last second, pull away and flash her a mischievous grin. Use this sparingly to keep her turned on and on her toes.

Ease into it

Still feeling a little nervous about going in for the kill? Ease into it by leaning in and smelling her neck. Take a big sniff and say, "Mmm... you smell good." Then slowly brush your nose and cheek along hers as you pull your head back to make eye contact with her. When your eyes lock, close them and go for it.

Show some passion

Every woman longs to be ravished, so why not make her fantasy come true? As you're kissing her, reach back behind her and pull her head back by gently grabbing the hair right above her neck. Slowly kiss your way down her neck and give her a playful bite, then pull back slightly and breathe heavily on her neck and in her ear. Make sure your pants are securely fastened, because at this point she'll be trying her hardest to take them off!

Dip her down

If the mood is right, add some sensuality and chivalry to your first kiss by gently dipping her down, ballroom-style. There's no better way to make her feel like she's with a powerful and confident man. Do it right, and she'll never forget the moment.

Use your hands

Women love to be caressed, especially while they're being kissed. Starting above her ear, run your fingers through her hair, down to her neck and all the way down her back. Then slowly slide your hand back up again. Use both hands, and alternate between using your whole hand and just the tips of your fingers to give her an experience she won't soon forget

Spice it up

Once initial contact has been made, spice it up a bit with some variety. Move from short, soft kisses into longer, deeper ones, then back again... and don't use your tongue any more than she does. Change the angle by moving your head to the other side, and alternate between sucking on her lower and upper lip. Be sure to stop to breathe after every few kisses. These little moves will let her know that you know exactly what you're doing.

Explore her body

When you're ready to really turn up the heat, kiss her on her neck and move your lips slowly up to her earlobes and give a light nibble. Don't be surprised when she starts breathing heavily.

Source: http://love.ivillage.com

Kiss -- Top 10 Signs You're A Bad Kisser

2007-03-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

Here are the Top 10 Signs that your kissing technique needs some fine-tuning.

1. You see her kissing someone else

That should be the greatest hint that she doesn't dig your style. No sweat, if you have a mean streak, just try to pick up her sister or best friend once you've managed to perfect your lip lock, and she will regret kissing someone else and making you look foolish.

2. She stuffs gum in your mouth every time you breathe

Admittedly, this is more of a sign that she thinks your breath makes chronic halitosis smell like a rose garden. But the end result is the same; you'll end up with no love as she'll never mention that she "loves how you taste."

3. She never compliments you

Okay, we know that women need to be reassured that they are great kissers and lovers. Men are the same; if she never says, "I love kissing you," then there is a chance that she thinks you're bland.

4. She decides you should be friends; after the first kiss

Perhaps there are other reasons, but chances are that your embrace turned out to be the kiss of death for your ripe relationship. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

5. Chew the lip?

Some girls really like it when you gently bite their lips. But if you notice that suddenly her lips rival Angelina Jolie's, chances are that she won't be so keen about making out with you anytime soon.

6. She ain't no Sleeping Beauty

She kissed you once. But since then, she yawns in your face each time you approach her for an embrace. Fear not, if she is sleepy enough, you can always head out for someone else to practice with.

7. She never initiates kissing

No matter how shy, women love to get intimate with the ones they love. If your woman never initiates the kissing, it could be because she knows that her tonsils might get a beating.

8. "I have to wake up early in the morning"

She happens to be passionate most of the time, but she seems repeatedly hesitant to make out with you at night, opting to crash instead.

9. She goes for other parts

If she likes you, but opts to avoid your mouth and heads for other body parts instead, then your bad kissing techniques could work in your favor. Chances are that she'll go for your neck too. This could be quite good after all.

10. She slipped the tongue once, but never again

She gave up a hot, passionate kiss once before, but for some reason, she's hesitant to try it again. Why? Well, it could be because you were fumbling around in her mouth like an eager beaver. Next time, don't start salivating the second her lips part, she may just want to say "good night."

source: http://www.askmen.com/

Ways to Make Your Marriage Even Steamier

2007-03-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

Want to turn up the heat between you and your guy even more? Put these make-your-heart-race reader tips into play, and you'll instantly find yourselves in the middle of a scorching summer affair. From tango music to an ice-cube trick, here's how to remind your guy that you're over-the-top hot!

1. "To get my inner goddess going, I work up a sweat by heading outside for a run. My husband says there's nothing sexier than a woman with glistening skin after a workout. It shows him that I care about my body — and that's hot."

2. "I put on a short, flared dress; crank up tango music; and dance for my guy. The moves and the music are so sensual that he can't keep his hands off me, and I feel like the smoldering star of a sexy music video."

3. "When we stop for gas during road trips, I get out of the car to do the pumping, lean into the window and say something like 'Hey guy, can I get a lift?' Acting like strangers launches us into a frisky conversation and sparks up some heat."

4. "I bring frozen cherries with me to bed and suck on them. In no time my husband are I are feeding them to each other, which leads to an evening of sweltering fun."

5. "Red is the color of passion, so a bright, classic version is my signature summer lip shade. For a kiss-me-now look, I add clear gloss, too."

6. "My husband travels a lot for business during the summer. Sometimes I surprise him at the airport by wearing only a bikini under a long coat. We usually end up making out in the car like teenagers!"

7. "There's nothing that gives me tingles like my man's hand on the small of my back. I wear a temporary tattoo on that spot to draw his attention there."

8. "I use a body spray called Aphrodisia (essenceoils.com). The scents of jasmine and nutmeg ignite my man's love appetite, making me feel hot, too."

9. "I always wear a sarong when it's hot. My guy loves how my thigh plays peekaboo when I walk — and when I get near him, he pulls it right off."

10. "Every August I score tickets to an outdoor concert. I don't a concert T-shirt from our dating days and dance wildly — just like I did on our first.

11. "When it's warm I pin up my hair and wear long, dangling earrings. It's the perfect invitation to some old-fashioned necking with my favorite kisser."

12. "When my husband is working hard outside on the lawn, I'll interrupt him for a Popsicle break. Licking an icy, sweet, sticky treat on a sweaty day always gets us in the mood."

13. "To remind us of the sensual days and nights we once spent in Tahiti, I apply self-tanner. The golden glow transports my mind — and my hubby's — back to the hotter-than-ever time we spent there together."

14. "I sling my husband's tool belt on my waist, whistle and feed him sexy pickup lines like 'Wanna work on me?' He loves the attention!"

15. "To me, the collarbone is the sexiest part of a body, so I put mine on display with an off-the-shoulder peasant blouse. When I have one on, my guy always lets me know he's pleased by planting sexy kisses there!"

16. "I buy a tropical flower, such as a plumeria, and pin it in my hair with a bobby pin, just the way they do on the islands. It gives me an exotic flair."

17. "When we're outdoors at night, sometimes I'll flash my man. It always makes me feel like a hot-to-trot daredevil and lets him know that I can't wait for later."

18. "When we wash our cars out back, to cool off I make sure my white T-shirt becomes soaked (oops!) and totally see-through."

19. "I put an ice cube in my mouth and surprise my sweetie with a cool kiss. Catching him off guard with this spine tingler reminds him I'm a wild babe!"

20. "I don't my skimpiest lingerie to do household chores. One look from my hubby as I vacuum in a thong and tank top and I know I'm hot."

Source: http://redbook.ivillage.com

Is There Orgasm for Woman?

2007-03-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

How to make your O a more powerful part of your life? It's just a simple, the more you learn, the more in tune you'll be with your body, and that can lead to bigger, better climaxes. Because knowledge, intensity and frequenc are the power. Read on for the sexy truth.

Every woman can orgasm.
True. "Except in very rare circumstances, the potential to have an orgasm is present in everyone," says Barry Komisaruk, Ph.D., a coauthor of The Science of Orgasm. So if you've never had one, it's possible that you simply haven't found the right earthmoving moves yet. High stress, past trauma, or antidepressants can also short-circuit the ability to peak, but don't give up hope: "Talk to a certified sex therapist if you're having difficulty," says Komisaruk (to find one, go to aasect.org). "They can help you pinpoint the underlying issue, and then recommend appropriate treatment."

The G spot is the secret to a great O.
Undecided. This is a tricky one. Some studies suggest that stimulating the G spot, a small area felt through the front wall of your vagina a couple of inches in, can lead to intense, whole-body orgasms. Experts say, however, that G-spot orgasms are by no means a sure thing. "Some women love G-spot stimulation and feel that it leads to deep and satisfying orgasms, but other women think it's unpleasant and gives them a sensation of having to urinate when it's first touched," says Beverly Whipple, Ph.D., sexuality researcher and coauthor of The Science of Orgasm. "It depends on the woman."

All women should climax through intercourse.
False. Studies show that about 70 percent of women don't routinely experience orgasm through intercourse alone. "There are tremendous individual differences in the way women's bodies are engineered and structured," says Komisaruk. "Because of this, for many women clitoral stimulation works better in eliciting orgasm than the 'wham-bam- thank-you-ma'am' approach to penetration." Looking to up the chances of getting off during the act? Because sensory information from four areas — the vagina, the clitoris, the uterus, and the cervix — contributes to orgasm, the more of these areas you stimulate, the more likely you are to have an orgasm, and the more intense it will be. Try using your hand (or your partner's) or a vibrator for added clitoral sensation during sex, or experiment with positions that offer deeper penetration to stimulate the cervix.

Practicing Kegels leads to a more powerful orgasm.
True. Kegel exercises involve tightening and relaxing, and thereby strengthening, the pubococcygeus (PC) muscle, which contains some of the nerve endings that provide pleasure to the vagina (find your PC muscle by stopping the flow of urine while you pee). Stronger PC muscles are directly correlated with orgasmic response, according to a Journal of Clinical Psychiatry study. "Part of the pleasure of orgasm may be our response to a series of muscle contractions," says Komisaruk. "So stronger muscles can lead to more pleasure."

Woman-on-top is the best position to ensure an orgasm.
False. "Some women love to be on top because they have control over the rhythm and can maximize clitoral stimulation by pressing up against their partner's pubic bone or reaching down to stimulate themselves," says Whipple. "But many women prefer rear entry or woman-on-top facing away from her partner because in both these positions, the man's penis directly stimulates the woman's anterior vaginal wall (close to the belly), which is more responsive to stimulation than the back vaginal wall." The bottom line, says Komisaruk: "The best position depends on personal preference and how you and your partner fit together as individuals."

Brazilian Bikini Wax -- Tips for Men Who Opt For

2007-03-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

1. Do not shave the treatment area for at least 10 to 14 days before you wax. If you do, the procedure hurts more; a lot more. Also, it’s not quite as effective as when the hairs are longer.

2. Pre-medicate about an hour before the procedure. No matter how macho you are, take your chosen pain reliever about an hour before your appointment. You may pre-op alone for a Brazilian wax involves taking at least three Advil’s, multiple deep breaths, experiencing several aborted panic attacks as well as mental exercises to distance yourself from your body to deal with the pain and the utter shame that you will surely feel as the waxist molds you into certain, inhuman positions.

3. Shower and clean your entire body thoroughly before the appointment. It’s only fair. You will see as this service involves a certain amount of nudity and some very embarrassing positions.

4. Make sure to seek the services of a licensed esthetician who is trained in the Brazilian technique and regularly treats men. Calling first is a good idea.

5. Use a good body scrub between wax treatments to discourage in-grown hairs.

6. Apply treatment for reduce bump after the procedure to the newly hairless area to stave off ingrown hairs which form when hairs, growing back after waxing, fail to grow out of the skin. The hairs curl over inside the follicles under the skin and create an unsightly "bump" that can be painful, if it becomes infected.

7. If a burn occurs, apply Vaseline or another ointment or after shave therapy to soothe the affected area.

8. You also may need some ibuprofen or aspirin after the procedure if your muscles are sore from the pretzel-like positions your body was molded into by your waxist/torturer.

9. If errant hairs appear, be ready to tweeze. You may need to purchase your own tweezer as your partner probably won’t want to share theirs. Can you really blame them?

10. It’s not over just because it’s over. As we women know, waxing may last longer than shaving – and I stress may – but that doesn’t mean you are free and clear of your hair-removal responsibilities for extended periods of time. Men too will probably need to wax every four to six weeks. So you may want to consider making your next appointment before you check out or else you will surely lose your nerve.

Brazilian Bikini Wax –- Tips and How

2007-03-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

Tips

The procedure, like any waxing, can be very painful at first, but frequent visits usually cuts down on the pain factor. Taking a couple Advil at least 15 minutes before your procedure. As for the embarrassment factor -- getting a Brazilian can't be any more embarrassing than a typical visit to your gynecologist's office. These aestheticians have seen it all before.
The downside of a Brazilian wax... while it lasts as much as 3 weeks, the hair will grow back & you'll have to do it again.
Another downside... hair has to be a certain length before it can sucessfully waxed.
Another down side... you might experience red bumps or ingrown hairs.

How:

Most waxings occur in a private room with a door. I have heard of some with just a curtain between you and others. You remove your pants & underwear & lie on a table with clean paper or sheets. It is possible that you could be provided with a paper thong, but chances are... you won't.
Because you only need about a quarter-inch of hair for the wax to grab onto, your waxer will start by trimming your pubic hair to the right length.
The best waxers are fast, which means less discomfort for you. The waxer will dip a waxing stick into a pot of hot wax & then spread it onto your skin & hair. She will then apply a cloth strip over the still-warm wax, pressing firmly so the cloth, hair and wax adhere to one another. When the wax has cooled, she will pull the strip off, in the opposite direction of your hair growth, pulling the hairs out by the root.
Most likely, your waxer will tweeze any stray hairs.
Waxing usually starts in the front & moves toward the back. You'll likely have to move around in all sorts of odd positions in order for the waxer to do her job.
Once the waxing is over, the waxer will spread soothing lotion over the waxed areas. You should ask what to do in case of bumps, redness or ingrown hairs. Your waxer should be trained in this.
Don't forget to get the name of the waxer so when you make another appointment you can get the same person so you don't have to bare all for another complete stranger (wink).

Brazilian Bikini Wax –- For the First Time

2007-03-22T07:51:00.000-07:00

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 15-30 minutes

How does it differ from a regular bikini wax? Basically, with the Brazilian, hair is removed in the front, back & everything in between. Most of the time a 'landing strip' is left in the front, but some clients opt for everything removed.

Get Sure

First, you must be sure that you want to get a brazilian bikini wax. Consider trying first the standard bikini wax which will remove the hair from your bikini line or the full bikini which will remove most of your pubic hair apart from the most sensitive areas. A brazilian bikini wax removes ALL your pubic hair.

By A Professional

Get your first brazilian bikini wax by a professional. Many women who try to give themselves a brazilian bikini wax, cause damage and their bikini area looks worse after the brazilian wax.

Find The Good Salon

After locating a salon, find out how many brazilian waxes they do a week? Make sure that the persons who are responsible for the brazilian bikini wax are experienced. Ask to talk to customers that got a brazilian bikini wax from the same salon.

Open Your Purse

A brazilian bikini wax may cost up to 100 US dollars. However, the average cost is about 50 bucks. We advice you pay not less than the average price to get a professional treatment.

Brazilian Bikini Wax, Here We Come!!!

Come to your scheduled treatment with a good mood after taking a warm shower cleaning your pubic area. You will get into a separate room or a hole with a curtain. Then you will lie on a bed with your knees up or legs down. Then, the therapist will trim down your pubic hair with scissors to a length of about a quarter inch.

Afterwards, the real thing will start. The waxer will start the waxing process. He will use a low temperature wax to cause less pain. When the wax cools he will pull it out with your pubic hair. This part is the most painful one. However, the first time is the most painful one. The hair can be pulled out easier in the following times. The waxer will ask you to get into some weird uncomfortable positions – holding your legs up, to the side and even over your head.

If the waxer is a good one the painful part will end quickly. If you feel it takes too long or that the pain is unbearable, just tell the therapist that you need a little rest. When the waxing is done a soothing lotion should be applied to the pubic area. Your bikini area will stay smooth for at least 3 weeks with no maintenance at all. Make the most out of it.

Sex-Life of Women in 30 Days

2007-03-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Monthly hormone fluctuations can make you feel blue or blissful, pooped or energized, indifferent to sex or voraciously horny. But if you anticipate these changes, you can max out the good times. Here, your cycle from day 1 to 28. Plus, strategies that keep you — not your hormones — in the driver's seat.

Days 1 Through 7

It's a BAD WEEK for YOUR BODY

Your menstrual period kicks off on day one, bringing with it some temporary glitches, like diarrhea (brought on by increased levels of prostaglandin, a chemical that stimulates the intestines). You may also notice worsened asthma, and migraines may be exacerbated.

It's a GOOD WEEK for YOUR BRAIN

As you near day six, you will be entering the follicular phase. It's a peaceful time as an egg matures and gets ready to be released by an ovary. It's a fab moment for tasks that will require creative concentration, like working up a killer proposal or giving a presentation.

SEX-LIFE SNAG

Low estrogen levels now mean less natural lubrication. Ask your partner for some extra foreplay or keep a bottle of lubricant (like K-Y Ultragel) handy, at your bedside.

Days 8 Through 14

It's a GOOD WEEK for MAKING BABIES

Levels of estrogen are rising slowly and steadily as your body preps for ovulation on day 14. Possible signs that ovulation has occurred and your fertility is at its max: Vaginal discharge morphs from a yellow-white hue to clear, and it becomes stretchable, like egg whites. Some women also notice a bit of bleeding and cramping, called "mittelschmerz."

It's also a GOOD WEEK for YOUR MOOD

Estrogen first rises steadily, then surges rapidly. By day 14 (ovulation) things even out and you feel level. Organize your closets, straighten out your 401(k), rekindle a soured but greatly missed friendship.

SEX-LIFE BONUS

You may have sex on the brain 24/7. Other quirks of ovulation may include better orgasms — and men galore (research shows that men are drawn to ovulating women by their slightly different odor).

Days 15 Through 21

It's a BAD WEEK for YOUR SKIN

Your uterine lining is building up, and you might notice acne worsening at this time as you head closer to the PMS zone. If so, speak with a dermatologist. He or she may prescribe a one-week-a-month oral-antibiotic regimen that can end cyclical breakouts.

It's a GREAT WEEK for YOUR CONFIDENCE

By midweek, progesterone levels are rising, which may give you a sudden surge of happiness and optimism. Purchase a lottery ticket or throw some cash into a mutual fund, and maybe ask your boss for that well-deserved raise. This is the calm before the storm, so enjoy.

TIPS

Taking an 800 to 1500 mg calcium supplement with 400-800 units of Vitamin D daily may ease moodiness associated with PMS.

Days 22 Through 28

It's a BAD WEEK for PMS

Progesterone reaches its peak, a sign that you've officially entered the premenstrual phase. You may have no PMS symptoms or all of them (everything from crying to breast tenderness to headaches). A slight increase of the "male" hormone testosterone around this time can contribute to sudden body oddities, like rapidly growing facial hair, increased body odor and an oilier scalp.

It's also a BAD WEEK for YOUR SPIRITS

Being sensitive to progesterone can make you blue and hungry. Lunch on a turkey burger and baked potato to lift your spirits — both contain amino acids that boost levels of feel-good chemicals in your brain. Feeling bloated? High-protein, low-carb, low-salt foods will help you feel less fleshy, which in turn can help your mood. And don't worry if you overdo it: Due to a slightly higher body temperature, you may burn extra calories during PMS.

SEX-LIFE BONUS

Extra exposure to testosterone has a perk: Your voice can get lower and huskier (and sexier) right before your period.

Day 28

Possible signs that your period is on the way tomorrow: a swollen stomach, insomnia and headache.

Sources: Geoffrey Redmond, M.D., an endocrinologist specializing in female hormone problems at the Hormone Center of New York; Leslie Miller, M.D., Asst. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington in Seattle; Melissa Yih, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist at IVF New Jersey in Princeton; James V. Kohl, author of The Scent of Eros: Mysteries of Odor in Human Sexuality (iUniverse, July 2002).

Chocolate -- Reasons Why Is Better Than Sex

2007-03-22T02:08:00.000-07:00

You can GET chocolate.

“If you love me you’ll swallow that” has real meaning with chocolate.

Chocolate satisfies even when it has gone soft.

You can safely have chocolate while you are driving.

You can make chocolate last as long as you want it to.

You can have chocolate in front of your mother.

If you bite the nuts too hard the chocolate won’t mind.

Two people of the same sex can have chocolate without being called nasty names.

The word “commitment” doesn’t scare off chocolate.

You can have chocolate on top of your workbench/desk during working hours without upsetting your work mates.

You can ask a stranger for chocolate without getting your face slapped.

You don’t get hairs in your mouth with chocolate.

With chocolate there’s no need to fake it.

Chocolate doesn’t make you pregnant.

You can have chocolate at any time of the month.

Good chocolate is easy to find.

You can have as many kinds of chocolate as you can handle.

You are never to young or to old for chocolate.

When you have chocolate it does not keep your neighbors awake.

With chocolate size doesn’t matter; it’s always good.

Tips for Organic Money Saving

2007-03-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

Making the effort to buy organic products is a healthy choice, but it can have an undeniable impact on our budgets. To save you time, energy, and money, we offer the following tips for buying organic on a budget.

Buy in Bulk. Buying in bulk will keep costs down. Look for many pantry staples often available in bulk, such as beans, legumes, rice, flour, nuts, chocolate chips, and much more. Many local co-ops have extensive organic bulk sections.

Be Selective. Decide to only purchase organic milk and produce. See the Environmental Working Group’s “dirty dozen” for the most-contaminated produce and tailor your decisions based on these.

Comparison Shop. You may be able to find less-expensive alternatives at different stores. Many major chains are coming out with their own organic brands, such as O Organics™ at Safeway and ShopRite Organics at ShopRite.

Cook More. The more convenient the food is, the more expensive it is. For example, buying an organic frozen dinner may save you time in the same way a conventional frozen dinner would, but it costs quite a bit more than its nonorganic counterpart and much more than a homemade meal. Buy organic items that are lower in price (such as produce), and make your own dishes from scratch.

Eat With Friends. Last but not least, make it fun! Choose some like-minded friends and get together to each prepare an organic dish—a great way to add variety to your organic diet while keeping your own purchases down. Get together for a weekend potluck—or, during the week, arrange a food swap to minimize cooking and maximize eating organically.

Organic Coupons. Keep an eye out in the Sunday paper and grocery circulars for coupons and, again, stock up to take best advantage of the savings!

Stock Up. Stock up on your favorite items when they go on sale. Or try something new that is on sale or is priced well, and you may find a new favorite!

Shop in Season. Shop farm stands and farmers’ markets for the freshest, most-delicious produce while supporting local farmers. Purchasing in season produce from your grocer may also keep costs down.

Source: Organic.org

Tips When Waxing Pubic Hair

2007-03-14T00:23:00.000-07:00

Here some tips:

Avoid showering and making the hair wet prior to waxing. Hair absorbs the water making it soft and less likely to adhere well to the wax. Tough hair is easier to pull off.
Be sure to test a small area of skin first to make sure there is no acute sensitivity or allergic reaction to pubic hair removal using waxing.
Hair should be at least 1/8 inch long. If it isn't wait until it reaches this length.
Be sure to wash the skin thoroughly and dry it well beforehand to remove any lotions or oils which may prevent the wax from adhering closely to the skin.
Heat the wax carefully so as not to overheat and thus burn the skin when applying. Test on a small area first.
The consistency should be soft rather than runny.
If pain and discomfort is a main concern use a pain reducing gel or cream available from pharmacists. These solutions should be applied 30 to 60 minutes before waxing so the skin is numbed beforehand.
Apply a thin layer of wax in the direction of the hair growth and peel back with a rapid movement close to the skin.
Do not pull up or out, rather pull back.
Clean the skin with a warm moist towel afterwards to remove excess wax.
Avoid wearing tight clothing over freshly waxed areas to minimize the risk of irritation and ingrown hairs. 24-48 hours after pubic hair removal waxing, exfoliate the skin (with a Loofa sponge for example) to prevent the dead skin from accumulating and causing hair to become ingrown.

Best Positions:

Option 1. Sit in a chair with your feet up above your waist and legs spread apart.
Option 2. Sit with one leg propped above your waist and the other leg resting on the floor.
Option 3. Lie on your back with legs wide apart and raised in the air so that all the waxable areas are spread taut.
Option 4. Lie on your side with the bottom leg straight out and the top leg bent at the knee and tucked behind the straight leg.
Option 5. Bend the knees and keep the legs wide apart so the genital areas are easy to work on. Put a mirror on the ground if necessary for better control.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Tips When Shaving Pubic Hair

2007-03-14T00:17:00.000-07:00

Never use the old-fashioned switch-blade razor. It is quite unsuitable for pubic hair removal and can be dangerous.
Choose a female razor, obtainable from Wilkinson Sword or other well known razor manufacturers, rather than an ordinary safety razor. The design makes it much more difficult to cut yourself.
Opt for a more expensive good quality razor rather than a cheap throw away which is more likely to cause nicks, soreness and razor burns in this sensitive area.
If the pubic hair is thick and long use small scissors to trim down the hair to about a quarter of an inch. This will avoid blunting and clogging the razor too quickly.
Wet a large, washcloth and lay it over the entire pubic area for two or three minutes.
Alternatively, take a long hot bath or stay in the shower for a while making sure the pubic area receives a lot of water. Pubic hair is coarser than head hair and needs more time to soften when carrying out pubic hair removal.
Apply plenty of shaving foam or gel over the area and leave for a few minutes to soften further. Ordinary soap is not suitable as it does not lock in the moisture to the hair the way a shaving preparation cream or gel does.
Experiment with different brands if you find some cause skin irritation. They contain various chemicals and you need to find one that suits you.
Pull the skin straight with your free hand and shave without applying pressure.
Shave upwards against the direction of the hair growth.
Make sure there is shaving foam on the skin each time you make a stroke with the razor.
Shaving bare skin can cause razor burn and can be especially painful in pubic hair removal.
Rinse the razor every couple of strokes as it will clog easily.
Rinse off and see any areas that may have been missed and again apply gel to that area and shave.
Massage unscented Vitamin E oil into the pubic area after shaving.
To stop or reduce itching after shaving rub an ice cube over the area.
Alternatively, rub a little baby oil into the pubic area.
If you suffer from itchiness or blood spots, let the hair grow back for a week before shaving again.
Keep the shaven area well moisturized between shaves by using a skin moisturizer or baby lotion. This will reduce the uncomfortable effect the stubble may cause between shaves.

source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Rules for a Fair Fight

2007-03-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

Before any couple can even begin to solve their problems, they have to learn how to use their anger constructively. How can anger be constructive? Use it to explore the underlying causes of your disagreements, and you'll find ways to address both of your needs.

If bickering punctuates your days; if arguments escalate quickly until you're both shouting things you later regret; or if you too often smile through gritted teeth while your stomach is roiling like an ocean in a hurricane, the following rules can help you defuse the rage and focus your energies on practical strategies for change. Make a promise to:

1. Remind yourself that it is okay to be angry, and don't feel guilty about having those angry feelings. Women, especially, grow up believing that it is unladylike and bitchy to express any negative feelings. Better to suppress anger, they're taught, than express it. But there are times when anger is legitimate and those occasions must be recognized and addressed. Once you do that, you'll be in a stronger position to say how you honestly feel and find a path for change.

2. Understand that although you disagree, you are not enemies. No matter how much people love each other, differences will eventually trigger conflict. Fighting fair means you will not attack each other -- physically or verbally. Name-calling, cursing, screaming, or blaming are verboten. So, is threatening separation or divorce.

3. Never use something that has been previously told to you in confidence as a weapon in an argument. When you do, you betray the trust your spouse has placed in you, and make it harder for your partner to feel emotionally safe in the marriage.

4. Never walk out of the room until you either both agree that an argument is over or have decided to table the problem and chosen a specific time to bring it up again.

5. Acknowledge each other's feelings and perceptions, without judgment or criticism. There's no "right" way to feel, and there will be times in every marriage that you simply will not agree. But you should always make the effort to unravel what is troubling your partner and show genuine caring for and awareness of his or her emotional experience. Phrases such as "I never thought of that" or "Tell me more about what you're thinking" will help you break out of an anger stalemate.

Source: Seven Secrets of a Happy Marriage: Wisdom from the Annals of "Can This Marriage Be Saved?" and http://lifestyle.msn.com/

Paper -- How to Make Recycled Paper

2007-03-09T06:19:00.000-08:00

Don't throw away your old newspapers. Try making your own recycled paper! Recycled paper can be made from old newspaper, following the instructions below. Recycling paper uses cellulose (plant fibers) over and over again, it uses less electricity, less water, a lot less pollution, and it saves trees from being cut down!

You will need:

a food processor or an old blender
an electric iron
an old wire hanger
an old pair of panty hose
newspaper or other paper, torn into 2-inch squares
white glue
water
an insect screen or strainer (optional)
food coloring (optional)
a big sink or tub filled with 4 inches of water

Make sure you have a place to work where you can make a big mess!

Step By Step

Step One:
Make a frame out of the coat hanger. You'll need a frame for each piece of paper you make. Stretch the hanger and bend it into a rectangle/square shape. Take one leg of the panty hose and stretch it carefully over the hanger frame. Make sure it is tight and flat.

Step Two:
Put a handful of the torn up paper and some water into the food processor or blender. Blend the mixture on high until it becomes mushy. Keep adding paper and water until you have a big gray blob. You may have to add a little more water to keep things moving smoothly. Keep the food processor on until all the paper has disappeared. Then leave it on for 2 minutes.

For some color, add a handful of brown or red onion skin (not the onion itself, just the papery outer skin).

Step Three:
Put 2 tablespoons of white glue in the sink water and add all of the paper pulp you just made. Mix it really well. Use your hands.

Step Four:
Scoop the frame to the bottom of the sink, then lift it slowly. (Count to 20 slowly while you are lifting.) Let the water drain out for about a minute.

Step Five:
Hang the frames on a clothesline or put them out in the sun. Wait until they are completely dry with no dampness at all. You can then gently peel off the paper.

Step Six:
Use the iron, set on the hottest setting, to steam out your paper. You can keep making paper until the pulp is all strained out of the sink. Mix up the sink every time you make a new piece.

Try other things like using in insect screen over a wood frame, or a strainer instead of the pantyhose and hanger. Try adding lots of food coloring, for colored paper, or try adding lint or leaves to the food processor. Your paper will have an interesting texture.

Making your own paper can be fun, and it's a great way to re-use old paper. You can recycle all kinds of paper for re-use. Sometimes paper printed from color-inkjet printers will run, that is, the color will bleed off and become part of your new paper, but that can make for an interesting effect!