Go Green for your holiday gift list

The Xmas time is here again and the shopping fever is sure to creep up on most of us. Here are some green ideas for making your gift giving list greener to save the planet and your pocket.

For Kids

• Gifting travel coffee mugs instead of open coffee mugs for Teachers gifts for your kids
• Board games made out of recyclable paper
• A solar-powered backpack for kids,
• Recycled stationery
• An eco-friendly snowboard or skateboard

For Friends

• Organic candles for friends,
• Homemade cookies and bakeries for family and friends in beautiful containers
• Eco-friendly jewellry for girl friends
• Holiday cards made out of recyclable paper,
• Even use of postcard instead of a regular card to save the paper
• Send  e cards for seasons’ greetings
• Eco-friendly handbags made from juice packaging, candy wrappers, labels, etc which would otherwise end up in landfills.
• Clothing made from recycles materials
• Vintage and antique jewelry found in ebay, and other online retail stores
• Gardening tools
• Books that advocate green living

So the saying that life looks greener on the other side of the fence should not be true when we integrate green into our lifestyles which helps us to make the most of our resources. As a result, we bring more attention and apprecaition in all our tasks by looking different and thoughtful. Green and Simple Living is about much more than recycling and conserving energy. It will do us tons of good if we focus ourselves to have healthy living, simplifying family life, reducing our carbon footprint, and tips to teach the next generation about sustainability and green living.

Free – What does it mean for you ?

There are  several thoughts that come to mind when we think of Free.
FREE is a marketing word to attract attention, a gimmick to lure customers to buy the products.
It holds value for the conservative lot who find value for money as the primary reason to buy.
While the wealthy, traditionally rich find it a needless technique to devalue a  otherwise great product. They find it worthwhile to buy if its price is high rather than dirt cheap.

The views are several but majority still feel that good value for money, a free deal or buy one get one free are the marketing vibes that they find irresistible. Do you remember a time when you received a free favor from someone just because you were so charming. I remember a free bus ride, some free coffee, a preferential treatment - and I didn’t even have to use my charms just a smile was enough. There is some level of satisfaction derived from such an emotion such as you are worth it. Your first impressions are great and resonate well enough to get you the best from the circumstances.

As is commonly heard that nothing in life is free but there is also a converse opinion that best things in life are for free. As we go through the events of life we remember that things that we really value come for free. Some examples to illustrate this viewpoint are as follows:

the parents you are born to or
the husband you are destined to spend your life with,
the friends and close connections you make,
the memories of rolling in the sand in childhood or
the memories of that beautiful trip you made along with your cousins in the valleys of Ladhak or Pahalgam in the lap of Kashmir.
So in that sense it seems likely that the best things of life are for free. Also the things that are well earned get you some of those free thrills as an outcome. Remember that expensive but sexy dress that got you so much attention for free. Or several hours hands of time clock that gave you the well earned success and got you appreciation and made you an inspirational icon in several hundred eyes for free. So in the end we conclude that the word free is a other side of the coin for well earned. The things that are well earned get you some more valuable outcomes for free. The thing to remember however is that those you count pennies never make millions….

Human Trafficing in America : 5 year old victim

A surprising story just hit headlines that a California mother sells her daughter to prostitution (sex slavery) for money. Shaniya Davis, 5 year old was reported missing by her mother. The mother gave her daughter to Mario Andrette McNeill. McNeill will be charged with first-degree murder and rape of a child. Shaniya Davis’ mother also has been charged in North Carolina case.  The story is indeed sad.  Jeff Riccio found her body. Shaniya cause of death : asphyxiated

He is charged with raping a 5year old.  The kidnapper takes the child into the room, the child may have died in that hotel room. The girl’s body was found about 30 miles from where she was reported missing. The story is unbelievable that an advanced country can have sex crimes and child crime for money. In this story, mother had a personality disorder, she had no attachment to child, she was away from the child for last 5 years and just used her for amusement. She was herself a prostitute, a drug addict, a criminal. Her mother called 911 to report Shaniya missing. From hearing her reporting itself, she sounded distraught and fake. Mothers and fathers sell their children and a report stated that many children are sold by their parents. Shaniya’s mother can be charged with felony and murder as she threw her child into prostitution due to which she died.

The question that chills us is : What kind of person could do this? Impulsive people who want what they want when they want it. Many people were involved in this story, police have to figure who did what. The story is still evolving.  Drug addicts sell themselves in order to feed their habit, let alone use their children as a means to an end. This is a common happenning. When you hear about a case like this for a defense lawyer it is a worst nightmare. We can conclude by saying: The demonic filth that committed these crimes are not human beings and the law should therefore not apply to them.

Mammogram Confusion

Should women in 40’s get routine mammograms? It can reduce the death rate by 40%. Decrease in deaths was highest for women at the age of 40s. With such a policy in place, insurance companies will  stop paying women in 40s for coverage of breast screening mammograms.

One view is women in 40s are not at risk for breast cancer unless they are of high risk category and have a family history. For them it is recommended to get recommendation from doctor before getting mammograms because it is found that many examinations lead to false results, biopsies and increase burden on health care. Other point of view is that such a proposal will lead poor women in 40s with no insurance or facility for examinations and make them vulnerable to this deadly disease i.e. breast cancer which could be avoided.

Here is an excerpt from Anderson Coopers 360 blog : There’s confusion and outrage over the new recommendations from a government task force regarding mammograms.

The United States Preventive Service Task Force announced Monday that most women don’t need mammograms in their 40s and instead should wait until they are 50 to get one every two years. They also suggest that self-breast exams do no good and women should not be taught how to do them.

This is a major reversal and it’s being challenged by the American Cancer Society and others.

“We’re going to encourage women to continue to have mammography every year and we hope they will continue to have it into their 70s,” said Dr. Peter Pressman, a surgeon and co-author of “Breast Cancer: The Complete Guide”, who works with the American Cancer Society. Click here to read more on this topic.

Sarah Palin and her new book- “Going Rogue”

Sarah Palin’s new book, Going Rouge : An American Life is America’s new best seller. The media calls her a diva and a narcissist. The critics say the book is a political venture. The book highlights her in the light she wants to be known, shading out the part she wants to overlook. She is influential enough that when she tweets, the world reads. She certainly is a force to reckon with. Though CNN survey rates her as the least qualified to be a president, her point of view is that it is not essential to hold a office to make a difference in society.

Her book strays from the point and has contrary points of views. Palin criticizes in her book Obama’s economic policies and says Reagan had a worst recession which is not true. This was the most severe and hardest hitting recession in comparison. Her book is a recollection of events, presents itself more as a campaign. The book states that she was asked to stick to the script. Her advocates believe that the book is not a political venture but a memoir. This latest stunt to get media attention got her a lot of money.

Her future in politics depends on her ideas and proposals for the financial crisis facing America. What solution does she see for the current problems facing America. She creates excitement, has an intense base but only 30% people feel she is qualifies for a President 70% rate her as lowest qualified in comparison to other contestants. She is being juxtaposed to the balloon boy in terms of her obsession with media. Another question posed to her is whether she wants to run for presidential ticket in 2012? She says there are many ways to make an impact on American society besides running for office.

No room for GOP moderates

The cover of this week’s Newsweek asks, “How do you solve a problem like Sarah”? It says she’s bad news for the GOP and for everybody else too. This is not the kind of publicity that will cause her to be taken more seriously – not that there’s any great risk of that anyway. Palin palooza is on television and magazines.  She posed for Newsweek which originally appeared in Runners world. She is being confronted with teasing questions that Sarah Palin must smile and mince her way through. She is being compared to the balloon boy a shiny flashing thing – a balloon boy.  Palin’s book is flying high to the top of Amazon’s best seller list. Comedy shows like Jimmy Kimmel are taking aim. Sarah Palin is all over TV, talking with Oprah and doing a 5-part series of interviews with Barbara Walters.

Despite the ridicule from media, there are many admirers of Palin who feel:  If there were ever a woman with “True Grit”she is her!!! The other point of view however is : To bad the Presidential race didn’t include a swim suit competetion, then Sarah would have a chance.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going

Fluency in nonverbal communication can be as powerful a tool as masterful negotiating techniques or expert salesmanship. The starting point, he says, is what he calls “personal curbside appeal.” Project yourself as a confident, welcoming person, and your clients, colleagues and bosses will be attracted to you, keen on doing business with you and on promoting you within your organization.

Curbside appeal has several components, starting with looks. Tidy, neat, conservative clothes are preferable, Navarro says. A good rule of thumb: mirror, don’t shock. “Observe how upper management dresses, and follow their lead,” he advises. “Casualness can kill credibility.” Unless, that is, you work in a place where the top brass wear jeans and polo shirts, like, say, CBS Studios in Hollywood, where you may be the only person in a suit.

Gestures go a long way in conveying your personal message. One of the most appealing: Stand with your head slightly tilted and your hands clasped, and with a smile and a gaze that meets the other person’s. The head tilt exposes the neck and says, “I am listening, I am comfortable, I am receptive,”. By contrast, if you touch your neck or cover the dimple at the base of it, you’re saying you are uncomfortable, insecure or concerned.

Click here for the full article….

Workplace fashion – Polished not fashion victim

When it comes to women’s fashion and a job, you cannot overdress. Want to score that new job or out yourself in the running for a high powered promotion at the current one? Make sure you dress the part. Clothes make a man, clothes project a lot about the personality, mood and goals  of a person, especially in a work place.

The biggest mistake is to dress too casually for a job interview. Some people dress casually for a interview the person interviewing you might feel that will be your attitude towards your work. While a casual look might not necessarily  broadcast you as incompetent or lazy, it could well mean that when the time comes to make personal sacrifices to get a job done, you’re not likely to do it. Dressing well is therefore not about projecting an otward appearance but an inner personality as well.

You should put as much care in dressing up as you would dressing for a date – after all you are trying to impress in both cases. Dressing appropriately for a job interview – if done right you cannot go to far to look good.

Once you have got the job don’t let personal appearance slip. Keeping your dressing habits strong will ensure ” You need to stand out, you need to always be in (your employers’) eye. You always want to be well tailored and well presented so that you’ll be that person they want to promote. Are you work place fashion flunker? Following are some tips:

1… Dark colors go a long way to upping your ante. “The darker the color the more prominent you are. It’s the power thing – dark colors make you stand out.” Buy dark colored pinstriped power suits first and then get some sports jackets. Add brown suits only at the end of your collection.

2… While styles might change, the classics are always a great choices, like white shirt, polished shoes and the pinstriped suit. For men when it comes to ties feel free to show off your creativity but not so much that it overpowers your overall look. Try to wear ties as often as possible but if you absolutely must wear a shirt without a tie, make sure it’s designed to be worn casual otherwise the collar will collapse and you’ll look messy and unkempt.

3… The ultimate rule of thumb for dressing for workplace is you want to look “put together” to imply the thought and care that went into your attire will be the same you put into your job.

4… Nothing kills a look like a ill-fitting clothing, so spend time with a tailor to learn some valuable information that will help you when buying clothes off the rack as well.

5… Iron your clothes while watching your favorite soap opera.

6.. Don’t neglect your head. A quality hat completes an impactful look.

Dress Like Your (Female) Boss

Don’t know where to start working on your career image? You’re not alone because most companies don’t have specific guidelines about what to wear to work.

One of the best clues to company dress codes is what your boss wears. Just think about the styles that the highest-level woman in your organization wears and use them in your wardrobe. Does she wear mostly skirt suits? Or does she rely on pantsuits? Does she wear hose or bare legs? Open-toed shoes or pumps?

Business Dress Codes

• Formal Business Attire- For women this constitutes business suits (a matched skirt and jackets) and, in most workplaces, pantsuits (matched pants and blazer). Closed-toe shoes (no sandals), blouses, hose and conservative hair, jewelry and makeup are expected.
• Corporate Casual Looks-Working women have interpreted this to mean everything from shorts to sundresses, but in its most literal sense it means “smart business.” Dressy pants and a blouse, sleek jersey knits and skirts and tops are all examples of corporate casual. Denim, T-shirts and flip-flops — all ’90s phenoms — are only acceptable in the most casual of work environments.
• Casual Friday – Depending on the business, this can mean anything from corporate casual instead of formal looks or “Wear your company logo polo and jeans.” If in doubt, ask a superior.

Career Killers

Unlike a fashion faux pas, a career killer outfit can do your professional image permanent damage.

Looks to avoid in the workplace:

• Too sexy: see-through lace, miniskirts, spaghetti straps, sheer sundresses, strappy stiletto sandals.
• Too casual: jeans, shorts, T-shirts, hats, sneakers.
• Too sloppy: wrinkled clothing, too many layers, baggy-fit clothing.

Reasons to celebrate November

November is a month that falls between October ( a month of many festivals like Thanksgiving, Halloween, Diwali, etc) and December (the Christmas month). So what then makes November special?

There are in my view many reasons to love November also  fondly called Movember. Men choose this month to grow their moustaches to celebrate their masculinity. It is called month of moustache. Reasons for growing moustache may vary from charity to making a fashion statement. Whatever the reason some corporate offices use this tradition for promoting charity and make it a fun event for little or no price.

It also marks the end of fall so the trips to see beautiful fall colors happen with a feverish last minute urgency. November is also the month when we start our Christmas decorations and marks the beginning of Christmas excitement. Deck the halls with rolls of holly la la la la la la la la.

The joyous feeling of  holidays coming up fast, American Thanksgiving coming up in a couple weeks there’s tons to celebrate in November. It by default becomes one of my favorite times of the year, from fall through Christmas I really enjoy all the decorating, baking, and crispness in the air this time of year.

It engages us in lovely plans for the holidays, and everything that goes with it. The month kick starts everything up with things you can celebrate in November. The following are some of wonderful reasons to rejoice this month:

• November 10th Sesame Street celebrates their 40th anniversary
• November 11th is Remembrance Day, celebrate the veterans in your life.
• November 17th is World Peace Day
• November 18th is Mickey Mouses Birthday
• November 21st is the official day the Pilgrims landed in 1620
• November 22nd is National Adoption Day
• November 26th is Thanksgiving Day in the USA

What do you have to celebrate during the month of November? One hint is to spend the month gearing up for Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Years. There are several things to do ahead of time to prepare, so to get  things out of the way so one can coast through the holidays.

Cheers for November and all the good beginnings of the holiday cheer it brings with it.

Winter Driving – Preparation is the key

November is a month when we prepare ourselves for the chilly winters.  We can continue into the coldest season of the year unprepared at our own risk.

Some tips on how to keep safe on the road and stay alive if the going gets tough.
VISIBILITY
To have visibility during winter weather conditions, it is important to have right necessities available. Keep a snow brush and ice scrapper in your vehicle at all times during winter months. If you car is parked outdoors often, invest in a winter windshield cover to keep snow, frost and ice off of your windshield.

Always keep an extra wind shield fluid in the trunk and top it up for extreme temperatures.

CHECK-UP
Prior to the start of any season, make an appointment to have your vehicle fully serviced, especially prior to winter when weather elements can affect many performance elements of the vehicle. Have your battery and charging system checked to ensure it will have enough power to start the car on cold mornings. Check wiper blades for signs of wear and cracking and replace if necessary. Better yet, change to heavy -duty winter blades like teflon wiper blades. Also extreme cold is hard on engine oil. An oil change and new filter are good ideas for teh change in season.

PACK A VEHICLE EMERGENCY KIT
Keep the following on hand in your car, in the event you are stuck or stranded.
Cellphone with handsfree option.
Emergency car starter.
Gloves and hat
Shovel
Flashlight
Jumper cables
OR you could join a association such as Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) who help you anytime anywhere by giving your car a booster charge, or a battery change or tow your car to a desired location for further check up. It can be a real friend in the time of dire need for it is not easy or practical to do things when the weather conditions are so adverse.

Warming up
Canadian winters can be bitterly cold, so warming up your car is essential. Depending on where you live 60 seconds is all you need. According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), warming up your car for more than 60 seconds can be expensive, insufficient and harmful waste of fuel.
NRcan has more driving tips at vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca

S o lets gets ready for a safe winter. Wishing you all a safe and prosperous winter.

Anything you can do I can do better :) :(

Insecurity, jealousy, backstabbing are all the sins that man/woman are vulnerable to commit drawn by the need of significance. You may be a brown in white society, a shortie, trying to make a mark without equipped with real influential skills, but if you are comfortable in your skin, content in being yourself you look richer than others. But you cannot protect yourself from insecure people who accuse you of stealing their glory from them for no reason at all. Whether they have missed their bus or they have lost focus of life is a question, if I see a talent in them, I celebrate it with them. I dont need to put more gas in my emotional tank by taking theirs.

If a gift has been stirred up find a way to work together so you can have a win-win situation. We can all

have a party in the end. Many of us operate through life as a zero-sum game. If someone else loses, I win.

Better even that we both lose than that they win and I don’t.

No person has ever died from a lack of sex…in fact when a person has a higher purpose in their life, they live willingly celibate. Money, power, prestige are all expressions of apparent significance. To be in a loving relationship we gain in our significance to others and they to us. A more mature person comes to realize that our attempts to gain signific- ance from others is futile as we can only be as significant as we are to ourselves…the rest is illusion.

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