A Free Audio Book On The Law Of Attraction

I just came across a site that has a free version of the audio book "Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting" which was recommended to me by my mentor as a great book on the law of attraction.

Enjoy everyone!!!



http://www.archive.org/details/ExcuseMeYourLifeIsWaiting

Lessons From The Great Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn is one of the most well known personal development authors and public speakers.  He mentored Tony Robbins and also influenced Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield (Author of Chicken Soup for The Soul). While I had heard about his work for a while I only got the opportunity to start listening to some of his audiotapes tonight and I am quite impressed. Here are some of my favorite parts so far.....

1.            Financial Planning: The poor spend what they have and invest what is left. The rich invest what they have and spend what is left. It’s not the amount of money you have but what you plan to do with it that counts!  It is vitally important to have a financial plan for your future to ensure you are comfortable. Jim suggests something called the 70,10,10,10 rule. For every $1 that comes into your hand that is earned or gifted to you, only spend .70 cents of that. Then spend .10 cents for charity, .10 cents to invest in your own business or savings (active capital) and .10 cents that you let someone else use to make money off it (passive capital - i.e stocks, shares, investments into other businesses that you are not involved with).  If you are in really bad shape then don't spend any more than .97cents of every $1 and use the same formula as above.  Over time this will guarantee financial independence for anyone. Don't forget the reason to make a living is to make a fortune. Have an "investment account" not a "savings account" because if you start picturing yourself making money from what you put aside you might actually do it!

2.            Personal Development: Simply making consistent investments in our self-education and knowledge banks pays major dividends throughout our lives. I suggest having a minimum amount of time set aside for reading books, listening to audiocassettes, attending seminars, keeping a journal and spending time with other successful people. Charlie Tremendous Jones says you will be in five years the sum total of the books you read and the people you are around.  Investing in your own self development is the best gift you can give your kids, your parents, your friends, your partner, your employer etc. The better person you are the more you have to offer other people in your life.  Chances are if the parents are ok, then the kids are ok.  Put your mask on first!  Just like they instruct you to put your oxygen mask on first on a airplane, you should do the same in life.

3.            Time Management: How much money does your TV cost?  No its not $400-500 or whatever you paid for it.  Really it has cost you all the money you could have made as a result of watching it.  So if you could have invested that time in learning a new skill, developing your self so you can do better in your current career etc....  It may cost the average person $40,000 a year.  It is also easy to be online and off-track.  So much valuable time is spent wasted surfing the Internet and not getting anything valuable done!

4.            Goal Setting: if you don't have a list of goals for your life, you will tend to have a very low bank balance.  We are primarily affected by our environment (physical, social, political etc..), Events, Knowledge, results, dreams.  Make sure the future is pulling you forward and not the past pulling you back.  Dreams and goals can become magnets and the stronger the goal, the higher the purpose the more powerful the objective, the stronger the magnet that pulls you in that direction.  It will help you get through the dark times.

This is just a brief summary of my favorite bits but if you want to listen to the whole thing yourself, here is the audio, which I highly recommend.  What a great Christmas present to yourself or someone else that loves personal development!

Cheap Christmas Gift Idea

Seeing as it is that time of year again and most of us either have a little less money this year or don't want to spend as much, I thought it would be good to do a quick blog on a cheap gift idea I had recently.

I recently had dinner at a friends house is really an exceptional host!  She is always making her guests feel so comfortable and spoiling them for choice with different foods.  Well the last time I was at her house she made me some chocolate fondue sauce with Marshmellows and strawberries to dip it in.  It was absolutely delicious and the perfect desert to finish off the dinner.  I always thought you needed a fancy machine to make fondue but all she has was a simple one heated by a candle.  I since bought one for myself and thought - what a great gift that would be for anyone, and it is so affordable!!!  You should be able to get one for around $10 or less like this one on Amazon.

Come Check Out My New Blog On Cats!

If you are an animal lover then you will get plenty of cute photos and stories here to cheer you up! Also you will find great advice topics like nutrition, grooming, breeding, showing, training as well as the cheapest deals around for your cat!
http://guardianangelcats.blogspot.com/

Are You Successful In Life?

Would you describe your life as successful? Take some time to consider why. According to the Oxford Dictionary success is defined as the following:


1.   The accomplishment of an aim or purpose


2.  The attainment of fame, wealth, or social status

Unfortunately there are many people that will use the latter definition to determine how successful their lives are.  When people use external factors such as fame, wealth or social status they have no control over how satisfied they are with their success and ultimately their lives.  As the recent economic downturn has shown many of us, our jobs, homes, cars and other status symbols are never a secure reality.  They can be taken away when we least expect it.  So if we base our level of success and happiness on having these status symbols, we leave ourselves open to feeling like a failure in life.  This can lead to severe depression and seep into other areas of our life like our health and relationships with other people.  


Another thing to consider is something called negative success.  This may sound impossible at first but think about it for a second.  Have you ever met someone who had a great career but other areas of their live were not so wonderful.  Think of the successful businessman that works so many hours a week that his marriage is breaking down, his kids are strangers and his health is beginning to suffer.  He may have success in his career and lots of material possessions but deep down he is not happy due to the problems in the other areas of his life.  That is what I mean by negative success.


If you begin to use the first definition when evaluating whether your life is successful one thing becomes obvious - you need to figure out your life purpose or aim?  Many people will never actually try to figure this out and so it is no surprise that they may never feel successful.


Here is a list of suggestions I have come up with to help people live a successful and happy life.

1. Put a lot of thought into how you define success.

2. Set SMART goals for yourself write them down and continue to monitor them until you have achieved them.

3. Every night before you go to bed pick three things that happened during the day that you are thankful for

4. Distinguish what you need, want and wish for in life and work on achieving or maintaining these things.

5. Be aware of your values and make sure you align your lifestyle, relationships and career with them.

6. Find your calling in life, whatever that may be.

7. Commit yourself to becoming a life long learner

8. Don’t base your future on your past

9. Seek first to understand, Then to be understood.  - Stephen Covey

10. Never spend more time on things that don’t matter than on the things that do.

11. Don’t let fear hold you back from achieving your dreams.  

12. Begin to look for a positive aspect in every negative situation you are faced with - you will be surprised!

13. People are driven by two things pain and pleasure. Don’t live life being beaten with a stick - go for the carrot instead!  By this I mean don’t be motivated to do things in order to avoid pain, do things in order to gain pleasure. (Tony Robbins)

14. Focus more on your strengths than your weaknesses.

15. Make work/life balance a major priority in your life.

16. Write a mission statement for your life and try to stick to it!  Make sure you adapt it fit your values as you continue to grow.

17. Be Mindful as often as possible.  By being present in the moment so you can truly relax and recharge your batteries!  Try yoga or owning a pet to increase your mindfulness.  Even when you concentrate on your own breathing for a few minutes you give your body a break.

18. Be careful of the self limiting beliefs you may have developed over your life - many of them are totally ridiculous and can hold you back from achieving greatness.

19. Learn from your mistakes don't dwell on them.

20. Remember that while we get older we may become less physically beautiful but we have the opportunity to become so much better looking on the inside.

21. If you want something then visualize it and the universe will send it to you.  

22. Make sure you view money as a positive not a negative factor in your life.  Never say “I cant afford it”, say “How can I afford it?” (Robert Kiyosaki)

23. Don’t let your level of success be determined by other people.

24.Write down a list of all of your good qualities and keep adding to it as you go through life.

25. Go to a life coach so you can receive the awareness, direction, confidence and inspiration you will need to achieve success.  In the same way that you would seek professional advice for other things in your life (Doctor, Accountant, Lawyer, Mechanic etc...) you should also give the same level of commitment to making sure your life is a success with a coach.   

 

Do You Want To Quit Smoking For Good This Time?

I have been off cigarettes for two months now and it has been so easy.  I had tried so many times in the past using different methods and nothing worked until now.

There are various reasons that people want to quit smoking but the most popular ones I have come across are:

1. They are too expensive
2. They can cause cancer and other health problems
3. They make your teeth yellow
4. They make you and your house/car smell bad
5. They give you wrinkles
6. They make it harder to stay fit and exercise

With that in mind, kicking the habit has been something I have been trying to do for the last few years.  I always said that I would give them up when I reached 25.  With my 28th birthday nearly in sight I was beginning to loose all hope that I would ever be able to achieve this.  Then I found out about the Smokestik two weeks ago when my friend sent me this clip:

I had heard of electronic cigarettes before but I never really knew how they worked. Once I saw this video I thought the product was definitely worth a try.  Here is how the company describes the product :

A SmokeStik Electronic Cigarette is a revolutionary device that resembles a traditional cigarette and fully recreates the smoking experience, including "a smoke like vapor", without tobacco, tar, and over 400+ chemicals that are found to cause cancer in a traditional cigarette. SmokeStik Electronic Cigarettes are one alternative to traditional cigarette smoking, that for the first time, allows the smoker to go through all the motions. SmokeStiks do not have carbon monoxide, tar, or any other known cancer-causing chemicals found in traditional cigarettes, cigars, or smoke. A SmokeStik Electronic Cigarette is essentially litter-less in that it is free of ashes and stubs. Unlike traditional cigarettes, the SmokeStik has no open flame, and is cool to the touch, greatly reducing potential bodily injury, and property damage. What you are "smoking" is a mist or vapor. This vapor is created as liquid nicotine, propylene glycol, and food grade flavorings, are vaporized by a tiny component called the atomizer.

The mouthpiece contains a replaceable cartridge/cartomizer filled with liquid. The main substances contained in the liquid are nicotine, propylene glycol, and optional flavors. When you take a drag on the SmokeStik, the air flow is detected by a tiny sensor. A microprocessor then activates the atomizer which injects tiny droplets of the liquid into the flowing air and vaporizes the nicotine. This vapor also provides a flavor and physical sensation, similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while no tobacco or real smoke is actually involved in its operation. The tip of the SmokeStik glows ( red, white, purple ), when inhaled, depending on the kit you choose. A high-density Lithium Ion battery powers the device and will last all day on a normal charge. Your starter kit will include two batteries so that you may use one while your second battery is recharging. 

Now there are several brands of electronic cigarettes that I could have chosen but after some research I decided to try the Smokestik for the following reasons:

1. It is the only brand manufactured in the USA  - meaning the quality control is better than other companies.
2. After going through a number of product reviews it seems that Smokestik has the most water vapor smoke so it is the closest to smoking a real cigarette.
3. The price was very competitive compared to some of the brands being sold in my local pharmacies.
4. A lot of celebrities in America are using it including Mr. Dicaprio which is usually a good sign of the products quality.

I was so happy when it finally arrived that Thursday.  It took me a while to get used to it as it is a lot heavier to hold then a normal cigarette and it tastes different.  You also need to take a real good drag off it in order to get a good amount of smoke. After using it for a couple of hours I had no urge whatsoever to smoke a real cigarette.  In fact the smell of them was making me feel ill all of a sudden.  I cant explain how wonderful it felt to know that I did not want to smoke cigarettes any more.  Even on a nights out there was no urge to smoke a real cigarette unless my battery died!  Note To Self: Never go out unless fully charged, ha!

The reasons I love my Smokestik are:

1. I can confidently say I have had my last cigarette because I don't even want them anymore!
2. I dont have to carry around a lighter.
3. I can smoke anywhere I want so I don't have to go outside anymore.
4. No more dirty ash trays and cigarette butts.
5. Less threat of any potential fire hazards from smoking.
6. I will save money because one cartomiser is so much cheaper than a pack of cigarettes (more than half price depending on how you order them).
7. I dont smell like a smoker anymore.
8. My teeth wont get yellow from smoking.  
9. My health will improve
10. I can still enjoy the experience of smoking with my friends when I am out without feeling guilty.

I can keep going here but I think you get the point. I am not saying this will work for everyone, I can only speak from my own experience.  However if you are desperate to quit smoking for any of the reasons I listed above then I think it is definitely worth a try.  It may take some getting used to but in the end I think this could really work for most people.  The beauty of this product is that you still get to have the hand to mouth action and inhale and exhale a smoking sensation.  

If you do decide to buy one I suggest you also order a starter pack like I did. The pack included two batteries (with both charged you could smoke away on them for a whole weekend), three cartomisers of different nicotine strenghths and flavours, a USB charger, a home charger and a cute little case.  There are a variety of different styles to choose from but I picked the Royale because I thought it was pretty!  

Here is the website where you can order one:  http://www.smokestik.com/  use the voucher code class10 to avail of your 10% discount and get the starter kit for 89.95 plus shipping and handling.

Its been two months and I have not bought one pack of cigarettes so I have saved myself 136 euros so it has more than payed for itself!  There is also a 30 day money back guarantee and a life time warranty on these products.  The customer service team is also very helpful.

Vitamix - The Best Health & Wellness Product I have Ever Seen!

I have to say I am pretty blown away with the Vita-Mix blender since I stumbled across it a few days ago. It is on the top of my list of things I want to buy. As soon as I have it, I will write a full informative product review for others who are considering whether or not to buy it. I am so excited about it though that I wanted to share it with you now!

So what is so great about the Vitamix?

Research shows that phytonutrients and antioxidants in whole foods can significantly reduce damage to the cells by free radicals. The hard part is getting these essential chemicals into a digestible form as they’re locked inside skin, pulp and seeds. The Vitamix® machine ruptures the cell walls of fresh, whole foods to deliver the full benefit of nutrients. A recent study by the Health Research and Studies Centre showed that tomatoes processed in the Vitamix® machine delivered over three times more lycopene (a powerful antioxidant) than tomatoes prepared in a juicer or eaten whole. This can help prevent people from wasting up to 70% of their food. People on a liquid diet can get this product re-imbursed by their health insurance as it is seen as a medical device. Cancer centres all over the world use this because it gives people 98 percent of the nutritional value and antioxidants of raw fruits and vegetables compared to the average 25% you get from chewing with your teeth.

Well I love anything that can help me lead a healthier lifestyle and reduce the amount of money I spend on food and health supplements so when I saw this I was very intrigued. I think this will cut down on my food bills, as I will waste less food and spend less on processed things that are ready made. I can also make ‘must go’ soups – a great way to use up everything that ‘must go’ in my fridge. Even last night’s leftovers! I also think it will help me to eat healthier by getting more antioxidants from the raw food into my diet, especially the soups. I also like it because I can make a lot of my own recipes for low fat alternatives that I cant find in the shop or that are very expensive.

There are over 65 uses for the Vita-Mix but I have listed below my favourites:

1 & 2 The Most Nutritious Juice & Smoothies - Unlike a juicer or a regular blender - which can get rid of as much as 70% of the nutritional benefit (and money spent) - there is almost no waste from a Vitamix® machine. For example, an apple’s seeds and skin provide a high percentage of the fruit’s nutritional benefit. So does the green stems of strawberries, white part of an orange, middle of a pineapple, seeds of a grape etc...The Vitamix® machine is the only kitchen appliance that breaks down the cell walls to provide the full benefit of nutrients in a whole food juice. If you add Flaxseeds or Cacao nibs it will also turn these into digestible powders.

3. Hot Soup From Raw Vegetables - leaving you with all the nutritional and antioxidant value of raw veggies in minutes.

4. All Natural Ice Cream With No Preservatives - You can even make tasty green ice cream with spinach in it that tastes great but still gives you great nutritional value. You can also make regular full fat types of delicious chocolate, vanilla, banana etc...when you want to indulge. Freeze left overs in the fridge for later. Vegans can also make dairy free ice cream easily.

5. Gorgeous All Natural Sorbets Made From Your Favourite Fruits.

6. Scrambled Eggs - simply made in 1 minute, nice and fluffy, no burning, easy to clean up.

7. Blend Your Coffee Beans Into Powder

8. Hot Fondue Sauces - Cheese & chocolate

9. Ground Beef or Turkey From Whole Pieces of Meat So You Know What You Are Eating

10, 11, 12. Restaurant Quality Frozen Cocktails, Frappucinos and Snow Cones.

13. Salsa, Guacomole, Hummus & Other Dips

14. Homemade Tomato Sauce With 3 Times More Nutritional Value

15 & 16. Dressings for Salads & Fruit Syrups for Ice cream and Pancakes

17. Whip up Fresh Cream For Deserts

18. Turn Sugar into Powder

19. Make Fresh Pesto Sauce & Mayonaise (low fat options)

20, 21, 22. Breadcrumbs, Coleslaw, Batter for Cakes, Brownies, Pancakes etc.

23. It Crushes Ice

24. Chops Vegetables Like a Food Processor

25. Peanut Butter

One of my favourite parts about this product is that you can turn it on self clean with a little fairy liquid. Compared to most blenders this is a dream come true. With a seperate attachment you can also make dough for cakes and bread.

There are a range of models that all have similar functions at a range of price points all available on Amazon.  They are expensive but I think this product will pay for itself after a couple of months when you feel healthier and you waste a lot less food.

All of the reviews I have read on this are great. I think this is the best video I have seen on it but the quality isnt great! 

The Magic of Tomatoes!

Do you know the part of the tomato with the stem that you always slice off and throw out? Well what if I told you that instead of wasting that part you could use it as an exfoliator for your face?  Follow these steps:

1.   Cut off a slice of the tomato with the stem still attached. 
 

2.   Pour out some white granulated sugar on a small plate.
 

3.   Now hold on to the stem of the tomato slice and dip it into the sugar.


4.    Rub this tomato slice all over your face in a circular motion.

5.   
Re-dip the tomato slice into the sugar as needed.
 

6.   Leave the juice of the tomato on your skin for 5-10 minutes and then wash with lukewarm water.

Your skin will feel lovely and soft after this treatment as it scrubs away all the dead skin. I usually do this before my egg facial once a week (You will find a separate blog on this in the hair and beauty section).  This is also a great way to exfoliate when you are away from home if you forgot to pack your facial exfoliator.

The use of tomatoes for skin care is ideal because of their cooling and astringent properties. They are rich in vitamin C, which is great for acne and brightening dull skin. Tomatoes also contain vitamin A, which is needed for building healthy skin. Their naturally acidic properties help balance the skin and get rid of excessive oil. 

Tomatoes are also fabulous for our skin because they contain an antioxidant called lycopene, which fights the signs of ageing. Lycopene is a great antioxidant for the skin because it provides protection from environmental damage. It helps cells grow and reproduce, thus improving the skins texture. Improving cellular functions is also essential to keeping the skin looking young. Lycopene strengthens the skin by enhancing its ability to produce collagen and reducing the DNA damage that leads to wrinkles.

Considering how good tomatoes are for our skin, it is no surprise then that so many new skin care products have tomatoes in them!   

Burt's Bees does one of my favourite facial soaps called Garden Tomato Complexion Soap for people with normal to oily skin.  I really like it because it is 96.80 percent natural so it doesnt contain any of the harmful chemicals that so many beauty products do.  It contains a vegetable soap base, fragrance, tomato powder and aloe barbadensis.  Not only does the Garden Tomato Soap combat sagging skin and unbalanced pH conditions, it smells absolutely wonderful. 

If you are looking for a great moisturizer made with tomatoes then try another one of my favourite products. Yes To Tomatoes Totally Tranquil Facial Hydrating Lotion balances and hydrates normal to oily skin. It is made from 99.6% natural ingredients including organic tomatoes, watermelon, chamomile and Dead Sea minerals. It smells lovely and it is just the perfect consistency for my skin.  It goes on nice and thick but still feels really light.  I highly recommend this product to anyone who likes natural products at a great price.

The Egg Facial

One of the best and cheapest facials you can give yourself is the egg facial.  It may sound gross but it really works! Not only does it dry out the oils from your skin, it is also a natural whitening product. It helps to reduce scarring and sun damage.




Follow these simple steps:

1.   Break the egg, splitting the yoke from the whites in two different bowls.

2.   Beat the whites until they are nice and foamy.

3.   Cover your face in a layer of the whites.

4.   When your face feels tight then wash it off with luke warm water and pat dry.

5.   Take the yoke and spread a thin layer over your face. This is a great moisturizer for your face.

6.   Again when this gets tight wash it off with luke warm water and pat dry.

Try to do this at least once a week and it will improve your skin significantly.  It is especially good if you have a sudden break out, as it will help it clear up a lot faster.

The Power of Visualization - My Experiment

One of my most strongly held beliefs is that if you can visualize something, then you can make it happen.  Ever since I was a little, I remember determining whether something would happen on whether I could see it play out in my mind.  For example, when I was 10, my family was supposed to go on a trip to Florida. For some reason I just couldn't picture it happening as I had with other vacations.  In the end, I ended up getting sick and not going with them.  

I did not realize as a child that what I was actually dealing with was the Law of Universal Attraction.  It was not until I was an adult and I read the book "The Secret" that I realized how my thoughts become things. The Law of Universal Attraction states that:“like attracts like”.  This law suggests that you should think of yourself as a living magnet because you get what you think about whether you want to or not. Thoughts have a frequency and send out a magnetic signal that is drawing the parallel back to you. I will go into this topic more deeply in future blogs but if you want to find out more about the book The Secret and the law of universal attraction here is a great video that I watch all the time:

So if your thoughts can create your life then we should all get really good at visualizing what we want. When I say visualize, I mean close your eyes and imagine yourself in whatever situation you are trying to bring into your life.  Whether it is securing a new job, finding your soul mate, moving to a new location, or being at your ideal body weight.  Whatever it is that you want, you need to vividly picture it in your mind. The key is to visualize what you want all of the time.

Personally I like to spend five minutes painting a picture in my mind of what I want every night before I fall asleep.  As an added bonus this usually puts me in a really good mood.  In the past I attracted my soul mate into my life with this technique.  I also found a new career with this technique. 

I want to do a bit of an experiment with this.  So I am selecting my next visualization project to be one material thing so it will be easy to show that this works.  So I am going to start visualizing that I will own a silver Nissan Qashqai by the beginning of 2011.  I will keep you updated as to when I buy this car.  Wish me luck!

The Mascara That Will Change Your Life

I have to admit one of my best features is probably my eyelashes.  Whenever I am out people always say to me, "Do you have false eyelashes on?"  I am lucky because I do have very long eyelashes and I have never had to use fake ones yet.  To be quite frank, I don't think I would be a big fan of the whole glueing process anyways.  

Although my lashes are very long, I also have a secret weapon.  About 6 years ago I stumbled across an amazing mascara made by Christian Dior called the Diorshow.  I have to say ever since I have found this mascara I have been getting these questions about whether I have false eyelashes on.  For someone who already has long eyelashes this product will make them so long and full that people will be convinced you have false eyelashes on.  For those people who have average length eyelashes, you will look like you have naturally very long eyelashes.

I have always told people about this product because I love it so much. I can honestly say that about 15 people I told when out and bought it and have been using it ever since.  One of my friends who was a big fan of false eyelashes has even stopped wearing them because of Diorshow Mascara.  She thanked me so much for telling her about this because she said it "changed her life!"

Depending on whether or not you buy designer makeup this product may seem a little expensive as prices can range from €19.99 - €38.99 ($24.99 - $39.99) depending on where you are looking.  The lowest prices I have seen were in the duty free at the airport and highest prices were at regular department stores.  After a quick internet search the best price I could see for this product was on Amazon.

I will try to get some before and after photos up ASAP!

I Can't Live Without My Waterpik!

I can honestly say that one of the best products I have purchased in the last few years has been my Waterpik! When I go away for a couple of days and I don't have it, I absolutely long for it.

I have always been a fan of flossing daily but it was leaving my gums very sore and lets face it, it just doesn't get your mouth as clean as it should be.  With flossing and brushing alone I could still feel a bit of grime along the gums and it was impossible to get the very back teeth clean.  Plus my wisdom teeth are impacted (they came up sideways).  Because my mouth is too small to have them removed, I have to live with them.  Keeping them clean was a real challenge before I found the Waterpik.

Unhappy with my oral hygiene, I went researching online one day for an alternative.  I came across the oral irrigator.  As an alternative to flossing with string, the oral irrigator shoots water between your teeth.  Dental water jets provide a unique combination of water pressure and pulsation at the level clinically proven to reduce gingivitis and enhance gum health. The product is similar to the water jet in the dentist's office.  

As you can imagine flossing with string only scrapes the surfaces between your teeth so it still leaves a lot of residue.  Whereas, the Waterpik, cleans these surfaces and washes away any debris.  The best part is that it gets below the gum line unlike any other dental product.  It prevents the build up of tartar extremely well.  It also whitens your teeth and kills bad breathe.  It does not hurt your gums so you can use it as much as you desire!  It is also the best remedy for getting rid of that horrible feeling in your mouth when you wake up the next morning after having a few alcoholic drinks.  You can fill it up with mouthwash and warm water for an extra burst of freshness.

I bought the Waterpik Cordless Dental Water Jet WP-450 from Amazon for about €35 as this was the best value from what I could see online and offline.  I am very happy with this model.  It came with an orthodontic tip, a standard jet tip, a Pik Pocket tip and a tongue cleaner.  My boyfriend and I have our own tips so it is great if you will be sharing it with someone else.  Refill tips are also available to buy online when needed. The tip rotates 360 degrees to reach all areas of the mouth and the jet has a dual pressure control system, for sensitive gums and deep cleaning.  The only complaint I would have is that it only stays charged for a couple of uses.  When it doesn’t work in the morning because it is uncharged I get very upset that I have to wait til that night to feel that wonderful clean sensation it gives me. 

I would definitely rate this product 10 out of 10, it really is amazing!  I just don't know how the Waterpik is not as popular as the common toothbrush yet?  This also makes for a great gift.

The Shocking Truth About Your Shampoo

I recently found out that most shampoos contain terrible chemicals that leave your hair dried out and stripped. It is no wonder then that my hair seems dried out all the time. I just couldn’t figure out why my hair was in such bad condition despite the fact that I try not to straighten it or blow dry it too often. I never looked at whether the shampoo I was using could be the cause of the problem until now.

Aside from the cosmetic reasons to avoid these ingredients there are real health concerns too. When you put something on your skin, it gets absorbed into your bloodstream and sends toxic substances to the liver to clean them out. The liver then tries to get rid of it them through your breath, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. Chances of cancer of the bladder, cancer of the bowel and cancer of the lung are then highly increased. Even if something says that it is natural, you should still check the label because even if only 10% of the ingredients are natural they can see use that on the labeling.

Have a look at the ingredients if you are using some of the more common brands like Herbal Essences, Head & Shoulders, Sunsilk, Pantene etc., or even some of the more expensive brands like Redkin, Charles Worthington, Bed Head et. Check the back of your shampoo bottles and try to avoid the following ingredients:

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and its close relative Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) Found in 95% of shampoos this is one of the worse ingredients- SLS is also commonly found in detergents used for cleaning garage floors and engines. This chemical is known to damage hair follicles and make the hair fall out. It has been linked to eye damage, intestinal damage, breathing problems, skin spots and cysts. One of the main effects of sodium lauryl sulfate is that it mimics the activity of the hormone Oestrogen. This may be responsible for a variety of health problems from PMS and Menopausal symptoms to dropping male fertility and increasing female cancers such as breast cancer.

2. Propylene Glycol (Alcohol) – A cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. This has been proven to inhibit cells growth. It is also found in wrinkle creams and should be avoided as it actually causes the skin to age as new cells cant grow to replace the old ones.

3. Dioxin - This is one of the major chemicals in Agent Orange and is thought to be responsible for all kinds of disease reported by those that came into contact with the chemical.

4. Methylparaben, Propylparaben, and Ethyl Paraben (These have been linked to cancer)

So What is The Alternative?

Buy good organic shampoos that don’t contain these ingredients. Do your research and find out what each ingredient means before you use it on your body. One store bought brand that is very good is Organix. The coconut milk range is my favorite.

An even better option is to make your own! Here is a great recipe for a homemade shampoo that is amazing on your hair and easy on the wallet!  It may cost a bit for the initial stock but in the long run it will save you money and give you healthy shiny hair!

Get an empty 8oz bottle with a dispenser and mix the following:
1. Dr. Bronner Peppermint Castille Soap (1/4 cup)


2. 100% Aloe Vera Gel (1/4 Cup)


3. 1 Tsp of Jojoba Oil
















4. 1 Tsp of Vegetable
         Glycerin















5. Few drops of Tea Tree Oil


6. Few drops of any essential oil to scent this - I love lavender!

The Homedics Shiatsu Massaging Cushion

I recently purchased the Homedics Shiatsu Massage Cushion from Amazon.  I have to say, while I do not totally regret buying the product, I certainly would not recommend it to anyone!  It only provides a mediocre massage for your back.  My main complaint with this product is that the neck massager does not touch my neck. You would really need to have the neck width of a professional football or rugby player to get any benefit from this added feature.  

I still enjoy the product but it is definitely not worth the price tag.

Preventing Kidney Infections Forever!

Two years ago I suffered from kidney infections at least once a month.  I spent so much money on the doctor and antibiotics but they just kept coming back.  Then I went to my local food store and asked them was there any herbal remedies for this ailment.  The lady asked me if I had tried cranberry tablets. I said yes they never really did me any good.  She explained that the majority of the pills on the market are really ineffective.  What you have to look out for is the strength or the Mg.  The best pills to buy are 10,000mg +.  Anything below that is really a waste of time and money.

She recommended the Kordel's High Strength brand.  30 capsules cost me around €8.50 and lasted me nearly six months.  Any time I felt like I might be getting a kidney infection (you know the signs girls!) I would just take 2-3 of these pills and low and behold the infection never came.  Two years on and I haven't had a kidney infection since.

So if you suffer from these, as most women do unfortunately, then give these a try.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

10 Steps Towards Getting Clear Pap Smear Results Again

A lot of people have asked me to post this piece as there is not a lot of information out there like it.  So if you want to take your health into your own hands and get clear smear test results again then follow these steps:

1. Go To a Nutritionist - Change your diet and take the right vitamins and supplements. Dont try to do this on your own trust me the nutritionist was the best money I ever spent! Basically you need to start getting as much Vitamin C, E, Zinc, Beto-carotene, DIM and Folic acid into your body as possible!  Contact me for a complete list of what supplements and foods you should eat.

2. Get off The Pill - I did this straight away! My Dr. told me this was not necessary but after my own research this is a definite thing to do. Your body cant fight off the HPV as well while the pill is messing with your hormones so get off it!

3. Get Fit - join a gym, go for walks, do a workout video whatever you can do to strengthen up and get in shape!

4. Stop Smoking - When you are smoking you are creating more free radicals in your body which are doing damage. At least cut down if you can't give up altogether.

5. Drink Less Alcohol

6. Swap Regular Tea for Green Tea - Get as many antioxidant rich substances into you as possible. Acai Berry and Dark Chocolate are also great. The best fruits you can eat are strawberries and blueberries. Look out for the ORAC value on foods this will tell you how many antioxidants are in different foods!

7.Go for Acupuncture and Get Chinese Herbs - This will help build up your immunity.

8. Use Less Tampons and Wear 100% Cotton Underwear

9. Start Doing Yoga and Meditation -  This will not only improve your physical health it will begin to relieve the stress you are going through

10. Start Thinking of This Whole Thing as a Physical Fight with HPV. While it is important to get your physical strength up as much as possible by following the first 9 steps the most important step is to mentally prepare for this fight. Start looking up the law of universal attraction on the internet and become familiar with the fact that your thoughts create your reality. Keep visualizing the results you want on your next visit to the Dr. and they will happen.

Please recommend this article to anyone else you know who is struggling with abnormal smear results.  Unfortunately, most Doctors don't tell people how to fight this on this on their own.  As a result most women just wait for the problem to go away, feeling totally stressed and depressed in the meantime.  Once they realize that they can do things to get healthy again the whole thing seems a lot less scary and a lot more manageable. Take control of your health and create your own destiny!

I really hope this helps others as much as it has helped me.