Now let’s see how much is true from all the tales:

(this is my favourite) Dark chocolate is better for you then milk chocolate: NO! The kcals are nearly the same. From here on it depends on you. If you want to consume more fat, chose the dark chocolate, if you prefer more sugar, get the milk chocolate. The milk chocolate also has calcium – after all, it’s called “milk” chocolate…

Too much chocolate will cause you migrene: Yes, if you can eat a truckload of it, literally, because of the fenetil-amin and tiramin.

Calories vs Darkness: people say that “the good chocolate has a lot of cocoa. Depends on what angle are you looking at it. More expensive if it’s darker because of the amount of cocoa, but at the same time, the darker it is, the more fat it has. (to keep it together :) ) If it has less cocoa, it will be sweeter. (I personally opt for sweetness) Sometimes people confuse quality with price… (dark choc – expensive – must be excellent: NO!!)

Chocolate troubles digestion and ruins your liver: oh my. What a lie. Everything causes digestive problems if you eat too much of it. In reality, chocolate only stays in your stomach for 1 hour, so there is no way that it’s troubling your stomach. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the liver whatsoever.

Chocolate makes you fat: no. SOME chocolate won’t make you fat. Lots of chocolate and lots of food will. Don’t blame sweeties only.

Eating chocolate will protect your heart and circulation: Besides sugar and fat, chocolate has more ingredients as well, such as lots of antioxidants which protects you – like tannin, vitamin E, beta-carotene. Also you can find Kalium in chocolate which has blood pressure lowering effect and at last the healthy amount of chocolate could even lower your colesterol.

Chocolate has low GI index: absolutely true.

So go ahead and eat a healthy amount of chocolate when you feel like, it not only will make you happy, but contribute to your overall health.

You can even go for this irresistible chocolate keyboard:

(image is via http://www.livbit.com/article/2008/12/14/the-chocolate-keyboard/)

Or they would go on the street wonder what the time is, are they running late, but they wouldn’t ask a stranger for the time. Or in a restaurant the food turns out to be “less then perfect” and they would rather die than mention it to the waiter…

Well. Is this you Dear Reader? Or are you already red as a beetroot reading about yourself?

If so, please see my bulletpoints which should solve your problem if you practice them consistently:

I guess I should start with the bulletpoint right under this sentence, but I just need to share this sentence with you:

If you don’t feel like doing something, act your way into doing it and you’ll see that you won’t feel why you didn’t want to do it in the first place. A smart man said it on the radio and I am the most ashamed I don’t remember his name..

• why are you shy – sit down and think about it. When are you shy, in what situations? Does it have a bad impact on your life? Where is that bad impact? What if you changed it? Could you live a better life? These questions help you, you can even write it down.
• practice makes perfect – talk to people, talk to anyone, anywhere, MAKE yourself do it. Start with simple things such as asking for the salt when you need it, asking the shop assistant for the sugar (or whatever you need, later you can even start asking for a tampon, condom or lubricant), asking the man on the street for the time, of course talking more with your friends, meeting people through some friends and talking to them and finally you will get to the stage when no matter where you are what you are doing, you will start a conversation with someone (bus stop, hairdresser, on the bus, the person you pass by every day, etc.)
• overcome rejection – what if they don’t want to hear what you have to say? What if they won’t want to talk to yo? What if they don’t like you? Yes. What if? Ask this exact question, and answer it with: who the hell cares? I know I am a good person, I know that what I have to say is interesting and I know that there are people who value it, even if I don’t see it now. And even if what you wanted to do/say etc. doesn’t turn out that great really, and you see it sooner or later, take it as a lesson towards the way of you overcoming shyness
• you are not the center of the world – life is not the stage of the local theatre. You are an important individual, but please, stop thinking that everybody will be looking at you if you say/do/think something. And even if some people do look, THEN WHAT? You are who you are, and lots of people love you for that and learn that not everybody have to.
• do you love yourself? – just answer it. Plain sheet in front of you, 2 columns, what do you love what do you hate? Include body image, mind, everything what you can think of and do not lie to yourself with putting everything into the “i hate” column. If the results are not looking great, start revising them and maybe get someone close to you to help with it. This can be a very uplifting situation, because people who see you from outside have a much better view on how you really are, and you can learn that your voice is apparently very sexy, not too low for a woman as you thought before, your behind is just suited to your body, even though you thought else, your hair is nice as it is, longer/darker/lighter/shorter would just not compliment your face so well, you thought your extreme shyness is embarrassing, but you will be told, that to some degree it’s actually really cute, because you do this this and this …. :) Lots of things!
• anxiety – I have anxiety attacks sometimes, and it’s hard to fight it when you get so carried away with it. Distraction helps. Distract your mind so you don’t think of the actual problem, calm down and try again. Calming your anxiety might take a relatively long time. What helps me is a phonecall, a game on my phone, talk talk talk to someone. Exercise is a good idea as well, it takes your mind elsewhere, trying to concentrate on working hard, or lying down is good for some people. (not for me :) )
• look at yourself and visualise – since I read a certain book I learnt that I have to imagine myself in a certain situation which should help when it happens. Imagine, visualise yourself as the person you want to be. Look at your strengths and capabilities, see how valuable and beautiful you are, see the greatness which is in all of us. Yes, in you too!!!
• other people – stop thinking of other people. Stop scrutinising the “why” think about them. Instead, learn! Learn how they do it, learn how they behave in a certain situation. Be smart and learn from them instead of blaming yourself why are you not like them.

That’s the “truth” for now, and don’t forget, that “Shyness is just egoism out of its depth”. (Penelope Keith)

Lemon juice
Scent: lovely, citrus, fresh, clean
Where to find it: lemon tree, supermarket
Active agent: citric acid
Usage:
Has a natural whitening effect, cleans well metals and helps get rid of the lime scale.
Cleans the dirty microwaves

Vinegar
Scent: sorry, it is vinegar. But if used in the required solution, you will not smell anything in a little while.
Where to find it: supermarket
Active agent: acid
Usage:
Deluded with water it is a middle strength acid. It is a disinfectant, can be used to clean windows, glasses, mirrors or to get rid of lime scale.

Baking soda/Bicarbonate of sodium
Scent: none
Where to find it: supermarket, pharmacy
Active agent: natrium-hydrogen-carbonate
Usage:
Great to get rid of nasty smells, soaks up liquids, doesn’t scratch. Keep a little pot of it in the fridge and nothing will smell!

And now, how to get rid of nasty stains?

Coffee stain – delude salt in warm water, soak stained material, scrub it. When stain is gone, wash and rinse the textile thoroughly
Ink – lemon juice, but immediately
Oil, grease – potato starch is the best for that, put a little bit of the powder on the stain, let it stay there for an hour (or 2), brush it and wash it
Chocolate – lemon juice
Red wine – salty water, lemon juice or milk is our help here, soak it for a few hours, scrub it and hope that it goes away

..or try wearing a bib :)

I am off the cigarettes for nearly a month now. Have had loads of cravings, but only had 1/4 of a cigarette last Monday. I thought it was gonna be the “big thing” that I am off them for so long now, and yes, I deserve just 1. Funny thing is, I hated it. And I used to be a big smoker. Enjoying it all the time. I have tried to quit several times without any luck really. I tell you the secret now. I don’t say it’s easy but with the right state of mind and maybe the right technique it’s much better.

1. Make the decision

You have to make the decision that you want to quit for. I quitted for my son, who asked me: “Mama, don’t go to smoke, because you will die” (he is only 4 and I felt so ashamed smoking)So. You can make a list for yourself why you should quit – better skin, no stink, make yourself proud, don’t be tied to smoking places etc.

2. Smoke the cigarettes you have or get rid of them permanently

When I decided I had enough, I still had 5 cigarettes in the pack late afternoon and I tell you, as the decision was made, I really wanted to get rid of them so under pressure it wasn’t nice to smoke them, but anyhow, I finished up the pack for 7pm that day, having the last one actually before dinner – silly, I know.

3. Don’t give up your habits connected to the cigarettes (just yet)

I still go out for cigarette breaks at work.

I still sit out on the balcony for the “cigarette break” with no smoke, just for the fresh air and to clear my head if needed.

Have your coffee, it’s nice without the ciggie too. :)

Whatever your habits were… :)

4. Talk about smoking

I talked about it A LOT, mainly in the first week. How did I used to do, what did I feel, when was the best time I smoked, what did I enjoy about it, etc.

I really don’t know about you, but this was something extremely helpful to me – like a session at the psychologist.

5. Most important - DELAY, POSTPONE, LATER, NOT NOW, WAIT A MINUTE, TOMORROW, WHATEVER, UNTIL

What am I talking about?

The most important thing here is that YOU DON’T HAVE TO QUIT SMOKING FOR EVER. Yes, that’s the good news. You can smoke any time, the decision is yours. We live in a free world, we do what we want, we smoke when we want (nowadays when we are allowed to) and I like to keep an open mind about this, that yes, I could smoke if I wanted to.

Where is the trick here? :)

Look:

• “Hmm… a ciggie would be nice…. but I think i am just gonna wait until 4pm, that’s a better time to smoke”
• “God.. it’s 4pm, I said I would have a smoke, but since the day is nearly over, I rather have one at home after dinner”
• “The dinner was lovely, now let’s have that smoke… but the day is over as well…ehhhh…. I’m gonna leave it until tomorrow”

Basically, whatever you do, always try to delay having a cigarette. Never promise you won’t have another one.

I always say to my husband:

“I promise you that I won’t smoke – until tomorrow. But I will do my best to promise that to you every day.”

Where I think the problem lies is: the brain.

Your body is going to be tired until you wake up your brain!

Tonight I didn’t sleep great. My husband is sick, he was snoring too much and kicking and  pushing in the bed, so after a while I moved to my son’s room, who is basically the spit image of hubby with exact same behaviour – even with the snoring and kicking and pushing in the bed…

Anyhow.. I did have more space near my son, but the sleep was restless – still here I am, it’s only 7.39am, I’m up since 7, haven’t had a shower (yeah, I know, disgusting, but let me be disgusting for another hour…) or a coffee yet and my brain is fresh as a morning rose since the moment I’m up!

What’s the secret?

Very simple.

You have to WANT to get up. If you think you would rather be in bed and miss most of the beautiful morning, it’s not gonna work. I always WANT IT!!! The morning air on the street, the smell of the coffee, the view for another beautiful day, the time I can spend with people I love.. (or if you have to work and don’t particularly like it, think about the money you earn that day!)

Most “specialists” say that you have to move your body before you fully get out of bed. This may be true, but I don’t need it – I’m repeating myself: I only and exclusively need the THOUGHT that I must get up now, another lovely day is to start and I’m missing it!

There is another reason why I love getting up early. If I do that, I have the house (at least the living room, bathroom and kitchen) all for myself. I can enjoy the quietness, I can relax, have my coffee in peace and get ready for the day.

Don’t forget, morning hours are vital for a woman who wants to look great throughout the day. This is the time you can physically prepare yourself to be fresh, beautiful and pretty. This is the time you can “magic” your eyes to have that sparkle in your eyes and keep it all day long!

You can avoid messy hair, lack of make-up, outfit which you have become bored already because that’s the one you put on when you are rushing, and you can avoid being grumpy and achieve being in a good mood all day long!

Girls! Try it and you won’t regret it!

Lack of self confidence can lead to a number of things:

• no job, losing your job, not getting promotions
• jealousy for other people’s success
• jealousy of your partner
• numerous other things

However, I will only focus on the appearance for now, because most things start blooming from wrong self image.

Try to look your best

Dress nicely. Don’t buy clothes you feel uncomfortable in, but get things which FIT you and if you look in the mirror, even if you only want to admit secretly, you look great!

This can be a pair of nice jeans with leather half boots and a black tee with a lovely neckline and a smart black jacket – as I’m wearing it today and I feel great because I know I look great!

Go to the hairdresser, get a nice and easily maintainable cut, a lovely colour – highlights maybe – and most importantly, do not leave the house without putting your hair okay every morning.

Wear a light make-up every day. Emphasize what your best features are. What I’m wearing today is:

• A light foundation
• Eyebrow pencil
• Eye liner
• Mascara
• Lip gloss

Look confident

It breaks my heart to see people dragging themselves into a room or sneaking in just so they don’t get noticed.

When you enter a place, enter it like “I am great, I look great, I like those people there”.

This means:

• Point 1 – look great
• Have a lovely smile on your face
• Straighten yourself up
• Wear a perfume which smells nice – to everybody, not only you. It shouldn’t be too strong or overbearing
• Don’t hide in the corner, any hard it is, try to own the place and talk to people

Practice practice practice

How can we practice self-confidence?

There are a number of things we can do about it.

1. in the evening when you get home, take a nice shower/bath and sit down naked in front of the mirror, have a notepad and a pen with you or whatever you feel is easier (voice recorder)
2. start looking at your features and start writing down what you find pretty. Don’t look at the overall image yet, just concentrate on the little stuff, like:

• “hmmm my eyes are lovely, they are blue/green/brown and they are such a deep/light/unique colour”
• “gosh… look at those boobs.. they are covered with clothes at daytime, but they could give me a curvy look if I wear a better bra – must buy one tomorrow”
• “my hair is strong and has a great shine”

Go on and on and on about what you like on yourself. Don’t think about anything, but how great your features are.

1. When you are done admiring yourself, put on a nice lotion, some body spray, get into some PJs and relax
2. Just before you fall asleep, think about little things what you are going to do tomorrow. (when you enter your workplace, say hello with a smile to the doorman, don’t ignore your colleagues, chat to them etc.)

Another way to practice the self confidence:

• Ask people on the street about the time – even if  you know it.
• Ask people at the bus stop if they have seen it passing already?
• Ask directions – even if you know them.

Note: no, you are not a lunatic, it’s just self-helping.

These little chats might as well lead to conversations – as it always does in my case…  :)

If you want to get advice about certain situations which have to do with your self confidence, please feel free to leave a comment, we might as well get to a solution!

Unfortunately a great skin is a gift, hereditary or purely good luck. Anyhow, everybody has good or bad skin days (weeks).

I’m always getting compliments about how lovely my skin is and I must say it has to do with my Mother’s constant hard work and the “pure luck” factor. I only get the odd spots or blemishes but unfortunately I make them last long by picking them…

Anyhow.

This is how you can achieve great glowing and healthy looking skin:

1. Wash your face every evening with soap or whatever is suited to your skin. My skin is dry underneath but has a greasy surface at certain places (my nose mainly) so I use my usual shower gel or Dove soap.
2. Once a week I use a facial scrub – which is so far the best product i have ever seen for the purpose. It smells minty and scrubs the bad stuff off your skin
3. 2 times a week I use Neutrogena Wave, which is a great facial cleanser cleaning off make up, dirt and anything from the surface
4. The next step I only recommend to experienced “squeezers”.. If you notice the blackheads, squeeze them out immediately, making sure that you squeeze it out all. After that you should apply a tonic on it so it doesn’t stay open… But generally i really really only advise you to do it if you know what to do, otherwise it will be infected, red and uglier then it was before…
5. While your skin is still wet after washing, apply the oil or cream you use. Do use the cream on your eyes and under your eyes as well.
6. Special cream for under your eye if you need it.

I always put all the creams I use all over my whole face and neck. Important to massage it a little bit under your chin because that is one of the areas which will look bad when you are older, so let’s work on that circulation now!

Apart from the skincare, misstache (mustache) should be removed or bleached, eyebrows tweezed to perfection and you can have the base of the great looks you have always wanted.

PS: if your skin is really complicated please just go to a professional therapist and don’t mess with it yourself

Or I could say ugly verses beautiful in any sense of it.

I’ve recently read a discussion about pretty face vs good body. Which is more important for you? The target public of the discussion was men, and they mostly voted for the great body, of course because most men, when talking about women, concentrate on the question “would i have sex with her?”…

Of course it’s important. But there is so much that can be done for us, women. (and I won’t even discuss in this article about shitty looking males who have no importance given whatsoever on personal hygiene or looks)

Let’s start up with the thing then!

GREAT BODY

• If you are fat, you can always diet, but you have to be determined and you have to want it really really very much.
• Things you can do to have a great body:
• work out (running, cardio, toning with sensible eating. No binging on breadsticks after dinner in front of the telly)
• moderate sun-bed or fake-tan (i personally hate fake tan, would rather go to sun-bed once per week) A little bit of tan makes you look slimmer, gives the impression to the “viewer” that “hmmm she is appetizing” :) Not to mention how much better you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror
• drink drink drink drink drink – WATER. Not beer. Lots of alcohol makes you a belly, just right where your stomach is and it’s really disgusting when just pops out of the top. Water hydrates your body, you won’t get flaky skin on your shins or elbows and knees.
• body lotion – obviously it’s good for you. But you have to chose the right one. It doesn’t have to be expensive really. The best thing you can do is to go to the pharmacy and get the good old cheap and THICK cream for the problematic areas. (i will go into more detail about this later)
• hands, feet, heels, elbows and knees – cream cream cream!!! there is nothing worse than a dry elbow or knee, untreated cuticules and disgusting toe nails…
• intim areas – don’t let the rain forest take over. Get rid of the hair or cut it short, shaping at bikini line at least. Some people have hairs growing in the buttocks as well – huge turn off! If you can’t take waxing, shave it off – unless your partner gets turned on by that!
• body hair – armpits, legs, on the toes if they grow, mustache (misstache :) ) are a MUST to get rid of.

And that would be it for the body really!