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Dr. Leo Baekland, a scientist, was responsible for the discovery
of bakelite. He was born in Belgian. In 1889 he immigrated the
the USA hoping for better career opportunities. In 1907 he was
working as independent chemist when by accident he discovered
the compound of carbolic acid and formaldehyde. When he tried to
reheat the solidified compound he discovered it would not melt
no matter how high the temperature.

Shortly after he trademarked “Bakelite” as well as two other
variations “catalin” and “marblette” which today are also
referred to as bakelite. Bakelite was the first synthetic
plastic. Because of its durability and beauty its uses were
simply endless, it grew in popularity very quickly and within 15
years it had taken the world by storm. You could find everything
from electrical plugs, to ornate jewelry made from bakelite. It
was even used on the dashboard face of the Mercedes Benz car.

It could be produced in a wide array of colors, but most common
where white, brown, green and red. Bakelite dating back to the
1920s-1940’s has oxidized and developed a wonderful patina that
is sometime a completely different hue than the original color.
For example, White is often seen as butterscotch, light blue
changes to forest green, pink turns to orange.

Because of this invention, Dr Beakeland is seen as the father of
the present plastic industry. The costume jewelry from the
1920’s-1940’s bakelite era is highly sought after. So how do you
determine if it is actually made of bakelite? There are a couple
of fairly simple tests. Although not full proof they work pretty
well. Smell – When bakelite is heated it has a very strong odor
which comes from the carbolic acid in the composition. On some
pieces you can release the smell simply by rubbing them hard
with your thumb and creating heat. Others will need very hot
water to release the odor. Still on others the odor is so faint
you may not detect it. Sound – When you tap two bakelite pieces
together they will make a deep clunking sound, rather than the
higher pitched clack of acrylic or Lucite plastics. This test is
the most unreliable as it is difficult to interpret the sound
because the density of the items affects the sound you hear. Hot
Pin Test – Bakelite is a thermoset plastic so it cannot be
remolded with heat. To test if a piece is bakelite get a very
very hot pin from an open flame source, then touch the pin to
the item. If it is bakelite it will not penetrate. It may give
off the acid smell and it may leave a purple burn mark. If the
pin penetrates or melts the plastic then it is not bakelite. Use
caution when doing this test as it can devalue the bakelite
piece considerable, and it may do serious damage to other types
of plastic should the piece turn out not to be bakelite. If you
proceed with this test be sure to find a very inconspicuous
spot. Also if the material should be celluloid, it is very
flammable and can be very dangerous. If you suspect the piece
may be celluloid I recommend you “do not” conduct this test.
When ever you are conducting this test you should wear the
appropriate safety equipment such as eye goggles and gloves.
Formula 409 or Scrubbing Bubbles or Simichrome – this product
works very well to test whether an item is bakelite. Make sure
the item is clean, wet the end of a Q-tip with Formula 409 then
touch it to the piece. If the Q-tip turns yellow then the piece
is bakelite. If you believe a piece is bakelite but it doesn’t
pass the 409 test don’t count it out. Sometimes polished
bakelite will not react or pass the test.

The best way to recognize bakelite comes with experience. After
you’ve seen enough pieces you will easily recognize it. There
are also some excellent books on the market that you might find
helpful. • BAKELITE JEWELRY - Tony Grasso • THE BEST OF BAKELITE
AND OTHER PALSTIC JEWELRY - Dee Battle & Alayne Lesser •
BAKELITE JEWELRY GOOD*BETTER*BEST - Donna Wassertrom & Leslie
Pina

Bakelite has always been known as the material with 1000 uses,
and it surely did earn this name. Bakelite is now treasured for
its unique, unreproducible beauty. When the Bakelite patent
expired in 1927, it was acquired by the Catalin Corporation that
same year. They began mass production under the name “Catalin.
The Catalin Corporation was responsible for nearly 70% of all
phenolic resins that exist today.

Bakelite-Catalin was sold mainly to companies like Saks Fifth
Avenue, Bonwit Teller, Woolworth’s, and Sears. Much of the
wealthy society fell into touch times during the depression and
could not longer afford the Tiffany diamonds or Cartier Jewelry.
Bakelite-Catalin took up the market slack with its colorful
carved jewelry adorned with rhinestones. This jewelry was within
the reach of all and its popularity grew from the poorest to the
wealthiest in society.

In 1942 Bakelite-Catalin stopped sales of their colorful costume
jewelry in order to concentrate on the nation’s wartime needs.
They produced thousands of products found their way into the
military.

By the end of the war new technologies were for molded plastics
had been developed. These new products consisted of plastics
such as Lucite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, and Acrylic all which were
molded. Bakelite and Catalin become obsolete except in the
hearts of collectors who still pursue it today.

Or should I say “Well Balanced Moms Are More Fun”? Let me ask you… When was the last time you had lunch with some girl friends, or went on a girl’s night out? When was the last time you went on a romantic weekend getaway with your spouse? If you can’t remember, we definitely have to talk.

It’s so easy to fall into the mommy guilt trap. We feel guilty if we take time for ourselves, so we end up taking care of everyone in the family but us. It’s easy to lose ourselves in the quest to become SuperMom. Along the way we get stressed out and aggravated. It’s important to do something just for us to stay balanced moms. Here are some ways for you to get started on your journey to rediscover YOU.

Get together with some girlfriends. One of the best ways to rediscover yourself is to spend some time with your girlfriends each week. Have lunch together, go to the movies to watch the latest chick flick, or plan a girl’s night out every once in a while.

If you are having a bad day, call one of your girlfriends to vent, or just chat. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel and how it puts things back in perspective that seemed like the end of the world a few minutes ago.

Spend a romantic weekend with your spouse – anywhere but at home. Go away for a romantic weekend with your spouse a few times a year. Rekindle your passion for each other and feel in love again, instead just partners in dealing with the everyday “stuff’ involved in raising kids.

Go on a date every week. Get a sitter once a week and go on a date with your significant other. Spend some time reconnecting with each other. If you have an activity that you both enjoy, take a class together.

Pamper Yourself. Do something every week to pamper yourself. Go get a new haircut. Visit your favorite nail saloon for a manicure, pedicure or to get your nails done. Call your favorite day spa and schedule a facial. Get a massage.

If you are on a budget, pamper yourself at home. Send Dad and the kids to the park. Take a hot bubble bath and paint you toenails. Honey makes a quick facial. Place a cloth in warm water and apply to your face to open the pores. Smear on honey, and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself a few times a week. Your kids will appreciate it when they get a balanced and fun mom in return. You will be more relaxed, happier and actually be able to enjoy your family. After all, that’s why you had kids in the first place, didn’t you?

Aurelia Williams, certified Personal Life Coach and owner of Real Life Coaching and Real Life Solutions, a Family Resource site that help you lead an emotionally & phy

A bridal shower is a great event leading up to the wedding where
wedding attendants offer gifts and celebration to the bride and
groom. There are lots of things you can bring to a bridal shower
to have a wonderful time. The bridal
shower invitations themselves are a huge part of the shower.
But there are some traditional guidelines for invitations that
should be followed. The bridal shower is typically thrown by the
maid of honor, unless other arrangements have been made. Whoever
the host may be, it is important to be familiar with the
traditions.

Who should be invited to the bridal shower? A bridal shower can
be just a women’s event or can be co-ed. It is up to the bride
ultimately and whoever is hosting the shower should check with
the bride. Typically the bride will invite all the women who are
invited to the wedding, as well as the bridesmaids, mothers, and
grandmothers.

Where should be the location of the bridal shower? Typically the
shower is held at the house of the maid of honor, or at a
restaurant. Again, the host should check with the bride to see
what is most convenient for guests and family. Some showers are
long distance, where everyone meets without the guest of honor
who may be in another location. The guests call the bride and
describe the gifts and then wrap them up to await the brides
arrival before the wedding. If the bridal shower is to be held
at a restaurant, previous arrangements should be made with
guests about payment, and with the restaurant for reservations.

Should you request an RSVP for the bridal shower? It depends on
the type of party and type of setting. If it is important to
have an accurate head count for the caterer, and RSVP is
necessary. If it is more casual type of shower, RSVP may not be
needed. This is completely up to the host.

When should the bridal shower be held? Bridal showers are
typically held two weeks before the wedding. However, with
people having to travel long distances, it is sometime more
convenient to have the shower a day or two before the wedding so
everyone is able to attend. Having the bridal shower sometime
before the wedding gives the bride and bridesmaids more time to
prepare the week before the wedding.

What is the bridal shower theme? There are lots of themes for
bridal showers. And invitations can be made to incorporate any
of these themes. Whether it be lingerie, kitchen, hardware,
there are invitations to coordinate with any theme. The theme of
the invitation should also reflect the style and personality of
the bride.

For the maid of honor, the bridal shower can be the biggest task
before the wedding. All these factors are very important when
choosing invitations for the bridal shower. Choosing the right
bridal
shower invitations that coordinate with the theme, and
sending them at the right time is a great way to start a perfect
bridal shower. And choosing all the right information to include
in the invitation is just as important. And sending them to the
right people will make the bride happy.

Are you like so many people when it comes to starting a skin
care regimen? You have the best intentions, but when you go to
purchase new products all the options leave you feeling confused
and overwhelmed. Well, don’t worry, because help is on the way.
Whether you’re a novice or a skin care junkie, the following
information will help you determine what type of products are
right for you and how you can be on your way to more healthy and
beautiful looking skin in no time.

Assessing your skin type No one skin care product is
right for everyone. All quality products vary in the ingredients
that effect oil, moisture and the exfoliation of cells within
the pores. Different skin types and conditions benefit from
specific blends; therefore you must choose a product that
targets your specific skin type.

To determine what skin type you have answer a few simple
questions:

Designing your personalized regimen Now that you’ve
determine what type of skin you have, the next step is to
establish how you can best care for it. All regimens should
include a twice daily cleanser, toner and moisturizer with an
appropriate sunblock used daily.

Cleansers The most important thing a cleanser should do,
as is evident by its name, is to make your skin feel clean. A
cleanser should also be pH balanced and appropriate for your
skin type. The alpha hydroxyl acids and enzymes that it should
contain are useful in removing the build-up of dead skin.
Medicine like benzoyl peroxide reduces excess oil and bacteria
and helps reduce acne. Many people often ask whether a cleanser
should be creamy or if it should lather like soap. For the most
part, this is really a personal preference, although a sensitive
or dry skin type may prefer a creamy
cleanser.

Normal skin Pumpkin Cleanser from Rhonda Allison is a
great cleanser for all skin types, because it contains powerful
antioxidants derived from pumpkin and salicylic acid, which both
help renew the surface of the skin and keeps the pores from
clogging.

Oily Skin Phaze #31 from Physicians choice of Arizona
contains benzoyl peroxide and many anti-inflammatory ingredients
to sooth inflamed blemish-prone skin. It also reduces oil and
bacteria, while leaving the skin feeling soft.

Sensitive Skin Skin that is reactive to products, sun and
heat benefits form gentle ingredients like aloe vera, citric and
lactic acid. Physician’s Choice of Arizona‘s Phaze #1 has
the formula that soothes while it cleans and is recommended for
conditions like rosacea.

Dry Skin Sun damaged skin is often dry and it is restored
with antioxidant-enriched cleansers. Green tea polyphenols,
vitamins A, C, and E build up the cells’ defenses against free
radicals. Procyte Herbal Wash is a creamy, soap free
cleanser that will heal dry, sun damaged skin.

Toners Toners are one of the most overlooked components
of skin care regimens, and yet, they are absolutely essential to
skin care treatment. Toners are important, because they restore
the acid pH of the skin and also remove traces of oil and dead
cells that cleansing alone cannot eliminate. These traces of
make-up and oil that build up over time often lead to
blackheads.

Normal and Oily Skin Physician’s Choice of Arizona’s Phaze #2
contains citric and lactic acid, which keep pores clean and
remove dead skin build-up. It is effective in reducing excessive
oil and also reducing inflammation.

Sensitive Skin This skin type benefits from a lower
concentration of alpha hydroxyl acids and the addition of
antioxidants. Physician’s Choice of Arizona’s pHaze #5
Nutrient Toner will heal sun damaged skin and soothe sensitive
conditions like rosacea, while providing real nourishment to the
skin.

Moisturizers All skin types, even oily ones, need
moisture. Applying the right moisturizer to acne-prone skin will
inhibit the over-production of oil in the sebaceous glands.
Moisturizers can reduce inflammation, repair sun damaged skin
and stimulate the production of collagen, which diminishes
wrinkles. You know you have used the right moisturizer for your
skin by how it feels and makes you look.

Normal
and Dry Skin

Skin that is mature with fine lines benefits from ingredients
like pumpkin seed oil, olive oil and retinol found in Rhonda Allison’s Regenerating Cream. It
heals skin recovering from chemical peels or sun exposure.

Oily Skin Physician’s Choice of Arizona’s pHaze #18
Clearskin is a light textured moisturizer that reduces
inflammation in acne-prone skin types.

Sensitive Skin Skin that is sensitive or is recovering
from laser resurfacing or a deep chemical peel will feel soothed
and hydrated with pHaze #17 Rebalance from Physician’s Choice of
Arizona. Men report that the product provides relief from
shaving irritations.

Sun Protection There are many over-the-counter sunblocks
that claim to block both UVB and UVA rays. What you need to
understand is that all the UVA rays need to be blocked if you
want to avoid premature aging or, worse, cancerous lesions from
developing.

Some studies have shown that avobenzone, (an UVA blocking
chemical found in many over-the-counter sunscreens) is unstable
in the sun and can cause sun sensitivity in some people. If you
are regenerating collagen by using professional products, or are
reversing sun damage with chemical peels, you really need to
block as much of the sun’s UVA spectrum as possible.

Zinc oxide is the only ingredient that Skintegrity relies on to
promote the health of our clients’ skin, because it blocks all
of the UVB rays and UVA rays by reflecting the sun away from
your skin. It comes in transparent, cosmetically elegant
formulas that do not clog pores. If you play outdoor sports you
can choose water resistant formulas. Wearing zinc every day is
the most important health and beauty habit you can develop that
may even save your life!

Normal, Dry and Sensitive
Skin Applied Therapeutics SPF 30 and SPF 45 contains 6.8% zinc oxide in a
moisturizing transparent formula. If you want water proof
protection, Maximum Sun Protection SunSmart by Applied
Therapeutics is a great choice. Dry skin needs to use a
moisturizer before applying this block.

Oily Skin Sunforgettable by Colorescience is a matte
finish (no shine) non-moisturizing formula that contains 12%
zinc oxide. The unique powder formula makes this very water
resistant sunblock appropriate for all skin types.

Conclusion We hope that this article helped to shed some
light on how you can care for your skin, so that it stays
healthy, youthful and beautiful. If you have any further
questions, or would like a personalized consultation, we would
love to hear from you. Just contact us at 866 MY SKIN 1 or email
us at advice@skintegrity.com,
and you’ll be on your way to looking as youthful on the outside
as you feel on the inside.

The change of life, otherwise known as Menopause, tends to have an immense impact on the quality of life for women. As a consequence, it also has an effect on the families and friends of those suffering from this malady. Menopause is the period in a woman’s life when she ceases to menstruate.

Due to the impact of this change, women often have difficulties with their sense of self and many become depressed or withdrawn. The physical effects of these changes leave many women feeling exhausted or ill at ease. Menopause is a natural change in a woman’s biological and reproductive system. With the right support and some tender loving care, this difficult time can be overcome.

Try to do everything you can to help your loved one alleviate their suffering. In many cases, the changes in mood or temperament are due to the effect of changing hormone levels. Hormone imbalances often have a detrimental effect on a woman’s general demeanor, but in most cases this can be managed. Make an extra effort to be sweet and kind. Give her a massage, or rub her feet. Draw her a warm bath, and bring her a cup of herbal tea. Remind her how beautiful she is, and remind her why you love her so.

A little bit of kindness will go a long way in helping your loved one overcome what is ailing her. If she is feeling tired and exhausted, try to make things easier for her in some way. Assign a few extra chores to the children. Have the children bring her breakfast in bed, along with her favorite magazine. You could take her out to a nice restaurant, or to her favorite art gallery. Surprise her with a relaxing afternoon of pampering at an exclusive spa. There are a million and one things you can to do remind her how much you love and adore her.

Menopause is generally a very difficult time in a woman’s life, but these difficulties can be overcome with love and understanding. The physical effects can often be treated with natural remedies, and the emotional effects can too. Treat your loved one with the most natural remedy…love. Gentlemen, this is a time for you to show your strength by exhibiting kindness and understanding. You can do it!

Caren Killtral is an active enthusiast of natural health therapies. When she is not researching the latest information on natural health care, she writes informative articles for menopauseinsight.com – a menopause resource site with extensive information about Menopause, Menopause Facts, Signs of Menopause and more.

Women who choose birth centers for delivery have already made
the decision for a natural childbirth experience. Birth centers
offer a more “home like” feel as opposed to, how some women put
it “clinical feel” of the hospital. These centers provide an
option that is more centered around family and gives the
laboring Mom more choices about how she wants her labor to
proceed. Freedom of movement, a comfortable environment and not
being moved from room to room is appealing to some Moms. Most
likely a midwife will be present, and some have an OB on call
for special situations. Please check with your local center.

Comfortable environment No IV, enema’s, or episiotomies

Monitoring with a handheld device as opposed to having to sit in
bed to be monitored

Mom feels more sense of control over her labor

No epidural

C-section rate is lower in birth center

Mom chooses who she wants present Freedom of movement no
separation of mother and baby

The following is an example of some statistics from a a birth
center in Holladay Utah, Birth and Family Place…..

Safety of a Birth Center Birth: The Birth and Family Place has
been open since May of 2002 and the following statistics are a
compilation of all admissions since opening.

88% of all admitted clients successfully delivered at the birth
center

11.7% of admitted patients were transferred to the hospital
during labor

Overall C-section rate is 3.6%

2% of patients were transferred to the hospital after the birth

1.5% of newborns were transferred to the hospital

0% Maternal Mortality Rate

0% Fetal Mortality Rate

0% Neonatal Mortality Rate

By result of our anonymous client satisfaction surveys, 100% of
the patients stated they would refer friends and family to Birth
and Family Place

This is just a sample of some of the statistics of a birthing
center for your information…

Please fully investigate and ask around to other patients of
that center about their birth experience. Some people don’t
realize that most birthing centers are covered under many
insurance plans.

If you have made the decision to use a birth center, this is
most likely where you will receive your prenatal care. You will
most likely be cared for by a Midwife. Midwives who care for
Mother’s in the Birthing center are focused on providing the
mother with lots of support for her natural childbirth
experience.

If you are one of millions of women going through menopause, chances are
you are asking what to do. Since symptoms of menopause can be
devastating for many women, you obviously need some type of
relief, allowing you to live as normal of a life as possible.
The big question of menopause, and what to do, is generally
based on prescription versus natural remedy. This decision is
typically something you want to work with your doctor on since
each woman is unique during this change of life. In other words,
while one woman may do very well with prescription medication,
other women will find far better relief using natural products.

For years when it came to menopause and what to do, women would
turn to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). At first, the
results were incredible but over time and through numerous
studies, it has been identified that HRT can actually lead to
certain types of cancers. In fact, new research is suggesting
that women going through menopause should completely avoid HRT
since long-term use creates high risks. Remember, if you prefer
to go the prescription route, you have many other options.

For starters, when it comes to menopause, and what to do for
incontinence, or leakage of the bladder, anticholinergic or
antispasmodic drugs can help. During menopausal years, it is
common for women going through this change of life to experience
various types of urinary conditions. In addition to
incontinence, caused from exercise, laughter, coughing,
sneezing, or lifting objects, many women also experience higher
levels of urinary tract infections.

As far as menopause, and what to do for things like hot flashes,
doctors are now finding that antihypertensive drugs used to
control blood pressure are actually moderately helpful in
relieving symptoms. Of course, by having high blood pressure,
you are placed at greater risk for heart attack and/or stroke.
Therefore, by controlling your levels of blood pressure while
going through menopause, you are getting two benefits, relief
from the dreaded hot flash and a reduced risk of heart disease.

If you are going through menopause, chances are you are dealing
with some level of depression, a very common symptom. When it comes to
menopause and what to do for depression and anxiety, you will
find a number of excellent drugs on the market. These drugs,
known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, work on the brain’s
neurotransmitters. When the brain’s serotonin level becomes too
low, it can lead to depression, anxiety, and terrible mood swings. By increasing these levels, the symptoms are
not nearly as difficult.

As mentioned, for menopause, your question of what to do may be
geared toward an answer of a natural approach. Take
osteoporosis, which is a common problem associated with the
change of life. By increasing your calcium intake, whether
through dairy products or calcium supplements, you can
strengthen the bones, which cuts back the risk of osteoporosis
or osteoarthritis. Today, a number of all-natural products are
available helping you with menopause symptoms and showing you
exactly what to do to make this phase of life easier to deal
with.

Let’s start with some of the more common supplements that can
prevent, lessen, and in some cases, reverse the effects of both
peri-menopause and menopause. Most of these mentioned work by
increasing progesterone levels. Since the body is not producing
adequate levels of estrogen during menopause, this helps
relieves many of the unwanted symptoms. Therefore, we wanted to
provide you with some options that have been tested and proven
to work.

First, when it comes to menopause and what to do for mood swings
and inso
mnia try Mellow Pause. This natural product is a combination
of ingredients that help balance hormone levels. Flaxseed oil is
another natural product that is great for treating mood swings
and depression, as well as fatigue. Next, evening primrose can
alleviate things like cramping, headaches, water retention, and
irritability. Vitamin B6 increases progesterone levels, Vitamin
E is a mild hormone replacement, and Vitamin C, particularly
Ester, is great for maintaining a healthy immune system.

Other things you can try for menopause, answering the question
of what to do, include calcium citrate coupled with magnesium.
These supplements are great for overall symptom relief. Then,
coral calcium, which comes from Sango Reefs, work extremely well
for repairing, damaged cells. Other natural products and
supplements to try include Fulvic Acid and Shilajit, bee pollen,
and zinc. Remember, whether choosing to treat your menopause
symptoms with prescription medication or natural remedies, you have many excellent
options. In other words, as bad as symptoms can be you do not
have to simply live with them.

When it is one of those days when you feel bloated, have breast pain, gain weight, have acne, headaches, cramping and mood swings, you know it is one of those days that every woman dreads. A lot of women suffer from premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and it can cause a lot of inconvenience to the sufferer. There are a plenty of home-based treatments available for the PMS sufferers but it needs some experimentation to determine the right one for you.

The common treatments for PMS are:

• Reduce your intake of saturated fats: When you consume a lot of fatty foods, your PMS symptoms and pain tend to worsen. Avoid fatty cuts of beef, lamb and pork and go in for fish and poultry. Replace butter, which has high content of saturated fats with flaxseeds, safflower and corn, which are rich in polyunsaturated fats.

• Minimize salt intake: Excessive intake of salt leads to water retention. Many snack foods and some fast-foods have very high salt content. These foods will lead to bloating. Hence it is advisable to choose fresh fruits and vegetables over packaged and processed foods.

• Take more of carbohydrates to minimize the cravings: It is common to crave for high carbohydrate foods like ice cream, chocolate and potato chips during PMS. But switching to complex carbohydrates like whole grains, pasta, cereal and bagel will effectively counter the food cravings experienced during PMS. Also, these foods are the excellent sources of fiber and thus remove the excess estrogen from the body. High-carbohydrate, low-sugar foods help in relieving the psychological symptoms of tension, anxiety and mood swings associated with PMS. Women who eat high-fiber foods are more alert and happier than those who don’t.

• Move your body: Exercise has been shown to reduce many physical and psychological symptoms associated with PMS. This is because exercise releases endorphins, the chemicals in the brain associated with easing pain and increasing the sense of well-being. It also reduces breast tenderness, food cravings, fluid retention and depression.

• Eliminate caffeine: If you are sensitive to caffeine, it is best to avoid caffeine like tea, coffee, colas and chocolates. Studies have proved that women who consume two or more cups of caffeine a day are likely to suffer from PMS, since caffeine is a stimulant and can lead to anxiety and irritability. It also leads to breast tenderness.

• Read labels on pain relievers: Some over-the-counter medicines contain caffeine. Hence, if you take them during PMS, they will aggravate the symptoms. Read the contents of the medicine carefully before taking them.

• Skip alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant and a diuretic and can worsen PMS headaches and fatigue. It can increase depression. Hence, avoid taking any alcoholic beverages including wine or beer, if you have PMS.

• Prevent menstrual acne with vitamins A and D: Vitamins A and D have been proved to suppress menstrual acne. Eat plenty of carrots, cooked spinach, cooked sweet potatoes and cantaloupe for vitamin A and plenty of sunshine or fortified milk for vitamin D.

• Improve your mood with vitamin B6: Taking more of vitamin B6 has been shown to improve mood swings, fluid retention, breast tenderness, bloating, sugar craving and fatigue. You can take supplements of 25 to 100 milligrams a day or increase your intake of vitamin B6 by eating more of potatoes, bananas, fish, white meat in chicken and turkey.

• Reduce stress and allergies by taking vitamin C: Vitamin C helps in alleviating the stress experienced during PMS. Being a natural antihistamine, it helps women whose allergies worsen during PMS. Take more of vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and raw peppers and fruits like cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, cranberry and citrus fruits.

• Vitamin E helps: Vitamin E has been shown to have a powerful effect on the hormonal system, thus relieving painful breast symptoms, anxiety and depression. Cooking oils and salad dressings like olive oil, safflower oil and corn oil as well as some fruits like blackberries and apples contain vitamin E.

• Fight PMS with calcium and magnesium: Calcium prevents menstrual cramps and pain. Magnesium helps the body in absorbing calcium. Magnesium helps in controlling premenstrual food cravings and stabilizing moods. If you do not suffer from lactose intolerance, you can opt for skim milk as a source of calcium. Include green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, tofu and canned salmon for calcium and spinach, tofu, rice bran and some fish like halibut and mackerel for magnesium.

Sharon Hopkins has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which gives information on Natural Remedy for Premenstrual symptoms. PMS affects a lot of women with faulty lifestyles

Almost all women experience loss of sexual desire at some point in their lives. Some women believe that sexual desire is shameful or inappropriate to discuss openly. Women who’ve been unassertive about their sexuality in the past may prefer to sacrifice their sex lives rather than become assertive now about what’s required to satisfy their sexual needs.

Denise seemed to have it all. A loving mother of two children and a partner in a law firm in Los Angeles, she had a very handsome and charming partner who was a successful entrepreneur. They jetted off for vacations to Italy and dined in the finest restaurants. But their relationship floundered in one intractable area. “After a while,” Denise says, “I just stopped wanting to have sex. I go months without doing it.”

It’s a subject that’s full of shame: low female sex drive. In a society saturated with sexual imagery, it seems strange that some people have no desire for sex. But it is a startlingly common problem. Millions of women suffer from a condition known as hypoactive sexual desire (HSD) or low sex drive.

Sexual Dysfunction?

One of the most predominant components of female sexual dysfunction is low libido. There is no generalized answer as to why someone is experiencing loss of sexual desire (low libido). Low libido can have a variety of causes, some psychological and others physical. If you have experienced loss of desire (low libido) for only a short time, it may just be a stage and could possibly take care of itself. Perhaps the leading cause of low libido is stress and fatigue. Most often, low libido in this circumstance is temporary and returns when the stressful period ends. Many times, when under extreme stress, low libido can be helped by getting the appropriate amount of rest. If the condition persists, the first line of defense may be making mental changes. Low libido can sometimes be helped by getting out of stressful or anxious situations. Changing certain aspects of your relationship may also alleviate the condition of low libido. Try to think about what the cause of low libido may be for you personally. It could be your partner, your environment, or a number of other factors. Stress compounds low libido and relationship issues as one partner is not able to devote an appropriate amount of energy to their partner.

Is Fematril The Next Female Viagra?

Recently several female sexual enhancers have come on the market to combat low female libido. The most promising of them all is Fematril. It is being called the “Female Viagra” because it has the ability to stimulate blood flow, circulation, and hormone activity. The end result is that women will experience a more enjoyable orgasm. Regular use can help women become more orgasmic. There are also now some female sexual enhancers that have been specifically designed to increase libido during the act itself. Many female sexual enhancers containing L-Arginine are getting very good responses in the market when used as a lubricant. L-Arginine is a non-essential amino acid which, through clinical testing, has been shown to increase libido and help in the area of female sexual dysfunction.

If you’re frustrated about your lack of sexual appetite, try to go easy on yourself. Everyone’s body is different. There is no “normal” level of sex drive. Your personal sense of normality is defined by how you feel about your sexuality and whether or not you’re happy with how you are expressing it. If you’re one of the lucky people who is perfectly comfortable with his or her sexuality, congratulate yourself. If you’re like the millions of others who feels they could use a little boost, explore the remedies we’ve suggested.

Sherri Solomon has just completed her new book titled “Why Should Guys Have All Of The Fun?” It will be released in June 2005. She is a devoted wife and mother of three children and lives in San Diego, California.

Most of the time pregnant women are afraid to have a little
romance. Probably they are afraid something could happen to
their baby. Well, that’s wrong. It is important that you do not
ignore your own needs or those of your spouse’s during
pregnancy. Unless your doctor has warned you otherwise, it is
generally safe to have intercourse while pregnant. You will not
hurt the baby, nor will your hubby crush it by lying atop you.

You probably have a big belly, and difficult to move your body,
but being loved is something that will not go away from you. You
still want to taste the love from your husband. You can still
initiate a sexy cuddle or some fooling around with your
spouse/partner. Remember, after the baby comes, you will both be
exhausted from 3 a.m. feedings and long days, filled with diaper
changes.

Why do you need to continue having a little romance although
you’re pregnant? You may not feel like being sexual, but it is
at least important to cuddle or fool around with your husband,
so that he still knows he matters to you. You probably will not
have sex as much; over time, this can lead to the relationship
deteriorating. You do not want this to happen, especially when
you can prevent it by remaining attentive to your hubby.
Relationships always take work, but a baby does complicate
things, so make sure you do not quit just because the going gets
tough.

Make the effort now to buy a sexy gown or to do something
romantic for your spouse, and make sure that even after the baby
comes, you make time to remind your hubby that you still love
him and find him attractive. Whether or not you lose the baby
weight right away, still cuddle with your spouse and make love
when you both feel like it. Your husband will not care if you
are a little heavy because he will just be glad you two are
fooling around.

It is also good for your self-esteem to be sexual. And it
releases stress! So, make time for romance, no matter how tired
or fat you feel. Rest assured, your husband still thinks you are
beautiful and sexy.

Never feel ashamed to ask your hubby or partner for little
romance when you need it. Enjoy it while you can!