Saturday, June 7, 2008

Bob Palmisano: Single Moms Organizing Against Prejudice

Bob Palmisano: Single Moms Organizing Against Prejudice

Single Moms Organizing Against Prejudice

Single Moms Organizing Against Prejudice
It’s become evident that in America, the one big thing that can undermine your financial success is not divorce, death, or illness, but rather being a single mother. Single moms may land in this category through divorce, death, or an incapacitated spouse, but these are not the essential reasons why a single mother loses earning power. She loses it because of an inherent bias and prejudice in American business that stereotypes single mothers and discriminates openly against them.
Many single moms have been too exhausted and over-worked to notice, but now this is becoming a major issue in the fight for woman’s rights. We live in a society that demands that in order to succeed we must play the corporate game, get better jobs, better pay so we can put our children into better educational institutions. However, this only works if you are married.
If you are a single mother, the perception is that you are a business risk, and in many states like New Jersey, it is legal to ask the marital status and number of children of a job applicant. Business owners claim this allows them to refuse to hire single mothers and pay health care costs for their dependents. Or, if they do choose to hire them, to deliberately pay them less to make up for perceived health care expenses. But, because it is legal this is not seen as discrimination. That this inequality exists and is legal in our society has many single moms absolutely fuming with rage.
Single mothers were asked to get off welfare and go back into the workforce, but the workforce is decidedly biased against them. Many single moms work over 40 hours a week to support their children with minimal help from the state or deadbeat dads. Yet, they are hired at lower wages than single women or married women, if they are hired at all. They have minimal support and must hire someone to care for the children when they are working. If they get sick, the situation becomes desperate both in terms of income and childcare.
In 2006, the census estimates that over 10 million Americans are single mothers. Many of these single moms are starting to band together in local organizations to help other single mothers. Babysitting clubs, financial and social services are a few of the benefits these clubs provide. Other single moms are petitioning their public officials to change laws that make it legal to ask a mother’s marital status or if she has children. There is a very big grass-roots movement of single moms rising after taken care of their children. Now, they are looking out for other single mothers like themselves and helping them up the ladder to success.
For more great information on Single Mother Assistance visit our “Single Mother Assistance” Guide.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Have you noticed that your workouts suddenly feel harder than before

By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Trainer

http://www.healthandfitnessindex.com/

We’ve all heard that a combination of diet and regular exercise is the best way to lose weight and keep it off long term.

For some of us, common sense dictates that the more you work out—and the higher the intensity—the better. But that’s not necessarily true. Even if you’ve gradually increased the intensity, duration and/or frequency of your workouts, you can still run into problems.

Have you noticed that your workouts suddenly feel harder than before, even though you haven’t changed anything? Do you feel like you are losing ground, even though you’re working hard? If so, you may be overdoing it.

The cause of overtraining is simple. You’re not resting enough to allow your body time to recover, or you’re doing the same exercises too much. Here are some common symptoms of overtraining:
Feeling tired, drained, and lacking energy
General body aches or mild muscle soreness
A decrease in performance
Inability to complete workouts
Headaches
Insomnia
Lack of motivation
If you have been overtraining, it’s not too late to get back on track! Follow these three steps:

1. Your first priority should be rest. Just a day or two probably won’t do it. Depending on how severely you’ve been pushing yourself, three to five days should give your body enough time to recover—both physically and mentally.

2. Get plenty of sleep and make sure you’re eating well, particularly during this recovery period. Focus on getting adequate amounts of protein, complex carbohydrates, and lots of fruits and veggies.

3. When you are ready to return to your exercise routine, start off slowly. Most research shows that it is okay to return to that same level of intensity, but you may need to cut back on the length and frequency of your workouts for the next few weeks. After that, you should be able to resume normal activities.

Here are some simple things you can do to avoid overtraining and burnout:
Use common sense! Work out less on days when you’re not feeling up to it. Schedule at least one or two rest days per week. Resting might mean no exercise at all, or just “active recovery,” which is light activity (an easy walk around the neighborhood, for example). Rest days should give you the feeling that you’re storing up energy.

When you push yourself through a high-intensity workout (cardio or strength training), tiny tears develop in your muscle fibers. Allowing your body to rest and recover for a day (or two) gives your hard working muscles time to repair those tears, and a wonderful thing happens—your muscles start to grow back stronger! Without ample recovery time, you continue breaking down the muscle fibers, and that’s when fatigue and injury can occur.
Incorporate a variety of activities into your exercise program. Or, if there is one thing you really enjoy, mix up your routine. Add speed or distance, increase the incline, or change your route—all of these variations can improve fitness, prevent injury, and keep your motivation high. Try different kinds of workouts within each week. For example, try an interval walking workout, a long distance walk, and a few “regular” walks at an easier speed and distance.

Don’t do too much, too soon. Some people take the “all-or-none” approach, going from a sedentary lifestyle to exercising for 45 minutes or more, 5-6 days per week. At this rate, exercise doesn’t make you feel good like everyone says it will. You’re tired, your knees hurt, and your muscles are sore. After a week or two, it’s easy to get frustrated and want to give up. Instead, increase your workouts gradually and allow adequate recovery time to reduce these symptoms.

Take care of yourself. Make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet, and getting adequate sleep. Allow for flexibility in your program. If you’re planning to walk and its 110 degrees outside, think about exercising in water, or at least avoid the heat of the day. If you’re not feeling well, give yourself a break—no guilt allowed. You may end up doing more harm than good by pushing yourself to exercise if you’re getting sick.
Exercise should make you feel refreshed and energized—not exhausted. If it’s causing fatigue, soreness, or a feeling of utter dread, listen to your body! It may be time to make a change.

http://www.healthandfitnessindex.com/

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Where to Find An Acupuncture School

Chinese acupuncture is an ancient method of improving health. It has been used for hundreds of years to help improve the health of people. It is widely believed to be one of the oldest medical procedures. Although today's acupuncture has changed considerably over time, it still is based on the same principles and foundations of these ancient methods. If you are looking to finally take a step and get some of this type of treatment, take advantage of the methods available as it is readily available in most areas today.
Chinese acupuncture works in a completely different way than today's more modern forms of medication. Instead of taking pills and medicines to treat a condition, this method involves the use of very small, hair thin needles that are placed into the body at various points. The points are predetermined by the preset formulas and set practices, most of which is based on the flow of blood through the body and specific pressure points. In Chinese acupuncture, the same methods are used from one person to the next based on their condition.
Chinese acupuncture has been used to treat many conditions over time. For example, it has been shown to be effective at treating gastrointestinal disorders, food allergies, asthma, headaches and migraines and much more. It has also be used to treat conditions like emotional disorders and physiological programs including depression and anxiety. There is no limit to the types of physical and emotional ailments that acupuncture can be used for. In some situations, it is even used to help improve overall well being, without an underlying cause.
When done by a trained professional, Chinese acupuncture is a completely safe procedure to do. More so, it is one that has been used for many years safely. Today's professionals will provide you with a very clean environment that provides a range of outstanding relaxing areas. You can ask about the professionals training and experience. You can also ask them to provide you with information on what they will be doing and how they do it. Ask them why this method will help you and they are likely to provide you with the explanation.
When it comes to Chinese acupuncture, it is important for you to consider the many ways that it can help you. There are many outstanding benefits to trying this type of help for your condition. While you should not stop your current doctor prescribed treatments, you can actually get the help you need to compliment your health through acupuncture. Choose acupuncture as a complimentary tool to help you improve health.


Other Acupuncture related Articles
Acupuncture Point
Acupuncture School
Laser Acupuncture
Acupuncture Today
Acupuncture Physicians Directory

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Bob Palmisano: Young Single Mother And Friends Who Influence Her

Single Moms Dating Horror Stories
Don’t be one of the stereotypical dates single moms laugh about to each other or their friends. Yes, single mothers are strong, independent women who know what they want, but they’ve seen many a good prospect turn into just another fly-by-night Romeo who doesn’t get where she’s coming from.

The Knight In Shining Armor Complex

If a single mother got that way because she’s divorced, she’s long over the knight in shining armor fantasy. Unfortunately, many single women complain that’s exactly the type of man they attract. Single moms dating refer to them as “rescuers.” The men feel a need to rescue them from a life they consider shameful or unacceptable. While the intent is good, the follow-through tends to come off as controlling and condescending. Realize that this woman has been surviving and pulling children in tow at the same time without a man present for some time. She deserves respect, not rescuing.

Momma’s Boy

We all know this one: He still lives at home or shares an apartment with buddies. He doesn’t cook his own meals. He barely makes a living. He’s in his 30’s or 40’s and never married. Some are even in their 20’s. He’s oh so happy to date you and you remind him of his mother! The idea that single moms dating aren’t attractive to younger men is a myth. Many younger men, particularly momma’s boys, love older women. It’s too bad most single moms dating already have enough children of their own to make room for yet another.

Madonna Worshipper

Of course, we’re talking about the musical singer Madonna. Ever since the Dark Ages, women have been seen as godly mothers or prostitutes. Some men still seem to think that single mothers make easy targets for players. That single moms dating just sit around being lonely and pining for companionship. If a single mother is dating, you can bet she’s micro managing her romantic life the same way the rest of her life has to be. She knows what she wants and she probably is getting it too. If she doesn’t want to be disturbed, she won’t be. If she wants to go out, she’ll probably be Internet dating. She’s not very naïve. But, it never fails, every now and then you get one of these men who seem to think that single mothers are easy targets because they’re supposedly so grateful to have anyone interested in them.

So, what does a single mother want? She wants much the same thing she wanted before she had children. She wants an equal partner who will come into the relationship not with delusions of saving her, or being taken care of for the rest of their lives. Single moms dating want a genuine connection with a man who might be willing to share her sorrows as well as her joys. If the man thinks it’s all about the fun stuff, she’s likely to peg him as immature and move on.

For more great information about Single Mother Dating visit our “Single Mother Dating” Guide.

Bob Palmisano: Young Single Mother And Friends Who Influence Her

Bob Palmisano: Young Single Mother And Friends Who Influence Her

Friday, May 16, 2008

Does the term “adventure travel” mean the traveler must become an Indiana Jones and endure steaming jungles

Adventure Travel
Does the term “adventure travel” mean the traveler must become an Indiana Jones and endure steaming jungles, baking deserts or stormy seas? Does it mean risking life and limb in war zones or regions that have been prone to terrorist attack? Does it mean crawling on your belly in the claustrophobic depths of a cave, or dangling from a rope at a cliff-face hundreds of feet above a torrential river?
The answer is no, even though all of those things are certainly the sort of adventures some people actively pursue. Adventure travel, really, is whatever you want it to be. It might involve physical risk, but it doesn’t have to. It might mean travel to a distant and exotic place, but it doesn’t have to. It might cost a lot of money, but it doesn’t have to. If you travel somewhere, anywhere, and you have an experience that excites you, provides you with an escape from the ordinary, and leaves you feeling happy, then you’ve had an adventure.
Of course, every person’s idea of what is adventurous is different. A history buff might not be the least interested in a vacation in Las Vegas or a visit to Disney World. But he or she might be thrilled to tour the Tower of London, visit the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, or stand at the Irish graveside of some long dead ancestor. The discovery of some previously unknown ancestor’s name in the archival records of a small town can be as exciting for the history lover as landing a prize rainbow trout is to an ardent fisherman.
Most people would agree that adventure travel that involves sky diving, mountain climbing, shooting white water rapids in a kayak, or photographing polar bears in the Arctic would be exciting. But adventure travel can also involve a leisurely trip on the Mississippi River in a paddle wheeler, a stroll across the English countryside in search of a certain species of bird, a tour of the wineries of southern France, or a shell-collecting expedition on an out-of-the-way Caribbean beach.
Adventure travel does not necessarily mean a trip to the airport or train station. Interesting things to see and do are often within one’s own back yard, or at least an easy car drive from home, wherever that might be. They are not as well publicized as major sites or operations, so people have to look for them. They can include small local museums, houses of special interest (the birthplace of a famous person), small sanctuaries for wildlife and flora, restored buildings or even communities dating back to historic times, and so on. Even if one does not own a car, there are sometimes local bus tours to this site, or excursions organized by social groups.
Yes, adventure travel can take you to the other side of the world, to the top of a mountain, or to the wildest places on earth. But it might also take you to the inside of a little old church just around the corner, that you’ve walked past a thousand times.
For more great information visit our “Trekking Pole” Guide.

Do You Really Need Seniors’ Life Insurance?

Do You Really Need Seniors’ Life Insurance?