Book Review: "Big Girl" by Danielle Steel

Cover Description
In this heartfelt and incisive new novel, Danielle Steel celebrates the virtues of unconventional beauty while exploring deeply resonant issues of weight, self-image, sisterhood, and family.

A chubby little girl with blond hair, blue eyes, and ordinary looks, Victoria Dawson has always felt out of place in her family, especially in body-conscious L.A. Her father, Jim, is tall and slender, and her mother, Christina, is a fine-boned, dark-haired beauty. Both are self-centered, outspoken, and disappointed by their daughter’s looks. When Victoria is six, she sees a photograph of Queen Victoria, and her father has always said she looks just like her. After the birth of Victoria’s perfect younger sister, Gracie, her father liked to refer to his firstborn as “our tester cake.” With Gracie, everyone agreed that Jim and Christina got it right.

While her parents and sister can eat anything and not gain an ounce, Victoria must watch everything she eats, as well as endure her father’s belittling comments about her body and see her academic achievements go unacknowledged. Ice cream and over sized helpings of all the wrong foods give her comfort, but only briefly. The one thing she knows is that she has to get away from home, and after college in Chicago, she moves to New York City.

Landing her dream job as a high school teacher, Victoria loves working with her students and wages war on her weight at the gym. Despite tension with her parents, Victoria remains close to her sister. And though they couldn’t be more different in looks, they love each other unconditionally. But regardless of her accomplishments, Victoria’s parents know just what to say to bring her down. She will always be her father’s “big girl,” and her mother’s constant disapproval is equally unkind.

When Grace announces her engagement to a man who is an exact replica of their narcissistic father, Victoria worries about her sister’s future happiness, and with no man of her own, she feels like a failure once again. As the wedding draws near, a chance encounter, an act of stunning betrayal, and a family confrontation lead to a turning point.

Behind Victoria is a lifetime of hurt and neglect she has tried to forget, and even ice cream can no longer dull the pain. Ahead is a challenge and a risk: to accept herself as she is, celebrate it, and claim the victories she has fought so hard for and deserves. Big girl or not, she is terrific and discovers that herself.


Hannah BeDell's Review:
My husband bought me the book for a "just because" present which I love! I just finished reading it today in my comfy window seating while my husband did chores and errands and helped care for children and I had a break from reading while going out to a restaurant. After I read it I took a bath because I was rather disappointed. I though surely this woman who sounds smart would stand up for herself and face those remarks of unworthy notice easily. I thought they had no grounds since those characters were not fully believable. Even though I know of parents with children who were big boned and tried to "fix" them. But those parents did not just ridiculed in an UN-believable fashion.

Big girl is not about her size in this book, it sounded more about money or freedom. The "big girl" seems to think she is so poor but if you can afford everything she has in this story you are far from poor. It had a good story line to learn more on how you may be a "big girl" going off on your own and doing things your own way, after and if you had parents with enough money for college in the first place. That seemed like a big flaw there, with a major dependant issue upon who was denying you the love you needed in the first place. Finding the right people was a big part of the book too. Although it did emphasize on size a lot but that said being 20 lbs. or 25 lbs. over your weight is normal. While with American society now a days if you focus on work or anything before your own health. I'm guilty of that at times. I thought this book was insightful for freedom and weight-watchers was mentioned a lot. I wonder if they paid money for that? But my big sister uses them and has lost and kept off way more than 20 or 25 lbs.

Book Points for parts I learned, grew and loved....
Now I am joining a gym, not for anyone but myself like her.
Getting a treadmill at home, again.
I loved and have started the assignment ideas:
Write a short story after a Summer vacation ~ About what you would have wanted your Summer vacation to be like
What you want to be when you grow up ~ I like this because you are always learning even after school (living life is consistent with learning)
Write lyrics for your own song and play it on instrument for extra fun too

It was a good turn pager because it changes up every once in a while and gave me some good ideas for new learning. It ended with a saying of how it's good to be happy where you are now. Look ahead and do not stand by, LIVE!

Eat for You

I really want to just chuck everything crappy out of my house. I have seen on weight loss shows how amazing and mummified some people were when they were getting a wake up call.

Here it goes; I found my alternative to eating disorders.

First step: Consume anything healthy

If only it were that simple, right?

Second Step: Remain active for my body health through-out each day

Falling into temptation happens….

Third Step: Realize and do not continue eating any of it… this will stop the addition of anymore damage to my body.

Fourth Step: Take small portions

Fifth Step: Shop for healthy temptations

Tea helps cramp my cravings as well.

Even little ideas for healthy eating are important, look at your baby food isle… amazing and delicious recipe ideas!

David Murdock on Oprah has great ideas about how to eat better. I am considering becoming a vegetarian after hearing his story. Although, I would miss my steak!

Labeling for Moving

First, I am going to create labels and keep things organized.... while I feed my baby.

Labels:

1. Kitchen
2. Dining rm
3. Pantry
4. Office
5. Bedrooms (O=Ours/J/Z/M)
6. Bathrooms (1 or 2)
7. Entry ways
8. Laundry rm
9. Living rm
10. Other Closets
11. Garage
12. Storage
13. Yard

I changed and feed the baby all good, now I am going to apply the labels to boxes.  Wish me the best... it is quite a task.  My husband is making Dinner while I do labels, he is a good man!

* Updated: Feb. 27th 2010
I ended up getting labels ready but putting them on will be later right when we move in March.

** Updated Mar. 6th 2010
My husband applied labels to the boxes! We are doing great... preparing

Books

My favorite books right now are Romantic Novels and Lifestyle/Inspirational books.
I have read Deadly Illusions and now I'm reading Deadly Kisses, They are wonderful books!!
I read the Holy Bible and my Daily word too.

My mom and dad for got me this book with a great Daily plan! Be-You-tiful Plan (Beautiful Day, Click to See and Print your own copy to refer to!) all through-out the day! I Love reading books like these but this one is more useful then most I have read, it is choc full of good information and some awesome humor too.  It seems as though, It covers every aspect of being Beautiful. I have put a lot of sticky notes on places I want to look at again and again. I am learning a lot.... I Love to learn! Here is the Book online: http://books.simonandschuster.com/You-Being-Beautiful/Mehmet-C-Oz/9781416572343

Daily Yoga and Stretching (morning & through-out day)

My Yoga and Stretching are an essential part of my everyday. 

I will share my neck focused stretch routine...I do stretch as often as possible through out the day.
(below is the order I prefer to use)

• Starting with leaning my head down first
• Rotate towards a side leading the stretches downwards with my hand at each of the four side points (right and tilted-right; tilted-left and left) with switching hands as I go to another side (right sides, right hand; left sides, left hand)
• Slowly shrug and rotate Shoulders and Neck back and forth
• Cup my neck, tilting my chin up... an gentle pull upwards to stretch
• Stretch, rotate and shake out tension from Wrists
• Stretch, rotate and lengthen Arms
• Massaging my neckline helps complete the process 

Focus points for stretching out my whole body:

1. Neck
2. Abs
3. Arms
4. Chest
5. Back
6. Hips
7. Legs 
8. Ankles

Here is my son a couple years ago, coming down from a (helped by my husband) handstand!

I LOVE Yoga and Stretching Daily... I do alternative yoga moves since I'm 9 months pregnant but it all works great!

Writing a Book.... New photos!

Right now, I am my own life coach.... I am writing everyday! I write in my notebook.... It is refreshing, rejuvenating and inspirational! I have several different ideas for books.

Here is couple Recent photographs:
My daughter opening her own orange!

In black and white, Our little Wild one with Grandpa!

My son relaxing and being sweet...
He is learning to play the guitar.... Amazing concentration!

We play with our new Guinea pig a lot!

Here is his close-up... sweet little one!

I was really busy this party day!!

I'm getting all ready for Zachary's party, it was fun but a lot of work! My friend Brandi helped a lot!

Inspirational Photograph! Let me know what you think?!
By Email HRBphotos@ymail.com or comment below, Thank you!

Description: This is our son's flower plant we are growing indoors... he got this on his Birthday party from our friend Loyette.

Blessings... God gives us the Best and we do not take it

I feel small at times.... then I remember my life is endless Blessings.... I know I feel small because those Blessings also become a major responsibilities! I love everything.... although with a feeling like there should have been a really detailed manual with just being... or is the bible a manual? It must be.... I always know what to do after reading even just one verse! I read it almost daily and encourage my children with God's Word. As I remember memories of my parents teaching me the word.... I am filled with joy I have many oppurtunities to teach the word with my children! I fear God. He has given me everything and more than I have asked for.... honestly, I do not always take it.... if I do not notice the simplicity of life, I get lost in all the things to do and forget about really living! I am too nice... I am too simple... I am too big... etc. My thoughts are taunting.... All of these thoughts came from watching something or hearing something that is another humans opinion and nothing more... why do I care?! God has made me through my parents.... he has made my children through me... that is amazing!!! Is that not enough just to be? Why do I hunger for more of this or that.... the temptations of this world that never last. If I put my love all fully and devoted to God I will be happy! Now, How do I do this? By reading the word... surrounding myself with inspirations... I have been meaning to make more art/cards with photographs and bible verses. I have thousands of photographs.... I think I am ready... what holds me back from accomplishing my Goals. And when I do get a chance to do them why are they never enough? I always start looking for more.... I need to be content. Working through the bad to the good makes everything better! Verses getting everything good from the start to finish... God knows exactly what we need! WOW... I fear God and Love him for everything!

How does this happen?

Here my daughter is.... in deep thought it looks like.... what changes her expression next to the picture below....



.....of Pure joy and happiness!


I believe it is God's work!
AMAZING!!!!

Today's Thoughts.... Moving... March 20th '09

Thank you, for taking the time to sit and read my blog!
(it takes me an hour to do each post, usually)

I made my son's Birthday Invites today! Also I photographed some good things today...

Today my Dad came on over, he has helped tremendously.... he brought a bunch of empty boxes over since they just moved last month they had a whole bunch ready for us to use! He managed to pack all of his big buckets and Tools to help for our move!

Right now my husband and Dad are setting up one of our Biggest Tanks (55 Gallon) at the New place! Thomas did the smallest tank (30 Gallon) this morning before my Dad arrived... now they only have the corner tank (~42 Gallons) left to do today. Recently my Dad he has found out he has a hernia, so he is not lifting really heavy stuff, which is why it is very good that they are doing the furniture tomorrow.... my dad would do too much heavy lifting if he was here then, since he is a very giving person.... Like me!

I am going to pick up my BF from High-school.... I just finished my tabata exercise a little bit ago... I'm amazed at how well it is working out for me! Everyday I do at least 15 minutes because I do stretches but I give myself as much time as I want to workout and stretch all through out the day... and Ice/massage my body any areas that are needing it.

Enjoy your day, make someones day!

My March 17th & 18th days...+ Want to go?

March 17th

• St Patricks Day was fun! I got to sleep in with my husband and children...
• In the afternoon, I visited with Janiece and two of her children at the Lions Park. Zach and I got some really great exercise walking to and from the park!
• Brandi and Joey visited later that evening, played games, watched a movie, snacked & drank to be festive... I am not very good at WII Guitar hero but they are experts! I am happy they were able to celebrate St. Patty day with us!

March 18th

• My mom came over the day after St. Patty day, we visited, shopped at some great stores... we got some really healthy food and good products. I finally have my fish oil!
• Twilight will come out soon... they were playing it at one of the stores... it looks interesting to me now but only a one time watch movie... I'll Rent it at one of those cool Redbox, DVD dispenser, I do not want to buy it.

Want to Go?

• I want to go to Clear Creek Nursery with a family or a friend.... my mom came over too late to go.. they had already closed at 5pm. I would like to share the trip with someone... for some reason going with someone else always makes going places a lot more fun!

Life is Full of Possibilities : ) "Walk together" Poetry

I was reviewing my Goals and thought I would share some thoughts about life's possibilities with poetry inspired by looking at one of my photographs I created on a vacation to Long Beach, WA.

"Walk together" By: Hannah R. Bedell
People need each other, to love and be loved..
We do not fully enjoy beauty, unless we know love...
Space is not important, if there is nobody to there to share it with....
As humans, we always want more than we have, until we have love.....

What are your thoughts when you look at this photograph?
Please let me know by communicating by Email: hrbphotos@ymail.com or Comment below this blog post, Thank you!

LEARN:
Love
Exercise
Area
Relaxation
Nutrition

Go for a walk and play around!

I really enjoy going outside... I had my husband watching the kids yesterday when I went out for my daily walk and started jogging and then skipping! After stretching and skipping/jogging and walking some more (I stopped to smell some beautiful flowers too), I decided to go play on the new playground being built near by. The park was still in construction but most of the playground was set up... It was alot of fun! I was so active, it replaced my daily exercises I usually do inside my house.

All around it is better to get outside no matter what the weather, just for some fresh air. And if it is nice, I like to go for a 30 minute stroll and play with my children at the park... what more could you ask for? I love to learn everything good about life!!

LEARN:
love
exercise
area
relaxation
nutrition

3-11-2009 Recent Thoughts

Hi! How are you?

Here are some of my recent thoughts and things we are doing...

A few days ago, I ran into my one and only crushes Father. His father and I started talking as we were sharing the same view of the sunny beautiful cascading mountains with some sweetly sprinkled snow on the tops of the mountains, beautiful tall evergreen tree line hills and birds cleaning up, swimming, diving and flying gracefully across the cool breezy air. We started walking around the track and talked about the how I remembered how sweet his wife is, how I could not talk to his son, the bible chapters I read recently and our some stories about life.



Yesterday we had dinner at Red Robin in Silverdale with some of our close family.... I am really happy we were able to do that! I want to visit and do more with family and friends.... I really enjoy it!

My dear husband and I already packed up a lot of the house! We filled all the boxes he got. It feels odd with all of our photographs/art work and belongs in boxes. It does not feel like home here anymore... we are make good plans for our new home. I really love all the de-cluttering we are doing!

Today was one of the days my son has pre-school.... he really loves it! Tonight I have planned a skate night with an old friend from high-school! There are so many fun events going on already and it is not even Summer time yet : )

I soaked in some sun for my walk just a little bit ago. I had some green tea and vitamins this morning before my walk..... I love going outside!

I will be working on removing all my old watermarks off the photographs in my website galleries.

I love writing... I hope you enjoy my writing!

Quote of the Day "Happiness is decided ahead of time" Author Unknown

3-10-2009 What I want? Goals:

I want to become a better me.... here are my Goals:
(goals are not listed in any specific kind of order)

Relationship with Husband:

• Enjoy time with my dear husband


• Weekly/Monthly dates for us alone... to give our relationship sweet maintenance


• Research tips on how I can support him better with his stress at work


• Continue to love up each other!

Work and Money:

• Go over budget Weekly and pay bills


• Keep Filing nice and neat (un-cluttered)


• Help our Family lives run smoothly (Use: Office Home and Student)

Health and Physical:

• Daily Exercise and stretching


• Daily Walks


• Bathe with candle light


• Writing & Reading


• New learning


• Daily lessons and fun creative project learning


• Plan and do half/full day fun activities weekly


• Ice neck/hips/joints in pain and follow up with massage right afterwards


• Use Healthy Natural Remedies 1st


• Vitamins and Flax seed


• Drinking Green Tea 3x per day (with honey and lemon juice)


• Listening to classical music & Meditate


• Use ear plugs for Quieting noise to Read/Sleep/etc.

Relationships with Family/Friends:

• Schedule times to visit and do activities together (coordinate as schedules allow)


• Call Daily/Weekly (as I think of loved ones, calling times: Morning {10-11am} , afternoon {1-2pm} & evenings{6-7pm})


• Send personalized updates, Photographs & Cards (Monthly/Yearly)

Spirituality:

• Pray and Read the Bible Daily


• Fellowship with believers and everybody about the Word of God


• Go to Moms Of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) and Church

L E A R N Life's Adventures

o x r e u

v e e l t

e r a a r

c x i

i a t

s t i

e i o

o n

n

Planning.... Our Big Move! : )

We are going to move into a really nice three bedroom home! Moving Times are always exciting for me!! I love to re-organize and make sure my surroundings are like a Home Sanctuary! Only surrounded by Items I love... that's what I strive for as much as possible. Making sure each item has a Home/Place where it goes.

I already wrote out several pages for a good plan...

Moving is always a lot of exercise!

My Thoughts and Plan Notes:
Outside Entry Areas & Both Porch Ideas

• Decorate area outside with outdoor art (useful purpose items for kids too; beautiful and colorful Art creations)
• Buy Bird/Butterfly attractive items like bird bath/plants/flowers

Inside Entry Areas

• Buy Basket or Have my Big Tote Bags for putting items by the door to bring items out together
• Welcome mat at door or Hallway Mat
• Art and Family Photographs Framed

Downstairs Bathroom

• Liquid Soap
• Art work Framed
• Little Trash can
• Nice Candles and Matches
• Toilet scrub Cleaner and plunger
• Clean Record (weekly cleaning)

Dining Room & Living Room

• Buy Area Rug for below table and chairs
• Artistically placed names on back of seats
• Plant and Flower center pieces
• Art and Family Photographs Framed
• Deciding where to place fish tanks

Pantry & Kitchen

• Art and Family Photographs Framed
• Plant by window
• Buy new silverware organizer
• Make sure everything unsafe items for children are up really high (use Velcro)

Stairway

• Art and Family Photographs Framed
• Decorate stairway with vines

Children Rooms

• Their Art work and photographs up in unbreakable Frames
• Buy daughter a play rug
• Use Velcro when needed to keep things safe

Upstairs Bathroom

• Art Framed
• Buy a cushion Toilet seat
• Trash can

Our Bedroom

• Art and Family Photographs Framed
• Get lamp shades for matching lamps

Goals: LEARN

L.E.A.R.N. List to research through-out Life.....

Love:

• Love Languages: Sweet Touch, Quality time, Positive words, Acts of service & Gifts
  
• Making Love (at least 3x per week)
  
• My Children's Lesson & Creative Learning Time (Learn More ways to make fun learning projects with kids)
• Inspire people
• Upcoming Events: Who? What? Make/Buy? Call/Message? April 13th Zach's Birthday -- Card invites {} May 9th Mom's Birthday -- get gift {} make card {}
• Make Newsletter like updates for list of family-friends threw email
• Make Photo Gifts: Order Kerriana's prints (a fav of her moms is one with Zach over almost going piggy back posed with her), Grandma Bedell's 5x7's one of Jasmine and one of Zachary, Put together Holiday/Yearly Family-friends card in envelope, address and mail out with orders of kerrianas and grandma bedells
• Animals: bring hamster out and feed veg. and change water
• Feed fish Food:Eat/feed fruit and veg.

• Monthly: Hamster cage }{ Last Done mid. Jan. 2009

Exercise:

• Yoga & Stretching
• Daily work-outs
• Do high-intensity exercise...says Dax Moy, personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist. Do four minutes of Tabata exercise a day. The Tabata programme was developed by physiologists at the National Institute of Fitness and Sport in Tokyo to boost overall fitness quickly.It consists of 20 seconds of maximum intensity exercise, followed by ten seconds of rest. This cycle should be repeated eight times in succession for a total of four minutes a day.You can choose from a range of exercises including hitting a heavy bag, sprinting, skipping, indoor cycling and fast-paced squat-thrusts, but you must put all your effort into them.
• Take your trainers out of the car...says Mike O'Neil, a podiatric surgeon based at Princess Margaret Hospital, Windsor.Don't leave your training shoes in the car: the heat of the car and the damp, sweaty soles create a perfect environment for fungal infections such as athlete's foot to flourish.Buy shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are largest. Feet swell up throughout the day due to heat and activity. Badly-fitting shoes can lead to corns and blisters.
• Dance
• Walks
• Fun exercise Activities: swim, roller skate with loved ones
• Start making creative flash card like Tips for Yoga around the house and other creative Artwork of Inspirational thoughts to do and display around the house for sudle reminders

Area:

• Sanchuary: Un-clutter and Look around and see what sizes to get for Frames I already have for ordering prints, Buy any Frames I do not have for prints I want, Order Prints for around the house decor -- choose places first
  
• Organize Galleries & Delete un-needed photos
  
• Maintain Clean & Organized surroundings
  

Week 1 - Pantry () Kitchen & cupboards () Bedroom closet ()

Week 2 - Hallways areas/closets/bookcases () () () Drawers () Our Closet () Kids Closet/Dresser () () Laundry Room () Bedroom dressers, tables () () Donate extra items ()

Week 3 - Dining () Living room () Desk }{ Daily () Frames (replace old photos)

Week 4 - Bedrooms () () Bathrooms () () Fireplace () Laundry room ()

• Go-green, Recycling & more big purposes I write for areas

Relaxation:

• Massages with Lotion after Ice/hot Pack
  
• Bathe
  
• Go Outside and Play
  
• Walk with the Kids
  
• Picnic at the Park!
  
• Music & singing
  
• Meditation
  
• Gratitude (Write 5 things you are thankful for daily)
  
• Bigger Purpose in Life (1 paragraph every day, same time as gratitude list)
  
• Create Art/Photography (Learning, Editing/Organizing/Adding)
  
• Read/Write - Computer/Internet
  
• Update list & prioritize
  
• Choose what I watch and limit time (or combine exercise time with TV-Movie time)
  
• Avoid headaches by sticking to a routine...says Dr Andrew Dowson, director of headache services at King's College Hospital, London. Stick to a routine if you want to avoid headaches. Migraine used to be known as weekend headaches, as sufferers most often got them on Saturdays and Sundays.This is because the hypothalamus in the brain, which governs the central nervous system and many other functions in the body, is very sensitive to changes in routine.So when we sleep in late, stop or start exercising or eat irregularly - as is common at the weekend - this can disrupt the function of the hypothalamus, triggering headaches and migraine. Try to eat every three hours and sleep for roughly the same amount of time every night. Exercising for around half an hour three times a week is excellent for general health.
  
• Sleep on your back...says Alex Karidis, plastic surgeon based at St John and St Elizabeth Hospital in London.This will help prevent wrinkles. If you sleep on your side or face down, pressure on the face literally causes the skin to wrinkle.This is particularly true of the nasal-labial fold, which is the line that runs from the nose to the mouth. Laughter lines can also form from sleeping this way as the skin around the eyes is particularly thin.Whenever you wake up during the night and find yourself on your side or front, switch to sleeping on your back again.
  
• Shampoo hair 3x only: I make a paste with baking soda and water, massage this into my scalp and rinse well. next I spray a solution of one part cider vinegar to four parts water on to the ends of my hair and again rinse well. cleans and detangles. makes my hair feel very soft. Oil hair: For beautiful and strong hair, massage your scalp with hair oil and leave it overnight. You can also use a steamed towel to cover your hair for half an hour for best results. This gives your hair a shiny and lustrous look.Oiling your hair everyday would be too much to ask for. But do this at least three x a week for beautiful hair . It does make a lot of difference if you keep doing this regularly as it is bound to show on your hair.The massaging and oiling of your hair stimulates the blood circulation, which in return helps your hair. Due to the oil your hair is protected from the strong and hot sun rays. The oil also gives your hair that extra shine.Some of the most popular and very beneficial oils which are being used for beautiful long hair with indefinite good qualities are Jojoba Oil - can be used for dry hair as it helps to moisturize your hair properly. It helps to soften your hair and can be used to detangle your hair before shampooing.Olive Oil - strengthens your hair and nourishes it due to inherent qualities it has. It helps to reduce stress and promotes the idea of healthy hair by providing elasticity to your hair.Coconut Oil - is one of the oil which helps in the lubrication of the hair. The content in coconut oil like magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron happens to provide the best for your hair. It is very useful for damaged hair due to its ability to strengthen it.Rosemary Herbal Oil - is very useful for the unwanted and flaky dandruff problems. Warm the oil slightly and apply it with the help of your fingers or cotton. Rub it well on the scalp and wrap with a hot towel.
  

Nutrition:

• Healthy Diet... get rid of unhealthy or better yet make sure not to get junk at all
• High quality food: walnuts, spinach, honey, pumpkin seeds, oats, dark chocolate, blueberries
• Current Vitamins I take: E, D, B-12 & Multi
• Wish list Vitamins: Fish oil
• Drink tea (have celery/carrots after or brush teeth for keeping stains away)
• Drinking and Eating Slowly
• Daily wash face and moisturize: lemon juice, vinegar, blackberries, grapes, oranges, tomatoes, and apple juice are great facial cleansers.
• For an overnight facial, dab some apple cider vinegar on your face before retiring to bed. This will rid your face of blemishes and impurities overnight. When you wake up in the morning, you will have softer, smoother skin.
• Oatmeal Face Cleanser: Oatmeal is nourishing to the skin and is used in many parts of the world as a beauty aid. 3 tablespoons oatmeal 2 teaspoons witch hazel and a few drops of water. You want to dampen the oatmeal first then add the witch hazel. Then add the water to make it moist. Apply to your face with an upward and outward circular motion. Rinse with lots of warm water. This recipe is good for all kinds of skin. If you have dry skin add a little oil. You can also add a mashed banana for more nourishment.
• Never share your razor...says Professor William Rosenberg, a liver specialist based at the University of Southampton.Never share your toothbrush or razor, as Hepatitis C, a virus that leads to liver damage, is passed this way. One in a hundred people carries the virus.
• Test your H-factor...says nutritionist Patrick Holford.Check your homocysteine levels - ask your GP about having a test. High levels of homocysteine, a substance found in blood, is a stronger indicator of heart disease risk than cholesterol, and reducing it could cut your risk by up to 75 per cent.You can lower your 'H-factor' by eating foods containing folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12, magnesium and zinc, such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, green leafy vegetables and unsalted nuts and seeds.You can also test levels by using York Tests Homocysteine Test (£75). Call 0800 074 6185 or visit http://www.yorktest.com/.
• Make a note of what you eat...says Judy O'Sullivan, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation.Write down what you have eaten every day for lunch then stick these notes around the edges of your computer screen at work or on the fridge at home.At the end of the week look at your notes and, the following week, try to replace any unhealthy lunches - fatty, salty or convenience foods - with more heart-friendly options such salads, fruit and lower-fat options.When all the notes are filled with fresh, low-fat lunches, you'll be doing your heart a great favour.
• Eat dried figs...says Dr Susan Lanham-New of the National Osteoporosis Society.Eat five dried figs a day. This will provide a third of your calcium needs as an adult.Add that to a couple of glasses of tap water, particularly in hard water areas, and 100g of watercress for the best bone protection.

Your Purpose in Life (Areas of Life, List)

Your Purpose in Life change as you go through different Stages of Your Life.

Here is a Broad, Balanced List of Important ares of Your Life:
(Add more by Comment if you would like)

• Artistic
• Attitude
• Fun
• Relaxation
• Career
• Work
• Personal Development
• Education
• Home
• Family
• Children
• Financial
• Physical
• Health & Fitness
• Pleasure
• Romance
• Public Services
• Friends
• Spiritual
• Community/Legacy

Here is a list of Your Life's main areas (suggested by my family members) for any age:

• Health
• Learning
• Caring
• Love
• To Love
• Be Loved
• Be Happy
• Show your a Happy person

Hope this helps you Find Your Purpose in Life Right now.... this is helping me find mine!

Also, Setting Goals and time frames are important for accomplishing Your Purpose in Life.

A Good Day {Includes Exercise Plan}

My Day Highlights:

Relaxation }{ My wonderful nieghbor Loyette came over to visit us today, I love talking with her and both of my children adore her!

Nutrition and Love }{ I always have some Green Tea with Lemon everyday, it is divine. I used an Ice pack on my neck and wrist. Then massaged my neck really good and I keep stretching my neck through-out the day. I taught my son how to massage my back and neck and massaged his too... he is getting pretty good!

Exercise and Surroundings }{ I have adjusted my Fitness Plan a little... I am doing my Core exercises today!
I am now working out everyday. It is recommended by several Doctors to work-out at least 30 minutes everyday. The main reason I choose to do this is because if I say I'm going to work-out 3 to 4 times a week... I end up saying to myself "I'll do it tomorrow" when I should be working out that day. What ended up happening was I did not exercise for almost a whole week! I keep record so I can keep track of my progress and keep it on track just for these reasons. {I really love my calendar my husband got me that I picked out at the mall. I do not usually like calendars but this one had cute happy characters and plus some fun stickers with it.}

My Daily Exercise Plan usually looks like this now....
I choose Before below because that is my Goal...

Before Breakfast:

• Yoga (10 minutes)

Before Lunch:

• Relaxing (30 minutes, good pace) Walk (Out-side preferably)

Before Dinner

• A Day - Core Exercises (30 minutes, Abs, Lower back, Arms, Legs) with a few stretches

OR

• B Day - 50 Jumping Jacks or 50 Jump Rope (up to 3 minutes, with a 10 sec. break at 25) with a few stretches

Record Progress: A = core-day or B = off-day

Record Diet: G = Good or P = Poor

Total Time for A Day = 1 hour and 10 minutes

Total Time for B Day = 43 minutes

I am working on a Poster.... with Photos to Inspire this Plan and include instructions. It may be a while before it is done because I have a pretty booked schedule!

Practical Exercise Plan (PEP)

I do my core work out with weights.... There is an off-day (same routine, no weights) work out too. So I work out everyday, usually! Except I do not on Sundays, sometimes. It is a combination of 'Energy Yoga' and 'Escape Your Shape' books! I am planning on adding illustrations after I have it put together better. This is how I'm keeping in shape. Fitness is a Big change in your Lifestyle... Drinking enough water and Eating right is a big part of your Fitness too!

Exercise at Home!

I am going to do exercise photographs soon! All the different exercises I know and love doing!
Also oscillating exercises (tighten up my stomach whenever I think about my abs needs).

This is one below by someone else as an example of the of kind of exercises I'm going to do (click on for the link to how to do this exercise)!

Kitsap County Fair!

At the Kitsap County Fair there is one of Steve Scott's displays of Me (Hannah) Modeling! It Won every Award possible! He did Awesome! Congratulations!!!!

Journal for August 28th 2008
Today was an Amazing Day!

I enjoyed meeting up with Consultants for Total Wellness products, Will and Diane Lemon. We received several wonderful demonstrations of how to make a Total Wellness Home. I was thrilled to find out about these wonderful Total Wellness products!

We visited with Thomas's mom, Joyce and I received beautiful items/clothes for our Children from her sister, Aunt Pam! (I will post the Thank You Card I'm making soon!)

We ate at Skipper's. Then we went to visit with a dear friend, Tim Todd!