The "L'amour #Giveaway" with Agapé Studio

 Happy Hearts Day! In honor of Valentine's Day I'm proud to give you the "L'amour" Giveaway, sponsored by Agapé Jewelry.

 

Top Six Reasons To Exercise Before Going To Work

 If you feel as though you are in a rush every morning before you go to work, then you are not alone. So many people are in the same position that you are in right now! But believe it or not, there are a number of reasons why you should try and work out before you clock in. Here are some very persuasive reasons to give some serious consideration to doing just that.

Give Yourself An Energy Boost

Coffee shops have sprung up on every single corner, or so it seems. It's safe to say that it's now easier than ever for you to grab one on the go. Research has shown time and time again that exercise gives you energy. If you are able to start your day on just 30 minutes of exercise, then you will soon find that you have a much better wake-up call when compared to having a cup of coffee. If you want this, you will soon find that you are able to wake up more and that you can have the best start to the day. If you are not a confident runner, then you're not alone there either. Go early, stick to the quieter streets and build your stamina.

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Book Review: Surge On Like A River

 

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Surge On Like a River

About The Book

Surge On Like a River is the English translation of the Tamil book titled ‘Nee Nadhi Pola Odikondiru’, originally written by Bharathy Bhaskar, a Chemical Engineer and an MBA, who is a banker by profession. She is also a popular columnist and speaker, and a household name in Tamil homes, thanks to the debates and shows she has spoken in.

The essays are written in a simple, engaging style, and filled with profound insights. These nuggets of wisdom primarily draw from the author’s life experiences and her empathetic observations of the people and situations around her.

This English translation by V. Shyamala captures the lively nature of the original, bringing it to a wider audience with the idea that the readers who do not know Tamil should not miss out on the wonderful collection.

 

Purchase Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

Book Review

Surge On Like A River is a series of essays from the popular orator and anchor of a daily talk show, Bharathy Bhaskar. The translation was generally very well done, maybe a bit ambiguous in some parts, especially since the culture in India is very different from America. But the wisdom, wit and humor from Ms. Bhaskar is spot on. In fact, she reminds me a bit of Nora Ephron when she wrote, I Feel Bad About My Neck. It was a great read in order to get a feel for the differences in cultures and appreciate the women there. It was great to see that in many ways, though different, our cultures are concerned about the same things! I loved the thoughts about mother/daughter relationships. There are some real gems of advice for that. There are some great observations about the seemingly never-ending quest for beauty among women. In fact, it seems that women in India are just about the same in that regard and Ms. Bhaskar reminds us that beauty can be found in so many different versions of what makes a woman who she is. She addresses the plight of the elderly in India, women in higher education, how to use spare time, love, and so much more. I went away feeling like I could identify with and learn so much from women in India, especially through Bharathy Bhaskar's well-trained and very keen vision! It was a nice change from the historical fiction that usually takes up my reading time!

Pulling Out The Gratitude Card + #MyPostMonday The Week's Best Original Content

Have you ever heard the old story about the waiter who asked a customer whether he had enjoyed the meal he had been served? The guest replied that everything was fine, but it would have been better if they had served more bread. The next day, when the man returned, the waiter doubled the amount of bread, giving him four slices instead of two, but still the man wasn't happy. Ever persevering, the waiter doubled the bread again the next day, without success.

On the fourth day, the waiter was extra determined to make the man happy. And so he took a nine-foot-long loaf of bread, cut it in half, and with a smile, served it to the customer. The waiter could hardly wait for the man's reaction.

After the meal, the man looked up and said "Good as always. But I see you're back to giving only two slices of bread." (As told by Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

And I'll bet you know someone like that. We all do---Someone who never acknowledges the good things that are happening around them, but are always noticing and mentioning what is wrong. It drives people up the wall. It's a toxic personality flaw. The person who can't be grateful.

And fortunately for everyone, there are those people who, no matter what they are going through, are always able to look around and see the good. Because in all actuality, we Americans have had it pretty good for a long, long time. 

The vast majority of Americans have been able to have food on the table, a place to stay, family, friends and endless entertainment options, whether that be vacations, movies, gaming, hobbies, social media, etc. Of late, I've felt to be more appreciative of the many things in my own life that give me comfort, ease, and fulfillment. I often wonder what it would be like if I had to live in a 3rd world situation. Would I be able to pull out my gratitude card then? 

How To Lose And Maintain Your Weight Successfully

 

 Are you satisfied with your current weight? If not, which measures have you taken to achieve a healthy weight? Obesity is a major cause of various health issues. Therefore, weight maintenance is an essential health aspect that every person should pay close attention to. I'm not talking about what I like to call the "Vanity Pounds", a 10-20 lb. discrepancy between what the charts say and your own weight. I'm talking about the unhealthy kind of weight that endangers organs, heart, ligaments and glucose levels.

Basically, for individuals struggling with obesity, a unique solution to achieve a permanent solution does not exist. Human bodies respond differently to various food and weight loss remedies. Hence, what works effectively in one person may not yield a similar result to another.

To discover a weight loss strategy that is likely to work effectively, you need patience, determination, and experiments based on different diets and food. The following are some of the ways you can apply and lose and maintain your weight successfully.

 

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1.      Reduce Calories, Carbohydrates, and Fats

Obesity can cause serious health issues, both physically and mentally. At times, due to size changes, it can negatively influence your choice of fashion. Discounted clothing may be your only option since your previous clothes may no longer fit you. Your choice of diet can have a significant impact on your weight and physical appearance.

According to experts, when you cut calories, your weight may reduce in the first few weeks. Therefore, to achieve a constant weight loss, you should continue reducing calories. Calories also have different impacts on the body based on the type of food. 

Some people eat food as a way of relieving their stress. This may slow any weight loss plans. The role of the hormone insulin is also another essential process linked to the weight of an individual. Consumption of carbohydrates triggers the body to produce the hormone.

Insulin prevents fat cells from discharging fats to be burned as fuel by the body. The hormone also creates extra cells for storing fats that cannot be burned by the body. As a result, you will gain extra weight. Consequently, the body needs more fats to burn. Hence your eating habits increase automatically. 

Reducing the number of carbohydrates can help in breaking this cycle. The reduction of fats that you consume can also have a significant effect on your weight. Avoid diets that comprise a lot of fats. Try as much as possible to include fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet. 

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Weekend Fashion Deals!

Cents Of Style

This blog uses both affiliate and non-affiliate links for convenience. A GAL NEEDS...is a participant in Shareasale Affiliate Marketing Network

It's live and it's going, going.......don't wait until it's all gone! The Cents of Style Overstock sale, where you can get shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, sweaters, basically a little bit of everything to put in your cart. Get 3 items for $33! That's 11 dollars each! Just use the Code: OVERSTOCK
I'm going to list a few right here and tell you, as of this posting, what sizes and colors are available. Let's get started:

Claudia Leopard Print Mock Neck

 Available in black only in small and medium. Available in Brown and black in Large

 Clarabella Animal Print Sweater 

Available in Small, Medium, Large in brown only

Gena Animal Print Cocoon Sweater

 Available in Small, Medium black & brown. Large, black only

Yesterday's Tomorrow + #MyPostMonday Linky The Week's Best Original Content

 My husband and I are having some difficulty keeping even a semblance of the good eating habits and body transformations we thought would be in store for us at the start of a new year.  I know, same old trite story, make the resolution--break the resolution. My husband has been saying each month for the past year that this will be the month he'll reach his goals. And each month has fallen flat. I don't know why January 1st would be any different than any of those other months, which is why January 1st really holds no significance for me. I've just been trying to maintain my 5-lb typical winter weight gain and not let it get out of control. It's been tough and I'm at a rough patch because I'm up 7 lbs. from my low this past summer. 

Every day, my husband says to himself, "today I'm going to have a great eating day. I'm going to eat everything correctly, balance my carbs, proteins and fats, and drink plenty of fluids, along with an amazing exercise session which consists of a 1.5 hour weight-lifting session, a 30 mile bike ride, or a 10 mile hike. 

Every single morning he starts out with a bowl of oatmeal, a yogurt bowl, eggs and tortillas, or some variation of a healthy breakfast. He takes his supplements, and downs a morning elixir designed to de-toxify the body. Then lunch comes around and he can't seem to cope with the extreme stress of the morning, which I'm not sure what it consists of because I'm at work, dealing with my own stress. So he caves and he buys take-out and also gets dessert. Then comes the evening, when he absolutely hates himself for what he did at lunch, so he says "I've already blown it, I'll just eat what I want and start again tomorrow." And so along with the dinner that he eats, it will be also be accompanied by a bag of Doritos, a large bag of M & M's, or a Haggen Dazs ice cream. If it's really bad, he'll eat all 3. But somehow, in the doing, he thinks of me. He invariably comes home with a "present" for me, which is, you guessed it, some kind of junk food. And he knows what my weaknesses are. He'll get the exact thing that I can't seem to resist after my own stressful day at work. And you'd think I'd be able to resist and say, no thanks. But I don't. I take the treat and I usually eat it, leaving nothing remaining.

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5 Ways That Natural Living Will Improve Your Life

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In 1992, I threw away all household products containing harmful chemicals in my home. I started using natural laundry soap, bath soaps, shampoos, cleaners, toothpaste, and most of my make-up. I feel like that small but intentional change made a huge difference in my life. Now, almost 30 years later, I’m so glad I made that small investment of changing out chemically laden products with safe, natural products. Back then, when I attempted to share my thoughts with people I met along the way, it was met with mild to strong resistance except for a few cases. Now, millions of people are on board with wanting to adopt a more natural way of living. Sadly, the vast majority never take control of the situation. While there are many contributing factors behind this, the key aspect in most cases stems from a lack of incentive.

The knowledge that it helps the environment and sets a good example to others can help drive you on. In truth, though, it’s the personal rewards that will truly motivate you. Focus on the five points below and you won’t go far wrong.

 

Weekend Fashion Deals!

Cents of Style

Do you like just a touch of animal print? That's me, just a touch will do it. OR do you like to go all out? 

Well, we're all in luck because Cents of Style has both preferences in their new leopard graphics sweatshirts and tees! This is an introductory launch price this week! Ends on Sunday!

This blog uses both affiliate and non-affiliate links for your convenience. A GAL NEEDS...is a participant in Shareasale Affiliate Marketing Network

Sweat shirts - regularly $39.99 Now $26.99 with code SPOTON 

Tees - regularly $29.99 Now $16.99 with code SPOTON

The Weight Loss Enigma - Permanently Lose Those 10 Elusive Pounds

 Do a bit of research online and you would definitely be forgiven for thinking that losing weight is an easy and simple process. More than that, there are a lot of guides online that suggest losing weight should be a rapid process, taking just a few weeks. However, this is a fallacy. The reality is that losing weight can take quite a long time and if you lose it too fast then it can have negative consequences. One possible side effect of losing weight too quickly is that you might find that you develop prominent stretch marks because you have transformed fat into muscle too quickly. Still, if losing weight is taking a lot longer than you expected, there are a few problems that you might need to address. 

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Your Metabolism

 First, you might find that the problem is you have a slow metabolism. A slow metabolism will mean that it takes significantly longer to lose weight or put on muscle than other people. The good news is that there are ways to speed up your metabolism. This can be as simple as drinking a nice cold glass of water in the morning to start the day. In addition, you could think about exploring additional help like NAD. According to a recent 2017 Harvard study, NAD provides the sustenance your body needs to boost your metabolism. 

 A little trick I personally use each day is to put 2 Tbsp. of Bragg’s Apple Cider “Miracle Cleanse” Vinegar into a 4 oz. glass of water, along with some lemon juice and a scoop of FiberWise fiber, with psyllium husk. I chug it down as quickly as possible.