Restricted by the Atkins diet, there are many alternatives to try and I would like to share this simple but yummy little cooking option for those who might be trying the Atkins approach to weight loss. Parmesan breaded chicken. Since all bread products are a definite no-no on the Atkins diet, you can coat your chicken with parmesan cheese instead. First take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and rinse them. Cut off all the fat, and cut in half, across like a filet (makes it easier to cook). Next, fill a plastic baggie with a cup or so of parmesan cheese and your favorite spices. Next, one by one shake your chicken in the baggie until thoroughly coated. You can now either bake at 350 degrees F until done or fry it in a pan with butter and serve with your favorite vegetable. I like to serve with sautéed zucchini and squash, coated with parmesan cheese as well. Again Atkins does not permit breaded foods, but coating your zucchini with parmesan and cooking on the stove in butter, makes for a nice alternative to tempura style.

It's a yummy, healthy meal that really fills you up.

Most times dieting is about healthy portions sizes, get into the habit of stopping before you feel that over full sensation. This is a good place to start.

Ever wonder what to do with all of those greeting cards that you have saved up through the years? You know the ones in the garage collecting dust. Here is a fun rainy day activity to do with your children. It is fun for the kids and gives them quality time with you, the bonding bonuses are priceless.

Here's what you need: old greeting cards, a roll or two of clear contact paper and a roll or two of contact paper of your choice, scissors, glue,  a picture of your child, love and patience.  Dig out those old cards from the Rubbermaid or Avon box in the garage. Lay them out on the table. Let your kids pick out 10 or 15 with pictures that they like. If they are old enough to use safety scissors, have them cut out the pictures on the cards, otherwise mom, you cut for them. Any shape works, but circles and squares are probably easier to work with than a parallelogram. After they are done choosing their pictures, have them arrange the pictures in an overlapping fashion in to a square shape or round almost like a flower, leaving the center open. Glue the picture of your son or daughter in the center. Using the clear contact paper, cover the top of the placemat. Be careful not to leave any air bubbles as it will be difficult to take it off and go back. Then flip it over, and using the contact paper with designs on it, do the same thing on the back when you are all done, cut off the excess paper around the edges Now your child has designed his or her own personal placemat, which gives them a sense of pride and achievement, which they are able to use or to give to Grandma or Grandpa. And every Grandparent loves handmade gifts.

Single women have so many more options these days for meeting there perfect partner. No longer must we listen to our mother’s incessant stories of Mrs. White’s adorable son who just graduated from Harvard and is single.

We have options.

Is there such thing as "good sex"? How is that defined? It is different for everyone, but it is thought that it involves an orgasm somewhere in the mix. Men can get sexually excited watching Monday Night Football, but for most ladies it is not quite that easy.  How do we achieve the hail mary pass from Tony Romo to T.O. in the final seconds of the 4^th quarter finish when having sex? After all, without the big finish what’s the point? I'm no sexologist, but I've learned that it is all in the head… your head.

Sex is supposed to be enjoyed by both parties, so if it is an obligatory act that you are performing then you will never enjoy it. Clear your mind. You can't achieve if you are thinking about picking little Mary up from gymnastics and Johnny from Little League. Doing breathing exercises helps for clearing the mind, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Clear your thoughts and focus on the act, enjoy your partner and their touch. Communicate with them. Tell them what feels good and what doesn't. Come on ladies, we can please ourselves, show your partner how to do it. Which brings me to my next point, share your pleasure with your partner. Please yourself. Seriously, your partner will love to watch you do it to yourself, and will even help, in the process. Ohhh I know it’s the taboo “M word” but come on seriously, you don’t really want to just lay there…. Do you?

So your partner has popped the question, and you said "yes" what now? Every little girl dreams of that big day her wedding, the dress, the flowers, the cake, the reception. It can all be very overwhelming. Where do you begin? What's the first step? Do you hire a wedding planner, or do everything yourself. Do you listen to your mother-in law to be or your own mother.

First take a step back and breathe. Exhale!

Good.

Now, you and your new fiancé have some questions to decide upon for yourselves and some to render to the family. The first obviously is, how long do you want the engagement to be? If you are opting for a longer engagement, meaning years down the road, not months, then you have plenty of time. If not, then you need to decide first and foremost what kind of wedding do you want: Indoor or outdoor, church or park, boat or beach? These decisions need to be considered in relation to time of year when you want to get married. If you choose park in the middle of winter, then have a back-up plan in case of rain.  After that, decide your budget.  Have you and your fiancé saved for your nuptials? The old fashioned tradition was for the father of the bride to cough up the dough, but that isn’t so much the case. You need to meet with your families to decide how much everyone is prepared to contribute? A good wedding or wedding to remember isn’t based upon the money spent. It is about creating memories and your guests leaving having a memorable day celebrating the love of you and your new partner.

I have a book that I recommend every person reads at some stage, it is a fantastic behavioural book that is especially important prior to entering into a long term commitment. Enjoy! 

For Information of Professionally Written and Inspirational Wedding Speeches and Toasts Click Here!

There are two ways to lose weight. The first is the quick, but the risky way. It happens when you choose fad diets, diet pills or fasting as the solution. You may shed fat, but you may also lose muscle. What's more your metabolism cycle may get affected, causing long-term problems. The healthier way is through balanced diet and regular exercise.

The first regulates the calorie intake and the second gets rid of the extra calories that sneak into your body. Both build muscle and make you feel healthier. The changes are also long-term.You start by putting your calorie intake under the scanner. Note every calorie that you consume during the day; identify the food that you wolf down. This includes even the spoonful of sugar in tea or coffee.

The record can be maintained for a period of one week or a fortnight. It must indicate the calorie count of your food intake, and not just the name and quantity of food consumed. This will help you decide how many calories need to be reduced per day to lose weight.

The calorie requirements differ according to the age, sex, height and physical activity of a person. Studies show that an average human being accumulates one pound of fat for every 3,500 calories that are consumed. This does not happen in a day, but over a period of time.

You too need to work out a weekly regimen. Don't aim to reduce 3,500 calories a day but keep it to a more manageable 500 calories a day. A smart way is to move to black coffee instead of latte coffee. That alone can save you 500 calories. Cutting down on things in your diet such as salad dressing, soda pop, candy or butter can be other useful diet changes.

You should also change your diet mix. Forsake high-fat, high-calorie foods with low-fat, low-calorie options. Replace beef or pork with chicken and fish, macaroni, cheese and French fries with fresh vegetables and greens salads. The other healthy food options are high-fiber, low-sugar cereals and fresh fruit.

So, delete bacon and eggs from your breakfast and add fruits, yoghurt, oat meals and cereals. But don't skip breakfast; it is the most important meal of the day and vital to any diet. A healthy breakfast increases the metabolic rate for the entire day.

Whether dieting on not, be sure to drink plenty of water. Research has shown that drinking water also aids in weight loss. Fibers go hand in hand with water hence a good intake of fiber is also essential. Fiber ensures that the right amount of water is present in the intestine for its proper functioning.

The next is to maintain a regular exercise regime. The best results are achieved when you are sensible and don't overdo things. A good starting point is an exercise trainer. If you don't have one, check some of the best exercise videos that are available online.

You will find that every online video stresses moderation. The best workout videos even use slow motion shots to help you exercise the right way. You can supplement aerobic exercises with jogging, brisk walks, cycling or swimming three or four days a week. This helps the muscles to stay toned and fit. Another good way is yoga. Most yoga postures exercise your muscles, and stop fat from accumulating.

But don't make the mistake of spending hours on the jogging track or the swimming pool. Your metabolism returns to normal once you stop. This does not happen with weight or resistance training. Your body uses the extra calories to build muscle mass, even when you are resting.

You may argue that this is not shedding weight but adding weight. Yes, you are adding weight but in the right places. You will look leaner and fitter and your muscles will ripple. The calories will not add fat at the wrong places.

Finally, believe in yourself. There is no substitute for healthy motivation.

Ever wonder about the smell of the pine or lemon scented cleaner that we use to clean our homes? How it can affect us for real? Ever wonder, if it safe for animals to walk across the floor after a fresh mop, or for that matter a baby to crawl? Those "Poisons" are harmful if ingested, so if our children or animals should get the residue on their hands or paws it can and will make them sick? Some of the household products that we use can cause asthma and many other issues. Here are some green tips for cleaning your home without using poisons.

All you need is baking soda, vinegar, liquid castile soap, towels and spray bottle.

 To clean your bathtub, use the baking soda and the liquid castile soap. Scrub it up real good, and rinse. Good as new and you did not have to but some expensive poison for the tub.

Windows: Use clear white vinegar, and a wadded up newspaper. The widows will look as good as new.

To clean linoleum flooring: use about half a cup of vinegar and warm water in a bucket.

The toilet: Simply use baking soda and castile soap. All you do is sprinkle the baking soda around the bowl as you would with a scouring powder, mix in a little bit of liquid soap and scrub. Also use the baking soda on the outside of the bowl to shine it up.

Besides getting your house clean in a safer, more environmentally sound manner, you can drive your nagging mother in law crazy with how spotless your house is, but it doesn’t smell of pine. Oh and don’t worry, the vinegar smell fades away quickly.

For more information visit http://www.womensinfoproducts.com/live-green/environmentalist/ 

It helps to know who you are talking to and what sort of conversation is appropriate for the situation. If you are speaking to a new associate you should ask questions which cannot be answered by a simple yes or no. Encourage longer answers that will allow you to get to know the person better and offer a bit of background information about yourself in the process. If the relationship is business-related be friendly, but do not venture into personal subjects or topics that can be controversial (like politics, unless of course your business is politics).

However, if you have developed a good business relationship with someone, it may not be inappropriate to acknowledge personal interests that you may share. For example, if you are visiting the office of a long-term business associate and notice golf clubs, you may bring up the topic and ask them about that particular brand or where they play, to let them know it is a common interest between you. Whether or not you invite them to golf with you or wait for them to invite you should also depend on the nature and time period of your association.

Instead of the normal Vegemite off the shelf there is a new taste to try out with no yeast or animal products. How yum is that? I know that when I found something that I loved to eat, the ingredients was mostly full of animal products.