The Eclectic Female: Lifestyle Blog For Women

As the world of online dating experiences a virtual explosion, more and more single people are wondering what they might be missing out on. Online dating gives us the incredible ability to have our pick of prospective dates, mates, encounters, close friends, or any other type of relationship you can think of – all without ever leaving the house!

If you’re brand new to the concept of online dating and all that it entails, here are some important tips to help you along your way to finding that special someone and living happily ever after – or maybe just for having a good time and meeting some great people…

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Many people are surprised to learn that they can achieve all of their fitness goals without going to a gym, doing a bunch of pushups, or purchasing expensive equipment.  In addition, they’re often even more surprised to learn that the Pilates exercises are far less likely to cause physical injury than more conventional forms of exercise.  Even if you can’t take part in aerobics or weight lifting, chances are you’ll be able to take advantage of the Pilates exercises.  

Flexibility

For the most part, Pilates exercises make use of timed stretches.  During each repetition, you’ll tighten specific muscles for a certain length of time, or hold your breath in order to increase resistance to the stretch position.  While these exercises may look very easy, you’ll quickly learn that they take effort and precision.  As you master them, you’ll also find that they improve your range of motion better than many other kinds of exercises.  

Strength

Even though traditional Pilates exercises do not require the use of weights or large numbers of repetitions, they are very useful for building strength.  In many cases, specific exercises may be dedicated to a single muscle, or group of muscles that are often not given enough attention by other exercise programs.  As you perform each exercise, you’ll learn a great deal about where your muscles are weak and where you need to devote more effort.   

Muscle Definition

Surprisingly enough, the steady, gentle motions of Pilates exercises will do a great deal to improve your muscle definition.  Even if you only perform these exercises a few times a week, you’ll quickly notice that your muscles are taking on a more pleasing shape.  Whether or not you’re interested in body building, a Pilates workout will help you tone problem areas, as well as give your muscles that special look of good health.

Cost

Unlike some forms of exercise that require expensive equipment, learning Pilates can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you want.  If you’re already a member of a gym, you might find that they have free classes you can join to learn Pilates.  You can also rent books and videos from your local library to try before you invest in materials of your own.  As you become more advanced, you may find that you want to invest in further materials or specialized Pilates equipment for your home.  These are not necessary to the study of Pilates, but they can be helpful tools. 

Locating Pilates Information

If you’re interested in using Pilates exercises to improve your physical strength, there are many places to learn more.  There are thousands of books, videos, and classes offered to help you learn Pilates, whether you’re a hands-on learner or prefer a more private session in your living room.  As you browse through the available materials, you’ll find programs that have been designed for specific fitness goals, as well as health-related situations.  Choose the programs that appeal most to you, but don’t be afraid of trying something new as your fitness goals change.

Pilates is quickly emerging as a leader when it comes to an easy, low cost method of achieving physical fitness.  For the most part, anyone can use these exercises to improve fitness or regain the use of lost function.  That said, it’s still important to check with your doctor before taking part in Pilates exercises.  While these exercises are almost always safe and effective, your doctor is still the best person to evaluate if they are compatible with any medical conditions that you might have.

If you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean, you probably automatically started looking up flights to the area. However, you might not realize that you actually have several different options for traveling to the Caribbean. Of course, driving isn’t one of them! But the other two, flying and sailing, both have their advantages and disadvantages, and deciding which of the two to use to get to the Caribbean can greatly impact your travel budget.

Traveling by Air

Flying is the fastest way to get to the Caribbean, but it can be pricy. As gas prices continue to go up, fares and surcharges will continue to rise as well. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your budget in check. If you fly out on a weekend, your rates will be higher than if you fly out on a Wednesday afternoon or other off-peak time. Red eye flights, too, are often cheaper. Just don’t forget to budget for all the various expenses flying entails. For example, if you’re driving your own car to the airport, you’ll probably have to pay to park it for the time you’re gone.

Another thing to consider is that you’ll often fly on a large jet to a location near the Caribbean and then take a smaller plane or prop plane to your actual destination. These smaller planes react more to turbulence and storms, so if you have a fear of flying or are prone to motion sickness, you might not enjoy the trip. Packing is also more of an issue with flying. Be sure to leave enough space in your suitcase for souvenirs and be ready to pay extra if your bags weight over a specific amount. One last concern with flying is ground transportation. When you arrive at your destination by air, you won’t have a car to get around in. This won’t matter if you plan to lie on the beach all week, but you may need to rent a car if you plan to do a lot of traveling. You may also need to hire a taxi to get from the airport to your hotel and back, which is another small expense when you fly. These small expenses add up, so be sure to factor them all into your budget or look for ways to reduce them or cut them out completely.

Unfortunately, babies can’t just tell you when their mattresses feel uncomfortable.  However, just like older children or adults, babies can experience discomfort from springs and other mattress features.  While this may not be easy to figure out, watch as your baby falls asleep and take notes of his or her sleeping habits.  Even as your children learn to talk, they may still be unable to tell you that their mattress is causing discomfort.  A great deal may depend on the questions that you ask and how aware your child is of what is causing the distress.

Signs of Discomfort in Babies

Just like a child or adult, a baby may try to move out of the way of springs located in the mattress.  In some cases, an odd sleeping position may indicate that the baby is trying to avoid springs or other uncomfortable features.  Feel around the mattress and try to figure out if this is the case.  If the mattress can be turned over, try using the other side and see if that corrects the problem.   Don’t automatically try to correct this issue by adding blankets and additional coverings – check with your pediatrician first to make sure that you can do this without increasing the chance of the baby suffocating.  

Older Children and Mattress Discomfort

In some cases, you might notice that your children are having a hard time falling asleep or experiencing nightmares and other sleep-related disturbances.  This may have to do with springs or other features of the bed causing discomfort to the child.  Just like with babies, try putting blankets or foam cushions on top of the mattress.  If this doesn’t help, it might be time to buy a new mattress.  If at all possible, take your children to the store with you to see what types of mattresses they prefer.

Aside from this, few people realize that mattresses pick up and retain germs.  This can cause all kinds of allergies, as well as decrease your child’s resistance to colds and other common ailments.  Therefore, it’s important to make sure that your child’s mattress is clean – and stays clean.  Even if your child isn’t experiencing discomfort, it’s still a good idea to replace the mattress every three to five years, or at the very least, use a fitted rubber sheet beneath the regular ones.

When to Consult a Pediatrician

If your baby or child seems to wake up tired all the time, it’s important to alert your pediatrician.  While this tiredness may come from having to cope with an unruly mattress, it could also stem from health-related issues.  Once the pediatrician rules out other causes, you may want to purchase a new mattress and see if that helps.

Just like adults, babies and children can be seriously affected by mattress quality and condition.  Unfortunately, babies and even children that are able to talk may not be able to convey this information to you accurately.  Therefore, it’s important to watch for signs of discomfort in your children and try to identify whether it’s the mattress that’s causing the problem. 

Most people think they have a slight cold when they have a runny nose or watery eyes. When this continues for some time, they will likely go to the doctor to receive medication only to find that you may have dust mite allergies. However, dust mite allergies do cause the same symptoms. These mites are present in just about ball homes in the rugs, carpeting, sofas and especially in the beds. If you have never heard of these mites, they are miniscule eight-legged insects that like to live in layers of material in warm moist environments.

The main source of food for mites is the dead skin that comes off the human body when they move about on an object - such as when you are in bed. The female of the species can live up to ten weeks and lay hundreds of eggs. Your mattress could be alive with millions of these mites and you would never know if you do not know how to recognize the symptoms of a dust mite allergy. It is not the dust mite itself that people are allergic to, but the waste they excrete and leave behind.

Some of the symptoms of an allergy to dust mites are:

* Sneezing

* Watery eyes

* Runny nose

* Itching skin

* Nasal congestion

* Puffiness under the eyes

* Postnasal drip

* Cough

* Irritability

* Pain and pressure in the face

For those suffering from asthma, the presence of dust mites will exasperate the symptoms of the condition. They may have increased wheezing and coughing, difficulty breathing and even ling congestion. The symptoms may be worse at night, which is because of the dust mites in the mattress and pillow. The symptoms of an allergy can be very mild so that you would not have to seek medical help. However, they can also be very severe - so much so that person may feel that he/she is dying.

What cause allergies to dust mites? When you inhale the residue of the mites, your body reacts to this foreign substance invading the body. It produces an antibody called immunoglobulin. As soon as the body comes in contact with the dust mite excretion, the body launches an attack on the invading substance. Then this antibody triggers the release of histamine, which is what cause the nasal congestion, runny nose and watery eyes because of the swelling it causes in the mucous linings in the body.

Even though some people live happily enough never knowing that they have dust mites, there are certain risk factors involved. In some cases allergic reactions to these mites is inherited so if there is someone in your family with such an allergy, you can develop one as well. You are also at risk id there is a high level of mites and younger children are more at risk than adults. When you do contact your doctor about your symptoms, you will likely have to undergo allergy testing. This will tell you whether or not the mites are the reason you are not feeling well.

Chances are, when you’re on vacation, the last thing you will want to do is cook. On the other hand, even if you visit the local Burger King or McDonalds, you may find yourself spending over $10 for a halfway decent meal. And anything you buy at a more upscale restaurant will – of course – be much more expensive. So what to do? Even if you rely on the continental breakfast served at your hotel, you’ll still need to find something to eat for the rest of the day. Here are a couple of ideas for the budget-minded traveler:

Fresh Food Markets and Stands

If you’re visiting a rural area, you’ll have access to all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables, depending on the season. You may also be able to locate stands that sell smoked meat, fish and other local cuisine. Aside from being healthier, you may also have a chance to speak with the farmer directly. You’ll gain a better appreciate of the culture your visiting, and you might be able to get inside advice on where the best food in the area is sold.

You’ll find a similar setup in the open air markets of many major cities. You’ll be able to speak directly with the people who made the food, and you’ll save a lot of money over traditional restaurants. However – a word of caution. Vendors in these markets aren’t always as cautious about food safety and sanitation as traditional restaurants will be. To stay safe, look for the busiest shops in the market and buy your food there – chances are, they wouldn’t have so many customers if the food wasn’t good.

Pick Your Own Produce

In rural areas, there are bound to be some small farms that will let you pick some of the fruits and vegetables that are available. Aside from offering you a fun way to spend a few hours, you’ll also enjoy the fresh taste of fruits and vegetables that you picked just a few hours before eating. Of course, take the time to wash and rinse all your produce before you bite in – even the freshest looking produce may be covered in synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and soil bacteria.

If you can find a dairy farm, you may also want to stop in and see if you can buy fresh milk and cheeses. As with produce farms, you may be able to watch as the farmer processes milk, and even have a chance to learn how different kinds of cheeses are made. In addition, if you can’t find a cow farm, you may be able to locate a sheep or goat farm that specializes in milk and cheese from these animals.

Check Out the Local Grocery Stores

It’s amazing how much American culture has spread. Visit a local grocery store where you’re vacationing, and you’ll be surprised to see many of the same soft drinks, candy bars and packaged foods you can get at home. In addition, many grocery stores have small restaurants or pre-cooked food available at a much cheaper price than a restaurant. You may even want to buy some TV dinners or other foods and take advantage of any microwaves that are available in the hotel.

Unfortunately, if you only look to restaurants while you’re on vacation, you’ll be missing out on some of the best and least expensive dining opportunities in the area. Look for local farms and markets where you can enjoy foods that are fresher than you’ve had in years. Or visit a local grocery store and pick up snacks and meals to keep in your hotel room. By taking advantage of these different food options, you’ll experience the local culture to it’s fullest without breaking the bank.

Yes, I know.  Money’s a touchy subject.  As children, most of us are taught that paying bills and discussing salaries is something that’s done behind closed doors – and often in exasperated tones.  We carry these preconceived notions into our future relationships, hiding secrets about our financial lives from the partners we claim to share every aspect of our lives with.  This isn’t healthy, and it’s no way to build a solid relationship.  Read on for more advice about talking to your partner about money:  

Timing is Everything 

The first thing to keep in mind when initiating a financial conversation is timing.  As with any major discussion, there’s a time and a place to talk about money.  Three dates in is not the time to whip out your stock portfolio.  However, if your relationship is getting serious and you’re starting to talk about getting married, it’s time to get down and dirty about your money. 

Honesty is the Best Policy 

We all have some skeletons in our closets, but if yours are credit-related, don’t try to sweep them under the rug.  Lay everything out on the table and ask your partner to do the same.  If you’re in a serious relationship and contemplating marriage, you might have some big purchases in your future.  Imagine the look on your partner’s face when a mortgage lender denies your loan application based on your credit history.  These problems will come up at some point, so it’s best to get them out in the open and address them in a mature, adult way. 

Tread Lightly 

Money is a difficult subject for many people.  We have all sorts of emotions attached to it, whether it’s shame over past indiscretions or feelings of inadequacy based on how big (or small) our salaries are.  It’s easy to get uncomfortable or accidentally offend your partner when talking about money, so it’s important to be sensitive to his or her needs.  Instead of phrasing the conversation in terms of negatives – like his low credit score or her shopaholic tendencies – focus on your future goals.  If you want to buy a home, a car or a business, talk about the positive action steps you need to take to make your dream a reality. 

Talking about money can be uncomfortable, but if your partner flat out refuses to have the discussion, consider it a major red flag in your relationship.  A person who isn’t ready to come clean about his or her financial situation probably isn’t mature enough to handle the demands of an adult relationship.  Marriage represents a serious commitment between two people – so make sure you’re committing to someone who’s willing to work towards shared financial goals with you. 

It’s easy to get swept away in the romance of a new relationship.  But before you run off to tie the knot, get intimate with each other’s financial situations.  Share everything – your credit score, spending and saving habits and current debt load.  Learning to communicate openly about money and financial commitments is an important skill that will keep your relationship stable, even through the hardest of times. 

Many people claim that one of the reasons human beings are considered to be supreme in the animal kingdom is because of their ability to communicate and express their thoughts in intelligible words – either verbally or in writing.  However, this advantage is sometimes misused or even abused to the point of becoming inhumane.  This type of abuse is more commonly known as verbal abuse.

Verbal Abuse 101

“You’re so stupid!”  “You’re a worthless person!”  We all know it when we hear it, but how do we actually define verbal abuse?  Verbal abuse is any vile, degrading, venomous or stinging words exchanged with the intent to harm.  Verbally abusive statements are directed to another person, typically causing him or her emotional distress and leading to negative self esteem.

Verbal abuse  is stereotypically portrayed as being perpetuated by a man against a woman, but it’s wrong to say that all verbal abuse comes from men, or that all victims of verbal abuse are women.  Everyone, regardless of gender, can be a potential abuser or the unfortunate prey of another.

What Causes Verbal Abuse?

The factors that cause verbal abuse vary in each relationship.  However, in most instances, verbal abuse is used as a means to impose authority or physical superiority over a weaker party.  Verbal abuse often stems from inadequacies in one’s self, not from perceived negative characteristics in another.  This type of behavior is often observed among pre-teen girls who use verbally abusive comments to establish dominance and social hierarchy over one another.

Verbal abuse does not typically draw the ire we associate with physical violence.  We make a big deal over videos of teen girls physically beating each other on the news, but we often turn a blind eye when the abuse is verbal in nature.  Similarly, in relationships, we often dismiss abuse by words if it doesn’t carry the visual cues we’ve come to associate with violence, like black eyes and bruises.

The Impact of Verbal Abuse

Even if we can’t see it on the outside, victims of verbal abuse often suffer extensive emotional trauma related to the abuse, including depression, low self esteem and even thoughts of suicide.  Aside from the psychological repercussions, verbal abuse can manifest itself in physical ailments resulting from stress and a depressed immune system.  Most frighteningly, verbal abuse can often be a springboard to actual violence which is equally as destructive to a person.

Stopping Verbal Abuse

The first step in ending verbal abuse is recognizing if you are in a verbally abusive relationship.  If your partner often makes malicious, deprecative comments that hurt you emotionally, seek outside help in putting a stop to it.  More and more psychologists and abuse victim resource centers are recognizing verbal abuse as a legitimate concern, and they can help you to either improve the situation or get out of the relationship safely.

The old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is patently false – words can cause damage that will stick with you throughout your life.  Just remember, verbal abuse is abuse and it’s not something you have to take.

For some people, choosing a name for their dog is almost as important as choosing a name for their child. While you can technically change the name of the dog whenever you want, we all know that we are very reluctant to once the name sticks. So it is always best to choose a great name for your dog from the start.

There are many routes one can go with choosing a dog name. Some name their dog using traditional people names, such as Suzie, Charlie, etc. This may cause some confusion though when talking to acquaintances. For example, if you, a close friend, and an acquaintance are talking and you mention your dog by its name (say Alexander), the acquaintance may think you are talking about a person. This is one of many reasons why most people do not choose a people name for their dog.

Another option people use is traditional dog names, such as Rover, Fido, Fluffy, etc. These names are viewed as so overused that people now hardly use them at all! If anything, using a name like this is almost a joke. While there is nothing wrong with using these names, people generally want to give their dog a more special, unique name.

One way to find unique names is searching the Internet. There are many good websites out there that have names for dogs. Most websites also differentiate if the name is commonly used for boy dogs or girl dogs. A lot of these websites have so many names that choosing one may be a bit intimidating! So if you use the Internet, schedule yourself an hour’s worth of time, so you will be able to not feel rushed as you go about looking for a name for your new pet.

Besides searching the Internet, another way to name your dog is to think of a name that characterizes your dog. The name may relate to the dog’s physical characteristics. For example, if he has a long nose, you may call him Pinocchio. If the dog has a lot of spots, you may choose to name him Spotty.

Another way to name your dog is based on his or her emotional characteristics. Is he or she especially energetic, sleepy, or perhaps playful? These are all methods you could use to figure out a name for your dog.

Often, people choose a funny name for their dog. For example, if their dog start sneezing a lot at first, they might choose to call him Mr. Sniffles. While this may seem humorous at first, keep in mind that you will likely be using this name for fifteen years or so. The novelty of a humorous name often wears out fast.

Likewise, just as you should think twice about a humorous name, also think twice about a long name. You’ll likely have to be calling your dog by this name a lot, and it’s going to be annoying after awhile to have to use a six or seven syllable name. Most people like to just use names with one or two syllables.

I’ve been looking around the web for some cheap, affordable spring break vacations. If you are in the US, generally cheap implies Mexico or the Caribbean. Hawaii is much more expensive (though generally much nicer), and it’s generally not worth going all the way to Europe or the South Pacific.If you can afford going to Hawaii, then definitely do it. It is so nice there. It’s not a party place like Mexico, but everything there: the food, the weather, the water, the scenery, puts Mexico to shame.There are plenty of tropical island trips to take, including Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Mexico. You just need to look around to see what’s best for you.