What Makes a Novel Great
“…the sign of a great novel is that the author creates a world and when she moves her hands away, the world is still in motion.”
Category: Uncategorized
Grow Your Financial Reserves
20 Quotes By and About Women
Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong.
It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.
– G.D. Anderson
There is nothing stronger than a broken woman who has rebuilt herself.
– Hannah Gadsby
Life is tough my darling but so are you.
– Stephanie Bennett-Henry
Women are the real architects of society
– Cher
The most important thing one woman can do for another is expand her sense of actual possibilities.
–Adrienne Rich
We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced.
-Malala Yousafzai
Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.
-Judy Garland
Well-behaved women rarely make history.
–Eleanor Roosevelt
You should never let your fears prevent you from doing what you know is right.
-Aung San Suu Kyi
Where there is a woman, there is magic.
-Ntozake Shange
I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.
-Maya Angelou
As soon as I had enough agency in my life to grow up, I became who I am.
-Janet Mock
I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fears;
Knowing what must be done does away with fear.
-Rosa Parks
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
-Eleanor Roosevelt
There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.
-Michelle Obama
Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping-stone to greatness.
-Oprah
If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.
-Margaret Thatcher
Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights.
-Hillary Clinton
The most courageous act is to think for yourself. Aloud.
– Coco Chanel
We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves.
We have to step up as women and take the lead.
– Beyonce
Silver…The Great Healer
Silver…the great healer. Colloidal silver was ‘erased from textbooks’ because it cured diseases from tuberculosis to syphilis. While silver is now labeled as an alternative medicine, it was once used widely in hospitals as the premiere antiseptic and antibiotic.
Deborah Plummer on Interracial Marriage
Deborah Plummer on Interracial Marriage in America
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deborah-plummer/interracial-marriage-for-_b_1283546.html
Dr.Deborah Plummer is an author, psychologist, diversity thought leader and Grub Street board member. She is also the Editor of Handbook of Diversity Management(University Press of America), award-winning author of Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations through Friendships (Pilgrim Press). In addition, she created the Sister Nun cozy mysteries: They Still Call Me Sister and The Family That Stays Together. Deborah is a regularly featured blogger for the Huffington Post and commentator for numerous media outlets. She is proud board member of Boston”s GrubStreet, one of the nation’s leading creative writing center.
The recent release of the Pew Research Center publication, The Rise of Intermarriage provides a number of insights on the status of race relations in America. The report analyzes the demographics and economics of those who “marry in” and “marry out” of their race. The reports notes an increase in the number of interracial marriages and an increase in support for such marriages.
Gender patterns were also noted in the report and there was great variance in this data. One particular statistic stood out for me. About 24 percent of all black male newlyweds in 2010 married outside of their race as compared to 9 percent of black females.
Well into my adult years, despite the fact that I preached diversity, I held the belief that black men should marry black women and conversely, black women should marry black men. I never considered a white man as a potential mate simply because of race. Maybe it was because I feared that others would interpret my choice of a white partner as a statement about my weak or non-existent affiliation with blacks. I was actually listening to the voice of my own insecure black identity and the collective insecurity that as blacks we embraced from living in a racist society. Perhaps that is why there are always more black men marrying outside of their race than black women… but that is a topic for another post.
A white male friend who challenged my belief on this topic caused me to pause and rethink this position. I reasoned that after a day of battling being “the only one” or “one of a few” all day I might not want to connect with my partner simply because he was white. He pointed out that it wouldn’t be any different from the times when I wouldn’t want to connect with my black partner simply because he was male or because of a personality characteristic.
Another white male friend also enlightened my racially inconsistent thinking. He noted that by ruling out white males simply because of race was as offensive as any other racially exclusive action. I could rule him out because of personality or other reasons, but to do so because of race was absurd.
Ultimately, when doing research on cross-racial friendships, I not only changed my position on interracial marriages, but became a advocate for those who crossed racial lines in marriage. We have much to learn from them. At the risk of oversimplifying the issue, I believe that interracial couples support us all in moving toward a shared American experience.
In my diversity-training sessions, we often progress toward an animated discussion about what the American experience is. All of our ancestors, except for those of Native American Indians, arrived in this country by boat — the difference is in the kind of boat. Some were passenger ships, and some were slave ships. The American Dream, that anyone may be able to create a “rags to riches” success, has historically been a nightmare for some racial groups. Similarly, the “bootstrap theory” — that anyone can succeed through diligence and hard work (“pulling oneself up by one’s bootstraps”) — only applies to those who have boots and, more particularly, boots with straps. From this perspective, the historical background of our racial heritage frames our relationship to America, and thus dictates the kind of American experience one might have.
What I witness in interracial couples is not only the ability to disencumber themselves of society’s racial baggage but also evidence of the inherent God-given right that each of us has to fulfill our human potential by loving. It is how we love, not our historical relationship with America, that dictates our ability to grasp the richness of the American experience. Yes, we are really free to love whom we please in America. That is one of the true beauties of being an American.
We’re Overdosing on Medicine
We’re Overdosing on Medicine
We’re overdosing on medicine – it’s time to embrace life’s uncertainty.
Senior Research Fellow at Bond University
August 2, 2015 4.09pm EDT
Biomedical science has made our lives immeasurably better, but it’s time to accept that too much medicine can be as harmful as too little. Read More
48 Laws of Power
“Trashed by some and cherished by others, 48 Laws of Power was an immediate best seller at 1.2 million copies.It was a big hit in prison libraries and among music promoters and stars. Rumor has it that Fidel Castro was also a fan of the book.” Read More
What Comes After a Masectomy?
What comes after a Masectomy?
“What comes after a masectomy” was
originally published as Life After Mastectomy
BY Nicola Conville, Freelance Journalist
Nicola Conville is a freelance journalist
She writes about health and lifestyle.
Her blog can be found at .
Here is what she has to say in her site’s About Us section.
Hi! I’m Nicola, thank you for visiting. I am a health and lifestyle journalist with more than 12 years experience. I have written for a wide range of publications including Better Homes & Gardens, body+soul, Cosmopolitan, Escape, Family Circle, Gardening Australia, Kidspot, Men’s Fitness and Weight Watchers. I have written about many different topics but my main areas of interest are health and wellbeing, human interest stories, travel, parenting and lifestyle. The services I provide include feature writing, subediting (remote and in-house) and proofreading.
Contact me on 0487 945 050 or email nicola.conville[at]gmail.com
Masectomy not the end
“… I felt that my b___s were my best asset and knowing I’d lose them was very hard to come to terms with”.
It’s still possible to feel great and have a positive body image after a mastectomy, as these women explain.
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts. The procedure usually involves removing the whole breast, and often the nipple and lymph nodes. But while losing such a key part of womanhood is very challenging, it doesn’t have to mean the end of life as you know it.
The changes after breast cancer
Breast cancer survivors can have a range of responses after having a mastectomy, explains Professor Jane Ussher from the University of Western Sydney, who has done extensive research into sexuality and intimacy after cancer treatment.
“Some women accept the changes well and focus on their health,” she explains. “Having faced mortality, they put life in perspective. However, some women feel ugly or deformed, and worry they won’t be attractive any more.”
While losing a breast – or both – can be devastating, it’s not the only factor impacting on a woman’s femininity and sexuality.
Side effects of masectomy
“In terms of our research, what we’ve found is that it isn’t just the mastectomy that has an effect on women,” says Professor Ussher. “There are a number of changes that happen [after breast cancer treatment] in terms of the sexual body including vaginal dryness, hot flushes and a change in libido.” Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants can be helpful, as can hormone treatments and therapy. Communicating with your partner and taking things slowly is also very important.
So how can women equip themselves to deal with the changes and make the most of life post-cancer? “Breast cancer nurses provide incredibly good counseling in terms of changes in the body and sexuality,” explains Professor Ussher. “Many hospitals also have psychologists who provide good support, and cancer support groups can also be very effective. Women need to grieve the loss of their breast and find new ways of feeling sexual; it’s about redefining yourself as a woman.”
The support of a partner is also vital, says Professor Ussher, because when a woman feels accepted she can be much more positive about the changes. It’s also important for her to feel she can grieve. “Women can be very sad and depressed about the changes, and partners need to accept that,” she explains.
About Egusi
What is (or are) Egusi?
Wikipedia has this to say about the lauded seed from West Africa:
“Egusi seeds are the fat– and protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous (squash, melon, gourd) plants. Authorities disagree whether the word is used more properly for the seeds of the colocynth, those of a particular large-seeded variety of the watermelon, or generically for those of any cucurbitaceous plant. The characteristics and uses of all these seeds are broadly similar. It’s name derives from the Yoruba language. Which is the Yoruba word for Melon.”
The following is from godandwheatgrass.com
go to http://godandwheatgrass.com/2013/07/egusi-an-organic-miracle-food/ to read the article in its entirety
Egusi (“Citrullus Lanatus”) is a melon that looks exactly like watermelon on the outside, but completely different on the inside–with it’s bitter white flesh and seeds. It grows wild in warm, arid regions of Africa and Asia. The people of “Nigeria” and “Congo” call it wild watermelon, Egusi melon, or Ibara. Egusi can grow just about anywhere: humid gullies, dry savannahs, tropical highlands. This makes it a great source of food for farmers in even the worst conditions.
Eguis is composed of nearly 50% healthy fats and 30% protein. Whoa! Nutrition! A great dietary supplement that can be a staple in a vegetarian diet. The seeds taste a lot like pumpkin seed
Ways to eat Egusi Seeds:
- Shell and eat as a snack
- Soak, ferment or boil and add to soup or stew
- Roast and ground into nut butter (tastes like pumpkin seeds)
- Soaked or boiled seeds can be ground and meshed into high-protein patties
- Baby food: blend seeds with water and fresh cane juice or natural sweetener and use when breast milk is unavailable (in areas where malnutrition is prevalent)
Growing & Storing
The egusi plant is highly resilient to pests and diseases (reminds me of hemp). It also blankets the ground as it grows so–especially when planted with other foods–it helps to reduce the growth of weeds. Ko nii tete baje, as Yorubas would say, or, it takes long for egusi to spoil: in the field or on the shelf (dried seeds). The mouth watering egusi I ate all last week was made with seeds I’ve had for two years.
Egusi, Scientific Name Citrullus Lanatus
Health Benefits of Egusi
Some have purported that egusi is so high in cholesterol that we should cut back on it. I say, nonsensical nonsense. Fela would slap you.
Heal with Pulsed Electromagnetism
Heal with Pulsed Electromagnetism
Did you know you can heal with pulsed electromagnetism?
This is the basis of Elixa.com’s EMpulse.
NASA 4-year collaborative study on the efficacy of electromagnetic fields to stimulate growth and repair in mammalian tissues NASA/TP-2003-212054
http://ston.jsc.nasa.gov/collections/TRS/_techrep/TP-2003-212054.pdf (the first study to clarify technologies and efficacy parameters for tissue growth and restoration)
Elixa.com offers a useful set of FAQs in a Q & A format for those interested in purchasing its EMpulse device
Is EMpulse energy effective in pain relief & healing?
- 98% of EMpulseowners state they feel better after using EMpulse rather than with drugs or any other therapy.
- What is PEMF?
- TheEMpulse is an external, low-level PEMF (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field) treatment device which helps activate and augment the body’s natural healing process.
- Are there any contraindications?
- Not to be used in pregnancy, infancy, or with implanted electronic devices.
DO NOTuse in water, moist environments (sauna) or when sweating, especially at night. - Is EMpulse effective against Avian Flu?
- EMpulse has no effect on Avian Flu in our experience nor has it been reported to have any effect in the scientific literature.
We disavow any representation that our technology is curative in Avian Flu.
- Compared to many other PEMF units promoted elsewhere on the Internet, your model is less expensive. Is there a difference in therapeutic value?
- YES –EMpulse is more effective. It is the only commercially available nanosecond PEMF device on the market. The NASA study found nanosecond PEMF increased healing rates 2.5-4.0 times faster than other slower millisecond technology.
We have analyzed devices selling at $4000 and found them to contain $20 worth of electronic parts, and producing a pulse far less bioeffective than ours. We started EM-PROBE to make an advanced healing technology affordable to persons needing help with pain relief and healing, and our price reflects this priority. - Is it better to move my EMpulse or hold it still?
- Movement back and forth over the inflamed or painful area (with the light facing the skin) is the most certain way to assure proper treatment. When you have isolated the painful area, you can placeEMpulse directly on it and leave it in that location.
- How long should I treat with EMpulse?
- We find 30 – 60 minute intervals 1 – 3 times per day most effective early in a treatment program. After 3 – 4 days treatments can be decreased if pain has stopped. If pain continues consult a healthcare provider to establish the inflamed site more precisely. The two commonest causes of failure are: 1) failure to use EMpulse, 2) treatment in the wrong location, especially with shoulders, sciatica, hips and low back pain. Call or email us for helpful tips in locating pain causing sites.
- Can I use EMpulse too much?
- Many beneficial effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are cumulative, i.e. the more you treat the better the outcome. It has also been our experience that some conditions seem to achieve a maximum response and more treatment does not produce better results. Each condition differs and must have “best treatment” determined individually.
- Will EMpulse treatment go through my cast or bandage?
- Yes, you can use your device to treat through the cast or bandage dressing. In the event you have an EMpulse TRILOGY model, the LED light does NOT penetrate but the nanosecond PEMF does.
- Are there any conditions that will affect treatment with EMpulse?
- Smoking decreasesEMpulse effect due to excessive free radicals present in cigarette smoke. Excessive coffee intake, (2 – 3 pots daily) will also reduce the effectiveness of EMpulse.
- What are free radicals?
- First identified in the late 70s free radicals are increasingly recognized as dangerous first responder destructive compounds that, literally within seconds, increase injury and illness that can continue to expand such problems until death occurs.
Free radicals must be neutralized before pain and inflammation will cease; AND only then can healing begin. Clickhere to see how EMpulse assists antioxidants to neutralize free radicals.
- Is frequency important?
- VERY! At 10 billion pulses per second light energy is trapped in the skin and converted to heat. At 72 pulses per secondEMpulse pulsed electromagnetic energy (PEMF) passes through skin, with no sensation at all, to restore and heal deep tissues. As the first scientists in the US to study light in soft tissue injury(1980) we found IT DIDN’T WORK, as did FDA and Stanford University scientists. *EMpulse emits light for soothing skin warmth – not to heal deep injury or inflammation.
