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Thursday, May 29, 2008

A Fun Little Quiz


Here’s a fun little challenge. We are unsure if this is statistically accurate, but whether it is or not, it is sure a fun little quiz.

If all of the eight desserts listed below were sitting in front of you,
which would you choose (sorry, you can only pick one)! Pick your dessert, and then look to see what it says about you.

Here are your choices:
1. Angel Food Cake

2. Brownies

3. Lemon Meringue Pie

4. Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Icing

5. Strawberry Short Cake

6. Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Icing

7. Ice Cream

8. Carrot Cake

No, you can't change your mind once you scroll l down, so think carefully what your choice will be. OK... now that you've made your choice, this is what the researchers say about you...

SCROLL DOWN


1. ANGEL FOOD CAKE -- Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and fuzzy items. A little nutty at times. Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Others perceive you as being childlike and immature at times.

2. BROWNIES -- You are adventurous, love new ideas, and are a champion of underdogs and a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up you whip out you saber. You are always the oddball with a unique sense of humor and direction. You tend to be very loyal.

3. LEMON MERINGUE -- Smooth, sexy, & articulate with your hands, you are an excellent caregiver and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at times, you set your own style because you do your own thing. You shine when it comes to helping others and have many friends.

4 . VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING -- Fun-loving, sassy, humorous, not very grounded in life; very indecisive and lacking motivation. Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical joker. Others should be cautious in making you mad. However, you are a friend for life.

5. STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE -- Romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people, can be counted on in a pinch and expect the same in return. Intuitively keen. You can be very emotional at times but a true person in every way. You like to do things for yourself and help others learn about themselves.

6. CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING -- Sexy; always ready to give and receive. Very creative, adventurous, ambitious, and passionate. You can appear to have a cold exterior but are warm on the inside. Not afraid to take chances. Will not settle for anything average in life. Love to laugh.

7. ICE CREAM -- You like sports, whether it be baseball, football,
basketball, or soccer. If you could, you would like to participate, but
you enjoy watching sports. You don't like to give up the remote control.You tend to be self-centered and high maintenance.

8. CARROT CAKE -- You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh.You are fun to be with. People like to hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal friends. You were meant to lead and teach others. A wonderful role model.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Schools Out and Here's How To Survive




Some parents believe that June, July, and August are the longest months of the year. Kids are bored after just three days of freedom from school… teens want to be out doing something each and every night… and constantly someone is in the kitchen complaining there is nothing to do around here. So how can parents survive the hot, lazy days of summer and still maintain their sanity?

Here are some hints to keep your mental health intact:

1. Try to create some daily structure in your children's lives. Make a specific time for chores, television viewing, computer usage, and activities with friends. Sometimes it is helpful to have a family meeting and create a formal schedule for summer activities
2. Establish a time each day for reading. Join a summer reading program through the library, or set up a reward system for books read during the summer months. Each of us needs to keep our brain well exercised and skills quickly diminish when we don't keep our mind active.
3. Set a specific time each day to talk to your kids. Establish a consistent routine for discussion of the day's activities and plans for the following day. Use this time to explore feelings, and perhaps ask your child what was the “best part of their day.” Many parents have found it useful to ask their children what new thing they learned today in an effort to facilitate introspective thought.
4. Plan fun activities on a regular basis. Try summer camp, a weekly trip to the library or museum, or one of the unique summer programs that are available through Lakeview or the Park District.
5. If you have an teenager, check out classes that can be transferred as college credit. Look into volunteer opportunities, or a part time job. Some community agencies are looking for teens willing to help other teens. Call the Mental Health Association and ask about volunteering for the Teen Crisis Line, or call one of the local hospitals about volunteer opportunities.

How about some ideas related to keeping the family intact during the summer when everyone is usually going all different directions?
Put together a list of fun activities that can be shared as family nights. Activities could include movies, miniature golf, baseball games, indoor football, concerts, the zoo, or riverfront activities. The list is endless. A fun means of creating involvement is allowing each member of the family to have their own rotating week to be the planner of the family activity. Each week will not only be a surprise, but each member will feel they have a special place in the summer activities.

Any other tips for parents and ways to "survive the summer?"
~Don't forget to make time for yourself. Make time for taking a walk on the Rock Island Trail, read a book, take a summer class, or just relax in your back yard.
~ Make plans to “have a date” with your significant other. Make sure you don't lose connection with your partner during the hectic summer months.
~Make time to be with your friends
~Remember if you are not taking care of yourself, it is impossible to care for anyone else!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Early news about women's lifestyle show


The 2008 Women's lifestyle show is scheduled for Saturday October 25.

Here's some news so you will be the first to know. We will be featuring Ruth Fishel, a well-known meditation guru at our show. Ruth has written over a dozen books, and she will be featuring her newest book which focuses on peace. Ruth was also a speaker at our show in it's 2nd year, and she has a popular workshop speaker and motivator who has spoken to tens of thousands of participants in the last 20 years. Her affirmation books have been best sellers for Health Communication, Inc (the Chicken Soup publishers).

We do know that the ever popular Jill Carnahan, MD will be returning to speak at 1 pm on Saturday.

Joy will be speaking in the morning-- either at 10 or 11, and tentatively she will be speaking on the topic of "Happiness."

For more information go to www.womenslifestyleshow.com

Are you assertive?


Is it hard for you to stand up for yourself? Do you have difficulty being assertive? Do you feel like a doormat who is unable to say NO? Tonight we’ll give you some tips for changing your behaviors.


How would you define assertiveness?
• Assertiveness is involves knowing what you want and giving yourself permission
to state your needs
• Assertiveness is not aggressiveness. It is a means of honoring your needs
without attacking someone else in the process. Being assertive is making a
request to someone else, but it is not aggressive or demanding.
• Assertiveness is a means of saying “no” or learning to avoid manipulation or
people pleasing.

What are some tips for developing assertiveness?

• First you must become aware of your own feelings, needs, values and desires
• Look the other person in the eye when you talk to them.
• Keep an open posture. Avoid folding your arms, shaking fingers, and face the
person directly
• Make a request that is simple, to the point, and firm (and non-blaming or
judgmental)
• Stay calm and avoid getting overly emotional or excited.


A lot of people have difficulty saying NO to others. What are some tips for those of us who have a hard time saying NO?
• Remember that saying NO is a means of setting limits. It is nothing to feel
guilty about, and you have the right to set boundaries.
• Acknowledge the other person’s request by restating it, and then explain your
reasons for declining.
• When you state your reasons for declining, make the points short and to the
point.
• Say no by using phrases such as “No, I’m not interested” or “No, I am
unwilling to do that.” Say no in a firm, polite manner.
• If it is appropriate you can suggest another option of something you would be
willing to do as a proposal for an alternative.