Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Long Hair Care Regime
Most women would like to have long, silky hair, but not many of us know that having long hair is not easy to maintain and it could be expensive at times. Some do not mind to spend that money as long as they have long shiny hair which is a sign of health. When the hair is healthy the layers of the cuticle lie flat and reflect light. Therefore, long hair care is a very important issue to learn about, because there is s lot more hair to worry about and specific types of products that are needed for that specific purpose.
The ingredients that are included in the shampoo formula is going to definitely have a great impact on how well it works on the hair especially for long hair care. That is why it is so important for you to read the label on the shampoo. Generally the best shampoos are the ones that are all natural and which contain no chemicals or byproducts, because all the ingredients mentioned earlier, they will be gentler and more nourishing on the hair.
Long hair care will need you to find a conditioner. Again the option here will depend largely on the type of hair that it is going to be used for. Just because a person has long hair, this does not mean that they still do not have a certain hair category. There are fine, medium, and thick hair types, and it is very easy for a person to know which they are.
What you have to do is to tie your hair back into a ponytail, and look at the size of the ponytail. If the ponytail is small, it shows the finer the hair, and the bigger the ponytail is the thicker the hair is.
Choose a rich, moisturizing conditioner, especially if your hair tends to get dry or there are a lot or has a lot of product used on it. In long hair care regime, it is vital to be using a volumizing conditioner especially if your hair is limp and fine because this will give body and volume to the hair. Hair can become immune to a specific formula's effects and as a result buildup will occur so it is always a good idea to change the brand of conditioner every month or so.
Things to remember
It is very important for a person who want to keep long hair must know long hair care and so that it is healthy and shiny looking, as long as they take proper care of it and use the right products.
Jewelry Trends For Fall and Winter 2008 / 2009
As the temperatures fall, the frivolity of summer frocks gives way to seriously gorgeous, sharply cut outfits. Instead of frills and ruffles, structured cuts and simplicity rule.
Unlike past seasons where minimalist clothes demanded that one goes sans jewelry, this seasons looks are best highlighted with statement pieces. Timeless pieces that turn heads and go with simple clothes in black or rich colors. Hey, you can even wear with spring and summer's lightweight dresses to add oomph to your look.
Even the very wealthy with stashes of priceless jewelry would keep the real items in a safe and wear imitations of their jewels in public.
The best thing about these imitations is that they are very affordable. You could dress like a millionaire even if you are on a tight budget. Just accessorize your new gown or little black dress with an absolutely stunning crystal necklace.
Crystals are everywhere in the full spectrum of color. What better way to bring life to a structured dress with little detail than to accessorize it with brightly colored rocks. One statement accessory is enough. A small collection of statement jewelry is all you need to create your signature look. Wear one item at a time with your favorite dress. A change of accessories freshens your look instantly.
Cuff bracelets are statement jewels that turn a simple sheathe into a stunning outfit. Your little black sleeveless dress or strapless gown looks even more amazing with the addition of a single cuff bracelet.
Now is the time to collect statement jewelry to create your signature look. Take advantage of this season's offerings to build up your jewelry wardrobe.
How to Select the Perfect Diaper Bag
Choosing the ideal designer diaper bag is one of the most important things parents must do before their little bundle of joy arrives! It becomes an extension of you because your diaper bag will go everywhere you go for the first few years of your sweet baby's life.
While there are many different types of styles, colors, patterns, and prices associated with diaper bags available today, there are a number of considerations that should be made when choosing the right diaper bag. A high-quality, well-crafted diaper bag is an investment that is well worth the price, as you will be toting this bag everywhere for the next several years.
As a busy, on-the-go mom, you will want to select a diaper bag that offers you all the unique features you need to fit your lifestyle. There is an overwhelming choice of diaper bags on the market now and choosing the perfect bag can be intimidating. The following tips from Pure and Honest Kids will help you select the perfect diaper bag for you!
1. Size of the bag:
Decide on the size of bag you need. Do you need one that is large enough for all the many items needed to help care for your baby while on the go? Or are you looking to downsize your original diaper bag into one that just holds the essentials?
You may be surprised at just how many items you will require on an outing with your new baby! So if this is your first and only diaper bag, Pure and Honest Kids advises that you select a diaper bag with some substantial size.
May we suggest the Elegant Baby Tote Bag ($42.00)? It is roomy while fashionable, and features inside and outside pockets, a storage bag for wet items, and a changing pad. Trust us, you'll want a diaper bag that is roomy and spacious and has lots of pockets to organize your possessions.
If your child is older and does not need as many items while you are away from your house, think about downsizing to a smaller diaper bag. It will be lighter to lug around and will rid you of items you no longer need while traveling with your toddler. May we suggest the Diaper Ditty ($34.00). The Diaper Ditty is a fashion-forward clutch from the outside, but unfolds to hold a case of wipes, 2-3 diapers and a few "mom essentials" in a secured back pocket. Perfect for moms going on a quick errand or popping over to a friend's house.
2. Be true to your personal style:
A great diaper bag should carry you through the first several years of your baby's life. It is important to select a diaper bag that is true to your individual personal style. No longer are diaper bags dreary and boring, nor are they covered in cartoons, clowns and animals! Today's diaper bags are trendy, chic and functional, with enough room to hold all the essentials for both you and your baby.
Choose colors and patterns that suit your every day taste, as you will carry this bag often. There are many diaper bags out there that look like purses and handbags carried by women everywhere. There are also colorful bags, as well as intricate patterns on diaper bags that you may find exciting! Since it is something you will carry every day, select a diaper bag you truly like.
Also choose a shape of diaper bag that is pleasing to you and that will fit all your needs. For example, if you want to use your diaper bag as a laptop bag as well, consider the Reese Li Lexington Messenger diaper bag ($150). It is large enough for your laptop, has a waterproof interior and 12 organizing pockets that makes this bag a parent's dream come true!
If you wish to have a non-bulky, simple diaper bag, consider the EasyWalker Sky Nursery diaper bag ($59.00). Fresh and simple, the EasyWalker Nursery bag has a place for everything you need!
If you are someone that loves bold colors and patterns, may we suggest the La Shea Brown Giraffe Bag ($80.00). We love this unique diaper bag and so will you! With a variety of fun fabrics and trims, the brown giraffe print bag is something to talk about.
The important thing is for you to love your diaper bag and to not get tired of it, so choose a style and pattern that is true to your own personal taste.
3. Comfortable fit:
You will be carrying your diaper bag almost every day the first few years, so consider the fit of the bag and how you will carry it.
Do you prefer a shoulder strap? How about this Khacki and Red Daddy diaper bag by Milano Series ($25.00)? Simply styled and easy to carry, this khaki saddle bag can easily be worn over a shoulder or across the body and has lots of pockets for everything you and baby need.
A hand-held tote? May we suggest the Turquoise & Chocolate Diaper Bag by La Shea ($90.00)? This lovely diaper bag tote lovely diaper bag is loaded with practical details like lots of pockets and an easy to clean laminated interior.
Or do you see yourself liking a backpack style diaper bag? Check out the Timi and Leslie Backpack diaper bag ($150.) This unique diaper bag features adjustable straps and Velcro/drawstring closure. Plenty of places to organize baby's things, including an insulated interior bottle pocket, several inside compartments, a front zipper pocket, and a clip for keys or toys.
You should also think about the strap length and width. What kind of handbags do you like to carry?
Bigger Breast - How To Get Bigger Breast Without Surgery
Constantly standing in the mirror saying to yourself, I want to know how to get bigger breast without surgery. Your are dissatisfied with the look of your breast. You want your breast to stand up, stand out and get the attention they deserve.
There was a time when it seemed as though breast surgery was the only way to enhance your breast. Not wanting to go under the knife, you were hoping that a much easier way would come along. Yet, there are a lot of women who still choose to have the surgery even though there is a better way.
There is no other way to get bigger breasts faster unless you take your chances on surgery. You may want to do a lot of research on breast surgery just to get a good idea of what your are in for. It is very expensive and dangerous. But, there are some women who are willing to take the risk.
Once the surgery is over it is time for you to endure the pain and heal up. For the price of those nice breasts you will have wait weeks before you heal completely. Then you have to pay for them month after month unless, you pay the $10,000 up front. Now your friends are looking for other ways to enhance their breast.
They have found out that they do not have be cut on to have firmer breast. There are natural ways for them to enlarge their breast naturally. After doing a little research they realize that there are breast enhancement herbs that can do the job.
These herbs work to increase your breast size and they also help firm them up as well. There are plenty of products for you to choose from that are made from natural ingredients. You will find that there are pills, creams, gum, and some other products. All of the products ingredients are made to grow your breast.
These supplements are safe and they do not cost a arm, a leg, and a breast to give you sexy breasts. It's just a matter of finding the product you want and following the instruction. It is important that you follow the direction as directed on the label.
If you still have question, about how to get bigger breast without surgery, check with your doctor maybe he or she can recommend someone to you who knows more about the subject. There are simple ways to naturally make your breast bigger. You need to search them out.
Advice on Fashion for the Apple Shaped Plus Size Teen
What a fashion challenge! That's what a lot of people think who has a plus size apple shape body. But it doesn't have to be that way. Apple body types have problems that are easy to hide. And they usually have slim legs and arms, great features to highlight and draw attention to.
If you have an apple body type, you gain your weight around your middle. You might also have a full bustline, a wide back and even wide shoulders. Your arms, legs, hips and behind could all be tight and slim. Apples have upper bodies larger than the lower half.
So how does an apple body type shop? Start at the top. Buy shirts and tees that draw the eye upward. Look for tops that have designs along the shoulder and neckline. Look for neckline bows and buttons. Buy sleeveless tops which will draw attention to your slim arms. Buy long shirts that stop at the widest part of your hips to help balance your body out.
The right pants also can be used to create a more balanced look. Wide legged pants will work by balancing your larger upper body with your smaller lower body. Do you have slim ankles along with your slim legs? Draw attention to those ankles with wide-legged capris.
Wide A-line skirts and A-line broomstick skirts work well also. If you wear them where your natural waistline is, the fullness of the skirt will hide your heavier midsection. Just make sure that the skirt fits properly and it doesn't pull over your middle.
Last but not least are your shoes. Balance your upper body with a heavier shoe. Or emphasize your slim legs and ankles with a strap sandal.
Raising Awareness On Cervical Cancer
In pre-cancerous stage, cervical cancer generally takes as long as ten years, and may even take thirty years to develop into a full fledged malignancy. Starting out as an abnormality in cervical cells, it is detectable through screening tests that are painless, quick and affordable.
Cervical cancer is highly curable at its pre malignant stage, if every woman who is at risk of developing the disease would subject herself to periodic screening tests. There is a good chance and the opportunity to detect and stop the disease before it becomes fatal or most costly to treat.
Early detection and treatment is the key to preventing cervical cancer. Developing countries that applied this concept by means of a sustained national anti cervical cancer screening program in place have greatly benefited.
The incidence of cervical cancer in those countries has been reduced by as much as ninety percent and the number of deaths due to cervical cancer has decreased by seventy percent according to the Cervical Cancer Prevention Network Alliance (CECAP), an organization established in response to the need for a coordinating body to spearhead promotions of a new approach towards early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is likely to affect women who:
1) Have warts of the high risk human papillona virus types (HPV) in the anal and genital areas.
2) Started having sex soon after she began her first menstruation.
3) Have or had several sexual partners.
4) With a history of sexually transmitted diseases.
5) A previous or current smoker, or is regularly exposed to secondary smoke.
6) Used diethylstilbestrol (DES), a drug for preventing miscarriage of pregnancy, or her mother used it when pregnant with her.
7) Have five or more children.
8.) Belong in the low socio-economic class.
9) And have compromised immune status or poor resistance to diseases.
Human papillona virus (HPV) is a very common infection; though most infected individuals eliminate evidence of the virus without even developing clinically recognized manifestations. Thus, very few HPV infected individual’s progress to invasive cervical cancer.
Avoiding or minimizing sexual contact should help to protect against HPV infection and development of cervical cancer. Sexually abstinent groups have very low incidence of cervical cancer.
With all the current approaches to prevention of HPV infections, vaccination should be a primary prevention tool, integrated with existing screening programs for early detection. With sufficient women awareness, cervical cancer can now be prevented and treated if diagnosed early.
Ovarian Cyst Symptoms or How to Eliminate Ovarian Cysts
As you may know, ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries that produce eggs. Ovarian cysts can develop as a normal part of the menstrual cycle as the ovaries prepare eggs to release into the fallopian tubes. Many of these cysts are completely harmless, but unfortunately some ovarian cysts can be malignant.
But how can you find out whether you are affected or not? Normally, these symptoms are found with the presence of ovarian cysts:
- Sudden and sharp pain in the lower abdomen (one or both sides), pelvis, vagina, lower back, or thighs
- Fullness, heaviness, pressure, swelling, or bloating in the abdomen
- Pressure and/or pain on the bladder and/or rectum
- Breast tenderness
- Pain during or shortly after beginning or end of menstrual period
- Irregular periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding or spotting
- Infertility
- Change in frequency or ease of urination (such as inability to fully empty the bladder)
- Increased level of hair growth
- Increased facial hair or body hair
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Nausea and/ or vomiting
Actually, you can have ovarian cysts without having any symptoms. But there is no need you to run to a doctor if you don't have any of the symptoms above. Ovarian cysts are usually found during a routine pelvic exam. If the doctor finds one, don't worry too much, about 95% of ovarian cysts are benign and chances are good that the cyst will exhale on its own.
The common treatment of the ovarian cysts is watchful waiting. In doing you simply wait and get re-examined in 1 to 3 months to see if the cyst has changed in size. If you frequently develop cysts, you may get birth control pills from your doctor which normally lowers the chances of forming new cysts. The problem is that scientists aren't sure whether birth control pills always have a positive effect.
If the cyst still exists after several menstrual periods, has gotten larger and looks unusual on the ultrasound or even causes severe pain, it may be necessary to remove it surgically.
But there are also natural methods that can work wonder healing ovarian cysts:
1) Apply a heating pad (or a hot water bottle) to the lower abdomen near the ovaries. This can relax tense muscles, relieve cramping and stimulate circulation and healing in the ovaries. Alternately you can use bags of ice covered with towels as cold treatments to increase local circulation.
2) Herbal remedies such as chamomile herbal tea (Matricaria recutita), Echinacea or milk thistle can reduce ovarian cyst pain and soothe tense muscles.
3) Eliminating caffeine and alcohol, red meats, eggs, reducing sugars, increasing foods rich in vitamin A and carotenoids (e.g., carrots, tomatoes, and salad greens) and B vitamins (e.g., whole grains) can be helpful.
4) Supplements including Vitamin C, zinc and a good antioxidant are known to be helpful in the treatment of the ovarian cysts.
Make the Most of Your Time Together With Erotic Lingerie
Wearing erotic, naughty lingerie can turn a normal evening into a memorable and exciting night. There are many options for you. From sexy tight leather to anything that your fantasies may entail, wearing erotic naughty lingerie is a fun open up new doors and free you from your sense of self. It can also bring a feeling of newness between the sheets. Whether it's to brighten a dulling relationship or enhance your lives, go into this new experience with an open mind and an adventurous attitude.
Don't be afraid. When you reach the point where you're ready to put on some leather lingerie, wield a whip, and get downright erotic, leave your inhibitions at the door. Allowing yourself to be nervous or anxious about your decision will only make you feel self-conscious, and you are more likely to put up emotional and physical barriers. Trust yourself, trust your partner, and plan to have fun.
Be adventurous. When you have the perfect erotic naughty lingerie ensemble and your partner is someone you can trust, it's time to open up and have fun. Let yourself go and be willing to try something different. If you're both open to suggestions, there's no telling where the evening might go.
Role play. Erotic naughty lingerie is ideal for creating a persona or scenario other than those that appear in your customary horizontal mambo. Although you might feel apprehensive at first, especially if this is your first time role-playing, it can be extremely rewarding when both partners enter into the spirit of things full-force and with gusto.
Accessorize. Although your tight leather bustier is a great first step in bedroom play, it's the accessories that really make the outfit. Complement a dark, gothic look with a riding crop and top hat. Pair your erotic garter belt with stiletto heels and heavy makeup. If you keep these kinds of toys and props nearby, you'll be able to incorporate them into your role playing as the need or desire arises.
Mix it up. There is no rule that says you can't reuse your lingerie once it's already been worn, but variety is still the spice of life. Keep things new and innovative with your partner by having several different types and styles of erotic naughty lingerie on hand. This way, you can either put on a lingerie fashion show or simply wear a new outfit every night of the week.
There are so many varieties of sexy lingerie that you are only limited by your taste and style. The best place to try out anything new with your partner is the bedroom. Here, only your inhibitions create your limits. Erotic naughty lingerie can embrace your personality, too. Be willing to try out that tight leather piece (or anything else you feel sexy in) and you and your partner will be thankful in the end.
Sexy lingerie is great for everyone whatever your shape or size, there are so many different types of lingerie items you will find one to suit you.
Loving Our Hair To Death - Here Come The Wigs
So let's talk some truth that most won't. Our hair is one of, if not the single most important fashion accessory we obsess over. Second to none, our mass collection of designer jeans, handbags, and six inch stiletto pumps will sadly fail if that one most important element, our hair, falls down on the job. Replacing and trading in our used up blue jeans, softened and distressed leather handbags, or broken off stiletto heels, is certainly no match in having to admit defeat of overprocessed and damaged hair.
We see it, live it, and hate it every time we turn the corner. Whether staring straight into the face of the most up-to-date fashion diva with three toned singed hair, giving subtle clues of "please look at my shoes," or ahead at ourselves in the mirror to an unwanted truth of less than lovely locks, the reality is, many of us just overdo it to death.
So what is one to do? Obvious options are to reckon the truth and make a decision to cut your hair down to what healthy hair might be left underneath the masses of damaged hair, or in some unfortunate cases, realize it is just too late, the damage is done, and there is nothing left to save. Talk about a bad hair day!
Next comes the dance of rationalization and grieving, yes, all stages will be met. Deciding a way out of this mess is as stressful as gaining fifty pounds in one day, and not having a single dollar to buy those designer jeans to accommodate your lack of attention to the matter. Either way, you need a quick fix, and you need it fast!
Reality states, these are the avenues we are left with: a) stay at home and comfort yourself with bon bons, b) find a trendy hat or scarf, c) consider buying a hairpiece or wig and weather the storm.
The truth is, the two latter options are going to be the best bet. Unless you are comfortable with also having to deal with depression, weight gain, and unemployment, life marches on, and to be quite frank, nobody really cares about what brought you to this point of despair except for your local hairdresser and psychologist who are standing in line to take the money you will need to fix your immediate problem.
There are actually a lot of terrific options with hats, scarves, hairpieces and wigs that can help what feels like the worse case scenario a little more tolerable. If you truly take a moment to notice, you will see that many of the adored tresses we crave, are artificially enhanced by hair extensions, hair additions and full wigs to achieve such perfection. It's become one of the "it things" to do. They are natural looking, light to wear, easy to put on, and are just darn gorgeous. Throw the latest style hat or scarf atop your new locks, and viola, you've just achieved a perfected look as the many you've adored yourself. Transforming your look and beauty routine becomes simple with the endless styles, colors and creativity they offer. You may want to reconsider bypassing the visit to your local hairdresser as evidence to the fact.
Do not despair, there is help and hope for anyone needing the proverbial Overstyling Detox Program. Finding help and ideas is as simple as picking up the latest fashion magazine, taking a stroll down Robertson Blvd. in L.A., or by visiting a local wig shop. You just might find that a new look, whether by choice or forced, is as intoxicating as the next pair of designer shoes.
Better hair days ahead!
Friday, June 27, 2008
A Different Type Of Blog
Stevie's Unique Shopping Mall really lives up to the it's name.
This site offers more than just the usual fare of Amazon and Ebay merchandise. Stevie's Unique Shopping Mall offers a wide range of products such as gift items (nuts, cheese, wine, cigar, gag gifts, etc). They also offer fresh sea food, flags,
landscaping rocks, self defense gear, outdoor gear, fishing gear, and the list goes on and on.
Why should you shop at Stevie's Unique Shopping Mall? When you shop at an online shopping portal, that is really shopping at its best. In fact, this will change the way you shop from now on.
1. There are many merchants in several different categories. If you are not able to find what you are looking for in a particular category, you can look for it at another store within the online mall. This is a big convenience and great time saver.
2. You can do all your shopping from home. Not only is that convenient, but you can realize a big savings. You can save not only on the merchandise itself but also save on the gas you would have otherwise spent driving to a physical store. With today's high gas prices, this is a big deal! You can also shop at all times of the day. It doesn't matter if it is 3 AM in the morning.
3. During the holidays especially, shopping at Stevie's Unique Shopping Mall will save you a lot of stress. You can do all your shopping without leaving the comfort of your home.
4. Stevie's Unique Shopping Mall has a wide range of product choices so you can pick the category that best suits what you are looking for.
5. Actually, even if you enjoy shopping at traditional, physical malls, you can still comparison shop online and then make your purchase at an offline store. However, most people become a fan of online shopping once they become used to it.
With the continual rise in the cost of gas, it makes sense to shop online. And that will hold true in the future as gas prices continue to rise to even higher levels. Some people still enjoy the offline shopping experience and that will always hold true. But now there is another serious alternative to taking care of your shopping needs and that is the online mall. Stevie's Unique Shopping Mall should be your first stop if you are looking for a good place to begin shopping online.
As can be clearly seen, there is a long list of reasons to shop at Stevie's Unique Shopping Mall. You can save all the normal headaches of regular shopping, including the time involved, the frustration involved, and the large amount of money spent on gas traveling back and forth. So try online shopping today and you will probably be hooked for life.
Learn the Secrets to Writing Better Blog Post Titles.
You have probably heard that successful blogs contain great
content, but I doubt anyone has told you that flourishing blogs
have great titles. There are two audiences you have to consider
when writing your blog post title. It would be great if all you
had to worry about was your loyal readers but you can’t forget
about google, yahoo and other search engine sites. These sources
are just as important because they help you acquire more loyal
readers. Here is a list of certain ways to tweak your titles
making your blog search engine and reader friendly.
Interest Readers
This is pretty obvious, but if you want visitors to read then
you have to be witty and inspiring. Ways to do this could be by
asking questions or giving advice, just make sure you answer the
question or provide advice inside the body, otherwise your title
is misleading and you can build a bad reputation with unhappy
clickers.
Use Google Keywords in your title
If you have any experience with search engine optimization then
this should be easier for you. The hard part is creating an
interesting title using google friendly keywords. It is
important to remember not to use too many words because your
title needs to remain enticing to the reader. An example of a
way to make your title more google friendly is the title: Seven
Horrible Ways To Ruin a Blog. People tend to search for positive
messages instead of negative ones when searching the internet. A
better title would be, Seven Ways to Help You Fix a Ruined Blog.
This title adds two positives (help/fix) and takes away from the
previous title’s negative tone.
Word Order
Believe it or not the word order of your post can really have a
drastic effect on your search engine ranking. The good news is
that you can rearrange these words without taking away from the
desired effect on your target audiences. Here is a title that
does not gain a high search engine rating: Five Tips to
Enhancing Your Blog. Here is a revised version with an expected
better google ranking : Enhancing Your Blog: Five Tips for
Success. Simple little word changes like this could nearly
double your current traffic
Your blog title is not the only factor contributing to the
success of your blog. It is indeed the great content that sets
the bar from poor and excellent blogs, but the better your title
the better the chance you have of acquiring new readers. To keep
the readers your context must be good. Titles are just the
building block to attract traffic.
Free Methods of Website Promotion
One way that an individual can grow a residual income, while at
the same time striving for financial freedom, is by starting an
Internet marketing business. It may sound simple, but you must
remember that many issues will come to mind, issues that may
inhibit you from creating a successful business.
Time and fiscal assets.
It is important for you to keep in mind that making money is
much easier if you have moderate financial resources and
sufficiently allot your time. If you don't feel as you have the
financial backing of keeping your business afloat, it wouldn't
be a good idea to start an online business.
The most important thing when you start a business on the
Internet is increasing the volume of traffic to your website.
Advertising online will help you become successful. However,
when you found out that the cost is not within your reach, there
is a slim chance that you will achieve success in getting
traffic and converting them into long-term clients.
How can you find ways to advertise your business online without
spending a lot of money?
Never forget that "free" is still an existing term.
Advertising an Internet business can be done effectively without
spending a lot of money. The most important thing to consider is
that your articles contain fresh and appealing information that
will properly inform your visitors about your business, as well
as what products and services you have for them.
Blogs are useful for marketing and business promotions, similar
to the way written articles are useful. By the service being
offered for free it's a great way of getting the content you
want on your site and having repeated visitors wanting to know
what you have to say.
After you make a blog, you can share your
opinions about your business or possibly include some images of
products that you currently offer. Do not forget to include your
link on your blogs so that your readers can visit your site if
they want more information about what you have written on your
blogs.
Search engine optimization is another way to promote your
website or business. This is a way of making changes to your
website to help it rank high in Google. If you do good search
engine optimization work, you can get a lot more traffic and
visitors to your website. This particular route will be time
consuming however it doesn't actually cost you any funds.
Why spend a lot if there are free and low-cost advertising
alternatives for your Internet marketing promotion? Just plan
and spend a little, and you'll be well on your way to earning
tons of money from your online business.
Sedation Dentistry -- a Great Selling Point
many people associate words when it comes to any type of the
district procedure, the order of the words may change of it but
the general concept remains the same. The fact that people are
afraid of the dentist is what for the most part prevents them
from taking care of their oral health, neglecting for an
extended period of time oral health procedures can be even worse
in terms of complications.
10 to 20 years ago it was very common for children to wait at
the doctors office and this into the sound of the dental drill
and screams of children who had a dental cleaning or procedure
done. Back in those days anything that had to do with the
dentist was considered as a really bad topic to talk about.
As time went by change in technology have changed the way
dentists treat their patients and how they execute the
treatments, sedation dentistry was not popular 20 years ago
simply due to the fact that the technology was not available.
Luckily for all of us, things have changed for the better as
dental procedures are now done in a very painless way in fact,
attaining a beautiful smile can be a peaceful experience, how's
that for change. Development in sedation technology have made
possible for dentist to perform complex operations while the
patient peacefully sleeps just to awake and receive wonderful
news about the condition of their oral cavity.
Sedation technology is heavily used whenever a patient needs to
have a complex procedure which involves going deep within the
teeth and potentially touching or killing a nerve which is what
happens when a dentist has to perform a root canal.
One of the main objections for people who avoided at all cost
going to the dentist was the "pain" factor, now that "that" is
out of the equation there is no reason why someone would want to
put aside their oral health because of fears which were left in
the past next breakthroughs in sedation technology.
Patients who know they will not feel a thing during a dental
procedure are able to relax and overcome their phobia to dental
treatments, this is truly become one of the most important
selling points when it comes to any dental procedure.
Interesting Facts about Cosmetic Dentistry
don't go to the dentist after they have neglected it for several
years is because they think that they have waited so long that
the problem has become so bad that it will be very painful to
treat an even more painful when it comes to paying for the
treatment. The fact is that no matter how long you have put
aside their oral health it is never too late to save the healthy
pieces you have and you may be surprised that even those which
you consider to be lost can be carefully brought back to a more
visually pleasing condition.
Cosmetic dentistry facts:
-- Cosmetic dentistry procedures are not about covering up your
teeth imperfections, it is about treating existing problems in
order to create a visually appealing smile as well as providing
a healthy and functional bite.
-- No matter how long you have waited to go to the dentist, it
is never too late to take care of your teeth, a simple visit to
the dental hygienist can reveal more information than you
thought possible.
-- Having cracked, missing or stained teeth is not a problem
when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, there are several
procedures available which can help you restore the natural look
of your smile, products such as Veneers, permanent dental
implants and tooth bleaching can change the aesthetics of your
smile drastically.
-- After recommended cosmetic dentistry procedures are performed
on patients, most of them report have experienced an increased
level of confidence and self-esteem which will help them to
excel within their social group.
-- The costs of restorative dental procedures have steadily
declined during the past decade, this makes a very affordable
for everyone who wants to have a white beautiful smile to be
able to reach this goal, as of today you don't have to be a
really there in order to afford a pearly-white smile.
UTI Natural Remedy - Why Natural Health can Cure and Prevent
can understand why a simple <a
href="http://www.urinaryinfectiontreatment.com/uti1/">UTI
natural remedy</a> is one of the most effective ways to cure and
prevent the bacteria from getting to your bladder. And many
doctors are now recommending some of these same tips.
In most cases, UTIs are caused by the bacteria E Coli. The
bacteria will get into the bladder or urinary tract and
immediately begin to multiply because the urinary tract is like
a giant Petri dish (perfect temperature and conditions). In most
cases, the bacteria is killed and flushed from the body.
However, when the immunity is low, the bacteria can proliferate
and an infection is inevitable. Fortunately, research has shown
that E coli is not a very resilient bacterium and can be killed
and flushed with simple natural remedies.
<b>Natural Health and Your Urinary Tract Infection</b>
Natural health has been more popular than it's ever been with
research now pointing to legitimate remedies. And the reason why
some remedies are so effective is because they are using simple
holistic ideas.
Holistic treatments are simply treatments that work to treat the
whole body and not the symptoms. Synthetic prescriptions (the
medicine you get from your doctor) typically work by treating
the symptoms.
For instance, one holistic treatment for urinary tract
infections is Vitamin C. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid,
is effective because it boosts the immune system to fight off
diseases and infections. With a heightened immunity, the E coli
bacterium is less likely to win the battle in your urinary tract.
And finally, natural health also does NOT have any side effects
which many traditional prescriptions do.
<b>A Simple UTI Natural Remedy</b>
There are 3 'musts' to cure and treat any UTI infection. You
need to know how to prevent future infections. You need to
understand how certain natural acids can kill the bacteria
affecting the urinary tract. And you need to know how to flush
the bacteria.
The first part of any remedy is knowing prevention tips to keep
the infection from every returning. One way is to take vitamin C
supplements daily for a healthy immune system to fight off the
next infection. Secondly, you need to know what foods flush away
the 'bad' bacteria in your body. Here is a short list you should
probably write down: Spinach, Potatoes, Zucchini, Carrots,
Squash, Onions, Mineral water, broccoli, green beans, avocados,
grapes, pears and apples.
You will notice that many of the foods are water-soluble fiber
foods (fruits and vegetables) which have been shown to flush the
body and help keep a healthy urinary tract. And on that subject,
you should also be drinking plenty of fluids to flush your
system regularly. Most Americans are dehydrated and don't even
know it! Ironically, we have clean water everywhere we go. You
should drink at least 10 glasses of water a day to purge the
body of harmful toxins.
You should also be eating acidophilus yogurt several times per
week. This specific type of yogurt is great for keeping 'good'
bacteria in your digestive and urinary system.
Finally, it might also be helpful to know what fruits have high
levels of acid in them to kill the bacteria. Because the liver
plays no role in regulation of acid and bases, you can actually
detoxify your urinary tract with certain fruits and juices.
3 Ways To Stress Handling
go by when you don't feel anxious, angry, annoyed, overworked,
or just plain overwhelmed. This is why finding simple ways to
relieve stress is so important.
You don't have to go into a dark room and meditate for an hour,
or drop everything and run off to a tropical island, to relieve
the tensions of your daily life. In fact, there are things you
can do at any time, no matter where you happen to be, that can
give you instant stress relief.
Slowly Count To Ten
Yes, some problems can be stressful. But how you react to
stressful situations is the key. If you immediately get worked
up over every problem or challenge that pops up in your life,
you're going to spend a lot of time feeling tense and anxious.
But, if you can stay relatively calm and in control, stress
won't be as much of an issue for you.
When something bad or unpleasant happens in your life, don't
react immediately. Instead, take a moment and slowly count to
ten. As you count, rate the stressor on a scale of one to ten.
Your boss yelled at you? On the scale of bad things that can
happen on any given day, that's about a two.
You lost your keys? That's about a four. Not an ideal situation,
but one you can well handle. Counting to ten gives you time to
really evaluate the stressful situation. Once you put things in
perspective, you might find it's not worth stressing over.
Take Some Deep Breaths
In a way, stress is a fear response. One thing that happens when
you are afraid or in danger is your breathing becomes quick and
shallow. And the same thing can happen when you're anxious about
a busy day, or nervous about giving a speech. And this impaired
breathing can actually make your stress and anxiety even worse.
So concentrate on taking slow breaths, breathing deep so that
your stomach expands, then slowly letting the air out. This is a
way of tricking your body into thinking the stressor is gone,
and you will start to actually feel more calm as a result.
Massage Your Temples
When they are feeling stressed, some people instinctively reach
up to massage their temples. And indeed it's a good instinct to
have.
Gently rubbing your temples in a circular motion is an
acupressure technique that helps relax tense muscles, especially
those in your shoulders and neck. And, as your muscles relax,
some of your stress will drain away.
There are many ways to relieve stress. And, with these quick and
easy techniques, you can ease tension, and help yourself feel
calmer and more in control, no matter where you happen to be.
Bintan Island of Singapore
capital, Tanjung Pinang is actually the capital of the Riau
Arcipelago. From here you can see the importance of Bintan
island.
Compared with Batam, Bintan is richer in its history. In
conjunction with this background, it has more historical sites
to visit.
Bintan's history is interwoven closely with those of Malacca and
Johor Sultanates. Bintan and the rest of Riau Archipelago were
ruled by the Malacca Sultanate. When the Portuguese attacked
Malacca in 1511, its king fled to Pahang of the Malay Peninsula
and later to Bintan where he tried to repossess Malacca. His
successor moved to Johor and established the Johor Sultanate.
Later, the Dutch gained control of Bintan island. However, the
Dutch was chased out of Bintan by a force supported by the
Malacca Sultanate.
In 1824, the Treaty of London finally settled that the islands
south of Singapore fell under the Dutch territories whereas
those north of Singapore including Singapore were British's.
Again, Bintan was under the ruling of the Dutch.
Pulau Penyengat is a must see historical site for visitors. It
is situated at about 6km from Tanjung Pinang. It was the
religious, cultural and administration centre of the region in
19th century. Sultan Mahmud Shah of Malacca gave this island to
his bride, Raja Hamidah, daughter of Raja Ali Haji, the Bugis
commander of Bintan in an attempt to reach peace between the
Malay (Malacca Sultan) and the Bugis (Raja Ali Haji). A grand
mosque, Masjid Raya was built on the island. It is beautiful,
huge and visible from Tanjung Pinang.
Raja Ali was the hero to Bintan's people. There is a monument
built by the seaside of Tanjung Pinang to commemorate Raja Ali
Haji who sacrificed his life for his people against the Dutch.
Within the town of Tanjung Pinang, there is a Dutch Colonial
Graveyard. The tombstones are decorated with carving. One may
see the seamen's life in the old days.
Banyan Tree Temple is a popular place for the local Chinese
community and Singaporean visitors. It is situated in a town
called Senggarang. The temple is about 100 years old.
For holiday makers, there are 2 areas for you to choose i.e.
Lagoi at the northern part or Trikora Beach at the east coast of
the island.
Lagoi is full of high end resorts like Banyan Tree Resort and
Club Med Ria. These are exclusive resorts complete with golf
courses designed by the world renowned golf course designers.
Needless to mention on the standard of facilities and amenities
provided by these resorts.
Resorts and hotels at the Trikora Beach are affordable to
average visitors. To name a few: Bintan Agro Beach Resort,
resorts complete with fishing facilities like Ocean Bay Resort
and Kolam Kelong Trikora. There is even a resort providing
diving services - Traveler Pondok Wisita. Visitors may stay in
its airconditioned and non-airconditioned rooms overnight before
diving.
Jobs on Cruise Ships - Ship Staff Hired From All Over the World
may be even better than a dream come true, it may be an
opportunity too good to pass up. Luckily, it's possible to learn
about other cultures on a cruise <a
href="http://www.yourinformationplace.com/management-concepts/job
s-on-a-cruise-ship-cruise-line-employment-101.html"
target="_blank">ship</a>.
Most cruise lines hire, either directly or through
concessionaires, staff from around the world. If you're an
employee, you have direct contact with people from other
cultures, and will therefore learn more about them as you get to
know one another. It is also quite possible that your roommate,
unless you are a senior staff member, will be from another
country, enabling you to spend more time and learn more.
Since you'll be together for at least six months, which is the
shortest contract for cruise ship staff, you'll have ample
opportunity to learn from one another. Not only will you develop
life-long friendships, you will have the opportunity to visit
some exotic ports of call and experience different cultures
first hand.
One of the larger cruise ships may employ up to 1,000 people. Of
these people, around 50 countries will be represented. The
breakdown in employees will be around three-quarters from Asian
countries: the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asia. The
remainder of the employees will be from Europe, Eastern Europe,
Australia, North America, and South America. You may find
employees from the Middle East and Africa, but they are less
common.
With each different country and culture represented, the cruise
ship employee has a chance to learn about the world outside
their own back doors. They will be able to see the sights, hear
the sounds, taste the cuisine, and drink in the beauty of
another country as they are given time for shore excursions.
And if living among those from foreign cultures wasn't enough of
an opportunity to learn, quite often the passengers will be from
other countries than those who are working on the ship. In your
day-to-day dealing with the passengers, you may be able to
strike up a conversation and learn just a little bit more.
Once your contract has been fulfilled, if you've done a
successful job of meeting your passenger's needs, as well as
your employer's expectations, you'll likely be offered another
contract. Perhaps you'll be required to remain on the same crew,
but you may be allowed to transfer to another job on another
ship in the fleet. If this is the case, your opportunity to
continue this on-the-job learning will expand with each new crew
you work with.
Take whatever chance you can to leave the ship and explore the
ports of call. Purchase books about the areas you visit, immerse
yourself within the culture, and absorb all you can. Don't lose
an opportunity to learn something new about the places you go.
Not only will you be expanding your own knowledge, you could be
increasing your opportunities for the future.
Those who have in-depth knowledge of the ports of call can apply
for positions as a cruise director or excursion leader. This
will give you even more chances to leave the ship and enjoy
traveling in the countries you visit. And that is part of the
reason you wanted to work on a cruise ship in the first place,
isn't it, to travel and learn about other cultures?
You can learn about foreign cultures while working on a cruise
ship, if you take the opportunities you're given to get to know
your fellow crew mates, take time to visit off the ship, and
study about the places you go. It may take a little bit of work,
but it's not hard to do. All it takes is an interest and
determination to do so.
About the author:
Get more information regarding <a
href="http://www.yourinformationplace.com/management-concepts/job
s-on-a-cruise-ship-cruise-line-employment-101.html"
target="_blank">ship</a>.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Allure of the Taken Man
Love at first sight was something I never believed in - until
the night I met Andrew in a bar. He seemed my ideal man; 35,
charismatic, brilliant, incredibly successful and so sexy that I
was mentally undressing him before the second drink. Then he
dropped the bomb; he was separated with three children and
facing a messy divorce.
I thought I could handle it. But on our second date, when I
asked for more details, he blurted out the two words that strike
fear into the heart of every single girl; 'It's complicated.'
That's when I began to realize that his version of 'separated'
meant 'in his head'. The next 10 minutes were a blur as he gave
me the marital monologue. He was only staying for the kids, he
hadn't slept with his wife in three years, she had a
boyfriend... I told him politely that I couldn't handle the
situation, and got into a taxi. Five minutes later I was running
back to him, my heart racing as we fell into each other's arms.
The rational side of my brain knew that I was doing wrong but it
was having its butt kicked by my naughty side, the side that
wore fishnet stockings in anticipation of our illicit
encounters. The next few weeks were a blur of whirlwind trips to
New York, late night calls and romantic dinners.
I soon realized that sex with a married man is like scoffing
down an entire box of Krispy Kremes. It was incredibly decadent
and satisfying at the time but left me feeling guilty, empty and
a bit sick afterwards.
That's when the withdrawal started. I was madly in love with the
man I was convinced was my soul mate, but utterly miserable. At
least I wasn't alone, because every woman has at some point
lusted after a man who wasn't technically available.
Illicit Encounters
Cheating and the laws of sexual supply and demand constantly
make headlines which could be why infidelity websites seem to be
multiplying faster than celebrity reality TV shows. Most of my
girlfriends are smart, liberated women who could take their pick
of male suitors, so why do so many of us secretly lust after
taken men?
Some of my friends choose a no-strings relationship because it
gives them the freedom of hot sex, plus an ego boost without
commitment. The way I see it, attached men are looking to
recreate those first three months of love they no longer have
with their partners, which makes them much more driven in
pursuit of you.
Even if you don't share that attitude, it's easy to succumb to
flock mentality. It's the same logic that compels us to buy a
vest top we thought was hideous until we saw Kate Moss wearing
it. This could also explain why Pete Doherty now has so many
groupies, despite looking like he hasn't had a shower since 2005.
My friend, Lauren, 27, who works in publishing, is another case
in point. She had a fling with a guy she now admits she found
average looking and unexceptional - until she found out he had a
girlfriend. He said he wanted to end things but was afraid of
hurting her. She admits that this made her really competitive.
She doesn't know if she was addicted to him or just interested
in fighting over him.
It's not just a girl thing either. My male friends swear being
in a relationship makes them more attractive to women. My
friend, Charlie hadn't had a date for so long, tumbleweeds were
starting to grow in his hair, then after he met his girlfriend,
women started chatting him up. Perhaps being on the arms of
someone fantastic convinces women that you're a good catch.
Another male friend of mine wore a wedding ring to a friend's
stag party and was amazed at the amount of attention it garnered
from women.
A relationship doesn't have to be current for the man to be
classified as 'taken'. My friend, Julie, 25, has just finished
with someone because of his obsession with his ex-fianc饬 a
fiery French girl who'd left him after four months - five years
ago. It was ridiculous, she was competing with a photograph. But
she realized he wasn't ready to move on and walked out.
As for my romance with Andrew, I soon realized despite his
promises to move out of the marital home, the only baggage he
was carrying was emotional. Although he tried to placate me by
introducing me to some of his friends, there was always another
child's birthday / branch of his business opening in Moscow /
family holiday. Christmas came and went with no sign of him
going anywhere.
One night, after we made love and were lying in the dark, he
whispered, 'What will happen to us if I can't ever leave?' I
freaked out and started crying. He tried to comfort me, but the
damage had been done. I realized that the only thing worse than
the lies he was telling me, was the lies I was telling myself.
That's when I learnt I had to be strong enough to walk away.
Despite his many attractive qualities, that's when I discovered
the real downside of taken men. Because of their complicated
living situations and the stress of deception, ultimately it's
all about them and everything happens on their timetable. The
last time I saw him he said, 'My heart is still with you.' But,
ultimately, I want to find a man whose body is too.
About the author:
For more articles on sexual health subscribe to Sandra Prior's
online newsletter at <a href="http://intercell.shacknet.nu"
target="blank">http://intercell.shacknet.nu</a>.
How To Be Hot When Your Not!
So I am Single. I have been dating since high school and have
had a few boyfriends but nothing healthy or long lasting. I have
had my heartbroken and honestly, can't remember breaking any
myself. I have met so many men from different backgrounds and
different cultures.
I rarely have a boyfriend long enough for my friends and family
to meet them. Every so often someone gets a glimpse of one of my
dates, and this is the only proof that some of them actually
exist.
So I have had my heart broken, been dumped, rejected, denied and
fired....and I still feel on top of this beautiful, exciting and
promising world. I feel this way because I know that the man of
my dreams is out there. I just know it! I am thankful that these
men have moved on briskly because if the losers stick around, I
wont be available when Mr Right gets here. So I have changed
what getting dumped means to me and crazily enough, after
shedding a tear or two, especially for the ones I thought id
marry, I get excited!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand just because we are ladies in waiting, it does
not mean that we cant have a little fun now does it? Of course
not! So let me give you a some tips on how to do that ;-)
Tip #1 Fake it till you make it!
People believe what they see. Men are attracted to modest
confidence, womanliness and the biggest most important one of
all....Mystery! They love it!! So if you are not already one of
those girls....start there! The real lessons will come later!
Tip #2 Don't have to be rich to wear hot clothes?
If you haven't already noticed....the whole entire fashion world
is based on peoples ideas on what is cool and wearable. The
people that start these trends are people like you and me. So
whats stopping us from using our creativity? Nothing! I like
beautiful new season clothes from Portmans and Principles but
the truth is...I cant afford it all the time! So I improvise. I
find and outfit that suits my figure perfectly and duplicate it
in heaps of different colors and accessories. Your sure to
always look good. Don't forget to watch a little MTV or E
Channel to get the latest scoop in fashion too!
Tip #3 Less Is More
Easy on the War Paint! I love make up...adore it! Would be lost
without it. However, I have seen sooooooooooooo many girls out
there who pile on the make up. There is a huge difference
between day wear, evening wear and dress ups. Day wear you want
to have something very natural. Foundation (maybe some powder or
bronzer), a little eye brow pencil, mascara that lengthens and
frames your eyes and your favorite gloss is all you need. Ensure
you blend that foundation in.....theres nothing worse then a
mask line between your face and neck.
Evening, the same but add shimmer on your check bones and maybe
a little more mascara and a darker shade of gloss.
Dressups - (maybe out to night clubs) Go for it! Anything goes
really.....depends on who you are wanting to impress. Check out
whats the latest on E Channel, MTV and Mags for tips. Bonus Tip:
Guys like a natural looking girl. When there is too much make up
they cant help but wonder what is going on under it!!!
Tip #4 Attitude is everything...
If your having a rough time loving who you are then obviously
you have had either a broken heart, someones hurt you, someones
made you feel inadequate or you watch to much t.v. We may not
all look like models but who freakin does? There are things
about my body I hate....heaps of them....but guess what. Certain
Bras make my boobs look great and Baby Doll dress and tops hide
my tummy and dresses and skirts hide my pudgy legs. So when
looking in the mirror after I have worked my magic....I think
nothing but.... fabulous! Find what you love about you and
accentuate it! You need to believe you are worth being loved and
you need to believe you are super hot!! If you believe it, they
will believe it!
Tip #5 Smile...
People are attracted to positivity. Don't believe me??? Try it.
Not once and awhile. All the time.....see what starts to happen
when you smile. The boys boys wonder what the mystery behind
that cute smile is all about.
Tip #6 Smell Good...
Have a couple of delicious perfumes that people will remember
you by. Day and Evening fragrances. Don't load it on, just
enough so that when someone walks by they catch a hint of your
mesmerising scent.
Tip #7 Don't be too eager...
When you are approached by a man and he does ask you out, which
he will. Whether it be randomly, over the net or set up by a
friend (I meet most of my men over the net). Don't put
everything off for him immediately and say YES YES YES! Be calm,
think about the date and say "that sounds really nice, can I
just check on a few things and get back to you"? Then grab his
no. and the next day call him and politely make a time that
suits you both. Your a lady after all.
Tip #8 Finally...
Be yourself....how is someone supposed to like you if your not
even being you. Be calm, cool and collected. It is normal for us
women to have a man half way down the isle on the first
date.....but don't bloody tell him that! LOL Joke a bit, smile,
be polite and don't do anything you don't feel comfortable
doing. Just because he finds you hot doesn't mean you have to
feel the same....and never ever sleep with a man on the first
date.....ever!
Have fun :-)
About the author:
Hi There :-) I am really enjoying my journey through out the
internet and am delighted with what resources I have found in
order to better myself financially and academically. I am
excited about what the future holds for me and am relieved that
I have finally found my niche. Which is learning and becoming
successful in something I love.
http://bitofacutie.blogspot.com/ or
http://www.squidoo.com/choosingonlinebusinesses
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Cara terindex di Google, Yahoo dan MSN
Siapa tidak kenal dengan search engine Google, Yahoo, AOL dam MSN, 4 search engine inilah yang harus anda focuskan dalam promosi blog anda, jika anda melihat statistik pada gambar diatas tentu ada bisa menyimpulkan sendiri yang mana search engine yang harus ada opitmalkan, di sini ini saya tidak menjelaskan secara rinci bagaimana mengoptimalkannya tapi anda akan memahami bagaimana cara melakukan promosi dengan mendaftarkan blog anda ke search engine Google, Yahoo dan MSN.
Cara daftar Ke Google:
Google bisa dikatakan sebagai Rajanya search Engine, saya sangat menyarankan untuk mendaftarkan pertama kali blog anda di search engine ini.
Caranya Klik http://www.google.com/addurl/ Kemudian pada formulir pendaftaran Masukan Alamat Blog pada URL dan beri komentar sesuai dengan tema blog anda.
Cara daftar Ke Yahoo:
Yahoo sebagai search engine kedua yang banyak digunakan, untuk mendaftarkan Blog anda ke Yahoo ikuti langkahnya sebagai berikut. Sebelum anda mendaftar di Yahoo pastikan anda sudah memiliki account Yahoo, jika anda sudak memilikinya anda tinggal klik https://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/submit kemudian pada kotak isian pertama silahkan memasukan alamat blog anda,
Contoh : http://danasimpleman.blogspot.com
Cara daftar Ke MSN:
Dalam statistik Search Engine, MSN milik Microsoft ini termasuk banyak digunakan jadi sebisanya blog anda juga harus terdaftar di SE ini.
Caranya: klik http://search.msn.com/docs/submit.aspx?FORM=WSDD2 kemudian anda diminta memasukan kode verifikasi dan memasukan alamat blog anda.
Link artikel o-om.com
Agar Vagina Makin Sehat dan Seksi
INGAT! Jangan menyalahgunakan vagina Anda. Teriakan kesakitan sangat berbeda dengan teriakan kenikmatan. Spesialis kandungan terkemuka, Dr. Suresh Nair berikut ini menjelaskan perihal rasa sakit pada vagina saat melakukan hubungan intim.
Kurangnya hormon pada perempuan yang mengalami menopause menyebabkan penipisan pada dinding vagina, yang sangat mirip seperti kertas tisu. Goresan-goresan kecil dapat timbul selagi melakukan hubungan intim, yang dapat menyebabkan rasa sakit. Untuk mengatasi hal ini, perempuan dapat menggunakan krim hormon untuk meremajakan kembali dinding vagina dan memperbaiki kenikmatan seperti sebelum memasuki masa menopause.
Untuk perempuan-perempuan muda, infeksi vagina biasanya dapat menyebabkan ketidaknyamanan dalam melakukan hubungan intim. Vagina memiliki bakteri-bakteri baik, yang diperlukan untuk menjaga asam yang dibutuhkan dan mencegah infeksi. Tapi masalah yang disebabkan gaya hidup, seperti stress berlebihan, pil KB dan kondisi kesehatan seperti diabetes dan HIV dapat menciutkan vagina menjadi berlebihan alkalin (basa). Infeksi jamur banyak terdapat pada perempuan yang sedang mengandung juga yang sedang mengkonsumsi pil KB. Ini kebanyakan terjadi pada mereka yang tinggal di wilayah bermusim hangat atau beriklim tropis seperti Asia Tenggara.
Infeksi dapat menyebabkan rasa gatal yang amat sangat, keputihan yang kental-berwarna putih susu-dan mengeluarkan bau tidak sedap, bahkan beberapa kasus tingkat rasa sakit yang muncul menyebabkan hubungan intim terasa seperti siksaan yang luar biasa. Vulva bengkak dan merah dapat memberi jalan bakteri infeksi lanjutan yaitu bakteri saluran kencing. Bagaimanapun, infeksi vagina cukup mudah untuk diatasi. Jadi, kenapa harus menyiksa diri? Hubungi dokter Anda, segera!
Bukan hanya infeksi yang menyebabkan rasa sakit pada vagina saat berhubungan intim. Kutil atau bintil pada kelamin atau lebih dikenal dengan genital warts juga dapat menghalangi menikmati seks. Bentuknya kecil dan putih, tumbuh di dalam vagina, vulva atau cervix, disebabkan oleh HPV atau Human Pappiloma Virus, yang timbul dari aktivitas seksual yang berulang.
Herpes, satu lagi infeksi yang disebabkan oleh kuman, dapat menimbulkan rasa sakit pada area yang mengandung racun, dan dalam jumlah besar, dapat menyebabkan rasa sakit yang hebat hingga membuat penderitanya tak dapat bergerak, apalagi menikmati seks. Penyakit lain yang ditularkan secara seksual, seperti; Chlamydia dan kencing nanah, menyebabkan ketidaknormalan dan banyak sekali kotoran buangan yang dapat masuk ke dalam rahim dan tuba falopi, menyebabkan bisul-bisul atau bengkak bernanah. Rasa sakit dan demam terkait dengan situasi ini. Antibiotok dosis dalam dosis besar dapat menyembuhkannya. Namun, bila bengkak bernanah cukup banyak dan luas, sebuah operasi mungkin akan diperlukan untuk mengeringkan nanahnya.
Kanker cerviks, vagina dan vulva, sangat tidak baik dan merugikan bagi kehidupan seksual Anda. Butuh operasi dan radioterapi, yang akan mempengaruhi saraf dan aliran darah ke daerah tersebut, menimbulkan ketidaksensitifan dan kekeringan. Setelah pengobatan, Anda dapat mengurangi rasa tidak enak dengan menggunakan produk-produk lubrikasi seperti K Y Jelly, Replens, Astroglide atau Preseed.
Agar hubungan seks memuaskan, perempuan harus melakukan beberapa tindakan untuk mencegah terjadinya infeksi. Dalam hal ini, termasuk juga meminta atau bahkan memaksa pasangan mereka untuk menggunakan kondom dan tidak melakukan hubungan seks dengan banyak pasangan. Tindakan seksual semacam berpindah dari anal ke vaginal seks tanpa mengganti kondom, merupakan salah satu cara bagi bakteri untuk masuk dan terkena infeksi.
Berkelakuan secara bersih dan higienis juga merupakan salah satu cara menjauh dari infeksi. Tampon, alat pengontrol kehamilan atau benda asing lainnya masuk atau diletakkan dalam vagina dapat menyebabkan keputihan yang tidak normal, pembengkakan, infeksi dan ketidaknyamanan hubungan seksual. Agar area tersebut tetap bersih, sewaktu membersihkan, sekalah ke arah anus, agar bakteri tidak terbawa ke dalam vagina.
Bagaimanapun, membersihkan vagina secara berlebihan, dapat menghancurkan bakteri yang dibutuhkan oleh vagina dan menyebabkan pembengkakan, alergi pada selangkangan dan luka kecil seperti eczema. Anda dapat merasakan reaksi alergi seperti; rasa sakit pada selangkangan, bengkak, dan mudah sakit jika bersinggungan dengan bakteri lain, dari menggunakan tampon, spray dan bedak yang mengandung deodorant. Maka amatlah penting untuk mengambil tindakan pencegahan seperti; mengganti tampon secara teratur.
Akhirnya, pilihan pakaian yang kita gunakan juga berperan penting. Hindari memakai pakaian dalam dari bahan nilon yang tidak menyerap panas. Bahkan menggunakan jeans yang ketat serta stoking dapat membuat kita terinfeksi jamur.
Kekuatan Ikhlas yang Menyembuhkan
Kekuatan jiwa adalah sebuah potensi yang tidak tampak tetapi efeknya luar biasa. Dengan menggunakan kekuatan jiwa, beragam penyakit mulai dari yang ringan hingga berat sebenarnya dapat disembuhkan.
Seperti diungkapkan praktisi dan pengajar penyembuhan holistik, Reza Gunawan, pada dasarnya setiap manusia bisa menyembuhkan dirinya sendiri, tapi tidak semua orang tahu caranya. Salah satu kunci kekuatan jiwa yang dapat menyembuhkan penyakit adalah perasaan ikhlas. Menurut Reza, rasa ikhlas secara sederhana dapat diartikan dengan perasaan berserah diri kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa.
"Ikhlas adalah sesuatu yang mungkin hanya dapat digambarkan dengan perasaan seperti ini. Apapun kenyataan hidup, sudah tidak lagi berbenturan dengan keinginan dan hasrat karena kita sudah bisa menerima dengan apa adanya," ungkap Reza di sela-sela kampanye 'Mizone Jadi 100% Kamu' di Jakarta, Selasa (24/6) kemarin.
Ikhlas, terang Reza, dapat menyembuhkan dengan cara menyelaraskan tubuh dan pikiran, selain juga menetralisir pikiran dan perasaan supaya tidak terpendam dan menumpuk dalam hati. Ikhlas merupakan bagian dari konsep sehat secara holistik yakni keselerasan dan keseimbangan antara tiga unsur yakni tubuh (body), pikiran (mind) dan jiwa (mood).
"Kalau badan kita sudah muncul keluhan seperti sakit-sakit, itu berarti timbunan dalam pikiran dan jiwa sudah terlalu banyak. Dengan hati yang ikhlas, gelombang dan detak jantung menjadi lebih selaras atau harmonis. Jantung itu pemimpinnya tubuh karena dengan jantung yang selaras maka otak berfungsi maksimal. Kalau jantung atau perasaan kita korslet, otak tidak akan bisa berfungnsi maksimal. Jadi, dengan ikhlas jelas akan membuat tubuh menjadi lebih sehat," paparnya.
Untuk mencapai dan mewujudkan perasaan ikhlas dalam hati, Reza menyatakan setiap orang tentu memiliki kemampuan berbeda. Untuk itulah, Reza menyarankan untuk membiasakan diri berlatih secara bertahap dan rutin.
"Ada tiga langkah yang dapat dilakukan untuk melatih diri supaya ikhlas, yang pertama Sering-seringlah berhenti dan bernafas untuk mengistirahatkan pikiran, ingat bahwa sesuatu tidak ada yang kekal dan belajar untuk menerima atau mengikhlaskan diri dari tahap yang paling mudah," tandasnya.
Tiga Tips Melatih Ikhlas
1. Sering-seringlah berhenti dan bernafas (rileks) untuk mengistirahatkan pikiran. Manusia seringkali sulit mencapai keikhlasan karena pikirannya jalan terus. Dengan latihan ini, kita juga akan bebas dari ketegangan.
2. Selalu ingat bahwa segala sesuatu selalu akan berubah. Seseorang susah ikhlas karena menilai segalanya bersifat kekal, padahal apa yang tidak kita dapatkan sementara ini pada suatu hari nanti akan berubah. "Tidak ada yang kekal atau tetap, mungkin situasinya yang berubah atau keinginan kita yang berubah. Jadi apa yang kita sukai atau pun kita tak sukai tentu akan berubah," terang Reza..
3. Start di titik yang paling mudah. Belajarlah untuk mulai menerima hal-hal yang ringan atau gampang dulu. Untuk bisa merasa ikhlas memang tidak mudah dan terpulang kepada pribadi masing-masing. Tetapi mulailah untuk menerima kenyataan yang paling ringan dulu. Dengan begitu, otot ikhlas kita akan terlatih.
Reza mencontohkannya dengan sebuah kasus ketika Anda marah karena tak bisa menerima bos di kantor yang tak berlaku adil. Kalau Anda tidak bisa memaafkan orangnya, cobalah untuk memaafkan atau mengikhlaskan dulu perilakunya. Bila ini masih sulit, mulailah untuk mengikhlaskan perasaan kita bahwa kita sedang marah.
"Kalaupun memang tidak bisa juga ikhlas dengan perasaan kita sendiri, minimal ikhlaskan dulu bahwa kita memang belum bisa ikhlas. Jadi, pada tahap paling ringan itulah yang dapat menjadi pintu paling gampang menuju gerbang keikhlasan," pungkasnya.
Cara Tepat Atasi Pertengkaran Hebat
Setiap pasangan pasti pernah bertengkar. Bahkan, pasangan yang paling berbahagia pun pernah bertengkar besar dan saling menyakiti hati satu dan lainnya. Kalimat-kalimat tersebut mudah diucapkan, tetapi membuat pusing juga jika kita mengalaminya.
Cari tahu cara mengatasi saat-saat buruk itu agar Anda dapat menikmati waktu yang lebih berbahagia bersama si dia. Berikut ini beberapa tip yang dapat membantu enyembuhkan sakit hati Anda dan menghindari pertengkaran berikutnya.
* Semua pasangan pasti pernah bertengkar
Mungkin saja Anda sedang lelah, lapar, ataupun tidak sehat. Apa pun alasannya, hal ini terjadi karena kita semua hanyalah manusia biasa dan marah merupakan keadaan yang sangat manusiawi.
* Bersikap sabar
Jangan lupa bahwa dengan berjalannya waktu Anda dapat menyembuhkan rasa sakit hati. Diperlukan paling tidak satu atau dua hari untuk sembuh dari sakit hati. Oleh karena itu, Anda harus ekstra hati-hati terhadap pasangan dan jangan bersikap acuh. Gunakan masa penyembuhan untuk mengerti bagaimana masing-masing dari Anda dapat berperilaku lebih baik.
* Jangan pergi
Menyendiri di kamar terpisah atau jalan kaki sendirian untuk menenangkan diri boleh-boleh saja. Tetapi jangan meninggalkan rumah sambil membawa koper karena hal ini memberi kesan bahwa Anda tidak ingin memperbaiki hubungan dengan pasangan.
* Bertanggung jawab
Bila Anda berdua bertanggung jawab terhadap pertengkaran yang terjadi, Anda dan pasangan harus bekerja sama memperbaiki hubungan yang retak secepat mungkin untuk kembali pada jalur semula.
* Jangan sepelekan kekuatan permintaan maaf
Bersikeras bahwa Anda yang benar bukan merupakan jalan keluar yang baik. Mengakui kesalahan merupakan perbuatan terpuji. Orang yang tidak dapat meminta maaf akan sulit mempertahankan hubungan jangka panjang.
* Bersikap baik
Menyimpan dendam sesudah pertengkaran hanya akan mempertajam konflik. Sekali Anda memutuskan untuk berhenti bertengkar, Anda harus memperlakukan pasangan dengan perhatian yang lebih.
* Yakin dicintai
Ingat janji yang Anda ucapkan pada saat menikah. Dengan mengingat mengapa Anda jatuh cinta pada pasangan, hati Anda akan terbuka.
* Lakukan hal yang menyenangkan
Manjakan diri Anda berdua dengan makan malam di tempat yang sedikit istimewa, nonton film, dan bermain bersama anak-anak. Saling bersikap aktif akan merangsang hormon endorfin yang akan membuat Anda merasa lebih baik.
* Ciuman & hubungan intim
Berhubungan intim sesudah bertengkar tentu rasanya kurang menyenangkan. Tapi kadang-kadang justru dapat mendekatkan Anda berdua kembali. Bila Anda berdua sepakat untuk tidak meninggalkan kamar tidur sebelum masalah diselesaikan, berhubungan intim biasanya tidak akan dapat terhindarkan.
* Konseling
Bila pertengkaran hebat merupakan hal yang biasa terjadi, Anda harus mengonsultasikan masalah ini pada psikiater, psikolog, atau terapis profesional. Kadang masing-masing pasangan saling melihat pasangannya dari sisi yang negatif. Terapis yang baik akan dapat membantu Anda menghilangkan pandangan yang negatif tadi.
Menyingkirkan Pengganggu Kerja
Setiap kali berangkat ke kantor, kita selalu memulainya dengan berbagai harapan. "Saya akan membuka email, rapat, menyelesaikan proyek A, menelepon klien, dan pulang pukul 5 sore." Namun, apa yang terjadi? Tak cuma pekerjaan yang terabaikan, yang Anda lakukan justru berlama-lama browsing, menelepon dan ngobrol berlama-lama di telepon tanpa pembicaraan yang jelas.
Semua harapan dan rencana Anda tak ada hasilnya. Pulang pun terpaksa jam 9 malam, karena Anda harus menyelesaikan pekerjaan lebih dulu hari itu juga. Nah, bagaimana agar Anda bisa lebih efisien mengatur waktu dan lebih produktif?
1. Sediakan waktu untuk diri sendiri.
Luangkan waktu barang setengah hingga satu jam dalam sehari. Gunakan waktu itu untuk berkonsentrasi dan memfokuskan diri pada pekerjaan. Kalau perlu, tutup ruang kerja, matikan ponsel Anda, dan berkonsentrasilah.
2. Kenali mood Anda.
Ada saat-saat di mana energi dan semangat kita mendadak berlebih. Ada hari di mana kemampuan dan konsentrasi kita sedang tinggi-tingginya. Orang sering menyebut kondisi semacam ini dengan mood. Nah, kenalilah saat-saat kapan Anda berada dalam kondisi puncak seperti itu. Jika Anda sudah mengenalinya, misalnya mood Anda pukul 10 hingga 12 siang, selesaikan pekerjaan yang penting-penting di waktu-waktu itu. Lakukan pertemuan, membuat janji, dan kegiatan lain yang tak begitu penting di luar jam-jam puncak Anda.
3. Hindari obrolan yang tak ada juntrungnya.
Mengggosip atau ngobrol yang tak ada juntrungnya hanya akan merusak dan membuang-buang waktu saja. Juga merusak konsentrasi, mengganggu pikiran, serta membuang momentum yang Anda miliki. Jadi, jika suatu saat ada kolega atau teman sekantor yang masuk ke ruangan Anda dan mulai mengajak "berdiskusi", katakan terus-terang bahwa Anda sedang menyelesaikan proyek penting. Jangan lupa, tanyakan kapan Anda bisa bertemu lagi dengannya.
4. Pasang mesin penjawab.
Dering telepon sungguh bisa sangat mengganggu. Jadi, tak ada salahnya memasang mesin penjawab di telepon Anda. Atau katakan bahwa Anda sedang sibuk dan tak bisa berlama-lama bertelepon. Tanyakan, kapan Anda bisa meneleponnya. Jangan lupa catat kapan Anda bisa menghubunginya, nomor telepon, dan buat janji, siapa yang akan menelepon duluan.
5. Buat jadwal rapat.
Jadwal pertemuan atau rapat dengan staf dan teman sekantor tak kalah pentingnya. Di banyak perusahaan, kebanyakan waktu dihabiskan untuk berdiskusi. Padahal, untuk berdiskusi mengenai suatu pekerjaan, Anda harus berjalan dari ruang Anda ke ruang kerja teman Anda. Sementara telepon seringkali tak bisa banyak membantu. Selain itu, orang lain pun akan terganggu dengan kedatangan Anda. Untuk mengatasinya, buatlah jadwal kapan Anda bisa mengadakan rapat atau pertemuan dengan staf atau teman sekantor. Jangan lupa, agendanya pun harus jelas.
Brokoli, The Crown Jewel of Nutrition
Brokoli, sayuran yang sangat digandrungi mantan Presiden AS Bill Clinton dan dibenci penggantinya, George Bush, ternyata punya khasiat luarbiasa buat kesehatan. Sayuran yang berasal dari Italia ini mengandung sulforaphane, yang membunuh kuman pengganggu kerja lambung bernama heliobacterpylori.
Kuman ini penyebab utama kasus luka dan kanker lambung.
Selain itu, brokoli bersifat anti acetylcholinesterase yang baik bagi penderita alzheimer. Penelitian di King's College, London, Inggris, menyatakan, brokoli mempunyai sifat tersebut yang paling kuat dibandingkan sayuran lainnya.
Lantaran mengandung banyak vitamin dan mineral, brokoli dijuluki The Crown Jewel of Nutrition. Brokoli mengandung vitamin A, potasium, folacin, zat besi dan fiber. Setiap 25 gr brokoli mengandung kalsium setara dengan susu. Di AS sendiri, selama 25 tahun sejak kedatangannya, konsumsi brokoli meningkat hingga 940 persen! Begitu populernya brokoli di AS, sehingga ketika Dana Varvey di acara Saturday Night Live menyanyikan lagu yang ada kalimat Choppin' Brokoli buat Sigourney Weaver, lagu itu menjadi populer. Dan tahukah Anda, ketika Bush menyatakan ketidaksukaannya pada brokoli, langsung saja para petani mengirimkan berton-ton brokoli ke Gedung Putih sebagai tanda protes.
Brokoli sendiri di Indonesia kian populer, terutama di kota-kota besar. Brokoli bisa ditumis, dijadikan salad, disup, bahkan dijadikan jus.
Rambut Halus Bebas Kusut
Rahasia rambut sehat, halus, dan mudah diatur ada pada perawatan harian yang baik. Yaitu dimulai dari memilih produk yang tepat dan cara mencuci rambut yang baik.
Mungkin Anda sering mengalami bad hair day gara-gara kondisi rambut yang sering kusut sampai sulit disisir. Hal ini disebabkan karena kutikula rambut rusak akibat perubahan cuaca, kurang gizi, dan terlalu sering melakukan proses kimia pada rambut demi mengikuti tren. Penggunaan shampo yang mengandung banyak detergent juga akan merusak kutikula.
Mengurai rambut kering dan kusut memang nggak boleh maksa. Bisa-bisa rambut malah rontok karena terlalu keras disisir. Nah, untuk membuat mahkota Anda kembali lembut dan mudah disisir, Anda bisa memulainya dengan cara mengganti produk shampo yang ringan dengan formula khusus anti kusut.
Untuk memulihkan kondisi rambut menjadi halus dan lembut, Elseve membuat seri perawatan intensif harian yang disebut Hair Pack. Perawatan yang bisa dilakukan sendiri di rumah ini terdiri atas shampo, masker dan serum anti kusut. Masing-masing diformulasikan untuk kondisi rambut rusak dengan tingkatan berbeda, yakni Nutri-Gloss untuk rambut normal dan agak kering, Smooth-Intense untuk rambut yang kering dan susah diatur, serta Color-Vive untuk rambut diwarnai yang kering dan kusam.
Oke, kini setelah mengetahui produk anti kusut, Anda juga perlu mengetahui cara mencuci rambut yang benar. Sebelum keramas, sisir rambut agar minyak di kepala terdistribusi dengan lancar sekaligus menghindari kekusutan. Kemudian basahi rambut dengan air hangat. Usap shampo secara merata pada seluruh bagian rambut sambil dipijat perlahan selama dua menit. Lalu bilas bersih sisa shampo menggunakan air hangat dan diakhiri dengan air dingin untuk menutup kutikula.
Lanjutkan dengan pemakaian kondisioner dan gunakan serum anti kusut atau masker rambut bila kondisi rambut sudah sangat rusak. Sebaiknya keringkan rambut dengan cara diangin-anginkan dan hindari menyisir rambut saat masih basah. Nah, kini Anda siap tampil cantik dengan rambut halus terurai.
Bayi Buaya 'Ngobrol' Sebelum Menetas
Bayi buaya mulai "bercakap-cakap" satu dengan lainnya dan dengan induk mereka beberapa saat sebelum menetas. Agaknya mereka mengeluarkan suara sebagai tanda bahwa waktunya untuk lahir sudah tiba.
"Buaya-buaya kecil itu mengeluarkan suara 'heem! hemm! hemm!' tepat sebelum menetas", tulis Amelie Vergne dan Nicolas Mathevon, dua peneliti dari Universite Jean Monnet di Saint-Etienne, Prancis, Senin (23/6) atau Selasa. "Induk buaya bereaksi sangat kuat untuk memainkan kembali panggilan prapenetasan, kebanyakan dari mereka dengan menggali pasir," tulis kedua peneliti tersebut di jurnal Current Biology.
Peneliti itu mengamati 10 buaya dan telurnya, mencatat suara yang dikeluarkan bayi-bayi buaya tersebut dan kemudian memainkannya, serta suara acak, ke induk buaya. Suara itu tampaknya menggelitik bayi buaya untuk mulai memecahkan kulit telur mereka, tulis Vergne dan Mathevon.
"Di kebun binatang kami melakukan uji coba, telur dipindahkan dalam beberapa hari setelah dikeluarkan induk buaya. Meskipun begitu, betina buaya tetap menjaga sarangnya," kata mereka.
Mathevon mengatakan, banyak bayi buaya mulai makan tepat setelah menetas, jadi mungkin penting bagi mereka semua untuk menetas secara bersama dan bagi induk mereka untuk berada di sana saat mereka menetas. "Dalam kondisi ini, penting bagi semua embrio di sarang itu untuk siap menetas pada saat bersamaan sehingga mereka semua dapat menerima perlindungan dan perawatan buaya dewasa," kata Mathevon dalam satu pernyataan.
Bagaimana Memilih Agen Perjalanan?
Jika Anda akan bepergian dengan menggunakan jasa agen perjalanan atau travel, pastikan bahwa agen yang dipilih merupakan yang terbaik. Soalnya, industri travel yang berkembang pesat tidak hanya membuat usaha di bidang itu sangat kompetitif tetapi juga melahirkan agen-agen nakal yang tega menipu konsumen, entah janji tidak sesuai kenyataan atau uang Anda dibawa kabur.
Jika salah pilih, niat Anda semula untuk menghemat waktu, uang, dan bebas frustrasi dengan menggunakan jasa agen malah akan berbuah sebaliknya. Lalu bagaimana caranya agar Anda dapat menemukan agen yang baik, kompeten, dan profesional?
Pilihlah agen perjalanan seperti memilih dokter atau lawyer untuk keperluan Anda. Dapatkan nasihat teman dan kerabat yang menggunakan agen perjalanan yang mereka percaya. Karena jenis pilihan perjalanan (seperti perjalanan keluarga, berkelompok/grup, petualangan, ekoturisme) merupakan keputusan personal yang mencerminkan hasrat dan gaya hidup, Anda mungkin harus mengunjungi atau menelepon sejumlah agen perjalanan untuk menemukan satu yang terbaik yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan Anda.
Saat berkunjung ke kantor agen, pertimbangkan segala sesuatu mulai dari tampilan kantor sampai dengan cara mereka mendengar serta menjawab pertanyaan Anda. Agen yang baik akan berusaha membangun hubungan jangka panjang dengan klien, tidak semata mengejar sebuah transaksi di depan mata.
Pastikan Anda mendapat informasi yang jelas tentang agen tersebut, dapatkan profil usahanya, serta jenis jasa layanan yang tersedia.
Apa faktor menentukan dalam memilih agen? Selain kesan awal tentang kantor, cara mereka menanggapi kebutuhan Anda, pastikan bahwa agen yang Anda pilih punya jaringan kuat dengan industri pariwisata pada umumnya seperti dengan asosiasi agen perjalanan, maskapai penerbangan, jaringan hotel, kereta api, kapal pesiar, tur operator, atau perusahan rental mobil.
Agen yang berjaringan luas mencerminkan agen tersebut kredibel. Dengan dukungan jaringan yang dimilikinya agen pun dapat menawarkan banyak pilihan serta informasi harga untuk Anda.
Industri travel bertumbuh kompetitif. Agen perjalanan biasanya meningkatkan kualitas serta jenis layanan yang mereka tawarkan. Tanyakan apa layanan spesial yang mereka tawarkan untuk Anda. Agen perjalanan dapat mengatur semua jenis perjalanan domestik ataupun internasional, dari hotel dan resor sampai tiket pesawat maupun transportasi darat, termasuk kebutuhan untuk rental kendaraan atau paket tur. Mereka juga menyediakan bantuan untuk aplikasi asuransi perjalanan, paspor dan visa, berbagai macam prosedur serta keperluan lain bagi para turis asing. Banyak agen perjalanan yang punya layanan bebas pulsa, ruang pertemuan, insentif perjalanan dan lain-lain.
Jika Anda masih ragu dengan agen yang hendak pilih, tanyakan tentang latar belakang profesional agen tersebut. Agen berpengalaman dan profesional biasanya telah mengikuti berbagai pelatihan seperti pelatihan manajemen bisnis, pelatihan travel dan turisme atau geografi, serta memiliki sertifikat yang menunjukkan adanya penghargaan atau apresiasi dari lembaga-lembaga profesi.
Tentu saja penting bersikap hati-hati tetapi tidak perlu terlampau kuatir. Di luar sana ada banyak agen perjalanan yang baik. Sekedar gambaran, di Amerika Serikat, berdasarkan data dari Travel Industry Survey/Travel Weekly tahun 2004, agen perjalanan menjual 87% tiket kapal pesiar, 81% dari semua paket tur, 51% dari semua tiket pesawat, 47% dari semua kamar hotel.