Lite and Joy

The king of “bad” habits is procrastination.  Procrastination is the “failure to act.” Action is everything.  You can do, be and have practically anything you want in life IF you will just stop procrastinating and DO what it takes to get where you want to go”

So what is it that helps you get motivated.  Maybe the big things in life like money, food, vacation, or a holiday.  But what about the little things like weight loss, exercise, getting a massage or a  Cranio sacral therapy session.  If you suffer from anxiety, panic or depression then procrastination becomes a way of life. This was my life but I am continuing to learn how to improve.

When I began to set goals to be healthy, and I started to really focus and work on it, my procrastination in other areas of my life decreased because I felt good.  Come on, it’s the beginning of a NEW YEAR.  GET HEALTHY with good food so you can accomplish what you want to.  The only way you can get rid of a bad habit is to replace it with a good one.

Well, it is the day after Christmas and all through the house, is left over chocolate and desserts strewn about!  Yes, it has been a wonderful Holiday season, and I think my blood vessels are pushing through pure chocolate, with all that I have been eating.  It is definitely time for a change.  I liked this quote by Jack LaLanne and as I follow his advise, it will help me to get OFF of the junkie desserts and back to my health and wellness program of  appropriate eating within the week.

Today it will be enough to eat one piece of fresh fruit instead of ice cream or pie. Try a cookie; there are many cookies on the market sweetened with fruit juice instead of sugar. Try a little grated apple with lemon juice or a mashed banana for dessert. Simply mash a banana with a fork until it looks like a pudding, mix in a little lemon juice, and put it in a dessert dish with a fresh strawberry on top and voila!, you have a gourmet dessert.  Jack LaLanne - Revitalize Your Life After 50

One of the most uncomfortable problems a woman may encounter in her lifetime is vaginal yeast infection. A vaginal yeast infection is, contrary to what many believed, not a sexually-transmitted disorder. It is usually more common during pregnancy, in women who are diabetic, and in those who are taking oral contraceptives or antibiotics. Women who douche are also more prone to vaginal yeast infections.

Women must always be alert of any changes in the vagina. Women must also be aware of the common yeast infection symptoms so as to prevent the infection from getting worse. The common symptom is an itching, burning sensation around the vagina. The discharge may be cottage cheese-like. There is also discomfort felt during intercourse. To prevent vaginal yeast infection, women are advised to avoid tight pants and underwear, and also to avoid douching.

The effects of aging skin can be contained somewhat by following an anti-aging life-style that will assist your skin in looking its best.  Proper cleansing, moisturizing and taking care of it during times of “stress”, such as injury or ill health can make a big difference.

Because the skin is dependant on the body, it is of utmost importance to get rid of any toxic build-up in the body on a regular basis. . Water is essential along with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains.  Cutting way back on sugar, preservatives and food colorings can also keep you looking and feeling younger.

Many people develop acne in their later years and all these suggestions along with many others  can be found in the book  a book called  Acne free in 3 days.

What do you really want? Sit down and write it out on a piece of paper. Write it in the present tense. You might begin by writing, “I am so happy and grateful now that …” And then explain how you want your life to be, in every area.       Bob Proctor - The Secret, Rhonda Byrne

Writing can also help you to overcome Anxiety and Panic and help you become a more positive person.  As you plan out how you want your life, and focus on the positive, keeping that in the forefront of your mind, you can keep much of the negative at bay.  Two books that can really help are - “The Power of Positive Thinking” and “The Power of Positive Habits”.

If you have recurring yeast infections, and you know what causes it, you can change certain things in your lifestyle to prevent it, rather than trying to kill the yeast every time it takes over.

CLOTHING: Yeast can flourish in non-cotton, tight, or dirty clothes that trap heat and moisture.  The safest underwear is unbleached, non dyed cotton underwear and breathable clothes.

CHEMICALS: Inks, dyes, and perfumes, can upset the balance of your system and trigger allergic reactions that lead to yeast infections.  Commercial douches can be harmful to the vaginal environment and your health.   Colored and perfumed toilet paper can create problems, so use a white, unbleached brand.  Some laundry detergents and fabric softeners have allergenic dyes and perfumes, additives in bubble baths or bath salts, scented tampons or sanitary pads, or feminine deodorant sprays, can trigger yeast infections.

CONDOMS: A lot of condoms come packaged with a lubricant that contains nonoxynol-9, a spermicide that may kill the HIV virus, and studies has shown that it can be linked to yeast infections.   Condoms can also cause yeast infections if you are allergic to latex.

DIET: Cutting down on yeast-containing foods helps lessen the intensity or frequency of vaginal yeast infections. similarly,  high levels of sugar in your diet can contribute to yeast infections,

THE PILL: Hormones, both naturally-occurring and artificially introduced, can affect yeast.   Pregnant women or women taking contraceptive pills experience regular yeast infections as their hormone levels fluctuate.  Yeast infections will also flare up just before or after your period.  Steroids used in treating arthritis, asthma, or lupus can contribute to yeast infections.

INJURY to the vulvar or vaginal membranes can lead to a yeast infection.

SEX: Candida can be transmitted between people by direct contact.  Men can have a yeast infection without any  symptoms so it is passed on without knowing it.

WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM:  Someone with HIV or Lyme disease can be extremely prone to have yeast infections. in addition to vaginal yeast infections, they are particularly susceptible to thrush, a yeast infection of the throat, or esophageal yeast infections.

Men can get yeast infections too. They can get thrush which is an oral yeast infection that is very is common in men with HIV. They can also get penile yeast infections which can be very unpleasant.  Heterosexual couples who have unprotected sex can pass yeast infections back and forth endlessly.  There is not a lot of information available about penile yeast infections though.  It is sometimes hard to tell when men have yeast infections because they do not always have many symptoms, but when they do it can be really awful.

The most common symptom is irritation and soreness of the head of the penis and can be very itchy.  Men can also get a clumpy white discharge and the head of the penis may turn reddish or get a little blistery.  The symptoms can be close to those of genital herpes. Little red itchy bumps are not uncommon with penile yeast infections.  If you aren’t absolutely certain, go see a doctor for testing and diagnosis.

There are many different infections that can make you think you have a yeast infection.  Knowing the symptoms of them can help keep you from treating yourself for a vaginal yeast infection that you may not have.

Bacterial infections of the vagina can feel like a yeast infection if the vulva area is itchy or painful. If  the discharge dark yellow, green, or brown and smells like fish or something rotting  you could have a bacterial infection.  You may want to see your doctor for treatment.

Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs, are due to bacteria infecting the urethra rather than the vagina. UTIs can be distinguished from vaginal infections by these symptoms - pain or burning when urinating, blood or mucus in urine, needing to urinate often, pain or pressure in back or lower abdomen, and a fever or chills.  You would want to visit your doctor for treatment.

Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite that can infect both the urinary tract and the vagina.  It is primarily sexually transmitted, and can be itchy or painful. It can hurt to urinate, intercourse can be painful, and occasionally you can experience pain in your lower abdomen.  You should see a doctor for a positive diagnosis and treatment

A yeast infection won’t hurt or affect your developing baby in the womb, but if you have an infection when you deliver, there’s a chance that your newborn will contract it as he passes through the birth canal. The baby may develop a yeast infection in his mouth called thrush. Thrush is characterized by white patches on the sides and roof of the mouth and sometimes on the tongue. Thrush typically creates no problems but its symptoms may be very uncomfortable. A baby suffering from this infection may be irritable, frustrated and annoyed, especially when feeding.

Babies can also be infected with yeast because of the following conditions:

1. Antibiotics treatment. Antibiotics interfere with the function of the digestion and immune system and encourage excessive candida growth.

2. The use of bottles or pacifiers which have not been cleaned well.

3. When the mother has a yeast infection the baby can pick it up from nursing.

4. When the weather is warm or humid.

If you are a Mother with a yeast infection and you want more information on natural cures to keep from passing it on to your baby, please check the internet.

Yeast infections in pregnant women are a type of vaginal infection.  It is common to have a certain amount of yeast in your vagina, as well as in your intestines but yeast only becomes a problem when it grows so fast that it overwhelms other competing microorganisms.  A higher level of estrogen during pregnancy causes your vagina to produce more glycogen, making it even easier for yeast to grow there. Some researchers think estrogen may also have a direct effect on yeast, causing it to grow faster and stick more easily to the walls of the vagina.

Symptoms can include An odorless vaginal discharge that’s often white, creamy, or like cottage cheese. Discomfort or pain during sex, and burning when you urinate itching, irritation, soreness, burning, and redness in your vagina and labia (and sometimes swelling).  If you want to learn more about vaginal yeast infection and how to cure it naturally, please click here.