Archive for March 8th, 2010

Every day for me is something new, but it wasn’t always like that for me. I’m old school, some use that term but very few know the true meaning. For some old school is last week or last month, and so on. Starting in the late 50’s, thur the 60’s and 70’s, hard rocking times, true music was alive, with more being born. These are the artists that made a difference between life and death. This music gave backbone to so many people, while steering up others to do what they do best. For the black man and woman, it was a time of love and passion, alone with seeking out their future with the man of choice, thinking he was the one to bring happiness and well being to a family structure that would last thru out their lives. Times were very hard, but in the air was love and romance, filled with a caring spirit that made them proud to be black and beautiful, hard working and clean. The food that was on the table had a taste that will stick with you forever, that’s you will some time hear someone say, almost as good as what mama use to make.

Skin care is not a topic of recent times; it has been in practice since ancient times, when herbal skin care was probably the only way to take care of skin. However, skin care has transformed in a big way. Herbal skin care routines have been replaced by synthetic/chemical-based skin care routines. The herbal skin care recipes which once used to be common place are not so popular today (and even unknown to a large population). This transformation from herbal skin care to synthetic, can probably be attributed to two things – our laziness (or just the fast pace of lives) and the commercialization of skin care. Even herbal skin care products have been commercialized. These commercial herbal skin care products have to be mixed with preservatives in order to increase their shelf-life, hence making them less effective than the fresh ones made at home. However, it seems that things are changing fast and more people are now opting for natural and herbal skin care routines. But still, none want to make them at home and hence the commercial market of herbal skin care products is on the rise.
So what are these herbs or herbal skin care mechanisms?
Aloe vera, which is an extract from Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of herbal skin care product. Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin. It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns.
A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties. Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers. Their herbal skin care properties get invoked when they are combined with other herbs like tea.
Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care. Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties. Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.
Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care. Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.
Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care. Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care. Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix)
Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.
Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of skin disorders like eczema and psorasis. Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects (the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products) Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive. So, herbal skin care is the way to go. However, this does not mean that you totally discard the synthetic products. Some people go to the extent of debating with their dermatologist, if he/she suggests a synthetic product. You should accept the fact that some skin orders might need usage of clinically proven non-herbal skin care products.

Believe it or not there are many mistakes that can be made along the way when it comes to financial retirement savings and investing. Unfortunately a good many of these mistakes center around the 401(k), which can be a tremendous boost to your retirement plans when used properly in order to build your portfolio. The problem is that the mistakes are often the only things we hear when it comes to retirement plans and investing. I suggest begin with the mistakes so that we can move along to better information and advice in the near future.

The first and perhaps largest mistakes that people make when it comes to 401 (k) plans are not signing up. Yes you heard that right. What people do not understand is that this is something your employer offers so that you can have some security for your future. It is a manner of saving money for your future that shouldn’t be overlooked or taken for granted. Even a bad 401 (k) plan is better than no 401 (k) and with strict regulations those are few and far between. More importantly, if your company offers to match the funds in your 401 (k) plan not taking them up on that offer is literally tossing money in the garbage can.

The next big mistake when it comes to your 401 (k) is risking too little. Rewards come with risk. If you aren’t taking any risks with your investment then you are by and large throwing money down the drain. In addition to that, it is nearly impossible to meet your retirement goals without taking some risks, and some hits along the way. This doesn’t mean you should be reckless but along the way you are going to need to take some calculated risks in order to receive the bigger payouts that most of us hope for when investing in their retirement funds.

Risking too much. There are many risks involved when investing in the stock market. There are a few that deserve a little more mention than others. First of all, stocks present a fairly large risk, particularly to the uninitiated. While it is true that great rewards are most often the product of great risks you do not want to risk the bulk of your retirement by investing it all in stocks. Another thing you want to avoid doing if at all possible is investing in your company stock. We’ve seen too many lives destroyed when companies go under taking the financial stability of their employees along with them. Many companies offer incentives to employees for investing in their stock, which may be tempting but I recommend investing as little as possible in your company stock whenever possible as this could lead to problems down the road.

Finally, the worst thing you can do for the health of your 401 (k) is borrow against it. There are so many ways in which this could go wrong and the penalties for this are more than a little prohibitive. They are designed to be that way so that you will use the funds for their intended purpose. If you absolutely have no other option is the only way I would recommend borrowing against your 401 (k) and I would seriously consider selling a kidney before doing that.

Why are teachers being held responsible for our children lack of education? They recently passed a law that teachers will be given 3 chances and they will be fired. I think that is wrong to hold a teacher responsible for every student education and passing the standard tests. The teachers can lead the students to the book, but cannot make them pick it up, to read. Teachers have those students who do and do not want to learn. For the students who do not want to learn: how would one makes those students learn and keep their job at the same time. I have seen stubborn children, which have made up their mind on not learning and want. How do you keep your cool and job when you know your job is on the line. If I was teacher I would have that child removed from class or have a parent conference, because I will not lose my job because this child refuses to learn. Before we go setting laws I think every aspect should be looked at and all options took under considerations of all students and teachers.

Shell and Petro China have merged together and placed a bid in the Australia’s Arrow Energy. They are hoping to gain more of the liquefied natural gas in Australia. Australia has already signed contracts with other China companies for the LNG. LNG is a clean burning gas that is chilled into liquid form for shipping.
This bid alone has raised the stock market in Australia by nearly one percent. People have said that Australia will soon become the “Middle East of gas”.

This is a subject that makes my blood boil. We sit around watching each other, worrying about this person and that, how did they get this and that, when the things that are important to us, we let slip right on by. We worry about the moment and not the future. Our Politicians take every opportunity, without missing a beat, driven mostly on how to keep certain groups of people down. We somehow put people in office that care not at all about our future, money, and greed is the force that keeps them going. What can we do it (vote them out of office). The laws they try to pass are for a select few, not for the good of this country. The thing that upsets me the most is, the people that can do something about it, won’t, so we go on waiting and watching each other, for the moment.