Food for Thought: Indian Cuisine

In an attempt to both eat healthier and be kinder to our budget I have been trying to cook more food at home lately and trying out different recipes to keep things interesting. This week I tried my hand at cooking some Indian Cuisine and was quite pleased with the outcome. I found a wonderful site Manjula’s Kitchen where the lovely Manjula shares her delicious recipes along with videos to help make sure you get it right. This was my first try, Moong Dal Soup and Paratha. My family was very pleased!

Moong Dal Soup and Paratha

Autism Thoughts: Processed Food

Image via Wikipedia

I have always wondered how processed foods affect kids with autism.  I know in our case processed foods, more specifically artificial colors, flavors and preservatives have a negative effect on our child.  Looking back on her development I can also see trends in regression or problem behaviors that directly correspond to changes in diet.  For us gluten & casein do not appear to cause problems but boy oh boy those artificial colors can transform a sweet, attentive, easy-going kid into hyper demon spawn.

As an infant our daughter was breast-fed and her first foods were organic and homemade.  She was also a cloth diaper kid.  As she moved up to table foods she started eating regular food (i.e. processed crap) and more and more symptoms and behaviors appeared.  Interestingly this is around the 18 month – 2 year mark typical of symptoms of autism showing up in children.

A few months ago we started the Feingold Program and have seen a really nice change in our child.  This kid who we were strongly considering medicating for hyperactivity, anxiety and some aggression issues is now back to the attentive, easy-going, sweet kid we remembered her to be.  I am happy this seems to be helping because I can also see that she feels more confident and better about herself now that she is not constantly “in trouble” for some kind of behavior which she really was struggling to control.

Now, I don’t claim any “recovery” or magic results, just that his was a relatively easy change that offered tremendous positive impact for our family.

Related Articles

• Autism Thoughts: Vaccines (jreed1920.wordpress.com)
• Can Autism Diet Really Influence Autism? (justslimming.com)
• List of Foods for the Feingold Diet (brighthub.com)
• Food to Dye for (greenphonebooth.com)
• Do synthetic food colors cause hyperactivity? (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

I’m Posting Every Week in 2011

I’ve decided I want to blog more. Rather than just thinking about doing it, I’m starting right now.  I will be posting on this blog once a week for all of 2011.

I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring, awesome and wonderful. Therefore I’m promising to make use of The DailyPost, and the community of other bloggers with similar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.

If you already read my blog, I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.

Signed,

Julie

Autism Thoughts: Vaccines

Image via Wikipedia

Sometimes I think about different things regarding autism and one of the issues that I always wonder about is vaccines.  I am of the opinion that vaccines may play a role in autism but that it may be more likely that the vaccines to take a closer look at are those that are given to adults, women in particular, of child-bearing age.  Some of the reasons I question the safety of vaccinating women, particularly pregnant women are as follows:

• The increase in incidence of autism in the US seems at some level to coincide with the introduction of the second MMR vaccination recommendation for adults in the late 1980s.
• There seems to be a higher incidence of autism in children born between October and March which coincidently is flu season.  Most pregnant women are encouraged to get a flu shot.

Could these things point to the vaccine causing some sort of damage to DNA/RNA, ovum, sperm, or fetus which then leads to the child developing autism?  Maybe these vaccines cause damage that make the child then more susceptible to additional cell damage caused by their own future vaccinations or other environmental toxins?  I don’t know but it is something I think about and I wonder if it is something scientists are thinking about too.

Related Articles

• Vaccines and Autism: Are They Linked? (brighthub.com)
• Thimerosal in Vaccines (everydayhealth.com)
• CDC Study Shows No Vaccine, Autism Link (webmd.com)

FREE $20 Shopping Credit from Rue La La!

Rue La La, the HOT, invitation-only, shopping bargain site is giving a $20 Credit to use on anything on the site just for registering as a Rue La La Shopper.  You can get your credit by registering HERE.

The $20 free is only available through 10/25, so hurry! Your free $20 credit will post to your account within 48 hours and expires 12/31/10, so you can use it toward holiday presents!

Customer Appreciation Sale – 40% Off Everything!

Customers like YOU have made me so successful and I want to thank you!

In appreciation of my wonderful customers, I’d like to extend a discount of 40%-OFF EVERYTHING at http://marykay.com/jreed1920 this month; good until Sunday, Oct 31 at 11:59 pm EST.

Go ahead and load your cart up; enter this coupon code in your comments at checkout, and your 40% off discount will be applied: CUSTOMER40

Thank you again for your loyalty & support. Stay tuned for more new products, exciting sales, special gift baskets for the holiday season coming in November!

Related Articles

• Mary Kay and the Women in Pink Build a Habitat for Humanity Home During Annual Conference at the Dallas Convention Center (eon.businesswire.com)
• Area Businesswoman Earns $1 Million Selling Mary Kay (eon.businesswire.com)

Dash for Cash! Earn up to 20% from your Online Party!

Do you need extra cash but not interested in becoming a consultant right now? Host an online or catalog party and earn up to 20% of the party sales!

If you sell between 10-19 items (lipstick, lip gloss, satin hands set, miracle set, it all counts!) you will earn 10% in CASH or products (Your choice).

Sell 20 items or more and earn 20% in CASH or products!

You will receive 10-20% of the total sales price excluding sales tax. I will handle shipping which is always FREE for my customers. If you are interested in taking advantage of this fantastic limited time promotion contact me today for more details via email jreed1920@marykay.com or phone (919) 442-8795

Mary Kay Review – Mary Kay Is Not A Scam, But Is It A Good Fit For You?

I found this article written by Dave Fennell that provides a pretty accurate look at Mary Kay and how to determine if it is the right business opportunity for you.  I agree that this business will work if you are willing to put in the time and effort but I think many people come into the business with wrong expectations.  Hopefully this article will help set expectations more realistically. 

By: Dave FennellIn my Mary Kay review, I intend to take a closer look at the Mary Kay business opportunity so that you can make a decision for yourself if Mary Kay is going to be the best business for you and your family. 

Mary Kay Ash founded her company, Beauty by Mary Kay, in 1963 after a long career in the direct selling industry.  She established her company with the goal of making life more beautiful for women.  Over the years, Mary Kay has seen tremendous growth in both products and business opportunity to provide financial freedom that many women have grasped, and taken advantage of in the past.  Mary Kay has been featured in 100 Best Companies To Work For in America, and Fortune Magazine, among many others, proving their legitimacy as a company and opportunity. 

If you were to join Mary Kay, your cost to do so will be $100, plus shipping and taxes, to get you off the ground.  This will provide you with the basic education, and enough products and samples to host a party of 30.  You will be compensated based upon your personal production and sales of Mary Kay products.  A benefit of Mary Kay is that they offer a very generous commission schedule.  You will receive 50% of the suggested retail price for every product that you sell.  

Mary Kay is a very legitimate company, and there is an opportunity to create a substantial income source if you are hard working, outgoing, and personable.  

Now, this is the part of the review where you decide if Mary Kay is right for you. Mary Kay encourages, and trains you to utilize the old fashioned methods of pursuing your family and friends to purchase your products, and join your business opportunity.  You will be hosting many product shows and parties.  This is not going to be as easy as they portray.  The one factor in this industry that I want to make you aware of is this.  Only 3% of those who engage in these efforts actually achieve success in the multi-level marketing industry as a whole.  However, if you believe that you have everything that it takes to build a rewarding business using these practices, then Mary Kay is a solid company to pursue. 

About the Author
Dave Fennell is an Internet Marketing Coach and Corporate Mentor for one of the Internet’s largest marketing schools. Specializing in Article Marketing, Social Network Marketing, and a multitude of other Top Online Marketing Strategies, he trains both total beginners and seasoned professionals from all over the globe to achieve financial freedom through proven business techniques and continuing education to keep ahead of trends and remain on top of the competition. 

(ArticlesBase SC #3029429) 

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Mary Kay Review – Mary Kay Is Not A Scam, But Is It A Good Fit For You?

Mineral Eye Color 2 Ways

Mineral Eye Color is a great addition to your makeup repertoire, it goes on smoothly, stays all day and is so versatile.  You can achieve so many different looks from a single shade simply by layering to build color depth, blending to soften your look or changing the application technique to change the vibrancy and depth of color.

You can easily get two very distinct looks from the same mineral eye color by changing your application method from dry to wet.  When you apply mineral eye color with a dry sponge applicator or brush you will get a soft, light color application that is great for soft romantic looks or for blending into a subtle smokey eye.  To get a totally different look, dip your applicator in a little water before dipping in your eye color to create a much more vibrant intense shade which you can use to create a more dramatic look or for adding in strong highlights. 

By using different application techniques you can go from romantic to dramatic, subtle to bold, quickly and easily, expanding your color pallet without expanding your makeup budget!  I hope this give you some ideas on how to get more from your makeup case.

Give back with Compassion, Inspiration and Confidence!

You can join Mary Kay in its worldwide efforts to change the lives of women and children through your purchase of Beauty That Counts® Mary Kay® Creme Lipsticks. In the U.S., from May 1 through Sept. 15, 2010, $1 will be donated by Mary Kay Inc. from each sale of limited-edition* Beauty That Counts® Mary Kay® Creme Lipsticks in Confidence, Inspiration and Compassion. As part of this effort, in the United States, Mary Kay Inc. is proud to support The Mary Kay Foundation in its efforts to end domestic violence.

Help make a difference today! Get limited-edition* Beauty That Counts® Mary Kay® Creme Lipstick for yourself or as heartfelt gifts for the women in your life.

*Available while supplies last

These colors are absolutely gorgeous and designed to complement all skin tones.  There is a color suitable for everybody and with every purchase you are doing your part to fight cancer and domestic violence.  The colors go on smoothly and have great staying power.  They make your lips feel soft and supple and don’t feather or run.  Mary Kay even did a great job with the tube which has a unique look and feel and says “Thank You” in many different languages.  I really like these colors and I think you will too!

To Purchase:
http://www.marykay.com/jreed1920/color/lips/beautythatcounts/