Spice Up Your BBQ With The Ultimate Sauce!

BBQ season is finally upon us - gorgeous weather, good food and great company all in the one place! I love having a barbecue in early June and then another to bookend the summer in September. As a result, I've developed my own unique recipe for sauce over the years and have now put it online. If you really want to impress your friends at your BBQ then take a look at it via the link!



The Ultimate Barbecue Sauce Recipe: Impress Your Friends This Summer!
No barbecue is the same without a good barbecue sauce, but why buy it from a store when you can make the ultimate barbecue sauce in less than 10 minutes?
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1779394/the_ultimate_barbecue_sauce_recipe.html

Every Woman Needs To Know About Breast Cancer!

It's been a while since I last wrote on here and a lot has happened since I did. I have been trying to cope with my own diagnosed depression and anxiety pretty much on my own because my health worker seems to think that a computer program will help me more than counselling. It isn't and I am struggling but nowhere near as much as my aunt will be shortly.

She has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Believe it or not, this has not come as of much as a surprise as you might believe. I was shocked to my core when I heard but she is not the first woman in my family to develop breast cancer and will most likely not be the last. It is in the family you see. My mum had breast cancer twice in the space of 18 months. She was first diagnosed with it when she was 32 and was next diagnosed with it when she was 33. The second time was harder as it had spread to her lymph glands. However, she survived, which is more than can be said for my grandad's mum. She died of beast cancer when she was 32. Her twin died of breast cancer a few years later and their older sister also lost her life to the disease before the age of 50.

Of course, times were different all those years ago and treatments have come a long way. There is now an 80% survival rate but every woman should know the symptoms of breast cancer and be vigilant. I have written an article to highlight the symptoms that you need to be aware of so please read it and be aware. It may just save your life.

Breast Cancer Symptoms: Spot the Early Signs of Cancer to Increase Your Chances of Survival
1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetimes. Protect yourself by knowing the early breast cancer symptoms that could save your life.

Finding Great Restaurants: London

The recession is well and truly here now and it looks as though it may be here to stay for a while. Unfortunately, that is causing problems for individuals that may have gone out for dinner once a week or once a fortnight in years gone by. Now I really do love my food so I think that is a crying shame... especially when you think about just how many great restaurants there are out there just waiting for you to try them. Many of them will have special deals on at the moment and in the coming months too to try and attract business but how could you possibly find out about them all if you are heading somewhere new or do not know the area in which the restaurant is located very well? Answer - a good restaurants guide will help you.

Believe it or not there are numerous such guides available to you today at the click of a mouse! Say you want to find "Indian restaurants London". All you have to do is search using Google or another search engine and you will get a list of results. However, there is a much better way to do it and that is to use Qype.

Qype is a new website that a friend recommended to me. I'm in London on business next week but have not got a clue where to eat because I live a couple of hours away and only head to the city when I absolutely have to. She told me that I'd find everything I needed on there, from hostels London has to offer to restaurants in the area in which I am staying right down to any shopping or arts activities I fancy to amuse myself. I now have a list of the best and most affordable offers on at restaurants in London as well as the addresses so I know where to find them. it took me a couple of minutes to get that information so for the sake of good food and the restaurant industry here at the moment please take a look. You could save money, try something new and help to save a business.

Losing Weight And Choosing Your Diet

As a woman, I'm rather happy with the way I look. I'm by no means skinny but I adore my curves. Despite that, I am trying to lose a few extra pounds because of future plans I have. As a result, I was looking into a few diet programs the other day and got rather confused. I don't generally do dieting because I'm a massive believer in eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise. Apart from trying the Atkins diet a few years ago, I haven't had much experience in the dieting area but apparently choosing a diet need not be as bad as I found it the other day!

A friend told me about a dieting website that she had used to find out about various diets just after the New Year. Diets In Review features about 600 reviews of various diets, which shocked me somewhat because I had abolutely no idea that there were that many about. You hear of a few (Atkins, Cambridge, Weight Watchers etc) but I honestly didn't think that many had been formulated. better still, the website tells you about the successful diets and those that no woman should touch with a bargepole! The main reviews are objective but there are women and men alike that have tried the diets and then added their own reviews and comments too so you can sort the good diets from the bad before choosing one to try.

I don't usually review websites or post about them on here because I find that there are so many resources people can use for finding out about various ailments, health issues and diets but this is an exceptional website that you may want to take a look at if you plan on dieting in the near future!

Cervical Cancer: Know The Signs And Symptoms

I was sad to read this morning that Jade Goody, the popular British reality TV star, has been told that she only has a few months to live and will soon be leaving her year old and 4 year old children behind. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008 and has failed to respond to chemotherapy. Instead, the cancer spread to her bowel, liver and groin. As such, she is now making the most of every day as it comes.

The most disturbing fact in this whole story is that Jade is just 27 years old. She is incredibly young and this alone should convnince women that you are never too young to have cancer. I've been having smear tests since the age of 21 to make sure that my cervical cells are fine but too many women don't go to their check ups. I don't want to sound too preachy but every woman should book a smear as soon as they are able to do so for peace of mind. Every woman should also be fully aware of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer to ensure that they know exactly what to look for just in case.

I published an article today about the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer because every woman shouuld have more than enough knowledge to protect herself. It can be found here:

Jade Goody and Cervical Cancer: Signs and Symptoms that Could Save Your Life

Please take a look and bookmark it so the illness that Jade Goody is experiencing will at least help one more woman to survive.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Needs Your Help!

I have to say that I've always admired those athletes you see on TV competing in triathlons... and thought they were mad whilst sat on my backside at home! However, every time someone does one for charity I'm one of the first to acknowledge and promote their cause because they are completing two marvellous tasks in one - a .93 mile swim, 27.25 mile bike ride and 6.2 mile run plus rasing money for excellent causes and there is no better cause than the battle against blood cancer.

It is predicted that approximately 44,270 will develop leukemia in the United States alone in 2009, and that is not to mention the existing 231,461 sufferers (as from the start of 2008) or those with other blood cancers. A very dear friend of mine battled Hodgkins Lymphoma in her mid-20s and was lucky enough to survive. She is now 30 and still growing strong thanks to the brilliant care she received and the current medical treatments but the cause is close to my heart as a result.

I saw a note from one of my friends on Facebook yesterday promoting what her sister, Courtney Montague is looking to do in order to raise money and I admire her in many ways as a result of it. She is going to complete the Mooseman Triathlon for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this year but needs at least $3000 to participate. If you do have a few spare dollars, pounds or Euros then please think of donating here. I did and know I'm helping Courtney to do this amazing event for a worthy cause.

As for why Courtney is doing what she's doing, the site puts it best:

As a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training, I am raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

If you do want to read more or make a donation, no matter how large or small, then please check out the info HERE!

Take Care Of Your Skin With Natural Makeup

The skin is often one of the most neglected organs of the body. We use it and abuse it in many circumstances by exposing it to the sun without protection. We also use harsh chemicals on it every day when we wash because some of the cheaper shower gels, face creams and other similar products have added extras that are hardly soft and gentle! As such, you need to take care of your skin. You need to protect it and if you can do so then you will slow down the aging process by maintaining its hydration and offering a little respite to the cells.

I actually wrote this post because I read an article about some of the new natural skin care products available today. I had no idea that some companies were developing natural products with organc ingredients to work in harmony with the skin. Of course, I've heard about stores that offer natural remedies but most of those sell raw ingredients rather than the complete product. Even high profile stores that do not test on animals do not offer completely natural products.

There were several companies featured but one stood out in the article. This was largely because they offered so much more information about the products they offer in terms of how they work and what is in them. Some of the other natural skin care companies only talked about the range of products they sell but Astara Skin Care gave full details about their products. I am always sceptical when companies only tell you what they think you need to know rather than giving you an in depth look at their products so I'll be giving the others a miss but may try Astara Skin Care because their systems impressed me.

Their organic skin care products are specifically designed to offer healthier skin in a completely natural way and thus stave off the aging process as well. The natural ingredients provide nutrition and allow the skin to self heal more effectively than it otherwise would. I would normally be a little suspicious of this because it is such a massive assertion, but the botanical ingredients that are used have been scientifcally proven to offer highly benficial results. The delivery system is also effective so nothing gets lost in transit!

I also liked the inclusion of Totara Tree Essence in the ingredients list. it is expensive but is better than Tea Tree Oil for your skin. It is an antioxidant and reduced bacterial activity on the skin far quicker and more effectively than Tea Tree Oil does.

You should always check out what you are putting on your skin. I am not all for the expensive products in any way but I have to say that I do not like putting synthetic products on my skin. Always look at the company as well as the ingredients label so you can make an informed decision that is best for your skin!

Choosing A Remedy For Toenail Fungus

Apologies for the lack of updates recently but unfortunately life has got a little in the way of blogging recently. I'll be talking a little more about the reasons behind this in a future post but for now I want to talk about something quite disturbing I read today.

I have to say that I always thought that toenail fungus was something that athletes suffered from and those people that wore shoes that were too tight. I had no idea that my new 2009 diet and fitness regime could actually give it to me as well! I was reading a magazine that listed the most common health complaints that were associated with the gym and toenail fungus came in at #3! You can catch it in damp areas such as the shower, swimming pool or even the gym itself because the conditions are perfect for the passing of the flora behind it. Even failing to dry your feet properly can cause it. Now I have yet to experience toe nail fungus and really would not want to but I decided to do a little research anyway to see just how it can be cured if you do get it.

Toenail fungus can be cured via a range of home remedies or products that can be bought from a pharmacy. Taking the latter first, Zetaclear i supposed to be rather good and is readily available at an affordable price. It can be applied directly to the area to clear up the fungus and protect the area infected from irritation and further infection at the same time. There are also natural remedies you can use as well, although these take longer to work. Tea tree oil is a great remedy, applied directly to the area twice a day. A mixture of oregano and olive oil is also said to be good. Although you cannot use either for more than 3 weeks on the area infected, both remedies are antibacterial and so will heal the area and clean up the infection at the same time.

I will be investigating more home remedies in the near future, as well as affordable remedies for ailments and wholesome and healthy meals too. This will be an effort to help people remain healthy in spite of the credit crunch so stay tuned folks!