Yoga for Fertility

6 yoga poses for pregnancy

I can remember so clearly the moment I first realized I was pregnant. I was driving, heading back to Brooklyn after visiting a friend in Philadelphia, when I felt that telltale pang (called mittleschmertz) of ovulation. My husband and I had just started trying, and I thought to myself, “Here we go!”

My boobs were sore within 36 hours. I knew in my bones that I was pregnant.

About a week later, a home pregnancy test confirmed my intuition. In yoga class, I didn’t mention anything to my teachers, but I did subtly start adjusting my practice — standing with feet hips’ distance in Mountain Pose, for instance, and avoiding twists. And then, about 10 days later, I miscarried.

It was very early, and our first time out. Still, it stung.

There were a lot of Corpse Poses where tears leaked out of my eyes in the weeks that followed. Sticking with my yoga practice during that time gave me an outlet for my emotions, and it helped me stay in a friendly relationship with my body when I could have easily felt betrayed. It also gave me tools to send extra love (in the form of freshly oxygenated blood and energy) to my reproductive organs. A few months later, I was pregnant again, with our now-almost-six-year-old daughter.
 
 
  How yoga helps when you’re trying to get pregnant

Yoga tones and nourishes your reproductive organs by systematically squeezing and then releasing them, which encourages them to function optimally. And it gives you a way to stay connected to your body at a time when it can feel like you’re not on the same page.

But the most important thing yoga can do for you when you’re trying to have a baby is help you calm the stress response. Cooling your chronic flight-or-fight helps balance your hormones and makes your body a more inviting environment for a baby and makes it that much easier to conceive.

I’m not talking power yoga, hot yoga, or even vinyasa yoga. If fertility is truly your main priority for your yoga practice (and whether you’ve been practicing yoga for years or are brand new to it), focus on some easy-does-it yoga. If you’re looking for a class, some of the styles to look for on a studio schedule are:

    Restorative
    Yin
    Gentle
    Hatha
    Mellow
    Stretch and Breathe

If you’re looking for a routine to do at home, here are the six fertility yoga poses I suggest. Use as many props (blankets, bolsters, pillows) as you like. In fact, I dare you to drag all this stuff out! It’s really all about promoting the deep, I’m-so-relaxed-I-feel-like-a-noodle feeling. You will be so happy you did!
 
1. Reclined Bound Angle Pose

This is the mother of all fertility-promoting yoga poses. Resting your torso on the bolster creates plenty of breathing room — literally — in your abdomen for the uterus and ovaries. Splaying your thighs out to the side opens the pelvis and invites more blood and breath to flow through the area.

To do it, put your bolster or a couch cushion on the floor. Sit down so the cushion is a few inches away from your lower back — you want your ribcage to rest on the bolster, but not your waist. Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together, then let your knees open to the side. Have two rolled-up towels or yoga blocks nearby to tuck under your thighs. Then lie back so your spine, neck, and head are resting on the cushion. Place your hands on your belly, palms down, or on the floor, palms up. Stay at least 5 minutes, letting your body sink down into your props. No effort allowed! Just be.
 
2. Wide-Legged Seated Pose

This pose really opens the hips and gets the blood flowing through your pelvis.

Sitting up tall, open your legs wide. Keep your knees and toes pointing straight up at the ceiling. Stay sitting up tall, your fingertips on the floor just behind your thighs to help you reach your spine away from your hips, for five breaths. Then fold forward as far as you can comfortably go. Rest your head on a bolster, coffee table, or hard chair and stay here 1-2 minutes.
 
3. Head on Knee Pose

The slight twist in this seated version of Tree Pose is like a massage for your uterus and ovaries.

Sit on the floor with both legs straight. Bend your right knee and bring the sole of your right foot up high on the left inner thigh. Place your hands on the floor on either side of your left knee, and use the leverage of your hands pressing in to the floor to spin your belly button so it’s in line with your left knee. Then walk your hands toward your left foot, keeping the spine long. When you’ve gone as far as you can, use a bolster, rolled-up blanket, or even a chair to rest your forehead on. Stay a minute or two, then switch legs.
 
4. Simple Seated Twist

Yet another massage for the ole uterus. (Speaking of, have you booked a massage for your whole body lately?

Sitting cross-legged with a tall spine, rotate your torso to the left. Bring your left hand to the floor just behind your left buttock and your right hand to your left knee. Take 10 breaths here, lifting your spine a titch taller with each inhale, and twisting a hair further to the left with each exhale. Then repeat to the right.
 
5. Bridge Pose on Blocks

This pose stretches the psoas — the muscle that connects the upper body to the lower body — which creates more space in the low abdomen for your organs to do their thing. It also gently compresses the thyroid gland, which then gets doused in fresh blood (which delivers oxygen and nutrients), helping this hormone-producer function better.

To do it, you need two yoga blocks, or two short stacks of books or magazines. Place one block against a wall. Lie on your back and put your feet on the block so your soles are flat against the wall. Then press in to the wall and lift your hips up, sliding the other block under your sacrum — the triangular bone at the base of your spine. Roll on to the outside edges of your upper arms and drop your chin down toward your chest and back toward the floor slightly. Stay one or two minutes.
 
6. Corpse Pose

This is where the relaxation really kicks in.

To up the comfort level, rest your torso on a bolster or couch cushion, or roll up a blanket to put under your knees, or rest just your calves on a coffee table. Really give it up to gravity and imagine the floor rising up to support you, so that all that’s left for you to do is sink and release into the floor.
Source: life.gaiam

4 Tips for July 4th Picnics, BBQs and Pool Parties

Have a happy, healthy Independence Day!

As I discussed in the article 7 Ways to Fast Track Your Weight Loss This Summer, eating healthy and staying on track with your nutrition plan during the summer months is not as easy as one might think. The increased socializing that often takes place during this time of year makes for quite a calorie challenge. Stay at the top of your nutritional game and have fun at your summer soirées with these four strategies:

 
1. Offer to bring either an appetizer or dessert.

I have found that most of my clients “fall off the wagon” either before or after the main course at most parties. Whether it’s the chips and dips or brownies a la mode, the beginning and end of the party seem to pack the highest calorie punch. In order to combat this, offer to bring a low-calorie appetizer and/or dessert. Low-cal appetizers include crudités and yogurt dip, melon and prosciutto, and whole-wheat pita toasts with hummus, while dessert ideas include fruit kabobs (or just a fruit salad), berries and light whipped topping and angel food cake with raspberry sauce.
 
2. Stick with bun-less main courses.

The best thing about summer cuisine is that foods are most often grilled or cooked with minimal added fats or sauces. It is often the side dishes or buns that get us into trouble. When choosing your main course, opt for a bun-less burger or hot dog and a salad. If there is seafood, even better! Just try to keep those refined carbohydrates (like hamburger and hot dog buns!) to a minimum.
 
3. Choose low-calorie cocktails.

As I’ve mentioned before, I really do love my cocktails. And if it weren't for all of the calories, I'd choose delicious frozen concoctions like margaritas, daiquiris and my all-time favorite: piña coladas! One frozen drink can run you anywhere from 300-500 calories: it’s just not worth it! There are several other high-sugar drinks to be wary of as well, including sangria and vodka with fruit juices. Your best bet is to stick with a light beer, a glass of wine, a spritzer, or better yet, a clear liquor (like vodka or gin) with club soda and a small splash of fruit juice. Also, try to limit yourself to two drinks with at least one glass of water in between the two, as too much alcohol is likely to result in poor food choices.
 
4. Eat before the party!

It is so tempting to ‘save your calories’ and your appetite for a big party, but trust me, showing up hungry to a food-filled event is a surefire way to fall victim to the decadent offerings that await you. Be sure to eat a good dose of protein throughout the day, and to consider a pre-party snack. Even just a handful of veggies and a string cheese as you are getting dressed could provide you with enough nourishment to fuel your healthy eating resolve. Drinking a lot of water throughout the day is also a good way to keep your appetite in check.

If you have favorite summer nutrition tips, please share them here. We would love to hear from you and learn some of your strategies!  
Source: life.gaiam

Zika virus facts!

Zika virus is a virus related to dengue, West Nile, and other viruses.
    Zika virus may play a role in developing congenital microcephaly (small head and brain) in the fetus of infected pregnant women.

    
The viral disease was first noted in 1947 in Africa and has spread by outbreaks to many different countries, with an ongoing outbreak in Brazil and Puerto Rico; the first diagnosis of Zika virus in the U.S. occurred in Harris County (Houston), Texas, in January 2016.
    The virus is transmitted to most people by a mosquito (Aedes) vector; the risk factor for infection is a mosquito bite.
    The Zika virus' incubation period is about three to 12 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
    The vast majority of infections are not contagious from person to person; however, it may be passed person to person during sex.
    The Zika virus symptoms and signs are usually
        fever,
        rash,
        joint pain,
        conjuctivitis.
       
    The virus infection is usually diagnosed by the patient's history and physical exam and by blood testing (testing for the virus genome; usually done in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]).
    Treatment is related to symptom control, and over-the-counter medication is used in most infected people.
    Rarely, complications such as dehydration or neurologic problems may develop.
    In Brazil, an outbreak of Zika virus infections may be related to the development of congenital microcephaly; evidence comes from epidemiology and from Zika viruses isolated from amniotic fluid and the brain and heart of an infant with microcephaly.
    The prognosis for most Zika virus infections is good; however, complications such as microcephaly, if proven to be related to the infection in pregnancy, would be a poor outcome for the newborn. In addition, eye abnormalities, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) may occur, with fair to poor outcomes.
    Prevention of Zika virus infections is possible if mosquito bites from infected mosquitoes are prevented.
    Currently, there is no vaccine against Zika virus infection; however, the possible link to development of microcephaly in the fetus has prompted physicians to lobby for a fast development of a vaccine.

What is Zika virus?

Zika virus (sometimes termed Zika fever) is a Flavivirus that is related to dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis viruses (Flaviviridae); the viruses are transmitted to humans by mosquito bites and produce a disease that lasts a few days to a week. Common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (redness of the eyes). In Brazil, the viral infection has been linked to birth defects (mainly small head and small brain size, termed microcephaly) in babies (newborns) whose mothers became infected with Zika virus during their pregnancy. The CDC reported that researchers now conclude from new data published in the New England Journal of Medicine in April 2016, that Zika virus is responsible for (causes) microcephaly and other serious brain defects. According to CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden and other experts, these findings should serve as a warning to the U.S. to take Zika virus infections very seriously.

The WHO (World Health Organization) declared Zika virus infections as a public-health emergency in February 2016, after Zika virus had been reported transmitted to humans in 62 countries worldwide.

What is the history of Zika virus outbreaks?

Zika virus (ZIKV) was first isolated and identified in the Zika Forest of Uganda in 1947. Studies suggest that humans in that area of Africa could also have been infected with the virus. From 1951-1981, blood tests showed evidence of Zika virus infections in many other African countries and Indonesia (Tanzania, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, for example), and researchers found that transmission of the virus to humans was done by mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti). In 2007, the virus was detected in Yap Island, the first report that the virus spread outside of Africa and Indonesia to Pacific Islands. The virus has continued to spread to North and South America (Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, and into the Caribbean islands from Aruba to Jamaica). The most recent outbreaks have been noted in Puerto Rico, Cape Verde Islands, and a large ongoing outbreak is occurring in Brazil that started in May 2015 and is ongoing. The first isolation of Zika virus in the U.S. occurred in January 2016 in Harris County (Houston), Texas, from an individual who became infected in El Salvador in November and returned to Texas. Although there have not been documented mosquito transmissions in the U.S., Texas and other states have two mosquito strains (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) that could be capable of transmitting the viruses (see maps below). The CDC also reports 354 individuals who had locally acquired infection (acquired through mosquito bites) in the U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and 346 travel-associated infections in the U.S. as of Apr. 6, 2016, but none due to mosquito bites in the U.S. The CDC expects these numbers to steadily increase.
Source:  medicinenet

9 Foods To Lower Cholesterol

Reducing saturated fat is one of the most important changes you can make for cutting down cholesterol level in the blood. We have since always eaten saturated fats and you probably ask yourself why are they labeled as harmful for our health? – The liver uses saturated fats to create cholesterol which means that excessive consumption of saturated fats can increase cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoproteins (LDL) which is the bad cholesterol. These potentially harmful fats are found in foods from animal origin such whole fat milk, cream, butter, meat – lamb, beef, pork, cheese, etc. However, there are certain plant-based vegetable fats that are to be avoided, especially palm oil, coconut oil and vegetable shortening.



 The best fighter against saturated fats is fiber-rich food, particularly beans – any type. The healthiest thing about beans is that their composition is high in soluble fibers which are very good for lowering bad cholesterol. They form a gel in water that helps bind acids and cholesterol in the intestinal tract preventing their absorption into the body. Because of this trait, soluble fibers are also good in preventing heart diseases. They are sustained in oats, barley, rice, beans, apples, carrots and most of the fruits and vegetables.



Elevated cholesterol is one of the most common health problems today. Despite leaving the physical activity that indirectly helps its reduction, we remind you that food plays an important and perhaps a key role. Find out food that helps in lowering of cholesterol.



For dinner eat salmon, for snack eat small – handful amount of walnuts in the salad, add olive oil. Eat dark chocolate with more cocoa, and do not worry if this food helps in lowering of cholesterol. Here is a list of other food that is beneficial in case of problems with cholesterol.

Oats

Eat oats in breakfast. Oats helps reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol and 5.3% for a period of 6 weeks. This is due to a substance called beta glucan which absorbs bad cholesterol.


Red wine

This is another reason to drink a glass of red wine. Two glasses a week is ideal amount of red wine which can have beneficial effects for your health.



Salmon and other fatty fish

Salmon is rich in omega 3 fatty acids and is a great food that naturally improves health and helps prevent heart attack, stroke and high cholesterol. Other useful fish are sardines and herring.



Walnuts

Monounsaturated fats are found in nuts and sunflower seed have lowest levels of fatty acids and are the best of the three types of fats (polyunsaturated, saturated fat and monosaturated). Walnuts are a healthy way to intake necessary healthy fats in the body, without feeling guilty, and because it is herbal, natural and chemical raw fat, nutritious and excellent for heart health.



Legumes

Legumes are great for heart and by eating in various combinations – soups and main dishes are easily digested. It is considered that reduces bad cholesterol by 8%, and is especially recommended black beans and white beans.



Tea

Tea contains antioxidants and small amounts of caffeine compared to coffee. One cup of tea contains only 30-40 mg, while coffee has about 135 mg of caffeine. Tea has phytochemicals that protects bones, and is protector of the body from bad LDL cholesterol.



Chocolate

A reasonable dose of dark chocolate is useful for the body. Chocolate is full of antioxidants and ingredients that lower cholesterol. It is thought that antioxidants in dark chocolate reduce damage that may occur in the blood vessels and reduces the additional damage that may endanger the health of people who suffer from cirrhosis.



Spinach

Popeye the sailor was built as a character who symbolizes the strength of the muscle that comes from spinach. It is believed that spinach contains about 13 flavonoids which keep body from cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.



Olive oil

Olive oil is very beneficial to health. It contains mono-unsaturated fatty acids that lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides without having to disrupt the balance of good cholesterol. It exists in different variants, extra virgin which is best, as well as pure.

Source: mrhealthyguru

20 Warning Signs of an Emotionally Abusive Relationship

An emotionally abusive relationship is harmful to your confidence and self-esteem, and you may not even be aware of the abuse. Unlike physical abuse that causes physical pain and leaves visible markings, the signs of emotional abuse are not as apparent.

Research shows that emotional abuse is as damaging to a person as both physical and sexual abuse. The study that followed 846 at-risk children over a 14-year period shows that the most common abuse is the psychological threat to safety and security.

The reason emotional abuse is so harmful is because it affects how we think about ourselves. It comes in the form of actions, attitude and words that are meant to demean and humiliate. It is used as a form of control often leaving the victim feeling confused, powerless and afraid.

All abuse directly attacks our self-esteem, but emotional abuse does it directly by linking our self-worth to being loved. You might be surprised to learn that several studies show emotional abuse occurs at the hands of men and women at equal rates. It can happen in any relationship.

You might be in an emotionally abusive relationship if:

They constantly humiliate you in front of other people.

They criticize your actions as being less than perfect making you feel as if you can’t do anything right.

They tell mean, inappropriate and demeaning jokes.

They want to be in control of everything including your actions.

They constantly remind you of your shortcomings and failures.

They do not value your feelings and often will tell you that you are wrong and that you are too sensitive.

They give disapproving and dismissive looks that leave you fearful of being alone with them.

They withhold displays of affection and sex as a form of punishment.

They belittle your dreams and accomplishments.

They share your private moments and your secrets with others against your wishes.

They do not think you are capable of knowing what is best for you.

They blame you for their problems, their mood, and their overall unhappiness.

They can’t laugh at themselves, and they get extremely sensitive when others laugh at or make fun of them.

You might be in an emotionally abusive relationship if:

They constantly humiliate you in front of other people.

They criticize your actions as being less than perfect making you feel as if you can’t do anything right.

They tell mean, inappropriate and demeaning jokes.

They want to be in control of everything including your actions.

They constantly remind you of your shortcomings and failures.

They do not value your feelings and often will tell you that you are wrong and that you are too sensitive.

They give disapproving and dismissive looks that leave you fearful of being alone with them.

They withhold displays of affection and sex as a form of punishment.

They belittle your dreams and accomplishments.

They share your private moments and your secrets with others against your wishes.

They do not think you are capable of knowing what is best for you.

They blame you for their problems, their mood, and their overall unhappiness.

They can’t laugh at themselves, and they get extremely sensitive when others laugh at or make fun of them.



An emotionally abusive relationship is harmful to your confidence and self-esteem, and you may not even be aware of the abuse. Unlike physical abuse that causes physical pain and leaves visible markings, the signs of emotional abuse are not as apparent.

Research shows that emotional abuse is as damaging to a person as both physical and sexual abuse. The study that followed 846 at-risk children over a 14-year period shows that the most common abuse is the psychological threat to safety and security.

The reason emotional abuse is so harmful is because it affects how we think about ourselves. It comes in the form of actions, attitude and words that are meant to demean and humiliate. It is used as a form of control often leaving the victim feeling confused, powerless and afraid.

All abuse directly attacks our self-esteem, but emotional abuse does it directly by linking our self-worth to being loved. You might be surprised to learn that several studies show emotional abuse occurs at the hands of men and women at equal rates. It can happen in any relationship.

Here are 20 warning signs of an emotionally abusive relationship:

emotional-abuse
You might be in an emotionally abusive relationship if:

They constantly humiliate you in front of other people.

They criticize your actions as being less than perfect making you feel as if you can’t do anything right.

They tell mean, inappropriate and demeaning jokes.

They want to be in control of everything including your actions.

They constantly remind you of your shortcomings and failures.

They do not value your feelings and often will tell you that you are wrong and that you are too sensitive.

They give disapproving and dismissive looks that leave you fearful of being alone with them.

They withhold displays of affection and sex as a form of punishment.

They belittle your dreams and accomplishments.

They share your private moments and your secrets with others against your wishes.

They do not think you are capable of knowing what is best for you.

They blame you for their problems, their mood, and their overall unhappiness.

They can’t laugh at themselves, and they get extremely sensitive when others laugh at or make fun of them.

They make you feel wrong for wanting to see your friends or do anything fun without them.

They make you feel as if you aren’t good enough for them and that you should be thankful to be in the relationship.

They insist on always being right while you are always wrong.

They make subtle threats that are disguised as a suggestion to help you.

They control the finances so they can control your actions and how you spend money.

They constantly call or text to check up on you, who you are with and what you are doing when you are not together.

They accuse you of things that are not true, so you are forced to prove your love.

This list isn’t comprehensive by any means. But when there is a feeling that we can’t be our authentic self and that we are constantly in fear of doing or saying the wrong thing; we need to evaluate if the relationship is emotionally abusive.

Emotionally abusive people are conditioned to make us feel that they are superior and that we don’t deserve them. They make us feel like we deserve to be treated the way we are and that we are lucky to be in a relationship with them. They are masters at manipulating the way we feel.

This is not our fault. We are not to blame. There is probably little that we can do to change the behavior or improve the relationship. Recognize it for what it is, abuse.

Left alone, the stress of an emotionally abusive relationship can manifest itself in the form of illness, depression and even long-term emotional trauma. That’s why it is important first to recognize the behavior and then seek help. Recognizing the behavior can be difficult because we are so attached to the relationship, that we don’t want to think about letting it go. That’s why we need to be aware of some key signs that the relationship isn’t serving us.

Since it is so hard to see from the inside of a relationship, as a friend we should be looking for these signs in the relationships of those we love. It might take an outside eye to spot emotionally abusive behavior. Proceed with caution because it can be a challenging conversation to have.

If you begin to notice the signs of an emotionally abusive relationship, whether it’s you or someone you care about, seek professional help. Just because the relationship isn’t violent yet, doesn’t mean it won’t escalate and you should get a clear understanding of the situation from someone trained to help everyone stay safe.

source:powerofpositivity

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. If left unchecked, these cancer cells can spread from the skin into other tissues and organs.

There are different types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common. Melanoma is less common, but more dangerous.

 Causes

The outer layer of skin, the epidermis, is made up of different types of cells. Skin cancers are classified by the types of epidermal cells involved:

    Basal cell carcinoma develops from abnormal growth of the cells in the lowest layer of the epidermis and is the most common type of skin cancer.
    Squamous cell carcinoma involves changes in the squamous cells, found in the middle layer of the epidermis.
    Melanoma occurs in the melanocytes (cells that produce pigment) and is less common than squamous or basal cell carcinoma, but more dangerous. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease.

Skin cancers are sometimes classified as either melanoma or nonmelanoma. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common nonmelanoma skin cancers. Other nonmelanoma skin cancers are Kaposi's sarcoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and cutaneous lymphoma.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the Unites States. Known risk factors for skin cancer include the following:

    Complexion: Skin cancers are more common in people with light-colored skin, hair, and eyes.
    Genetics: Having a family history of melanoma increases the risk of developing this cancer.
    Age: Nonmelanoma skin cancers are more common after age 40.
    Sun exposure and sunburn: Most skin cancers occur on areas of the skin that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet radiation. This is considered the primary cause of all skin cancers.

Skin cancer can develop in anyone, not only people with these risk factors. Young, healthy people -- even those with with dark skin, hair, and eyes -- can develop skin cancer.

 Symptoms

Skin cancers may have many different appearances. They can be small, shiny, waxy, scaly and rough, firm and red, crusty or bleeding, or have other features. Therefore, anything suspicious should be looked at by a physician. See the articles on specific skin cancers for more information.

Here are some features to look for:

    Asymmetry: one half of the abnormal skin area is different than the other half
    Borders: irregular borders
    Color: varies from one area to another with shades of tan, brown, or black (sometimes white, red, blue)
    Diameter: usually (but not always) larger than 6 mm in size (diameter of a pencil eraser)
    Any skin growth that bleeds or will not heal

Use a mirror or have someone help you look on your back, shoulders, and other hard-to-see areas.
 

Treatment

Different types of skin cancer require different treatment approaches. Surgical removal of the cancer is very common.
See the specific type of skin cancer for information:

• Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma
•  
• Outlook (Prognosis)
  
  The outlook depends on a number of factors, including the type of cancer and how quickly it was diagnosed. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma rarely spread to other parts of the body. However, melanoma is more likely to spread. See the specific skin cancer articles for additional information.
•  
•  When to Contact a Medical Professional
  
  Any suspicious mole, sore, or skin growth should be looked at by a physician immediately. You should take seriously any changes in a mole or any sudden growth on the skin.
•  
•  Prevention
  
  Minimizing sun exposure is the best way to prevent skin damage, including many types of skin cancer:
  
      Protect your skin from the sun when you can -- wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.
      Try to avoid exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is most intense.
      Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply sunscreen at least one-half hour before sun exposure, and reapply frequently.
      Apply sunscreen during winter months as well.
• source:nytimes

Why I will vote for Donald Trump

If your response is going to be anything related to ‘no one cares what you think’ stop reading now and go elsewhere. You’re coming here either interested in why, or to add to your list of reasons you don’t like me. I’m ok with both.

I’ve known Mr. Trump for a little over a decade. Our first encounter, and subsequent encounters, had to do with his request for me to appear on the apprentice.

We spoke at length every time we got together.

I realized very quickly this was a man decisive in action and confident in his ability.

I also realized that regardless of his net worth, he worked his ass off. He didn’t have time for 8 hours sleep each night, too much to be done.

So why will I vote for him? Here’s a few reasons why and none of them pertains to me just not wanting to vote for someone else.

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    I trust him. I don’t agree with him on many things, that’s cool. I also know that there is and never will be a candidate anywhere that I will agree with on everything. That candidate doesn’t exist. If you say it does I think that makes you a sheep, someone afraid to have or voice an original, albeit unpopular, opinion at times.
    While I don’t agree with him there are two incredibly important things he possesses that neither candidate on the Soviet ticket do. He loves this country. You can laugh, you can mock, but you also are full of crap if the current administration has ever given you the confidence that they love this nation above all else. He will protect my family, and my loved ones. I say that because Mr Trump is where he is for one major reason. He’s been successful because he understands that surrounding yourself with smart people and listening to them, then parsing ideas and deciding, is how you win. Not all the time, but most of the time. When he says he will ‘make the military great’ he means “I’m going to create a group of men and women I trust to rebuild the worlds greatest armed forces and then insure that you and your family are protected BEFORE looking out for the interests of others”.
    I firmly believe that to know the real heart and soul of a man you look at his children. Who are they, what are they, and how do they act. I’ve never, even for a second, heard his children speak with anything but respect, courtesy, integrity and confidence. While you may think they are ‘spoon fed’ rich kids, experience tells me they have busted their asses to make their own way and be their own people.



Let me also comment on you frauds in the liberal media.

Mr Trump doesn’t want to ‘ban all muslims’ from entering the nation. Mr Trump doesn’t want to ban mexican immigrants from coming here.

No, Mr Trump wants to halt, dismantle and rebuild a horrifically corrupt, broken and useless immigration system. This current administration has made no bones about ‘disarming’ both our border patrol and our first responders in a rush to make sure everyone, even criminals, don’t have their rights infringed on.

But your liberal agenda has you lying your asses off to a group of people too lazy to do the work on their own, to listen and decide on their own.

But you knew that, just like you know Hillary Clinton is as guilty as the day is long, and as responsible for the deaths of 4 Americans, including an ambassador she was sworn to protect.

What terrifies you now? I think it’s the fact people have decided to stop making you their ‘go to’ for news. You cannot be trusted anymore, you have openly talked down to and mocked the ‘common’ citizen that they’re finally standing up and telling you to pound sand.

Those that still listen and believe you, and the massive amount of misinformation you publish are the lazy sheep and apathetic folks who will pull a lever for the felon or the socialist come next election.



I do want Mr Trump to stop the name calling, I do want him to start being much more specific. But that’s just me and my opinion. I love that he gets it. What do I mean by that? I mean if you heard his initial tax proposal and recently heard his talk around changing that, you understand unlike the liar in chief, he gets that what’s going to happen is far too complicated to guarantee anything until you sit in the oval office. He won’t pander, and that alone sets him apart from 99% of the corrupt entrenched old white gov’t.



You’ve managed to elect people that want to shred the 2nd Amendment while being surrounded by an armed detail

You’ve managed to elect people who demanded a disaster of a health care system, while they themselves asked for, and received, exemptions from that very same broken down piece of junk.

You’ve managed to elect people who honest to God believe you can pass legislation that will make criminals NOT be criminals, and you BELIEVE that!

Your media went on a campaign to destroy a woman that absolutely loves this nation in Gov Palin. You have made people believe she actually said “I can see Russia from my house”.

    “They’re our next-door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia, from land, here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.”

That’s what she said you frauds. You rant and rave about ‘racists’ commentary around the First Lady and their daughters yet you laughed, mocked and trivialized when the public embarrassed and tried to humiliate Bristol Palin.

You would honest to God have the public believe that one of the most evil, despicable corrupt lying phonies ever to walk this earth, should be the democratic nominee for the highest position in this land.

The ONLY reason I wanted to see Mrs Fiorina, or Mrs Palin, or Condolezza Rice involved was to finally have this nation see what a true woman who can lead looks and sounds like on the same stage.

You’ve made folks believe a woman who helped destroy the lives of the women her husband assaulted and was accused of rape by, is actually a champion of womens rights.

I’m with ya on the Trump issue around his commentary about women. I think it’s uncomfortable for me so I would imagine it is for women, but again i tell you, look at his daughter and decide if he actually knows how to treat women. His wife? His former wife? Any of them come out and complain?

You college folks in love with Mr Sanders, a man I think is too far left for election in the Soviet Union I will say this.

Do your homework. His love of the “Nordic Model” is understandable, who wouldn’t like free stuff.

Let me give you a hint about how that might work.

It CANNOT SCALE from a policy covering 6-10 million people to covering 300+ million people in a country with 19+ trillion in debt and the worlds largest defense budget.

It is mathematically IMPOSSIBLE.

I know it sounds great, hell free stuff always does but you seem to have forgotten one of life’s most endearing and true cliches.

    If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is



So rant and moan and whatever all you want, but the reasons I am voting for Mr Trump is easy.



I trust him when he says he will put this country above everything else as a priority in decision making

I trust him to create a team of military minds that will keep me safe

I trust him to destroy a corrupt and broken immigration system and remake it with one that works.

I trust that at every crucial point, when a decision has to be made, he will make the decision that’s best for our nation, and not the best for votes.



I trust him over a women who lied her ass off about ‘landing under fire’ only to have video footage of her lazily walking off of Marine One.

Stolen valor much?

I trust him to undo the massive damage created by the most divisive group of people in my lifetime, who have managed in 7+ short years to undo hundreds of years and thousands of lives worth of work.



So Mr Trump, all I ask is that you keep your promise to me, and to Americans, and put us above all else when you become the 45th President of the United States of American.

I’m proud my family served in so many ways  and so many wars that we can still have a process to elect a person to lead us.

God Bless you and God Bless the United States
source: 38pitches