So often we spend most of our time taking care of our physical needs. We make sure our bodies are fed, cleaned, clothed, exercised and rested. We also make sure intellectual stimulation and entertainment is a priority. Yet we also overlook the most important need — love.

Of course, as a society, love is not overlooked. Popular media constantly places great emphasis on what we need to do and how we should look to attract "love". But being loved is not as powerful an emotional need as that desire to love someone else.

The need to love and care for others is built into us biologically. This need is what allows parents to forgo sleep, food, and sanity while raising their children. This need is what allows people to put themselves at risk to save others from natural disasters and human threats. This need is what makes human society work on both a small and a large scale.

Loving others allows us to put the needs and desires of others before our own. We will work harder and longer, sometimes at jobs we loathe, to provide for those we love. We will tolerate otherwise intolerable conditions to provide care for our loved ones whether they are young or old.

Love means to cherish, hold dear, and treasure. We do not hurt, harm, or cause pain to those we love; rather, we seek to relieve their suffering. It is not about wanting people; it’s about wanting people to be happy. It’s not about wanting to possess or control others; it’s about wanting to set them free.

John Oxenham described love this way: "Love ever gives. Forgives, outlives. And ever stands with open hands. And while it lives, it gives. For this are love’s prerogatives – to give, and give, and give."

Love is the grease that allows the wheel of life to continue turning. For when we love we look beyond ourselves, beyond our needs and desires. We sacrifice our time, our energy, our wishes, and sometimes even ourselves because of love. Sometimes it is for an immediate person or group that we know intimately and love completely, but other times it is for a larger group of people that we don’t really know or perhaps even like. It is love that allows law enforcement and emergency services personnel to face danger. It is love that allows soldiers to risk everything. Love makes heroes every day in every corner of the world. As Thomas ã Kempis said: "Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength… It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love would faint and lie down."

The ultimate definition of love is not about feeling good but rather about doing good. A perfect example of love in action is Mother Teresa who worked so long and so hard on the behalf of others. However we see it all around us if we look for it. Robert Louis Stevenson said: "The essence of love is kindness."

Love is important because without it, life has no meaning or purpose. As Frank Tebbets says "A life without love in it is like a heap of ashes upon a deserted hearth, with the fire dead, the laughter stilled and the light extinguished." Love allows us to be more and do more than we could ever accomplish without its power.

About the Author: Deanna Mascle shares more inspirational messages as well as quotes about love at her site Official Wisdom at http://OfficialWisdom.com

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By Angela Sorros

 
Many brides begin dreaming about the perfect wedding dress long before they are even engaged. Choosing the perfect wedding dress is critical because it is the one day that all eyes will be on you. A dress that is beautiful without being too ostentatious and is also flattering to your figure will ensure that you are looking your best on your wedding day. With so many style, color and fabric options available, choosing the perfect wedding dress can be a difficult task but fortunately most brides simply know when they have found the perfect wedding dress. From the moment they put on the dress, their gut instinct tells them that this is the perfect wedding dress for them.

The most important piece of advice for shopping for the perfect wedding dress is to begin shopping for your dress at least six months before your wedding date. Finding the perfect dress can take quite a bit of time and once you find the dress, it may take up to four months for the dress to be ordered and shipped to the store. Then once the dress arrives in the store you may require several fittings to ensure that the dress fits you perfectly. You will want to take your time and enjoy shopping for your wedding dress so it is important to begin the process early so that you avoid feeling rushed and overwhelmed.

Another worthwhile piece of advice for finding the perfect wedding dress is to try on many different styles of dresses. Even though you may be convinced that you want a particular style you may find that the style that looks so appealing in magazines does not suit your body type. You may also find that a style that you would have never chosen can be flattering to your figure. For this reason it is important to try on a wide variety of styles before ruling out any particular style. The old saying, “you won’t know unless you try it,” holds true for wedding dresses. There have been countless brides who have found that their perfect wedding dress turned out to be significantly different from the one that they had pictured in their mind.

Although it may sound counterintuitive, the color of the wedding dress is an important consideration in choosing the perfect wedding dress. Many people think that the only acceptable color for a wedding dress is a pure white but if you are open to other options, you may find yourself in a wedding dress that is far more flattering to your skin tone than a pure white dress. Wedding dresses come in a multitude of colors including ivory, cream and even subtle beiges. If you are willing to consider these options it is important to try on dresses in these colors to see how they work with your complexion.

Choosing the perfect wedding dress sometimes requires reinforcements. Having a few trusted friends or family members come dress shopping with you can help you find the dress of your dreams. They can offer opinions on each dress that you try on and can also scour the countless racks of dresses available and choose dresses for you to try on. Many brides instantly know that they have chosen the perfect wedding dress the moment they put on the dress but having trusted friends and family members along can confirm this feeling. The moment you step out of the dressing room and reveal the dress you are wearing you may see instant confirmation that this is the perfect dress. The reactions of your assistants will indicate that you have found the perfect dress.

When you have found the perfect wedding dress, you will know it so now is also the time to buy the dress. Nothing is more important than your gut feeling and the reactions of your shopping partners so if you know you have the perfect dress in your hands, don’t risk losing the dress by opting to think about it for a few days before you make your purchase. There is always the chance that the last available dress will be sold or that the company will discontinue the dress so do not allow yourself to miss out on buying the perfect wedding dress by not buying it the moment you realize it is the dress for you.

The wedding dress is a critical element in a wedding. It is what makes a bride truly stand out and it is important for the bride to ensure that she has chosen the perfect wedding dress. The minute a future bride steps into a wedding dress she will know instantly whether or not it is the perfect dress. It’s important to trust this gut reaction and act accordingly in choosing the perfect wedding dress

About the Author: Ex Wedding Planner Assistant Reveals How Anyone Getting Married Can Put At Least $2474.11 Back Into Their Pockets…

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Many women are concerned about maintaining that fresh bright look of the  inside whites of their eyes.  They use eye drops specifically designed to remove redness and they are careful to get plenty of sleep at night.   Broken capillaries and red veins leading to and away from the iris can be associated with allergies, colds, flu and other illnesses.

The face is the first and most important part of our bodies that people notice when greeting us; with special emphasis on the eyes.  We all want our eyes to shine with youth and vigor.

Simple measures ensure that the whites of our eyes remain clear.   We need to take care that the area surrounding the outer are of our eyes has the same healthy, youthful look.

The skin around the eyes is delicate and tends to be thin.  The skin becomes even thinner during times of illness, dehydration and as we age. Our best line of defense against the aging of our skin is to take preventative measures early, while we are still young.  As it is much easier to maintain a youthful look than to recover such a look after we have neglected our skin.

Once damaged, some of the skin surface may not regenerate adequately to mask the skins of aging.  So taking care of your skin is a lifelong job that we are never too young to begin.

One of the best steps that we can do in order to maintain healthy, firm looking skin in the eye area is to drink plenty of water.  Doctors and health care professionals advise us to drink 64 oz. of water daily.  That amounts to eight 8 oz. glasses.  It is best to sip water throughout the day as opposed to drinking most of it in the evening or at some other point in the day.

Not only will spreading out our intake of water will cut down on the number of trips we have to make to the bathroom, the body will tend to retain water during the times when your water intake is down.  This can lead to bloating as the body tries to regulate the pace with which water is eliminated from the body with the amount that it believes will be coming in.

One of the main advantages that drinking water brings is that it helps to flush toxins out of the body.   Skin takes on a healthy glow when our systems are free of toxins.   Further, water tends to plump up the skin which is a real advantage in the eye area where the skin is usually thin and prone to dryness.

Since the capillaries lie close to the thin skin of the eye area, water can actually put a much needed extra layer of cushioning between the skin of the eye and the capillaries which are right beneath.

In addition to drinking water there are many new topical creams on the market that can greatly help the appearance of the skin in the area of the eyes.  These creams have a variety of ingredients and vary greatly in their efficacy.

Peptides and Vitamin K have both been identified by the research community as substances, when combined in the proper proportions, can have a profound effect on the appearance of the skin.  One cream that we have found that contains these two substances in the proper proportions to positively affect the skin, is called Eyederma(tm).

Eyederma(tm), available from The Bodestore and Amazon.com, has been shown to contain a combination of peptides and Vitamin K which can radically change the appearance of skin in the eye area as well as regenerate skin that may have lost its elasticity and youthful appearance.

By taking care of skin surrounding your eyes you will keep your youthful look for many years to come.

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Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast and advocate. He writes on a regular basis on timeless health and fitness tips at the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful news and tips about reducing dark circles around the eyes with Eyederma at:  www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm

This article is for general information purposes only. Before undertaking any exercise or treatment program always first check first with your doctor and health professionals.

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Initially, I was not going to offer the following article.  There are some things that Susan Dunn asserts with which I disagree.

However, after some reflection, I decided it might be of value to you — and that it is up to you to decide how it benefits you in your relationship.  If nothing else, the article is a bit controversial.

And who doesn’t need a little controversy in their life?

I wonder what you think.

Read on, and I would be very interested (as would the rest of our readers) in your candid responses

Cheers,

– Tshombe

If you’re interested in marriage, your odds for having a lasting one are about 50-50.  The odds on second and third marriages plummet downwards, and the older you are, the less your chances for remarriage.  In the US, at age 30, only 56% of women remarry; at 40, 32%, and at 50, 12%.

Statistics don’t apply to individual cases, of course, but they indicate trends and often give us points to ponder.  For instance, if you’re making more than your guy does, your chances of a  viable marriage will be knocked down another 50%, or 25%. With odds like these, it pays to find out as much as you can about the guy.

The #1 cause of divorce, worldwide, is infidelity, and the best predictor is how he behaved before.  If a person’s already had lots of sex partners, they’re likely to continue this behavior.   Surveys have shown that if a married woman has an affair, it’s because she’s dissatisfied with her marriage.  However,  a man who has an extra-marital affair is about as happy or unhappy as men who don’t.  In other words, players are players.

The age difference between the two of you makes a difference.  Men worldwide prefer to marry a woman younger than they are.  This increases with their age, and it increase with their successive marriages.

Men in Finland, Sweden and Norway want a wife 1-2 years younger.  In Nigeria, 6.5 years younger; Zambia, 7.5 years younger.  In the US, for first marriages, men in their 30s prefer a woman 5 years younger; in their 50s, 10-20 years younger. In the US, on average in the first marriage, the wife is 3 years younger; in the second marriage, 5 years younger; in the third marriage, 8 years younger.

The #2 reason for divorce is infertility.  For some couples, it’s important to be able to have children.

The #3 reason is unkindness.  For some this is because they become unhappy with the relationship and know it’s a way out.  For others, it’s a permanent personality trait you need to investigate.  Most men are on their best behavior when they’re courting, so watch him with others and see how considerate, responsible and affirming he is to other people.

Differentiate between jealousy and possessiveness in your man.  Sexual jealousy is an emotion we have "selected for" as a species or it wouldn’t be as universal, prevalent and strong as it is.  My client Martha got a real strong clue about the guy she was dating when he seemed truly indifferent that she was dating other guys.  That relationship didn’t last long.   If he doesn’t want exclusivity, there’s something wrong.  Jealousy indicates what it indicates; it matters how he behaves about it.

Possessiveness is something different.   It indicates insecurity, low self-esteem and a lot of other things you won’t want to deal with over time.  Asking for sexual fidelity is a Good Thing.  Demanding all your time and attention is a Bad Thing.  It is virtually impossible oncethere are children, if you plan to be a good parent, that is.

If he’s only in to you for "short-term casual sex," here are some of the clues to look out for, according to a survey of over 10,000 people worldwide, conducted by David Buss, Ph. D., for his book,  The Evolution of Desire:  Strategies of Human Mating.

His inclination to make a commitment is tested by his perseverance and his willingness to devote time and effort to your relationship.  If his primary goal is sex, he’s likely to come on strong, and then lose interest.  Since we don’t like to be in that position, put off sex and see what else he’s got to offer and is interested in.  Find out if he really wants a relationship with you or just wants time with body parts.

A man who is willing to share his resources long-term parcels them out slowly and consistently, so you won’t be getting a hotel room filled with fresh roses or a diamond necklace early on.  You must see this as a GOOD things.  I have so much trouble convincing clients of this who are "swept away" by the man who rents a restaurant for the two of you alone.  This is a BAD sign.  For more on this, see my ebook, Midlife Dating Survival Manual for Women.

Nor is his sexual interest per se an indication of anything beyond that.  My mantra for dating is "but he’ll have sex with you first before he leaves."  It is the least promising indication of sustained interest in a relationship.   The male animal – humans and all mammals – are most interested in "new" females.  If sex is all he’s after, that’s all you’ll get . . . before he leaves you.

These trends that research indicates are not always pleasant, nor the way we’d like things to be, or the way they "should" be.  However, they are eye-openers, so take off your blinders.

While we women look for the same thing in men, for short-term or long, things that have to do with personality and character, men differentiate quite specifically between "one night stands" and "wife material."  A one night stand includes the 10 days you spent with that guy you met on the Internet who came to visit you and never came back.  Guess what he did before he left?

Here’s how to connect the dots.  The thing men abhor most in a wife is infidelity.  This is  best indicated, as we said above, by the person’s previous sexual permissiveness. Therefore, if you hop into bed with him right away (even if your reasons for doing so are because you have decided he’s The One), it will trip wires in his head.  This is the single biggest mistake you can make if you’re interested in him as a husband.  Ironic isn’t it?

Likewise men are very poor at reading cues.  For instance, they consider anything from a smile to a glance as a "come on" for sex.  It pays, evolutionarily to read cues in favor of sex, so you don’t miss a chance!  On the other hand, they interpret signs of love and caring as "promiscuous."

Therefore, don’t answer those emails immediately, don’t answer a "flirt" at all, be too busy for long phone conversations, and don’t call him all the time.  All these things he sees subliminally as desperation or wantonness.  We women do the same thing, reading cues in favor of what we want – commitment.  Haven’t you shuddered when a girl-friend has told you, "He said I was beautiful.  That means he wants to marry me."

Well, no one said this stuff has to make sense.

If you see him as husband material, and want marriage, make him work for it.  This is how to test for long-term fidelity, commitment, and generosity.  Besides, men love to court and value what they have to work for, so don’t deprive him of this manly behavior.

Is it a "game"?  You bet it is.  This gender behavior is predictable and  "selected for" by our ancestors.  Women who demanded commitment-signs before having children fared a lot better in the gene pool, and so did their kids.   Men who could mate as quickly with as many women as possible also fared better in the gene pool.  In a sense it’s more of a "war" than a game; however, since sex isn’t the basis for anything but sex, emotionally intelligent men and women who want a good relationship look at many other factors.

Both men and women who want a marriage that works know that.  You may just have to be the one that raises the bar. After all, if he reads cues through his gender-bias, how will he know unless you make it clear?

Play it cool, keep your head about you, and take your time.

Then you can raise the odds considerably.  Good luck!

©Susan Dunn, Coach, www.susandunn.cc, sdunn@susandunn.cc .  Susan offers a coach certification program, fast, affordable, no residency requirement, individualizedfor your goals.  She offers individual coaching, Internet courses, and ebooks, and is the author of Midlife Dating Survival Manual for Women as support to midlife dating.  My clients are finding the loves of their lives!  Email for free ezine.
 

Epilation performed by laser was performed experimentally for about 20 years before it became commercially available in the mid 1990s. Laser and light-based methods are sometimes called phototricholysis or photoepilation.

Laser hair removal works by sending a beam of laser light to a group of hair follicles with enough power to disable or destroy the root. If done properly, there should be no damage to the surrounding skin area. Experts say that "Laser hair removal only destroys hair in its active growth phase, the anagen phase. This phase lasts several years, and up to 85% of our hair is in that phase at any given time".

Laser hair removal can prove rapid, gentle removal of unwanted hair. Cheaper than traditional electrolysis, it can still cost over $1,000 for multiple treatments to get the job completed. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be less.

There are some requirements before you consider, laser hair removal. One absolute requirement is that the surrounding skin color be lighter than your hair.

In addition, people with dark skin are not good candidates for laser hair removal as they absorb too much or the laser energy into their skin. Even tanned persons should wait until their skin returns to normal color before the laser hair removal treatments.

Many areas of the body can benefit from this procedure. Any area, except near the eye, including the face, upper lip, neck, chest, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line, and legs can have laser hair removal.

The one then to remember is that this procedure is usually permanent unlike many of the traditional methods of hair removal.

Problems that can occur include pigmentary or color change or of the skin, including either dark or light areas. Fortunately, although these color changes may persist for months, they are almost always temporary. Further, improper treatment can cause burns, lesions, skin discoloration lasting several months, or patchy re-growth.

You should also consider this about laser hair removal. Even if you are not the "ideal candidate", you can still enjoy some benefits of laser hair removal. A medical practitioner can discuss with you your own hair and skin color combination and what type of laser hair removal treatment might work for you.

About the Author: Unwanted hair on certain parts of your body can be an annoying problem for some people. Fortunately, science has found a good alternative to shaving, plucking, and peeling that unwanted hair away. It is called laser hair removal.

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Elias is caught between the two women he loves, his wife and his mother. His wife Miriam is quite upset and hurt because she does not feel accepted by her mother-in-law and also because she feels Elias does not protect her from her mother-in-law’s criticism and intrusions into their lives. He does not draw the line for his mother, and limit how much say she can have in their lives. He does not put her in her place.

Of course, his mother has the same complaint about Elias’s not forcing his wife to be more respectful. Is he charge or isn’t he? She thinks he should be more the man of the house and not let his wife control him.

His wife feels he should grow up and not let his mother dictate his behavior.

Miriam wants to be accepted into Elias’ family. She is happy to serve and help his mother, but not keep the house, raise the children or live her life according to his mother’s ideas. She feels insecure. She feels she is being constantly doubted, that no one has faith in her ability to raise her children, cook or maintain a household.

His mother, on the other hand, believes she is just trying to help. She has had many years of experience raising four children who turned out fine. Why wouldn’t Miriam want her advice? She loves her son Elias and wants the best for him, and that is why she tries to help Miriam become a better wife.

Elias is afraid of both of them. He does not want conflicts. He cannot communicate effectively with either of them. He wishes they would just solve their problem between themselves and not involve him.

He can find no solution because whenever he speaks to his wife, she sounds right, but when he goes to speak to his mother, she also seems right. Thus, he avoids them both as much as possible.

Both women alternate between the roles of "victim" and "interrogator" and Elias becomes "aloof" as much as he can. There are times, however, when he cannot stand it any longer and shouts at them, but they seldom take him seriously because he himself is afraid of conflict.

What do they all need to learn from this situation?

Miriam:
Does she need to learn some of the following lessons:

To love and accept her mother-in-law as she is and forgive her for her weaknesses and negativity?

To express her needs and feelings more clearly, more lovingly and more assertively?

To free herself from feeling guilty when she is unable satisfy her mother-in-law’s needs or demands?

To be able to say "no" without feeling guilty or believing there will necessarily be a conflict, or that the other will stop loving her?

To believe that her mother-in-law can hear the truth and discuss any situation maturely like an adult?

To free herself from childhood experiences in which she was programmed to believe others would not respect her needs, or would criticize her or be unable to communicate peacefully?

To cultivate more positive feelings toward her mother-in-law?

To look for her positive qualities and see her as a teacher there to test her ability to love unconditionally?

To workout some types of practical agreements in which all feel that some of their needs are being fulfilled?

Elias:
Does he need to learn some of the following lessons:

To overcome his fear of conflict?

To learn to express his opinions and needs clearly without fearing there will be conflict?

To let them work it out for themselves?

To see if there is apart of himself that is being expressed by his wife toward his mother and by his mother toward his wife?

To learn to love and accept them as they are?

To not be bothered by their conflicts?

To be more assertive.

His Mother:
That her daughter-in-law needs to learn by herself and not through her advise?

To let go of her son?

To have more confidence in her daughter-in-law and give advice only when asked?

To occupy herself with other interests so she does not dwell so much on her son’s family?

Let us hope they find the maturity necessary to analyze themselves, identify their lessons and decide to change themselves so they can once again find harmony and love.

Robert E. Najemy, author of 25 books and life coach with 30 years of experience, has trained over 300 life coaches and now does so over the Internet.

Over 600 free articles, lectures, relaxation and positive projection as mp3 audio. Become a life coach.
At www.HolisticHarmony.com

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The Foundations Of Beauty

By Fawn Bales
 

Most of us have heard the old saying, “Beauty is only skin deep.”

Well, it’s not really true.

Beauty is the outer manifestation of good health, good genetics and good will. The state of our health is reflected in the quality of our skin and luster of our hair. Beautiful strong hair and clear smooth skin is the result of good nutrition. The state of our mind and intentions in reflected in our smile, in our eyes, and in the regard our loved ones have for us. A beautiful smile and sparkling eyes are the result of a good attitude. Good genetics? Well, that’s just the result of good luck.

Although it’s not skin deep, it is open to interpretation. After all, beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. Those we love deeply are always beautiful to us, no matter what they actually look like.

Whatever our genetics and luck, whatever our mindset, most women would like to look as healthy and beautiful as they possibly can. Whether want to look magazine-cover perfect; or just as healthy and vibrant and as youthful as possible, the first step in constructing a new beauty regimen is finding out if you are providing the tools your body needs to repair and maintain itself and the health of your skin, hair and nails. The basic factors affecting the appearance of these are 1) nutrition, 2) hydration, 3) toxification, 4) hormonal profile, and 5) sleep.

Nutrition
Your body rebuilds and repairs cellular tissue on a daily basis, and needs adequate protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other micronutrients to perform this function. Your skin regenerates constantly, building new cells underneath and sloughing off old cells. Without adequate protein, your skin will not be able to construct strong healthy collagen structures. Without an adequate amount of the right kinds of fats, your hair and nail cells will be weak and easily broken, and your skin will become dry and lifeless.

Hydration
Adequate hydration is vital to the process. Your body requires enough water to move nutrients into, and wastes out of, cells. Water is the basis of the interstitial tissues that flow between your muscle and fat cells, carrying oxygen and hormones from one to the other. Dehydration can lead to slack skin and lifeless hair.

Toxification
Detoxification is also another fundamental. Your skin is responsible for eliminating approximately 10% of your body’s toxins and metabolic wastes. By ensuring that the other organs of elimination are clean and functioning well, you lighten the load on the skin, allowing it to use its precious energy on repair and re-growth. Certain toxins can have definite adverse effects on the hair. Heavy metal poisoning from mercury can cause hair to fall out and to break and can aggravate gums. Lead causes neural damage that can lead to faulty signaling between your brain and outlying extremities.

Hormonal Profile
Your body produces many different hormones that are used by the body to communicate with outlying organs and tissues and tell it how to react to changing conditions. Some of the hormones that directly affect your hair, skin and nails are estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and growth hormone. For example, estrogen is important for keeping your skin youthful and resilient, but too much can cause aggravation of the gums and lead to gingivitis. Testosterone is needed to for the important task of producing your body’s own moisturizer, sebum; too much can lead to hair loss from your head and the unsightly growth of excess dark hairs on your face and belly. A lack of progesterone can lead to the skin condition cellulite. The hormones leptin, insulin, and glucagon are important for the maintenance of a healthy weight. As you can see, hormonal balance has a definite and important influence on how you look.

Sleep
Your body requires a certain amount of rest to rebuild, repair and replace cellular tissue. Interestingly enough, the skin is usually regenerated between the hours of 11PM and 2AM, so for best results, you should be sleeping during those hours. Your body also uses the time during sleep to balance brain chemistry. Adequate sleep and rest is one of the most important things you can do to improve the appearance of your skin and the health of your hair and nails, as well as giving you the energy to live actively and the mood enhancement to enjoy life.

Summary
One of the first things you need to do when devising a new beauty routine is to find out whether or not you are getting the right kind of food and enough water to meet your beauty goals. Also, you might want to consider a detoxification routine. Are you are getting enough sleep to put all these other factors to work for you? These are the first things to consider when devising a beauty regimen.

About the Author: Fawn Bales has studied and practiced alternative and herbal medicine for over 20 years. She has also studied aesthetic technology and cosmetology. She is the co-author of two natural beauty books and is a managing partner of Botanical Beauty Lab a women’s source for natural health and beauty information at www.botanicalbeautylab.com.

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– Tshombé 

Grand Italian Wedding Traditions

By Sarah Williams

Couples who are of Italian descent may choose to incorporate a variety of Italian traditions into their wedding even if they have never even set foot on Italian soil. This is a fun way to honor your ancestors with a nostalgic glimpse into the past. The religious aspects, dances and food at a wedding may all hold traditional values.

The dominant religion in Italy is Roman Catholicism. Therefore a traditional Italian wedding would also be linked to a traditional Catholic wedding and would include a full Mass with the ceremony. However, not all Italians are Catholics; if you and your future spouse are not Catholic you can still have a traditional Italian reception to celebrate your marriage. Immediately after the wedding ceremony the couple may release a pair of white doves. These doves symbolize the love and affection that the couple hold for each other.

There are a few other small traditions that apply to the ceremony. One of these traditions is to adorn each entry way that the couple will pass through with elaborately tied ribbons. These ribbons are symbolic of the unity of the couple. It is also customary for the groom to carry a small piece of iron in his pocket during the wedding ceremony. This piece of metal is said to ward off evil spirits and ensure a happy future for the couple. The bride may also rip her veil slightly. This is said to bring good luck to the couple.

The reception that follows the wedding ceremony is where the majority of Italian traditions take place. It is customary for the guests to assemble in the reception room before the bride and groom arrive. You should arrange for your guests to be served alcoholic beverages during this time. The women are traditionally served sweet liquors while the men are served stronger drinks. It is important that these drinks be served before the couple arrives at the reception because tradition holds that the guests offer a toast to the bride and the groom the moment that they arrive at the reception.

There are a few traditional dances that are typically performed at traditional Italian weddings. The Tarantella is one example of these dances. There are several different stories on the origin of this dance but most of the stories revolve around a spider bite. In just about every version of the story, la tarantella was a dance that was performed either to counteract the venom of the spider or as an uncontrollable response to the venom. In modern times this dance is performed as a way of wishing the couple good luck in their future together. La Tarantella is a group, circle dance where the participants dance in a clockwise direction until the music speeds up and then they reverse directions. These tempo changes occur several times and each time the tempos speeds up the group changes direction again. This continues until it is impossible to keep up with the tempo of the music.

No authentic wedding would be complete without a scrumptious feast featuring several courses. A traditional Italian wedding reception begins with an antipasto course that features olives, pickled sweet peppers, mushrooms and cheeses. That is followed by many other courses that include pastas, meats, soups, salads and desserts that are each accompanied by free flowing wine. There are certain foods that have symbolic meanings. For example guests are usually presented with an odd number of almonds. The almonds represent the fact that marriage is often bittersweet. They are presented in odd numbers that have different traditional meanings. For example three almonds wish the couple luck with children while five almonds wish the couple monetary wealth.

Another Italian wedding tradition is to have the couple break a glass or vase at the conclusion of the reception. The Jewish faith has a similar tradition where the groom will break a wine glass at the conclusion of the ceremony but these traditions vary in their intentions and symbolism. Jewish couples break a glass as a symbol of human frailty and the hardship that their ancestors have endured because of their faith. An Italian couple, however, breaks a glass or vase for a completely different reason. According to Italian tradition the number of pieces that the glass breaks into represents the number of happy years that the couple will enjoy together.

It is fun for couples of Italian descent to incorporate traditional elements into their wedding. Even if the couple only has distant relatives that originated from Italy and have never even been to Italy, it is still acceptable to follow these traditions. Couples of other nationalities may also choose an Italian themed wedding just for the enjoyment of trying something different.

About the Author: Ex-Wedding Planner Assistant Reveals How Anyone Getting Married Can Put At Least $2474.11 Back Into Their Pockets.

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The I Do Foundation has all the tools set up at their website, www.idofoundation.com, to make the process fun and easy.

When your guests make purchases through the I Do Foundation web site, a contribution will be made to charity. If you decide to create a charity registry, your guests can also make a donation online and the gift donation will be made in your name.

A wedding is about unity, family, love, and community. What a wonderful way to expand the reach of your community by using the occasion of your marriage to help others in need.

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A wedding band is a ring made of precious metal, worn on the ring finger to symbolize marriage. A wedding band is indicative of the fidelity of the spouse. It is usually worn on the left ring finger. It was a Greek belief that the vein in the left ring finger goes directly to the heart. The vein was called vena amori. However modern medicine has proven the belief incorrect.

The custom of wearing a wedding band is European and has now spread widely across the world. However in Eastern Europe and some parts of Western Europe, like the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany the wedding band is worn on the right hand ring finger. Some people wear wedding bands over the neck on a chain. Traditionally the wedding band is worn nearer to the base of the ring finger than the engagement band. Most of the time on the engagement band the spouse’s name is engraved after marriage and the engagement band changes status to become the wedding band.

In traditional marriages it is the duty of the best man to take care of the wedding bands and produce them at the time of the ring giving and receiving ceremony. Often the ring bearer (usually a young boy related to the bride or groom) carries the wedding bands on special cushions or pillows.

The ring symbolizes the couple’s love for each other. Making overtures to a man or woman wearing a ring is frowned upon in society. The rings of men and women are little bit different in design. The bands of men are usually broader than the wedding bands of women. The usual thickness of the bands range from 2 mm to 10 mm. Generally more women wear wedding bands than men. Some people due to their occupations like police men, soldiers, electricians, actors etc do not generally wear wedding bands.

There are thousands of designs of wedding bands available in the market. Generally they are made of precious metals like gold (white gold & yellow gold), titanium, platinum, tungsten carbide, gun metal, stainless steel, nickel etc. Poisonous or corroding metals like aluminum, silver and brass are never used. However as per customs wedding bands can be made of any material. The designs available are domed bands, milgrain bands, two tone bands, flat bands, fancy bands, diamond bands, designer bands, engraved bands, knife edge bands, brushed center bands, plain flat bands, Celtic bands, Irish bands, antique designs, etc. Usually the wedding bands for couples are sold in pairs with matching designs. Sometimes the names of spouses are engraved on the wedding bands. The most common pattern is a plain gold band. It is easier to clean it and gives an elegant look.

Wedding bands are available in attractive designs, studded with gems, with bright polish etc. The gems are available in many shapes like round, marquise, heart, emerald, trillion, multi cut, pear, princess, oval etc. In France and French speaking countries generally the wedding bands are made of three interwoven rings. They represent love, faith and hope. The price of wedding bands range from below $50 to millions of dollars depending upon the type of band and gem.

About the Author: Tyson J Stevenson is a prolific writer of useful articles. Related resources are Best Wedding Bands and Cool Bands as well as Value Wedding Bands.

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