You have decided that you want a tattoo, and are ready to pick out a design. Before you do this though, you need to figure out where you are putting your tattoo, as it will affect the size and context of your design. Most women like to place their tattoos somewhere sexy so they can attract attention from the opposite sex. And why not, that’s pretty much what tattoos are for right?
Here are some of the sexiest places to put a tattoo:
1. Lower back: with low-rise jeans still in style, this is the perfect place for a tattoo. Most designs in this area use somewhat of a triangular shape with the point facing down, so the eye is drawn to your lower half. This is also a great surface to put a large, sprawlingtattoo, and is easy to cover up if you are going to work.
2. Upper breast: since most guys are looking there anyways, why not give them something to look at? Tattoos in this area are generally smaller, with symbols such as flowers, bees, dragonflies and butterflies being very popular.
3. Ankle: if you have great legs then an ankle tattoo is perfect, it will draw the eye to that narrow part of you and then go on from there. Again you will probably want to stick to a smaller tattoo in this area.
4. Wrist: slender, soft, and usually lightly scented, the wrist is an overlooked sexy place on our bodies. Place a small tattoo on the inside of your wrist and notice the attention you get!
5. Shoulder: show off your inner Playboy Bunny with a sexy tattoo on the back of your shoulder, and then go buy some strappy tank tops. You have a great surface where you can place a nice-sized tattoo and get noticed.
6. Back of Neck: As long as you stick with something small, this is a great location for an Asian symbol or something unique. Of course the neck is supremely sexy, and having a cute or interestingtattoo there is a great conversation starter.
There are other, more risqué place where you can put a tattoo, it just depends on who you want to see it. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Above pubic area: perfect for a small, sexy tattoo that your special someone can see.
2. Hip: low rise jeans or a bathing suit can let you show off your little friend.
3. Underneath a bra strap: there’s nothing like finding a cute tattoo on your girlfriend while she’s stripping down.
4. Inner thigh: this is definitely a members-only area, so get a symbol that he’ll really like.
5. Around belly button: there are some great tattoo patterns for this area, and it is a perfect spot if you are sporting a flat belly.
6. Tailbone: again, this spot is reserved for your special someone, so choose carefully.
A tattoo is forever, so you will want to spend a lot of time choosing your spot and your design, and then talk to a qualified tattoo artist to see if they have any suggestions or pointers.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
How to Make Homemade Wine
In today’s world each region is influenced with vast multi-ethnic diversity. The food that we consume is just as complex producing a definite acquired taste.
Wine is no exception.
Making wine is truly an art. 'Scientific' approach and procedures will get you so far, but to make a perfect batch of wine it will take your personal touch.
To start off, the best fruit for making wine is grape. This is truly the fruit of the “gods” as it is the only fruit balanced in every respect. It has the right equilibrium of sugar , acids (tartaric, Malic, Ascorbic etc.), yeast nutrients, tannins, water content, etc. Most other fruits, although will produce good wines, are usually lacking either one or more compounds to attain perfection.
Wine is produced by anaerobic fermentation. The alcohol content is directly proportional to the sugar present in the juice. All of the other ingredients, whether natural or supplemented, are to enhance the taste, ability of yeast to convert sugar to alcohol, catalyze the conversion process, and to add the bouquet to the finished product.
If this is your first time attempting the art, the following fool proof, easy method should be your first try. Purchase five gallons of good quality grape juice from local wine supplier or a grocery store.
If white wine is preferred, some of the better juices are: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc.
For red Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc.
Most of the juice producers have already sulphanated the juice (for sterilization) and added the yeast.
Open the pail, smell, and taste the juice. There should be slight wine-like odor and the juice should taste like premature sweet champagne. This indicates that the primary fermentation is on its way.
Transfer the juice to a clean five gallons sterilized carboy leaving approximately three inches from the top. Place the air trap and leave it for approximately one month.
If the juice is not fermenting and it has not been sulphanated, add two campden (sodium/potassium-metabisulphate) tablets for each one gallon of juice (10 tablets for 5 gallons). Make sure that it has dissolved completely. Crushing the tablets speeds up the process. Cover and leave for 24 hours.
The sulphur from sodium/potassium-metabisulphate, once released throughout the juice, will destroy any yeast within twenty-four hours. There are millions of wild spores present in the fruit, so do not play the hit and miss method with your wine. Purchase good quality wine yeast and add it to the juice following the manufacturer’s instructions. It usually comes pre-packaged for five gallon batches.
The juice is usually packed in a five-gallon polyethylene/polypropylene pail. This container is perfect for primary fermentation. Make sure there is room for expansion as it will overflow. Once a day for the following week, open the pail and stir the juice with a clean ladle, plastic paddle, etc…. Place the lid on top of the pail and make sure the seal is not airtight.
Napa Valley And Wine
The Vikings were the first to notice the USA's potential as a wine-producing nation and since then things have developed and changed. The USA is now making wine from Hawaii to Texas, but most of the decent stuff comes from California and in particular the Napa Valley.
The Napa valley is located in Napa County in California. It is a great place to grow wine due to a number of factors. The climate is very Mediterranean in its temperature and so grapes that do well in those countries do well here too. It also has a good geographical setting and this and the geology of the valley are conducive to growing vines in this area. The first commercial vineyard was established in 1858 and it has moved on since then. Viticulture in the Napa Valley was initially beset by problems as the vines were established, there was an outbreak of vine disease and the implementation of prohibition in the 1920s did the industry no favours either. However since those times things have developed and as the American population developed a taste for wine so has the industry flourished.
Today the Napa Valley region has more than 300 wineries growing a wide variety of grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Zinfandel. The majority of wines made here are produced from blends of grapes and so are slightly different from their European counterparts.
In fact like most of the USA, the Napa Valley has now become a bit of a theme park. There are shuttle bus rides around wineries taking in tasting sessions as well as the countryside and a whole tourism industry dedicated to the Napa Valley wine region.
The red wines found in the Napa Valley include: Cabernet Sauvignon - This wine is made from a powerful red grape which came to California from France; Merlot – this grape produces a smooth, well-balanced red. This becoming more popular in the US; Pinot Noir –this wine prefers a cooler California climate and is an elegant fruity number; Zinfandel - Zinfandel is the pride of California. Although sometimes the cheaper wines can be light and somewhat insipid the quality Zinfandels’ are spicy, sturdy and powerfully rich.
The white wines are: Sauvignon Blanc - This wine comes in two different styles each equally as drinkable it can be smoky and creamy wine with a grapefruit zing or herbal in its style; Chardonnay- Popular the world over, this wine is rich and is often fermented in oak; Gewürztraminer- These grapes prefer a cooler climate. The wine is spicy and dry.
To find out more about American wines or just to look at the range of wines currently available it is a good idea to contact an independent online wine retailer. They describe their wines in detail and give tasting tips as well as ideas of what to eat with a certain wine. Also you can look at the website without feeling obliged to buy.
Yoga Practice - 7 Tips For Ultimate Yoga Experience
We often lead busy and chaotic lives, cutting corners and ignoring guidelines in an attempt to do something faster, better or more efficiently. In our attempt to fit everything into a busy day we often compromise or gloss over the necessary preparation for yoga that otherwise would enhance the benefits of our yoga practice.
In order to have the 'ultimate beneficial yoga experience,' you need to follow certain guidelines and pointers. If you can adapt your practice to take notice of these pointers and incorporate them into your busy day it will improve your yoga practice and you will experience the benefits of yoga more deeply.
When you start your yoga routine, try and RELAX. Let your mind go blank. Give it permission to release the worries of the day. Attempt to bring your focus into you. However, don't become frustrated if at first you can't still your racing mind. Often this is exceptionally hard, however with regular yoga meditation practice you will learn to achieve this state of relaxation faster and faster. A good way to start is with 5 to 10 minutes of Savasana (this is the corpse pose).
Now Savasana can be practiced at any time throughout your yoga session, you don't need to practice it at any particular time, but it is effective in calming the mind and allowing you to focus in on you and the start of your yogapractice . As it assists relaxation, savasana often concludes a yoga class with the teacher usually leading the class through a process of guided meditation.
Once you have your focus centered on you, then concentrate on your BREATHING.
It takes a short while to learn to properly breathe in the yogic fashion, however once achieved it will definitely make the practice of the asanas easier. Bear in mind that yogic breathing is different. To breathe properly in the yoga style, ALWAYS breathe in through the nose unless your instructor tells you otherwise and out through the mouth. Try and make the length of your in breath equal the length of your out breath. When you're ready, try to co-ordinate the progression of one yoga position to another with your breath. You wish to achieve a flowing motion between breath and movement.
When breathing is established, bring your AWARENESS in to you. By this I mean, focus on what is happening in your body and in your mind while seeking to perfect each yoga pose.
Try to observe or become aware of:-
1. How your body feels when it's in certain positions. If it feels well, then move into the particular yoga position a little further, if your body twinges, then listen to it and back off. You're not ready for that intensity;
2. What sensations are traveling through your body? Heat, fatigue or even a sense of nothingness. Each has meaning and your yoga practice can be modified to accommodate each sensation;
3. What your breath is doing throughout each yoga pose. Are you using your breath to assist you into the pose?
Most importantly, become aware of what thoughts and feelings course through your body while moving from one asana to the next and practice accepting those thoughts and feelings, without judgment. Just let those thoughts and feelings exist, observe them, without comment!
Now look at the STRUCTURE of your yoga practice. As it is important to balance the body and the mind, you need to structure your poses. Each forward bend should be followed by a backward bend. The poses you do on one side should be done on the other side ofyour body as well.
Now what is the best TIME to practice yoga? Many say generally in the mornings, just on arising as your mind is clear, free of thoughts and the air is still and quiet, there is no disturbance to interrupt your focus on you and your practice. The second best time to practice yoga is during the evening, those 2-3 hours around sunset. The chaos of the day has abated, and you can focus more clearly.
For many of us these times don't suit our lifestyles or commitments. So my belief is that yoga can actually be practiced at any time duringthe day. Whenever you are able to take a block of time for yourself. The only caveat to that is that you shouldn't practice yoga for at least two hours after a meal. So if early afternoon is a time that you can plan to have free, and be at liberty to focus on you without interruptions, then that is then the best time for you to practice yoga.
The last guideline for a beneficial yoga experience is to consider the PLACE or SPOT to conduct your yoga practice in. What you want is a well ventilated area, but on the other hand not one that is draughty. You need the ventilation as your body will generate heat during the practice of the poses and you will perspire. On the other hand you don't want a draught in the room to chill and stiffen your muscles.
Also, the spot you choose should be quiet and still. So that your mind doesn't wander it's a good idea to choose the same spot for your yoga practice each time. If you're familiar with the spot, you won't be focusing on unnecessary things which will leave your mind free to focus on your practice.
If you choose to practice outside in the open air, then try not to practice in a cold breeze or conversely under the hot sun. Use common sense and find a spot that is comfortable for you.
As a final thought, always have something between you and the ground. In that regard a MAT is essential. There are some great mats and meditation pillows to be had which will definitely enhance yourexperience.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you can be assured that you will benefit from your yoga practice as you will have removed any physical obstacle which may interfere with your ability to build on and further your yoga practice.
In order to have the 'ultimate beneficial yoga experience,' you need to follow certain guidelines and pointers. If you can adapt your practice to take notice of these pointers and incorporate them into your busy day it will improve your yoga practice and you will experience the benefits of yoga more deeply.
When you start your yoga routine, try and RELAX. Let your mind go blank. Give it permission to release the worries of the day. Attempt to bring your focus into you. However, don't become frustrated if at first you can't still your racing mind. Often this is exceptionally hard, however with regular yoga meditation practice you will learn to achieve this state of relaxation faster and faster. A good way to start is with 5 to 10 minutes of Savasana (this is the corpse pose).
Now Savasana can be practiced at any time throughout your yoga session, you don't need to practice it at any particular time, but it is effective in calming the mind and allowing you to focus in on you and the start of your yogapractice . As it assists relaxation, savasana often concludes a yoga class with the teacher usually leading the class through a process of guided meditation.
Once you have your focus centered on you, then concentrate on your BREATHING.
It takes a short while to learn to properly breathe in the yogic fashion, however once achieved it will definitely make the practice of the asanas easier. Bear in mind that yogic breathing is different. To breathe properly in the yoga style, ALWAYS breathe in through the nose unless your instructor tells you otherwise and out through the mouth. Try and make the length of your in breath equal the length of your out breath. When you're ready, try to co-ordinate the progression of one yoga position to another with your breath. You wish to achieve a flowing motion between breath and movement.
When breathing is established, bring your AWARENESS in to you. By this I mean, focus on what is happening in your body and in your mind while seeking to perfect each yoga pose.
Try to observe or become aware of:-
1. How your body feels when it's in certain positions. If it feels well, then move into the particular yoga position a little further, if your body twinges, then listen to it and back off. You're not ready for that intensity;
2. What sensations are traveling through your body? Heat, fatigue or even a sense of nothingness. Each has meaning and your yoga practice can be modified to accommodate each sensation;
3. What your breath is doing throughout each yoga pose. Are you using your breath to assist you into the pose?
Most importantly, become aware of what thoughts and feelings course through your body while moving from one asana to the next and practice accepting those thoughts and feelings, without judgment. Just let those thoughts and feelings exist, observe them, without comment!
Now look at the STRUCTURE of your yoga practice. As it is important to balance the body and the mind, you need to structure your poses. Each forward bend should be followed by a backward bend. The poses you do on one side should be done on the other side ofyour body as well.
Now what is the best TIME to practice yoga? Many say generally in the mornings, just on arising as your mind is clear, free of thoughts and the air is still and quiet, there is no disturbance to interrupt your focus on you and your practice. The second best time to practice yoga is during the evening, those 2-3 hours around sunset. The chaos of the day has abated, and you can focus more clearly.
For many of us these times don't suit our lifestyles or commitments. So my belief is that yoga can actually be practiced at any time duringthe day. Whenever you are able to take a block of time for yourself. The only caveat to that is that you shouldn't practice yoga for at least two hours after a meal. So if early afternoon is a time that you can plan to have free, and be at liberty to focus on you without interruptions, then that is then the best time for you to practice yoga.
The last guideline for a beneficial yoga experience is to consider the PLACE or SPOT to conduct your yoga practice in. What you want is a well ventilated area, but on the other hand not one that is draughty. You need the ventilation as your body will generate heat during the practice of the poses and you will perspire. On the other hand you don't want a draught in the room to chill and stiffen your muscles.
Also, the spot you choose should be quiet and still. So that your mind doesn't wander it's a good idea to choose the same spot for your yoga practice each time. If you're familiar with the spot, you won't be focusing on unnecessary things which will leave your mind free to focus on your practice.
If you choose to practice outside in the open air, then try not to practice in a cold breeze or conversely under the hot sun. Use common sense and find a spot that is comfortable for you.
As a final thought, always have something between you and the ground. In that regard a MAT is essential. There are some great mats and meditation pillows to be had which will definitely enhance yourexperience.
If you follow these simple guidelines, you can be assured that you will benefit from your yoga practice as you will have removed any physical obstacle which may interfere with your ability to build on and further your yoga practice.
Studies Show Yoga has Multiple Benefits
With thousands of Yoga Studios and Millions of Yoga and Pilates Students participating in the Yoga Month 09.2008 national awareness campaign and the 10 City Yoga Health Festivals you might ask yourself, what exactly are the Health benefits of yoga? Is there scientific proof that yoga actually works in preventing disease or healing chronic health issues?
Scientific studies have shows that Yoga induces a feeling of well-being in healthy people, and can reverse the clinical and biochemical changes associated with metabolic syndrome, according to results of studies from Sweden and India. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar.
Dr. R.P. Agrawal, of the SP Medical College, Bikaner, India, and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation in 101 adults with features of metabolic syndrome. In the study, 55 adults received three months of regular yoga including standard postures and Raja Yoga, a form of transcendental meditation daily, while the remaining received standard care.
Waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and “good” HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the yoga group as compared to controls, Agrawal’s team reports in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
In the second study, published online December 19 in BioMed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Dr. Anette Kjellgren from the University of Karlstad, Sweden and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga-like breathing exercises on healthy volunteers.
Fifty-five adults were advised to practice “Sudarshan Kriya,” which involves cycles of slow normal and rapid breathing exercises. The exercises were practiced for an hour daily, six days a week for six weeks, while 48 controls were advised to relax in an armchair for 15 minutes daily.
At the end of the study period, feelings of anxiety, stress and depression were significantly lower and levels of optimism significantly higher in the yoga group compared to the control group, Kjellgren and colleagues report.
Yoga induces a “relaxation response” associated with reduced nervous system activity and a feeling of well-being probably due to an increase in antioxidants and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, they suggest.
Yoga not only helps in prevention of lifestyle diseases, but can also be “a powerful adjunct therapy when these diseases arise,” co-investigator Dr. Faahri Saatiglou, from the University of Oslo, told Reuters Health. “We do not emphasize this point enough in our Western health care.”
Scientific studies have shows that Yoga induces a feeling of well-being in healthy people, and can reverse the clinical and biochemical changes associated with metabolic syndrome, according to results of studies from Sweden and India. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar.
Dr. R.P. Agrawal, of the SP Medical College, Bikaner, India, and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga and meditation in 101 adults with features of metabolic syndrome. In the study, 55 adults received three months of regular yoga including standard postures and Raja Yoga, a form of transcendental meditation daily, while the remaining received standard care.
Waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglycerides were significantly lower, and “good” HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the yoga group as compared to controls, Agrawal’s team reports in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
In the second study, published online December 19 in BioMed Central Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Dr. Anette Kjellgren from the University of Karlstad, Sweden and colleagues evaluated the beneficial effects of yoga-like breathing exercises on healthy volunteers.
Fifty-five adults were advised to practice “Sudarshan Kriya,” which involves cycles of slow normal and rapid breathing exercises. The exercises were practiced for an hour daily, six days a week for six weeks, while 48 controls were advised to relax in an armchair for 15 minutes daily.
At the end of the study period, feelings of anxiety, stress and depression were significantly lower and levels of optimism significantly higher in the yoga group compared to the control group, Kjellgren and colleagues report.
Yoga induces a “relaxation response” associated with reduced nervous system activity and a feeling of well-being probably due to an increase in antioxidants and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, they suggest.
Yoga not only helps in prevention of lifestyle diseases, but can also be “a powerful adjunct therapy when these diseases arise,” co-investigator Dr. Faahri Saatiglou, from the University of Oslo, told Reuters Health. “We do not emphasize this point enough in our Western health care.”
Pomegranates can get really messy when you open them up. Be careful as they stain.
1. Cut off the ends
2. Slice into sections like you would an apple
3. Place sections in a bowl of water and let soak for about 10 minutes
4. Separate the fruit sacs from the white spongy tissue
5. Throw away the white tissue and drain the fruit.
6. Eat and Enjoy
1. Cut off the ends
2. Slice into sections like you would an apple
3. Place sections in a bowl of water and let soak for about 10 minutes
4. Separate the fruit sacs from the white spongy tissue
5. Throw away the white tissue and drain the fruit.
6. Eat and Enjoy
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