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What Is PCOS?

Just below we're going to jump into exactly what PCOS is and the signs and symptoms your need to be looking for. Let's get started...

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is the most common endocrine disorder that affects as many as 5% to 10% of women in their reproductive age. 'What is PCOS?' This can be a tough question to answer as it is a syndrome characterized by many signs and symptoms but with no specific known causes. It is defined as a condition where a woman experiences hormonal imbalance due to the malfunctioning of her ovaries. The condition is characterized by three main indicators.

Ovaries with multiple cysts, at least more than 10
Irregular, inadequate, or absence of menstrual periods, and disturbed or no ovulation
Higher level of androgens (male hormones) in the body

This disorder derives its name from the fact that many of the affected women have polycystic ovaries. But having this malady does not indicate or confirm the condition, as it is only one of the factors or symptoms that are present in most women diagnosed with this syndrome. PCOS is established only when she shows at least 2 of the 3 conditions mentioned above.

In order to understand what Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is, it is better to look at the symptoms than explore the causes or specific conditions. There is a range of signs and symptoms that can be present in women effected. It is not necessary that all affected women will have all the symptoms or that all the symptoms will surface at the same time.

Many symptoms and signs develop only gradually and there are many women who have PCOS but do not show any visible signs. The three indicators mentioned above give rise to the most common of signs and symptoms associated with this syndrome.

So What is PCOS? It's that the ovaries have not completely developed or they do not function properly. Every woman produces androgens in small amounts. Androgen is the hormone responsible for masculine qualities in either sex. Affected women these levels are relatively high and interfere with the production and release of eggs from the ovaries. This results in irregular, scanty or no menstrual bleeding. Also, this condition makes it difficult for patients to conceive making infertility one of the most common signs of the syndrome.

Higher levels of androgens also give rise to male like characteristics in the female body. Hirsutism is one such problem that many woman suffering with PCOS are presented with. These women experience male pattern hair growth on some parts of the body, such as sideburns, upper lips, chest and stomach hair. Some might also experience male pattern hair loss and develop bald patches. Excessive androgens also affect the sex binding globulin hormone (SHBG), and reduces the sex drive in many affected women.

Many women with PCOS have hyperinsulinemia, or insulin resistance leading to higher levels of insulin in the body. These increased levels of insulin also give rise to excessive androgen secretion which only exacerbates the existing condition. It is the simultaneous presence of these multiple conditions that can perhaps loosely define and help with the diagnosis and treatment.

Another important factor to keep in mind with a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome diagnosis is that it is suspected to be genetic. In clinical research studies of what it is, many cases have shown that the hormonal imbalance runs in the families.

So, even if you do not completely understand PCOS (Although I hoped this article has helped), you must consult a physician if you see the slightest symptoms of this syndrome and you know that someone in your family has already had it.

Things to Consider About Costume Jewelry

You may be wondering what makes a costume jewelry piece more valuable or sought after than another? What is the best way to wear it? Are there general guidelines that make some pieces perfect for an outing while others would not work? What things should I consider? The following is a brief discussion of these issues and while I don't claim to be a world renowned authority on this subject, I have done some study of the issues and want to offer my own personal viewpoint. Most of what I say appeals to use of common sense, but it is up to you, the reader, to apply my suggestions or to simply ignore them. That is your choice.

A strong advantage of costume jewelry is that it comes in many styles and can go with many outfits. Beside that, and equally important, is the fact that it is affordable making it a possibility for anyone on a tight budget. There is no age requirement for wearing costume jewelry so feel free to express yourself without hesitation. An aspect of the value of costume jewelry that may often be overlooked has to do with its finish. The most common choice is either a golden or a silver shade. Which is better? Is gold superior to a silver tone since it is often perceived as more valuable? I beg to differ. The answer to that is one of personal preference and can be different for different people, but using your own concept of style to determine which goes best with the outfit you are wearing is probably the best solution. However, the most desirable pieces usually contain a metallic component made by electroplating it onto the surfaces to form a solid, permanent piece. As a rule, if the metallic surface can be scraped off with your fingernail, it is cheap and you should stay away from it. Another factor to be considered, and one that requires a little prior knowledge, is to be cautious of any allergic reactions that you may encounter. You certainly don't want to have the occasion spoiled by the emergence of an unsightly rash.

The main attraction of a piece is normally the gemstones. These are available in many different shapes and sizes to fit any mood. As with finish choice, the shape you choose is up to your own personal tastes, but I would advise that you stick with natural stone colors and I believe that smaller stones are usually better and classier than large ones. You don't want anything that could be interpreted as snobbish, uppity, or ostentatious. Watch out for and avoid painted or foil backings as well as lightweight plastic. They are clear indicators of a cheap, almost worthless, piece. You want to look for pronged or hand-tied settings since they are typically indicative of a more sturdy piece. As a general rule, you are advised to be mindful of the fact that the materials and mountings are key to determining the piece's value so be sure to consider both criteria before deciding on which one to purchase or wear.

The number one rule for wearing costume jewelry is, in my opinion, that the less the jewelry screams to be noticed and the more it serves as an accent to your style the better. It is best to keep things as simple as possible and avoid being a bit distracting by wearing too much or too overbearing costume jewelry. I also think that wearing jewelry that matches rings, bracelets, earrings, headbands, and necklaces makes an awful statement and is just gaudy. One doesn't pair jewelry with sweats, T-shirts, or other work-out clothing either. Fancy jewelry is best matched with evening wear while casual jewelry can be paired with jeans.

Use your own good judgement, follow these guidelines, and you should be well dressed at all times.

Why Women Should Run the World

Around 12,000 years ago, when agricultural societies began to form, women were honoured and revered. In ancient India, women were considered superior to men. What happened to this world?

Early religions included both male and female gods and goddesses. The Goddess of Fertility was more powerful than the God of the Sky. It was the Earth-goddess, Gaia, who gave birth to all the Gods, after all.

When monotheism, the belief in one God, was introduced, the female started to lose her reign. As more and more pagan religions were suppressed, women were reduced to an inferior position. Masculine rulers usurped feminine power in the societies they conquered, and they absorbed and distorted the feminine into their own beliefs. Over time, goddesses became saints and were reinvented as nuns. The Goddess/Mother figure began to disappear from view, and eventually the female principle was silenced. The Christian trinity, which had previously been represented by Maiden, Mother, and Crone, each symbolizing a stage in the female life cycle, was replaced by a male deity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Today's corporations, religious institutions, political organizations and educational systems were designed hundreds of years ago around this masculine structure. They operate as hierarchies with a male leader at the top, just like the Christian trinity. These traditional structures value a logical, textual, competitive, and analytical perspective. This approach is considered to be strong and necessary for survival. The feminine approach - less logical and more intuitive, less analytical and more emotional, less textual and more aesthetic, less competitive and more cooperative - is considered less essential and is therefore devalued.

Today, not much has changed. Men continue to run the world. According to a 2009 study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, women occupied only 37% of management roles in the boardroom, and more women currently work in low-level supervisor positions than in senior ones. A recent report by the Conference Board of Canada says that men are currently more than twice as likely to hold a senior executive position than women. A report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says women make up only 25% of provincial and territorial legislatures and they lag even farther behind in the private sector with only 14.5% of seats on corporate boards. Only one of Canada's top 100 CEOs is a woman.

Women bring many outstanding qualities to the leadership role - confidence, vision, a well-developed sense of work/life balance, great education, a sense of giving to others, a nurturing spirit, empathy, compassion and kindness. In a world gone mad, where we value competition, status, power, and control (all masculine qualities), we desperately need these feminine qualities.

If we wish to save the world before we destroy ourselves, we need to flood our institutions with female leaders. When we combine the rational masculine with the empathic feminine, we gain a balanced wisdom. We need both the masculine and the feminine, the yin and the yang, in order to restore wisdom and balance to our world.

The old male ways of controlling the world, which worked well for us for many centuries, are no longer working. Our world is in disarray. The feminine, viewed as a luxury in our traditional world, is now essential for our survival.

Feeling Fab After Giving Birth

One of the joys of marriage for any couple is having a baby. It is that miracle of creation that solidifies even more the bond between husband and wife. Looking at the face of a newborn can do wonders in making one feel better even after a long, hard day at work. Caring for that little bundle of joy, although challenging, is also very exciting, especially for first-time parents.

There are women, though, who experience postpartum depression, or having that feeling of anxiety or depression after giving birth. There can be many causes for this, and they're a result of a combination of hormonal, genetic, psychological, and biochemical factors. However, there are women whose self-esteem is affected because they feel they no longer have the fit and sexy body they had before pregnancy.

If you want to look fab and beautiful after giving birth, here are a few tips:

Wear clothes that make you look good - Wearing your pre-pregnancy outfits may not complement your postpartum body. What you can do is to get clothes that fit you and enhance your shape instead of making you look like, well, you've just given birth.

Go back to the gym - Doing exercise is not only about getting back in shape, it's also about feeling good about yourself. One of the causes of postpartum depression is low self-esteem, and one of the ways to cope with it is to do something that can help bring it back.

Eat right - Mothers need to be properly nourished when breastfeeding. However, this doesn't mean you have to eat calorie-laden foods. To satisfy your craving for food, you can eat low-calorie granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, and dark chocolates. You can also include high-protein snacks in your diet to make you feel better.

Catch a few winks - They say that you have to be awake whenever your baby's awake and sleep when he sleeps. However, parenting is a shared responsibility, so you can ask your husband to take care of your little one when he's home so you can catch some much-needed slumber. A power nap can do wonders in making you feel good and help you in recovering after giving birth.

Get rid of leg veins - One of the things that can make a woman who has just given birth feel bad about herself is having to deal with leg veins. Although leg veins are inherited, they can get worse after pregnancy. You can eliminate with modern medical innovations like sclerotherapy.

Feel and look beautiful after giving birth so you can easily bring back your self-esteem and you can cope easier with postpartum depression should it hit you.

How to Ace Any Beauty Pageant Question!

This question has a very simple answer. "Give the RIGHT answer". One must dissect what goes on in pageants in order to understand my answer. Having participated in just one pageant, I am not an expert on this subject, but based on my experience this is the right answer (pun intended) to the question posed in the title.

I participated in the Mrs Colorado pageant at the ripe "young" age of 44. I had recently gone through a long and arduous fight against breast cancer and felt I had a lot to give other women who were fighting this same fight. Having a modeling and image background, a beauty pageant was a comfortable venue for me to go into. As I prepped for the pageant I was told that my score would be based on three things:

1. the strength of my marriage

2. my interview with the judges

3. my general poise and stage presence

The weekend of the pageant arrived and I found myself competing with gals who could be my daughters. I quickly became aware that even though this was called a "Mrs" beauty pageant it was truly just a beauty pageant with a marriage pre-requisite and therefore allowed for a larger age range than most pageants.

As the live portion of the pageant was winding down, one by one the top ten names were read and mine was not one of them. (FYI: I did find out later that I was ranked 15th out of the fifty participants. Not bad for my first, and only, pageant.)

This left me free to watch the ten remaining women as a spectator. As each answered their individual questions I was bit disappointed at the shallowness of some of the answers - and, then I was surprised as those with the most shallow questions advanced to the final five. However, it was the final question and the answers to that question that left me stunned at who was crowned Mrs Colorado that year.

The final question was: "What have you learned about yourself this weekend that will make you the best Mrs Colorado?"

I had come into the pageant with an agenda. I was ready to take the state by storm and tell women that - despite a deadly disease like breast cancer that ravages the body and a women's identity - you are beautiful inside and out and should live each day with gusto. However, as I had listened to the gal's stories throughout the weekend I had realized that I had no better reason to be Mrs Colorado than any of the others. We were all special women with individual life struggles, from infertility to disease to broken relationships - and the list goes on. Sitting there watching these last five contestants I silently answered that question this way. "I have learned that I am no better or deserving of being Mrs Colorado than any of these other wonderful contestants and that is why I am ready to be Mrs Colorado. I believe I can now represent our state in an unbiased and selfless way".

To my chagrin the women who won answered the question with this simple, right answer. "I have learned that I am ready to be Mrs Colorado".

I had a fan rooting for me that evening in the crowd who was a former Miss Colorado. When I expressed my surprise and dismay at the answer given by the newly crowned Mrs Colorado, this friend told me she had given the right answer. They wanted only to hear that she knew she had it within herself to be a winner.

By now, I am sure you can tell I am not a big fan of beauty pageants. They do have some good qualities and some gals really do learn and grow from the experience - unfortunately, I do not believe that is the generally the case. You have to play the "game", doing things the judges way and answering questions the way they want. Reflecting on the weekend of the pageant I realized I had not even known there was a game I was supposed to be playing to win - and if I had, I would not have been willing to be a player.

If you can play the game AND be true to yourself and your beliefs - go for it! Get in there and make each pageant you enter a better place and when you win, share yourself and your beliefs openly as you represent your city, county, state, country or world.

Just know that to ace any beauty pageant question... you must know the RIGHT answer and be willing to give it when asked.

Couture Wedding Dresses Equal More Confidence on the Big Day

Many brides don't even consider the option of couture wedding dresses. Instead they choose an off the rail design and get it altered to fit their figure. Of course, many of these designs are quite beautiful, but they do involve compromise to some extent. That's the downside of buying dresses that are designed for the "everywoman" rather than an individual.

But if you are thinking of going down this more common route you may want to think again. Couture wedding dresses have a lot to offer - not least the ability for you to feel a lot more confident on the day. Read on to find out more.

You can have a design that fits your figure

No two women have exactly the same figure and yet we are all expected to fit into standard sizes of clothing! The same applies to to bridal gowns: you can have alterations made to a dress that has already been designed, but it is not the same as having one that has been designed for you and you alone.

You can disguise bits you're not confident about

We all have areas of our bodies that we don't feel 100% happy with - it doesn't matter whether it's your tummy, your arms, your legs or anywhere in between. The one thing that matters is that you feel confident on your big day and happy walking up the aisle in your bridal gown - and this is much easier to do if you have a dress made specifically for you. Your designer can take all your measurements and listen to your ideas for the type of dress you want, and then work with you to create the perfect gown. It will cover the areas you aren't happy with and accentuate the best bits, making you feel a lot more confident in the process.

You can be inspired by what other brides have worn

Have you ever seen someone famous get married and dreamed of wearing a dress just like theirs? If you have (and many women would probably admit to this) you can do just that if you opt for couture wedding dresses instead of readymade ones. This type of inspiration makes it a lot easier for the designer to discern exactly what kind of style you like best, too.

As you can see, confidence can be yours to enjoy on your big day if you opt for a bridal gown made just for you. You may not have through you could afford this option, but make some enquiries and you may well be surprised.

How To Search For Stunning Dresses

There are times when you looked at people and wondered what kind of dresses they are wearing and why. However, time has come when you really have to make up your choice about what to put on or trade in terms of clothes. As a small girl, you may have wished to be like some of those beautiful women you saw moving around. Now that you have grown up yourself and you are determined to realize your dream, fashion is all you think about.

As such, there are different types of clothes to be worn on various occasions - when going out for lunch with your friends, at work places as well as those that suit the occasion of going out for date or just an outing with other girls. These range from the little black to the cocktail dresses. For quite some time now, the little white and black types of outfits have synonymously perfected each other. More often than not, the latter has been voted the best outfit for women attributing to the go-to style mode it has actually become especially when worn by ladies who are out to achieving a really wonderful silhouette accompanied by a classic appearance and feeling.

If you are wondering on how you can get a grip on this stunning outfit for ladies, it is time you turned your search on the various online stores across the world. There are various websites you can always visit to place your orders for your best choices. Buying dresses online is one adventure you would always enjoy as most of the shipping services by these online stores are free. The biggest advantage you will obviously enjoy when doing your purchases online is that you do not have to spend most of your time moving from one store to another just trying to find what suits your preference.

There are, of course, various types of women and men clothes; thus, if you want to clad yourself in the animal print clothes to make you feel and look aggressive or the floral type to make your appearance more delicate, then you have all these selections at your disposal online. Purchasing dresses online is a great experience you would love to have in life.

Since this is something you do without really having a clue of what you could be ordering, it requires that you take great care. There are catalogues which you can peruse through to help you decide on the type you wish to buy. Ensure to provide the right measurements as failing to do so can be embarrassing especially so if it turns out that your cloth does not fit well. You can always find important information from other people who have had the same experience. Friends in this case come in very handy when it comes to doing online purchases for important items such as clothes. Besides, you can decide to visit your local website to ensure that you are not only ordering but also have the knowledge of the website you are transacting business with. It is good to note that not all these online stores are genuine and therefore taking precautions is imperative.

Doctors Recommend Therapy for PCOS

There is always a TON of questions about Metformin and how it can help treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

So what is it and how can it help?

Let's find out...

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a combination of signs and symptoms which often indicate many other underlying conditions. Higher levels of androgens and insulin, obesity, Hirsutism (hair growth in uncommon locations), infertility, and irregularity in menstrual cycle are some of them. Most of the drugs prescribed to women with PCOS aim at treating the symptoms and thus minimize the overall effect of the syndrome.

Many doctors prescribe Metformin for PCOS treatment. Currently, it is one of the most commonly used drugs for treating PCOS. But originally it was a drug for treating diabetes and it has been in use for over 30 years. Using Metformin is a relatively new practice but it has shown to be very effective for many women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Metformin works by helping the body to use insulin more efficiently. It controls the production of excessive glucose in the liver and makes the body's cells absorb more glucose. This decreases insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance is common in PCOS patients. So, Metformin can be effective in reducing the effects of these two conditions and thus alleviate many of the adverse effects of PCOS. This makes Metformin particularly helpful for obese women with PCOS as they often struggle with losing weight and Metformin helps achieve this end.

Long term use of Metformin also lowers the risk of diabetes and heart diseases which is quite common in PCOS patients. However, it has been stated that Metformin does not lower blood sugar levels when taken on its own. It works well only when taken in combination with other anti-diabetic drugs. Diet modifications and exercise are equally important.

Excessive amounts of insulin in the body is also linked to increased levels of androgens (male hormones). So, Metformin for PCOS treatment also helps control the levels of androgens. Infertility in PCOS patients is caused due to malfunctioning ovaries that either do not ovulate or ovulate irregularly because of the effect of excess androgens. Metformin helps to reduce the androgen levels by controlling insulin production, it also proves to be helpful in restoring ovulation. This makes Metformin a useful drug in treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome induced infertility. It is believed to be generally safe during pregnancy but there has not been enough research to support this belief completely. Always consult your GYN physician.

Because of its effects on androgen levels, long term use of Metformin can also help control hirsutism but it is not prescribed specifically for this reason.

Though Metformin has not been reported to have any major risk factors, there are a few side effects that occur in 20% to 30% of cases. Here are the most common to consider:

Nausea
Diarrhea
Cramping
Flatulence
Abdominal discomfort

These side effects normally disappear within the first few weeks of starting Metformin.

The dose of Metformin for PCOS is increased only gradually to minimize the side effects. It is normally started with a dose of 500mg once a day and gradually increased to higher doses as per the requirement.

In rare cases Metformin can cause lactic acidosis as a side effect.

There are some contraindications that need to be considered while prescribing Metformin for PCOS. It should not be prescribed to patients with:

Kidney damage
Severe liver disease
Alcoholism

Metformin in generic form is available over the counter. But as with all drugs, it is advisable to always consult a physician before taking this medicine. While using Metformin the patient must see the doctor regularly, follow all the guidelines and be aware of any changes or side effects that they might experience.

The Best Foods For a PCOS Diet

Diet plays such an important role with any health condition, but below we're going to single out Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and see what is the best diet plan to help fight this condition.

Ready?! Let's get started...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affected women have a vicious cycle of hormone imbalance going on inside their systems. Levels of hormones like androgens, Insulin, Luteinising hormone, etc. are raging in women with PCOS. It is important to modify the lifestyle and make some healthy changes in your diet in order to minimize the hormonal imbalance and to restore good health.

Obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and irregular menstrual periods are some of the common problems associated with PCOS. A proper PCOS diet along with appropriate medication can greatly help to improve the conditions and put their health back on the right track.

Just like there are not specific symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, there is not one specific diet. But there are a few important elements that constitute a diet for this condition. Here's a look:

As most women with PCOS have hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance, they are at a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. So it is important for them to have a balanced diet that is low in sugars and thus helps to maintain (or lower) blood sugar levels.

Obesity is also closely linked to PCOS. Many women with PCOS are advised to reduce weight in order to fight the hormone imbalance and reduce the potential risk of cardiovascular diseases. Along with exercise, a healthy diet can play a vital role in shedding those extra pounds. Studies have shown that a weight loss of as little as 5% can help regulate menstruation or bring androgen levels down. Even in the case of women who are slim but have PCOS, a diet aimed at weight management can considerably reduce the risk of developing heart diseases in future.

Women with PCOS should design a diet for themselves that is healthy but interesting and satisfying. A PCOS diet is something that they need to adhere to for life; so it should be planned carefully and should have variety as well. A diet never means starvation and this is all the more important for women with this condition. It means eating intelligently, including foods that nourish and heal the body; and discard fillers that only help pack the calories. There are certain foods that must be avoided in order to fight the excess of insulin in the body and obesity.

A good PCOS diet will cut the intake of sugary carbs and foods like white breads, cereals, potatoes, unhealthy snacks (like fried or fatty snacks with cheese, butter, etc.) and include healthier options like whole grains, legumes, fibrous fruits low in fat, lean meats, nuts, fish, etc. Try some of these healthier food options:

Green leafy vegetables - They're packed with nutrients and very low in calories. They are a power house of vitamins like A, B, K, C and minerals. Including green salads in the diet can be a good way of consuming green leafy vegetables.

Whole grains and legumes - These are high in fiber and protein. A fiber rich diet is slow to digest and thus the blood sugar levels go up only slowly thereby controlling the rise in insulin levels.

Fruits - Include fruits like cherries, oranges, apples, etc. that are high on fiber and comparatively low on sugar.

Adding some nuts in combination with fruits would cut the sugar level that might shoot up with fruit consumption.

Meat - Include lean meats and fish in the PCOS diet as opposed to the red meats that are high on calories, and aggravate weight gain and insulin levels.

Studies have suggested that eating smaller meals at regular intervals (5-7 daily) help manage weight and general health. Eating a healthier breakfast as the biggest meal of the day and eating smaller and lighter lunch and dinner meals also aids digestion and helps manage insulin and androgen levels.

If allowed to flourish unchecked PCOS can be a devastating affliction, but following a few simple dietary guidelines and leading an active life with some kind of exercise at least 3 to 5 times a week will go a long way in helping affected women manage their PCOS.

Heel Savers And Proper Shoe Care Tips

Properly caring for your shoes is essential especially if you love to collect different shoe designs and styles. Most women love flat shoes while others adore high heels or stilettos. No matter what type of shoes you have, you should always make sure that proper care is given for them to last long. Even if you love to wear your shoes every day, you still need to put on other shoes in order to prolong the life of those pairs that you really like.

Here are some tips from shopping experts and fashion addicts about how to properly care for your shoes and preserve their beauty and appeal. Take a look at these heel savers.

First, invest in heel protectors. Heel protectors help lengthen the life of your high heels. It protects them from the damaging surfaces such as grass, sands, pebbles, shiny floors and wet ground. A heel protector may be a little costly, but the savings you will get from it is definitely worth it. Just imagine never to buy shoes that often again because your favourite shoes still look good and dashing.

Secondly, know simple cleaning tips. Shoes are actually just very easy to clean. You do not need a professional shoe polisher or cleaner to do the job because you actually can. For scuffs and mud stains, just use a clean cloth. Wet it a little or just enough to make it damp and wipe the dirty area of your shoes with it. Scratches on your leather shoes can also be erased by covering them with a shoe polish that is the same color or shade as your shoes.

Next, you have to invest in a really good storage. Do not just put your shoes anywhere in your house. Place them in a storage that will not damage their shape. Keep the shoe boxes intact so that you can use them again when you are no longer using or wearing your shoes. Always keep them in a closed storage and away from dusts and water. It is also helpful if you have moisture absorbents to preserve your shoes that are not being used often.

Basically, proper shoe care always depends on the owner. If you really like your shoes that much, you will take actions to preserve them and keep them looking good and presentable. It is always good to know how to take care of your belongings especially those that are really special to you. Check this out to know more.

Womens Interests Article Category

As a little girl I remember seeing my mom with knitting needles or a crochet hook in her hand. She made the most beautiful sweaters, afghans and things for the home. I learned how to make some things as well. And while I am not nearly in her league, I have enjoyed learning what she can teach me. The next project I'm going to get mom to help me with will be learning how to knit the team sweaters.

The baby sweaters take only a few days to make and we have found an outlet that has team yarns. We have the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals and have completed and sold one Green Bay Packers sweater. Those already have a pattern to them so there was no need to add to it with fancy stitches.

The afghans are also being made with special yarns. Our first one was yellow Ripple stitching with a multi-colored outline along some of the Ripples.

Mom has also made a pretty pink one that has Scallop Shell stitching. This one was kept without extra trimming because there is nothing prettier, in our opinion, than a Scallop Shell pattern in a soft pink color.

We also had a three tone grey and teal Chevron stitch lap or crib blanket. We intended the yarns to go for a man's sweater but mom wanted to see what it would look like as a baby blanket. I think it worked better as a blanket.

I have been working on one in red white and blue in a Diagonal pattern. To do this you cast on 4 stitches then add to each row at the beginning of the row. I'm making a toddler blanket so I'll need to make it several inches larger than one made for a baby. The nice thing with a Diagonal pattern is that you can make it as large as you want and you'll have some idea of what it will look like finished.

Also, if you don't want to finish it off in afghan form you can just cast off and have a shawl for the cold winter months. Those need to be made a little longer so there is plenty of room to wrap around you.

Our next projects are afghans for one of my co-workers in our local school colors. Mom will crochet hers and I'll be knitting mine in the Diagonal pattern. It's one of my favorites since it's fast and easy to do.

The Role of the Woman: A Biblical View

The Role of Women in the Church

Mary, a devoted Christian, wants to be involved in ministry at her church. Before she commits, she has a few questions about the role of women in the church. In light of the debate between egalitarianism and complementarianism, she and others like her need answers.

First, it is necessary to define the opposing positions. Egalitarianism is a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic affairs. It asserts that there should be no gender-based role distinctions or limitations placed on women in the home, church, or society. [1] According to this view, women can serve as pastors in light of passages like Galatians 3:28 which says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus".

Complementarianism "is the theological view that although men and women are created equal in their being and personhood, they are created to complement each other via different roles and responsibilities as manifested in marriage, family life, religious leadership and elsewhere. It is rooted in more literal interpretations of the creation account and the roles of men and women presented in Scripture". [2] Bible passages like I Timothy 2:11-15 are used by many to support this view. It says, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man, but to learn in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding, she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety".

Now, attention will be given to two more passages of Scripture. I Corinthians 14:34-35 says, "Let your women keep silence in the churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home for it is a shame for women to speak in the church". I Timothy 3:2 says, "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach". In light of these two passages, it is understandable that complementarians believe themselves to be correct in their position. These passages clearly distinguish gender and seem to impose restrictions based on such.

To properly interpret these passages, careful exegesis must be done in order to understand what the Bible writers really meant. It is unsafe and unwise to isolate a passage of Scripture concerning any given subject. All passages related to the subject must be thoroughly studied to avoid taking any passage out of its originally intended context. It is important that readers refrain from assigning their own cultural biases. It is equally important that readers recognize how, in some cases, their own lack of education can hinder their ability to accurately interpret Scripture. A certain foundation of knowledge upon which to build understanding is essential.

For example, one must know the meaning of words in order to understand the thoughts expressed by those words. Similarly, one cannot follow the instruction to walk two blocks and turn left if he does not know how many blocks equal two or the difference between left and right. Reading comprehension skills and the illumination of the Holy Spirit are imperative.

In three of the aforementioned passages of Scripture, there appears to be a gender-based restriction placed on women in the church. However, Paul wrote these passages during a time of great Hellenistic influence. Many of the surrounding pagan religions featured priestesses who made loud, seemingly meaningless utterances. The church wanted to distinguish itself from such. Christian leaders worked to show an affinity to Greek social and philosophical life due to the constant threat of persecution and scandal, but at the same time similarities to fertility cults and Gnostic groups was downplayed. [3]

This accounts for Paul's apparent contradiction to Galatians 3:28, Romans 16:1,7 which support egalitarianism. Acts 10:34 says, "God is no respecter of persons". The Bible is inspired and inerrant and, therefore, cannot contradict itself.

"The contradictory nature of Paul's statements is explored and distinction made between those that are universally normative and those that are culturally relative. Just as certain statements regarding slavery are no longer applicable today so certain statement regarding women better served another age". [4]

God has and will always use women as He sees fit to advance the gospel and unite the Body of Christ. The giftedness of women in ministry and their fruitful effectiveness even as elders and deacons testify of His blessing. The whole of Scripture clearly reveals God's egalitarian attitude toward women.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Prince, Matthew and Zatlyn, Michelle, http://www.theopedia.com/complementarianism, CloudFare, Inc. (accessed December 2, 2013)

[2] Ibid.

[3] Elwell, Walter A., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Ed., Ordination of Women, (Article) p. 1286, Grand Rapids, MI Baker Book House Company 1984, 2001

[4] Elwell, Walter A., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Ed., Women in the Church, (Article) p. 1291, Grand Rapids, MI Baker Book House Company 1984, 2001

Find Out Causes and Stop Hair Loss In Women

We often tend to associate hair loss and baldness to men, but women are not spared of this either. There seems to be an increasing trend of women losing their hair and getting bald. As of to date, there are believed to be more than 20 million women in US alone that are suffering from this disorder. This can be very distressing to many women as they have always deemed their hair as their crowning glory.

In men, the main cause of hair loss is due to the conversion of the male hormone testosterone to its derivative i.e. dihydrotestosterone by the dihydrotestrone enzymes or DHT in short. However in women, the reasons are somehow different from that in men.

Here's a list of the possible causes of alopecia in women:

1. Genetic

As in men, women can loss their hair due to genetic causes. This is similar to that of men and it's called androgenic alopecia. It happens to about 50% of all women and it normally occurs between the age of 50-60 yrs old. Women suffering from this genetic disorder tend to have hair follicles shrinking up to a point where they cease to grow hair anymore.

2. Hormonal changes within the body.

Hair loss in women during menopause and perimenopause is very common as their estrogen levels are dropping during this phase of their life cycle. The imbalance in the levels of both estrogen and testosterone results in thinning hair on certain areas of the head that are sensitive to androgens. This is known as female pattern hair loss.

3. Iron Deficiency

Women losses blood monthly through their menstruation cycle and unless they eat sufficient iron-rich food to replace those that were lost, they tend to suffer from iron deficient anemia and this may lead to unwanted hair loss.

4. Excessive use of chemical hair products and styling

Women tend to fuss over their hair, and many would dye their hair often or do all sorts of styling to look good. Little do they know that these may weaken hair and causes them to break or fall out easily.

5. Stress

Hair loss may be an indication of the level of stress that is taking a toll on your body. Elevated stress hormones can cause hair to enter into a stage of dormancy and stop growing for months before dropping off completely.

6. Polycystic Ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) occurs commonly in women, and it can affect as many as 1 out of 15 women. The hormonal changes that come with this disorder often lead to a series of health problems including excessive hair loss

7. Use of Medication

Many drugs used to treat an underlying illness may also causes some side effects and alopecia may be one of them.

8. Childbirth

Hair loss usually follows after childbirth because of the drop in estrogen hormones. However, this is often a reversible change whereby hair will start to grow back before the child's first birthday.

Lotions for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin needs special care and attention as it can easily have a bad reaction to harsh skin products. It also reacts adversely to certain skin procedures and exposure to harsh weather conditions such as extreme wind and cold as well as exposure to strong sun rays.

It's better to go for natural skincare products as they will be gentle skin; some good ingredients to look out for include chamomile and aloe vera among others.

Any lotions should be tested first on a small part of the skin before being used on the whole body. This is to first make sure that the skin will not react adversely before using it on the whole body.

Any lotion should ideally be light and non greasy as well as hypoallergenic and made using the best gentle ingredients preferably natural ones. When it comes to cleaners some harmful ingredients to look out for in any cleansing lotion that are capable of irritating skin include, ammonium lauryl sulfate which is a harsh cleaning agent that can be very drying and irritating.

When it comes to the dyes and artificial colorants to avoid, look out for any among the listed ingredients on the packaging that have the words FD&C. As sensitive skin gets easily irritated by harsh skin care regimens avoid using abrasive exfoliating skin face lotions on sensitive skin. Also avoid rough exfoliates such as those with rough ingredients such as apricot kernels.

Alpha lipoic acids may be considered great additions in certain products especially in anti aging skin care products but it should be avoided as it can easily burn and irritate sensitive skin.

It is also advisable that lotions on the face are gentle and moisturizing. On the other hand they can't be too heavy and should be easily absorbed into the skin. In the same vein consider using cleansers that avoid drying the skin rather than using cleansers that are harsh and strip the skin off moisture.

When selecting a sun protection lotion for sensitive skin, its best to go for one with an SPF 15 and above. Choose one that is gel based since it is absorbed faster by the skin. Don't think that you can get away with applying this lotion once a day especially when you go out for swimming or spend a long time in the sun. Make sure that in this case you reapply the sun screen after every two hours to sufficiently protect your skin.

Make sure that you keep the amount of products that you use on sensitive skin at a minimum. This means investing in products that can serve more than one purpose. A good example is combined cleansing and toning lotions for the face as well as moisturizing lotions for sensitive skin that are combined with sun screen.

It's also good to choose one reputable skin care company from which you can get all you skin care products from. This is because they are less likely to clash and end up irritating your skin. If possible get a whole range of products specifically made for sensitive skin as they are manufactured in such a way that the ingredients work harmoniously and effectively together for great results.

It may surprise you that people with sensitive skin can also react from eating certain kind of food such as hot and spicy foods as well as extremely hot foods and beverages. The reason for this is that they can cause extreme flashing of the skin leading to skin irritation. Although it may seem complicated all it takes is a clear understanding of the type of skin that you have and getting the right products and it will be easy to handle sensitive skin.

The Strong Black Woman - Myth or Fact?

I am of the opinion that the strength of a Black woman is both a fact and a myth, in equal measures. Women of any colour are inherently strong but it is the information gained from this perception about Black Women that can escalate the myth aspect of this subject. For Black women, the myth denigrates culpability for men to treat Black women respectfully. The 'Strong Black Woman' is abused as a result of this myth on the grounds that she is able to withstand any challenges coming her way independently and with little impact to her emotionally and physically. She is collectively left to raise children single-handedly, hold down employment and still be a tool to abuse sexually.

The Black Woman is deemed a misnomer and is portrayed as inconsequential to her existence. Whilst there is arguably a love for Black Women for some men, I am discussing the collective views from all men and all women of any colour.

Black Women intrigues other women of differing race and are held in both mysticism and fear. This fear leads others to respond to the Black Woman negatively developing further challenges for them. Some of these challenges are highlighted above. The 'alone' factor is rife for the Black Woman who has to navigate through life sometimes as both matriarch and patriarch even is she is in a relationship. She is seen without needs of her own and demonstrably maligned in favour of soothing others even if this is in detriment to her wellbeing.

The Black woman paradoxically and altruistically responds by instigating her own war against herself. 'I'm an independent woman and I am in no need for a man' is a common mantra all the while secretly hankering for the love and comfort of a mate. Her soul is revealed to her Black female comrades who in some way share commonalities in their plight for individualism and respect. She can appear secretive, as she fears revealing her soul as her experiences inform her that she is vulnerable to further abuse.

Some Black men are foolishly scared of the strength of a Black woman and wages a surreptitious war against her promoting subservience and oppression towards her. This is not always done intentionally to harm her but their experience is matriarchal and top heavy in its presence and not necessarily due to an absent father but more about how the family performed in every day life. Older Black men were psychologically seen as Heads of families but in realities, it was the females that held families together. My experience of life has taught me that this sentiment is shared with many other races therefore not exclusive to Black families.

The Black Woman learns to grow into a role put forward by others and as mentioned previously, her own needs are ignored. This behaviour is seen as abusive and the only way to remove this level of abuse towards her for the Black woman is to step away, independently, promoting the 'strong' aspect of the title question or stay in a relationship, whilst compromising her sanity.

There are many Black women who gravitate toward uplifting themselves and behave stereotypically enforcing this 'strong' aspect of the statement. They do this by not appearing of need and if they do show this need, it is sometimes misconstrued as 'being needy' because of the 'strong' aspect of the statement that runs deeper and more profound obscuring what the woman is actually presenting with behaviourally. Black women need to learn of the impact of mis-applying this statement to them. This misapplication happens when one assumes the role of 'strong' without first identifying its true meaning. Some may argue that this is how they choose to live their lives and this is absolutely fine but they also need to understand the ramifications of this ideology of being 'strong.' What does the response of others look and feels like whilst Black Women are portraying strength beyond and above all? I am not, for one minute, making an argument for subservience but laying out one of the causal factors of disruption that a Black on Black relationship may encounter. Even men of other colour notes the curiously perceived 'animalism' of a Black woman and wants to play with her in order to tame her. The mystical and 'wild' nature of a Black Woman!

Black men are social 'lepers' and experience a tougher than acceptable life especially in the West. Their frustrations can be transferred to their female counterparts as they see her 'getting through' in life as strength, another aspect of how war is waged against her.

What has led the Black Woman to be seen as 'strong'?

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes argues that many generations later, individuals continue to live according to the emotional scars inflicted upon their fore-families although now free from the abhorrent and direct abuse of mind/body.

In times when Black Men were removed from their families after being beaten and persecuted for submission and control, the Black Women had to fight for existence. She had to fiercely protect her children without her husband. She had to learn to do this fight at a time when her spirit was being broken and exposed for further abuse. Attacking the thing or things that one holds dear completes destruction. For doing so, attacks the spiritedness of the individual from the inside, rendering them without anchor.

Dr. Pinkola Estes argues that the removal of sacred images that anchors a person was to 'Un-Mother' that person. Black people were reliant upon their sacred images to guide them through life, not unlike other races. Parts of the psyche (soul/spirit) becomes damaged and retreats underground (subconscious) whilst the obvious afflictions are felt and seen on a conscious level. According to Pinkola, to destabilise a person's spirit is to 'Un-Mother' them.

People that are grounded in a Mother can present as dangerous due to exhibiting autonomous traits, not so easily manageable, loyal to their beliefs. The removal of these beliefs and replacement of another version helps to destabilise the spirit of people therefore easier to be manipulated.

Individuals that were spiritually removed from their beliefs therefore grounding learnt to fear the attackers whilst paradoxically feeling grateful for their existence. Internalising the damage that 'un-mothering' a person has on an individual. For example, within the workplace, your employer could be extremely abusive or just plain unfair but the inherent message meted out by your company and society is one of being grateful for your employment. You fear of speaking out as to do so is met with backlash; the result is the submission of one's soul. Therefore this method of control continues today and it is the deep-rooted residue of fear caused by the removal of the 'Mother' that continue this emotional self-destruction. In this instance for the Black Woman but you can see evidence of this throughout society not initially done for the same reason but the continued use is handy.

So how does the above relate to the Strong Black Woman?

The removal of the sub-conscious Mother and the replacement of something incomprehensible have helped to create the Black Woman today. Her grounding, her beliefs, her identity have been removed and she continues to fight for existence now as a result of her previous struggle. This worsening effect is apparent even if misunderstood by many including the Black Woman herself. The misinformed information derived about the Black Woman coupled with history has led to her being seen as 'strong' (fact) and without need, the 'myth' aspect. However, 'One can heal by literally making a list of all freedoms denied and then working backwards'... (Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes).

It is difficult to speak about women of any colour without identifying to some degree, the impact of feminisms. The word is pluralised deliberately as not only were there first, second and now third wave feminisms, the relationship and resonance felt by Black Women somewhat removes feminisms' full implication from them. Therefore the common terminology of feminism does not fully include the Black Woman. Both my grandmothers were hard, consistent workers, in predominantly 'female' roles. These roles did not even attract a moderate salary; just enough to help their husbands pay towards the household bills. What was interesting was how their changing thoughts changed their beliefs (environmental) when they came to live in the UK. In their own hometown, women married, had children and mainly stayed working in the home, not unlike westernised general rule. Very few women had substantive posts in the community. Due to the many difficulties experienced by individuals in England, America or Canada where a lot of migration took people to, their beliefs needed to radically change to survive. This change meant for some families, older children were raising younger children whilst both parents worked. In most cases, it was the female offspring that assumed a matriarchal role in the absence of the mother. The creation of a sub-culture for these families borne mainly from financial difficulties, allowed Black Women to be more prominent but not equal to their men. My generation of women has pushed this concept further and expects a more equal participant as partners. Something that is akin to White western women yet not easily recognised nor taken on by men.

More recognition is needed in society for the promotion for all women and not just Black Women but the problems that Black Women face are different to their counterparts. I do feel that the huge radicalisation needed for women's lives cannot be measured today from where it was once borne but we should be able to continue building upon the wellbeing for women and by doing so, all of society benefits. Harm the woman; harm the child!

So yes, Black women are strong but it is also a myth that she is able to withstand anything thrown at her. Just take a look around you and many Black women are former shadows of thy self. Even the perceptually well-adapted ones experiences emotional discord due to the 'myth' aspect therefore how she is then treated. Black Women contributes to half of society in gender terms but their experiences of negativity is out of balance. The 'myth' aspect is out of control and depletes the Black Women of her natural resources to live in harmony with her and others.

Clarissa Pinkola Estes (Untie The Strong Woman; p.86- 90)

Dress Up to Impress

Here's a method chart and reference guide so that you can project your visual communication, at least from a clothing perspective, really does project the right image for you.

A person's style includes many distinct parts. Decisions concerning style ought to be determined by environment, the necessity to meet bound and expectations to gain your desired result. It's an ordinarily command belief that individuals can get ahead if they standout in terms of style, but analysis doesn't support this. In fact, we have a tendency to typically become suspicious of these who are too uncommon or completely different from our expectations. Bearing this in mind, the following ought to be taken into consideration when trying to form the right impression...

CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Believe it or not, studies have found that most hiring decisions are for the most part based mostly upon employment applicant's appearance, despite interviewers denying that someone's appearance is important. Entry-level salaries are higher for those that make a higher physical impression, and those who dress higher at work are a lot of seemingly to induce promoted. The importance of being fittingly dressed is apparent. Both men and girls when going for interviews ought to dress in garments slightly smarter than what they would commonly wear to figure. Geographical point TIPS for ladies.

WOMEN'S SUITS, TROUSERS, AND DRESSES
Women who wear refined feminine-cut suits or skirts and matching jackets with simple white, off-white or pale-colored blouses don't seem to be only seen as robust and assured, but additionally as trustworthy, likable and humble, but detain mind that this may not work for all careers.

In more high-fashion professions, the suit ought to be a lot of fashionable, with a lot of communicative accessories with your goal being a "ladylike" but skilled look. Suits ought to be soft, ladylike and strike a balance between unpretentious and conservative, feminine and trendy. Colors can range from navy, grey, and blue to cream and mahogany. The planning ought to be rich but businesslike.

A masculine-cut suit reflects a lot of power and authority, but is understood as a lot of aggressive and bossy and less inventive. A feminine-cut suit can show a lot of quality and a heightened level of friendliness, expertise and confidence. Slacks and a jacket or a dress and a jacket are even a lot of approachable, but less skilled. A pant-suit is less skilled and will not enhance your image of friendliness. A dress without a jacket is the least skilled different.

WOMEN'S SHIRTS AND BLOUSES
Silk blouses in white, off-white, light blue, beige or alternative pale colors are a lot of skilled. Blouses with lapels project a lot of authority and competency, while those without are a lot of feminine and project a friendlier image. Blouses mustn't be sleeveless if they're meant to be a part of a professional outfit. You must additionally take into consideration a blunder or camisole if a bandeau or strap is showing. For skilled occasions, the neckline ought to never be low enough to be the slightest bit revealing.

WOMEN'S SHOES
Trendy designs have the same negative associations and stereotypes as alternative parts of your wardrobe. A lot of practical shoes enhance image as long as they're not too flashy. Less practical but a lot of fashionable shoes send a message that you simply are a lot of concerned with appearance than performance. If ladies wear heels taller than 2 inches they accentuate their sex. Boots mustn't be worn with dress apparel unless they're terribly often worn by others in your skilled environment. Shoes that are simple and stylish are best. Closed toe pumps with one and a 0.5 inch heels prime the list. Shorter ladies can wear 2 inches heels but they ought to not be spiked heels. Stay with basic colors and don't try and match your shoes to bright colored clothing. Always keep your shoes clean and polished for a professional look. If the soles or heels are worn or broken, then replace or repair them.

WOMEN'S ACCESSORIES
For women, belts are available many colors and designs. They ought to not be gaudy, dangle or resound. If a lady is sporting dress trousers then she ought to wear an easy, skinny belt with associate unobtrusive buckle. Accessories, like belts and shoes, ought to be plain, no furbelow leather.

For purses, leather is perceived as a lot of skilled than cloth, especially in black or brown. A colorful purse that matches the color of associate outfit is a lot of for casual occasions. A woman's tights ought to be flesh tone, black or navy. White or alternative colors distract from skilled image.

For eyewear, a lady mustn't get too stylish, unless an image of quality is a lot of vital than an image of intelligence and expertise. Ladies are rated a lot of skilled when they wear less jewelry. Keep it simple and keep one's eyes off from the massive or gaudy.

WOMEN'S WORK
Women's dress trousers ought to cover their ankles utterly and for the foremost skilled and conservative look ought to touch the highest of their shoes. In contrast to public toilet trousers, women's ought to have little or no "break" and the hem ought to be horizontal to the floor.

Skirt length is usually an issue for ladies. For a professional look, stay mainstream. Whether or not you wear your dress skirts a couple of inches on top of or a couple of inches below your knee is largely a matter of non-public preference and a call that ought to be supported what looks best on you and what you're feeling most snug with.

Phonies or Friends

You walk into the office staff lounge and suddenly there is a slight whisper! You start re-playing last night's dialogue - as you had drinks and gossip hour with one of the women in the staff lounge and she isn't speaking to you yet. Then it hits you - why do you engage in such self-destructive behaviour? Have you not learned your lesson a thousand times?

You vow never to do it again yet can't help yourself from standing by in hopes that you will get the gist of their silent conversation. But you don't and you know you never will so you move on.

I want to bring your attention to an often overlooked problem and that is understanding phony friends and followers. Phony friends are everywhere not just on Facebook or Instagram. You know, those women who act like they care and get the latest and greatest juice on a fellow female and then they're off - sharing the details and comments exchanged and hopefully not twisting them all around to hide their own input to your conversation. You grow more anxious and wonder why you continue to get caught up in these types of moments because they definitely do not serve you and kind of go against your morals and values!

What happens next is you read comments online and then your mind races because you aren't sure if they are secretly directed at you. It may be you, who has become a phony follower; only reading threads and posts to discover what your competition is up to or actively attending lunches out or wine night in to learn what the buzz is. This behaviour seems compulsive at times. As in, you just have to know! Well guess what? You don't! So stop this drama ladies! You need to accept that women are often wrapped up in this type of drama solely on a societal level. There are so many women out there that have broken free of this behaviour or even better; those who have not indulged in this destruction. When women respect, encourage and genuinely care for other women the energy shifts, the world becomes healthier and magical things start to happen.

Start exploring your mindset regarding female relationships. Have we been brainwashed into thinking that fellow females are the enemy. Go through your friends list on Facebook - how many women listed are actual genuine friends versus phony followers? I am sure you have kind and caring female friends; monitor the other relationships and I guarantee that the thoughts have crossed your mind ("what is she up to now, who does she think she is, oh, she always acts happy but isn't, her life is a mess, she lives on salad", etc.) A phony follower encompasses all attributes of toxic, dangerous and manipulative behaviour. The phony follower hangs out in your circle randomly on a 'Girls Night' out or pops up on Facebook threads or perhaps attends luncheons with you yet you really don't know too much about them.

The danger here is that too many women want to be recognized as popular or the go-to girl and that carries some seriously heavy baggage. Stop allowing these phonies in your circle. Create boundaries. Share uplifting news and be excited for a fellow female when she gets promoted, or buys a new house, or builds a healthy relationship with the love of her life. It is okay to be different and it is time to establish healthy, honest friendships with other amazing women.

Dismiss the phonies in your life and wish them well. Surround yourself with upbeat and enthusiastic women and work towards empowering women as a collective force. Imagine the possibilities involved in women loving other women. No more drama. No more judgment! No more wasted energy worrying about what you may have said. Spread the love. Spread the sunshine and build one another up! It is time to say no to the media and societal pressures to compete against our fellow females and time to embrace our differences and want the best for one another. Period.

Three Lessons to Be Learnt From Aletta Jacobs - A Pioneer of Access to Birth Control

With celebrations of suffragettes all the rage, much focus is currently on attempts to gain the vote for women. This was, of course, only a small part of the battle even for 1st wave feminists. Issues of the right of women to control or own their bodies - whether the specific concern be birth control, family planning, abortion or sex workers - has been on the agenda for over 100 years - and probably in various places throughout history for millennia.

Achieving equality, where it has been achieved at all, has been a struggle for particular individuals, for groups of women and eventually movements. Unfortunately, women's rights is a matter of one step forward, two steps back. So we can never assume that whatever gains have been made will be retained. So looking to history, and the lives of particular women, is one way of fortifying ourselves for the battles we need to be part of.

Aletta Jacobs, the first female doctor in Holland, was an activist in the peace movement as well as in the woman's movement and in her daily life. Her death on August 10, 1929 provides an excuse to write about her. She pioneered health reform and access to birth control. But even before this point Aletta had won a victory. It took the personal support of the Prime Minister for her to gain access to sex-segregated higher education.

After attaining her degree, Jacobs immediately set up free clinics for the working-class, which she ran 2 mornings a week. In 1882, she went a step further and founding the first birth control clinic in the world. Her focus on prostitutes made her a double target, just as her insistence that the working conditions of salesgirls required reform angered entrenched capitalism. She clearly was only interested in perpetuating immorality.

In l903 Aletta Jacobs left her medical practice in order to focus on the broader issues for women. She worked with international organizations for women's suffrage, undertook a world tour (taking in South Africa, the Middle East, India, Ceylon, the Dutch East Indies, Burma, the Philippines, China and Japan) with ex-IWSA president Carrie Chapman Catt studying the conditions of women and reporting to the Dutch paper De Telegraaf. Suffrage for Dutch women was achieved in 1919.

Jacobs energies did not just focus on women. In 1914, with the outbreak of WWI, she used her international women's network to fight for peace and she even travelled to the USA in an attempt to persuade President Woodrow Wilson to mediate the conflict. She remained an activist until her death in 1929.

So what can we learn from this.

1. Education matters. There is currently an international movement, rallying around 16 year old Afghani, Malala Yousafzai, to provide access to education for all the world's children. Malala is a survivor of terrorist action which aimed at silencing her insistence that women and girls, as well as boys and men, have a right to education.

A second side to this is that formal education provides the tools, one would hope, for critical analysis. If you have never thought of birth control as a matter of a woman's control over her own body, it is time to rethink the matter. In the West we consider autonomy to be an essential right - in fact a precursor of rights. But autonomy assumes that our bodies are our own. If we want to be reckless, we can. If we want to exercise we can. If we want to carry a child, we can. If we do not want to carry a child, we have the right to that decision too. But without access to birth control and abortion, to say we have a right is meaningless.

2. A commitment to social justice matters. Not just seeing the conditions of others, but being prepared to work to alleviate these conditions. I guess this requires bravery - at least the courage to act on one's convictions. I'm a coward, but activism isn't only about large battles or standing in the front line. While signing a petition may seem a small thing to do, for example, every name counts.

One other aspect of this is the inter-relatedness of rights. Aletta demonstrated that compassion has many faces and that caring about women leads to caring about men and the whole of humanity and the world we inhabit.

3. Networking is key. We can't do anything on our own. Women are said to be good at networking and maintaining relationships. Aletta Jacobs did not achieve what she did on her own. From the outset she worked with others. This does two things. It makes us realise that we are not alone - that there are others who value social justice and human rights. Secondly, numbers bring power. Sharing the burden and multiplying the effect.

My aim is not to be preachy, but to suggest that we don't create a pantheon of great women, unlike us in every way. Rather, that we take small steps to demand equality for overselves and for our daughters, but that we also see that we can have guidance in this from those who have come before us.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will know that Mad-Eye Moody had advice that is relevant here. He tells the young heroes that they need to be "forever vigilant". Unfortunately there is wisdom, not paranoia here. It is not just that in every generation we have to fight the same battles anew. It is that we always have to watch out for impositions on our equality, because whenever we think there are gains there is slippage.

My Stay-At-Home Wife Has It Harder Than I Do

A strong marriage is contingent on sharing the workload--not just in the house but everywhere. This past summer I worked as an intern at Google and had a long commute. I left at the crack of dawn most mornings and returned home around 7pm.

My wife, Rachel, on the other hand, is a stay-at-home mom. She took care of our 18-month-old each day. I think much of the "Lean In" thinking today would suggest Rachel perhaps had opted out of the workplace too young and taken an easier route. Those people have never stayed home with a toddler all day.. everyday.

Last month, I gave Rachel a weekend completely off parenting duties by going out of town with Jude. In those days, unsupported by any other caregiver, my son nearly broke me. He's a fantastic kid, but he does get cranky, have trouble sleeping and can be as willful as any other 18-month-old. I was exhausted, and the experience gave me a newfound respect for all stay-at-home moms, and especially single parents (I don't know how you do it!).

My point is that this summer when I was working, Rachel had it WAY, WAY harder than me. Too many working dads (and working moms, for that matter) don't fully appreciate the sheer exhaustion of watching a cranky child (let alone multiple children) day in and day out.

Conventional wisdom suggests my wife should be grateful to me for slaving long days at the office and permitting her to relax at home. We've largely internalized the 1950s portrait of a husband coming home to be greeted by his adoring wife and a roasted chicken dinner as something ideal and fair--if not something we routinely practice.

When I come home, I strive to give my wife the chance to put her feet up. Cleaning up diapers, preparing meals, cleaning and responding to the beck and call of our son is a full-time job with no coffee breaks or pauses to read the news or check email.

A large amount of hostility also comes from moms working outside the home. Being a parent is challenging enough without us disparaging each other. When husbands and our society in general better value the work stay-at-home-moms do, we are all better off. That respect helps improve relationships, makes the parenting work feel a little easier, facilitates more equitable household divisions of labor, and accords the proper level of appreciation to motherhood.