10-steps-fight-infertility

There are some steps you can take if you want to get pregnant in a healthy way. These steps are completely natural and will help you live a healthy lifestyle while preparing to get pregnant.

The first step is to steer clear of toxins. Unfortunately, toxins can be found everywhere, in your water, food and even in your shampoos and soaps. It is impossible to avoid toxins completely but there are ways to decrease your exposure. You can start using organic or natural soaps and shampoos and other toiletries. You can also make sure to keep your air filters in your home changed every 30 days to keep toxins from building up in your home. Make sure you drink filtered water; natural spring water is recommended but if you cannot get it opt for filtered water. Choosing organic foods is another way to minimize the toxicity of your body; which brings me to step 2, diet.

Your diet is crucial! It is highly recommended that if you are trying to get pregnant or are a pregnant woman, you should up your consumption of fruits and vegetables to 3 to 4 servings per day. You should also be getting 3 servings of protein a day; which includes nuts, eggs, legumes, beans, and lean meats. 9 servings of whole grain bread, whole meal pasta, brown rice, and cereal. Experts say that it can take anywhere from 3 months to a year for your healthy changes in your diet to show up as benefits in your body and really increase your chances of getting pregnant. So it is recommended to change your diet at least 3 months before you begin trying to conceive for best results. It can take 3 months to 1 year for dietary changes in the body to take effect. You may have to change your diet as early as 3 months prior to getting pregnant.

Along with changes in your diet, it is important to add vitamins to your healthy eating habits to make sure you are getting all of the nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy that may be missed from just foods alone. If you are trying to or even thinking about getting pregnant, I am sure you have heard how important folic acid is for a healthy pregnancy and baby. You can take folic acid by itself, in addition to a multivitamin or you can receive folic acid through prenatal vitamins. One plus to taking prenatal vitamins is the strengthening of your hair and nails, which most women love!

The next step goes hand in hand with the previous and that is to make sure your body has enough minerals such as calcium and iron. Iron prevents anemia, helps the body produce adequate hemoglobin and enhances the chances for a full term pregnancy and healthy birth weight. Calcium while great for mommy's bones and teeth to support the pregnancy does the same for baby while bones and teeth are forming. Plus, calcium helps with nerve and muscle function and helps prevent blood clots, which is very important for mom during pregnancy.

The next step is to take notice of what else is going in your body, such as medications. For example, if you are currently taking ibuprofen or aspirin for aches, pains or headaches, it is recommended to switch over to acetaminophen or Tylenol. It is a good idea to find out from your doctor which medications are healthy for you to take and what you should avoid.

The next step is to try meditation, especially if you are stressed out. I truly believe that a major factor for infertility and miscarriages is stress. Meditation helps reduce stress and relaxes you are your body, which helps reduce stress hormones which restrict your body's production of fertility hormones.

Along with meditation you should also try the seventh step which is yoga. According to a study at the Harvard Medical School, yoga accompanied with meditation and a healthy diet helped 55% of infertile women conceive within a year of beginning the study. Doing yoga for 45 minutes to an hour a couple of times a week can also significantly reduce stress.

Of course yoga is a type of exercise it is a light exercise and can be incorporated with a steady exercise routine to keep your body healthy and reduce stress. Exercise also improves the circulation in your body, which, of course, increases the circulation in your reproduction system. A healthy exercise routine includes 40-60 minutes of exercise 3-5 days a week. The key is not to overdo it, which can actually decrease your fertility.

The ninth step to fight infertility is to make sure to get enough sleep. While you are sleeping your body is getting the rest it needs to function correctly. At the same time getting adequate sleep helps your body heal and refresh itself correctly and efficiently. One of the main factors that effects your sleep is caffeine, which brings me to the final step, consider your lifestyle.

When trying to get pregnant and even in your first trimester caffeine and other substances can be harmful. The first trimester is the most important and unfortunately, a lot of women don't find out they are pregnant until well into their first trimester. It is crucial to pay attention to your lifestyle and make some changes to it before you try to get pregnant. For example, it is a good idea to cut back drastically or even cut out caffeine completely. The same goes for smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs. It is important to treat your body as if you are pregnant as soon as you discontinue the use of birth control or even start to consider getting pregnant.

These lifestyle changes along with the previous 9 steps are great natural and healthy ways to fight against infertility and raise your chances of conceiving. These ways are also less expensive than medical interventions which are a huge plus, considering you should be focusing on using that extra money for your new coming baby.

10-first-date-ideas-skinny-wallet

Being a human of the male variety, making a good first impression to the fairer sex is paramount if you want any type of dating relationship. Being a single dad, I got back into the dating world several months back. Now, with that being said, I don't always have the money for an expensive date but I still need to impress. Based on dates I've had, I have made a list of my best date ideas that leave your dignity and your budget intact.
1. Bowling. Bowling is always a great idea for a first date. It's fun; it's competitive; it's cheap; it provides time for conversation. You can even have fun by coming up with a creative and funny name on the score card. During my bowling date, my score card alias was Ben Dover and hers was Dixie Chic.

2. The Park. The park is usually free unless you go to a state or a national park. A park with a playground is preferable so you can show off doing a few pull-ups, as I did, or talk while on the swings, which I also did. Being at the park shows that you can be a kid at heart and she'll warm up to you.

3. Coffee Shop. Starbucks usually comes to mind when thinking of coffee. While most people enjoy at least one thing off of the Starbucks menu, a local coffee joint will impress her even more. Coffee provides an ideal environment for intimate conversation and two cups of coffee will never break the bank.

4. Live Music. Live music is always fun and, while you might not be able to talk as much, you'll have an opportunity to show her your wild side. I chose to take my date to a local music hall where a friend of mine was playing drums in his band and the cover was only $5 per person.

5. Paddle Boating. Renting paddle boats are a very inexpensive investment. Most people enjoy being on the water plus, in a paddle boat, you will be right beside your date.

6. Drive-In Movie. Most drive-ins are quite inexpensive plus you get to watch two movies and from the comfort of your own vehicle. The drive-in, in my opinion, is the best set up for a kiss on a first date. It was $6 per car the last time I went on a date to a drive-in and the food was super cheap, $1.50 burgers and $1.25 nachos to name two examples.

7. Comedy Club. A fairly cheap date that provides a lot of laughs and lightens the mood. You and your date can grab a bite to eat and have a laugh after the show. The only time I've been on a date to a comedy club was on amateur night which was great because the cover was less expensive. At $7, we laughed at the good comics and even harder at the bad ones.

8. Skating Rink. Skating is loads of fun. There is music and food and it's cheap especially during the week and not too much more on the weekends. When I took my date out to the skating rink I believe we were the only couple above the age of 15, but it was worth it for $4 per person and a kiss at the end.

9. A Beach Walk. A long walk on the beach has the scenic beauty and the tranquil setting. You and your date can pick up sea shells, get ice cream from a vendor cart, or just walk and talk. I don't live at the beach but I did work in Myrtle Beach one summer and had an evening walk on the beach for a date night.

10. Go Fishing. Whether you live near the ocean, a lake, or a local pond, fishing is always a great idea. The only thing you'd be paying for is bait and gas, if you go on a boat. I've been on two fishing dates, one on a lake and one on a pond. The date on the pond was fun, albeit embarrassing, because my date caught a small-mouth bass and I caught absolutely nothing.

From the examples I have given, it's safe to say that even without a lot of money, you can still have a decent first date. While these dates might not be for everyone, these are the experiences I've had and I hope it will assist those of you in need of ideas. Good luck.

10-causes-positive-pregnancy-test

If you've recently had a positive pregnancy test, you are almost certainly pregnant. Home pregnancy tests detect the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. In general, the human body produces detectable levels of this so-called pregnancy hormone only when a blastocyst has implanted into the wall of the uterus.
While false positives are rare, there are are many possible causes of a positive pregnancy test.

1. Pregnancy

By far the most common cause of a positive pregnancy test, pregnancy is usually detectable only after a fertilized egg has made it to the uterus. This generally occurs roughly two weeks after ovulation or four weeks after your last menstrual period.

2. Molar Pregnancy

Molar pregnancies are not viable and do not involve an actual embryo, but they cause a positive pregnancy test. Instead of forming the beginnings of a baby, the fertilized egg forms a fast-growing cluster of placenta cells. A molar pregnancy may mimic the early stages of a normal pregnancy, but there is no baby.

3. Ectopic Pregnancy

Like molar pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies are not viable. The fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tubes or another part of the body instead of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency; the blastocyst must be removed promptly to prevent the woman from suffering serious complications.

4. Recent Miscarriage

If you have had a miscarriage-- even a very early one-- within the last several days, your urine may still contain trace amoungs of hCG. Miscarriages that occur very early may seem identical to an ordinary menstrual period.

5. Certain Medications

Do not dismiss a false positive pregnancy test as the result of a painkiller, antidepressant, herbal supplement or blood pressure medication. While very few drugs can cause a false positive pregnancy test, it is important to tell your health care provider about any medications you do take. The "pregnancy hormone" hCG may be an ingredient in a few prescription fertility drugs.

6. Evaporation Lines

A few cheap pregnancy tests may display a false-positive result when moisture crosses the test. This will not cause a very clear positive result, but it can create a very faint grayish line where the test might have displayed a positive result. Retest if your results are ambiguous.

7. Waiting too Long

If you take a pregnancy test and don't look at it until several minutes later, it may display a false positive result. Be sure to read your test within 2-5 minutes (or whatever the manufacturer recommends) and disregard any results that appear after this time.

8. Invalid Test

If your pregnancy test is past your expiration date or has been exposed to extreme hot or cold, disregard the results. Do not use a pregnancy test that has, for example, sat in your car on a hot day. Re-test if you aren't sure about your results.

9. Choriocarcinoma

Choriocarcinoma is a serious, aggrsesive form of cancer affecting the placenta. It is usually preceded by a normal pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or molar pregnancy. This disease is highly curable if it is detected early, so be sure to mention your false positive pregnancy test to a health care provider.

10. Other Tumors

Very rarely, a positive pregnancy test may be the first indication of a tumor in the ovaries, uterus or endometrium. The amount of hCG secreted by these tumors will vary dramatically depending on the type of tumor. If you have a family history of hormone-sensitive cancers, be sure to mention this to your obstetrician or midwife when you follow-up on the results of your test.

BabyHopes offers further information regarding the causes of a false pregnancy test.

10-12-things-wish-someone-would

1. At first, you're going to feel very lost and confused about EVERYTHING. Sometimes the vets will think that you understand everything (but you don't), it's okay. Just go with it and fake it, and ask a vet or someone who's been there longer.
2. You will get hurt. I'm no pro by any means, but if I had to guess I'd say that your tailbone will be the first to go. For some it's the knees, for me it was the elbow. Regardless, just accept the fact that you'll hurt something. But somehow you'll get better and your body will help you NOT hurt yourself- but that takes time.

3. When you think that you're in skater position, you can probably get lower. Do this. My first bout I THOUGHT that I was skating low and I kept getting knocked over. Once I squatted SO much lower than was comfortable for me: I wasn't getting knocked over anymore. This will also prevent some of those potential early injuries.

4. It will take you a LONG time to really grasp the logistics of the game. For a lot of girls they aren't strong skaters in the first place so they've got that going on, and the fact that they have to play both offense and defense at the same time. Don't think that you'll never grasp it- you will. The learning curve SUCKS- but it will be worth it after a few months.

5. When you do endurance, try to push through the pain. Derby is hard and you will get hurt, so try to push through instead of sitting down because your muscles hurt. You're not going to die. Many times I've said to myself in my head "Screw this! I don't want to do this that bad!" But, that wasn't true and I was SO proud of myself when I pushed through the 2 minute squats (or whatever it was).

6. Semi-vets are your best source of support because they want to help you. They feel very special when you ask them questions and they will probably be more willing to help than the vets. The vets are very busy being awesome (there's absolutely NO sarcasm there- seriously) and they have their sort of "inner circle" that's hard to penetrate sometimes. The semi-vets are very willing to help. AND I know you've heard that phrase "if you teach something then you have really learned it". That applies here.

7. You can always cry when you get home. I remember coming home and feeling so disappointed in myself for not doing as well as I wanted, and that's okay. I still get frustrated and that's only normal. It means that you really want to play the sport well- NOT just wear the tights and socks and call yourself a rollergirl. So, go with it. It will take time and you WILL get frustrated.

8. You will get yelled at- don't take it personal. This may be easier for girls who have played sports before, but if you haven't: know that you will get yelled at for all of the wrong things that you do. However, the girls are not yelling at you because you suck- they're yelling at you 1) because it's loud, 2) because it's fast-paced, 3) because some girls are just like that. Leave it on the track and don't worry about it. They don't hate you- it's not about you, it's about letting you know what you did wrong in the moment.

9. The nervous feeling that you have when you go to practice WILL go away. Derby has it's own levels. There's the kiddie pool where you learn the very basics like skating, knee stops, stopping, etc. After you ace that you feel good and so you move up into being able to scrimmage. This makes you feel crappy again because you're back to sucking again. Once you finally feel comfortable putting it all together it's time to take your skills test. Once you pass you're allowed to practice with the "big girls". This makes you feel crappy because you're back to sucking AGAIN. This sucking will last longer than the first round because it will take you longer to start mastering things. Once you feel comfortable you'll play your first bout. This will make you fee crappy because you're back to sucking again. It's a cycle that you'll live through. And when you come out of each round you'll be a better player. Understand the levels and you'll feel less crappy.

10. Your first few bouts will be completely chaotic. People will throw tons of advice at you on that day and they're trying to help, but really it's just making you question everything that you know about your beloved sport. Just smile and nod and don't let it make you more nervous than you already are. It's just like you practice it. However, you WILL get hit harder than you're expecting. And you will NOT understand everything that's going on because your adrenaline is pumping. Just try to get through the movements and the more bouts you do will allow you to understand better.

10 1/2. It's not about being aggressive. I'm sure that aggression helps, but this is where I was mistaken. I thought that I had to get/be angry to play derby and that couldn't be further from the truth. You won't become a better hitter by getting angry, in fact it may make you a worse hitter. You'll become a better hitter by understand who you need to hit and why. I remember asking a vet about how to get more aggressive and she quickly told me that that's not what it was about. So I began to think more about my focus in the game. Once I knew who I needed to hit and why, I stopped thinking that I had to become an angry person. I just became more passionate about wanting my "team" to win, and that's what drives me to hit: not aggression.

8-tips-for-happier-marriage

Do you envy the couples who seem to have the perfect, happy marriages? No need to be envious, you can have one too. These couples are in no way perfect, probably not even happier, but they know how to keep their marriage fresh and exciting. Following these 8 tips below, will help keep your marriage fresh and exciting too.

Remember?
Let's start with remembering your spouse when you first started dating. Do you remember the way he/she gave you butterflies the first time you kissed? Perhaps you remember something special about your spouse, that made you decide right then and there, that you were going to marry him/her. Next time you see your spouse, take a moment to remember something special about them. You will find yourself all giddy again, and glad you did get married. Try to do this each time you see him/her. You will love the results, and so will your spouse.

Do Something Together
Make plans to do something together. If you don't have the same interests, let your spouse choose something they want to do together first. So what if it isn't something you really want to do. Go and don't complain. Next time it is your choice. Make this a weekly, family thing, do not skip out on your spouse, and have fun. If you have kids, find a sitter, or take them along. Perhaps, take the kids along every other time. Either way, just enjoy your time together.

Compliment
Compliment your spouse on a daily basis. Men and women alike love to be complimented. It shows you are paying attention when you compliment your wife's new haircut, and the way it frames it her beautiful face. Ladies, be sure and tell your husband you can tell they have been working out. Do not wait until your spouse ask you for that compliment, surprise them with it out of the blue. Make it a point to do this daily, even if you just tell them they look nice today.

Go On a Date
How can I date when I am married? Simple, you call up your spouse from work, and ask them for a date. Your spouse will probably giggle and accept excitedly. If you have kids, schedule a sitter. Plan a romantic date with a candle light dinner, music and dancing. You and your spouse get all dressed up and go have some fun. End your date at home with a nice bubble bath and glass of wine. You never know what might happen. I am willing to bet you will get a goodnight kiss, and a promise for a second date.

Be Considerate
Always be considerate of your spouse. Never talk down to or humiliate your spouse, in public or behind closed doors. Show your spouse respect like you would want to be shown. Also, think of your spouse and how they would feel about your actions. Always being considerate of your spouse is a good rule of thumb to follow, if you want a happy marriage.

Do Something Thoughtful
Get into the habit each and every day of doing something thoughtful for your spouse. You both work hard, and you both appreciate each other's hard work. Show it. If you go to take a shower first, when you are done, lay out a towel for your spouse. Sure they could have gotten their own towel, but they wont have to, because you thought of them and laid one out for them. Going into the kitchen to grab a drink? Grab your spouse one too. Another good one is, leaving your spouse a note before you go to work. It does not have to be a two page letter, just a note that says you hope they have a good day. Simple things like this will backfire on you, and next thing you know your spouse will be thinking about you too. Look for opportunities to do the simplest little things that you normally do not do for your spouse. They will love it, and your marriage will reap the rewards.

Give Your Spouse Space
As much fun as it is to be together, you also need time apart. Do not deny your spouse time apart, to do something without you every once in a while. You both need friends, other than each other.
Make sure you and your spouse have breathing room. Too much of each other can sometimes wear thin. Besides you need time to pursue your own interests separately. After time spent away, you will be glad to see each other.

Do Not Fight in the Bedroom
Your bedroom is for relaxation and romance. Keep it that way. No heated discussions or bickering in the bedroom. When you go to bed, you do not want to be reminded of any arguments you had that day. If this is where you have your family board meetings, I suggest you move them to a different room in the house. When you walk into your bedroom, you want to feel calm and relaxed, not angry and upset.

7-things-could-lead-divorce

There are many reasons people choose to get a divorce. Sometimes there is a laundry list of reasons and sometimes there may only be one deciding factor that led to the decision for a divorce. In any event, here is a list of seven things that could lead to the end of a marriage:

Communication

Having the ability to communicate effectively with your spouse is important for a marriage to thrive. Being able to talk openly on any topic and receive positive feedback and support is tantamount to ensuring you don't become another statistic. Because if you can't tell your significant other how, for example, you didn't appreciate their tone of voice last night, resentment will build up to the point where you might not be able to stand being in the same room as them. Your spouse should be like a best friend. You should be able to discuss what's on your mind and feel confident your spouse will want to be there and listen.

Respect

It's a problem if your spouse does not respect you. He/she should respect your ideas, opinions and decisions. In marriage these days there should be no clear line indicating the husband is better than the wife and vice versa. This isn't the 50's. Your significant other should respect you as a person and treat you like an equal.

Finances

Spending too much, not making enough, losing a job and bankruptcy are all reasons people argue over finances. Fighting over money is a serious issue that leads a lot of marriage's straight to divorce. Discuss your limits, know your budget and in the event you or your spouse loses a job or you have to file for bankruptcy, band together and fight the unfortunate turn of events as a team.

Intimacy

Keeping the intimacy alive is very important if you want to maintain a happy, healthy marriage. Without it you could both lose integral pieces of yourselves. Remember when you first met and got married? Intimacy was probably never a question but an immediate response. Have kids and can't find the time? Try to plan it out using a calendar and work it into your schedule. Although that might sound ridiculous and takes away from the spontaneity, it's much better than having no intimacy at all.

Addiction

Whether it's an affinity for nicotine, gambling, video games or drugs an addiction can tear a marriage apart if not addressed and taken care of properly. If it's a lighter addiction, like video gaming, try to sit your spouse down and work out a time frame for when playing is okay and for when it's time to stop. For the more serious addictions like drugs, drinking and gambling a more dramatic avenue should be explored. Make sure the proper steps are taken to get your spouse the professional help that is needed. A lot of trust will be lost and couples therapy should seriously be considered. Your spouse may be the one with the addiction but you're going to need help, too.

Abuse

Abuse in a relationship can be mental, emotional and/or physical. Mental and emotional abuse consists of your spouse berating you with harsh words. They demean and belittle you and call you names. This barrage will ultimately result in feelings of worthlessness. Physical abuse is just that - physical. Even if your spouse pushes you that is still considered physical abuse. It is extremely unhealthy and in some instances the physical abuse could become so violent that death could occur. If your spouse abuses you in any way you need to seek out shelter and leave.

Infidelity

People all over handle the infidelity of a spouse in different ways. Some immediately leave, some stay and ignore it, some stay and choose to believe their spouse when they say it won't happen again and some stay but seek counseling for themselves and their partner. Those that choose to stay should seek help. Infidelity can be catastrophic to a marriage and learning the keys to surviving it is extremely important.

7-foods-rev-love-life

If you've been married for any length of time, routines and the trials of life have a way of sapping energy and any kind of s.e.x. drive you may have had. So I did a little research and found a "helpful" article on natural foods that will (supposedly) light a fuse in the bedroom.

The first thing is strawberries. Theses little beauties are full of antioxidants which helps improve circulation - great, as I'll need all the help and circulation I can get just to go to the market, pick them up, clean them, then try to sneak them into something that doesn't resemble a fruit cup for Hubby.

Second on the list is eggs. Yes, eggs! 'Cause nothing says romance like a big pile of jiggly, oozing, slightly under (or even over) cooked eggs. Sure it may be high in B6 for an energy boast, but even if you hard boil it (avoiding the gooey white, slimy booger glob) I'll be using all of that new found vigor to get away from the I-have-really-bad-sulfur-gas stench that accompanies the cracking open of one of these delights.

Third on this sex-food list is steak. Of course, who doesn't love a good slab of bloody meat? Personally, steak for me is something I eat on the very rarest of occasions and it needs to be cooked - thoroughly - no blood, no oozing, no pink fluid run-off as I slice into it. Hubby on the other hand loves steak and probably won't need me after he eats one...

The next on the list I totally agree with is chocolate - it's full of a mood enhancing substance called, methylxanthine, or in a menopausal woman's hands - the power to soothe the savage beast. Hubby keeps a stash of these on hand and has actually waved one in front of my face when I'm having a melt down. The very sight of it will magically transform me back to (almost) human status; however, with chocolate, who needs a man?

The list went on to suggest a big dose of garlic. You heard me, garlic. Yeah...okay...Hubby has the intestinal track of a goose and garlic tends to aggravate this condition, so this would be the last choice on my list. Even if it does dilate the blood vessels to the nether-regions, the noxious fumes emanating from another region would pretty much kill the deal.

How about oatmeal? Apparently, this breakfast food increases testosterone levels in your blood. Add some walnuts, which are loaded with the good fatty-acids (which is a major component in sex hormones) and you have yourself a sex-fest-breakfast.

Yeah..nothing says "come hither" like a big bowl of thick, gluey, barf-like substance. Once this hits your stomach you feel like you've eaten a full course Thanksgiving Day meal and all I want to do is take a nap. Not to mention, Hubby is allergic to walnuts, so a "sexy" trip to the emergency room I guess could be considered foreplay?

I realize there's a lot of scientific expertise that goes into these findings, but in my house, after being together for over 25 years, food isn't a sex-starter, it's something to be gobbled down in front of the television and, if it's especially tasty, fought over for the last helping - Hubby will get a fork in his hand if he tries to eat off of MY plate. I think a better topic for an article should suggest foods to turn-off your partner - hmmm, that gives me an idea...