ALPHABETS OF HAPPINESS

Author Unknown
Dec 10, 2007

* A--Accept *
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even
if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or
actions.
*B--Break Away *
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to
accomplish with your life.
*C--Create *
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams,
sorrows, and happiness with.
*D--Decide *
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good
things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along
the way.
*E--Explore *
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much
to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about
yourself.
*F--Forgive *
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire
unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes
mistakes.
*G--Grow *
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or
stand in your way.
*H--Hope *
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long
as you remain dedicated to the task.
*I--Ignore *
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your
goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a
small inkling of what the future holds.
*J--Journey*
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded.
Try to learn something
new every day, and you'll grow.
*K--Know *
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better.
The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.
*L--Love *
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart,
there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's
room for endless happiness.
*M--Manage *
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less
stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things
in life.
*N--Notice *
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer
your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and
understanding.
*O--Open *
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the
worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.
*P--Play *
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without
happiness.
*Q--Question *
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.
*R--Relax *
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that
things always have a way of working out in the end.
*S--Share *
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything
that you invest in others will return to you many times over.
*T--Try *
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be
amazed by what you can accomplish.
*U--Use *
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no
value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.
*V--Value *
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged
you, and be there for them as well.
*W--Work *
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel
guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second
chance.
*X--X-Ray *
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the
goodness and beauty within.
*Y--Yield *
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll
find success at the end of the road.
*Z--Zoom *
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rear a ugly head.

The Dirty Dozen Chemicals in Cosmetics

Green Guide 122 October/November 2007 Smart Shopper's Card
by Catherine Zandonella, M.P.H
Filed under: Cosmetics, Personal care products, Fragrances, Skin Care

Beauty is only skin deep, but the products we use to attain it contain chemicals that may penetrate far deeper. The average adult uses nine personal care products a day, with roughly 120 chemicals spread among them, many of which are incompletely tested for toxicity.
Below we've listed 12 chemicals that are best avoided. A single exposure to any of them is unlikely to cause harm, but daily exposure over a lifetime may add up. When shopping, be prepared to spend some time reading labels; even brands that advertise themselves as "natural" or "botanical" have been known to include some of these (see our Smart Shopper's Dirty Dozen Ingredients card).

1. Antibacterials
Overuse of antibacterials can prevent them from effectively fighting disease-causing germs like E. coli and Salmonella enterica. Triclosan, widely used in soaps, toothpastes and deodorants, has been detected in breast milk, and one recent study found that it interferes with testosterone activity in cells. Numerous studies have found that washing with regular soap and warm water is just as effective at killing germs.

2. Coal Tar
Coal tar is a known human carcinogen used as an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and anti-itch creams. Coal-tar-based dyes such as FD&C Blue 1, used in toothpastes, and FD&C Green 3, used in mouthwash, have been found to be carcinogenic in animal studies when injected under skin.

3. Diethanolamine (DEA)
DEA is a possible hormone disruptor, has shown limited evidence of carcinogenicity and depletes the body of choline needed for fetal brain development. DEA can also show up as a contaminant in products containing related chemicals, such as cocamide DEA.

4. 1,4-Dioxane
1,4-Dioxane is a known animal carcinogen and a possible human carcinogen that can appear as a contaminant in products containing sodium laureth sulfate and ingredients that include the terms "PEG," "-xynol," "ceteareth," "oleth" and most other ethoxylated "eth" ingredients. The FDA monitors products for the contaminant but has not yet recommended an exposure limit. Manufacturers can remove dioxane through a process called vacuum stripping, but a small amount usually remains. A 2007 survey by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that most children's bath products contain 10 parts per million or less, but an earlier 2001 survey by the FDA found levels in excess of 85 parts per million.

5. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has a long list of adverse health effects, including immune-system toxicity, respiratory irritation and cancer in humans. Yet it still turns up in baby bath soap, nail polish, eyelash adhesive and hair dyes as a contaminant or break-down product of diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and quaternium compounds.

6. Fragrance
The catchall term "fragrance" may mask phthalates, which act as endocrine disruptors and may cause obesity and reproductive and developmental harm. Avoid phthalates by selecting essential-oil fragrances instead.

7. Lead and Mercury
Neurotoxic lead may appear in products as a naturally occurring contaminant of hydrated silica, one of the ingredients in toothpaste, and lead acetate is found in some brands of men's hair dye. Brain-damaging mercury, found in the preservative thimerosol, is used in some mascaras.

8. Nanoparticles
Tiny nanoparticles, which may penetrate the skin and damage brain cells, are appearing in an increasing number of cosmetics and sunscreens. Most problematic are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in sunscreens to make them transparent. When possible, look for sunscreens containing particles of these ingredients larger than 100 nanometers. You'll most likely need to call companies to confirm sizes, but a few manufacturers have started advertising their lack of nanoparticle-sized ingredients on labels. For a more complete discussion, see Screen Test: Reading the Micro-Fine Print.

9. Parabens(methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-)
Parabens, which have weak estrogenic effects, are common preservatives that appear in a wide array of toiletries. A study found that butyl paraben damaged sperm formation in the testes of mice, and a relative, sodium methylparaben, is banned in cosmetics by the E.U. Parabens break down in the body into p-hydroxybenzoic acid, which has estrogenic activity in human breast-cancer cell cultures.

10. Petroleum Distillates
Possible human carcinogens, petroleum distillates are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics in the E.U. but are found in several U.S. brands of mascara, foot-odor powder and other products. Look out for the terms "petroleum" or "liquid paraffin."

11. P-Phenylenediamine
Commonly found in hair dyes, this chemical can damage the nervous system, cause lung irritation and cause severe allergic reactions. It's also listed as 1,4-Benzenediamine; p-Phenyldiamine and 4-Phenylenediamine.

12. Hydroquinone
Found in skin lighteners and facial moisturizers, hydroquinone is neurotoxic and allergenic, and there's limited evidence that it may cause cancer in lab animals. It may also appear as an impurity not listed on ingredients labels.

What You Can Do
* Complain to your drugstore when you see unhealthy ingredients in their consumer products. They may be unaware.
* Visit www.safecosmetics.org/companies to find companies that have signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, a pledge to remove chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems.
* Take action in support of your right to buy safe personal care products at www.safecosmetics.org/action.
Resources
* Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: http://www.safecosmetics.org/
* Skin Deep: http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/
* National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database: http://www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

ball gains

Whittle your waist and torch hundreds of calories


If you liked pelting your crush with a rubber ball in PE, you'll love these moves designed by Steve Feinberg, an instructor at Equinox Fitness in New York City. This workout (based on a class Feinberg created called Speedball) combines high-intensity footwork with upper-body rotation--all while holding a 2- to 4-pound ball. Continue each move until you can't do another rep with perfect form. Rest up to 3 minutes, then repeat. Do the routine 3 nonconsecutive days a week.

Lighthouse
Grab a medicine ball with both hands and stand with feet wider than your hips. Raise the ball to shoulder height with arms straight but not locked. Bend your knees slightly, then rotate your arms and torso 90 degrees to the right, pivoting on the ball of your left foot and turning from your hips. Repeat to the opposite side.

Monkey Swing
Grab a medicine ball and stand with feet wider than your hips and toes turned out slightly. Lower the ball so it's between your legs. Lean forward until your torso is parallel to the floor and bend your knees deeply. Swing your upper body to the right, raising the ball to shoulder level and rotating your spine to the right. Pause, then swing the ball to the left, allowing the spine to rotate. Pause. Continue alternating.

Side Touch
Grab a medicine ball with both hands and stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold the ball against your chest. Step to your left, turning your foot out 45 degrees, and bend your left knee to 90 degrees. Rotate from your waist and touch the ball to the floor in front of your left toe. Lift the ball up, then quickly push off your left foot and rotate from your waist to the right while raising your right elbow up and behind you. Let your hips turn naturally and allow your left foot to slide in toward your body. Return to start and repeat the entire sequence with your right foot forward.


Feinberg designed an easier-to-grip ball that will be available this spring at Speedball Fitness.
Appeared in the January/February 2007 issue of Women's Health



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