Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Tips for Best Diet Snacks - 100 Calorie

There are some best diet snacks - 100 Calorie


1. Olivia Munn reaches for celery with peanut butter to combat snack cravings. "It's my favorite healthy snack," the Magic Mike star says. One tablespoon of peanut butter paired with one medium celery stock equals 100 calories.

2. 1 slice turkey breast with 1 slice swiss cheese

3. When Jennifer Love Hewitt is craving something sweet, she reaches for watermelon. "It makes you feel like you're eating something bad for you," Hewitt explains of the fruit, 2 1/2 cups of which equal 100 calories.

4. 1 1/2-ounce part-skim mozzarella on a tomato slice

5. "Who doesn't love popcorn?!" argues Scandal's Kerry Washington, who could munch on three cups of the air-popped treat for 100 calories.

6. 3 Clementines

7. Natural foods chef Bethenny Frankel uses almonds in many of her Skinnygirl recipes. "[Almonds are in] my Skinnygirl On-The-Go Nutritional bars and my recipes for oatmeal and granola," says Frankel, who could snack on 14 nuts for 100 calories.

8. 2 tablespoons hummus with 11 baby carrots

9. Alec Baldwin's yoga instructor wife Hilaria Baldwin reaches for the portable snack -- 1 medium apple equates to 100 calories -- when on the go.

10. 1 cup chopped mango

11. 15 raspberries

12. "I feel energized and not sluggish," red pepper fan Karina Smirnoff says after munching on the veggie. "I'm a strong believer in listening to your body."

13. 1/2 cup edamame

14. "I love guacamole! Every time I'm up for a snack that would by choice," says Alessandra Ambrosio, who could snack on two tablespoons of guacamole and five tortilla chips for just 100 calories.

15. 2 bars fruit leather

7 Diet Secrets of the Stars

 7 Diet Secrets of the Stars , There are seven diet secrets of stars that can tou try to tips how to diet.


1. Develop a Routine You Can Stick To, After welcoming son Noah in September 2012, This Is 40 actress Megan Fox has lost most of her 23 pregnancy pounds. "The key was her pre-baby body," trainer Harley Pasternak tells Us. Having kept up her workouts while pregnant, Fox now says, "I eat what I want."

2. Have the Right Foods on Hand, Having lost a whopping 80 lbs. on Weight Watchers, busy mom Jennifer Hudson rids her cupboards of temptations, like banana pudding. "Why put it in my domain?" says the star, who stocks up on chicken and egg whites instead.

3. Find a Balance, "I do exercise, but I don't diet," says 5-foot-7 Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence. Vowing to never starve herself for a part, the Hunger Games star strives to stay trim, not thin. "[I want] to look fit and strong."

4. Indulge - in Moderation, For Private Practice star Kate Walsh, moderation is key. "I try to eat healthy and stay away from processed foods, but I still love potato chips," says 5-foot-9 star, who does Pilates with pro Juliet Kaska and jogs around L.A.'s Silver Lake reservoir to work up a sweat.

5. Try a New Exercise, No wonder she's ripped! Extra cohost Maria Menounos mixes up her sweat sessions to include activities like circuit training, Pilates, yoga and basketball. "I'm active!" she tells Us. "When I can't work out, I walk my dogs."

6. Start Small, "I didn't come up with a revolutionary new diet. I did this 5 pounds at a time," Retired at 35's Marissa Jaret Winokur reasons after having lost 60 pounds in seven months. "It wasn't about dress size. It was about health."

7. Snack Smart, Superfit supermodel mom Heidi Klum, who runs four miles a day, keeps her figure in check by noshing on healthy snacks. Among her favorites? Kale and Kohlrabi, a German cabbage. "I cut that up instead of an apple," Klum says. "I love it!"(usmagazine.com)

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Tips To Throw a Baby Shower

This is where a baby shower comes in handy. Baby shower gifts are the best way for a new mother to receive almost everything she needs for the new baby at no cost to her. These items will be given as gifts from friends and family. Baby showers are also a great time for everyone to come together and celebrate the arrival of the new baby. Here are all the details you need to think about in order to have a successful baby shower:

Set the date, time and location: Baby showers are usually held about four to six weeks before the baby's due date. You will need to choose the date you prefer to hold the baby shower, allowing sufficient time for the guests to be notified and to make plans of attending. You will also need to set up a time for the party to start. Then you need to pick the location. Will you hold the baby shower at your house, a park or maybe a restaurant? Make sure you specify the location to the guests.

Choose a theme: In order to decorate a baby shower so everything flows easily together, you will need a theme. Themes can be chosen in many ways. The most common is color specified by gender. For instance, pink for a girl or blue for a boy. Of course other color themes can be used depending on what the mother-to-be will be using to decorate such things as the nursery. Another theme would be based on baby accessories such as a baby bottle, pacifier and diaper pins. Then there is the character-themed baby shower. Sesame Street, Precious Moments or Looney Tunes are always popular ones. Another fun theme is a time-of-day baby shower. For this theme party, you would have each guest bring a gift according to a time of day the baby would use that item.

Write down the guest list: You will need to make a list of all the guests you intend to invite. Brainstorming and writing all the names down will ensure you don't forget anyone. It is best to double-check the final baby shower invitations with the list to be sure you didn't leave anyone out.

Decide on the menu: What do you want to serve? You can choose to serve a full meal or simply entrees. If you are going to be hosting the baby shower at a restaurant, make sure you set up the menu with them and work in all costs (whether you will be paying for everything or if the guests will be paying for their own meals).

Plan the games: Baby showers aren't complete without games. There are a variety of baby shower games that you can choose from. Pick ones that your guests and the mother-to-be will enjoy. Some popular ones are "guess the belly size", "remember the baby items", "how many words can you make from the baby's name", and "cotton ball pick-up". Don't forget to buy little gifts for the winners of the games. These can be simple and inexpensive items such as candles or body spray, or fun socks.

Create baby shower favors: Baby shower favors are a great way for guests to take home a memento of the new baby. Personalize them with the baby's name for memories. Adorable baby-themed items can be picked up for a great price from most 99 cent stores, such as little ceramic or porcelain figures.

Don't forget the thank you cards: Keep track of what gift each guest brought. Then be sure to send out baby shower thank you cards to the guests for the certain gift. This is just a little way of showing guest you appreciate the items you received from them.(howtodothings.com)

Tips to Choose Diapers Bag

Choosing a diaper bag of course not only with low price but the most important thing we have to do get the benefit of diaper bags that we buy. Fortunately, there are several strong brands in the market that specifically design diaper bag for you and your baby. The following tips for buying a diaper bag

Who will be using the bag? You or your partner may not want to walk around carrying a bright pink bag. If both partners will be using the diaper bag, it is probably best to consider purchasing something both partners will like.

Does your baby go to the sitter or a daycare? If so, you will need to buy a bag with plenty of room to fit all of babies needs for a day. Make sure you will be able to fit several diapers, a wipe case, bottles, formula, water, a change of clothes, and a few of baby's favorite toys in to the bag.

Do you stay at home with your baby and just need a bag for quick trips to the store or play group? If you stay at home, then it is most likely you can get by with a small bag that will hold a few diapers, a quick change of clothes and a travel pack of wipes.

Are you cloth diapering? If you are cloth diapering, you will need to remember to buy a bag big enough to put your dirties in. A bag with a separate, lined zipper pocket would be best, so you can keep your dirty diapers separate from the rest of babies stuff.

Do you formula feed or breast feed? If you formula feed, you will need to make sure that your diaper bag has room for formula and water. A good item to look for in a diaper bag is a bottle holder, and bottle pockets on the ends of the bag. If your are breast feeding and need to carry a pump with you, take the extra space required for this item into consideration.

Do you plan on your diaper bag doubling as your purse when you are with baby? Make sure that the bag has a few extra pockets to help organize YOUR things. Many new diaper bags even come with pockets for cell phones, camera's, laptops, and wallets for mom and dad.

Keep price in mind. You don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a bag when you can only afford to spend $20-$30. Don't settle for the first bag you see that fits your budget though, look until you find one that fits all your needs and your budget!(howtodothins.com)

Tips To Buy Cheaper Disposable Diapers

If you every month always spend more just to buy diapers for your baby may need to read saving tips in buying baby diapers from me. For those who currently have baby diapers maybe shopping is a routine activity that can not be avoided, I mean the diapers diaper wearing a one-time direct disposal. Here are tips to save money in shopping for Disposable Diapers

Visit warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club where you can buy diapers in bulk. The brands they carry are lower-priced but still of the same quality as the more pricey and well-known brands. This can bring the price per diaper much lower than the average. Buying diapers in bulk except for the newborn will save you from frequent trips to the store for diapers as these come in big boxes.

Well-known and heavily advertised diaper brands are more expensive than supermarket and generic counterparts. The supermarket and generic brands are exactly like the more expensive brands but they cost less because you do not pay for the extravagant packaging and advertising and marketing costs that are included in the price of the popular brands. Walmart and Target are good stores to check for their own quality and low priced disposable diapers.

Generic diapers are usually smaller than popular diaper brands so make sure that you get one size bigger when you buy them. Make sure that you get a size that will be a comfortable fit for your baby. Remember that even if the price is the same for a larger sized diaper and a one that is one-size smaller, there are fewer diapers in a larger sized diaper package.

Check online stores that sell disposable diapers much lower than regular stores. Calculate the cost per diaper so that you will have a general idea if you are actually going to save when buying disposable diapers online. You have to factor in the shipping cost in the calculation of the cost per diaper. Diapies R Us offers disposable diapers in bulk. An order is for an average monthly consumption. You can make single order or place continuous regular order at a pre-arranged frequency. The price per box includes shipping. At about $55 per box of 240 diapers, inclusive of shipping, this is a great bargain.

Use diaper coupons found in newspapers and online blogs on parenting and motherhood. You can enlist your family members and friends to collect coupons for you. Coupons will bring you big savings and you can try out different diaper brands at the same time.

Use alternative sources when you want to look for cheaper disposable diapers. You do not necessarily have to buy branded diapers to keep your baby clean and dry as generic brands are the same and/or comparable to these branded diapers. Save more by not throwing away disposable diapers with ripped off tabs. You can replace them with masking or clear adhesive tapes and they will still work perfectly. (wikihow)

Friday, January 25, 2013

How is Muslim Wedding ?

How is Muslim Wedding ?


Muslims who come from Muslim families sometimes want to part with tradition, especially when wedding traditions require elaborate affairs that are out of the couple's budget. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) had very simple weddings, as did his contemporaries. Whether you want a 10-day extravaganza or an austere ceremony, a few details are essential.

Secure the required elements of a valid Muslim marriage: negotiate agreeable marriage terms, including a dower. A dower is a gift from the groom to the bride. Her family's culture may specify a gift, but anything permissible for a Muslim to own that is mutually agreed upon is allowed. The dower will be listed on your written marriage agreement, which is similar to the Jewish ketubah and can be enforceable in civil courts under certain conditions. The marriage agreement, known as the kitab al-nikah or colloquially as the kitab, contains conditions that the couple agree upon that will be adhered to in the course of the marriage and govern some aspects of divorce.For some Muslims, a guardian or proxy to consent on behalf of the woman is required. Consult the woman's family if they are Muslim, or the imam at the mosque you attend if they are not, to select such a guardian or proxy. Determine who you would like to serve as witnesses. There must be at least two Muslim adults, and preferably at least one should be male.

Plan the elements that you would like for the marriage ceremony. This can be as simple as signing the marriage agreement with witnesses at home or in the office at the mosque, or a lavish affair with a procession. It is traditional for the officiant to give a short sermon on the important of marriage, but not required for a valid marriage. The only required elements of the ceremony are the proposal of marriage, the consent of the other party, the transfer of the dower, and the acknowledgement of the witnesses.

Plan and hold the walimah, or wedding feast. This can be as simple as tea and cake, or a multi-course meal. This is very similar to non-Muslim wedding receptions. While the details of the walimah are technically up to the couple, this is the area where cultural traditions and familial preferences may have a strong sway.

Plan a Wedding in Three Months

Develop a final three months countdown so that nothing is left to chance. The plan for these last three months needs to be tailored to your own, this is tips to plan a wedding in three months

3 months to go:
  • Finalize the vows; choose them and write if doing so
  • Buy or make wedding accessories, such as the ring bearer pillow, toasting glasses, favors, unity candle, guestbook, flower baskets, etc.
  • Book hair, nail and makeup appointments
  • Prepare the ceremony program but be prepared for last minute revisions
  • Plan the seating arrangements for the reception; again, plan for last minute revisions.

2 months to go:
  • Mail the invitations
  • Schedule a wedding dress fitting, it might be your first or one of several
  • Apply for the marriage license (this may vary depending on your location, check local laws)
  • Attend showers, if any
  • Buy or make gifts for members of the bridal party

1 month to go:
  • Finalize all plans for the wedding ceremony
  • Check that all bookings for hotels, transportation, venues, guest arrangements, etc. are as they should be
  • Pick up the wedding rings if you haven't already done so
  • Continue with dress fittings (many brides lose or perhaps even gain weight from stress, so final fittings should be as close to the time as possible, to ensure perfect fit)

3 weeks to go:
  • Write up the place seating cards
  • Continue with any fittings
  • Check that you have relevant gifts for people
  • Chase up anyone who has not yet sent an RSVP to your invitations––you may prefer to have bridesmaids do this

2 weeks to go:
  • Get the honeymoon packing done so that it's not worrying you
  • Have last alterations made to dress; it should be ready by now
  • Check all bills and make sure that all of your suppliers have been properly paid
  • Follow up any loose ends, especially anything that is worrying you
  • Have a hair trim

1 week to go:
  • Aim to stay as relaxed as possible; you should have done most of it by now!
  • Collect your wedding dress if not done already, as well as any last accessories and shoes
  • Keep everything in one place, covered and away from pets, kids and nosy people
  • Enjoy your hen's night (bachelorette party) or buck's night (bachelor party)
  • Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
  • Go over your vows but don't obsess
  • Relax!

20 Tips to Plan your wedding

It's 20 Tips to Plan your wedding Ultimately, the key is to stay organized and to give yourself plenty of time to achieve everything. Another key element is to not over-stretch yourself financially or energy-wise; this way, you'll find the planning process a lot smoother. A meaningful wedding requires planning and creative input from both partners and perhaps also from family members and friends whom they've decided to include in the planning preparations. It can be a wonderful part of life but it can also be a very challenging and even stressful one; indeed, you can be assured that some plans won't go as you'd like them to, so plan for that eventuality too!

1. Set a budget. It's important to stick to a budget and to keep your wishes realistic. While this is a very special day in your life, it's not an excuse to be wildly extravagant with money you don't have. Remind yourself when you feel like fretting that you can't have all the things you'd like that you still have many wonderful days ahead and you don't want these marred by an unplanned overspend.

2. Set the timeline for planning. Of all things about your planning, this is the most important aspect. You need to develop a sensible, reasonable timeline depending on how much time you've given yourselves. Begin with a calendar before you and suggested timelines you find in wedding guide books (borrow these from the library to save money and space). In general, you're likely to find that most books assume you have around 12 months to plan your wedding; if you've less time, adjust the timeline accordingly. Timeline suggestions will be provided throughout this article.

3. Choose the method for your record-keeping. You'll need to keep tabs of everything you've already decided and what's planned ahead. Also, invoices, quotes, receipts, seating plans, photos of desired decorations/clothing, patterns, instructions, etc. will need to be kept in one place, so have at least one large plastic pocket to keep these in one place. If you're more organized, use a few pockets.

4. Decide on the size of your wedding. Remember to talk this over with your fiance. A dream wedding for one may not be for the other. You'll need to know how many people are going to attend for the purposes of venues, catering and invitations.

5. Choose the venue. The sooner this is done, the better so that you know you have the place you really want. Check out the spaces offered, the catering deals, the marriage fees, the ability to decorate a church or wedding space, etc. Find out whether the prices quoted cover everything or whether you'll be expected to pay for extras.

6. Set the date. The factors in choosing a date include the availability of your venue, friends and family. Think about who you must have at your wedding, and try to set the date around them.

7. Choose a theme. It doesn't have to be anything really specific, but you want there to be a consistent feeling throughout. Make sure the theme is easy to plan and decorate. Everything should be consistent with the theme.

8. Send out the wedding invitations. Research into the design of your wedding invitations when you still have around 10 months to go, and work on purchasing or ordering their printing when there are about six months to go. Leave plenty of time if you're making your own and always have plenty of spares, as making a mistake now and then in writing or making them is inevitable.

9. Choose your officiant. For a faith-based wedding, you'll be looking for a pastor, priest, minister or rabbi. If they don't charge a fee outright to perform the ceremony, be courteous to pay a generous gratuity for their time. For a secular based wedding, choose a wedding officiant, judge or person with authority to marry people who is both available on the date and amenable to any particular special requests you have by way of vows and ceremony.

10. Research, design and order your wedding dress. Around the mark of nine months to go, start researching your wedding dress ideas. Are you having one custom made or purchasing off-the-rack? Either way, you'll possibly need several fittings and adjustments to perfect it. Alternatively, make your own or steer clear of traditional wedding dresses and buy a dress that you simply love and know you can wear again after the wedding. You don't have to stick with tradition or spend a fortune on something you'll never use again.

11. Select the wedding rings. This is a fun task to do together, and symbolizes your devotion to each other. Most couples get matching rings to show that they complete one another's soul. If you're having rings specially made up, leave plenty of time and be prepared to get to learn more than you ever cared to know about gold and the origins of it (as in, whether or not it has been sourced equitably). Make the right decisions by doing your research.

12. Find a photographer and/or a videographer. Consider using a professional for this special occasion, and make sure that this person is reliable so that you don't have to worry about him or her forgetting your wedding or stuffing it up. There are just too many stories of relying on friends or family to do this aspect and years of regret as to fuzzy, out-of-focus shots or no footage at all because the photographer got carried away doing something else... Ask for recommendations from friends who have married recently and ask to see portfolios at the business premises.

13. Hire your entertainment. Decide on whether you're going to have a quartet, orchestra, band or a DJ. It's not recommended to do this part yourself with an iPod; there is more to wedding entertainment than just music! Professional musicians will keep the flow of the event, make announcements, and plan all your special events with you. Each has its advantages and limitations depending on what you're seeking. Music students at college/university level are definitely worth considering as they will be at the peak of their abilities and a lot cheaper than professional musicians, and many of them crave chances for a public performance.

14. Decide what type of food and refreshments you will offer at the reception dinner. Try to find a happy medium between what would please your guests and what you can afford. Weigh the pros and cons of hiring a professional caterer, as it's not cheap, but it's one less thing you'll have to handle personally. Some couples choose to base the menu on the culture of the family, or go for something that most people like, such as Italian or Asian fusion.

15. Pick a cake. Before settling on a cake it's best to have a tasting first. Also look into a cake that will match your theme, and please both the bride and groom. Sample cakes around eight months before the wedding and select the design at this time. Check in on the baker again a few months prior to the wedding to be reassured that your order is still on the books and ready to go as planned. It's best to have the cake delivered directly to the reception venue.

16. Register for gifts when there are about 9 months to go until your wedding. This gives guests plenty of time to check your list and get the gifts.

17. Choose suitable transportation. If you have multiple venues, plan how you will travel from the ceremony location to the reception location. Some couples may choose to rent a limousine or ride in a classic car. Others like horse-drawn carriages. If it's popular with other people, book early. If it's your own cars, book them in for cleaning and detail a week before the wedding.

18. Research the honeymoon locations and the wedding night room. Many couples book a “honeymoon” suite the night of their wedding. Also, you may need to reserve a block of rooms for guests that will be attending your wedding from interstate or overseas.

Booking as a group will usually ensure they all get the best rate but this should be done well in advance of the wedding, at least four months in advance. As for the honeymoon, start researching where to go when there are about 8 months to go, so as to take advantage of special deals and good prices. Book as soon as possible but always build flexibility into the bookings in case of the need for cancellation; it is better to pay a little more and get most of your money back if something prevents the travel (such as illness, postponing the wedding, etc.) than to get back nothing.

19. Plan the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. This should be planned about five months before the wedding date, including booking the site for the rehearsal dinner. In addition, let those attending know early on. These events are held within the week leading up to the wedding.

20. Develop a final three months countdown so that nothing is left to chance. The plan for these last three months needs to be tailored to your own.(wikihow.com)