Wednesday, August 29, 2012

You have the power to influence


Whether you’re reading to be encouraged, inspired, or simply to do life with some else.

I totally understand the life's struggles and couldn’t be more proud of you for looking to make a change.  The road to living the life you desire to live can be a lonely one, so to keep you on the path to being the best version of you, I'll try to provide you with motivation in as many forms as we can.

Below is a gallery of some motivational pictures and quotes that have helped family members, friends, and myself to the next level and I’m confident that it will do the same for you.

If you take one person and have them training hard in front of 5 people, their hard work is contagious and will inspire some, if not all 5, of the witnesses to step their game up.

You have the power to influence - Make it happen and spread the virus of inspiration!









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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

INSPIRATION from the PARALYMIC Games



Speed, strength, power and stamina will be on display during the Athletics competition, the largest sport at the Paralympic Games. 1,100 athletes compete for 170 gold medals across track, field and road events.  Some athletes compete in wheelchairs or throwing frames, others with prostheses, and others with the guidance of a sighted companion.

I can only imagine the hurtles each individual athlete has overcome - to hear each of their stories. 

The basics

There are three main strands to the Athletics competition:
1. Track events: divided into sprints, middle distance, long distance events and relays.
2. Field events: divided into throwing and jumping.
3. Road events: the Marathon.



Competition format
The majority of races on the track start with heats, with the fastest athletes progressing to semi-finals and the best athlete eventually winning in the final. No track event will have more than three stages – heats, semi-finals, final.
All field events are straight finals, although in some seated throw competitions, in which large numbers of athletes are entered, the athletes start their competition in two groups and the best eight compete together for their final three trials.
Refer to the competition format pages for each of the men's and women's Athletics events for more information

Competition dates

Friday 31 August – Sunday 9 September

Competition venues

Olympic Park – Olympic Stadium (track and field events)
The Mall (Marathon)

Number of medal events

There are 170 medal events in total: 96 track, 70 field, and four road.

Number of competitors

1,100 – 740 men, 360 women
Each country has been given a quota, which is limited to 80 athletes across all events.

Classification

To ensure competition is fair, athletes are grouped into classes according to how much their impairment impacts on their event-specific performance.

Classes 11–13 are for athletes with a visual impairment.
Class 20 is for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Classes 31–38 are for athletes with cerebral palsy, with classes 31 to 34 using a wheelchair to compete.
Classes 40–46 are for athletes with a loss of limb or limb deficiency.
Classes 51–58 cover wheelchair racers or field athletes who throw from a seated position.
In each class, the first digit indicates the nature of an athlete’s impairment, and the second indicates the amount of functional ability the athlete has. The lower the second number, the greater the impact on their ability to compete.
A T or an F before each two-digit number shows whether the athlete is competing in a track event or a field event.
Read more about Paralympic Athletics classification

Field of play

The athletics track at the Olympic Stadium is a 400m oval – for all track events the finish line is in the same place, at the end of the ‘home’ straight. Within and around the track are the fields of play for the field events – High Jump landing areas, Long Jump and Triple Jump pits, circles for the Discus Throw, Club Throw, Shot Put and Seated Javelin and Javelin Throw runway for ambulatory throwers.
The Mall, near Buckingham Palace in central London, provides the start and finish for the Marathon, which is run through the streets of London as far east as Tower Hill.
Download a map of the Marathon route

History of Athletics at the Paralympics

Part of the Paralympic programme since the first Games in Rome in 1960, the sport of Athletics has produced some of the most iconic images in the history of the Paralympic movement, with legendary figures such as Louise Sauvage, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Oscar Pistorius making their names before a worldwide audience.

Officials

Athletics events need a large number of officials. These include starters, judges, jumps and throws referees, photo finish operators, umpires and many others needed to ensure that the events run smoothly, to time and that athletes compete within the rules.

Keys to success

Whilst the concept of most athletics disciplines is simple: running faster, throwing further or jumping a greater distance, the winning margins are usually tiny. A fraction of a second or a centimetre is often the  difference between a gold medal and coming fourth. Athletics is such a technical sport that every aspect of an athlete’s performance must be perfect on the day to ensure they finish ahead of their rivals.

Breaking the rules

Athletes across all events can be penalised for a variety of infringements – a false start on the track or a foot fault in the jumps, a disallowed changeover in the relays, or an illegal technique in the throws.
Wheelchair athletes will be penalised for illegal overtaking, and visually impaired athletes who use a guide runner must cross the finish line before their guide or they will be disqualified. There are quite complex rules about the way seated throwers must complete their attempt.
For more information on the rules and competition format, please refer to the website of the International Paralympic Committee

Jargon buster

Cage: The area from which competitors throw a discus or club. The mouth of the cage is 6m wide, and sits 7m in front of the centre of the throwing circle.
Countback: The process used to determine the winner of any field event in which two or more athletes are tied.
Guide runner: Visually impaired runners use a guide runner, usually someone from their own country, to assist them in completing the course of a race safely and as quickly as possible by running alongside them during the race and guiding them to stay in their lane.
Lifting: When throwing from a throwing frame, seated athletes sometimes finish in a standing position before releasing the implement. This is called lifting, and is against the rules if the athlete doesn’t have a foot on the ground.
Points score: In field events that are contested by athletes from different classification groups, a points score will be used to determine the winners.

Get involved

If you want to find out about Athletics in your country, including clubs, facilities and coaching schemes, check the website of your National Governing Body. To find out how you can get involved in Athletics in the UK, go to thegamesandbeyond.com
For more information on the Athletics competition at London 2012 and the rules of the sport, go to the website of the International Paralympic Committee, governing body for the sport.


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Thursday, August 16, 2012

IMPROVE YOUR Marriage, Family, and SEX LIFE through EATING RIGHT


Is it really possible to IMPROVE YOUR Marriage, Family, and SEX LIFE through EATING RIGHT?
Yes, and my life is a living example of it!
So let's dive in and explore this theory....
Spinach and Other Green Vegetables
Spinach is a potent source of magnesium, which helps dilate blood vessels, according to Japanese researchers. Better blood flow to the genitals, as you've learned, creates greater arousal for men and women. Spinach and other green vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, Swiss chard, and bok choy are also good sources of our favorite sex nutrient—folate. Extra insurance for good reproductive health, folate may lower blood levels of a harmful substance called homocysteine. This abrasive amino acid irritates the lining of arteries and encourages plaque to adhere to it. A high level of homocysteine is a significant risk factor for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). But it appears that dietary folate is protective. In a study of 46,000 men. Harvard University researchers found that those who consumed the most folate daily were 30 percent less likely to develop PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) than men who ate the fewest folate-rich foods.

Unsweetened Tea
The antioxidant catechin found in tea promotes blood flow all over the body for sex power and brainpower; it enhances memory, mood, and focus. One particularly potent catechin, a compound called ECGC prevalent in green tea, is thought to increase fat burn. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who consumed the equivalent of three to five cups of green tea a day for 12 weeks experienced nearly a 5 percent reduction in bodyweight. Drink freshly brewed green or black tea every day-hot or iced. Bottled teas don't offer the same benefits. And keep the sugar out of it. Unsweetened tea is an excellent alternative to high-calorie, sugar-laden soft drinks and juices. One 12-ounce can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar in it. America is drinking itself into obesity! The high-fructose corn syrup in many soft drinks raises insulin levels, which can over time develop into diabetes. Studies also show that getting too much sugar lowers the body's ability to produce endorphins. Low endorphins can lead to depression, and know that depression sucks the life out of our sex drive.


Peaches and Other Fruit
If you are looking to add some deductions to your 1040 form, eat more grapefruit, oranges, and peaches. Men who consume at least 200 milligrams of vitamin C a day improve their sperm counts and motility, according to research at the University of Texas Medical Branch. In the study, 75 men ages 20 to 35 (all heavy smokers with poor sperm quality) were divided into three groups: two that took 200 and 1,000 mg of vitamin C, respectively, and a group that took a dummy pill. The daily vitamin C takers significantly improved the quality of their sperm, with the 1,000 mg group showing the greatest boost in sperm counts. In a later study, 30 infertile men were able to impregnate their partners after just 60 days of vitamin C supplementation. In some men, fertility was restored in just 4 days.

When in the produce aisle, also pick up some watermelon too. They are filled with high concentrations of the good-for-your-heart, good-for-sex phytonutrients lycopene, beta carotene, and, the big one, citrulline. Citrulline is particularly exciting for its ability to relax blood vessels, according to studies at Texas A&M University. When you eat watermelon, the citrulline is converted to the helpful amino acid arginine. "Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it," explains Bhimu Patil, PhD, director the Texas A&M's Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center.

Eggs
Over easy, hard-boiled, or scrambled, eggs aren't the most sensual food on the menu, but it's hard to beat them for a fit and healthy body inside and out. Eggs are rich in vitamins B6 and B5, which help balance hormone levels and ease stress, and are important for a healthy libido. Calorie for calorie, eggs deliver more biologically usable protein (if you eat the yolks) than any other food, including beef. Eggs are an excellent part of a weight-loss strategy thanks to their protein and B12, a vitamin that studies have shown is necessary for breaking down fat. One study in the International Journal of Obesity found that when overweight people ate two eggs or a bagel for breakfast 5 days a week for 8 weeks, those who ate the eggs lost 65 percent more weight (and lost it faster) than the bagel eaters.

Red Wine and Meat
Sounds like the makings of a good time to us! Italian researchers recently found that the antioxidants and alcohol in the wine may trigger the production of nitric oxide in the blood, which helps artery walls to relax, increasing blood flow to the genitals. Just limit yourselves to a glass or two. More alcohol than that can put a damper on sexual performance and lead to bed spins of a not-very-sexy nature. Worth noting: even teetotalers can benefit from the red grape. Dark grape juice contains antioxidant polyphenols that protect the cardiovascular system and help keep skin flexible and elastic.

That brings us to the meat of this entry. Red meat. Lean cuts are great sources of zinc, a mineral that curbs production of a hormone called prolactin, which at high levels can cause sexual dysfunction, according to Berman. Zinc is also a key muscle-building nutrient, and the high concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in beef, studies show, may spur weight loss. Choose filet mignon or other deep red cuts with round or loin in the name, because they are the leanest.

Seeds and Nuts
Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, walnuts, and other nuts all contain the necessary monounsaturated fats with which your body creates cholesterol—and your sex hormones need that cholesterol to work properly. That's something the ancient Romans didn't know when they tossed walnuts at newlyweds for good breeding luck. Long linked to fertility—the shell, of course, resembles a man's cojones; the inside meat is vulvalike in form—nuts make a perfectly sexy snack. Packed with muscle-building protein and filling fiber, they are a heart-healthy, albeit calorie-dense, treat.

Pistachios contain plant cholesterol that can produce a 10-point drop in your triglycerides and a 16-point decline in your LDL (bad) cholesterol, reports the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Brazil nuts are the richest source of selenium—a mineral that has been linked to preventing cancers of the prostate and colon—you can eat. Pecans deliver the most antioxidants of any nut. Adding them to your diet may reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Walnuts, almonds, and other nuts also reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, and a compound called lipoprotein(a) that increases clotting and can lead to a stroke, according to a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. (Are you getting the point yet why we're nuts for nuts?) Sunflower seeds pack the highest natural vitamin E content of any food. "No antioxidant is more effective at fighting the aging effects of free radicals," says Barry Swanson, PhD, a professor of food science at Washington State University.

Beans and Extra Protein
Protein is so important to weight maintenance that you should eat it with every meal and snack. Proteins boost metabolism a little more during digestion than any other type of food. Plus protein increases metabolism by helping to build muscle and stall the muscle loss that naturally happens as we age. Muscle is more metabolically active than fat is, so the more lean muscle on your body the better at burning calories it will be. Plus, well-toned abs and thighs are nice to look at when unadorned by clothing. So, how do you eat more protein without going overboard on eggs and meat? Beans—they're good for the heart and your glutes. Kidneys, garbanzos, black beans, and navy beans are full of muscle-building protein.

While they may not be the best choice for a side dish if you plan on sex for dessert, building your meal plan around a foundation of beans and legumes will ultimately pay off for you sexually. Many studies show that bean eaters are leaner and healthier than people who don't eat beans. According to one study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, people who eat 3/4 cup beans or legumes a day have lower blood pressure and smaller waists than people who get their protein from meat. Beans are also full of cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber. A quarter cup of red kidney beans delivers 3 grams of fiber, plus more than 6,000 disease-fighting antioxidants. Navy beans are particularly rich in potassium, which regulates blood pressure and heart contractions, something you'll need as your heart starts racing when he does that special move that makes you melt.
Fatty Fish
If, as doctors like to say, what's good for your heart is good for your love life, oily coldwater fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna should figure heavily into your weekly meal rotation. The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA found in fish help to raise dopamine levels in the brain that trigger arousal, according to sexologist Yvonne K. Fulbright, PhD. Other health benefits: anti-inflammatory properties that fight blood clots and heart arrhythmias, better brain function, and protection against dementia. Studies show that omega-3s can also reduce symptoms of depression. Research from the University of Pittsburgh showed that people with high omega-3 blood levels were happier and more agreeable. Tell us that can't help you get more sex! Fish is one of the many healthy foods that contain the amino acid L-arginine, which stimulates the release of growth hormone among other substances and is converted into nitric oxide in the body. It's worth repeating: nitric oxide is critical for erections and it can help women's sexual function as well by causing blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow.

Oatmeal and Other Whole Grains
Eating oatmeal is one of the few natural ways to boost testosterone in the bloodstream. The male hormone plays a significant role in sex drive and orgasm strength in both men and women. Oats (as well as seeds, ginseng, nuts, dairy, and green vegetables) contain L-arginine, an amino acid that enhances the effect nitric oxide has on reducing blood vessel stiffness. L-arginine has been used to treat erectile dysfunction. Like Viagra, it helps relax muscles around blood vessels in the penis. When they dilate, blood flow increases so a man can maintain an erection. Oatmeal and other whole grains like whole-grain bread, brown rice, and barley also qualify as good-for-the-heart, better-for-the-gut foods. They are slow-burning, complex carbohydrates that won't drive your blood sugar through the roof. They keep you feeling fuller longer and provide excellent energy. Try a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with fresh berries and bananas with a drizzle of honey before your next marathon sex session.

Oysters and Other Shellfish
In addition to their reputation as the ultimate aphrodisiac (thanks to their resemblance to female genitalia), raw oysters actually do have a connection to sexual function. Oysters hold more zinc than most any other food, and it is believed that this mineral may enhance libido by helping with testosterone production--higher levels of the hormone are linked to an increase in desire. Zinc is also crucial to healthy sperm production and blood circulation. While Casanova reportedly ate 50 raw oysters a day, about six will provide double the recommended daily allowance of 15 mg of zinc. To spice things up a bit, try a few dashes of hot sauce on your raw oysters. Other good sources of zinc are shrimp, red meat, pumpkin seeds, poultry and pork, eggs, and dairy products.

Dark Chocolate
Devouring something gooey and decadent is incredibly sensual. Dark chocolate, in particular, contains a compound called phenylethylamine that releases the same endorphins triggered by sex, and increases the feelings of attraction between two people, according to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. In fact, brain scans in a British study showed that eating chocolate causes a more intense and longer brainbuzz than kissing does. In this study researchers monitored the brains and heart rates of couples while they kissed passionately or ate chocolate. The brains of both men and women showed greater stimulation while the chocolate melted on their tongues than when their tongues were tied in a passionate kiss.

What's the "healthiest" chocolate? The disease-fighting flavonols that make dark chocolate good for the body also cause the bitterness. To balance flavor and health benefits, try dark chocolate with 70 percent cacao, recommends Jeffrey Blumberg, PhD, who directs the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at Tufts University A 2-inch square chunk, at about 100 calories, will deliver a healthy treat without messing with your weight-management efforts.


Strawberries and Other Berries
Red is sexy. Red roses, sports cars, slinky red dresses. Strawberries. Researchers at the University of Rochester conducted experiments on undergraduate students to see if there was any real connection between the color and sex. In one, male and female students viewed images of women on red or white backgrounds. The men found a woman's image on red more attractive than on white, while the female students did not. In another test, men were asked to rate attractiveness of pictures of women on red, white, gray, green, or blue backgrounds. As expected, the men scored the women on red as more sexually attractive. They also said they would spend more money on the women in red than on those in the other colors.

Strawberries can be considered sexy for another reason besides their sensual color: they are high in the B vitamin folate that helps prevent birth defects, and vitamin C, a potential libido booster. Strawberries dipped in melted dark chocolate anyone? Or how about the classic strawberries and whipped cream? Blueberries (and blackberries) are just as sexy. Ideal for a great morning-after breakfast in bed, so you have energy for round 2, both berries contain compounds that are thought to relax blood vessels and improve circulation for a natural Viagra-like effect. Plus, they are tremendous workhorses for pushing excess cholesterol through your digestive system before it can be broken down, absorbed, and deposited along the walls of your arteries.

Sexologists, cardiologists, and psychologists agree: how much you consume has a huge impact on your sexual health. Exactly what you eat is critically important, too. "Essentially, what's good for your heart is good for better sex," declares Steven Lamm, MD, a faculty member at New York School of Medicine, and author of The Hardness Factor: How to Achieve Your Best Health and Sexual Fitness at Any Age. And what exactly are those sexy eats? We're glad you asked. In this slideshow, you'll find a well-balanced menu to prepare your body and brain for the bedroom. Building more of these super sex foods into your daily diet is one of the easiest (and tastiest) ways to improve your optimal health.


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Thursday, August 9, 2012

My TOP 10+ life moments WORTH CELEBRATING

1) The first time you're picked last. First thought: I suck. Second: I'll show them. That mojo can last a lifetime. 

2) The first time you dump a girl. Maybe you're stronger than you think.

3) Your first paycheck. It gave you a one-two combination punch from the invisible hand of capitalism, the first being that yes, taxes suck. The second: This is not nearly enough dough. Both fueled your ambition to earn more zeros. And still should.

4) The first time you stay out all night and see the sunrise. Freedom. Hope. Endless possibilities. Attack every dawn with that mix of surprise, awe, and optimism.
 
5) The first time you fight the Man and win. Who knew that Tom over in the passport office had the power to renew yours on the spot? Goliath, when properly motivated, will cradle David in his big paw.

6) The first time you talk your way out of a ticket. It teaches you that most cops are just trying to avoid pulling you out of yet another bloody wreck, and makes you accelerate more attentively next time. You just don't know what might be around that corner, do you?

7) The first time you see your father as a man, complete with flaws, unfulfilled dreams, and unchained lust. Your mission: Learn from him, but don't repeat after him.






 
8) Your first medical scare. Next time you're in the drive-thru or at the gym, remember that panic.
 
9) Your first wedding as a groomsman. You looked your best, and you had that genuine pang of hope that someday you'd find the woman of your dreams—and just maybe she'd just be that hot bridesmaid on the dance floor.

10) Your wedding. You looked your best and you had that genuine dream that this moment would never end — the woman of your dreams—she's the hottest brides dancing in your arms — "simply unforgettable."








11) The birth of your kid(s).   Hope. Dreams.  Fear.  Adrenaline.  Endless emotions.  A priceless / unforgettable moment.

12) The first time you ask your kid for advice. He'll be more likely to take your counsel if he's also sharing, so give him some choice research projects: Find the next car, the right home-theater setup, the smart college.
 

13) Your first gray hair. You should understand by now that that's a blessing, not a curse.

14) The first time your 401(k) number surpasses your annual earnings. It means you'll be buying and not serving the latte at Starbucks in 2051.


15) The first time your empty your saving account to survive.  Fear, questions, and uncertain times.  You wonder if you'll ever get it back and then an elderly man tell you his story.  You walk away shaking and with an attitude that says, "BRING IT! I CAN!"

13) The first time you realize that dropping a compliment can motivate change more effectively than issuing a command. The breadcrumb trail works better than the whiplash.

Monday, August 6, 2012

My TRUST Issues

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

 

OBSERVATION     
Trust requires me to be dependance on someone else.  

Why is it so hard for me to completely “trust” in the LORD?  Why is it so difficult for me to “trust” others? 

            Being let down....  past hurts.... fear.... control....

            Okay, let’s look at the rest of verse 5 and 6.... .... God, if I am totally honest - I trust my understanding more than YOURS.  Why? Nothing is better than my ways - I think so high of my own opinion.


APPLICATION =A:
            Okay, how can I apply this to my life?

            1.     Acknowledge that all my “great” ideas ultimately come for YOU.

            2.     I need to take baby steps of trust.... as I develop a relationship with YOU. 
               
                How?     Make time to be with YOU
                        To sit, to read, to listen and interact with YOU.

PRAYER
            God, trust requires an action of me.... to be still.... to interact.... and to respond.  Jesus, help me make time to YOU.  Help me learn to be still and respond to what Your teaching me.  - Trevor


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