Thursday, June 25, 2009

What Is The Jessica Secret School of Charm



Some people are born with the natural ability to charm the birds out of the trees, and they sail happily through life attracting opportunities, love and wealth around every corner. They are so charming you feel lucky to be in their prescence, and somehow or other they make every person in a group feel special. They effortlessly blend in at any social gathering, they are loved by both men and women, children and older people, and they manage to look good regardless of their clothes or a bad hair day. For the rest of us there are make-overs, rigorous health and fitness regimes, confidence building courses to attend, botox etc. and even then we still shuffle around in the shadow of the natural charmer.

This was the case until recently. However the Jessica (Mistresses) Secret School of Charm has changed this for those who have been lucky enough to locate its underground location. The only public indications of the existence of the school are students seen with pink Laurige leather laptop bags. Rumour has it that students who graduate with flying colours are awarded a pink Laurige leather laptop bag.

It was only because of a tiny group that started off on one of the social networks, which was formed by some of the original students of the Jessica Secret School of Charm, that the underground school was known about at all. The rumours paint a picture of recruiters who filtrate organisations and handpick the most needy cases, who are then given scholarships to the school. It has been confirmed that it is not the actress, Shelley Conn, who plays the role of Jessica in Mistresses, who has set up the underground school. Although a name has not emerged as yet, a profile of the founder of the school has come to light.

The founder is a free-spirited, straight-talking woman who has witnessed hundreds of women over the years who have not been able to achieve their goals because of feeling overshadowed by others. These women have lived their lives gradually becoming less confident, losing their joie de vivre and generally wilting like dying flowers. In turn this is passed down to some of their children also, and if not stopped could continue to be passed from generation to generation.

One undercover journalist was granted an interview with “Jessica” which took place in a confessional, in a countryside church somewhere in Essex. She confirmed that there are future plans to launch an online version of the course so that it will be accessible to more women. She said that her graduates within months, and sometimes even weeks or days of graduating, have achieved goals which they had previously felt were impossible. Naturally the undercover journalist couldn't see her in the confessional, but said that he could tell she was incredibly attractive just by listening to her voice. When told about this comment “Jessica” was amused and said “how marvellous the powers of suggestion combined with confident body language are!”

The school is said to incorporate a variety of practices and psychology, including the use of props, which are considered to be highly important, such as a leather laptop bag. “Jessica” encourages people who wish to start focusing on these changes in their lives to buy one or a similar item which as be their first confidence prop.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Eating Blueberries and Pampering with I Coloniali for a Younger, Healthier You


Mother Nature never ceases to be amazing and there is always something new to learn about the bountiful gifts she has bestowed upon us, many of which we are oblivious to. Recently someone told me of the fantastic benefits of an indigo coloured super-fruit which turns out to be more than just a mouth-watering delight to your taste buds and senses. This fruit, the blueberry has a wide selection of micronutrients which not only protect your body from diseases but also aging. Being a believer in a health system that works both from inside out and outside in, eating blueberries and other power foods combined with skin nurturing treatments such as J & E Atkinsons I Coloniali, is the best way to go.

Blueberries have a high antioxidant value, along with blackberries, strawberries, and plums, they have the highest total antioxidant capacity of any food. They are regarded as one of the “superfuits” having not only antioxidant strength but also the promising combination of nutrient value, emerging research evidence for a range of health benefits, and also the versatility for manufacturing popular consumer products.

The skin benefits of blueberries are as antioxidants which are to aid in guarding the body against the damaging effects of free radicals to your cells and the potential chronic diseases associated with the type of aging. In the case of blueberries the antioxidants present in this fruit can protect the cell, so there is less chance for aging. They contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E in each cup of blueberries. They also contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants.

They can also help you achieve better balance and co-ordination. There was a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience which found that a diet loaded with blueberries counteracted poor balance and coordination.

And if that is not enough they can also prevent diseases such as cancer and other deadly diseases. They have anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, and tannins which may help prevent cancer by inhibiting some cancer mechanisms. These components protect the DNA from damage and disintegration caused by free radicals. A serving of blueberries provides has a relatively low glycemic load while providing a diverse range of nutrients, which also means there are fewer calories while receiving a serving full of phytochemicals and nutrients such as iron, vitamins C and E.

There have also been reports that blueberries and cranberries may improve the cognitive deterioration occurring in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions of aging. They can also help lower the damages of stroke. It has also been indicated that blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia that can also lead to potentially fatal heart disease.
The compound anthocyanin mentioned before is thought to slow down age-related loss in the mental capacity of humans. They give better functioning of motor behavioural learning and memory, and it is this compound that gives them their full colours.
So why not start today, go out and buy some blueberries incorporate them into your lifestyle. Remember that the skin products that you put on your skin are important but what you put inside that eventually takes part in the reconstruction of your body and health must be carefully selected. We recommend I Coloniali.

Friday, June 12, 2009

How To Make Your Man Less Vain But Healthier


Not being the vainest person on the planet it surprises me how certain men are becoming close to obsessive about their hair, skin and their overall looks. Do you think men are vain? Or is it just that they have a lot of catching up to do? Having football stars like David Beckham who really embraces his looks and style, no doubt with encouragement from Victoria, helps give permission to manly men to join the every growing forces of vain men. Is your man vain? Research shows that not only are they becoming more vain but they are now making an effort to stay younger as well as looking good every day.

Did you know that in 2005, over a million American men underwent skin treatments, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. On top of this there was a 44% increase in those who went for slightly invasive procedures for the sake of vanity between the years 2000 and 2005. Like most things is life there is a balance, and a man should be encouraged to present himself well, feel good and look good, without him becoming obsessed and eventually unattractive because his woman gets so bored with his beauty routine! There is nothing like making him feel special at the right stage, so like nipping it in the bud, and giving him gifts of pampering I Coloniali for Men. The psychology is making him feel supported but steering him in the right direction of not overdoing it.

Your encouragement can cover healthy and manly parts of a routine that contribute to his health, his looks and retaining a youthful appearance. The American Heart Association recommend for strength, endurance and fitness that a man should perform 8 to 10 types of workouts, repeated 8 to 15 times, and this should be done three times a week. Of course it is not only the gym where a man can do this. Get him out into the garden doing physical work that is productive while being a light to medium workout, hey depends on how your garden looks?

Regular exercise fights diminishing muscle strength, endurance, the reduction of bone density and muscle tone that brings on the ravages of age. So a manly healthy exercise routine should be encouraged for anti aging as well as health. Of course exercise makes you feel happier so you have a glow. When a person exercises damaging stress hormones are released, endorphins are generated (a feel good chemistry) and increased levels of serotonin all balancing the brain.

Apart from this healthy, manly and practical option, what else should you encourage your man to do? There are various manly age-defying skin treatments. Of course he should be taking care of his diet, while a balanced healthy diet can be very helpful for men to look young and well-rested, men can also do this by some skin treatments that do not require a needle and a knife.

One option is microdermabrasion where the dead skin cells are removed with a vacuum suction device. This will lessen ultra fine wrinkes, help daily skin treatments to be absorbed and give the skin a young glow. Chemical peels which are topical products allowing the peeling of any damaged surfaces of the skin. This also excites the production of collagen making the skin more youthful and firmer, also reducing sun spots and damage. Light skin rejuvenation is another option which involves light-based devices such as as non-cutting laser beams that send off pulsed energy to the skin. Light or laser skin rejuvenation also fuels the growth of collagen to give a firmer skin.

So take the first step with your man, get him encouraged in the directions that are manly, healthy and do not promote an overly obsessive attitude.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Make Rituals Part of Your Everyday Life

Everyone has small rituals even though they sometimes don't realise it, but traditional seasonal and nature rituals have faded into the background in many parts of the modern western world. Perhaps some people associate rituals with a pagan lifestyle however rituals can be meaningful, transformative and fun to do with other people and your children. The summer solstice or midsummer's night is a wonderful time to try out a ritual.

The solstices are connected with the seasons and in some languages they are to separate seasons or start seasons, whereas in others they are a centre point. In English the period of the summer solstice is known as midsummer, however Midsummer's Day is 24th June, which is three days after the solstice itself. Christians therefore celebrate the feast of St. John from 23rd to 24th June, whereas neo-pagans observe midsummer.

In Spain the traditional midsummer ritual and celebrations are held in the honour of San Juan (St. John the Baptist). These are absolutely magnificent affairs as they take place on the beaches, and also inland, and with the weather in Spain and the rituals involved it makes for a wonderful night. Bonfires are lit on the beaches and firework displays are organised.

When it is relatively safe to jump over the bonfire people do this which should be done a minimum of three times, but any odd number over this is also good, and this ritual is to ward witches and bring good luck, and the people shout out "meigas fora" which means "witches away or out". There is also a drink called Queimada which is made from Galician grappa mixed up with coffee beans, pieces of fruit and sugar, and while this is being prepared the people are chanting against the evil spirits.

Another part of the San Juan ritual is to go into the sea afterwards. This tradition is based on another aspect of the ritual which is about medicinal plants and it used to be that women who wanted to be fertile went into the sea until they have been washed by nine waves.

Nowadays lots of people go into the sea and it is considered to be a cleansing of the year and washing away for the coming year.

Traditionally women collected medicinal plants on the eve of St. Johns. Depending which part of Spain they were in these would vary however the majority would include fennel, rosemary, lemon verbena, rue, fern, elder flowers, foxgloves and laburnum. These plants would then be arranged in a bunch and hung in the doorways of their homes in some parts of Spain. In many parts of Spain they were dipped in a water vessel and then left outdoors to be exposed to the night dew until the following mornings when they would then be used to wash their faces.

Another aspect of this ritual was that it was believed that the properties of the plants were more potent if they were dipped in water from seven different springs. Even though there are some small differences in rituals it can be said that many, and including these of San Juan, are based on wishes for health, youth and beauty-the importance of medicinal plants, protection for evil spirits or bad luck-the protection of fire to ward off these forces and to feel purified or born afresh-the miraculous effects of water.

To make rituals a lovely part of your everyday life see the I Coloniali collection.