Three Little Weight-Loss Secrets That Make a Big Difference

By Sarah Morris Cherry

Did you make a New Year's Resolution to go on a diet in January, but find that your resolves have already dissolved? If so, I want to tell you three little secrets I discovered 25 years ago when I lost my weight.

I am not another diet guru who wants you to buy expensive pills or do exhausting exercises. I'm just someone who cares because I've been where you are and I know your frustration. And I've learned some exciting things that will help you, which are too good to keep to myself.

Here are three little secrets I learned that make a big difference. They're simple. They're free. They will make your life a lot better, so give them a try!

#1 Don't diet! Instead, make the healthiest choice you can each time you eat. Keep lots of low-calorie snack foods around and get tempting "goodies" out of the house. Listen to your body. When you eat something, if it causes you to crave more and more, limit that food. The cravings make you miserable, get you off track, and will go away if you don't eat foods that trigger them.

#2 Don't depend on willpower! Instead, depend on God's power. Jesus says that if you stay close to him, he will produce fruit in you. (He's referring to the fruit of the Spirit-love, joy, peaceand self-control.) And he says that, without him, you can do nothing (John 15:5). That's why I struggled to lose weight for so many years, and maybe why you struggle too. I was trying to do it without him! Over the years, I learned many practical ways to be guided by him throughout each day and experience his fruit of self-control in my eating. Here's one practical tip that will help you to do this: have a 10-minute quiet time almost every day journaling prayers and thoughts about a few verses in the Bible.

#3 Don't do it alone! Instead, get together with others who want to lose weight like you do-depending on God's power instead of willpower, and making healthy choices instead of dieting. You can get together during lunch breaks at work, neighborhood get-togethers or with small groups at church. You can get together with just one friend or twenty, but the important thing is that you're not doing it alone. Tell your friend(s) how you are doing with your eating. Be honest. Be accountable. Be real. Tell them about things that drive you to the refrigerator. And tell God. Study the Bible together because it is the greatest weight-loss manual there is.

If you keep making healthy choices, relying on God's power and getting together with others who want to lose weight, by this time next year you won't need to make a New Year's Resolution to lose weight because you will have already lost it! These three little secrets will have made a big difference in your life and you'll want to tell everyone because they're just too good to keep to yourself.

About the Authors: Julie Morris is a nurse, author, mother and teacher. During her years as an RN she struggled to control her weight. The truth of high blood pressure, overeating and her weight, sent her searching for a solution. After discovering the Christian 12 steps she began seeking God's guidance toward health and wholeness. Now, 25 years ago, she's excited to share these tips with others. She is the founder of the Step Forward weight loss program. Guided by Him is a lighter, easier version of Step Forward, for today's busier lifestyles.

Sarah Morris Cherry is a wife, new mother and Licensed Professional Counselor. She has counseled people from two to 92. Whatever the age, she enjoys teaching people new ways to deal with stress, facts about healthy living and simple things they can do to help them become more like the people they want to be. She speaks from experience, having overcome many overwhelming health problems by putting these ideas into practice.

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Take a lood at Guided By Him for more information on healthy weightloss tips

How to Buy Wide Leg Boots Online

By Linda Jenkins

If you have larger calves, you've probably experienced the annoyance and disappointment that comes from shopping for wide leg boots in ordinary footwear stores. You could be a plus size, a runner or cyclist with lots of muscle, or just built with thicker calves than the shoe industry considers normal. No matter why you have trouble finding boots, you're probably sick of broken zippers and tight boot tops!

The good news is that you have an option that doesn't require you to get rid of your boots forever. Since boots are a fashion must right now, think about placing an order online with a specialty retailer that sells wide topped boots. After all, except for some of the clunkier and more flexible styles, including Uggs, most boots need a close fit. Certain brands are already offering larger calf sizes if you know what you're looking for.

There are some styles that work better or wide calves than others. Looking for non specialty boots that fit? You'll need to tend towards these styles to get a good fit. This isn't a cure all - very large calves won't fit in these regular boots. But if you have only a little bit of extra width, suede look stretch boots could be the thing that does the trick.

This kind of boots will offer a comfortable fit and make your legs look slimmer - just be sure they don't feel like they're going to cut off your circulation. If you find this happening, go for the online stores instead. Remember that stretch boots often look too small at first, but that in most cases they expand to fit. Another good choice for women whose calf sizes are close to standard is the slouch boot.

The majority of ankle boot wearers don't have this problem, but it's important to pay attention to how they look. Ankle boots highlight a large calf, and even make them look bigger than they really are. That's why celebrities wearing short boots with short skirts have never started any really lasting fashion trends.

Whether they have a heel or are flat soled, fashion boots can be a much bigger deal if you have wide calves. Since they're unyielding, and usually don't have lacing or stretch panels, they're hard to find in sizes that fit larger calves. These are the most popular boots right now, and many of us have outfits that demand this boot style. That means that if you're interested in being fashionable or you love high, sleek boots, you need to think about fit.

There are plenty of stores online offering styles that fit large calves. Buying online is simple, though it's important to check the return policy of the seller in case your boots don't fit. Measure the biggest part of your calf before you buy, then match that number to your ordinary shoe size on the chart.

Shaft height is another important factor, especially for those with long legs and those women who are on the petite side. Fortunately, if you have a problem measuring yourself, the majority of wide boots have a little stretch built in. These wide leg boots are a wonderful choice for anyone who has a hard time finding boots to fit, but still wants to look great.

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The truth about finding wide boots is finally revealed! Visit us at Wide Boots to get all the free insider information.

How Does Car Insurance Work?

By Amy Nutt

When you got your first car, you probably simultaneously purchase your first auto insurance policy. You may have done so without much thought. Perhaps you purchased the most affordable policy with the coverage your lender required. If so, you should take the time to learn a little more about how car insurance works, so you can better understand the policy you own.

Types of Car Insurance

Understanding how your car insurance works begins with understanding the different types of coverage and which ones your policy has. All car insurance policies have liability coverage. This is coverage that pays the costs of injuries or damage you cause to someone else or another vehicle in an accident. Most states require this by law.

Collision coverage is another common type of coverage. It pays for damage to your vehicle in a collision, even if you were entirely at fault, or if you gave someone else authorization to drive your vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage covers other types of damage to your vehicle. For instance, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, or damage caused when your vehicle is parked would be covered under a comprehensive policy. Many lenders require collision and comprehensive coverage on vehicles that have loans on them.

These are the three basic types of coverage. You may choose to add medical payments coverage, which pays medical bills of people in the vehicle if they are injured in an accident, even if you cause the accident. You may also choose personal injury protection, which is a similar type of policy but also covers lost wages and other expenses. Uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist coverage is also popular. This coverage will pay for repairs to your vehicle if someone driving without car insurance causes the accident. Each states have certain requirements on the amount of insurance drivers must have, so check with your insurance agent to ensure that your policy meets these requirements.

Basic Policy Terms

Your car insurance policy has a deductible. This is the amount you must pay out of your own pocket for covered expenses before you will receive any insurance money. Raising your deductible can lower the cost of your premium. Your insurance provider builds deductibles into the policy to keep you from making a very small claim that will cost them a tremendous amount to process and pay.

Insurance policies also have limits or policy caps. For instance, your insurance policy may cover up to $20,000 in damage to your vehicle and $50,000 in medical coverage. Each state has minimum required coverage amounts, but these minimum amounts are typically very low when compared to the amount that you might need after an accident. Make sure that your insurance policy has adequate coverage. Keep in mind that the lower the policy caps are, the lower the cost of the insurance will be. You want to choose a policy that balances well between a generous policy cap and an affordable premium.

How Insurance Pays After an Accident

If you are in an accident that causes damage to your vehicle that should be covered by your insurance policy, you will submit the information about the accident and the damage to the insurance company. They will send a claims adjuster to survey the damage and provide you with instructions on how to get an estimate on the cost of repairs. Once you have the estimate, the insurance company will send you a check to use to pay for the repairs on your vehicle.

If the accident caused an injury that required medical attention, your medical bills will be sent to the insurance company. Many insurance providers will pay in one lump sum when your treatment is complete. Keep in mind that the insurance provider will only pay up to the policy cap, and you will be responsible for any deductible on the policy.

Car insurance is a necessity, not a luxury. If you are not currently insured, you need to purchase a policy immediately. Understanding how these policies work will help you choose the best possible one for your needs. Protect your insurance rates with a crash-proof car insurance policy.

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Offers complete home and auto insurance solutions direct to the consumer. You may obtain, at any time, a free auto insurance quote and buy insurance on-line on our secure site.

Leather Dyeing Techniques

By Ethan O. Tanner

Should you decide to work with leather, you will probably like to try out diverse types of actions to better your leatherworking projects. Many things that you may do while you work on leather comprises attaining ta different color of your leather. You are able to reach this by performing a few dissimilar things; nevertheless, applying leather dye seems to make up the more common process of bringing color to your leather stuffs. Here, you will ascertain how to dye leather.

Before acquiring the know how to dye leather, it is crucial to know what type of leather that you are working with. As you determine to buy a dye for your leather that you will be working with, it is super important that you see to it that the dye will function with the leather. If the dye is not suitable for the character of leather that you're doing work on, then you'll discover that the dye doesn't take well in the leather. You'll also risk the probability of destructing the leather material that you're working on. This may prove to represent a very troublesome and costly error.

When you choose a specific color for the dye that you will use on the leather material, it is important to know that the color may end up turning a different color on the material than you expected. Some dyes will turn a lighter color, and other colors will turn a darker color. You should ask a leather specialist for advice on the dye and leather material selection that you make prior to attempting the project on your own. They will be able to direct you with what kind of dye that you should use on the leather material that you have available.

Prior to beginning the application of applying the dye to the leather, you should thoroughly clean the leather with a befitting solvent. When the leather has been cleansed, you should then wait for the leather to dry prior to you putting the dye on the product. When the leather is dry, you can directly apply the leather dye that you have chosen to use. Once you apply the dye, you should avoid putting additional dyestuff on one section of the leather than the another. Whenever you do so, it will come out looking uneven when it dries.

When the first covering of the leather dye has been applied, you ought allow the product to dry for roughly 2 to 3 hrs. As the product is drying out, it is crucial that you move it round to assure that the leather dye doesn't dry out the product.Shoulf it be allowed to dry out, it will get really stiff and the dyestuff may potentially crack off from the leather.

When your leather merchandise is altogether dry, you could choose to put a second surface of dye on the product. If you do, abide by these steps. When the last coating of leather dye has dried out, you should then place a coating of finisher on the project. This will contribute shine to your leather product and will make the task look professional.

About the Author:

Knowledgeable Leather expert Ethan O. Tanner shares his understanding of the important techniques of Leather Dying the process forProfessional leather Dyingfor your leather.

Cheapest Wood Blinds available online

By Paul Turner

Cheap wood slat blinds are not always a good, but cost effective or dicounted wood blinds are. Here you get the better quality but at a lower price through the use of a buying group perhaps, or an online company who doesn't carry many overheads.

Wood Blinds Express work together with some of their counterparts to reduce the cost of the blinds through bulk purchase discounts. They all buy from the same supplier to obtain their bigger discounts.

Another way to discount the cost of a wooden venetian blind is to buy one of the cut down ranges. These are mass produced at set sizes which reduces the need for so much intervention by human hands, thereby reducing the cost. This way they can be sold cheaply.

Wooden venetian blinds, even if they are cheap offer a very contemporary and modern look to a home. Wood is incredibly popular at the moment as a window covering.

So check out your potential wood blind supplier carefully to make sure they aren't selling inferior quality. Always use an established company like www.woodblindsexpress.co.uk.

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If you are looking for cheap wood blinds then visit our website - click here for cheap wood blinds

A Beginner's Guide to Coffee Grinders and Coffee Makers

By Nick Frykas

For many people, life wouldn't be the same without a fresh cup of coffee. It isn't always possible or convenient to get down to your favorite coffee shop or barista, and that brings us to tools for your kitchen. Here are a few coffee brewing gadgets you can use in your own home.

In automatic drip coffee makers, pre-ground coffee is placed in a paper or metal filter, which is over top a glass coffee pot. Cold water is heated and runs down through the coffee grounds, to produce freshly brewed coffee. These coffee makers are pretty easy to find in any department store, and have a 4 to 10 cup capacity. The coffee grounds are very economical to buy at the grocery store.

Single serving coffee makers are now available, which take a small packet of coffee grounds like a tea bag. The main advantage to these are that a single cup of joe can be made quickly, and there are many flavors and varieties available. Houses needing several cups at once won't find these machines as useful or economical.

The French Press is a good way to make one or two cups of coffee. Also known as the coffee plunger, these glass and stainless steel gadgets are designed so that both the hot water and coffee are placed inside and allowed to steep briefly. Then, the plunger is pressed down, separating the grounds from the coffee. The resulting java is reported to be stronger and thicker than that made by a drip coffee machine.

Purists might tell you that the only 'real' coffee is an espresso or cappuccino. These stronger coffees are made with coffee grounds that are finer and contain more sediment, which gives the stronger flavor. A special espresso machine is required, which may also have a milk steamer built into it. The espresso machine works by forcing hot water under high pressure through the grounds.

A coffee bean grinder might be more trouble than you want to go through at home, but it does give you the freshest coffee. For more course grounds, a steel bladed grinder is sufficient. For a finely ground bean a burr mill is the answer, but a bit more costly.

We were given a coffee machine that has a timer and a coffee grinder built into it. Every morning the preloaded coffee beans go into the grinder and grounds pour down into the filter. By the time I get up, coffee is ready. It is one of my all time favorite kitchen gadgets.

About the Author:

Nick is a coffee lover who loves to try out new kitchen tools and gadgets. Take a look here to find more information about Handy Kitchen Gadgets

Finding Prom Dresses Under $100 And The Trials Of Prom Night

By Sabrina Stewart

Prom night is all about style and flair. Compared to any red carpet event these young men and women are noted for their stylish outfits, appearance as well as the date on their arm. Young ladies spend hours looking for the right prom gown and long for prom dresses under $100. Any money saved on the gown itself can then be used for all those other things that add to the overall success of the night.

Everyone knows that prom can be very expensive, so saving money is a must. In high school, it's not often that you have dances like the prom, and many guys and girls want to go all out and have everything to make a special evening. Without budgeting, and looking for under $100 prom dresses and other savings, prom night can be a non-event or a disaster because of its cost.

Besides the hair, pictures, nails, and everything else, the prom gown is the number one issue. A few quick hints are to watch for the cut of the dress, the style, and the overall look. It could mean the difference between your shoes and hair working, and everything clashing. It's always a smart idea to have a picture of the dress you want so you can take it with you and reference it while shopping for other accessories or considering your hair, jewelry, handbag, etc.

Prom dresses under $100 come in a range of styles, colors, lengths and fabrics. This is important because not every style of gown works for every female height or build. In some cases this can add frustration because finding a flattering dress can be difficult. Having a good selection, especially in the under $100 prom dresses helps tremendously. Ordering early can also guarantee that they can be altered or custom fit to flatter the young ladies body style. The possibilities are limitless and when getting ready for that big night, each is important.

Although you may have a long or even floor-length dress, don't forget the importance of the right shoes. Besides being comfortable while dancing or walking, the right shoes will complement the dress and the wrong ones will kill the look. If you don't know what goes with your dress, check out places online for fashion dos and donts and easy shoe-dress combinations. Looking good and feeling good should go hand in hand, not be a compromise between the two!

While you might think that you can't get a lot when buying prom dresses under $100, you absolutely have to check out all the styles. It's highly likely there will be a great dress for you out there, and you won't have to empty your purse to get it. None of the other girls or guys will know what you paid for the dress, but you will secretly know and be happy that you saved so much money.

About the Author:

When you're shopping for the perfect prom dress, don't just think designer dresses. Prom Dresses Under $100 are the hottest trend for 2009, and that trend includes saving lots of money while looking beautiful. Look at the many styles, and you won't be going home empty-handed.

Venice Areas and Neighbourhoods

By Sara Dudleymore

No city is like Venice!. Water canals, no cars, the sound of water in the quiet city, this place is the most romantic one you will ever see!

1) Piazza San Marco, St Mark's Square: Saint Mark's Square (also know as Piazza San Marco) is the main square of Venice, Italy. Very few places in Europe are so historically rich and quiet, you can hear yourself speak without being overpowered by the noise of city traffic. The whole San Marco area is like a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and canals. The square originated in the 9th century as a small area facing the original St Mark's Basilica. In 1177 it was enlarged to its present form.

In the evening St. Marco square takes on a different atmosphere, with cafes orchestras that fill the night air with Jazz/Classical music. Go get a chair, have a cocktail and enjoy the great unique atmosphere that surrounds you. It's also a popular meeting point for locals and host many of Venice's festivals. A great popular place in Italy today.

This square was paved in the late 13th century with bricks laid in a herringbone pattern. The light-colored stones were probably used setting up market stalls and organizing frequent ceremonial processions.

2) Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal: This bridge crossing the Grand Canal was constructed in 1181 by Mr.Barattieri. It was called the "Ponte della Moneta" before being replaced 3 more times until the final model we see today and called "Rialto Bridge". The Rialto Bridge in Venice, designed by Antonio da Ponte and finally completed in 1591, was at that time the only of its kind (made of limestone) to cross the Grand Canal. This is how the Rialto market born...

It became one of the main centres for trade in the city. The bridge has beaten all odds and has become one of the architectural icons of Venice. In this location, at sunset each day, many gather here to take in the sight of Venice as the sun disappears down into the far distance. It is also a perfect location for admiring the gondoliers as they make their way slowly down the Grand Canal. It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful sites in the world.

3) Castello Area, Biennial Gardens: The Castello area is the most easterly and largest of the six districts of Venice and one of the oldest areas of the city. The district grew up from the thirteenth century around a naval dockyard. It was later changed by Napoleon to what is now the Biennial Gardens, and still more recently the island of Sant'Elena has been created along with other parts of land drained at other areas of the quarter.

Plenty of things to do and see around here. One in particular is Venice's Arsenal Naval History museum (Museo Storico Navale) and the former military shipyard of the Republic at Arsenal. In its old days this was the core of Venice's prosperous shipping industry. Visit the Public Gardens, the largest of their kind in Venice.

4) Accademia Area, Museum Gallery: The Accademia area is located on the south of the Canal, and gives its name to one of the 3 bridges that crosses it, the (Ponte dell'Accademia). The Accademia is best known for its museum gallery of pre-1800s art, famous architects, art paintings and sculptures in Venice, Italy.

It is believed that Venice's most respected ancient artists studied here, thus attracting other finest artists in Italy to study in this area. The Galleria dell'Accademia contains masterpieces of Venetian paintings and history.

5) Cannaregio Area, First Jewish Ghetto in Venice: The Cannaregio district of Venice is still inhabited largely by Venetians. It's the northernmost of the six areas of Venice and the second largest in terms of inhabitants, about 20 thousands people. Canneregio was the main route into the city until the construction of a railway to the mainland, which gave the district its name.

Development began in the eleventh century as the area was drained and parallel canals were dredged. It's the home to the beautiful church of Madonna dell'Orto, Palace of Ca' d'Oro and Tintoretto's masterpieces. The Ghetto's Jewish Museum (Museo Ebraico), introduces the history of the first Jewish ghetto in history. Many restaurants offer some of the best cuisine in Venice at reasonable prices.

6) Santa Croce Area, Piazzale Roma: Central bus stations and car parks are here (piazzale Roma basically). Weird enough cars can travel here (absolutley unique and uncommon for Venice) that's why it's called "Terra Firma". The area was once part of the Luprio swamp, but slowly claiming land. It is the area most affected by the opening of the Lagoon Road 1933 due its steady grounds. It's an extension of San Polo and lies on the other side of the Grand Canal towards the main railway station of Venice, Piazzale Roma.

A location where you can soak up the authentic Venetian neighbourhood atmosphere and at the same time still be close to the city's top attractions. It's a very pleasant area to take an evening stroll! Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio is a lively place full of people and music where sometimes you'll find couples dancing.

7) Giudecca Island, Exclusive Residential area and Beautiful Gardens: The Island of Giudecca was originally called "Spinalunga" - Long Thorn - because of its shape. Giudecca was historically an area of large palaces with amazing gardens, gaining back its once most regarded reputation as luxury residential area. It is known for its long dock and its beautiful churches, including Il Redentore.

The Island offers some of the most stunning views of the mainland stretching across the 300 meters wide Giudecca Canal where the sun gorgeously sets. The celebration of "Festival of Redeemer" (the end of the plague in 1526), takes place every 3rd weekend of July every year, the Venetians gather a bridge of boats across the Giudecca canal with a display of fireworks. This spectacular sight can be seen from every corner in Venice.

About the Author:

If you are planning a trip to venice, check out some of the most beautiful San Marco Accommodation and enjoy living a true venetian experience. All of our Venice Rental Apartments are comfortable, spacious and fully furnished.