There are some things in life we can control –which city to live in, what school to send in our kids to, where to shop or what food to include in the diet. There are also events we can’t control –getting sick, losing job or passing away. These are critical times and we don’t know if and when these will happen in our lifetime. How ready are you to face such crises? Unless you have saved up a tidy sum over the years, you may find yourself reeling from a financial knockout.

There’s a way to prepare for unexpected events like these. It’s called insurance and this concept has been around for hundreds of years. Basically, an insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company. You pay them a regular amount of cash over a certain number of years. In exchange, they will provide for you financially in case of illness, accident or disability.

Alcohol can be good for your heart –but only if you’re a post menopausal woman or a man over 40 and it may be only red wine that’s beneficial. Moderate amounts –that’s unit or less a day –can help reduce blood stickiness and increase levels of beneficial high-density lipoproteins.

One unit is eight grams of pure alcohol, which is equivalent to one small glass of wine, or half a pint of beer, drinking more than the recommended amount turns the benefits into risks. It increases the risks of heart disease, making you more prone to high blood pressure and increasing the risk of mouth, esohageal and probably liver cancer. It is recommended that women drink no more than two to three units in one day, while everyone should ensure they have several alcohols free days every week. Small amounts of alcohol even one or two units on a daily basis –do increase the risk of developing breast and bowel cancer.

Weight is an issue for most, if not all women. Being overweight or obese doesn’t look flattering –it makes you feel older and drab. More importantly, it’s definitely unhealthy. It causes a range of complications including degenerative joint disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. How does one become obese? In the simplest of terms, obesity is the result of eating too much of the wrong food and not expanding enough energy to burn or lose the calories gained from eating. Some people try to speed up the process by resorting to starvation or crash dieting reducing pills without medical advice to increase expenditure. These seem like handy solutions, but they may even contribute to more health risks and illnesses. Safe and effective weight loss management begins by consulting one’s physician.

The most effective weight management programs employ an integrated approach individualized to address unique health needs. Reduced food intake, regular physical activity, behavioural modification and if necessary, an anti-obesity medication are all part of this approach.

Talk to your partner about seeing one. If he is strongly against it, go on your own. Individual counselling may clarify questions and expectations in your relationship. You may learn about your reactions and behaviours that directly affect the marriage. In the process, your partner may notice changes in you that would make him more open to seeing a professional, too. Some couples may be embarrassed or uncomfortable talking to a stranger about personal problems, so they seek help from trusted relatives, friends or mentors.

But if one partner seen these people to be biased, the move might prove futile or even counterproductive. Seeking help from people you know also poses some disadvantages. One or both partners may not feel very comfortable spilling beans, so to speak, in front of friends and relatives. Also, these advisers may feel some pressure from other people to take sides, or feel guilty if the relationship turns for the worse.

Would it bad awful for me to say, I want my own room? One of the hardest things to navigate in marriage is the craving out of space – personal space. Perhaps it’s because we presume that love is the enlargement of many of our spaces – the spaces between bodies broken by sex and children; spaces between hearts broken by vows of eternity; spaces between lives broken by intimacy; and even the space between yours and mine, broken by the shared bank account. The romance of marriage lulls us into thinking that we are one and that all sacred spaces are to be shared from this day forward.

It was certainly something I bought into the first few years I was married. How I wanted to absorb myself into him and he into me. I’d like to think He felt the same way, in the beginning as well. But it’s been more than 10 years now and the gloves have come off. My husband has finally come to the conclusion that I am messy and that I come with too much clutter.

In these modern times, there are many discoveries and inventions that have permeated the world of dermatology to provide us with various options to virtually turn back the hands of time. There are many ways now to look and feel younger than our years. However, the fountain of youth may not only be seen in the newest innovations but also in the most simple and basic natural skin care products. One of the most powerful antioxidants that can defy the signs of aging is found in the simple tomato.

Tomato, which is a 100% organic matter and belongs to a class of compounds called carotenes, contains lycopene. Lycopene is considered a free radical scavenger and has the ability to block UV light. Being a potent antioxidant, it can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic health problems. Lycopene can also exert its antioxidant activities on the skin thus improving its texture and tone; lycopene likewise nourishes the skin through its hydrating effects.

Every well-meaning mother only wants the best for their families –within the budget, of course. But these days, it can get quite confusing as you walk through the stores aisles. Every product claims to be “just the one you need.” So that you don’t get sidetracked and go over the budget. Make a list of what you intend to buy so you don’t end up making unnecessary purchases. Don’t’ garb the first product you see just because of its attractive packaging. Compare it first with other brands in terms of prices and net weight.

When deciding, choose the one that gives you better value and quality for your money. If you’re consuming certain in large quantities per week, then it’s wiser to buy in bulk. The savings add up faster than if you keep buying in small quantities.  Whether it’s discount coupons of “buy one, get one” gimmicks, consumers are sure to benefit from them.

Give them your undivided attention and spend time alone with each one. Do meaningful activities that don’t necessarily require a lot of money or elaborate planning. It can be easy as going to the park or flying a kite together! Often, quality time is limited, so be sure to make the time and cherish these moments with your loved ones by being not just physically, but emotionally present. Acts of service, you don’t need to look long and far to find things you can do for your family to show them that you care. Pitch in and help them with their responsibilities, perhaps by running errands or doing some household chores.

This way, you can express how grateful you are for having them in your life by making them feel helped and happy. Words of affirmation always make time to tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them with encouragements and compliments.

Explain to your child why something is bas. Spanking doesn’t necessarily have to happen. But when your child does something naughty, take the time to explain to him why it’s bad. For instance, if he hurt a playmate, ask him how he would feel if he was the one hurt, use the simplest term possible so that he can easily understand. Then, try to ask him follow-up questions, like, “what lesson did you learn from this talk?”, having him repeat statements like “be careful next time when playing with the ball” makes remember them better.

These conversations will make him aware of what is right and wrong even at an early age. Don’t lose the kid in you, goof around with your kids for hours, run and play outside with them, and even engage in some rough play. This will make them trust you more and it will certainly help when you’re engaged in a serious conversation with them, like if they did something naughty.

Parenting techniques that help make each child unique. Put importance on routines, children should know when it’s time to eat, play or read. Knowing that there’s a time for everything will enable them to concentrate on the current task and look forward to their favourite ones like playing or going outdoors. Routines not only teach responsibility, but also give them a sense of stability so that they’ll be confident when they venture out into the bigger world.

Lead by example, if you tell your kids to eat their veggies, and then show them that you do, too. If you limit their computer playing time, then you shouldn’t stay too long at the computer, too. This is one way of making sure they will grow up to the better versions of you. It will also keep you motivated to be the best person you can be and enable you to do things you never thought you could.