M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing- The Antagonist

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing- The Antagonist: In creative writing-- the antagonist how bad should they be? In my previous post, mentioned about the protagonist in a story ...

M.A. Courtney: Would You Use Magic if You Could?

M.A. Courtney: Would You Use Magic if You Could?: Would you use magic to get what you want if you could? What if you could use magic to have whatever you want? Love, money, relationship...

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing: Creative writing enables the writer to create whatever story they like. The writer can create nice people, nasty people ,devious pe...

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing: The beauty with creative writing is that you can make up whatever story you want. Most of the time you needn't do research un...

M.A. Courtney: What Do You Like To Read?

M.A. Courtney: What Do You Like To Read?: What do you like to read?  I read somewhere that a writer should write what they themselves enjoy reading. I enjoy a good love st...

M.A. Courtney: The Magic Herb

M.A. Courtney: The Magic Herb: The Magic Herb ...what is it about?  Have you read it? Have you ordered it? Decisions, decisions...too many choices to make.

M.A. Courtney: Cycles of Publishing

M.A. Courtney: Cycles of Publishing: There are cycles of publishing that are impossible to gauge. They come in waves-  sci-fi, drama, horror, love stories. Amazon indi...

M.A. Courtney: Using Your Voice

M.A. Courtney: Using Your Voice: Your voice is important when writing . Writing should flow easily and effortlessly from you-the-author. I have read to use your own v...

M.A. Courtney: HAPPY THANKSGIVING

M.A. Courtney: HAPPY THANKSGIVING: HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! On this day where we gather with friends and loved ones let us be thankful for the many blessings we hav...

M.A. Courtney: Follow Your Passion

M.A. Courtney: Follow Your Passion: Do you have a passion ? It can be anything that makes you feel happy .  Mine is writing . I can sit behind a computer for hours oblivi...

M.A. Courtney: Writing And Endings

M.A. Courtney: Writing And Endings: As I have said before in my previous post writing is fun but then comes the ending. How to write an ending that makes sense or is...

How The Stars Diet

How The Stars Diet  

Have you ever wondered how the stars  stay so slim?  They need to really take care of themselves since they are always in the spotlight, and being public figures  they can’t  afford to neglect  taking care of their  appearances. Their  means of making a living  depends on how they look.  From the clothes, hair and makeup, these stars have to take good care of their bodies.

So it is no wonder that these stars have their own secrets when it comes to staying fit and looking good. They can have  workouts and well-planned meals. Wouldn’t it be nice to know their secrets in looking healthy and fit? Here are some of the diet secrets of well-known stars.

Jennifer Aniston

This well-known and well-liked star is known for having one of the attractive bodies in Hollywood, To stay trim, Jennifer likes to follow the 40:30:30 diet which  consists of:

40% Low glycemic carbohydrates

-Eating beans, fruits, vegetables, and legumes

30% lean proteins

-Tofu, fish, chicken, turkey, beef and low-fat dairy products

30% essential fats

-nuts, seeds, fish, and olive oils

Kate Hudson

She has changed from her old eating plans and has switched to a higher protein diet. She eats high protein meals in small portions, and she has an exercise program that includes weight training  which she  has gained abdominal muscles that show off her slender, firm body.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth eats a healthy diet, avoiding sugar and white flour. She likes a macrobiotic diet, eating  vegetables, brown rice, and lean meat. She Eliminated dairy from her diet and enjoys doing  yoga every day.

. Madonna

She does Ashtanga Yoga and follows a  diet that  eliminates junk foods. She eats a macrobiotic diet  that includes organic foods, and  lean protein.

Claudia Schiffer

eats salad and steamed vegetables for dinner and eats only fruits before the afternoon. While on locations, she prefers to eat black grapes and drinks tomato juice and herbal tea.

M.A. Courtney: Review- The Magic Herb

M.A. Courtney: Review- The Magic Herb: The Magic Herb is a fantasy story about a woman who finds love. ..but not in a conventical way. Follow her challenges and explore her new...

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing: Creative writing is fun!  I have always enjoyed it and allowing my mind to create interesting story  lines. Many writers write in d...

Herbal Remedies For Cellulite

Herbal Remedies For Cellulite

Cellulite is a popular term for body fat, it is simply fat that has developed and
 has a cottage cheese look because of the way it is deposited in the body.
 Body fat is stored under the skin where the connective tissues
 separated cells are stored into compartments.

When fat cells increase in size they  bulge and spread

 out of their sections giving the skin an uneven and thick look.

There are natural healing remedies that can effectively help to keep

 cellulite in check and here are some herbal remedies that are effective to try:

Gotu Kola- is a leafy green herb native to India and it has been used for

 centuries for connective tissue disease. Taking this herb can help to

 strengthen the skin and connective tissue.

Horse chestnut- It is used for varicose veins and hemorrhoids but can also

 help reduce the swelling and aids in strengthening the connective tissues.

 You can get horse chestnut in a cream which is an

 anti-inflammatory and astringent, it can be purchased in most health food stores.

Extra tip- did you know that apple cider has been known to help the

 body rid itself of body fat.

Easy Recipes For Healthy Living

I wanted to share with you a really terrific cookbook that will change the way you look at food. A healthy and tasty cookbook that the entire family will enjoy.

I have used some of the recipes from Healthy Mediterranean Gourmet and loved them!  I have always been concerned about my health and weight but using these recipes I don't need to worry very much.

Easy, tasty, and healthy ways to eat with simple instructions and really no additional ingredients to add. Most of the ingredients we have in our kitchen.

Delicious recipes from soups, salads, meal combos and desserts!  If you are searching for a healthy cookbook try this one you will not be sorry.

http://www.amazon.com/Cookbook-Healthy-Mediterranean-Mediteranean-Everyday-ebook/dp/B0105RXVCQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dptop_pY8mwb11DPE1F_im

M.A. Courtney: Letting Go

M.A. Courtney: Letting Go:     Letting go ....Can you do it? Can you let go of something you love? What would be so essential to your decision to walk away from ...

Do You Want To Lose Weight Easily?

Do you want to lose weight easily? I know that's a stupid question. The majority of people want to shed those excess pounds but are having difficulty doing it. Usually, it is caused by a sluggish or slowing down metabolism due to age.

Well, to help speed up your metabolism Japanese researchers have discovered that by chewing each bite of food 40 times will do the trick!.

It seems that people who increased  the number of times they chew their food they burned more calories after every meal.  The extra chewing causes more blood to flow to the stomach which helps to speed up your metabolism.

This is an easy and painless way to burn calories. So start chewing

M.A. Courtney: She Doesn't Like It!

M.A. Courtney: She Doesn't Like It!:  She just doesn't like it!   I added my ebook The Magic Herb to the Goodreads site and I received thumbs down with an I don't ...

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing

M.A. Courtney: Creative Writing: Creative writing can be fun and exciting. It is a great way to exercise ones creative muscle by expressing ideas that happen to pop int...

M.A. Courtney: How Far Will You Go For Love?

M.A. Courtney: How Far Will You Go For Love?: How far will YOU go for love?   Have you ever given it a thought? In my book Even Exchange , a young woman had to decide that very quest...

Skin Care- Going Natural

Skin Care-Going Natural Part-1

Skin care is essential to our health and looking and feeling good is essential to

 how we perceive ourselves, therefore, instead of putting chemicals on your face you can apply all natural ingredients 

for better-looking skin.

Are you prone to skin breakouts, dryness, or eczema? You can take control and

 use herbs, yoga, and diet to cure some of these conditions, here are a few

 beauty ingredients that you may have in your kitchen:

Aloe Vera- This plant originated in Northern Africa and has been used for 

thousands of years. You may know that you can use Aloe Vera for soothing

 sunburn thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and

 analgesic capabilities. It also eliminates

 dead skin cells and reduces other inflammation issues, like psoriasis.

Cinnamon- This century-old spice is  from a Southeast Asian tree; it has

 many health benefits including improving insulin sensitivity in

 type 2 diabetes. Applied topically it helps fight blemish bacteria buildup

 and stimulates blood circulation, allowing oxygen and nutrients to the

 skin to prevent breakouts.

M.A. Courtney: Amazon Kindle-Ebook -The Magic Herb

M.A. Courtney: Amazon Kindle-Ebook -The Magic Herb: I am pleased to say that my two e-books on Amazon: Even Exchange The Magic Herb Both are doing well. Thank you to all that have do...

Are You Losing Your Hair?

Losing Your Hair?  Confused and don't know what to do?

A thick head of hair is a sign of health and vitality but don’t feel like you’re  healthy or vital

 because you are starting to see signs of baldness. Sometimes it just genes and there’s nothing

 that you can do, there is no “magic” pill to prevent hair loss.

However, YOU can slow down the process and increase the health of your scalp and hair by

 improving the circulation to your hair follicles. Brush your hair and massage your scalp to

 improve circulation.

To increase circulation to your hair follicles take 3 cayenne capsules daily, or add a ginger

 compress to your scalp, ginger is an excellent circulatory stimulant. Dip the compress into

 warm   ginger tea.  Wring out the wash cloth and apply to the scalp for the most effective treatment and

 repeat several times with fresh tea.

Regular exercise can also help increase circulation and helps remove wastes from the body.

M.A. Courtney: The Magic Herb

M.A. Courtney: The Magic Herb: My Free ebook The Magic Herb is available for FREE to download this weekend. This story is an interesting one that everyone can rel...

Ginger- Deals With Poor Digestion

Ginger helps to deal with poor digestion. This herb stimulates the digestive secretions and helps increase blood flow to the stomach and intestines.

Ginger increases circulation and is often helpful for people who feel chilly and suffer from excess gas and bloating.

Fresh ginger can be added to your diet or if you prefer you can get ginger tea and drink one to two cups daily.

Radishes are also known to be good in aiding the digestion and helps in fat digestion.

M.A. Courtney: Countdown on FREE Download

M.A. Courtney: Countdown on FREE Download: There are only 7 more days until you can download my second Ebook on Amazon FREE. Again, I would appreciate a review if you would be ...

M.A. Courtney: FREE- FREE-FREE Ebook

M.A. Courtney: FREE- FREE-FREE Ebook: The weekend of October 10, 11, 12th I am giving away FREE my second ebook.  It is published on Amazon. I would appreciate it if you would leave a review...

M.A. Courtney: Writers Ideas

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Low Blood Pressure

We are always concerned about high blood pressure, but what about

 low blood pressure.  Well, basically it is caused by poor blood flow in the body.

When a person is sitting or lying down and when they get up the blood
 accumulates in the veins and for a brief time less the blood flows up to the heart
 and brain,

 and this shortage of blood flow is what cause the pressure to drop.

People who suddenly get dizzy, or have a rapid heartbeat or blackouts when
 getting up or standing too long can be a sign of low blood pressure.

Signs can be sweating, fatigue, paleness, sleep problems, and difficulty
 concentrating.  Medicinal plants can help increase circulation like rosemary or hawthorn both

 help to strengthen the circulatory system.

Love to read fantasy?

I just published a fantasy story with magic in mixed in it.  Here is a description of it  

 You will meet a young woman heartbroken from a  love affair moves to a new town. She befriends a mysterious woman who has magical powers and helps the young woman to have what her heart wants. But she learns magic has a price can be dangerous.


Here is the link.......

      http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0150GDKIC

Reduce Stress And Become A Healthier You!

Learn to reduce stress and become a healthier you. Stress can do a lot of damage not only to your body, but your emotional well being as well.

People aren’t aware of some of the dangers of stress, and what it can do to their body and mind. Stress is bad for the heart, and taxes the body, it will give you give, you headaches, make you feel depressed, tired, and anxious. Some stress is healthy, but it is important to balance stress to live a healthier life.

We all deal with stress on a daily basis, but stress can occur from many different things. For instance, bills,  lack of funds,  not having a job, a bad relationship, health issues and even kids can stress you out.

Find ways to do enjoyable things that will elevate your mood, walking, exercise, swimming,

take a, bubble bath, read a book, anything that you enjoy. There are many ways that you can de-stress and bring relief to your body and mind.

Make a point not to think of negative thoughts, which will only make you feel stressed and anxious.

Have a positive outlook and know that everything will work out. Focus on one problem at a time so that you don’t “over load” your emotions.

Stay away from people who are “negative” and are always complaining, instead try and be around positive, upbeat people, where their happy outlook can be contagious.Eat healthy, don’t drink or smoke excessively, and exercise. It has been proven that exercise actually helps you deal with stress.

Recognizing The Sympotms Of Anorexia

The Symptoms Of Anorexia

All of an anorexic’s actions and thoughts revolve around their weight and food. They will count calories and go so far as get on a scale several times a day to monitor their weight. The person who suffers with this eating disorder will limit the amount of food they will eat, and what they can tolerate.

Many anorexic's are also bulimic: they will binge, eating large amounts of food at one time, and then they will vomit it up afterward. To help a person who has anorexia, they need to eat nutritious soups, smoothies, fresh juices and other liquid foods since they are easy to digest.

A person dealing with anorexia needs to eat small healthy foods, high in calories is easier than three large meals. Giving them multivitamins and other supplements can help to fight the deficiencies and any malnutrition they are suffering from.

A natural herbal blend of tea will also help stimulate their appetite:

Dandelion, centaury, licorice bark and peppermint leaves will help, have them drink a cup before eating a meal.

Have them practice relaxation techniques which will help them deal with the high levels of stress, fears, and disappointments.

Natural Remedies and Easy Ways to Cure Nausea

Everyone at one time or another has experienced that horrible feeling of  nausea!  Whether from illness, being pregnant, or just eating something. The feeling is truly  uncomfortable. Well, the majority of you that visit and read my Blog know that I am big into alternative remedies, and herbs.

So I have written an article about the many natural ways to cure and eliminate nausea. Please visit the site Health Ambition and discover the easy herbal remedies and please feel to share or comment on it.

As always, have a healthy and happy day.


http://www.healthambition.com/3-natural-and-easy-ways-to-cure-nausea/

Herbs And Weight Loss

If you are like me, then you are always trying to keep your weight in check. As we get older it  seems  we pack on the weight  faster than losing it. But let me share a few natural herbal remedies that can help curb your appetite.

Chickweed tea- helps to rev up the metabolism along with its many other benefits. Drink a few cups of this tea and watch the pounds start to drop.

Bee Pollen is another herbal remedy but to be honest, I didn’t find any research where it actually helps with weight loss. However, it has other benefits, but nothing relating to weight.

Coconut oil- heats up your metabolism which then burns calories. It is tasty and you can just about add it to any meal that requires some form of oil.

Green Tea- stimulates the metabolism and does help with dieting

Fenugreek- is another herb that helps with weight loss. This herb you can get in tablet form or tea.

A few other herbs that help with dieting or just keeping an eye on your weight are:

Ginger, Alfalfa, chicory root, Brown mustard seed, Anise, and citrus peel. Combine one or more of these herbs together than you have a powerhouse drink.

Check your local health food stores for these herbs and try them out.

The Soldier

I came across this saying and I wanted to share it with everyone. Very true, and beautifully expressed. Let us remember and honor them this coming Memorial Day.

  “ It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag. ”

― Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC 

Natural Constipation Remedies

Constipation is a very uncomfortable feeling and when the stools become hard and dry it makes it worse to try and eliminate them. Constipation is caused by loss of enough the muscle contractions that help to move food through the digestive system.

When constipation occurs it is due to undigested food that moves too slowly in the large intestines and stops the body’s process to  empty the bowels. The stools build up and remains in contact with the intestines which absorbs the extra water drying out the stool.

Bloating, gas, and discomfort sets in. There are a few natural remedies that you can do to help get yourself going. Warm water usually triggers the muscles to contract and helps stimulate the bowels.

There are herbs that are known as “alterative herbs”( that restore your bowels to a normal health) that can be effective in relieving cases of chronic constipation. The dried roots of yellow dock, dandelion, burdock root, and Oregon grape. These herbs are bitter, but when consumed, they can promote digestion, stomach acidity, and bile flow.

You can purchase these herbs in tincture form and use 1 dropper 3-7 times a day.

Flaxseed provides fiber with essential oils that help to lubricate and soften the stools.

Figs also provide fiber and aids in digestion.

As always, check with your doctor before using any herbal tinctures or supplements.

Natural Pain Reliever

Devil"s Claw Herb

This is my review on Devil's Claw, a natural pain reliever

Dealing with pain, muscle stiffness, and inflammation caused by arthritis, rheumatism, osteoporosis and, headache can be uncomfortable or debilitating. And if you are like me, I don’t care for prescription medication. I prefer to go “natural”.

I use Devil’s claw tincture for my pain. It is from Africa and its shape looks like an evil claw, hence devil's claw. This herb works great! It relieves pain, stiffness and works wonderfully with dealing with headaches.

You can use it for any joint ailment because it is an anti-inflammatory herb. I use it constantly whenever I have an ache or a  headache. I use the tincture form as it works quickly instead of the capsules.

But I warn you it tastes awful, so I will put it in coffee, or coke, something to camouflage the taste but it is worth it. It works well with stomach problems, but I use it only for pain.

You can buy it online or in your health food store.

I would love to hear from you if you tried it

Trouble Sleeping?

Trouble Sleeping? Sleep is important because it affects our health and our moods, energy, behaviors, and emotions. Although, there is no real “normal” amount of sleep it is important to get about seven to eight hours sleep.

With lack of sleep you can feel fatigued, and your immune system is not able to defend the body against disease. But there are some natural remedies can help.

Try snacking on a banana or crackers before bed as the level in “serotonin” the hormone that reduces anxiety will help. Melatonin supplements can help you get into a healthy sleep cycle and taking these supplements can actually help improve your sleep.

Valerian can be taken, but the taste is bitter so it is best to put it into some juice or tea.

Try the “super supplements” ginseng and nutrient rich alfalfa and royal jelly.

Chamomile flower, Hops, or Skullcap herbal tea will  help you relax before going to bed.

Avoid stress, when possible, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, pain relievers and over the counter decongestants.

As always, check with your doctor before taking any supplements