Sunday, July 31, 2011

Fuck you, Kids

I don’t have kids, but i saw this via another site and I just had to read it! (sorry, i’m a compulsive link clicker!). But i have to share these anecdotes because i know there are some here that will find the humor in them, as the best humor comes from truth. My best friend is a good person and a very good parent (can’t stress that enough) especially given her situation with 3 kids and a grandchild (all under the same roof at one point!) I assisted in “raising” my best friend and former roommate’s 13 year old, and my roommate’s granddaughter, (her 21 yo’s child, not the 13 yo’s! Lol) and we cussed out loud and in front of them ALL THE TIME! Roomie had a cat named Fucker. 13 yo hated swearing and she hated the cat’s name, so she called her Cheeseburger (not a creative child…but it was funny to us. Oh, we called the cat Fucker because she was the most irritating cat in the world.) 13 yo was called a dumbass, dumbfuck, smartass, rere, shit head, dumb shit, etc, almost daily. These were terms of love and endearment in our house. When we called her by her given name, she knew something was wrong. The baby is a affectionately called a little shit especially now that she is walking and talking and for the most part getting into EVERYTHING. But, the kids know that their mom/grandma loves them, and if she censored herself, then she just wouldn’t be who she is.
I was raised in a house where every cuss word except fuck was used. My mom hates that word. I can count on 1 hand the times i’ve heard her say it in my 26 years on earth. My mom said shit all the time. Well, actually, she sait “chit”. My little sister’s first words? A very clear and hearty “CHIT!” when she dropped her oreo. I was 8 or 9 at the time and i remember my mother say “well, chit! I mean, dammit! I mean, I have got to stop cussing!” My dad almost pissed himself. As was the trend in the 90′s i said “Ummmmm! I’m telling!” to which my mother said something like, “who? We’re all here!” I will never forget that day. Ever.
My point is, adults swear. A lot. And 9 times out of 10, especially if you send your child to public school, your kids are gonna hear it anyways. Isn’t it better that they hear it from you, and know what is being said, than having that weird conversation trying to explain what that other kid meant when they called your kid a shit head or a fucker? And what would be more satisfying than your kid giving little Billy on the playground an impromptu english lesson when they try to cuss at your kid, and get it all wrong? (another 13 yo moment at my house. Her mom and I were rolling. I’m a grammar nazi and so is her mom. That is an awesome kid.)
So, scary mommy, you rock for this article, because i know a whole hell of a lot of moms that swear out loud in front of their kids and are going to LOVE this article when i show it to them!

aaReply

jennsylvania

*This contest is now closed because the winners have been picked at random.  They are...

Tricia who blogs here

Peach who blogs here

Gingermandy who blogs here

Caprice will be emailing each of you to get your shipping information. I appreciate you all for playing along at home!  Stay tuned for a couple of other cool book giveaways (namely Beth Harbison and Laurie Notaro) which I'll do in a few days after I get a little more in front of some looming deadlines.

Thank you!

* * *

Who's up for a giveaway?

If your answer is, "I am, I am!" then this is your lucky day.

To celebrate the release of my friend Caprice Crane's new novel With a Little Luck tomorrow, we're giving away signed copies today!

Here's the official description:

If love is in the cards, then somebody stacked the deck.
 
Los Angeles radio DJ Beryl “Berry” Lambert, whose name means luck, doesn’t much believe in it—although, thanks to her dear old gambling dad, she’s a bit superstitious, certain that everything happens for a reason. She keeps a four-leaf clover in her wallet, never takes off her horseshoe necklace, and won’t tempt fate by walking under a ladder or opening an umbrella indoors. Ever.

When it comes to love, though, she could use a little luck. Two disastrous relationships back-to-back can mean only one thing to a woman who knows that everything good or bad happens in threes: A third Mr. Wrong is imminent. But fellow DJ Ryan Riley goes against the odds. Their on-air battle of the sexes is a hit for the station and sparks some serious heat after hours. Ryan is funny and sexy, and he thinks Berry’s quirkiness is cute. Is their romance doomed by the numbers—or is a girl who leaves nothing to chance finally ready to gamble?

Caprice Crane’s witty, winsome novel about the game of modern romance proves that with a little luck and the right stakes, everybody wins.

With a little luck

 

I loved this book.  It's clever and charming with just the right amount of bite and no one does dialogue like Caprice, so I'm delighted to help facilitate your winning a copy.  Entering couldn't be easier - just write the words "Get lucky with Caprice Crane" in the comments box.  (Caprice!  It's funny!  Don't kill me!)  Simple, yes?  The comments section will be open until 5:00 CST today and lucky winners will be picked via random number generator.  One entry per person/IP address.  Void where prohibited, no deposit, no return, etc.

If you're not so lucky, no worries!  With a Little Luck will be available in stores/online/via e-book tomorrow.  And if you're in New York, see Caprice Wednesday night at the Barnes & Noble at 150 E. 86th St. at 7:00 PM!  She has additional events coming up in San Francisco, LA, and Chicago, where I'll be cheering her on in the front row, so check her website for details.

So there you go... good luck!

 

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

UNICEF - Child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse - Child labour

Child Labour

UNICEF Image
© UNICEF/NYHQ2010-2493/Michael Kamber
A girl works at a charcoal production yard near the south-western city of San Pédro. Workers are exposed to dangerous smoke and charcoal fumes throughout the day.

An estimated 158 million children aged 5-14 are engaged in child labour - one in six children in the world. Millions of children are engaged in hazardous situations or conditions, such as working in mines, working with chemicals and pesticides in agriculture or working with dangerous machinery. They are everywhere but invisible, toiling as domestic servants in homes, labouring behind the walls of workshops, hidden from view in plantations.

  • In Sub-Saharan Africa around one in three children are engaged in child labour, representing 69 million children.
  • In South Asia, another 44 million are engaged in child labour.
  • The latest national estimates for this indicator are reported in Table 9 (Child Protection) of UNICEF's annual publication The State of the World's Children.

Children living in the poorest households and in rural areas are most likely to be engaged in child labour. Those burdened with household chores are overwhelmingly girls. Millions of girls who work as domestic servants are especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Labour often interferes with children’s education. Ensuring that all children go to school and that their education is of good quality are keys to
preventing child labour.

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Updated 06 July 2011 -->
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Updated: 23 February 2011

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

art gallery norway maine | Western Maine Art Group

Art Gallery Norway Maine

Welcome to The Western Maine Art Group!

Our mission is to provide opportunities for artists and artisans, and to provide broad community access to original arts while partnering with others to create a prosperous cultural environment in Western Maine.

Our art gallery is open to the public and we welcome you to visit us and see our current exhibit.

Oxford Hills Gallery Guide

WMAG 2011 Exhibit & Events Schedule

Art Gallery Norway Maine

The Lajos Matolcsy Arts Center Gallery
480 Main Street
Historic Norway Village
Tel. 207-739-6161

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Sunday, July 24, 2011

The Cancer You Can Beat Today

When Eric Adams, a senior editor here at Men’s Health, tells stories about his mother, we all listen. She had, hands down, the coolest job of any Mom I know: She was a U.S. spy.

Bonnie Adams worked for a secret government agency whose nickname—"No Such Agency"—riffed off its true acronym. She started there in the 1980s as an analyst monitoring communications within the Soviet Union, and was eventually promoted to internal affairs, where she became a field agent sniffing out "security risks." She possessed a gun, a badge, and a lot of stories she could never tell her son, no matter how much he begged.

She was tough, but not quite tough enough. The whole time she was stalking those security risks, an internal threat of her own was sneaking up on her: colon cancer. It took her life in 2004; she was only 55 years old.

Here’s the truly tragic part: Researchers are now learning that her death was entirely preventable. And so is nearly every one of the more than 50,000 deaths caused by colon cancer annually in the United States.

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, but it takes 30 years or longer to develop, as polyps grow on your colon wall and slowly morph into tumors. It's only during the last few years of that period that it's lethal and capable of spreading. Cancer had lingered in Bonnie Adams’ system undetected and unanticipated for decades.

"Everyone who dies does so because the tumor wasn't detected in the first 25 years of its existence," explains Bert Vogelstein, M.D., a cancer researcher at Johns Hopkins University and one of the leading authorities in the genetic foundations of colorectal cancer. "There's a huge window of opportunity to beat this disease."

In other words, had Bonnie Adams scheduled a colonoscopy at any point during that time, she might be alive to enjoy her four grandchildren today.

WHAT'S YOUR RISK? Take these quick quizzes to find out if heart disease, stroke, and the other biggest man killers are stalking you!

Because family history increases a person’s risk of developing the cancer, Eric Adams had his first colonoscopy two years after his mother passed away. So far, he’s had 14 polyps snipped from his colon wall. Those polyps could have—and with his family history, probably would have—turned into a deadly cancer. Because of Eric’s vigilance, he’s beating his death sentence.

But even if you have no family history, you can’t let your guard down. "More than 75 percent of the 100,000 new diagnoses each year have no family history at all," says Dr. Vogelstein.

If thousands of fatalities could be avoided through early detection, why aren't more cases caught? Because people are still squeamish about the exam. Fewer than half of those at the highest risk (due to family history or factors like age, obesity, or inactivity) opt for screening, a 2011 University of Utah study found. Experts say that at this point the disease is more a public-health concern than a medical one.

Even though your colon-cancer risk rises as you grow older (most men aren't advised to have colonoscopies until age 50), you'll benefit most from preventive strategies that you deploy as a young man. "I can't impress enough how much risk reduction can occur by taking control of your life," says Ray DuBois Jr., M.D., Ph.D., a professor of cancer biology and cancer medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

And it’s really not that difficult. Here are three simple ways to reduce your risk of colon cancer every day.

DID YOU KNOW? 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetimes. Learn how to prevent it, spot it, and treat it by checking out The Men's Health Skin Cancer Center.

1. Step away from your desk. In a 2011 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, people who spent a decade or more doing sedentary work were almost twice as likely to develop distal colon cancer, which affects the lower colon, than those with physically active jobs. This was true even when the researchers factored out recreational physical activities that participants enjoyed.

That's not all. A new meta-analysis from Washington University in St. Louis says that inactivity may encourage tumor growth, possibly due to inflammation. "Activity prevents polyp formation," says lead researcher Kathleen Wolin, Sc.D. "And the evidence is stronger for large and/or advanced polyps, which are more likely to become cancerous."

The easiest solution is to make sure you're frequently up and about—use a standing desk or take brisk, regular walks around the office. This can help return blood-sugar levels and inflammatory biomarkers to healthier levels.

2. Pop an aspirin a day. A recent study in The Lancet noted that people who took a daily aspirin for at least five years had a 38 percent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer. The painkillers reduce cancer-friendly inflammation throughout your body by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which are involved in the production of hormonelike substances called prostaglandins.

Bonus: Others studies have found that a daily baby aspirin can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Just consult your doctor before popping any pills. There are potential downsides to regular aspirin use, such as ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding.

3. Drink more milk. Vitamin D and calcium offer a two-pronged attack against colon polyps. "Strong though not definitive evidence suggests that adequate amounts of vitamin D can reduce your risk," says researcher Walter Willett, M.D., M.P.H., of the Harvard school of public health. "Most Americans do not get adequate vitamin D." Shoot for the recommended 600 IU a day. An 8-ounce cup of milk has more than 100 IU.

Calcium may also reduce the occurrence of precancerous polyps, according to a new study review from the University of California at San Diego. Aim for the recommended daily allowance of 1,000 milligrams from milk or other dairy sources. That glass of milk contains about 300 milligrams.

Milk! It does a colon good. Bottoms up, men!

IMPROVE YOUR LIFE—RIGHT NOW! Click here for today's health, fitness, nutrition, and relationship news!

------------

THIS WEEK'S MEN'S HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS!
> 50 Things Men Wish Women Knew!
> 50 Things Women Wish Men Knew!
> The 100 Best Fitness Tips Ever!

Friday, July 22, 2011

12 Ways to Think Slim

SELF

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  1. Food is not a trophy.

    "Diet" foods aren't always.

  2. The oxygen-mask rule applies to eating, too.Gwyneth Paltrow's Arm and Abs Workout

Monday, July 18, 2011

Steps to implement a workable code of ethics

Kurt Lewin Model of Change

Kurt Lewin
Change Management Model


Kurt Lewin emigrated from Germany to America during the 1930's. Lewin is recognised as the "founder of social psychology" which immediately points to his interest in the human aspect of change.

His interest in groups led to research focusing on factors that influence people to change, and three stages needed to make change successful.

Unfreeze, Change, Freeze

Kurt Lewin proposed a three stage theory of change commonly referred to as Unfreeze, Change, Freeze (or Refreeze). It is possible to take these stages to quite complicated levels but I don't believe this is necessary to be able to work with the theory. But be aware that the theory has been criticised for being too simplistic.

A lot has changed since the theory was originally presented in 1947, but the Kurt Lewin model is still extremely relevant. Many other more modern change models are actually based on the Kurt Lewin model. I'm going to head down a middle road and give you just enough information to make you dangerous...and perhaps a little more to whet your appetite!

So, three stages. Unfreezing, Change, Freezing. Let's look at each of these.

Stage 1: Unfreezing

The Unfreezing stage is probably one of the more important stages to understand in the world of change we live in today. This stage is about getting ready to change. It involves getting to a point of understanding that change is necessary, and getting ready to move away from our current comfort zone.

This first stage is about preparing ourselves, or others, before the change (and ideally creating a situation in which we want the change).

The more we feel that change is necessary, the more urgent it is, the more motivated we are to make the change. Right? Yes, of course! If you understand procrastination (like I do!) then you'd recognise that the closer the deadline, the more likely you are to snap into action and actually get the job started!

With the deadline comes some sort of reward or punishment linked to the job. If there's no deadline, then the urge to change is lower than the need to change. There's much lower motivation to make a change and get on with it.

Unfreezing and getting motivated for the change is all about weighing up the 'pro's' and 'con's' and deciding if the 'pro's' outnumber the 'con's' before you take any action. This is the basis of what Kurt Lewin called the Force Field Analysis.

Force Field Analysis is a fancy way of saying that there are lots of different factors (forces) for and against making change that we need to be aware of (analysis). If the factors for change outweigh the factors against change we'll make the change. If not, then there's low motivation to change - and if we feel pushed to change we're likely to get grumpy and dig in our heels.

This first 'Unfreezing' stage involves moving ourselves, or a department, or an entire business towards motivation for change. The Kurt Lewin Force Field Analysis is a useful way to understand this process and there are plenty of ideas of how this can be done.

Stage 2: Change - or Transition

Kurt Lewin was aware that change is not an event, but rather a process. He called that process a transition. Transition is the inner movement or journey we make in reaction to a change. This second stage occurs as we make the changes that are needed.

People are 'unfrozen' and moving towards a new way of being.

That said this stage is often the hardest as people are unsure or even fearful. Imagine bungey jumping or parachuting. You may have convinced yourself that there is a great benefit for you to make the jump, but now you find yourself on the edge looking down. Scary stuff! But when you do it you may learn a lot about yourself.

This is not an easy time as people are learning about the changes and need to be given time to understand and work with them. Support is really important here and can be in the form of training, coaching, and expecting mistakes as part of the process.

Using role models and allowing people to develop their own solutions also help to make the changes. It's also really useful to keep communicating a clear picture of the desired change and the benefits to people so they don't lose sight of where they are heading.

Stage 3: Freezing (or Refreezing)

Kurt Lewin refers to this stage as freezing although a lot of people refer to it as 'refreezing'. As the name suggests this stage is about establishing stability once the changes have been made. The changes are accepted and become the new norm. People form new relationships and become comfortable with their routines. This can take time.

It's often at this point that people laugh and tell me that practically there is never time for this 'freezing' stage. And it's just this that's drawn criticism to the Kurt Lewin model.

In todays world of change the next new change could happen in weeks or less. There is just no time to settle into comfortable routines. This rigidity of freezing does not fit with modern thinking about change being a continuous, sometimes chaotic process in which great flexibility is demanded.

So popular thought has moved away from the concept of freezing. Instead, we should think about this final stage as being more flexible, something like a milkshake or soft serv icecream, in the current favourite flavour, rather than a rigid frozen block. This way 'Unfreezing' for the next change might be easier.

Given today's pace of change this is a reasonable criticism. But it might help to get in touch with what Kurt Lewin was actually saying. In 1947 he wrote:

A change towards a higher level of group performance is frequently short-lived, after a "shot in the arm", group life soon returns to the previous level. This indicates that it does not suffice to define the objective of planned change in group performance as the reaching of a different level. Permanency of the new level, or permanency for a desired period, should be included in the objective.
Kurt Lewin, "Frontiers of Group Dynamics", Human Relations, Volume 1, pp. 5-41 (I added the emphasis)

Lewin's concern is about reinforcing the change and ensuring that the desired change is accepted and maintained into the future. Without this people tend to go back to doing what they are used to doing. This is probably what Kurt Lewin meant by freezing - supporting the desired change to make sure it continues and is not lost.

More modern models of change, such as the ADKAR model, are more explicit about this step and include Reinforcement as one of their phases. I've also read this final step of freezing referred to as the lock-in effect. Establishing stability only happens when the new changes are locked-in.

Thinking about change as a journey might make you think that a journey has a beginning , middle, and an end. While this is useful when thinking about the process of change the reality is that this journey doesn't have an end. Lots of rest stops maybe! Some opportunities for settling down for a while. But no end. So be careful about thinking that a change process has a definite end, as the Lewin change management model might seem to suggest.

In what ways do you think this model might be useful for you?

I've found the Kurt Lewin model useful to frame a process of change for people that is quite easy to understand. Of course each stage can be expanded to aid better understanding of the process. Applying the concepts of Unfreezing, and especially the Force Field Analysis, at a personal level can give us insight and help us better understand how we deal with change.


Use Lewins force field analysis to motivate people towards change and understand resistance. Full explanation and free application tool to download.

Return from Kurt Lewin Model to Change Management Models, or

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Friday, July 15, 2011

The 3 Veggies with the Least Nutritional Value on Shine

The 3 Veggies with the Least Nutritional Value

Amy Paturel, http://www.self.com/?mbid=synd_yshine" rel="nofollow">SELF magazine

We're not here to demonize any form of produce. After all, every veggie has at least some nutritional value -- and we all need to http://www.self.com/fooddiet/2011/07/country-stars-comfort-food-slideshow?mbi..." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">include more vegetables in our http://www.self.com/tips/bikinibody/welcome?mbid=synd_yshine" rel="nofollow">diets, not less!

But if you're wondering whether to use iceberg or romaine in your signature summer salad, you may want to check out our list of the veggies with the http://www.self.com/health/2011/07/truth-about-sugar-slideshow?mbid=synd_yshi..." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">least nutritional value:

1.    Celery: Sure, you can nosh on 8 inches of celery for only 6 calories, but are you really getting any nutrients in return? The answer: Yes, but you'd have to go beyond an 8-inch stalk, which provides a mere 1.6 percent of our daily requirement for calcium and 2 percent of our daily requirement for vitamin C. It does, however, boast a decent amount of fiber and vitamin K. A better alternative: Carrots, which are loaded with eye-protecting beta carotene. Toss them into salads for a low-calorie crunch; braise them as a sweet summer side dish or slice them thin and add them to your favorite stir-fry.

Related: http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2010/06/yoga-for-abs-workout-slideshow?m..." rel="nofollow"> Yoga Moves for Flat Abs

2.    Cucumbers: The cucumber is another low-calorie veggie. One cup of sliced cucumber weighs in at only 16 calories. But it's slim on nutrients, too. In fact, cucumbers contain 5 percent or less of our daily requirement for potassium, manganese, magnesium and vitamin C. On the plus side, cucumber extracts (not the whole cucumber) do have a number of disease-fighting antioxidant compounds, like tannins and flavonoids, says Registered Dietitian and Chef Consultant Michelle Dudash. A better alternative: Purslane, a peppery herb that's high in heart-healthy alpha linolenic acid (a type of omega-3). It's also higher in beta carotene than spinach. Toss it in salads, fold it into omelets or use it as a crunchy green on sandwiches.

See Also: http://www.self.com/healthystars/2011/05/gwyneth-paltrows-arm-and-ab-moves-sl..." rel="nofollow"> Gwyneth Paltrow's Arm and Abs Workout

3.    Iceberg Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce is one of the most commonly consumed vegetables in the U.S., along with potatoes (as French fries) and tomatoes, but that doesn't mean it's the healthiest option. While iceberg is low in calories and offers some vitamins and fiber, other dark leafy greens contain much more vitamin A and C. A better alternative: Romaine lettuce, which offers much more beta carotene than iceberg. Use romaine in a traditional wedge salad with blue cheese crumbles, diced tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette, or layer it on turkey sandwiches.


More from http://www.self.com/?mbid=synd_yshine" rel="nofollow">SELF:

Related: vitamins, vegetables, self magazine, nutrition, minerals, cucumber, celery

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Fast Fix: Will we hit the debt ceiling? | The Fast Fix - Yahoo! News

The federal government will default on its loans in 20 days unless politicians can reach across the aisle and come up with a deal to raise the debt ceiling, a tall order at a time when the two parties couldn't be further apart.

The federal government will default on its loans in 20 days if the White House and congressional Republicans can't come up with a deal to raise the debt ceiling.

And, the two sides haven't been further apart -- publicly at least -- for months.

Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who has established a reputation as someone willing to work across the partisan aisle, said this weekend that he'd bet against a deal getting done.

While the situation is decidedly fluid, there's lots and lots of pessimism about the prospects for a deal. If no deal is reached, the political consequences of default are chaotic and potentially cataclysmic for both parties.

President Obama was elected in large part on his promise to make the government work again. If he becomes the first president not to get a debt limit through Congress, it undermines that promise.

Congressional Republicans won the House majority in 2010 but did so without convincing the American people they were ready to lead. A default would be a major setback in their attempt to make that case.

I've always thought that fears that voters would take a "pox on both your houses" attitude would keep the default from happening. But, the deadline is getting closer and closer and the two sides are moving further and further apart. I see plenty of losers, but it's unclear who's winning here.

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Saturday, July 9, 2011

5 Foods that Keep You Thin - Healthy Living on Shine

It's true: Apples can help you stay thin. (Thinkstock)

It's true: Apples can help you stay thin. (Thinkstock)

Take a look around any book store, and you'll find dozens of diet books lining the shelves. Despite their bright and cheerful covers, with their positive, upbeat claims, many of them are filled with information that promotes all the wrong messages.

"The word 'diet' is negative and implies people can go on and off them," said Jane Korsberg, a senior instructor in the department of nutrition at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Korsberg is one nutritionist who thinks it would be better to re-think the whole concept of dieting.

"'Diet foods' are confusing to many people," she explained. "What diet is the 'diet food' geared for? Is it low-calorie, low-fat, low-sodium, low-sugar, gluten-free, et cetera?"

Besides, many of the foods that specifically target dieters seem to rarely satisfy. Take those 100-calorie snack packs, for example, made to help people control calories. Those often don't even work, Korsberg says. After all, few people actually stop at only one pack.

You don't need fancy plans or complicated point systems to be thin. All you need to do is make smart food choices, watch your portion sizes and stay active.

"Learning to eat properly for a lifetime is more beneficial," Korsberg said. "The emphasis should be on choosing healthful foods every day and changing lifestyles for the better."

So instead of sticking to diet fare, fill up on nutritious, wholesome foods. And if you need some recommendations, you can start with these five options, which are among the many delicious foods that make a good addition to healthy eating while keeping you slender.


Apples

Apples are a good source of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber not only contributes to a healthy digestive system and reduced cholesterol, but it also benefits smart eaters by yielding no calories while keeping them satisfied.

And there's something else about the fruit that might help you feel full. A study in the journal "Appetite" found that when women added either three apples or three pears to their daily meals, they lost more weight than people who added three oat cookies to their diets -- even though the fruit and the cookies contained the exact same amount of dietary fiber.

Although the reason behind this finding may be a mystery, there is something to be said for the findings. According to Alan Aragon, a nutritionist and author of "Girth Control: The Science of Fat Loss & Muscle Gain," crunchy foods in particular can trick a person into feeling fuller. The act of chewing may send satiety signals to your body, he says, making you think you've eaten more than you really have and keeping hunger at bay.


Almonds

If you're looking for a tasty midday snack, a handful of almonds are a well-regarded option. A study in 2009 in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that women who ate nuts at least two times a week were more successful at keeping weight off than those who didn't eat this food.

One particular favorite among some nutritionists is almonds, says Aragon. One ounce of this food contains only 167 calories, plus it packs roughly 6 g of protein and 3 g of fiber, both nutrients that can make you feel full. Furthermore, like apples, almonds are crunchy and require a lot of chewing, so they, too, can make you feel like you've eaten more than you actually did and keep you fuller longer.


Salmon

If you're uncertain about fish, there's no need to fear. Seafood can be part of a healthy diet. And there's some evidence that the fat in foods such as salmon can boost satiety levels, says Aragon. For example, a study published in the "International Journal of Obesity" found that when dieters ate salmon a few times a week, they lost about two more pounds than those who didn't include seafood in their meals.

And in spite of the mention of salmon's fat content, the food is relatively low in calories. One 3-oz. serving has just 175 calories. Salmon is a good source of protein as well.


Eggs

There's no doubt that protein, like fiber, has impressive satiating powers. And while eggs seem to have a bad reputation in some circles, there can be no contesting their ability to help keep your weight in check.

Research has shown that eating eggs at breakfast can help you fight weight gain all day long. A study reported in 2008 in the "International Journal of Obesity" found that when dieters ate two eggs for breakfast for five days out of the week, they lost 65 percent more weight than dieters who consumed a bagel in the morning. Although protein is likely to fill you up whenever you eat it, some scientists suspect that having more in the morning can keep you feeling fuller all day long.


Tomatoes

It's true that most veggies make for great diet fare. Non-starchy vegetables in particular, such as carrots, celery and spinach, are filled with fiber. Like other foods high in fiber, they can help keep you feeling satiated.

Plus, they're pretty self-regulating, says Aragon. You can't really overeat with nonstarchy vegetables. After all, how many baby carrots can a person eat without needing to dunk them in some ranch dressing?

So while there are many veggies that can help you stay slim, tomatoes might be a particularly good option because they're so tasty. And, besides, with that whole a-tomato-is-a-vegetable-no-it's-a-fruit argument, you might have forgotten all about eating them. One cup of cooked, red tomatoes contains just 43 calories, but tastes just as delicious as any number of high-calorie foods.

And that's at least half the secret, finding foods that are both healthy and tasty. The good thing is, they do exist. Over time, you'll discover what wholesome, filling foods you prefer, expanding your choices while shrinking your waistline. 


By: Kristin McGrath

Photodisc/Photodiscs/Getty Images


"5 Foods That Keep You Thin" courtesy of LIVESTRONG.COM


References:

"The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Nuts and weight; Maira Bes-Rastrollo

"Obesity"; Eggs and bagel study: 2008

"Nutrition":Green tea supplementation: Arpita Basu


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Difference Between Leadership and Management

Leadership and Management - Image by Frank Smith
Leadership and Management - Image by Frank Smith
Business Management Education: A guide to answering the question, "What is the difference between leadership and management?"

Management and leadership are two words in the business world which are often used interchangeably. Whilst a person operating at a sufficiently senior level within an organisation will often be required to exhibit both qualities, the fact remains that leadership and management should be considered as two distinctive subjects, despite the understanding that they are often indivisibly linked.

What is Management?

Common definitions of management consider that the task of management includes the planning, controlling and execution of processes and tasks within an organisation. As such, the consideration is that management is largely an organisational skill, based around the organisation of resources.

Typically management is seen as a task and skill set, which is aimed at maintaining the status quo within an organisation. As such, the functions of management are often associated with target setting, budgeting and other activities which facilitate control.

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What is Leadership?

Leadership on the other hand, is usually associated with the specific management of people. This however, is a little blunt for a definition and limits the scope of the concept of leadership somewhat. A wider and more appropriate definition of leadership would be to consider that leadership is the general advocacy of a direction or vision within an organisation.

As such, leadership is associated, not with the specific instructions and controls linked to management. Instead, leadership involves the inspiration and motivation of groups and individuals within an organisation, with the aim of allowing those groups and individuals to bring about the desired vision of the leader.

What is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?

An often overly simplified distinction between the tasks of leadership and management is to consider that management applies to “things” whilst, leadership applies to people. However, this is to over-simplify the distinction and misses the point somewhat.

A better analysis would be to consider that management is a skill based around the organisation of both people and resources, in order to maintain current processes and practises, or at achieve a specific predetermined outcome. On the other hand, leadership is concerned with the provision of communications, inspiration and motivation to enable people and resources to create change within an organisation.

In summary, despite the fact that leadership and management are two separate disciplines, one consideration is that for many occupying a management role both qualities will often be required. However, knowing the difference between management and leadership may help an individual to perform both tasks more effectively.

Sources:

  • Mullins, L, J. 2009. Management and organisational behaviour. 8th ed. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall.
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Frank Smith - Frank Smith currently works as an full time industry analyst for a well known construction company in Lincolnshire. In his spare time, ...