Free Printable Halloween Costume Patterns and Design Guides

Did you know that next to Christmas, Halloween is the biggest marketing holiday of all? The average per capita spending is around $70 for Halloween costumes, candy and decorations. Halloween costumes are expensive to buy or rent. So why not make yours this year? Here's a website with 200 free printable Halloween costume patterns, accessory templates and designs. Make costumes for babies, children, teens, adults and couples--all free. Many use recycled and scrap materials. Free Printable Halloween Costume Patterns

Free Printable Astrology Signs of the Zodiac Tattoo Patterns and Coloring Pages

I don't have any tattoos myself, nor do I think they're particularly stylish. But like it or not, tattooing is crazy-popular. A frequent design for tattoos are individual horoscope symbols. The signs of the zodiac distinguish which star pattern or constellation a person is born under. The 12 symbols, or signs of the zodiac roughly follow the 12 months of the Gregorian or western calendar. The study of stars and their effect upon human behavior is called astrology. Predicting the future based upon stars and star symbols is called reading a horoscope. The names for the constellations and signs of the zodiac come from the Latin and the symbols are indicated in Greek. Here are Free Printable Astrology Signs of the Zodiac Tattoo Patterns and Coloring Pages

How I Lost 100 Pounds: Diet Restaurant Guide to Lose Weight

 I gained a lot of weight after losing two stillborn babies. Since 2012, I lost 100 pounds. As you might imagine, I get asked a lot how I lost weight. So, I write diet tips and recipes to help.



Today's is about restaurants-- huge diet death traps. Restaurant food is higher in salt, fat and sugar. Portions are bigger than recommended. But eating out is so common. Ironically (or not) overweight/obese people tend to eat out more. Don't get me wrong. I love going out to eat. But it's important, if you want (need) to lose weight, to learn how to eat in restaurants and stick to the diet. How I Lost 100 Pounds: Diet Restaurant Guide to Lose Weight

Why Girls Should Not Wear Sexy Clothes

Girls shouldn't wear sexy clothes. I'm not talking morals or modesty here. I'm not saying sexy clothes make women vulnerable to predators (that's another issue). I don't mean showing a little skin or occasionally dressing sexy. I'm saying that wearing overly sexualized clothes all the time stems from underlying psychology problems.

I don't mean psycho-sexual disorders such a nymphomania. What I am speaking of is nothing like nymphomania, if there even is such a condition, which my research leads me to doubt.

Women who show their bodies constantly usually have low self-esteem. Female anatomy, especially breasts, have become a status symbol. Big boobs get attention and admiration, from both genders. Girls with smaller breasts covet big ones. They value themselves on breast size. Many believe big boobs are the only way to attract guys. Hence the crowds of women seeking breast implants.

I hate the word "boobs." Breasts are for nursing babies. Calling them "boobs" (or worse) mocks and devalues women's bodies and women by association.

I'm concerned for girls who are taught to use their bodies as tools. I worry about women who can't see their own worth, outside of sexual attraction. I'm not saying it's wrong to make ourselves attractive. I'm just concerned about the motivation behind it.

Women aren't objects. Dressing in revealing clothes we objectify ourselves. I fear for girls who dress provocatively to get male attention. It's not the fault of men alone. We women communicate wrong body messages to each other--beginning with the most vulnerable and precious--our daughters.

Fashions come and go. In my utopia where everyone is psychologically healthy and emotionally stable, we are the masters of fashion, not slaves to it. For more of my ramblings on emotional health, stop by and see me at www.emotionalhealthhelp.blogspot.com.

Weight Loss Rewards that Don't Involve Food

 I've lost 100 pounds--woo hoo! Left photo is at my fattest and right photo is summer, 2014. Thank you Lord and Hallelujah! All that hard work paid off in a skinnier, happier me. That's reward in itself. But hard work deserves some special treats. Before I lost weight, that would have meant wining and dining blowouts. But rewards don't, shouldn't always involve food. Here are non-food rewards for weight loss--so I can stay on the thin and narrow path. Being a tightwad, I've listed inexpensive rewards. Affordable Non-Food Rewards for Women Who've Lost Weight

Firm Up Post Weight Loss Skin: A-Z Toning Exercises, Supplements, Treatments

I've lost 100 pounds and am now faced with the burning question--how to firm up post-fat saggy skin? It's tricky if you have a lot of weight to lose, like I did. You don't necessarily lose weight evenly in all places. You can't predict exactly how your body will look like when you're done. You don't know what parts will be saggiest. For me, it's neck, face and tummy. Do you read excuse-making here for not exercising? Maybe so. But weight loss means body-under-construction. So now that I'm where I want to be , I can start the firm-up process. Here are A-Z skin and muscle toners to firm up a post-weight loss body. I've included lower-impact exercises for those of us with health problems that prevent more strenuous workouts. Use these for post-partum toning too. Firm Up Post Weight Loss Skin: A-Z Toning Exercises, Supplements And Treatments

Fiber Foods, Fatty Acid Fat Burners for Weight Loss from A to Z

I've lost almost 100 pounds and dropped nine sizes from 20 (Left) to 3 (right). I burned excess belly fat and trimmed other body fat. I lost 14 BMI points. How? I swap saturated and hydrogenated fat, starch, refined sugar and flour for high-fiber, fatty acids foods. Ironically, good fats--omega oils, MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) and fiber are natural bad fat burners. They work together. Many fiber-rich foods are high in fatty acids and also low in saturated fats. Here's an A-Z list of good-fat, high-fiber foods.  A-Z Fiber Foods, Fatty Acid Fat Burners for Weight Loss

BB Cream is Moisturizer, Foundation, Sunscreen all it One!

My makeup shelf resembles a pharmacy with it's jumble of lotions and creams. Wouldn't it be nice to have a skin care product that does it all? Moisturizer, blemish cover, foundation, skin protectant, sunscreen, toner, bronzer? I found one--BB cream. BB stands for "blemish balm" or "beauty balm."  For a Multitasking Foundation and Moisturizer, Try BB Cream 

2014 Swimsuit Trends Favor Plus Size, Tankini, Two-Piece Separates Offer Options

Plus size, disproportionate, apple-shaped women rejoice. Because finally 2014 swimsuit trends flatter us! For plus size and apples shapes, the uber-popular tankini de-emphasizes midriffs, chubby tummies while accentuating hips. Unfortunately, we chesty-curvy gals aren't so lucky. Swimsuit tops still aren't generous enough. But with tops and bottoms sold separately, there are swimsuits for all body shapes and sizes. 2014 Swimsuit Trends, Tankini, Two-Piece Separates Provide Options

Got Belly Fat? Want Belly Flat? Foods to Add and Burn Stomach Fat

I've lost 97 pounds and dropped from size 20 to size 3/ 4. I gained 100 pounds after losing two stillborn babies. I put on weight all over, but especially in the stomach. Belly fat has always been my nemesis. So I research what causes and cures belly fat. Some advice is contradictory, so I follow trusted physicians like Dr. Oz, and my personal experience. The trick is to avoid saturated fat, highly-inflammatory, sugary, salty and bloating foods. Eat healthy MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids), metabolism-boosters, omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, fermented foods, vitamin C. Here's an A-Z guide of foods that add and subtract to tummy bulge.  Belly Fat or Flat, Foods That Boost and Burn Stomach Bulge