U.S. VP debate...On Biden and Ryan.

The Biden-Ryan debate was much livelier than the Obama-Romney debate, everyone says. First of all, I'd like to say VP. Biden is one jolly, good fellow. I like his guts and he's a spirited, old guy. Secondly someone should tell Congressman Ryan you can't experiment with the economy. He was all about normative statements, but Ryan, you can't be hypothetical when you are talking about the economy. It can't work. I was a little disappointed. Maybe Romney has something but Ryan is completely out of the question. He relies on studies/researches to tell how their policies would work? Like seriously!! Arguably, Romney/Ryan think the economy of the U.S.A or any other country in the world is like a game where you just have to follow some certain rules to get it fixed. Heck no! You don't come with hypothesis and start saying we're going to do this and that without backing it up with solid policies and not researches and studies. Researchers can be wrong, Ryan, they can be. These Romney/Ryan guys are just programmed by fox news and what the media says. It's obvious these guys have ideas but a large chunk of it won't work and sadly they won't know that until they get elected which of course will be too late. 

The U.S economy will be much much safer under Obama/Biden. Congressman Paul Ryan made us know that in the debate. It's much easier to blabber when you read economics textbooks and talk high school economics, but Romney/Ryan will smell the coffee when or if they get elected. Romney and Ryan are coming in to try out their experiments and by the time they know how tough it is, the U.S. economy would be much worse off. You don't experiment with an economy! And yeah, that Congressman Ryan, is a bunch of malarkey!

Another thing was about the war. Biden reiterated that America will be pulling out of Afghanistan in 2014, Ryan said he supports but has reservations as the time-line might not be very accurate. What the freaking heck! The U.S. can't definitely afford another war now. It's time to spend all that dough on the American people and it's about time America takes her snout out of other countries' businesses. Do we all remember Napoleon? Do we remember his guns vs butter policy? If America continues to spend more on war then the welfare of her people will meet with jeopardy soon enough as the two can't be balanced. You gotta choose one, Paul Ryan. The deficits accrued already are as a result of trying to spend so much money on war at the expense of welfare and the economy, taking into consideration the 47% who will never pay taxes. The middle class makes up the American economy. Restore the middle class and it's uhuru. How long will America continue to borrow? It just doesn't make sense.

The U.S.A.will be better under Obama/Romney but that is my personal opinion. If on the other hand Romney and Ryan get elected, then America should prepare to keep financing wars with tax payers money and expect mere experiments from these two guys. It just doesn't add up to me! Paul Ryan said 'we can't keep spending money we don't have', yet he wants American troops to stay in Afghanistan. He wants more war and war. Maybe I just don't like this guy because he strikes me as ignorant, uptight, arrogant and hypothetical but if I'm to choose between Obama/Biden being the devil, and Romney/Ryan being the deep, blue sea, then the devil will be my exclusive choice. 

Marriage rules you should break

The two of you should do everything together; work out every disagreement (without actually fighting); spend every night in the same bed; and never, ever be bored. Say what?! These and other so-called “rules” for marriage need some serious debunking. And it’s not just because rules your mother may have passed on are outdated; some may be downright damaging. In fact, “breaking some marriage ‘rules’ may be the best thing you can do for your relationship,” says Barbara Bartlein, RN, MSW, psychotherapist and author of Why Did I Marry You Anyway? Here are 10 rules you can break with confidence.

1. Never go to bed angry. 
Where did this one come from? Turns out, it may go as far back as the Bible, which advises not letting the sun go down on your anger. But trying to work through a problem when you’re tired and stressed won’t get you anywhere, says Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, psychologist and author of A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. “Agree to disagree for now, and to revisit the issue when you’re rested.”



2. Always be 100% honest. 
In marriage, no-holds-barred honesty is not always the best policy. For example, “you don’t need to share details of past relationships,” says Bartlein. “That invites comparisons, and when you compare, someone comes up short.” The bottom line: You need to be polite and caring when it comes to your partner’s feelings.

3. Never vacation without each other. 
The received wisdom here is that if you have time off from your jobs and lives, you should naturally prefer to spend it together. One problem with this rule is that you and your spouse may not have the same definition of a great getaway (you like to ski, he’s a beach bum). The other danger, says Dr. Lombardo, is the belief “that you have to be each other’s everything, and that’s just not realistic.” Sometimes, you need a spa weekend, and he may want to go camping (or vice versa). Just be sure that you don’t always take off without each other.




4. If you fight, you’re headed for divorce. 
Actually, says Bartlein, research shows that couples who never fight—assuming that means they’re holding back to avoid conflict—are more likely to split. You need to find ways to fight healthily and productively (without blaming, name-calling and the like), but that said, being committed to respectfully airing out conflicts is a far better rule than “keep your mouth shut.”

5. Once you have children, they come first. 
“So often, I see couples who have put their relationship on hold in order to be good parents,” says Dr. Lombardo. But those couples, she says, have it exactly backward. Making your relationship top priority is better not just for you, but for your children, who need to see you in charge and who feel safer and more secure with parents who have a loving relationship. “Create couple-only time during which you do not discuss bills or children, where you do fun activities and enjoy each other's company.” The kids’ll be all right.



6. You should never sleep in separate beds. 
Um, snore much? It’s a myth that couples always sleep better and more cozily together than apart. One partner may be a toss-and-turner, or one may hit the hay early while the other keeps a reading light burning till the wee hours. So if one of you occasionally decamps to the guest room, don’t sweat it. “Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to the health of your mind, body andmarriage,” says Dr. Lombardo. Just be sure a separate-bed habit isn’t about avoiding sex or physical intimacy.

7. Partners should sync up their hobbies. 
Though spending every free moment you have training for a marathon while your spouse works on his classic car isn’t good for your marriage, neither is subscribing to the notion you should quit doing what you love just because your husband doesn’t love the same things. Giving up your passions is akin to forgoing your independence, and “without independence in a marriage people feel trapped,” says Bartlein. Pursue your separate interests and find activities you both enjoy.



8. If there’s no spark, you’re doomed. 
Many married couples understand intellectually that they won’t always experience that I’ve-been-drugged-by-love feeling in a long-term relationship. “But many still believe that when the spark dies out, it means they’re in the wrong relationship, and seek something new,” says Bartlein. Long-term relationships survive on commitment and trust, out of which grows love. The mistake here is to believe that you can live forever on fireworks, or even just love, alone.



9. Boring is bad. 
The problem with this so-called rule, says Bartlein, is when couples confuse a calm, predictable union with a bad one. A drama-filled relationship may feel exciting, but in the long run it’s not likely to be healthy. Isn’t it better, she says, to “boringly” know where your spouse is every night than to be “excited” by constant ups and downs? “Better to have a safe, relaxed, ‘boring’ life together in the everyday. You can always inject excitement with vacations and activities.”

10. You should have sex with your partner to make him/her happy. 
This may be a particular problem for women, especially new mothers. “Sex becomes yet another item on your to-do list, and you think you have to do it for the sake of your marriage, and the happiness of your spouse,” says Dr. Lombardo. While neither of those reasons is wrong, they shouldn’t be the only reasons. “Sex is for both of you.”




Source:  http://www.womansday.com/sex-relationships/dating-marriage/10-marriage-rules-you-should-break-106237

10 Ways to make your relationship happy!

What does it take to be happy in a relationship? If you're working to improve your relationship/marriage, here are the 10 habits of happy couples.

1. Go to bed at the same time
Remember the beginning of your relationship, when you couldn't wait to go to bed with each other to make love? Happy couples resist the temptation to go to bed at different times. They go to bed at the same time, even if one partner wakes up later to do things while their partner sleeps.

2. Cultivate common interests
After the passion settles down, it's common to realize that you have few interests in common. But don't minimize the importance of activities you can do together that you both enjoy. If common interests are not present, happy couples develop them. At the same time, be sure to cultivate interests of your own; this will make you more interesting to your mate and prevent you from appearing too dependent.

3. Walk hand in hand or side by side
Rather than one partner lagging or dragging behind the other, happy couples walk comfortably hand in hand or side by side. They know it's more important to be with their partner than to see the sights along the way.

4. Make trust and forgiveness your default mode
If and when they have a disagreement or argument, and if they can't resolve it, happy couples default to trusting and forgiving rather than distrusting and begrudging.

5. Focus more on what your partner does right than what he or she does wrong
If you look for things your partner does wrong, you can always find something. If you look for what he or she does right, you can always find something, too. It all depends on what you want to look for. Happy couples accentuate the positive.

6. Hug each other as soon as you see each other after work
Our skin has a memory of "good touch" (loved), "bad touch" (abused) and "no touch" (neglected). Couples who say hello with a hug keep their skin bathed in the "good touch," which can inoculate your spirit against anonymity in the world.

7. Say "I love you" and "Have a good day" every morning
This is a great way to buy some patience and tolerance as each partner sets out each day to battle traffic jams, long lines and other annoyances.

8. Say "Good night" every night, regardless of how you feel
This tells your partner that, regardless of how upset you are with him or her, you still want to be in the relationship. It says that what you and your partner have is bigger than any single upsetting incident.

9. Do a "weather" check during the day
Call your partner at home or at work to see how his or her day is going. This is a great way to adjust expectations so that you're more in sync when you connect after work. For instance, if your partner is having an awful day, it might be unreasonable to expect him or her to be enthusiastic about something good that happened to you.

10. Be proud to be seen with your partner
Happy couples are pleased to be seen together and are often in some kind of affectionate contact -- hand on hand or hand on shoulder or knee or back of neck. They are not showing off but rather just saying that they belong with each other.

Happy couples have different habits than unhappy couples. A habit is a discrete behavior that you do automatically and that takes little effort to maintain. It takes 21 days of daily repetition of a new a behavior to become a habit. So select one of the behaviors in the list above to do for 21 days and voila, it will become a habit...and make you happier as a couple. And if you fall off the wagon, don't despair, just apologize to your partner, ask their forgiveness and recommit yourself to getting back in the habit.

Billionaire CEO Threatens To Fire Employees If Obama Wins

The CEO of a massive timeshare company sent an email about the upcoming election to his employees yesterday, threatening to fire some of them if President Obama wins re-election.

David Siegel, who owns Florida-based Westgate Resorts, sent an email to all his employees yesterday to discuss the upcoming election. “The economy doesn’t currently pose a threat to your job,” Siegel wrote, noting that the company is “the most profitable [it's] ever been.” “What does threaten your job however, is another 4 years of the same Presidential administration.” He went on to say that although he “can’t tell you whom to vote for,” if Obama is re-elected, it would mean “fewer jobs, less benefits and certainly less opportunity for everyone.”

Here are a few select paragraphs from the email:

Subject: Message from David Siegel
Date:Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:58:05 -0400 (EDT)
From: [David Siegel]
To: [All employees]

To All My Valued Employees,

As most of you know our company, Westgate Resorts, has continued to succeed in spite of a very dismal economy. There is no question that the economy has changed for the worse and we have not seen any improvement over the past four years. In spite of all of the challenges we have faced, the good news is this: The economy doesn’t currently pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is another 4 years of the same Presidential administration. Of course, as your employer, I can’t tell you whom to vote for, and I certainly wouldn’t interfere with your right to vote for whomever you choose. In fact, I encourage you to vote for whomever you think will serve your interests the best.

However, let me share a few facts that might help you decide what is in your best interest.

[...]

So where am I going with all this? It’s quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, as our current President plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of this company. Rather than grow this company I will be forced to cut back. This means fewer jobs, less benefits and certainly less opportunity for everyone.

So, when you make your decision to vote, ask yourself, which candidate understands the economics of business ownership and who doesn’t? Whose policies will endanger your job? Answer those questions and you should know who might be the one capable of protecting and saving your job. While the media wants to tell you to believe the “1 percenters” are bad, I’m telling you they are not. They create most of the jobs. If you lose your job, it won’t be at the hands of the “1%”; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country.

You can view the email in full here.

Siegel earned national notoriety this year for his quest to build the biggest house in America, “a sprawling, 90,000-square-foot mansion inspired by Versailles.”

In a bizarre twist, Siegel’s email was modeled after a fake letter that made the rounds on the internet during the last presidential election. He confirmed his own email’s authenticity in a phone call to Gawker, saying that “it speaks the truth” and gives employees “something to think about when they go to the polls.”

ThinkProgress reached out to Siegel for comment, but no response was given.

Like seriously!!!

10 Signs of a Serious Relationship

When you are with someone you really care about, how can you tell if that person is the one for you? How can you find out where your relationship stands? Are there any clues that could tell you if the relationship will lead into marriage?

Perhaps you are at the stage where you feel that you are ready to settle down and would like to know if the relationship is going anywhere. How do you find out if the person you are with is as committed to you as you are to him/her?

Below are some signs that could help you tell how serious and dedicated you and your partner are getting and how close you are into taking that next step:

1. You drop the “I” or “you” and start referring to each other as “we”.

2. There is no one else that you can imagine being with than him or her. They are starting to become the most important person in your life.

3. You catch yourself thinking about ways to please your partner rather than yourself.

4. You see yourselves growing old together, walking hand in hand along the shore, and taking care of each other.

5. You have fun imagining what your children and grandchildren will be like.

6. You start looking at money in a different way, like thinking about buying a house together, saving for a trip together, spending it on anything that you both can share.

7. You cancel dates with your friends and other people because you would rather spend time with him or her.

8. You start feeling tired of the single life and start thinking about getting married.

9. You feel strongly that it is very important for your family and your ‘special someone’s’ parents to get along.

10. You start thinking and talking more about the future and your goals together.

Diet for your brain (recipes included!)

If you are preparing for the bar exam your diet is probably the last thing on your mind. Does it really matter that you had that pastry for breakfast? What if I told you that adding these 12 foods to your diet would improve your memory, increase your concentration, raise your mental energy level, and make you sleep better at night?

Just like a race car running on high, during times of stress your mind and body need good quality fuel to run well. But it’s during high times of stress that we tend to eat the worst. We don’t think we have time to eat healthy. We desperately need that soda to stay awake and definitely deserve that breakfast muffin. I remember being addicted to the Pete’s carrot ginger muffins when I was studying for the bar.

I’m not saying you can’t treat yourself or that you need to drastically change your eating habits. This is not the time to go on a diet, quit smoking or try to get off coffee. But if you simply add these 12 foods to your diet, you will be giving your brain real fuel, which can be a game changer in times of stress. I have also included a few of my favorite easy recipes below.

Top 12 Brain Foods

1. Water

Drink more water. 85% of your brain tissue is water. When you are dehydrated your brain shrinks and doesn’t function as well. You should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. If you get headaches, it’s probably because you are not drinking enough water.

2. Green Tea

You may like coffee in the morning or diet coke in the afternoon, but if you’re willing to change it up occasionally, try green tea. It improves your focus and fights mental fatigue. It also includes antioxidants that enhance your memory.

3. Green Leafy Vegetables

Green vegetables are also Study Super Foods. The vitamins in broccoli help convert tryptophan into serotonin, your good mood brain chemical, and the large amounts of vitamin K in broccoli enhance cognitive function and improve brainpower. Try adding green veggies like spinach, broccoli and brussels sprouts to your diet. The easiest way to add green veggies is simply to add a salad to your lunch and dinner.

4. Avocados

Avocados are a “Super Study Food.” They contain good fats, which contribute to healthy blood flow to your brain and support proper brain function. I recommend adding 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado to one meal daily as a side dish. Adding avocados to your eggs creates the perfect pre-study breakfast.

5. Fruits

Instead of grabbing those potato chips, grab an apple, banana or orange. It will give you antioxidants that boost your brain and body function. A great mid-day snack is bananas or apples with almond butter. You can get almond butter from most grocery stores or health food stores.

6. Oatmeal Topped with Yogurt and Blueberries

This is a great brain breakfast combo. Blueberries are possibly the best brain food on earth because they strengthen your neuron signals, which improves your brain function. They are also high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, so they won’t spike your blood sugar like that muffin or scone. Oatmeal and other whole grains boost blood flow to the brain and stick with you, keeping you full until lunch. And an amino acid in yogurt helps improve your mental alertness and memory.

7. Nuts and Seeds

Both nuts and seeds boost your brain power and improve your mood. Nuts like almonds, cashews or walnuts contain protein, fiber, and beneficial fats. Snack on nuts to clear up that mid-morning brain fog. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are particularly good because they contain tryptophan, the amino acid the brain converts to serotonin. So these little seeds can also improve your mood and help you sleep. I love sunflower seeds in the shells because I have to work at them. It gives me something to do when I study to keep me awake. And ladies, because pumpkin seeds also contain lots of zinc, they have been shown to increase your libido – just something to keep in mind.

8. Eggs

Eggs contain high-quality proteins, vitamins and nutrients. One nutrient in eggs even boosts the memory center of your brain.

9. Fish

Fish is a good mood food. Salmon and tuna contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve memory, and reduce anxiety and hyperactivity.

10. Brown Rice and Beans or Lentils

Beans and lentils are rich in quality protein, so they will fill you up, while also help stabilizing your blood sugar levels and energizing your brain. Brown rice contains the perfect mix of carbohydrates and fiber to fuel your brain while keeping you full.

11. Popcorn

Fat free popcorn is a whole grain. So snacking on popcorn (not the buttery or sugary kind) can help boost blood flow to the brain.

12. Chocolate

Yes, chocolate does actually make you happier. Dark chocolate, in moderation, enhances your focus and concentration. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and contains several natural stimulants, which increase the production of endorphins.

Balancing Meals

For best brain results balance good carbohydrates with proteins. Your brain actually needs carbohydrates for fuel. But try to avoid any meals that are purely carbohydrates. A high carbohydrate meal will make you feel sleepy and sluggish later. And remember that carbs like candy, chips, white bread, pastries and pasta give quick energy, but don’t go the long haul. Healthy carbs like whole grains, fruits, veggies, and lentils provide longer lasting fuel for the brain.

I have included a few easy recipes below. If you have foods that you like to eat when you study, share them here.

Want more tips to improve your brain function? Lauren Firestein is the founder of the Mind Over Bar Course, an innovative course that focuses only on the mental challenges of the bar exam. The course teaches in-the-moment practices you can use study faster and easier and rock the bar exam.

Scrambled Eggs with Avocado
2-3 Eggs
½ Avocado, chopped into small cubes
Cheddar cheese
Canned Mexican flavored tomatoes (Rotel is my favorite brand.)
Chili powder
Cumin
Cilantro

As you scramble the eggs in a pan, add the chili powder and cumin. Once the eggs are almost done, add the canned tomatoes and cheddar cheese. At the end, fold in the fresh avocado and cilantro. Top with your favorite salsa.

For another variation: Replace cheddar with goat cheese, Mexican flavored canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes, and chili powder, cumin and cilantro with fresh basil.

Tasty Brown Rice and Beans
Cooked brown rice
Your favorite type of canned beans – garbanzo, white cannelli, soy, lentils, black, etc.
Canned tomatoes of any flavor (Mexican flavored, Italian flavored, etc.)
Juice of one lemon

Combine all ingredients, microwave and enjoy.

Easy Lunch Tostada
2 corn tortillas
1 Zucchini, cut into small cubes
1 Squash, cut into small cubes
5-6 fresh cherry tomatoes, chopped (or canned tomatoes)
Olive oil
Mexi corn (canned or frozen)
1 can black beans
Salsa
Chili powder
Cumin

Preheat your oven to 400°. Put foil on a cookie sheet, drizzle a little olive oil on the foil and very lightly coat the tortillas with the oil. Bake them for 7-10 minutes, checking often as the burn quickly.

In a large pan, cook the zucchini and squash in a little olive oil for 3-4 minutes. Season with chili powder and cumin to taste. Once they are almost done, add the cherry tomatoes, mexi-corn, black beans, and 2 tablespoons salsa. Cook until everything is warm. Spoon mixture on cooked crisp tortillas.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts
1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
3 tablespoons good olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves. Cut them in half. Mix them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour them on a cookie sheet and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the sprouts evenly. Sprinkle with more kosher salt ( I like these salty like French fries), and serve immediately.

Yummy Green Salad
Baby spinach leaves
¼ cup Broccoli, chopped
¼ Cucumber, sliced
1 carrot, sliced (or use shredded carrots)
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
¼ cup sliced almonds
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
Balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing to taste

20 Foods That Make You Smarter (a must read for students and Professionals)

Here are some healthy, environmentally friendly ways to kick-start your brain..
On a deadline? Need to rally? Avoid the soda, vending machine snacks and tempting Starbucks and go for these powerful brain boosters instead. The path to a bigger, better brain is loaded with Omega-3 fats , antioxidants, and fiber. Give your brain a kick start: eat the following foods on a daily or weekly basis for results you will notice.
20 foods that will supercharge your brain:
1. Avocado
Start each day with a mix of high-quality protein and beneficial fats to build the foundation for an energized day. Avocado with scrambled eggs provides both, and the monounsaturated fat helps blood circulate better, which is essential for optimal brain function. Worst alternative: a trans-fat-filled, sugar-laden cream cheese Danish.

2. Blueberries
These delicious berries are one of the best foods for you, period, but they’re very good for your brain as well. Since they’re high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, they are safe for diabetics and they do not spike blood sugar. Blueberries are possibly the best brain food on earth: they have been linked to reduced risk for Alzheimer’s, shown to improve learning ability and motor skills in rats, and they are one of the most powerful anti-stress foods you can eat. Avoid: dried, sweetened blueberries.
Green it: buy local and organic, and be mindful of seasonality. When blueberries are out of season, opt for cranberries, grapes, goji berries, blackberries or cherries to get your brain boost.

3. Wild Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for your brain . These beneficial fats are linked to improved cognition and alertness, reduced risk of degenerative mental disease (such as dementia), improved memory, improved mood, and reduced depression, anxiety and hyperactivity. Wild salmon is a premium source, but we’ll highlight a few other sources on this list for vegetarians and people who just don’t like salmon. Avoid farmed (read: sea lice infested) salmon.

4. Nuts

Nuts contain protein, high amounts of fiber, and they are rich in beneficial fats . For getting an immediate energy boost that won’t turn into a spike later, you can’t do better than nuts. The complex carbs will perk you up while the fat and protein will sustain you. Nuts also contain plenty of vitamin E, which is essential to cognitive function. You don’t have to eat raw, plain, unsalted nuts, but do avoid the ones with a lot of sweetening or seasoning blends. Filberts, hazelnuts, cashews, and walnuts are great choices, with almonds being the king of nuts.
For those avoiding carbs, macadamia nuts are much higher in fat than most nuts. By the way, peanuts just aren’t ideal. Aside from the fact that many people are allergic, peanuts have less healthy fat than many other types of nuts…maybe that’s because peanuts are not actually a nut! They’re still much better than a candy bar, however.


5. Seeds

Try sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seed, and tahini (a tangy, nutty sesame butter that tastes great in replacement of mayo and salad dressing). Seeds contain a lot of protein, beneficial fat, and vitamin E, as well as stress-fighting antioxidants and important brain-boosting minerals like magnesium.


6. Coffee
Thine eyes do not deceive (even if you are in the midst of a sugar crash). Coffee is good for your brain . Did you know coffee actually contains fiber? That’s going to help your cardiovascular system. Coffee also exerts some noted benefit to your brain in addition to providing you with a detectable energy boost.
The trick is not to have more than a few cups. But you can safely enjoy 2-4 cups daily – we are talking about supercharging here. Just please don’t go ruining a good thing by loading it up with sugar! Espresso beans are actually a phenomenally healthy snack, by the way.



7. Oatmeal
Nature’s scrub brush is one of the best foods for cardiovascular health, which translates to brain health. Additionally, oatmeal is packed with fiber, a reasonable amount of protein, and even a small amount of Omega-3’s. It’s a good grain that will sustain you throughout the morning so you aren’t prone to irritability or an energy crash.



8. Beans

One more for carb-lovers. (The brain uses about 20% of your carbohydrate intake and it likes a consistent supply.) Beans are truly an amazing food that is sadly overlooked. They’re humble, but very smart. Not only are they loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and protein, they’re ridiculously cheap. An entire bag of beans usually costs only a few dollars and will provide many meals. Beans provide a steady, slow release of glucose to your brain – which means energy all day without the sugar crash. Don’t go eating a whole platter of frijoles, though – just 1/4 of a cup is fine.


9. Pomegranate
Opt for the fruit over the juice so you get more fiber. Pomegranates contain blueberry-like levels of antioxidants, which are essential for a healthy brain . Your brain is the first organ to feel the effects of stress, so anything you can do to offset stress is a smart choice.





10. Brown Rice
Brown rice is a low-glycemic complex carbohydrate that is excellent for people sensitive to gluten who still want to maintain cardiovascular health. The better your circulation, the sharper your brain .

11. Tea
You have to brew tea fresh or you won’t get the benefits of all those catechines (antioxidants) that boost your brain . Because tea has caffeine, don’t have more than 2-3 cups daily.
Green it: buy organic, fair trade loose leaf or packets to support sustainable business practices.


12. Chocolate

Things are looking increasingly better for chocolate. It’s got brain-boosting compounds, it’s loaded with antioxidants, and it has just the right amount of caffeine. Chocolate sends your serotonin through the roof, so you’ll feel happy in short order. Dark chocolate is also rich in fiber. (Remember, fiber = healthy cardiovascular system = healthy brain .)
Green it: go for super dark, fair-trade, pure organic chocolate, not the sugary, processed milk chocolate candy bars.

13. Oysters
Oysters are rich in selenium, magnesium, protein and several other nutrients vital to brain health. In one study researchers found that men who ate oysters reported significantly improved cognition and mood! Not all shellfish are good for you but oysters are a sure bet.
Green it: oysters are actually one of the most eco-friendly seafood options, so eat up!


14. Olive Oil

Though we know the brain does need a small, steady supply of glucose, don’t overlook fat. Studies have consistently shown that a low-fat diet is not the health boon we hoped it would be (remember the 90s low-fat craze?). In fact, avoiding fat can increase foggy thinking, mood swings, and insomnia. A diet rich in healthy fats is essential to clear thinking, good memory, and a balanced mood. Your brain is made of fat, after all.
One study of men found that those who relied on the processed vegetable fats found in salad dressings, snacks and prepared foods had 75% higher rates of mental degradation (dementia, memory loss) than men who ate healthy fats. Most processed foods and fast foods use corn oil, palm oil, soybean oil and other Omega-6 fats. You don’t want Omega 6 fats. Even saturated fat is safer than Omega 6’s.
Choose healthy fats such as those present in olive oil, nut butters, nuts and seeds, flax, oily fish, and avocados. Avoid processed fats found in pastries, chips, candy bars, snacks, junk food, fried foods and prepared foods. Eating the wrong fat can literally alter your brain’s communication pathways .
Green it: look for organic, local, or farmers’ market options when it comes to your food. You should also explore herbal remedies for mood swings and brain health.

15. Tuna
In addition to being another rich source of Omega-3’s, tuna, particularly yellowfin, has the highest level of vitamin B6 of any food. Studies have shown that B6 is directly linked to memory, cognition and long term brain health. Generally, the B vitamins are among the most important for balancing your mood. B6 in particular influences dopamine receptors (dopamine is one of your "feel good" hormones along with serotonin).
My personal cocktail: SAMe (nature’s happiness molecule) and a mega-dose of B-complex keeps me humming even when I’ve got a mountain of work to do. Which, like you, is all the time.
Green it: only eat tuna from sustainable fisheries, and if you’re looking for a B6 source that is vegetarian, opt for a banana, which contains a third of your day’s requirement (tuna offers nearly 60%).

16. Garlic

Garlic – the fresher the better – is one of the most potent nutritional weapons in your arsenal. Eat it as much as your significant other can stand. Not only is it fabulous for reducing bad cholesterol and strengthening your cardiovascular system, it exerts a protective antioxidant effect on the brain.
Avoid: I know it makes life easier, but don’t even think about buying the chopped or peeled garlic. Nutritional benefits = zero.
Green it: just choose organic, and go for local if you can get it.


17. Eggs
Eggs contain protein and fat to provide energy to your brain for hours, and the selenium in organic eggs is proven to help your mood. You really needn’t worry about the overblown cholesterol fears. (I have quite a bit to say on this topic but I’ll restrain myself for once.)
Green it: choose organic, free range, vegetarian fed eggs.

18. Green Leafy Vegetables
Spinach, kale, chard, romaine, arugula, lolla rossa – whatever green you like, eat it daily. Green, leafy vegetables are high in iron (slightly less "green" iron sources include beef, pork and lamb). Americans tend to be deficient in iron, which is too bad, because the deficiency is linked to restless leg syndrome, fatigue, poor mood, foggy thinking, and other cognition issues.
Green it: choose organic, and shop at your farmers’ market or order from a local CSA. Leave out the red meat a few days a week and rely on a big, well-seasoned green stir fry or salad.

19. Tomatoes
Go figure, but tomatoes don’t usually make the brain-boosting food lists. (Thank goodness I found the one that did so I’m not the only one.) Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that is particularly good for your brain – it even helps prevent dementia. You have to cook tomatoes to get the lycopene – take that, raw foodies! Just kidding. But this does mean that ketchup is good for your brain. Although because of the sugar in it, you should look to other sources for most of your lycopene intake, such as fresh tomato sauce.
Green it: try to eat tomatoes that are local and get your lycopene in vitamin form when tomatoes aren’t in season. You’ll know when that is – the tomatoes will be pale, tasteless, and pithy.

20. Cacao nibs

That’s right, I’m putting chocolate on this list twice. My boyfriend knows I need it. I eat chocolate or cacao nibs daily and I think you might want to consider it, too.Cacao nibs are among the top five most powerful brain foods, right next to wild salmon and blueberries. My girlfriends and I like to mix cacao nibs with frozen blueberries and a generous splash of organic heavy cream while we watch really bad television on Sunday nights.
Green it: as long as it’s fair trade and organic, it’s green.

Things that drain your brain:
Alcohol kills your brain cells outright! Alcohol also interferes with dopamine production. Moderate amounts of alcohol, particularly resveratrol-rich red wine, can help improve your health, but anything beyond a glass or two of wine daily is a recipe for reduced brain function and energy loss.
Corn Syrup and Sugar lead to health problems like diabetes and obesity, and they’re terrible for your brain. Don’t eat sugar except on special occasions or as an infrequent treat. If you can’t cut back that much, try to limit yourself to just two bites of whatever tempts you daily.
Nicotine constricts blood flow to the brain, so while it may "soothe" jittery nerves, smoking will actally reduce your brain function severely – and the effects are cumulative.

A high carbohydrate lunch will make you sleepy and sluggish. Opt for a light meal with some quality protein, such as a salad with grilled chicken breast or vegetables and hummus or wild American shrimp and avocado.

Why Do Girls Get It All Wrong When They Try To Attract Guys' Attention?

How come so many women get it all wrong when they try to catch a man’s attention?

They actually believe that if they dress and behave like sluts, guys would notice them at once and get seriously interested and, who knows, might be even tempted to start dating. Sure, some men like chicks who are easy, no one’s disputing that, but these are not exactly pleasant men who are great to be with. These are mostly inarticulate boring lowlifes who are out in search of a quick shag that they usually perform very badly. Not to mention the possibility of catching a sexually transmitted disease, or even a whole bouquet of them.

But there’s another strange thing that chicks do. Say they have good legs but otherwise are very ordinate looking, so they would wear embarrassingly short skirts that would reveal most of their thighs or, if they are blessed by ample breasts, they’d make them as visible as possible. It’s called nipple flashing, in case you didn’t know. What do they think men take them for? Exactly, easily available chicks, that’s what they take them for. Not to mention that when a woman bares her best parts for public consumption her less impressive assets become even more obvious. It just doesn’t work, girls, this best asset flashing, and it doesn’t make you look appealing or sexy. Sexy actually is about staying covered and radiating a bit of mystery and not showing off your flesh for all sorts of punks to ogle.

And then there’s the loud unprovoked laughter that so many women think makes them look appealing. As in: Oh, I’m so easy going and laid back and comfortable with my looks that I can laugh like a hyena for now reason. It’s a serious problem, this unprovoked loud laughter, by the way, with more and more chicks doing it in the mistaken belief that it makes them look exciting. It’s actually very annoying and on the scale of things that turn men off in women probably competes with chipped nails and BO.

And then there’s this obsession with the latest fashion trends, even the most stupidest ones, that so many chicks have. They seem to think that looking like ten million other women makes them stand out in the crowd. It doesn’t. It makes them look stupid and, what is even worse, it tells men that they have no other way of making themselves interesting or desirable, apart from wearing some idiotic outfit designed by some sick and twisted bastard who calls himself a ‘designer’.

Which brings me, quite unexpectedly for some, I suppose, to my main point: men like women who are glamorous, in a proper way that is, who are not showing off their flesh in abundance in the hope that it makes them look remarkable or eccentric. Sluttiness has had its day, girls. It’s for truck drivers, builders, footballers and actors or other men with low expectations when it comes to women. Proper guys are fed up with chicks who look like hookers. They want to go out with women who can actually string a sentence together and maybe go beyond talking about shows or soaps on the box. Intelligence is what holds relationships together. If two people don’t know what to say to each other, like it happens with so many celebrity couples, they get bored and walk away.

So what I’m saying here, girls, is that reading a good book or even a couple and not staying glued to the box for days might raise your chances of meeting good men. Despite what feminists tell you, who want you to go about looking like cheap hookers and feeling liberated.