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Stop craving something unhealthy

Distract Yourself If you are craving something unhealthy, try to think about the long-term impact of eating that food. Changing your mindset towards certain foods can help you resist the  urge. Instead of giving in and reaching for that unhealthy snack, pat yourself on the back for making the right decision. Click here to see how carbs can make you fat .

Be Grateful, Eat Less

Be Grateful, Eat Less Feeling positive about life can help you make better food choices. Focus on being positive and happy before each meal by reminding yourself of what makes  you thankful. Your positive outlook is more likely to make you opt for healthy foods! Click here to read about how you can distract yourself to stop cravings. .

Proactive or Reactive

Proactive or Reactive…  You have many chances to choose whether to be proactive or reactive every day. Reactive people make choices based on impulse. They can explode at any time. Proactive people make choices based on values. They think before they act. They recognize they can’t control everything that happens to them, but they can control what they do about it. Unlike reactive people they are in control. Besides feeling like victims, reactive people :   Are easily offended Blame others Get angry and say things they later regret Whine and complain Wait for things to happen to them Change only when they have to   Proactive people:   Are not easily offended Take responsibility for their choices Think before they act Bounce back when something bad happens Always find a way to make it happen Focus on things they can do something about, and don’t worry about things they can't Try these: Be the first to say Hello. Do something today that you have wanted to

Carbohydrates make you fat

Carbohydrates make you fat Losing fat is not as hard as it might seem. All you need to do is to cut back on carbohydrates. When you eat carbohydrates, they get converted into glucose by insulin ( a metabolic hormone).   Too much glucose can be toxic so your pancreas sends out even more insulin to manage this. Now, instead of burning fat as fuel, you are converting calories into fat and storing it. Your body is great at converting carbs into fat and will gladly do that if there are too many carbs in your diet.  I found this picture on a site that thinks this is all bunk but oddly enough, it pretty much lays it out for you: Gain muscle, Burn fat Try to exercise to exhaustion  twice a week on an empty stomach  when insulin levels are low. This will force your body to release human growth hormones which allows you to use fat for fuel instead of glucose.  Do not eat  for an hour after the exercise to keep your level of growth hormones higher longer which will help build muscle a

Ohio University and drinking alcohol

Ohio University and drinking alcohol Ohio University is nestled in the rolling hills of Appalachian Ohio in Athens. This scenic town is a mere 90-minute drive southeast from Columbus. With an approximate student population of 23,000, Athens, Ohio, is the quintessential college town. Ohio University is well known as the nation’s top Party School. However, the school is trying to end this reputation and has implemented very strict drinking policies. Before we get to that, here are some reasons why they have the reputation. Court Street The red bricks on this historic street are famous. The street is only about a half mile but there are bars up and down. Court Street is well known for drink specials and drunken naughtiness. However, this street is also notorious for undercover cops that lurk in the shadows and into the bars so be careful. Bong Hill - named for all the potheads who make the climb. Green Beer Day - Yay! The beer is green! Win Or Lose, Bobcats Booze -

Casablanca, Morocco Travel facts

Welcome to Casablanca, Morocco! An Old Friend  History - Morocco has a unique place in early American history. In 1777, it was the first foreign country to recognize the United States. The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship of 1786 remains our oldest unbroken alliance treaty.  Casablanca , Morocco’s largest city, also has a special place in American culture. The 1942 movie by that name, starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, won the Academy Award for Best Picture. It is widely regarded as an American classic.   Tourism  - Morocco’s economy is stable, and tourism is an important industry, just behind agriculture. Each year the country welcomes millions of visitors. Many flock to the urban cafés, where they can sip mint tea and enjoy the spectacle. Morocco is culturally diverse, and several languages are commonly spoken here, including Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish. It’s not unusual for Moroccan speakers to move from one language to another in mid-sentenc

Algiers, Algeria Travel facts

Algiers, Algeria ‘Algerian Pompeii’ Size - Algeria’s land mass is the largest of any African country, and the 10th largest in the world. Its area exceeds 900,000 square miles — four times the size of Texas — although nearly 90% of this land is in the Sahara Desert, and mostly uninhabited. History - Algeria has a long and fascinating history. It was a Phoenician trading hub, and later a Roman colony. Prior to French occupation in 1830, it was a stronghold for Barbary pirates. In Algiers, you can visit the Martyrs’ Memorial to those who fought and died for Algeria’s independence, won in 1962. The 300-foot memorial features three giant palm fronds joined at the top by a dome that protects an eternal flame. It’s just one of many impressive monuments and architectural treasures in the city. Others include: Great Mosque of Algiers. Built in 1097, it is the oldest mosque in the city, and a rare remaining example of Almoravid architecture. Djama’a al-Djedid Mosque . Bui

Bamako, Mali Travel facts

Welcome to Bamako, Mali! To Timbuktu and Back Mali has been a democracy since 1992. With only 18.5 million people, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa. This is partly because the northern third of the country is in the Sahara Desert, where temperatures during the day can reach nearly 140° F. H olidays  -  Mali celebrates several holidays each year — some religious, including Christmas, Easter, and the end of Ramadan — and some civic, such as Armed Forces Day, National Independence Day, and “National Complaints Day,” when citizens are able to bring complaints to the government without fear of reprisal. (This might sound strange in America, where complaining to the government is an inalienable right every day!) Dance - Mali likes to dance. It has a ballet company that performs worldwide. But the country is most famous for its traditional dancers, sometimes portraying animal spirits and donning masks that are as intricate and compelling as the da

Accra, Ghana Travel Facts

Welcome to Accra, Ghana! A True Homecoming Museums   -  Like Nigeria , Ghana also has its museums — among them, the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles. Set on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, these bright, stately buildings have a dark history: Along with 30 other castles and forts on Ghana’s coast, these were the points of departure for millions of African men and women captured and sold into bondage during the slave trade. History - Many of the surviving fortresses are now museums. They tell the painful story of slavery and its brutality. They also are part of an ambitious government program to increase tourism in Ghana from 1 million visitors a year to 8 million by 2027. The intent is not to exploit the crimes of history. Rather, it is to ensure that this horrific chapter is never forgotten. As the first sub-Saharan African nation to win independence from colonial rule, Ghana has a tradition of reaching out to foreigners of African descent. Its Right of Abode law, pas

Abuja, Nigeria Travel Facts

Abuja, Nigeria Art, Antiquity … and Bukas! Population Nigeria has by far the largest population in Africa, with about 200 million people. It also has one of Africa’s largest economies, with much of its wealth coming from oil reserves. English is the official language in Nigeria, although there are literally hundreds of languages spoken here. Independence Nigeria gained independence in 1960, and after decades of military rule it now has a civilian government. Despite wide economic inequality, Nigeria is classified as a middle-income country. It is America’s largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. All of this means Nigeria is open for business. It maintains a brisk tourism trade, with lots to see and do. Idanre hills Let’s start with the Idanre hills in the southwestern part of the country. Evidence of human habitation in Nigeria dates back thousands of years. You can see remnants of this ancient activity as you hike up the hills, including the 667 steps

Kinshasa, Congo Travel Facts

Kinshasa, Congo Heart of Africa The Congo River -  The legendary and literal “heart” of Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is inherently linked to the river that runs through it. The Congo River basin covers an area of more than a million square miles — including most of the country. The Congo is the world’s deepest river, and one of the longest. It is essential to the region’s economic and cultural existence.   Rainfall - Located on the equator, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has an annual rainfall of about 60 inches. The country contains the world’s second-largest rain forest — only the Amazon rainforest is larger. Like Zimbabwe, the DRC is rich in natural resources, including cobalt, copper, cadmium, zinc, manganese, iron ore and many other heavy metals — in addition to diamonds, gold and silver. Unfortunately, these resources have invited both exploitation and corruption, leaving the DRC one of the poorest countries in the world. Adding to its

Understanding Energy

Energy Awareness Being productive isn’t only about managing your time. It’s also about managing your energy. You won’t be effective if you feel burned out on a task. If you notice that you’re tired, step away. You can return refreshed and ready to go. Understanding Energy You can maximize your productivity by matching your mental state to the task. For example, most people can concentrate better when they wake up. So, the morning is the time to work on your most important task. Doing this will enable you to devote the most amount of energy and concentration to it. This is why cramming all night for a test is not always the most efficient way to study. When your energy is low, that might be a good time to exercise. This could help to: give you a shot of energy melt stress away clear your mind Also, Simplify Find the simplest way of doing things to avoid using up all your energy on just one task. Less is More Making decisions takes up mental energ

Harare, Zimbabwe Travel Facts

Harare, Zimbabwe! Zimbabwe’s recent history is marked by civil unrest that has severely weakened the country’s economy. Between 2003 and 2009, inflation spiraled out of control, causing the collapse of many public and private institutions and resulting in widespread unemployment. Life can be hard in this country of about 13 million, whose natural resources ironically include diamonds, gold and platinum. In recent decades, tourism in Zimbabwe has plummeted. For those who have stayed away, here is what they have been missing: Victoria Falls . Located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and dropping 355 feet, Victoria Falls is among the most impressive waterfalls in the world. In fact, the falls have been included among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Safari . Zimbabwe is still one of the best safari destinations in Africa. Hwange National Park, which opened in 1928, features 400 bird and 100 mammal species, including many large carnivore and herbivore specie