The health benefits of collagen capsules

 

 

Collagen is a major component in forming your body's tendons, ligaments, muscles and cartilage. As you age, your body is less able to manufacture a sufficient amount of collagen. Collagen capsules can help maintain your body's repair process. If you have food allergies, be aware that bovine and chicken collagen are commonly used in these capsules. Check with your health care provider before supplementing with collagen.

Improve Circulation

Collagen capsules can strengthen blood vessels and improve their elasticity. Collagen fortifies your blood vessels to improve circulation throughout the body. Blood and nutrients are delivered to your skin, resulting in healthy, radiant and youthful-looking skin.

Promote Healing of Injuries

Collagen is needed to repair and rebuild connective tissue to encourage strong muscles, skin and joints. Collagen also strengthens the structure of bones, tendons, cartilage and ligaments. Collagen capsules can encourage muscle mass to regenerate and help athletes recover from sports-related injuries faster.

Releive Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is an inflammation in the joints that can cause limited and painful mobility in your hand, arm, shoulder, hip and knee joints. Collagen capsules may increase your joint mobility and reduce arthritis pain. The Daily Mail website cites a study conducted by Dr. Stefan Oesser at Kiel University in Germany that demonstrated that by adding collagen to cartilage tissue, it was possible to encourage extra cells to grow.

Reduce Appearance of Cellulite

Cellulite occurs when fatty tissue pushes upward through fibers into the upper layer of skin. The result is a dimpled appearance of the skin. The website collagencapsules.org says collagen capsules work from the inside of your body to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Collagen promotes your body to rebuild and repair the fibers that cause cellulite to appear.

Reduce Wrinkles

As collagen depletes, wrinkles and lines form in those places where the skin moves most--such as joints, forehead and lips. Wrinkles and skin blemishes benefit the most from collagen. Aging is the main cause of wrinkles. However, environment, pollutants and rays from the sun all contribute. Regularly taking collagen capsules encourages your skin to become soft and supple.

Improve Hair

Collagen is a major component in hair growth, because it fights off free radicals that can affect your hair's texture, growth and thickness. Restoring collagen in the hair shaft can improve hair growth. Collagen capsules strengthen hair and increase the diameter of individual hairs, giving your hair an overall fuller appearance.

In Prayer, Be Yourself!-UCB

‘He fashions their hearts individually...’

PSALM 33:15
Your prayer style should be consistent with the way God designed you. Yes, you can learn from people who are more experienced in prayer than you are, but you need to be careful not to make them your standard, or become a ‘clone’. It’s wrong to force yourself to do what others do, if you are not comfortable with it in your spirit. Don’t try to keep up with someone else, or copy their prayer style. And don’t feel compelled to work every prayer principle you have ever learned, every time you pray. Most of us are afraid not to be like everyone else. We are more comfortable following specified rules than daring to follow the leading of God’s Spirit. When we follow man-made rules, we please people. But when we step out in faith and follow God’s Spirit, we please Him. You don’t need to feel pressured to pray a certain way, or for a certain length of time, or to focus on specific things because other people are doing so. ‘Untie the boat from the dock,’ so to speak, and let the tide of God’s Spirit take you wherever He wills. When you are in control, you know what will happen next. But when you let God’s Spirit take the lead, you are in for a lot of surprises in life. Wonderful surprises! You need to be determined to be yourself, and refuse to spend your life feeling guilty because you’re not like somebody else. The Bible says, ‘He fashions their hearts individually.’ So when it comes to prayer, the word for you today is, ‘Be yourself’

The Individuality of prayer-UCB

‘Evening [and] morning…he hears my voice.’

PSALM 55:17

God is far too creative to insist that every person interacts with Him in exactly the same way. He designed each of us differently. There are prayer principles that apply to all of us, but God leads each of us as individuals. We are all at different places in our walk with Him, we are all at different levels of spiritual maturity, we all have different types of experiences in prayer. Yes, we need to learn the fundamentals of prayer. But then we need to move beyond intellectual knowledge about how to pray, and take those principles to the Lord and say: ‘Teach me to apply this to my life, in my situation, to my heart. Show me how this idea is supposed to work for me. God, I’m depending on You to teach me to pray, to make me effective in prayer, to make my relationship with You through prayer the richest, most rewarding aspect of my life.’ When you say, ‘Lord, teach me to pray,’ you’re asking Him to teach you to pray in a distinctly personal way, and to enable your prayers to be easy, natural expressions of who you are. You need to go before God just the way you are, and give Him the pleasure of enjoying the company of the ‘original’ that He made you to be. You need to approach Him with your own strengths, weaknesses, uniqueness and everything else that so wonderfully distinguishes you from everyone else. God enjoys meeting you where you are, developing a personal relationship with you, and helping you grow to become everything He wants you to be.

The rib Connection Yes!

Ladies, if the man you think is going to be your husband is not incurably addicted to your love, you are probably already beginning on a wrong footing and frankly, you may not be the rib he is missing. God's design is that when He (God) unveils you to the man who is to be your husband, that he, the man, not only (literarily) gives out the "Ahhhaa, this is she, the one that seamlessly fills this emptiness I have known that has made me so needy and incomplete before her appearance" exclamation.... BUT He must not henceforth, be able to fully function without your love, without your help, without YOU.

This is not because you are more important to him than His Savior but because His Savior designed it that way - because He needs help! A man who must marry a woman must be thoroughly satisfied in the completion she brings to his life and recognize that SHE is his perfect helper and not another. You cannot afford to play around on issues like this or settle for anything less because anything short of God's plan in this order is wrong.

If he needs to be reminded by you or begged or given gifts and favors (in cash and kind) before he even decides to act like he is truly helpless without your love, then my dear lady, listen to God, you are not the rib that was taken out of him.

Consider for example the husband whose help-meet is taken from him as a result of death (my Dad is an example). Do you notice (regardless of his age and/or how long they were married) how utterly confused that man becomes? This is because his completion is gone. He is left again in the same "lonely" state he was in prior to being married. Have you ever wondered why widowers are many times more likely to remarry on account of this issue of emptiness and their deep-seated need for "closure" by the part of them that was taken out, per time? The answer is, God designed a man with one of his ribs missing!

Of course if you are a godly woman you would know that this has nothing to do with arrogance or pride as those are evil and not of God. It is about living in the plan of God. If there will ever be hope for the family and for marriages, we must get back to living out ONLY the plan of God for our lives. And this is one place where we are increasingly missing it. Something we have learnt from the world (from holly and bolly and nolly and all the other woods) tells us we can make a man love us by doing whatever it takes to win his love. Hold on Sis, it is not true. We did not learn this of God. The (helpless) love he has for you should grow from the result of his eyes being opened to the perfectness that you bring to his life upon your being "presented" by heaven to him. See what happened to the first husband under God at the revealing of his wife....

Genesis 2: 22

Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;...

I trust God to unveil this Truth to us even more and enable us to completely put away human reasoning and worldly rationale when we attempt to deal with spiritual issues. I pray that God will enable us to freely yield to His Power to deliver us from trials and errors. I pray that God will awaken the desire and restlessness in men and women today so that we can return to the Creator's Manual and conform our lives only to His plan and intentions.
                                                         Amara Ben Kalu

Dont make a mess of the message you send out by wearing the wrong clothes!!

Best Styles For Your Body Shape

If you want to look your best, determining your body type is a fashion must. “Finding clothes that fit your body will dramatically change how fabulous you look,” says Dawn Del Russo, beauty and fashion guru featured in InStyle, Elle and Life & Style. Learn how to determine and best dress your body shape.

love your body shape

Knowing your body type, the styles that flatter it and the fashion trends that don't work for you make all the difference when dressing for your shape. With determining your body type comes embracing your curves, wearing clothes that accentuate your best features and loving your body that much more. Bring down those walls and spend some time in front of the mirror evaluating your features (not criticizing them). In the end, your body type could be your new best friend.
How to Determine your body shape
Women come in all different shapes and sizes, but these can be narrowed down to these five general categories. Keep in mind that you might be a mix; not every woman falls into a single category.

Apple body shape

• Body traits: The upper body is larger than the lower, hips are slim, and chest is on the larger side. Shoulders tend to be broad. Weight gain usually occurs above the waist in the mid sections and in the rear.
• Your secret weapon: Those legs!
• Your goals: Elongate the torso, show off your legs and downplay mid-section weight and shoulder width.

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Pear body shape

• Body traits: The lower body is larger than the upper, hip width exceeds shoulder width, and hips and butt are rounded with a defined waist. The chest and belly are fairly flat.
• Your secret weapon: Shoulders, torso and flat stomach
• Your goals: Show off arms, add shape to your upper body and down play wide hips to heighten upper body features.

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Hourglass body shape

• Body traits: The upper and lower body have similar proportions, while the waist remains narrow. Any extra weight in the hourglass figure usually lies in the hips, thighs and chest area.
• Your secret weapon: Curves, curves and more curves.
• Your goals: Find a middle ground between baggy, drab clothing and overly sexy clothing. Show off your curves, balance the weight of your curves, complement your curves... did we mention your curves?

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Rectangle body shape

• Body traits: The waist, hip and shoulder widths are similar to each other, usually on the slim side. Extra weight in the rectangle shape tends to hang out in the stomach and back regions. Some rectangles have smaller breasts, but this is not always true.
• Your secret weapon: Your arms and legs. Because you don't need to minimize any body features, you have more freedom than the other body shapes to experiment with different trends and styles.
• Your goals: Create curves, show off slender legs and arms

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Wedge body shape

• Body traits: Also known as the inverted triangle, this body shape features a broad upper body, large chest and wide shoulders. The waist and hips are smaller in proportion to upper body features.
• Your secret weapon: Your legs
• Your goals: Accentuate your lower body, and distract from broad shoulders and possibly boyish upper body.

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Style tips for your figure

Beauty and fashion expert Dawn Del Russo offers a few tricks of the trade for styling your unique figure. "Sometimes, it's a matter of a quick trip to the tailor," she says. "Finding the style that works best for your shape makes a dramatic difference."

Here are her style tips for each body shape:

Apple shape

If you have an apple-shaped body like Jennifer Hudson:

• DON'T bring attention to your waist.
• DO go for v-neck tops. They create the illusion of a longer torso.
• DO look for v-neck wrap-style tops with cinching on the sides.
• DO wear belts at the smallest part of your waist.
• DO conceal tummy bulge by wearing empire tops and dresses.
• DON'T wear oversized empire tops.
• DO wear low-rise jeans and pants in a straight leg. They are chic and stylish for most shapes.
• DO wear shorter skirts to show off your legs. This takes attention away from and disguises the midsection.

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Pear shape

If your body is pear-shaped like Kim Kardashian's:

• DON'T wear clothing that draws attention to hips and thighs.
• DO look for boat neck tops, square and cowl necklines.
• DO wear strapless dresses. They show off arms and even out proportions.
• DO try styles with ruffles on top. This also evens out proportions.
• DO experiment with light-colored tops and dark-colored bottoms for contrast.
• DO wear jackets that hit right above the waist.
• DO rock a pair of straightleg jeans.
• DO try a-line skirts, which camouflage wider hips.

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Hourglass shape

If your body is hourglass-shaped like Beyonce's:

• DON'T hide your curves.
• DO wear fitted dresses.
• DO wear a belt at the waist to enhance your hourglass shape.
• DON'T wear baggy clothing.
• DO try wrap dresses.
• DO go for high-waisted skirts to show off your hips.
• DO pick thin, lightweight styles and fabrics.
• DO wear skinny or straightleg jeans.

---

Rectangle shape

If your body is rectangle-shaped like Natalie Portman's:

• DO wear scoop neck and sweetheart tops. It helps create curves.
• DON'T go braless.
• DO wear long jackets to create a lean look.
• DO wear skinny, low-rise jeans.
• DO wear tops with collars, ruffles and details to flatter your chest.
• DON'T wear overwhelming styles.
• DO layer! It gives your rectangle figure more dimensions.
• DO wear dresses with ruching. Cinches on sides are ideal.

---

Wedge shape

If you have a wedge (or inverted triangle) body like Audrina Patridge's:

• DO wear full skirts.
• DO wear tops that call attention to your waistline.
• DON'T wear spaghetti-strap tops.
• DO experiment with high-waisted styles.
• DON'T wear boat neckline tops.
• DO wear wideleg pants, which even out body proportions.
• DON'T be afraid to bring attention to your waist. It draws the attention downward.
• DO wear bright colors on bottom.

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Lord teach me to pray --UCB

Lord teach us to pray Lk11:1

In his book, ‘With Christ in the School of Prayer’, Andrew Murray writes: ‘None can teach like Jesus…therefore we call on Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” A pupil needs a teacher who knows his work, who has the gift of teaching, who in patience and love will descend to the pupil’s needs. Blest be God! Jesus is all this and much more…Jesus loves to teach us how to pray.’ If you: a) are not sure God is really listening when you talk to Him; b) don’t understand why some prayers seem to go unanswered; c) wonder if you are praying ‘right’ or generally feel frustrated in prayer; d) are eager to know what to do to feel more connected with God and gain confidence that your prayers really do make a difference, say, ‘Lord, teach me to pray.’ Although there are principles of prayer that apply to everyone, God will lead each of us individually. He wants to take you just the way you are, and help you discover your own rhythm of prayer; to develop a style of prayer that maximises your relationship with Him. He wants prayer to be an easy, natural, life-giving way of communicating as you share your heart with Him and allow Him to share His heart with you. Prayer is so simple; it’s nothing more than talking to God and taking time to listen to what He has to say to you. God has a personalised prayer plan for you, a way for you to communicate most effectively with Him. So begin by saying, ‘Lord, teach me to pray.’

JUST DO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO

‘…Stay within the [boundaries] of the work which God has set for [you]...’

2 CORINTHIANS 10:13

Nobody is good at everything, and nobody is called to do everything. God has given each of us clearly defined roles in life. Paul understood that his job wasn’t to accomplish everything or try to please everyone, but to focus on what God had called and equipped him to do: ‘Our goal is to stay within the [boundaries] of the work which God has set for us.’ Only as you do that will you be successful, as God defines success. Satan will try to rob you of the joy of serving by getting you to compare yourself with others, or getting you to conform to the expectations of others. Don’t fall into his trap! You’ll always find someone who seems to be doing a better job than you, and you’ll become discouraged. Or you’ll find someone who doesn’t seem to be as successful as you, and you’ll become conceited. Either way, you lose out. ‘Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else’ (Galatians 6:4 NLT). There will always be people who don’t understand your God-given role in life or agree with you. That’s okay; don’t let it break your stride! ‘Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of...’ (2 Timothy 2:15 TM).  ‘Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You're in charge. Don't let anyone put you down’ (Titus 2:15 TM). John Bunyan, author of the Christian classic, Pilgrim’s Progress, wrote: ‘If my life is fruitless it doesn’t matter who praises me. And if it’s fruitful it doesn’t matter who criticises me.’ So, just do what God’s called you to do!

FAITH: THE POWER TO OVERCOME

When your health, your finances or family are at risk, you suddenly realise how fragile life is. Today you may be living on the sunny side of the street, but if you live long enough adversity will come knocking on your door. When it does, you’ll discover that things like power, possessions and popularity won’t sustain you. If power could do it, Joseph Stalin wouldn’t have been afraid to go to sleep at night or been so paranoid that he appointed a soldier to guard his very teabags. Ifpossessions could do it, fear wouldn’t have caused billionaire Howard Hughes to live like a hermit and die alone. If popularity could do it, John Lennon’s biographers wouldn’t have described him as a fearful man who slept with the lights on and was terrified of germs. Earthly supports can only sustain you so long. Courage for living comes from a deep abiding trust in God, whose Word says, ‘This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.’ But faith is only as valuable as the thing it’s placed in, and our faith is in a God who never fails! David said, ‘Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes’ (Psalm 44:5 NIV). Jesus said, ‘I have given you authority to…overcome all the power of the enemy…’ (Luke 10:19 NIV). Paul said, ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us’ (Romans 8:35-37 NIV).

Ellys Thoughts...

"If you are not careful, the craziness of others will drive you crazy"

Learning to let go>>> UCB

‘…They could not dwell together.’

GENESIS 13:6





Abraham and Lot started out together in business. Then a problem arose: ‘…Their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen…’ (vv.6-7 NKJV). So Abraham said, ‘Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right…’ (v.9 NKJV). There’s an important lesson here: Just because somebody belonged in your early life, doesn’t mean they’re supposed to make the whole journey with you. When memories of the early days of working with somebody are wonderful, it’s difficult to face the truth that those days are gone and will never return. Does that mean you are right and they are wrong? No, it just means you each have different destinies. If you don’t understand that, people who were once the wind beneath your wings can become a weight that drags you down. Sometimes you outgrow a person’s gifting and capacity, and no matter how much you try to help or improve them they won’t get any better. When that happens your prospects are diminished and your momentum suffers. Some of the people you want in your life shouldn’t be in it because they don’t share your passion; they have a different calling. If you learn this sooner rather than later, you’ll save yourself untold heartache. The story’s told of a man who left this message on his answering machine: ‘I’m not available right now. I’m making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I don’t return your call, you are one of the changes

In your quest to achieve, stay in balance!-UCB

‘…If [you]…overdrive them…[they] will die.’

GENESIS 33:13
After being reconciled with his long-estranged brother Esau, Jacob agreed to accompany him back home for a celebration. Esau, who was a fast-tracker, said, ‘…Let us go…’ (12 NKJV). But Jacob said, ‘…You go on ahead!...’ He explained to his brother, ‘…The children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me…if the men should drive them hard…the flock will die…I will lead on slowly at a pace…the livestock…and the children, are able to endure…’ (13-14 NKJV). Jacob had great insight. He understood that if you push too hard and take on too much you can lose not only your business, but your family. There’s an important lesson here. In your quest to achieve, stay in balance! There must be a time for work and a time for rest; a time for your career and a time for your relationships. The words, ‘To love and to cherish’, mean you are married to your spouse, not your job! When it comes to your home life, your character and your spiritual walk, evolution is not the natural order. What you leave unattended deteriorates. Dr. John Maxwell shared the following prayer with his friends at a recent birthday party: ‘Lord, as I grow older I think I want to be known as…thoughtful rather than gifted, loving versus quick or bright, gentle versus powerful, a listener more than a great communicator, available rather than a hard worker, sacrificial instead of successful, reliable not famous, content more than driven, self-controlled rather than exciting, generous instead of rich, compassionate more than competent.’ And that’s a prayer you should pray too!

Beauty and Brains!!

Hmmmmm I just came across this on the daily mail n tot I d share this, I was quite intrigued though. In this day and age when it seems there are more smart phones and stupid people lol!

Handsome men and women often appear to be blessed with lucky lives. Now research has shown they are cleverer than most people as well.
Studies in Britain and America have found they have IQs 14 points above average.
The findings dispel the myth of the dumb blondes or good-looking men not being very bright.

Beauty and intelligence: Supermodel Lily Cole, Cambridge student, and Hollywood actress Kate Beckinsale who studied at Oxford

It appears that those already physically blessed attract partners who are not just good looking but brainy too, according to research by the London School of Economics.
The children of these couples will tend to inherit both qualities, building a genetic link over successive generations between them.
LSE researcher Satoshi Kanazawa told the Sunday Times: ''Physical attractiveness is significantly positively associated with general intelligence, both with and without controls for social class, body size and health.

Clever and handsome: Physicist Brian Cox

'The association between attractiveness and general intelligence is also stronger among men than among women.'
In other research on social standing, he found that middle-class girls tended to have higher IQs than their working- class counterparts.
Among the millions of examples of beauty and brains, there's supermodel Lily Cole who went to Cambridge University, actress Kate Beckinsale, an Oxford graduate, and physicist Brian Cox, one-time keyboard player with D:ream.
In Britain, the study found that men who are physically attractive had IQs an average 13.6 points above the norm while women were about 11.4 points higher.
Kanazawa's findings were based on the National Child Development Study which followed 17,419 people since their birth in a single week in March, 1958.
Throughout their childhood up to early adulthood, they were given a series of tests for academic progress, intelligence and marked on appearance.
The American research was taken from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health which involved a similar study of 35,000 young Americans.
Kanazawa, whose paper was published in the academic journal Intelligence, said: 'Our contention that beautiful people are more intelligent is purely scientific. It is not a prescription for how to treat or judge others

A Dream But No Team...UCB

 ‘…Know the state of your flocks...’ PROVERBS 27:23 NKJV

Sheep and cattle have to be handled differently. Sheep require tending. They need clear boundaries for their own protection, not to mention the shepherd’s potential loss if they are devoured by a wolf or fall off a cliff. Cattle do just fine when they’re given good grazing land and left alone. What’s the point? To fulfil your dream, you must ‘know’ the people you work with. Whether they’re partners or patrons, bosses or colleagues, clients or constituents, customers or critics, people need to be identified and managed according to their talents and their temperament. So what kind of people belong on your team? John Maxwell writes: ‘Some people have a dream but no team—their dream is impossible. Some people have a dream but a bad team—their dream is a nightmare. Some people have a dream and are building a team—their dream has potential. Some people have a dream and a great team—their dream is inevitable.’ Moses needed Joshua; Naomi needed Ruth. The idea of the self-made person is a myth. Whether they acknowledge it or not, all successful people had help along the way. Only when you can admit that you need help will you begin looking for it. And that’s a crucial step in achieving success. The next steps are knowing people’s strengths, communicating your vision to them in such a way that they buy into it, bringing out the best in them and rewarding them. Chris Hodges says, ‘A dream is a compelling vision you see in your heart, that’s too big to accomplish without the help of others.

God looks @ your heart!

Henry Blackaby tells the story of a very self-righteous man who prayed: ‘Lord, there’s something wrong. I read the Bible, pray regularly, attend church faithfully and always give to charity, yet I don’t have much. My brother doesn’t do any of these things, yet he’s got tons of money. How come you’ve given him so much and me so little?’ After a pause, a voice said, ‘Because you’re a sanctimonious pain in the neck!’ The Bible says, ‘…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ (James 4:6 NKJV). God looks at your heart’s intent; He judges your motives. You can sit in church with a heart that’s far from God. The Israelites did (Isaiah 1:10-17). You can help the needy and still be greedy. Judas did (John 12:4-8 NIV). You can proclaim your love for Jesus yet be influenced by the devil. Peter did (Matthew 26:31-35 NIV). You can make sacrifices yet still be living in disobedience. King Saul did (1 Samuel 13:7-14 NIV). You can pray with the wrong motives. Some folks in the New Testament church did (James 4:3 NIV). You can even be a pastor who loves crowds but has no time for individuals. Check your heart! The Good Shepherd left His ninety-nine sheep to look for the one who was lost. Then He carried it home on His shoulders, rejoicing. ‘Motives are weighed by the Lord.’ God sees your heart. Everything you do must be motivated by love for Him and for others. So look beyond your actions to what lies behind them. Ask God to show you what He sees.

 

OPERATING THE PEACE RULE-UCB

If you don’t have peace about it, don’t proceed! Often peace is all God will give you to let you know whether you’re in or out of His will. So how can you operate by the peace rule? ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand…His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest…’ (Philippians 4:6-7 TLB). Pay close attention to the words, ‘Don’t worry…instead, pray.’ Prayer transfers the problem from you to Jesus. ‘Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. Be careful—watch out for attacks from satan…Stand firm when he attacks…’ (1Peter 5:7-9 TLB). Don’t give the devil a few days to work you over. The longer you wait to resist him, the stronger his hold over you becomes. The moment you find yourself worrying, stop and ask, ‘What’s the enemy trying to do here? If I give in to these thoughts and emotions, what will the result be?’ ‘Do not give the devil a foothold’ (Ephesians 4:27 NIV). Know your enemy, and each time he attacks put him to flight by saying what Jesus said to him in the wilderness: ‘…It is written…’ (Matthew 4:4 NIV). When Jesus said for the third time, ‘It is written,’ we read, ‘The devil left him, and angels came and attended him’ (v.11 NIV). So here’s the question: How well do you know God’s Word?

Ellys Thought; Cultivating The Right Attitude

Today at work, a colleague really got me upset, and because it was a customer facing environment, I had to bite my upper lip and stay mute, I wouldnt wash my dirty linen in public, not infront of customers, no way lol! I knew my time would come, and I guess he also didnt expect less and because he knew he was wrong, he decided to play soft. I would always address an issue, its so much energy bearing a grudge or dont you think so? Except when you get the vibe that certain people want to be left alone or better still the relationship will be healthier if its from a distance Yes! you heard me right, Trust me not every relationship is meant to be, Yes! We are in the real world. Now when I confront him, he goes "O Elly!" you know I love, you and |I respond by saying love, its not the issue, just do the right thing!! And you wont believe he goes "Elly you know I will do anything for you" can you imagine this guy?? lol! And I finally sit him down and let him realise, that by doing the right thing, hes actually cultivating the right character for himself and developing a healthy personality.

Now often times, we do the wrong thing and hide under the pretence of love( which most of us are guilty of) but the truth is that there is only as far as we can get. Do the right thing and leave love out of the question. Also do the right thing not because of who is involved but because it is the right thing to do. If we do the right thing because of who is involved, we end up enslaving ourselves and leaving in mediocrity.
So when you go out today, In all you act, do and say, dont forget to do what is right, regardless of who is involved and you stand out from the rest.

The word for today-UCB

Walking on water (3)
Let’s observe two final things: 1) Between the dread and the devastation, look for the Deliverer. Picture a boat lashed by huge waves, and frightened disciples who thought they were going under. They forgot the promise: ‘God is…a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…’ (1-2 NKJV). They didn’t look for Jesus to rescue them. Yet as the night advanced and things looked hopeless, ‘…Jesus went to them, walking on the sea’ (Matthew 14:25 NKJV). Did they rejoice? No, their fear intensified and they said, ‘…It’s a ghost!...’ (14:26 NKJV). Look out! Your fear can distort your perceptions and make you see the answer as just another problem. Often what appears a threat is actually a blessing about to manifest itself. For example, you lose your job and God opens up a better one, but your fear and inadequacy make you avoid the interview. Look to Jesus in your time of fear; when He takes away the lesser it’s always to give you the greater. 2) God’s best always requires facing what you fear. Jesus called Peter to come to Him. Deciding it was safer in the storm with Jesus than in the boat without Him, Peter walked toward Him. But there’s always a moment after you step out in faith when you hear, ‘What if I’m not up to this?’ Peter heard it, and the waves began to engulf him. Panicked, he called and Jesus immediately rescued him. Peter wasn’t drowning; he was learning and growing! When you walk by faith, even your failures will lead to success. So step out with Jesus; He won’t let you drown.

Living Room Make Over

Now giving your living room a lift shouldnt be so much of a hassle, a bit of colour here and there as well as a few snuggle cushion, wall lamps etc may just give that room a lift you never imagined. As you get creative however, always remember: Less Is better. Yes!!



Accessories are one of the quickest and easiest ways to update your home. Whether you choose cushions, a rug, new glassware or a mirror, making a few small changes can have a huge impact on the overall look of a room. 

And with lots of budget accessories on the high street, it’s easy to update your home for less.

Snuggle up and get cosy
For a traditional winter lounge, think warm colours, subtle pattern and lots of texture.

"Go for tone-on-tone colours and add interest by layering different textures in the form of cushions, throws and rugs to create a cosy and relaxing feel,"

"Look out for knitted chunky cushions, deep-pile rugs and different scale patterns in warm colours, like aubergine and heather with burnt orange or berry red."

Greens aren good for spring and summer but also,A soft shade of green will enliven closed winter spaces, while plants, botanical print pictures and natural materials, such as wooden picture frames and ornaments, can all help breathe life into a room.
You can then add contrast with harder-edged, glossy accessories like vases, dazzling glasswear, gilt-framed mirrors and luxurious chandeliers."

Cracking the Knuckles and Arthritis

Yea and you know that time of work when all eyes are on the clock and its still 4:45pm and it seems like its taking  forever to get to 5pm, and out of boredom regardless of productivity, there I am chatting with a colleague and the african girl in me comes out and I start cracking my knuckles, you cant hide your identity you know lol! Not like I m trying to hide mine, but my colleague goes Stop Elly! your gonna give yourself arthritis and we begin to argue because I was not convinced that was a cause of arthritis, however it lingered in my heart and I had to research and heres what I found out, but I must say ever since then, my knuckles do hurt a bit though, is it psychology, the weather or old age? looooooool! Do read on!

How the Joint Works

A joint is formed where the ends of two bones come together. The ends of the two bones are covered by articular cartilage. The cartilage is surrounded by what is called the joint capsule. Inside the joint capsule, there is synovial fluid which serves as a lubricant for the joint and also as a source of nutrients for the cells that maintain the joint cartilage.
Synovial fluid contains dissolved gases -- oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When you crack your knuckles or when pressure is applied to a joint, the pressure inside the joint capsule expands but the expansion is limited by how much synovial fluid is contained in the joint. Synovial fluid cannot expand unless pressure inside the joint capsule drops and the dissolved gases can escape out of the fluid. The cracking sound comes from the gases rapidly being released from the fluid.

Study Conclusions

There have been a few studies over the years that considered whether or not cracking knuckles caused arthritis. One study found that there was no increase of hand arthritis among knuckle crackers, however, knuckle cracking was related to hand swelling and lower grip strength.
Another study indicated that while knuckle cracking was not associated with arthritis, it was associated with damage to ligaments that surround the joint and dislocation of tendons. While cracking your knuckles is not linked to causing arthritis, there may be a connection to soft tissue injuries.

The word for today- UCB

WALKING ON WATER (2)			13 Nov 2012
'The boat was...buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.' Matthew 14:24
Notice: 1) Trouble doesn't mean that God has abandoned you. The disciples learned that Jesus may be out of sight, but He's never out of touch. To '...walk by faith, not by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV) means sometimes you'll walk in darkness without visible cues. Someone put it this way: 'When you can't trace His hand, you can trust His heart.' When the disciples were being tossed like a cork on the waves, Jesus was up on a mountain praying for them! He was aware of the problem and He was working on the solution. He was their mediator and their 'need meet-er', just as He has one hand on your need and the other on your answer. '...He always lives to intercede for [you]' (Hebrews 7:25 NIV). Can you imagine Jesus praying to the Father for His fear-filled disciples? And can you imagine the Father refusing to answer His prayers? Never! '...The Spirit himself intercedes for us...' (Romans 8:26 NIV). With both Jesus and the Holy Spirit talking to the Father on your behalf, your victory is guaranteed. 2) Between the command to 'Go' and your safe arrival on the other side, there's often a crisis. Jesus commanded them to cross to the other shore, but before the trip was completed their world experienced upheaval. What's buffeting your life today-loss, guilt, loneliness, financial reversal, illness, addiction, rejection? When our faith is low and our fear high, we cry, 'If only I had (or hadn't)...If only I could...' Learn to trust God. It's not over until He says so. And He hasn't!

The word for today-UCB

WALKING ON WATER (1)			12 Nov 2012
''Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go...'' MATTHEW 14:22
When you find yourself in the middle of hard times or trouble, do you sometimes think, 'I must have done something wrong - perhaps I've missed God's will and He's punishing me'? No. Troubles can come from all over the place and usually have nothing to do with our wrongdoing or God's punishment. Think about Jesus' disciples caught in the storm at sea. The disciples weren't in the storm by disobeying, but by obeying Jesus; not by rejecting God's will, but by embracing it. The Bible says, 'Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go...', and they obeyed. Doing the right thing is not always the easiest thing. It can often mean going against the grain of what everyone else is doing or thinking by staying away from what's popular, easy or selfish. Obedience doesn't mean there won't be storms along the way. The disciples had just witnessed Jesus' handy work with the loaves and fishes - you'd think they'd be bursting with faith. But when fear comes a-knockin', faith can take a nosedive. Jesus had told them He'd meet them on the other shore yet they forgot His miracle-working power and His promise and gave in to anxiety. God may not solve your problem in the way you want, but you can be sure He will show up in the middle of it and cause you to come out with bigger faith. What now? It can be easy to focus on yourself when you're in stormy weather. Try focusing on being a blessing and helping someone else today.

The Male Is In Crisis!!!

Yea and after a long day today, I just strolled into the library which is on my way home(yea I know I m a bit crazy) not like I have started my PhD yet, but maybe I am just trying  to psyche myself into study mood lol! And there I am, eating my peanuts and perusing the shelves of books till I got to this book and stopped.  I pulled it out sat down, and in a few minutes, I was already captivated. Yea I know you cant wait for the caption now, its actually called "UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE AND POWER OF MEN" by Dr Myles Munroe. Yea I know some are beginning to wonder whats up with this girl and this particular gender, from bad fit disease, to pocket squares and now we are in crisis? lol! Actually dont be mistaken, this is not a masculine blog but maybe for now, you guys have got me and should love me for all the insight you get, and as for the ladies be grateful to me for trying to brush these guys up, cos life is easier now right? But in all fairness when the spiritual, emotional and physical are all taken care of, you get a better individual. but its the lopsidedness that brings all the crisis.

"Traditional roles once gave men stability and continuity from generation to generation. Today the world is sending out conflicting signals about what it means to be a man. Many men are questioning who they are and what roles they fulfill in in life- as a male, a husband and a father. This uncertainty is disrupting their personal and professional lives, leaving them frustrated and causing them to live far below their potential. It is creating cracks in the foundation of society."--Myles Munroe(Understanding the purpose and power of men)

BFD: Bad Fit Disease

 

(Now that’s a great fit!)
One of the most effective ways to improve your image is by taking a long and hard look at the way all of your clothing fit you, and never wearing anything that doesn’t fit correctly.
Most guys are walking around in ill-fitting clothing, and I’m writing this article to start an awareness campaign.
Awareness of what?
The “Bad Fit Disease,” or “BFD” for short.
This is a disease that we need to fight before it turns into a full-fledged epidemic.
I’m ruthless about fit when it comes to my clients, because I know how much a difference it makes in a man’s image. A great fit that molds to your body can make inexpensive pieces look like designer pieces, and take you from looking like a slob to the well-groomed man.
Here is a quick look at some bad fit victims followed by pictures of the cured…

Bad fit

Baggy arms, sagging sides, ballooning back – just too much excess fabric.
Most guys wear their shirts like this and think it’s a pretty good fit. Just because a shirt may fit your neck doesn’t mean it fits the rest of your body.

Great Fit

This shirt fits his torso—not just his neck. The shirt should be neither too loose nor too tight. It should be just skimming your body. Less excess fabric means that it stays tucked in better and there isn’t any bunching around your midsection.


Bad Fit

Always make sure you get your REAL size when it comes to your pants. Most guys wear their pants way too big.
Make sure the rise is as close to your crotch without cutting off circulation to you family jewels.
The key is to make sure it almost hugs your ass. For those of you who don’t have much of a butt, having a baggier fit just makes it look even more like you don’t have anything there.
Unless you choose to wear baggier jeans in order to create a deliberate style effect, it’s time to lose them.

Good Fit

Your jeans don’t have to be skin tight, but there shouldn’t be too much extra fabric around your thighs or at your feet. Stick two fingers in between the pants waistline and your hip (perpendicularly) to check if you’re wearing the right size. You shouldn’t be able to fit in more fingers than that.

Bad Fit

A bad blazer or any jacket for that matter is going to feel like it’s a hand me down from your bigger cousin.

Good Fit

A great jacket fit should slightly hug you in the arms, and shoulders without cutting off circulation. As you can see, the difference is stark.
Do your part and help cure BFD throughout the world. Start with your own wardrobe.

The word for today-UCB

JESUS BLESSED			08 Nov 2012
''Some parents brought their children to Jesus...'' Mark 10:13
Jesus was in Judea and drawing quite a crowd as he taught them. People were also, 'bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these' (Mark 10:13-15 NIV). The disciples assumed Jesus wouldn't want to include children in what was going on. Instead Jesus was keen to not just allow them in, but to bless them. We can easily have the same attitude and judgment as the disciples did with people who don't yet know Jesus. We can let our judgments take hold of us and assume that 'they won't want to hear the good news', because of their bold atheism, drug addiction or whatever. But the Gospel, the Person of Jesus Christ, is not just for people who you think are fit to hear or look most likely to listen. It's not your job to convince; it's your job to share. When we grow closer to Him, His life in us will become more magnetic to those around us. And we'll naturally start wanting to share the Gospel, become open and welcoming to people we wouldn't usually give a second look. Remember, often the people who are most passionately against Christianity can be the ones seeking the most without knowing it. What Now? This is not to say that we need to be more 'charismatic', smiley and nice all the time. You can spot fakers like that a mile off. No, we need to ask God that He will draw better character and a desire to share His good news out from the source of our soul. Give it a go. You might be surprised at the result!

Ellys thoughts...

Nobody can make you feel bad/inferior without your consent
And you know what? when you go for that high profile job interview and your nerves are playing up on you, always remember, that the interviewers are also as nervous as you are, so try as much as you can to take the lead and with grace on your side, you will surely have the last laugh.

The word for today-UCB

THE LOST AND FOUND COLUMN			06 Nov 2012
'...I have found the piece [of silver] which I lost!' Luke 15:9
Christ's next parable was about a piece of lost silver: 'What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbours together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost' (vv.8-9 NKJV). Notice, this piece of silver, which was an inanimate object, didn't know it was lost so it had no concern. Observe two things here: 1) It was lost by the very person who was supposed to care for it. 2) It was lost, even though it was in the house. This is a picture of those who sit in church every Sunday morning trusting in personal reformation, church affiliation, family connections or good works to save them. What did this woman do? She lit a lamp, swept the house and searched for it until she found it. That's what Bible-based, Christ-centred preaching does. Whatever stands in the way of people coming to Christ must be swept out. Let's light the lamp of God's Word. Let's preach the only message that can save people from their sins: '...The gospel...is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth...' (Romans 1:16 KJV). This woman probably had garments to be mended, cattle to be tended and water to be drawn. But all of that took a back seat. What's needed in the church today is the lamp to illuminate, the broom to sweep clean, and a commitment that refuses to stop until those who are lost in God's house are found and saved

THE LATEST YOUNG MAN WHO HAS INSPIRED ME!

This young man has really blown my mind, I actually listened to his interview and I went wow! In this day and age, where people his age want to be seen with the latest technology and be at the fore front of fashion and know all the celebrity gossip to their finger tips, this boy has sat down and thought of ways of making everyday life a lot easier, hes made reading news much easier. I know for all those who are only interested in the gossip, its quite insignificant, but you know what? I present to you, your employer in the next couple years. That is if you are good enough though lol! well done young man, I am really inspired. Yes!!

17-Year-Old Summly Founder Nick D'Aloisio's Immodest Goal: Change The Way you Read News

Even in a world of conspicuously young tech CEOs, Nick D'Aloisio stands out. On Thursday, the “Internet’s boy genius,” as GigaOM’s Om Malik dubbed him, launched the second, totally revamped version of his news summarization app, Summly. It was also his 17th birthday.
“I just think it’s irrelevant. I don’t understand,” D'Aloisio said of his age in a sit-down interview with The Huffington Post, wearing green pants and multicolored socks that belied the over $1 million in total funding he has received for Summly from the likes of actor Ashton Kutcher and Zynga CEO Mark Pincus. “The only way I see my age coming into this is that I’ve built this for my age, my demographic.”
Point taken. Focus on his iOS app we will: While studying for a history exam, the then-15-year-old D'Aloisio found the process of logging keywords into Google or Bing and skimming search results inefficient. “Why not take the search results and form a synopsis of the content, because what I ended up doing was clicking on a result and going back, clicking on a result and going back,” he said.
So the code-savvy teen developed Trimit, an app that summarized articles into 140-character tweets. The app got the attention of Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka Shing, who invested $300,000 into Nick’s idea, which was ultimately refined in Summly. The Summly app first launched in December 2011.
Summly aimed to solve a rather large problem: the less-than-ideal way people read news articles on smartphones. As news organizations find their feet with Internet publishing, many have strained to adapt content developed for computer screens to mobile devices.
“What we believed is news on the iPhone-sized screen is currently broken,” D'Aloisio said. “So people are just skim-reading the headlines and no one is actually standing in line or on the phone and going, 'I want to read this whole story,' scrolling through a 1,500-word article.”
The first version of Summly, which had 200,000 downloads, was more of a "demo" than a mass market app, which Summly 2.0 aims to be, D'Aloisio said.
The new Summly was created with two key advantages over the usual way people read news on the iPhone, which is in a web browser. First, Summly, like the name suggests, summarizes the news (using D'Aloisio’s painstakingly created algorithm) into a piece of text custom-sized for an iPhone. This means a Summly summary on an iPhone 5, with a larger screen, is longer than a summary on older models. The original Summly condensed articles into bullet-points; its latest iteration summarizes articles into text that has the flow of natural language.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, the summaries are preloaded onto the app each time it's opened. This means no wait time to download news snippets -- unlike on mobile web browsers, they’re all there. With Summly, a user is able to access a newspaper’s worth of “articles” from dozens of publications for browsing, even without Wi-Fi.
Obvious care went into the minimalist design and functionality of the app. Summaries totaling roughly 300 characters are available under customizable topic tiles. After tapping to get to “Technology” or “U.S. News,” a user swipes to get between preloaded summaries. A swipe upward takes a user to the publication’s website, a tap allows for sharing on social networks, and a double-tap takes the reader to a longer summary.
Therein lies the rub to Summly. Why go to news websites (and see their ads) if all of the most relevant information is on the app? The Summly team says it's received a warm reception from news organizations.
“I think publishers are saying, ‘Hey, we can get a lot of traffic on my sites.’” said Bart Swanson, a former general manager at Amazon who is now Summly’s chairman. “They’ve taken a viewpoint of looking at what he’s developed and the next generation.”
News Corp. was the first to jump on board, striking a deal to prominently feature The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, and The Australian in the app in their respective countries. Summly, which aims to expand into Android and Windows phones and into languages other than English, likes the idea of micropayments, or small costs of a few cents, instead of hosting ads in order to make money. Right now, the app and its contents are free.

While the smoothness and colorful display of the app draw users in, it's the summaries themselves that will get them to stay. For most of the summaries, it would be easy to mistake that they had been written by humans. For a few others (e.g. at right), syntax fails and non sequiturs will have to be tolerated.
But those are minor criticisms. Summly is smartly designed and easy to get drawn into. D'Aloisio is clearly onto something, and suddenly it’s easier to forget he’s a kid with two years left in school.
“Pfft,” D'Aloisio said, while slumping back in chair in HuffPost’s offices. He’d just taken a red-eye from London to New York before the interview and was feeling a little worn out.
“He’s a lot younger than me, he should have tons of energy,” Swanson, who had joined D'Aloisio for the interview, said.

THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCES;

Most times what we term worst experience, actually has the best outcome.

No experience is ever a waste. God will use every situation that has happened to you, in you and around you, to showcase His glory. In the book of Exodus, Moses was hidden from Pharoahs assasins,  he was put in a basket and nursed in an egptian home, to learn the culture/art and style of egypt. And  if he was going to be the man to lead Israel into the promise land, then he had to be experienced/skilled in the culture of egypt. But he knew he didnt belong there and when he saw an egyptian and an israelite fighting, he came to the aid of the israelite and in the process killed the egytian(Ex 2:12).

But dont be deceived, being nice to people does not necessarily mean you will be repaid your kindness by same people. This is the reason why so many relationships come to an abrupt end. However sowing the right seed produces the right attitude in the individual, and brings about lasting success and fulfillment. The next day however when Moses observes two israelites fighting, he wonders how two individuals with same history/culture and most importantly God can end up having so muuch differences that lead to a physical outburst of emotions, but on attempting to reconcile these individuals, he got told off, and then he realised that the murder he committed was no longer a secret. How often do we act because we think we wont be discovered?? *THINK LONGTERM*

However with God, He will use every situation, to bring forth His plan/purpose for an individual/people/family/nation. Moses had to learn humility, and by that he had to run away to tend sheep with the man who became his father-in-law, Jethro.
The seperation brought about his personal development and most importantly for the very first time in his life, he had an amazing ecounter with God. All this prepared the man, who led the most difficult people on the earth as at the time.

If we recall the account of Joseph who had different dreams of how he would be adored by his siblings/family, the revelations were no match of what he passed through, from being sold into slavery out of hatred by his brothers, to being falsely accused by portiphars wife, to being forgotten in the prison by the kings butler. But in all, the plan and purpose of God was fulfilled. "The vision is for an appointed time, wait for it because it will come to pass and not tarry".

In life, we pass through different situations, some make us cry, some make us overjoyed, some fill us with fear, some with hate. Sometimes we loose our confidence/ our sense of judgment/sense of reasoning and sometimes its so bad that we almost tend to loose hope. But from all we read, we understand that if we are aligned to His will, every circumstance/experience/situation/ is intended to bring us towards our destiny and to that place of rest.
Hold on, be strong, it will not rain forever, dont make a hasty decision that has a lasting impact on your destiny as a result of the temporary events of the present.

                                                                  *THINK LONGTERM*

The word for today-UCB

CHRIST'S LOVE FOR YOU			03 Nov 2012
'...You will understand later.' John 13:7
What's amazing about Christ's love is not that He knows and forgives all your past sins, but that He knows and has decided to forgive your future ones too. On the eve of His crucifixion Jesus washed His disciples' feet, saying, 'You will understand later.' He knew they were about to perform the vilest act of their lives, deserting Him. By morning they would bow their heads in shame and look down at their feet in disgust. And when they did, He wanted them to remember that He'd washed their feet. Remarkable. He provided mercy before they needed it and forgave their sin before they even committed it. Deeply moved and compelled by His love, all but one of them would go out and preach the gospel and lay down their lives for Him. Paul writes, 'For the love of Christ compels us...' (2 Corinthians 5:14 NKJV). Christ's love for you is: a) the only constant that never changes in a constantly changing world; b) the thing that will draw you back to Him each time you fail; c) the driving force that will cause you to want to give Him your all. '...The blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from every sin' (1John 1:7 NCV). The truth is we are always being cleansed by the blood of Jesus. The cleansing is not a promise for the future but a reality in the present. Let a speck of dust fall on the soul of a saint, and it is washed away. Jesus still cleanses His disciples' feet. He still washes away our sins. That knowledge will motivate you to live for Him like nothing else will.

FEMALE HEALTH--EVENING PRIMROSE OIL

I am not a person to be seen with multivitamins, all over my bathroom or in my handbag, however few years ago,  my mum suddenly became so vitamin/food supplement conscious . For me however, I have been of the opinion that a combo of  a healthy diet and exercise is just enough to keep the body in the right condition. Evening  Primrose is amongst the food supplements taken by my mum and for some reason, I just liked the name of this supplement though I considered it for women of a certain age and always laughed my head off whenever my mum tried getting me to have it lol!
On researching this supplement, I found out it had amazing health benefits and blimey! It was for everyone and not just for women of a particular age lol!
I however, didnt jump into the habit of taking it, untill sometime last year, I kept complaining of menstrual cramps, and one of my health conscious friends goes "Elly dont tell me, you dont take evening primrose, you should know better" and trust me I felt really small and went into the holland and barrett close to me and picked up a large jar of 120 capsules lol! And I had just a capsule a day, and the effect has been amazing.
Below is all the health benefit of evening primrose and please if you are pregnant or hoping to get pregnant, consult your physician before commencing the supplement.

Evening Primrose Oil Benefits

Evening Primrose Oil has been called the most sensational preventive discovery since vitamin C. It contains the pain relieving compound phenylalanine and is increasingly being used to treat chronic headaches. It is currently being studied all over the world as a treatment for aging problems, alcoholism, acne, heart disease, hyperactivity in children, symptoms of menopause, multiple sclerosis, weight control, obesity, PMS and schizophrenia. It has so many preventive and therapeutic qualities that it has become a standard part of recommendations of many herbalist for maintaining youth and preventing disease.
Evening Primrose Oil contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA and it is this fatty acid that is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant. In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest concentrations known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all. This makes Evening Primrose an important medicinal herb, and as studies continue, the list of benefits will likely become much longer. The gamma-linoleic acid, linoleic acid and other nutrients in this oil are essential for cell structure and improve the elasticity of the skin. These fatty acids also help to regulate hormones and improve nerve function aiding problems ranging from PMS to migraine headaches. The hormone balancing effect contributes to healthy breast tissue.
Specifically, evening primrose oil may help to:
Relieve the discomforts of PMS, menopause, menstruation, endometriosis and fibrocystic breasts:
By interfering with the production of inflammatory prostaglandins released during menstruation, the GLA in evening primrose oil can help to lessen menstrual cramps. It may also minimise premenstrual breast tenderness, irritable bowel flare-ups, and carbohydrate cravings, and help to control endometriosis-associated inflammation. Many PMS sufferers are found to have unusually low levels of GLA in their systems, which is why supplements might help so much. In women with fibrocystic breasts, the oil's essential fatty acids can minimise breast inflammation and promote the absorption of iodine, a mineral that can be present in abnormally low levels in women with this condition. In menopause, it is widely reported that Evening Primrose oil reduces hot flushes and increases feelings of well being.
Ease the joint pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis:
Supplementation with evening primrose oil and other sources of GLA has been shown to lessen the joint pain and swelling of this crippling disease. A six-month study reported fewer signs of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers taking capsules containing GLA than in those taking a placebo. In another trial, the number of tender joints and swollen joints dropped significantly with GLA but not with a placebo.
Prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage:
Research indicates that the GLA in evening primrose oil can help prevent, and in some cases even reverse, the nerve damage (neuropathy) so commonly seen with diabetes. In a year-long study, such symptoms as numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in participants with mild diabetic neuropathy were less marked in those who took evening primrose oil than in those who took a placebo.
Reduce the symptoms of eczema:
In some cases, eczema develops when the body has problems converting dietary fats into GLA. Getting supplemental GLA from evening primrose oil may therefore be helpful. Some studies indicate that this oil can outperform a placebo in relieving eczema-related inflammation, as well as the itching, oozing, and flaking associated with this condition. By taking GLA, eczema sufferers may tolerate reduced doses of steroid creams and drugs, many of which cause unpleasant side effects.
Help treat acne and rosacea:
By working to dilute sebum, a thick oily substance that is oversecreted in some people with acne, the essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may reduce the risk of pores becoming clogged and lesions developing. The oil's EFAs help treat rosacea by reducing inflammation, controlling cells' use of nutrients and by producing prostaglandins, which stimulate the contraction of blood vessels.

Combat damage from multiple sclerosis:
The abundant supply of essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may be valuable in minimizing the inflammation associated with this progressive nerve disorder. The fatty acids may also contribute to healthy nerve development when taken over time.
Treat Alzheimer's-related memory deficiencies:
By boosting the transmission of nerve impulses, evening primrose oil may be valuable in treating this progressive brain disorder.
Counter impotence and female infertility:
By promoting blood flow, the GLA in evening primrose oil can help treat a primary cause of male impotence; compromised circulation leading to impaired penile blood flow. The oil is often taken with vitamin C and ginkgo biloba for this purpose. In addition, when the oil is taken long term, GLA can help prevent blood vessel narrowing, often a consequence of plaque buildup from high cholesterol. By improving uterine function, GLA may also help those who are unable to conceive.
Nourish nails, scalp, and hair:
The rich stores of essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil not only prevent nails from cracking but also help to keep them generally healthy. In addition, the essential fatty acids nourish the scalp, making the supplement potentially valuable in treating a variety of hair problems.
Prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms:
GLA prompts the brain to produce a specific type of prostaglandin called prostaglandin E, which works to prevent withdrawal symptoms such as depression and seizures by indirectly protecting the liver and nervous system

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD (2)-UCB

			02 Nov 2012
'Do not follow the crowd...' Exodus 23:2
Mark D. Roberts writes: 'In junior high, a boy named Andrew...was the classic nerd: overweight...thick glasses...skin so white it seemed he'd never been outside. One day some of the boys began teasing Andrew and making fun of his appearance...I saw the pain in his eyes and knew I should tell the other guys to knock it off. But I saw an opportunity to be aligned with the in-crowd. So I joined in...adding my taunts as Andrew began to cry...In my heart I knew I'd done a terrible thing...Sometimes the temptation to "follow the crowd" is almost more than we can bear. We crave acceptance to such an extent that we do what we know is wrong so others will like us. This is true not only for insecure junior high boys, but for just about everybody. It's hard to stand up to the crowd.' Jesus wasn't ruled by people's opinions. Even His critics acknowledged, '...We know you are a man of integrity...You aren't swayed by [others]...' (Matthew 22:16 NIV). When you know who you are in Christ it frees you from the need to impress. Paul writes, 'Don't let the world...squeeze you into its own mould...let God re-mould your minds...so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good...' (Romans 12:2PHPS). As painful as it is to be criticised, it's far worse to give up the course God has for you just for acceptance. At some point you must ask, 'How much am I willing to lose in order to be accepted?' Can you take the pressure? Will you be like Nehemiah who said, '...I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down...' (Nehemiah 6:3 NIV)