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Thursday June 03, 2010

Breathing is something which is an involuntary action. You do not need to pay attention to your breathing as it will happen anyway. When you are pregnant, however it will be more important to pay attention to your breathing.

Check out this week's article on Breathing for you and your baby.

In fitness
Namita

To help your children develop good eating habits, try to make mealtimes pleasant and calm so family members can enjoy one another. Also, solve family problems at another time, don't use food as a reward or punishment, and serve a variety of healthy foods.

Life's Energy is What You Make it

Anyone who knows the basics of sailing can maneuver their boat to the desired destination, regardless of the wind direction. The ability to adjust the sails appropriately, and the amount of wind, are of far greater importance than the wind's direction.

Winners and achievers in life know how to use all of life's energy -- the tail winds and the head winds -- to move ahead toward goal achievement. Fear gives us the heightened sense of awareness necessary for taking on difficult situations. Challenges give us superb opportunities for learning and growing. Setbacks and obstacles strengthen our resolve and determination. That is, if we decide to take them that way.

You can't control the wind, but you can control how to set your sails. And you can't control what life hands you, but you have complete control over what you do with it. Fear, setbacks, obstacles, and challenges can easily blow you off course -- or they can supply the energy to propel you ahead. It all depends on you.
 

Learn more 

"Some succeed because they are destined to. Most succeed because they are determined to."
Craig D. Myers

Potato and Vegetable Soup

Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients:

• 5 red potatoes, scrubbed

• 1 leek, chopped

• 1 red onion, diced

• 4 tablespoons garlic, crushed

• 2 jalapeno peppers, minced

• 3 cups mixed greens

• 1 cup carrots, chopped

• 4 tomatoes, chopped

• 2 cups canned plum tomatoes, chopped

• 1 quart vegetable stock and water

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a 4-quart pot, stir well and cover.

• Place over high heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes.

• Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Nutritional Information:

• Serving size: 1 cup

• Calories: 130

• Fat: 1 g

• Cholesterol: 0 mg

• Protein : 9 g

• Carbohydrates: 20 g

• Fiber: 4 g

• Sodium: 250 mg

Breathing for you and your baby

Breathing is something which is an involuntary action. You do not need to pay attention to your breathing as it will happen anyway. When you are pregnant, however it will be more important to pay attention to your breathing.

When you are pregnant, you are breathing to get enough oxygen for you and your baby. As you progress, breathing become snore difficult as your baby grows larger and needs more oxygen, and it will also start to press against the vital organs for breathing. You will also need lots of help breathing for labor.

It is best to start early. Breathe slowly and take deep breaths at least once every day. Doing this for ten to fifteen minutes is a very good practice. As you move forward in your pregnancy, you can work this into your exercise routine.

Many of the yoga routines designed are lively, invigorating, almost dance-like. They get your breathing and circulation working optimally and the vigorous arm movements and upward stretches, plus deep breathing, help blood circulate through the abdominal organs and bring fresh, nourishing blood to your baby via the placenta.

As the body's balance changes with enlargement of abdomen, it is important to take your centre of gravity downward, while keeping your spine stretched up and your chest open. This upright, graceful stance will make you feel elegant and confident and also allows more space to be created around the diaphragm, which needs to find room to contract downward so that you are able to breathe really deeply and fully.

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