Pine nuts (plus three more tips): naturally improving male sex life

Men generally don’t like to admit there’s anything wrong with their sex lives, or how they perform, but let’s be honest about this and say that things don’t always work just as we want them to.

You could use some unnatural blue pill (other colours and brands are available, apparently) to ‘enhance’ your experience, but we all suspect that taking a concoction of synthetic drugs isn’t the best thing in the world for our health.

How about finding some natural things to perk up your sex life instead?

Two months ahead of Men’s Health Week (14-20 June) and Herbal Medicine Week (19-26 June), Dr Gaier is extolling the virtues of a totally natural extract.

And it comes from the humble pine nut.

Now, if finding a Siberian Cedar and extracting pinus sibirica yourself doesn’t sound like a bundle of laughs, you could always buy the extract ready bottled.

Dr Gaier says, “In Sibiria the tree, which grows to 80 metres and lives for 100 odd years, is referred to as the Queen of the Taiga, because its nuts provide the men there with tremendous health and sexual vitality.”

“Statistics show us that the use of pharmaceutical drugs to aid sexual performance is huge in the UK and I want to alert people to the dangers of using such drugs regularly. Now there’s an alternative, why would people suffer the headaches and stomach cramps, when they can get the same results without them. There is a natural remedy for most medical problems and my mission is to try and highlight some of the alternatives so people have a choice.”

If you’re not quite ready for that, there are three other very simple tips that could also improve your sexual health and performance:

1. Water: Being dehydrated can sap your energy, even slight dehydration of 1-2% of your body weight can make you feel tired. If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated and this can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms.

2. It’s good to nibble: It’s important to maintain a normal blood sugar level, in order to do this you should eat every few hours. This will help you maintain muscle tissue, which burns more calories than fat tissue, whilst putting the much-needed skip in your step and bounce into your bedroom. But don’t overdo it. Overeating can be just as bad as starvation.

3. Exercise: A good way to become energised is to keep yourself active. Exercise gets your heart pumping and increases your metabolism, but more importantly it releases endorphins which gives you that same happy sensation you get when you have sex or eat chocolate. For this reason your brain begins to crave it more, which can only do wonders for your sex drive!

DrGaier.com

Moving “with a bump”: ten tips for a stress-free house move while pregnant

According to a recent survey, nearly three-quarters of women found it harder to emotionally move on from the house their baby was born in, with two-thirds reluctant to move at all.

This leads to the interesting prospect of moving house while pregnant so you are in your chosen property when the baby is born.

HelpIAmMoving.com offers some advice to expectant mothers who are planning to endure the stresses and strains of moving house.

Most of them are good advice for any family, but of course there are some extra health and planning steps that are definitely worth bearing in mind.

1. Plan Ahead

Do things in stages, as you may (will) be very tired and so shouldn’t attempt to do everything in one go.

2. Pack Early

Non-essential items — such as unused clothing, CDs, books — can be packed up ahead of time.

Buy sturdy, modular boxes that can be easily packed, stacked and moved from old house to van to new house.

3. Register Early

Ensure that you are registered with essential healthcare services as soon as possible. This includes doctor, midwife and dentist.

This gives them adequate time to transfer files and for both you and them to get to know each other before the move happens.

The NHS Service Directories are a useful resource for organising this.

4. Know the Hospital

Get to know the new hospital before you move so that you are comfortable with its location and layout.

5. Notify Services

A good tip for everyone is to ensure that all relevant utility companies, clubs, banks, charities and so on are notified of your new address ahead of time. IAmMoving.com offers a free change of address service.

6. Grocery Shop Online

Do a shop before you move and store all your favourite goods, including baby items, so that they are easy to shop for once your baby is born.

7. No Bending or Lifting

Depending on what sort of person you are, you may be tempted to get stuck in on moving day, but you really do have the best reason for not getting involved.

Don’t bend to pack or unpack, and don’t lift heavy boxes. Get other people to sort all that for you.

8. Pack a Pamper Box

The day is likely to be stressful and tiring, so pack some items like bubble bath and candles in a separate bag and keep them with you. That way you have something to relax and unwind with when you reach your new home.

9. Prepare Your Hospital Bag

Regardless of whether you’re moving or not, keep your essential hospital bag in your car at least six weeks before your due date so that it doesn’t get mixed up with packing items.

Keep your hospital notes separate as well.

10. Drink!

Remember that you need to maintain good fluid levels, so keep bottled water with you and drink frequently throughout moving day.

Have you moved house while pregnant? What tips and advice would you give?

Advice from a Dadtrepreneur

Inspired by how much money I was spending on baby stuff, I started up my baby and nursery shop “Hello Baby” in 2007, about six months after my first daughter, Scarlett, was born. It has been an interesting experience and very hard work. Working for yourself is not for the fainthearted, but, if you can make it work, is a very satisfying experience. It also helps to have an understanding partner!

Anyway, here are a few tips I have picked up along the way:

1. It does not have to be ground breaking

TV shows such as Dragons’ Den give people the wrong impression that starting a business requires a great idea. The truth is that most successful businesses are actually rather mundane. Developing a new product is very risky and expensive where as setting up an online retailing business, taking my own example, can be done for only a few thousand pounds.

2. Be prepared to get your hands dirty

If you are not prepared to do almost everything yourself, you will end up spending a lot of money and the results will probably not be that great. Activities such as marketing and PR can be outsourced at great expense, but are fundamentally not that difficult if you are prepared to put in the time and effort.

3. Outsource to the Far East!

I employ two people in Thailand to help maintain my website. These employees cost about a third of employing someone in the UK. I have also used sites like Elance to find cheap web developers to build our blog and iPhone app.

4. eBay and Amazon are a great way to start

For selling stuff online, eBay and Amazon provide a great launching pad. These sites provide instant access to a huge, international marketplace and require very little technical knowledge. We do about 70% of our businesses through eBay and Amazon, 20% of which is from overseas.

5. Keep costs low and start small

Starting small on a low budget allows you to be flexible and make changes as you go along. If you spend a lot setting up your business only to find that the idea has no wings, you could be a bit stuck. Having been there myself, I also think that the self-reliance and attention to detail required by starting on a shoestring is a useful, though painful experience.

Trevor Ginn runs Hello Baby, the baby shop for parents who care.

What do men want for Valentine’s Day?

If you’re a woman stuck for an idea as to what your man might want for Valentine’s Day, take some tips from UK relationship expert Martin Riley, who offers up the following advice with the three “Ts” — Tease, Tantalise, Treat

• “Valentine’s Day has somehow become seen as a day when a man has to make a big romantic gesture to this wife or girlfriend. Try turning the tables. Send him flowers, take him out for dinner, or buy him something that fulfils your fantasies (be warned though, it’ll need to be something that makes him feel sexy, not stupid. He may never talk to you again if you buy him a mankini). Most men will be delighted by you taking the lead and making him feel appreciated and desired.”
• “When was the last time you asked your partner what he wanted from your relationship? A lot of men struggle to articulate what they want and need from a relationship so will try to let their presents do the talking. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to actually ask him what he wants, both from you and from your life together. Pillow talk is a great opportunity to get him to open up!”
• “Don’t rely on ‘bought experiences’ like meals out or presents to make this Valentine’s Day the romantic day of your dreams. A home cooked meal can be far more romantic than a restaurant full of other couples trying to be romantic. How about a meal in bed together? Or a meal he can lick off those usually hard to reach places? Use your imagination to have the Valentine’s Day that suits the two of you, not what the shops tell you should be having.”
• “If your man isn’t that interested in sex (and a surprising number of men aren’t as obsessed as you might think) then the key would be to think about what he loves doing that you could surprise him with. Is there anything he loves to do that you’re normally reluctant to do with him? He’ll be thrilled if you suggest or organise it so perhaps go to a football match together, see a band or go for a romantic walk around his favourite places.”

Top Tips for Birthing Partners

Following our five prenatal yoga positions for labour feature yesterday, here’s a follow-up feature offering some tips for a partner on assisting mum-to-be during labour.

Birthing partners and mums-to-be often explain how they find the idea of both pregnancy and labour an exciting and sometimes daunting experience, whether it’s their first time, or their fourth.

However, global yoga specialist, Jiivana UK has listed its top partner assisted yoga positions to help both partners bond through the pregnancy and prepare for the birth.

Partner Assisted Position 1 – Childs Pose

Assistant draws shoulders back, rotates armpits outwards, presses on sacrum and spreads spine by gently pressing on upper back.

Partner Assisted Position 2 – Swan

Pregnant woman kneels hip width on blanket. Assistant places foot on bolster behind her and then places knee into the mid back, between the shoulder blades. Pregnant woman then raises her arms up to about 45 degrees from her head and the assistant takes hold of her wrists and gently and evenly draws them back to open her chest.

Partner Assisted Position 3 – Sukhasana and Upavista Forward

Sit in crossed legs and lock forearms with your partner. Your partner then leans back being mindful not to curve their lower spine and to drop the shoulders. At the same time the pregnant woman leans forward and gets lengthened along the spine and the underside of the legs. Then change the cross of your legs and repeat.

Bliss from Within has been endorsed as the most comprehensive prenatal Yoga DVD on the market by The National Association of Childbirth Educators as it features two 45-minute yoga programmes, alongside advice on positions and massage for labour, pelvic floor techniques, partner assisted yoga, breathing techniques, home prop for yoga and baby bonding techniques.

The complete package guides pregnant women through a happy and healthy pregnancy, giving them a positive approach to birth.

Zoe Mongey, Managing Director of Jiivana and star of Bliss From Within, said, “Partner assisted yoga is a fabulous way for expecting parents to spend time together considering the journey they are on and the changes they are experiencing. It also has the added bonus of making the mother feel relief from common pregnancy related discomforts whilst making the partner feel involved and helpful.”

Mongey continues, “Within the DVD there is an extremely helpful section on ‘Partner-Assisted Yoga’. This segment coaches both mums-to-be and a partner of their choice through a number of positions that can help during pregnancy. There is also a positions for labour section that provides breathing, massage and support techniques for the birthing partner to use during pregnancy and labour to help assist and relax both mum and baby.

“Understanding and learning these poses will empower pregnant and their birthing partners by giving them the knowledge and understanding of active birth positions.”

For more information on Jiivana please visit www.jiivana.co.uk.

Five Prenatal Yoga Positions for Labour

Global yoga specialist, childbirth educator, and director of prenatal yoga specialist Jiivana UK Ltd, Zoe Mongey, lists her top five tips for labour.

Top Tip One: Carry out the early stage labour position: All Fours

Carry out the All Fours position during the early stages of labour to alleviate contraction pain.

This pose can be done on the floor or the bed.

It helps to encourage the baby into the anterior position so its spine swings to the front of your belly. It also relieves the pressure in the pelvis as gravity takes the weight away from the pelvis and to the belly.

Doing this pose, particularly in the last trimester, is an excellent way to encourage anterior lying babies.

Top Tip Two: Learn to use pelvic rotations to dissipate contraction discomfort

Trial pelvic rotations during the 1st stage of labour to dissipate the pain or use in second stage between contractions.

Kneel on floor or up onto the bed and use slow circling motions of the hips to help to dissipate the discomfort.

In this pose gravity also helps to push the baby down into the dilating cervix.

Use this position during contractions in the second stage to help descend the baby further down the birth canal in preparation for the next push.

Top Tip Three: Relax using the child’s pose

This position can be done on the bed or the floor.

Take the knees wider than the belly, big toes touching and sit back onto the heels. You can place your arms up on the bed, on your partner, stacked pillows or a ball.

In this position gravity also helps to push the baby down into the dilating cervix.

Top Tip Four – For the later stages of labour use the deep Squat position

The deep squat position is for later stages of labour.

Lean back onto your partner who is sitting on a chair or the ball and squat down with the knees wide.

You can also do this position up on the bed with the back of the bed raised to 90 degrees supporting the back, the knees bent and the feet flat on the bed.

This helps to widen the pelvic diameter bringing the baby’s head down into the dilating cervix.

Top Tip Five: Visualise your end goal by focusing on something special

When you are preparing your hospital bag, consider taking something special with you for the baby to wear after it’s born. This may be a little pair of socks or a little suit.

It can be anything that you feel is beautiful. You can look at it every now and then during your labour and this will help you focus on why you are there.

For more top prenatal and labour tips check out ‘Bliss from Within’. Jiivana’s complete package DVD helps to guide pregnant women through a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Zoe Mongey, director of Jiivana UK, said, “Whether you are birthing at home or in hospital yoga can help you cope better and enjoy the journey of pregnancy and the experience of labour.

“By physically preparing your body with yoga you will improve your comfort during pregnancy and reduce your risk of complications during labour. By practicing breathing techniques and visualisations you will calm and centre yourself and bond with your unborn baby during pregnancy and provide yourself with a tool to cope better during labour.

“Understanding and learning these poses will empower pregnant women with knowledge and understanding of active birth positions.

Jiivana has two renowned yoga DVDs — ‘Bliss from Within’ for mums-to-be, and ‘Baby Bliss’ for new mothers.

‘Bliss from Within’ has been endorsed as the most comprehensive prenatal Yoga DVD on the market by The National Association of Childbirth Educators as it features two 45-minute yoga programmes, alongside advice on positions and massage for labour, pelvic floor techniques, partner assisted yoga, breathing techniques, home prop for yoga and baby bonding visualisations.

The ‘positions for labour’ segment coaches Mums to be through a number of breathing techniques and positions that can help them during labour and provides massage and support techniques for their birthing partner.

‘Bliss from within’ is also used in hospital active birth classes around the world.

For more information on Jiivana please visit www.jiivana.co.uk.

Six tips for beating Christmas family arguments (involves conversation)

With one piece of research suggesting that even the best families will argue for seven hours over the Christmas week, or a horrendous three hours per day in the worst case, here are some tips for avoiding fallout this festive period.

Lisa Warner, inventor of FINK family conversation cards, offers these six top tips:

1. Start interesting and engaging conversation: if families simply stare at the TV all day they’re bound to get bored and irritable. Try FINK family conversation cards to get the conversation started.

2. Play family games: group activities are a great way to bond with each other and family games can bring all the generations together.

3. Don’t over stretch yourself: if the thought of cooking for 12 people worries you keep it simple and avoid the stress. Everyone will feel the pressure if you are stressed, so keep it simple and enjoy yourself.

4. Get some sleep: don’t miss out on the fun but remember we all get irritable when we don’t get enough sleep.

5. Take time out: a short break from everyone will give you a little breather and chance to recoup.

6. Ban texting at the table: if your children are texting their friends at the table then they’re not engaging with everyone else.

Rod Stewart recently made a stand with his family by completely banning mobile phones at the dinner table to preserve the art of conversation.

Lisa continued: “It may seem like a simple action but banning kids from texting at the table means they concentrate more and actually engage in the conversation. You have to be vigilant though, some kids are experts at texting without even looking at the phone!”

FinkCards.com

British relationships suffering due to poor sleep

If sleepless nights are causing problems and arguments between you and your partner, you’re not alone.

A recent survey suggests that over a third of British couples argue because of sleep-related issues.

Research shows that two out of five people get less than six hours of sleep each night, leading to both health and relationship problems.

One in ten people are kept awake by their partner every night, while a quarter say they are woken up at least once a month.

The top five health conditions that cause arguments between couples at night are:

1. Back Pain
2. Restless leg syndrome
3. Night terrors
4. Nocturnal cramp
5. Teeth Grinding

One in five Brits have slept in a different room because of a night-time row and one in four of those polled suffers from sleep envy and are jealous of their partners restful nights sleep.

A third of people in the UK say they end up sleeping on the sofa after a night time argument, while one in three choose the spare bedroom. One in twenty Brits have even slept in the children’s bunk beds in order to get a restful sleep!

Other interesting revelations from the survey include:

• Over half of us are regularly too tired for sex, while 1 in 10 would go without sex in order to get a good nights sleep
• Nearly half (44 per cent) would have more sex if we didn’t feel so tired
• Spooning is the UK’s favourite sleeping position – over a third of British couples (38 per cent) doze off with the man spooning the woman
• Nearly 20 per cent of romantic Brits fall asleep holding hands with their partner
• Not everyone likes to snuggle up – nearly half of all couples (48 per cent) regularly sleep turned away from each other, on opposite sides of the bed
• 36 per cent of people admit to sleeping better on their own – one in twenty have separate beds every night

Solving Sleep Problems

If you are having sleep problems which are leading to problems in your relationship, whether you are not able to fall asleep, wake up too often, don’t feel well-rested when you wake up in the morning, or simply want to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep then try the following top tips put together by sleep expert Chris Idzikowski:

Here are the dos and don’ts to help you get better nights sleep

Do:

• Plan your night – follow a set routine each night that gives you time to relax
• Relax – Try having a warm bath or reading a book before bedtime
• De-clutter – Make your bedroom a clutter free, restful place, with soft lighting
• Invest – buy the best bed you can afford – the average person spends 25 years in their bed so it is essential that your bed is right for you and your partner
• Use the 20 minute rule – get up and rest somewhere else and do not return back to your bed until you feel sleepy
• Exercise regularly – just be careful not exercise too close to bed time as this can prevent the brain from relaxing quickly

Don’t:

• Try to fall asleep – Tell yourself to let go of being awake, rest your eyes and visualize yourself slowly sinking into bed
• Drink alcohol – alcohol cab make you restless and is a diuretic which means more trips to the bathroom at night
• Drink caffeine – this will stay in your system for six hours and act as a stimulant – try herbal or fruit tea as an alternative
• Eat a heavy or spicy meal less than 2 hours before bed – your body needs to rest and not be busy digesting
• Watch TV in bed – this will disturb your partner as well as stop your mind from relaxing
• Keep electrical components in your bedroom

For further tips or to complete the first ever interactive sleep personality quiz to identify how good your sleep is, visit www.goodsleepadvice.com

The survey was carried out by Crampex (the only over the counter product for muscle cramp at night) to highlight November’s Sleep Disturbance Month.

7 tips for helping kids to sleep better in the summer

Dr Adrian Williams, expert in Sleep Medicine at The London Sleep Centre, has outlined his seven top tips for helping children (and adults) sleep better when the weather is humid.

Research from Mira Showers suggests that over a quarter of children struggle to nod off, and experience a worse night’s sleep in the humid weather.

This leads to them waking up overtired, cranky and upset.

The seven simple tips are:

1. Maintain a sleep conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and above all cool: A child’s bedroom should remind you of a bat’s cave – bats are champion sleepers, managing around 16 hours a day.
2. Mimic air conditioning in your own home using a fan and ice cubes: Point the fan at the bed or cot with the ice cubes in front and ensure the whole bed gets a turn. Or put the sheets and pillow cases in the fridge for a while so they are chilled.
3. Shower before bed: Give your child a cool shower before bed and don’t dry off fully. Leaving their hair wet will also keep your child’s body temperature lower.
4. Change where you sleep: Sleeping in hammock is cooler, as is a water bed set to 85°F. But if as these aren’t exactly kid friendly, you could set up a bed on or low to the floor, or at least tell them to poke their feet outside the bed.
5. Dress for success: Resist the urge to strip your little ones off to sleep nude in hot weather. Wearing loose fitting cotton shorts and shirt will actually be cooler.
6. Train your body to keep cooler: Air-con stops your body from learning to cope with warm weather, so avoid it during the day and it will help your kids to take the heat in their stride come night-time.
7. Master the basics: Whatever the weather, getting up at the same time, avoiding caffeinated drinks, and not napping too late in the day will help children to sleep better.

Live web event: How to Tackle Tough Topics With Teenagers

With all the busyness of the New Year, I almost let this announcement slip through the net, but there’s still time to take part and watch the show How to Tackle Tough Topics With Teenagers

From GotATeenager.org.uk:

Judging how to talk with your teenager about risky subjects like sex, drugs and alcohol can be hard. Our webchat with parenting expert Suzie Hayman makes it easier

Chat date: Tuesday 20th January
Chat time: 12.30pm (GMT)

Talking to your child about sex, drugs and drinking can be hard, but it is crucial if you are to give them the confidence to navigate through the minefield of the teenage years. As a parent or teacher, we must accept that the increasing desire to experiment is part of growing up – but not all kids are able to work easily through the risks and situations they face. While we cannot always be there to guide our children, we can make sure we prepare them in the best way possible by talking openly, discussing key issues and offering guidance on how to stay safe.

Knowing how to help your teen without seeming judgmental or out-of-touch is no simple task. That’s why renowned author and parenting expert Suzie Hayman is hosting an exclusive webchat that will make communicating with your kids on tricky subjects much easier and more successful. Suzie has established herself as an authority on teenage behaviour over a career spanning more than 20 years. As well as dispensing invaluable advice she’ll be taking your questions live online and telling you about a new website for parents of teens. Log on to the chat for the full story.

You still have time to submit a question for Suzie to answer, and the whole web chat can be viewed at this WebChats.tv page.

Four tips for dealing with Christmas after divorce

Holidays are often a happy, but stressful time for most families. Add a divorce into that mix, and things can become infinitely more complicated. The experts at GreatDad.com, a leading source of experience, recommendations, inspiration and advice for dads, have some advice and suggestions to make the adjustment after a divorce as easy as possible for your family.

Communication and planning are critical elements to making the holidays stress-free and more enjoyable. Paul Banas, founder and CEO of GreatDad.com explains, “Dealing with holidays can be an emotional rollercoaster, especially the first few years after the separation. Working together with your ex-wife and planning well in advance will help eliminate some of the last-minute pressure and uncertainty that is sure to come up during the holidays.”

Sage Advice:

• Develop a Parenting Plan: Experts suggest developing a “parenting agreement” with your ex- after the divorce, which should include how and where the kids will spend holidays. With an agreement in place, you can avoid arguing about plans every time the holidays roll around.
• Remain Flexible and Patient: Even with a plan in place, changes will undoubtedly happen–flexibility and patience will go a long way to keeping everything running smoothly. “It’s definitely important to remain flexible during the holidays. Being extra-sensitive and ready for the inevitable schedule changes will help you and your kids have a great holiday together,” added Banas.
• Coordinate Gift Giving: It’s also important that you and your ex-spouse talk about what you are getting your kids as gifts. This way, you don’t end up giving the same things (iPhone, doll, Wii console, etc.), and you also set rules in place on what’s acceptable.
• Create New Traditions: With time and forethought, you and your children can create new traditions together and make the holidays joyous again. This is a wonderful opportunity to get the kids involved and show them how important their input is.

For more tips and advice for celebrating the holidays after a divorce, go to www.greatdad.com/holidays.

Making Halloween safer for kids: ten tips for parents

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has outlined ten things that parents can do to ensure that their children have a fun, but above all safe, Halloween night this year.

1. CHOOSE bright, flame-retardant costumes or add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags so children are easily seen in the dark. In addition, carry a glow stick or flashlight.
2. PLAN a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighbourhoods with well-lit streets. Avoid unfamiliar neighbourhoods, streets that are isolated, or homes that are poorly lit inside or outside.
3. NEVER send young children out alone. They should always be accompanied by a parent or another trusted adult. Older children should always travel in groups.
4. ALWAYS walk younger children to the door to receive treats and don’t let children enter a home unless you are with them.
5. BE SURE children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.
6. DISCUSS basic pedestrian safety rules that children should use when walking to and from houses.
7. CONSIDER organising a home or community party as an alternative to “trick-or-treating”.
8. MAKE SURE children know their home phone number and address in case you get separated. Teach children how to call 911 (or equivalent emergency number) in an emergency.
9. TEACH children to say “NO!” or “this is not my mother/father” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them. And teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.
10. REMIND children to remain alert and report suspicious incidents to parents and/or law enforcement.

“Child safety is important year round, but Halloween is an especially important time for parents and children to pay extra attention to their surroundings and not let their guard down,” said Nancy McBride, National Safety Director of NCMEC. “It is important that parents exercise a few basic safety precautions to help ensure that Halloween is both fun and safe.”

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