You might feel no more than a little discomfort from your period, or sometimes you could be doubled over in pain from it. Usually the pain surfaces in spasms. It may start in your lower abdomen, and radiate up to your spine and down your legs. It can also effect the center in your lower back. If you get period cramps really badly, you may feel nauseous or dizzy, and get diarrhea or vomiting. If this happens you should ask the advice of your doctor. Most women think the pain comes on a few hours before their menstrual cycle starts and it begins to ease once the flow begins. In a few cases, the pain continues into the third or second day of their period.

What Helps With Menstrual Cramps?

There are several ways in which to relieve menstrual cramps. The secret is to find the one that works best for you. Lying down if possible at the beginning signs of pain, and putting a warm hearing pad on your abdomen can help.

A warm relaxing bath may help as well. Seeking advice from your pharmacist about suitable painkillers for cramps may help. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and Midol may be very helpful with period cramps.  For maximum relief, take over the counter medications before the menstrual pain gets to bad. Massages may ease menstrual cramps. Gently rubbing you abdomen, or asking your partner to massage your back can help. Exercise routines during your cycle, but particularly a few days prior to the onset of your period can help to minimize pain by decreasing your levels of prostaglandins. Exercise also can help to keep the blood pumping in your pelvis, easing that bloated heavy feeling. Workouts stretching your body, for example, cycling with your legs in the air can be best.

I have always had a problem with period cramps and I hope this information was able to help you too.

My pick for top 2 performers this season would be Scotty McCreery and James Durbin. These two could not be further apart in their genre choices but are still tugging my strings with their song.

Scotty’s soulfully deep voice is like lying on satin sheets when you are completely tuckered out. He has picked some of the greatest country music stars ever to look up to. Including Hank, Conway and Johnny! I love all of these old country classics, but we will see how Scotty is able to put a new swing on such an old feeling.

I am also really liking James Durbin. His rock scream is unmatched. He actually reminds me some of Steven Tyler himself. I have always been an Aerosmith fan and love the sound of a good rock wail. Not everyone can pull that off with ease but it seems that James is doing it week after week. It is going to be fun to see who comes out on the top of this season.

Spring is a wonderful time to start picking flowers to put into your scrapbooks or to press for later. Outdoor pictures in the wonderful weather are just waiting to be taken as well. 

Make sure if you are going to take on the task of pressing flowers for your book that you follow these simple rules.

~Make sure to pick the freshest flowers that you can find and also make sure they are dry. No moisture should be on the flowers.

~Avoid allowing parts of your flower to overlap unless it is the look you are going for.

~Once you place your flower between pages in a book, weigh the book down and wait about two weeks before checking on it. It is best to put the flower between two pieces of paper if you don’t want to mess up the pages of the book you are using.

These are the no cost flower pressing options. You can also buy a wooden flower press or even a microwave flower press but why would you when you can be super thrifty. What with the costs of scrapbooking materials these days, why not go with cheap flower pressing.

2 tablespoons of chopped onions
4 to 5 tablespoons of chopped broccoli or cauliflower
2 tablespoons of chopped carrots
5 large egg whites only
1 whole egg with yolk
1/2 ounce of your favorite cheese
1/2 a tablespoon of Tony’s seasoning
2 tablespoons of fat free black beans

Coat your pan lightly with a non-stick cooking spray.
Sauté your vegetables in a skillet for about 2 minutes until they are tender.
Whip your eggs and beat until light and foamy. Add your seasoning to the egg mixture. Pour your egg mixture over the vegetables and cook for about 2 minutes over medium high heat.
Add your cheese over the omelet and then add your beans over your cheese and fold the omelet in half and cook on low heat for 2 minutes longer.
Now serve and enjoy!

After the premier show this past monday night. Two couples are definite front runners so far.

Ralph (Karate Kid)  is coming on really strong with all 8′s for his first performance and a standing ovation.

Kirstie Alley is also doing great. Trailing just a few points behind, she has shown that a woman over fifty can still mover her tail.

Kudos to both Ralph and Kirstie and I hope to see them go to the end.

Some of the other stars I see doing well are Kendra, Chris, Sugar Ray and Hines.

I hope this season brings more entertainment and enjoyment.

 Facebook Messages combines SMS, chat, messaging and e-mail into one communication platform, announced since November. It takes away longer messages and subject titles in favor of shorter, quicker bursts of communication. Users will also have the option of inheriting an @facebook.com e-mail address for themselves.

I have also read that the email addresses will be (blank)@fb.com and not (blank)@facebook.com. These changes are scheduled to be integrated into our FB accounts slowly to stop the change shock. You know how evil it is when you are used to using your FB account one way and a change is made and you have to reassess how to use your features. For example, security setting changes. Is it me or has there seem to be a lot of these lately. Who knows!

I dont think this facebook email will end up replacing some of the other standards because of the restrictions put on facebook in the office. Most companies do not allow their employees access to Facebook on company computers because of the fear of lack of work that will be done and I can understand that. However, yahoo and gmail should not suffer too much because most companies allow these sites if any internet access at all.

We shall see what other changes in the future Facebook has for us and I will let you know when I hear of another change.

One new aspect of the show is going to be the introduction of Redemption Island.

http://www.cbs.com/e/0LakY7vQN25pXFgulEgWpwBymTdOB4ZO/cbs/1/

The contestants are going to have to watch who they vote out because they may be coming back for more. When a played is voted out this season, they will go to redemption island where they will compete with the next player voted out for a spot back on the show. This twist in the show should make it pretty interesting for viewers because it will give a shot for the players you like that get voted off to try to come back in the game for the million. On the other hand, it also gives a shot for those players you hate to come back as well. Who knows how this season is going to favor. Hopefully, our most loved characters will stay and the foes will leave.

Another aspect of this season’s Survivor is Boston Rob versus Russell Hantz. If Russell is not the my most hated Survivor ever then I dont know who is. Russell has to be the most delusional player to hit the TV spot. He thinks by playing a mean and ruthless game every season the jury is going to vote him into the spot of sole survivor. No way, most of the time you do not piss off the jury and then expect to win.
Boston Rob has been a favorite of mine since his first season and love affair on the show with Amber. He won over the hearts of America with his on scene proposal live to his show sweetheart. Their has never been a Survivor power couple since then. Rob also is an all around good player of the game. He tends to make bad alliances with people causing his downfall but for competitions he usually knocks it out of the park. This season of Survivor Redemption Island should be a good one to catch. Props to CBS for keeping such a great show alive for so long.

Check out a preview of Rob vs. Russell here.

http://www.cbs.com/e/vL7VLkrAxJOV3pgtkjq1SrmxwRBGBXVk/cbs/1/

For more post from Rene Uriegas, click here.

After the premiere of this season’s American Idol, it is said that people are liking the new cast even better than the cast for the past. With Simon now gone from the show, Randy Jackson is still holding up the panel with the help of two new friends. Added to the roster this season is Jennifer Lopez (AKA J-Lo). The former Jenny from the block is bringing a touch of feminity to the group and a touch of class. While Paula Abdul was a cool drink of water to swallow down Simon’s crass comments, she has moved on to other ventures and J-Lo seems like a suitable replacement with more recent dables in the music scene.

The other new member of the team is Steven Tyler. As the leader singer of the band Aerosmith for years. He is overly qualified for the position with over 30 years of music background and seems to have a touch of a heart to boot. He is also becoming known for his over the top remarks but with more class.

Check out more about the new season of American Idol here.

http://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt_2_65.swf

The Amazing Race last season hit a first in the show history when Nat and Kat became the first all girl team to win. This season is going to be a first as well, with the first All Star cast.

We have a few teasers for you. YEAH!

It has been said that some of the teams were spotted boarding planes to Sydney Australia from Los Angeles international airport. These people were also able to confirm some of the teams that we are going to be seeing in the All Star Cast. Some that I am looking forward to are Gary and Mallory (father-daughter team) from season 16. They seem to work well together and Mallory is hilarious. Another team I am looking forward to seeing back is “The Cowboys” Jet and Cord. I really think they have the power to win this season. They came very close to winning their season and ruled a few of the legs of their season. This niave couple of country boys always makes for a good show. Another team people are going to really like is “Flight Time and Big Easy” our Harlem Globetrotter couple. I remember then doing well on physical challenges but not so great on their mental game. Hopefully this season they will have sharpened their skills and become contenders at the top.

Other couples in the race are best friends Zev and Justin, hopefully this time they can hold on to their passports. haha There will also be the sisters Jennifer and LaKisha who took a fatal trip to the potty on their leg costing them a spot at the top. We can also look for cheerleaders Cara and Jaime and engaged couple Amanda and Kris. Their is also the father/daughter team of Ron and Christina and mother/son team Margie and Luke. We will also see father/son team Mel and Mike and of course our crazy goth team Kent and Vyxsin.

Overall I think it is going to be a spectacular season to look forward to. Premiere of The Amazing Race All Stars Season 18 will be February 20th, 2011.

Dressing:
6 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tsp pepper
2 packages Ramen Oriental or Original Flavored Noodle powdered seasoning packet
s1/2 cup sugar or sugar substitute
1 cup salad oil
Heat on low until sugar dissolved
Cool and refrigerate
Slaw:
1 1/2 packages of shredded slaw mix
2 bunches green onions, chopped
1 cup slivered almonds (toasted @ 350- 10 minutes
4-6 Tbsp sunflower seeds
Noodles (from Ramen package.)

Break up the noodles in a bowl. Mix in the slaw. Add your dressing just before serving.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did. YUMMY

For other information on Rene Uriegas, click here.