Friday, December 23, 2005

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 10

I just couldn't decide what to write about in this, my final message in the series. I felt a bit like the Queen must feel when she's writing her Christmas speech to the nation. Should I urge you to look back over the year and think about all your achievements with gratitude? Should I encourage you to look ahead and visualise everything that you want next year to be? What well-chosen words could I use to inspire you and leave you with a feeling of peace and well-being? And then, whilst I was trying to make my mind up, I did a quick check on my inbox and found the following email from Denise Michaels:

Just got this in my inbox from an ol' high school friend and I had to share it with you:

Holiday Eating Tips

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"Have an amazing day!

Perfect! Have a good one! See you in 2006.

Ann

Thursday, December 22, 2005

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 9

Whilst I was thinking about what to write for the ninth tip in this series, the monthly newsletter from Michael Myerscough of The Relationship Gym
plopped into my inbox and I knew that the following excerpt was exactly what I needed. It's food for thought whilst you are getting together with family and friends over the holiday and, if, for some reason, you can't all get together this year, it's a reminder to find some other way to get in touch with your loved ones and let them know what they mean to you.

Who Loves You?

I’ve been trying to come up with a chirpy end of year article and I have to say it’s not working for me right now. I’m actually more focused on a eulogy that I’m writing for my Gran, Margaret Myerscough, who died last week. Her death marks the end of me having any grandparents and has come as a bit of a shock. I have to say that at the moment I’m experiencing regret about not having said all the things to her that I would have liked her to know. Whilst most of us were aware that she wasn’t very well it was assumed that my Gran would be around for another year or so. Well, last week she died peacefully in her sleep and moved on.

I make every effort to communicate how special people are in my life and let the people I love know that they are loved. In this case however I assumed that it wasn’t urgent and hadn’t been in touch for a while. I’m aware that there are a hundred and one times when we are reminded that life is a very fragile thing and that taking it for granted is a bit of a mistake. I just want to make it one hundred and two in the hope that in some way it might make a difference to your life.

It turns out that I’m reading the eulogy because I was one of her favourite grand children (I’m confident that none of the others are reading this so I can say that without hurting any feelings) and the sad part about that is that I had no idea. The thing that I’m getting around to here is that if you love people or even if people are just special to you it’s really, really important that you let them know. Don’t assume that they know, ever!

This is true with your partners, your parents, siblings, relatives, friends and just about anyone you share this planet with that you have any affection for. It makes all the difference in my world to know that there are people who love me, people that are proud of me or even people who just like hanging out with me or value my thinking. I also know that a lot of those feelings only became clear to me when I started telling others how important they are to me. For whatever reason a lot of us can get stuck in the idea that communicating love, in whatever form, is a bit of a burden for people that they’d rather not endure. Trust me on this one, it’s not true. Sure it might feel a little awkward and you might both feel a little shy, but every one loves a little love. It’s truly amazing the emotional doors that open when you start being honest with people.

So with this in mind I’d just like to take the time to say that having you read my newsletter makes a big difference to my life. I’m only really happy when I feel like I’m contributing something valuable to the world and every once in a while it becomes obvious that writing these articles has an impact. Sometimes someone will write to me expressing surprise at how pertinent an article was or how it made their life easier in some way. Sometimes someone will write and just say that they really enjoyed a story I shared. So if you’ve read this far I’d like you to know that I’m grateful and that you make a difference in my life.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 8

So far, I have been making a big assumption that you will be surrounded by family and friends during the holiday season.

I was single and living alone for 7 years after my marriage ended, which meant that I often spent quite long periods alone over Christmas. Since I love my own company, this never posed any problems for me and I was always fortunate enough to have friends and family to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's with. However, one Christmas, there was a particularly ill-timed flu epidemic and, by Christmas Day, everyone that I would usually eat Christmas lunch with was tucked up in bed, sniffing and shivering. All except me - I was fine.

If I had been less proud, I would have phoned a friend and got myself invited somewhere else for lunch, but I was a bit embarrassed that I suddenly had nowhere to go on Christmas Day and, feeling like Norma No-mates, I decided to spend Christmas Day by myself. To cut a long story short, I rather enjoyed it, but the most positive thing to come out of the day was the fact that I managed to rid myself of a longstanding fear of being alone at holiday times.

Anyhow, enough about me! What about you? Are you facing your first Christmas as a single? Is it the kids' turn to go to their Dad's for Christmas? Are you separated from your loved ones this Christmas? You probably already know all the old chestnuts such as 'Invite your elderly neighbours over for Christmas' or 'Help out one of the charities serving Christmas lunch to homeless people on Christmas Day'. In addition to these though, I would like to offer you the following ideas to help you make Christmas feel special this year:

1. Try to have something to look forward to every day of the holiday - something you really love to do but often don't have time for in your workaday life

2. Use the holiday to do something completely different - learn something new, give yourself a makeover or turn your home into a spa, so that you start the New Year looking and feeling fabulous

3. Do Christmas your own way. Use the opportunity to just please yourself for the whole of the holiday - do absolutely nothing that you don't want to do and include as many of the things that you DO want to do as possible - totally indulge yourself

4. Research a subject that fascinates you - go back to work an 'expert' (well maybe expert status is unlikely, but you could take several steps towards it)

5. Clear your clutter and start the New Year with a clean, clear, clutter-free space

6. Rent out all the funny films you can find and have an hilarious holiday

7. Aim to solve a problem you have been procrastinating over before the holiday is done

8. Plan a new life for 2006

9. Get a temporary job in a lively bar or restaurant for the holiday period - earn some extra money and be part of the festivities at the same time

10. Spend the time researching that business you've always wanted to start - the Internet never takes a holiday, so log on and find out how you could start a business on a budget, then, in the New Year, resolve to spend (at least) one evening each week working on your new business until it's up and running




Tuesday, December 20, 2005

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 7

One daily habit that will leave you feeling less frazzled, exhausted and resentful at the end of the holiday is:

delegate

Don't try to do everything yourself - even if you KNOW you can do it better than everyone else. Persuade, bribe, threaten and cajole everyone who is sharing the holiday with you into doing their bit too!

If all the family traditionally descends on you for Christmas lunch, this year, get them to bring a dish with them - a starter course, a desert, a contribution to the main course - whatever their speciality is. Get everyone involved - put your teens on duty preparing sandwiches and making sure drinks are topped up. Even littlies can take guests' coats upon their arrival or collect empty plates and glasses and bring them to the kitchen.

Put your dad or uncle in charge of the annual post-Christmas-lunch game of charades and when anyone half-heartedly offers to take charge of washing the dishes, instead of insisting that they relax with everyone else and enjoy the fun, thank them heartily and point them in the direction of the kitchen...

Monday, December 19, 2005

Play 'The Challenge Game' with Michael Neill

This week, Michael Neill is issuing you with an invitation to play The Challenge Game with him. Here are the details:

THE CHALLENGE GAME on 'You Can Have What You Want'
Tuesday, December 13th at Noon pacific, 3pm eastern, 8pm UK (live internet radio at http://www.hayhouseradio.com

There is a special energy of renewal towards the beginning of each new year.
Listen in to learn Michael's favorite game for transforming your New Year's resolutions into a positive, life-changing revolution!

This week only, if you phone in to the show you will not only get a unique personal challenge for 2006 from Michael, he'll also send you a free copy of his book 'You Can Have an Extraordinary Life'...

Inside the US:1-866-903-TALK (8255)
Outside the US:001-858-623-0102

To listen to the show this Tuesday, December 19th, go to http://www.hayhouseradio.com at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the buttonmarked 'Listen Now'

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 6

My sixth recommendation for a daily habit in the run-up to the holiday season is:

speak up


Are you the one that ends up 'doing Christmas' single-handedly? Does everyone descend on you on Christmas Day (or worse, for the whole of the holiday), breathe a sigh of relief, plonk themselves on the sofa and prepare to be waited on hand and foot for the rest of the time? Are you the unpaid servant? Catering to everyone's needs (literally)? Running yourself ragged? Collapsing into bed at the end of a long day, exhausted and wanting to pull the covers over your head and sleep for a week?

Well, speak up. Tell everyone that you're not prepared to do it again. Politely insist that they help out (more on this in Part 7). Get everyone involved and doing their bit. Just because Christmas has traditionally been 'done' a certain way doesn't mean that it always has to be that way - especially if it means a miserable Christmas for you. Break old traditions and make some new ones. Schedule some time for yourself. Don't end up unhappy and resentful this Christmas - you deserve to enjoy it too!

Sunday, December 18, 2005

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 5

During both the hectic period running up to the holidays and the holiday itself,

take some time for yourself every day


Even if you can only manage half an hour, take that time and spend it by yourself, doing something that you enjoy. Maybe you might earmark that time to have a long soak in the bath, curl up and read a good book, listen to a piece of music that calms or inspires you or just lie on your bed in total silence with the phone turned off and a 'do not disturb' sign on the door. You know what it is that you need to do to keep body and soul together!

Nicola's top 10 tips on saving money

The UK's top wealth coach, Nicola Cairncross, has compiled the following top 10 tips for saving money - just in time for the New Year. You can read Nicola's blog at www.wealthcoach.typepad.com.

1. Cut out one cappuccino a day - £1.85 a day saved (and then invested) gives you a 100% chance of becoming a millionaire in your lifetime.

2. Change your mobile message - ask people to email or Skype you instead (still got your mobile for emergencies but you can then call them back on Skype for free).

3. Instead of giving the kids pocket money, pay them interest on their savings instead (teaches them good habits too).

4. If you take more than one trip abroad per year, buy your travel insurance annually, saves ££££££££.

5. Shop online - you can stick to a budget much more easily and check if you need those extra tins of canellini beans!

6. Visit
www.moneysupermarket.com to find out which are the best 0% credit card deals, then move your debts.

7. Buy your books from
www.Amazon.com - books are much cheaper in the USA than here.

8. If you use any stores online regularly, check at
www.cj.com or www.affiliatewindow.com to see if you can join the store's affiliate scheme and earn commission when you buy.

9. Open a SIPP (self administered pension fund) now, as from next April you will be able to put all sorts of things into your pension fund - residential property, wine, art - and any gain is tax free.

10. Think about how to make MORE money rather than cutting back - start a part time business, do some babysitting or take in ironing. Find a way to make money from a hobby or interest and have fun doing it.

Friday, December 16, 2005

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 4

My fourth tip in this series is:


get some exercise every day


Find some way (and some time) to include some exercise into your day. If you're the type of person who has to force themselves to exercise and hates every minute of it, then you're not doing it right - you need to find something that you enjoy doing. Why not make that a goal for the New Year - to try as many different forms of exercise as you can until you find at least one that you really enjoy doing and are willing to do at least 3 times a week for the rest of the year?

Experiment, also, with the time of day that you do your exercising. I'm a morning person - I can get up at any time in the morning and I'm raring to go, but in the evenings, I'm useless and I just need to chill out and wind down. I discovered long ago that the best thing for me is to set my alarm clock to go off an hour earlier and exercise first thing in the morning. It sets me up for the rest of the day with an exercise-induced endorphin high and I don't have the nagging feeling that I need to exercise hanging over me all day. When would be the best time of day for you to exercise?

If all else fails, just go for a walk in your lunch break - it'll help your digestion, help burn off your lunch, fill your lungs with fresh air and give you more energy for the afternoon.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 3

My third personal daily habit for the holiday season will be to

eat plenty of fruit and veg - at least the recommended daily amount
of 5 portions per day.
I always try to do this every day and usually succeed in managing an average of 8 or 9 portions, but this becomes much harder when you are out and about, Christmas party food becomes very much your staple diet and vegetables appear to be a rare commodity.

A couple of tips for increasing your f & v intake during this period are:

1. Have a fruit smoothie for breakfast - just whizz up 3 or 4 fruits in a blender - experiment to find your favourite combinations. A variation on this fruit breakfast theme would be to make a breakfast fruit salad - I often do this and can manage to get up to 5 or 6 portions of fruit in there.

2. Take a bag of veg sticks to work with you to nibble on at break times. Just cut up carrots, celery, cucumber, spring onion and cauliflower (florets), put them into a bag or sealed dish and nibble away as a healthy alternative to crisps, nuts and other snack foods. A handful of sunflower and pumpkin seeds is another healthy alternative for snacking on.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Free calls to UK National Landlines

I've been using www.1899.com for international calls for some time now because I make a lot of calls to the US and they are just so cheap - but today, I went to their site to sign up on behalf of someone else and I spotted that when you register with them, you can call any UK landline day and night for FREE!!! You will only pay a 3p connection fee! This offer applies to both residential and business customers! If you live in the UK, just visit their site, www.1899.com, fill in a simple form and get calling! Just in time for Christmas too!

10 daily habits for the holiday season - Part 2

The second daily habit that I would urge you to adopt between now and the New Year is:

Drink plenty of water
We all know by now that we are supposed to drink 8 glasses of water each day. And I admit that it is sometimes difficult to do it. I can glug it down with the best of them when I'm thirsty, but after my third or fourth glass of the morning, I'm starting to get a bit bored and have to force myself to carry on drinking it. The thing is, though, it works. When I drink plenty of water on a regular basis, I catch myself looking in the mirror and thinking how good my skin looks - smooth, glowing and moisturised. In addition, I don't feel so tired or get so hungry.

A couple of tips that might help you to drink more are - drink warm or lukewarm water during the day (I know - some people hate the idea - but it works for me) and make your first drink of the day a cup of hot water with a slice of lemon in it.

Oh, and another tip - when you're out partying in the run-up to Christmas, alternate alcoholic drinks with glasses of water - you'll stay in control, you'll consume fewer calories and you won't be so dehydrated the morning after.

Come back tomorrow for Tip 3

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

10 daily habits for the holiday season

What 10 things could you do each day which would really make a difference to your health and wellbeing over the holiday season?

Many of you will already be well into the 'silly season' as far as eating, drinking and looking after your general health and well-being are concerned... office parties, get-togethers with friends, nights out on the town, sweets and chocolates everywhere you look...

Some of you will already know that, throughout the year, I advocate making a list of 10 habits that, when practised daily, will make you look and feel better. These are things like flossing your teeth or taking just 2 minutes to buff your nails so that they are strong, shiny and healthy-looking. Or maybe writing in a journal for 15 minutes.

Over the next 10 days, I am going to offer you 10 daily habits that you can practise both in the run-up to Christmas and over the holiday period which should help to combat some of the worst excesses associated with this time of year.

So here we go - Tip 1 -

Always eat breakfast

When I was still an employee (I was a Currculum Manager in a college), I worked in a busy staffroom which, at this time of year, was full of food. Each day brought fresh piles of leftover food from all the staff and student parties that were taking place. In addition, students would bring gifts of cookies, cakes and chocolates for us and every lunch time brought another invitation to either another party or a celebration pub lunch (usually without a single vegetable in sight).

What particular challenges does this time of year present for you? Do you have a sweet tooth and can't resist all the sweets and chocolates on offer? Do you snack and 'graze' on party food all day and never manage to eat a healthy meal until normality returns in January? Do you use the holiday season as an excuse to over-indulge, convincing yourself that you will soon lose all the excess weight in the New Year?

If any of the above sounds like you, at least give yourself a good start to each day by eating a healthy breakfast - even if all you can manage is a couple of pieces of fruit. If you can start your day with a full stomach and healthy blood-sugar levels, you will be less inclined to dive into the cookies and chocolates with your mid-morning cappuccino. Your waistline will thank you for it too! :-)

Come back tomorrow for Tip 2.













Monday, December 12, 2005

Get off your own back

Details of Michael Neill's radio show for this week are posted below:


YOU ARE NOT THE ENEMY on 'You Can Have What You Want'
Tuesday, December 13th at Noon pacific, 3pm eastern, 8pm UK
(live internet radio at http://www.hayhouseradio.com)

For as long as you are making any part of yourself into an enemy, you will not experience lasting inner peace. Learn how life changes when you stop the battle against yourself, your ego, your shadow, or any other parts of your personality you don't like (or wish didn't exist!)

As always, I'll be taking your calls on air if you're tired of beating yourself up or wondering how much easier your life could be if you got off your own back, please call in to speak with me live! Inside the US:1-866-903-TALK (8255)Outside the US:001-858-623-0102

To listen to the show this Tuesday, December 13th, go to
http://www.hayhouseradio.com at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the button marked 'Listen Now'.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

11 ways to put an end to 'hit and run' weekends

It's Sunday again already! If you're wondering where yet another weekend went to, read the following article, written by Lisa Schulman for ivillage and make more time for fun next weekend:

http://lifestyle.msn.com/FamilyandParenting/RaisingKids/ArticleIV2.aspx?cp-documentid=102705&GT1=7461

Friday, December 09, 2005

Find great music

I found the following in wealth coach Nicola Cairncross' email newsletter:

Latest web tip from Steve Howson - a marvellous music site called http://www.pandora.com/ where you put in a couple of your favourite tracks and it analyses the qualities of those tracks and finds you more music like that. You can create different personal "radio stations" for the different genres of music you like and it's a great way to find more new music / artists.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

December Newsletter

The December edition of the Successfully Single newsletter can now be read on-line at www.successfullysingle.co.uk/pages/14/index.htm. Don't forget that if you sign up to receive the newsletter by email during December, your name will be entered into a draw to receive a month's coaching with me, absolutely free of charge - that 3 x 40 minute sessions...

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Happiness is an empty inbox

We're being spoilt this week - with a second helping of Michael Neill - so if you're feeling overworked and overwhelmed in the run-up to the holiday season, tune in to:

HAPPINESS IS AN EMPTY INBOX w/special guest Stever Robbins
Thursday, December 8th at Noon pacific, 3pm Eastern, 8pm UK
(Live internet radio at http://www.healthylife.net/)

This is what Michael has to say about it:

If you're ready to overcome overwhelm at work and at home, listen in on my conversation with leadership guru and efficiency expert Stever Robbins(http://www.steverrobbins.com).

As Stever says:"'No' is hard for most of us to say. We like to feel appreciated and useful to others. But far better to say "no" many times and concentrate on a few great wins than to say "yes" after "yes" after "yes" and deliver poor results...

At the end of the day, it's not like there's much choice. You will reduce your overwhelm. Either you'll do it voluntarily and deliberately, or you'll do it when you collapse with a nervous breakdown. You owe it to yourself to take control of your own life and make the hard choices now, when they're uncomfortable, but doable. Something's got to give. Don't let it be you."

To listen to the show this Thursday, December 8th at Noon pacific, 3pm Eastern, 8pm UK, go to http://www.healthylife.net/ and click on the button marked 'Listen Live!'

Win free coaching for a month

Sign up for the Successfully Single newsletter in December and your name will go into a special draw. The winner will receive a month's coaching, absolutely free of charge (that's 3 x 40 minute sessions - worth £180). Either send a blank email to newsletter@successfullysingle.co.uk, or visit the website, go straight to the bottom of the 'Newsletter' page and use the sign-up box there.

The winner will be contacted by email, early in January 2006. Good luck!

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

The gift that goes on giving...

Whilst I was reading Beryl Whiting's blog (see previous post), I was also reminded that many people I know are turning down the opportunity to receive another load of things that they don't really need this festive season, and instead, are asking people to get them something that someone else needs. Confused? Read what Beryl has to say about it and all will become clear...

Having a birthday right before xmas gives my husband and sons a bit of challenge! They assume I am a woman who has everything, um....actually I am beginning to think they may have a point. I certainly have everything I NEED.

So after a lot of nagging I came up with a digital radio as a present. I have to say it doesn't really do it for me but, what else is there? Then, a revelation. After listening to a radio advert I had an 'aha' moment. There was something I would really really like and it made me feel quite happy and excited at the thought of having it! Well you may be as surprised as my sons when I tell you it is a GOAT! I know you're thinking 'you're kidding'! Ooops sorry.

Oxfam
www.oxfam.org.uk are suggesting you buy a goat (£24) and no post and packing involved, they will send it to someone to whom it would make a real different. A child ex-soldier or a mother to support her family in Africa. Two goats go off and do what goats do and before you know it you have a whole herd. So what appeals to me is helping others far less fortunate than me to get back on their feet and create their own future and take control of their lives again. What better gift could we give? This just fits so well with the work I do. I now intend to buy livestock on a regular basis. In 2006 I will be saving for a camel (£95).

The seasoned shopper in me did begin to start the 'shopping around' and whereas Oxfam do one goat for £24, Christian Aid,
www.presentaid.org do a whole herd for £60! Then again could I stretch to a calf (£32), a stethoscope for (£7), a can of worms for Bolivian farmers (£15) ? Decisions decisions......

Happy Xmas Shopping!

Monday, December 05, 2005

Successfully Single - at any age

Beryl Whiting is an NLP coach and Personal Development Trainer for people in business. Reading Beryl's blog the other day, I had a wonderful reminder that you don't need to be in your 20's, 30's or 40's to be successfully single and get a life you love after a break-up. Beryl wrote:

Recently, I overheard two ladies talking in a coffee shop. The first lady was telling the story of how her husband had left her three years ago when she was aged 60. Although at first she was devastated and didn't tell anyone for a year. Now she absolutely wouldn't have him back, even though he says he wants to try again.

"I'm having too good a time going out and enjoying myself in a way that he wouldn't let me when we were together. He insisted on us doing everything together. Now I can go out when and with whom I want! I love going to concerts, theatres, holidays, keep fit, coffee mornings. It's been a real blessing and I never thought I would hear myself say that!"

Yay! You go girl!

The Secrets of Million Dollar Intention

Details of Michael Neill's radio show for this week are posted below:

THE SECRETS OF MILLION DOLLAR INTENTION on 'You Can Have What You Want' Tuesday, December 5th at Noon pacific, 3pm eastern, 8pm UK (live internet radio at http://www.hayhouseradio.com)

Do you procrastinate? Put things off? Feel overwhelmed by work, life, and your to-do list? Listen in this week and find out why the most important choice you make is what you choose to make important...As always, I'll be taking your calls on air - if you want to overcome procrastination and take action on what really matters in your life, please call in to speak with me live! Inside the US: 1-866-903-TALK (8255). Outside the US:001-858-623-0102

All first time callers can receive a free month's membership to the SolutionsCafé! To listen to the show this Tuesday, December 5th, go to http://www.hayhouseradio.com at Noon pacific/8pm UK and click on the button marked 'Listen Now'.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Have a safe Christmas

Now that we are hurtling towards the holiday season, follow these safety tips from the Lucie Blackman Trust on your nights out and have a safe Christmas:

PLANNING:

Have you worked out how you are getting home?
Have you put I.C.E. (a number to be rung In Case of Emergency) on your mobile?
Is your mobile charged up and do you have credit?
Book a taxi home BEFORE you go out.
Take a long coat to cover your party clothes on the way home.
Arrange to travel home with a friend.
If going out by yourself, set up a Safetytext before you leave, and if your plans change, set up a new Safetytext, so if something happened to you, someone could find you.

DRINKING SAFELY:

Never leave your drink unattended
If you are in a group, maybe there is someone who is driving and not drinking, elect them to watch over everyone’s drinks.
Use a Drink Spike Detector – and make sure people see you doing so.
Ask your pub for a DSD – they should have them. If not, tell them about the Lucie Blackman Trust.
Pace yourself – if you have too much alcohol too quickly it will catch up with you an hour later.
Miss a round of drinks occasionally, and have a soft drink.
If you are with a group of friends – LOOK AFTER EACH OTHER.
Don’t drink so much that you can’t control your actions. You will become an easy target. If a guy can push you behind some bushes, you will be raped in less than a minute. You may be made pregnant, be given a sexually transmitted disease, even AIDS.

YOU MUST STAY IN CONTROL OF YOURSELF
*IMPORTANT* IF YOU HAVE YOUR DRINK SPIKED – PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE POLICE. THEY NEED TO KNOW.

GOING HOME:

Take a long coat out with you.
If you are a girl in skimpy party clothing, wearing a long coat over your party clothes will make you less of a target.
If you are travelling home alone, set up a Safetytext giving your route and cancel when you are home safe.
If you have to walk, make sure you go the way with the best street lighting. It may be further – but it's safer.
If walking down a quiet street or lane, walk in the middle of the road.
Make sure you have a Lucie Blackman personal attack alarm ready to use.
Don’t accept a lift from someone you have just met – or if you do, put their details in a Safetytext.
When nearly home, make sure you have your door keys ready so you can enter your house quickly.

We welcome partners and information that will support work in this area. To contact The Lucie Blackman Trust telephone 01983 566083 or 07887893951.
© Copyright 2005: Lucie Blackman Trust

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Safety Text

Most women will be aware of the need to keep themselves safe when on a night out. By logging on to www.safetytext.com it's possible to set up a delayed text message from your mobile which could raise the alarm if something happens to you. The message is confidential,and you can cancel it when you are safely home. The website includes a video of how to set up a safety text.

Not sure if this service is available outside of the UK - I suspect not.