Its undisputed that our lives and society has changed dramatically since the days our parents dated, making their advice and experiences outdated and irrelevant.

Our modern world is governed by industry, invention and technology with most of our lives being played out either on line or in solitude.

Dating and romance has either become an interactive shopping experience or routine drudgery causing most of us to become disconnected. Its crucial therefore to plan for romance as part of a healthy lifestyle whilst juggling variety and security.

Whether you are finding love for the first time, or reigniting romance in a long term relationship, its imperative to remember that romance is about the little details and the small moments.

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Leadership skills is a combination of many characteristics which enable children to take control of their lives.

Although there are natural born leaders and every effective group requires both leaders and followers, with support and encouragement from an early age, all children have potential leadership skills which can be developed and enhanced. 

It is important to stress to children that leadership is about being in control of ones own life.

Children need to be encouraged to think of things which they can make happen, rather than things happening to them. 

With the main areas of leadership focusing on communication, teamwork, negotiation, planning and persistence; it gives parents a myriad of opportunities to enhance their childrens growing skill base in every day activities.

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Spark Up Intimacy After Birth

Just WHEN is the "right" time to "get back into it?"

Most couples wait for the magical six-week mark and are dreadfully disappointed when that incredible pre-birth love-making doesn't happen or measure up to expectations.

With the misunderstandings, miscommunication, fear and guilt surrounding intimate relationships and the new role of parenthood, most couples find themselves disconnected, angry and resentful in the bedroom.

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Sending children off to school with nutritious foods which not only taste good, but are portable enough to survive the trek and time out of refrigeration can be a challenge.

Parents who have the best intentions often reluctantly fall back on the ubiquitous white breaded sandwich, bag of chips or cookies and muesli bar.

Children need their food to be interesting, retain their crunch and texture and if it doesn’t look appealing and fun to them, they are not going to eat it.

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Healthy Raw Chocolate

I am not sure how long this keeps as it never lasts more than a few days at our house. The beauty of this recipe is that you cannot eat more than a square or two at one time as it packed with nutrients.

This is not a super sweet recipe – nor is it rich - It turns out like a very creamy ‘milk’ chocolate and melts in your mouth. 

Play around with the quantities of agarve and cacao powder for sweetness or intensity of flavour.

Healthy Chocolate: Fact or fantasy?

"The divine drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food"

Montezuma – Aztec Emperor (1480-1520)

It is undeniable that chocolate is the number one food craved by women. Its unique taste, formed by its chemistry offers a luxurious and passionate experience to all of the senses.

For thousands of years, ancient Mayans, Aztecs and Inca tribes have utilized the healing properties of the cacao and included them in their daily cultural rituals. Its hardly surprising to learn that an average westerner consumes over 6 kg per person per year. For many people seeking a healthier way of living, chocolate is one of the first foods which are cut from the diet.

However, with a little understanding of the properties of real chocolate, perhaps it is something which although not eaten every day, be included as a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. 

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Build Healthy Self-Esteem in Your Kids

Self esteem is not a built-in human quality but rather a learned behaviour which can be altered with conscious decisions and actions.

Good self-esteem builds a solid foundation for life, encouraging children to foster a sense of community spirit and good social skills.

It takes a consistent effort along the journey of childhood for parents to help their young charges develop a true sense of their own strengths and weaknesses in order for them to gain the confidence and their abilities.

Read on for simple ways of improving self-esteem in your kids