Lifestyle - Health - Relationships

I haven’t been to church in over a year now, and I’ve been pondering how I should address what I’ve discovered along the way. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you probably could’ve never guessed that I would end up here.

If you cast your mind back to the summer of 2014, you might recall the craze that took over social media: celebrities and normal people alike began pouring ice cold buckets of water over their heads and filming the chaos unfold.

A growing number of chickens and other live poultry are moving from farms to backyards — as pets, producers of fresh eggs, and, if you really want to get your hands dirty, as providers of fertilizer (think chicken poop).

Hold the butter, margarine and high-fat dairy: A new study supports the notion that these “saturated” fats are bad for you. The study, which followed more than 126,000 people for three decades, found that people who ate higher amounts of saturated fats and trans fats died earlier than those who stuck to healthier unsaturated fats.

“Heyy stranger :)” glows dimly across my boyfriend’s locked iPhone, and I raise my eyebrows at him with a smirk.

There has never been, and there will never be, a “rapture” of Christians. 

In her lone moments, Kolawole Busola, 38, (not real name) would certainly wish she could undo the string of events that led her into the waiting arms of Daniels, a colleague at work.

We all know the importance of dental hygiene and the need to brush our teeth twice a day at least and to be honest a reasonable percentage of people do actually do this.

These are exciting days for tourism. And I am particularly thrilled because I have just discovered a young man, with huge potential for travel- writing. But there is another hero- Martin Fodor. Martin was in town with a plan to conquer Bosumtwi.

Women who take paracetamol painkillers when pregnant may increase the risk of their children developing autism or being hyperactive, research suggests.

“It smells like blood. And it tastes like raw flesh. It’s not something you’ve ever been exposed to. But it strikes a chord somewhere deep inside.” That’s how Sheena Shaw, a 29-year-old porn star and extreme anal queen, describes the primal appeal of rosebud—a kind of extreme anal sex that is rapidly gaining popularity in the adult film world, popping boners and flipping stomachs with equal abandon.

It impossible to pinpoint the exact percentage of marriages that end in divorce, but general consensus has the number hovering at around 50%. That’s quite a scary figure, and not something to turn a blind eye towards.

Having a sharp memory is almost always a positive thing.

#SallahFest 2016 witnessed huge patronage as music group VVIP set about feeding the masses (over 7,000) in the day before later staging a jam session at night.

Some people think waiting for Apple to unveil updates for their newest iPhone designs is like the night before Christmas — except instead of trying to hunt for presents in their parents' closets, they spend hours searching for the latest rumors on the Internet.

So, you didn't stop drinking when you were buzzed like you're supposed to and you forgot to down a bunch of milk thistle, activated charcoal pills, and B vitamins before you even got started. Rookie move, Amateur Hour (that's your new nickname)!

Who are your exes? How many have there been? Is it important to tell your partner all about them? Each and every one of them?

It depends on how you and your partner choose to handle this type of exchange. Some people need to know about all the people their partner dated, while some are content to know about the people who left a mark in their partner's life.

When you're in a relationship, you are expected to tell each other as much as you can. There will come a point when your exes will be discussed, but it does not mean that you have to provide a list. If your partner requires you to list all your exes down, it's up to you to decide whether you're willing to give them that list or not.

If, however, they don't care about who you've been with, it's still necessary for you to tell them about the exes who will pop up in conversations with friends and family.

Why do you need to talk about your exes?

In order to have a future, you and your partner need to know the important things that happened in the past. For you to fully understand how your partner came to be, you must be open to knowing about their past experiences and the people who shaped their lives.

You will discuss each other's family, where you grew up, who you grew up with, and other bits of information that paint the whole picture of your lives. That includes your exes. But why is it so important to tell your partner about them?

#1 You can learn from past mistakes made with your exes. What went wrong? Who broke up with whom? Why did you break up? The answers to these questions will go a long way in helping you and your partner understand each other better.

#2 You can prevent any embarrassing situations where your ex is mentioned and your partner has no clue who they are. We all know that feeling when your friends start talking about someone you don't know. For your partner, it's worse when the people around you are talking about an ex your partner doesn't know about.

#3 You can warn your partner about your ex's presence in your life. Some exes are here to stay, especially if they live in the same zip code. Let your partner know, or else they might end up being besties with your ex while they're at the gym.

#4 You partner will be able to sympathize with certain issues that you had to deal with. Some past relationships are more traumatic than others. If you share that with your partner, they will be able to better understand why there are some things in your life that you have difficulty dealing with.

#5 You and your partner will feel more secure because you managed to share something very personal with each other. It's a scientific fact that people grow closer when they share personal stories with each other. What's more personal than a story about your ex, right?

Who are the exes you should mention?

Some people have been around for a long time, and it's understandable that they may have accrued a certain amount of exes that may seem overwhelming. Some exes, however, are so inconsequential that they don't deserve any recognition.

I'm talking about the ex that lasted for a week or the ex that didn't count. It's up to you to reserve any importance to whomever you wish to discuss with your partner. With that being said, there are some exes that need to be discussed, even if the purpose is just to let your partner know they exist. They are:

#1 The first ex. Whether it was in kindergarten or in 7th grade, the first ex is a necessary point of discussion because your partner will find it extremely entertaining.

#2 The ex you were first intimate with. Your partner will want to know who took your virginity. How it happened, where it happened, and how you felt after – it's all included in the discussion.

#3 The most serious ex yet. This person is the biggest competition in your partner's eyes. It's not because they're scared you might leave them for this ex. They will be more concerned about what they can do to keep you in their lives, so you won't end up going back to that ex.

#4 The other serious exes. The only reason they're included in the list is because someone might bring them up in future conversations.

#5 The ex your parents hated. Your partner can learn a lot about what not to do from this ex.

#6 The ex who's still not over you. This ex is persistent and still waiting in the wings. Your partner needs to know about it, so there won't be any misunderstandings in case this ex decides to pursue you.

#7 The ex who's still in your life. This is the ex who may be a friend or someone who lives really close by. They can also be close to your family or friends. Your partner will want to know of their existence, in case they end up being in the same room.

#8 The ex that you regret the most. Some past relationships are more painful than others. Your partner deserves to know about these moments in your life, so they can see where you're coming from and know how to properly handle your present relationship.

How do you broach the subject?

Now that you know which exes you should discuss, the next problem is when you should tell your partner. If they don't want to know who your exes are, leave it at that. Still, you should always be open to talking about it, in case they change their mind. You can also wait for them to ask you about your exes. If they don't, you should still broach the subject, in case they're too shy or scared to ask you about it.

You can safely talk about your exes when you're a month into your relationship. If they ask earlier than that, you can decide whether the time is right to talk about it.

Discussing past relationships can be painful for some people, but it can also be cathartic. Some problems may arise if you don't discuss past relationships, like sudden encounters or messages from exes that pop up out of nowhere. That's why it's better to be transparent about your past. Just remember that sharing these things will help you and your partner have a more open and lasting relationship.

While talking about exes is never truly comfortable, keep in mind that your experiences shape you into who you are today, and your partner deserves to know what part your exes played in that.

There are many factors that go into a successful marriage, but one of the most important is to choose to marry based on your priorities. So, you need to be aware of what’s most important to you in a committed relationship – and understand a bit about how those factors relate to happy marriages.

Below are a few common reasons why people choose to get married. As you read through them, consider how much each one applies to you.

People marry because of:

Love:

Love means different things to different people. For instance, some people marry because they feel swept off their feet by romantic love, while others marry based on a deeply rooted and grounding platonic love that also includes physical attraction.

Whatever your experience of love, a successful marriage is nurtured and sustained when two people feel and express warmth, caring, and respect for each other. They support each other’s personal goals, as well as their shared dreams. And when differences arise, they can work through them in a way that leaves both feeling valued and respected.

Unplanned Pregnancy:

If you are choosing to marry for this reason, it’s essential that you think seriously about whether your relationship will likely work for the long haul. Force yourself to consider the realities of your situation. Compare this future vision to one in which you raise your child as a single person; or as two single people working together.

Personal Expectations:

Many people get to a point in their relationship when they feel that marriage is the next logical step. If you really are ready to marry, then the transition can be exciting and basically seamless. But if your relationship is missing one or more important elements, do not assume it will work itself out.

Differences in religion, libido, or financial priorities can undermine a marriage in the long run. Work such issues through before committing to a life together that includes what perhaps should have been a deal-breaker.

Societal Expectations:

“First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage.” Indoctrination into the belief that mature, happy adults eventually marry begins at a very young age. Even in today’s society, which embraces a number of different types of families, many people continue to feel that there is an expectation that they will eventually marry. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this… unless it’s pushing you to marry when you’d really prefer not to.

Security:

Life is unpredictable, and most people seek ways to feel safe. They might look for financial or emotional security. In both cases, this security can be just what you are looking for. But keep in mind that after you’ve felt safe for a while, you will likely yearn for something more than relief from your fears of being penniless or alone. You will want a partner whose company you truly enjoy

Companionship:

Marriage – by definition – offers companionship, which might be very important to you. However, if you choose a companion who undermines your sense of feeling good about yourself, limits the things that make you happy, or creates significant tension in your life, the price might be too high.

Resolving childhood issues: This is the most complicated reason people marry, in part because it is so difficult to fully recognize. If you know that your choice of partner is tied to childhood experiences, be sure to think about whether the choice will likely lead to a better life. It’s best to get feedback from a trusted person (such as a friend or therapist) because people have blind spots when it comes to such deeply felt, emotional issues.

Whatever your reasons for marrying, think long and hard about them. Discuss them with people you trust. Allow yourself the space to connect with these reasons, how they fit with your current choice to marry, and what your future will probably look like. When you fully consider all of these factors and determine that you have indeed found “the one,” you will hopefully feel assured of enjoying a long, happy marriage.

Sex appeal is an awesome asset to have. Some of us have it and some of us don’t. But every single person has the potential to exude sex appeal. Find out how to increase your sex appeal here.

It may be surprising, but foods can affect how your medicine works. That’s why it’s always best to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should avoid any foods.

A short-lived optical sensation can lead some smartphone users to mistakenly believe they’ve lost sight in one eye, British doctors report.

Living near an airport isn't just hard on your hearing, it may also be hard on your heart, new research suggests.

Most women assume that great looks is all that matters to make a guy swoon and fall head over heels in love. And quite frankly, most men assume the same thing too. But there are a lot of great looking women out there, leading an unhappy life in a bad relationship. So what do men want in a woman they’re in a relationship with if it’s not just the looks? Could there be more to a desirable woman than just looks? Of course, there is. Find out what men really want in the woman of their dreams.

Daily loving, self-care is a habit that can make you more attractive to others. There are many ways to treat yourself right that can make a visible difference on the outside as well as how wonderful you’ll feel on the inside.

Women constantly struggle with trying to adopt traits the world tells them they should have in order for men to find them attractive. But we think that men will always find women who are content with themselves to be more appealing and intriguing than any mould society tries to make them fit into.

Paulo Gabriel da Silva Barros and Katyucia Hoshino, from Brazil, have proved that size does not matter when it comes to love.

A true gentleman is the dream of every woman. It will be nice to see men treat ladies like ladies. Chivalry doesn’t have to be dead, you can be every woman’s dream man by being a perfect gentleman.

Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling you can get after eating a heavy meal, when you lay down flat to sleep a night, or sometimes after you have bent over to lift something heavy.

A subject like erectile dysfunction is bound to be surrounded with as much legend as fact when it comes to causes and treatments. Check out these six common myths about ED and the facts to dispel the rumors.

Pleasing a woman is not rocket science. All you have to do is pay attention, and you too can heat things up for your girl in the bedroom.

An analysis into whether the Quran is more violent than the Bible found killing and destruction occur more frequently in the Christian texts than the Islamic. 

So you're naturally thrifty? Congrats, go hang over there with the morning people and the chocolate haters. The rest of you, make these painless little changes to turn yourself into a saver.

It’s the quintessential deal-breaker. The way a guy kisses can alter the way a gal perceives and presumes the rest of his intimacy skills – regardless of how unfair, inaccurate or impractical it might be.

The world's first surviving septuplets Alexis, Brandon, Joel, Kelsey, Kenny, Natalie and Nathan McCaughey have graduated from their Iowa high school. They all crossed the stage Sunday as part of Carlisle High School's class of 2016.

We often think we can read someone’s personality from their gait – but while many of those assumptions are wrong, your walk may nevertheless reveal the one thing you are trying to hide.

Whether accidental or intentional, your initial reaction to someone taking credit for your brilliant idea will be shock and dismay, followed immediately by righteous indignation. How dare they!

About  60% of our bodies are made up of water, so it makes sense that we feel better when we’re consuming enough of it.

In a Christian home, you can challenge the menu but not the morals. The need for holiness as required by Jesus Christ is the holy grail of all moral teachings. Purity is passport – a pass needed for heaven.

A personal computer using wi-fi that is placed near male reproductive organs reduces sperm quality and the chances of men experiencing fatherhood, a study has revealed.

There are some myths out there that people assume to be gospel about dating. Christian culture is like any other in that we develop truisms that we accept without verifying.

The only thing better than being in love is falling in love. Everything feels new, you aren't quite sure if it's really love yet, and you start waiting to see who's finally going to say it out loud first. It's the best. Soak up every sickly sweet minute of it.

First thing first, we, the single people, are all very happy that you, our dear friends, have found True Love in these haggard times. But also, there are things you do that make us cringe and want to run away from you very fast. Like, we love you, but we hate when you do these things.

Black women who like to wear their hair pulled back tightly may be increasing their risk of hair loss, new research suggests. 

Its always an age-old question, when should one really have their first intercourse? Religious people say its wise and right to wait until marriage but how many wait till marriage?

Definition

Miscarriage refers to the premature end of a pregnancy before the developing baby is able to survive outside the womb. Miscarriage can occur during the first or second trimester, before 20 weeks. Most occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and most miscarriages are unexpected and isolated events. About 15%-20% of recognized pregnancies end this way.

Prevention

Before you start to plan your next pregnancy consider the following regarding your health:

·    Is your diet ready to support another pregnancy?

·    Are there habits you should change prior to another pregnancy?

·    What medications are you taking and will they affect a pregnancy?

·    How is your health?

·    Are there issues you should resolve before trying another pregnancy?

·    Seek help to learn about your risks and what you can do to minimize them.

Symptoms

Symptoms include some or all of the following:

·    Vaginal bleeding

·    Pink or brown discharge

·    Cramping

·    Discharge of the products of conception (fetus, placenta, and surrounding membranes)

·    Fever

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms, the length of your pregnancy, and when you first noticed a change in your condition. The doctor will perform physical and pelvic exams.

Treatment

Immediate care usually involves observation only, especially in early or first trimester miscarriages. Medication may be indicated in the event of heavy bleeding or cramping. A dilation and evacuation (D&E) may be needed if all uterine contents are not spontaneously expelled. During a D&E, the doctor dilates the cervix, inserts a tool into the uterus, and suctions out remaining material.

You may need professional counseling to recover emotionally from the loss.

The goal of long-term treatment is to prevent future miscarriages. This is geared toward whatever caused past losses.

Medications

Medications to decrease the chance of miscarriage may include:

·    Antibiotics for infection

·    Progesterone supplements (if this hormone is below normal levels)

·    Aspirin and other medications to treat blood-clotting problems caused by immunologic disorders

Surgery

Many uterine physical abnormalities can be corrected to decrease the chance of another miscarriage. If the cervix is weak, the doctor can place a stitch (called a cerclage), usually at the beginning of the second trimester of the next pregnancy, to keep it closed until you are ready to deliver. If fibroids are a contributing factor, removing them may prevent another loss.

Support Services

Talking with a professional counselor often helps women deal with their loss. Some people benefit from participating in a support group.

Immune system is your body’s “fight club” which defends you from unforeseen and present health complications, if any. In simple terms, this numero uno defense mechanism is programmed by nature to protect you from falling sick. However, “old wires don’t last long,” as they say, so does your immune system.

They may not be picky about thread counts, but it turns out bed bugs have pretty specific tastes when it comes to the color of your sheets, researchers haev found.

Men who ejaculate often may have a lower risk of prostate cancer than their peers who don't do it as frequently, a U.S. study suggests, according to Reuters.

We have all become part of the social media revolution. But have you wondered what will happen to your various social media accounts when you pass on?

British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II will be 90 years on April, 21 and as part of celebrations new postage stamps with the portrait of the royal family.

Menus of the first, second and third passenger classes of the Titanic we chanced upon clearly shows the subject of class difference has existed for so long.

• Do you know of the Rokitansky syndrome? Well, it is a medical condition where women are born with underdeveloped or absent wombs, cervixes and upper vaginas. I'm guessing you're shocked now. 27-year-old Joanna Giannouli,  is one such woman with no womb, cervix and upper vagina. She, on BBC explains the challenges of a syndrome that affects around one in 5,000 women.