Global 2011: 9 Tips to Make a Date Better in the First Ten Minutes

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The first ten minutes of a date often determine whether a second date is ever going to happen, and let’s face it—second dates are not the norm for many. That was definitely my story until I learned about (what I now call) “Date Waste.”

Date waste is when a date is a drag, but has little to do with whether you are a potential match. It’s a drag simply because neither of you set the date up to succeed. These aren’t the dates with jerks that you can’t wait to end. They are the ones that are just a little boring, lack sparks, or just go nowhere. You can turn these into very positive experiences.

I see date waste all the time when I’m coaching, and I lived it for years. When I accepted that every date was part of the journey and not just a means to an end, my life changed. Every date is an opportunity. You can talk to a nice person, learn something new, get much-needed practice and maybe connect with someone you want to know just a little better. It doesn’t have to be, “Oh, he’s The One!” or nothing.

Here are nine things you can do in the first ten minutes of each date to make it a positive experience and begin to eliminate date waste from your life.

1. Go in with the “I hope I like him” attitude.
2. Find three things you like about him.
3. Compliment him.
4. Think of it as practice.
5. Dump your agenda.
6. Ask the right questions.
7. Quiet those dang gremlins.
8. Let go of control.
9. Be kind and practice empathy.

Then look at him again with the kind and wise eyes of a woman working hard to find a good man. Regardless of how you end up judging him, always leave him feeling good about himself—even if you’re not going to see him again. It’s the nice thing to do, and you’ll help prop him up for the next woman who’s going to meet him.

You are looking for a lifetime partner with whom you can share deep connection, unconditional trust, mutual adoration, and a lifetime of happiness. Everything you do should be toward that end. Every date is a spectacular opportunity. Don’t be a date waster.

http://www.divinecaroline.com/22069/116999-nine-tips-make-date-better

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Global 2011: 10 ways to keep cool at home without A/C

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Save energy this summer. It’s easy to keep your house cool without air conditioning. Employing a few basic environmentally friendly principals will help keep you cool and will help you save money.

1. Hot Air Out, Cool Air In
2. Windows
3. Be a Fan of the Fan
4. Turn Your Fan Into an Air Conditioner
5. What’s Hot in Your Home?
6. Electronics Are Hot, Too
7. Light Bulbs
8. Humidity
9. Insulate Your Attic
10. Landscaping

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/10-ways-to-keep-cool-at-home-without-a-c-2514394

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Global 2011: 4 ways to find more time to date

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You sincerely want to find a lifelong mate, really... but your schedule’s so jam-packed you just don’t have a moment to spare. Sound familiar? No question about it, dating is time-consuming. As a dating coach, I hear complaints all the time from men and women about being too busy to carve out the time required to invest in the search. The excuses include: I’m too busy at work, I’m too busy being a single parent, I’m too busy traveling, exercising, commuting, fixing my house, etc. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s how to refocus on love with four tips that will help you find more time to date — and be more efficient doing it.

Tip #1: Find your number
Tip #2: Challenge your perspective
Tip #3: Try the triage approach
Tip #4: Stop wasting your time!

http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=6266&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=737601

Global 2011: 21 phrases to use to help you FIGHT RIGHT with your sweetheart

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Here are twenty-one phrases that help turn down the heat of anger:

1. Please try to understand my point of view.
2. Wait, can I take that back?
3. You don’t have to solve this—it helps me just to talk to you.
4. This is important to me. Please listen.
5. I overreacted, I’m sorry.
6. I see you’re in a tough position.
7. I can see my part in this.
8. I hadn’t thought of it that way before.
9. I could be wrong.
10. Let’s agree to disagree on that.
11. This isn’t just your problem, it’s our problem.
12. I’m feeling unappreciated.
13. We’re getting off the subject.
14. You’ve convinced me.
15. Please keep talking to me.
16. I realize it's not your fault.
17. That came out all wrong.
18. I see how I contributed to the problem.
19. What are we really fighting about?
20. How can I make things better?
21. I’m sorry.
22. I love you.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/21-phrases-to-use-to-help-you-fight-right-with-your-sweetheart-2455249/

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Global 2011: 8 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

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Even if you’ve waited until the 11th hour to do your shopping (or the holiday almost slipped your mind altogether) you don’t have to look like a stupid cupid this Valentine’s Day. Just check out the following eight thoughtful gift ideas that are easy and fast to pull off.

1. Print Artful, Anything-but-Average Greetings

2. Sweeten Up Your Bouquet

3. Set a Romantic Dinner for Two

4. Surprise with a Getaway

5. Send a Personalized E-Gift Card

6. Rush Delivery on Flowers

7. Sign Up Your Sweetie for Food-of-the-Month Clubs

8. Take Advantage of In-Store Pickup and Overnight Shipping

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/522/8-last-minute-valentines-day-gift-ideas/

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Global 2011: What Do Men Want for Valentine's Day?

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Buying gifts for men can be difficult. Usually, boyfriends, fiancées, or husbands will go the “I don't really need anything” route or maybe if you're lucky, he'll tell you, “I can use some new socks.”

So, this year, to make sure you don't crash and burn or become too stressed with Valentine's Day gifts for him (since after all, it's technically your day), here are some gift ideas that will mean the world to him.

1. THINKING OF HIM
2. SIMPLE PLEASURES WITH YOUR TREASURE
3. TO BE ALONE WITH YOU
4. LET HIM SHOW YOU HE CARES
5. SEXY TIME
6. IT IS WHAT IT IS 

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/real-guys-answer-what-do-men-want-for-valentines-day-2451630/

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Global 2011: 5 tips for bonding with her better

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Valentine’s Day: Celebration of love, or calculated plot to destroy romance?

Think about it: There’s nothing more romantic than a spontaneous outpouring of love. But that’s one thing you can’t have on V-day, when we’re all supposed to move in lockstep formation down to the jewelry/flower/stationery store. How about cozying up over an intimate dinner for two? Fugghedaboutit: Every restaurant in town is packed to the gills and about as romantic as the mosh pit at a Green Day concert. And what about being fit, healthy, and ready for lovin’? Good-bye, sexy body: There’s nothing like an enormous cardboard heart filled with carbohydrates to ruin the way your belly looks, and feels.

When it comes to chocolate disaster, temptation is everywhere. From the coworker who sets out a community bowl, to the aisles lined with sweets at your local grocery store, there’s no love for your waistline.

But I have good news: If you know what to look for and can exercise a little self-discipline, indulging your sweet tooth isn’t nearly as sinful as you might think. That’s why I’ve dedicated this post to arming you with the knowledge you need to enjoy a romantic evening, compliments of the new Eat This, Not That! and Cook This, Not That! books. Here's how to embrace the sweet (and still guilt-free) side of life:


Not That!
Ghirardelli Milk & Caramel Chocolate Squares (1 square)

Eat This Instead!
Ghirardelli Intense Dark Twilight Delight Squares, 72% Cacao (1 square)


Not That!
Russell Stover Milk Chocolate Almond Delights (1 piece)

Eat This Instead!
Milk Chocolate Chocolate Whips (1 piece)


Not That!
Lindor Mini Milk Chocolate Hearts (1 heart)

Eat This Instead!
Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate Bar w/ a Touch of Sea Salt  (1 square)


Not That!
Fannie May Cappuccino Truffle (1 piece)

Eat This Instead!
Chocolate-Covered Citrus Peel (1 piece)


Not That!
Hershey’s King Size Valentine Marshmallow Heart (1 heart)

Eat This Instead!
Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Kisses (3 pieces)

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/best-worst-valentine-candy

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