In this post I will be taking a closer look at some of the most dramatic paintings I have come across to see what we can learn from them.

It's a timing thing. What is a "Timing Chart?" Timing charts determine the spacing of breakdown and inbetween frames between two keyframes/extremes of animation.

We are born, we live, we learn, we grow. And then we die. Death is a part of life. Like a lot of people, I am no stranger to grief. Three of my grandparents died when I was a child and as an adult …

There's a lot to be said about art imitating life, and for us, these funny comics about yoga are enough to prove that's true! Check them out here.

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and follow my blog. This blog will include details on how I am making my transition to cleaner living like Paleo-friendly and Gluetin free recipes, where to find high-quality foods on a budget, workout routines, and more! To give you a little background on why I decided to start this blog, I was inspired to start my Paleo journey when I saw the transformation that my older brother Tony made after years of what he thought was a fit and healthy lifestyle. My Haitian-American family has always been into sports, outdoor activities, and well... if anyone knows anything about the Haitian diet, rice and beans are a staples, to say the least! Although citizens of Haiti are among the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, they do have the pleasure of eating the freshest seafood, unmodified plants and animals, and the lack of modern conveniences like cars (I don't mean all Haitians), limited electricity, and money to buy processed foods means that the population survives off the land and use manual labor to go about their daily lives. So while we in the US drive our cars to work, or occasionally to a gym to walk on a treadmill for 15 minutes, Haitians walk to the fields to work for what they eat, then walk home to cook their food, hand wash and dry their clothes, walk to the local market, etc. I can go on quite a bit comparing and contrasting the differences between Haiti and the U.S. But I'll get off of that soapbox for now. After having my daughter Sanaa 14 months ago, and having trouble losing those last few pounds (while balancing nursing school, being a mom, a wife and devoting time to the ministry as one of Jehovah's Witnesses), my brother told me about the Paleo diet. Truthfully, he described it as more of a lifestyle than a diet. And so began my Paleo quest. For me, Paleo is a way to reach back to a way of living and eating that our creator originally designed for us. Paleo is centered around eating a diet similar to that of the "caveman." Now I won't get into my thoughts about evolution vs. creation, but I will say that I believe in the bible and that this diet lends to the fact that there was an era when humans didn't eat processed foods. Instead, people had to work the land to grow and raise the foods they ate with little or no preservatives. With that said, I am going to keep it simple and let you all know up front that I take from my research what makes the most sense to me, what is appropriate for my life, my budget, my medical condition (please consult your doctor before starting this diet since some medical conditions may require additional modifications to fit your nutritional demands), and personal opinions about certain things. In short, the goal of Paleo is to avoid grains, pastas, processed foods, refined sugars, dairy, legumes (beans), candy, juice, coffee (sorry StarBuckers), white potatoes, granola bars, bread, dried fruits, etc. What the diet does encourage is the consumption of fresh (preferably organic) fruits, veggies, nuts (not peanuts), grass fed (hormone & antibiotic free) beef, pork, fish, shrimp, chicken, turkey, lamb, and other meat and seafood products. One of the big changes for me was the oils I used to cook with. Paleo-friendly oils include coconut oil, Ghee, almond oil, bacon fat, and more. Below you'll see a basic guide to many Paleo foods: As mentioned earlier, I would like to lose a few stubborn pounds, but beyond that, I am looking to live a healthier life, promote organic and humanely raise livestock, and hopefully inspire others to take care of their bodies by improving the fuel that they put into it. I know that in addition to improving my eating habits, I also need to exercise regularly. One is only as effective as the other, so in addition to my Paleo journey, I will also highlight my workouts. So with all of this said, I'm dedicating my blog to my brother Tony, who is such an inspiration to me on how to stay true to who I am and live life out loud! Please check out his motivational videos Tony Delerme Speaks. I also dedicate this blog to my husband and daughter, Stephan and Sanaa, and my father Raynald. I hope it inspires at least one person to take charge of their life, and their body (temple) by keeping it clean and in optimal condition. Please leave me your feedback and any success stories as you go! Blessings!

Thousands of teachers have used these tried and true GUARANTEED tups to stop students from blurting out. Chatty Class? YOU NEED TO READ THIS!

Get more from Simsulani on Patreon

Every so often we feel pulled (or called) toward a new phase of our spiritual journey. We can intuitively sense that things are changing and that we're meant to be doing something new but it can be difficult to listen to what that something new actually is. This is when tarot & other forms of di

Have you ever had a class with so many difficult, disruptive students that you felt that you could barely even teach? What can you do to get past it? In this post, I am going to address this problem with my best advice, and some advice from others as well.

Let's talk about men's feelings — more specifically, how they're not allowed to feel them.

By Carrie Brummer in Art Business Advice > General Art Advice A strong composition is an important part of any successful artwork. The word “composition” is simply an artistic term describing how an artist fills space in their artwork using elements and principles of art. Today I’d like to share seven steps to a stronger composition: 1. Use a grid (aka, the rule of thirds) Our phones have made the rule of thirds a near daily occurrence in many people’s lives. Have […]

With some nudging from my therapist and support from my husband, I finally managed to get on top of things. My to-do list has gone from "deal with three years of back taxes" to more mundane stuff like "clean up the dried paint in the bathroom." I used a handful of different strategies to gain control, which I'll detail in a sec, but the biggest key to staying motivated has been to turn it into something like an art project.

Lymph: The missing link in a liver detox Thinking about doing a detox cleanse or reducing your chemical exposure? If you've been following along with our Common Household Chemicals to Avoid series, you know how easy it can be to start removing harmful synthetic chemicals from your home. Many people get discouraged when they go on a fast or start removing toxins from their lives because they feel sick or feel tired and don’t know why. Why would that happen? One reason may be that the lymphatic system is backed up and not able to keep up with the synthetic chemicals the body is trying to unload. How does the lymphatic system work? A peak functioning lymphatic system is key to health and vitality, but this critically important part of the body is one that most people don’t appreciate or know much about. Your lymphatic system is your body’s built-in sanitation center, the plumbing that carries away and filters out poisonous waste products from every cell, tissue and organ. It absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive tract and delivers them to the cells of the body. It is also an essential part of the immune system that maintains fluid levels, fights infection and produces disease fighting white blood cells. Twice as extensive as the arterial blood supply system which brings oxygen and nutrients to the cells, the lymph is the take away garbage collector and is the largest circulatory system in the body. But, the lymphatic system needs your help to move the fluid through the body because it doesn’t have an automatic pump like the heart, which moves the blood in the circulatory system.1 The lymph system is made up of: Lymphatic vessels - a system of vessels distributed all over the body, gathering clear lymphatic fluid, which surrounds the cells. Lymphatic fluid collects and takes metabolic cellular waste, dead cells, and toxins towards the subclavian veins at the base of the neck to be eventually eliminated through sweat, urine, and through the bowels. Lymphocytes - the primary cells of the lymphatic system. There are two major classes of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. The T cells mature in the thymus, kill invaders, destroy abnormal cells and direct the actions of other lymphocytes. The B cells mature in the bone marrow and produce antibodies that combine with antigens of foreign cells, labeling those cells for destruction. Lymph nodes - filtering stations where lymphocytes along with macrophages (another type of white blood cell) engulf and destroy bacteria and other foreign substances in the lymphatic fluid.2 Tonsils, Adenoids, Appendix, and Peyer's patches - small masses of lymphatic tissue that prevent infection in areas where bacteria is abundant. Thymus - a small gland under your breastbone that helps produce white blood cells. Spleen - the organ connected with lymph system that produces lymphocytes. Bone marrow - where lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) are born. Signs your lymphatic system is backed up Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. If the lymph is not flowing well, the cells are poisoned from their own waste and the lymph fluid becomes a toxic cesspool, resulting in fatigue, swelling, infection, inflammation, disease, and more symptoms (see below). A combination of a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and a toxic environment all contribute to this backup. Rapid improvements in the quality of the cells and blood occur once easy lifestyle changes are made so that the lymphatic system is activated and working efficiently. Headaches Brain fog Swollen lymph nodes or tonsils Lack of energy Recurrent sore throats Morning mucous Mucous drainage (especially after dairy or flour) Fluid backup in the ear (especially in children) Ear popping and ringing Reduced ability to fight infection (frequent cold or flu) Constipation or slugging bowel function Inability to lose weight Soreness or stiffness in the morning Bloating, swelling, or heaviness in extremities Arms or hands fall asleep while sleeping Pain, pressure, or stiffness along your spine and shoulders Sore breast or breast swelling with your menstrual cycle Itchy skin Acne, dry skin or other skin issues What backs up the lymph? Lack of Movement: Proper lymphatic flow requires deep breathing and body movement - the contraction of skeletal muscles force tiny one- way valves of the lymph system to open and close and push the fluid to the subclavian veins. Dehydration: Being dehydrated can contribute to poor lymphatic drainage and cause lymphatic stagnation. Stress: The waste products of stress-fighting hormones are acidic and an acidic body leads to lymph congestion. Chronic Digestive Imbalance: Chronic constipation or diarrhea due to damaged intestinal villi promotes lymph congestion. Processed Foods: An unhealthy diet, particularly one containing processed foods and bad fats, will lead to a sluggish lymphatic system. Synthetic Chemical Exposures: When your body is exposed to synthetic chemicals in skin and body care products, cleaning products or pesticides, it may be unable to unload or detoxify immediately. How to detox the lymphatic system An active lymphatic system will help to reduce your toxic body burden, increase circulation, and revitalize your health. Here are many options that will get your lymphatic system moving and pumping out toxins. You’ll find that some of these tips are fun to put into action, many of them are inexpensive or free, and most involve minimal time and effort. Pick three or four suggestions that work for you and put them into practice for 10 days – experience the difference it makes in your energy and wellbeing. 1. Take a few minutes for deep breathing Fact: Although the lymphatic system has no pump like the heart in the circulatory system, the movement from the act of breathing, that we do 24/7, is a lymphatic pump in itself and can help direct lymph through the chest. Proper breathing is the most important facilitator of lymphatic function. Constant shallow breathing leads to lymphatic congestion. Tip: Augment the circulation of lymph through deep diaphragmatic breathing. Here's how: Breathe in slowly through your nose, deeply pushing the stomach out. Slowly let your breath go out through your mouth. Deep, slow diaphragmatic breathing for even just 5-10 repetitions (or up to 10 minutes a day) will oxygenate the blood, circulate the lymph especially around the liver, and provide many other benefits. If possible, do this exercise outdoors in fresh air. Video demonstration: Diaphragmatic Breathing. 2. Hydrate daily with water Fact: Dehydration is a common cause of lymph congestion. Lymph becomes thicker and less mobile when you are dehydrated, but flows well when hydrated. Water, and truly only pure water, can adequately rehydrate the body. Tip: The best lymph-moving rehydration technique is to sip hot, purified water every 15 minutes throughout the day. Keep a thermos of hot water nearby to make it easy. Don’t overcompensate - we are not promoting overdrinking. Use urine color to help determine hydration level - if your urine is clear, you are drinking too much water. Helpful chart: Dehydrated Urine Colors. 3. Dry brush your skin Fact: Dry skin brushing promotes lymphatic drainage of toxic waste, which results in many other benefits such as improved immunity, refreshed skin, and reduction of cellulite.3 Tip: Start a habit of dry skin brushing a few minutes before your shower or bath using an inexpensive natural bristle brush. You can find these in many retail shops, health stores, and online. Hard pressure is not necessary - the lymphatic system is close to the surface of the skin and it only takes a light pressure to release congestion. MindBodyGreen has a helpful step by step guide to dry skin brushing. Green Smoothie Girl has made a downloadable pdf (and video) showing two different brushing methods. 4. Alternate hot and cold in your shower Fact: Lymphatic vessels contract when exposed to cold, and dilate in response to heat. A hot and cold shower is a type of hydrotherapy that uses the properties of water temperature and pressure to move stagnant lymphatic fluid, increase circulation, boost immune function and metabolism. Tip: After dry skin brushing, super charge your morning shower experience by alternating hot and cold water for between 90 seconds and several minutes.4 Be sure to always end on cold water. Note: Avoid this if you are pregnant, or if you have a heart or blood pressure condition. 5. Move around whenever you can Fact: The lymphatic system depends largely on large muscle activity in the body for its circulation. Stagnation from sitting all day is a major problem. People who sit at their computers without taking breaks develop a sluggish lymph system because they do not move. Tip: Get up to clean up! The good news is any exercise helps - move around for a minute or two every 15 – 20 minutes, do knee bends, go for a walk during lunch, stretch throughout the day and develop a regular exercise routine. Gentle exercise like walking, stretching, rebounding (see below), and swimming are great for moving the lymph. 6. Go for a walk Fact: One of the best ways to activate lymphatic flow is to take a brisk walk. Walking is a weight-bearing activity that creates gravitational pulls on the lymphatic system each time you take a step. Tip: Plan to take a 15-30 minute brisk walk each day. Swing your arms and power walk for the best results. If you are not up to that, even a leisurely walk will be helpful.5 7. Jump on a rebounder Fact: The use of a small trampoline - a “rebounder” - is one of the most efficient ways to reduce lymphatic congestion, stimulate lymph flow, and exercise every cell in the body. Gentle up and down bouncing turbo charges lymph function. The gravitational pull caused by the bouncing causes the one-way lymphatic valves to open and close, moving the lymph.6 Tip: To get the most benefit out of rebounding, start with The Health Bounce - gently bouncing up and down without your feet leaving the mat. This is a very low impact exercise and very effective at moving your lymphatic system - just two minutes clears the lymph. Build up intensity slowly as rebounding can release too many toxins if you jump in too fast. 8. Bounce on an exercise ball Fact: If you don’t have a rebounder, you can utilize the same gravitational pull principle as the rebounder by using an inexpensive exercise ball or yoga ball. Tip: Always start with a short bouncing time and simple, gentle movements. Even small movements for short periods of time can be very effective in moving the lymph. Build up the intensity of the exercise slowly. Video demonstration: Rebounding to Activate the Lymphatic System. 9. Stretch or practice yoga daily Fact: Stretching and yoga poses are especially effective for moving lymph. Tip: Holding stretches combined with conscious deep breathing can help direct lymph through the deep channels of the chest. 10. Get a lymph massage Fact: Lymphatic massage reduces swelling, helps detoxify the body, and helps speed regeneration of tissues and cells. You can go for a whole body massage or focus on targeted areas. For example, backed up lymphatic fluid in the head can contribute to head congestion, stuffiness, feeling of pressure in the head or ears, sinus congestion, vertigo, dizziness, even insomnia.7 A simple self-massage can be used to bring that fluid down from the head. This is a great technique for cold and allergies season. Tip: Schedule a lymphatic massage with a professional lymphatic massage therapist or do your own self massage. Video demonstration: Lymphatic Drainage for the Legs. Try a head massage before bed to improve sleep or in the morning to reduce facial puffiness. Video demonstration: Self Lymphatic Draining Massage. 11. Far infrared sauna Fact: Far infrared saunas provide a gentle, side-effect-free, effective mechanism for detoxification. Their waves penetrate deep into the human body, elevating the body's surface temperature, activating circulation, sweating and excretion of toxins from the lymph and blood through the skin. The heat also increases your heart rate and encourages deeper breathing, which boosts the drainage process even further. Tip: If you have access to an infrared sauna, take advantage of this effective lymphatic activator. Practice conscious deep breathing during your sauna to supercharge lymphatic drainage. Take a break every 15 minutes to shower in cold water for 30 seconds to promote even more circulation and stimulation of the lymph. 12. Wear natural fibers & loose, comfortable clothing Fact: The chemicals in synthetic clothing (made from petrochemicals) are absorbed through the skin, taken up by the lymphatic system and added to the body’s burden of toxins. Tight-fitting clothes can also contribute to a myriad of problems, including restricted lymph flow. Tip: Wear comfortable clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton, silk, flax/linen, wool, or other natural fibers.8 13. Consider your bras and underwear Fact: The breast, arm and upper chest area are drained by a large cluster of lymph nodes found in the armpit. Underwire bras or any bra that leaves red marks or indentations from being too tight interferes with lymphatic circulation and may contribute to swollen lymph nodes, fibrocystic breast tissue and breast cancer.9 For men, tight pants and briefs restrict the flow of lymphatic fluid in the testicles causing toxic buildup, which can lead to infertility and greater chance of developing cancer.10 Tip: Avoid underwire bras (particularly with metal underwires) or any tight-fitting bra that is constricting. Buy natural fiber bras and go bra-free when possible. As a general rule, choose loose-fitting pants and underwear made of natural fibers. 14. Cosmetics and skin care products Fact: Your skin is the largest organ of elimination and absorption—what goes on the skin goes into the body, into the lymph and adds to the trash load. Tip: Avoid products that include synthetic preservatives, fragrances, foaming agents, and other harmful synthetic chemicals. Instead, seek out cosmetics and skin care products that use safe, plant-based or food-grade ingredients, as they will ultimately be absorbed through your skin and processed by your lymph. Related read: How to Avoid Endocrine Disruptors in Your Daily Life 15. Eat Whole Foods, especially healthy fats, fruits & veggies Fact: Consuming processed foods, junk food, fast foods, sugary drinks, unhealthy fats, refined flour and sugar can cause inflammation and create lymphatic system congestion. Tip: Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially green vegetables. Chlorophyll purifies the lymph and blood. Eat healthy organic fats such as nuts and seeds, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, organic ghee and butter. 16. Drink herbal teas that affect the lymph Fact: There are herbal teas that step up lymphatic action such as red clover, astragalus, mullein, goldenseal, fenugreek, ginger, wild indigo root, sarsaparilla, golden seal and olive leaf tea. Tip: Try to incorporate one of these teas or a blend of several of these into your daily routine. Teas are most effective if you drink several cups over the course of the day. If you are pregnant, nursing, or on medication consult an herbalist or a naturopath before drinking these teas. Detox for a Healthy Body and Home Understanding how the lymph works and what to do to mobilize your lymphatic system is priceless information. It can make the difference in smoother detox process, catching or not catching a cold, or having a “flu-free winter”. The exciting news is that keeping the lymph moving doesn’t have to cost money – just move with a few daily exercises, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy food. When the lymph is working, the complexion glows and the body is full of vitality; and if you become ill, you have tools to help regain your health. This is a fundamental part of a conscious preventive health care plan. Maintaining a clean, human-safe home is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. Check out Branch Basic's Trial Kit to begin the switch to human-safe cleaning supplies, and learn about the cleaning tools that we recommend to keep your home happy and healthy.

The dashboard type chronodex in peoples journals - try our this post on chronodex and spirodex bullet journal layout ideas!

“It’s not how smart you are that matters, what really counts is how you are smart.” ~ Howard Gardner Did you know that there are at least eight different potential pathways to lea…

Free download Anatomy Human Wallpaper Body. Explore and Download 95+ Anatomy Wallpapers on WallpaperSafari

When we surveyed 2,500 people, 45% said they used the #1 answer.

Drs. John and Julie Gottmans’ four horsemen of the apocalypse in relationships and how to stop them with their antidotes.

Some time back, I noticed posters like this in our school hallways. I found out from learning support that they were to help the children learn self-regulation. The posters were based on a con…

Someone requested that I write about sewing a dart. This is not a topic I think about writing, so I appreciate feedback from you all. I use this method *most* of the time. As you can see below, there’s some limitation. But we don’t have to go into all the other scenarios now. We will […]

ADHD can be difficult to explain, and even harder to talk about. We're creative, friendly, and misunderstood by a lot of people. My hope is to help people with #ADHD feel understood and seen, and be able to share their experiences with others.

Figure out how to prioritize your to-do list using this worksheet of the Eisenhower Matrix. It will help you determine what is urgent and what is important.

I know from personal experience that muscle knot pain can be debilitating. I've found some tools that help me relieve the pain, which means I no longer to see a specialist every time I have a knot.

Not ready to see the end of The Durrells of Corfu? Be sure to watch this special documentary on PBS Masterpiece, to see What the Durrells Did Next.

Have you had a traumatic experience, which was painful and complex, and at the same time been aware of your inner self growing, or having grown substantially from the experience? If you have, this is referred to as post-traumatic growth. Post-traumatic growth is the experience of growth and development in certain areas of life due to overcoming a trauma or crisis.