The Importance of Women's Spirituality

A friend recently asked me why I felt it was so important to focus specifically on spirituality for women. Isn't the point of spirituality, she asked, to move to an understanding that transcends distinctions like gender? Does it really serve the process, she wondered, to imply there is a separate spirituality for men and for women?

As part of my response, I referred her to a recently published book called Taking Back God: American Women Rising Up for Religious Equality. The author, Leora Tanenbaum, explores the role of women within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The author interweaves religious history with interviews of contemporary women who care deeply about their religions, and derive great knowledge and sustenance from them, but are unhappy with the restricted roles of women within them. Many of these interviews are very moving, because these women have really struggled with this issue.

One of the biggest problems for these women is the restrictions placed on their access to teachings and official roles. Many of their religions restrict women's rights or abilities to read certain scriptures, or to teach or preach. Since scriptures are often considered the word of God, or a conduit to enlightenment (in the East), this sends the message that women are 'further' from God or enlightenment, and that they don't have the right to communicate directly, or to learn, teach, or preach on their own. They have to get everything secondhand. Contemporary American women don't accept this in the office, and are increasingly uncomfortable with it in their houses of worship.

While Taking Back God focuses on the official role of women in Christianity, Judaism and Islam, things aren't altogether different in the New Age or self-help communities, or in many Buddhist or Yoga centers. Although there are more women spiritual teachers, authors, and religious leaders in America than elsewhere in the world, they are still vastly outnumbered by men (just check out the Amazon bestsellers list). This despite the fact that according to book marketing surveys, women outnumber men as the purchasers of spiritual and religious books by as much as 4 to 1. In other words, women would appear to be more interested in spirituality in general, but the majority of books, teachers, organizations and resources out there are male-dominated. What is the message sent by this?

So, my answer to my friend, the reason focusing on women's spirituality is important to me, even though I am wary of over-identifying with gender issues, is that I think it really matters how many women religious leaders and spiritual teachers there are out there. And I think full access to scriptures, and leadership roles, and teaching positions - within every tradition - is imperative. Women's access to spirituality, their relationship with God/Tao/Nirvana/Brahma (or whatever you believe in), can't be secondhand. In a way, changing this is the most essential form of change that can occur, because our spiritual and religious beliefs define our organizational view of the world. If we see women as 'lower down' the totem pole, even subconsciously, we are denying ourselves our full power.

Lisa Erickson is a mom, meditation teacher, and writer. Visit her blog http://www.MommyMystic.wordpress.com for spiritual book reviews and information on meditation and spirituality.

5 Greatest Women's Fragrances For 2010

In the year 2010 we were witnesses of the presentation of many new fragrances. And just like every other year they became famous really fast. But are they worth it. From all the perfumes we use to see in the malls or in the internet stores there are just a few who use to stay on the world market for years and always be among the bestsellers. And it's not a surprise that the fragrances I used to place on the top 5 places are not presented during this year. These are perfumes who have already proved they deserve the attention they are awarded.

The first fragrance that finds place in this chart is Azzaro Now by Loris Azzaro. The scent is launched by the Azzaro design house in the year 2007. Its top notes are a perfect blend of aldehydes and amber rum. The base notes are presented from white tea and finally floral notes. This perfume is recommended mainly for daytime wear.

The second scent I would like to present to you is created by the design house of Thierry Mugler in the year 1992. Of course this is Angel. It is classified from specialists as a refreshing, oriental, woody scent. This feminine aroma possesses a mix of vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli. We shouldn't miss the fruity notes of fresh melons, citrus, peaches, and plums. It is recommended for daytime wear.

The fragrance I put on third place is the famous Armani Code by Giorgio Armani. This perfume was presented in the year 2006 by the house's lead designer Giorgio Armani. It is said to be a floral scent that opens with bitter orange notes and blend of jasmine and italian orange. Then it blends into orange blossom with the sweet finishing touch of vanilla and honey. It is said to be best for office wear.

The following fragrance, though not being as popular as the others in this chart, definitely deserves to be here. This perfume is Ce Soir Ou Jamais EDP Spray by Annick Goutal. It is launched by the design house of Annick Goutal in the year 1999. Ce Soir Ou Jamais by the designer Annick Goutal is classified as a sharp, flowery scent. This lovely feminine scent possesses a mix of sparkling flowers. It is recommended for office wear.

And last but not least, in this chart I put Blonde pure perfume by Versace. It is launched by the worldwide famous design house of Gianni Versace in the year 1995. Blonde is said to be a luxurious, flowery scent. This feminine fragrance possesses a mix of jasmine and violet notes. With its irresistible behaviour it is recommended for romantic wear.

So, these are the top 5 women's scents for the year 2010. As I said before none of them were presented during this year. Probably the newly presented perfumes still need some time to gain enough fame and positive critics to replace any of the fragrances I put in this article. They are still the bestsellers form some of the most famous design houses in the world and I think they really deserve your attention.

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Best Selling Diet Books - Which Flat Belly Diet Book is Best?

Ask 100 people what their most annoying body issue is and 97% of them will say it's all that extra fat hanging around their mid section. Not only is it unsightly, but it's really upsetting when you can't wear certain pants because you can't button them at the top, or you can't zip up your favorite pair of jeans.

Most of us had a flat belly at one time when we were younger and long for the days when we didn't have to worry about not fitting into clothes because of our bulging tummy. But those days are gone, so many of us end up online searching for a diet book that will help us end our embarrassment for good.

While there are some diet books that actually have the word "belly" in their title, this doesn't mean that they are the best choice. You see, the authors of these books know people like you and me are desperately looking for help so they add certain words to their title to make us salivate.

I've got to be honest with you, after doing some research into ways to lose belly fat, I've come to the conclusion that there is not a weight loss system that specifically targets only belly fat. You know why?

Because most fitness experts know that in order for us to lose a significant amount of weight in our stomach area, we're going to have to follow a healthy eating plan and (gasp!) actually do some exercises that will help us to lose weight all over our bodies. It's a myth that any diet or exercise regimen that targets the belly area is going to quickly reduce only that part of the body.

Yeah, I was disappointed when I found this out too. You see, I had believed all the hype about flat abs this and flat abs that going around. It was kind of exciting to think that if I ate certain foods for a period of time, my belly fat rolls would magically melt away. Now I know better. I now realize that I'm gonna have to put some real effort into reducing the fat all over my body and the rewards for doing this will be a nice, flat tummy.

Which flat belly diet book is best?

None. They're all selling you a bunch of goods.

However, what you CAN do to lose your belly fat is to pick a trustworthy diet plan that you feel you can stick to for up to six months and then follow that plan with your eye on having a great looking body. Your goal is to burn off that fat from your belly, arms, thighs and even chin area. The body doesn't pick and choose specific areas to lose fat - it melts it all, and that's a good thing to know as you pursue your quest to reclaim your flat stomach again.

There are several great diet plans available that can help you achieve this. All you've got to do is figure out which one is right for you. It's not important whether the title of the diet book has the word "belly" in it or not. The only thing that really matters is that you feel perfectly comfortable with the plan and feel like you can do everything that's required to get the results you desire.

Tired of looking at your bulging thighs, flabby stomach and out-of-shape body every morning? Tired of letting food control your life? Tired of not being able to wear your favorite clothes? Well, now's the time to do something about it. Get off the diet yo-yo merry-go-round and change your life for good.

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2009 Hot Christmas Toys

As you are wondering what to get your children or nieces and nephews for Christmas, you should certainly look at what is a hot Christmas toy for 2009. By understanding the trend for these toys you will guarantee the gifts you buy will meet their satisfaction. Aim for the hot selling Christmas toys that are on the best seller list.

Looking at boys aged between five and above, look at buying something to keep them active. The Huffy Green Machine is an excellent option here, as is the razor E100 electric scooter. These are really hot Christmas products so do not be surprised when they sell out. You can easily find these products by doing a quick search on Google.

You can look at the other products like PlayStation 3 and Nintendo wii, however, you should be trying to encourage your kids to be proactive. Having fun while doing something like going on scooters or taking your huffy green machine for a ride is perfect.

The barbie dream house and the holiday barbie doll are other hot Christmas toys to be on the lookout for 2009. These toys are excellent for girls and it is no surprise they are bestsellers. There are so many options to choose this Christmas and if you stick to the hot products you can not go wrong.

My favourite toy this Christmas are the Ride-on toys, like the razor electric scooter. This is hot selling for 2009 and is among the best gifts a person can receive this Christmas. Not only can they be for boys, but also for girls of any age will enjoy them too.

So this was a breakdown of the hottest selling Christmas toys for 2009. I hope you are now more aware of the items that are selling well. Lastly, Christmas is about enjoying time with family, remembering others, take the time out that you deserve.

Take a look at the hot selling toys like the Razor E100 Electric Scooter and hot Christmas toys like the Barbie dream house

Does Proactiv Solution Or Murad Acne Complex Do a Better Job of Controlling Acne?

Acne at any age is troublesome. When it happens to adults, it can definitely be socially debilitating and difficult to control. It is estimated that 85 million people between the ages of 12 - 35 suffer from chronic acne, which explains why Proactiv Solution and Murad Acne Complex have become bestsellers in just a few short years. However, as for which one is best, it depends largely on the reasons behind your acne.

If you consider cost, both acne programs are costly for long-term use. Proactiv costs $19.95 for the initial starter kit, which typically last two months and then bumps up to $39.95 per month, which is billed through an auto ship program. Murad costs $29.95 for the initial starter package and lasts the typical user about 4-6 weeks according to consumer reviews. Murad does not automatically enter you in an auto ship program and for both skin care regimes, shipping is typically free. In recent months prices have come down for both products and it is easy to find lower prices when consumers do not use the as seen on TV, or infomercial websites for the products. Since both companies require you use the product at least 90 days to get full results, customers will easily drop a $100 just to decide if the acne solutions work.

The acne solution programs are both based on herbal remedies that combine with antibacterial acidic solutions. Proactiv Complex uses benzyl peroxide as the basis for its acne fighting while Murad uses Salicylic Acid, which is a huge selling point for Murad. The manufacturers of Murad claim that the salicylic acid is gentler and safer to use on the skin and is more effective at controlling acne. One word of warning to consumers, Proactiv has recently come out with an extra strength that contains a 7% Benzyl Peroxide which has enable Proactiv to be more successful at controlling acne in many customers.

Unfortunately, the 2.5% Benzyl Peroxide based products linger on the market and many customers inadvertently buy the lesser product unwittingly. As far as salicylic acid or benzyl peroxide, dermatologists advise that both have the same cleansing and detoxification affect on the skin and the peroxide may be more effective for people who suffer from oily skin. While those who suffer with extremely dry skin may find the peroxide to abrasive to be used daily. Knowing your skin type before you choose is essential to getting the best product for you.

Both Murad and Proactiv Solution come with freebies like clarifying masks and astringent cleaners. They provide very small bottles with your regular order and they have been big upsells for both companies. Some consumers claim that the free trial products are actually better than the skin care programs.

The bottom line according to independent research and clinical studies is that both products are effective for adult acne. However, neither stop acne that comes from hormonal imbalance or sugar fluctuation meaning that as soon as you stop using the products your acne will likely return. Due to the harsh ingredients, many consumers of Proactive Solution have complained that their skin actually got worse and more inflamed. If this is the case for you, the gentler cleansing agents in Murad are worth checking into.

Perhaps the biggest complaint with both companies that offer money back guarantees is the difficult of getting out of the auto ship program with Proactive. Normally, new products are shipped and billed to your credit card long before you run out of your initial batch and there have been many BBB complaints associated with revolving charges. Murad does not force consumers to commit to an auto ship program and is more liberal with their free trial offers for new customers, which is definitely a plus.

As far as results, the statistics from consumers are mixed. Some customers find that using both products together is a good option while others felt strongly that one outperformed the other in side-by-side comparisons. Whether either will work for you depends on your skin type, diligence of use as well as the root cause of your acne. Best bet is to try the free trials and make a decision based on that. If you are worried about not being able to cancel the Proactiv Solution in a timely manner, than one way to get around that is to order the product using a prepaid credit card rather than one that comes directly from our account.

Grace McLellan edits As Seen On TV Compare, which finds the best online deals for infomercials products, including Proactiv Solution and Murad Acne Complex.

Hottest Gifts for Christmas

Festivals are usually the best time for new releases. Every year a wide range of products are launched in the festival season to provide consumers with unique gifts and gift ideas. Like the yesteryear, 2007 also intends to bring innovative gift ideas for the consumers. Here are some of the innovative gift ideas and products which are going to hit the market this Christmas 2007 for people who are fond of reading books, bestsellers like those authored by Laurel K. Hamilton, Patricia Cornwell, and Alice Sebold etc., are sure to win the hearts of many book lovers. Another remarkable gift can be video games and gaming consoles. Nowadays gaming consoles are gaining wide popularity among the old and the young alike. Some of the latest releases like the Legend Of Zelda, The Crash of the Titans are hot games which are going to get wide acclamation as Christmas gifts.

Toys are also all-time favorites of children. Toys like Lego, Scooby Doo, Star Wars, Polly Pocket, and Beanie Baby are always the first choices among the toy-lovers. The Christmas season also brings along some of the best DVDs of the season. It is assumed that the Planet Earth series, Spiderman 3, Oceans, Shrek the Third, Pirates of The Caribbean etc., would be some of the choices of the population for this festive season.

Music also plays an important part in this festive season. Josh Groban's new Christmas album, Noel, is already on the hype. Also there are some other albums by Mannheim Steamroller which would figure in the wish-list of many of the music aficionados. In rock, Jazz and other music genres, the classics or the legends are the ones which always dominates the market.

A mobile phone or a music player can also be fabulous Christmas gifts. This year some of the awesome gadgets like the Nokia N95 8GB, Apple iPhone, LG Shine , Samsung U600 are to be launched just a few weeks ahead of Christmas 2007. Also there are lot many special Christmas mobile phone deals which can be availed by the consumer. The mobile phones can be purchased at a discounted rate and also by purchasing a phone along with these deals one can get various benefits like free talk time, free minutes, merchant incentives and free gift items like iPods, laptops, gaming consoles etc.

If you would like more information on Christmas Gift 2007 and Gifts and Gadgets

Hollywood Fashion

Other than fashion, there is another art form that captures our attention and manages to obsess us with other people's stories and adventures; I am talking about the 7th art, film. In this industry, fashion plays a major role, whether in the characters who convert themselves in trendsetters, or the trendsetters that inspire a film or one of its characters. Some films marked a tendency or introduced a new accessory or style wore by an acclaimed fashion icon.

Costume design in fashion is one of the most important categories nowadays for different awards like the Academy Awards; it takes creativity and patience to work with a whole wardrobe and fashion sense for a film. It established an identification point between the actors and the public.

Casablanca is a classic film where we are still often transported to by fashion. For men it wasn't an ordinary suit but one made by Burberry which popularized the brand even more. Classic and conservative spy-like fashion will always embrace the feeling of the fashion style in this movie.

Marlon Brando also popularized the leather jacket, jeans and white t-shirt look in The Wild One, just like James Dean also did around that time. It was the representation of rebellious guys in the 50's which is still used today by millions. This outfit is still a fashion hit and has been adapted to our actual time.

The little black dress is still the favorite among fashionista film buffs today. Breakfast at Tiffany's was the whole representation of this look by Audrey Hepburn with her elegance and femininity, obviously achieved by Givenchy. Her oversized sunglasses, oversize hats, classy trench-coat, pearls and ballerina flats are still favorites in fashion worldwide.

Men's fashion in women is not an original style of the 90's; it was reborn from Wody Allen's Annie Hall in the 70's. Her look was a New York icon, as feminine as it was masculine, vests, men's pants, jackets, ties, suspenders and hats were the bestsellers in women's fashion in the late 70's.

Recently The Devil wears Prada showed us the power of the fashion industry in a place like New York City. This film inspired everyone to have their very own Cinderella makeover.

Obviously Sex and the City has been a Pop Culture fashion icon, starting out as a TV Series and now a Box Office Hit movie. These characters popularized Diane Von Furstenberg's wrap dress, Marc Jacobs' suits and Manolo Blahnik stilettos. Another type of movie that goes along this category of Pop Culture is Clueless with L.A Fashion at its best in the early 90's.

As of popular actors who are considered trendsetters, we can find Sarah Jessica Parker, as well as Jennifer Lopez whose glamour and elegance in the red carpet makes anyone want to run and buy a Valentino or a Balenciaga formal dress. These two have even gone further and understood that their styles should be available for anyone and they have their own fashion line at retail stores.

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