Got Stress?Written by Heather Moreno, PeopleFit USA
I know it’s a silly question. We all have stress. Its source can be positive or negative and it helps us to meet challenges we face in life. If you balance stress with relaxation you can avoid a myriad of health problems from tension headaches and skin irritations to heart disease and stomach problems. This balance can also help to lessen any health conditions you already have. Throughout time many methods of relaxation have been practiced: acupuncture, prayer, hypnosis, massage (my personal favorite!) and meditation to name a few. Exercise is undeniably a very effective method of relaxation. “What? I wouldn’t call that Stairmaster workout relaxing!” I can hear you saying. But think back and you likely remember feeling refreshed after your workout and yes, even relaxed. It makes sense. Most relaxation techniques focus on breathing. Exercise produces a rhythm of breathing which can divert attention from stress that disrupted your breathing pattern. Voila – relaxation!
| | "Don't Sell Grandma's Jewelry at a Yard Sale...What's It Worth?"Written by JoAnna Gilford
IDENTIFICATION Before you can find out what a piece of jewelry is worth, you need to find out what it is. This can be as simple as turning it over and finding a maker's mark or complicated as in "hours of research". First thing first: Examine your jewelry for a maker's mark. Look on back or on clasp. Thoroughly examine every inch of piece. If you see a maker's mark, start your research! Not finding a maker's mark doesn't mean it's not valuable, on contrary; many fine pieces of jewelry were never marked. It does mean you will need to put in a little more effort in research. If you received your jewelry from a family member, ask them about it's history. Did your grandfather give it to your grandmother right before he went off to war? Was it handed down from her mother? Answers to these questions will give you a general idea of how old it is. Look at style of piece. Although many styles come back into fashion after a time, it is still possible to ID an older piece by style and material. Does it appear to have gemstones? Determine it they are real gemstones. You will need some sort of strong magnifying glass or ideally, a jeweler's loupe. A loupe is a small magnifying glass in various degrees of magnification. A 10X loupe should be all you need and they are relatively inexpensive. Craft and hobby stores usually sell them. Go to a well lighted place and look at stone through loupe. Do you see tiny bubbles in stone? Tiny air bubbles mean it is made from glass or plastic. It's not a real gemstone. Is it open backed? Can you see back of stone when you turn piece over? Does back of stone look shiny as in gold or silver colored foil? These are foil back rhinestones and not real gems. Foil was often added to reflect light and create a better sparkle. Most real gems contain some type of natural inclusion. Unless you are familiar with gems and diamonds, your best bet is to take it to a jeweler or appraiser if you think it is real. Look at construction of piece. This can be extremely helpful in dating a piece! Look at clasp or pin. Are stones individually riveted on? Is clasp rather ornate? Does it have a layered look? What type of style is it? Does it remind you of old black and white movies? Perhaps Bette Davis or Katherine Hepburn? Does it look Victorian? By now, you should have a general idea of age and you are ready to start your research in earnest!
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