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20 Meal Prep Ideas for the Ketogenic Diet

October 7, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Are you trying to lose weight with the ketogenic diet? Whether you are an old pro or you are just starting, you should learn more about the meal prep ideas. This practice helps you to manage your timetable well and come up with delicious keto meals every time.

Planning on meals ahead allows you to save time and keep on track. The ketogenic diet involves a high fat, low carb diet. This diet helps you lose weight without having to feel you’re working so hard cooking. So in this piece, we are going to list recipes with high fat and low carb dishes.

The meals listed here are more likely to get better with days of storage. When you store up such tasty recipes, you will always have a grab and go keto food. A keto diet should not be too difficult for people to manage.

And with meal prep, you can prepare at least part of each dish in advance. The practice is effective for helping you follow your diet with ease. With these ketogenic diet meal prep solutions, any ketogenic dieter will manage mealtime well.

20 Ketogenic Diet Meal Prep Ideas

1. Ketogenic coconut flour pancakes

This one is a perfect ketogenic meal prep for those of us who would want to reheat the meal. The batter used to make these pancakes is from the low carb ingredients such as coconut, which is why you can decide to take it as breakfast.

You will only consume two net carbs per each cake.

Keep pre-measured scoops of coconut flour in zip-top bags until you’re ready to use them.

2. Paleo breakfast sausage patties

Want to spice up your breakfast, then this is the perfect keto meal prep. Upgrade your breakfast with a little meat by mixing ground pork with other spices. For make-ahead prep, cook up a large amount of this and store in the fridge to enjoy later.

To stay on the less savory side, you can use pastured pork, and you can skip the garlic. Replace the garlic by swapping in olive oil.

3. Ketogenic, low-carb strawberry chocolate chip

This treat is low on carbs since berries are one of the keto-friendly foods. Put just a little teaspoon of chocolate chips over the berries for a hint of sweetness. It is not only delicious, but it will get you through the week or even some days if you make a nicely-sized batch. Wash and slice the strawberries when you get home from the market and seal them in a bowl until you’re ready to use them.

4. Ketogenic diet breakfast sandwich

This breakfast sandwich is a favorite among many ketogenic diet followers. The ketogenic breakfast sandwich is full of flavors. In spite of this sandwich’s flavorful taste, it turns out to be very low in carbohydrates, also.

If you are making a start on the keto diet, then this is the best breakfast for you. If you were in love with your bread, then the sausage on top will help you forget about your bread.

It is very straightforward to make, and the ingredients are all readily available in your kitchen. Pre-cook the sausage patties–you’ll be able to warm them up quickly in the morning.

5. Bacon spinach frittata

It is a simple egg vegetable ketogenic meal prep. Its simplicity includes some steamed vegetables like spinach and bacon. The veggies used to make this meal high in fiber, which makes it even more suitable for losing weight.

In addition to staying full for most of your day, the fiber also helps your digestive system to keep in check.

Make several frittatas at once. Store the extras in a large zipper bag with waxed paper between each.

6. Blueberry pancake bites

Delicious pop-ups are the best ketogenic meal plan that you need to kickstart your day. This breakfast should be a go-to keto food since you can comfortably eat four of these bites and only gain four net carbs.

It is full of the best pancake flavors with an infusion of butter and wild blueberries. To make sure that you are on the safe side, you can use grass-fed butter. You can also add up some Ceylon cinnamon and some fresh blueberries.

Wash the blueberries and store them until ready to use.

7. Ketogenic bacon and zucchini muffins

Some chewy bacon, some onions, and also some fresh are an excellent way to start your ketogenic meal day. They are low in carbs but very high in flavor. Don’t worry about the muffins; they will only run to about 1.5 net carbs.

If you want to add up some protein to this meal prep, you can add up some pastured collagen peptides. The muffins are very low in carb, but they will keep you satisfied throughout the day.

Cook a large batch of bacon every few days. Store away strips of the savory meat in individual-sized bags.

8. Bacon-wrapped with asparagus ketogenic meal prep

Who loves the smell of bacon in the morning? It only gets better with keto dieters since they can spice the bacon with some asparagus. This meal prep will keep you full throughout your day.

Asparagus is a type of vegetables with lots of iron, so this is best for women in the morning. If you want a touch of fruits, some blueberries are going to complete the pack.

To ensure that this is purely ketogenic and low on carb use pastured bacon. You can also add in some kale to spice up the prepped meal.

Assemble these yummy treats ahead of time and pull them out when it’s time to cook them. It’s easy to meal prep to continue to sustain your ketogenic diet!

9. Ketogenic banana nut muffins

Sometimes keto dieters get tired of eating eggs each morning. The best way to reduce the monotony of eggs you need to be creative. By creative, it means that you should be able to come up with another healthier alternative.

These simple muffins are very simple to make, so you can also invite your kids to make them. They will enjoy making and eating them as well.

Meal prep is better when you cook in batches– bake a dozen and eat them when you’re ready to enjoy one.

10. Blueberry chia crisp

This another mouthwatering ketogenic meal prep. It is a super keto meal-prep that contains protein and fiber. The blueberry chia crisp also has antioxidants of which your skin will thank you for them. Antioxidants and foods rich in vitamin C are lovely for your skin.

Blueberry chia crisp is a great breakfast alternative. It also contains some seeds that are very useful to the body. These seeds include hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, and almonds.

11. Keto egg roll

This meal has been said to be the most favorite among ketogenic dieters. So why is it the most loved? It is because it is super easy to make. It is also very delicious, which makes it suitable for breakfast.

12. Keto Cuban sliders

This is a sandwich that many keto dieters can swear by. It contains some ham, cheese, pork, pickles, and swiss cheese. If you know any of these main ingredients, then you will have a picture of how this sandwich might taste. It’s crazy delicious.

Meal prep is easy. Pre-portion out single stacks of the ingredients and put them in a plastic bag. Pull out a portion, roll it up, and yum!

13. Chicken and Zucchini noodle

This one is another keto diet dish that is purely low on carbs but high on taste. You will enjoy eating this meal at any time of the day. If you are a huge fan of noodles, then this is the meal prep for you.

Use a spiral of veggie strip tool to make the zucchini noodles. Wrap them in paper towels to absorb any liquid and inside an airtight container until ready to cook.

14. Easy broccoli cheese soup

This meal prep is effortless, considering that it only consists of five ingredients. It is also gluten-free, which makes it even better for your belly. This broccoli cheese soup is low on carb; therefore, it is a perfect breakfast meal for ketogenic dieters.

This meal can be made in 20 minutes. This only means that it can work to those busy keto dieters. Broccoli is so much important health-wise.

15. Shrimp avocado salad with some tomatoes

If you love some vegetable mix, then this could be your favorite keto meal prep. It is super easy to make. You only need tomatoes, shrimp, avocados, onions, and cilantro. If you want some upgraded sour but sweet taste, you can try sprinkling in some lime juice.

Meal prep by chopping the onions, tomatoes, and cilantro ahead of time. Hint: pre-prepped bowl of goodies also makes a fantastic fresh salsa right by itself!

16. Skillet taco cauliflower rice

This one is a skillet ketogenic meal prep that is super easy to make. This meal consists of ground turkey and some cauliflower. On top of these main ingredients are lettuce topping and some avocado.

This meal is super low in carbs, which is the best for breakfast. Another reason why you should eat this meal when starting your day is the fact that it is filling.

17. Chipotle chicken and lettuce wraps

This is a light yet very filling ketogenic diet meal that you can choose to take at dinner. It is a package of cucumber, avocado chunks, and cherry tomato. This combination can also be creamed with a little bit of smooth cilantro lime.

Making this meal is super easy and super fast. The ingredients are also readily available in the market.

18. Ground beef and spinach skillet

If you love the beef taste, but you think that you cannot taste it ketogenic diets, then you are missing out. Keto dieters can eat ground beef. To ensure that the meal is well balanced, you can ass some skillet spinach

This combination is ideal when you crave the burger flavor but want to skip buns or other high-carb foods.

19. Creamy spinach and stuffed salmon in garlic

This meal satisfied, with so much flavor. If you would love to eat comfort foods, then this stuffed salmon is the best on the go food.

Stuff the salmon with ground garlic, Parmesan butter, cream cheese, and some salmon. You can cook this on the grill, in the fryer, or a skillet.

20. Mexican turkey burgers

A combination of turkey burgers and some Mexican food can change how you think about the keto diet. This is because you can have them ready in 20 minutes.

One thing is that it is gluten-free, sugar-free, and dairy-free. This also means that people with dairy products allergies can take this meal freely. This is why you should plan before starting any keto diet plan.

Final Thoughts About Meal Prep to Stay on Track with the Ketogenic Diet

As we have seen according to the above meal prep ideas, the keto diet is delicious too. If you have decided to take on the ketogenic diet as a lifestyle, you should be aware of how to run it smoothly. The first thing was to find what to eat, how to make it, and how often you can be eating keto foods.

Starting a keto diet is not as easy as it may seem. There are factors that you must consider. The elements may include

Think of what you are to eat everyday
Spend time while researching on keto
Always measure your ketone levels
Get into reading nutrition labels
Get enough sleep and try and avoid stress.

After doing some research and deciding to start with keto, then you should consider some of the above meal prep ideas to help you keep on track.

5 Signs You Have Karmic Debt to Repay

October 7, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Karma, that unseen force that many of us gleefully claim, “Karma is a …” (fill in the blank). This term is an expression we reserve for when someone we know (and might dislike) suddenly encounters negative experiences in life. And we call the measurement of this “karmic debt.”

We tend to take satisfaction that this individual is having back luck, or bad karma, due to various negative actions they may have made in the past. However, karma isn’t always that simple. Karma isn’t just about our current life choices, but also about our past life choices.

Past life choices may be repeating in our present life, waiting for us to figure it out and do it right this time. We loosely define this as karmic debt. Here are five signs you have a karmic debt to repay in this lifetime.

What is Karma?

Many of us westerners tend to throw around the word karma reasonably loosely. Most of us understand that it is related to the idea that good actions create positive consequences, and bad actions create negative results. We tend to associate it with more of a luck-based concept, fate, or destiny due to our choices towards others. What is its actual definition?

As defined by Merriam Webster dictionary, karma is:

“ the force generated by a person’s actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person’s next existence.”
A second definition and the one more commonly used by Westerners is: ” such a force considered as affecting the events of one’s life.”
The third definition is: “ a characteristic emanation, aura or spirit that vitalizes someone or something.” We may refer to it as our “life energy.”

About Karma

Karma is part of the Hindu or Buddhist belief in reincarnation, or that each person’s life is recycled back into the Universe to learn valuable lessons. There is no guarantee that an individual will return as a human. They may return as a grasshopper. The state you come back in is indicative of how many more lessons you need to learn to bring yourself into completion in your spiritual journey. It is also essential to know that if you are owed karma debt from others, your path will continue until you receive payment. The goal is to reach a karmic value of 0.

It does state that good deeds equate to a positive “credit,” and bad deeds equal a “debt.” There is a numerical value attributed to it, and your payment may not occur in this life, but rather in the next. You also may be currently paying a debt from your previous life.

It is essential to understand that your credit or debt isn’t calculated by just your actions, but also by the morals, thoughts, and intentions behind your actions. For example, donating to a school to manipulate the school system to overlook specific actions by your child will not be seen as a karmic credit, but rather a debt. On the other hand, making the same donation to a school because you genuinely believe that children should be afforded a science lab for their better learning will equate to karmic credit.

What are the Karmic debt numbers?

The karmic debt numbers consist of two numbers – a single-digit numeral and then the double-digit number that is used to reach that single digit. For example,

to reach the number 4, you have most likely reduced the double-digit number of 13. ( 13= 1+3=4). Therefore your karmic debt numbers are usually displayed as 13/4 to denote how 13 is the stronger, negative influence of 4.

The numbers which represent karmic debt are:

4 (13=1+3=4) or 13/4
5 (14=1+4=5) or 14/5
7 (16=1+6=7) or 16/7
1 (19=1+9=1+0=1) 19/1

It is the double-digit number that claims significance in your karma debt. Each of the numbers denotes a particular character trait that requires correcting to clear your debt.

How do you calculate your karma debt numbers?

Numbers, as they correlate to karma debt, are based on your birthday, your personality number, and your life path number. All of these use the specific numerals of your birthdate to reach a sum and then correlate it with a pre-set pattern of numbers.

In using your literal birthday, you add up the digits:

Born on the 23^rd of a month, you add 2+3=5. Five is then equivalent to the number 14. 14 is your debt number.

Calculate your personality number by taking the numerals which make up your birth month and birthday.

If you are born on March 22^nd, you would add 0+3+2+2=7. Seven corresponds to the karmic debt number of 16.

The final method is your life path number and is one of the core numbers. Your life path number is determined by using your full birth date and year. Should you calculate to an 11, 22, 33 in your life path number, it should not be broken down to a single digit, as they are seen as powerful numbers. This only holds true for your life path number or the other core numbers, which you calculate from your name. And, they are not related to karmic debt.

If you were born on August 9th, 1970, you would add 0+8+0+9+1+9+7+0=34=3+4=7. This outcome relates to the karmic debt of 16.

What do the karmic debt numbers mean?

Now that you have calculated your karmic debt numbers, what do they mean? What issues do you need to work on correcting?

The number 13 is for laziness. Perhaps in your previous life, you chose an experience which was afforded off the work of others, rather than your own hands. In this life, you should focus on learning how to work hard, seeing tasks to completion, and staying motivated. The key is not to overdo it. Operating in any extremes will not correct your karma.

The number 14 denotes a need for control. In your previous life, it was all about controlling others, stripping them of their freedom to exert your will. Most likely, this is still a struggle for you, and you will need to learn to allow yourself to be vulnerable, express your emotions in a healthy manner and learn to trust those close to you.

The number 16 connects to your ego. You may have thought extremely highly of yourself regarding your position in life, your appearance, your abilities, etc. Learning humility will be a long path for you in this life, and most likely, future lives.

The number 19 relates to selfishness. In your previous life, you chose your immediate needs over that of others. This may have shown itself in addictions, lack of sincere relationships, moving up in life from using others to achieve your goals without any consideration or care, etc.

This debt is another difficult one to counter and may take multiple lives. Choosing to care for others, doing volunteer service for the less fortunate, aiding others to grow and succeed through teaching or mentoring may be a definite necessity in your life now.

The meaning behind 0 as a karmic debt number.

It is possible to have no karmic debt number or a number of 0 in your current life. What does that mean?

It does not mean you are free and clear. It means that you are expected to push beyond, to continue to maintain balance while also forging a new path for your life. Also, know that you can call karmic debt onto your future lives, so being mindful of how you live is wise.

In individuals with 0 as their karmic number, they may find themselves at a loss of what to do with their lives. Motivation and positive focus may be an issue for you. Based on your numerology related to your name, you still have karmic lessons to learn. So focus on these lessons and be mindful of the proper way to live your life. Utilize focus and a loving, positive intent towards yourself, others, and life to help you maintain that karmic number into your next life and continue to elevate your spirit.

5 signs that you owe a karmic debt

Life is all about patterns and numbers. You can see those patterns and numbers in your life, and they usually point to lessons or obligations. Knowing this makes it easier to find out if you owe a karmic debt.

The first sign that you owe a karmic debt and the easiest is to calculate using one of the above methods.
Do you find a common theme in your life? Do you continually struggle with addiction, money problems, or relationship issues? If so, you might owe a debt from your previous experience that you must correct. Thus, life presents you with situations to fix your past choices.
Do you gravitate to certain people that require your care? Karma might need you to pay back a debt of selfishness, humility, or service towards others.
Are you repeating relationships with the same person? Do you find you are continually breaking up and getting back together with the same individual? Perhaps, you find yourself always needing to care for a particular family member? Either way, you owe that person a debt or need to learn something from that individual related to why the relationship does not seem to work.
Perhaps you have found yourself in situations which always point back to yourself, your energy, or way of thinking. This could point to the fact that you are currently accumulating debt in this lifetime. Frequently, this stems from your failure to appreciate life, love, and yourself.

This reality may hold especially true if you show you do not have any debt in the numerology. You are struggling to find motivation, purpose in life, and positivity. Therefore, a multitude of different circumstances crops up to test your growth. The Universe will push you to keep learning the lessons and expand upon them for higher spirituality.

Final Thoughts of Using Your Karmic Debt Number to Guide You

Karma is not set in stone. It is not fate or destiny. It is a gauge that informs you of the changes in life you should make. Once you repay the karmic debt, you’re free to live and carry on to your next life until you reach a higher spirituality. The choices are all yours, as are the consequences.

Mr. Rogers Quotes That Will Make A Beautiful Day In Your Neighborhood

October 3, 2019 by Power of Positivity

At times you may get stressed or feeling low because of life’s challenges that it affects your capability to adhere to a good neighbor policy. Everyone wants to be an excellent friend to someone, and feel loved back. And Fred Rogers knew how to make everyone feel better, even on their worst day. Oh, the things we have learned from Mr. Rogers!

When Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood made its television debut on February 19, 1968, the children’s program took many households by storm. Both kids and parents loved Mr. Rogers.

He brought fun puppet shows and soothing songs. But he also reminded us that everyone is unique and special by fostering feelings of self-worth. Also, he encouraged kids to be their best selves.

Fred Rogers greatly cared about educating children to be well-rounded people.is

However, Mr. Rogers is mainly remembered for his curiosity and his kind words that inspired both children and adults. Sometimes, it only takes only a positive attitude in life to see the vast opportunities for inventive thinking, love, and exciting experiences.

By the time of his death on February 27, 2003, Mr. Rogers had released 31 seasons of his shows, a whopping 895 episodes. The film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is soon to be released based on his teachings.

Still, today, when life’s twists and turns stress you out, you can turn to his wisdom and words of encouragement to cheer you.

Below is a collection of some of Mr. Rogers’ inspirational quotes that will almost certainly rock your neighborhood!

1 -“The world we live in needs a sense of worth, and it will achieve it only by its people feeling that they are worthwhile.”

An individual is the basic unit of his or her neighborhood–or the world at large. To create an atmosphere that makes feel self-confident and secure, each person must first see himself/herself as a worthy contributor.

2 – “No one else can lead the life you live.”

You are a unique being with unique thinking, values, principles, preferences, talents, abilities, etc. Thus, no other person can fit in your shoes. That demonstrates how worthy you are.

3 – “All of us, at some point or another, need help. Whether we are offering or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to the world. That is one of the things that unite us neighbors – in our own way, everyone is either a giver and a receiver.”

No one is an island, and rarely can one overcome the adversities in life without the support of others. Good neighbors help each other because each one has something different and valuable that the other person lacks. Play to your strengths!

4 – “There are three secrets to ultimate success: The first one is being kind. The second one is being kind. The third way is being kind.”

It is only by showing kindness to others that we can achieve real success in life.

5 – “It’s not what we own in this world that matters. It’s what we do with what we have.”

Here, Mr. Rogers teaches us that we shouldn’t squander what talents we have. Instead, we should find satisfaction in using what we have to advance in life. Only then can we be of help and value to others.

6 – “Often, when we think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”

Usually, when you reach a specific goal or milestone, there are always new challenges ahead of you. The new phase calls for a new set of goals and will unlock the next opportunity.

7 – “I hope you find pride in yourself for the times you’ve said ‘yes’ when all it meant was extra work, which seemingly benefits the other individual.”

You need not only lend a helping hand when it is convenient for you. Sometimes you need to go the extra mile to help others (even when you have your problems to handle). It’s all part of being in “the neighborhood.”

8 – “You may take a lifetime to discover who you are, but it worth the effort.”

It may take time for someone to identify and understand their value and purpose in life. However, once he or she this information, it brings self-contentment.

9 -“The connections and people we meet during our lifetime – perhaps that’s what heaven is.”

More often than not, we meet different people with whom we create lasting relationships. Many of these people end up being good family members, friends, or neighbors. Those relationships are what we need to live happily and harmoniously.

10 – “The act of forgiving is a strange thing because it is easy to forgive an enemy than a friend. It is even hardest to forgive the people we love. Like other life skills, the ability to forgive and let go of the bitterness is a character that culminates at an early age.”

It is human nature to easily forgive and forget an enemy when s/he has wronged us. But sometimes it is difficult to forgive someone we love. Nonetheless, parents can teach their children how to forgive and forget while their children are still young.

11 – “Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It’s an active noun such as ‘struggle.’ To love someone is to try to accept the way s/he is right here and right now.”

No one was created perfectly. Every person has their flaws, shortcomings, and some qualities that may not appeal to everyone else. Therefore, you can only love a person after you accept that they are prone to making mistakes and errors. Love is all about embracing other people, flaws, and all!

12 – “If you only knew how important you are to the people you’ve met; how important you can be to the individuals you may never dream of.”

There is always a lasting impression you leave in every interaction you have with a person.

13 – “Anything human is worth mentioning, and anything mentionable can be managed. When we share our inner feelings, we become less overwhelmed, less upset, and less scared. The people we trust with such a conversation can help us understand that we are not alone.”

A problem shared is half solved. When we share our fears and challenges, we tend to feel relieved, and life becomes more tolerable and bearable. We need other people who can listen to us and offer solutions to our problems.

14 – “It is a human need to be loved. The greatest thing to do is to let others feel like they are loved, and they are capable of loving back.”

To coexist as good neighbors, we need to show love to others. Everyone longs for affection. In turn, those individuals will realize that they are loved and will love in return.

15 – “Anyone who does something to help a child in this world is a hero.”

Children are innocent. Because they are the future generation, we should strive to pass on our knowledge, values, and morals. So, by helping a child, you are nurturing the next leaders, administrators, role models, doctors, philanthropists, etc. That makes you worthy in your neighborhood.

16 – “We exist in a world that requires collective responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘That’s not my kid, not my neighborhood, not my world, or not my problem.’ Then there are those people who identify the need and respond. I consider them my heroes.”

The world requires everyone to understand that we need to come together to solve the problems we face as a society. Furthermore, we must discover the courage inside ourselves to offer timely responses and solutions to these issues.

17 – “We cannot always achieve success in what we try – especially not in the ideal world – but it’s not the honors, awards, or the fancy things that nourish our souls. It is the understanding that we can be trusted, that we need not fear the truth, and that the basis of our existence is good stuff.”

We may try multiple times to achieve a particular goal or prize. We don’t get satisfaction through the material rewards or recognition we get. True happiness comes from the understanding that other people can trust in us without fearing the truth.

18 – “There’s no ordinary life that is free of pain. It is the very fighting with our problems that propels our growth.”

Life is full of pains and struggles. In fact, one cannot live without experiencing these difficulties firsthand. Even so, it is the struggle to find solutions to these challenges and pains that fuel our strength and growth.

19 – “Picture what our communities would look like if every one of us felt tacitly mandated, as a worthy course, to speak a word of kindness to another person.”

A good neighbor policy starts with kindness. Our neighborhoods would be heavenly if everyone spoke words of kindness to other people and nurtured warm friendships.

Final Thoughts on Getting Inspired by the Kindness of Mr. Rogers

Life is full of opportunities to experience the goodness and values of other individuals. Many successful adults grew up watching Mr. Rogers on PBS and took away valuable life lessons.

Most importantly, we learned that the material things in life don’t matter. Indeed, the things that matter most are kindness, learning to shoot for the moon, and developing a strong sense of self. From there, any child can blossom into a well-rounded person who matters to their community or neighborhood.

19 Celebrities Who Are Breast Cancer Awareness Heroes

October 2, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Fighting breast cancer takes strength and courage, but it is essential to know you are not alone. That is why we celebrate these celebrities who, after beating cancer, use their influence to bring up awareness about the disease. We love how they push for early detection and advocate for better treatment and recovery options. This article will show you the inspiring action these celebrities take to address the menace of breast cancer.

The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, we join in the effort to raise awareness about the disease.

19 Celebrities Who Use Their Fame to Advocate for Breast Cancer Research

1 – Jaclyn Smith

Jaclyn Smith is an ex-model and seventies icon. She is remembered as Kelly Garrett, one of America’s best private investigators in the television series Charlie’s Angels.

Smith discovered a lump in one of her breasts during a regular checkup. She had a lumpectomy and, and later became active in advocacy. She openly shares information about breast cancer risk factors as part of the Strength in Knowing program.

2 – Melissa Etheridge

Melissa remembered performing without any hair on the head during a tribute to Janis Joplin at the 2005 Grammys. The Grammys arrived just as she was finishing a strict regimen of radiation and chemotherapy following the removal of her breast tissue.

She learned a lump in her breast the year before, and she writes the song “I Run for Life” about the fight against cancer.

Melissa had lost her aunt, grandmother, and father to cancer, and felt her own experience advanced to a “spiritual awakening.”

“I understand that I should not do anything that I don’t love completely.” ~Melissa Etheridge

3 – Wanda Sykes

Wanda sees sharp humor in everything around her. However, her health took a severe turn after she decided to make her breasts smaller. The comedian reveals that she received a diagnosis of non-invasive breast cancer after she underwent a breast reduction.

Wanda, who has a long history of breast cancer in her family, opened up about having breast cancer for the first time on the Ellen Degeneres show.

“I just felt so fortunate and honored that I was able to take care of it,” she told Ellen.

4 – Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow is a rock musician with a squeaky-clean lifestyle and no family history of cancer. Crow had a lumpectomy, which removed the cancerous tissue, plus weeks of radiation therapy.

Crow has been an advocate for a ton of causes, including discovering a medication for cancer. In fact, she advocated for that measure even before she was diagnosed with cancer. She pled with the United States Congress to fund research into the possible connection between breast cancer and environmental factors.

5 – Christina Applegate

Christina is an American actress, best remembered as the ditzy Kelly Bundy on Married, with Children. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, with the cells discovered in just one of her breasts.

However, she tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. And because that raised her threat of a reoccurrence, she bravely opted for a double mastectomy.

Applegate later established Right Action for Women, a nonprofit that provides financial aid to women at high risk of breast cancer.

6 – Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia is an actress and comedian who starred on Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine.

In early 2017 Julia revealed she received a diagnosis of breast cancer. Fortunately, the star is cancer-free.

The actress underwent three rounds of chemotherapy. This actress also said that she chose to speak out about her diagnosis and share updates on her treatment. She wanted to take the chance to advocate for affordable health care for everyone.

“I think it’s an important expression to have about health and health care,” she said. “I very much considered the notion that as someone fighting this disease, the idea that I do not have health insurance, which I do thanks to my great union, is completely terrifying.”

7 – Cynthia Nixon

“The Sex and the City” actress underwent six weeks of radiation therapy and removal of her breast tissue when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. According to her, she noted a regular mammogram is an essential way to detect a breast tumor at an early stage. In her family, cancer has been a menace; Nixon’s mother has had cancer twice.

Due to her mum’s breast cancer condition, she began mammogram checks at 35 years, five years earlier than her diagnosis. Thus, she appreciates the importance of conducting mammograms. Moreover, she advises women to request this test frequently. And above all, she voices the need to get screening from an early age.

8 – Maura Lynn Tierney

Lynn is an American film and television actress best known for her roles as Lisa Miller on the sitcom NewsRadio. The star told Everyday Health that she was more afraid of the side effects chemotherapy than of cancer itself. After her diagnosis, the treatments were not as bad as she feared. She stresses that people should research treatment options and speak up about their concerns.

“The idea behind it is to bring into existence a place where people can go to educate themselves about what is about to happen to them. There is a lot of mistaken belief out there,” she said.

9 – Minka Kelly

Kelly is an American actress whose debut was in NBC drama series Friday Night Lights. She also appeared on the shows Parenthood, Charlie’s Angels, and Almost Human.

Historically, Kelly’s family has had several breast cancer cases. Unfortunately, her mother even succumbed to the fatal disease. Kelly’s mother’s demise prompted her to create awareness through breast cancer screening and self-examination. She encourages women to conduct monthly breast self-exams for early detection.

10 – Kylie Minogue

Kylie is an Australian singer who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and underwent chemotherapy and surgery. The Locomotion singer was internationally acknowledged for the impact she made by publicly divulging information about her cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Kylie joined hands with her doctor to advocate about breast cancer. She urges all women to have regular check-ups.

11 – Janice Dickinson

Janice is an American model, actress, author, talent agent, and television personality. Initially, as a model, she was the first to earn the title of “supermodel.”

Janice revealed to the Daily Mail that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer after her doctor noticed a lump on her right breast. According to her, it became quite painful to the touch just after the doctor found it. It was at that point she realized it was dangerous. She advocates for women to speak openly with their physicians and never skip well-woman annual exams.

12 – Suzanne Somers

Suzanne is an American actress, and she portrayed the character Chrissy Snow on 1970s sitcom Three’s Company. Somers received a diagnosis of stage two breast cancer in 2001.

Somers took a holistic approach to her disease and transitioned into a new life from an entertainer to a motivational speaker.

Also, she accepted her doctor’s recommendations for surgery and chemotherapy sessions. However, the road didn’t end there for Ms. Somers. She began nourishing her body with organic vegetables and embraced routine exercise. Her success and self-motivation made her healthier than ever.

13 – Sandra Lee

Sandra Lee is an author and American television food personality. She starred in Food Network’s “Semi-Homemade” cooking show. Lee received a diagnosis of breast cancer in one of her breasts, and the tumor spread to different places in her breast.

She worried that cancer might continue to ravage her body. So, she opted for a double mastectomy to eliminate her concerns. She related her experience in a documentary film called RX: Early Detection and hopes to inspire other women who battle this disease.

14 – Gloria Steinem

Gloria is an American, journalist, and social-political activist who became known nationally as a leader and a spokeswoman for the American feminist movement

She received a diagnosis of breast cancer and had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor. Her experience made her more afraid of dying than aging. Gloria started using her expertise to write, speak out against women’s injustices around the world–including access to health care and breast cancer treatment.

15 – Kathleen Doyle Bates

Kathleen Bates is an American actress of Six Feet Under fame and film director. Coincidentally, Bates was an ovarian cancer survivor before she received a diagnosis of stage two breast cancer.

She developed lymphedema, a swelling in her body extremities. However, there is no cure for lymphedema. Her positive attitude and physical therapy helped her drastically with the side effects.

She is now the spokeswoman for the Lymphatic Education and Research Network and encourages members of congress about publicizing the condition.

16 -Tig Notaro

Notaro is an American writer, radio contributor, actress, and stand-up comic. Her fans adore her deadpan method of comedy. Notaro became famous for performing comedy in which she revealed her breast cancer to the audience. She was diagnosed earlier that day.

She is cancer-free after a double mastectomy. Fortunately, her career skyrocketed from the success of her comedy, Notaro is now working on a book, writing, directing, and starring in a TV show about her life, and of course, still taking the stage.

She advised women battling this disease to keep their sense of self and learn to express themselves.

17 – Diahann Carroll

Diahann is an American actress, singer, and model. She rose to performances in some of the earliest major studio films to feature African-American women. When she first received her diagnosis of breast cancer, she tried to keep it a secret.

Of course, Carroll eventually swallowed her pride when she realized her story could help other women, later she film her radiation treatment. She encourages women to share their stories and unite so that all women can learn from one another. It makes women feel less alone during their battle.

18 – Betsey Johnson

Johnson is an American fashion designer. Women love Johnson for her feminine and utterly unique, whimsical design sense. Johnson learned she had breast cancer after a coincidence that might have saved her life. You see, her breast implant leaked and collapsed, forcing a doctor’s visit.

Because of her bold style, she thought that it might destroy her business. However, Johnson became a vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness. Furthermore, she began a Breast Cancer Awareness line to help fund research.

19 – Olivia Newton-John

Olivia is an Australian songwriter, singer, actress (Grease), entrepreneur, dancer, and activist. Since her diagnosis, Olivia became one of the best-known faces for breast cancer awareness.

She acknowledges an earlier bout with cancer. She recently confessed that she is battling breast cancer for the third time. But, she’s keeping her chin up and refusing to let the disease hold her down without a fight.

Final Thoughts on Celebrities Who Are Breast Cancer Advocates

The brave women on our list use their fame to advocate for women around the world. Whether they promote healthy lifestyles, film documentaries, or push the envelope on a federal level, they are champions for this cause.

These women lend their voices to the cause and shine a light. Shine on, ladies!

17 Celebrities Who Beat Breast Cancer

October 2, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Research shows that both white and black women were diagnosed with breast cancer at a relatively equal rate between 1999 and 2006. 90% of these women were expected to survive at least five years. But today, more people are surviving the illness.

Most of the breast cancer survival cases since the mid-70s are due to the use of enhanced treatment and screening. Lumpectomy and local radiation therapy have been used more often to treat early-stage incidences of the fatal disease. Mastectomy has also been of incredible help.

Celebrities, both men and women, across the world, have been breast cancer survivors. Theirs have been stories of bravely fought battles that have inspired other patients. Here, we provide 17 of these stars who did not let cancer push them to their graves.

17 Celebrities Who Survived Breast Cancer

1 – Hoda Kotb

Kotb is an Oklahoma-born American broadcast journalist who is also an author and television personality. She was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 43 years old in 2007. That year, she had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery to treat the disease.

Despite her struggles, she did not hesitate to document her story on the Today Show after being declared cancer-free. The touching tale of her journey to recovery gave hope to other people with cancer and demonstrated high resilience. During the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Symposium of 2017, she revealed that cancer shaped her outlook on life.

2 – Judy Blume

Blume is an American author whose famous works include Deenie, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and Blubber. In 2012, she disclosed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 74 and thriving, but it wasn’t enough to stop cancer.

She revealed that the news hit her by surprise, like most of her fans. There is no known history of the disease in her entire family. She values her physical fitness, and on top of that, she doesn’t drink or smoke. She recovered after undergoing a mastectomy.

3 – Kylie Minogue

Minogue is an Australian singer and actress who has a great passion for music and fashion. At the age of 36, in 2005, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This forced her to postpone her Showgirl: The Homecoming Tour.

She received a lot of support from friends and family, and even the former Australian Prime Minister John Howard. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatment during the same year of diagnosis. Giuliana Rancic, another breast cancer survivor, described Minogue’s cancer survival story as inspirational.

4 – Richard Roundtree

Male breast cancer (MBC) is not a common occurrence. According to previously done research, it accounts for only 1% of the breast cancer incidences reported in the world. Well, Roundtree is one of those rare cases, but he fought back!

He is famous for his excellent acting skills, especially in his Shaft movies. He was diagnosed with the illness in 1993 when he was 51 years old. After a double mastectomy and chemotherapy, he was free of the threat of the disease.

5 – Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates, an award-winning actress, is also among the brave women who have survived breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed with the killer disease when she was 64, in 2012. Some weeks after the diagnosis, she underwent a double mastectomy.

While Bates was battling cancer, she received incredible support from her family. She revealed that they believed that she would stand on her feet again like she always did. Her fans also had her back, and she thanked them on twitter for their showing her so much love.

6 – Sheryl Crow

Crow, an American singer, and actress realized she had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) when she was 44 years old. She had not seen this non-invasive form of breast cancer coming, and it shocked her. There was no history of the illness in her family, and she had no pre-existing factors.

The songwriter survived the disease after a lumpectomy and weeks of radiation therapy. Lately, the procedures have replaced mastectomy as an approach to fight early-stage breast cancer. Crow credits her survival to early detection.

7 – Samantha Harris

When Harris was 40 years old, she underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. For the American model and reporter, being cancer-free came with the freedom she relished. She felt like she could do anything she wanted, and she was grateful for it.

Now, the television presenter supports cancer research to help women like her survive the disease. She has never shied away from sharing her journey with breast cancer. She also provides tips on how to lead a healthier life.

8 – Christina Applegate

American actress and dancer survived breast cancer in 2008 after having a double mastectomy. Fortunately, hers was an early-stage case. Since her mother, Nancy Priddy, is also a breast cancer survivor, her diagnosis wasn’t totally unexpected.

Applegate battled cancer in her late 30s. Even though she was devastated, she believed it was her time to fight, and she would do so hard. Other breast cancer survivors helped her get by despite the loneliness that comes with the disease.

9 – Wanda Sykes

Sykes knew that she had a family history of breast cancer. Hence, when the comedian was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 2011, she opted for a double mastectomy. It would reduce her chances of getting breast cancer, plus, she didn’t desire the side effects of drugs.

Entertainment Weekly ranked Sykes among the top 25 funniest Americans. The mother of two, who is also an actress, did not allow cancer to derail her career.

10 – Peter Criss

Criss was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 62 in 2008. The co-founder of the famous rock band Kiss went through a lumpectomy to successfully treat the illness. After his survival, he started creating awareness about Male breast cancer (MBC).

As he told CNN, no man should ignore the signs because breast cancer attacks men too. He also added that the harsh disease could stop one from seeing life and all the beautiful things it offers.

11 – Robin Roberts

When Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, she underwent lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. It was easy to cure her case because it was an early form. Since then, the American television broadcaster has placed tremendous emphasis on regular screening and self-breast exams.

Her mother motivated her to encourage other breast cancer patients by sharing her struggles. She creates awareness about the illness, to help others make it through the dreadful experience.

12 – Jaclyn Smith

Smith, an American actress, and entrepreneur discovered that she had cancer at the age of 56 in 2002. She was frustrated. Then, she wanted nothing more than getting rid of her breast, but she fought on until full recovery.

In 2010, she was part of 1 a Minute, a breast cancer documentary that featured breast cancer patients. She supports Strength in Knowing, which is a program for women who are living or have survived breast cancer.

13 – Olivia Newton-John

1992 saw this Grammy-winning singer diagnosed with breast cancer. At the age of 43, it can be pretty scary because there’s a whole life yet to be lived.

Now, she is the Liv Breast Self-Examination Kit’s spokesperson, and she promotes early detection of breast cancer. She believes that caring about one’s breast health is crucial. If you detect that something is wrong, go for a mammogram as soon as possible.

14 – Melissa Etheridge

Like Olivia Newton-John, Etheridge realized that she had breast cancer when she was 43 years old. Despite the pain and frustration that come with the fatal disease, she saw it as a great thing.

It allowed her to gain a new perspective on life, her body, as well as spirit. She was hell-bent on winning, and she was not ashamed. During the 2005 Grammys, the singer said that she survived cancer, and she was proud to have done it fearlessly.

15 – Giuliana Rancic

2011 was a rough year for E! News co-anchor, Giuliana Rancic. She was 36 years old then, and she discovered that breast cancer was after her life. Her family, friends, and fans encouraged her to remain strong throughout her treatment journey.

She achieved full recovery after a double vasectomy. She revealed that she honors all women who have fought breast cancer. The mother of one also encourages people to get regular breast checkups.

16 – Ernie Green

The former Cleveland Browns football fullback was diagnosed in 2005. During the same year, he underwent a mastectomy and eight chemotherapy sessions until March 2006. Two of his elder sisters also had the disease, but one of them succumbed to it.

Green is a breast cancer activist. He educates men about the illness because he hopes to dispel the myth that it only attacks women.

17 – Julia Louis-Dreyfus

A day after receiving a Primetime Emmy Award for her acting prowess in comedy series Veep, Louis-Dreyfus was diagnosed. She wasn’t ashamed or afraid to fight. She announced it on her Twitter page on September 28, 2017.

With a robust support system of family and friends, as well as three rounds of chemotherapy, she was cancer-free. She acknowledged that not all women are lucky enough to survive. The producer and actress now advocates for affordable healthcare for all.

Final Thoughts: Celebrities Put a “Face” on Breast Cancer

The world has heard tales of fearless people who fought breast cancer. These are only some of the celebrities who have survived the disease. Theirs are stories of how even the worst things in life can be defeated. As Hoda Kotb said, “life after cancer is a lot better than before.”

6 Signs A Woman Is Using You

October 2, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Narcissists aren’t the only ones who show textbook signs of narcissism. Some of us self-described “normal” folk are just as guilty. Each day you likely pass by a woman or man who engages in this behavior.

The lengths that some people go to to get what they want are truly extraordinary. Some cheat and fight for a better job, more money, and nice stuff. Others manipulate and coerce people to get what they want.

Of course, this manipulation often occurs in romantic relationships. In the typical case, males will use females for sex and power, and women will use the male for attention, gifts, and security. However, the typical case doesn’t shed any light on the complex psychological factors that enable – even empower – such behavior.

The number of men that use women (and vice-versa) is likely quite comparable. There is no evidence to suggest that one gender uses the other more or less often. The same applies to same-sex relationships.

In this article, we will focus on when a woman is the “user.”

So why does a woman decide to use someone in the context of a relationship?

We’ll attempt to answer this question using psychological research and first-hand accounts. We’ll also talk about how these psychological underpinnings manifest into observable actions by discussing six signs that a woman may be using you.

Let’s get to it!

The Psychology of Manipulation

Dr. George Simon is one of the world’s foremost experts on the psychology of manipulation. Simon’s testimony of just how he came to specialize in this field is quite telling of the effects of manipulation.

According to Simon, he frequently counseled people suffering from gaslighting syndrome, though that name did not know it at the time.

Gaslighting syndrome (or simply ‘gaslighting’) is a form of psychological abuse that causes one to “doubt her or himself, and ultimately lose her or his own sense of perception, identity, and self worth.”

At first, Simon didn’t know the root cause of the perplexed, depressed, traumatized mind state affecting many of his patients. “They felt crazy, but they couldn’t pinpoint why,” says Dr. Simon, “However there was always someone in their life which they just knew at some gut level there was something wrong with … And that made them confused, angry, depressed, and feeling pretty crazy.”

Okay, so we know of the psychological effects of manipulation, but what about its causes? Of course, we must peek inside a chronic manipulator’s mind to find some semblance of an answer.

According to Simon, covert aggression lies at the heart of manipulation. Manipulative people are very adept at initiating subtle, if not undetectable, conflict.

Covert aggression is not to be confused with passive aggression. Passive aggression, as the name implies, involves using passive emotions to resist harmony. Examples of passive-aggressive behavior include the “silent treatment,” deliberate sullenness, putting, whining, and intentionally “forgetting” with the intent of inflicting emotional harm.

Covert-aggression, meanwhile, is not passive but active. Covert aggressives use calculated, deliberate, underhanded tactics to achieve their aim. Meanwhile, a gifted, covert-aggressive person finely veils their intentions to go unnoticed.

More about how to detect and overcome covert-aggressive actions later. Let’s get to the main topic: six signs that a woman uses you.

6 Signs a Woman Is Using You

Watch for these signs of a user:

1 – She lets you know (seriously)

This first sign of outright manipulation is ironic. The actions implicating the person are astoundingly obvious, yet are somehow effective.

A recent dating show participant made some ridiculously audacious statements. Here were some of the flummoxing utterances from this conniver:

“I’d like for the person I’m dating to let me travel the world.”
“I would d like for him to know how to cook because I don’t.”
“I’d like to be supported and taken care of, so I don’t have to work.”

Then there’s this gem. When asked about traveling the world with her husband, she said, “Okay, but it’s fine if he has to work. I can just go by myself.”

What did the poor sap who had to live through this ridiculous interchange do? Absolutely nothing! In fact, he agreed to go out with her!

We can only speculate about the man’s motivations/outright lack of awareness. But this may very well be a scenario where a near-absence of attention, poor listening skills, or a combination of the above leads to a life of misery.

Active listening, men!

2 – She Always Has the Last Say

The second sign that a woman is using you is that she always has the final say. She cares little to nothing about what you want to do, where you want to go, or anything else. Before you can say, “It would be nice if just that once…” she is getting ready.

She got her way. Again.

This isn’t normal or healthy. Every genuine, wholesome romantic relationship is built on compromise. Both people should not only feel a need to forfeit decision-making authority to their partner occasionally but want to do so out of love and respect.

The fact that she is unwilling or unable to meet you halfway on anything indicates that she is using you.

3 – She Pays Little Attention To You

While it is true that each person shows affection differently, showing little interest or care towards your partner isn’t a good sign.

Think about it. We’re away at work or handling this or that responsibility most of our lives. The little free time that we do have is precious. As such, how a person spends their free time is quite telling of what they ultimately value.

If your lady seems to spend more time doing just about anything else than paying attention to you.

4 – People Clue You In

Expert manipulators are incredibly subtle and selective in their tactics. As you are her target, she will do anything she can to draw and hold that veil over your eyes.

Of course, she can’t do this with everybody all the time. Unless she’s a textbook narcissist (which is certainly a possibility!)

Instead, what usually happens is that the ice queen drops her guard around other people. For those she isn’t interested in getting anything out of, she may just bear it all. Or maybe she won’t. Either way, if multiple people are coming to you only to voice their concerns, there’s likely something you’ve overlooked.

5 – She Doesn’t Value Your Time

Another possible sign a woman uses you is if she doesn’t value your time. Maybe she shows up late, cancels plans, or always insists that you cater to her schedule. Regardless, not valuing someone’s time is, at best a sign of disrespect and at worst, a display of contempt.

A woman who doesn’t value your time isn’t worth the trouble. And she may just be using you.

6 – She Sends Mixed Signals

We’re all familiar with how it feels to receive mixed signals from someone. It doesn’t feel good. Especially when you’re falling for someone, and they refuse to acknowledge or contemplate the future of your relationship.

It’s never okay to demonstrate your love and affection for someone only to shun any dialogue about commitment. Worse still is being open to future possibilities one day while practicing escapism the next.

Whether or not she is using you is almost beside the point at the stage. As this behavior is an outright display of emotional immaturity, it’s probably best to move on.

Final Thoughts: Listen To Your Instincts

“Learning how to recognize an aggressive move when somebody makes one and learning how to handle oneself in any of life’s many battles has turned out to be the most empowering experience for the manipulation victims with whom I’ve worked.”

~ George K. Simon, Jr., Ph.D. (Simon, 2010)

This Final Thoughts section is above detecting and overcoming covert-aggressive behavior in any social setting and in any kind of relationship, romantic or otherwise, by paying attention to your instincts.

Let’s go back to what Dr. Simon says about victims of manipulation feeling “at some gut level there was something wrong with” a person who they reveal was driving them near-crazy. In many scenarios where manipulation is present, the victim admits to having a gut sense that something is wrong.

It is, therefore, vital that we not discard our instincts about a person.

Unfortunately, guilt often arises when we call to question someone else’s motives. This is especially true if the potential manipulator is someone we care for.

It is possible to think objectively about gut feelings that arise. Set aside your feelings and ask a few simple questions like:

Would I ever treat someone that I love this way?
Do I feel genuinely cared for?
How do they react when I’m honest with my thoughts and feelings?

When answering these questions, listen not only to your mind but also to your heart. They will lead you to the truth.

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