I do not have a video, but i can tell you this… For the middle, working class women, most of them are living very comfortable.  When the women and their husbands go to work , they leave their children with a house girl (nanny), and  a personal chauffer may be used at times to drop them off at work and pick them up.

Like Phillipina had commented on my previous post Life is not what you see on TV  most families do have plenty of help compared to what an average family here is stuck doing on their own. You have someone to cook and clean, take care of the lawn, and do grocery shopping for you.

I grew up with 3  live in help. We had someone to take care of the livestock, someone to cook, clean, and  someone who would take workers to the farm.

I was watching on Oprah.com this video about how women lived in Dubai, and it really brought back memories of home- Tanzania, Africa. Most family live close to each other, especially in their home towns. Home for  most family  members would be just down the street, or on the back yard, and just like the woman described in the video Meal times were family times. Everyone can drop in anytime and join in for dinner or lunch.  I find myself doing same thing here, when i have friends over, i cook plenty – a buffet style, all you can eat, and if a friend happen to  just show up and i have no meal prepared yet , i would get in the kitchen and fix them something to eat. I mean this is how women were raised in Africa. You learn from a young age how to cook and care for guests.

Here’ s that Video on Oprah..http://www.oprah.com/media/20091021-tows-dubai

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I remember growing up watching soap operas on TV and see how the characters would be all glammed up, driving nice cars, living in nice houses and i would think to myself, wow life in USA is great.  Well, there are people here who live that life of luxury, but just like in any other part of the world, it is just a percentage of  the general population that live that good.

Now, for many foreigners in this country, you know trying to explain to people at home that you have your daily struggles here they may not understand. Some would accuse you of having forgotten where you came from, or that you have changed, or some you just don’t want to help the people you left behind anymore. It is hard making  some friends and family understand that here the average family end up living paycheck to paycheck. You spend almost everything you earned on bills,  school, or other essentials to survive, and when you do save it is only a small fraction of what you earn.

On the other hand, there are people that are in the developing countries like for example African countries that are filthy rich. Some parts of Africa too are very developed, most people spend cash  and not live on credit, they own their homes, cars etc, but what is shown on TV here  are the areas that are NOT quite developed. They show the wild, dry, famine-stricken places, but this is not all there is of Africa.  There are  several young entrepreneurs there, educated youth, and  growth in foreign  business investments.  People with mansions of their own, and just doing really great.

So the next time you see a tourist in your African road, don’t just assume they are filthy rich,  and when you do hear your neighbor is from Africa, don’t just assume they lived under a tree or beat up mud house either. For the families left behind by loved ones, realize that living abroad is not as easy as what you watch on Tv, people do work hard, or even harder to keep up with the expenses, so be patient with each other.

Really, one doesn’t need to compare Africa and USA to realize life is not a reality Tv show,  i guess  once put into words it is what it is, heck – just look out your window, you  will see what it truly is.

Good night.

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We as a people were put on this earth for a purpose. I believe Joel Osteen was really sent here to remind  us all of how good God is, and all the answers we search for, all our fears, and when really need it, he reminds us, to always reach out to God as he is able.

Today’s message touched our family big time. Joel thank you, for your work, may God give you the strength and wisdom to keep on comforting us and shining hope in our lives. Amen.

“David said in Psalm 109, “They will curse me, but God, You will bless me.” You may have had a lot of negative things in your past, but your past or even your heredity cannot stop you from God’s destiny because God’s blessing and calling over-rides any curse. You may not be able to choose where you were born or how you were raised, but you can choose to walk in God’s blessing and fulfill your God-given purpose. When you understand God’s blessing over-rides any curse, then you will press forward with a holy determination knowing with full confidence that you will see God’s plan for your life unfold.”

for more go to http://www.joelosteen.com

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I saw this on yahoo health, Lucy thanks for the info!

Almonds These yummy nuts are high in alpha-linolenic acid, which can accelerate your metabolism of fats. In fact, dieters who ate 3 ounces of almonds daily slashed their weight and body-mass index by 18 percent, while those who skipped the nuts reduced both numbers less— just 11 percent—a study in the International Journal of Obesity revealed. Chomp almonds à la carte (limit yourself to 12 per serving to keep calories in check). I get a pack at Starbucks and nibble throughout my day. Or sprinkle them into a recipe such as Black Bean–Almond Pesto Chicken. Go nuts!

Berries I tell my daughter, “These are nature’s candy!” Turns out they’re also your body’s best friends. Strawberries, raspberries and other vitamin C–spiked fruit can supercharge your workout, helping you burn up to 30 percent more fat, research from Arizona State University at Mesa has found. If they’re not in season, buy the little gems frozen in a bulk-sized bag so you’ll always have them on hand to whip up a Berry Bliss Smoothie or Strawberry-Sunflower Pops,  regardless of whether berries are in season.

Cinnamon Adding 1/4 teaspoon to your plate may prevent an insulin spike—an uptick that tells your body to store fat. Sprinkle it on your morning cereal or coffee or on your yogurt in the A.M., or savor it in Apple-Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal.

Mustard It’s heaven on a soft pretzel, but mustard may also be a weight loss wonder. Turmeric, the spice that gives mustard its color, may slow the growth of fat tissues, a study in the journal Endocrinology finds. Use it on sandwiches instead of mayo, or sprinkle turmeric on cauliflower pre-roasting to give it a kick. Try it on tuna salad—I promise it adds zest.

Oranges This citrus fruit, which contains fat-blasting compounds known as flavones, deserves to be your main squeeze. Women who ate the most flavones had a much lower increase in body fat over a 14-year period, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition notes. Eat oranges sliced or swig fresh OJ (including pulp!) to get the best benefit from the fruit.

Soybeans Reason to toss a half cup on your salad? Soybeans are rich in choline, a compound that blocks the absorption of fat and breaks down fatty deposits. Oh, and they’re addictively delish! But if breast cancer runs in your family, experts suggest you should talk to your doc before adding soy to your diet.

Sweet potatoes The colorful spuds’ high-fiber content means they keep your insulin steadier than their white sisters, which means less fat packed on your hips, research finds. Top a small baked tater with lowfat cottage cheese for a tempting side dish, or whip up Miso Soup With Sweet Potato Dumplings.

Swiss cheese Calcium-rich foods reduce fat-producing enzymes and increase fat breakdown, and Swiss has more calcium than many of its cheesy peers. Choose the reduced-fat variety, such as Sargento. Slip it into your sandwich, put it on top of high-fiber crackers or use it for a healthier grilled cheese. Yum!

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