Alma Jones

If you are wondering how to use graphs effectively in slide shows, papers, and other presentations, you have to ask yourself, “What message do I want to give my readers?” However, that is only the tip of the iceberg. Making a presentation both professional and effective means knowing the basic tenets of making graphs.

• A graph should be used only to make a certain point. For instance, if you want to show how revenues have increased by 300 percent, or if you want to show how more than 75 percent of people answered yes in a survey, then graphs can serve as visual props. However, do not use graphs excessively; use them only if you want to make sure that your audience will remember an important statistic or idea.

• Your graph should always have a caption. Captions prepare your readers as to what they information they are about to process.
• Make sure that sources are properly attributed. This gives your graph authority, making it a reliable visual aid.
• Graphs should be easy to understand. If a graph takes too much effort to digest, then it is not doing its job – and you are better off deleting it from your presentation. An effective graph should be self-explanatory, needing no added explanation from you. All you need to do during a presentation is give additional details to help give the graph more meat.
• Your graph should follow equal spacing. If the space from 20 to 30 is twice as big as the space between 30 and 40, then your graph will be very confusing. The spaces between indicators in an axis should be proportionate to the values they represent.

It’s easy to use graphs effectively. Learn about the different types of graphs (pie charts, line graphs, etc.) and what they are best used for here.

What are the different types of graphs? What kind of graph do you use? How do you present data using graphs and tables? These questions may seem tough to answer, which is why I have come up with several pointers for you on how you can use different types of graphs effectively.

Below are the different types of graphs and when you should use them.

Simple line graph. A simple line graph is very effective in depicting changes in data over a certain period of time.

Comparative line graph. This kind of graph, as its name implies, helps compare different values over a certain period of time. For instance, comparing the salary increase of four companies in the past ten years can be shown effectively through a comparative line graph.

Bar Graph. A bar graph has more versatility in showing comparisons. You can group data together and compare groups of data, instead of comparing data one at a time.

The bars in a graph can be shown either horizontally or vertically. If the text you have to use to describe the bars seem to take up too much space, horizontal bars will help solve the problem.

Pie charts. Also known as pie graphs, these help your readers visualize percentages.

Now that you are familiar with the different types of graphs and what they best portray, visit back in a few days for more information on how to use different types of graphs to make your presentation more effective and professional.

If you want to know how to write, ask yourself one important question: who is your audience? Different types of readers will look for different types of appeal. Be a more effective writer by learning about the three types of appeal to the audience and readers.

Ethical appeal refers to your article’s capacity to observe certain ethical norms. For instance, if you want to tackle sensitive topics such as abortion, present your case in a thoughtful manner. Never be pushy as a writer if you want to appeal ethically to your readers. Establish your reliability by stating a full disclosure. If you are a blogger and you have been paid to provide a positive review of a product, always disclose the fact and your blog posts will have ethical appeal.

Rational appeal refers to your article’s capacity to attract readers based on the evidence it presents. If you want to know how to use rational appeal as a writer, always state your sources, draw logical conclusions instead of simply pointing out opinions, and be objective at all costs.

Emotional appeal refers to your article’s capacity to evoke emotion. If your article is a sob story, it is most likely to have emotional appeal over any of the the other types of audience appeal. This is frequently used on television and in advertising.

Learning how to write means learning about your audience and the different types of audience appeal. Learn to use all three and you will soon write engaging articles!

How many times have you stared blankly at your computer screen or at your paper, wondering how to start writing an article without popping a vein? Writing sometimes gets even the best of us. It can be quite difficult to put all your ideas on paper, no matter how good they seemed swimming in your head a few minutes ago. If you want to know how to start writing an article, you came to the write place. Take a deep breath, empty your mind of distractions, and pay close attention as we dissect the problem.

To know how to start writing an article, you have to understand a few concepts:

Writing is not simply jotting down words on paper; it entails so much more. To write an article on a certain topic, you need to know what sub-topics you want to tackle, who your audience is, what your sources will be, and what the flow of ideas will lead to.

Writing requires both creativity and logic. That means you need to have a concrete idea – and then you need to put it into words in a way that will appeal to your target audience. Without either, you will be hard-pressed to come up with a well-written article.

Writing requires exercise. The brain is like a muscle that you need to flex regularly for it to work efficiently. This is why a lot of people find themselves stumped when they need to write an article: it’s probably something they don’t really do everyday. If you want to write an article, practice everyday! One way to do that is to start a blog.

Writing is making order out of the mess in your head. If you want to know how to start writing an article, find a way to organize your thoughts. Jot down principal ideas, rearrange them, and use bullets. Make a flowchart of your ideas – that should condition your brain and guide you as to how to start writing an article.

Writing requires technical skill. No matter how good you are at telling a story, you won’t be able to write a good article if you don’t know how to use punctuation marks and observe verb tenses. Brush up on your grammar by reading books of your favorite genre. After all, a good writer is also a good reader.

For more tips on how to start writing an article, check back soon!

I’ve been working for many clients and employers in the past three years. One thing I’ve learned is that some people will do whatever it takes to get out of paying writers. So, if you’ve encountered clients or employers looking for writers for hire but end up being scammers or fake employers, include their contact information here. Let’s make the most of the Internet; let’s get the word out there about these scam employers for writers and bloggers for hire!

Below is a short list of scam artists who target bloggers and writers. Writers, beware of these scammers!

anitaturner77@yahoo.com – goes by the name of Anita Turner-Sifford or Anita Turner. She seemed like a legit employer because her oDesk feedback revealed about 27 good feedbacks. However, after two months, her oDesk account got suspended because oDesk is investigating her. She stopped responding to emails and also stopped giving payments. Yes, Anita Turner-Sifford eventually became a scammer.

gajendersingh2000@rediffmail.com – goes by the name of Gajender Singh. Gajender Singh has an account at freelancer.com. His m.o. involves asking for samples and running as soon as he has those samples. Apparently, those samples are exactly the articles he needs.

Let’s make this short list longer! Writers, leave comments on how you’ve been scammed or suckered out of your money. Let other writers know about these scam artists!

If you’re wondering how to monetize your blog, you’re not alone. I’ve been trying to do exactly that for the past few years, and lately, I’ve been using an blog advertising agency to monetize my blog. I’m relatively new, which is why I’ve had three offers so far. But three offers is not bad at all! Which is why I want to share one of the sources of my blog monetization:

Through this link, you can register your blog, say how much you want each sponsored blog post will be, and choose your advertisers according to your own criteria: http://izea.in/rubs.

The website interface is user-friendly, allowing me to schedule and approve paid posts with ease. In terms of payment, my account gets the amount 30 days after the blog post has been put up. The payment then becomes eligible for transfer to my PayPal account.

For more tips on how to monetize your blog, check back soon!

I am so busy that I can’t even sleep on time anymore. I sleep at five in the  morning and wake up before lunch time. I always feel, well, tired and sleepy.

Which brings me to my point: I am looking for writers for hire. Anyone who wants to earn an extra buck can start working for me.

I just hope I find enough writers to cover for all the tasks I have to do. Seriously, there’s just too much on my plate.

In other words, I have to start sharing my blessings! If you want to earn as a writer and need a writing stint, please drop me a message by commenting on this post. Or you may contact me here.

Good luck, to you and to my tired, weary hands! I wish I can have just one day with my hands not clicking away at my computer. And if you can write, please help out poor, tired me, because I will pay you!

Here’s my most recent musc album review for Fensepost. It’s about Ty Segall and his most recent album, Goodbye Bread.

Hope you enjoy the article! And if you need a blogger or a writer for hire, drop me a message and I’ll see what I can do.

Anyway, here’s the writeup for Ty Segall’s Goodbye Bread. Happy reading!

Holly’s Coffee is now in the Philippines! As they say, it’s all about location – and Holly’s Coffee in the Philippines hit jackpot when they set up camp beside De La Salle University in One Archer’s Place, Taft Avenue.

Holly’s Coffee is a new coffee shop franchise, founded in Korea. They boast of a romantic space, with cozy cushioned chairs and tables. They offer the usual coffee options such as caffe americano, cappuccino, and many others, whether on ice or served hot. However, they also offer a few Korean-inspired drinks, such as the Yuza Tea and the Sweet Potato Hollyccino.

Their food options include pastries, cakes, and sandwiches. One of their bestsellers is the Croque Monsieur, a ham and cheese sandwich, which I ordered.

The sandwich was prepared beautifully and sprinkled with herbs. It tasted sweet, but perhaps I have yet to learn to love Korean food. After all, grilled ham and cheese sandwiches were my favorite, but this one did not particularly capture my fancy. Maybe I should try their other sandwiches and find the right match for my taste buds.

Their coffee tastes great, which came as a relief. I was already falling in love with the store’s interiors, so I wanted their food to be something I wanted to come back for. Although the sandwich disappointed me, I am sure I shall find the menu option that would serve as the clincher for me.

Service was okay, especially with their beeping UFO gadgets. These gadgets beep and light up when your order is ready, making it convenient for customers to claim their orders.

I was hoping to get a free mug as promoted on their Facebook page, and I did! The mug is worth PhP220, being offered for free for the first 1000 customers. However, I’m one of the last lucky customers because they have run out of the mugs.

I am also waiting for the store to install their free WiFi. It’s going to be one of the things that coffee shop goers will be looking forward to, I’m sure. The store is laptop-friendly, with outlets available for those who decide to bring in their Macs and netbooks while sipping coffee.

Holly’s Coffee also has a second floor, offering more seats for customers. Sure enough, this new Korean coffee shop is going to be a hit. Holly’s Coffee in Manila should make it to the list of coffee shops to go to – it sure made it in mine.

In the previous post, I have discussed a few tips on how to lose weight for good, like eating breakfast. (Read the rest of the tips on how to lose weight.) Below are more tips on how to lose weight for good.

• When buying groceries, buy healthy options that you love. Buy fruits, vegetables, lean meat. Skip instant noodles and junk food. If you have to, just buy a bag or two. Don’t stock up on unhealthy food. Out of sight, out of mind.

• Do not be afraid of fatty food. Just because something has fat doesn’t mean you must avoid it. Fat makes you feel full as it helps keep hunger pangs at bay. Remember that “fat won’t make you fat” as long as you take it in moderation.

• Remember that extra protein & carbohydrates will also be stored as fat in the body. A lot of people eat too much protein, thinking it’s not going to be converted to body fat. A biochemistry book will show you that ANY source of calories will be converted to body fat if it is not needed by the body.

• Dissociate eating from all other activities. Do you love eating in front of the TV? Don’t. Learn to enjoy your food. Sip slowly... does it taste good? Savor the food... does it melt nicely in your mouth? Eating is a joy in itself. The more you focus on food alone and nothing else, the more you feel satisfied. You will no longer keep wishing for more.

• Skip the softdrinks or iced tea. A can of soda can give you as much as 150 calories – or up to 3 cups of vegetables! If you can’t do without, get the diet variety as they have zero calories.

• Learn how to read nutrition information. Yep, you find them in almost all food packaging. Don’t just look for the calories… the calories indicated there are those for one serving only. For example, the nutrition information in a medium-sized bag of chips shows 170 calories per serving. But that bag has more than 3 servings, so it packs up to 510 calories all in all!

Lastly, if all else fails, ask a doctor to help you. There are so many things outside of surgery that a doctor can offer you. Being overweight is now considered a medical condition; physicians can therefore come up with a treatment plan tailored especially for you.

Being overweight is not simply a problem about looks; it’s also a problem about health. Everyday, millions of people suffer from heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes, all of which are related to being overweight. Just being ten pounds overweight can greatly increase your risk for all the above diseases.

Stroke and heart disease used to be a disease of the old; now, because of the increasing incidence of obesity, more and more young adults have these conditions.

We should fight weight problems. I hear of stories about how other overweight people do not want to lose weight because they “love themselves.” Unfortunately, they are missing the point: it’s not about how they look; it’s about how they are risking their health.

The calculation of BMI and determination of weight problems were not established to provide a compass for outer beauty; they were instituted because beyond a certain range, the risk for heart disease or diabetes or stroke rises steeply.

Aside from weight, waistlines have also been in the limelight. Again, this is not because big waistlines are not pretty; it’s because studies have shown that abdominal girth, more than arm or thigh circumference, is significantly related to your risk for stroke or heart attack. This means that having a big gut will have a greater impact on your health than having big thighs.

In the spirit of fighting obesity, here are more tips to help you in your weight management scheme:

• Download a food exchange list. Study it. Study it like you’re preparing for an exam, because if you pass the test, you lose the weight. Knowing how many calories are in one teaspoon of oil, or remembering how many calories are in one slice of pork, is going to help you lose weight. Hey, it’s worth the effort. You did it to pass highschool; why not do it to get that weight you’ve always wanted?

• Stay away from fast food. Although fast food chains are now showing us healthier choices, the truth is, most of what you’ll want to eat from them are the unhealthy ones. So what if they serve a salad if you’ll still order a double cheeseburger with large fries?

• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables have a lot of fiber, which give bulk to food without packing in calories. In other words, it may look like you’ve eaten a lot, but you’ve only consumed a few calories. A cup of rice can have the same calories as 5 cups of greens! A cup of vegetables has around 50 calories.

• Learn how to cook. Home-cooked food can be a lot healthier than takeout food. You are in control; you know how much oil is in that bowl of soup; you know when to scrimp on mayonnaise or when to give it more. You also get to cook more vegetables in a healthy way, because takeout vegetables are usually stir-fried for convenience.

Click here to know what to buy from the groceries and to read more tips.

Marylin Monroe struck gold; she wasn’t reed-thin but she caused quite a commotion because of her figure. Sadly, nowadays, being curvy doesn’t seem to be as much of a hit. Very few people are happy about their bodies and the pounds of fat that come as “age baggage.”

To cater to weight issues, a lot of diets have sprouted like mushrooms, some of which have been the cause of serious complications like hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis.

There is no short-cut to a great figure. Crash diets are exactly what they claim to be; you crash after you diet. Right after you shed the extra pounds, you resume your bad habits and ignore the guilt as you reach for another bag of potato chips. This brings us to the all-important question: which diet is the best?

To help you make your own diet plan, here are a few tips. As they are based on studies, not fads, they will help you lose weight effectively without putting your health at risk:

• Eat breakfast. The satiety center, that part in the brain that tells you you’ve had quite enough, responds well to a big breakfast. Despite packing in a lot of calories, a big breakfast makes you eat less the entire day because you won't crave as much. With a protein-packed breakfast, you snack less and eat smaller portions the rest of the day. Studies have shown that once you make this a habit, you lose the weight – and it stays off.

• Find a realistic diet, one you can stick to for life. Crash diets do help you lose weight. But you will regain what pounds you’ve lost, and perhaps even more, once the crash diet ends. Your diet should be capable of sustaining you, not sending you down the road of low blood sugar. Read: it should be a well-balanced diet. Now, there is an undeniably wise tidbit of weight loss.

• Stay on a diet that does not deprive you of what you want. Life is all about happiness. Who cares if you’re slim if you don’t get the pleasure of having a piece of white chocolate melt in your mouth? A good diet should teach you to eat a balanced diet, with allowances for sweets and what-have-you.

• Portions, portions, portions. Yes, a successful diet allows everything – but in moderation. Don’t hesitate to head for the buffet with the sinfully greasy pork rinds but just get a slice or two. It will satisfy your craving without having your caloric intake go overboard.

• Learn to count your calories. Sure, this may take a little effort. Although using neurons everytime you eat your meals may seem unappetizing, remember that you will lose weight when you "think before you eat." Besides, once you get the hang of calorie-counting, you can tailor your diet based on whatever is on the table and you won’t need actual recipe-like diet prescriptions. You get to eat anything. And I mean anything.

• Do not forget your vitamins and minerals. It’s not just about having everything that’s low-fat or low-calorie or sugar-free; it’s also about getting enough vitamins and minerals. Once you get vitamin or mineral deficiencies, you tend to suffer from cravings which may be hard to curb. Having a diet that’s rich in magnesium helps you stay away from chocolate cravings. Enough chromium helps you say no to dessert desires. Lastly, adequate iron helps put a stop to burger fever.

People are genetically equipped to survive droughts and famines; thus, it is rather easy for us to gain weight and slow our metabolism. It is vital for smart & savvy people like you to learn to keep our weights and appetites in check. Thanks to science and research, these tips can help everyone lose the extra pounds the fun and healthy way – and you will lose them for good.

From the previous jump, the definition of important words, such as non-comedogenic and Isobacter Technology, were laid down. (Read the definitions HERE. ) Now, let’s see what L’Oreal Pure Zone Deep Purifying Gel really does for your skin:

• This is a product that works in oil control. And I mean it really works. Just make sure you use an oil-free non-comedogenic moisturizer after you use this L’Oreal wash.
• Since it reduces oil production, it may help in acne control. Remember, oil production is just one factor that may bring about pimples.
• This is not for people with dry skin. This product is so effective in oil control that people with normal or dry skin may end up looking like they belong in a desert.
• You must not leave this product on your skin for a long time. Ten to fifteen seconds is alright, but it may start to sting if you leave it on longer.
• Depending on how oily your skin is, you may use this once in the morning or twice a day (once in the morning, then again before going to bed). Do not overwash your face. Again, overdrying your skin may trigger your skin to produce even more oil.
• Make sure you rinse off this product thouroughly. If you get an afterfeel that makes you think there is still some product left on your skin, then rinse some more.

To sum up, here is my evaluation:

• Oil Control: 5/5
• Acne control: 4/5
• Hypoallergenicity: 0/5
• Honesty in advertisement: 5/5
• Ease of rinsing: 3/5
• Available research: 3/5 (no recent researches not being funded by the company)
• Overall satisfaction: 4/5

I hope this article helps you the next time you go shopping for a facial cleanser and find L’Oreal Pure Zone Deep Purifying Gel. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them!

Question: Does the L’Oreal Pure Zone Deep Purifying Gel really work?

Dr. Alma Jones says: Consumer life is riddled with questions and uncertainties. You might have once asked yourself, “Which anti-aging cream is better?” or perhaps “Which diet will work wonders for me?” And the misleading advertisements, meant to sucker you into buying their products, are no help.

I then made it a small personal mission to use what I have learned in my practice as a physician to help consumers choose wisely.

Recently, I have been studying the research done by L’Oreal. I have also personally been using the products. I have ventured into Neutrogena and Ponds as well.

L’Oreal Pure Zone Deep Purifying Gel comes from L’Oreal’s Pure Zone line, which is supposed to target acne and oil control. The Deep Purifying Gel is a facial wash which comes in a clear gel form. It does not lather much, but this does not mean it isn’t a good wash. (Do not make the habit of judging facial washes based on the amount of lather.)

To give you a lowdown on what L’Oreal Deep Purifying Gel claims to do, here are a few noteworthy points on the bottle:

• Isobacter Technology (Antibacterial action: salicylic acid)
• Deeply cleanses pores
• Purifying action
• 82% purer skin
• Tolerance dermatologically tested
• Non-comedogenic

What do these things mean?

1. Isobacter technology
   
   Loreal capitalizes on salicylic acid to give consumers better skin. Salicylic acid has known antibacterial properties.
2. Deeply cleanses pores
   
   This is their claim on the product. According to their own research (which, of course, I won’t be able to verify unless I launch my very own study series), this product deeply cleans pores. Remember that all research work done by this company is of course funded by the company itself, as is the case with most researches done for beauty products. Eventually, it will be up to us consumers to gauge the truth in these claims.
3. Purifying action
   
   Simply put, this product is supposed to give you a purer looking skin: less blemishes, less acne. I have used the product for over two years now and I have noted less breakouts. It is important for me to mention that I am also concurrently using topical prescription drugs to counter acne.
   I will give L’Oreal credit, though, because this product is really effective in reducing sebum production. The face is really noted to have less oil production during the entire day. With regular use, oil production is greatly reduced. Of course, I follow up with moisturizers (if you have overly dry skin, your body compensates by producing even more oil, so do NOT skimp out on moisturizing because it actually helps combat oiliness!) which I have chosen specifically for breakout-prone skin. (In a separate post, I will be divulging moisturizer secrets, especially for those with oily and acne-prone skin).
4. 82% purer skin
   
   This is according to their own (company-funded) research. A good research or study follows certain criteria: it should be placebo-controlled (a certain number of participants use a placebo, or a product with absolutely no effect), double blinded (both the participants and the study crew should be “blind”, or unaware, of which product is being used by whom), etc. I believe that their study is not double blinded, nor is it provided with a control or placebo group.
   The consequences of not having double-blinded or placebo-controlled studies is that since the participants know that they are using a product that’s supposed to make their skin look better, this knowledge may have a psychological impact. They may become biased and believe that their skin looks better, although there has been absolutely no improvement.
5. Tolerance dermatologically tested
   
   Nowhere in the bottle does it say that the product is hypoallergenic, and with good reason. There are people who are allergic to salicylic acid. There is a list of allergens that should NOT be included in a product for it to be labeled as hypoallergenic. Because this L’Oreal product has one of those allergens, it made do with saying that most people can tolerate the product.
6. Non-comedogenic
   Ah, yes, this is the winning claim. Any product you apply on your skin, if you are prone to breakouts or acne, must be non-comedogenic (meaning it does not cause pimples). Comedogenic products block pores, facilitating bacterial growth inside the pores. The result: pimples. This L’Oreal product is non-comedogenic, so it is ideal for those who have oily, acne-prone skin.

Okay, now that I’ve dissected what the product claims to do, I want to share what other things you should know about L’Oreal Purezone Deep Purifying Gel.

Read what L’Oreal Purezone Deep Purifying Gel can really do.

Almost all my patients have been asking me about specific beauty products, like L'Oreal, Elizabeth Arden, Ponds, and the like. It is rather tempting to buy one for yourself after all the ads you see in the magazine. So, in my future posts, I'll be discussing my personal evaluation of each particular brand and their commercial products.

I will tackle different dermatological issues for each product, including whether or not they are non-comedogenic (do not cause pimples), hypoallergenic, and worth your money. I do not recommend commercial products that I have not yet personally tried and tested, so my next few posts should be interesting, given that they are from the viewpoint of a doctor (and are unpaid reviews at that).

A lot of happy single people become an emotional mess once they get involved with someone else. Yes, relationships are hard; after all, it involves two people with different backgrounds, two people who, at one point or another, will have a difference in opinion. Given the unavoidable argument that is sure to come about one day, it is important for you to stay happy as yourself before you can be happy while in a relationship. Your happiness should not depend on your partner alone. Instead of trying to squeeze out happiness from your partner, why not bring in the happiness yourself?

Below are a few things you can do to stay happy (and keep your partner happy in the process):

• Get some alone-time. No guy wants a clingy, needy girlfriend. An independent woman who does not lose herself in a relationship is someone guys naturally like, arguably because it keeps the pressure off them. If you are happy only when you are together, it might make your partner feel tied down and suffocated. Keep doing the things you love doing. If you do something that makes you happy and your boyfriend finds out, it will make you even more intriguing in his eyes.
• Admit to yourself that you will not be able to control every single emotion. When your spouse or boyfriend blows you off for an important meeting, it’s of course natural for you to be upset. You try not to be, but you can’t help feeling bad about being second to his work. You feel even worse because even when you know he had no choice and you are still his number one priority, you seem to be irrationally demanding – again. Don’t sweat it; emotions are sometimes beyond your control. Don’t beat yourself up for feeling that way. After all, it’s not the emotions, but the actions that go with them, that you should always (or at least most of the time) keep under control.
• You can tell your partner everything – just don’t expect him to react the way your girlfriends do. Women have this unrealistic expectation that men should think like women. No, he will probably not provide the same kind of support your girlfriends do. He has his own way of expressing his love and concern. If you want him to react in a specific way, tell him – and he’ll be more than thankful that you are showing him how he can make you happy.

When you are having problems with your partner, it brings about a degree of unhappiness that seeps into all aspects of your life. You may no longer enjoy your work as much, you seem to be less effective doing household chores, and even your friends feel that something is definitely bothering you. It is a sad fact that no matter how you try to compartmentalize your life, your relationship with your chosen one will influence everything else. Making things more complicated by being clingy and needy will simply make things worse. Instead, let up on the pressure. Be happy even when he’s not acting like the ideal guy you’ve always expected him to be. He’s just human, after all.

Question: What kind of exercise is effective for losing weight in the hip area? (from Adrian of Manila, Philippines)

Dr. Alma Jones says: When you perform a certain type of exercise in hopes of shedding the extra fat in one specific area of your body, that is called spot reduction.

Unfortunately, spot reduction is a myth. Your body determines where it gets the energy during exercise; moving your abs does not guarantee that you will be burning abdominal fat. In much the same manner, no exercise will burn the fat found solely on your hips. It’s a global thing – fat from the rest of your body will also be used. It just depends on your genes as to which body fat gets utilized quicker.

If you want to lose the extra weight you’ve been seeing on your hips, you are going to have to lose weight the old fashioned way: by dieting and exercise. Sorry, there is no one-shot exercise that will make you lose the fat padding on your hips.

There are easy ways to make sure your exercise routine will help you effectively shed the extra pounds. I will be listing some surefire ways to maximize your time at the gym; I’ll be jotting down tips for you soon, so stay tuned for my next post!

Question: At what age should I start giving fish to my baby? I have an 11 month old daughter and I was wondering if it’s safe to feed her fish at her age. (from Louie of Quezon City, Philippines)

Dr. Alma Jones says: Fish is safe for kids - just make sure it is deboned and cooked. Because fish meat is soft, it is easily chewed & digested by kids, especially by your 11 month old baby.

Fish is ideally given at an earlier age, like at 6 to 8 months, when all other soft solids are being introduced. But no worries, it's not too late to serve fish to your child. Just make sure the fish is deboned and cooked.

Some parents hesitate to give fish and other seafood to their kids because allergies run in the family. This is why I tell parents that solid foods are given gradually, and one at a time, to make it easier to monitor for signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. This also makes it easy to pinpoint the culprit if an allergy does develop.

That said, don't exclude fish from the diet just because you fear your child may develop allergies; fish is a good source of essential fatty acids that help in the development of your child's brain.

I’m on Facebook as well, so please follow me there.

http://www.facebook.com/jones.alma

I sincerely hope there’s just a handful of “Alma Jones” on Facebook – I don’t want to be hard to search for! Anyhow, add me up and send me a message on FB. Let’s make each other’s Facebook walls more interesting, shall we?

I’m now on Twitter!

Okay, that’s a half-lie. I’ve been on Twitter for quite some time, but I haven’t actually tweeted in a long time, because:

1. I’ve been really busy.
2. I keep forgetting my Twitter password.
3. I’m just not up to it.
4. I feel like I’m talking to myself (and I’m not talking back to me).

But that’s the stuff you don’t need to know. But in case you’re still interested in hearing my half-crazy, half-sleep-deprived tweets, follow me on Twitter:

twitter.com/almajonesmd

I never knew I could make bird sounds. Tweet! ^_^

I’ve been trying to shop for a great timepieces the past few days, but what I’ve been seeing in the mall have been disappointing. I decided to look online and found these beautiful watches.

Versace watch

Boucheron watch

Chopard watch

Salvatore Ferragamo watch

Bulova watch

de Grisogono watches

Valentino watch

The above watches will probably cost you an arm and a leg, but hey, you still have one more arm to wear them on, yes? Investing in a great watch is something every fashion-forward lady should do. It’s something you can pass on to your daughters and granddaughters – and, in that case, your timepiece will become timeless.

Clutch bags are all the rave now, becoming the next “it” bag of the moment. Keep your shoulder bags for now and invest in a great clutch or two. You can opt for a soft, almost slouchy clutch, or perhaps go for the structured, stiff clutch bag. Well, you can always get both, for good measure.

Make sure your clutch has enough room for your stuff; us girls want bags that give justice to both form and function. Below are some of the clutch bags I’ve been eyeing.

Yves Saint Lauren clutch

Dsquared2 clutch

Alexander Wang clutch bag

Herve Leger leather clutch bag

Stella McCartney clutch

And my favorite clutch of all: Prada’s clutch. Looks like an envelope, feels like it can do so much more.

Get a hold of your favorite clutch bag now! It’s no longer just for a night out; even daywear is making space for the clutch bag.

I’ve been working really hard the past few days. I’ve almost forgotten that this is supposed to be something I love doing, instead of something that puts bread on the table. Yes, sometimes we forget the things that matter.

Anyhow, here’s one of the looks I’ve been working on. What do you think?

I’ve been trying to dress up a t-shirt and I’ve decided on wearing a white t-shirt with pants, pumps, vintage gold accessories, and an acid yellow bag. What do you think of the look?

I have been looking for quality blogs with a lot of inbound links for my current project. It’s related to SEO, something that I’ve grown very accustomed to. I’ve also been looking for writers to do the writing for me.

I never knew I’d actually be the one hiring writers, especially because I started out applying as a writer years ago.

In any case, if you own a blog or are interested in writing for me, don’t hesitate to leave a message. Remember to leave your contact information as well. That’s something you just have to love about the virtual world: everybody can be anybody. So, be the writer you want to be and contact me now! :)

Busy, as usual.

Of course, I’m not complaining. I love my work and I prefer being swamped with things to do than being bored.

If you want to make me even busier, I just might be able to accommodate you. If you have any writing projects for me, just let me know. Leave me a message through this COMMENT FORM.

This i something I’m currently working on. Writing about fashion keeps me from burning all out.