In life there are ups and downs. This applies to both personal affairs as well as the global economy.

Before an economic crisis happens, it is important to find a strategy to keep afloat and at the same time allowing you to find opportunities to exit the downturn better than when it started.

So no matter if it is a personal crisis or the next global economic depression, here are 4 tips that can help you.

1. Focus more on increasing your income and reduce your expenses

Reducing your expenses is great, but it could be limited if you are uncertain of what things you’d want to give up. While increasing your income has virtually no limit.

Looking for ways to pay less for the things you need is fine. But there comes a time when more effort may be required to reduce your expenses without drastically changing the way you live.

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Redirect your energy and resources on increasing your income. It’s easier if you can find work that you enjoy or start a side-business that requires little to no investment.

2. Accept responsibility for the situation

Mind you, I’m not saying that it’s necessarily your fault. But the only person who is responsible for getting ahead is yourself.

Graciously accept all the help you get, but do not rely on others. Do not expect the government, your friends, your boss or anyone else to take responsibility for you.

“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

3. Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating healthy foods may be a simple way to boost your spirits and can very well have a positive impact on your mood.

Medical researchers are studying the connection between nutritional choices and the effects on mood and mental health. According to Sherry L. Pagoto, PHD, professor at University of Massachusetts Medical School, “The link between emotions and eating is no myth.”

4. Do not to watch the news

If you are a regular consumer of news you’ve probably heard recently of something to worry about regarding the current economic situation, politics, disease or violence. The media is good about reporting bad-news; because it makes money. Very seldom do we see positive stories on the news.

The interesting thing about this is that when bad news happens, it spreads faster than good news.

News awareness won’t make you happier. In fact, today’s news channels are infinite sources of negativity. All this negativity can damage your emotional well-being and health.

Don’t worry about missing important news. We live in the information age and it highly likely that you’ll hear of news that is of concern.

Unplug from your electronic devices and spend time with family and friends. Or simply do something that makes you feel good.

Survival Gardens, better known as Victory Gardens, were necessary during World Wars I and II when many young farmers were called to serve during the war and as a result food production decreased globally. Citizens were asked by the government to supply for themselves in an effort to prevent food shortages and help keep food costs low for export to U.S. soldiers. Many American families learned the basics of sustainability in an effort to support their country.

Fast-forward 40 years and we reach the peak of consumerism and waste during the 1980’s; a time when convenience items and ”bigger is better” were staples in the typical American home. Gone were the days of getting your hands dirty and connecting with the earth.

Victory Garden

Tack on another 30 years and Americans are facing a new World War, only this one isn’t a foreign enemy with a face and a gun; it’s the economic crisis, global climate change, dwindling energy resources, failing health systems and unregulated food manufacturing.

Yet, through the bleak and darkness of this modern chaos; a ray of light has punched through, and it is growing quicker with each passing day. A movement by many American Preppers returning to the earth; blazing a trail to food sustainability and survival – the return of the Victory Garden.

Some families have taken it upon themselves to prep a Survival Garden; where at least 60% of the food and energy consumed is produced by the home and its family using sustainable resources. For other families, it is simply growing a few tomato or pepper plants on the back porch, maybe a few fresh herbs in the kitchen. All doing their part to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.

Whether in a home or in an apartment people are getting creative about supplementing their food budgets with better quality, home grown products, while at the same time reducing their carbon footprint, relieving stress, reducing their dependency on big business and factory farming and increasing their health.

How People Feel Before Quitting Their Job

People decide to quit their jobs for several reasons. Sometimes employees burn-out, get bored or frustrated with their work. Other times, there are personal reasons that require a career change. Also some employees feel that they are not appreciated for their contributions, or feel they have opportunities for growth.

Employees Do Not Feel Appreciated

If you do not feel appreciated in your current job, you may consider quitting. It can be challenging to give everything for a role and constantly feel that nobody sees or appreciates your work. Motivation can severely decline in this type of situation when an employee who otherwise would be good does not receive positive feedback from their supervisor or boss.

Lack of Recognition

The lack of recognition goes hand in hand with the lack of appreciation as to the reasons why people leave their jobs. If someone else takes credit for your work, a colleague receives a promotion based on your contributions, or your boss does not recognize the role you played on a project, it can make you feel devalued.

Poor Salary

If you do not feel you are being adequately compensated for your work, you can make you resign. This is especially true if you feel that there are significant wage discrepancies in your division, or you were skipped for a salary increase. A person who feels underpaid feels they add a significant value to the company, which can lead to resentment.

Personality Conflicts

While there will always be at least some minor personality conflicts at work, if you are continually dealing with someone you do not like, this may lead you to resign. Some people just treat us the wrong way, and if there is a way to reach a compromise or “agree to disagree”, small problems can accumulate over time. This is especially true if the person with whom you have the problem is your boss.

Poor Management

Mismanaged employees quit often because they feel professional management is lacking. If your boss does not train you properly or supports you in your job functions, it can be frustrating. People who feel they are adrift at work can become disenchanted with his or her post and quit.

There is No Possibility of Growth

If you get to the highest position you can get in a company, you may feel you have no other place to go professionally. This can make you feel that no challenges for you with your current employer. People who reach the top of their career ladder often give up and seek out new opportunities.

Limited Professional Development

Career professionals are always looking to improve their skills and learn new things. If your current employer does not offer professional development opportunities, you may feel “locked” from a point of view of professional enrichment. People who do not feel that their employers provide sufficient development opportunities can leave their jobs to look for opportunities elsewhere.

Lack of Challenges

If you think your job bland, you’re probably not feeling challenged. Static and monotonous positions often alienate people because there are new challenges for the taking. If you are someone who needs constant change, it can forced you to find professional opportunities elsewhere.

Boredom

Repetitive work can lead to boredom, which can lead to one business day feel endless. If you’re bored at work, you’re probably not performing with all your potential, which often means you’re not feeling happy. The need for emotions and new experiences can lead people to quit a job in favor of another.

Not Feeling Fulfilled

If you do not enjoy your job, your career will not make you feel fulfilled. Many people quit their jobs because they feel they are not making a significant contribution to their profession.

Why Black Rice was “Forbidden” to Poor Peasants

Black rice is a staple food of many cultures, especially in many parts of Asia. It was very popular and desired in ancient China, as it was attainable only by nobility and consumption was banned to the poor. “Forbidden Rice”, as it is also known today or as Emperor’s rice, was reserved for the Emperor in ancient China and used as a tribute food.

Black rice is widely used by chefs of world cuisine, especially in Asia, to adorn and decorate their dishes such as sushi, noodles, and desserts. Black rice has nutty aroma, it has a wrinkled texture and when cooked acquires a purple hue that makes it very attractive and simultaneously adds an extravagant touch.

In addition to its uses in the culinary arts, black rice has been discovered to have antioxidant properties which helps control blood cholesterol levels and fight heart disease – this, of course is what the nobles of Asia already knew.

The Health Benefits of Black Rice

Black rice has a rich-source of anthocyanin antioxidants (pigment color of many fruits and dark vegetables such as eggplant, beets, grapes and blueberries, a substance that helps fight against cancer, heart disease and a myriad of other human diseases.

According to Zhimin Xu, Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center: “Just a spoonful of black rice bran contains more health promoting anthocyanin antioxidants than are found in a spoonful of blueberries, but with less sugar and more fiber and vitamin E antioxidants.”

Nutritional Value of Rice Black. It Contains:
Protein
Carbohydrates
Vitamins B and E
Minerals include: Calcium, Selenium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Copper

How to Cook Forbidden Rice

1.) Take two cups of black rice in a colander and rinse with cold water. Then pour the black rice to a medium saucepan and cover with cold water and let soak overnight.

2.) Drain the water and add four and half cups of water and a teaspoon of salt.

3.) Bring the rice to a boil over high heat. Cover the pan with a fitted lid and reduce to a simmer.

4.) Simmer for 20 minutes and then check the texture. It should be soft but consistent. If the rice is too hard, cover with lid cook 5 to 10 minutes until soft.

5.) Stir the rice with a fork and serve.