Grow Organic Vegetables
February 24, 2008
There are more reasons than ever why anybody with access to a few square feet of the outdoors should grow their own organic vegetables.
You may be shocked at how much of the produce at your local supermarket has been genetically modified. Some estimates now put this at over 50%. While there is no strong evidence that genetically modified foods are immediately harmful to your health, there are no long term studies either. Do you want to take that risk?
Let’s take a look at pesticides and fertilizers. Farmers no longer use crop rotation or natural manures to improve soil fertility, so they are forced to use ever increasing amounts of chemicals to improve yields and multiple pesticides to protect the weakened plants. Pesticides penetrate deeply into the leaves of plants and pestiside residues remain even after you have scrubbed them.
To quote from The Environmental Protection Agency ? "Pesticides are designed to kill pests. Many pesticides can also pose risks to people. The health effects of pesticides depend on the type of pesticide. Some, such as the organophosphates and carbamates, affect the nervous system. Others may irritate the skin or eyes. Some pesticides may be carcinogens. Others may affect the hormone or endocrine system in the body."
Write Again! - The Art Of The Written Letter
February 24, 2008
Remember the days when we wrote with pen and paper? We took time and thought into each note written. There wasn’t email, text messaging, cell phones, or instant messaging. Don’t get me wrong these advances are great and useful. I have even succumbed to their wiles.
I just remember as a little girl waiting for the postal carrier. I wasn’t expecting anything in particular but each day I anticipated his arrival-hoping that I’d receive a letter-note-gift-something. It really didn’t matter what it was I just enjoyed receiving.
Sometimes I would write my grandmother who lived nearly 2,000 miles away. Oh how I would love receiving letters from her-detailing her duties and adventures on the farm. I still have some of those letters in my memory box. These are all I have of her memory now but they are a priceless treasure I can open anytime I need to get that "love rush" from my grandmother.
Another memory that comes to mind is that of a Sunday School teacher. I don’t even remember her name, but I do remember the feeling of joy I got every time I received one of her postcards. Even though she lived only 2 blocks away, she thought enough of me each week, to hand write a small note on a postcard to say Hi, or to remind me of some Bible Lesson.
Ten Tips for Caring for Your Betta Fish
February 24, 2008
Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of the most popular types of fish found in homes across the world. Their vibrant color and active lifestyle seems to draw in fish fanatics as well as those who have never had fish before. Betta’s are relatively easy to care for and their low maintenance is particularly appealing to people who would like to have fish but don’t have a lot of time to care for them.
Once you bring your Betta’s home you should begin to familiarize yourself with their movements and typical behavior patterns. When you look at your fish after you’ve had them for awhile you’ll know if something is wrong, if they are not feeling well, or if the water in their bowl is not in the best condition simply by being observant.
1. Make sure the jar or bowl that you keep your Betta in is big enough so that he can swim around and not bump or tear his fins or scales. Also be sure there is plenty of surface area so that he can get enough oxygen.
Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask
February 24, 2008
Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet from Tucson, into a mainstream success overnight. Classifying this band as ‘metalcore’ or ‘indie’ or ‘hardcore’ is quite futile, because for every genre you pick, someone is going to disagree, and have a solid backing for their view. Everyone however can agree that whatever The Bled are doing, they are doing it well.
This album bursts into action from the first song, and doesn’t let you down for 38 minutes. Personally I would like to see a longer album, but releasing a short disc like this sure does make you long for more. The album is very tight throughout, featuring a ‘machine gun’ riffing section in nearly every song. If you love the stereotypical ‘hardcore’ breakdowns, you will love every minute of this album.
As with all bands in the ‘metalcore’ genre, the guitar work on this album is fantastic, a great blend of soothing indie tones, contrasted next to dissonant riffing doubled by the bass guitar and kick drums. Showcased best in ‘The sound of sulfur’ guitarists; Jeremy Tally and Ross Ott put on a spectacular performance highlighted by the breakdown section half way through the song. Building slowly with one hard panned guitar, the riff slowly progresses over 8 bars, culminating in a machine gun section with a 4/4 crash beat forcing you to nod your head. ‘I hope he loves you like I did/ when you needed me / I came for you that night’
Dogs Get More Human Every Day
February 23, 2008
First pet stores began selling clothes for pets. Then kennels upgraded from a wire cage to four-star hotels for man’s best friend. Now you can even buy insurance for your four-legged friend. Everything from health insurance to third party insurance for the family pet is getting to be big business in the animal world.
Pet owners can find insurance for a myriad of pet related problems. For example, assistance in finding Fido if he goes missing; third party insurance in case Rex gets a little perturbed and bites the neighborhood bully; life insurance. All are valid reasons to consider buying pet insurance. But like insurance for your family, you should research the different insurance companies thoroughly before plunking down your hard earned money. So how do you decide what insurance company to go with and what type of insurance you are likely to need? Easy?know your pet.
Ask yourself these questions before you begin your research. What physical ailments is your pet’s natural enemy? For example, German Shepards are prone to hip displasia as they get older so a good health plan is something you would want to consider.
How to Choose the Right Pointe Shoe for Ballet Dancing
February 23, 2008
How to Choose the Right Pointe Shoe for Ballet Dancing
by: Anita Leembruggen
Pointe shoes, in many ways, can be considered an extension of the dancer. Designed for pleasing aesthetics as well as function, these shoes typically have a short lifespan, but enable the dancer to move with incredible grace and strength.
The most critical feature of any pointe shoe is how well it fits. Proper fit safeguards the dancer’s feet, ankles and legs and makes en pointe work possible. This is especially important for younger dancers, as proper bone development can be impaired by incorrectly fitting shoes. There are a number of brands and styles available, and no single type is built for every dancer. A dancer’s experience, shape of the foot and strength should be considered in finding the best shoe.
Bloch Pointe Shoes
The Bloch pointe shoe is available in different styles including Sylphide, Sonata, Suprima, Serenade, Aspiration, Concerta, Triomphe, and Alpha ¾ Sole. Beginner dancers will be suited to the Sylphide, Sonata, or Suprima. The Sylphide has broader widths than other Bloch pointe shoes and helps beginners with untrained feet roll up onto pointe more easily.
New Authors Publishing Options
February 23, 2008
All your publishing options are as follows:
–Conventional publishing
–Vanity or subsidy publishing
–Print-on-demand publishing
–Self-publish yourself
–Get help with self-publishing
Let’s compare the publishing options.
How to get in the publishing process and how long will it take to see your book printed?
Conventional publishing option
It is a very long and difficult process to get a publisher even if it is at all possible for a new author. First you need to get a literary agent who is willing to introduce / represent your manuscript to a publisher. The rejection rate is about 95% at each stage… It can take many months or even years to find an agent and then a publisher… If and when your manuscript is accepted by a conventional publisher, it usually takes up to two years to see your book in print.
Subsidy or vanity publishing option
It is extremely easy and fast to get a subsidy publisher. They will even solicit your manuscript through advertising or direct mail. They accept without question any and all manuscripts for publishing and print your book in a matter of months.
Print-on-demand publishing option
Is YOUR Child Ready for a Dog?
February 23, 2008
Are you considering buying a dog for your child or children?
Before you do, take a moment to evaluate your family and determine if your children are ready for a dog. Here are some questions you might use to help you decide if buying a dog is right for your family.
Babies and Toddlers
Is this your first dog? Do you have older children as well? Why are you getting a dog now?
These three questions will help you to consider whether you have the knowledge concerning the time and effort required to care for a dog. Dogs are a big responsibility and if you have not been solely responsible for a dog previously you may find the work and time involved in training, feeding, grooming and playing to be more than you can handle while caring for a young baby or toddler.
Your young children may benefit from having a dog from a young age. They will certainly develop very strong attachments to the family pet. But young children are not very trustworthy to be left alone around a dog and they are not aware enough to desire a pet. Not only will they do just as well without a dog, but the extra caution needed while young children are present may cause you more stress and frustration than waiting until they are older.
Homemade Hummingbird Nectar
February 22, 2008
HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR RECIPE
We love hummingbirds and love to watch them throughout the day, especially after a long day, relaxing in our backyard nature retreat.
We have 4 feeders that are strategically located throughout our gardens. The red, hummingbird nectar feeders ( red attracts hummingbirds) are placed in areas that are naturally defined "territories" ( as you know, hummingbirds are very territorial) which helps cut down on the fighting.
Our recipe is derived from the old standard recipe, but please be aware that a lot of research has gone into making sure that we are providing the most beneficial source of hummingbird food replacement.
Our recipe starts with cane sugar. As you know, there are two sources of sugar: cane sugar and beet sugar, of which 70% of the world’s supply comes from cane sugar. Both are chemically "sucrose" and fall into the carbohydrate family. Carbohydrates are easily digested and provide the immediate "energy boost" that hummingbirds need to sustain their incredibly high metabolism. (Comment: I guess if we humans had that kind of metabolism we wouldn’t be facing our obesity crisis! Wow?what a concept ?more exercise ?increased metabolic rate ?burn more calories ?less fat).
The Writers Identity: Exploring the Writer Within
February 22, 2008
Les Edgerton writes in his book, Finding Your Voice, that the best way to find your voice is to write autobiographically. “Writers will never find a powerful, evocative voice until they learn to be bone-deep honest with themselves, open and vulnerable.” I believe that Mr. Edgerton is on to something. In my experience, the best writers are the ones who dig deep within themselves and pull out the rawest pieces of who they are, filling their pages with words that leave their audiences wanting more. If I could interview an author whom I admire, I would most want to know what helped him or her get to that magical place.
My interest in how writers express their individuality began after I completed my training as a coach. I thought carefully about the kind of clients with whom I most wanted to work. I knew that I would be most fulfilled working with writers due to my passion for the written word. It became important to me to work with writers who needed assistance expressing their creativity and exploring what they most wanted to contribute through their writing. However, my experience as a therapist taught me that this couldn’t be accomplished without building a trusting relationship with my writer clients, accepting and identifying with their vulnerabilities, and gently taking them on a journey through self-discovery.
