It is important to be fit, everyone knows that. Your physical fitness has a big impact upon how you feel about yourself, and how much effort your body has to expend in order to keep working. Lack of physical fitness has supposedly reached an epidemic proportion in America, though the truth is that Americans are obsessed with physical fitness, and TV doctors and celebrities alike make a fortune through selling fitness videos and books to the public. Unless you’re planning to buy ‘em all and use them as weights to lift up and down every day, none of these will ever do your physical fitness any good at all.
The best way to improve your physical fitness is by incorporating regular activity into your daily routine. It is not necessary to take out full membership of your local gym, or even attend one exercise class. What it does mean is choosing an activity that increases your heart rate, or improves your strength and general flexibility. Walking a few more blocks, doing some gardening or housework, climbing the stairs, are all examples of something that can fit quite easily into your routine, but which can also increase your physical fitness. Taking the elevator, driving the car to the shop at the corner of your street, and spending more time in bed are all things that will not improve your fitness level.
A healthy lifestyle cannot be a fad, or something that you will do ‘next year’. It should be on your ‘to-do’ list all year round, not just as a New Year Resolution that you never intend to keep. Once you start on an exercise regime, you will need to keep that up for the rest of your life; or your physical fitness will be lost, and you will have to start all over again. Without regular exercise, the muscles reduce, and fat takes its place (muscles do not become fat, they merely move over to make more room for it if they aren’t used). It is therefore important that you choose a regime that is going to keep you interested in the long term; every year throws up a new ‘fitness fad’, but most people take them up and then discard them after a fortnight. Instead, choose something that you enjoy. If the thought of being instructed on stepping up and down on a plastic board fills you with scorn, then you might try something else – martial arts are always popular, and a physical fitness regime which incorporates some kind of team sport will also help to keep you interested.
Remember: physical activity everyday is the key to fitness, and that is what is important. Improving your physical fitness can provide you with more energy, and will help you to feel more positive about yourself.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
4 Easy Tips on How to Make Healthy Recipes
For many people, making healthy recipes seems too difficult and time consuming...
But with some advance planning and some basic knowledge of nutrition, it is easy to create a week's worth of healthy meals that you and your family will love. The key to creating delicious and healthy meals for the family is planning ...and lot's of it!
Planning ahead of time an entire week of healthy recipe meals is the best way to create dishes you can be proud of, while keeping cost and time commitment to a minimum. So below are amazing tips you can use to make healthy meals all the time.
Healthy Recipe Tip #1:
Using convenient appliances such as slow cookers and microwaves can be a huge time saver when planning and preparing meals. There are many delicious and healthy recipes that can be started in the morning and left to cook all day in a crock pot or slow cooker. These are great choices for working families.
In addition, making the meals ahead of time on the weekend and heating them in the microwave is a great way to stretch both your food and your time. There are many microwavable healthy meals you can make at home, and single serving microwave safe containers allow every member of the family to eat on their own schedule.
When planning the meals for the week, it is a good idea to create a chart listing each day's menu and each days' schedule. Here's a smart tip...plan the quickest and easiest to prepare meals for the busiest days of the week.
Healthy Recipe Tip #2:
Get your family involved in creating the week's meal plan by asking for their input and noting everyone's favorite foods. It is still very important to eat healthy meals, so that (of course) does not mean eating pizza every night or having ice cream for dinner. But involving your spouse and children in healthy recipe planning, you'll help to increase their interest in healthy eating right away.
It is also a good idea to get your entire family involved in the preparation of the meals. Even children too young to cook can help out by setting out the dishes, chopping vegetables, clearing the table and washing the dishes.
Healthy Recipe Tip #3:
Cooking large quantities of healthy food recipes - and freezing the leftovers - is a easy way to save time. Cooking large amounts of stews, soups, pasta, chili and casseroles can be a huge time saver. Making double and even triple batches of these staple foods, and freezing the leftovers for later use, is a great way to save both time and money.
When freezing leftovers, however, it is important to label the containers carefully, using freezer tape and a permanent marker. Try to keep the oldest foods near the top to avoid having to throw away expired items.
Stocking up on meats when they are on sale is another great way to use that valuable freezer space. Stocking up on such easily frozen foods as chicken, turkey, ground beef, steaks, roasts and chops is a great way to make your food dollar stretch as far as possible while still allowing you and your family to enjoy delicious healthy meals every day.
Healthy Recipe Tip #4:
Keeping a well stocked pantry is as important as keeping a well stocked freezer. Stocking the pantry with a good supply of staple items like canned vegetables, canned fruits, soup stocks and the like will make healthy recipe preparation much faster and easier.
Stocking the pantry can save you money as well as time. Grocery stores are always running sales, and these sales are a great time to stock up. Buying several cases of canned vegetables when they are on sale, for instance can save lots of money and provide the basic ingredients for many nutritious, easy to prepare meals.
Examples of great staples to stock up on include whole grain cereals, pastas, tomato sauce, baked beans, canned salmon, tuna and whole grain breads. It is easy to combine these staples into many great meals on a moment's notice.
healthy recipe
I hope you found these healthy recipe tips easy as pie!
But with some advance planning and some basic knowledge of nutrition, it is easy to create a week's worth of healthy meals that you and your family will love. The key to creating delicious and healthy meals for the family is planning ...and lot's of it!
Planning ahead of time an entire week of healthy recipe meals is the best way to create dishes you can be proud of, while keeping cost and time commitment to a minimum. So below are amazing tips you can use to make healthy meals all the time.
Healthy Recipe Tip #1:
Using convenient appliances such as slow cookers and microwaves can be a huge time saver when planning and preparing meals. There are many delicious and healthy recipes that can be started in the morning and left to cook all day in a crock pot or slow cooker. These are great choices for working families.
In addition, making the meals ahead of time on the weekend and heating them in the microwave is a great way to stretch both your food and your time. There are many microwavable healthy meals you can make at home, and single serving microwave safe containers allow every member of the family to eat on their own schedule.
When planning the meals for the week, it is a good idea to create a chart listing each day's menu and each days' schedule. Here's a smart tip...plan the quickest and easiest to prepare meals for the busiest days of the week.
Healthy Recipe Tip #2:
Get your family involved in creating the week's meal plan by asking for their input and noting everyone's favorite foods. It is still very important to eat healthy meals, so that (of course) does not mean eating pizza every night or having ice cream for dinner. But involving your spouse and children in healthy recipe planning, you'll help to increase their interest in healthy eating right away.
It is also a good idea to get your entire family involved in the preparation of the meals. Even children too young to cook can help out by setting out the dishes, chopping vegetables, clearing the table and washing the dishes.
Healthy Recipe Tip #3:
Cooking large quantities of healthy food recipes - and freezing the leftovers - is a easy way to save time. Cooking large amounts of stews, soups, pasta, chili and casseroles can be a huge time saver. Making double and even triple batches of these staple foods, and freezing the leftovers for later use, is a great way to save both time and money.
When freezing leftovers, however, it is important to label the containers carefully, using freezer tape and a permanent marker. Try to keep the oldest foods near the top to avoid having to throw away expired items.
Stocking up on meats when they are on sale is another great way to use that valuable freezer space. Stocking up on such easily frozen foods as chicken, turkey, ground beef, steaks, roasts and chops is a great way to make your food dollar stretch as far as possible while still allowing you and your family to enjoy delicious healthy meals every day.
Healthy Recipe Tip #4:
Keeping a well stocked pantry is as important as keeping a well stocked freezer. Stocking the pantry with a good supply of staple items like canned vegetables, canned fruits, soup stocks and the like will make healthy recipe preparation much faster and easier.
Stocking the pantry can save you money as well as time. Grocery stores are always running sales, and these sales are a great time to stock up. Buying several cases of canned vegetables when they are on sale, for instance can save lots of money and provide the basic ingredients for many nutritious, easy to prepare meals.
Examples of great staples to stock up on include whole grain cereals, pastas, tomato sauce, baked beans, canned salmon, tuna and whole grain breads. It is easy to combine these staples into many great meals on a moment's notice.
healthy recipe
I hope you found these healthy recipe tips easy as pie!
3 easy steps to get that perfect tan using self tanning sprays
Traditional tanning methods have become less popular these days because of major health risks. Because of this major finding in tanning several companies have provided tanning creams, lotions and spray to get a tanned skin even without the help of tanning beds or the sun. Most people prefer this type of artificial tanning since there is no significant health risk and the only damage a person may get from them is if their skins are too sensitive and the application may cause some allergy.
Among these innovations the one that is gaining the most popularity is the self tanning spray. This easy to use product is sprayed evenly on the skin and then all you have to do is wait for it to dry. Tanning products contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This chemical acts an agent that triggers the amino acids in the skin to produce a great tan. Tanning products has been recognized by many as safe and effective and does not produce the great risk that traditional and tanning beds have. Applying a tanning spray is pretty easy, but there are some things that you need to know to achieve that perfect even tan. Here are five things that you should remember when you apply one.
Prepare your skin
Before you apply a tanning spray, make sure that your skin can handle the formulation. Read the instructions carefully and then apply a small amount of the spray in your body and wait for any allergic reactions or discoloration. In this way you can check the quality of the tanning spray and you reduce the risk of hurting your skin.
It is best that you remove all the dead skin cells in your body so that the spray will be more effective. The reason behind is that tanning sprays usually “stick” to the outer layer of your skin. So if your dead skin cells are still in your body, they will be ones that gets tanned, and your tan will not last long. Aside from this, healthy skin cells are very receptive to the tannig sprays and would hold them longer. Scrub your whole body using a loofah or any other scrub and make sure that you exfoliate your whole body especially the exposed parts.
Aside from scrubbing your body, be sure to apply a moisturizer a few hours before you apply your tanning spray. This softens your skin and it becomes more receptive, therefore making your tan last longer and absorbing it better.
Application strategies
Wear dark clothing because the spray sometimes discolors them. Aside from this, make sure that you have a pair of gloves that you can use to avoid discoloration in your hands. Although some prefer to use their hands to evenly apply the spray. Just be sure that you wash your hands right away after application to avoid further discoloration.
When you start spraying your body be sure to apply the tanning spray evenly. Prepare a towel or tissue to wipe off drips and make sure that you apply the spray in covered areas like the back of your ears to achieve and even color.
Final reminders
Make sure that you have evenly applied the spray, and make necessary adjustments if you find any discoloration. Stand still for about a minute to avoid dripping and uneven application. It is crucial that you do not move especially your joints since these areas can easily remove the application. Be sure to follow the instructions given in your kit and do not forget to apply a sun screen when you go out. Most tanning sprays contain a sun screen protection formula but it is best to apply it separately to ensure safety.
These three steps will give you that perfect tan you have been dreaming about. Just be sure to follow these reminders and all you have to do next is to find that perfect clothing that goes with your new tanned look.
Among these innovations the one that is gaining the most popularity is the self tanning spray. This easy to use product is sprayed evenly on the skin and then all you have to do is wait for it to dry. Tanning products contain a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This chemical acts an agent that triggers the amino acids in the skin to produce a great tan. Tanning products has been recognized by many as safe and effective and does not produce the great risk that traditional and tanning beds have. Applying a tanning spray is pretty easy, but there are some things that you need to know to achieve that perfect even tan. Here are five things that you should remember when you apply one.
Prepare your skin
Before you apply a tanning spray, make sure that your skin can handle the formulation. Read the instructions carefully and then apply a small amount of the spray in your body and wait for any allergic reactions or discoloration. In this way you can check the quality of the tanning spray and you reduce the risk of hurting your skin.
It is best that you remove all the dead skin cells in your body so that the spray will be more effective. The reason behind is that tanning sprays usually “stick” to the outer layer of your skin. So if your dead skin cells are still in your body, they will be ones that gets tanned, and your tan will not last long. Aside from this, healthy skin cells are very receptive to the tannig sprays and would hold them longer. Scrub your whole body using a loofah or any other scrub and make sure that you exfoliate your whole body especially the exposed parts.
Aside from scrubbing your body, be sure to apply a moisturizer a few hours before you apply your tanning spray. This softens your skin and it becomes more receptive, therefore making your tan last longer and absorbing it better.
Application strategies
Wear dark clothing because the spray sometimes discolors them. Aside from this, make sure that you have a pair of gloves that you can use to avoid discoloration in your hands. Although some prefer to use their hands to evenly apply the spray. Just be sure that you wash your hands right away after application to avoid further discoloration.
When you start spraying your body be sure to apply the tanning spray evenly. Prepare a towel or tissue to wipe off drips and make sure that you apply the spray in covered areas like the back of your ears to achieve and even color.
Final reminders
Make sure that you have evenly applied the spray, and make necessary adjustments if you find any discoloration. Stand still for about a minute to avoid dripping and uneven application. It is crucial that you do not move especially your joints since these areas can easily remove the application. Be sure to follow the instructions given in your kit and do not forget to apply a sun screen when you go out. Most tanning sprays contain a sun screen protection formula but it is best to apply it separately to ensure safety.
These three steps will give you that perfect tan you have been dreaming about. Just be sure to follow these reminders and all you have to do next is to find that perfect clothing that goes with your new tanned look.
A Golf Exercise Program Will Leave Your Playing Partners In Envy
It's no secret that a golf exercise program can put you heads and tails above your playing partners and competitors. Why do you think all the Pro's are doing it?
Golf is no longer just the leisure game it used to be. It is now recognized as an athletic sport. As with all other athletic sports, your body's strength plays a crucial part in how well you play the game.
FACT: A stronger body plays better golf. Most strength-building workouts can be beneficial to some degree, but a golf exercise program will enable you to hit longer -- and straighter -- drives with less effort and hit more accurate shots, which will consequently lower your scores.
GOLF TIP: Strengthen Your Back and Prevent Low Back Pain -- so that you can play 18 holes without fatigue
Did you know that doing even just one exercise will greatly improve the strength of your back so that you will be able to play 18 holes, or hit balls all day without any pain?
I call this powerful little exercise the "Lying Superman." You won't believe the amazing difference this exercise can make in your strength until you actually do it -- so go for it! All you have to do is lie on your stomach on the floor with your hands at your sides. Raise both your upper body (chest), arms and legs as high as you can. Hold it for a count of 10. And that's it! Just do this simple exercise for 2 sets every day and you can say goodbye to low back pain!
Playing golf at an optimum level requires muscular strength, power, and endurance. Contrary to what most people think, long practice sessions and hitting hundreds of balls will not improve these components. In fact, they will only result in physical injuries (from overuse) and a great deal of frustration.
Participating in a golf exercise program is the answer!
Golf is no longer just the leisure game it used to be. It is now recognized as an athletic sport. As with all other athletic sports, your body's strength plays a crucial part in how well you play the game.
FACT: A stronger body plays better golf. Most strength-building workouts can be beneficial to some degree, but a golf exercise program will enable you to hit longer -- and straighter -- drives with less effort and hit more accurate shots, which will consequently lower your scores.
GOLF TIP: Strengthen Your Back and Prevent Low Back Pain -- so that you can play 18 holes without fatigue
Did you know that doing even just one exercise will greatly improve the strength of your back so that you will be able to play 18 holes, or hit balls all day without any pain?
I call this powerful little exercise the "Lying Superman." You won't believe the amazing difference this exercise can make in your strength until you actually do it -- so go for it! All you have to do is lie on your stomach on the floor with your hands at your sides. Raise both your upper body (chest), arms and legs as high as you can. Hold it for a count of 10. And that's it! Just do this simple exercise for 2 sets every day and you can say goodbye to low back pain!
Playing golf at an optimum level requires muscular strength, power, and endurance. Contrary to what most people think, long practice sessions and hitting hundreds of balls will not improve these components. In fact, they will only result in physical injuries (from overuse) and a great deal of frustration.
Participating in a golf exercise program is the answer!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Baby Bedding Shopping By a New Father To Be
Up until a couple weeks ago, I had never thought about baby bedding, cribs and crib safety, baby feeding supplies or any of the other countless items it takes to prepare for the arrival of our future NFL super star. I was clueless as to the magnitude of the preparations involved in having a baby, and no I have not been in a coma the last 26 years, I’ve heard expecting couples and new parents talking about newborns and going on and on about crib safety and thread counts of baby bedding spewing out so many facts and stats on the subject that it reminded me of one of those sports fanatics that every neighborhood bar has, who sits there all evening stating one stat after another while you think to yourself “this guy needs a life”.
But here’s the shocker: I caught myself yesterday engaging in one of these conversations with two other couples in an almost heated debate over whether California Kids or Kid’s Line Bedding has a higher thread count. This is amazing enough, but even more remarkable is the fact that I had never met either couple before that surreal moment in aisle 11 at Toys ‘R’ Us where I stated material preferences and quoted safety alerts from the CPSC’s website on baby bedding.
And yet it’s only the beginning, I now realize I am only two steps from becoming one of those diaper bag carrying, mini-van driving parents whose lazy Sunday afternoons spent reading the Times or napping at will are but a distant memory while they shuffle through their endless “to do” list at one of many after school events.
Scary? Heck yea! But on the other hand, I can hardly wait!
Now let’s discuss something very important, Baby Bedding. Unlike bedding for adults, there are a lot of considerations in buying baby bedding like comfort and safety. The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists safety tips on baby bedding on their website at www.cpsc.gov and should be followed.
But here’s the shocker: I caught myself yesterday engaging in one of these conversations with two other couples in an almost heated debate over whether California Kids or Kid’s Line Bedding has a higher thread count. This is amazing enough, but even more remarkable is the fact that I had never met either couple before that surreal moment in aisle 11 at Toys ‘R’ Us where I stated material preferences and quoted safety alerts from the CPSC’s website on baby bedding.
And yet it’s only the beginning, I now realize I am only two steps from becoming one of those diaper bag carrying, mini-van driving parents whose lazy Sunday afternoons spent reading the Times or napping at will are but a distant memory while they shuffle through their endless “to do” list at one of many after school events.
Scary? Heck yea! But on the other hand, I can hardly wait!
Now let’s discuss something very important, Baby Bedding. Unlike bedding for adults, there are a lot of considerations in buying baby bedding like comfort and safety. The Consumer Product Safety Commission lists safety tips on baby bedding on their website at www.cpsc.gov and should be followed.
Strength Training Strategies that Actually Work
Over the years there has been a surge of different strength training techniques that have come onto the market and just faded away. Here we discuss the training strategies to gain the maximum amount of muscle in the shortest time possible that have stood up to the test of time.
Most of these strength-training strategies have been around for years but are not followed by many training systems these days. Lets look at a few below that actually work.
1. Training Frequency
The two main components of strength training are the intensity of the exercise and the recovery after the exercise. Infrequent, short, high intensity weight training sessions, followed by the required amount of time to recover and become stronger is what is needed to increase functional muscle size in the shortest period of time.
The latest research has repeatedly shown that muscles over-compensate (become stronger) up to a week after the previous workout, provided that the muscles are trained to failure.
Remember it's not the training volume but the intensity and recuperation that are important when it comes to gains in strength and muscle.
2. Exercises Per Session
Tests under strict gym conditions have revealed that you've only got a limited amount of (readily available) energy to use for a weight training session. Blood tests on individuals have also revealed that blood sugar levels (available energy) drop dramatically after 20 to 30 minutes of high intensity training.
As you only have a short period of time to train before our blood sugar level drops, "Exercise Selection" is crucial. You have to use Multi-Joint or Compound movements, as these offer the most training stimulus for the available amount of time. In other words, we can train many muscles simultaneously and thus use our energy more efficiently.
Performing three to four exercises with high intensity during a session are what most people are capable of. All the main structures of the body are worked hard during this time. Working on these big compound movements has a knock-on effect throughout the whole body; there is no need for specialization techniques or isolation movements.
The fact is, the whole body is worked hard, rest and recuperation is allowed to take place and at the next exercise session we push out a few more reps than before with the same weight, then we have gotten stronger i.e. more muscle.
3. Number of Sets per Exercise
After performing one complete set a compound exercise to total failure, it should be just about impossible to generate the same force and intensity for another complete set of the same exercise.
If you're able to generate the same force and intensity for this second set then it'll be pretty obvious that not enough effort has been put into the first set. Thus you'll have to raise the intensity level you put out for the first set.
If you give the first set 100% effort and work the exercise hard to total failure (eg. you cannot move the bar after the last rep) then there will be not more requirement for further muscle stimulation on that specific exercise.
If you think that volume training (multiple sets) is more effective then you're wrong! The latest research shows that single set training is as beneficial as multiple set training. Training one set will decrease the chances of over-training. It will also allow you to save more energy for other exercises required during the workout.
4. Number of Repetitions per Set
The development of muscle and strength is interrelated, it always has been. Strength training Sessions produce increases in strength that is equal to increases in functional muscle. (You’ll become stronger and grow muscle).
Cycling intensity through changes in repetitions and weight throughout a ten-week program is an effective way to maintain progression and avoid training plateaus (slumps in strength).
Repetitions can be cycled, the higher repetition range will stimulate the slow twitch muscle fibres and promote endurance. Moving further down the scale, the lower repetition range will activate the fast twitch muscle fibres and increase strength and muscle size.
Most of these strength-training strategies have been around for years but are not followed by many training systems these days. Lets look at a few below that actually work.
1. Training Frequency
The two main components of strength training are the intensity of the exercise and the recovery after the exercise. Infrequent, short, high intensity weight training sessions, followed by the required amount of time to recover and become stronger is what is needed to increase functional muscle size in the shortest period of time.
The latest research has repeatedly shown that muscles over-compensate (become stronger) up to a week after the previous workout, provided that the muscles are trained to failure.
Remember it's not the training volume but the intensity and recuperation that are important when it comes to gains in strength and muscle.
2. Exercises Per Session
Tests under strict gym conditions have revealed that you've only got a limited amount of (readily available) energy to use for a weight training session. Blood tests on individuals have also revealed that blood sugar levels (available energy) drop dramatically after 20 to 30 minutes of high intensity training.
As you only have a short period of time to train before our blood sugar level drops, "Exercise Selection" is crucial. You have to use Multi-Joint or Compound movements, as these offer the most training stimulus for the available amount of time. In other words, we can train many muscles simultaneously and thus use our energy more efficiently.
Performing three to four exercises with high intensity during a session are what most people are capable of. All the main structures of the body are worked hard during this time. Working on these big compound movements has a knock-on effect throughout the whole body; there is no need for specialization techniques or isolation movements.
The fact is, the whole body is worked hard, rest and recuperation is allowed to take place and at the next exercise session we push out a few more reps than before with the same weight, then we have gotten stronger i.e. more muscle.
3. Number of Sets per Exercise
After performing one complete set a compound exercise to total failure, it should be just about impossible to generate the same force and intensity for another complete set of the same exercise.
If you're able to generate the same force and intensity for this second set then it'll be pretty obvious that not enough effort has been put into the first set. Thus you'll have to raise the intensity level you put out for the first set.
If you give the first set 100% effort and work the exercise hard to total failure (eg. you cannot move the bar after the last rep) then there will be not more requirement for further muscle stimulation on that specific exercise.
If you think that volume training (multiple sets) is more effective then you're wrong! The latest research shows that single set training is as beneficial as multiple set training. Training one set will decrease the chances of over-training. It will also allow you to save more energy for other exercises required during the workout.
4. Number of Repetitions per Set
The development of muscle and strength is interrelated, it always has been. Strength training Sessions produce increases in strength that is equal to increases in functional muscle. (You’ll become stronger and grow muscle).
Cycling intensity through changes in repetitions and weight throughout a ten-week program is an effective way to maintain progression and avoid training plateaus (slumps in strength).
Repetitions can be cycled, the higher repetition range will stimulate the slow twitch muscle fibres and promote endurance. Moving further down the scale, the lower repetition range will activate the fast twitch muscle fibres and increase strength and muscle size.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Review of the New 2006 Smooth Elliptical Trainers
Although Smooth Fitness has been selling elliptical trainers for a number of years, it is only recently that they manufactured their own models. In the past they private labeled machines from companies like Kettler. In fact, their popular Smooth CE is a Kettler built elliptical, which they have sold literally thousand.
They recently introduced three new models, the CE 2.1, CE 3.2 and CE 74, which are built at the same Taiwanese plant as their treadmills. The Smooth CE elliptical can attribute its popularity to being a solid and reliable machine. It has a very good service record. It is build with a 40 lb. flywheel and an eddy brake system. Both contribute to a fluid and smooth motion, which is what you want in an elliptical trainer.
The new Smooth ellipticals utilize the best qualities of the CE elliptical. In addition, they have improved on several important features. For example, the new models are equipped with pivotal foot pedals. The major benefit of an elliptical trainer is the low impact. The pivotal foot pedal further reduces strain and impact by aligning your feet with the elliptical motion.
Each new model has an upgraded console and display over the older CE. The programs are a vast improvement, and provide challenging workouts. They include an “Interval” program that combines higher intensity routines with alternative cool downs.
Smooth offers the advantage of selling direct and only on the Internet. They are the only fitness equipment company that sells solely online. This offers two benefits. In general, you are getting a better value. You also are dealing with a company that specializes in online sales, fulfillment and service.
Regarding the discount value, obviously there is a savings when a company does not incur retail costs and the overhead from commissioned sales staff. But don’t get caught up with the exaggerated mark downs on their web site. Because you are buying direct you are probably saving about 5%-10%, not the 30+ percentage they suggest. But you also save money from not having to pay a state sales tax (Exc. PA). When compared to buying in a fitness specialty store, the savings can be substantial.
If you are considering purchasing an elliptical trainer we suggest you spend a minimum of $1,000. Anything less will potentially have some service issues if used on a regular basis. The Smooth ellipticals offer a good value at the $1,000 - $2,000 price range.
They recently introduced three new models, the CE 2.1, CE 3.2 and CE 74, which are built at the same Taiwanese plant as their treadmills. The Smooth CE elliptical can attribute its popularity to being a solid and reliable machine. It has a very good service record. It is build with a 40 lb. flywheel and an eddy brake system. Both contribute to a fluid and smooth motion, which is what you want in an elliptical trainer.
The new Smooth ellipticals utilize the best qualities of the CE elliptical. In addition, they have improved on several important features. For example, the new models are equipped with pivotal foot pedals. The major benefit of an elliptical trainer is the low impact. The pivotal foot pedal further reduces strain and impact by aligning your feet with the elliptical motion.
Each new model has an upgraded console and display over the older CE. The programs are a vast improvement, and provide challenging workouts. They include an “Interval” program that combines higher intensity routines with alternative cool downs.
Smooth offers the advantage of selling direct and only on the Internet. They are the only fitness equipment company that sells solely online. This offers two benefits. In general, you are getting a better value. You also are dealing with a company that specializes in online sales, fulfillment and service.
Regarding the discount value, obviously there is a savings when a company does not incur retail costs and the overhead from commissioned sales staff. But don’t get caught up with the exaggerated mark downs on their web site. Because you are buying direct you are probably saving about 5%-10%, not the 30+ percentage they suggest. But you also save money from not having to pay a state sales tax (Exc. PA). When compared to buying in a fitness specialty store, the savings can be substantial.
If you are considering purchasing an elliptical trainer we suggest you spend a minimum of $1,000. Anything less will potentially have some service issues if used on a regular basis. The Smooth ellipticals offer a good value at the $1,000 - $2,000 price range.
Recumbent Stationary Bikes
The world of stationary bikes and exercise equipment in general is on the verge of major revolution. This may be due in part to the overwhelming success of such interactive video games as Dance Dance Revolution. An orthopedic surgeon from Denver, Ted Parks, devised Gamebike to use with the Sony Playstation console. The players actually pedal to play the games in the same way that Dance Dance Revolution players must dance on a dance pad to interactively play those games.
XMAT produces a recumbent bike that can be used with many different home video game consoles. It is not interactive but instead provides the power for the gaming. It requires the gamer to exercise in order to play those hours of video games. While price point is a bit high at nearly $350 the average exercise equipment will set you back plenty too and won’t provide built in incentive.
There are more elaborate versions of the same concept. Stationary bikes that have lengthy scenerios which have corresponding changes in pedaling tension for various landscape changes are new to the market. The price point on these more involved stationary bikes can be as steep as the hills they simulate at a whopping $5000 plus.
But whichever system appeals to you after a careful stationary bike review, the marriage of exercise equipment and video game enthusiasm is one that is here to stay. The obvious problem of stationary bike boredom is the target of all this. But there are always the the old standbys of watching Television or reading while on the bike.
There does seem to be some advantages to the new use of video gaming in the realm of exercise bikes. That is that the activity which is already omnipresent with so many can be extended to improve health when combined with traditional stationary bikes.
XMAT produces a recumbent bike that can be used with many different home video game consoles. It is not interactive but instead provides the power for the gaming. It requires the gamer to exercise in order to play those hours of video games. While price point is a bit high at nearly $350 the average exercise equipment will set you back plenty too and won’t provide built in incentive.
There are more elaborate versions of the same concept. Stationary bikes that have lengthy scenerios which have corresponding changes in pedaling tension for various landscape changes are new to the market. The price point on these more involved stationary bikes can be as steep as the hills they simulate at a whopping $5000 plus.
But whichever system appeals to you after a careful stationary bike review, the marriage of exercise equipment and video game enthusiasm is one that is here to stay. The obvious problem of stationary bike boredom is the target of all this. But there are always the the old standbys of watching Television or reading while on the bike.
There does seem to be some advantages to the new use of video gaming in the realm of exercise bikes. That is that the activity which is already omnipresent with so many can be extended to improve health when combined with traditional stationary bikes.
I Want A Proform Treadmill. Are They Any Good?
The Proform treadmill is possibly one of the best-known names in exercise equipment. Produced by that behemoth of fitness equipment manufacturing, Icon Fitness, the Proform treadmill is often seen as synonymous with sturdy construction and reliability. While many treadmill experts do indeed rate the Proform range highly, for every positive Pro Form treadmill rating you will find, it seems there is a corresponding review that reports consumer dissatisfaction with the Proform treadmill line.
Some quick research will reveal many a positive treadmill rating for the Proform range. The construction of the Pro Form treadmill range is considered by those in the know to be excellent, and these treadmills are also deemed to offer a good motor. The electronic readouts that they provide are consistently clear and easy to use. As a company with a relatively long history in treadmill construction, Proform treadmills have developed many innovations, such as the adjustable deck cushioning that is available with some treadmills, and the likes of the scissor type arms included in Pro Form’s CrossWalk treadmill, which provides the user with the same upper body workout that is afforded by an elliptical machine. These innovations have helped distinguish Proform treadmills from their treadmill competition. But are these factors enough to secure a top-notch treadmill rating?
It would seem that this is not necessarily the case. Despite the many exercising advantages offered by the Proform treadmill, it is not difficult to find many a consumer treadmill rating that reports great disappointment with a Pro Form treadmill purchase. There exists an apparent consumer treadmill rating consensus that Proform treadmills lack the punch that was expected of them, and long term users report myriad reliability problems and poor customer service. Some users have even reported safety concerns with using a Proform treadmill, and even though certain issues have been resolved by the company by adding extra safety features to their newer treadmills, the older models remain as they were, so caution is recommended when purchasing a used Proform treadmill.
Overall, the Pro Form treadmill offers a good package of features, including a range of innovative designs not available with other treadmill brands. Proform are not, however, deemed the most reliable make of treadmill available in today’s fitness equipment market place, and with relatively short warranty periods and questionable customer service, the treadmill ratings tell us that a Proform treadmill might not be the wisest investment for the serious exerciser.
Some quick research will reveal many a positive treadmill rating for the Proform range. The construction of the Pro Form treadmill range is considered by those in the know to be excellent, and these treadmills are also deemed to offer a good motor. The electronic readouts that they provide are consistently clear and easy to use. As a company with a relatively long history in treadmill construction, Proform treadmills have developed many innovations, such as the adjustable deck cushioning that is available with some treadmills, and the likes of the scissor type arms included in Pro Form’s CrossWalk treadmill, which provides the user with the same upper body workout that is afforded by an elliptical machine. These innovations have helped distinguish Proform treadmills from their treadmill competition. But are these factors enough to secure a top-notch treadmill rating?
It would seem that this is not necessarily the case. Despite the many exercising advantages offered by the Proform treadmill, it is not difficult to find many a consumer treadmill rating that reports great disappointment with a Pro Form treadmill purchase. There exists an apparent consumer treadmill rating consensus that Proform treadmills lack the punch that was expected of them, and long term users report myriad reliability problems and poor customer service. Some users have even reported safety concerns with using a Proform treadmill, and even though certain issues have been resolved by the company by adding extra safety features to their newer treadmills, the older models remain as they were, so caution is recommended when purchasing a used Proform treadmill.
Overall, the Pro Form treadmill offers a good package of features, including a range of innovative designs not available with other treadmill brands. Proform are not, however, deemed the most reliable make of treadmill available in today’s fitness equipment market place, and with relatively short warranty periods and questionable customer service, the treadmill ratings tell us that a Proform treadmill might not be the wisest investment for the serious exerciser.
Buying an RV - Take some Advice
I fancy buying an RV darling. Ok Honey, go out and get one and we can spend all our vacation time in it and have great fun. Wrong, very wrong. Do not buy an RV if this is how you are thinking. Your RV will just be a waste of money.
Buying an RV is an important decision and something the whole family needs to be involved in. An RV is also an investment, an investment in time and cost but you will not see a profit on an RV, well not in financial terms but it can have a huge payback in terms of satisfaction and enjoyment but if you just rush out and buy an RV without giving it a lot of thought then it could be, at best, an expensive waste of money, and an RV can be, at worst, a marriage breaker. I know as I have seen it happen.
When we were trading up to a larger and newer RV, my sister in law from Atlanta decided she was going to buy our old RV. The trouble was it was her idea and not a joint family decision. She had been on vacation with us a few times and liked the lifestyle, thought it would be great for her daughter to spend more time in the countryside but she never really considered if her husband wanted an RV. He was the type who would choose a sports car to drive without thinking of where his daughter was going to sit. He liked speed, acceleration and easy maneuvering, not something you tend to find with an RV. It lasted a few years with him being unhappy with all his vacations in the RV, he bumped into a few trucks and did some damage to the RV, (which I had to repair), and was just generally unhappy with the whole idea of having a vacation in an RV. It got to the stage of seriously damaging their marriage. What went wrong? Well my sister-in-law did not sit down and really think about an RVer’s lifestyle.
Think about it, RVs can be small, they can be cramped compared to your house, RVs can be hard to drive and you can end up spending all your vacation just driving around. What she should have done is to rent an RV first to try things out. This way she could easily have seen if owning an RV was going to work.
So what do you look for when renting an RV.? Well I would think the most important is where it is at. Pick the area you would like to vacation in and they look for somewhere to rent one from. Think about how you are going to get there. Driving allows you to take more things with you than flying, so if you are flying then you may need to make sure that you rent an RV which comes fully equipped as some do not have things such as kitchen utensils in them or towels and so on, although many companies will supply these but sometimes they come at a price.
What about the size of your RV from small to large. I suppose this depends on what you want to achieve. If you are a family then you need a larger RV and so on. Just make sure that everything you need is available but remember this may mean extra rental cost. Do you want to tow a car behind your RV.? Some companies will let you, some will not and if you are in a hire car, does the hire company allow it to be towed behind an RV. Is the RV you want to rent capable of towing a large car or only a small car? These questions could go on but the best people to answer them are the RV rental company you are dealing with. They are the RV experts so ask them.
I could go on with information like this but it is just commonsense. Think about where you are going to vacation in your RV, think about how to get there, think about your RV in terms of size, think about the equipment you need for your RV, think about pets in the RV if you have a pet and think about who to rent your RV from. Get several quotes from RV rental companies and then compare them and read the fine detail to see what you get for the price and what extra you need to spend.
Once you have done all this pick a suitable RV to rent and a suitable company to rent your RV from and then just do it. Once you have tried renting an RV you will then have a much better idea if being an RV owner is for you and can then make the commitment to buy an RV Good luck and just enjoy it. I do.
Buying an RV is an important decision and something the whole family needs to be involved in. An RV is also an investment, an investment in time and cost but you will not see a profit on an RV, well not in financial terms but it can have a huge payback in terms of satisfaction and enjoyment but if you just rush out and buy an RV without giving it a lot of thought then it could be, at best, an expensive waste of money, and an RV can be, at worst, a marriage breaker. I know as I have seen it happen.
When we were trading up to a larger and newer RV, my sister in law from Atlanta decided she was going to buy our old RV. The trouble was it was her idea and not a joint family decision. She had been on vacation with us a few times and liked the lifestyle, thought it would be great for her daughter to spend more time in the countryside but she never really considered if her husband wanted an RV. He was the type who would choose a sports car to drive without thinking of where his daughter was going to sit. He liked speed, acceleration and easy maneuvering, not something you tend to find with an RV. It lasted a few years with him being unhappy with all his vacations in the RV, he bumped into a few trucks and did some damage to the RV, (which I had to repair), and was just generally unhappy with the whole idea of having a vacation in an RV. It got to the stage of seriously damaging their marriage. What went wrong? Well my sister-in-law did not sit down and really think about an RVer’s lifestyle.
Think about it, RVs can be small, they can be cramped compared to your house, RVs can be hard to drive and you can end up spending all your vacation just driving around. What she should have done is to rent an RV first to try things out. This way she could easily have seen if owning an RV was going to work.
So what do you look for when renting an RV.? Well I would think the most important is where it is at. Pick the area you would like to vacation in and they look for somewhere to rent one from. Think about how you are going to get there. Driving allows you to take more things with you than flying, so if you are flying then you may need to make sure that you rent an RV which comes fully equipped as some do not have things such as kitchen utensils in them or towels and so on, although many companies will supply these but sometimes they come at a price.
What about the size of your RV from small to large. I suppose this depends on what you want to achieve. If you are a family then you need a larger RV and so on. Just make sure that everything you need is available but remember this may mean extra rental cost. Do you want to tow a car behind your RV.? Some companies will let you, some will not and if you are in a hire car, does the hire company allow it to be towed behind an RV. Is the RV you want to rent capable of towing a large car or only a small car? These questions could go on but the best people to answer them are the RV rental company you are dealing with. They are the RV experts so ask them.
I could go on with information like this but it is just commonsense. Think about where you are going to vacation in your RV, think about how to get there, think about your RV in terms of size, think about the equipment you need for your RV, think about pets in the RV if you have a pet and think about who to rent your RV from. Get several quotes from RV rental companies and then compare them and read the fine detail to see what you get for the price and what extra you need to spend.
Once you have done all this pick a suitable RV to rent and a suitable company to rent your RV from and then just do it. Once you have tried renting an RV you will then have a much better idea if being an RV owner is for you and can then make the commitment to buy an RV Good luck and just enjoy it. I do.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
How To Perform Yogic Exercises
When you have decided to start with your yoga practice, it is imperative for you to learn how to perform a pose properly. Thus it is advisable for you to find a right teacher who will guide you in the correct manner of performing these poses. Since yogic exercises involve the static and isometric contraction of the muscles, where the muscles are held in a state of tension without causing the corresponding body part to move; it is important to note that the stretching or contraction of the muscles should not be done abruptly or suddenly. You should endeavour to reach the final pose as slowly as you can, so that there is a steady rise in the tension of the muscles. Always reach the final posture slowly through the intermediate postures. Master all these postures slowly one by one.
The movement of each body part should be done under complete control of the muscles exercised. This is achieved only after practicing for a certain period of time. There should be no jerks or violent movements. Each step should be executed easily, smoothly and gracefully. Initially, when you start learning the yoga, there is a tendency to use muscles not concerned with the specified movement. But over a period of time with due practice, you can eliminate the unproductive muscular activity. As you progress, you'll learn to use only the specified muscles for contraction or stretching while the other muscles are kept relaxed.
Avoid rushing into the final position of any posture, unless you have thoroughly mastered the intermediate stages. Always proceed as far as you comfortably can and hold this pose for some time. This will train the required muscles in a few days and thus you can get smoothness and grace. Take caution not to overwork any muscles. Do not control or restrict your breathing. If you are sick or absent from your practice for a long time, start slowly and reach the previous level only after some time. At the end of the session, you should feel fresh and relaxed. You must experience the lightness and exhilaration at the end of every session.
You can adjust the duration of various techniques according to your capacity and there should be no exhaustion or tension.
Following all these practices will ensure you get a correct yoga session.
The movement of each body part should be done under complete control of the muscles exercised. This is achieved only after practicing for a certain period of time. There should be no jerks or violent movements. Each step should be executed easily, smoothly and gracefully. Initially, when you start learning the yoga, there is a tendency to use muscles not concerned with the specified movement. But over a period of time with due practice, you can eliminate the unproductive muscular activity. As you progress, you'll learn to use only the specified muscles for contraction or stretching while the other muscles are kept relaxed.
Avoid rushing into the final position of any posture, unless you have thoroughly mastered the intermediate stages. Always proceed as far as you comfortably can and hold this pose for some time. This will train the required muscles in a few days and thus you can get smoothness and grace. Take caution not to overwork any muscles. Do not control or restrict your breathing. If you are sick or absent from your practice for a long time, start slowly and reach the previous level only after some time. At the end of the session, you should feel fresh and relaxed. You must experience the lightness and exhilaration at the end of every session.
You can adjust the duration of various techniques according to your capacity and there should be no exhaustion or tension.
Following all these practices will ensure you get a correct yoga session.
How to find the right Yoga teacher?
I am often asked by beginners about how to evaluate a Yoga Teacher?
The following is the “CALM check list.” These factors are basic criteria that your Yoga Instructor should meet before you continue on to a second Yoga class.
CALM gets it name from four main factors: Communication, Assist, Listen, and Modification. For the right Yoga teacher, you should be answering with a “yes” to all questions.
• Communication: Does your Yoga teacher talk to you, and other students, in a manner of mutual respect? Can you ask a question during class time?
Does your teacher show compassion for you and other students? Does your Yoga teacher take the time to lead you through a guided meditation or relaxation? Meditation and relaxation are major aspects of Yoga practice.
There are Yoga teachers who just want to get "their workout" done. Beware of Yoga teachers, who are so important, they don’t have time for you.
Some students love this air of superiority and, unfortunately, some people love abuse. If you want to learn Yoga, you need an open line of communication with your Yoga teacher.
• Assist: Does your teacher care about your form? Will your teacher give you a verbal or physical assist during your Yoga class? Are props encouraged in your Yoga classes?
Some students never have major problems with alignment and some do, but if your teacher doesn’t give verbal cues, what does that tell you?
• Listen: Does your Yoga teacher take the time to listen to your feedback? Is your teacher "in the moment" with the class?
Once in a while, there is a Yoga instructor who runs, “The-it’s-all-about-me-show.” You are not going to learn anything from this type of teaching. Beginners will be put at risk, trying to keep up with a seasoned Yoga teacher who doesn’t explain anything.
• Modification: Does your Yoga teacher allow modifications and props? If your teacher discourages props, you are in the wrong place.
Some students will need props for life depending upon their range of motion. Just because a teacher can do a posture without props, doesn’t mean every student can.
Summary: Stay away from abusive Yoga teachers, and if you are attracted to abuse, there is always professional help. Some students crave “the stern, but loving parent” types. They will push you harder, but how much pushing do you really need?
Respect is a two way street, and you deserve as much respect as your Yoga teacher does. Let common sense be your guide. You should feel good after a Yoga class, and you might even feel muscle soreness days after a vigorous class.
Make sure your Yoga teacher meets the above criteria before making a commitment.
The following is the “CALM check list.” These factors are basic criteria that your Yoga Instructor should meet before you continue on to a second Yoga class.
CALM gets it name from four main factors: Communication, Assist, Listen, and Modification. For the right Yoga teacher, you should be answering with a “yes” to all questions.
• Communication: Does your Yoga teacher talk to you, and other students, in a manner of mutual respect? Can you ask a question during class time?
Does your teacher show compassion for you and other students? Does your Yoga teacher take the time to lead you through a guided meditation or relaxation? Meditation and relaxation are major aspects of Yoga practice.
There are Yoga teachers who just want to get "their workout" done. Beware of Yoga teachers, who are so important, they don’t have time for you.
Some students love this air of superiority and, unfortunately, some people love abuse. If you want to learn Yoga, you need an open line of communication with your Yoga teacher.
• Assist: Does your teacher care about your form? Will your teacher give you a verbal or physical assist during your Yoga class? Are props encouraged in your Yoga classes?
Some students never have major problems with alignment and some do, but if your teacher doesn’t give verbal cues, what does that tell you?
• Listen: Does your Yoga teacher take the time to listen to your feedback? Is your teacher "in the moment" with the class?
Once in a while, there is a Yoga instructor who runs, “The-it’s-all-about-me-show.” You are not going to learn anything from this type of teaching. Beginners will be put at risk, trying to keep up with a seasoned Yoga teacher who doesn’t explain anything.
• Modification: Does your Yoga teacher allow modifications and props? If your teacher discourages props, you are in the wrong place.
Some students will need props for life depending upon their range of motion. Just because a teacher can do a posture without props, doesn’t mean every student can.
Summary: Stay away from abusive Yoga teachers, and if you are attracted to abuse, there is always professional help. Some students crave “the stern, but loving parent” types. They will push you harder, but how much pushing do you really need?
Respect is a two way street, and you deserve as much respect as your Yoga teacher does. Let common sense be your guide. You should feel good after a Yoga class, and you might even feel muscle soreness days after a vigorous class.
Make sure your Yoga teacher meets the above criteria before making a commitment.
Dhyana
Almost everyone has experienced the fact that when one starts concentrating his mind on any immediate object or an idea, the mind starts wandering. It is very difficult to keep the mind busy with a single thought. The ancient sages too encountered the same problems. Arjuna, in Gita had mentioned that controlling the mind is an impossible thing on earth. Hence, he was advised by Krishna that though mind control is difficult, it can be made silent and steady by regular practice of vairagya and abhyasa. However, he has warned that yoga is very difficult for people whose minds are not steady and controlled. Pantanjali, in Yoga Sutra has emphasized these two qualities to achieve mind control. Hence ,these are the very qualities that make the essence of yoga.
Mind is like a disturbed pond with many impurities. First you need to stop the inflow of fresh impurities and then remove the existing impurities to clean the mind. Abhyasa is one of the practices for purifying the mind. Dhyana is one of the sub practices of abhyasa. This is a stage that a person reaches after practicing concentration for some time. At the start of dhyana, the mind is steadier and only a single thought about an object arises in the mind. Now it is safe to say that the state of dhyana is reached. Here, the mind becomes very stable like the flame of a lamp in a calm atmosphere and its contact with the object of experience becomes intense and complete.
There are two varieties of dhyana called sagunadhyana and nirgunadhyana. In the first dhyana, the stillness of mind is associated with an object of experience which can be experienced through the sense organs. The second one is completely mental. It implies complete absorption of mind into itself. Here, the mind is not associated with any external object. It becomes completely still in this state. This mind is supposed to remain still, silent and sensitive such that it can understand any past, present and future event that might have happened anywhere in the universe.
Mind is like a disturbed pond with many impurities. First you need to stop the inflow of fresh impurities and then remove the existing impurities to clean the mind. Abhyasa is one of the practices for purifying the mind. Dhyana is one of the sub practices of abhyasa. This is a stage that a person reaches after practicing concentration for some time. At the start of dhyana, the mind is steadier and only a single thought about an object arises in the mind. Now it is safe to say that the state of dhyana is reached. Here, the mind becomes very stable like the flame of a lamp in a calm atmosphere and its contact with the object of experience becomes intense and complete.
There are two varieties of dhyana called sagunadhyana and nirgunadhyana. In the first dhyana, the stillness of mind is associated with an object of experience which can be experienced through the sense organs. The second one is completely mental. It implies complete absorption of mind into itself. Here, the mind is not associated with any external object. It becomes completely still in this state. This mind is supposed to remain still, silent and sensitive such that it can understand any past, present and future event that might have happened anywhere in the universe.
7 Tips to Get Calories Out of Restaurant Food
When I eat out I want it to be special, consequently I don't eat out often. You may have seen the advice on how to shave calories at restaurants but really, are you wanting to pay high restaurant prices for undressed salads and plain steamed vegetables? If not, how then can you solve the dilemma of too many calories when you eat out?
Here are seven tips for getting the calories out of restaurant meals while still ordering your favorites.
1. Say NO to super sizing. The size you ordered is already too big. Stop super sizing and you'll save money. Better still, order one dinner and ask for an extra plate. Many restaurants will do this for a dollar or two, and it's well worth it. Then share the meal with your friend and you split the cost straight down the middle. Another option is to order from the so called "appetizer" menu. Two people could order three entrees, one dessert and split the whole thing and it's still a ton of food!
2. Skip the bread and rolls. Many family restaurants still serve a bread basket with your meal. Unless it's a fresh baked loaf or some really special bread, just skip it. You don't need to fill up on ordinary bread when you're paying good money for a meal. Just ask for it to be taken away if you can't resist, but frankly, you're an adult, you can resist, if you want to. You can simply choose not to put a roll on your plate. Try it, just once and see if you don't walk out of that restaurant feeling strangely powerful.
If you can't skip the rolls, at least skip the butter. That's right. Eat it plain. Whole grain bread is delicious all by itself.
3. Stop Ordering Drinks. Soft drinks are a huge cash cow for restaurants. For pennies they sell you a squirt of syrup and carbonated water and act like they're doing you a big favor by only charging you $1.29 for a giant 64 ounce soda. Start saving those dollars. Especially if you're ordering "to go" skip the drink. If you're eating it there, ask for water, or at least switch to diet drinks. Never drink "fat pop."
4. Slow Down You Eat Too Fast! What's the rush? Take your time, savor the moment, enjoy the flavors. A big part of getting in touch with your hunger signals and learning to eat what really will satisfy is learning to recognize the subtle signs of hunger. You won't know when you're approaching satisfaction if you've gobbled everything down in five minutes. Take a bite then notice how many times do you chew before you start wanting to swallow? Once, twice? Make an effort to chew your food and your body will be much happier. A very large part of digestion begins in your mouth, not to mention you'll get much more pleasure if you let the food linger.
5. Trim Visible Fat and Skin. I know, you really love the skin--of course you do, it tastes good, it should, it's pure fat. Do you want to get leaner, or do you want to eat fat? You choose. I never eat chicken skin and never eat the visible fat hanging off a steak, good taste or no. You have to decide what you want more, the second's worth of pleasure of a yummy taste, or a lifetime of carrying around an extra 40 lbs? I know this is counter to the low carb crowd's belief that fat is good, carbs are evil, but I've maintained an 80 pound weight loss for 18 years without dieting and I don't eat visible fat or skin. Enough said.
6. Ask for a Doggie Bag at the Beginning of Meal. When the food is served, immediately portion off some to take home for tomorrow. Most restaurants in the US serve way too much. There is no law you have to eat it all. Do this frequently and soon you'll find you're getting an extra lunch out of that meal.
7. Get a copy of Restaurant Confidential by Michael F. Jacobson and Jayne Hurley, and start checking out how many calories you're really eating. If you eat out frequently and you carry extra weight, then that's probably the problem right there. This little book can help you realize why it seems you don't eat that much yet you can't lose any weight. Hardees recently introduced a new burger that clocks in at just under 1200 calories all by itself! Now that's frightening.
If you really want to get a handle on your weight problem, look first to where you eat, second at what you eat, and third how much you eat. Where, What and How Much? Try these steps choosing one tip at a time, and see how easily you can take some of the calories out of restaurant food.
Here are seven tips for getting the calories out of restaurant meals while still ordering your favorites.
1. Say NO to super sizing. The size you ordered is already too big. Stop super sizing and you'll save money. Better still, order one dinner and ask for an extra plate. Many restaurants will do this for a dollar or two, and it's well worth it. Then share the meal with your friend and you split the cost straight down the middle. Another option is to order from the so called "appetizer" menu. Two people could order three entrees, one dessert and split the whole thing and it's still a ton of food!
2. Skip the bread and rolls. Many family restaurants still serve a bread basket with your meal. Unless it's a fresh baked loaf or some really special bread, just skip it. You don't need to fill up on ordinary bread when you're paying good money for a meal. Just ask for it to be taken away if you can't resist, but frankly, you're an adult, you can resist, if you want to. You can simply choose not to put a roll on your plate. Try it, just once and see if you don't walk out of that restaurant feeling strangely powerful.
If you can't skip the rolls, at least skip the butter. That's right. Eat it plain. Whole grain bread is delicious all by itself.
3. Stop Ordering Drinks. Soft drinks are a huge cash cow for restaurants. For pennies they sell you a squirt of syrup and carbonated water and act like they're doing you a big favor by only charging you $1.29 for a giant 64 ounce soda. Start saving those dollars. Especially if you're ordering "to go" skip the drink. If you're eating it there, ask for water, or at least switch to diet drinks. Never drink "fat pop."
4. Slow Down You Eat Too Fast! What's the rush? Take your time, savor the moment, enjoy the flavors. A big part of getting in touch with your hunger signals and learning to eat what really will satisfy is learning to recognize the subtle signs of hunger. You won't know when you're approaching satisfaction if you've gobbled everything down in five minutes. Take a bite then notice how many times do you chew before you start wanting to swallow? Once, twice? Make an effort to chew your food and your body will be much happier. A very large part of digestion begins in your mouth, not to mention you'll get much more pleasure if you let the food linger.
5. Trim Visible Fat and Skin. I know, you really love the skin--of course you do, it tastes good, it should, it's pure fat. Do you want to get leaner, or do you want to eat fat? You choose. I never eat chicken skin and never eat the visible fat hanging off a steak, good taste or no. You have to decide what you want more, the second's worth of pleasure of a yummy taste, or a lifetime of carrying around an extra 40 lbs? I know this is counter to the low carb crowd's belief that fat is good, carbs are evil, but I've maintained an 80 pound weight loss for 18 years without dieting and I don't eat visible fat or skin. Enough said.
6. Ask for a Doggie Bag at the Beginning of Meal. When the food is served, immediately portion off some to take home for tomorrow. Most restaurants in the US serve way too much. There is no law you have to eat it all. Do this frequently and soon you'll find you're getting an extra lunch out of that meal.
7. Get a copy of Restaurant Confidential by Michael F. Jacobson and Jayne Hurley, and start checking out how many calories you're really eating. If you eat out frequently and you carry extra weight, then that's probably the problem right there. This little book can help you realize why it seems you don't eat that much yet you can't lose any weight. Hardees recently introduced a new burger that clocks in at just under 1200 calories all by itself! Now that's frightening.
If you really want to get a handle on your weight problem, look first to where you eat, second at what you eat, and third how much you eat. Where, What and How Much? Try these steps choosing one tip at a time, and see how easily you can take some of the calories out of restaurant food.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Backpack Blowers
Backpack blowers are more commonly used by professionals and are mostly powered by 2-stroke gasoline engines. The harness, which has a blower fit into it, is worn on the operator's back. The engine and fan are also placed on the backpack frame with a hand-held hose and spout to direct the airflow. Backpack blowers are powerful, convenient and have larger, more efficient fuel tanks and air filters and therefore, longer duty cycles.
Backpack blowers with more than 40cc engines are the best with a typical blowing power of 400 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of volume at 190 mph (meter per hour). If you live in a quiet neighborhood, these units are the best choice, because they are specially assembled to control unwanted noise. Also, keep in mind that harness quality and comfort differ from one model to the other.
Performance backpack blowers generally have blowing power of more than 450 cfm of volume at 195 mph, and are named because of their high performance. Though they may be noisier than other blowers, they are fast, fuel efficient, and have a quick throttle response. Most professionals and commercial users prefer this type of units, which also has optional accessories like breathable nylon back pads and padded, adjustable harnesses.
The largest and heaviest backpack blower units available are Big-bore Backpacks, with engine powers starting at 50cc. They are also fast and may decrease cleaning time in half. Since these blowers are very powerful, they are typically used for larger areas, and tough jobs like wet matted leaves. They are most suitable for commercial uses.
Backpack blowers with more than 40cc engines are the best with a typical blowing power of 400 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of volume at 190 mph (meter per hour). If you live in a quiet neighborhood, these units are the best choice, because they are specially assembled to control unwanted noise. Also, keep in mind that harness quality and comfort differ from one model to the other.
Performance backpack blowers generally have blowing power of more than 450 cfm of volume at 195 mph, and are named because of their high performance. Though they may be noisier than other blowers, they are fast, fuel efficient, and have a quick throttle response. Most professionals and commercial users prefer this type of units, which also has optional accessories like breathable nylon back pads and padded, adjustable harnesses.
The largest and heaviest backpack blower units available are Big-bore Backpacks, with engine powers starting at 50cc. They are also fast and may decrease cleaning time in half. Since these blowers are very powerful, they are typically used for larger areas, and tough jobs like wet matted leaves. They are most suitable for commercial uses.
Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings
When shopping for patio furniture, people want something that will be comfortable for themselves as well as their guests. There are a number of great options in patio furniture it can be hard to choose. Aluminum sling patio furniture is a lesser known patio furniture, but nevertheless is a great choice for elegance and comfort in a patio setting.
Aluminum seating provides practical inexpensive outdoor seating with elegance. Aluminum sling patio furniture is actually one of the less expensive types of patio furniture available. The lower cost however does not sacrifice quality. The components of aluminum strap patio furniture are heavy-duty, and resistant to all types of elements including scratch and dent, stains, and intense sunlight.
Aluminum patio furniture is just as elegant as higher end types of patio furniture. Aluminum in this type of furniture can be crafted to give a more traditional furniture style like that of wrought iron. It can also be crafted in a more contemporary streamline design. As opposed to bulky wrought iron furniture however, aluminum sling patio furniture can be easily stacked for storage.
Aluminum sling patio furniture is available in a variety of styles. All traditional patio furniture elements are available including patio dining tables and chairs, patio bar chairs, and chaise lounges. However, aluminum sling patio furniture has some unique chair styles including rocking chairs, swinging benches, and recliners. All these great options will ensure a comfortable outdoor patio setting.
All these wonderful features make aluminum sling patio furniture an excellent choice for any outdoor seating. It is versatile, practical, and economical. And if comfort and elegance are top priorities for patio furniture, aluminum sling patio furniture is the way to go.
Aluminum seating provides practical inexpensive outdoor seating with elegance. Aluminum sling patio furniture is actually one of the less expensive types of patio furniture available. The lower cost however does not sacrifice quality. The components of aluminum strap patio furniture are heavy-duty, and resistant to all types of elements including scratch and dent, stains, and intense sunlight.
Aluminum patio furniture is just as elegant as higher end types of patio furniture. Aluminum in this type of furniture can be crafted to give a more traditional furniture style like that of wrought iron. It can also be crafted in a more contemporary streamline design. As opposed to bulky wrought iron furniture however, aluminum sling patio furniture can be easily stacked for storage.
Aluminum sling patio furniture is available in a variety of styles. All traditional patio furniture elements are available including patio dining tables and chairs, patio bar chairs, and chaise lounges. However, aluminum sling patio furniture has some unique chair styles including rocking chairs, swinging benches, and recliners. All these great options will ensure a comfortable outdoor patio setting.
All these wonderful features make aluminum sling patio furniture an excellent choice for any outdoor seating. It is versatile, practical, and economical. And if comfort and elegance are top priorities for patio furniture, aluminum sling patio furniture is the way to go.
Adding a Water Feature to Your Yard
If you feel that your backyard is lacking a certain something, a water feature might be just the thing to bring new life to your outdoors. There are many different types of water features to consider, such as a pond or a waterfall. Flowing or still water has a peaceful relaxing quality to it, and water features allow you to bring this natural beauty right into your own yard. You may be thinking that the care and upkeep of a water feature may not be worth the hassle, but they are much less labor intensive as you may think. By following a few simple guidelines and understanding how your water feature lives and breathes, you can enjoy this natural work of art for as long as you own your home.
Water fountains are considerably easier to deal with then a water garden. Fountains must be regularly cleaned, but really require little upkeep. If you want a successful water garden you will probably need to invest a little more time, especially when you're first trying to get it established. When creating a water garden, it is vital that you understand the relationships between the plants and animals coexisting in this environment. If you want your water garden to thrive, you'll need to take special care to choose the right fauna and flora.
Many new pond owners have problem with algae. If you don't want to be cleaning out your pond every few weeks, adding a few fish can greatly help as can floating plants which help to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the algae. Ensure you don't have an excessive amount of chlorine in your water, especially if you have fish. You may want to install a pump and/or a filter along with regularly checking the pH level of water (should be between six and eight).
If you're having your pond installed for you, ask the professionals for advice on getting started. If you are still unsure about where to start you can also buy one of several books which can guide you step-by-step through the process of creating your own water garden. Once your pond is established you will likely find the upkeep to be quite minimal.
Many people find that adding a water feature to their yard can literally transform their entire surroundings. Ponds, fountains, and waterfalls add a natural beauty and serenity to any outdoor area, no matter how small or modest.
Water fountains are considerably easier to deal with then a water garden. Fountains must be regularly cleaned, but really require little upkeep. If you want a successful water garden you will probably need to invest a little more time, especially when you're first trying to get it established. When creating a water garden, it is vital that you understand the relationships between the plants and animals coexisting in this environment. If you want your water garden to thrive, you'll need to take special care to choose the right fauna and flora.
Many new pond owners have problem with algae. If you don't want to be cleaning out your pond every few weeks, adding a few fish can greatly help as can floating plants which help to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the algae. Ensure you don't have an excessive amount of chlorine in your water, especially if you have fish. You may want to install a pump and/or a filter along with regularly checking the pH level of water (should be between six and eight).
If you're having your pond installed for you, ask the professionals for advice on getting started. If you are still unsure about where to start you can also buy one of several books which can guide you step-by-step through the process of creating your own water garden. Once your pond is established you will likely find the upkeep to be quite minimal.
Many people find that adding a water feature to their yard can literally transform their entire surroundings. Ponds, fountains, and waterfalls add a natural beauty and serenity to any outdoor area, no matter how small or modest.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
A Guide To Silk Palm Trees
The best way to create a truly magical, tropical, and exotic setting is by adding beautiful palm trees to it. Unique in their beauty, palm trees can transform any place, multiplying its beauty and exoticness within seconds. However, to plant tropical palm trees and take care of them can be cumbersome. Hence, life-looking, exact replicas of palms are available in silk which can be bought, assembled, and kept indefinitely without any hassles or pain.
Research shows that silk palm trees are among the most popular silk trees. As such, they come in plenty of sizes, shapes, and types. Multitudes of companies exist that are dedicated to producing silk bamboo trees.
Some companies that produce excellent-quality, beautiful silk palm trees include Silk Tree House, Inc, Indoor Tropical Foliage, Silk Trees, Silk Plants Plus, Silk Plant Design Center, Kinkade Studios, Earthflora, Valentine Floral Creations, Autumn Foliages, Brands on Sale, Andreas, Inc, Your Silk Garden, Silk Worx by Lori, Silk Reflections, Silk Plant Jungle, Seasonal Impact, Oasis Illusions, Hillcrest Mill, BotanicusEtc, Amazon Foliages, and Northwest Supply, among others. Shipping normally includes an additional fee, but companies such as BotanicusEtc, among others, ship their trees for free.
Different silk palms like areca palm, cycus palm, parlor silk palm, bamboo silk palm, kentia palm, real wood date palm, phoenix palm, Buddha palm, and many, many more are all available at the aforementioned companies, ranging in size from small to giant.
Northwest Supply, Office Scapes Direct, Amazon Foliages, Seasonal Impact, Brands on Sale, Kinkade Studios, and Save on Crafts are some companies that provide discounts and hence, offer quality trees with huge savings.
All trees come in non-decorative baskets or containers, but some even include a decorative container or pot without charging any extra fee.
Companies usually provide a hundred percent guarantee, but some like Hillcrest Mill, BotanicusEtc, and Office Scapes Direct offer a full refund if trees fail to match up to the expectations and returned within a specified time period.
Research shows that silk palm trees are among the most popular silk trees. As such, they come in plenty of sizes, shapes, and types. Multitudes of companies exist that are dedicated to producing silk bamboo trees.
Some companies that produce excellent-quality, beautiful silk palm trees include Silk Tree House, Inc, Indoor Tropical Foliage, Silk Trees, Silk Plants Plus, Silk Plant Design Center, Kinkade Studios, Earthflora, Valentine Floral Creations, Autumn Foliages, Brands on Sale, Andreas, Inc, Your Silk Garden, Silk Worx by Lori, Silk Reflections, Silk Plant Jungle, Seasonal Impact, Oasis Illusions, Hillcrest Mill, BotanicusEtc, Amazon Foliages, and Northwest Supply, among others. Shipping normally includes an additional fee, but companies such as BotanicusEtc, among others, ship their trees for free.
Different silk palms like areca palm, cycus palm, parlor silk palm, bamboo silk palm, kentia palm, real wood date palm, phoenix palm, Buddha palm, and many, many more are all available at the aforementioned companies, ranging in size from small to giant.
Northwest Supply, Office Scapes Direct, Amazon Foliages, Seasonal Impact, Brands on Sale, Kinkade Studios, and Save on Crafts are some companies that provide discounts and hence, offer quality trees with huge savings.
All trees come in non-decorative baskets or containers, but some even include a decorative container or pot without charging any extra fee.
Companies usually provide a hundred percent guarantee, but some like Hillcrest Mill, BotanicusEtc, and Office Scapes Direct offer a full refund if trees fail to match up to the expectations and returned within a specified time period.
A Guide To Red Roses
William Shakespeare penned the words, “What's in a name? That which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet.”
From the days of Romeo and Juliet to modern times, a red rose has been synonymous with love. Today, roses are popular all around the world. However, in its initial stages, roses grew abundantly only in Central Asia. The Persians and Egyptians, who later developed a cultivated variety, discovered the wild roses.
A red rose held in a person’s hand is figurative to socialism and social democracy by the United Kingdom Labor Party. Later, several other European and South American socialist parties also accepted this icon. In Greek and Polish languages the word rose itself denotes the color red.
There are a number of famous red rose varieties. These include Lancaster's red rose, which is perhaps the first cultured rose variety and the hybrid tea rose, called 'Mister Lincoln'. Red roses are a frequent selection for romantic dates and valentine day bouquets. If a person wishes to gift a unique item, a red rose plant in itself is distinct.
Red roses are available in various categories. These varieties include English roses, climbing roses, shrub roses, outstanding hybrid tea roses and rose bushes. However, people should be aware of the fact that red rose bushes and shrubs are subject to diseases. These ailments could include occurrence of black spots on leaves or flowers that don’t open or are deformed when they open. Use of Orthene and Malathion sprays could be useful in keeping red rose gardens free of weaknesses.
There are many emotions involved in gifting red roses. These could include expressions of love, magnificence, bravery and admiration. Other reasons that make receiving red roses a common practice include best wishes, appreciation, sincerity and passion.
From the days of Romeo and Juliet to modern times, a red rose has been synonymous with love. Today, roses are popular all around the world. However, in its initial stages, roses grew abundantly only in Central Asia. The Persians and Egyptians, who later developed a cultivated variety, discovered the wild roses.
A red rose held in a person’s hand is figurative to socialism and social democracy by the United Kingdom Labor Party. Later, several other European and South American socialist parties also accepted this icon. In Greek and Polish languages the word rose itself denotes the color red.
There are a number of famous red rose varieties. These include Lancaster's red rose, which is perhaps the first cultured rose variety and the hybrid tea rose, called 'Mister Lincoln'. Red roses are a frequent selection for romantic dates and valentine day bouquets. If a person wishes to gift a unique item, a red rose plant in itself is distinct.
Red roses are available in various categories. These varieties include English roses, climbing roses, shrub roses, outstanding hybrid tea roses and rose bushes. However, people should be aware of the fact that red rose bushes and shrubs are subject to diseases. These ailments could include occurrence of black spots on leaves or flowers that don’t open or are deformed when they open. Use of Orthene and Malathion sprays could be useful in keeping red rose gardens free of weaknesses.
There are many emotions involved in gifting red roses. These could include expressions of love, magnificence, bravery and admiration. Other reasons that make receiving red roses a common practice include best wishes, appreciation, sincerity and passion.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Why Do My Feet Hurt So Much When I Run?
If you are a seasoned runner you know the importance of a good running shoe. It can make the difference between a great running experience, or potential injury.
The problem is not being informed. Most people do not know that there is a proper shoe for your foot type. Knowing your foot type before you hit the stores can make a world of difference whether you want to do brisk walking, jogging or marathons.
How do you determine your foot type? It’s really quite simple. Get a piece of dark paper and then soak your feet and step on the paper. Look closely at the imprint. There are generally three types of feet.
1) If your imprint covers most of the feet (not much arch at all) then you have flat feet. You are among the 60% of the population in America with flat feet.
2) If you show a wide arch and narrow line of your outer foot then you have high arches. You are among the 30% of the population of in America.
3) If your imprint has a medium arch then congratulations. You are among the 10% of the population in America with the ideal foot.
Regardless of what foot type you have, there are running shoes that are right for you. As many as 56% of the 30 million runners in America, have injuries from improper shoe selection. So you can see that you do have to do your homework to protect yourself.
With all the pressure one gets from TV adds or what is popular to wear now, you really need to put the health aspect first. Most likely you will be able to find a shoe that is right for your foot type and still have style.
To determine the shoe to buy, here are some guidelines:
1) For the flat-footed person, you will want to buy a shoe that is rigid and stable. This will prevent your ankles from bending inward or outward and it will protect you.
2) If you have high arches, you will want to look for a very cushioned shoe. High arched feet don’t absorb shock very well so you’ll want that cushion to help in absorbing the shock for you.
3) For the medium arch or ideal foot, you want the combination of both stability and cushioning for your feet.
When you try on a shoe it should be snug but not tight and there should be approximately a 1/2-inch between your longest toe and the front of your running shoe. Tip: Shop for your shoes late afternoon when your feet are a little more spread. If it is not comfortable when you are in the store, imagine what it will be like when you are out on a run. So test them well while you’re there.
In summary, those shoes you bought that were such a bargain may be cause for concern in the future, so pick wisely and may your running experience be smooth and wonderful. Your feet will be most grateful.
The problem is not being informed. Most people do not know that there is a proper shoe for your foot type. Knowing your foot type before you hit the stores can make a world of difference whether you want to do brisk walking, jogging or marathons.
How do you determine your foot type? It’s really quite simple. Get a piece of dark paper and then soak your feet and step on the paper. Look closely at the imprint. There are generally three types of feet.
1) If your imprint covers most of the feet (not much arch at all) then you have flat feet. You are among the 60% of the population in America with flat feet.
2) If you show a wide arch and narrow line of your outer foot then you have high arches. You are among the 30% of the population of in America.
3) If your imprint has a medium arch then congratulations. You are among the 10% of the population in America with the ideal foot.
Regardless of what foot type you have, there are running shoes that are right for you. As many as 56% of the 30 million runners in America, have injuries from improper shoe selection. So you can see that you do have to do your homework to protect yourself.
With all the pressure one gets from TV adds or what is popular to wear now, you really need to put the health aspect first. Most likely you will be able to find a shoe that is right for your foot type and still have style.
To determine the shoe to buy, here are some guidelines:
1) For the flat-footed person, you will want to buy a shoe that is rigid and stable. This will prevent your ankles from bending inward or outward and it will protect you.
2) If you have high arches, you will want to look for a very cushioned shoe. High arched feet don’t absorb shock very well so you’ll want that cushion to help in absorbing the shock for you.
3) For the medium arch or ideal foot, you want the combination of both stability and cushioning for your feet.
When you try on a shoe it should be snug but not tight and there should be approximately a 1/2-inch between your longest toe and the front of your running shoe. Tip: Shop for your shoes late afternoon when your feet are a little more spread. If it is not comfortable when you are in the store, imagine what it will be like when you are out on a run. So test them well while you’re there.
In summary, those shoes you bought that were such a bargain may be cause for concern in the future, so pick wisely and may your running experience be smooth and wonderful. Your feet will be most grateful.
How To Choose The Proper Running Shoe
Choosing the right running shoe can make a all the difference in whether you stay healthy or become injured running and also determine if you will be comfortable or be in pain while running.
Bargain shopping is the numero uno bigtime mistake made by most novice runners. You run out and by the cheapest pair of running shoes you can find. Trust me, you are not going to find a proper running shoe at Walmart!
Thinking cheap will end up making you quit running due to the sheer misery of having bad shoes. Some of those who are more tenacious may wait until they blow out their knee or have major shin splints before they throw in the towel.
With all the choices and high tech shoes available today, choosing the right pair of running shoes for you can be an arduous task at best. But here are some guidelines to help you.
First you need to understand pronation, which is rolling of the foot from heel to toe through the foot strike. A proper or neutral pronation is hitting the outside of the heel and up to ball of your foot evenly across the front. This is how your foot reduces the stress of impact.
Underpronation is not enough evening out so the outside of your foot takes most of the shock instead of finishing in the neutral position.
Overpronation is too much roll across from the outside to the inside of your foot.
To determine your level of pronation, look at your shoes you walk or run in. Most everyone will begin on the outside of the heel, the real indicator would be the wear on the forefoot.
If most of the shoe wear is:
• On the medial (inside) side then you Overpronate
• On the lateral (outside) side then you Underpronate
• Uniform across the forefoot then you have a Neutral Stride
This knowledge will give you the information you know to select the appropriate running shoe for your foot.
Bargain shopping is the numero uno bigtime mistake made by most novice runners. You run out and by the cheapest pair of running shoes you can find. Trust me, you are not going to find a proper running shoe at Walmart!
Thinking cheap will end up making you quit running due to the sheer misery of having bad shoes. Some of those who are more tenacious may wait until they blow out their knee or have major shin splints before they throw in the towel.
With all the choices and high tech shoes available today, choosing the right pair of running shoes for you can be an arduous task at best. But here are some guidelines to help you.
First you need to understand pronation, which is rolling of the foot from heel to toe through the foot strike. A proper or neutral pronation is hitting the outside of the heel and up to ball of your foot evenly across the front. This is how your foot reduces the stress of impact.
Underpronation is not enough evening out so the outside of your foot takes most of the shock instead of finishing in the neutral position.
Overpronation is too much roll across from the outside to the inside of your foot.
To determine your level of pronation, look at your shoes you walk or run in. Most everyone will begin on the outside of the heel, the real indicator would be the wear on the forefoot.
If most of the shoe wear is:
• On the medial (inside) side then you Overpronate
• On the lateral (outside) side then you Underpronate
• Uniform across the forefoot then you have a Neutral Stride
This knowledge will give you the information you know to select the appropriate running shoe for your foot.
Choosing the Right Running Shoe
Purchasing anything new can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very frustrating. Purchasing a pair of Running shoes is no different, and do the nature of our bodies I wouldn’t recommend rushing into a pair of shoes just because they are cheap or convenient.
No two people have exactly the same foot; however manufactures have divided shoes into three different categories: Cushioning, Stability, and Motion Control. Within these three categories their can be a lot of variation, but it is a good base guide to start with.
Cushioning - Cushioning shoes are shoes that have little to no lateral support. These shoes are good for runners who do not need this support, and have neutral feet. Generally this type of shoe will be for the runner with a high arch. Instances where this type of shoe is not right is in a case where you are a pronator or an overpronator.
Stability - Stability shoes are a mid range shoe category which offer a balance between cushioning and motion control. This shoe is for a runner who has a normal arch, lands on the outside of the foot and rolls forward. If you are unsure of where else to be this category is a good place to start.
Motion Control - The motion control category is for runners who really need support in a running shoe. Extreme pronators and overpronators can take advantage of a Motion control shoe, as well as a runner with weak ankles and other foot problems that would benefit from a shoe with a lot of stability.
Of course with only three categories like I mentioned above, there is a lot of room for variation. This is only meant to be used as a quick guide for things to look for in running shoes. I would recommend visiting a running store and having an employee look at your feet to give you a good idea of what category your feet fit in. If you have serious foot complications like extreme pronation, fallen arches, etc I would recommend visiting a foot doctor, as running shoes by themselves might not be enough. You could require orthotics, or even just simple strengthening exercises to get and keep you on your feet.
Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the following caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.
No two people have exactly the same foot; however manufactures have divided shoes into three different categories: Cushioning, Stability, and Motion Control. Within these three categories their can be a lot of variation, but it is a good base guide to start with.
Cushioning - Cushioning shoes are shoes that have little to no lateral support. These shoes are good for runners who do not need this support, and have neutral feet. Generally this type of shoe will be for the runner with a high arch. Instances where this type of shoe is not right is in a case where you are a pronator or an overpronator.
Stability - Stability shoes are a mid range shoe category which offer a balance between cushioning and motion control. This shoe is for a runner who has a normal arch, lands on the outside of the foot and rolls forward. If you are unsure of where else to be this category is a good place to start.
Motion Control - The motion control category is for runners who really need support in a running shoe. Extreme pronators and overpronators can take advantage of a Motion control shoe, as well as a runner with weak ankles and other foot problems that would benefit from a shoe with a lot of stability.
Of course with only three categories like I mentioned above, there is a lot of room for variation. This is only meant to be used as a quick guide for things to look for in running shoes. I would recommend visiting a running store and having an employee look at your feet to give you a good idea of what category your feet fit in. If you have serious foot complications like extreme pronation, fallen arches, etc I would recommend visiting a foot doctor, as running shoes by themselves might not be enough. You could require orthotics, or even just simple strengthening exercises to get and keep you on your feet.
Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the following caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Elliptical Exercise Equipment - What To Look For When Buying
Buying elliptical exercise equipment? There are so many different brands and types of ellipticals out there - it can get confusing! How do you know which one is best for you and how do you avoid buying a lemon?
In order to keep things simple and have the very best buying experience, here are 3 key tips to help you choose the best elliptical exercise equipment:
#1) Price
If you want a quality elliptical trainer, be prepared to spend at least $800. Why? Because most ellipticals under this price point just aren't built to stand up over the long haul.
Example: My $400 elliptical that I bought from a department store several years back lasted 3 months - 4 if you count the last month it was used as a clothes hanger in my living room.
After 3 months it developed a loud squeaking noise that couldn't be fixed - no matter how long or hard my handyman husband worked on it.
If I'd been smart enough to spend a bit more, I'd probably still have the elliptical today. In the end it was a huge waste of money and time.
So the bottom line is this: If you're really serious about getting in shape, you deserve to invest in a piece of exercise equipment that's going to last you - so be ready to spend a bit more on your elliptical trainer. If you consider how long the elliptical will last you, you actually SAVE money over the long term.
#2) Who Are You Buying It From?
While there are lots of places the sell elliptical exercise equipment - both online and off, make sure they have several years of experience and a solid return policy. If a company has experience selling elliptical equipment, this will make your transaction (and shipping) go much more smoothly.
A solid return policy also gives you peace of mind when buying your elliptical. For example, even if you try your elliptical out in a store, you might get it home and find that after a week it strains your arms or hurts your hips. You want to know that you can return your elliptical without a hassle.
Many specialty fitness stores will offer some kind of return policy and most experienced online elliptical stores also offer you a standard 30 day return policy. But it's always important to check before you buy.
#3) Upper Body Arms
The beauty of an elliptical trainer is that it offers you a total body workout.
Whereas treadmills and recumbent bikes tend to work mainly the lower body only, ellipticals offer you a chance to burn calories and build strength using upper body arm handles. This means more calories burned in less time.
Surprisingly enough however, not all elliptical trainers offer upper body arms with their units. Make sure you choose an elliptical with upper body workout arms included if this is an option you want.
It usually won't cost you extra to have upper body arms however one note of caution: Many of the cheaper ellipticals don't necessarily have the coordination between the arms and legs exactly right. This can result in injury or a less efficient workout.
Rule of Thumb: You should not have to lean over to use the upper body arms.
So there are three things to consider when buying elliptical exercise equipment. Keep these things in mind and you'll save yourself time and loads of frustration!
For more buying tips and elliptical reviews visit:
http://www.ellipticaltrainerreview.com/Elliptical_Articles.html
In order to keep things simple and have the very best buying experience, here are 3 key tips to help you choose the best elliptical exercise equipment:
#1) Price
If you want a quality elliptical trainer, be prepared to spend at least $800. Why? Because most ellipticals under this price point just aren't built to stand up over the long haul.
Example: My $400 elliptical that I bought from a department store several years back lasted 3 months - 4 if you count the last month it was used as a clothes hanger in my living room.
After 3 months it developed a loud squeaking noise that couldn't be fixed - no matter how long or hard my handyman husband worked on it.
If I'd been smart enough to spend a bit more, I'd probably still have the elliptical today. In the end it was a huge waste of money and time.
So the bottom line is this: If you're really serious about getting in shape, you deserve to invest in a piece of exercise equipment that's going to last you - so be ready to spend a bit more on your elliptical trainer. If you consider how long the elliptical will last you, you actually SAVE money over the long term.
#2) Who Are You Buying It From?
While there are lots of places the sell elliptical exercise equipment - both online and off, make sure they have several years of experience and a solid return policy. If a company has experience selling elliptical equipment, this will make your transaction (and shipping) go much more smoothly.
A solid return policy also gives you peace of mind when buying your elliptical. For example, even if you try your elliptical out in a store, you might get it home and find that after a week it strains your arms or hurts your hips. You want to know that you can return your elliptical without a hassle.
Many specialty fitness stores will offer some kind of return policy and most experienced online elliptical stores also offer you a standard 30 day return policy. But it's always important to check before you buy.
#3) Upper Body Arms
The beauty of an elliptical trainer is that it offers you a total body workout.
Whereas treadmills and recumbent bikes tend to work mainly the lower body only, ellipticals offer you a chance to burn calories and build strength using upper body arm handles. This means more calories burned in less time.
Surprisingly enough however, not all elliptical trainers offer upper body arms with their units. Make sure you choose an elliptical with upper body workout arms included if this is an option you want.
It usually won't cost you extra to have upper body arms however one note of caution: Many of the cheaper ellipticals don't necessarily have the coordination between the arms and legs exactly right. This can result in injury or a less efficient workout.
Rule of Thumb: You should not have to lean over to use the upper body arms.
So there are three things to consider when buying elliptical exercise equipment. Keep these things in mind and you'll save yourself time and loads of frustration!
For more buying tips and elliptical reviews visit:
http://www.ellipticaltrainerreview.com/Elliptical_Articles.html
Going to the gym has its benefits
For most people, it simply isn’t practical to get gym equipment for their home. The equipment is expensive, and you probably don’t have anywhere to put it, and it’s certainly impractical to buy and store the wide variety of machines that are necessary for a properly balanced workout.
For this reason, most people choose to join a gym. For either a per-visit fee or a monthly subscription fee, you get to share the equipment with other people, paying a fraction of the price of what it’s worth. You also get to exercise in a specially-designed, luxurious air conditioned environment, with qualified trainers on hand to help you get the most out of the equipment and make sure you don’t hurt yourself.
However, gyms also have a bit of a reputation for being scammers: the big chains are very sales-driven, trying to sign people up for far more expensive monthly memberships than they need, and relying on people’s guilt about not going to the gym to stop them from cancelling the expensive commitment.
For this reason, you really need to know what you’re getting into before you join a gym. Avoid offers that seem too good to be true, and always pay the per-visit fee to go in and try out a gym first before you commit to anything. If there is no way to pay per visit, you’re dealing with shady types and should probably just go to another gym.
Even legitimate gyms will generally often cheaper and more expensive levels of membership, however, so it is also important to know what you can expect. Generally, the higher membership levels offer more one-to-one training from qualified gym instructors. However, it is worth considering whether you will really use this and whether it’s worth paying for, as when it comes down to it, there is little a gym trainer could tell you one-to-one that you couldn’t just as easily learn from books or the Internet.
For this reason, most people choose to join a gym. For either a per-visit fee or a monthly subscription fee, you get to share the equipment with other people, paying a fraction of the price of what it’s worth. You also get to exercise in a specially-designed, luxurious air conditioned environment, with qualified trainers on hand to help you get the most out of the equipment and make sure you don’t hurt yourself.
However, gyms also have a bit of a reputation for being scammers: the big chains are very sales-driven, trying to sign people up for far more expensive monthly memberships than they need, and relying on people’s guilt about not going to the gym to stop them from cancelling the expensive commitment.
For this reason, you really need to know what you’re getting into before you join a gym. Avoid offers that seem too good to be true, and always pay the per-visit fee to go in and try out a gym first before you commit to anything. If there is no way to pay per visit, you’re dealing with shady types and should probably just go to another gym.
Even legitimate gyms will generally often cheaper and more expensive levels of membership, however, so it is also important to know what you can expect. Generally, the higher membership levels offer more one-to-one training from qualified gym instructors. However, it is worth considering whether you will really use this and whether it’s worth paying for, as when it comes down to it, there is little a gym trainer could tell you one-to-one that you couldn’t just as easily learn from books or the Internet.
Getting the Most Out of an Elliptical Machine
Do you want to get fit? Do you want to get yourself into a cardiovascular program that will shed pounds off your belly and keep your heart working in tip top shape? Most people would think that the answer to this is jumping on the treadmill or cycling endlessly. However such forms of exercise cause more pain than gain. If you are one of those who knows this very well then you might want to try using an elliptical machine.
In the 80s, the fitness world welcomed the arrival of cross-country sky machines. They were seen as better alternatives to the old-fashioned treadmills and stationary bikes because they allow health buffs to workout more with less time. The cross-country machines were indeed great in this light but a lot people find cross-country ski movements to be rather unnatural and thus more taxing to do. Because of this, innovative fitness machine developers modified the design to adapt to what people usually do with their body – walking, stepping, cycling, or skiing, but now with an elliptical motion, which produces less or no impact. This allows people to workout more and burn more calories without getting tired or burnt out easily.
How effective is an elliptical machine in burning calories?
There are hundreds of elliptical machines in the market and their effectiveness to burn calories varies greatly. Some manufacturers say that within an hour you can burn over 700 calories or more. While this may be true, the optimization of calorie-burning depends upon the user – how much time or how much effort is exerted working out is a primary factor on the elliptical machine’s effectiveness. It is safe to say that the rates would be similar to those of cross-country ski machines.
Benefits and Drawbacks with Elliptical Machines
An elliptical machine allows exercises to work out their bodies in shorter periods with less or no strain. Elliptical machines can be used for all fitness levels, from beginner to athletic, and all working out ages. The elderly could well benefit from its use because it produces less stress on the joints. It can be a great alternative to cycling and running machines to prevent boredom from exercise. At home, it can be used while watching the TV or listening to the radio as it generally produces less noise compared to running on treadmills.
The problems with elliptical machines also lie on its benefits. Because it is easy to use, some people tend to overdo their workout. People forget the importance of warming up, stretching, and cooling down. Some exercisers also tend to work their heart rates up to the limits. The lack of impact may also result into the burning of fewer calories when not enough effort is exerted. The variety of models can be confusing to a lot of consumers as compared to buying more basic machines like the treadmill, where the only concern is for it to allow one to run continually.
When buying elliptical machines it is important to first check your budget and then see all models and brands that would match your funds. You should then check the features of each model and see what you think would best serve your purposes. It is important to try working out on the machine as you would normally work out – with proper shoes and clothes on. Most importantly, you should check with your doctor to see if the machine and the exercise it allows you to do would be appropriate for your health level.
Working out can be fun with an elliptical machine! Try and see for yourself.
In the 80s, the fitness world welcomed the arrival of cross-country sky machines. They were seen as better alternatives to the old-fashioned treadmills and stationary bikes because they allow health buffs to workout more with less time. The cross-country machines were indeed great in this light but a lot people find cross-country ski movements to be rather unnatural and thus more taxing to do. Because of this, innovative fitness machine developers modified the design to adapt to what people usually do with their body – walking, stepping, cycling, or skiing, but now with an elliptical motion, which produces less or no impact. This allows people to workout more and burn more calories without getting tired or burnt out easily.
How effective is an elliptical machine in burning calories?
There are hundreds of elliptical machines in the market and their effectiveness to burn calories varies greatly. Some manufacturers say that within an hour you can burn over 700 calories or more. While this may be true, the optimization of calorie-burning depends upon the user – how much time or how much effort is exerted working out is a primary factor on the elliptical machine’s effectiveness. It is safe to say that the rates would be similar to those of cross-country ski machines.
Benefits and Drawbacks with Elliptical Machines
An elliptical machine allows exercises to work out their bodies in shorter periods with less or no strain. Elliptical machines can be used for all fitness levels, from beginner to athletic, and all working out ages. The elderly could well benefit from its use because it produces less stress on the joints. It can be a great alternative to cycling and running machines to prevent boredom from exercise. At home, it can be used while watching the TV or listening to the radio as it generally produces less noise compared to running on treadmills.
The problems with elliptical machines also lie on its benefits. Because it is easy to use, some people tend to overdo their workout. People forget the importance of warming up, stretching, and cooling down. Some exercisers also tend to work their heart rates up to the limits. The lack of impact may also result into the burning of fewer calories when not enough effort is exerted. The variety of models can be confusing to a lot of consumers as compared to buying more basic machines like the treadmill, where the only concern is for it to allow one to run continually.
When buying elliptical machines it is important to first check your budget and then see all models and brands that would match your funds. You should then check the features of each model and see what you think would best serve your purposes. It is important to try working out on the machine as you would normally work out – with proper shoes and clothes on. Most importantly, you should check with your doctor to see if the machine and the exercise it allows you to do would be appropriate for your health level.
Working out can be fun with an elliptical machine! Try and see for yourself.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Achieving Success And Progress Through Creative Thinking
Many people believe that the goal of any society is progress, however for most of us it is not easy to get used to something new. It takes more or less time for every person to adapt to new environment, even if it is only using a new tool, cooking a new dish or finding a new bus stop. That is the reason why many people cling to the way things are and it is much easier for them to do habitual things.
Any person's every day of life consists of many repeated activities, such as driving car, dressing, eating. People do most of these activities automatically, without much thinking. Automatic operations help brains to avoid unnecessary efforts, but many people also use this natural capability of brain in a wrong way.
They create "cliché" for many activities in their life, use same expressions, eat same food, and go to same supermarkets. People live with same world outlook whole their life. It is clear that in most cases laziness makes them live with "cliché" because it is much easier for people to make habitual things, say habitual phrases and do the same job everyday, then straining the brain, creating something new, and making progress in their life.
However, there are still many activities, which demand creativity, ability to orientate us in new, unusual situations. Life brings us surprises every day, and sometimes it is impossible to be prepared for all circumstances. Economical and political situation of any country in the world transforms every month or year and leads to changes in many life aspects. Today people need to be creative to get ahead, because it is impossible to find favorable work or life conditions, without any changes and unexpected circumstances.
There are not too many people, which think and act creatively. Most of those people are successful businessmen, artists or politicians, because they can effectively use the natural capability of brain to think creatively. Creative and imaginative people do not achieve success for themselves only; they also contribute to progress of the society. That is why it is important to train yourself to be creative and get rid of many "cliché" opinions in your mind.
First step to think creatively is to comprehend which activities are indeed in need of "cliché" (such every day simple operations as driving car) and which activities demand creativity (such as work, business, education, upbringing of children).
Second, do your daily activities such as work or family creatively, enrich your knowledge about your business, and find new ways to improve it, do not be afraid to give work to your brain, because in daily life most people use only 4-5% of their brain ability to think.
Last, but not least is to be aware that if you are creative and imaginative person you would not be disarmed by unexpected or unusual life circumstances and changes because you can always find a way to adjust and get ahead in your life.
Any person's every day of life consists of many repeated activities, such as driving car, dressing, eating. People do most of these activities automatically, without much thinking. Automatic operations help brains to avoid unnecessary efforts, but many people also use this natural capability of brain in a wrong way.
They create "cliché" for many activities in their life, use same expressions, eat same food, and go to same supermarkets. People live with same world outlook whole their life. It is clear that in most cases laziness makes them live with "cliché" because it is much easier for people to make habitual things, say habitual phrases and do the same job everyday, then straining the brain, creating something new, and making progress in their life.
However, there are still many activities, which demand creativity, ability to orientate us in new, unusual situations. Life brings us surprises every day, and sometimes it is impossible to be prepared for all circumstances. Economical and political situation of any country in the world transforms every month or year and leads to changes in many life aspects. Today people need to be creative to get ahead, because it is impossible to find favorable work or life conditions, without any changes and unexpected circumstances.
There are not too many people, which think and act creatively. Most of those people are successful businessmen, artists or politicians, because they can effectively use the natural capability of brain to think creatively. Creative and imaginative people do not achieve success for themselves only; they also contribute to progress of the society. That is why it is important to train yourself to be creative and get rid of many "cliché" opinions in your mind.
First step to think creatively is to comprehend which activities are indeed in need of "cliché" (such every day simple operations as driving car) and which activities demand creativity (such as work, business, education, upbringing of children).
Second, do your daily activities such as work or family creatively, enrich your knowledge about your business, and find new ways to improve it, do not be afraid to give work to your brain, because in daily life most people use only 4-5% of their brain ability to think.
Last, but not least is to be aware that if you are creative and imaginative person you would not be disarmed by unexpected or unusual life circumstances and changes because you can always find a way to adjust and get ahead in your life.
7 Tips to Make You More Creative
Many great things have started as an simple, creative idea. Consider donating some of your best ideas to help others. The more creative you are, the more ideas you will be able to create. You can be creative even if you don't think you are.
I have known many people that were scared to use a computer for the first few times. However, after diving into it they became more comfortable. They were willing to take a risk and make some mistakes. The result was an ability to learn and do things they would never be able to do without the use of a computer.
Being creative and thinking up world-changing ideas occurs in the same way. Everyone can be creative but they have to be willing to start. The creative process will then become more natural over time.
Try the following tips to help you on your journey to be more creative:
1. Record your ideas on whatever is comfortable and convenient at the moment. What is important is that you record your ideas. In the past, I have forgotten ideas that I thought of when I was on a walk. Now I carry a digital recorder with me on those walks. At other times I use my computer, notepad or journal. Choose what will work best for you and make sure you have a way to record your ideas at all times. You never know when an important idea will surface.
2. Don't limit yourself to ideas that seem possible. Capture all of your ideas. Even those that seem impossible to implement are important for a couple of reasons. First, what seems impossible to you may not be impossible sometime in the future or for someone else. Second, impossible ideas encourage further creative ideas that might be more likely to be implemented.
3. Change your scenery or location. A change in scenery can stimulate the creativity inside you. A change might be as simple as looking out a window. You can also visit someplace new like a park, beach, or mall. The new environment can foster new ideas.
4. Read on many topics. It is amazing how many things in a totally unrelated subject can prompt new ideas. By broadening your knowledge into more areas, you make your creativity potential grows.
5. Go for a walk. Some of my best ideas have happened when I was on a walk. This applies to any form of moderate exercise. I have heard of others that have written articles and speeches while waalking or jogging.
6. Focus in 10-15 minute increments. It does not take a significant amount of time to brainstorm some potential ideas. In fact, brainstorming works best when done for short periods of time. Concentrate for a few minutes on generate as many ideas to address a specific area or problem. Then capture anything that comes to mind throughout the rest of the day (see tip #1). You will have several ideas for consideration for little investment of time. One of those could become something tremendous for helping others.
7. Think big. What question are you asking to prompt your ideas? The larger the question, the larger the impact those ideas may have on the world. You can start by addressing smaller problems but don't limit yourself to those. You have unique experiences, knowledge and talents that should be applied to helping others on a grand scale as well.
Follow these tips and you will be on your way to generating ideas that have the potential to change the world. Don't let your previous lack of creativity keep you from developing and donating your ideas. Get started today.
I have known many people that were scared to use a computer for the first few times. However, after diving into it they became more comfortable. They were willing to take a risk and make some mistakes. The result was an ability to learn and do things they would never be able to do without the use of a computer.
Being creative and thinking up world-changing ideas occurs in the same way. Everyone can be creative but they have to be willing to start. The creative process will then become more natural over time.
Try the following tips to help you on your journey to be more creative:
1. Record your ideas on whatever is comfortable and convenient at the moment. What is important is that you record your ideas. In the past, I have forgotten ideas that I thought of when I was on a walk. Now I carry a digital recorder with me on those walks. At other times I use my computer, notepad or journal. Choose what will work best for you and make sure you have a way to record your ideas at all times. You never know when an important idea will surface.
2. Don't limit yourself to ideas that seem possible. Capture all of your ideas. Even those that seem impossible to implement are important for a couple of reasons. First, what seems impossible to you may not be impossible sometime in the future or for someone else. Second, impossible ideas encourage further creative ideas that might be more likely to be implemented.
3. Change your scenery or location. A change in scenery can stimulate the creativity inside you. A change might be as simple as looking out a window. You can also visit someplace new like a park, beach, or mall. The new environment can foster new ideas.
4. Read on many topics. It is amazing how many things in a totally unrelated subject can prompt new ideas. By broadening your knowledge into more areas, you make your creativity potential grows.
5. Go for a walk. Some of my best ideas have happened when I was on a walk. This applies to any form of moderate exercise. I have heard of others that have written articles and speeches while waalking or jogging.
6. Focus in 10-15 minute increments. It does not take a significant amount of time to brainstorm some potential ideas. In fact, brainstorming works best when done for short periods of time. Concentrate for a few minutes on generate as many ideas to address a specific area or problem. Then capture anything that comes to mind throughout the rest of the day (see tip #1). You will have several ideas for consideration for little investment of time. One of those could become something tremendous for helping others.
7. Think big. What question are you asking to prompt your ideas? The larger the question, the larger the impact those ideas may have on the world. You can start by addressing smaller problems but don't limit yourself to those. You have unique experiences, knowledge and talents that should be applied to helping others on a grand scale as well.
Follow these tips and you will be on your way to generating ideas that have the potential to change the world. Don't let your previous lack of creativity keep you from developing and donating your ideas. Get started today.
6 Family Christmas Vacation Tips You Must Know
A family Christmas vacation can be a wonderful experience. It can fill you with wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Christmas is a magical time to be surrounded by loved ones, friends and the spirit of the holidays. It’s also one of the busiest traveling times of the year. But, not to worry - there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a family Christmas vacation. A few tips will make your trip a breeze.
Christmas Vacation Tip #1: Play Santa
If you’re planning a Christmas vacation, be sure to wrap your gifts early if you are taking them for the trip. Always pack each gift carefully, especially if they are fragile, to avoid breakage or other damage. If you don’t have the extra room to travel with a gift, ship it before you leave home. If you ship to the address that you will be arriving at, the gift(s) should arrive within several days and will save you from traveling with them.
Christmas Vacation Tip #2: Don’t Forget
Make sure that you plan a trip that is enjoyable for everyone in the family. Before finalizing any details, sit down with your entire family and make sure they each person has something special to enjoy during the trip. Make sure that your trip is long enough so that everyone can enjoy their favorite activities.
Christmas Vacation Tip #3: Weather Planning
If you are planning outside activities, check ahead with the weather forecast. If you are going skiing, make sure to check with the local ski resort to inquire about their conditions.
Christmas Vacation Tip #4: Arrive Early
When making travel plans, always buy tickets as early as possible. Airlines and other forms of transportation, especially near the holidays, tend to fill up early. If you’re flying, call to confirm that your flight is on time before you even leave home. Upon confirmation, make sure that you arrive at the airport early. The same is true if you are traveling by train. Always call ahead to make sure that everything is on schedule because you certainly don’t want to be left standing in the cold.
Christmas Vacation Tip #5: Don’t Forget The Chef
If you are having a family gathering, which may include Christmas dinner, always pitch in to help with the cooking or clean-up. Catering to an entire family is a real job and it requires a lot of work. Therefore, any extra help that you can provide to the family member, who is acting as chef for the day, will definitely be appreciated.
Christmas Vacation Tip #6: Santa Questions
One of the best ways to enjoy a family Christmas vacation is by simply being together. When your children start asking questions like "How will Santa find me if I’m away from home," have your responses ready and reply with reassurance that Santa is always watching. It’s these little moments that will be treasured forever and nothing will ever take their place.
Christmas Vacation Tip #1: Play Santa
If you’re planning a Christmas vacation, be sure to wrap your gifts early if you are taking them for the trip. Always pack each gift carefully, especially if they are fragile, to avoid breakage or other damage. If you don’t have the extra room to travel with a gift, ship it before you leave home. If you ship to the address that you will be arriving at, the gift(s) should arrive within several days and will save you from traveling with them.
Christmas Vacation Tip #2: Don’t Forget
Make sure that you plan a trip that is enjoyable for everyone in the family. Before finalizing any details, sit down with your entire family and make sure they each person has something special to enjoy during the trip. Make sure that your trip is long enough so that everyone can enjoy their favorite activities.
Christmas Vacation Tip #3: Weather Planning
If you are planning outside activities, check ahead with the weather forecast. If you are going skiing, make sure to check with the local ski resort to inquire about their conditions.
Christmas Vacation Tip #4: Arrive Early
When making travel plans, always buy tickets as early as possible. Airlines and other forms of transportation, especially near the holidays, tend to fill up early. If you’re flying, call to confirm that your flight is on time before you even leave home. Upon confirmation, make sure that you arrive at the airport early. The same is true if you are traveling by train. Always call ahead to make sure that everything is on schedule because you certainly don’t want to be left standing in the cold.
Christmas Vacation Tip #5: Don’t Forget The Chef
If you are having a family gathering, which may include Christmas dinner, always pitch in to help with the cooking or clean-up. Catering to an entire family is a real job and it requires a lot of work. Therefore, any extra help that you can provide to the family member, who is acting as chef for the day, will definitely be appreciated.
Christmas Vacation Tip #6: Santa Questions
One of the best ways to enjoy a family Christmas vacation is by simply being together. When your children start asking questions like "How will Santa find me if I’m away from home," have your responses ready and reply with reassurance that Santa is always watching. It’s these little moments that will be treasured forever and nothing will ever take their place.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
5 Perfect Christmas Gift Ideas For Him
It’s holiday time again and what should you get for him? He has everything, so what else could there possibly be? Don’t give up yet because there are plenty of unique ideas for the man who’s difficult to shop for.
Gift Idea For Him #1: Naming a Star in His Honor
If the man in your life is also a star in your eyes, let him know with the perfect Christmas gift idea. There are many online novelty stores, which offer star naming kits. For a set price, you can have a star named after the man in your life. The complete kits come with a certificate, a map so that he can locate his special star and other information about star naming and astronomy. You can also select a date in which the star was officially named. Maybe it’s an Anniversary or Birthday. Perhaps, it’s in honor of Christmas. The star naming service will imprint any date that you choose on the certificate. Many of the stores offer custom framing, or you can find a frame at a local department store. If he’s into astronomy, of just to let him know that you think he’s a star, this is a great gift. In addition, it’s unlikely that most people would already have a star named after them so this would be very original.
Gift Idea For Him #2: A Watch
If you want to let him know that you love it timeless, buy him a watch. It’s practical, thoughtful and carries a wonderful meaning. Slip a note inside the watch box, which reads "Time flies when I’m with you." Gold watches are nice and they don’t always have to be expensive. Shop around at some of the online stores and browse their huge selection of watches.
Gift Idea For Him #3: Tools
If the gentleman in your life is also the home’s handyman, consider a toolkit. There are some terrific kits, which contain hundreds of items, which are available and make wonderful Christmas gift ideas. When searching for the perfect toolkit, keep in mind what he likes to do. If he prefers to build things, look for a kit with the tools necessary for building. If he likes to repair, look for a kit with a lot of fix-it tools and spare gadgets. You know what they say - busy hands are happy hands.
Gift Idea For Him #4: Unique Sports Items
If your guy is a sports nut, consider the ultimate unique gift. Log on to his favorite team’s website and read about any construction or new projects being built for use by the team. Many times, during construction of a new facility or building, the teams will sell customized bricks to help with financing of the project. You could purchase a brick used for construction, have it engraved with his name and present a certificate to let him know that he will forever be a part of his favorite sports team. If his favorite team is building a new stadium or other brick structure, the brick would be used and forever remain as part of the facility. Talk about a homerun, this will be it! A better Christmas gift idea, for a sports fan, would be difficult to find. If he’s a race fan, check out the Auto Racing Hall of Fame & Museum in North Carolina, where you can purchase actual race-used tires from some of NASCAR’s top drivers for less than $100.00, which includes the Certificate of Authenticity.
Gift Idea For Him #5: A Gift Card
If you’ve looked all around and still can’t find the perfect gift, consider a gift card. For the man that is truly impossible to shop for, let him do the shopping for himself. Gift cards are great because they give the recipient an opportunity to buy anything in the store, as determined by the value of the gift card, without spending a dime.
Gift Idea For Him #1: Naming a Star in His Honor
If the man in your life is also a star in your eyes, let him know with the perfect Christmas gift idea. There are many online novelty stores, which offer star naming kits. For a set price, you can have a star named after the man in your life. The complete kits come with a certificate, a map so that he can locate his special star and other information about star naming and astronomy. You can also select a date in which the star was officially named. Maybe it’s an Anniversary or Birthday. Perhaps, it’s in honor of Christmas. The star naming service will imprint any date that you choose on the certificate. Many of the stores offer custom framing, or you can find a frame at a local department store. If he’s into astronomy, of just to let him know that you think he’s a star, this is a great gift. In addition, it’s unlikely that most people would already have a star named after them so this would be very original.
Gift Idea For Him #2: A Watch
If you want to let him know that you love it timeless, buy him a watch. It’s practical, thoughtful and carries a wonderful meaning. Slip a note inside the watch box, which reads "Time flies when I’m with you." Gold watches are nice and they don’t always have to be expensive. Shop around at some of the online stores and browse their huge selection of watches.
Gift Idea For Him #3: Tools
If the gentleman in your life is also the home’s handyman, consider a toolkit. There are some terrific kits, which contain hundreds of items, which are available and make wonderful Christmas gift ideas. When searching for the perfect toolkit, keep in mind what he likes to do. If he prefers to build things, look for a kit with the tools necessary for building. If he likes to repair, look for a kit with a lot of fix-it tools and spare gadgets. You know what they say - busy hands are happy hands.
Gift Idea For Him #4: Unique Sports Items
If your guy is a sports nut, consider the ultimate unique gift. Log on to his favorite team’s website and read about any construction or new projects being built for use by the team. Many times, during construction of a new facility or building, the teams will sell customized bricks to help with financing of the project. You could purchase a brick used for construction, have it engraved with his name and present a certificate to let him know that he will forever be a part of his favorite sports team. If his favorite team is building a new stadium or other brick structure, the brick would be used and forever remain as part of the facility. Talk about a homerun, this will be it! A better Christmas gift idea, for a sports fan, would be difficult to find. If he’s a race fan, check out the Auto Racing Hall of Fame & Museum in North Carolina, where you can purchase actual race-used tires from some of NASCAR’s top drivers for less than $100.00, which includes the Certificate of Authenticity.
Gift Idea For Him #5: A Gift Card
If you’ve looked all around and still can’t find the perfect gift, consider a gift card. For the man that is truly impossible to shop for, let him do the shopping for himself. Gift cards are great because they give the recipient an opportunity to buy anything in the store, as determined by the value of the gift card, without spending a dime.
4 Terrific Gifts To Make For Father's Day
Going to a store to buy a gift for dad this Father’s Day may be the easy route to take. However, you should take a look at these terrific gifts to make for Father’s Day so that it is personalized and so dad feels super special:
A Father’s Survival Kit – Take a box of any size. Cover the box with dad’s favorite color construction paper. Decorate the box in any way you want, with crayons, stickers, glitter glue, markers, stamps…it is up to you how you want to decorate the box! Once the box is decorated, you can keep it looking nice by covering it with clear contact paper. Now, fill it with everything dad needs to survive: A picture of the family, a band-aid, a mini screwdriver, a bag of mini Oreo cookies, a video or DVD telling him how much he means to you…what you include is limited only by your imagination. You can make the survival kit out of any kind of plastic container, as well. Use puffy paints and glitter glue to decorate.
Special Father’s Day T-Shirt – On the computer, create a picture all your own. Include “Happy Father’s Day Dad” and pictures of his favorite hobbies, like golf, baseball, grilling, fishing, boating, etc. (All these can be found on free clip art sites online.) Print out your creation on special iron-on paper found at your local discount store (in the craft area). Now, iron-on your creation to a special shirt just for dad!
One of a kind paperweight – Find a big rock or shell. With paints and glitter, write “Happy Father’s Day Dad” on the item and then decorate as you want. This will make a great paperweight for dad’s desk, either at home or at work.
Don’t forget Father’s Day coupons – Create your own coupons, or find templates online, for coupons for dad. Offer anything you like: one “mowing the lawn” coupon, one “breakfast in bed” coupon, one “empty the dishwasher” coupon, one “do your laundry” coupon. Great Father’s Day gift for teens!
Anything you give dad for Father’s Day is special, but when you personalize the holiday with terrific gifts to make for Father’s Day it can be even more special.
A Father’s Survival Kit – Take a box of any size. Cover the box with dad’s favorite color construction paper. Decorate the box in any way you want, with crayons, stickers, glitter glue, markers, stamps…it is up to you how you want to decorate the box! Once the box is decorated, you can keep it looking nice by covering it with clear contact paper. Now, fill it with everything dad needs to survive: A picture of the family, a band-aid, a mini screwdriver, a bag of mini Oreo cookies, a video or DVD telling him how much he means to you…what you include is limited only by your imagination. You can make the survival kit out of any kind of plastic container, as well. Use puffy paints and glitter glue to decorate.
Special Father’s Day T-Shirt – On the computer, create a picture all your own. Include “Happy Father’s Day Dad” and pictures of his favorite hobbies, like golf, baseball, grilling, fishing, boating, etc. (All these can be found on free clip art sites online.) Print out your creation on special iron-on paper found at your local discount store (in the craft area). Now, iron-on your creation to a special shirt just for dad!
One of a kind paperweight – Find a big rock or shell. With paints and glitter, write “Happy Father’s Day Dad” on the item and then decorate as you want. This will make a great paperweight for dad’s desk, either at home or at work.
Don’t forget Father’s Day coupons – Create your own coupons, or find templates online, for coupons for dad. Offer anything you like: one “mowing the lawn” coupon, one “breakfast in bed” coupon, one “empty the dishwasher” coupon, one “do your laundry” coupon. Great Father’s Day gift for teens!
Anything you give dad for Father’s Day is special, but when you personalize the holiday with terrific gifts to make for Father’s Day it can be even more special.
3 Romantic Ways to Propose on Valentine’s Day
Many men use Valentine’s Day as the day to propose to their loved one. After all, it is the most romantic day of the year and it is a day you will always remember as the special day that you decided to become one. So, what are some romantic ways to propose? Here is a list of three ways to propose on Valentine’s Day that will definitely thrill your girlfriend.
1. Do it in front of her family
This all depends on how traditional your girlfriend is, of course. If she does not get along well with her family, this is a bad plan. But, if you know she is very close to her mother, father, siblings, grandparents, cousins, etc., this can be a great idea. Have them help you plan the special day.
Assign one of them to ask her to come to a family reunion on Valentine’s Day in order to get everyone together. Inform them of the real plan, but have them keep the secret from your girlfriend. When she tells you about the “reunion”, complain a bit about the “reunion” being on Valentine’s Day, but do not over do it to the point where she decides not to go.
If that happens, remind her that family is important and even though you would rather take her to a romantic dinner alone, you will go to the “reunion”. If you are very traditional, ask her parents for her hand in marriage before the party. Let the “reunion” go on for a while, so she really believes it is real. Designate a time when you are going to pop the question and inform the others beforehand (so they know it is going to happen) like when you put on a certain song or say something in particular.
Then, drop to one knee; tell her how special she is and that you’ve already received her parent’s permission to ask for her hand. Tell her you love her, ask her to marry you and give her the ring. Chances are she will say yes and the whole room will burst into applause. Make sure in advance that you have spoken to someone in the family about taking photos or a video when you ask so you will have the moment preserved on film.
2. Plan a weekend getaway
If Valentine’s Day is on the weekend, plan a getaway destination such as Las Vegas or Miami. This is a great way to propose if she likes doing spontaneous things and loves to travel. Don’t tell her until Friday afternoon when she gets off work. Pick her up at the office and say she has 30 minutes to get packed, that you have planned a weekend trip. To do this you will need to plan several things in advance.
You will need to get either airline tickets, train tickets (traveling by train can be very romantic), or get the driving directions. Make sure you have reservations at a romantic hotel. For example, if you are going to Miami, try to get a room on the beach. If you are going to Las Vegas, try to get a suite on the Strip at one of the nice hotels. You will have to have the stuff you will need for the weekend packed – including the ring. Hopefully, she will be so excited by the trip, she will think that is what the weekend is about. But, at a great romantic moment, like a walk on the beach or in front of the Bellagio when the fountains are going off, propose to her. If you are in Las Vegas, you can even get married there the same weekend.
3. Borrow from her favorite click flick
Most women love romantic click flicks and many include a proposal. If you know a movie she loves that has a romantic proposal scene, reenact it with her. If My Best Friend’s Wedding is her favorite movie, just holler out “Will you marry me?” as she is getting in her car to drive away. It is even better if she is getting on the train (which is how the movie version actually goes). If An Officer and a Gentleman is her favorite movie, walk in to her office, just pick her up in your arms, and carry her out. As you are carrying her out, ask her to marry you.
For this, you should probably consult her boss first. If she loves Sex and the City and you have a dog, take the dog out for a walk with her. When you stop to bend over and scoop the poop, pull out the ring just like Aidan did for Carrie. If you are not sure what her favorite chick flick is, ask. You can always use the premise that you are thinking about buying her the DVD copy for Valentine’s Day. Be sure to ask for a few of her favorites to be sure to find one that has a romantic proposal.
Proposing on Valentine’s Day is a great idea and one that your girlfriend will surely love. If you have the right setting, it can be very romantic and something that you both will tell your grandchildren about one day.
1. Do it in front of her family
This all depends on how traditional your girlfriend is, of course. If she does not get along well with her family, this is a bad plan. But, if you know she is very close to her mother, father, siblings, grandparents, cousins, etc., this can be a great idea. Have them help you plan the special day.
Assign one of them to ask her to come to a family reunion on Valentine’s Day in order to get everyone together. Inform them of the real plan, but have them keep the secret from your girlfriend. When she tells you about the “reunion”, complain a bit about the “reunion” being on Valentine’s Day, but do not over do it to the point where she decides not to go.
If that happens, remind her that family is important and even though you would rather take her to a romantic dinner alone, you will go to the “reunion”. If you are very traditional, ask her parents for her hand in marriage before the party. Let the “reunion” go on for a while, so she really believes it is real. Designate a time when you are going to pop the question and inform the others beforehand (so they know it is going to happen) like when you put on a certain song or say something in particular.
Then, drop to one knee; tell her how special she is and that you’ve already received her parent’s permission to ask for her hand. Tell her you love her, ask her to marry you and give her the ring. Chances are she will say yes and the whole room will burst into applause. Make sure in advance that you have spoken to someone in the family about taking photos or a video when you ask so you will have the moment preserved on film.
2. Plan a weekend getaway
If Valentine’s Day is on the weekend, plan a getaway destination such as Las Vegas or Miami. This is a great way to propose if she likes doing spontaneous things and loves to travel. Don’t tell her until Friday afternoon when she gets off work. Pick her up at the office and say she has 30 minutes to get packed, that you have planned a weekend trip. To do this you will need to plan several things in advance.
You will need to get either airline tickets, train tickets (traveling by train can be very romantic), or get the driving directions. Make sure you have reservations at a romantic hotel. For example, if you are going to Miami, try to get a room on the beach. If you are going to Las Vegas, try to get a suite on the Strip at one of the nice hotels. You will have to have the stuff you will need for the weekend packed – including the ring. Hopefully, she will be so excited by the trip, she will think that is what the weekend is about. But, at a great romantic moment, like a walk on the beach or in front of the Bellagio when the fountains are going off, propose to her. If you are in Las Vegas, you can even get married there the same weekend.
3. Borrow from her favorite click flick
Most women love romantic click flicks and many include a proposal. If you know a movie she loves that has a romantic proposal scene, reenact it with her. If My Best Friend’s Wedding is her favorite movie, just holler out “Will you marry me?” as she is getting in her car to drive away. It is even better if she is getting on the train (which is how the movie version actually goes). If An Officer and a Gentleman is her favorite movie, walk in to her office, just pick her up in your arms, and carry her out. As you are carrying her out, ask her to marry you.
For this, you should probably consult her boss first. If she loves Sex and the City and you have a dog, take the dog out for a walk with her. When you stop to bend over and scoop the poop, pull out the ring just like Aidan did for Carrie. If you are not sure what her favorite chick flick is, ask. You can always use the premise that you are thinking about buying her the DVD copy for Valentine’s Day. Be sure to ask for a few of her favorites to be sure to find one that has a romantic proposal.
Proposing on Valentine’s Day is a great idea and one that your girlfriend will surely love. If you have the right setting, it can be very romantic and something that you both will tell your grandchildren about one day.
3 Great Ideas For 4th Of July Party Food
Add some fun to your 4th of July party food. If you are tired of the same old burgers and hot dogs on this celebration, go ahead and add more to it or change it up the way that you would like to. There is no rule that the food should be one thing or another. In fact, a potluck of choices is the most American of all ways to celebrate. Gather up some new menu ideas and make this fourth of July fun and enjoyable for everyone.
Need some help coming up with fun ideas for party food? If so, there are more than a few things that you can do. Here are some great ideas.
Add more choices. Instead of just burgers and hot dogs, why not cook up some shrimp, crab or even lobster? You can add chicken, fish and steaks to the menu. Yes, you can cook all of this right on your grill (with the help of a side burner in some cases) and still enjoy the grilling atmosphere that the 4th is all about.
Dress up dessert. How about a cake that is in the shape of an American flag? For red stripes, go with strawberries in rows. For the stars, add enough blueberries to make them shine through. Frost the cake white and decorate. This is a great way to make a special treat.
Don’t forget the drinks. You can make various types of drinks special by just adding in flavored ice cubes, in blue and red, of course. To make them, add strawberry and blueberry flavoring to the ice cube trays. Or, just use the right colored Kool-Aid to make it work. Drop them into drinks for a festive yet fun way to add to your food celebration.
You can add virtually any side dish, any dessert and any type of appetizer to your menu and find those that will love it. The only rules to consider about food for the 4th is that it should be something that does not require fine china, something that can handle being out in the sun and something that is all about fun eating. You can come up with your own fun menu of foods, but don’t forget that some will want the traditional fare nonetheless.
Need some help coming up with fun ideas for party food? If so, there are more than a few things that you can do. Here are some great ideas.
Add more choices. Instead of just burgers and hot dogs, why not cook up some shrimp, crab or even lobster? You can add chicken, fish and steaks to the menu. Yes, you can cook all of this right on your grill (with the help of a side burner in some cases) and still enjoy the grilling atmosphere that the 4th is all about.
Dress up dessert. How about a cake that is in the shape of an American flag? For red stripes, go with strawberries in rows. For the stars, add enough blueberries to make them shine through. Frost the cake white and decorate. This is a great way to make a special treat.
Don’t forget the drinks. You can make various types of drinks special by just adding in flavored ice cubes, in blue and red, of course. To make them, add strawberry and blueberry flavoring to the ice cube trays. Or, just use the right colored Kool-Aid to make it work. Drop them into drinks for a festive yet fun way to add to your food celebration.
You can add virtually any side dish, any dessert and any type of appetizer to your menu and find those that will love it. The only rules to consider about food for the 4th is that it should be something that does not require fine china, something that can handle being out in the sun and something that is all about fun eating. You can come up with your own fun menu of foods, but don’t forget that some will want the traditional fare nonetheless.
10 Powerful Self Defense Tips For Women
In the USA, every two minutes a woman is being raped.
A 1993 survey revealed that 50% of Canadian women have experienced an incident of sexual assault or physical violence.
In Australia, 19% of women aged 18 to 24 experienced an act of violence in the last year.
Statistics show that one in very four women in America will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
These are SHOCKING statistics!
For more than 30 years I have been running specialized self defence courses and seminars. Over that time I have shown thousands of people how to protect and look after themselves.
Increasing personal safety ALWAYS commences with awareness.
Since most women fear attacks of a sexual nature more than anything else most of my quick tips are geared towards that.
If you are a woman, here is a list of ten simple things that you can do immediately that will increase your safety:
1 - Do not wear revealing clothing in public places. Doing so will ensure that you attract plenty of attention, including attention from those people with evil intent. Be discrete and leave provocative wear to those times when you can enjoy the intimacy of your partner.
2 - Trust your instincts. Women are very intuitive. If you think a situation might be dangerous then it probably is. That little guardian angel should be trusted rather than ignored.
3 - Rape and other sexual assault is always increasing. In the event of the worst outcome use your fingernails to gouge your attacker's cheek. It marks him for identification and you will have DNA under your nails.
4 - Drive your motor vehicle in a courteous manner. Nobody appreciates rude hand signs. Remember - eventually you have to stop, even if it is to refuel. Psycho cases might follow you for many miles "just to teach you a lesson" - all because you made yourself a target to their twisted minds.
5 - Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, taking mind altering drugs and leaving ANY food or drink unattended where it may be tampered with is a recipe for disaster. Give your self an even chance.
6 - NEVER pick up hitch-hikers and ABSOLUTELY NEVER hitch-hike yourself.
7 - If you live alone make sure that all your mail is addressed by just your first initial followed by your surname. Never allow mail to be addressed to you with salutations like Miss, Mrs, Ms or with your christian or given name. Those letters and parcels pass many eyes before they get to you. Change them. Make them nondescript as to your sex and marital status. Why allow anybody even one extra shred of information about you?
8 - NEVER walk alone at night or at any time in isolated areas. Predators love these locations. Avoid them.
9 - Many sexual acts are committed by people who the victims knew - or, at least, thought they knew! Be friendly and polite by all means but be vigilant for tell-tale signs of "strange" behavior. Do NOT flirt. Be firm about any unwanted attention, particularly in the work place.
10 - Sexual attack is usually preceded by some visual sign, which is usually preceded by some verbal approach before the physical action. Recognize the sequence: the look - the talk - the attack.
Please feel free to distribute this safety list to every woman you care for. The only condition is that the resource box remains intact and that this article is not altered in any way.
There are so many predators out there. Let's help our women to PROTECT themselves! Don't let somebody YOU know become the next victim.
A 1993 survey revealed that 50% of Canadian women have experienced an incident of sexual assault or physical violence.
In Australia, 19% of women aged 18 to 24 experienced an act of violence in the last year.
Statistics show that one in very four women in America will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
These are SHOCKING statistics!
For more than 30 years I have been running specialized self defence courses and seminars. Over that time I have shown thousands of people how to protect and look after themselves.
Increasing personal safety ALWAYS commences with awareness.
Since most women fear attacks of a sexual nature more than anything else most of my quick tips are geared towards that.
If you are a woman, here is a list of ten simple things that you can do immediately that will increase your safety:
1 - Do not wear revealing clothing in public places. Doing so will ensure that you attract plenty of attention, including attention from those people with evil intent. Be discrete and leave provocative wear to those times when you can enjoy the intimacy of your partner.
2 - Trust your instincts. Women are very intuitive. If you think a situation might be dangerous then it probably is. That little guardian angel should be trusted rather than ignored.
3 - Rape and other sexual assault is always increasing. In the event of the worst outcome use your fingernails to gouge your attacker's cheek. It marks him for identification and you will have DNA under your nails.
4 - Drive your motor vehicle in a courteous manner. Nobody appreciates rude hand signs. Remember - eventually you have to stop, even if it is to refuel. Psycho cases might follow you for many miles "just to teach you a lesson" - all because you made yourself a target to their twisted minds.
5 - Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, taking mind altering drugs and leaving ANY food or drink unattended where it may be tampered with is a recipe for disaster. Give your self an even chance.
6 - NEVER pick up hitch-hikers and ABSOLUTELY NEVER hitch-hike yourself.
7 - If you live alone make sure that all your mail is addressed by just your first initial followed by your surname. Never allow mail to be addressed to you with salutations like Miss, Mrs, Ms or with your christian or given name. Those letters and parcels pass many eyes before they get to you. Change them. Make them nondescript as to your sex and marital status. Why allow anybody even one extra shred of information about you?
8 - NEVER walk alone at night or at any time in isolated areas. Predators love these locations. Avoid them.
9 - Many sexual acts are committed by people who the victims knew - or, at least, thought they knew! Be friendly and polite by all means but be vigilant for tell-tale signs of "strange" behavior. Do NOT flirt. Be firm about any unwanted attention, particularly in the work place.
10 - Sexual attack is usually preceded by some visual sign, which is usually preceded by some verbal approach before the physical action. Recognize the sequence: the look - the talk - the attack.
Please feel free to distribute this safety list to every woman you care for. The only condition is that the resource box remains intact and that this article is not altered in any way.
There are so many predators out there. Let's help our women to PROTECT themselves! Don't let somebody YOU know become the next victim.
Monday, January 18, 2010
An Overview of Hazardous Chemicals
Materials that are extremely hazardous to property, health or the environment (highly toxic gas, explosive, highly water reactive, and pyrophoric materials for example) must not be procured until the necessary permits, administrative, engineering and environmental controls are in place.
Hazardous materials must be stored and used in accordance with numerous regulations including, but not limited to, the Uniform Fire Code and local amendments.
Permits are required for any quantity of highly hazardous material, and for small to moderate quantities of other materials. (For example, a permit is required for any quantity of highly toxic or unstable material and for flammable liquids in quantities in excess of five gallons in a building).
Contact the Fire Department directly or EH&S Facility Safety office (206.543.0465) for assistance.
Rooms where hazardous materials are stored or used in quantities that exceed certain thresholds, and rooms dedicated to storing hazardous materials are required to have a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond sign on all doors. Call EH&S Facility Safety office at 543-0465 for further information and signs.
Flammable Liquids: The quantity of flammable liquids in a single laboratory stored outside of an approved flammable liquids cabinet must not exceed 10 gallons. All 10 gallons, unless in use, must be stored in approved containers as indicated in the table below.
Peroxide Forming Chemicals: Peroxides may form in some organic compounds by autoxidation. Peroxides can cause serious accidents and, in some circumstances, become low power explosives that can be set off by shock, sparks or other forms of ignition. Some organic compounds form peroxides in a matter of months under the right circumstance. Be aware of organic compounds in your lab and remember to mark the expiration date on each container and review them periodically for disposal. Ether is an example of peroxide forming chemical.
Pyrophoric Material: Pyrophoric material is a material that will spontaneously ignite when it comes into contact with air. This material is only permitted in fire sprinkler protected laboratories in very small quantities (4 pounds aggregate per zone). Potassium metal is an example of a pyrophoric material. Extreme precaution is required when working with this type of material.
Highly Toxic Material: Materials classified as highly toxic are only permitted in small quantities in University buildings (Up to 10 pounds per zone). Highly toxic gas, like Arsine, is not allowed in any quantity without engineering controls and a special permit from the Seattle Fire Department.
Incompatible Materials: Incompatible materials are materials which, when in contact with each other, have the potential to react in a manner that generate heat, fumes, gases, or byproducts which are hazardous. For quantities of greater than 5 pounds or 1/2 gallon, separation by not less than 20 feet, approved cabinets, or a noncombustible partition is required. Smaller quantities should also be isolated whenever practical. A common violation is flammable liquids stored with oxidizers.
Flammable Liquids and Basements: The International Fire Code prohibits storage of flammable liquids in basements. However, there are two general exceptions as follows that apply to the University of Washington:
Existing grandfathered Class H Occupancy rooms (i.e., chemical stockrooms design specifically for bulk storage of flammable liquids). New Class H occupancy rooms for flammable liquids are not allowed in basements.
Your waste will be picked up in two to four weeks. Please plan ahead and be patient. Each waste item must be tracked from the point of generation to incineration, and we do the paperwork for hundreds of containers of waste every week. Chemicals that are corrosive, flammable, toxic, or explosive are by legal definition "hazardous". Some additional chemicals are handled as hazardous waste because they are carcinogenic, persistent in the environment, or are not allowed in the trash because they generate dusts or other hazard. Large volumes of waste or numbers of containers may take longer to collect due to the long time it takes to process the chemicals (it usually takes an hour to process one Chemical Collection Request) and the limited space on our trucks. Routine collection requests are faster because much of the paperwork is done already. If your waste is accumulated improperly (according the above guidelines), we will stop to discuss the problem with you if you are present. We will not pick up your waste until the problem has been corrected.
All new employees as well as anyone rusty on the basics of hazardous waste management should take this training. It covers hazardous waste definitions, labeling, storage, and disposal and includes a short quiz, all of which should take only ten to twenty minutes to complete. If you pass the quiz, you may request a certificate of completion for your training records at any job that you are working at.
Hazardous materials must be stored and used in accordance with numerous regulations including, but not limited to, the Uniform Fire Code and local amendments.
Permits are required for any quantity of highly hazardous material, and for small to moderate quantities of other materials. (For example, a permit is required for any quantity of highly toxic or unstable material and for flammable liquids in quantities in excess of five gallons in a building).
Contact the Fire Department directly or EH&S Facility Safety office (206.543.0465) for assistance.
Rooms where hazardous materials are stored or used in quantities that exceed certain thresholds, and rooms dedicated to storing hazardous materials are required to have a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond sign on all doors. Call EH&S Facility Safety office at 543-0465 for further information and signs.
Flammable Liquids: The quantity of flammable liquids in a single laboratory stored outside of an approved flammable liquids cabinet must not exceed 10 gallons. All 10 gallons, unless in use, must be stored in approved containers as indicated in the table below.
Peroxide Forming Chemicals: Peroxides may form in some organic compounds by autoxidation. Peroxides can cause serious accidents and, in some circumstances, become low power explosives that can be set off by shock, sparks or other forms of ignition. Some organic compounds form peroxides in a matter of months under the right circumstance. Be aware of organic compounds in your lab and remember to mark the expiration date on each container and review them periodically for disposal. Ether is an example of peroxide forming chemical.
Pyrophoric Material: Pyrophoric material is a material that will spontaneously ignite when it comes into contact with air. This material is only permitted in fire sprinkler protected laboratories in very small quantities (4 pounds aggregate per zone). Potassium metal is an example of a pyrophoric material. Extreme precaution is required when working with this type of material.
Highly Toxic Material: Materials classified as highly toxic are only permitted in small quantities in University buildings (Up to 10 pounds per zone). Highly toxic gas, like Arsine, is not allowed in any quantity without engineering controls and a special permit from the Seattle Fire Department.
Incompatible Materials: Incompatible materials are materials which, when in contact with each other, have the potential to react in a manner that generate heat, fumes, gases, or byproducts which are hazardous. For quantities of greater than 5 pounds or 1/2 gallon, separation by not less than 20 feet, approved cabinets, or a noncombustible partition is required. Smaller quantities should also be isolated whenever practical. A common violation is flammable liquids stored with oxidizers.
Flammable Liquids and Basements: The International Fire Code prohibits storage of flammable liquids in basements. However, there are two general exceptions as follows that apply to the University of Washington:
Existing grandfathered Class H Occupancy rooms (i.e., chemical stockrooms design specifically for bulk storage of flammable liquids). New Class H occupancy rooms for flammable liquids are not allowed in basements.
Your waste will be picked up in two to four weeks. Please plan ahead and be patient. Each waste item must be tracked from the point of generation to incineration, and we do the paperwork for hundreds of containers of waste every week. Chemicals that are corrosive, flammable, toxic, or explosive are by legal definition "hazardous". Some additional chemicals are handled as hazardous waste because they are carcinogenic, persistent in the environment, or are not allowed in the trash because they generate dusts or other hazard. Large volumes of waste or numbers of containers may take longer to collect due to the long time it takes to process the chemicals (it usually takes an hour to process one Chemical Collection Request) and the limited space on our trucks. Routine collection requests are faster because much of the paperwork is done already. If your waste is accumulated improperly (according the above guidelines), we will stop to discuss the problem with you if you are present. We will not pick up your waste until the problem has been corrected.
All new employees as well as anyone rusty on the basics of hazardous waste management should take this training. It covers hazardous waste definitions, labeling, storage, and disposal and includes a short quiz, all of which should take only ten to twenty minutes to complete. If you pass the quiz, you may request a certificate of completion for your training records at any job that you are working at.
5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Bamboo Hardwood Flooring
Choosing hardwood flooring over other options such as laminate, linoleum or carpet is no small decision.
Now that you have chosen to go with hardwood, you need to decide what type of hardwood you would like to have in your home.
Typically, most people think of oak, maple or cherry hardwood first. But wait, consider bamboo flooring. You will be taking advantage of one of the best hardwood flooring choices available today. Bamboo has a lot to offer.
Let’s look at these five main reasons why bamboo flooring mat be your best choice.
Warm Environment - Bamboo flooring provides a warm finish because of the natural grains and growth patterns that occur in the boards. While many traditional hardwood choices do give you a beautiful floor, but it is one that also looks like it should be in a gymnasium or an auditorium. Bamboo flooring allows you to create a stunning flooring finish that exudes warmth and comfort.
Strength and Durability - Bamboo is the perfect choice for a highly durable, strong floor that can stand up to the use and abuse that animals and children can deliver. It can even resist the drop of a pan in the kitchen as well as high traffic areas such as living rooms and hallways.
Environmentally Responsible - Bamboo flooring is the most environmentally responsible choice for hardwood, because it is not a wood at all. It is actually a grass that can reach its full maturity in only five years. When the bamboo plant is harvested, it sends out runners spawning new plants all around them. Because bamboo is a renewable resource, you are making an environmentally responsible choice.
Color & Style - The natural color of bamboo is a natural blond color that shows the grains of the wood and the natural growth pattern that provides a warm color that matches every décor. The other color option is achieved in a smoking process that carbonizes the grains in the wood, resulting in a rich amber color, which is a stunning, darker variation.
Cutting Edge - Bamboo flooring is the newest most exciting floor choice to hit the market in recent years. Your bamboo floor will most likely be the only one of its kind on your block, making it a cutting edge style that will provide your home with a beautiful, unique flavor all its own.
Now that you have chosen to go with hardwood, you need to decide what type of hardwood you would like to have in your home.
Typically, most people think of oak, maple or cherry hardwood first. But wait, consider bamboo flooring. You will be taking advantage of one of the best hardwood flooring choices available today. Bamboo has a lot to offer.
Let’s look at these five main reasons why bamboo flooring mat be your best choice.
Warm Environment - Bamboo flooring provides a warm finish because of the natural grains and growth patterns that occur in the boards. While many traditional hardwood choices do give you a beautiful floor, but it is one that also looks like it should be in a gymnasium or an auditorium. Bamboo flooring allows you to create a stunning flooring finish that exudes warmth and comfort.
Strength and Durability - Bamboo is the perfect choice for a highly durable, strong floor that can stand up to the use and abuse that animals and children can deliver. It can even resist the drop of a pan in the kitchen as well as high traffic areas such as living rooms and hallways.
Environmentally Responsible - Bamboo flooring is the most environmentally responsible choice for hardwood, because it is not a wood at all. It is actually a grass that can reach its full maturity in only five years. When the bamboo plant is harvested, it sends out runners spawning new plants all around them. Because bamboo is a renewable resource, you are making an environmentally responsible choice.
Color & Style - The natural color of bamboo is a natural blond color that shows the grains of the wood and the natural growth pattern that provides a warm color that matches every décor. The other color option is achieved in a smoking process that carbonizes the grains in the wood, resulting in a rich amber color, which is a stunning, darker variation.
Cutting Edge - Bamboo flooring is the newest most exciting floor choice to hit the market in recent years. Your bamboo floor will most likely be the only one of its kind on your block, making it a cutting edge style that will provide your home with a beautiful, unique flavor all its own.
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