Copper Information

An Introduction to Weather Vanes

2007-03-07T04:05:00.000-08:00

A weather vane (or wind vane) is an instrument for measuring wind direction. It is a simple instrument, consisting of an arrow, or any figure, mounted on a rod. This rod moves in the direction of the wind when there is breeze. The front part of the vane is more or less pointed and the back end is wide, so that even the slightest breeze will move the vane. The arrow turns until the wind is equally distributed on either side of the weather vane, making the front part indicate the exact direction of the wind. Wind vanes are placed in open and high places to catch the wind.

Weather vanes are one of the oldest wind instruments used by man. The oldest wind vane has been traced to the Tower of Winds in Athens, Greece, and dates back to 48 BC. Over the centuries, weather vanes have been used as ornaments to display the icons of various cultures, religions and countries. At one point of time, these weather vanes were most likely used as flags, as the origin of the word “vane” seems to have come from the Anglo-Saxon word “fane”, which means flag.

Weather vanes have no doubt been used to represent patriotic feelings as depicted by the Federal Eagle and the Goddess of Liberty vanes. Weather vanes, even today, are used more as ornaments on buildings than for any other specific purpose. Even office buildings are sporting weather vanes with corporate logos etched on them. They can be custom designed, from the size of the vane, to the material used, and of course the design. Modern wind vanes are also mounted with an anemometer, a device for measuring the speed of the wind. They may also be connected to a remote reading station. Modern weather vanes are rust free and maintenance free.

Weather vanes are available in hundreds of models and designs. They can be crafted to suit the exact feature of the house, its location, and the unique taste of the customer. Weather vanes are available in wrought iron, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze or steel. They are made in different shapes ranging from simple arrows to shapes of animals, birds, humans, crests, exotic figurines, or a combination of these themes. Antique weather vanes are so much in demand that there are some dealers who specialize in recreating weather vanes to look like antiques. Though weather vanes are more popular for the “country” or “farm” look, they can add a graceful touch to any building. Weather vanes are also used as decorative items inside the house or even on desktops.

The Charm of Antique Weather Vanes

2007-03-07T04:02:00.004-08:00

Weather vanes are instruments used to detect the direction of the wind. They date back to the year 48 BC, as seen from the Tower of Winds in Athens, Greece. There are many other references to weather vanes in history right from the 1st century BC. The first authenticated weather vane in the US was supposedly made by Shem Drowne of Boston in 1716. Another vane made by the same master vane-maker was a large copper Indian vane and it was installed in 1740 on Boston’s Old North Church.

Antique weather vanes are very rare and much in demand. Handcrafted ones are very difficult to authenticate. There is a great demand for those made in the factories which date back to the mid-to-late nineteenth century. Some of the most popular weather vane makers were A.L. Jewell, J.W.Fiske, E.G.Washburne and Cushing and White. Some unscrupulous dealers duplicate weather vanes to look like antiques by coating them with animal manure, placing them in dirt-filled boxes with salt water and burying them underground for a few months. The antique look can also be duplicated by treating them with copper sulphate, acetic acid and potassium sulphide.

Antique weather vanes were also highly experimented upon, and so we find many unique pieces like the one made by Thomas Jefferson which had a shaft that went through the roof into the room below. There was an indicator there so that the wind direction could be checked without going out of the house and looking at the vane directly. Antique iron weather vanes are also available in several types like: deck or fence weather vanes, lawn weather vanes, roof top weather vanes, table top weather vanes, and more. They are also provided with the necessary accessories and hardware like cupolas, mounting shafts, and roof mount bases.

There are certain guidelines for identifying whether a weather vane is really an antique or not. Real antique vanes are much finer than fake ones. Since antique vanes were usually covered with metal sheets, rather than being painted on, they may have some square borders of gilt remaining. Also, they would have a mellow burnished finish instead of a shiny look. Since weather vanes were usually used for shooting practice in olden days, some real antique vanes may have bullet holes in them. If it has holes or fissures, then there should be some dust accumulated inside. A good shake should reveal this. Although these are not sure-fire tests for antique weather vanes, they can help to know at a glance if the vane is really antique or not. Antique weather vanes, like other antique products, are in high demand by collectors.

Pumpkin Power! Superfood Virtues Beyond Pumpkin Carving!

2007-03-07T04:02:00.003-08:00

Pumpkin is at the heart of Halloween festivities, and for many is the only experience they have of the squash all season. This is usually for the joys of pumpkin carving rather than cooking. When you discover just how healthy pumpkins are however, you'll realise that pumpkin recipes are just as worth getting excited about and that it would be foolish not to eat the remaining flesh left over from your pumpkin carving. (As a note, if you're rolling up your sleeves ready to tackle your orange fellow there are plenty of free pumpkin carving pattern ideas available on the internet).

Pumpkin is a superfood indeed. In fact, it's not just the inner meat of a pumpkin that's virtuous but its seeds are super nutritous too and contain a wealth of health-promoting properties. Like melons, cucumber, and squash, pumpkins belong to the gourd family. They were much celebrated by Native American Indians who made use of their flesh and seeds for culinary and medicinal purposes. Pumpkin flesh is high in fibre and vitamins C and E, magnesium and potassium and a staggering quantity and variety of carotenoids, being one of the most abundant natural sources of these amazing phytonutrients.

Dietary carotenoids correlate with lower a risk of numerous cancers, heart disease, cataracts and blindness. Pumpkin contains heaps of beta-carotene as well as a huge concentration of alpha-carotene, with just a quarter of a cup yielding the recommended daily amount. Alpha-carotene protects against certain cancers and cataracts, and has also been discovered to be a powerful ally against aging.

Both alpha- and beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A within the body, which plays an essential role in growth, development and immunity. Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and prevents cholesterol build up in blood vessels that could lead to stroke or heart attack. The presence of magnesium, potassium and folate in pumpkin heightens its heart-friendly attributes. Beta-carotene works most effectively in combination with other carotenoids and has been found to reduce the risk of lung and colon cancer in particular.

When exploring pumpkin recipes experiment with other squashes too. There are numerous types in all shapes and sizes with many similar nutritional values. One tasty alternative is the butternut squash.

Pumpkins yield delicious and highly nutritious seeds. Known as pepitas, they are dark green and flat with a chewy texture and rich nutty flavour. These seeds are dense in minerals, with just a quarter of a cup providing approximately half the daily recommended dose for magnesium and iron, in addition to high doses of zinc, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, manganese and copper. They also contain the amino acid tryptophan known for anti-depressant qualities, and essential fatty acids.

The dark green oil produced from pumpkin seeds has been used throughout history in India, Europe and America to fight parasites, aid the digestive tract and help with prostate and reproductive disorders. It has also been recommended for pregnant and lactating women because of its high content of essential fatty acids.

A Quick Lesson on the History of Power Tools

2007-03-07T04:02:00.001-08:00

For the vast majority of us, power tools have been around as long as we can remember in one form or another. When we look back to see such items of our childhood, it’s funny how they seem so primitive, yet at the time they were the most up-to-date invention making the lives of our families so much easier than those of past generations.

Centuries before the wheel was invented, the Egyptians built the pyramids with nothing more than copper tools to quarry and cut the colossal blocks. It’s believed that this was one of the first uses of a copper drill, sharpened by the many metalworkers of the day, spun by twine attached to a cross piece that was moved back and forth like a bow. One theory for physically moving the blocks to the site was that the laborers drilled holes through the blocks, placed either twine or a dowel through the block, and pulled the giant blocks up that way.

Somewhere around the first century B.C., the first screws came into existence. They were made out of wood, had a corkscrew design and were used in various presses of the day, like wine and olive oil. The drivers of the times were basically anything that would twist the screw to get the desired result, eventually leading to a slot in the head of the screw and a coordinating driver with a tip that fit in the slot to ease the twisting process. Metal screws and nuts used for fastening two items together weren’t seen until the fifteenth century.

Henry Phillips developed the Phillips head screw as a need came for screws to take greater torque and grant tighter fastenings to coincide with the 1930’s automobile assembly lines and their automated screwdrivers. Phillips’ screw fit in nicely and created a new generation of screws and drivers in the process. Of course, it only took a few more decades to add power to the screwdriver, either as a single driving device or as an attachment for an electric drill.

The history of saws takes us back to 1777 England where Samuel Miller invented the round metal disk type of saw that cuts by spinning, also known as the circular saw. 1813 saw a vast improvement to the two-man pit saws that were used in the production of lumber when Tabitha Babbitt invented the first circular saw used in a sawmill. The band saw came into the scene in 1807 with its invention by William Newberry.

It’s been said more than once “necessity is the mother of invention” and “with age comes wisdom”. Combining both of these proverbs to come up with easier, simpler ways to do things more quickly and efficiently is what has changed these uncomplicated tools of the past into the higher-tech power tools of today, and will help to create the next generation of power tools for tomorrow.

Tips For Achieving Your Best Antioxidant Protection

2007-03-07T04:01:00.000-08:00

Antioxidants represent a crucial line of defense in each of our bodies. They serve to neutralize free radicals, which pose multiple threats to our well-being. Simply put, free radicals are made up of an odd number of electrons, and they attack cells in order to pair up electrons. When these free radicalsare successful in their assault, many complications and diseases can occur. Cancer, Heart Attack, Diabetes, and AIDS are just a few of the diseases directly caused by these free radicals. In addition to breaking down DNA and cell structure, free radicals also speed the aging process. Therefore, it’s not hard to see the importance of maintaining the best antioxidant protection possible. In this article, we will give you some easy tips for achieving and maintaining this vital resource.

Maintain a Proper Diet

It should come as no surprise that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains should represent your first line of defense against free radicals. These foods are all high in natural antioxidants, and provide your body with countless nutrients.

Vitamins and Minerals

There are several essential nutrients that work to scavenge these free radicals. Vitamins A, C, and E have great antioxidant properties, as do copper,selenium, and zinc. These supplements all help in the prevention of damage by free radicals.

Stay Away From Tobacco and Alcohol

These two substances contain an abundance of free-radical producing toxins, and should be avoided whenever possible.

Avoid Over-Exposure To Sunlight

In addition to many pollutants found in the air that we breathe (which we have little control over), free-radicals can also be found in the ultra-violet rays emitted by the sun. If you have to spend an increased amount of time in the sun, be sure to use a strong sunscreen to offset the exposure.

Your Best Defense

Hopefully, these tips will help you increase the amount of antioxidants you have available to seek out these harmful free radicals. Ultimately, you serve as your body’s best defense against sickness, disease, and aging. By following a healthy lifestyle, you can provide yourself with a sense of security and peace of mind.

Casino games history or how people have learnt to count cards Part4.

2007-02-27T22:32:00.004-08:00

Technocrat: Another little known name of great influence on blackjack Keith Taft. He was an engineer, computer specialist and inventor, he created his first blackjack computer in 1970, before Ken Uston appeared on the stage, just four years after the publication of the second Thorp’s book that encouraged him for this work. This computer named "George" was used by Uston’s teams.

Consider the fact, that at that time, there were not computers at all, to say nothing of miniaturization. The first version used 16bite processor, manually made memory and manually wired-in program. Assembly work and debugging took two years. He protected his device with copper screen from possible clutters and hid it in his boots. At first he was very lucky, but then he lost a great deal. It made him give up independent playing. Keith thought of writing a book, but then contracts with professional players came his way. After a few years the market offered more powerful computing devices.

The basis of the other device was Z80 processor. Keith built it in the pocket calculator. This version of "George", later renamed as "David", caught Uston’s eye. Keith together with his brother made several such computers for his team. They doubled their capital in a week. Trebled in two weeks. Then they were caught, the money and the computer were confiscated. By the way, Uston’s lawyer in the case was Oscar Goodman – now he is effective mayor of Las Vegas.

In the upshot the project broke down. And a new one emerged with more sophisticated and secret devices but now without Uston. More complicated computers required new processors and larger memory. New investments from the players and "Thor" project made good money for Taft and gamblers. Moreover, this computer remained unnoticed in the casinos. Keith created protection system which in fact repeats the concept of modern "electronic key". Then he developed "7-Up" scheme which connected 7 (!!) players at the table into the network. Each had a computer and they were united into the network. Just think – this guy – created computer networks!!!! It was 1982! Before Microsoft these people managed computer severs…

Then video cameras appeared. Keith started applying satellite and radio signals. Then again a failure, arrest and accusation of fraud. Charges were again dismissed. A new hi-tech project followed.

Finally when the usage of computers was deemed illegal in the USA, Keith stopped playing blackjack. Now he is living in his house and is working in his laboratory. I wonder, on what?

Things get easier when done together. Blackjack boom in 70-80-s, public description of team playing methods lead to creation of the biggest blackjack teams. The most famous, probably was the team of Massachusetts technological Institute or MIT Team. The idea was innovative– instead of hiring people with money, the operators of the team trained the students of playing the game and offered blackjack as summer earnings during their vacation. They almost posted announcements in the lecture rooms saying "Blackjack players wanted!" At first he team was small, however the management drew great funds from outside investors and project became very large. These young guys and ladies lived a double life – five days a week attending the lectures and eating in the campus canteen and on the weekend flying to Las Vegas, betting on 10 thousand dollars in the box, living in luxury apartments and driving in limousines at the expense of casinos.

Decorative Light Switchplate Cover or Miniature Work of Art?

2007-02-27T22:32:00.003-08:00

How many times have you settled for a plain, white light switchplate cover because you couldn’t find the right shade of color to contrast or compliment your walls and the rest of your home’s decorative items? Or maybe you chose boring white because you didn’t realize that the latest trend in home décor is decorative light switchplate covers for every room in your house!

I remember back in the day when I was about 7 or 8 years old, I’d go to my grandmother’s house on a Sunday afternoon for dinner. I specifically remember the wallpaper in the dining room. It was off white with a slightly fuzzy, golden fleur-de-lis pattern running through. The entire wall was covered with this repeating pattern, including the light switchplate covers, for back then the covers were considered to be more of a hindrance than today’s decorative mini works of art.

Interior design is still focusing on a wide-open floor plan, creating an airy feel while still being able to maintain a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere. Cleverly placed details can make or break this atmosphere, and can act as a centrally located focal point for all. One such item, the decorative light switchplate cover, can fulfill this task while becoming the muse, or inspiration for the rest of the room’s décor. Why? Because it’s a detail that can be easily grown into a theme, either color, style or story; it’s all up to the decorator in you.

It’s sort of funny, really, how the one room of the house that doesn’t get overlooked for a coordinated light switchplate cover is the bathroom. Maybe it’s because of the generally small space coupled with an undying need to coordinate everything possible. Maybe it’s just because this particular room has a wider selection of coordinating details available at every discount department store in town, turning the light switchplate cover from a piece of plastic covering a hole and some wires into a miniature work of art. Whatever the case, it’s time to spread the news and spread the art to every room in your home!

Today’s decorative light switchplate covers can be as unique or passive as you’d want them to be. Even if you have a hard-to-fit size, you’ll undoubtedly be able to find the perfect size from a specialty shop. Antique pewter, brushed or satin nickel, and mottled antique copper are just a few simple ideas to keep your light switchplate covers apart from the norm. And of course, don’t forget about the hand painted originals that can be found at discriminating local shops or from quality dealers across the World Wide Web.

A General Look at Alchemy Part 3

2007-02-27T22:32:00.001-08:00

The Philosopher's Stone is a catalyst that transmutes an object to its highest expression. With the application of the Stone, for instance, base metals are transformed into gold; men are changed into gods. The stone is a prime requisite in Alchemy and Hermeticism, without it the state of regeneration and resurrection are not attained.

Legends of mystical stones are to be found in various cultures; for instance, taoists refer their stone as the "Stone of Wisdom." The Burmese called theirs "the Stone of Live Metal."Muslims venerate a stone that lies reposed in the kaaba. This stone is said to be a fragment of a meteorite. It is traditionally believed to be white in hue but because of the sins of men, it turned black. There is a stone called "Cintamani" said to be a state jewel of the mystical and mythical city of Shamballa. Shamballa is believed to exist in the etheric plane above the Gobi desert. Esoterically speaking, "Cintamani," or the "love-jewel," represents the perfect expression of the anahata, or heart chakra, the enlightened mind, or bodicitta. When a seeker is told to acquire Cintamani, the unfoldment of the heart chakra is meant. This has its parallel with the Grail Quest in that, microcosmically speaking, a spiritual principle within man is the object of the search. This is further supported by the tradition that King Solomon's temple was built without the sound of tools. A certain stone called "shamir" was used to fashion the Temple. Esoterists know that the Temple refers to the causal body, the vessel clothing the Monad, the Spirit of Man. The Temple, or the causal body is built with the shimmering stone of virtues, good works, and an enlightened mind. These are nourishment that beautifies the Temple.

Perfect Love is truly a catalyst. Its power transforms human expression into that of the divine. Love is an aspect of the buddhic component within man; alchemically speaking, it is described as the gluten of the White Eagle.

From the above it can be gathered that the Philosopher's Stone is no stone in an ordinary sense. This is stressed repeatedly by alchemists in their writings. They declare that the Stone is made out of the First Matter, and is composite of the four elements. The Stone is believed to be hidden within man. Powers of the Godhead are ascribed to this fabulous Stone. Its appearance, so say the alchemists, is unsightly to look at, is to be found in filth, and is valueless to the majority of men. Since there are various categories of alchemy, it is probable that the Stone differs at each alchemical level, taking on a different characteristic and nature.

Aside from Love, other aspects of God, of Omneity, can be said to be the Stone, such as Supreme Reason, Wisdom, Power and Light. These qualities all have the ability to purify and illumine body, mind, and soul. To acquire the Stone is to discover Truth, Reality, and the Absolute, the "fixed," the non-aggregate--and this is the Magnum Opus--to experience and to know Reality veiled by the "adversary," "deceiver," "opposer," or "maya." It is the sublimest work any person can do.It fulfills the old adage: "Man, know thyself." The Stone derives its power from the highest aspect of man, from his divine Self which is essentially a spark of God.

10 Tips for Choosing and Placing Unique Outdoor Yard Art

2007-02-27T22:31:00.003-08:00

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to garden art. It all boils down to finding pieces that are unique and special to you and that make you feel good.

Many homeowners wouldn’t dream of putting any kind of garden art in their backyard unless it was very traditional. They like formal garden art like stone or concrete statuary of angels, gargoyles and goddesses. Formal garden art also includes ornate birdbaths and heavy classical water fountains.

Others take their garden art far less seriously and want unique outdoor yard art with a more modern look and feel. This group of backyard lovers enjoy nostalgic and fun resin or bronze sculptures of children and animals of every kind. I’ve even seen alligator statuary yard art!

Other examples of this semi-formal garden art include copper art for patio and yard, stainless steel yard art, topiary wire garden sculptures, as well as handcrafted items like one-of- a- kind birdhouses, stain glass stepping stones, pottery, and other unique outdoor yard art.

Then there’s the crowd who declare that art should be just plain fun and crazy. They like informal garden art. Their taste is off the wall. They love to shake things up with a few pink flamingos, or to decorate their gardens with unusual household objects like broken china plates, a dressmaker’s dummy, even an old toilet seat lid.

They like to transform old junk into beautiful works of art. No need to waste anything. Try placing recycled metal garden art in your backyard or use architectural salvage to create garden art from old windows.

Whatever you consider garden art, here are 10 places to display it to bring out its full charm.

• In a boring, bare part of the yard to add interest and stimulate conversation.

• At the end of a path to add drama.

• In any area to add comic relief. How about some playful topiary wire garden sculptures of your favourite animal like a lion or a dinosaur?

• In front of an ugly spot to hide dead patch.

• Directly in line with an unwanted view of the neighbour’s yard to create privacy.

• On a wall or fence to visually break up the long monotonous line. I have a beautiful concrete painted face hanging on one part of my fence and a mirror hanging on another to add interest. Any garden wall art sculpture will do.

• In front of a colorful burst of foliage to punctuate the space. My classical white bird bath looks gorgeous just in front of my huge pink rose bush.

• Hidden behind some greenery so it just peeks out a little to create a feeling of antiquity. This will put plants in the spotlight.

• Within the frame of a beautiful view to enhance the view even more. My backyard is on the lake and the view is made even more beautiful by a piece of unique outdoor yard art --A fountain of Poseidon the sea God that we have made part of the view.

• In a rock garden to create feeling of garden gallery. The rocks are natural pedestals for the art and create a wonderful playground for eye to bounce around in and land on art.

Don’t forget about the view from inside. Take a look out your window to see where you might place garden art so that it draws you out into the backyard.

Finally, less is more. Too much garden art will make your backyard look junky. All you need is a few interesting pieces of unique outdoor yard art to personalize your backyard and give it a sense of place.

Dry Skin Care Gets a Boost from Almonds

2007-02-27T22:31:00.001-08:00

Many people are aware of the nutrient value of almonds. Health food stores and even some grocery stores now carry almond milk as a substitute for dairy and its use is becoming more common in skin care lotions and cleansers. However, in addition to the beneficial almond-derived ingredients, most of these commercial products also contain harsh and harmful chemicals. An easy solution to this problem is to make your own almond products at home and add them to your basic dry skin care routine.

What are the benefits of almonds? In addition to being an excellent source of protein, calcium, copper, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, niacin and other B vitamins, they have a high fat content that replenishes the skin's natural oils. Like olive oil, the fat is "good fat" - unsaturated oils very high in linolenic acid that is especially beneficial for dry skin care. In addition to drinking almond milk for overall health, almonds can be included in many homemade skin care products but they are most useful as cleansers. Try the following recipes.

Gently heat a few tablespoons of almond oil until it is warm. Add calendula flowers, about half the amount of almond oil, and leave it on the heat without letting it boil. After about 30 minutes, let it cool down and strain out the flowers. Throw in a few drops of flower water - orange, violet or rose water are great. Try each of them and choose your favorite scent. Use this oil instead of your regular cleanser.

For a deeper cleaning you need to substitute marigold for the calendula and add grape seed and lemon oils. Marigold is a good cleanser, astringent and toner and also has healing properties. Grape seed oil is a very potent antioxidant - great for dry skin care and smoothing out little lines and wrinkles. Lemon tones and lightens the skin and restores the natural pH. Heat about 2 tablespoons of grape seed oil then whisk in 3 tablespoons of marigold infusion. Add about five ounces of almond milk and 5 drops of lemon then allow to cool. Used morning and night, this solution will last for a good week - just shake it before each use.

After cleansing, always apply a shielding lotion. If you're taking the time to make your own dry skin care products, you'll want to do everything you can to make the benefits last as long as possible. A good shielding lotion locks in the skin's natural moisture and forms a protective layer on the surface of the skin to keep out the harsh chemicals and pollutants in the environment. Dry skin care using the combination of cleansing with almond oil products and protecting with the shielding lotion will give you the supple, healthy skin you've always wanted.

Uranium 2007 Price Forecast: Up or Down?

2007-02-23T04:26:00.002-08:00

The big question now being asked by investors, institutions, uranium speculators, fuel brokers, uranium miners, industry consultants and utilities is: ‘How high will the price of uranium reach during 2007?’ Growth in the uranium sector continues to depend upon ever more convincing confirmatory evidence of global warming, caused by excessive fossil fuel use, in order to accelerate broad public demand for the expansion of nuclear energy as a replacement source for electricity.

In that context, it was a fitting end to 2006 when Associated Press reported the Ayles Ice Shelf had broken away from Ellesmere Island in Canada’s northernmost shore, where polar bears are reportedly drowning from the lack of ice to rest upon. This 41-square mile block was one of six remaining ice shelves in Canada’s Arctic, some 800 miles from the North Pole. To put this into perspective, the ice chunk was larger than New York City’s Manhattan Island – about the size of 11,000 football fields. By next summer, oil and gas drillers may find the ice shelf interrupting their production and explorations; shippers may need to re-route to avoid collisions.

While this news passed by generally unnoticed, a new record January temperature in Manhattan’s Central Park was widely reported. Global warming closer to home, as opposed near the Arctic Circle, obviously carries more weight. Juxtaposed against December’s bizarre near-hurricane-like winds in the Pacific Northwest and three winter blizzards in Denver within three weeks, cynics still dismissing abrupt climate change should wake up and smell the CO2. (Perhaps some should visit downtown Beijing for a ruder awakening on this subject.)

According to a 2002 report in the Christian Science Monitor newspaper, three key countries – China, India and the United States – collectively plan to build more than 800 coal-fired plants by 2012. These would emit an additional 2.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ironically, the Kyoto Protocol countries had proposed “reducing” CO2 emissions by a mere 450-plus million tons by 2012. Climate change, global warming and political tomfoolery worldwide should strengthen the case for stronger uranium prices at higher sustainable prices.

Will 2006 be remembered as uranium’s watershed year? If for no other reason, the past year should be marked as the transformation period for uranium mining projects. Those exploration and development uranium companies, which had uneconomic sub-$40 and $50/pound projects, became very economic when uranium began trading north of $60/pound. After spot uranium broke through $70/pound in mid December, and long-term uranium reached $69/pound, those once-questionable uranium miners took on shades of becoming potential cash cows within this decade.

The Year of the Uranium ‘Auction’

“The year 2006 was undeniably the most extraordinary in the history of the uranium market,” wrote TradeTech Chief Executive Gene Clark in the December 31st issue of Nuclear Market Review. “Although there is no open exchange for uranium (in contrast to most other commodities), a new market mechanism evolved with the secondary benefit of providing such transparency: the (so-called) uranium auction.”

Is There A Hair Loss Remedy?

2007-02-23T04:26:00.001-08:00

The loss of hair is caused by a variety of reasons. While it is true that hair loss is part of the natural process of the growth and development of the scalp area, as well as the cells underlying it, abnormal cases may occur that fall outside of what is considered to be “normal”. It is these abnormal losses of hair that cause a great many people to search for a hair loss remedy.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Simply stated, hormones cause natural hair loss. It’s a fact that we lose more than a hundred strands of hair per day without our knowledge. While we shed a considerable amount of hair daily, it is later replaced by a new growth of young, vibrant, shiny hair.

However, for reasons that still remain unclear, many people experience an abnormal loss of hair. Later in this article, you will find information on how hair loss is accelerated, and what you can do to prevent, or minimize the loss of hair through the use of natural remedies and a little habit changing.

What Do We Really Know About Hair Loss?

Hair loss as a result of aging is commonly referred to as Androgenic Alopecia. This phenomenon is normal and accounts for more than 96% of hair loss in people of advancing age.

This normal process of hair loss is genetic in origin; meaning, it “runs in one’s blood,” and has the tendency to be passed on to offspring who may also exhibit the same characteristics. Men suffer hair loss more often than women, with both seeking a hair loss remedy as a solution to their problem.

The first sign of hairloss in men is usually a receding hairline. Men would usually see this when baldness begins at the original hairline, and continues toward the top of the head. While women also suffer hair loss, the resulting effect is not as significant as it is in men.

The term “Male Pattern Baldness” usually begins in men in their twentys. However, signs of pattern baldness may show up as early as sixteen years of age, and in extreme cases, as young as fourteen. A womens progression of hair loss may go unnoticed due to the pattern being more evenly distributed on their head then on a mans.

In women, the entire scalp experiences an even hair loss, unlike men, where a specific portion of the scalp is initially affected, and then progresses to other parts of the scalp. Male hair loss starting in a specific area makes it noticeable even in minor cases.

A research team at the Wood Center of the University Of San Francisco was able to create a synthetic hair loss remedy that encourages hair growth in areas where follicular damage has occurred.

Copper Peptide, a synthetic medical product, was successfully used to promote active hair follicle renewal, and hair growth in damaged areas. The growth of hair is part of the unusual positive side effects copper peptide has on hair follicles. This has been an important development in the search for an effective hair loss remedy.

Zinc lozenges and the common cold

2007-02-23T04:25:00.002-08:00

Many view zinc as the golden cure for the common cold, but its easy to get caught up in the hype and forget to look up the information on many nutritional remedies to see if they really do all they are said to, especially when your suffering from a cold and want relief fast.

It looks like zinc really is all it’s suggested to be, at least for colds. Zinc has been found to cut the durations of colds in half in several recent studies. In one study researchers at Wayne State University gave fifty lozenges each to forty eight staff and employees who’d had cold symptoms for twenty four hours or less. These lozenges were either a placebo or contained twelve and a half milligrams of zinc acetate, neither those handing the lozenges out nor the volunteers knew which was which. They were told to take one lozenge every three hours while they experienced symptoms and of course while they were awake.

At the end of the study they found that those taking the zinc lozenges had a cold for an average of four and one half days, while the placebo group had a cold for an average of eight point one days. And this study also found that recipients of zinc on average coughed for three days while the placebo group coughed an average of six days. Those participating in this study ended up taking eighty milligrams of zinc a day, which is five times the recommended amount! Suffice it to say don’t take a dosage this high on a regular basis, you will experience overdose symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and it will inhibit your body’s ability to absorb copper which can lead to anemia.

Zinc lozenges in particular have been recommended for those looking to fight the common cold. The lozenge dissolves slowly in your mouth and trickles down your throat. Firstly the common cold is usually a head cold and the mucosa membranes are the tissue most likely to be infected, sucking on a zinc lozenge allows the zinc to stay where it’s needed to fight those cold causing cytokines. Secondly, the membranes are thin and have a large number of capillaries which allows for best absorption of the zinc as it dissolves.

Here are some tips for making your zinc lozenge work better for you. Place the lozenge under your tongue, remember don’t chew it because it will end up in your stomach not stay where it’s needed. Also take zinc right before bedtime. Obviously don’t fall asleep with it in your mouth. Zinc is thought to move through the body via the lymphatic system and once you fall asleep your lymph system stops so the zinc will stay in contact with the infected mucus membranes all night. You may wake up with the sensation of being dried out; this is just due to the other astringency and anti-inflammatory properties of zinc.

The daily recommended amount of zinc for adults is fifteen milligrams a day. If you are pregnant or lactating or if you have a specific medical condition you will need to take a higher dosage of zinc.

Property in Cyprus Nicosia

2007-02-23T04:25:00.001-08:00

Property in Cyprus has seen price rises in Cyprus which have led to steady capital gains for Cyprus property owners. Recent announcement by low cost airlines that they have new routes to the island are set to make property in Cyprus even more disirable. One city that overseas investors love is Nicosia. The city has been a firm favourite for overseas property buyers and offers some attractions that you simply cannot ignore these include:

The sun shines for approximately 330 days of the year.

Crime rate is 1/6th of the EU Average.

The cost of living is much lower than in many parts of Europe.

Ninety percent of Cypriots speak English.

The legal and banking systems are based on the British.

The telecommunication systems are very advanced.

Advanced medical care.

Cyprus net rental returns vary between 4.5% to 11% and capital appreciation is still in double figures, expecting to show 10 to 17.5%. The average rental net return in Britain today is around the 3% to 4% mark, and capital appreciation generally matches this.

The Land Registry Department in Cyprus is one of the most advanced and reliable system in the world.

Steady Cyprus house price increases have been putting a smile on the faces of the islands home owners and with the recent announcement by low cost airlines the news cannot get better One city that overseas investors love is Nicosia.

About Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital and largest city in Cyprus. The city is located on the Pedieos River and the population of the city is 206,200. The city is modern with several shops, restaurants and entertainment. The main industries include textiles, leather, pottery, and plastics. There are also several copper mines near the city.

Nicosia is located in the center of the island and has a historic feel with a Royal Palace and several Byzantine churches. The streets and old houses are very ornate. The Cyprus Museum is home to a large collection of Cypriot treasures and antiques. The heart of Nicosia is Eleftheria Square, also known as Freedom Square. The city hall, post office and library is located here.

Northern Cyprus has a large property market of apartments and villas. The town of Karsiyaka is projected to be the next number one area for overseas property investment. The town is only half an hour from Nicosia is expected to become a luxury development area with hotels, vacation homes and luxury villas. The area is simple with coffee shops and markets, but the area is very beautiful and nestled into the mountainside. The majority of the property in this area has been allocated by the government for development for the tourism industry and several superior resorts are expected to begin construction. The area features stunning beaches that have been relatively untouched as well as numerous mountain trails. Shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities are also expected to begin growing in this region, making the area prime investment property.

The climate of Cyprus is very Mediterranean. The area is still very natural except for the major city districts. The outskirts have attracted numerous people because of their beautiful beaches and mountain scenery. Seaside homes are very popular with vacationers, tourists and retirees.

Hair Extension in New York can solve the problem of damaged hairs

2007-02-23T04:24:00.000-08:00

Are you really willing to have beautiful hair that can become the envy of everyone? Obviously, you would like to have hairs that look pretty and awesome on you. Though some of you might be luckiest ones to be born with naturally beautiful hairs, but this is not the case with everyone. As some people might develop some hair problems with the passing of time, hair extension can be the best solution for them. Hair extension New York is considered as one of the special treatments meant especially for such people. Everyone has the right to have wonderful looking hairs.

Hairs add to the looks of a person and a perfect cut will surely enhance your looks. These days, people are becoming more and more stylish and fashionable. This drive has made them turn towards hair extension New York. The main reason behind this is that this treatment will help you to grow your hairs in very less time. Whenever people see the hairs of the other people, they keep on thinking that I wish I could have hairs like her. Hair extension will give you a chance to have that style and length which you have always wanted. Moreover, it will also solve the problem of those people who keep on complaining that their hairs tangle a lot after wash.

The concept of hair extension came into existence because of this reason only. Since its advent in the world of fashion, its popularity is raising in the charts. You get to see a huge number of people suffering from hair problems that keep on visiting their hair stylist. And with hair extension, this number has increased much more. As a part of hair extension treatment, a bunch of real hair extensions are attached to the track of your natural hairs. These extensions are attached to the inner most layer of your hairs, so that they are not at visible. This advantage has made this development even more admirable.

Be it in New York or any other state, hair stylists have to be a specialist in this so as to carry out the procedure properly. Well, there are many hair stylists who make use of different methods of attaching these extensions to the human hairs. Some use glues or bonds, while others use copper coils that merge naturally with the hairs. With hair extension, only you would know that something is being worn. But no other will be able to make you that you are wearing extensions. Who does not like to look beautiful and get compliments? It is the hair extension that adds elegance and style to your looks.

Hair extension is available in different colors and textures. This makes it possible for every person, who is suffering from the problem of damaged hair or wish to grow her hair faster, to go for this treatment. The time period for this process depends on the severity of the person’s problem. Another thing to be kept in mind is that you have to take care of your hair extension, so that its texture and softness can be maintained. You are required to wash the hairs twice in a week and apply moisturizer to maintain the softness of hair extension New York.

Beauty Is Skin Deep!

2007-02-14T23:25:00.001-08:00

Everyone wants great skin ! In today's world, supple skin, a healthy glow and a blemish free complexion are a great asset and diet plays a major role. Introducing a new class of foods to protect and improve skin. Here are the six skin care secrets that can rejuvenate and revitalize your skin……the natural way.

WATER – THE MOST IMPORTANT SKIN NUTRIENT Water is a very low-cost way to improve your skin quality, and the effect is fast. Just one week after increasing your water intake you can see fewer wrinkles and minor blemishes. Water has two functions that lead to better looking skin. First, it helps flush toxins out of your body which can show up as blemishes on the skin. Second, it plumps up the skin so wrinkles don't form or are less noticeable. Drink plenty of water.

VITAMIN C – THE SUPERSKIN VITAMIN. Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits (oranges), strawberries, tomatoes and cabbage, and this vitamin is critical to the formation of collagen - a key element of the connective tissue that keeps skin firm and prevents it from breaking. This leads to more resilient skin. This is something simple you can try at home - toss in a few sliced pieces of oranges, pears or strawberries in a little lemon juice and sweetener for a refreshing slush. Combine with some yoghurt in a blender and you get the world's best smoothie!

VITAMIN B3 – NIACIN.- THE SKIN REJUVENATOR Meat, fish, poultry, legumes and grains are rich in Niacin, an essential nutrient for skin. Chicken in particular, provides a complete array of amino acids to fuel the growth of fresh new skin cells.

VITAMIN A FOR A+ SKIN TEXTURE

Papaya's and yellow-dark green vegetables such as carrots provide a nice beauty boost because vitamin A is one of the vitamins that most directly contribute to keeping skin's texture youthful. You could say that a carrot a day - loaded with fiber and beta carotene (precursor to vitamin A), plays an important role in maintaining smooth, healthy skin and keeps blemishes away! Try carrot juice, instead of orange, at breakfast once in a while.

FIBER – SUPER SKIN IS ALWAYS STRESS FREE. Studies suggest that oats and some cereals include fiber help to balance blood sugar level and even control stress levels. And any stressors can precipitate skin eruptions. Less stress helps in improving skin tone. Choose oatmeal or oat-based cold cereals for breakfast a few times a week, and wheat / oat enriched breads and muffins. Here is a great tip - Tomatoes are year round skin helpers, because they provide all of the above mentioned nutrients in one easily available source.

MORE FOODS FOR SUPER SKIN.

One cup of low-fat yogurt is enriched with an ample amount of protein, zinc, folacin, B12 (important for healthy blood and skin tone) and riboflavin, important for providing energy to skin cells. A single serving of potatoes (6-8 oz) provides an ample amount of vitamin C, B vitamins, especially folic acid, iron, copper, niacin, and fiber. Whole-grain breads, available at health food shops are rich in fiber, zinc and B vitamins.

So now that you know all the facts, start eating healthy today! Beauty doesn't lie in the hands of the beholder, it lies in the hands of the smart eater !

White Horse Weather Vanes

2007-02-14T23:24:00.005-08:00

Weather vanes, which are devices for measuring wind direction, are one of the oldest geographic tools used by man. They have an ornamental value in many American homes, giving a classy and artistic look to the house. They are used on all kinds of buildings: residences, farmhouses, barns, garages, offices, and churches. They are available in several designs shaped like simple arrows, animals, birds, humans, crests, exotic figurines, or combinations of some of these.

Weather vanes are also available in several models like: deck or fence weather vanes, lawn weather vanes, table top weather vanes, roof top weather vanes, and more and are provided with the accessories like cupolas, mounting shafts, and roof mount bases. Modern wind vanes are also mounted with an anemometer for measuring the wind speed and may be connected to a remote reading station. Modern weather vanes are rust free and maintenance free.

Though weather vanes are generally shaped like arrows, designs have become quite ornate over time. The white horse weather vane is one of the most popular designs. The white horse carries a certain symbolism, which makes it a favorite among many. White horses are associated with fertility, empathy, travel, power, freedom, peace, sincerity, wealth and loyalty. They are referred in the bible and their tradition dates back to the Celtic mythology. In the bible, they are used to represent virtues like righteousness, holiness and purity and also stand for salvation. White horse weather vanes hold very strong symbolic messages. They are also particularly relevant for Irish people since their folklore and fairy tales consider white horses to be very majestic. Arabian horses represent peace, friendship, sincerity and honor.

White horse weather vanes are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and finishes. Whitehorse weather vanes are also designed with one horse, a group of horses or horse with a carriage, etc. These vanes are ideal for horse lovers. They can be made of copper, wrought iron, bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel. White horse weather vanes still hold a lot of appeal for townspeople and country folk alike.

Skin Tag Removal – Fast Facts You Need To Know About Minor Surgical Methods

2007-02-14T23:24:00.003-08:00

Skin tag removal can be done quite conveniently at the dermatologist or physician’s clinic. But before you head straight to the clinic for your treatment, it would serve you well to know what the skin tag removal options available for you are. Since the skin tags are attached to your skin, you must be prepared for some level of discomfort or pain during the removal. This can be quite unbearable for some if the number of skin tags is just too many. In such instances, the dermatologist or doctor would usually apply local anesthetic on the surrounding skin to numb and alleviate the pain. In this article, you will read about the different common removal methods that are used to get rid of those ugly skin tags.

Cyrotherapy

This describes the freezing of skin tags to “kill” and remove them. This is often done using ligation and application of liquid nitrogen. Basically, a suture/copper wire is wrapped around the peduncle or stalk before freezing the skin tags. At times, the dermatologist may use forceps instead. But bear in mind that while this method is effective, there is always the risk of suffering from dsychromic lesions if the dermatologist is not careful.

Excision

Excision using scissors or scalpels is normally more suitable for larger skin tags. Aluminum chloride may be applied to arrest the bleeding.

Cauterization

This skin tag removal method involves burning off the skin tags using electric current.

Tying the Skin Tags

You may not be aware but small skin tags can be tied up with threads. The intention of tying is to stop blood supply to the skin tags, and let them die off slowly. After some time, normally several days to a week, the skin tags would darken and slowly dry up. Once that happens, they can be easily removed. One setback of this method is it can be rather tedious if you have numerous skin tags. It is also rather unsightly.

These are the few common skin tag removal treatment that your dermatologist could offer you. You may wish to first consult him/her if the skin growths on your body are skin tags and not other malignant skin tissues. He/she would be able to advise you on the appropriate removal method for your skin tags. However, before you decide on removing those skin tags, you must be prepared to fork out the entire medical bill. Skin tags are benign and are removed mostly for cosmetic reasons, ie to improve one’s appearance. Insurance companies would not cover such expenses.

Wooden Playground Equipment

2007-02-14T23:24:00.001-08:00

Playgrounds a source of fun and recreation for all kids. An ideal playground should contain proper equipment that would not only entertain children but also provide a place for parents to relax. Besides being fun, playground equipment also develops kids' physical strength, dexterity, agility and concentration. And the playground is a place for kids to make friends.

Wooden equipment is very common in most playgrounds. This is because of the strength, sturdiness, and durability of wood. These days, wooden playground equipment is being made from conditioned wood that is pre-treated to provide lasting durability and strength. Wood is also non-polluting easily bio-degradable. Wooden playground equipment last for 20-30 years and do not need much maintenance. Wood treated with copper azole lasts even longer as it deteriorates slowly. It is also more resistant to adverse weather conditions like sun, rain or snow. Wooden playground equipment also have a natural look to them. Since wood is a renewable resource, wooden equipment is also a great benefit to the environment as compared to plastic equipment. Wooden playground equipment should meet industry standards set by the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) as well as the AWPA.

Wooden playground equipment is generally made from pine lumber, solid California Redwood or recycled plastic lumber. However, the smaller and accessories may be made of steel, aluminum or plastic.

Wooden playground equipment should be checked for unsafe conditions such as objects protruding that might poke, or hanging ropes that can strangle or cause a child to trip or fall. For the most part, wood is easy to maintain and durable enough even for harsh outdoor weather conditions.

There are many providers of wooden playground equipment. Information about these companies can be accessed online. The Internet is also a good way to shop for wooden playground equipment since the range is greater than that in a conventional store. Besides, some websites also allow interactive designing of the products online. You can also know about the latest offers of prices, discounts and warranties and compare them with other companies' stock.

Australian Stock Picks-Commodities Power the Aussie ASX

2007-02-14T23:23:00.000-08:00

Continuing my theme of looking at the diversified ETF's(Exchange Traded Funds) coupled with my belief that we are in the midst of a secular Bull Market for commodities(who am I to argue with Jim Rogers !!) then I wanted to expand on my recent post around China and Taiwan and take a look at Australia.Since 2001 Australia has benefited from the boom in commodities especially the Metals such as Gold,Silver and Copper mined by companies such as BHP Billiton (NYSE : BHP) and the agricultural commodities-which some would argue are only recently starting to catch up with the rest of the booming Natural Resource Mkts-(witness Corn and Wheat over the last few months.)

If you believe as I do that we have a good few years to go before the Natural Resource boom tops out then the Australian Mkt should do very well in the next 5 or so years.Even although the ASX 200 broke out from its all time high in the last few weeks I still believe that we will see it higher in the years to come.It climbed 19% in 2006 topping its 2005 performance of just over 17%. If that was not reason enough to look more closely at the opportunities in Australia the fact that the Australian Dollar has strengthened against the US dollar is another good reason for any American Investors or those who hold substantial amounts of their portfolio in dollars to consider the Australian Markets. In order to benefit from the boom "down under|" then we could look at individual companies such as BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP ) or Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP) up 220% and 150% respectively over the last five years, but I prefer the diversification of a fund-especially when companies can be as volatile as BHP and Rio Tinto.I would therefore take a close look at iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund (AMEX: EWA).This will give you a broad exposure to Australian companies and also will give you the benefits of some protection against the potential of a falling US dollar.This ETF is up 180% since 2001 and put in a performance of nearly 30% last year-that being said I think there is still some more upside particularly if you take a 3-5 year view. I currently hold some of the EWA but would be looking to add some more on any weakness or pullbacks.

Rosacea Ltd III - an effective treatment for treating rosacea

2007-02-08T22:29:00.001-08:00

People who suffer from rosacea often have a very sensitive skin which doesn't tolerate certain treatments that include chemicals and other substances which may cause severe damages for the skin. In addition to this, patients should avoid products which may contain certain ingredients, such as retinol, different kinds of acids, alcohol and many other substances which are toxic. In order to treat rosacea and to ameliorate its symptoms, the specialists have managed to produce a special treatment known as Rosacea Ltd III.

Rosacea Ltd III includes more than 99% snoothing and calming ingredients and has been designed especially for acne ,pimples, seborrheic dermatitis and also for the sensitive skin. It is important to say that Rosacea Ltd III is composed of different ingredients like zinc oxide, magnesium stearate, sodium chloride, copper oxide, substances which don't affect the skin texture such as other sources for cleaning:soap, astringents and lotions which contain alcohol. Much more, Rosacea Ltd is very well tolarated by the body system, does not interact with other drugs, doesn' t produce side effects such as nausea, constipation, watery eyes, burning sensations and not in the last place it is safe for pregnant and nursing women.

First of all, Rosacea Ltd III as a vascular constrictor brings great results in calming the skin and reducing the redness caused by the broken blood vessels. Moreover due his neutral pH, Rosacea Ltd III doesn' t damage the skin but it has a great effect in killing bacteria, fungal cells and viruses.

Secondly, Rosacea Ltd III is usually used in treating acne, pimples and seborreheic dermatitis, infections which usually come along with rosacea. Furthermore, this treatment offers significants results and the time for treating is shorter in comparision to other medicines. Rosacea Ltd has a fast effect, healing the broken capillaries which produce redness on the skin and flushing in less than 2 months. Much more, it clears the rosacea papules and pustules in about 10 days and also has an important role in preventing the recurrence of other pimples and infections caused by rosacea. Thirdly, treatments with Rosacea Ltd III are used in treating the symptoms of ocular rosacea such as blurred vision, red eyes, swelled, dry eyelids and others. Another way to treat rosacea is the well known Sobye's Massage, a mechanism of action which accelerates lymphatic drainage and in this way the facial redness tends to vanish. In addition, facial massages together with cleansing of the face with a washcloth and soap are two efficient methods which help the skin to regain its normal and healthy aspect.

To sum up, Rosacea Ltd III is a blessing for the people who suffer from rosacea being gentle and effective at a low cost and moreover due its neutral pH which has created a special diet known as "rosacea ph balance diet".

What is DSL and how can it benefit my home or small business?

2007-02-08T22:28:00.003-08:00

DSL or xDSL is a group of technologies that provide digital data transfer over the telephone network. DSL originally stood for digital subscriber loop, but is now commonly referred to as digital subscriber line. The typical transfer speeds of DSL services range from 128 kilobits per second to 24,000 kbit/s. DSL technology was originally begun as a part of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). ISDN is a series of protocals designed implemented to allow for digital transmission of voice and data over the telephone networks standard copper wires. This resulted in better speeds and quality than the old analog system.

Most Common Forms of DSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a form of DSL that enables faster transmission of data over these same copper wires than a standard dial up modem can. It accomplishes this by using the frequencies that are normally not used by a voice telephone call, in particular, frequencies higher than normal human hearing.

The drawback to ADSL is that it is ony effective over relatively short distances. The user must be within 5 km of the telephone companies Central Office. Once there, the ADSL signal is stripped off and immediately routed onto a conventional internet network, while any voice-frequency signal is switched into the conventional phone network. This is allows a single phone line to be used for both voice and data transfer.

The most distinguishing characteristic of ADSL is that data transmission speeds are greater in one direction than the other. This is often marketed to small businesses or residential users who are most interested in accessing the internet at an affordable price. It allows for higher download speeds, thus decreasing the users time to view websites and download files. This is not recommended if one has a need to upload large quantities of information or run servers that would require large amounts of bandwidth in the other direction.

Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) is a DSL variant that enables the user to have the same data transfer rate in both directions. This technology has a transfer speed range of 72 to 2320 kbit/s. The primary drawback is that you must be even closer to the telephone companies central office. A maximum distance of 3 km is all that is supported. It is also much more expensive.

Typical DSL technologies include:

High Data Rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL), the first DSL technology that uses the higher frequesncy spectrum to transmit data

Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL), a standardised version of HDSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), a version of DSL with a slower upload speed

Rate-Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line (RADSL), A variation of ADSL that adjusts the upstream speed of the connection in an attempt to maintain a specific downstream speed.

Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), An improvement on HDSL that Provides a faster rate of transmission speed. It uses up to 4 different frequency bands, two for upstream (from the client to the telco) and two for downstream.

3 All Natural Cleaning Solutions

2007-02-08T22:28:00.001-08:00

Long before I even knew about living an organic lifestyle, I learned about the benefits and power of 3 very simple household items. These 3 all natural cleaning solutions have passed the "test", time and time again, for this mom of 3 very active boys!

Vinegar. A natural product that poses no chemical or toxic harm to your family, vinegar is a natural cleaning solution that can be used as an all-purpose cleaner for most any household cleaning jobs.

(NOTE: Always test a small area if you have any doubt or concern about the surface you plan to apply vinegar/water to.)

With an equal mix of vinegar to water, it's a great cleaner for floors, kitchen cabinets, countertops, sinks, appliances and the inside of your refrigerator.

Vinegar is also an effective natural cleaner for the bathroom. It's great for cleaning through soap scum and stubborn hard water stains in sinks and toilets. Again, test on tile and/or grout areas before use. You can also use to achieve a streak-free cleaning on all mirrors and glass surfaces.

Of course, organic produce is always the best choice, but when it's not an option, vinegar can help. That's right! A few tablespoons of vinegar to a sink or bucket full of water, washes away pesticides, chemicals and germs from non-organic fruits and vegetables. Soak the produce for 15-30 minutes before using.

Baking Soda. Another all natural product that's inexpensive yet an effective all natural cleaner and deodorizer. Mixed with a small amount of water the baking soda paste can be used to scrub stubborn stains from most any surfaces. It's also a great natural teeth cleaner and whitener as well as a natural deodorizer in closets, refrigerators and freezers.

And the third natural cleaning solution I found many household cleaning tasks for is lemon. It's natural, smells great and combined with baking soda is a very effective cleaner.

Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with baking soda and you have an all natural scrubbing solution for dishes, countertops, stubborn stains and soap scums. Lemon also cleans brass and copper and when combined with olive oil can be used on wood as an all natural furniture cleaner.

So there you have 3 very simple, inexpensive and effective all natural cleaning solutions. Vinegar, Baking Soda and Lemons.

Chances are, you already have these items in your home so the next time you reach for a toxic cleaning solution, think twice, and try going all natural!

Interior Decor Showcase- Start it all with Decorative Outlet Covers!

2007-02-08T22:27:00.002-08:00

If you’ve ever been in a decorating “slump”, you’re well aware of feeling the need to do something to an area or complete room, but you’re just not sure where to start. The mere thought of trying to find an idea can put you in a tough place to begin with, but you do have to begin somewhere. Sure, there are all of those shows on cable showing you tips and tricks of the trade that are perfect for the homes of others, but your home is not anything like the ones on TV. Your home is unique, just like you are. Why not start the process where so many end: with decorative outlet covers?

The passing years have seen many different levels of both the outlet cover (sometimes referred to as the duplex outlet cover, to avoid confusion with the plastic safety inserts) and the switchplate cover. For example, many homes in the 1950’s and 1960’s saw wall coverings like wallpaper and fabric placed directly over outlet and light switchplate covers, all in an attempt to conceal what could have been a focal point on a wall. But thankfully that has all changed, and decorative outlet covers are hitting the interior décor market by storm!

While some of the more traditional interior designers are still a bit leery as to the colorful raised and sculpted outlet covers, the up and coming decorators and designers aren’t afraid to enable each room in your home make its own statement- including the details like wood-burned, metal and ceramic, and jeweled copper designs of decorative outlet covers. Most designers will agree that classic filigree and fleur-de-lis patterns are true classics and will remain in the loop for many years to come.

If you just can’t seem to get away from the boring old white outlet covers, why not break into this new trend slowly with a white, ceramic outlet cover with an inlaid pattern or design, or an interesting outside border, or a hint of a scalloped or raised edge around the non-rectangular perimeter. Or maybe you prefer a hand painted, Shabby Chic design (made popular with HGTV’s popular series) white over copper so that a bit of the material’s luminous qualities allow the cover to naturally shimmer.

Got kids? Then the word “plain” can’t possibly be in your vocabulary! What would the kids’ rubber ducky bathroom be without the coordinating duplex outlet and switchplate covers? How could you possibly have a pink princess bedroom with boring, white outlet covers? What good is the finest blue paint job in junior’s room when the bright white cover is staring you in the face? A tiny bit of design or a lot of dazzle can be the finishing (or beginning) touch in any room in your home.

The History Of Important Flowering Trees

2007-02-08T22:27:00.001-08:00

Most flowering trees are small and can be planted in full sun or partial shade, being easily adapted to small yards. The Japanese Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia x Soulangiana, awakens in late winter or early spring. First growing flower buds that increase in size as the weather warms up, burst into dramatic flower colors of purple, pink, white, red, and yellow; the yellow flowering magnolia is the rarest. If freezing weather occurs, as it often does during the late winter or early spring, the flowers will wither from the tree, but most often will rebloom, as the weather warms up again.

Crabapple flowering trees are cloud-like, fluffy white, pink or red in color, and often bloom along with the flowering dogwood trees and the pink redbud trees. The white dogwood, Cornus florida, flowering trees are among the most generally planted and grafted pink dogwood cultivars, and red dogwood trees are available to buy commercially, but are much more expensive. White dogwood trees, Cornus florida, were discovered and described as growing in Florida and Alabama in 1773, by the famous American botanist and explorer, William Bartram, who wrote in his book, Travels, page 399, "We now entered a very remarkable grove of Dogwood Trees (Cornus Florida) ... an ... admirable grove by way of eminence has acquired the name of the Dogwoods ... spacious groves of this fine flowering tree, which must, in the Spring season, when covered with blooms, present a most pleasing scene."

Flowering cherry trees in the primitive wild forests were described by William Bartram, in his book Travels, on page 196, as "delightful grove of ... Prunus Caroliniana, a most beautiful evergreen, decorated with its sweet, white blossoms." This flowering cherry tree today is known as the Cherry Laurel, and is in high demand as an evergreen privacy screen that produces in late spring, fragrant white flowers. American gardeners have been struck with the beauty of the long list of varieties of Japanese, flowering cherry trees. The most important Japanese flowering cherry tree is the Kwanzan, Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan', that grows splendidly as a beautiful garden specimen, abundantly clothed in early spring with large, double-flowering blossoms, that grows up to 25 feet tall. 350 of these trees were planted in Washington, D.C., in 1912, by the First Lady, wife of President Taft, and 1800 Yoshino flowering cherries were planted at the same time. In 1935, the first National Cherry Blossom Festival was held at the Nation's Capitol, and since then, many other Cherry Blossom City festivals have been held to celebrate the birth of spring. Citizens of Macon, Georgia have planted thousands of these Yoshino flowering cherry trees to connect with many pageants and local events, which attract large numbers of tourists to celebrate the festival. These Japanese, flowering cherry trees are cold hardy, and recommended to be grown and planted in zones 5 – 9. Other popular Japanese cultivars are; Blireiana, Prunus cerasifera 'Blireiana'; Kwansan, Prunus serrulata 'Kwansan'; Okame, Prunus campanulata x Prunus incisa; Snow Fountain, Prunus x Snow Fountains 'Snowfozam'; Snow Fountain (Dwarf), Prunus x CV. 'Snofozam'; Yoshino (Akebone), Prunus yedoenis ‘Akebone';

How is Tequila Made?

2007-01-30T22:58:00.001-08:00

Tequila is a distilled spirit that is produced only in Mexico, and only then in the region of Tequila. Juice from the heart of the agave plant is fermented and distilled twice to make tequila. The production of Tequila has to be in compliance with stringent regulations put forth by the Mexican government.

To make tequila, you need to start with ripe blue agave plants, which that take eight to ten years to mature. When the plants have reached their peak ripeness, the leaves are stripped off and only the core or “piña” is used in the making of tequila. These cores can weigh from 40 to 80 lbs, and some can weigh even more. The piñas are then taken to the distillery where they are cut up for roasting. The piñas are roasted in special furnaces, and the starches in the cores turn to sugar. Each piña makes approximately 8 bottles of tequila. After baking, the piñas are shredded and put through a press. The press squeezes the juice from the shredded piña pulp. The juices are then pressed from the shredded pulp and placed in fermentation tanks.

Once the juices are in the fermentation tanks, yeast is added. Distillers have their own technique for the adding of the yeast. At this point, the yeast begins to act upon the sugars of the roasted pulp, turning it in to alcohol.

Juices now ferment for 30 to 48 hours. With no additional processing, the fermented piña juice has about a 6% alcohol content. The fermented juice is distilled two or even three times in either customary copper stills or more up to date still that are made of stainless steel. The first distillation is always a rough, low-grade distillate and the second or third run is used to purify and perfect the liquor. Ultimately, distillers want to create a product that captures the aroma of the agave and, at the same time, tastes as pure as possible. Alcohol content may be between 70 and 110 Proof.

This becomes your basic tequila blanco, or silver tequila. Oro, or gold, tequila requires 2 months aging in oak barrels. Reposado tequila – or “rested tequila”- must be aged for up to a year. Tequila añejo is premium tequila and needs to be aged in oak for at least one year. Many producers age añejo for many years. This is considered to be the best tequila available and will be very expensive.

*Per Mexican government guidelines, all tequilas are required to age for at least 14-21 days. To be called a “Tequila”, It must be made from 100 percent natural ingredients, and be at least 38% alcohol. Most importantly, it must be made from blue agave grown and harvested only in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit or Tamaulipas.

Shopping for Water Fountains Online

2007-01-30T22:57:00.000-08:00

The use of water fountains can be traced back to the days of ancient Egypt, where diagrams of these manmade cascading springs were drawn upon the tomb walls of only the most prestigious Egyptians. These typically rectangular fish pond-masterpieces added both beauty and tranquility to even the harshest landscapes. Too bad they didn’t have the Internet to shop back then, as they could have truly impressed those visiting their enclosed courtyards, as well as be the envy of everyone on their block!

The World Wide Web has indeed made the world a much smaller place, especially when shopping for a specific item that reflects you, your home and your personality- like a water fountain!

First things first- where do you want to place your water fountain? Will it be a glorious outdoor masterpiece set in the landscape of your backyard for the entire word to see, or a glorious indoor masterpiece in your living room for only your closest friends to see? Shall it be a wall fountain, or will it be a freestanding type of design? Tabletop? Limiting your possibilities is only limiting yourself- a good online store will have both indoor and outdoor water fountains, while a great online store will also show you how to bring the outdoors in.

Next on our agenda is the type of finish you would like your fountain to have. From fiberglass to sandstone, from copper to wood, you’ve got some choices to make. Of course, a lot will weigh on where you plan on placing your fountain. Fiberglass is definitely a lighter material than sandstone, so it might be a better choice for indoors. Climate is a factor for outdoor fountains. You need a knowledgeable sales staff to help you choose the right finish for you.

Finally, let’s brush upon one of the most popular topics for interior and exterior landscape design: Feng Shui- the ancient art of the law and order of the universe. For over 6,000 years, the Chinese people believe that with the specific placement of items in and around your home, the balance of all good things in life will come. Water, or the “Shui” of Feng Shui, is necessary to all things to grow, but can also dowse the fire, or “Huo”, another key factor in this ancient art. Placement is very similar to the child’s game “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. There are many online stores that offer placement and style suggestions to “Feng Shui your life.”

So be sure to find an online store that wants to help you create your ideal setting the right way, and wants to keep you as a customer for life.

Makeup For Dark Skin

2007-01-25T04:55:00.000-08:00

Makeup is essential in women life. It is must for every woman. The breed of women is of many types like short, tall, slim, fat or extra slim. Skin color also varies like white, whitish, toned or black. The variety list may go long but one thing is common and that is every woman needs makeup. So the question arises, do all the woman needs same type of make or something else. While application of makeup is concerned, it widely varies according to skin color and body type. So what type of make suits to a given skin color is a definite requirement to know.

So come on black beauties and know how to do your makeup to be street smart and gorgeous. The secret of you black beauties lies in the selection of shades, so it is best advisable for you to know about undertone found in dark skin. You also will need well – hydrated skin to apply some makeup. Here goes the to make your skin beautiful and healthy.

Any black object is a good absorber of light and radiation and hence the good reflector also. Since your skin is dark it will also behave in the similar manner, that’s why dark skin seems oily, even though it may not. Because of your skin color, you will need to avoid creamy foundations and choose from liquid foundations or water based foundation. You must choose the foundation, the shade of which is lighter than your skin tone. It would be better, if you will find the foundation color closer to the color of your skin. Apply foundation and powder lightly, because dark skin reveal the layers of makeup more than any other type of skin, say fair skin etc.

You should blend the foundation well. To do blending properly add a drop of water to the foundation. Do mixing and then apply. Check for the effect in daytime. After applying the foundation, try on a little baby powder. This will give your skin the necessary luster. Do not use too much powder and always dust of the extra powder.

Choose the colors like coral, rose, deep orange for your blush. Peachy shades and browns are a complete no – no for you. If you have extremely dark skin tone, rose pink color will make your day, however for nights, choose shades of bronze, plum and wine. To give luster to your skin tone, blend the blusher well over your cheekbones. A touch of golden color will make you dark skinned glamorous and gorgeous on special occasions. You can apply golden at your temples and corners of your eyebrows.

If you want to use eyeshades, prefer soft brown with a darker brick brown. Say no to light colors and whites. For upper eyelids, use light brown. In the tuck of eyelid, use dark brown and drag it slightly outward. This will give depth to your eyes.

If you want to try on more color, choose from dark blue, wine or purple eyeshades to line your eyes, closer to the eyelashes. You also can line the eyelids with dark blue, dark grey, wine or purple color. Do softening of the lines with a soggy brush or with a sponge tipped applicator. Outline the eyes with kaajal using kaajal pencil. Kaajal makes your eyes appealing and cool and this will extremely good on Asians and especially Indian women. You also can do Mascara to thicken the eyelashes. Mascara will give glamorous look to you.

For your lipstick choose colors like copper, bronze, dark red, wine and burgundy. You can use a single color or a blend of two colors according to your skin color. For nighttime use darker colors. Do not use lipstick in excess. It will be good, if your lip color will match to your nail colors. Try to maintain a balance between your eyes and lip color so that one does not look heavy on other.

Proper balance and color blending is important for color makeup. It is as equally important as your clothing.

So that if you are a dark skinned beauty, tries on your makeup as discussed above. After all ‘brown is beautiful’.

Goji Berries

2007-01-25T04:54:00.000-08:00

In this modern life we live in, where gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops and other high technology equipments in combination with lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking and stress may subject our body to free radicals. Free radicals oxidation is the reason why apples get rancid. If it can do this to an apple, what do you think it can do to your body?

You, however, do not have to worry much. Life is very beautiful.

Because if experts can recognized what can harm us; science can learn what could save us. Antioxidants are one possible answer. Antioxidants properties may be found overflowing in small berries grown in the pristine valleys of Tibet and Mongolia.

Introducing Goji Berries! Goji berries are miraculous because this small bright red fruit may contain all the nutrients our body needs to keep it healthy and happy.

These small goji berries are packed with nutrients your body needs such as the 8 essential amino acids plus 10 more different kinds of amino acid, which are hard to find in other fruits. Goji berries likewise contain 21 trace minerals including the essential ones such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium, selenium and phosphorous.

Carotenoid such as beta-carotene more potent than that of a carrot are in goji berries. If these facts are not enough to excite you to the beneficial factors found in goji berries, consider this these amazing berries contain 500 times Vitamin C by weight compared to oranges. They also contain Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E.

Where can you find such a small fruit packed with all these beneficial nutrients? Only in goji berries.

Here is a list of few of the many benefits you will get from eating goji berries:

Fight Aging – Because goji berries may save your cells, you might be able to fight aging because aside from eliminating free radicals, goji berries stimulate the growth hormone in your body. It will thus help keep you fresh and young looking.

Energy and Vitality – these berries can help increase your stress tolerance, stamina and endurance.

Blood Sugar Balance – Goji berries has the necessary polysaccharides to regulate blood sugar levels. It also has betaine to support normal liver function and cardiovascular health.

Sleep Well – goji berries can give you normal health balance, you may experience better sleep quality that will prepare your body for the day to come.

Better Immune System – goji berries contain polysaccharides that support and balance the activity of your immune cells such as T-cells, NK cells, lysozyme and the immunoglobins.

In addition to all these, goji berries may also enhance your sexual function. You may also use goji berries as memory tonic. This small but wonderful fruit may also help control your cholesterol levels. Digestion may also not be a problem for those eating this wonderful fruit.

These are only a few of the benefits one can get from goji berries. However, you will agree with me that having none of these problems will help you keep a healthy and long life. As a result, you will be happy and ready for life’s challenges.

You can get all these benefits in various ways:

Eat fresh goji berries. They are very sweet and tasty.

Eat dried goji berries. The taste does not change at all, sweet and tastes like a cranberry and cherry.

Drink goji berry juice. This is another best way to take this sweet and tasty berry.

You can mix goji berries to your food, use your imagination on how you can enjoy this miraculous berry.

Brown Sea Vegetation - Not as Bad as You Might Think

2007-01-21T22:52:00.001-08:00

Out of the three sea plant categories, the red sea plants, the green sea plants, and the brown sea plants, brown sea plants are the most commonly known around the world.

Brown sea plants are found in the many kelp beds around the world, and are usually the ones we have to deal with when swimming in the coast. Brown sea plants are good for your body because of what all they can do.

They contain alginic acid which combines with the toxins that are in your intestines and it makes it to where they can not be digested, and then it carries them out of your body.

The vitamins and minerals most commonly found in brown sea plants can include iodine, calcium, copper, Vitamin E, zinc, silicon, chlorophyll, and more. All of these vitamins and minerals are needed in your body every day. The food pyramid that you learned back in elementary school, is based on the intake of these vitamins and minerals.

This means that, where as the pyramid calls for eight servings of something per day just to get the right fill, you could replace that with a type of brown sea vegetation instead.

There is one type of brown plant, the Fucus Gardener, which is used for heart burn control. Brown sea vegetation has a high amount of alginic acid in it, which is only found in sea grown plants.

Some scientists even believe that eating some types of brown sea vegetation can help lower the risks for neurological problems such as schizophrenia. Brown sea plants also don’t taste as bad as they may look.

Brown sea vegetation in all is actually one of the few types of plant that can give you more of what you need without the plant having to be put through all different types of processes. There are no factories needed for these plants, and no risky pesticide either.

Green Sea Vegetation

While Green sea vegetation does not offer as much as the other two do, what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for with what It can do. Green sea plants can be found in both salt and fresh water, can be either really small or really large, and has the biggest amount of chlorophyll in the plant world.

Unlike the other sea plant types, green sea plants depend almost entirely on the sun, and are more commonly found in shallow waters. The benefits of eating green sea plants in a diet is that they help boost your immune system, can be used for stomach pains and problems, and can also fight allergic reactions.

Green sea plants can also help make your liver healthier, controls blood clotting, fights free radicals, lowers cholesterol levels, enhances skin, decreases high blood pressure, and stabilizes blood sugar in the body.

The studies that have been done on some green sea plants has come up with some really good findings. The plants showed the ability to reduce fat cells, kill cells that cause diseases, and all together clean the body of toxins.

The things that green sea plants can do are simply amazing, they have been shown to kill some cancerous cells in the human body, have been used for years to stop infections, lower inflammations and help maintain healthy cells in the nerves of our body.

They also have a high number of iron in them, more then that found in an egg yolk. Due to this, green sea plants are also used to help with problems caused by having low iron in the body. Arthritis is also some what cured with these plants and they can be used to help with osteoporosis as well.

With everything that this small group can do, it’s a wonder why we have not been eating and using sea plants in our lives to help with so many of the problems we have. Just this small group can do more for us then what land plants can.

The true history of the world wide web

2007-01-21T22:51:00.000-08:00

Warning: You may be putting yourself in danger by reading this article and inhaling the information contained within. You have been warned. We can take no responsibility for anything that may happen to you now or in the future as a result of reading this article.
The US military is often credited with developing the world wide web, but this is of course erroneous. The true history of the web can be traced back to 1791 and the birth of Charles Babbage in London. It is a little known fact that Babbage was a part-time - indeed secret - member of the West Wales Women - a society that evolved from the need to pass on recipes and cuttings of daffodils amongst the ladies of nineteenth century Pembrokeshire and Carmathenshire.
At this time there was a prejudice against men learning the finer arts of flower arranging and flour sifting, and Babbage had to keep his membership of this august organisation secret if he wished to continue his membership of the Royal Society - a decision that was heart wrenching as can be seen from a cursory reading of his extant letters to his disabled mother-in-law.
Everyone knows that in 1856 Babbage invented the analytical engine, supposedly to manipulate symbols and mathematical formulae. On this his fame rests, yet it is a little known fact that if you press a copper switch on the obverse of the analytical engine it actually turns into a rudimentary web browser and allows the sending of basic html emails.
Research in Babbage's diaries has shown that between the lines that can be read, backwards, in invisible ink and inscribed in a mixture of morse code and a sino-latin language hybrid that Babbage seems to have invented himself are his real thoughts on his invention.
To add up and create actuarial tables was not the point of this computer. Babbage had immediately spotted the potential of his invention to allow his to download recipes and dress patterns from a central server owned by the West Wales Women. In the diaries his code for the West Wales Women is WWW and it seems that he used this abbreviation when sending and receiving emails.
Somehow the secrets of his invention slipped out to the military, who guarded his secrets all through the dark years of the twentieth century...

French and English Gardens of the Middle Ages

2007-01-13T23:14:00.002-08:00

The Roman de la Rose gives the best possible idea of both the French and English gardens of the Middle Ages. It was chiefly written by Guillaume de Loris, in the first half of the thirteenth century, and was probably well known in England before it was translated by Chaucer into English. There are several manuscript copies of it containing descriptions in the text, accompanied by illustrations giving vivid pictures of the pleasure garden. Its form—the walls enclosing it with their surrounding moat, the subdivisions of latticework, the "flowery mede," shaded by fruit trees, with a fountain in its center, and the stone-coped beds, containing clipped shrubs and other smaller plants—are clearly shown from various points of view.

In the most important of these illustrations (which is on the opposite page, and was taken from a fourteenth-century Flemish manuscript preserved at the British Museum), the garden is shown as a whole, ornamented with many quaint details. It is enclosed by a crenellated wall, surrounded by a moat. The subdivisions are formed by a fence of wooden trellis-work, on the topmost railing of which is balanced a peacock. In the left-hand division is a copper fountain head, where the water, spouting from lions' mouths, drips into a circular basin, and runs off through a marble channel embedded in the turf. Velvety grass, thickly sprinkled with daisies, surrounds the fountain and forms a soft seat for the little company of merrymakers who are singing and playing upon musical instruments.

A garden, according to the derivation of the word from zerd, garth, or yard (three nouns from the same Aryan root as the French word Jardin), originally signified a walled but unroofed enclosure containing cultivated vegetation. Usually this vegetation principally consisted of herbs, grass, or fruit trees.

This enclosure protected the vegetation from marauders, and secluded its occupants. Privacy was a very important characteristic of the garden. Inside the castle there was scant opportunity for confidential conversation. So when people wished to talk without being overlooked or overheard, they were apt to retire to the pleasure garden.

The earliest fences were commonly wattled, that is, woven of osiers. Others, more ornamental, were formed of rails or of pickets, and painted green. Hedges often enclosed the later gardens, instead of walls. The bushes used for this purpose were privet (thus called perhaps because it served to insure privacy), thorn, sweetbrier, and yew. Moats were also common, the water accommodating fish and swans.

The Cheaper Arthritis Treatment: Improve Your Diet to Prevent or Cure Arthritis

2007-01-13T23:14:00.001-08:00

Arthritis is often associated with people in their 50s or older. But nowadays, more and more younger people are showing signs of this joint-related disease. What exactly are the causes of joint inflammation and what are the best arthritis treatment? Inflammation of the joints can result from previous injuries, like tibial plateau fracture, which affects certain sensitive cartilages and muscle tissues. A person can also develop joint swelling and pain if two or more of his or her family members have gout or any related illness. Needless to say, age is also one of the most significant factors in determining the onset of swelling of the joints. As a person gets older, his or her bones tend to be weaker and more fragile as one of the results of the natural laws of aging. But this doesn't necessarily mean teenagers or the twenty-somethings can be complacent. There are cases of brittle joints among younger age brackets because of extraneous determinants like weight and existing illness.

It is understandable that obese or overweight persons have greater tendencies of exhausting or wearing out their bones. Since weight is identified as a factor in causing joint inflammation, doctors suggest arthritis treatment can be in the form of improving one's diet. There are specific diets, like meals heavy in unsaturated fat and cholesterol, that make a person even more susceptible in experiencing joint pain and swelling. On the other hand, foods rich in certain minerals and vitamins are one's best ally in preventing early signs of bone inflammation. Choose foods with high nutritional value and specifically contain Vitamins K and E, which promote healthier bones. To alleviate inflammation, a person should boost his or her intake of vitamins B12 and B6. If beneficial minerals like zinc and copper are not usually found on your daily meal plan, take health supplements that offer these specific nutrients.

There are also certain medications supposedly aimed at combating arthritis. Some of these drugs don't come without hazardous side effects so it is still best to follow natural remedies to prevent or cure joint inflammation. Arthritis treatment need not cost someone a fortune. The safest and surest way is still through sticking to a healthy diet, or even particular exercise routines, or whatever a doctor advised a patient to do. One should not wait to get older before he starts to take care of his bones and joints. A person may not realize the importance of bone health until he experiences the premature tell-tale signs of joint swelling and inflammation.

Cast Iron Cookware

2007-01-13T23:14:00.000-08:00

Popular with chefs and culinary experts across the globe, cast-iron cookware is a very useful tool to cook delicious food. This durable cookware is slow to heat, but once it reaches the required temperature it provides even heat, making it a necessary and valuable tool in every kitchen. Like copper, it is a very old cooking material and used for many cooking activities like browning, frying, stewing, slow cooking and baking.

Seasoning of cast iron cookware is required before using it for cooking. For seasoning your cast iron cookware, wash, dry and then proceed to coat the surface with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Use a paper towel to spread the oil evenly. Leave the pot in the oven at low heat for about two hours. Your cookware is now ready to use. Seasoning protects the vessels from rusting.

Some health experts recommend cooking in cast iron cookware to provide a healthy, iron-rich diet for your family. This type of pan serves as a natural and affordable non-stick option and lasts longer than the expensive ones. Modern methods like enameling have enabled cast-iron cookware to proudly sit on the table as an attractive serving option. A thin coating of glass, when applied to the surface of metal, makes it look smooth and gleaming. If handled roughly, enamel can chip, making your pot unfit for cooking.

Cast-iron cookware rusts very easily. When exposed to air or certain foods your pots will become pitted and stained. Although inexpensive compared to stainless steel or other modern cookware it reacts chemically with high-acid foods. Cast iron is heavy and takes more time to clean. But despite its disadvantages, cast-iron cookware is still as popular as it was ages ago, and no kitchen is complete without some pots and pans made from this basic cooking material.

Fashion tips for women

2007-01-12T23:13:00.002-08:00

Are women fashion style statement just about wearing women fashion clothing? Every one of us are different and so its important that we have a fashion statement that best suits our personality. Fashion is nothing but highlighting the best and hiding all the flaws.

Points all you women wanted to know about clothing • Always wear a free flowing fabric in one tone to achieve a long and slim look. • Wear clothes on the basis of your body structure. • Velvet and leather is apt for winters and silk, organza and cotton for summers. • For a morning party opt for lighter shades like emerald green, ocean blue, pink or you could also try out for some trendy pastel colors. • For late evening occasions opt for vibrant colors that can add sparkling effect to your dressing sense. • If you are short it would be advisable you avoid wearing short dresses. Rather go for long skirts with a nice fish cut. • If you are thin avoid wearing sleeveless clothes. It would be advisable to wear dark color clothes as they hide your pale body structure. • If you have a medium structure you need to wear beige and fawn color clothes.

Skin tone

• If you have a fair complexion, then gold with a blend of copper would just look beautiful. • If you are medium wheatish colored, then mixed shades of white, beige and bronzy golden would suit your style. • Dark skin women should wrap themselves with golden copper shades.

Helpful tips

• Wear clothes of your own size. Never opt for oversized clothes. • Be careful while selecting accessories for a wear. Just don’t pick up something for the heck of it. Remember your accessories speak more about you than your clothes. • Make sure whatever jeweler you wear blends well with your style.

The Power of Antioxidants Times Three

2007-01-12T23:13:00.001-08:00

In the third grade I was told I could write a paper on any topic for an English homework assignment. I chose the subject of scurvy as it affected sailors who were away at sea for long periods of time and the resulting discovery of Vitamin C as its cure. I remember the paper well for I was literally transcended from ignorance to a place of awe at the intricacies of the human body and its response to nutrients.

Today, antioxidants are the word on the street. They are used to boost energy (forget caffeine - this stuff rocks!) and these antioxidants fight infection, and address a whole range of health issues.

Before XanGo, Tahitian Noni, Fruta Vida, (containing, respectively, mangosteen, goji, and acai) and now Amigo Juice (a marriage of all three super foods), we had Vitamin C, E, and A. For many of us, it was all about drinking that cup of orange juice at breakfast or taking a vitamin supplement. But today, we are not talking about just a punch but a real blow to sickness and disease, taking the form of antioxidant rich health beverages that many consumers swear by in their quest for wellness.

Living in today's very toxic world, antioxidants deserve a special place in the area of nutritional supplements and are certainly worth examining closer to see what they are all about and learn how we can implement them into our daily routine.

Quite simply put, at the molecular and cellular levels, antioxidants serve to deactivate certain particles called free radicals. In humans, free radicals usually come in the form of O2, the oxygen molecule. The oxygen molecule desires to be oxidized, and this oxidation process can sometimes be carcinogenic. Free radicals are the natural by-products of many processes within and among cells. They are also created by exposure to various environmental factors, tobacco smoke and radiation. Of course, this certainly includes air quality and all the junk we put into our bodies that our immune system is forced to combat.

If allowed to run amok, these free radicals can cause damage to cell walls, cell structures, and genetic material within the cell. They are the bully on the playground and need to be dealt a firm hand for the resulting damage can eventually lead to disease and ultimately death.

Antioxidants play a key role in cleaning up the destruction caused by these free radicals. They clean house before free radicals get a chance to harm the body. Researchers have determined that antioxidants are useful in the prevention of carcinogenic effects of oxidation.

To that end, a variety of health companies, most notably in the form of multi-level marketing, have cropped up offering antioxidant rich health drinks, as captured in the pericarp, hull, pulp, rind, basically the whole fruit, the kitchen and its sink, ground and mixed and served up in tasty 1 oz. servings. Not to mention the mangosteen fruit has introduced an entirely new classification of antioxidants, called Xanthones with professed health benefits too numerous to list, many years of research, and centuries of positive use.

Do Commodities Belong In Your Portfolio?

2007-01-11T23:12:00.001-08:00

Although it may sound frightening and risky to many investors, if handled correctly, commodities could be the missing piece of an investor’s portfolio. What exactly are commodities? Commodities are any mass goods traded on an exchange or in a cash market including: cocoa, coffee, eggs, lumber, orange juice, soybeans and sugar just to name a few. Industrial metals are also included with copper, aluminum, zinc, nickel, silver, and lead ranking among the most popular industrial metals holdings. Finally, the most widely followed commodities include oil, natural gas and gold.

The diversification benefits equal or surpass those of other asset classes like fixed income and real estate. The primary reason for this is their correlation, or lack thereof, to the stock market as represented by the S&P 500 (Correlation describes how similar the price movement is between two investments). Commodities have historically exhibited absolutely no correlation to the stock market or any of the bond market indices. In fact, they have a negative correlation. This non-similar pattern of performance allows an investor to minimize volatility and protect capital in down markets. Overall, these factors help to decrease overall risk in a portfolio of investments. In short, commodities have historically been a good compliment to a traditional stock, bond and real estate portfolio.

When commodities are utilized as a stand-alone investment, commodities are relatively volatile, exhibiting wild price swings. At times, they are also illiquid, prohibiting the investor from exiting a position that is dropping rapidly. Another factor to be aware of when investing in commodities is the unusual income taxation. Most notably, investors are taxed each year on their share of the profits, if there are profits, regardless of whether the investment has been sold. This is a significant disadvantage compared to investments in stocks, because one does not pay income taxes until the stock is actually sold. Finally, fees to implement a commodities strategy are significantly higher than for those of traditional mutual funds, for example. For these reasons, it is best to only consider 5-20% of one’s portfolio for this strategy.

At a time when stocks and bonds are predicted by most academics and investment gurus such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gross of PIMCO, and Jeremy Grantham of Grantham, Mayer, and Van Otterloo, to produce 5.0% returns or less over the next decade due to historically high market valuations. On a historical basis, commodities are inexpensively priced and substantial upside potential is possible. U.S. inflation is historically low right now but with the effects of massive fiscal, monetary policy and already robust consumer spending, raw goods prices will inevitably increase. When they do, commodity indices will follow. As inflation gradually rises in 2006 and beyond, industrial metals prices will rise as investors begin to direct large amounts of money into these hard asset commodities. The high correlation between commodities and inflation provide an important hedge against considerable losses in traditional financial instruments such as stocks and bonds.

A Holistic Approach to Good Prostate Health

2007-01-11T23:12:00.000-08:00

I have come to believe that there are some good things associated with getting older. For one thing, I am much wiser than when I was younger. I know this because I am able to admit I don’t know very much about a lot of things at 52 years old. When I was 19, I knew everything. For me, it is now all about awareness. Awareness of my surroundings, the potential dangers of lifestyle choices, my attitude towards those choices and the motivation to do something about the way I live.

In my late forties, early fifties, I started experiencing the changes that aging brings about. I noticed I got tired more easily and didn’t recover as quickly. I also had aches and pains in places where there were none before. Being a typical male, one of the things I was totally ignorant about was prostate health. I didn’t know, for example, that prostate disease affects one out of every two men at some point in their lives. The prostate is a gland located in the male reproductive system. The prostate produces and holds a component of the semen. It is found near the bladder and the rectum. The prostate encapsulates a portion of the urethra, the tube that delivers urine from the bladder. An average prostate is the size of a walnut. If the prostate enlarges, the urine flow can be diminished or completely cut off.

I guess I shouldn’t feel too foolish about my ignorance as only fifteen percent of Americans have even heard of a serious and painful condition known as prostatitus. I didn’t hear about it until I started experiencing discomfort and urgency at times and incontinence at other times. Becoming concerned when the symptoms didn’t go away, I naturally scheduled an appointment with my physician. He, in turn referred me to an urologist. I learned about the possible causes of prostatitus:

• Bacteria driven infection
• Yeast infestation
• Virus
• Food allergy
• BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
• Auto-immune response
• Possible rare tumor in or around the prostate
• Physical injury
• Uric Acid disorder
• Prostate stones
• Prostate cancer
• Urethral stricture

Yes it is a long list of possible causes. It sounds complicated and it may well be. I did find out that there are a number of things I can do to address prostate problems. It starts with diet and exercise, limiting my intake of caffeine and alcohol, giving up extreme habits such as smoking, and getting a prostate exam at least once a year. Diet turns out to be of primary importance and a large intake of fiber was recommended. It was also strongly suggested that I start a regular regiment of mild daily exercise. An annual PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) test was recommended and administered. This test measures the levels of a specific protein in the blood, which, along with a digital rectum exam is used to help detect prostate cancer in men over fifty. It is also used to monitor any recurrence of cancer. The effectiveness of the PSA test is still controversial but my urologist suggested it was a good idea to have the test.

I learned a bit about prostate cancer. If it is detected early, the treatment is highly effective. Nevertheless, 30,000 men die from prostate cancer annually. There is strong evidence that a dietary supplement of certain vitamins, herbal extracts and minerals can do much to prevent this type of cancer. In several studies it was found that men that had high intakes of the following, had much lower incidences of prostate cancer diagnosis: Boron, Daidzein, Grape seed extract, Green tea, Lycopene, Vitamin E, Selenium, Kohki leaf, Pygeum Africanum and Nettle root. In addition, Saw Palmetto berry has been widely documented as an effective treatment to lessen pain, swelling and irritation of the prostate. This is usually recommended for prostate cancer treatment, possibly inhibiting dihydrotestosterone, and slowing cell growth.

In learning about BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), I found that Saw palmetto has a long history of use. It is thought by some to have a very mild aphrodisiac effect. It is thought to boost the body's manufacturing ability of sperm and increase sexual energy. Saw palmetto extract is still used by many as the primary treatment for both short-term and long-term treatment of BPH. It also appears to be devoid of side effects.

Also recommended for good prostate health are:
Zinc & Copper, Stinging Nettle, Golden Flax Oil, Active Aminos™, Pygeum Bark, Beta Sitosterol , Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine HCl), Pumpkin Seed, Burdock Root, Cayenne Fruit, Goldenseal Root, Gravel Root, Juniper Berry, Marshmallow Root, Parsley Leaf and White Pond Lily Root.
There are a number of packaged combinations that are available that can supply these necessary vitamins, herbs and minerals for good prostate health. They are not as exotic and hard to find as in the past. There are some excellent sources of not only supplements for prostate health but a great source of information on holistic health.
As it turns out, I have a mild case of BPH. It is very common in men over fifty. I have taken my primary care physicians’ and urologists’ advice in all areas. Along with regular check-ups and tests, diet and exercise and my new supplemental intake plan. BPH is something I can live with. I’ve started to make healthier lifestyle choices and I feel good about it. My BPH doesn’t seem to be a big deal anymore.

Summit County, Colorado Real Estate Continues to Boom

2007-01-10T01:42:00.001-08:00

Real estate sales around the country have been slowing this year. However, in Summit County, Colorado sales have continued to expand.

The Land Title Guarantee Company states that during June of 2006 there has been an increase of 45% over a similar period in 2005. And sales for the first half of 2006 have increased from $554 million to $681 million, an increase of more than 22 percent.

Summit County, Colorado which is located 60 miles west of Denver includes the towns of Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne. The area includes such famous winter sport destinations as Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin, Copper, Loveland, Keystone, and Ski Cooper. Tourists flock to this area in the winter months for a range of activities include skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, extreme skiing ice skating, and snowmobiling.

Summer activities in the area include camping, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, canoeing, sailing, fishing and horse riding. Added to these activities are shopping, sight seeing and the attraction of many fine restaurants.

Breckenridge is a year round resort with a population of around 3,000. To complement the winter and summer recreational activities there are many restaurants and bars in Breckenridge as well as shops and boutiques. There is also a Victorian historic area that is popular with visitors. Breckenridge was founded in 1859 after gold was discovered in the Blue River and has a rich history that is well worth exploring. In 2004 the Barney Ford House Museum was opened.

Frisco is a small mountain town with a population of around 2600 located at 9100 feet above sea level. Frisco was founded in 1873 as a mining town. The boom in mining continued until the great depression devastated the area. By 1930 the population of the town reached its lowest level of only 18 people. The development of the area as a ski center has made Frisco a boom town again.

Dillon is a lakeside resort. The town was founded in 1883 as a trading post. The town has actually been moved 3 times and has ended up on the shore of the new reservoir called Lake Dillon which was established in 1961. The permanent population of Dillon is around 800 and this number swells during the winter to 4,000.

Silverthorne was incorporated in the 1960s and is a great center for exploring Summit County. The population is around 4,000. Silverstone has a large recreation center as well as the Keystone Ice Rink, Colorado Mountain College, Beaver Creek. There are also great shopping amenities including the Silverthorne Factory Stores which hosts around 70 factory outlet stores.

The real estate market in Summit County, Colorado is booming. This is due to the fact that there area is a great place to call home. It is also close to the major metropolitan areas of Denver and Boulder. Because of the range of winter sports activities and summer recreational activities many people are investing in second homes in the area. The mountain views, the healthy lifestyle and the general quality of life make Summit County a dream location for owning real estate.

Bare Minerals

2007-01-10T01:41:00.001-08:00

Minerals are natural elements or compounds formed through geological processes in the earth’s crust. Minerals range from pure elements to simple salts or complex silicates. Minerals are basically inorganic, homogeneous solids with a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition. The chemical makeup is different for each mineral. Chemical tests and x-rays are needed to identify a mineral. Currently just over four thousand minerals are known to mankind. Minerals are being used in various walks of life – at work, in schools and homes. One such area is the cosmetic industry.

Elements and compounds are the building blocks of minerals. Minerals made up of only one element are called native minerals like silver, gold, mercury and copper. Minerals composed of compounds are simply referred to as minerals.

Mineralogy is the study of minerals. Bare minerals that are used to make cosmetics consist of cosmetic grade minerals and mineral pigments. Bare minerals are obtained from various sources like plants, plant sources and the earths crust. Bare minerals may include pure elements, simple salts or complex silicates. Minerals are made of elements like oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Minerals are identified by their color, luster, transparency, hardness and florescence. They are also identified by their magnetism, odor, solubility and radioactivity. Minerals are classified as silicates, carbonates, sulphates, halides and oxides. They are also classified as sulphides, phosphates, organic and mineraloids, on the basis of their chemical composition.

The human body requires certain bare minerals like, potassium and magnesium, to function properly. They are needed for body functions like building strong bones, transmitting nerve signals and maintaining a normal heartbeat. They are also used to air hormone production in the body. One such area is the cosmetic industry. Bare minerals are used to make cosmetic products called mineral makeup. Cosmetics made out of bare minerals are called mineral makeup. These cosmetics contain no chemicals and are a popular natural option to traditional makeup.

Getting Help for Troubled Teens

2007-01-09T01:41:00.000-08:00

There is no specific definition to define troubled teens. You try to locate points of difference between your teen and others to identify existence of any problems. However, instead of comparing, evaluating troubled teens individually to identify any problems in behavior or physical features works well. It is better to go by your instincts and appraise the situation accordingly.

Ignoring the problems of troubled teens could make things worse. You can seek help from outside sources to change your parenting ways. The Internet offers many solutions or you can read books on efficient parenting. Discussing with other parents or taking help of support groups can help you analyze any loopholes in your parenting. You can take adequate steps to amend these shortcomings.

Proper communication holds the key to solving all problems of troubled teens. Give a full hearing to your teen and place him or her on an equal footing. Try to come to an amicable compromise. Have full faith and trust in your teen to make them achieve respective goals. Although things do not work out as smoothly, keep up your tireless efforts.

Giving proper guidance to troubled teens is essential for their development into mature and responsible adults. Therefore, if you unable to comprehend or adopt suitable measure, you can take help of professionals and support groups like Copper Canyon Academy, Aspen Education Group, Turn-About Ranch, Lone Star Expeditions, and similar others.

All such support groups concentrate on ensuring proper coordination and communication with troubled teens. Rather than confronting and compounding the problem, support groups try to assess the teen as a separate individual. They give full credence to their physical and behavioral abilities and canalize their energies positively. Such a constructive approach proves beneficial to you and your teen.

Alternatively, you can talk to other persons like schoolteachers, friends and peer groups of troubled teens. Adopt therapy programs for the entire family as a whole and do not seclude your teen. If need be, you could hire the services of a professional to identify problems and suggest remedial measures.

Sea Vegetation and Heart Problems

2007-01-09T01:39:00.000-08:00

In China and Japan sea plants have been used for many heart problems. It helps lower the risk for heart disease, and can help detoxify the blood that is pumped through out the heart.

China and Japan aren’t the only cultures that have used sea plants for heart problems. All over the world cultures have used sea plants for heart burn, reflux disease, and the prevention of heart disease.

The natural chemicals and elements in sea plants is able to almost completely counter heart problems. It has been researched and proven that sea plants were able to keep people from even having heart attacks in old age.

Now sea plants are not able to do that all the time, but for someone who has a strong diet of sea plants is less likely to have heart problems then someone who takes medicine for it.

No one fully sees that sea plants are able to cure you of just about everything. The sea plants are actually able to take out the toxins that cause heart problems and dispose of them before they are able to start tearing up your heart.

Some people even believe that sea plants are the reason why live expectancies have actually risen in the past few years. People who are on a sea plant diet are not only eating right, but are insuring their hearts safety and proper workings.

If sea plants can be put onto open wounds to prevent infection, and can be used to help with obesity and such, then using sea vegetation for heart problems is basically a natural thing to do.

Sea plants are capable of so much and yet not many people know that. Some of the greatest civilizations have lived off of sea plants for years before they were able to grow their own food.

And unlike land grown food, sea vegetation doesn’t require a time of year or a certain season.

Sea Vegetation in Health.

When someone says they are using sea vegetation for dieting or health eating, what do you think of? Does your mind suddenly picture them eating a big glob of see weed? Or do you see them making a salad out of coral reef?

Sea vegetation is actually one of the few types of plants on earth that is still perfectly healthy. Sea vegetation has more things in it, such as vitamins, elements, and irons then most of the vegetation grown on land does.

There are three main groups of sea vegetation too, but instead of being classified by hard to pronounce words, they are classified by the color of them. The red sea vegetation has three different types, the green sea vegetation has two different types, and the brown sea vegetation has four different types in it.

Sea vegetation has been known to have as many things as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B 12, C, D3, E, K, phytohormones, pigments, proteins, polysaccharides, alginic acid, carrageenans and cellulose, a high concentration of potassium, chlorine, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur phosphorus, iodine, iron, copper, manganese, and others.

You don’t see that type of combination in your every day garden salad. Another great thing about sea vegetation is that it is almost completely untouched. It sits there out in the ocean, growing, and when it is done growing, it just survives until it is washed up or taken out of the water.

Even sea animals feed off the vegetation down there. Sea vegetation has been known to help with carb diets, maintain a good percent of calcium, and the best part, it has been used by other cultures for hundreds of years.

Sea vegetation has been used for healing, heart problems, as a food source, and more. So when you put it all together and get down to it, eating sea vegetation, which you usually picture as slimy and green, is better for you then eating a hamburger and fries.

Copper Canyon

2007-01-08T01:40:00.000-08:00

Sierra Tarahumara, popularly known as Copper Canyon is situated in Mexico. The area is a favorite destination among those seeking an adventurous vacation. Copper Canyon is one of the six gorges in the area. Although the name suggests that the gorge might have some relevance to copper mining, this is not the case. The name is derived from the copper and green lichen covering the canyon.

Copper Canyon has two climatic zones. The region features an alpine climate at the top and a subtropical climate at the lower levels. Winters are cold with frequent snowstorms at the higher altitudes. Summers are dry and hot. The capital city, Chihuahua, is a high altitude desert where weather ranges from cold winters to hot summers. The region is unique because of the various ecosystems that exist within it.

Another unique feature of Copper Canyon is the presence of the Tarahumara Indian culture. These semi-nomadic people live in cave dwellings. Their livelihood chiefly depends on farming and cattle ranching. Apart from the native population, the local wildlife is also a major crowd puller. Several migratory and native birds, mammals and reptiles call Copper Canyon their home. The exquisite fauna in this near-pristine land is also worth checking out.

A traveler may choose to explore the area by hiking around the canyon or venturing into it. Detailed planning is required for those who wish to venture into the depths of the canyon. There are a number of travel companies that specialize in organizing tours to the region. Visitors can fly to Copper Canyon using a tourist visa, which is valid for 180 days. Travelers can also drive from anywhere in the United States and acquire a visa at the Mexican customs station at the border.

A holiday to the Copper Canyon promises to be an exciting mix of relaxation, culture, history, wildlife and hiking.

Ideas For Creating a Tuscan Kitchen Design

2007-01-08T01:38:00.000-08:00

Tuscan kitchen design immediately conjures images of Italy and sunlight and warmth. In fact these kinds of images are just what you need to think of when coming up with the perfect Tuscan kitchen design.

Tuscany a region in north central Italy is known as a warm place almost year round an Tuscan kitchen design should reflect this. Tuscan kitchen designs are defined by colors such as siena, terra, and sepia. Tuscan Kitchen design uses a lot of soft warm colors and textures. Windows in the kitchen should provide as much natural sunlight as possible.

The Tuscan style has evolved through the centuries, influenced by Etruscan metal craft and pottery as well as the Italian Renaissance. The Tuscan style can be seen in mosiac tiles, wrought iron gates, bridges and architecture.

Tuscan kitchen design and décor can enhance the look and feel of any kitchen. You can add a big wooden table, open cupboards, along with ceramics, pots, pans and Tuscan-inspired dinnerware. These items can also make great decorations when you are not using them.

Kitchen island design in the Tuscan kitchen design style has its origins from ancient Roman times. This is the origins of the nice ornaments you will find with all tuscan kitchen design. The Tuscan kitchen island is usually of a dark color painted on oak. Sometimes the islands are given one coat of white paint. Scratches are added to give the wood a more antique look.

In Tuscany families tend to eat and cook together. A good Tuscan kitchen design should provide for adequate room for you and your family to more around the kitchen freely.

The Tuscan kitchen design style is very popular now. One reason is that this design style be quite affordable while be stylish and providing more comfortable kitchen. The Tuscan kitchen design style accessories include pottery, jars, and hand crafted tiles depicting grapevines and vineyards as well as grapes, tomatos, and olives. Having these design elements just naturally goes with Tuscan meals.

Walls - Wall should be painted in a rich Tuscan color such as rich reds, intense yellows, or strong yellows. Consider a wall treatment such as molding, or murals to create a more Tuscan feel to the walls.

Floors - Use Terra cotta or clay tiles, glazed ceramic and marble inlay in intricate patterns. Wooden floors can be left plain with natural color and finish with a Persian rug.

Furniture - For a Tuscan kitchen design use sturdy pieces of furniture that is also strong and functional. Kitchen tables and chairs should also be well-built and strong.

Cabinetry - Cabinetry should feature open shelves for displaying your ceramics, as well as baskets, and cooking utensils

Sink - Kitchen sink should be white ceramic to be more compatible with your Tuscan kitchen design. You might also consider a large rectangular marble sink.

As for other Tuscan kitchen design ideas you can add racks to display copper pans. Also wrought iron pull for drawers, and wrought iron light fixtures. You might even want to add a brick-fired oven just like the type found in large Italian farmhouse kitchens.

By designing your kitchen with the Tuscan design style and bring in the look of old Tuscany your kitchen and home will never be quite the same.

Will China’s New Five-Year Plan Force U.S. Utilities to Ration Your Electricity?

2007-01-07T01:37:00.000-08:00

Taking your electrical needs for granted? A new five-year plan announced by the Chinese government may put the reliability of your electrical supply at risk. China may snap up all the available uranium over the next few years. U.S. utilities depend upon uranium to power their nuclear reactors, which provide 20% of your electricity.

According to China’s Ministry of Land Resources, China plans to build up “sufficient reserves” of uranium and other minerals, in a new five-year government plan. The ministry said it would be stockpiling strategic reserves of uranium, copper, aluminum and other key minerals because of rising demand for those commodities. The Chinese also wish to avoid supply disruptions by hoarding uranium and other minerals, over the next few years.

Until now, you’ve probably taken for granted a steady, reliable source of electricity. A large part of your dependable energy came about because of the nuclear energy generated by the 103 nuclear reactors in 30 states. Without a steady supply of uranium to power those nuclear reactors, the U.S. electrical transmission network suffers a 20 percent loss. China’s new five-year plan to stockpile uranium had better be a Wake-Up Call to U.S. utilities. If they missed the import of China’s announcement, we are all going to be in a heck of lot of trouble before this decade ends.

Since June 2004, we have warned of supply disruptions for uranium. David Miller, who has since become President and Chief Operating Officer of Strathmore Minerals, argued at the time, “In my opinion, no one has any extra uranium to sell on the spot market. There’s just not excess inventory that people are unloading in the spot market.” We interviewed Miller again in November 2005, for an article entitled, “China Demand for Uranium, World Growth in Electricity Demand to Drive Uranium Price Higher.” Miller warned us, “China is the future wild card… what they are planning for nuclear is probably the most aggressive program in the world.” Miller added in his explanation, “All the new production is already factored into the future market for uranium. We’re underwater right now without building one more nuclear power plant.”

In mid April, during an interview with Sprott Asset Management Market Strategist Kevin Bambrough, we asked him about the Chinese. He answered, “Why shouldn’t they have strategic uranium reserves to supply their nuclear reactors? It makes sense to have a good stockpile of uranium considering the relative cost of nuclear power versus anything else.” And now, the Chinese plan to build up a strategic reserve of uranium for their aggressive nuclear program.

In another interview, also published in April, Gene Clark, CEO of TradeTech LLC warned us, “In reality, the U.S. utilities, which tend to wait longer to contract, may be the ones on the losing end because the Chinese and the Indians will contract early. The implication of current group-think is that the Chinese and Indians are not going to be able to find enough uranium for their new plants. But, they are committing for supplies way out into the future. When the U.S. utilities come to the market, they’re going to look around say, ‘Oh blankety- blank, what happened? Where’s the uranium?’ They’ll be the ones that sat around. I think that is what’s going to happen unless things really change in the way contracting is done in the United States.”

Tips in Selecting The Right Kitchen Sink

2007-01-07T01:36:00.000-08:00

The kitchen sink is definitely the most used item in the kitchen, other than the stove. In additional to being useful, they can add drama and style to any kitchen design. Also since a quality sink will last 30 years or more, an important consideration of your remodel should be selecting a kitchen sink.

The most traditional kitchen sink is made of stainless steel. Stainless steel became popular nearly 100 years ago because of its ability to fight corrosion. About the same time porcelain enamel was used for kitchen sinks. This enamel was fired onto a cast iron sink. People were encouraged to keep the porcelain white to be able to see dirt and debris more clearly on the white surface. Modern kitchen sinks are made of all kinds of materials, such as porcelain and corian.

While you might want to consider the color and style of your new sink, it is also important to think about how you will actually use your kitchen sink, in determining which type of sink will be best for your needs. For instance do you prefer a kitchen sink that has one large basin? This might be fine if you are always using a dishwasher. If you prefer to hand-wash your dishes, you might go with a two-or even a three-basin kitchen sink.

When making the decision on a new kitchen sink, durability and strength are important areas to consider depending on how you plan to use it, what your kitchen priorities are, and where the sink will be located.

There are so many styles of kitchen sinks to choose from today, from contemporary to rustic, in a large range of materials, colors and shapes.

Let us look at several kinds of kitchen sinks.

· Stainless steel - Popular choice for many homeowners. This material can go very well in a modern kitchen with clean lines. Stainless steel has the advantage of being easy to clean. Some disadvantages of this material is the fact that it can be easily dented and it can be noisy.
· Nickel, and Copper - Kitchen sinks can be made in other metals besides stainless steel. Metals sinks can be beautiful, but also more expensive. Nickel is the hardest of the two metals. At the current time copper is considered very popular. Copper requires no maintenance if it is a pure copper sink.
· Porcelain enamel on cast iron - This material is another popular choice for kitchen sinks because of its durability and it large range of quality, style, and colors. Porcelain enamel kitchen sinks usually last about 25 to 30 years or more. The surface of these type of kitchen sink is composed of ground glass melted and applied to the hot cast iron. This type of kitchen sink type is available for under mount, self-rimming, and tile-in installations. Because glass can easily break against this type of material it is necessary to use a sink mat.

There are five kinds of kitchen sink installation types that can used.

· Undermounted - The undermounted kitchen sink is attached underneath the countertop. This kitchen sink installation can be used to create a smooth look that is designed to blend with modern designs.

· Integral - This is where both the sink and countertop are made from one material. Therefore there are no noticeable seems on the surface. It is considered to be easy to maintain.

· Self-rimming - This type of kitchen sink has a rolled edge that is mounted over the countertop. This type of sink will look good with any type of kitchen design, from traditional to contemporary.

· Rimmed - Rimmed kitchen sinks are the most common and the least expensive type of kitchen sink. It can have many uses, but does not bring much in the way of style to a kitchen.

· Tile-in - The tile-in kitchen sink is used with tile countertops. These types of sinks are intended to be used in situations where there is no visible separation between the sink and surface.

The Himalayan Health Secret

2007-01-06T23:06:00.001-08:00

It is said that the Himalayans were the first natural healers, and that they shared the wisdom with the ancient herbalists of China, Tibet, and India. Their prized secret was the fruit of the native goji vine, which had been flourishing in the Himalayan valleys since the beginning of time.

If you have not yet heard of goji, you are not alone. While it has occupied an important place in traditional Asian medicine for countless generations, the secret of its nutritional benefits have remained a mystery to most of the world.

Goji berries contain 19 amino acids - including all eight that are essential for life, 21 trace minerals (The main ones being zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium, and phosphorus), more protein than whole wheat, a complete spectrum of antioxidant caratenoids including beta-carotene (more beta carotene than carrots!) and zeaxanthin. Goji berries are the richest source of carotenoids of all known foods. Goji berries contain vitamin C at higher levels than an orange, B-complex vitamins, vitamim E, beta-sisterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone,solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin,physalin), and betaine (0.1%).

Goji berries contain 22 Polysaccarides, with 4 types of polysaccharides which fortify the immune system that are unique to the Goji, they can't be found anywhere else on the planet!

FreeLife is the first company to perfect a difficult and demanding proprietary extraction process and create the only standardized form of this incredible plant available in the world today, Himalayan Goji juice.

Should Gold Mining Investors Consider Kilgore Minerals?

2007-01-06T23:06:00.000-08:00

We wrote about Kilgore Minerals this past winter, because it holds prospective U.S. uranium properties. While studying the company, it became evident the company’s uranium would take a backseat to the company’s gold property in southern Idaho. We reviewed Robert Bishop’s commentary in his self-published Gold Mining Stock Report. Mr. Bishop is highly regarded as an astute junior gold stock picker, and his analysis is quite thorough. There is little doubt Bishop holds high esteem for Kilgore Minerals’ Chief Executive Norman Burmeister.

More importantly, the very successful Pinetree Capital (Toronto: PNP) has made a significant investment in Kilgore. Respectively, the Chief Executive and CFO, Sheldon Inwentash and Larry Goldberg, of both Pinetree Capital and heavily touted Mega Uranium (TSX: MGA), have personally invested in Kilgore Minerals. A recent Forbes magazine article took a swipe at both Mega Uranium and Pinetree Capital. Actually, it was more of a head butt. Pinetree Capital is back to trading above C$17/share, up from a year ago when it traded for less than $3/share. So the Forbes article was a non-event for Pinetree Capital. And their holdings in Kilgore Minerals, which reportedly are estimated at between 10 and 20 percent of the company, were passed by without notice.

Property History

Kilgore’s Idaho gold property has been explored since the 1930’s, when a gold discovery was made by the Blue Ledge Co. Nearly 50 claims were staked in 1982 and leased to a Kennecott subsidiary in the mid 1980s. Seven holes were drilled. By 1990, Placer Dome acquired the property and drilled 39 holes, more than 21,000 feet of drilling. A Pegasus joint venture drilled another 23 holes, nearly 10,000 feet of drilling, by 1994. Echo Bay earned majority interest in the property, by 1996, after having spent $3.5 million drilling 122 holes for more than 82,000 feet. In 1997, with the falling price of gold and troubles in the mining sector brought on by the Indonesia stock fraud, Bre-X Minerals, Echo Bay dropped its exploration ambitions on Kilgore – and shelved all of its exploration projects. In 1998, Latitude Minerals continued a modest exploration of a little more than 4,000 feet.

Near the bottom of the gold bear market, Kilgore Gold (a wholly owned subsidiary of Kilgore Minerals) acquired 100 percent ownership of the property. A new round of preliminary exploration identified new gold targets. By 2004, Kilgore Gold expanded the company’s property holdings to 3,000 acres. Has this property been drilled like Swiss cheese or does Norman Burmeister know what he is doing? It’s had nearly 200 diamond and reverse circulation drill holes, totaling more than 126,000 feet of drilling.

In an earlier interview with Burmeister, he told us, “I’m very excited about this project. It was a property that was very high on Echo Bay’s list.” Major companies have expended more than $8 million to define a modest, and possibly economic, resource. At least three different entities have established resource estimates on the Kilgore gold property. In 1996, Placer Dome reported 14.1 million tons, grading 0.04 ounces/ton and with a cut-off grade of 0.015, for a deposit of 561,000 ounces of gold. A year later, Echo Bay released a sectional estimate report showing 18.7 million tons, grading 0.029, for a total of 534,959 ounces of gold.

Turning Any Trip Into An Interior Decorating Destination!

2007-01-05T23:05:00.003-08:00

Heading out of town for a long weekend, or maybe you have a business trip abroad? Whether it is a roadtrip to Charleston, a romantic getaway to Europe, or even a camping adventure in North Georgia, there are always opportunities to collect treasures and mementos from your travels. Here you will find quick tips and easy ideas for bringing back something memorable from even the most mundane of destinations.

First take a look at your itinerary, any pockets of time at leisure? It doesn’t have to be more than an hour or so to make it worth finding out a local specialty and locating a source. Okay, so you’ve rolled your eyes, groaned and said it is all business, no leisure at all. Believe it or not, you can even get novel items these days in the airport boutiques, and I don’t mean T-shirts or ball caps. (Of course, being a captive consumer at the terminal shops, you will pay more, chalk it up to part of the experience!) Many airports are becoming regular shopping meccas for the traveler short on time. Look for specialty retailers showcasing locally made goods, whether it is a special jam or hot sauce, or a postcard made in copper (a regional mineral of wealth), favorite chocolates (I used to buy See’s, only available on the West Coast and in Hawaii.) For a true collectible try a snow globe specific to that city, or even a refrigerator magnet particular to the same. This can be a fun way to keep track of where you’ve been despite the jet lag and travel snafus.

Now, if you do have a bit of time to yourself or maybe this is a weekend of playing hooky from the rest of the world, you’ll have ample opportunities to seek out local flavor. If staying in a larger hotel, always avail yourself of the concierge, they most often know the places to go, what to buy, what to pay, and other useful tidbits. (I once did an entire 30 day overseas trip with just air and hotel, and relied entirely on the concierge to plan my daily itinerary, it was personal and perfect!)

Better yet, if you are staying in a bed and breakfast or other homestyle accommodation, the owners or managers will be able to provide this information too. In some cases, these places will sell decorative elements from the rooms. Of course, many hotels do offer lines of product with their logo and such, if it has been a truly special stay, this may be all you need or want. I’ve been to some, such as the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, that offered holiday ornaments featuring their property. I collect these so this was an ideal memento of my visit.

I do know some who collect ashtrays and towels and have been known to rely on “borrowing” these from rooms and bars. Most embarrassing when one is caught, (a fellow traveler was recently!) Stick to items you can buy. Besides where would you display a large collection of ashtrays and hotel towels?? If determined to have it for free, consider limiting yourself to matchbooks, and the wine cork from dinner.

Makeup For Dark Skin

2007-01-05T23:05:00.001-08:00

Goji Berries

2007-01-04T23:04:00.000-08:00

Brown Sea Vegetation - Not as Bad as You Might Think

2007-01-04T23:03:00.000-08:00

A Look at Sheet Metal Stamping

2007-01-03T22:49:00.001-08:00

Sheet metal stamping is the system wherein metal sheets are used for producing final products. When a metal sheet is inserted into the die or the press, it is molded into the required shape and size. Metal sheets of only a certain thickness can be inserted into metal stamping machines. The maximum limit for most metal stamping machines is ¼ inch. However, machines can be designed to accommodate sheets of greater thickness also. Even the kind of metal sheets that can be processed in metal stamping are also specific. Only certain metals or alloys can be used like aluminum, brass, steel (hot rolled or cold rolled), galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper, zinc and titanium.

Before the metal sheet is inserted into the machine, the customer provides the prototype or at least a diagram of the final product. In case the customer doesn’t have a clear idea of what the final product should look like, most metal stamping producers also offer engineering services for designing the products as well. Even some secondary services such as deburring and plating are provided by the metal stamping companies after the metal sheet is stamped.

There are three main components in sheet metal stamping -- the die, the punch and the binder/blank holder. The sheet is kept between the blank holder and the die and the punch is driven into the die wherein the sheet spreads over the die because of the drawing and stretching. The blank holder provides the restraining force that is required to control the sheet flow into the die. This force prevents wrinkling and tearing of the sheet as the quantity of material going into the machine can be controlled. For some processes where the blank holder force is too high for the material, draw beads are used to create the restraining force.

Sheet metal stampings are also known as thin stampings. Sheet metal stamping is used most primarily in the case-building process. It is also the most important part as each of the panels has to be stamped one by one. First the motherboard tray is stamped, then one-side panels on the right and left from bottom to top and back.

Nutrition: The Super Foods that keep you Healthy

2007-01-03T22:49:00.000-08:00

Get ready to experience a volume of information of the healthiest foods in the world. Here is a list of the top ten super foods that most health experts agree on. You should tell everyone you know about these foods and enjoy them at your next meal. From fruits and vegetables, to whole grains, nuts, beans and legumes, this power-packed nutritional inventory will take you into the best years of your life and beyond.

Fruits

1. Cantaloupe Only a quarter of cantaloupe provides almost all the vitamin A needed in one day. Since the beta-carotene in a cantaloupe converts to vitamin A, you get both nutrients at once. These vision-strengthening nutrients may help reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Like an orange, cantaloupe is also an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps our immune system. It is also is a good source of vitamin B6, dietary fiber, folate, niacin, and potassium, which helps maintain good blood sugar levels and metabolism. This pale orange power fruit may help reduce our risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

2. Blueberries These mildly sweet (and sometimes tangy) berries offer a high capacity to destroy free radicals that can cause cancer. Low in calories, they offer antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, which enhance the effects of vitamin C. These antioxidants may help prevent cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer.

Vegetables

3: Tomatoes Tomatoes help us fight against heart disease and cancers such as colorectal, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and cancer of the pancreas. Tomatoes are also good sources of vitamin C, A, and K. In a 2004 study, it was found that tomato juice alone can help reduce blood clotting.

Fresh, organic tomatoes deliver three times as much of the cancer-fighting carotenoid lycopene. Even organic ketchup is better for you than regular ketchup! Look for tomato pastes and sauces that contain the whole tomato (including peels) because you will absorb 75% more lycopene and almost two times the amount of beta-carotene.

4: Sweet Potatoes As an excellent source of vitamin A, C, and manganese, sweet potatoes are also a good source of copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron. Those who are smokers or prone to second-hand smoke may benefit greatly from this root vegetable that helps protect us against emphysema.

For a unique dessert, cube a cooked sweet potato and slice a banana. Then lightly pour maple syrup over the top and add a dash or two of cinnamon. Add chopped walnuts for an even healthier kick.

5: Spinach and Kale

A cancer-fighter and cardio-helper, spinach and kale top the list as far as green leafy vegetables are concerned. Much like broccoli, they provide an excellent source of vitamin A and C. Kale is a surprisingly good source of calcium at 25% per cup, boiled. Vitamin K is abundantly found in spinach as well, with almost 200% of the Daily Value available, to help reduce bone loss.

Well Water The Hidden Problem - A Pure Water Alternative in Rural and Suburban America

2007-01-02T22:49:00.001-08:00

The traditional rural population within the United States has changed significantly with the emergence of urban centers in the past 50 years. Although this development has provided for other sources of water, there are many areas in the country that still rely on wells and ground water for drinking. Recent EPA estimates assert that over 15% of the population still uses well water for drinking, washing, crop support and other general purposes; close to 45 million Americans depend on well water for their basic necessities in life.

Well water is continually under the threat of contamination from a number of sources however, and the burden of testing the ground water is placed upon individual landowners rather than governmental agencies. As a result, pure drinking water is depleting in rural and suburban America because testing by the individual landowner is not required. This, in turn, will eventually become a considerable problem.

The Problem:

Unlike municipal and bottled water sources, drinking water from wells is not regulated by any governmental bodies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Because each well is its own source of water, effective regulation of millions of wells clearly proves beyond the scope and power of governmental regulatory authorities.

In addition, well water is subject to contamination from a number of sources. The risk of significant health problems depends on a number of factors including:

• How the well was constructed • The location of the well on the property • Local environmental factors • The condition of the aquifer that supplies the well • Human, animal and industrial activities in proximity to the well

What Exactly is Well Water?

Well water or ground water is formed as a result of rain and snow seeping into the ground and filling the space between rocks and soil in what is known as an “aquifer.” The bulk of the nation’s drinking water comes from ground water aquifers although the portion that sources municipal water supplies as tap water is subject to quality standards.

Clean drinking water is necessary for a healthy life and contamination of ground water poses a substantial threat to health in rural and suburban America. The actual well drillers and installers are subject to state regulations but the quality of the water output is not regulated and remains the responsibility of the well owner. Well water significantly varies in quality from place to place throughout the country. Depth of the water table and the quality and quantity of replenishment sources are also considerations.

The burden of maintaining safe drinking water from wells is directly placed on the homeowner; the testing is at best a cumbersome process. Simple tests are not adequate to identify all contamination sources and expensive laboratory testing is often required. Repeated testing is also required to ensure that varying conditions do not introduce new contaminants.

Hair Color Trends - The New You

2007-01-02T22:48:00.001-08:00

Current hair color trends are defined within the move towards relaxed glamour. Healthy, shiny hair, with lots of movement, yet still well groomed. Color is defined - it's either pastel blondes, in clean, icy tones. Or cool browns, or brilliant reds. The move has definitely been away from red browns, although if that's a personal choice, or suits your skin tone best, don't be a slave to fashion!

Here are some ideas to incorporate the latest hair color trends into your style:

Double sided coloring - underneath, choose a darker color like chocolate, and over the top, and for most of the hair, choose lighter shades like copper and bronze. The darker color will frame your face, and if you go for any flicks or curls when styling, you'll see it contrasted against the lighter colors. But the main colors when hair is straightened will be the lighter ones. It's great for variety.

Try color combinations like coffee, honeycomb and golden syrup for a more subtle, layered effect.

For brunettes who like their chocolate browns, try a few golden highlights to break up the block of chocolate, unless your face and skin color can handle the density of such a rich dark color. It really helps define your hair style, and is much easier to wear.

If you like very dark colors, try a brown black instead of a straight black. Or get your hairdresser to mix in some blue black into the brown black to give it more intensity, but without the harshness of a solid black that is not flattering to all skin tones. Also, try mixing in some caramel and pink-red foils with a violet brown black base. If they're used creatively, and with restraint, you can keep the overall look very dark and mysterious, with a few hints of color showing.

For blondes, try mixing golden blonde with a very light ash. Or for a more subtle but contrasting look, have the ends of a bob colored a pale pastel coral.

If you want to try platinum shades, instead of going for a harsher white white, try a softer platinum white tinted slightly with pink.

For a pretty natural blonde look, try splicing a few clove and light ash foils through a pale, golden base shade.

Redheads: Go for a rich, fiery copper with a darker brown underneath, like clove. This works well on long hair and mid length hair.

For another red combination, try cayenne, nutmeg and paprika.

For really vibrant colors mixed with a darker base, away from the coppers, try a pink red combination of cassis and raspberry coulis.

For something a little more outrageous and individual, go for a brightly colored fringe, say in pink, and a few purple ends.

If you want something quite striking, but not so colorful, just go for a lighter than usual highlight. As long as it's tastefully done, it'll look great. Don't try this at home!!!

When choosing colors, be aware of whether it's a warm shade or a cool shade. And keep in mind how much of each color is going to be on your hair. Which shade, or tone, do you want the dominant one to be? Do you want a subtle effect, or a more striking one? Unless the contrasting color is going to be in small amounts, keep warm tones together, and cool tones together, irrespective of whether they are blond, brown, black or red. For example, chocolate brown highlights look good with warm vanilla, even though the colors themselves are quite distinct.

You can use different tones together. But it depends on both your skin tone, the way the colors are applied, and how much of each are used. If you're going for this approach, think of the contrasting tone as a painter would, and be judicious about it's placing.

Arts and Crafts Revival

2007-01-01T22:48:00.000-08:00

The terms Arts and Crafts and Mission Style are often used synonymously today. They refer to a style of home design and furnishings emphasizing natural materials, especially wood, and showcasing a pronounced geometry in the design. Their tremendous revival in popularity stems largely from their association with hand-crafted elements (though many knock-offs are manufactured by machine), a rarity in this technologically advanced age. The pieces offer an heirloom quality and a patina that deepens with age. Arts and Crafts furnishings and interiors are also typically very durable and classic with a timeless appeal. They suit today’s desire to simplify and get back to basics. Arts and Crafts interiors are an ideal marriage of function and aesthetic; spaces are designed to work for those living there. To create your own Arts and Crafts interior, there are several elements to consider, both in materials and design.

The materials of an Arts and Crafts interior, while not limited to nature, emphasize wood, stone, glass (made from sand), ceramic tiles (made from minerals/earth), and textiles (using wool, cotton, or linen fibers, and, of course, leather). Much of the visual pattern comes from the grain of the wood selected. Traditionally oak was used, but currently natural cherry is frequently enjoyed. The oak tends to have a golden brown gleam, while the cherry is redder. Both darken naturally with age, which is to be expected.

Flooring, all architectural trim/molding, doors, stair rails and stiles, and exposed structural supports are all typically wood, oak being most prevalent. Waxed or oil finishes prevail. Joints are pegged, or hand-crafted metal hardware is used. Door knobs, cabinet pulls and the like are again hand-crafted wrought iron or bronze in black, umber, or verdigris. Many are square or rectangular shaped and are hand hammered. For a lighter look, some homeowners today are opting for a soft brushed pewter or nickel finish instead. Once you have the guidelines, you can bend them to suit. If an alternative to a wood floor is desired, tile or slate would be appropriate substitutes. The tile should be large and laid in a linear pattern, not on the diagonal.

To balance and complement the visual depth of the wood, walls are often treated with a textured paint or plastered. (The old bungalows have original plaster.) A good bet is the river rock finish that Ralph Lauren paint provides. Paint schemes bear an influence from nature with goldenrod yellows, burnt sienna browns, cimmaron and Indian reds, sage and moss greens, and a neutral palette of earthy tans, toasts, and beiges. The overall feeling has a harmony, continuity, with all elements working together, none upstaging the other. It is about creating an organic home, one that works within its environment and makes the most of its surroundings both outside and inside.

Fireplaces have wood or stone mantels, with stone, ceramic or occasionally brick surrounds. The wood is again oak with a golden stain, usually waxed or rubbed, not polyurethaned. Satin or matte finishes rule. Stone is field stone-- stacked dry or with mortar, it presents a terrific textural visual. River rock may be used instead and the round smooth stones provide a counterpoint to the rectilinear geometry otherwise present. Ceramic tiles will typically have a motif from nature, perhaps a leaf or acorn, or be an iridescent finish. Today glass tiles are also used to great advantage. Brick, when employed, is smooth faced and laid in clean horizontal bands. Again, one of the clear features of an Arts and Crafts interior is the linear quality. The feeling that the house is part of a bigger view, part of the horizon, is all an effort to be from and of the earth.

Woman s health reproductive

2007-01-01T22:47:00.000-08:00

When girls grow up and turn into women, they have dual responsibility to take care of their health as well as of the one who shall take birth from their womb. If woman s health reproductive is not given proper attention, it shall end up with results such as poor-pregnancy, infertility, gynecological troubles and many other diseases.

In a recent survey, it has been mentioned that one out of every five pregnancy ends up in miscarriage in the UK. Another case is where one of out every hundred pregnancies, the pregnancy develops outside the womb that has high risk to maternal life. Thus it is clear that there is much threat to a woman’s life due to negligence to women reproductive health.

Why Birth control Methods? As the rate of maternal mortality has increased due to unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases, it has become important to be safe by adopting various birth control methods. One of the permanent methods is creating a block through surgery so as to avoid the contact of women egg with the male sperm.

Other methods include use of birth control pills which are 99% effective in most of the cases. At the same time, these also make the menstrual cycle regular and lighter along with lessening the pain of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining is found outside the uterus causing pain in the pelvic area and infertility.

Other ways include use of Depo-Provera injections consisting of hormone called progestin, small T- shaped device known as Mirena that is being placed under the uterus. Other copper UID is also used for the purpose. Use of birth control patches is also a good way to avoid unintended pregnancies. Some women suffer from excessive menstrual bleeding and heavy pain during sexual intercourse.

What diet should be taken during pregnancy? To avoid these problems, good intake of essential nutrients in diet such as folic acid (essential during pregnancy), vitamins, irons, minerals, vitamin-D, and calcium is important. As such, green vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, other food rich in vitamin-c, low fat milk, eggs, butter should be taken.

The Florist’s Secrets Discover how to care for your Flowers

2006-12-31T22:47:00.000-08:00

Flowers immediately brighten up a room, adding a sense of spring and joy. As flowers are a living and a relatively costly decoration, it pays to keep them alive and healthy looking for as long as possible.Knowing some of a florist's secrets for flower care are the best means of ensuring a prolonged life for a healthy bouquet of flowers. The first thing to know about floral care is immediate care. You can compare a florist to a doctor in a maternity ward, checking that the newly arrived bundle is in good health and will stay that way. As soon as a floral shipment arrives, the florist gets to work, as immediate care is necessary for living plants. As our world is becoming considerably more ecologically conscious, many florists use natural methods of prolonging the life of plants, which often turn out to be less expensive methods. If you are ecologically conscious, you may prefer knowing some natural tips for floral care. There are some secrets not widely known which offer great protection and life extension to your flowers, as well as some widely known old-wives tale type of tips, which often do have merit to them. Uncovering these secrets of the trade will simplify floral care and leave your flowers looking better for longer. From the moment cut flowers are in your possession, you must take measures to care for them. Time is of the essence in these moments of primary care. Immediately place the flowers to soak in a bowl while you get yourself ready: find the appropriate vase, have the plant food at hand, find a strong pair of shears or a sharp knife, and room temperature water (on the cooler, rather than warmer, side). Fill the vase, and add whatever plant food/anti-bacterial product you plan to use. Turn on the tap, and placing each stem under the running water, cut about an inch and a half off of each flower. It is important to keep the flower under a constant stream of water, as this will avoid air bubbles from forming, which temporarily cut off the water supply to the flower. Use either a knife or very sharp shears to cut the stems, as a terrible mistake is to cut with scissors that end up flattening the stem without cutting it. This will also damage the water supply from stem to flower. When cutting, cut at an angle, as that makes greater surface area for the water to enter the stem. Cut off any leaves that will be under water, as left on the stems, they will begin to rot and promote bacterial growth. Keep your flowers out of direct sunlight and heat, and change the water often. These initial steps will ensure a healthy bouquet.

For those seeking natural means of protecting and caring for flowers, the only thing to avoid from the above-mentioned description of flower care will be the plant food and anti-bacterial preservative to keep the plants healthy. There are many natural formulas for those preferring to avoid the chemicals found in plant food. Water is the essential element for all of life to survive. So, ensuring that your plant gets the best water for it will ensure a longer life. Soft, acidic water is best for flowers, as it optimizes the flowers' veins bringing up water to the rest of the plant. When you change the water daily, trim off a bit more of the stem to cut off any bacteria that may be living at the stem entrance, as well as reopen the stem's vein. Use a vase that allows room for the flowers. When flowers are packed together tightly, they have less air, and more chances of rotting. White sugar is really all that plants need for food, and can substitute plant food. Old wives' tales often turn out to be valuable natural care methods, so read on to learn about these.

Choosing a Lapel Pin Manufacturer

2006-12-31T22:45:00.000-08:00

There are hundreds of lapel pin companies to choose from. A simple search on the Internet yields multiple hits. It’s important to have an idea of what you want before you begin working with a lapel pin manufacturer. There are several types of pins, but the base of all lapel pins is metal. You can order very inexpensive pins made out of iron with plating, but lapel pins made out of copper are the most durable. A lapel pin manufacturer can plate a pin with gold, silver, bronze or even an antique finish. Once you decide on the basic metal of the pin, then you can move on to the fun part – the colorful design of the lapel pin!

There are different types of pins to choose from, but the most popular type is the “hard enamel” lapel pin. This type of pin allows for an almost unlimited selection of colors. Some lapel pin manufacturers call this cloisonné, but it is not true cloisonné. If your design requires bright colors, consider the hard enamel pin. The true cloisonné pin is limited to only about 100 colors, but these are often the most collectible type of lapel pins. You may also choose lapel pins that are embossed, die struck or etched – careful selection of the design will ultimately make your custom lapel pin unique.

While the company you deal with may be located in the US, most lapel pin manufacturers deal with factories overseas. Be sure to check with the manufacturer to find out how long your order will take and what kind of shipping charges are involved. Always get a quote, and make sure to let the lapel pin manufacturers know what your budget is – they almost certainly have made something similar to what you need. For complex designs, find out if a prototype lapel pin can be created.

If you don’t need a special design, and are looking for something a little simpler you can also order stock lapel pins. These are pins with recognized symbols like flags, smiley faces, states, animals and other designs. Stock lapel pins are usually immediately available and can be purchased in affordable bulk quantities. Stock lapel pins will not incur any set-up or art fees, as the custom lapel pins will. You may also be able to find stock lapel pins at low clearance prices.

Another affordable option is to order wholesale lapel pins. To place a wholesale order, you must have a business license and usually you have to buy a certain amount of lapel pins to qualify for wholesale pricing. Schools and charitable organizations may also qualify, so be sure to ask! The upside of wholesale lapel pins is that you will often receive free artwork, free shipping and other incentives. If you are a business looking to purchase at least 50 units, buying wholesale lapel pins may be the best option for you.

Cookware

2006-12-30T03:37:00.001-08:00

An artist needs his easel, paints and brushes to create masterpieces, a weaver needs colorful threads to knit intricate designs, and cooks need good cookware to churn out delicious food. Unlike the olden days where there was a limited choice, the market today is filled with an array of designer pots and pans in various metals shapes and sizes.

Choosing cookware can be an easy affair if you run through a checklist before doling out cash. Cooking habits play a major role in deciding your cookware. For example, go for cast-iron sets if you like to blacken and sear food. Cast-iron cookware provides even heat and is incredibly durable. Opt for non-stick pans if you like less oil or want to heat sticky food like rice. The quantity of food consumed in your house also plays a role in deciding your cookware. If you have a large family you will like to own big pots, while a small family will have medium or small-sized utensils. Once you have these requirements clearly sorted out in your mind, you can allocate your budget accordingly.

There are various metals that are used in making cookware these days. Cast iron, stainless steel, copper, aluminum and tin are some of the popular ones. Most common and low-maintenance cookware is made from stainless steel. Though pots made from aluminum are the least expensive, they are less durable and discolor with some kind of acidic food. Vessels made from copper provide the best heat conductivity.

Caring and maintenance is required to provide a long and useful life to your utensils. Always allow your fry pan to cool before washing or soaking. Drying your pots immediately after washing will prevent having water spots. Do not leave your cookware exposed to flame or a heat source without food or liquid inside.

DSL

2006-12-30T03:36:00.001-08:00

Digital Subscriber Line, abbreviated DSL, is a technology that brings high bandwidth information for businesses and homes over copper telephone lines. A digital subscriber line can deliver information hundreds of times faster than ordinary dial-up modems, thus reducing the time needed to download data files, web pages, animations and graphics. Generally, the download speed of DSL ranges from 128 kbps (kilobytes per second) to 6000 kbps. The change in the download speed depends on the DSL technology and service level implemented.

DSL is a broad term that consists of various variations - SDSL (Single-line Digital Subscriber Line), 1.5 Mbps; Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), ranging up to 1.5 Mbps; Very high-data-rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), ranging up to 2.3 Mbps; High-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL), 1.5 Mbps; and Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line (RDSL), diverse speeds. A digital subscriber line facilitates separate channels for fax and voice. Hence, faxes and phone calls can be carried simultaneously with high-speed data across the line.

DSL technology was founded in 1988, when a group of engineers invented a method to transfer digital signals through the unexploited frequency spectrum available on the twisted pair of cables that run between a customer’s home and the telephone company's telephone exchange. Employing DSL technology in the telephone line provides digital communication without disturbing the voice services. DSL gained prominence in the late 1990s, when major cable television providers started marketing broadband Internet access. Today, Digital Subscriber Line is the main competition for cable modems in offering high speed Internet access to homes in North America and Europe. The latest standard ADSL2+ can provide more than 20 Mbit/s over about 1.2 miles.

Nowadays there are various types of DSL services tailor made for consumer needs. The main differences in these packages involve speed and how the direction data is delivered. For example, ADSL can provide higher data rates towards the subscriber than it does in the other direction. ADSL is perfect for home users who download information from the Internet. The symmetrical high-speed DSL is an ideal package for enterprise subscribers, who continuously send and receive data, or for those businesses that may need a two-way communication like videoconferencing.

Are There Any Great, New Mining Stocks Left?

2006-12-29T03:38:00.000-08:00

Where are the hot and cold spots around the world for resource investors? The stampeding bull market in commodities has investors reaching for new ideas. Highly respected newsletter writer Lawrence Roulston of “Resource Opportunities” favors Canada, Alaska and China for investing in mining and energy companies.

StockInterview: Let’s get the cold spots out of the way so investors are forewarned about which countries to avoid.

Lawrence Roulston: A lot of the (mining) companies that went overseas in decades back are recognizing the political difficulties with dealing in some jurisdictions. These include places like Indonesia, Columbia, and several of the African countries, such as Congo, Sudan and Eritrea. All of those places where there are great geological prospects, but are more and more risky to deal in. I think some of that mining is coming back closer to home, which is right here in Canada.

StockInterview: So Canada is on your “favorite countries” list?

Lawrence Roulston: At the very top of the list would be Canada. As of right now, taking into account the geological potential, political situation, infrastructure and all the other issues, I would (highly) rate Canada and British Columbia. They have had decades of work. But for the last decade, there hasn’t been very much going on. The companies are just coming back and picking up with what’s been going on. Similarly, Ontario, Quebec – tremendous geological potential – and it’s been kind of ignored for a long time. Canada is now the most important place in the world for diamonds, representing 50 percent on exploration spending for diamonds.

StockInterview: Is there a specific mineral or metal that makes Canada especially appealing?

Lawrence Roulston: It’s the whole gambit. Canada has always been one of the top metal producers, and it’s coming back to life. Of course, gold is at the top of the list, but also base metals and uranium. The Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan is far and away the most important area to be looking at, geologically. It’s currently the biggest source of uranium and contains the highest grade deposit. There are other uranium prospective areas in Canada that are just emerging. The Thelon Basin in the Northwest Territories, north of the Athabasca Basin, is very similar, geologically, to the Athabasca Basin. It had some work done in the 1970s, and it’s been pretty much ignored until very recently. Going a little further north to Hornby Basin, it is a similar kind of situation. In Labrador, the central mineral belt is just emerging as a very important place to be looking for uranium.

How Did ISL Uranium Mining Begin?

2006-12-29T03:37:00.000-08:00

According to the World Nuclear Association, 21 percent of the world’s uranium production came about from ISL mining in 2004. We conducted interviews with some of the world’s top ISL experts, including the father of ISL, to help you better understand how uranium is currently mined for the world’s nuclear power plants.

It’s time to rewrite the history books. In Situ Leach Mining (ISL), or Solution Mining, was not first commercially started in Bruni, Texas in 1973 by Westinghouse, a consortium of oil companies and others. The birthplace of ISL was never South Texas, as some have claimed. It was begun in Wyoming, about 16 years before an ISL operation was started in Texas. Why there has been a whitewash over the true history of ISL is not our concern. This series is an in-depth investigation into how and why ISL mining came about, how it has been tested over a period of nearly 50 years, and why this type of uranium mining will play an important role in providing U.S. utilities with the raw fuel to power nuclear reactors for the next few decades.

In this modern era of uranium mining, extremely skilled engineers, hydrologists and geologists establish ISL mining operations. Most insiders compare an ISL operation to a water treatment plant. It’s really that simple to understand. However, as with every modern industrial operation, the roots of ISL mining came about in a less genteel or sophisticated manner. In 1958, Charles Don Snow, a uranium mining and exploration geologist employed by the Utah Construction Company, was investigating a Wyoming property for possible acquisition for his company. During the course of that visit, he discovered a new method of uranium mining and helped pioneer its development into the modern form of ISL.

Since 1957, R.T. Plum, president of Uranyl Research Company, had been experimenting with a leach solution on his property at the Lucky June uranium mine. “They mixed up the sulfuric acid solution and just dumped it on the ground, and soaked it through the material and collected it in a little trench at the end,” Charles Snow told StockInterview. It wasn’t very scientific. Snow added, “They were just learning how, and I observed it and thought that the application could be made through some of the ore that we had in the Lucky Mc mine.” The company was mining uranium this way because it was below the grades miners were used to, when mining. As Snow noted, “It was not worth mining.” But it was practically at the surface. He explained what they were doing at the Lucky June, “There was an area where uranium leached out to the surface in a small area, and it had a clay under-bed. These people put solutions onto the surface, collected the solution, and ran it by resin beads to absorb the uranium.”

While they only recovered about $3600 worth of uranium, roughly 600 pounds, Snow was impressed. He later wrote an inter-office memorandum in July 1959, with the subject header: “Recovery of Uranium from Low Grade Mineralization using a leach in place process.” In his conclusion, Snow recommended, “From the preliminary information available, it appears that it will be possible to treat very low grade mineralization for recovery of uranium at a large net profit.” He explained the process to his bosses, encouraging them to consider this as an option:

Arthritis Pain Relief through Diet

2006-12-28T02:05:00.001-08:00

There are many factors to consider when it comes to arthritis pain relief. An arthritic diet is certainly one such factor. However, the term arthritis covers over 100 different diseases and conditions and there are many arthritic diets that may affect individuals differently depending on the type of arthritis. It would be impossible to cover all of different types of arthritis in this article, but we will look at the most common arthritis conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia.

It is well know that those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis pain have an unusually low blood zinc level. Several independent studies have been conducted where rheumatoid arthritis patients have been given increased doses of zinc and showed marginal improvement, yet the tests were not extensive enough to be conclusive. Also, the effects of copper on rheumatoid arthritis have been studied for a long time, and although research studies vary, there seems to be some case for using copper to relieve suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

While many medical experts dismiss copper therapy, it is suggested that if you do attempt copper therapy, that copper-rich foods are utilized instead of copper supplements, because copper supplements can cause side effects which include change in sense of taste and smell, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abnormal blood clots, increased joint pain, chills, anemia and kidney problems. Furthermore, excess copper can cause cirrhosis of the liver in patients prone to Wilson’s Disease.

If you have decided to use copper therapy as a way to combat rheumatoid arthritis pain, there is an extensive choice of foods you can enjoy in order to increase your copper intake: lamb, pork, pheasant quail, duck, goose, squid, salmon, liver, oysters, scallops, shrimp, lobster, clams, crab, tofu, nuts, and soy milk are just a few of the foods that are rich in copper.

As for foods to avoid when suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, many nutritionists and naturopaths suggest avoiding dairy products all together, as they seem to exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups. Also, one should be discouraged from taking doses of vitamins that are higher than recommended without a physician’s direction. Some vitamins and minerals can actually worsen certain conditions and the concentration that can be attained through vitamins can be dangerous. It is much better to approach any desired increase in vitamin or mineral intake through food therapy.

In terms of relieving pain for those who suffer from osteoarthritis there has been some success with the food supplements glucosamine and chondroitin. These supplements can be found in pharmacies and health food stores, however the purity of the products or the dose of the active ingredients cannot be specified because the FDA does not monitor these supplements. The National Institutes of Health is studying glucosamine and chondroitin, so more should be known about the effectiveness of these products for osteoarthritis in the near future. Patients with osteoarthritis taking blood-thinners should be careful taking chondroitin as it can increase the blood-thinning and cause excessive bleeding.

The Charm of French Country Kitchen Design

2006-12-28T02:04:00.000-08:00

A kitchen can be more than just about its role in function, organization and efficiency. Kitchens need a personality and a look and feel that can liven up the senses in addition to being a functional place for the preparation of food.

The French Country Kitchen design is one of many classic kitchen design themes that you could consider. It can provide your kitchen with a traditional look that has its roots in the hillsides of rural France. It is a style that can fit into both rural farmhouses and in the grandest chateau.

French country kitchen design conjures up images of the Provence and the French countryside with its pastoral settings, lavender fields and rustic French farmhouses. The French country kitchen represents country living that is uniquely French. In designing your French country kitchen design you discover that the French country look is always very rustic, old and warm.

There are many elements that go into the French country kitchen including the use of large pieces of furniture made mainly of light colored woods and can be decorated with ornate carving.

Color & French Country Kitchen Design

Color is an important place to start the design process. You can draw inspiration from some of the principle French impressionists like Monet and Renoir, Van Gogh.

Colors that are used in the French country kitchen style can include sunny yellow or soft gold, bright red and rust, grass green, cobalt blue and soft ocean tones.

You can decorate in the style of the French country kitchen design by using vivid colors - poppy red, sunflower yellow, bright blue, meadow green, and sunset purple. Your walls and cabinets and large furniture can be painted in off white, ivory, light beige, and taupe. Cabinets can be painted a glossy white to brighten light-filled spaces in the kitchen or they can be left as natural wood. These colors can provide a light, airy feel so you do not want to use strong colors here. In fabrics such as curtains and seat cushions you might also add paisley, stripes and floral prints to your French Country Kitchen theme.

Natural Materials

Natural materials are an important element in walls, cabinetry and furniture that is used in the design of French country kitchens. The materials used in creating a rustic French country kitchen look include natural stone floors, granite counter tops and tumbled marble back splashes. These natural materials can be used on walls and beamed ceilings, and can be rough stained or painted plaster, or wood painted in natural colors. Floors can be made of stone or brick and covered with wool or cotton rugs, a fireplace made of stone with a heavy beam that can serve as a mantel, and wooden shutters as window coverings. Furniture and cabinets can have a rustic or even a distressed look. Countertops can be done in ceramic tile with tile back splashes.

Accent Pieces

In French country kitchen design you will find that tile, rustic urns, hand-painted European ceramics and pottery accents are used extensively. Ceramic tiles and terra cotta pottery pieces are used wherever possible. Add copper pots and a French country kitchen can can encompass many old world decorating colors.

A kitchen can be more than just about its role in function, organization and efficiency. Kitchens need a personality and a look and feel that can liven up the senses in addition to being a functional place for the preparation of food. The French Country Kitchen design is one of many classic kitchen design themes that you could consider. It can provide your kitchen with a traditional look that has its roots in the hillsides of rural France. It is a style that can fit into both rural farmhouses and grand chateaus.

The materials used in creating a rustic French country kitchen look include natural stone floors, granite counter tops and tumbled marble back splashes.

Attracting Birds to a Tropical Garden

2006-12-27T02:03:00.000-08:00

Some individuals enjoy bird watching but prefer to do their bird watching in their back yard. Below is some advice on attracting wild birds to your back yard.

Firstly it depends upon having wild birds in the general area where your house is located and then you can attract then to your backyard.

The method used to attract the birds will depend upon what is the diet of the bird. If the bird is a nectar feeder e.g. bananaquits or hummingbirds, then large flowering plants will attract them. Hummingbird bills are perfectly adapted to the various types of flowers that they feed on, so different types of flowers will attract different hummingbirds. Some hummingbirds have especially curved or elongated bills that allow them to feed on special flowers, eg the White-tipped Sicklebill hummingbird whose downward curving bill allows it to draw nectar from heliconias. The Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird has a short and slightly decurved bill that is suited to feeding on the flowers of the ixora shrub. The Blue-tailed Emerald has a short bill that is suited for feeding on the Hibiscus flower. The Copper-rumped Hummingbird has a straight long bill that allows it to feed on medium sized tube shaped flowers such as the allamanda. Hummingbirds have little or no sense of smell, so colour is important to a hummingbird's search process for locating flowers containing nectar. While they will visit any flower that has sufficient nectar they prefer flowers that are red to orange in colour. It is believed that this colour preference is due to the fact that red flowers standout in a green background and so are more easily seen by the hummingbird. It is also believed that because hummingbirds compete with insects for nectar they choose flowers that are less likely to be visited by insects. Most insects do not see well at the red end of the colour spectrum and so may not visit red flowers while hummingbirds see the full visible spectrum.

If space in your yard is very limited, preventing you from having large flowering shrubs, an area to consider is the curb area between your property line and the roadway. You can plant small flowering shrubs such as the miniature ixora, which will then attract nectar feeding birds to your property.

For birds that are fruit eaters, the presence of ripe fruit will attract and so having fruit trees will attract birds. The majority of trees however only fruit once per year for a few months, so the attraction is not year round. If your garden has sufficient space then multiple fruit trees that bear at different times in the year will ensure a continuous bird presence. One tree that bears fruit for a very extended period is guava and so can attract birds for most of the year. Trees are also an attraction to birds because they provide nesting and resting sites. If you have the palm trees that people usually plant in from their houses that will generally attract Palm Tanagers who will feed on the small nuts, use material from the tree for building their nests and may also nest in the tree.

What is This Thing Called Feng Shui?

2006-12-27T01:55:00.000-08:00

Are you finding that there is a room in your home in which you just don’t feel comfortable or that all your arguments happen in one particular room? This could be due to a bad flow of harmony which is what Feng Shui helps to balance.Feng Shui is pronounced "fung shway" and Feng Shui means wind and water.This is an ancient Chinese art for living in harmony with your surroundings. It is the art of placing particular elements and colors to achieve positive and negative (yin and yang) flow in certain areas of your home or office to achieve the balance of energy (also called the flow of chi) in any given space. Feng Shui can facilitate the balance of issues such as: health and family, wealth and prosperity, fame and reputation, love and marriage, children and creativity, helpful people, travel, career, knowledge and self-cultivation. Feng Shui Examples:Metal produces water... like a cold can of soda makes condensation when it is in a warm environment. Water gives life to wood. Without water wood would perish.Wood is fuel for fire. I think we all know how this one works.Fire helps to create the earth. The earth’s core produces volcanic activity which changes continuously, thus creating more earth.Earth provides metal. As everyone knows, metal comes from the earth (i.e., copper and lead).The Cycle Continues:That takes us full cycle – back where we began. Many spiritual cultures refer to this as “the circle of life”.In other words, Feng Shui is the practice of using nature to achieve complete balance.Is Your Environment in Balance?Now think about this. What if one of those elements was to disappear? What would happen?Answer: Nature would be out of balance and havoc would result (i.e., if there was no source of water). We, of course, would not survive. Without water, wood would eventually die leaving no fire. Without fire, there would be no earth leaving no metal. No metal - no water. While this may seem somewhat convoluted, the cycle is simple to understand.Take a look around your home or office. See if you are missing one or more of these elements or have an abundance of only one Feng Shui element in your home. Again, if you have no water, let’s say in your bedroom, consider your bedroom out of balance. Maybe your love life is not doing so well or you’re not sleeping well. The lack of the water element could be the problem. Try putting a small fountain in your bedroom and see if this helps. Yup! It can be as simple as that.

The Health Benefits of Goji Juice Explained

2006-12-26T01:55:00.001-08:00

Goji, which is known as Lycium Barbarum in Latin, is a berry found in the Himalayas and has been held in high esteem throughout the ages for its nutritional benefits and health giving properties. This alkaline berry has been consumed in China and the Himalayan regions for close to 3000 years. The nutritional benefits of Goji juice are being corroborated and confirmed by research and clinical studies. Studies with elderly people and those suffering from general debility have shown that consuming Goji juice can lead to a three-time increase in the T-cell transformation functions and the white cell interleukin-2 count can double. This opens up the possibilities of extracting even greater benefits from this berry, particularly for fighting tiredness, improving the working of the immune system, preventing the growth of free radicals, etc. The key nutritional ingredients of Goji juice are the glyconutrients that provide eight essential sugars required by the human body for growth. The 22 phytonutrient compounds present in Goji juice facilitate intercellular communication. The health benefits of Goji juice are enumerated below:· Goji juice is a powerful antioxidant that counters premature ageing· Increases resistance to disease· Helps to regulate blood pressure· Minimizes the risk of cancer by preventing DNA mutation, inhibiting growth of tumors, and by controlling the peroxidation of lipids· Regulates blood-sugar during the early stages of diabetes· Has a positive effect on vision, heart, relieves headaches and insomnia· Regulates weight· Promotes sexual health and improves fertility· Helps digestion and memory functions· Alleviates dry coughThe tremendous health-giving properties of Goji juice can be attributed to its composition; the Goji berry· is rich in carotenoids such as beta carotene and vitamin C· contains germanium, no other fruit is known to contain this mineral· has four important polysaccharides, LBP1, LBP2, LBP3, and LBP4, which offer significant health benefits· provides nineteen amino acids including the eight essential amino acids as well as up to 21 trace minerals including zinc, copper, selenium, phosphorous, etc· has a protein content higher than wheat· contains zeaxanthin, which is good for the eyes· has B-complex vitamins as well as fatty acids· provides Vitamin E, which is not found in many fruits, it is limited to nuts and seeds· contains Cyperone, Beta-Sitosterol, Solavetivone, Physalin, linoleic acid, and Betaine; Beta-Sitosterol has anti-inflammatory properties, linoleic acid aids weight loss, betaine improves the health of the cardiovascular system· has 11 mg of iron per 100 gm of fruitGoji juice is available with several health stores and a lot of these have online shops. The recommended dosage is 2-4 ounces per day; however, there are no known side effects of exceeding the dosage. Most people are able to see and feel the positive effects of Goji juice within one month of regular consumption. The bottled juice sold by health stores should not contain artificial colors or sweetening agents. A one-liter bottle of Goji juice may contain the nutritional equivalent of two pounds of fresh Goji berries.

Garden Design-How to Choose and Place Garden Art in Your Backyard

2006-12-25T01:54:00.000-08:00

Your backyard should relax and refresh you, but it should also delight you! Choosing garden art that reflects your personality and makes you feel good is an important key to creating the ultimate backyard.Art can mean many things to many people but basically there are 3 types:1. Formal Art Think larger stately pieces that you see in more traditional backyards, like a classic sculpture of a Greek goddess or a stone angel. Heavy iron garden ornaments like obelisks and sundials also work well with most backyard landscape designs. These pieces create an old-world feel and lend a sense of drama to the yard. Others might include columns, carved fountains, birdbaths, and classical architectural salvage.2. Semi-formal This is the most popular type because it suits so many styles of backyards. It‘s more relaxed in theme, a little more nostalgic and decorative. For example, light hearted sculptures of animals or children in concrete, resin or bronze, contemporary metal sculptures of flowers and insects, stained glass stepping stones, artistic birdhouses, and hand painted garden pots, copper wind chimes.3. Informal Art I call this art “your imagination gone wild”. Everyday objects are placed in the garden to create art that is fun, whimsical, and even campy.I‘ve seen all kinds of items used as garden décor like: old rubber boots planted with flowers, a nostalgic wire bedroom headboard , an antique window frame, an old-fashioned bathtub, a dressmaker’s dummy, and fancy china plates.Remember that the type of art you choose should be in keeping with the feel of your backyard but it should also be an expression of you.The most important thing is that you should feel some emotional attachment to your garden art.Tips for placing Garden Art In the garden, art becomes a focal point. Your eye is naturally drawn to it and it commands your attention. So where you place it is important. Put garden art:• In a boring, bare part of the yard to add interest and stimulate conversation• At the end of a path to add drama• In any area to add comic relief. I have a cute bronze frog lying on a back on a lily pad beside my waterfall and pond.• In front of an ugly spot to hide dead patch • Directly in line with an unwanted view of the neighbour’s yard to create privacy• On a wall or fence to visually break up the long monotonous line. I have a beautiful concrete painted face hanging on one part of my fence and a mirror hanging on another to add interest.• In front of a colourful burst of foliage to punctuate the space. My classical white bird bath looks gorgeous just in front of my huge pink rose bush• Hidden behind some greenery so it just peeks out a little to create a feeling of antiquity. This will put plants in the spotlight.• Within the frame of a beautiful view to enhance the view even more. My backyard is on the lake and the view is made even more beautiful by a large fountain of Poseidan the sea God that we have made part of the view.• In a rock garden to create feeling of garden gallery. The rocks are natural pedestals for the art and create a wonderful playground for eye to bounce around in and land on art.

10 Ways to Pick the Wrong Cabinet Hardware

2006-12-25T01:53:00.000-08:00

Don't get lost in the hardware. Take along a roadmap and avoid these ten common mistakes when choosing those cabinet fittings. Mistake #1. Not Spending Time Choosing the Right Hardware. Okay folks, picture this: You're redoing a gorgeous kitchen in what was an adobe vacation cottage in Taos New Mexico, and which is now your first new home. It has a domed ceiling and birch wood trim all along the outline of the plaster walls. Floor to ceiling windows bring the vast desert landscape with its painted mountains right into your kitchen.While at the showroom looking over cabinet models you see the street scene through the storefront window and think that through your kitchen windows you see a genuine natural masterpiece. Just then the salesman mentions choosing a cabinet color. You order a sage grey finish to complement and cool the stark landscape through your windows. It's the perfect touch that will please you for years.Then he asks about the hardware. What kinds of knobs and hinges to put on your masterpiece? On the sample board it is immediately apparent that all the knobs and hinges have nothing to do with that lingering fantasy involving the continuity of cabinet coloring and view. They would just distract. Except for the white ceramic knobs that hint at the clouds over the mountains.Customize that hardware to your specifications. Since most cabinets are custom or semi-custom, picking the right fixtures should be the customers choice not the factory's.Mistake #2. Choosing The Most Popular One.When you get a look at the sample board of knobs, pulls, and hinges, catches and fasteners don't get dazzled by the fashion statement and forget that you're choosing a drawer pull not a piece of jewelry. The intent is to blend into the overall design of your kitchen, not overwhelm it. That's not to say you can't have any fun; Save that whimsy for the closets and drawers of the children's room, and maybe the kitchen after a few years when you might want to brighten up a drab ho-hum feeling. The first choice should be with an eye on enhancing and supporting overall design. Traditional kitchen cabinets look best with dull, or matte finished metal hardware in stainless steel, nickel, pewter or brass in traditional even shapes. Usually only a modern motif with a lot of stainless steel accents and sharp angles can incorporate shiny chrome, polished or enamel hardware in unusual designs.Mistake #3. Picking The Wrong Type of Hinge For Your Cabinet Design. Cabinet hinges not only open and close cabinet doors, they also hold the doors to the cabinets. Doors are literally "hung" onto the hinges. Therefore they have to be strong enough to bear the weight of the door.Height and weight of cabinet doors determine how many hinges you need. For a cabinet door less then 40 inches high and less then 11 pounds, two hinges are sufficient. For a door 40 - 60 inches high and 13 - 20 pounds, three hinges are needed. For a door 60-80 inches high and 29 - 33 pounds, for hinges are required. For a door 80 - 85 inches high and 40 - 48 pounds, five hinges are necessary. If too few hinges are installed onto heavy doors, too much stress is put on the hinges under repetitive use and the hinge and door will either break or pull out. make sure to pick the right size hinge for your door's weight and height.

The Garden Wall

2006-12-24T01:53:00.000-08:00

Both the strength and beauty of a dry wall may be enhanced by using it as a wall garden. It may acquire a mossy and aged appearance simply by planting flowers, herbs, or ground cover in the soil in the crevices. A greater degree of color can be obtained, however, by planting any of several flowering plants, whose strong roots will serve the additional function of holding the wall together. Typical plants which may be used to good effect are: such flowering types as azaleas, alyssum, evergreen candytuft, heather, phlox, garden pinks, sedum. snowy rock cress, and creeping veronicas; such spreading plants as lavender, moss, phlox and hardy verbenna; small rosettes and little tufts that need sun and room for roots like sempervivium, dwarf iris, dwarf pinks and yarrow; and the plants you can grow from seed sown among the rocks such as bleeding heart, some ivies and varieties of poppy and phlox. Semperviviums, azaleas, prostrate junipers and dwarf azaleas keep a bank or rock wall green all winter.Decorating the garden wall can be a challenge. You can choose from faux materials like fiberglass, copper or brass wall decor, and a wide assortment of terracotta decorative items, including plaques. Many bird feeders or bird houses are suitable for wall mounting. Our personal favorite, however are garden wall fountains. This is especially suitable for smaller yards, where a large stand-alone fountain just won't work. Most modern garden wall fountains are self-contained, that is, they require no special plumbing. Water simply recirculates from the basin, up through the back of the fountain, and cascades down the decorative facade, back into the basin. The pump is normally the same class fountain pump as an aquarium pump. Two things to look for in the pump are speed and noise. Choose fountains whose pumps are variable speed and quiet. You want to hear the water, not the vibration of a low quality pump. Garden wall fountains can be made from many materials, but the most popular are made from fiberglass, cast stone, or copper.

High Performance Doesn’t Mean High Price

2006-12-24T01:52:00.000-08:00

When comparing high performance vs. standard replacement parts, it is of extreme importance to weigh performance and durability against value and cost. Long term costs of replacing OEM items with low-priced “budget” items or after-market replacement parts can, in many cases lead to higher consumer long-term costs. It can also lead to irreversible damage to primary and connected related systems. Obviously, if a replacement part is of lower quality and of shorter durability, it will need to be replaced more often. There are costs associated with the labor to replace these parts more often, as well as time lost for actually doing the work of replacing an automotive component. There are other "hidden" costs as well associated with this practice. They may not be costs in cold, hard cash out of pocket, but they are costly, nonetheless. A good example of this is simply shopping around for spark plug wires for my old Buick. I got in the habit of replacing the wires at least once a year, sometimes more if a problem arose. I go to the Internet and find several varieties of options online and I read the descriptions of what my choices are. They look like this:Description: Taylor Cable 69.95 8mm Street, Ignition Wire Set, Custom Fit, SST, Blue, Tin Coated Copper Braid, Non RFI, Blue Double Spring Locking Spark Plug Boots, High Temperature Rated To 550 Degrees, Competition Looks, GROUND SHIPPING ONLYDescription: OEM 37.41 Premium Wire Set, Spark Plug Wire Set, OEM Fit And Quality 37.41Description: Taylor Cable 29.95 8mm High Energy, Ignition Wire Set, Custom Fit, Blue, High Temperature, Oil Resistant, RFI Suppression, 100% Silicone Boot Ends, Double Spring Locks At Plugs, GROUND SHIPPING ONLYThe first thing I notice is the huge difference in price, and like any good spendthrift, I am drawn to the cheapest spark plug wires available. Ignoring the statements about temperature ratings and RFI, I immediately think to myself, without any further research, I may want to buy the bargain set of wires. But then I think I want good wires, and the OEM brand is only eight dollars more. These are the spark plug wires that came with my vehicle, so they must be what I need. I buy them online for $37.41, have them shipped to my house and install them on my vehicle. I take my old car for a ride, to see how much better it is going to run with the new wires on it. I notice it doesn’t run any better, as a matter of fact, it now has a slight miss in the engine. So I turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and make sure everything is connected properly. The miss isn’t there anymore when I start the vehicle back up, so I am happy. I turn the radio on to listen to some tunes on the way back to the house, and I can hear the sound of my engine “running” on the radio, like a whining sound, drowning out a portion of the music.

Options for Arthritis Pain Relief

2006-12-23T03:36:00.003-08:00

Today there are many ways to effectively manage arthritis pain relief. Those who suffer from arthritis pain have options such as arthritis diets, exercise programs, over-the-counter and prescription medications, relaxation and positive emotion coping techniques. Suffering form arthritis pain can also be combated with surgery, supplements, home remedies, natural and other alternative therapies.

When arthritis is first suspected, it is important to seek a medical arthritis expert first. However, the more you know about arthritis and the various options available, the more comfortable you’ll be with your decision.

Below are several options available to those who seek arthritis pain relief.

Arthritis Diets There is a great deal of debate in the medical world about the effects of overall diet on arthritis and using diet toward alleviating the arthritis pain. Doctors have known for a long time that diet affects gout, a specific type of arthritis; however the jury remained out for a long time on other common types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Nevertheless, overall dietary health is important and does come into play when seeking arthritis pain relief. Being overweight most definitely affects certain arthritis conditions by forcing some joints to carry more weight. This added weight stresses the joints, causing overuse and pain, especially in the knees. So making sure arthritis sufferers follow a well-balanced dietary plan is advised.

Vitamins for arthritis pain relief: Vitamin B5 – When grouped together, B vitamins work at their peak. They are good for reducing swelling and therefore relieving arthritis pain.

Vitamin B3 – This vitamin reduces tissue swelling and dilates small arteries, increasing blood flow. Note that Vitamin B3 is NOT advised for persons with high blood pressure, gout or sliver disorders.

Vitamin B6 – Another B that reduces tissue swelling.

Vitamin B12 – This vitamin aids in multiple functions. It helps with cell formation, digestion, myelin production, nerve protection.

Vitamin C - This vitamin acts as an anti-inflammatory, relieving arthritis pain, and rids the body of free radicals.

Vitamin E – This is a strong antioxidant that protects joints from free radicals while increases joint flexibility.

Vitamin K – This vitamin assists with mineral deposit into the bone matrix.

Minerals for arthritis pain relief: Boron – This trace mineral aids in bone health.

Calcium – This is a much-needed mineral for bone health.

Magnesium – Magnesium helps keep calcium in balance within the system.

Zinc – This mineral is necessary for bone growth, but is often lacking in arthritis patients.

Manganese – Manganese is also necessary for bone growth. However, do not ingest manganese with calcium because they can work against each other.

Copper – Copper helps to strengthen connective tissue.

The importance of using shower filters

2006-12-23T03:36:00.001-08:00

Shower filters are starting to be more and more popular because they provide you with a lot of benefits, such as chlorine removal, reduction of soap scum and they also prevent skin and hair dryness. Another great thing about shower filters is that they remove certain unpleasant odors that may come through the pipes. Most filters also help in balancing the water pH, which will improve foaming and cleaning, and also remove chemicals from the water. No matter if your water is un-chlorinated you are still advised to use shower filters for eliminating other impurities.

Eliminating chlorine and chemicals from the water you shower with is almost as important as removing these substances from the water you drink. One of the main reasons to use such a filter is that chlorine destroys the natural bacterial balance in your skin and hair, which leads to various effects, such as dryness, itching and even skin aging. Another reason why you should consider using a shower filter is that chlorine and all other synthetic chemicals may vaporize in the hot water and form an area of toxic gasses. Because of this you are permanently inhaling these toxins during your daily shower activity, thus facing a long-term health risk.

Shower filters should not be omitted from any home because toxins, such as chlorine and synthetic chemicals can be absorbed by the skin too, thus entering the body without direct ingestion. Actually, the body can absorb more of these toxins through the skin than through drinking water. There are two types of media for shower filters the GAC (granulated activated carbon) and KDF (atomized brass).

The first type is not especially recommended for hot water use because at high temperatures some of the toxins absorbed by the carbon can re-enter the water. KDF filters are more popular because they last longer and they provide a better protection. These filters usually last from 9 to 18 months for a family of four members. The KDF shower filters’ effectiveness is demonstrated by its ability to generate electrochemical action. There is a cathode-anode relation between copper and zinc, which can be changed by some particles found in the water. If there are fewer particles in the water, which enters the filter, the KDF media will generate longer levels of electricity, thus effectively removing the chlorine and other toxins. The sign that indicates that you should change the filter is the chlorine odor in the water or the reduced level of flow.

A 'Call' On The Price of Uranium?

2006-12-22T02:41:00.000-08:00

Strathmore Minerals Chief Executive Foresees Uranium Shortage. Will nuclear reactors run out of fuel? This is a Q&A with the company's Chief Executive.

Interviewer:

Before we talk about the potential of uranium shortages and the steep price rise in that energy source, could you explain how you got started with this idea, and what is the philosophy behind Strathmore’s acquisition program of uranium properties?

Dev Randhawa:

Several years ago, Strathmore Minerals started with the idea of acquiring properties “out of the money” at very cheap prices in the belief that the uranium prices would recover so that our assets would be worth more. No one was paying attention to the commodity we chose: uranium. Strathmore Minerals is basically a call on the price of uranium. That’s how we started the company. This strategy is similar to what Lumina Copper (AMEX: LCC) used and what Silver Standard used. For example, the chairman of Silver Standard Resources (NASDAQ: SSRI) is on our board of directors. Our first step was to buy every pound we could for as cheaply as possible. The second step is to buy property that we think we can put into production. We are still actively looking for those.

Interviewer:

But uranium has a powerful environmental stigma. Why, then, are you enthusiastic about this type of energy source?

Dev Randhawa:

As with most people, when I began investigating uranium, I thought this was bad stuff. I thought of Three Mile Island and everything else. The more homework I did on this, the more I realized that nuclear power is clean and safe. That is primarily what uranium is used for now. It should be known that no one ever died at Three Mile Island. No one actually died at Chernobyl. Yes, people got sick. Compare that to coal or the oil spills in the fossil fuel sector, and the damage it has done to the environment. The problem is no one is championing nuclear energy. Frankly, the “greenies” have done a great job of burying the story. As I did homework, I found out France relies on nuclear power for about 78 to 80 percent of its electricity needs. I realized that somebody did a great job lobbying and built a very unhealthy picture toward uranium, when really it’s needed. We don’t talk about the cost of coal. We don’t talk about global warming. But, look at what coal has done. Global warming is a function of fossil fuels. That is why you are seeing a growing positive response to nuclear power in the United States again.

Interviewer:

To what do you attribute the recent, steep price rise in uranium?

Dev Randhawa:

Since last year, the price of uranium (U3O8) has climbed back steeply back up. At one point, the price was moving up about $1/pound per month. Uranium’s price is more in line with the price of oil as opposed to other commodities. For a long time, we’ve only produced on the average about 90 million pounds, when we needed 140 (million pounds). There’s been an imbalance for a number of years. This extra came from foreign sources, or from internal US inventories. Since the 1980s, we’ve been using more uranium than we have been producing in the western world. As a result, the extra that we’ve needed has come from Russia, the US government or inventory that utilities had.

Learning about Hummingbirds

2006-12-22T02:40:00.000-08:00

Hummingbirds are a joy for a birdwatcher to observe. They are found only in the Western Hemisphere, from as far north as Southeastern Alaska and the Maritimes of Canada and as far south as Southern Chile. There are approximately 350 species of hummingbirds with 320 species found in the tropics. Within the family of hummingbirds is found the smallest bird in the world, the Bee Hummingbird of Cuba at 2.17 inches (5.5 cm) and weight 1.95gm (0.07 oz). Hummingbirds range in size from 2 inches to 8 inches.

The hummingbird derives its name from the humming sound that is produced by its rapid wingbeat. Generally the wingbeat is so rapid that the individual only sees a blur as most of these birds flap their wings about 50 times per second. The speed of the wingbeat depends on the size of the bird, the largest the Giant Hummingbird, has a wingbeat rate of 10-15 times per second. The fastest recorded rate was about 80 times per second, on a tiny Amethyst Woodstar, and the slightly smaller Bee Hummingbird - the world's smallest bird - may have an even faster rate. A hummingbird's wing is flexible at the shoulder, but inflexible at the wrist, this enables them to fly in many different directions. They can fly right, left, up, down, backwards and even upside down. To move away from the flowers on which they feed hummingbirds fly backwards and are the only bird able to fly backwards. While other birds get their flight power from the downstroke only, hummingbirds also have strength on the up-stroke. Though they fly very fast, they can suddenly stop and make a soft landing. They are so light they do not build up much momentum. Hummingbirds have poorly developed feet, so that although they are able to perch and will do so when feeding or resting, they do not walk. In order to move, even along a branch, they fly. Hummingbirds lift from perches without pushing off; they rise entirely on their own power, flapping their wings at almost full speed before lifting off. Hummingbirds sleep perched on branches with their neck retracted and their head forward, the bill pointed up at a sharp angle, and the feathers fluffed.

It is believed that hummingbirds live for only 3 to 4 years. They have a fast heartbeat with a rate of 1260 beats per minute having been measured in a Blue-throated Hummingbird. In torpid hummingbirds, the heart rate can drop to 50-180 per minute. Their fast heart rate and rapid wing motion require them to feed regularly throughout the day. It is reported that they must feed every 10 minutes and they may consume 2/3 of their body weight in a single day. A major part of a hummingbird's diet is the nectar they obtain from flowers and their bills are perfectly adapted to the various types of flowers that they feed on. Some hummingbirds have especially curved or elongated bills that allow them to feed on special flowers, eg the White-tipped Sicklebill hummingbird whose downward curving bill allows it to draw nectar from heliconias. The Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird has a short and slightly decurved bill that is suited to feeding on the flowers of theixora shrub. The Blue-tailed Emerald has a short bill that is suited for feeding on the Hibiscus flower. the Copper-rumped Hummingbird has a straight long bill that allows it to feed on medium sized tube shaped flowers such as the allamanda. In feeding, hummingbirds use their tongue to lap the nectar in a similar manner to cats lapping milk. Their tongue can extend a distance equal to their beak length. As they feed hummingbirds accidentally collect pollen and as they move from flower to flower, they help the flowers to reproduce.

Goji Berries The Anti-Aging Wonder Food

2006-12-21T02:40:00.001-08:00

Goji berries are one of the most nutritionally dense foods on earth and house a staggering concentration of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytochemicals and essential fatty acids. Originating in Tibet and greatly favoured in traditional medicine, these scarlet berries have a mild sweet flavour mid that of a cherry and a cranberry. Aside their many noted health benefits (from boosting immunity, lowering cholesterol, and enhancing vision to fighting cancer cells, relieving depression and aiding weight loss) goji berries are touted anti-aging marvels and are one Hollywood’s hottest new foods. One look at their awesome constitution and it’s easy to see why.

Goji berries contain a remarkable amount of vitamin C, 500 times more than oranges by weight, making them the second richest source on the planet after the camu camu berry. They are also the most abundant source of carotenoids on earth, containing more beta-carotene than carrots making them a superb source of vitamin A.

In addition, this mighty fruit contains B vitamins (B1, B2 and B6), vitamin E and 21 minerals and trace minerals including zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, copper, germanium and selenium. They also house a wide range of amino acids (18) which include all the 8 essentials as well as efficacious polysaccharides that excel at strengthening the immune system. One such polysaccharide stimulates the secretion of the rejuvenating human growth hormone by the pituitary gland.

The most well documented case of longevity is that of Li Qing Yuen, who lived to the age of 252. Born in 1678, he is said to have given a lecture at the age of 200 at the University of Beijing, and had married 14 times with 11 generations of posterity before his death in 1930. Li Qing Yuen reportedly consumed goji berries daily.

A study cited in Dr. Mindell’s book ‘Goji: The Himalayan Health Secret’, observed that 67 per cent of elderly people that were given a daily dose of the berries for 3 weeks experienced dramatic immune system enhancement (T cell transformation functions tripled and the activity of interleukin-2 doubled). Further more, the spirit and optimism of all significantly increased, appetite improved in 95 per cent of the patients, 95 per cent slept better, and 35 per cent partially recovered their sexual function.

Goji berries are one of the highest antioxidant foods on the planet, with an ORAC score (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity - a measurement used by the US Department of Agriculture for total antioxidant capacity) of 18,500, way above other fruits and veggies (blueberries, for example, having 2,200 ORAC units). Antioxidants are known for their anti-aging and disease-fighting properties by subjugating the attack of hazardous free radicals in the body.

Superoxide is one such free radical implicated in the onset and progression of aging and disease, and is neutralized by the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). As we age our bodies production of this important antioxidant declines, yet goji berries have been shown to greatly increase it's presence in the body.

Tired of Vet Bills?

2006-12-21T02:39:00.000-08:00

Do you make a lot of trips to the vet's office? Do you spend your hard-earned money on vet bills because your dog suffers from chronic ailments? Give your dog or cat the nutrition he needs, and chances are you can spend your money on other things rather than giving it to your veterinarian.

Nutritional deficiencies are often the cause of chronic ailments in pets. Most holistic vets believe that improving a pet's diet will boost health and vitality and often restore chronically ill dogs to health.

Pets need to eat a variety of fresh, whole foods. A balanced, raw, home-made diet provides the nutrients pets need to heal from the inside out.

If you don't have time to feed a home-made diet, buy the best commercial pet food you can find, one made with human-grade ingredients and without chemical preservatives, byproducts, and fillers. (These foods may be difficult to find in grocery stores and pet stores, but are easy to find and purchase on web sites.) Then improve on it. Fresh juice and raw liver are two of the healthiest foods you can add to your pet's diet:

**Fresh Juice (for dogs only):

Use a juicer if you have one. Most dogs love carrot juice, and it contains zinc, vitamin E, beta carotene, copper, and other ingredients that strengthen the immune system. It's best to use organic carrots, and you can add celery, parsley, or apple. Feed directly or mix with your dog's food. Try to feed 1/2 cup juice per 25-30 pounds of weight each day.

**Raw Liver (for both dogs and cats):

Some vets consider liver a miracle food because of its ability to save lives and improve health. Raw beef and chicken liver are rich in amino acids, protein, phosphorous, potassium, copper, and Vitamin A & B-complex.

Feed liver only from organically raised cattle and poultry because the liver stores toxins. You can add raw liver to the fresh juice you make or add it to your dog's food. To help sick pets, feed small amounts of organic calf or chicken liver once or twice per day (one teaspoon per 10 to 20 pounds of body weight).

If your dog has multiple health problems, supplements can also help:

**Digestive Enzymes such as pancreatin and bromelain help to replace enzymes destroyed by heat. Give enzyme supplements between meals.

**Probiotics and Prebiotics contain bacteria that help with digestion and fight infection. They replace bacteria destroyed by an inadequate diet or antibiotics.

**Colostrum and Lactoferrin enhance immune function.

**Vitamins and Minerals are especially helpful when pets have multiple infections. Choose a vitamin/mineral supplement made from whole-food sources. Pets can easily assimilate these.

**Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins, and proteins are needed to construct every cell in the body.

**Garlic fights infection, helps prevent cancer, expels tapeworms, prevents blood clotting, and makes pets less attractive to parasites such as fleas.

If you provide your pet with the nutrients he needs, you should see a much healthier and happier pet. And maybe that money that used to be spent on vet bills can now go towards a new car, home improvements, a vacation, or even a savings account!

Make Arizona Your Next Vacation and Discover a Cool Desert

2006-12-20T21:37:00.001-08:00

If you're looking for an adventure to last you a lifetime of memories, Arizona is a place for just that. From roughing it to living the life VIP-style, Arizona is a place of endless possibilities, and once you start exploring this lovely state, you'll instantly realize that Arizona is more than just the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. There are definitely other interesting sights to see and things to do.Arizona is representative of the desert, what with so many people connecting the name to the Grand Canyon, the most famous natural attraction in the United States. There's also the Canyon de Chelly which has walls that reach up to 1000 feet. Portions of the cliff are covered with ancient pictographs. Canyon de Chelly is where the Pueblo built their homes many years ago and is still inhabited by the Navajo indians today. Just as Arizona has many bustling cities representative of urban life and development, this state has many insights into history to offer you. There are several museums in Arizona, such as the Navajo Nation museum (for more on the life and times of the Navajo people), the Arizona Historical Society Museum, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Museum, and the Heard Museum, just to name a few. Arizona is definitely an educational powerhouse to visit. Another famous attraction in Arizona is the Petrified forest. It features stone log fragments scattered across the Arizona desert, displaying unusually bright colours.One of the many sights in Arizona is a meteor crater large enough to fit twenty football fields and is 600 feet deep. It crashed to the earth some 49,000 years ago and is said to be the best-preserved crater on earth. Tours are held every hour on the hour. In Arizona you can get a feel of how the wild, wild west was truly like. Whiskey Row or Cortez St. in Prescott was once known for its rough saloons and pleasure houses, though it is now a more subdued area. Or visit the ghost town Jerome which from a population of 15,000 has shrunk down to 100. Jerome was once a popular copper camp. Though there's not much action to be found in a ghost town, a visit to Jerome will definitely be an interesting history lesson with plenty of beautiful sights.It's not all sun and sand and cacti in Arizona. While it is a desert state, Arizona is also one popular skiing destination to many people. A popular haunt would be Sunrise Park Resort, the most packed resort in all of Arizona's White Mountains, covered with nothing but fine, powdery snow. There is also the Arizona snowbowl, which, while filled with anxious skiiers in the winter, is a place where you can get breathtaking views of just a small area of Arizona equaling 70 miles. Arizona is also a biological sanctuary, a place to visit and marvel at the diverse flaura and fauna of life. While there, head on down to the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona's sanctuary for various creatures. Many people just come here for watching birds and their lovely plumes. Then there's the Biosphere 2, located just north of Oro Valley in Southern Arizona. It is an engineering wonder being one of the largest living laboratories in the world. It's an airtight greenhouse with an expanse of over three acres, being used by researchers to discover more on the earth's ecosystem.Arizona is not just a spot rich in heritage, natural resources, and wonders. There are many things that make it a familiar word to many but its real treasures are the ones you take home after an exciting adventure, the memories and the experiences. So why don't you book your next trip in Arizona. And discover it for yourself.

Shopping The Scintillating World of Sterling Silver Jewelry For Gifts

2006-12-20T21:37:00.000-08:00

Silver, one of the most precious metals on earth, never ceases to fascinate with its beauty and brilliance. It is symbolic of classic simplicity. Silver is also versatile. Throughout history, it has been used for both aesthetic and functional purposes such as flatware, decorative art, coins, armor and jewelry. Silver, like the other precious metals such as gold, platinum, and titanium, are crafted into exquisite pieces of jewelry that is both beautiful and versatile. And since silver is the most common of all precious metals, it is also more affordable. Thus, silver jewelry is an outstanding choice for anyone who wants precious, beautiful yet relatively inexpensive jewelry. Sterling silver can be crafted into different jewelry pieces such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, pendants, charms and chains. Silver comes in different types. Fine silver is silver in its natural state and is 99% pure. However, fine silver is too soft and is almost too liquid to be crafted into any product. Sterling silver, on the other hand is a mixture of fine silver and another metal alloy. Fine silver is combined with a metal such as copper to make jewelry that is more durable and long lasting. Sterling silver is 925 parts silver to 75 of copper. Jewelers create beautiful, shiny and brilliant pieces of sterling silver jewelry that is commonly mistaken for precious metals that are more expensive. Although sterling silver will likely tarnish because of the presence of other metals, they can easily be maintained in their excellent, shiny and attractive condition through regular cleaning and proper care. Silver plating is an inexpensive and more durable alternative to sterling silver. In silver plating, a base metal is coated with a layer of pure silver. Because the amount of silver in the jewelry is lower, it is generally less expensive. However, silver plated jewelry will need a fresh coating of silver every few years to maintain its luster and to prevent the base metal from peeking through. Silver plated jewelry and other accoutrements are some of the most popular silver products as they are inexpensive and readily available. Other forms of silver include nickel silver, which is not silver but a combination of other metals that resemble silver. Sterling silver jewelry is lustrous, reflective and elegant. However, since silver is softer than most precious metals, it is more prone to scratches, abrasions, dents and other damages. It can also tarnish over time due to chemical reactions. However, through proper car and maintenance measures, silver jewelry can be maintained in their attractive shiny and lustrous condition. Sterling silver should be regularly cleaned using a cleaner or a polishing solution at least once a month to maintain its sheen. Soft cloth must be used when cleaning silver jewelry to avoid scratches and other irreparable damages. Washing it with water and a mild detergent after it is worn is a simple and easy way to preserve the shine and luster of silver jewelry. Elegant, simple and lustrous: silver is an exceptional choice for people who want sophisticated jewelry that is not as expensive as other precious metals. Sterling silver jewelry is the perfect accessory whatever the dress of choice of the wearer is. Silver is classic. It easily adapts to the changing fashion trends. With its simple, scintillating allure, sterling silver jewelry is one of the treasures you will cherish forever.

How To Choose A Quality Cookware Set

2006-12-19T21:36:00.001-08:00

If you are considering purchasing new cookware, you probably are wondering how to make the most sensible purchase and still get all the pieces and features you need. Price is always a major factor in deciding which cookware set is right for you. Choosing the perfect cookware set involves much more than color and the availability of nifty glass lids that you can see through. If you are a serious cook, or simply want the best deal for the price, you will need to be more practical in making your decision. The main factor in choosing cookware is the material from which it is made. Copper is very expensive, but conducts heat better than any other material. Heat conduction allows your food to cook evenly. You will undoubtedly find cookware that is constructed from stainless steel with a copper reinforced bottom. The problem with this type of cookware is that the bottom of the food will cook faster than the rest, making it very difficult to avoiding burning and/or scorching your food. Braising is out of the question in a stainless steel pan with a copper reinforced bottom. You need cookware that allows heat to be distributed evenly. You are probably very familiar with pans that have hot spots. Hot spots are places in the pan where the food cooks disproportionately faster than in the rest of the pan. Cookware with even heat distribution is imperative if you are serious about the food you cook. The problem with copper, cast iron, and aluminum cookware is that certain foods will absorb a metal taste and color from the pans, not to mention you will ingest some of the metal that is transferred to the food. Copper will scratch and discolors easily, but every cook should have at least one copper bowl for beating egg whites. Copper bowls will allow you to beat eggs whites to their maximum volume. Aluminum is inexpensive, but as mentioned before, will react with certain foods in an unfavorable manner. Aluminum wears down quickly, although there are anodized pans that will cut down on reactivity and increase durability. If you opt for aluminum cookware, anodized is the best choice. Cast iron is good for searing steaks and a few other specialized cooking tasks, but you must keep your cast iron cookware seasoned to avoid sticking and pitting of the pan. The fact is that there is no perfect cookware. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Stainless steel is probably the best compromise. Stainless steel is in the middle price range and heat conductivity. It is durable and cleans easily and will not react with any type of food you cook. Another good choice is stainless steel with an aluminum insert that goes all the way up the sides of the pan. The conclusion would seem to be that in order to get a good set of cookware, you will have to spend some money, but it is not necessary to get the most expensive type. A good stainless steel cookware set with a few special pieces such as a non-stick frying pan, a copper bowl, and any other extras you desire will be your best choice.

Bullet Proof Portfolio, Lessons From An Insider, Kipley J. Lytel CFA, Montecito Capital

2006-12-19T21:36:00.000-08:00

After spending several years working in the hedge fund world, followed by another (too long) period working as a lead ‘sell-side’ securities analyst for a securities brokerage house issuing ratings and price targets on securities in tandem with published research reports, my concern for individual investor’s welfare has markedly increased. That said, rumors of conflicts of interests are widespread and, in my opinion, have been quite valid for several reasons: (i) yes, analysts are often directly or indirectly pressured for positive ratings and lofty price targets on securities from investment banking departments (bonus incentive), from trading desks (to sell more), and from the companies covered (for better access); (ii) yes, brokers are often encouraged to actively trade accounts, often to the disservice of their clients; and, (iii) the system is fraught with inappropriate incentives, such as loads for mutual funds sold and poor price transparency on corporate bonds traded to customers in which the brokerage company handsomely profits from a ‘hidden spread’ – often 0.5% up to as high as 1.5% of value, on top of the commission.But there are also many other pitfalls that average investors have fallen prey, such as actively trading their own accounts (from day trading to week trading now) or owning individual stocks without understanding diversification and exposure to sector or asset class risk. Indeed, research shows that over 90% of the return is attributable to proper selection of and allocation between asset classes, rather than stock "picking." In my opinion, the costs of trading or the risk of holding individual securities is simply dangerous without financial stock knowledge, ‘living and breathing’ the market and having diverse holdings. And if you use a broker, you must ask yourself these questions: Does your broker listen to the company conference calls? Does your broker have access to management? Do you think your broker wants to call you when one of your stocks just blew up with an accounting scandal, management corruption or disappointing earnings? Even if the brokerage house has analysts covering these matters, how involved is your broker in the process and is he brave enough to tell you to “sell & sell now” – not to mention was it appropriate for this stock or bond to be in your portfolio in the first place? So what do you do? Do you buy a mixture of stock and bond mutual funds, and if so which ones and how much of each? The answer goes beyond your return requirement, risk tolerance, individual constraints (liquidity, taxes, income needs etc.) or even your age and size of financial assets. Granted, you must consider all these factors, but for the appropriate investment allocation to be correctly implemented, it should involve a degree ‘financial science.’ First, let me educate you on Modern Portfolio Theory.Modern Portfolio Theory advocates a process first developed by Nobel Laureate Harry Markowitz, of selecting an optimal mix of asset classes based on past and forecast returns, volatility (i.e., standard deviation and beta values), and cross relationships (i.e. correlations and co-variances) that matches investor's quantifiable risk tolerance and gives them best possible rate of return. The goal is to have a low covariance portfolio based on each investors risk profile and return requirement so that the mean-variance is optimized (this is technical but I will make it clearer).

Buyers Guide For Copper MailBoxes

2006-12-18T21:35:00.003-08:00

Mailboxes crafted from copper give you traditional elegance and extraordinary quality. Copper mailboxes will never rust or go out of style. The beauty of a copper mailbox is unmatched and you will get many years of use from a durable mailbox made of high quality copper. You will be able to choose from many styles and designs, and you can even have your new copper mail box customized to fit your exact specifications. There are many choices and you can be assured that you will be receiving the best mailbox available at a reasonable cost.Copper mailboxes can be lacquered with non-tinted gloss to add to the brilliant shine and to protect the mailbox from smudges and smears. Copper is one of the most durable metals in existence and you are sure to be thrilled with your investment. You can choose different engravings and patterns to give your new mailbox a hint of individuality. Copper has been used for centuries as a statement of taste and elegance. You can order a new copper mail box that will give your home a distinct, tasteful appearance. Copper mailboxes will last for many years and you will be thrilled by the new addition to your home.Handcrafted copper mail boxes are decorative and will endure many seasons of all types of weather. Hardware is normally included and you can choose a mailbox that mounts of an exterior wall, a freestanding mailbox, or a roadside mailbox. All types of mailboxes can be constructed from high quality, extremely durable copper. If you are shopping for a new mailbox, consider the beauty and quality of copper to make a definite statement of your taste and sense of value. Copper mailboxes can be shipped to your door quickly and will mount easily in any location you choose.

Building A Garden Fence

2006-12-18T21:35:00.001-08:00

They are privacy and shelter are two important things in the garden. The latter is often a problem in gardens which are exposed to cold prevailing winds. Both these points are important not only for the gardener himself, but also for the plants in his garden. Young growth can be severely damaged by cold winds and frequent buffeting will cause a great deal of root disturbance. Although privacy and shelter can be provided by trees and shrubs, fences also have an important part to play. The choice of fencing must never be undertaken lightly, for serious consideration must be given to its appearance and construction. Strength is very important. A fence is only as strong as its supports. Most fences are supplied with strong posts, usually 4-6in (10-15cm) square. Sometimes concrete posts are supplied; these are extremely strong. Strength of timber also depends on the prevention of rot, and unless cedar wood is used (except for posts), all timber should be treated with a suitable preservative. Creosote can be used, although it should be allowed to soak into the timber for several weeks before plants are trained against it. Unless this is done, there is the danger of stem and leaf scorch and its use is not generally recommended where plants are to be grown against or near a fence. A safer treatment consists of the use of copper naphthenate preservatives such as the green, horticultural grades of Cuprinol or Solignum. Types of fencing The most popular types are purchased as units or panels. Usually they are from 5-6ft (1.5-1.8m) in length with heights varying from about 3-6ft ( 90cm-1.8m). A solid or close boarded fence is, as its name implies, a design which consists of upright or horizontal strips of wood, some 6in (15cm) wide and 1in (2-2.5cm) thick. The strips are nailed to two or more supporting rails at the rear of the panel. These provide complete privacy and wind protection. Weather board fencing consists of wedge-shaped strips of wood, (1 in 2cm) in thickness at one edge, tapering to 0.5 in (1cm) at the other. Each strip overlaps the next by about 1 in(2cm). The advantage of this design is that it is virtually peep proof. Trellis fencing is suited as a support for climbing and trailing plants. It is not a strong design but can be used to good effect for covering unsightly walls or as an additional part of a fence design. It usually consists of laths of wood 1 by 3/4in ( 2.5 by 1.5cm) thick, fastened across each other vertically and horizontally to form 6-8in (15-20cm) squares. The laths are attached to a more substantial framing of 1 or 1in (2.5 or 3cm) square timber. One of the latest advances in fence production is the sale of kits which are so accurately machined and complete that even an unskilled person can erect panels without any trouble. With these kits have come new ideas in design, and many can be made up into contemporary designs. This is especially useful where bold effects are required in the construction of patios. Many ultra-modern properties are being built and this advance in fence appearance will be welcomed by their owners. Fencing can also be provided in the form of chain link or mesh netting. The best quality is heavily galvanized to withstand the rigors of the weather. A more recent innovation is the plastic coating of chain link over the galvanized wire. Standard colors of dark green, black, white, yellow and light green can be obtained.

Jupiter Microlite - the facts you need to know

2006-12-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

When you by a Jupiter MicroLite Water Ionizer you will be taking the first step towards inaugurating the harmonizing of your essential internal pH towards its suitable level. The Jupiter MicroLite Water Ionizer has all of the positive characteristics of the trendy products that are presently being shown all over the place. The Jupiter MicroLite has all of the positive attributes of its precursors, the Jupiter Masterpiece and Jupiter Mavello. This design for this unit has been renovated to be more competent and easier to use. The Jupiter MicroLite also contains the revolutionary BioStone Far Infrared filter which is seen as the biggest advance in the construction of electronic water ionizers in years. The water which you are currently getting from the tap is teeming with an array of harmful living and non-living matter, and it is dead in an energetic sense due to its lengthy enclosed passage from the reservoir to your home over the mediums of steel, plastic, concrete and copper pipe. The work of your Jupiter MicroLite is to revitalize your water and to restore life to it. All Jupiter Science units sift out any hazardous matter in your water including an array of different bacteria using the multi-stage activated carbon filters which can be replaced. In addition to straining out all harmful matter from the water that is put into it, the Jupiter MicroLite strains the water through what has been named the Biostone. The Biostone is a ceramic produced from Tourmaline. Tourmaline as a rule emanates Far Infra-Red energy (FIR) and this modifies the tension of the water's surface, ensuring that the water is easier to process by the Jupiter Microlite Water Ionizer and initiating the negative ion creation process. This guarantees that you get superior water, even if the water is only cleaned, and you will receive a greater advantage from the antioxidant effect on the ionized water, without augmentation of the alkalinity level. These inventive filters are becoming accepted in all of the upcoming Jupiter units. It performs the same function as an antioxidant 'booster'. Additionally, Jupiter Science has included Coral Calcium in the filter. This inclusion will help ionization in water that is in short supply of minerals such as tank water. The coral calcium also helps to sustain our interior calcium stability. Coral Calcium has the ideal 2:1 blend proportion of calcium and magnesium with a large quantity of important trace minerals. The new Biostone filter is included in the MicroLite package and is installed prior to arrival. Or you can choose to buy your MicroLite with a regular Jupiter filter. The Jupiter MicroLite Water Ionizer comes with a two year warranty that should give you a feeling of security due to the fact that Jupiter Science has been among the most prominent producers of water ionizer for 20 years and is the only such manufacturer allowed to enter the European Common Market. You can select any one of five different levels of water pH on the Jupiter Microlite to make certain that the water ionizer fulfills the needs of yourself and all your family members. For the duration the cleaning period pleasant sound effects are provided for you. To instill you with peace of mind temperature and pressure safety systems are put in place. There is a new-look diverter valve for the tap which has been decreased in size. The automatic water cleansing period makes certain that there is no need to ever wait for your water. There in no need to be anxious about a swell in the amount of bacteria either.

Think Zinc - An Essential Nutrient By

2006-12-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

Zinc is found in practically every cell in your body. There are about two grams of zinc where it is highly concentrated in the skin, hair, nails, eyes and testes.Sexually active men need one third more zinc than women. With the exception of breast-feeding women, because the infant will absorb larger amounts of its mother’s zinc supply than normal.Zinc is a precious mineral. Although our need for this mineral may be small, it plays an enormous part in growth and well-being. This need starts before birth.It is needed for healthy skin and hair, proper healing of wounds, successful pregnancies and male virility. It also guards against infection and diseases.Zinc also helps to transport Vitamin A to the retina in the eye. It is a constituent of many enzymes involved in metabolism. There are 156 enzymes that require zinc to be able to function.Growth and sexual maturity depend on zinc.What Is An Enzyme?Enzymes are a protein that helps to break down the nutrients we take into the body through the food we eat; this in turn helps our metabolism.What Is Metabolism?Metabolism is the speed that the food we eat is absorbed and used by the body for normal daily living.How Does Zinc Get Into The Body?The body cannot manufacture Zinc; it has to be taken into the body by what you eat.Food Sources are:Oysters, Red Meat, Beans, Dairy Products, Poultry, Nuts and Whole Grains, Liver and Seeds.The recommended daily dietary requirements of zinc are 15 mg. Vegetarians may suffer from a zinc deficiency, due to not eating red meat. Most of our intake of zinc is from our eating protein foods.So a vegetarian should be sure to eat dairy products, beans and lentils. Pumpkin seeds provide one of the most concentrated vegetarian food sources of zinc.Zinc is lost via the faeces, urine, hair, skin, sweat, semen and also menstruation.Deficiency can result in weight loss, skin diseases, loss of hair, poor appetite, diarrhoea and frequent infection.Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may have a zinc deficiency. And heavy drinkers lose a great deal of zinc in their urine.If you don’t eat enough zinc providing food, you should take Supplementation.Zinc in CombinationZinc is usually found in combination with Calcium and Vitamin C.What Zinc Can Do For You?It helps to support a healthy Immune System. For example in Wound Healing. Also it helps you to taste and smell.For normal growth and development during Pregnancy and Childhood Zinc is essential.Too Much Zinc Can Be Bad For You.Excess zinc is toxic. In other words it can poison the body. Too much will interfere with the metabolism of other minerals in the body, eg iron and copper.

CHILE: Construction plans for proposed $1,130,000,000 copper mine bioleaching project, MINERA ESCONDIDA [Chile]

2006-12-16T02:51:00.000-08:00

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The local MINERA ESCONDIDA, a subsidiary of a consortium headed by BHP BILLITON of Australia, recently completed an environmental study for a planned bioleaching project at its open-pit copper mine. Operating plans envision leaching low-grade sulfide ores containing 0.3% to 0.7% copper. Once leached, the material will be converted into copper cathodes using solvent-extraction at 2 new plants and electrowinning at another new unit.

According to a BHP BILLITON spokesman, the sulfide-leaching project would require an investment of about $500,000,000 to enable initially producing 84,000 tons per year (t/y) of copper cathodes. Longer-term ...

CHILE: Construction plans for proposed $600,000,000 copper mine, CORPORACION DEL COBRE DE CHILE (CODELCO) [Chile]

2006-12-16T02:50:00.000-08:00

The local COREMA, a regional environmental commission, recently approved the plans submitted by CORPORACION DEL COBRE DE CHILE (CODELCO) regarding the development of its Gaby gold mine. The property, located south of the company's Chuquicamata copper operations, is said to contain proven reserves of 541 million tons grading an average of 0.44% copper.

Operating plans, subject to a final go-ahead, envision an open-pit mine in conjunction with solvent extraction- electrowinning (SX-EX) technology to produce copper cathodes.

The cost to complete the project has been estimated at $600,000,000. And, construction work is expected to ...

CHILE: Construction plans for proposed $1,130,000,000 copper mine bioleaching project, MINERA ESCONDIDA [Chile]

2006-12-15T02:50:00.001-08:00

I feel pretty; summer's best makeup is sheer, playful and pretty: barely-there foundations, sun-sensational shimmers, soft nudes and fresh vibrant hue

2006-12-15T02:46:00.000-08:00

Today's crop of innovative foundations make putting your best face forward much easier

What's your idea of the perfect foundation? Is it weightless? Natural-looking? Does it hide imperfections? With the latest technological wonders, you can make a perfect match to your skin tone, find next-to-natural textures, and get traceless coverage. Here are the key trends:

MEET YOUR MATCH

We come in a spectrum of hues and undertones, so choosing the right foundation can be tricky. But it's not impossible. Many manufacturers are offering a broader range of both warm and cool hues, and some have also developed patented self-adjusting formulations that subtly change to match your skin tone, such as Lancome Color ID Precise Match Weightless Makeup SPF 8. It uses a technology that identifies tones and nuances in the skin and replicates the natural color of any complexion. The L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in-store kiosk allows women to test different shades, which eliminates the guesswork usually involved in choosing a drugstore brand. And the formula doesn't contain the traditional ingredients that contribute to ashiness.

LIGHTEN UP

A downside of foundation: It can appear mask-like and unnatural. Sheer formulas containing light-diffusing technology help prevent dull, cakey finishes. Two to consider: Cover Girl TruBlend Makeup is designed to let your true color show through. Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup's pigments adjust to any lighting, so skin looks more natural.

CONCEAL IMPERFECTIONS

Many of us use a base to correct an uneven complexion. Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick is designed to be used as both foundation and concealer. With its smooth suedelike texture and rich array of shades, blending is a cinch. And Prescriptives Virtual Matte Oil Control Makeup, a unique oil-controlling formula, provides medium to full coverage without ever becoming dry, cakey or heavy.

light skin tones

From top: L'Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in Honey Beige N6 is an oil-free liquid that evaporates slowly, making it easier to blend. Lancome Color ID Precise Match Weightless Makeup SPF 8 in 11-10 covers and corrects with its light, oil-free formulation. Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup, Shade 16, which has a weightless, mousselike texture, is humidity-resistant and oil-free.

medium skin tones

From top: Maybelline New York Smooth Result Age Minimizing Makeup SPF 18 in Mocha hydrates dry skin and creates a natural finish without skimping on coverage. MAC Select Tint SPF 15 in NC45 offers a sheer wash of oil-free color and moisturizing sun protection. Cover Girl TruBlend Makeup in Toasted Almond is an oil-free liquid that creates seamless, natural-looking coverage.

deep skin tones

From top: Make Up For Ever Creme Compact Foundation #8 has a light texture and nourishing essential fatty acids that produce a youthful semi-matte finish. Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in Espresso offers unbelievable on-the-spot coverage that's easy to apply. Prescriptives Virtual Matte Oil-Control Makeup in Fresh Cocoa is a liquid formula that contains skin-clarifying exfoliants, antioxidants and SPF 15.

nude awakenings

Love the "no-makeup" look? No matter what your complexion, this summer you've got some real choices, from cool sandbar beiges to warm creamy caramels to truffle-licious browns.

While surveying the season's top color palettes, we spotted and immediately fell in love with the rich range of light airy nudes. Unlike neutrals of the past--which looked bland, matte and sometimes chalky on us--today's finishes are weightless and see-through. And the textures--from light powders to creamy washes--let you layer and build without leaving a heavy finish. Whether you're looking to achieve a "natural woman" look like model or you prefer a bit of drama, this summer you can go for it, effortlessly.

CREATING THE NAKED FACE:

* The trick to wearing nude makeup beautifully is to mix textures so that the overall look isn't flat, dull or unnatural. For example, if you use a matte eye shadow, rock it with a gloss or a shimmery or satiny lipstick.

* The best tools for application are your fingers. Think minimal application--a touch of this, a dab of that--and then lots of blending.

* Adding a bit of radiance to the face is also key to achieving a modern, naked finish. Try a highlighter like MAC Skinshimmer or a luminizing makeup like Clinique Gentle Light Makeup.

* For the most naked finish, leave off elements that can weigh makeup down, like dark brow and lip liners and pressed powder.

THE LOOK

Our model Yvonne is striking and ultracool in summer's naked face. On her eyes: Revlon Eyeglide Shimmer Shadow in Sandstone, from lid to crease, and Stila Convertible Lash + Line a mascara and liner combo. On her cheeks: Nars South Beach. On her lips, MAC Frost Lipstick in Asia Specific.

gilty pleasures

There's nothing more sensuous than brown skin warmed with a tinge of gold, copper or luminous bronze. Now's the time to spice up everyday makeup with glow-getting color. Think of basking in the gorgeous light of a golden tropical sunset--that's the effect of today's soft translucent shimmers. From creamy pencils and featherweight multipurpose powders to luscious glosses and sheer gel sticks, shimmery finishes are available in every form of makeup, so you can achieve a safe sun-kissed glow without ever hitting the shore.

CHILE: Construction plans for proposed $600,000,000 copper mine, CORPORACION DEL COBRE DE CHILE (CODELCO) [Chile]

2006-12-14T02:49:00.000-08:00

Operating plans, subject to a final go-ahead, envision an open-pit mine in conjunction with solvent extraction- electrowinning (SX-EX) technology to produce copper cathodes.

The cost to complete the project has been estimated at $600,000,000. And, construction work is expected to ...

PAKISTAN: Development plans for proposed $1,000,000,000 copper/gold mine project, TETHYAN COPPER CO. LTD. (TCC)

2006-12-14T02:48:00.000-08:00

Australia-based TETHYAN COPPER CO. LTD. (TCC) recently completed a $10,000,000 project feasibility study regarding a copper mine at Reko Diq, located in Balochistan, Pakistan. As a result, the company is now gearing-up to invest $1,000,000,000 in the project during the next 5 to 10 years in order to develop the mine and export the finished products.

According to David Moore, TCC Managing Director, his company will initially invest $130,000,000 in the development project. The purpose of the investment is to explore and develop the cooper and gold resources. The property reportedly .

CHILE: Construction start-up on planned $73,000,000 copper tailings retreatment circuit is tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2003, MINERA ESCO

2006-12-13T02:47:00.001-08:00

The local MINERA ESCONDIDA LTDA has amassed a quantity of tailings coming from its Rougher floatation plant over the years. These tailings, according to a company spokesman, present a copper content that makes its recovery economically attractive. As a result, MINERA ESCONDIDA is now considering the construction of a tailings retreatment circuit to be sited at its giant Escondida mine.

In so doing, the undertaking could reportedly add another 50,000 metric tons per year in copper-in-concentrate output capacity. The cost to complete the project has been pegged at $73,000,000.

CHILE: Construction contract award for planned $50,000,000 copper mine engineering and construction management services, KVAERNER ASA

2006-12-13T02:47:00.000-08:00

The local RIOCHILEX S.A., a subsidiary of BHP BILLITON of Australia, recently awarded engineering and construction management contract to Norway-based KVAERNER ASA. According to the terms of the award, KVAERNER will be responsible for the provision of various services regarding the development of the Spence copper mine in Chile's Region II some 65 kms south-west of the city of Calama in northern Chile.

The project includes an open pit mine, crushing, conveying, dynamic heap leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) facilities that will produce a nominal 200,000 tons per year of high quality cathode .

Cracking susceptibility of steel--copper alloys. (Jacquet Lucas Award Winner).

2006-12-12T02:49:00.001-08:00

For casting molds, AISI H-13 Tool Steel has favorable mechanical properties; however, its relatively low thermal conductivity limits productivity, because mold cycle time is inversely proportional to the cooling rate. On the other hand, copper has a thermal conductivity 13 times greater than H-13 at typical die operating temperatures between 220 and 600[degrees]C.

Thus, localized deposition of copper has the potential to significantly improve the thermal conductivity of H-13 dies. However, copper is typically considered a contaminant in steel. Furthermore, attempts to deposit copper on tool steel have met with little success to date because of ...

Copper drainpipe corrosion.

2006-12-12T02:49:00.000-08:00

Q: Our photo lab is located in an old building. We have problems with the copper drain pipes corroding away. Is there anything we can do?

A: That is a very good question and one that seems to be of interest to many labs. The simplest solution is to re-plumb, using PVC or other types of plastic pipes. Let me explain why.

The investigation into this issue quickly focused on the fact corrosion becomes a problem in sections of the drain lines that are close to the processor and have a flat slope. Although there are many theories out .

Can the LECs improve copper access? local exchange carriers Technology Information

2006-12-11T02:45:00.000-08:00

There is some movement in the marketplace, and small business subscribers may finally benefit.

Copper access may be getting better. The introduction of new kinds of high-speed modem, together with efforts to reduce network congestion, will help carriers introduce new services. A family of high-bit-rate digital subscriber line solutions known as xDSL now permits both symmetrical and asymmetrical digital access to be provided to small businesses and telecommuters.

Service management is also improving in the access network and at the customer premise.

When teamed with SONET (synchronous optical networks) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), xDSL can bring switched digital video (SDV) much closer to the subscriber.

Emerging technologies such as DSLAM (digital subscriber loop access multiplexer) and SDV make better use of the existing copper infrastructure, although their penetration is currently limited mainly to field trials.

NETWORK CONTROL

High-bit-rate transmission alone cannot enable carriers to deploy, and subscribers to choose specific services. Broadband must be supported with intelligent networking that includes:

* Control over different kinds of services.

* End-to-end network management.

* Intelligent customer premises equipment (CPE).

The vendor community is trying to solve these issues with a series of products that lower the cost of handling data traffic and create the potential for new revenues for carriers and Internet providers.

When subscribers download large blocks of data or video-enhanced clips, they need both bandwidth and continuous bit rate. When high speed is not required--for example, when reading e-mail--subscribers should be able to switch to a lower bandwidth and a variable bit rate.

Buying the throughput they need from the LEC gives subscribers some control over cost. For example, Northern Telecom's Service Controller for High Speed Data product delivers point-and-click access to multiple networks and the ability to choose speeds on the fly.

The Controller works with any access medium--from copper to coax. It supports hybrid fiber coax (HFC) and xDSL. It also doubles as a broadband Service Control Point (SCP) by providing network intelligence for high-speed access.

EASING CONGESTION

Data caller patterns differ from those of telephone users, leading to potential capacity problems for telcos. Congestion can occur anywhere--at the subscriber premises, in local loop, or in the backbone network--so no single solution works.

One approach is to use a multivendor access module to take data out of the voice network before it even reaches the originating switch.

Another strategy, requiring no change to a carrier's access network, is to provide tandem relief by capturing the data after it is routed by the local switch.

The ISP collects the data over high-performance ATM and frame relay tandem circuits without having to put its own server in the central office. Nortel's Internet Thruway system uses tandem circuits to separate Internet traffic from voice. Launched in August 1996, it was adopted by Southwestern Bell to support Internet/Intranet access.

Thruway solves only part of the problem, however. Also needed is an end-to-end network management system that allows carriers and ISPs to deliver and monitor new services over the dial-up network. To do this they need:

* End-to-end service management.

* Operations support for the Internet.

* Network status reporting.

* Grade of service flexibility.

All elements of Thruway are managed from one platform, with integrated surveillance, performance measurements, provisioning, and billing. The ISP can thus monitor operations and adjust capacity as needed.

To make data more accessible and manageable for single line subscribers, specialized text-based data can be delivered either to their PCs or to proprietary data terminals.

Such a display can accommodate services such as corporate data, headline news, stock quotes, TV programming, lottery information, weather forecast, transportation schedules, and phone directories.

This telephony-based approach has the potential to open doors to the small business marketplace because new kinds of interactive services can be obtained from the Internet.

HDSL SOLUTIONS

There has been some movement in the direction of high-bit-rate digital ,subscriber line (HDSL) over the past few months. Dataquest believes that symmetrical services will change the dynamics of the xDSL market.

T1 Lines

2006-12-11T02:44:00.000-08:00

A T1 line is used for carrying information and other data between Internet service providers and private networks. T1 lines carry a variety of services from one carrier to another or customer. T1 lines are usually fiber optic cables, but some are made of copper at the ends. It can carry voice, data, images and other information through four copper wires. With multiplexing, all these can also be carried through a single circuit on a T1 line.

With a bandwidth of 1.544 megabits per second, it acts as a digital communication link and is usually supplied by a telephone company. T1 lines are the most common way of high speed Internet access and are uninterrupted by traffic from other lines. But these are not meant for individual users or for personal computers. T1 lines are used by large business concerns and some medium sized businesses which can afford them.

A T1 line is split into lesser kilobits per second communication channels to carry voice and data over networks. Also known as a DS1 line, a normal T1 line contains 24 different channels to be used for data transfer over the Internet. Typically, this will be 24, 56 or 64 kilobits per second and data transfer will be at a rate of 1.5 megabits per second. This is almost six times more data that can be transferred through a residential modem.

For normal Internet browsing, these lines can manage hundreds of users and still maintain high speed of data transfer. Even for more complicated Internet activities, these can handle multiple users without any difficulty. T1 lines typically terminate at the customer’s premises and ends as channel banks, TDM Mux or D/I Mux.

T1 lines have many advantages over any other means of high speed Internet access. It is universally available and has a guaranteed 247 uptime with very little chances of breakdown. They cut down on your phone bills by placing 23 phone lines for long distance service apart from high speed Internet service.

Gold Uses in Industry

2006-12-10T02:44:00.000-08:00

A knowledge of the commercial uses of gold enables a savvy investor to make a judgement on the future demand for the metal and in conjunction with other criteria such as the erosion of the purchasing power of a currency, political factors, gold hoarding or selling off by governments, the technical picture, etc.etc., can make the decision to be long, short or stay out of the market until a more favorable opportunity occurs.

Basic Information

Chemical Symbol: Au Atomic Number: 79 Melting Point: 1947.97 Degrees Fahrenheit, 1064.43 Degrees Centigrade

Medicine

Gold is non toxic and biologically benign, an excellent conductor of electricity, virtually indestructible, easy to shape and flatten and can be drawn out into microscopically thin strands known as bonding wire.

The most well known use of gold in medicine is in dentistry. The metal is combined with other metals such as platinum, silver, copper zinc or palladium to produce non-toxic, chemically inert alloys that are easy for dentists to work with and are strong and lasting.

The current demand for gold in dentistry is about 60 tonnes annually having recovered from a decline to circa 48 tonnes in 1987.

Rapid and ongoing developments in the use of lasers incorporating gold coatings are making dramatic progress in the treatment of cancers, sealing battlefield wounds in the field, emergency injury treatments in hospitals and previously inoperable heart conditions and tumors.

Lasers reliant on gold are used in delicate eye and brain surgery where absolute accuracy is essential.

Another recent development is the use of gold-coated lasers in the rejuvenation of burnt or damaged skin tissue leaving adjacent healthy tissue unaffected.

Gold helps in the treatment of prostate cancer and some other cancers and is used in surgical instruments to clear clogged arteries.

It is used in an eye surgery procedure to correct a condition, known as Lagophthalmos, where eyelids cannot be fully closed. By surgically implanting gold into the upper lids the gravity effect of its weight allows the lids to close when the muscles relax.

Computerized wheelchairs enable the handicapped to have more control over their movements.

The controls and the computer are linked by gold wire (bonding wire) and gold-coated pads that are both resistant to corrosion and have high electrical conductivity.

As these power wheelchairs are used outdoors and often exposed to extremes of temperature and weather, the use of gold in essential components is necessary to minimize breakdowns and the possible life threatening consequences.

Hi-Tech Electronics

Gold plays an essential part in every one of the millions of computers and peripherals that are produced worldwide every year. Gold is refined to 99.999 % pure and is drawn out to a wire only one hundredth of a millimetre in diameter.