Why should you change your refrigerator water filter every six months

The life of refrigerator water filters is dependent upon the volume of contaminants in the water as well as the amount of use of the filter. Well water is more likely to contain contaminants not found in publicly treated water and may need more frequent filter changes. As a rule of thumb, the filter should be changed as specified by the manufacturer or at least every six months.

Carbon is the primary substance used in water filtration methods because carbon has the potential to absorb many of the chemicals found in water. Most refrigerator water filters, which meet NSF/ANSI 42 certification standards, use granular activated carbon (GAC) to attract chemicals and impurities responsible for bad taste and odor, such as those that are a by-product of chlorine. These filters are not capable, however, to rid water of more dangerous, health-threatening contaminants. The method by which water is channeled through GAC filters does not allow sufficient time to complete the absorption of such substances. Various bacteria are formed, trapped and allowed to multiply, which further contaminates water processed by the filters. Carbon is not capable to absorb heavy metals, such as lead. GAC filters may trap some heavy metals and sediments, but allow others to filter through to the output water. Failure to change the water filter, every six months, allows unabsorbed water contaminants and newly formed bacteria to saturate the filter, forcing the filter to leak contaminants back into processed water. The water output may contain more contaminants than the filter was intended to remove in the first place.

Technology has lead to the development of more absorbent carbon-based filters, solid carbon block filters. These filters include solid blocks of carbon to absorb contaminants from water. Water takes longer to strain through carbon blocks than it does carbon granules, so that carbon blocks provide sufficient time for the absorption of more health-threatening containments. While carbon block filters are capable to absorb toxics, pesticides, TTHM's and other contaminants, they cannot absorb heavy metals or contaminants that are by-products of agricultural fertilization, such as nitrates or sulfides. The composition of carbon blocks allows them to restrain heavy metals and bacteria away from output water, however, nitrates and sulfides are not filtered. Even so, carbon block filters are sufficient to meet NSF/ANSI 53 certification standards. Failure to change carbon block filters, every six months, allows contaminants to saturate the filter, forcing the filter to leak contaminants into the processed water. When sediments are not removed from water, those sediments buildup and corrode filter fittings and water fixtures, causing them to leak. This type of damage to filters and fixtures may cause the output water to contain more contaminants than the water input to the filter. Failure to change the filters might also reduce the water pressure, within the filtering system, forcing it to be ineffective.

Some refrigerator water filters may include fiber water filters. These filters are made of tightly wrapped fibers of rayon or spun cellulose, which trap rust, lead and other sediments found in water. When used alone, these filters are ineffective in reducing any chemical or health-threatening contaminants. Fiber filters are best suited for use with other types of filters to reduce the concentration of sediments. They should be replaced, every six months, to avoid a build-up of sediments that would force the filter to leak the contaminants back into the processed water.

Enjoy developing a web site with web builder

Creating your own web site or page on the Internet can be easy when using a web builder. There are many templates available for people to choose from, and all they have to do is upload their own text and pictures into their chosen template, often using an easy web builder. But to make your own site stand out, it is important to have your own unique design.

Because the skill level of people using the Internet varies, from professional site designers to those who are happy with pointing and clicking, it is important for any company that features hosting services to provide a variety of packages, often including an easy way for individuals and small businesses to design their own site.

ABI Hosting can provide an easy web builder for anyone to use. Even those used to HTML and writing their own code will appreciate the ease of this program, which allows people to see what they are doing as they are doing it, rather than writing out strings of commands and hoping that each item will turn out exactly where you want it. This makes it easy to customize a web site, whether it is a family memories themed site, or a business selling products over the Internet, and can be completed in five quick steps.

While you want your site to be unique, and it can be easy to add extra items with a web builder, you also want it to be easy to read and appealing. Here are a few tips:

* Avoid using too much movement. A lot of flashing images or words moving across the screen can be distracting and difficult to read.

* Be sure to have contrast. Dark letters on a light background, or light letters on a dark background.

* If there is a lot of content on a particular page, use borders or boxes to help readers keep track of what they are reading.

* Choose basic colors, and use a few other colors for contrast. Too many colors can be distracting to the eye.

Once you’ve designed your site, you need to have a way to get people to find it. For many industries, there are chat rooms and forums where members of those industries meet. Join a few, and make insightful posts, with your web site in the signature. Or join forums where you think your customers might be – if you are selling yarn, you might comment in a crochet forum. You can also place ads on other web sites, either by buying space or through programs such as Google Adwords. Building traffic can take time, so the sooner you get your site up and running, the better.

A hosting service with a simple and flexible web builder can get your site onto the Internet quickly, but with high quality results. This will allow you to spend your time focusing on other aspects of your business. The Internet is also a great way to grow a business, both as an advertising method and as another way to sell to your customers.

Visit ABI Hosting at abihosting. com for more information about web site hosting and how to make your company a destination on the Internet.

Pca-rx the answer to bodily toxicity

PCA-Rx is an advanced living answer to the toxicity in our body. Unsuspectingly most of the inhabitants of our planet go all the way through their lives unwillingly accumulating a wide selection of metals and toxins as well as many other sources of contamination in their system. Daily conditions such as the air we inhale and food that we consume, the vaccinations for the many ailments around, the drugs that our doctors prescribe to help us feel better as well as our homes all contribute to the extent of toxic exposure we face on a day to day basis and will ultimately become ill through. A quantity of the injurious contaminants that can noiselessly accrue within our body comprises of heavy metals, some of which are lead, mercury and aluminum, potentially deadly chemicals, vaccination residue, plaque, pesticide miscellany as well as many others.

All of these collect within the blood cells and lymphatic fluid as well as the cerebral and spinal fluid. PCA-Rx efficiently, naturally and soothingly helps to eradicate the above mentioned contaminants in addition to any other contaminants which do not form a innate element of those three primary bodily pathways. PCA-Rx has also been found to have a astoundingly positive effect on the symptoms connected with environmental illnesses and further circumstances where toxic exposure is suspected.

PCA-Rx is the outcome of many years of meticulous study and development. It is a living bacterial organism inside a bottle. This is a powerful, but harmless alternative to established chelation healing that uses the distinctive concept of clathration to purify the body of the unwanted and potentially hazardous toxicity. While chelation is typically achieved using drugs and chemicals, PCA-Rx is a living formulation that is in reality composed of helpful bacteria and additional microbes that, when utilized, become an accepted, living element of the body's immune system. PCA-Rx is the most efficient nutritional support product available as a physiological toxin remover and cleanser.

PCA-Rx is a living organism. It is a potent means of detoxification that successfully removes heavy metals and toxins as well as any additional detrimental contaminants from the body . PCA-Rx is an alive, biologically-active formula which contains numerous beneficial microorganisms that safely and efficiently purify the systems of people who have to endure the effects of heavy metal toxicity in addition to the continuing buildup of prescription drug leftovers, infectious proteins, vaccination residue, chemicals, pesticide components, vascular plaque, mycoplasmas, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and many other physical pollutants. While doing this it does not eliminate any beneficial minerals from within the body's structure. PCA-Rx would be very valuable for anyone living or working in areas or industries where mercury, lead and any further toxic metal exposure exist, as well as being advantageous for people who have mercury amalgam dental fillings or the people whose bodies have reached toxic saturation point for other reasons.

Health care professionals have for many years, been utilizing a variety of substances inside the realm of chelation therapy in an endeavor to successfully purify their patients' bodies of selected toxins and heavy metals; their hard work have been met with some degree of success, but also measurable side effects. After many years of widespread research into the functioning of the human body and its immune system, PCA-Rx has now been established as one of the most potent and effectual chelating substances discovered to the present date. Its exclusive deployment of clathration as its approach to heavy metal and toxin removal will transform this structure of chelation therapy eternally.

• PCA-Rx's main specified uses are:

• Removing heavy metals - including mercury

• Attaching to and removing many hurtful toxins +

• Removing cardio and cerebral vascular plaque

• Helping to rid the of body of harmful mycoplasmas

• Helping lower elevated enzyme counts

• Helping those suffering from environmental sickness

• Providing a less invasive form of chelation

• Detoxify through normal bodily functions

Why would a lender do a short sale

:
There are many ways to lose a home but signing away ownership in a manner that destroys credit, embarrasses the family and strips an owner of dignity is one of the hardest. For owners who can no longer afford to keep mortgage payments current, there are alternatives to bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings. One of those options is called a "short sale."
When lenders agree to do a short sale in real estate, it means the lender is accepting less than the total amount due. Not all lenders will accept short sales or discounted payoffs, especially if it would make more financial sense to foreclose; moreover, not all sellers nor all properties qualify for short sales.
If you are considering buying a short sale, there could be drawbacks. For your protection, I suggest that all borrowers:
* Obtain legal advice from a competent real estate lawyer
* Call an accountant to discuss short sale tax ramifications
As a real estate agent, I am not licensed as a lawyer nor a CPA and cannot advise on those consequences. Except for certain conditions pursuant to the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, be aware the I. R.S. will consider debt forgiveness as income, and there is no guarantee that a lender who accepts a short sale will not legally pursue a borrower for the difference between the amount owed and the amount paid. In some states, this amount is known as a deficiency. A lawyer can determine whether your loan qualifies for a deficiency judgment or claim.
Although all lenders have varying requirements and may demand that a borrower submit a wide array of documentation, the following steps will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Call the Lender
You may need to make a half dozen phone calls before you find the person responsible for handling short sales. You do not want to talk to the "real estate short sale" or "work out" department, you want the supervisor's name, the name of the individual capable of making a decision.
Submit Letter of Authorization
Lenders typically do not want to disclose any of your personal information without written authorization to do so. If you are working with a real estate agent, closing agent, title company or lawyer, you will receive better cooperation if you write a letter to the lender giving the lender permission to talk with those specific interested parties about your loan. The letter should include the following:
* Property Address
* Loan Reference Number
* Your Name
* The Date
* Your Agent's Name & Contact Information
Preliminary Net Sheet
This is an estimated closing statement that shows the sales price you expect to receive and all the costs of sale, unpaid loan balances, outstanding payments due and late fees, including real estate commissions, if any. Your closing agent or lawyer should be able to prepare this for you, if you do not know how to calculate any of these fees. If the bottom line shows cash to the seller, you will probably not need a short sale.
Hardship Letter
The sadder, the better. This statement of facts describes how you got into this financial bind and makes a plea to the lender to accept less than full payment. Lenders are not inhumane and can understand if you lost your job, were hospitalized or a truck ran over your entire family, but lenders are not particularly empathetic to situations involving dishonesty or criminal behavior.
Proof of Income and Assets
It is best to be truthful and honest about your financial situation and disclose assets. Lenders will want to know if you have savings accounts, money market accounts, stocks or bonds, negotiable instruments, cash or other real estate or anything of tangible value. Lenders are not in the charity business and often require assurance that the debtor cannot pay back any of the debt that it is forgiving.
Copies of Bank Statements
If your bank statements reflect unaccountable deposits, large cash withdrawals or an unusual number of checks, it's probably a good idea to explain each of those line items to the lender. In addition, the lender might want you to account for each and every deposit so it can determine whether deposits will continue.
Comparative Market Analysis
Sometimes markets decline and property values fall. If this is part of the reason that you cannot sell your home for enough to pay off the lender, this fact should be substantiated for the lender through a comparative market analysis (CMA). Your real estate agent can prepare a CMA for you, which will show prices of similar homes:
*Active on the market
*Pending sales
*Solds from the past six months.
Purchase Agreement & Listing Agreement
When you reach an agreement to sell with a prospective purchaser, the lender will want a copy of the offer, along with a copy of your listing agreement. Be prepared for the lender to renegotiate commissions and to refuse to allow payment of certain items such as home protection plans or termite inspections.

Earn free flights with an airline credit card offer

In this day and age, we are always traveling. Whether on a business trip, visiting home for the holidays, or you just want to go on vacation, planning and funding the flight is always a headache. That is why most major banks and other credit card issuers now offer Airline Credit Cards.

Airline Credit Cards provide the usual services of regular credit cards to make life a little easier. Not only is having an Airline Credit Card convenient, it is almost a requirement for anyone who is traveling. Come home with the perfect souvenir for everyone so that they can experience your trip as well! You never know when you will need emergency funds if you are in a foreign country!

Well known credit card issuers such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express offer great plans on various airline credit cards. When researching which card is perfect for you, make sure that you take advantage of special offers that each one introduces to you such as 0% APR, reward plans, low rates on balance transfers and any other bonuses that will suit you.

Usually, airline credit cards allow you to collect points through time and use of the card at various locations. These points can then be redeemed for airmiles, or other traveling rewards such as hotel accommodation, travel insurance, cruises, and car rentals. Search carefully and you will find that some even offer double points! You could also take advantage of offers like free first class upgrades or free companion airfare.

When choosing an airline credit card, you can either get a credit card from your favorite airline or you can get a credit card with flexible rewards. An airline branded credit card usually has a great rewards program, but is limited to only that airline. A flexible rewards credit card can earn you trips on any airline with no blackout dates.

Even if you don’t have a trip planned for anytime soon, make sure that you take advantage of these special Airline Credit Cards now. Earn points on your everyday purchases now.

Auto auctions quality ride for cheap

You've probably either seen people advertising them or you may have even looked into buying cars through auto auctions. But my bet is that is about as far as you have gotten. I only say that because if you are like me and 95% of America you were pretty quickly turned off by either hearing or reading the words "MUST HAVE A DEALER LICENSE TO PARTICIPATE." Let me tell you I was turned off in a major way.

I mean who wants to pay the government for the right to do yet another thing under their complete control? And who has the money to pay for things like dealer licenses when all you want is a good deal on an automobile? After all you aren't going to actually profit from it. There's another thing too! Who wants to go through all of the rigmarole of the licensing process required for the auto auctions with credit checks and background checks and the new numbers you have to memorize and the new tax documents you have to fill out? I surely don't have the time or the energy for adding another huge pain in the ass to my already long list. Do you?

Well thankfully, for the both of us, there are people who aren't as willing to be discouraged in the face of a little bit of adversity--especially when the potential for huge money savings is on the line! Probably one of the best and probably the luckiest things that I ever did was to marry my wife. She is one of these people!

We were both sitting in front of the TV late one night flipping through a lot of crap when an ad came on for buying "police seized cars at pennies on the dollar!" This ad for government auto auctions caught our attention because I had just been laid off and we had just smashed our only car into a deer a couple of days before. We were in bad shape financially and my wife needed a car pronto in order to keep her job. Well like I said, I went and got on line to check this auction company out and as soon as I saw that a dealer license was required I gave up. My wife on the other hand decided that it wouldn't hurt to make a few calls and see what was all involved.

I'll say it again, boy am I glad I married her because by making that call she got us out of a tough spot. You see what she learned was that the dealer license was no big deal it was simply a trip down to the secretary of state, write a check, and take home your license that day. You could even get a temporary license if it was just going to be a one time purchase.

Well to make a long story short, we ended up getting a temporary license, went to an auction and came away with a beautiful vehicle for pennies on the dollar and sold it 6 months later for a nice profit. When I saw how easy it was, I decided to do it for my new job and have been doing it ever

since.

Finding a low interest debt consolidation loan in the brick and mortar world

Introduction

Many people who are serious about maintaining control over their finances and their debt have taken the step of obtaining a low interest debt consolidation loan. In fact, you may have reached a point in your own life at which you do believe that a low interest debt consolidation loan would be a beneficial tool to you in your overall desire to develop a meaningful and effective debt and financial management plan.

If you are interested in obtaining a bit more control over your debt, and if your credit history is decent and your credit score is in at least the “good” zone or range, you likely will be in a position at which you will be able to qualify for a low interest debt consolidation loan. If this is the position that you are at today, you may be wondering about how you can go about finding a low interest debt consolidation loan in the brick and mortar world today.

Through this article you will be provided with pointers about how you best can go about obtaining a low interest debt consolidation loan in the real world today.

Visit with Your Current Lender or Lenders

If you are interested in obtaining a low interest debt consolidation loan, do not overlook visiting with financial or lending institutions at which you currently are doing business or at which you’ve done business with in the past. Provided that you’ve honored the terms and conditions of any prior or current loan, you may find that such a lender may be more than willing to -- and, in fact, very interested in -- doing business with you once again. You may find that you will be able to get a solid deal on a low interest debt consolidation loan from a lender with which you’ve a prior association.

Beware of Advertisements -- Do Your Homework

When it comes to obtaining a low interest debt consolidation loan, many consumers end up selecting a low interest debt consolidation loan lender based on what they’ve read or seen in an advertisement. In fact, you need to be very skeptical of what is contained in an advertisement. When it comes to finding a low interest debt consolidation loan that is right for you, you must take the time to do your homework and you must take the time to research your options.

Word of Mouth

As you seek out a reliable, reputable and trustworthy low interest debt consolidation loan lender, make certain that you contact friends, family members and colleagues in regard to any suggestions or recommendations that these people may have on lenders that specialize in providing people with low interest debt consolidation loan options. Word of mouth is an important tool through which you will be able to find a reliable, reputable and trustworthy low interest debt consolidation loan lender in today’s world. You will be able to identify those low interest debt consolidation loan options that will best meet your current and future needs, objectives and goals.

The aging spine

Growing old is as certain as death and taxes. It is a natural phenomenon that no one is exempted from. When you reach your thirties, you may already feel some changes in how you feel and how you look. You do not only mature mentally, but there is a significant change in your physical appearance. These physical changes often leave a lot of women conscious and insecure, especially when it comes to their faces. Some get hysterical when they notice fine lines at the side of their eyes or if they see a single strand of gray hair.

More than just the being bothered by the toll of aging on one’s physical beauty, women should also be concerned about how bones get weak with age. As women grow old, the density of their bones sharply declines. Pains are usually felt in different parts of the body, including the lower back. One of the most common causes of low back pain, and also one of the most misunderstood bone ailments is called Degenerative Disc Disease or DDD. Degenerative disc disease is not really a disease but a term used to describe the normal changes in your spinal discs as you age. Spinal discs are soft, compressible discs that separate the interlocking bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. The discs act as shock absorbers for the spine, allowing it to flex, bend, and twist. Degenerative disc disease can take place throughout the spine, but it most often occurs in the discs in the lower back (lumbar region) and the neck (cervical region).

Many patients diagnosed with low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease are left wondering exactly what this diagnosis means for them. As we age, our intervertebral discs lose their flexibility, elasticity, and shock-absorbing characteristics. The ligaments that surround the disc called the annulus fibrosis become brittle and are more easily torn. At the same time, the soft gel-like center of the disc, called the nucleus pulposus starts to dry out and shrink. The combination of damage to the intervertebral discs, the development of bone spurs, and a gradual thickening of the ligaments that support the spine can all contribute to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The pain usually occurs near the location of the affected disc. An affected disc in the neck area may result in neck or arm pain, while an affected disc in the lower back may result in pain in the back, buttocks, or leg. The pain often gets worse with movements such as bending over, reaching up, or twisting. The pain may start after a major injury, like if one is injured in a car accident, or in a minor injury such as a fall down a flight of stairs. It may also start gradually for no known reason and get worse over time. In some cases, you may have numbness or tingling in your leg or arm.

Degenerative disc disease is diagnosed after a thorough study of a patient, his medical history, and the results of a physical examination. Your health professional will ask about your symptoms, injuries or illnesses, any previous treatment, habits, and activities that may cause the pain in the neck, arms, back, buttocks, or legs. Then your physician will give you treatment options that are suited to your physical condition. At first, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed. Exercise programs to strengthen abdominal and spinal musculature, improve aerobic fitness, and reduce lumbar lordosis (swayback) are also needed to relieve the symptoms. Surgery is offered only after physical therapy, rest, and medications have failed to adequately relieve the symptoms of pain, numbness, and weakness over a significant period of time. Further treatment depends on whether the damaged disc has worsened into osteoarthritis, a herniated disc, or spinal stenosis.

People in their 20s and 30s may already have undergone some structural changes in their discs. As the aging processes continues, the prevalence of DDD increases. There are a lot of pressures when we age and we will continue to experience changes in our bodies, minds, and emotions --- all of which are just a natural process.

By being aware and at peace with changes in life, we are better able to cope with the loss or decrease of physical strength and beauty. We can still live normal and healthy lives as we grow old since there are other measures that we can do to avoid illness or reduce pain. Indeed, we would do well to accept change because it is part of human growth; and if we don't grow, we are not really living.

How to keep your credit card interest rate at 0

We've all been tempted by 0% credit card interest rate offers. These offers are usually for short periods of three to 12 months and there are usually conditions attached. For example, the preferential rate may apply to balance transfers, but not to cash withdrawals. The low interest rate may not apply to credit card cheques or purchases either.

People who are carrying a large debt will want to make the most of 0% interest rate offers. Here's how to keep your credit card interest rate at 0%.

Researching 0% Credit Card Deals

First of all, it is best to research the credit card thoroughly. Consumers need to find out:

- what period the 0% interest rate is for

- whether it is for balance transfers only

- whether it applies to other spending on the card

- what the rate is for cash withdrawals or credit card cheques

- whether there is a balance transfer fee

- what other incentives there are for using the card

Answering these questions will help consumers to decide which 0% credit card is right for them. It is especially important to pay attention to the period that the incentive offer lasts for. To keep paying 0% interest, consumers will need to apply for a new 0% credit card a month to six weeks before the old offer runs out. This leaves time to get the card, activate it and transfer the balance without incurring any additional fees from the current credit card company.

Rate Surfing Benefits

Moving from card to card, or rate surfing, is a common way of keeping interest rates low and paying off as much of a debt as possible. Using a 0% card means that any money paid is reducing the outstanding debt rather than paying interest. This is good news for consumers' long term financial stability.

Of course, there's no guarantee that consumers will be able to get another card. This will depend on their credit profile. The best way to maintain a good credit profile is to have some credit card debt (but not too much) and to make all payments on time. This will show credit card companies that you are a good credit risk.

Watch Out For Balance Transfer Fees

Credit card companies do not like credit card tarts, another term for rate surfers, because they lose hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of income that they would normally gain from interest. As a result, many credit card companies take their money up front by charging a balance transfer fee of around 2% of the balance transferred. Even with this fee, savvy consumers should be able to shop around for the best rates and pay much less interest than they would normally have done.

In addition to the incentive of a 0% interest rate, consumers can also benefit from other rewards. These include points that can be used for travel, earning vouchers, cash back and charitable contributions. This means that consumers can reduce their outstanding debt and gain a reward as well.

An immense of success for web site

:
If any body is new in the internet, then must be probably have a lot of questions about websites and how they work. One of these questions might be: what is search engine optimization? Really it’s a process to achieve the top rank. When some one is searching fro your business or type of business. It will help you to get that top result with Search Engine Optimization Delhi. You should not have to know everything about the internet to have a successful company. SEO Delhi Company gives you a goal to lunch on a peak level. A better search engine ranking will mean better business and a better bottom line. Its great way to improve your website and make the most of it. SEO plays a key role like a campaigner for your website and attracts customers towards it. This technical way is a very easiest process for making money. In business especially in online, SEO plays a vital role for technical status. A good quality SEO is only liable for a victorious online business and creates visitors appeal. And if we discuss about SEO Delhi Company is the only answerable club, which brings authentic fame in enormous web world. SEO Delhi Company always uses key words scrutiny. This perhaps the first and most essential phase. SEO Delhi Company includes the accurate key words in the content of your web pages which will bring the embattled consumers to your website. This scrutiny requires a send abroad and here SEO Delhi Company performs as a good specialized. . This will conduct an in – depth research and will pick out keywords that the guests to your website.

Adding more phytonutrients to your diet provides big benefits

Adding more phytonutrients to your diet might just seem like a prescription for more food, more confusion, more to worry about. But in reality, making sure you get enough of the phytonutrient benefit is as easy as adding color, freshness and variety.

Phytonutrients are found naturally in a variety of foods, such as legumes, nuts, teas, fruits, vegetables and grains, but are not considered necessary to sustain life (as are fats, protein, vitamins and minerals). Many people choose to increase phytonutrients in their diet by improved diet as well as nutritional supplementation.

Phytonutrients are thought to have a variety of beneficial and significant benefits to our health. Eating more whole foods in the form of fruits and vegetables and the like can benefit you by protecting you from cancer and certain diseases. In addition, it’s believed that phytonutrients can improve cell-to-cell communication within the body, possibly repair DNA damage from smoking and other toxic substances, and strengthen the immune system.

So how do you add more phytonutrients to your diet? It’s as easy as adding color, variety and freshness.

Color – When you think of phytonutrients, think color. Think of the bright red of a perfectly ripe tomato, or the rich redness of a summer grape. Although fruits and vegetables are the best source of nutrient-dense phytonutrients, most Americans get woefully low amounts of fresh produce in their diets. According to the USDA, while it’s recommended we get at least 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, most Americans get little more than 3 servings. Of that, deep yellow and dark green vegetables account for only 0.2 daily servings on average.

Yet it’s the richly colored vegetables and fruits that provide the best sources of phytonutrients. If your grocery cart isn’t full of color (and that doesn’t include colored Goldfish crackers), add some next time you’re shopping.

Variety -- Although fruits and vegetables are the best sources of phytonutrients, they aren’t the only source. So while you want to add a lot of color to your diet in the form of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables like berries, grapes, tomatoes, peppers, spinach and the like, think about adding other sources of phytonutrients as well. Consider adding a glass of tea at lunch or dinner or some chopped pecans or slivered almonds to your oatmeal in the morning.

Freshness – There is much debate on the value of fresh vegetables versus frozen. It’s fair to say everyone agrees that canned holds little nutritional content, so adding can of veggies to your cart isn’t the best plan (this excludes canned tomatoes which retain the freshness and nutrient value of fresh). But in a pinch, or in the off season, frozen vegetables can certainly be included in your daily diet. Frozen fruits are always fine, as long as they are whole, unprocessed and without added sugar.

The chinese wedding tea ceremony exposed

The Chinese wedding tradition is in the first place as varied and complex as China is vast. Throughout the ages, it has evolved and changed due to a myriad of regional and cultural influences. However, although several adjustments occur and more and more Chinese opt for modernity, the most popular Chinese wedding tea ceremony still exists. It is still being practiced by the Han Chinese in the south of the country.

The Chinese wedding tea ceremony is usually considered when the bride arrive the groom’s home. The bride and the groom will gather before the parents and the immediate relatives and the bride will serve tea for his in-laws.

The type of tea that can be used during the Chinese wedding tea ceremony usually range from oolong tea to jasmine tea. This ceremony takes place on the day of the wedding itself. After the serving of the tea, the guests (usually the parents first) would then give their approval to the couple and they would respond by giving them red packets. These red packets contain money to wish the couple a blissful life ahead.

Importance of the Tea

Probably, tea is served during the Chinese wedding because it is the national drink of China and serving it is a sign of respect. Well, using tea is somewhat practical as not everyone can drink alcohol.

During the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, lotus seeds and two red dates are used in the tea for two main reasons. The first reason lies on the fact that the words “lotus” and “year”, “seed” and “child” and “date” and “early” are homophones, that is, they have the same sound but different meanings in Chinese. Secondly, it is an ancient Chinese belief that placing lotus seeds and two red dates in the tea would help the newly weds produce children early in their marriage and every year, which would ensure many grandchildren for their parents. Also, the sweetness of the special tea used in the Chinese wedding tea ceremony is a wish for sweet relations between the bride and her new family.

Serving of the Tea

On the wedding day, the bride serves the tea by holding the tea cup with both hands. The tea is served to her parents at home before the groom arrives. According to Chinese belief, this is done out of respect and to thank the bride’s parents for raising her. The tea at this time does not need to have the lotus seeds or dates, and there’s no need for the bride to ask for an assistance of a “lucky woman”. She serves the tea by herself without the groom.

After the wedding ceremony, it is a tradition in China that the newlyweds serve tea by holding the tea cups with both hands. This is what signals the Chinese wedding tea ceremony. During this event, the newlywed will invite the groom’s elders to drink tea by way of addressing them by formal title. For example, first uncle and third aunt.

There is one general rule applied during the Chinese wedding tea ceremony, that is, to have the woman on the left side and the man on the right side. The people being served will sit in chairs, while the newlyweds kneel. For instance, when they serve tea to the groom’s parents, the bride would kneel in front of her father in-law, while the groom would kneel in front of his mother.

It is further worth noting that the newlyweds serve tea in order. The serving will start with the groom’s parents then proceeding from the oldest members of the family to the youngest. In return, the newlyweds welcome lucky red envelopes that are stuffed with jewelry or money. The helpers, who are usually women, are the ones who blessed with a happy marriage or wealth. They are also chosen by the fortune teller or the bride’s mother, and they also get lucky red envelopes stuffed with money from those being served. The envelopes are usually placed on the platter which holds the tea cups.

Say yes to doing the dishes

There are many chores dreaded by most members of any household. In fact, probably every household chore is held in dread by someone in every family. It does seem, however, that some chores, for whatever reason, always rank near the bottom of the preference list. These highly dreaded chores are the ones that people will do almost anything to trade with someone else or get out of all together. Silly deals are made so that one person will clean another's room for a month in order to get out of cleaning the toilet one time. For some reason, doing the dishes seems to be one of the things most families hate to do.

Perhaps people hate doing dishes because it comes at the end of a relaxing meal or a stressful day, or maybe people would rather choose another chore because of the way dishes make your hands shrivel like dried fruits. In any case, I have never quite understood why people dispise doing dishes so much.

If you think about it, doing dishes is much easier than many other household chores. It is not nearly as hard as pushing a vacuum or scrubbing a toilet and it requires absolutely none of the mental focus that dusting around tiny, breakable figurines takes. So why not choose doing the dishes and let your other family members fight over the really hard chores?

Doing dishes is also a great way to relax and unwind after a hard day. Put on some good jazz music, light a few candles and enjoy the peace and quiet of doing the dishes in a space all to yourself. Take time to think back on the events of the day and reflect upon areas that your life that are going well.

Especially if you are married, offering to do the dishes after dinner can be a great way to spend a little time with your spouse and connect after a busy day that took you in separate directions. Take that time away from the kids each day and be intentional with asking questions and caring about the details of each other's lives that can so easily be left unshared. You'll be amazed at what doing dishes will add to your marriage if you make it a special time each day.

So the next time your family gets into a debate about what chores each person will do, surprise everyone by volunteering to do the dishes. They will be glad you did and you will too when you discover how easy and relaxing time spent doing dishes really is.

Ski vacations what to pack

Start by knowing what is available at your destination. Is there a rental shop? How much are the rental fees for skis, boots, and poles. If it is reasonable, and you don’t mind skiing with rented equipment, this is a viable option – and it makes packing and traveling much easier.

If you don’t care for rented equipment, there is another option. Find out if there are any ski shops in the area. There usually are. Get prices on skis, poles, and boots, and then ask if they buy used equipment. If they don’t, ask if there is anyone near by that does purchase used equipment. Call that place to get an estimate on how much you could get for barely used ski equipment. Figure the difference in the money you will spend on the ski equipment, and the money you will get for the used equipment when you are finished with it. If it isn’t much more than what it would cost you to rent the equipment, go for it!

Ski suits, ski jackets, and sweaters can be very bulky, and hard to pack. These items will take up a lot of room in your suitcase, and leave less room for other clothing and essentials. If you are trying to pack for a two week ski vacation, it will be impossible to fit everything you need into one suitcase.

There is a way to solve this. Call the lodge or resort where you will be staying. Tell them that you need to ship a package, for yourself, to them, and that you need that package to be there when you arrive. Ask them if they will hold it for you at the desk. In most cases, they will. Next, get a box; put all of your ski suits, your ski jacket and any other bulky items in the box, and ship it to yourself, in care of the lodge or resort. Shipping can be overnight, two day, or three day depending on how far it must travel. Depending on how much the box weighs, you will usually pay less than fifty dollars to ship a package in the continental United States….which is a lot less than you would pay an airline for extra baggage!

Improve golf swing the non-traditional way

Improve golf swing seems like a thought that is on our minds as golfers dozens of times per day. Do you agree? But what are you currently doing to improve your golf swing?

Let me take a guess. Spending money on lessons, that may-or-may-not be working? How about the latest-greatest driver? Did it lower your score? Golf balls? They say the Titleist ProV1 makes a ton of difference. Has it for you?

I could go on-and-on but I won’t. I think you get the idea.

So I’ve mentioned some very common, ‘traditional ways’ to try to improve your golf swing. But I haven’t mentioned the MOST important one.

Do you want to take a guess?

Have you read any of my other 200 hundred or so articles floating around the web and in newspapers? If you haven’t then you may not know what I’m going to say.

But if you have…you know exactly what I’m going to say!

Look in the mirror…that’s your answer!

No this isn’t a joke. No I’m not trying to yank your chain. I’m trying to get you to realize what is holding you back. It’s not taking lessons. It’s not buying more equipment or $40 golf balls.

It’s getting right at the heart of the matter! Your ‘physical limitations’ are keeping you from making a mechanically sound and repeatable golf swing.

Think just for a minute!

If your body can’t make a 90 degree shoulder turn…it’s a fact you will lose a TON of yardage off the tee and with your irons.

If you can’t maintain your golf posture throughout your entire golf swing…you have no chance to swing consistently for 18 holes.

If your core is weak…you will not be able to generate any power going into impact, therefore you will see a weak shot that most likely goes ‘offline’ quickly.

Can you see the picture more clearly now?

So what do you do?

You go see a local golf fitness professional who will take you through a golf fitness evaluation to determine your weaknesses and limitations and draw up a plan to improve them.

If you don’t have someone in your area…or the cost is a bit too steep; do a search online for golf fitness, golf training or even golf exercises and see what you come up with.

FYI – make sure to pick the first few ‘non-colored’ results on the search pages. These are the ‘real’ results…not paid advertisements. You want to find a product or program that covers every facet of golf improvement…that you can afford.

This is the next best thing to having your own golf fitness trainer.

Home gym the know how

On and off you exercise at home, you save change, time and work toward to improve health maintenance. We all should exercise at least three times each week for 20 to 30 minutes. Your life will feel richer when you exercise, so build up your home gym today.

Look for the yard sales or garage sales, estate auctions, and department rackets to save you when buying your own home gym equipment. There are many guides for team now that a person can have their own specialist gym in the basement or backup room for a part of bit of nothing.

Get your walking in regardless of the weather by picking up a treadmill at the yard sale. The newer treadmills will provide you with the distance, heart rate, and even calories that you can burn. Treadmills are great home gym equipment that gives you alternatives in loosing weight, toning up, etc...

Dumb Bells are bargain basement gym equipment to issue you with weight resistance tools. You can buy dumb bells cheap, get them in many sizes to help tone the upper arms, and build strength. Dumb Bells will help you get stronger deserved from your own home.

Aerobics are fun to do when you have a friend over. Get in a few laughs as the two of you learn new steps and journeys of aerobic exercises. Learn to do aerobics’ and raise your heart rate by picking up an old CD or display from the Goodwill store. Enjoy your club and have fun doing aerobics in your living room in topmost to the TV.

Older exercises; like mendacious on the floor and performance sit-ups, push-ups, etc are easier when you have equipment at home. You can watch the sporting programs on TV and enjoy extensive exercise shows to help you setup your own routines that work for you. Turn on the television and lay flat on the floor to workout with the instructor. This is an on sale way to conventional healthier living.

Become mending and happier by refreshing stress with exercising at home. When you exercise, using your own home gym equipment, you will save money by not having to pay those expensive gym costs per visit. Having your own home gym gives you the advantage of working out more regularly. You have your own home gym, you can stay out of the cold weather and still workout.

Start in-thing* and exercise at the roosts nest at home to become cured hassle free soul.

The ups and downs of bipolar disorder

Have you ever met someone who was happy one moment and then sad just a few minutes after? Have you ever met anybody whose moods change so fast you can’t keep track? They might be suffering from bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder

Also called Manic-depressive illness, this term is used to describe a psychiatric condition of having episodes of significant changes in mood. These changes may vary in a wide spectrum that ranges from severe depression to unrestrained mania. This condition usually manifests its symptoms in adolescence or early adulthood and may persist throughout the sufferer’s life.

According to the United States’ National Institution of Mental Health, there isn’t a single cause of bipolar disorder, but rather a lot of factors acting together to product the illness. Recent studies suggest that genetics, early environment, neurobiology, and psychological and social processes are important contributing factors.

Below are reported signs and symptoms manifested by sufferers during their different moods.

Depressive state. This is a condition characterized by persistent lowering of moods.

· persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, isolation and/or hopelessness

· disturbances in sleep and appetite,

· fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyed activities

· problems concentrating

· loneliness

· self-loathing

· apathy or indifference

· depersonalization

· loss of interest in sexual activity

· shyness or social anxiety

· irritability

· chronic pain (with or without a known cause)

· lack of motivation

· morbid/suicidal ideation

Mania. This condition is characterized by extremely elevated mood.

· distinct period of an elevated, expansive or irritable mood state

· increased energy

· decreased need for sleep

· speech pattern is pressured

· thoughts are racing

· low attention span (easily distracted)

· impaired sense of judgement

· aggressive/instrusive behaviour

· has grandiose or delusional ideas

· increased sex drive

Hypomania. This is a lowered state of mania that does not impair regular daily function

· feeling of having an uncontrollable impulse to laugh at things he or she does not normally find funny

· increased in energy

· constructive flight of ideas

Mixed State. In this condition, symptoms of mania and depression occur simultaneously.

· Tearfulness during a manic episode

· Racing thoughts during a depressive episode

Rapid cycling. This condition means that a sufferer has four or more episodes in a year.

Treatment

There is no known cure for bipolar disorder at this time. Treatment is mainly directed to effective management of acute episodes and prevention of further having such episodes. These are done by means of medication and/or psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy.

Medications are mainly used to stabilize the sufferers ever changing moods. These medications prevent relapses of both manic and depressive episodes. Certain anticonvulsants have been used as a mood stabilizer for people with rapid cycling bipolar disorders. And also, some antipsychotic drugs are used as treatment for agitation in acute manic episodes.

Psychotherapy is often used alongside medications. In this therapy, your doctor will ask you to try to detect patterns leading up to episodes of bipolar disorder. This will help identify the trigger for your episodes. This counselling provides strategies on how to manage stress and how to cope with uncertainties.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used by doctors mainly on sufferers who have severe depression and have suicidal tendencies. This is also used on people who don’t react to the medication.

No treatment will work without the patient’s full cooperation. Of course the sufferer would need to religiously take his medication to ensure continued mood stability. Also, avoid alcohol and illicit drugs. And before taking new medications, consult the doctor for safe administration.

Coping with bipolar disorder is not easy. However with the full support from friends and loved ones, things will get better.

Creditor negotiations

Most people have found themselves with debt that has gotten out of control at some point in their lives. Before enlisting the services of agencies that specialize in helping consumers get their finances in order, you should attempt a few self debt reduction techniques to see if you can first improve your situation on your own.

Avoid Having Your Accounts Turned Over to Debt Collection Agencies

Credit cards and loans and other debts will be turned over to “debt collection agencies” if you don’t make your payments. This is extremely harmful to your credit score, and having a low credit score makes obtaining financing in the future difficult - if not impossible. With a low credit score, if you are able to get loans or credit cards, you’ll be paying much higher interest so your debt will actually take longer to pay off and cost you more over the long term.

You’ll want to do everything possible to avoid letting your creditors turn your accounts over to debt collection agencies. Often, as long as you are sending money each month, the creditor will not turn your account to a collection agency - even if you aren’t sending the full amount due each month. If you know you need to send less than the total amount due for a while, start by making arrangements with your creditors.

Negotiating with Creditors

When people sign up for various credit counseling services and debt consolidation programs, the agencies actually contact each of your creditors on your behalf to try and negotiate better payment plans and lower interest rates. There is no reason why you can’t attempt to do this yourself.

First, make a list of each of your creditors. Include their names, phone numbers, the balance you currently owe, current minimum payments and the interest rates. Determine how much money you feel you can comfortably send to each creditor on a monthly basis and then make phone calls to each of the creditors.

Explain your situation - that you’ve come into a financially difficult time and you want to hold up your end of the bargain by making monthly payments. Most creditors, particularly credit card companies, will work out a payment arrangement with you. They might lower your interest rate or your monthly payment or a combination of the two in order to make your payments more affordable. Don’t be afraid to tell them the number of creditors you currently have, and how much money you’d like to send them each month - they just may be able to accommodate your desired payment schedule, at least for a specific period of time.

An alternative negotiation you may be able to arrange is for a payoff figure that is a few hundred dollars less than what your current balance is. Typically the requirements for such a negotiation is that you have the money to send immediately to pay off the account.

Don’t Take Their Word For It

When negotiating payment arrangements with creditors, make sure you always get a letter that describes the agreement terms, and what the consequences are if you don’t make the agreed upon payments. If you don’t have anything in writing documenting the outcome of your negotiations, you could find yourself paying late fees or higher interest rates when you send less than the minimum amount due on the accounts - you never know if the person you’re talking to will follow through and correctly update your account to reflect the agreed upon payment schedule. A written document from the company will give you leverage if necessary, and you’ll be able to remove late payments or lower an increased interest rate if problems arise.

How to win the war against your dogs fleas

All dogs pick up fleas, ticks, and chiggers at one time or another, usually during the warm weather months. Even a pampered city pet can pick up a stray flea from a potted plant. Hunting dogs often return home with a collection of chiggers or ticks. Fleas hop from one dog to another with amazing speed and agility. Your pet only needs to greet one flea infested friend in order to acquire the beginning of a flea colony of his own.

External parasites are not a special affliction of dogs. The dog is simply a convenient host for them. We would probably have them too, if our bodies were covered with hair and we ran around without shoes and clothing and sat or slept on the ground. Fleas are the most common, the easiest to detect and to get rid of. Fleas appear as black specks on a fine tooth comb, and a single one can drive a dog crazy.

The worst part of fleas is that they act as hosts to tapeworm larvae, and if your dog swallows one you may end up with a worm problem too. You can trap fleas in a silky smooth coat with a flea comb, but fleas that nestle in the dense undercoat of double coated dogs must be treated with a product that penetrates the skin, and a regular mild treatment is safer than an occasional severe one.

In one day a single flea can bite your pet 400 times, while consuming more than its own bodyweight in blood. Some dogs can contract flea allergy dermatitis, an allergic reaction to the flea’s saliva. The severity and length of the flea season varies depending on what part of the country you live in, but it is best to treat your pet in early spring, (April – May). In northern climates, flea and tick season usually lasts approximately 4 months, but in the extreme south, fleas can live all year long.

There are more than 2000 species of fleas in the United States alone, but the one that attacks most pets is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides Felis. A cat flea can lay up to one egg per hour, and within two days, a wormlike larvae will hatch from those eggs. The eggs are oval, smooth, and about 0.5mm in size. The hatched larvae will range from 1.5 to 5mm in length. The complete cycle from egg to adult takes approximately 30 to 75 days depending on temperature and humidity.

Adult fleas are about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, are dark reddish brown, wingless, hard bodied, have three pairs of legs and are flattened from side to side. Fleas can jump vertically up to seven inches, and horizontally up to fourteen inches. They have piercing – sucking mouth parts and spines on their body. Adult fleas cannot survive or lay eggs without a blood meal, but may live from two months to one year without feeding.

In order to effectively control an infestation, fleas must be removed from the pet, the home, and the yard. Starting with the pet, there are shampoos, topical treatments, sprays, collars, and oral medications. The least recommended is shampoo, due to the grooming the pet does to his own coat. The pesticides can be toxic if they are consumed in quantity. Topical treatments are better, along with sprays and collars, but the best and most recommended is the oral medication Lufenuron called “Program” from your veterinarian.

To clean the home, all areas frequented by the dog should be cleaned thoroughly by vacuuming, washing bedding and rugs and possible treatment by insecticides. Treating your carpet with a Borate powder such as “Borax” laundry powder works as a poison upon ingestion by the flea, simply sprinkle the powder on your carpets and leave it for a few h ours before vacuuming will rid most homes of their fleas. A second treatment can follow if necessary. It’s cheap, you can do it yourself and there are no insecticides used.

To treat the lawn and around the homes exterior, pyrethroids such as “Archer” or “Nylan”, as well as fenoxy carb such as “Logic” or “Torus” can be effective. Outdoor treatment is usually only done in extreme or severe cases of flea infestation and may not be necessary. You should however keep your lawn trimmed to create a drier, less ideal environment for flea larvae. If you don’t want to handle the pesticides yourself, any licensed professional pest control operator can do the treatment for you.

In summary, you should check with your veterinarian before using any form of flea treatment. Never use products for dogs on a cat, as cats are more sensitive to the pesticide and they groom themselves more thoroughly. Never apply pesticides to young, pregnant, or sick animals, and use alternative methods to control fleas, such as combing frequently with a flea comb, vacuum your home frequently and dispose of the vacuum bag, wash all pet bedding regularly, and bathe your pet with a pesticide free shampoo. Prevention is much easier than dealing with an infestation.

Pool billiards equipment. many people search for this term

According to my software, 3,750 people search for the term pool billiards equipment every month. This is kind of a strange sounding set of search words.

I typed it into Google search and there were 251,000 results. What I mean here is that you could click on a quarter of a million links from Google search related to the term.

There are hundreds of items which could be classified as pool billiards equipment. For me the word equipment sounds like larger items such as pool tables and billiard cues. The search results however bring up everything from hand and billiards chalk to the mechanical bridge.

When I look for my billiard supplies on line that is the term that I type into the search engine. (billiard supplies) Most times however I will type the individual item which I am looking for. When looking for a cue, I simply type in pool cue or billiards cue. If I am looking for a particular brand I will type the name in as well. (JOSS, Viking, Balabushka etc.)

The Internet has truly changed the way that I shop for and purchase billiard accessories. I was talking with a friend that owns a billiards store and he said it has put a big decrease on his in store sales as well.

Doesn’t it just make sense to search for and purchase your billiard items on line?

You can find exactly what you are looking for most of the time and you don’t have to leave your house to find it. You also have a wide variety of choices on where you buy. With a few searches and a little reading you can be sure to get the best prices available.

Next time you are looking for some form of pool billiards equipment, give the search engines a try and see what comes up. I’ll bet you will be pleased with the large amount of information and product lines you will find.

If you need help or advice when purchasing your pool and billiards equipment just send me a note or question.

To Your Run Out Success,

Ted

Jeep radiator s reliable backup

:
Constant fuel combustion results to the heating up of vehicle engine. Because of this, the coolant present in the engine expands. This is especially true with the grueling condition of terrains that all-wheel drive vehicles, like the Jeep face. For this reason, Jeep Expansion Tanks are needed. Jeep's expansion tank, also known as overflow tank, coolant reservoir, or overflow canister, is a chamber that supplies storage space for the coolant when it expands. Jeep Expansion Tanks are usually linked to the radiator's overflow tube.

How do Jeep Expansion Tanks function? When a Jeep engine cools down, a vacuum is produced in the vehicle's cooling system. This process, in turn, results to the sucking of coolant in the Jeep expansion tube back into the system. The coolant can move between the system and the expansion tank as it expands and contracts. This is because the cooling system that contains a Jeep expansion tube is a sealed system. As a result, no coolant is lost. A lack of a Jeep expansion tank may cause the coolant to flow out of the overflow tube and the cooling system, spilling onto streets or roads.

Another crucial job of Jeep Expansion Tanks is to get rid of air bubbles from the cooling systems of Cherokee, Compass, Commander, Liberty, and Wrangler. Coolant without air bubbles absorbs heat much faster, and thus, far more efficient than coolant with air bubbles.

The basic difference between a Jeep radiator and a Jeep expansion tank is that the former is always full, while the latter's level of coolant constantly changes – increases and decreases. Replacing Jeep Expansion Tanks can be done fairly simply. Installation involves mounting the expansion tank adjacent the radiator, connecting it to the overflow tube, and replacing the radiator cap. A few aftermarket part manufacturers, such as IK Multimedia and RC2, offer quality replacement Jeep Expansion Tanks. Maintaining the Jeep expansion tank is needed to make sure that the radiator holds up in demanding situations that may require temperature control.

Women s views on football posters

Many NFL fans, most of them men, although some women enjoy football as well, like to display posters of their favorite players and teams on the walls of their home. They could be put them on the walls of the bedroom, dining room, hall, or whatever part of the house that has room to exhibit them. The number of posters could vary from one to numerous. How do women feel about these posters being displayed on the walls of the home that they share with these fans? Well some wouldn’t have a problem with it, yet others would.

On one hand, a woman may enjoy seeing these posters of football players being displayed in their home. One reason for this is that they may enjoy looking at the players in their uniforms, and may think of the player as attractive, even sexy in their form-fitting football attire. Another reason that some women may enjoy having these posters displayed in their home is because they may be fans themselves, and it may make them feel proud to have posters of their favorite players in their home.

On the other hand, some women become quite annoyed when their mates (or even sons) place these football-related posters on the walls of their home. They may find them an unwanted, unwelcome annoyance and resent having to look at them on a day-to-day basis. Women may also find these posters unsightly and feel that they clash with the decor that they have in their houses. The woman may want to put up posters, or some other type of decoration of her own choosing, but can’t because the football posters are taking up the space. This could possibly lead to arguments and other problems. These problems and/or arguments can be solved or even completely eliminated if the people involved agree to compromise. Perhaps the NFL fan could choose to display his pictures only in designated areas, such as a garage, den or other agreed-upon area. Another way that they could compromise is by taking turns displaying their decorations or posters of choice. The NFL fan could agree to only keep the posters up during the official football season, and then remove them after the Super Bowl. There are many ways for women to coexist with the football fan in their life, whether they’re fans themselves, or not. All it takes is just a little understanding and compromise, and these posters should cause no problems.

For some great NFL gear and valuable coupons, check out: nflgearshop. com.

Why use recycled plastic lumber

Plastic lumber, poly-wood, permo-wood, envirowood, poly lumber and eco-lumber are all names for the same great product - no matter what you call it - it all still refers to the revolutionary material that is transforming the casual and patio furniture industry. Poly wood is both environmentally friendly and economically viable.

Constructed from recycled milk jugs and plastic containers, recycled plastic lumber is formed into many of the profiles you would expect from traditional lumber. This feature allows it to be sawed, cut and screwed much the same as wood lumber. It is now being used for decking, railings, picnic tables, benches, patio furniture and even childrens playground equipment. Consumers can rest assured that the use of recycled poly lumber helps to keep billions of pounds of recyclable plastics from entering our every growing landfills. Due to increased environmental awareness post consumer plastic bottle recycling has dramatically increased over the past ten years from 234 million pounds to over a staggering 1.5 billion pounds.

Traditional hardwood lumber is often treated with hazardous chemicals to ward off possible insect attacks. It also will over time need sanding and some type of refinishing and will also start to rot if left out in the elements for prolonged periods of time. On the contrary, plastic lumber contains no hazardous chemicals and can not leak or contaminate the soil nor does it require any maintenance beyond cleaning as needed which usually just requires hosing off.

Recycled plastic lumber is built to withstand all of the elements from frosty winters, to tropical sun and salty, windy coastal weather. This plastic lumber is weighty and not to be confused with a thin plastic product that his formed and molded into chairs that you find at many home supply stores. Poly lumber is actually formed into 2x4’s, 2x6’s and the like to then be cut, screwed and assembled into furniture that will adorn your patio, deck, poolside or garden. New applications for this product are being thought up every day. The most recent suggestion was for an artificial reef which would have a life span of 60 years submerged in the ocean.

Recycled plastic lumber is an economically viable alternative to traditional hardwood lumber. It is built to last a lifetime so there will be no replacing your splintering, bug infested or rotting patio furniture in a matter of years. Recycled plastic lumber is a friend to numerous environmental issues such as deforestation. By using recycled products for furniture you are helping to reduce the use of our forests and precious air filtering trees for our day to day needs! We all know that our forests and trees play a major role in helping prevent global warming.

Therefore, recycled plastic lumber is quickly becoming a resource that is sought out in all types of applications with both environmental advantages as well as economical advantages. Recycled plastic lumber is definitely a product worth looking into with virtually no maintenance the advantages of this environmentally friendly product is undeniable.

Five reasons every digital photographer needs a card reader

In the early days of digital photography, the only way to transfer images from the camera to a computer was with a cable. The interface was usually USB, but some early digicams used SCSI or Firewire connections as well. As reusable memory cards became popular, card readers appeared, allowing users to quickly move images from the card to their hard drive.

Surprisingly, even today, many digital photographers still transfer their images to their computer via a USB cable. Card readers are inexpensive, faster and more reliable, yet many digital camera users still haven’t acquired one.

1: Card readers offer speedy transfers

Undoubtedly, the biggest advantage to a card reader is speed. Images transfer at a rate several times that of a camera USB connection. Obviously, It is advantageous anytime you can shorten the image acquisition period. As memory cards increase in capacity and cameras offer greater pixel density, however, transfer speed becomes a major issue. My first digital camera only had 8MB of storage memory, and I felt it took a long time to transfer the images to my hard drive by USB cable. Today a single raw image could be twice that size. A card with thirty or forty images of that size would take an eternity to transfer by cable.

2: When reliability is a priority, choose a card reader

While speed is important, reliability is crucial. The problem with connecting a camera to your computer is that the camera has to be on all the time the transfer is being executed. If the battery dies during the transfer, the current transfer will be lost. Even worse, there is a danger that the memory card will be corrupted if the power goes down during a read. It’s true that many newer cameras have longer lasting batteries, but memory cards are also getting larger, so that might not be much help. Some camera manufacturers actually recommend that the camera be powered by an AC cord during the transfer, in order to alleviate any problem of the battery dying during the copy.

There are no power consumption worries with a card reader. Power comes directly from the USB or Firewire connection. Unless there is a major power outage or the computer crashes, the power to the card reader will remain stable.

3: Digital camera connections are plug and pray

Connecting a camera to the computer is fairly simple, but I have experienced many instances where the computer refused to recognize the camera. Rebooting the computer typically fixes the problem, but that is still an annoyance.

In contrast, card readers are generally found immediately by the computer. Plug the reader in, insert the memory card and you can start transferring your files.

4: Card readers allow you to walk away

Once you’ve begun a transfer, you are free to do other things. Eat dinner. Watch TV. Take a walk. Even go to bed for the night. You don’t have to “baby-sit” the file transfer process. I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving my digital camera unsupervised in the “on” mode for an extended length of time. Maybe I’m being too conservative, but leaving my camera on overnight just doesn’t seem wise. With a reader, there is no off or on. When your file transfer is completed, everything just waits until you return.

5: You are free to use your camera while your files transfer to the computer

If your camera is tied to your computer, transferring files, you obviously can’t be off shooting. In contrast, you can load a memory card into your reader, start a file transfer and then load a fresh card into the camera and continue making images. The ability to transfer pictures while you are off shooting new ones is yet another major advantage to a reader.

So what are you waiting for?

If you are serious about digital photography, I suggest you ditch that USB cable and get a good card reader. You’ll soon wonder how you ever got along without one!

How to choose which web development package is right for you

There are plenty of options when it comes to web site creation software and a wannabe web designer might have a hard time deciding which to choose. We will have a look at the most popular web creation programs: Front Page, Dreamweaver and Adobe GoLive. All three offer a user-friendly interface and plenty of beginner and advanced options that will allow you to create the website of your dreams. A large majority of website hosting companies accept the final outputs of the three programs, but you will still need to check your web page for compatibility with different web browsers.

Front Page

comes as a natural option to many web designers, partly because being part of the Microsoft Office family this software offers a familiar workspace. The interface is similar to the ones you find in Word or Excel, with many identical buttons, keyboard shortcuts and actions. Text formatting is piece of cake in Front Page as it almost feels like you are using Word to do it. The Insert/Picture command is also available here, allowing the user to easily integrate images into the web page. Although many experienced web designers see Front Page as a basic software, you can still tweak your page to higher standards by using the HTML view.

Dreamweaver

offers a lot more high-end features and is preferred by a large community of web designers. You have more freedom using HTML features and taking your web site closer to perfection. A very useful option is the design and code split view – you see the effects of the changes you make in the source code affect the design in real time. Macromedia Dreamweaver allows you to create from the simplest of web sites to very complex pages that integrate Java applications and Flash elements. You may also check the final result in different browsers, a very important step that allows you to calibrate the web site for maximum compatibility. It is also an excellent programme for beginners because of its WYSIWIG (what you see is what you get) interface, this allows the user to create web sites without having knowledge of HTML coding. Some HTML coding knowledge will, however, allow you to create better looking sites.

Adobe GoLive

is a favorite web creation software of designers that are used to working with other Adobe products such as Photoshop or Illustrator. The familiar Adobe workspace reduces the learning curve for this program and allows easy integration of cross-software elements. The graphic elements for the web site, which are usually created in Photoshop, are effortlessly placed into GoLive's workspace by a simple drag and drop move. The excellent compatibility with other graphic design Adobe products recommends GoLive as a great option when you want to create a great looking website.

A few tips for choosing a computer desk

Most people that work in an office usually do most of their work on a computer of some type. Whether you are an accountant, a manager, a programmer, or even the president of the company, you are going to do most of your work on your computer, because computers are very good at increasing productivity and accuracy. If you are going to be working on a computer for eight hours a day, then you will want to make sure and choose a computer desk that will make your work easier and more comfortable for you to complete. A great computer desk can incorporate all of your office needs in one piece of furniture. Here are some of the options that are available in different types of computer desks:

Monitor Stand – A monitor stand can be built into the computer desk which will allow you to position your monitor at eye level. Monitors need to be at eye level so you do not put any undo strain on your neck or back.

Computer and Printer Shelf – Many new computer desks have a hidden shelf to store your computer, and some have a shelf for your printer. These are great options, because it will allow the surface of your desk to be clear so you have plenty of space to do your work.

Keyboard Drawer – A keyboard drawer built into your computer desk is very helpful, because it will allow you to pull the keyboard towards your body which is more ergonomically correct.

Hutch or Bookshelf - Either one of these options will allow your computer desk to keep all of your important books and other materials close to you so that you do not have to leave your work area to get what you need.

Filing Cabinet – I believe that this option is a most have for any computer desk, because a filing cabinet built into one of the drawers can be a huge time saver. This will also help you stay organized because you do not have to remember to file paperwork since your filing cabinet will always be at your fingertips.

Adjustable rate mortgage - salvation or financial trap

If you are currently trying to buy a new home you've probably noticed the endless stream of numbers being tossed to and fro. Things like monthly payment, down payment, home price, affordability and a host of other fees and figures. This can be daunting but in a strange way all these requirements, in the form of numbers can be used to work for you.

It's not easy to see but there is a wide mix of funding options available to home buyers today. Brokers, banks and other lending institutions have an amazing variety of mortgage options from traditional 30 year fixed to the less conventional but ever more popular 2 year adjustable rate mortgages.

How do you decide what option is best. Of course, that depends on your current circumstances. A few key factors will include your credit score, how long you plan on staying in your home and whether you have money for a down payment.

The traditional 30 year fixed rate mortgage will give you the peace of mind of knowing that the interest rate of your mortgage is not at the whim of the ever changing housing market. On the other hand, if interest rates drop it will cost you thousands in refinance charges to refinance your mortgage to a lower rate and if your financial or credit situation has changed you may no longer qualify at the best rates.

An alternative to the traditional 30 year fixed mortgage is the adjustable or variable rate mortgage - also known as an ARM. An ARM is different than a fixed mortgage because the interest rate is normally dependant upon some type of index (i. e. the 10 year Treasury Bill). ARMs come with an initial lower interest rate and monthly payment - that's their appeal, but with the lower initial rate comes additional risk because the interest rate is based on index rates that are subject to change.

On the other hand, you also have the potential to benefit if interest rates fall but rates normally have to fall quite a bit for you to realize any savings due to a number of reasons beyond the scope of this article. Just be aware that the odds of your rate dropping, is very low regardless of what interest rates do.

There are advantages to obtaining an adjustable rate home mortgage other than the initial lower monthly payments. Factors include: if you intend to pay down a big portion of your mortgage principal early or if you anticipate higher income in the future or if you would like to completely payoff your mortgage as quickly as possible. The initial lower interest rate of an adjustable rate mortgage allows you to apply more of your monthly payment to the principal.

You should understand the risks associated with an adjustable rate mortgage before agreeing to one so be sure to ask your lender to explain the interest rate ceilings or caps associated with the loan so that you are not blindsided a few years down the road with a much higher mortgage payment because your interest rate just jumped 2 points.

A viable option if you have little income flexibility is to ask your lender about payment caps. Payment caps can help to stabilize your monthly payments during periods of interest rate fluctuations. However, on the down side, this option can result in negative amortization on your loan. Negative amortization occurs when the balance of your mortgage increases because your mortgage payments are not big enough to cover both interest and a portion of the outstanding principal.

Clearly there are both pros and cons of adjustable rate mortgages but one option you may want to seriously consider is an option that allow you to convert your mortgage to a fixed rate if interest rates go against you. In most instances, this option will cost you some money but the fee is much less than a full refinance and could potential save you thousands of dollars and bunch of stress.

For options in finding the best mortgage, new or refinance, check out the links below.

Shopping online safely - steps i take to protect myself

The dangers of online shopping are well known. Horror stories abound of people who have lost loads of money while shopping online. You may be tempted to shun all online shopping, because you just don't want to take the risk.

However, as our lives become and more intertwined with activities on the Internet, it will become increasingly hard to avoid all online financial transactions. Instead of avoiding the issue, why not take steps to protect yourself?

I'll outline steps I take to limit my online risk. Following these steps are no guarantee that I'll never lose money. But they greatly reduce the chances that I will lose significant amounts of money with my online activities.

To start it's important to recognize two levels of risk:

1. My Immediate Purchase Risk - the risk that I will lose money with the transaction I am currently making.

2. My After-the-Fact Financial Risk - the risk that my financial information will be stolen and used subsequent to the transaction I am currently making, possibly repeatedly.

While both kinds of risk are important, the second can lead to far greater losses of money than the first. We'll cover steps to avoid both kinds of losses, but you'll want to be especially diligent about lowering your After-the-Fact financial risk.

Reducing My Immediate Purchase Risk

In making a purchase, the merchant's reputation is everything. When I consider purchasing from an unfamiliar online merchant, I do my my best to establish that the merchant has a good reputation. Most legitimate retailers work hard to avoid cheating their customers, and their reputation will reflect that effort.

Reputation on Online Auctions

With online auctions, establishing a merchant's reputation is usually pretty easy. Generally each seller will have a score indicating how well they've done in satisfying their customers. Don't under estimate the value of this information. It's very revealing. I usually make sure that the seller has been involved in a large number of transactions -- no less than 30 -- but a much higher number if I want to be really safe.

Further I read the feedback that the seller has received from their buyers. It's important to take particular note of any neutral or negative comments. If the percentage of negative comments is greater than a couple percent, I will probably avoid this seller. Additionally, if the negative comment percentage is low, but there is a consistent theme of poor shipping performance or of buyers not receiving what they expected, I also will likely move on.

Reputation Through the Better Business Bureau

If the merchant is not selling through an auction, establishing it's reputation takes more work. I'll usually take a quick look at the Better Business Bureau web site for online businesses ( bbbonline. org). It's pretty rare to find an online merchant listed there, but if it is listed and it has poor performance, I immediately know to avoid it.

Further, if I can find the physical address of the business, I can use the main Better Business Bureau web site (welcome. bbb. org/) to find the local Better Business Bureau responsible for the merchant's geographic area. Many times the local Better Business Bureau will have a listing for the online merchant.

Birth defects deliver more reasons to quit smoking

Recently, a cashier with a round, pregnant belly raced back to her post after a smoke break and explained to her customer that she was sneaking cigarettes when the baby's father would not notice. She seemed oblivious to the harm her addiction could be causing the child.

But now there is a new way for mothers to gently break the cigarette habit, and it comes at a time when medical experts are finding increasingly alarming reasons for pregnant women to wean themselves from nicotine and tobacco.

The cigarette cessation product called Bravo provides a placebo smoke that contains no nicotine or tobacco, allowing the mother to cease taking in these harmful and addictive products, while avoiding the extra stress of not holding a cigarette or lighting up.

Just as a child finds comfort in a favorite blanket or toy, many smokers find their empty hands terribly hard to deal with. The Bravo smoke fills this void and allows the mother to focus on reshaping a healthier lifestyle for herself and her child.

The child may be the biggest beneficiary in this. The medical journal "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery" reported that smoking leads to an increased risk of having babies with webbed fingers and toes, and missing or extra fingers and toes. The study concluded that smoking half a pack a day increased the risk of having a baby with digit abnormalities by 29 percent. The study, which looked at live births in the United States in 2001 and 2002, recorded 5,171 infants with such defects.

Additional cigarettes bring even more alarming results, increasing the child's risk by as much as 78 percent. These defects can lead to surgery and other unwanted complications for the infant.

Digits are formed in the earliest part of pregnancy, so damage could be done before a woman knows she is pregnant. This possibility, coupled with the overwhelming scientific evidence that all cigarette smokers and their families are harmed by the addiction, provides a sound argument to begin a cessation program.

Created by pharmacist Puzant Torigian, chairman and founder of Safer Smokes Inc., the Bravo smoke replaces the usual, toxic cigarette with a non-addictive alternative made from enzyme-treated lettuce leaves. It is the only clinically tested, non-nicotine smoking product available, Torigian said.

Business investment decisions

There are many investments that a company can make. It is a financial manager’s job to help the management team evaluate the investments, rank them and suggest choices. This process is called capital budgeting.

Some investments, however, defy financial analysis; an example of this may be seen in charitable donations, which provide intangible benefits that financial mangers alone cannot evaluate.

It may be argued that investment decisions fall into one of three basic decision categories:

Accept or reject a single investment proposal

Choose one competing investment over another

Capital rationing – with this particular category, the limited investment pool is active deciding which projects among many should be chosen.

Whilst each corporation uses its own criteria to ration its limited resources, the major tools are:

Payback period

Net present value

Payback period method – many companies believe that the best way to judge investments is to calculate the amount of time it takes to recover their investments.

Analysts can easily calculate paybacks and make simple acceptance or reduction decisions based on a necessary payback period. Those projects that come close to the mark are accepted, those falling short are rejected. For example, the managers of a small company may believe that all energy and labour saving devices should have a three-year payback and that all new machinery must have an eight-year payback. Additionally, research projects should pay back in ten years. Those requirements are based on management’s judgements, experience, and level of risk.

By accepting projects with longer paybacks, management accepts more risk. The further out an investment’s payback, the more uncertain and risky it is. Payback criteria are desirable because they are easy to use, calculate and understand; however they ignore the timing of cash flows and accordingly the time value of money. Projects with vastly different cash flows can have the same payback period.

Another disadvantage of using payback is that it ignores the cash flows received after the payback.

Net present value methods

The same method used for valuing the cash flows of bonds and stocks is also used to value projects. It is the most accurate and most correct method. The further in the future a dollar is received the greater the uncertainty that it will be received, referred to as risk, and the greater the loss of opportunity to use those funds, referred to as opportunity cost. Accordingly cash flows received in the future will be discounted more steeply depending on the riskiness of the project.

The way a business wishes to fund itself are financing decisions independent of investment decisions.

In my own experience, I have only ever used the payback method, along with my fellow business colleagues, perhaps because this has always been easier to understand and use and calculate. This served us well but caused frequent conflicts between operations, marketing and finance, for understandable reasons.

In summary, whereas most companies may continue to use the payback method due to the aforementioned reasons, it is well worth noting that another option is there and, especially for the financial side of the business, gives a very interesting option.

Heat stroke creation

Heat stroke is the condition that happens when the body creates or takes in more heat then it can let out. Generally this condition is due to excessive exposure to a heat that the body cannot tolerate. Our body is equipped with heat-regulating mechanisms, that are constantly trying to regulate the temperature of our body. When these mechanisms are over-worked for an extended period of time, they become unable to effectively regulate our temperature, which makes our body temperature climb uncontrollably. Although often overlooked, Heat stroke is a serioud medical emergency, and has to be looked after immediately.

Our body works hard to keep itself at an optimal temperature. The scale into the 'danger zone' begins at temperatures above 40 degrees celsius, that are life threatening. At 41 degrees celsius brain death starts. At 45 degrees celsius death is almost certain. Heat stroke can come on suddenly as our temperature regulating mechanism can simply become over-excercised and shut down.

There is several different signs that are body will give us if it is overheating, also known as heat stroke symptoms. The most common way for our body to release excess heat is through perspiration. This works as long as the body has a sufficient amount of water to perspirate. Once the body becomes dehydrated, it starts to look for other methods of losing heat. If it cannot find any, the temperature begins to climb rapidly.

under 'normal operating conditions' are body is able to maintain itself. Be smart about when and how you push your body and you will be able to reduce the risks of such conditions as heat stroke. Simple steps that you can take, like staying hydrated, avoiding over-exhaustion in hot temperatures, etc are all that it takes.

Peak 7 of breckenridge ski resort

Peak 7 offers skiing for everyone. If you like extreme skiing, Peak 7 bowl is not accessable by lift but if you don't mind a long steep hike, peak 7 bowls are steep and mostly fresh. Peak 7 bowls are so steep and under the right conditions can be avalanche prone. Please be careful if you choose to go up here and always know your limits.

If you choose to hike peak 7 you will have a very steep climb with

little room for error, especially on a sunny day when there has not been much snow. This climb takes you up 13,000 feet above sea level. When skiing at high altitude always bring enough water, because the air tends to get a little thin. Once you arrive on the summit you have three runs to choose from: magic carpet ride, cjs, and the Y chutes . All three runs are steep rocky and dangerous so pick your path wisely.

Peak 7 also features world class glade skiing. You'll see beautiful trees spaced perfectly throughout the forest which with the right skills, you can create a perfect line. When rideing the glades always stay skiers right especially at the end of the run. It is very easy to get lost in the trees so always ride with someone who is responsible.

Peak 7's intermediate runs are simply beautiful groomed runs which have great intermediate tree skiing with breathtaking views. Monte cristo, angels nest, and wire patch are all beautiful intermediate runs and are probably the finest in all of Breckenridge. You should definitely ski monte cristo and if you do, you'll get beautiful cords the whole way down, except on a powder day. Peak 7 is usually the last peak of the mountain to get traffic. So I suggest you ski there first thing in the morning. Don't get stuck here at noon on a weekend. The lift line tends to be pretty long.

Enjoy your ski vacation in Breckenridge, CO.