Is The Food You Eat Nutritious and Heart Healthy?

It can be difficult to get all of the proper nutrients we need in our diets and without them we are prone to a number of health problems. We’re all guilty of it: instead of cooking a healthy meal after a long day at work, we pick up some take-out on the way home. This is fine, if you only do it once in a while. But if this is something that is a lot more common for you than eating healthy, you need to take steps to make sure that you get all of the nutrients you need. So, how can you get these nutrients? By using dietary supplements

Although dietary supplements are really a 20th century thing, the ingredients used to make them have been used by people for thousands of years, in order to stay healthy and even treat illnesses. In fact, some of those treatments are the basis for much of today’s medicines. There are a number of uses for dietary supplements, including:

* To treat diseases and other illnesses
* To prevent illnesses
* To aid in weight loss
* To aid in weight gain

Many physicians recommend that their patients use dietary supplements if they have certain health issues, such as an inability to eat, meaning they are not getting the proper nutrients. Some doctors recommend dietary supplements to patients who are very obese, as a means of kick starting their weight loss.

Not all dietary supplements are safe, and in some cases, may even be dangerous. It is really important to discuss any dietary changes, including the addition of supplements, with your physician. He or she will be able to help you choose which one is best for you, based on your medical history and lifestyle. Some of the negative effects of dietary supplements include:

* Allergic reactions
* Interaction with prescription medication
* Poor manufacturing of supplements can lead to a number of health issues

Dietary supplements have their good and their bad features but for most people who use them, they are the best way for them to get all of the vitamins and nutrients they need to be healthy and happy, not to mention maintain a healthy weight and look terrific. There are many different types of dietary supplements and the one you choose will depend on your dietary needs.

***Check with a medical professional before using any supplements or starting a diet***

Elephants In Arkansas?

That's right! Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary, located about 50 miles north of Little Rock Arkansas, has been in business 20 years. "Elephant Weekends" are held approximately 6 times a year. One of the owners, Scott Riddle has trained and managed elephants for 44 years and has both African (see left picture) and Asian (see right picture) elephants at the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is on 330 acres and there are also horses and a rooster that gives the morning wake-up call.

A weekend adventure includes hands-on- experiences with the elephants that could be bathing the huge animals, brushing mud from their bristly hairs or using a metal rasp to file toenails to a rounded edge.

The buildings were built with grants, donated funds and even donated wood and metal. There are currently 8 elephants, both male and female at the Sanctuary including a 2 year old African elephant who like to eat marshmallows.

Give The Gift Of Food

Does the person really need the sweater or tie you'll be giving them this Christmas? Do you need the shirt or bathrobe that you'll be getting this year? Do your children really need all the toys and gadgets they'll get? Probably not on all accounts.

Please consider a gift of food. Make a donation in a person's name to your local food bank or shelter. Find out if there might be missions that could use non-perishable foods. Are there soup kitchens that need something? Communities contine to struggle and need help to feed the hungry and your dollars will be stretched. The person in whose honor you made the donation will be notified of your gift and many people will be helped.

If there's no food bank or shelter in your area, contact your local American Red Cross for suggestions on what you can do to help the less fortunate.

One Step at a Time

The "E" word - EXERCISE !!! Don't like it! Don't want to do it! Know I have to!

I know I need to:

Start moving. You don't have to join a gym or get a trainer

Get a partner. It's easier to stick to plan if you have someone to hold you accountable

Shop smart. Make a list of healthy food options before going to the store

STICK WITH IT!. Giving up is a major temptation

Start out by talking a walk around the block or simply move for 15 minutes a day. Walking has the lowest drop-out rate of any physical activity. Research has shown that the benefits of walking and moderate exercise (for at least 30 minutes a day) will:

Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease

Improve high blood pressure Reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer

Learn what the American Heart Association recommends for physical activity and check with your doctor before starting an exercise program or major lifestyle change.

If You Don't Have it, You're In Trouble

In today's economy, your $$$ are already being stretched to the limit and hopefully, you're not just now realizing that you're car insurance has lapsed or that you don't have enough coverage. Has your child taken your car without your permission and called to tell you that they have just been involved in an accident with another vehicle?

There are many scary scenarios involving too little or no auto insurance. If you're a first time driver looking for insurance, you can be overwhelmed by the terminology you'll see or hear while comparing companies and coverage. What is bodily injury liability coverage? What is comprehensive? What are deductibles and how will they affect me? Am I better off choosing a higher or lower deductible? How do I know which one is better? How do I know I have the right amount of coverage? Do I have too much or too little coverage? There are many factors that impact insurance rates including the age and driving history. On and on go the questions even for experienced drivers. Find out the answers before purchasing insurance to be sure that you have the right coverage for you. iSelect insurance will help you every step of the way and you'll be able to "comparison shop" other auto insurance companies.

"Mary Had a Little Lamb ..."

Mary had a little lamb,
Little lamb, little lamb,
Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow

Everywhere that Mary went,
Mary went, Mary went,
Everywhere that Mary went
The lamb was sure to go

It followed her to school one day
School one day, school one day
It followed her to school one day
Which was against the rules.

It made the children laugh and play,
Laugh and play, laugh and play,
It made the children laugh and play
To see a lamb at school

And so the teacher turned it out,
Turned it out, turned it out,
And so the teacher turned it out,
But still it lingered near

And waited patiently about,
Patiently about, patiently about,
And waited patiently about
Till Mary did appear

"Why does the lamb love Mary so?"
Love Mary so? Love Mary so?
"Why does the lamb love Mary so?"
The eager children cry

"Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know."
Loves the lamb, you know, loves the lamb, you know
"Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know."
The teacher did reply

According to Wikipedia, the nursery rhyme was
first published (as opposed to written) as an original poem by
Sarah Josepha Hale on May 24, 1830, and was inspired by an actual incident.

Classic Thanksgiving Meal Accessories

Guest post written by Rachel Bowers

This year I'm hosting my first ever Thanksgiving meal at mine and my husband's house. I'm really excited because we've only been here a few months and all of my family hasn't seen our new house yet. We could never host them in our old apartment because it wasn't big enough to accommodate everyone. So right now I'm in super Thanksgiving hostess mood and have been planning the menu like crazy.

I'm not cooking all of the stuff though. I've been using my clear tv bundle to correspond with everyone and figure out what everyone's bringing. But for the stuff I'm making, I'm trying my best and have actually been practicing some of it this month on me and my husband to help prevent any food disasters on teh day.

What I'm most excited about cooking though is apple cranberry sauce because I want to do traditional but with a twist that my family wonÕt be afraid to try out. Iove already made it once and me and my husband both really liked it so I hope that everyone else will like it too.

Like Having a Living Doll

New babies bring lots of happiness whether they're yours or the belong to someone else. Dressing them is half the fun. Girls have always had cute, adorable clothes but in the last few years baby clothes for boys have come a long way and are just as much fun to buy and put on as for girls.

There's a huge selection even some gift sets for under $30.00. If you're planning on buying a gift before the birth of a baby, you'll be pleasantly surprise by the "unisex" items in the various collections. At this time of year, you'll find lots of "stocking stuffer" items of apparel too. Women's sweaters, tops and scarfs can also be purchased.

There's No Place Like The Ocean

The cold weather has started to arrive and some days the weatherman talks about the "possibility of snow". I don't want to be here when the first flake arrives so I've been looking into the web site Myrtle Beach hotel that offers resorts like The Horizon at 77. It will meet all of my vacationing needs and desires. When traveling, I like my comforts and this hotel certainly has lots of them. I can choose from suites that have 1, 2 0r 3 bedrooms and a private balcony to watch glorious sunrises and sunsets. This resort is in the heart of Myrtle Beach but feels like it's in a different world, away from the normal hustle and bustle of everyday living.

If I book with Myrtle Beach best hotels like The Horizon at 77, I can take advantage of many special offers and packages that can include special rates for accommodations, daily breakfasts, 2 adult and 2 children's tickets with VIP seating at Legends in Concert and discounted adult tickets for Ripley's Aquarium.

A Myrtle Beach location offers access to entertainment and activities for the whole family including aquariums, walking trails, golf courses and more. Watching sunrises and sunsets is a great way to start and end each day. Why wait? Log onto http://www.horizonmyrtlebeach.com today and start planning your "snow flake" get-away NOW!!!!

A Different View of Life

We're used to seeing things straight on so wouldn't it be great to see a view of your house from up above? My daughter had her house photographed about 10 years ago with aerial photography and it's fun to see the changes that have occurred. There was very little landscaping when she moved in and over the years she and her husband have planted several trees. To see what the landscaping originally looked like and what it looks like now is amazing.

If you're looking into colleges, wouldn't it be great to see the layout of the different institutions with college/university aerial video tours? You'll be able to see the property and architecture unhindered. Thinking of playing on a new golf course? Wouldn't it be nice to see "the lay of the land" with a golf course aerial video tour? You'd be able to see the demographics of each hole and the layout of the entire course with the actual colors.

The Tuskegee Airmen

Dedicated! Proud! Determined! These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe the Tuskegee Airmen who were America's first Black (African American) military airmen who fought in World War II as the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. This was unique as the military was racially segregated and subjected to racial discrimination. Many states were still subject to the "Jim Crow laws".

They had to qualify both mentally and physically to be accepted into the aviation cadet training program and were very successful in their missions as bomber escorts in Europe. Many people thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. Those who passed the qualifications and were accepted as aviation cadets were initially trained on single engine pilots and later as twin-engine pilots, navigators or bombardiers. Their "RED TAIL" planes (see picture at right) became famous. Many were college graduates or undergraduates.

The standards were not lowered for these men who trained as pilots or trained in operations, meteorology, intelligence and engineering. enlisted men were trained as aircraft and engine mechanics, radio repairmen, parachute riggers, control tower operators and many other areas.

The black airmen who became single-engine or multi-engine pilots were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) in Tuskegee, AL. The first aviation class began in July 1941. Thirteen started the class and five completed the training nine months later. From 1941-1946, 994 pilots graduated at TAAF, receiving commissions and pilot's wings. After the war in Europe, black airmen returned to the United States and once again faced racism and bigotry.

Watch Out Sandtraps!!! I'm On My Way!!!

Have you started planning your winter vacation? Are you an avid golfer or a novice? Then here's the place to consider for your snow time get-away. Check into what happening in the Myrtle Beach area before you go any further.

http://www.myrtlebeachseasideresorts.com/ features many vacation/golf options including booking your tee times and accommodations at the same time. You'll find top notch golf courses and several packages especially designed for your golfing vacation. Golf packages Myrtle Beach have something for everybody. The packages are tailored for 5 magnificent courses: Burroughs and Chapin which is a collection of courses, Myrtle Beach National, Glens Group (includes Glen Dornoch, Heather Glen, Shaftsbury Glen and Possum Trot), The Cats (Ocean Ridge Plantation, Leopard's Chase, Panther's Run, Lion's Paw) and the Mystical Group.

Your stay in Myrtle Beach offers many adventures for the whole family. You'll be able to choose from top-notch hotels, resorts and rental properties that feature rooms as well as one, two and three bedroom condo suites. There are many recreational activities for the entire family in the area including parks, museums, amusements and shows.

When you log onto www.myrtlebeachseasideresorts.com/, you'll find Seaside Resorts. Located on North Myrtle Beach it has a white sand beach, a professional staff and all the amenities for your dream vacation. Swimming, sailing, surfing and golf are some of the activities you can do as you let the cares of the daily grind back home float away. Golfers have a choice of 108 golf courses that cater to players of all skill levels. There's something for everyone to do at Myrtle Beach including entertainment, activities and attractions.

The Colors Of Love

Love can be red, like the intense heat of a passionate kiss
.....the color of sweetness
.....the color of strawberries

Love can be blue, like the comfort we take in a pair of denim jeans
.....the color of strength
.....the color of perfect skies

Love can be yellow, bright and warm like the morning sun
.....like the sounds of laughters of children on the merry-go-round
.....like the sounds of fun from the boys flying kites in the open fields

Love can be green, peaceful and serene I can hear your heart beats
.....it is the feeling of a loving hand that touch a grieving heart
.....it is the whispering of trusting words to a distressing soul

Love can be orange, the loudness of it can drive you up a wall
.....it can drive you to sing like nobody is listening
.....it can drive you to dance like nobody is watching

Love can be purple, the courage we need to love bravely and unselfishly
.....the moment I first kiss you I know that I am not afraid to risk involvement
.....the day the declaration of your love for me was made known to the world

Contributed by Arun Kumar

Don't Wait to Donate: blood is always needed!!!

There is always a need for blood donation especially around the holidays as there are more vehicle accidents and the need increases considerably. But every day, there is someone somewhere who needs blood. Currently only 3 out of 10 Americans donate blood.

The majority of donated blood goes to people with cancer, victims of traumatic accidents, those who have suffered burns or people undergoing surgery. Donated plasma is used to make 17 different products and contains important proteins, nutrients and clotting factors. Platelets are used to help clot blood and seal wounds. Leukemia and chemotherapy can reduce platelet count.

Blood has a short shelf life: platelets (up to 5 days), red cells (42 days) and plasma (up to 1 year) so the supply has to be constantly renewed.

Donated blood is always tested for blood type, Rh groups (positive/negative) and cell abtibodies. The blood is also tested for infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human T-cell Lymhpotropic Virus-HTL.

For information or to donate, contact your local American Red Cross or visit www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

There's Help After a Fire

When your home has been damaged by fire and the ensuing water that was used to put it out, your whole life seems devastated. How will you begin to put your life back together? Many things have to be done to get your house restored including work to the ceilings, walls, floors, carpets and anything else that was damaged. Home water damage repair Austin is one way to get started in the recovery process. When you use thesteamteam.com (on call 24/7), your water removal process will take place right away because the longer water stands, the more damage there is. Not only does the water have to be removed, air movement and dehumidifying have to take place to be sure any trace of moisture is gone.

Fire damage contractors Austin know how to work with the destruction a fire leaves behind. They understand the chemical reactions that have taken place during the fire as a result of many synthetic materials (found in furniture, appliances etc.) being heated or burned. Content cleaning and deodorizing are two of the things that get done during this process. Musty odor removal Austin gets rid of the "stinkies" that are left behind. When materials and fabrics have been fire/water damaged, there is always bacteria that can produce mold, mildew and odors if not properly taken care of.

Is It Too Late To Get Cheap Auto Insurance Alabama?

In today's economy your money is being stretched in many directions. Your car insurance doesn't have to be one of those areas. Hopefully, this isn't a picture of your car in a crash with you now realizing that you're auto insurance has lapsed or that you don't have enough coverage. Has your child taken your car without your permission and called to tell you that they have just been involved in an accident with another vehicle? There are many scary scenarios involving too little or no insurance. If you're a first time driver looking for insurance, you can be overwhelmed by the terminology you'll see or hear while comparing companies and coverage. What is bodily injury liability coverage? What is comprehensive coverage? What are deductibles and how will they affect you? Am I better off choosing a higher or lower deductible? How do I know which one is better? How do I know I have the right amount of coverage? Do I have too much or too little coverage? There are many factors that impact insurance rates including the age and driving history. On and on go the questions even for experienced drivers.

While searching the Internet for auto insurance companies, I found a web site that is very user friendly: cheap auto insurance Alabama. No matter what kind of car you drive, you can always be insured!!!! No more saying "I can't afford it!" Log onto their web site and see how easy and fast it is to get a quote. I tried it and it's very self-explanatory. First, I entered my zip code when I was taken to the next page, then clicked " on "Get Quotes" again. I could then get auto insurance quotes from several major insurance providers including Progressive and Unitrin Direct with prices based on the state I live in (Michigan). When I clicked on the individual sites, I entered my name, address, date of birth (don't worry: the sites asking for personal information are secure sites) and clicked "enter". The next page asked for type, year, make and model of the vehicle that was to be insured (auto, van, truck or SUV), then I provided details on the use of the vehicle (business, personal, pleasure or farming), whether I owned or leased the vehicle and if it had an anti-theft device. The next page asked for personal information including marital status, Social Security number (remember, this is a secure site), information on accidents and auto claims, whether there would be additional drivers, a little bit more info and then onto a personalized quote for you and your vehicle.

It took less than 8 minutes to complete the process in the comfort of my own home. There is also a toll-free number for people to use if they are uncomfortable putting their personal information on the Internet. Why wait? Get a free auto insurance quote today!

Love The Ocean? Love the Sand?

If you love the ocean and sand and are looking for a Long Beach apartment, then you'll want to look into apartments at 1900 Ocean, an eighteen story hi-rise complex which affords an ocean view.

1900 Ocean is an exclusive community which has a 24 hour doorman and a state-of-the-art fitness center. With a private balcony, you'll be able to watch exquisite sunrises and sunsets. Long Beach listings lets you check availability so that you'll get the exact property to meet all your needs.

Rentals in Long Beach CA are also available and are a renter's dream. Each apartment includes a refrigerator, microwave, private balcony and more. It's easy to download an application and start the process for your life of living in luxury.

Don't Forget Our Feathered Friends During The Winter

Blue jays are natural forest dwellers but are highly adaptable and intelligent. Their call "Jay! Jay!" is one of the sounds the bird uses and can do an excellent imitation of hawk calls. They are known to eat eggs or nestlings but they are mostly vegetarian eating acorns, nuts seeds and sometimes caterpillars, grasshoppers and beetles. Jays may store acorns in the ground and often forget where they put them.

Cardinals can be found year round in the eastern U.S. and due to their popularity are the state bird for several states. The male is very aggressive when he develops a territory and often will mistakenly attack his own reflection in windows. The male feeds the female during courtship and mates for life. They build their nests in shrubbery or heavily branched trees. The male Cardinal keeps it's red plumage all year long.

Both Cardinals and Blue jays like similar seeds as do several other birds:

Black oil sunflower seeds - attracts cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, goldfinches, purple finches and chickadees

Nyger - attracts goldfinches

Safflower seeds - attracts chickadees, titmice and downy woodpeckers

Suet - provides concentrated energy to help birds make it through freezing winter (woodpeckers love it).

source: birdwatching.com

When The Wind Blows

Wind, as defined by Wikipedia, is "the flow of air or other gases that compose an atmosphere." It plays a very important part in our existence. Without it, we'd all fry from the heat of the sun as it makes up the bulk of movement of the air. Adversely, too much wind is equally dangerous with surging tides engulfing whole towns and cities. Weather vanes show the direction of the wind. The word "vane" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "fane" meaning "flag". In my post of 7/2/09, I raised the question of whether wind turbines are slowing down or not as there has been an increase in the number of low or no wind days in the Midwest and wind measurements show wind speeds falling along parts of the Northern Plains.

Is climate change affecting wind, a source of power? Wind energy seems to be dying down across the United States. and the cause may be global warming. Sandra Pryor, an atmospheric scientist at Indiana University asserts that there's been a jump in the number of low or no wind days in the Midwest and wind measurements show wind speeds falling along/east of the Mississippi River. Texas and parts of the Northern Plains don' t show as much slowing. Northern Maine, western Montana, Michigan and Georgia show some of the biggest drops in wind speed. One of the things Pryor said that can slow wind speeds are changing conditions such as growing trees or buildings being erected near the wind gauges. These can skew data. Several other experts agree that there are signs of decreasing wind speeds and that global warming is probably the cause.

People have watched and tested wind changes for centuries as it is important to know for both work and play. Occasionally, you'll see a person stick their wet finger in the air as a cost effect weather vane. My grandfather used to do that. I remember going to visit my grandparents on their farm. It was a typical one with the red paint chipping off the barn, the pig pen (they were really prickly to touch), the cows and other animals. I loved to watch their weather vane turn. I don't remember if it had a design, but knowing them, it was probably more utilitarian than decorative.

Color! Color! and More Color!

Window box planters are just the thing to add color outside your home. Available in many sizes, shapes and materials including aluminum, concrete, fiberglass, steel and more, you're only limited by your creativity. Plastic planters are an excellent way to have a maintenance-free garden planter. They are solid and lightweight. They are also rot free and insect and moisture resistant and will not crack, warp or splinter. eplanters.com is an excellent website to visit to help you get started with your gardening needs. They carry a a large selection of liners and and other accessories too. There's something for everyone even apartment dwellers. If you live in an area with little rainfall don't want to worry as an outdoor planter is easy to maintain.

Many products are shipped free (see notes about shipping on shipping/returns page) within the 48 contiguous United States. They're shipped by UPS Ground Service and shipping upgrades are available at an additional price. eplanters.com is your one-stop-shopping center for all you plant and flower box/planter needs.

Moving Should Not Be a Problem

Moving is always a stressful task whether it's job related, a move due to economic circumstances or any of a hundred other reasons. You want to know that you're getting honest house removal costs and that's guaranteed when you get your quotes from thehouseremovalscompany.com/uk. If you're moving your house or business, you can get up to six free quotes when you log onto their web site from reputable movers.

Those who have moved know that packing is the worst part of the move. Cupboards and garages seem to be two of the most difficult areas to pack but usually contain the items you need the most. You want to know that all of your possessions are secure and safe in the move. Use professional, not family and friends as the cost savings is not usually worth the hassle and headaches that seem to pop up as a result.

The Stability of Gold

Gold originally was not used for it's monetary value: it was made into jewelry, used to decorate sacred locations and made into shrines and idols ("The Golden Calf"). Gold was excavated in Turkey during 2350 - 2600 B.C. and was valued and owned by the powerful. Prisoners of war were often sent to work in the mines to harvest gold. Today, the monetary value of gold is accepted all over the world and many people have a gold IRA. Even when the world economy was low in the last several years, gold has kept it's value. An ounce of gold has seen a continuous increase in value and is still recognized around the world as a solid monetary commodity.

We'd all love to have the gold bullion in this room but we know that's unrealistic. Did you know that if you had been buying bullion during the 70's and had purchased $25,000.00 in gold bullion, it would be worth approximately $524.999.00 today? It makes you stop and realize how great an opportunity you are missing out on. It's not too late to put gold into your portfolio for your future.

Goldcoinsgain.com can help you with your investing decisions and help you learn about and understand how to buy gold bullion. They have experience in working with and delivering gold. Often called the "crisis commodity" many investors have been putting gold into their 401K's. Despite the slumping economy in the last couple of years, gold has remained strong. Besides being the one of the oldest forms of money, it can help offset market fluctuations. Don't get left behind any longer. Look into how easy it is to buy bullion.

Leonardo DiCaprio Lives "GREEN"

Two very recognizable symbols are the ones for recycling and composting. But what is the difference between the 2 processes? The composting process refers only to what can be "composted" which is the bio-degradation of organic matter, such as yard waste and food. This process, usually done by a garden composter is performed by micro-organisms, mostly bacteria, but also yeasts and fungi. There are many contributors to the different phases of decomposition including earthworms and fruit flies. Composting is usually not considered as recycling.

Recycling involves processing used materials into new products to prevent waste, reduce pollution (both air and water) and to reduce the need for conventional waste disposal. Recyclable materials include glass, paper, metal, textiles and electronics. For the processing of some materials either garden composters or recycling bins are used. The materials are either brought to a collection center or picked up curbside and sorted and reprocessed into new materials.

How does Leonardo DiCaprio figure into all of this? He has been an avid supporter of the "green movement" and the environment for many years and practices what he preaches. He recently moved into a $9M environmentally correct apartment in New York City. His apartment has rotating solar panels that provide 10% of his power. Leonardo says that he lives in the "green manner" and has released a feature length documentary "11th Hour" which focuses on the problems facing the planet's life systems. This film was done with the help of over 50 of the most prominent thinkers and activists including Mikhail Gorbachev and physicist Stephen Hawking. Global warming, deforestation, species extinction and depletion of ocean habitats are addressed. The feature offers hope and solutions. The "11th Hour" calls for a healthier future and this includes recycling and composting.