Boiling Versus Steaming Vegetables in a Pressure Cooker

We cooks who have used traditional cooking methods for years are used to immersing food in water and boiling until tender... carrots, or potatoes or vegetables of various sorts. We've even done that with meat and chicken. And then we poured all those good nutrients and vitamins that were cooked out of the food down the drain. We've even used steamers from time to time. Where did that insert go?

The proper way to cook veggies is to clean them and try to make sure they are somewhat uniform in size so that they cook in about the same amount of time. For example, you may wish to cube potatoes or slice carrots. (Note the tip on salvaging your food should your first try turn out badly.)

First add the desired amount of water to the pot. Refer to your manual for estimated amounts of water for the desired period of cooking time. One-half to two-thirds cup of water is generally sufficient. (If you live at a higher altitude, you will need to adjust the time and water as it takes longer to heat water at higher levels.)

The cooking time for most vegetables is one to four minutes.
· Asparagus - two minutes
· Whole green beans - two to three minutes
· Broccoli, chopped, florets or spears - two minutes
· Kernel Corn - one minute
· Medium whole onions - two to three minutes
· White potatoes, cubed - five minutes

If the vegetables are frozen, add a minute or two. The water need not touch the vegetables but should be sufficient to pressure steam the vegetables while they are cooking.

Place the prepared vegetables into the basket or rack that comes with the pressure cooker, or even that little-used collapsible steamer basket, and place the basket into the cooker. Close the lid and bring to full pressure, usually the high (15 psi) pressure setting. Once the cooker has reached full pressure you need to time the process. Don't stray from the kitchen now as the time is extremely short and you don't want to burn or overcook. Use a cold water release method to retain crispness.
Season and serve. Vegetables will retain their vibrant colors and taste better than you've ever experienced. Your family and guests might even begin to like vegetables!

Don't despair should you have added too much water or overcooked those vegetables, don't just throw them away. You can make a wonderful homemade stock for use in your next soup or stew. Add more vegetables, even some of the skins, stems and peelings from your vegetable preparation, add flavorings such as thyme, rosemary and bay leaves, onions, and so on, add water to cover and pressure cook for an additional 20 minutes. Be sure you do not exceed the maximum fill line in your pressure cooker. Let the pressure drop naturally. Strain and discard the vegetables, retaining the stock in your refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for 3 months.

Sue Wiskowski-Fair has developed a special site to provide a one-stop experience for the busy cook to assist in today's stress-filled lives. Check out the wide variety of pressure cookers and pressure canners and determine what fits your lifestyle. Cookbooks to help you. Recipes and advice at http://www.pressurizeit.com/Table/VEGETABLES/GRAINS/. Save time and energy and enjoy a more healthful lifestyle.

Yoga Benefits for Stroke Survivors

The effects of a stroke vary, depending on the severity of it. When a stroke occurs, the brain is deprived of oxygen resulting in loss of memory and speech, agility, movement and balance. Along with the physical side effects of a stroke come a host of emotional issues as a result of these drastic life changes. Yoga has proven to be an effective type of therapy for stroke patients as it helps with both the physical and mental side effects of the stroke. There are many benefits of incorporating yoga training into a rehabilitation program.

Improved Balance
Asanas improve balance, even when they are modified to accommodate patients who cannot walk, stand or even sit on their own. Patients can use a number of different props when working with a trained yoga therapist or yoga instructor. Over time, patients can learn which poses are most beneficial for them. They can then employ the postures during other times of the day when they are not in a physical therapy session.

Greater Independence
As patients improve their balance, it becomes easier to perform tasks unassisted. Getting dressed, tying shoes and other daily tasks become easier so patients have more independence than when the stroke initially occurred. Many patients will live with the side effects of a stroke for the rest of their lives, so it's important to become as independent as possible.

Better Attitude
A natural companion to greater independence achieved through yoga therapy is a better attitude toward life and recovery. A stroke can have huge emotional effects on patients, as there lives are forever changed. Suddenly, they are unable to do the most ordinary of tasks unassisted. As mobility returns, so does confidence and motivation to press on. The meditative portion of a yoga routine teaches patients healthy ways to release negative emotions while replacing them with positive thoughts. Breathing techniques can allow patients to live in the moment and be grateful for every small gift each day brings.

Long-Term Benefits
Depending on the severity of the stroke, many patients visit a physical or occupational therapist for a designated period of time. After that, the patient must decide whether they need to hire in-home care or enlist friends and family to help. Yoga can be an on-going therapy that will continue to produce results over time. Once patients know the asanas they can continue to do them on a daily basis, continually improving balance, agility, strength, stamina and attitude.

Specialist Yoga Teacher Training
Some patients are looking for teachers with specialized Yoga certification. With this in mind, specific Yoga instructor training for teaching therapeutic Yogic exercises to patients is a wise decision for the teacher who wants to work with diversified students.

© Copyright 2006 - Aura Wellness Center - Publications Division

Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/

Eye Exercises for Better Vision - 4 Natural Techniques to Improve Farsightedness

Nature gave us one pair of eyes to last a lifetime and as such, vision care should be a critically important part of our health and fitness routine. Don't allow vision conditions to hinder your ability to see clearly especially when there is something that you can do to prevent it. According to the

American Academy of Ophthalmology, an estimated 12 million Americans suffer from farsightedness. This is defined as the inability of the eyes to focus properly on near objects. Eye exercises have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the eyes reducing problems like farsightedness. Here are 4 simple, quick and easy eye exercises that improve farsightedness.

1. Palming - You can perform this technique effectively by keeping your eyes open. Use both hands to cover them. Avoid touching your eye balls. However, it is important to ensure that your hands are tightly covered so that you can see darkness. Keep your eyes covered for a few minutes. Imagine that you are outside staring into the darkness of the night, into the distance. Staring into the distance is beneficial as it releases stress and tension in the eyes.

2. Practice flutter blinking - This is defined as blinking your eyes rapidly at different intervals.Inhale and exhale while performing this technique. Breathing is essential as 30% of the air we breathe nourishes the visual system. Blinking increases the natural moisture in the eyes thereby lubricating them. This is a natural remedy for dry eyes. You can also perform this technique at a slower pace by closing your eyes for 3 seconds and holding them open for another 3 seconds.

3. Visual Flexibility Exercise - According to Eye Exercises for Good Vision, the objective of this exercise is to improve the focusing ability of the eyes. This enhances its ability to shift from near to distant objects. To effectively perform this technique, choose an object that is 20 feet away. Be seated in such a position that you can clearly see the distant object you have selected. Hold a pen or pencil 6 inches from your nose and focus on the pen. Then, shift your focus to the object in the distance. This technique promotes eye health by improving the ability of the eyes to refocus to a different depth and distance. As you shift your focus, inhale and exhale deeply. Keep shifting your focus back and forth from the pen to the distant object, moving your eyes only not your head 7 times.

4. Stretching - This is an important eye strengthening technique. It involves moving your eyes only not your head, as far as you can to the right and then to the left. Then move your eyes all the way up and then all the way down. Repeat 3 times. It is helpful to complete this technique with eye rolls to relieve any additional tension in the eyes.

To perform eye rolls simply roll your eyes in a clockwise direction.

A reduction in farsightedness is just one of the many benefits of eye exercises. Additionally, they are a natural remedy for dry eyes. They strengthen the visual system improving the focusing power and flexibility of the eye muscles. Nature gave us one pair of eyes and eye exercises can help us keep them healthy for a lifetime.

Top 10 Natural Remedies to Lower Your High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or is a tough nut to crack. There are more than 300 possible causes of hypertension; however, most of us have the condition because we are:

• overweight,
• not as young as we once were, and
• are out of condition.

We cannot do anything about our age, but we have to change the other two factors if we are to lower our BP readings to within normal levels.

Here are 10 natural remedies to lower your high blood pressure:

#1. Weight Loss: For most of us, being overweight is the result of our own poor lifestyle choices. Yet it is something we can easily do something about. All we have to do is burn up more calories (energy) than we consume and we will lose weight.
For every 10kg of weight we lose, we can expect to see our systolic pressure go down by between 5 and 20 points.

#2. The DASH Diet: Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension is a set of healthy, low-fat and low sodium dietary guidelines that, if followed, can significantly lower your BP readings. Because the DASH diet is based on 2000 calories a day, it will also help you lose weight.
The DASH dietary principles ensure that you get sufficient quantities of all essential vitamins and minerals. This is important as most people's diets are deficient in:

• Magnesium: Magnesium relaxes the smooth muscle surrounding your arteries, causing your arteries to dilate which results in a drop of blood pressure;
• Potassium: most anti-hypertensives are potassium depleting. Green leafed vegetables and bananas are good sources of this mineral;
• Calcium: We need about 800 mg a day. Most people do not achieve this in their diet. Research has shown that calcium helps to lower blood pressure;
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent the LDL from "oxidizing" and forming the hardened plaques in our arteries that cause them to lose their elasticity, thereby increasing blood pressure. Think of vitamin C as the nutrient that keeps your pipes from rusting. The simplest way to get enough of this essential vitamin is by eating vitamin C rich foods.

#3. Garlic: Garlic is an effective anti-hypertensive agent. Add fresh raw garlic liberally to your diet. Cooking reduces the allicin content. You can also take a good quality garlic supplement.

#4. Eat celery and parsley: We tend to think of these as garnishes on the side of our plate to make the dish look more attractive. Did you know that they are also naturally diuretic?

#5. Reduce or cut out caffeine: Drinking caffeinated beverages is just like throwing gasoline on the hypertension fire.
We are used to caffeine restricting all our blood vessels, which increases our blood pressure. However, once our body metabolizes all the caffeine our arteries dilate causing a throbbing headache.

#6. Drink plenty of water: We need to keep our bodies properly hydrated to maintain optimum health. We should aim to drink about 8 glasses of cold water each day. This helps to keep our arteries supple and removes toxins from our body.

#7. Drink green tea: Studies have shown that drinking green tea can lower your blood pressure. Drink about 3 to 4 cups a day to maintain the benefit.

#8. Cut out refined sugar: Although not directly associated with hypertension, refined sugar may be the underlying cause. Try eliminating sugar or cutting back for a few weeks and monitor your systolic and diastolic pressures. Cutting out or reducing refined sugar from your diet will also help you lose weight.

#9. Manage stress: Our modern lifestyle is stressful and that can cause hypertension. It is important for our wellbeing to take time each day to relax.

#10. Exercise: One of the main reasons why you probably have high blood pressure is because you don't exercise. Half an hour of cardiovascular exercise can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 points for almost 24 hours. That is why it is important to exercise most days of the week.
The most effective way to reduce hypertension is by having:

• a healthy balance diet,
• maintaining an appropriate weight, and
• having an active lifestyle.

The other natural remedies described above are most effective when forming part of such a healthy lifestyle and will help you to crack the tough nut of lowering your high blood pressure.

Robert Reddin suffers from high blood pressure. He lowered his blood pressure to normal levels using natural methods. Click here if you want to lower your blood pressure naturally. http://how-to-lower-your-blood-pressure.com

Why Women Age Slower Than Men and What You Can Do to Help Yourself

It's no secret that women, on average, outlive men. Right now, that number seems to be about five years difference. For the longest time, no one really knew why this was, but scientists are finally beginning to discover the reasons behind this mystery of life.

Apparently, slight mutations in our cells mitochondria play a role in this difference in lifespan. Mitochondria exist in the cells of the vast majority of animals and help convert food into energy. These are an essential part of our existence, and when mutations occur it can make the difference in how long we live by affecting the speed of the aging process.

One recently concluded study looked at fruit flies and made a surprising discovery. They found that mitochondrial mutations had a significant effect upon the males of this species but there was no effect upon female fruit flies. Researchers believe that males are simply more susceptible to the mutations that occur naturally and that females are not prone to the effect that mitochondrial changes have on the aging process. Apparently this affects the rate of aging in males all across the animal kingdom.

The difference is occurring in how mitochondrial genes are passed down from parent to child. When genes are passed down, mitochondrial genes are only passed down from the mother. Over the millennia, there have been many mutations and conditions that only effect males, so when genes are passed down, the males' genes here are not taken into the equation. This leaves females unharmed by the potential for speedier aging and leaves males totally at the mercy of natural selection.

Women live about five years longer than men, and while the exact science behind this is not conclusively known, it is safe to say that scientists are making progress toward understanding why.

Mitochondrial mutations look like they speed up the aging process in some males, and this brings down the average lifespan for men across the board. Not all men will pass away five years earlier than all women, but there are enough of these mutations present that the general population is significantly affected.

There are many things that you can do to increase your own chances of having a long lifespan. Stopping smoking and drinking can help, as can eating right and exercising. These things are all very important and while there is certainly no guarantee that you will live to 100 years old, these activities have been proven to be beneficial to increasing an individual's health. If you want to make sure you have a healthy and long life, taking steps in this direction can be a huge help. If you have further concerns about what you can do, it is important that you see a doctor for advice.

Save Money by Eating Soup

Eating soup stretches your food dollars and is healthy to boot. Mixing in a pot of water whatever ingredients you have on hand is cheap and filling. It is possible soup has been around since the first pots could be placed over a fire. The word "soup" most likely derived from the bread one poured it over called "sop" or "sup". Before that, soup was known variously as broth or pottage or even gruel (although now we think of gruel as being strictly a mashed cereal grain boiled in water).

Cultures came up with different approaches to soup depending on what was available locally. Borscht made from beets is from Russia. Bouillabaisse is a fish soup, from the port city of Marseille, France. Minestrone, made of fresh vegetables and beans, is from Italy. Scotch broth, made of mutton or lamb, root vegetables, and barley, is from Scotland. You will find there are soups specific to most locales.

There are two main classifications of soup: clear soups and thick soups. The French classifications of clear soups include bouillon and consommé. Thick soups are classified by their thickening agents. Purées are vegetable soups thickened with starch. Bisques are made from puréed shellfish or vegetables thickened with cream. Cream soups use a béchamel sauce for thickening. Veloutés are thickened with butter, cream, and eggs. Soups can also be thickened with rice, flour, grains, lentils, mashed potatoes or puréed carrots.

In addition to being delicious, soups are also generally quite healthy. You do have to be careful about the sodium level in processed soups. Many manufacturers' now offer lower salt level options. Salt caution aside, soups offer a filling meal often rich in vegetables (increasing fiber intake) and a high liquid level (perfect for keeping hydrated).

Augment canned or ready-to-eat soups by adding extra vegetables. Add a fried egg, slender slices of lunch meat, a sprinkle of green beans and green onions to Ramen to increase its nutritional value.
Often the most budget friendly option is to make your own soup. Soups are simple to make and are a good way to use any bits and pieces you have leftover from other meals. Freeze leftovers in freezer bags or containers marked with the date and the contents. When you are ready to make the soup, pull out these valuable leftovers for additions to your soup.

To make a pot of soup, pull out an 8-quart pot. Brown any uncooked meat and onions you will be using. Then add your leftovers, up to 4 cups of vegetables in any combination, a handful of noodles of any type, pour in up to 16 ounces of tomato in whatever form you have (puree, sauce, soup, diced, fresh), and add enough water to bring the mixture to within an inch of the pot's brim. Sprinkle in spices. Try a tablespoon of an Italian mix, or teaspoon each of basil and oregano, and a quarter teaspoon of pepper (hot red or black as you prefer). Add a teaspoon of "Kitchen Bouquet" if you wish for extra flavor and a rich color. Stir in a teaspoon of "Better Than Bouillon" or salt. Bring to a rolling boil, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure the noodles do not stick to the bottom. The flavors will meld beautifully.

Serve soup with a carbohydrate. I like to switch between corn bread, fresh bread, toast, and crackers. Add a serving of cheese, peanut butter, or tuna fish. Finish your meal with a piece of fresh fruit or a serving of canned fruit.

Eat a soup meal every day. You will find your food dollar goes further and you will also notice improvements in your overall health. "Like what?" you ask. Hydration. Hydration levels are improved because of the high amount of water in soup. Hydration affects how your body functions.

Digestion works more smoothly, bowel movements become regular and easier. Proper hydration is also important to the functioning of the brain. Dehydration can lead to confusion, poor mental processing, forgetfulness, and other dementia-type symptoms. Generally, the lower calorie level of soup helps maintain ideal weight (cream-based soups should form only a small part of your soup regime). Soup also retains the vitamins and minerals which leach out during cooking, because the liquid the vegetables and meats are cooked in is eaten instead of being poured down the drain.

So, eat your healthful soup and be happy!

How to Bake Perfect Cupcakes in 7 Steps

Many people around the world today love cakes. There are various forms and types of cakes that you would find being made in various parts of the world today. These differentiations are intended to suit the needs of a diverse market segment whose demand for cakes has been on an exponential rise in the recent couple of years. One of the most common types of cakes is the cup cake. A Cup cake? Probably you might want to ask.

Well, these are no different from the normal large size cakes that you see at birthdays and weddings. The only difference is that these kinds of cakes are baked in thin paper or aluminum cups. The cakes are still made with the same basic ingredients that are used in baking normal cakes. These ingredients include sugar, flour, eggs and butter. Once they are fully baked, the thin paper foil or cup is removed gently before they can be eaten. They are also referred to as "queen cakes" in most states around the world.

There is basically not much disparity between the mode of baking normal cakes and that which is used for cup cakes. If you need to use decorations, icing and sprinkles, you can still apply them to cup cakes. The only major difference that exists between cup cakes and the larger size cakes is that the cup cakes generally cook faster, thanks to their small size.

1. Making cupcakes the right way - Cupcakes can be used in whichever occasion. There are diverse modes of cooking these kinds of cakes. If you want the best results, it is important for you to try, and to be versatile. Here are some easy steps that you can use so as to come up with the best cupcakes ever.
2. Choose a recipe - There are plenty of recipes that you would come across on the internet today regarding how to best bake cupcakes. You can use a variety of flavors to achieve your final result. You can find a couple of recipes on the internet to help you in this case. In order to bake the cupcakes right, you need to pre-heat your oven for ten minutes or so.
3. Choose the cupcake liners and pans - These cups and liners come in varied shapes and sizes. Whichever kind you choose to go with will depend on your own personal preferences. There are plenty of these liners and pans in the market today. Whichever you choose to go with will still serve the intended purpose.
4. Bake your cupcakes - You would need to use a measuring cup to fill the liners with the mixture up to ½ of the liner. The rest has to be butter. This mode has been proved to translate to the best kinds of cupcakes. You need to however stick to the instructions that are provided in your chosen recipe so as to come up with the best results.
5. Full the cupcakes - This step in most instances is optional. If you need your cupcakes to fill past the brim, you can add more mixture to the cooked ingredients. Most people love them plain and therefore would not strain themselves to fill up the liners and cups.
6. Frost the cupcake - Frosting has to be done with much care. If the frosting had been refrigerated earlier, you need to allow it to come to room temperature before applying it. You need to use a spatula for this step so that you do not destroy the cakes.
7. Decorations - The kind of decorations you would choose to apply on your cakes would depend on your own level of creativity and personal preferences. Use diverse means of decorations. If you are making these cakes for kids, using edible decorations is much more advisable. You can decorate the cakes using candy, icing, butter, sprinkles, sum paste and also butter cream.

Now that you know the basic facts about the baking cupcakes, it's time to look for some unique and delicious recipes. Looking for best cupcakes, there is no better place than Cupcakes Garden - cupcake recipes and ideas blog. You can find cupcakes for every occasion or search for your favorite cupcake recipe by flavor.

The Enticing World of Coffee

There is no mistaking the rich and enticing aroma of coffee. Coffee is not just one particular bean roast in an ordinary way, however. There is much to learn all about coffee. What is a coffee bean exactly? It is the end product that results from coffee berries that grow on coffee trees. These rich beans are then roasted, crushed then brewed to make the perfect cup of coffee. The true trick of making a superior brew comes from the roasting process of the coffee beans.

Before you can roast them for the best brew, you need to be aware of the different types of coffee berries and which berries produce the best beans. Sometimes this is purely left up to taste, not just the quality of the bean. Processing coffee is done with a few different methods, the dry method, the semi-dry method and the wet method. These methods help to obtain the actual beans from the berries.

Once the beans have been extracted, which is actually a long process, they are roasted. In their natural state, the beans are actually green. That does not sound very attractive does it? The roasting process creates a rich dark color that is expected when you see a bean in its natural state. The beans are roasted to certain levels, darkest, dark, medium and light. Now the question is how to grind or not to grind? No matter how you take your coffee, just know that your daily dose not only energizes your morning, but it's also good for your health.

Coffee is a natural antioxidant. Surprisingly enough coffee beans are full of stellar qualities that help remove oxidizing agents from your body. Other beverages contain antioxidants too, but coffee contains more than the rest, hands down. Coffee is also good for your heart. When you drink two to four cups of it a day, you are less likely to suffer from heart disease compared to people who do not drink coffee at all or in small amounts.

Who knew that a cup of Joe a day could help your health? To further prove this statement, coffee is also good for your liver. Two cups every day means that you are helping your body fight against liver cancer as well as cirrhosis of the liver. Just be careful that you do not drink more than the allotted four cups a day. Too much caffeine is bad for your system. All of this coffee information is so enticing and puts pep in your day. Now you can drink the brew knowing the health benefits make the robust flavor even more enjoyable.

Weight Lifting Program for Beginners - To Bulk Up Muscle Fast

When you are just starting with body building it can be extremely confusing, there are so many programs out there that range from beginners to advanced levels of training. As a beginner you need something that is basic and provides the fundamentals to building muscle, so you can start to build a strong muscle mass frame. This article will give you the best weight lifting program for beginners to follow to bulk up muscle fast.

There are a few guidelines that you should follow when aiming to bulk up your muscles. You should make sure your training follows these for the optimal gains.

- Train with heavy weights: your muscle respond to stress that is place on them, the higher the stress and tension the greater the muscle stimulation and the higher the overall anabolic hormone response.

- Aim to lift between 5-12 reps: This rep range is what will create the best muscle gains. Going any higher will only give you a pump and won't allow for the heaviest weights to be used. Using any lower reps will cause more growth in strength than size.

- Keep the intensity high: the higher the intensity the greater the shock to your muscles and the more they will have to grow to account for this. You can increase the intensity by lifting more weights in the shortest time possible.

- Keep the rest periods short: you should barely rest between sets for the most muscle stimulation. Only rest enough to catch your breath, and then go back into the next set. This will really hit your muscles and they will have only one choice - to grow.

- Allow for rest: your muscles need rest to recover and grow. Train every other day, to let your body recover from the workouts in general. Aim to never work the same muscle more than twice a week. It takes roughly 5-7 days for a muscle to recover from an intense lifting workout.

- Apply progressive overload: you must always be progressing with every workout. Track your previous lifts, reps and weight. Then aim to beat the previous workouts lifts, this is what will give you continuous muscle gains.

Follow these guidelines and you will see the best muscle mass gains.
Here is a workout plan that is great for beginner to follow:
Monday: Legs - squats, stiff deadlifts, calf raises
Wednesday: Chest/triceps/shoulders - bench press, dips, overhead press
Friday: Back/biceps - Deadlifts, barbell rows, chin ups

For more information about building muscle through the use of proper nutrition and high intensity training visit MuscleBulkUp.com for your free muscle building eBook and 7 day course.

 Candle Making: Adding Fragrance

 Scent can have a powerful effect on a person's mood. One whiff can bring back memories of a specific place or time. A lot of candlemakers feel that fragrance is one of the most appealing qualities of a candle.

In recent years, scientists have discovered some amazing things. The sense of smell is imprinted in the human brain. When an odor is associated with memories, whether pleasant or unpleasant, just a hint of that scent will cause a recollection of those memories. They also found that if students are allowed to sniff peppermint oil while taking a test they will do better than they had previously. Other fragrances has been found to be soothing or stimulating, or healing.

Some of the scents that are considered relaxing are frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang. On the other hand, bergamot, cinnamon, jasmine, lavender, and peppermint are considered to be stimulating. Some sensual scents are jasmine, rose, vanilla, and ylang-ylang.

Fragrance Oils
Fragrance oils are manufactured for a variety of uses. These oils are synthetically made in a laboratory and are not natural.
Although some purists don't care for synthetically created fragrance oils there are advantages to using them. The variety is astonishing and they are relatively inexpensive. Fragrance oils can be made to smell like vanilla, fresh linens, coconut, apple pie, cinnamon, chocolate, the list is almost endless. In general, fragance oils are used in all but aromatherapy candles because of their versatility and cost.

Essential Oils
Essential oils are made from plant material. They are natural and pure and most are very expensive. It makes sense that they would be so expensive because it takes several hundred pounds of plant material to make one ounce of essential oil. Probably the most precious is rose oil which takes over 60,000 petals to make one ounce. Because essential oils are the very essence of the plant from which they come, they deliver powerful medicinal effects.
Aromatherapy candles use essential oils to evoke the emotional and physical response associated with their particular qualities. Ideally, aromatherapy candles are made of 100 percent beeswax, one reason being that beeswax is completely natural. Aromatherapy candles are labeled according to the responses they are intended to evoke, relaxing, stimulating, etc.

Using Fragrance Oils
Fragrance oils vary in strength from one manufacturer to another. Because of that, it is impossible to provide a formula for adding fragrance to your candles. Most manufacturers label their products to give a general idea of how many pounds of wax a particular fragrance will scent. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect amount to suit you. If you want to add scent to your candles, do it before you pour the wax into the container or mold.

Powdered Herbs
It may sound strange, but you can use finely powdered herbs to add a light scent to your candles. Be sure to use them sparingly. Some suggestions for using powdered herbs are cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, and nutmeg. The herbs will also add some color and texture to the wax.
Here are some rules for using powdered herbs.

• Make sure the herbs are finely powdered. If you use larger pieces it can cause the flame to sputter.
• You should only use herbs in candles made from molds. Don't use them in a container candle.
• Add the herbs to the wax just before you pour it into the mold. Be as sure as you can that the powdered herb is spread evenly throughout the wax.
• Most importantly, don't use too much! It can cause sputtering and will affect how well your candle burns.

Have fun adding scents to your candles and don't be afraid to experiment by mixing scents!

 Have Fun With Origami: Origami Folding Instructions!

If you're looking for origami folding instructions, then this is the right place. In this article, we will discuss how to make origami. This article contains origami diagrams, simple origami folding instructions, modular origami instructions and origami folding techniques.

Did you know?
Origami came from two Japanese words: "Oru" which means "to fold" and "kami" which means "paper" Origami is basically folding a piece of paper to create a masterpiece.

Simple Origami Instructions
Here are some simple and classic origami designs, which can be mastered in a matter of minutes. These simple origami instructions are perfect for kids and those who are just starting to get into origami folding. Give it a try.

=>>Easy Origami Folding Instructions
1. Boat - the origami boat is one of the easiest origami to make and most fun to play with. It actually floats and could be waterproofed to last a bit longer.
i. Start with a rectangular-shaped piece of paper
ii. Fold it in half to make a smaller rectangle then fold it partially again to make a crease at the top - to help line up corners.
iii. Fold down the corners to form a triangle.
iv. Fold upwards the edge of the paper. Open it up into a hat using your fingers.
v. Squash the hat to form a square by bringing the corners of the hat's brim together.
vi. Fold upwards one lower corner of the square. Flip and do the same for the opposite corner to form a triangle.
vii. Bring the corners of the folded triangle together to open it up and squash it into a square again
viii. Finally, unfold your boat by pulling the outer corners of the square.

2. Origami Animals
Another way of having fun with origami is by making origami animals. There are tons of origami animals to choose from. But presented is the most famous, the origami crane.
Origami Crane Folding Instructions
i. Begin with a square origami paper (preferably 6 inch or 15cm) and fold it to form an origami bird base.
ii. Fold to the middle on both sides then flip the paper and fold to the middle again.
iii. Make an inside reverse fold to create the tail of the crane. Do the same to the other side to create the neck. Make another inside reverse fold at the tip of the neck to make a head.
iv. Gently pull the wings apart and flatten the middle part of the crane and now you have an origami crane.

=>>Modular Origami Instructions
Modular origami is a more advanced type of origami. It involves folding two or more origami paper to form units that could be assembled without using any material such as thread or glue.

1. Origami Star Folding Instructions
i. Begin with 2 pieces of origami paper folded to form long rectangles.
ii. Form a crease in the middle by folding along the horizontal axis.
iii. Fold the top and bottom of the paper diagonally to form a triangle.
iv. Now make four diagonal folds to form two triangles. Do the same with the other unit.
v. Flip and unfold one unit. Put on top the other unit and begin to assemble by inserting the top and bottom part of the unit into the other unit. Do the same with the other side. And you now have your Ninja star or Shuriken.

We hope that these origami folding instruction was helpful to you. Enjoy making your very own origami.

Soap Making: Creating A Unique And Personal Product

Soap is one of the simple essentials of life, keeping things clean and free of bacteria. This versatile product can be found in a myriad of different applications in daily life. Rather than turning to a commercial product for hygiene needs, many consumers instead make their own soap.Handmade soaps can also serve as a great gift for friends and family.

Exploring the Making Process
Making cleanser is a process that has gone through many different metamorphoses over the course of history. Today's modern soap maker has a huge array of resources available that can help simplify the overall soap making process. From scents and fragrances to molds used to form unique cleanser shapes, there are plenty of different options to explore within the world of soap.

Creating Unique Products
Because of the vast assortment of scents available, making a cleanser that will smell delicious could not be simpler! Some soap makers choose to mix different fragrances, creating a unique concoction unlike any other available on the market. Others will instead forgo scent altogether, instead opting for a product that cleanses without giving off a particular smell. Regardless of the unique personal preferences of the cleanser maker, it is easy to accommodate these desires.

Developing Interesting Shapes and Sizes
For example, many commercial soaps are only available in a single size, which may not fit the specific needs of a soap maker. Instead of purchasing one of these blocks of soap, molds can be used to shape handmade soap into different shapes and sizes. Not only is this useful when a specific size of soap is needed, but it can also be great fun for kids and adults alike.

Giving Handmade Soaps as Gifts
While creating soap for the home is a great reason to begin making soap, handmade soaps can also be a wonderful gift for friends and family members. Many soap makers choose to make products that feature the fragrances they know the recipient will enjoy. It is also easy to customize soaps to fit the recipient, using molds that feature their initials or giving cleanser that match their personality.
Regardless of why one chooses to begin making soap, the many rewards of this process make it a great pastime for anyone to consider. Not only is making soap and cost-effective and enjoyable, but it makes for a great experience that can be shared with others or used to relax.

Soap making is a hobby that is becoming more popular in North America due to the surge in stores like Bath & Body Works, and Fruits & Passions. If you interesting in creating your own soaps be sure to visit Saffire Blue and click here to develop your own personal fragrance.

A Guide To Printing Your Own Pictures, Text and Designs Onto Glass Surfaces

Decorating glass techniques vary as widely as the potential glass projects themselves. Here are a small number of popular projects that you may be considering:
Windows

Stained glass effects and simple designs are popular especially in period style properties, small alcoves, porch and front doors as well as adding finishing touches to glass windows on stairs.
Wine and beer glasses

Printing styled and coloured text is often seen on many pub glasses and effects can vary from frosted to brand logos, engraved and raised print.
Mirrors

Decorated mirrors tend to be a little more subtle, maybe a design in the mirrors corner or small sets of draws with mirror fronts can often have printed silhouettes on them.
Clip frames

Clip frames often have printed border decorations to enhance the beauty of your favourite pictures. Flower borders and designs in corners are common.
Vases

Beginners embarking on their first glass painting projects often start with a selection of plain glass vases to decorate. Again flowers head the list of popular designs as they lend themselves very well to outliner and glass colour inks.

Decorating glass - techniques, options and expectations
Glass printing techniques vary as widely as the potential projects but for sure, certain techniques are far simpler than others. It all depends on what you need to achieve. For example, let us say that you needed to print "Congratulations Susan and James" onto several glass vases for their wedding day. As this is a one off event, this project could easily be achieved with waterslide papers.
Waterslide papers are fantastic for transferring any image, picture or text that you've printed, onto virtually any hard surface. Projects are not dishwasher safe but as the effect is required for one day only, this would be the correct choice as pictures of flowers or other images could also be placed next to the text without any additional effort.

How to use waterslide decal papers for decorating glass
Packs of waterslide papers often come in 5's or 10 A4 sheets which is enough for potentially hundreds of decal slip designs. If you have an inkjet printer you will also need to purchase some clear varnish spray. If you have a laser printer, clear varnish is not required.
Start by printing your text and / or picture onto the shiny side of the waterslide paper. Waterslide paper acts like regular paper and will travel through your printer in the same way.
Once your design is printed, wait for around 30 minutes to dry before spraying a layer of clear varnish on. (Inkjet only) Apply a couple more coats of clear varnish in quick even bursts to seal the print on the paper. This is necessary as the next stage is to dip your design into water for around 30 seconds.

The backing paper will then start to slide off, enabling you to remove from the water and slide the film containing your design, onto the glass surface. You will have several moments to reposition your design whilst gently removing any remaining water from underneath your design with your fingers and thumbs. The design will start to harden onto the glass over the next couple of hours.
Reasons for not using waterslide decal papers on glass
If the glass surface that you wish to decorate is going to be exposed to the elements or washed in water, you may want to consider other permanent options if possible.

Decorating glass with glass paints
With a little artistic ability a permanent effect can be achieved with some tracing paper, outliner and glass paint.
If your glass surface is flat like a glass coaster for instance, place the glass horizontally and trace the outline of your design onto the glass. If your glass is rounded you will need to fix the design to trace onto the inside of the glass.

Obtain some glass paint and cern outliner. Vitrea as a brand are a good choice and both glass paint and outliner are dishwasher proof once fixed in an oven at around 150c for 30 minutes.
The purpose of starting with your outline is to prevent your colours from bleeding into each other. Take a simple design like a flower for instance and imagine drawing a stem and several petal outlines around the top of the stem.

Your cern outliner comes with a precision tip. Create your outline by squeezing a little outliner into a tissue to check there are no blockages or airbubbles in the nozzles tip. As you work, keep wiping the tip. This will help prevent lines becoming too thick.

The next step would be to fill each petal with colour.
Start by applying the paint generously by puddling the paint or using a pipette. This will give a flat, stained-glass effect. To get a lighter colour paint, dilute with water. For non-water based paint use a gloss varnish.

Brushes can be used for filling in colour or for an easy option, glass paint markers can be used. Bullet tip markers are great for detail work and quick projects. Markers are especially smart for novice painters and kids. Bake-on markers, just like the paints are highly durable once baked. Synthetic brushes allow for more brush strokes whilst natural haired brushes allow for more paint to be applied for a smoother coverage.

Printing onto clear window cling film
Window cling is a clear film which uses static to cling to glass. Car window stickers for instance are made from window cling. It is now possible to obtain clear window cling to print your own images or text onto. Transparent designs and stained glass effects are quick and easy to achieve.
Print on window cling is a single sheet of film with a backing sheet that peels away after printing. Once you print your design out, cut your pictures or colours out, close to the edge before peeling the backing sheet away. Now, place your design directly onto your glass surface. You can move your window cling around until you are happy with the positioning but be careful not to touch the static side as finger marks can ruin your finished work.
Window cling can also be used to funk up indoor mirrors and are popular in kid's bedrooms.

Decorating glass with clear adhesive paper
Probably the quickest way to transfer virtually any image, design or text onto glass is with clear adhesive film. This is a transparent a4 sheet of film with a clear adhesive backing. The process to use is very similar to that of the window cling except that you are not able to reposition your designs after applying to glass.

Where to buy glass decorating products
Your local arts and crafts store will always stock a wide range of glass paints either in tubes, as a powder or a paint. Ask for advice on which is best for the project that you have in mind.
Google shopping and eBay are also packed with a wide variety of glass paints and outliners. Pebeo are a leading brand and outliners can often be picked up in 20ml tubes fairly cheaply with a little shopping around.

It is easier than you think to create wonderful designs on your glassware and with a little help you can get spectacular results. There is an art to decorating glass and if you learn how to print on glass you will have a great hobby that will absorb you for hours on end. There are so many glass items around the home you can decorate and these include your windows, wine and other drinking glasses, mirrors and clip frames. All you need to make great designs are the know how, the right materials and a creative imagination.

How To Make The Perfect Espresso At Home

Espresso has always been my favorite type of coffee. Maybe because it's so pure - just a shot of hot coffee in a glass. I'm always reminded of the authentic Italian coffee bars of my hometown when I was a child. Wooden countertops, little stools, and elderly Italian gentlemen enjoying their daily (or more likely, three or four-time daily) espresso with a contented expression. The coffee was always served in a small glass wrapped in paper to protect against the heat.

At those authentic espresso bars, the centerpiece is the big, gleaming machine which dispenses the steaming beverage with a lot of hissing and grinding. Is it possible to replicate this at home? Let's checkout some different methods and see how close we can get.

For decades, people in Italy have used an aluminum stovetop espresso maker, popularized by Bialetti. This is the type also called a mocha pot. The mocha pot has three sections: the bottom is filled with water, which when heated forces the steam through the middle section filled with ground beans. It ends up in the top chamber as your delicious coffee. Home espresso! While the hot water is not forced at high pressure through coffee grounds as in real espresso machines, the result can be excellent, with a good crema on top. I'm personally fond of the newer versions made of stainless steel.

An even simpler way is to use a French press. You won't get a true espresso, but you can emulate espresso by finely grinding the coffee beans, pouring the water in right at boiling, and pressing rapidly. In this way you can get a good coffee which is a a fairly decent imitation of the espresso style. All told, a "French 'presso" is a slightly different drink but still good coffee.

But in the end, you might decide that the most convenient way to a get a real espresso at home is to use a machine. You should check out the different options available and make sure you get one that's right for you. The high-end ones can be expensive, but that can be because they do things like grind the coffee and heat and froth milk. These options aren't necessary to make an espresso. I do recommend getting a sturdy, solid machine, not just the cheapest available. Also, a pitfall on the cheaper models can be ease of cleaning - you might find that they get get clogged up or you have to take them apart to clean, which I find very annoying. But with some research, you should be able to find something for almost any budget to make a good espresso to perk you up in the morning.

How to Choose a Right Dress for Yourself?

When you plan to go out, a big question comes to your mind, "What to wear?" Choosing clothes for a particular occasion is a very confusing task and this becomes more difficult if you are of plus size. But now this worry seems to be a thing of past.

Earlier, plus-sized women used to find it difficult to get a perfect dress for any occasion. They had limited options available in the market. But things have changed now. They have plenty of options available now and there seems to be no limitations for plus size clothing.
Here are some tips to make sure that you select the right dress for you.

Know your body type
Before selecting any dress, you must know your body type. This is the most basic and important thing for you to know. If you don't know your body type, it is almost impossible to select a right dress. Basically, body shape silhouettes are categorized in four types, 'hourglass,' 'triangle,' 'inverted triangle,' and 'rectangle.'
If you have a triangle-shaped body with large hips and thick thighs, then avoid wearing fitted jeans or tapered pants. They will make you look heavier. You can try out for streamlined pants or trousers with flare that will draw attention away from your heavy hips. Layered clothing can also help to hide a wide waistline.

Select the right color and texture
Color plays an important role while choosing plus-size fashions. Black color will give you a slimmer appearance, although you can also try some bold colors like red, royal blue, violet etc. You should not run away from prints, just make sure that you don't select a dress with bold prints all over. Avoid clingy fabrics that will highlight your problem areas. Fabrics like Lycra will cling to oversized stomach. Select the fabrics like cotton, linen and denim. These fabrics have some weight to them. Look for clothing with some structure that will look shapely or you can try a dress with a matching coat.

Look for proper fitting
Fitting can make or break an outfit. Plus size women tend to choose shapeless clothes, which can hide their whole body. Loose-fitting dresses might be comfortable and easy to wear, but look very dull and boring. If you go by the advice of Stacy and Clint from, 'What Not To Wear,' you should purchase clothing to fit the largest part of your body, and then have it tailored to fit everything else. For example, if you have thick thighs, but small waist, don't try a pair of slacks that fits your waist comfortably but squeezes your thighs. Instead you can buy some pants that are comfortable on your legs, and have the waist taken in.

The same applies when you buy dresses and tops. If you have a large bust, then first make sure your dress fits your chest comfortably then get the shoulders and waist cut down to your size. Try some well-fitted clothes and see the transformation, you will be amazed to see the change.
Select a dress that highlights your best assets and gives you a stylish look. For better results select the correct undergarments. Follow the basic rules mentioned above and keep experimenting in front of mirror and see what looks good and what doesn't.

Tips When Growing Tomatoes and Looking After Them

You have planned carefully so that you will be planting tomatoes after the last frost, but there's always the possibility of a rogue cold snap. Frost will kill tomatoes, so you will want to be prepared ahead of time in case you should need to act.
The simplest manner of frost protection for tomatoes growing is a cold frame. At its most simple, it is just some wooden stakes wrapped with a plastic sheet that covers the tomatoes growing in the garden, essentially a miniature greenhouse.

There should be a flap on the sheet that you can open if it starts to get too warm inside, and you will want to secure it against being blown off by strong winds.
You can make a more elaborate cold frame from old windows and hay bales or a wooden framework.
Commercially made cold frames are available at nursery supply shops.
Using a cold frame also means that you can strategically plant earlier, closer to the last frost date. As you are thinking about when to grow tomato plants, and as you get more confident about how to grow tomato's, you may wish to start doing this in order to get earlier harvests.
Second to sunlight in terms of importance to your success while growing tomatoes is watering.
Roughly, tomato plants need about 5 cm of water per week. Water brings, among other things, essential calcium to the roots and a deficiency of that mineral can lead to blossom end rot. Because they are so susceptible to fungus disease, the foliage and stems of tomato plants should be kept as dry as possible.

On the other hand, as we have seen, the soil must be kept moist, throughout the root system, to keep the tomatoes thriving. You must therefore be careful when watering, whether you are doing so by hand or using an irrigation system, to establish the right balance of water.
Among the best solutions is to use a soaking hose system. This is a hose which is porous, or has holes placed along its sides, placed on top of the soil, which leaks water gently. A similar apparatus is a drip irrigation system.
If you plan to grow tomatoes every year, either type is a good investment.
Either can also be used to water in raised beds or containers. If you are growing in containers, you may need to water more often because water will evaporate from the sides of your containers as well as at the soil surface.
A conventional lawn sprinkler system or anything that distributes water at high pressure is not good for tomato cultivation.
The tendency for leaves and stems to be splattered with water and potentially disease bearing soil is increased.

While disruptions of the surface of the soil or mulch may not be as serious, they can still have an impact on the robustness of the root balls of your plants and is not worth the risk.
If you are watering by hand, take care to keep the stream as gentle as you can, and water at ground level. Don't panic if you do get a bit of water on the plant. Water early in the day so any water that does get on them will dry before nightfall.
If you live in an area that receives a large amount of summer rain, you may be able to water less often.

You will, in any case, wish to be cautious to guard against overwatering. If the soil is too sodden, the roots won't be able to get the oxygen they need. Too much water and fertilizer can also lead to cracked fruit.
Knowing your soil type will be useful in helping you learn how often to water. On average, you will most likely water twice a week. Sandy soil drains more quickly, so more frequent watering may be needed. Take a sample of your soil to your local nursery to find out what kind it is, if you don't know. A soil moisture monitoring probe is a useful tool to help you evaluate and adjust your watering scheme when you grow tomato plants. It is inexpensive and easy to use.
Just like people, plants are most healthy when they get the right amounts of the right kind of food. For tomatoes nutrition is obtained from the soil and mulch, and through fertilizer that you provide.
There are many fertilizers available that are marketed for growing tomatoes.
They need Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (abbreviated as N, P, and K). You will see both chemical and organic fertilizers.

The organic type is best for tomatoes. If you have access to compost, that works well. Just toss some on top of the soil every two weeks.
To help the young tomato grow, the ratio should be equal. 6:6:6 and 10:10:10 are commonly found.
Older plants, especially once they have started to flower, benefit from more phosphorus, such as 5:10:5.
Nitrogen helps leaves to grow lush and green. Too much can result in the overgrowth of leaves at the expense of fruit bearing.
Phosphorus promotes healthy roots. Potassium, also called potash, supports the development of flowers and fruit. Fruit that is too soft with poor skin condition can be the result of an overbalance of potassium.
Fertilizer granules should be covered with soil so that the nutrients penetrate better. They have the advantage of being longer lasting so you need to put them down less often.
Liquid fertilizers are mixed with water, so they are more convenient, but you will need to apply more often.

A newer development is foliar fertilizers, which are sprayed directly on to the leaves. That needs to be done early in the day, before noon, when the leaves are most porous.
A soil test kit will enable you to keep track of the amounts of N, P, and K as well as pH. Test every week or so to make sure that there isn't too much or too little of anything.
Fertilizer may be applied either by side-dressing or top-dressing. For side dressing, dig gently around the plant to a depth of about one cm and put down the fertilizer.
Top-dressing is when the fertilizer is spread across the top of the soil.
Compost is typically top dressed, while granules are best side-dressed.
In addition to standard NPK fertilizer, there are some other things you can do that will help your plants to grow their best.

When plants are flowering, adding a calcium source, such as gypsum, to protect against blossom- end rot of the fruit. A fish emulsion solution is excellent for providing supplementary nutrients.
The foliar fertilizer sprays are usually composed of fish emulsion. It can be given once a week until flowers appear and thereafter every three weeks.
Not all insects are out to ruin your hard work by harming your tomato plants. In fact, most of them are neutral or beneficial.
Still, there are a few key pests that you will want to watch out for.
Aphids are well known to any gardener. In small numbers, they won't do much damage, but in large numbers they can kill plants.
Tomato Hornworms are large, green caterpillars with white stripes. They can grow longer than 7 cm, but have very good camouflage so you may not notice them at first. If there are only a few, you can just pluck them off.

Some species of parasitic wasps lay their eggs on tomato hornworms, killing them. If you see a hornworm with eggs on it, you don't need to do anything as it is already dying.
Cutworms are active after dark. They are particularly devastating to young plants, which they can kill in a single night. You can protect your seedlings by placing 10 cm wide collars of cardboard or aluminium foil around them, sunken two cm into the ground.
Both the larvae and adult stages of flea beetles eat tomato plants. The adults chew holes in the leaves and the larvae feed on the roots. Diatomaceous earth is helpful in controlling the adults. Mixing beneficial species of nematodes into the soil controls the larvae.
There are other species of nematodes that are destructive to tomato plants. Called root-knot nematodes, they live in the soil and invade the roots, hampering their ability to take up nutrients. They tend to occur in warmer climates with shorter winters, where the soil conditions remain more hospitable. They are difficult to control. Because it takes them several seasons to really establish in the soil, you may be suddenly taken by surprise.
One method for controlling nematodes is to plant a different crop in the area the next year, one that is not susceptible to them, essentially starving them out. Another option is to add earthworms, beneficial nematodes, and friendly bacteria to the soil, mixing well, to bring the soil back into balance.

Whiteflies present a double threat. They feed directly on the juices of tomato plants, and the sticky substance they leave behind can attract sooty mould spores.
Whiteflies are resistant to most conventional pesticides.
Sticky traps can be used to capture some types of insects, such as flea beetles and whiteflies. Introducing natural predators, like ladybird beetles and lacewings, into the garden helps with control of aphids and other pests.
The use of chemical pesticides is highly discouraged.
They are indiscriminate, killing good and neutral insects as well as pests. Disrupting the natural balance of your garden can have a snowball effect.
The plants themselves may be adversely affected by chemical controls.
Furthermore, you don't want to risk any pesticide residues ending up in the tomato fruit that you are going to eat.

If you have a serious pest problem, there are some safer pesticide options.
Biologically derived pesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt, rotenone, spinosad, and pyrethrin are effective and gentler.
Always read labels for precautions and follow directions exactly, using the smallest amount you can to control the problem.
You can buy or make insecticidal soap, which is effective primarily against soft bodied insects. The potassium fatty acids in the soap physically disrupt the body cells of the insects, killing them. Insecticidal soap is relatively safe. Some plants are more sensitive to burning, but tomatoes are not particularly affected.
Smaller tomatoes varieties and those with shallow root systems can be grown in hanging baskets.
Some examples of appropriate heirloom tomatoes are Baxter's Early Bush Cherry and Whippersnapper.
Hybrids include Floragold Basket, Florida
Basket, Micro Tom and Tumbling Tom.
A 30 to 35 cm diameter wire basket is the best choice, but any deep hanging basket will work.
Line the basket with peat moss or coir fibre and fill it with a quality potting mix developed for tomatoes.

Plant one seedling per basket.
At the end of the season, the liner and soil should be discarded as it they can hold diseases.
A recent trend has developed for growing tomatoes upside down. This is essentially a hanging pot with a large hole in the bottom, through which the tomato plant grows.
Many people have found that they really enjoy this method. It is good for those with limited space, and doesn't require as much labour. There is no worry about soil-borne diseases and pests, which is true of all container gardening.
There are disadvantages as well. The planter can be quite heavy, especially once the plant has grown large, so the hardware to support it wherever it is hanging must be strong.
If it is hanging from an overhang that can significantly reduce the amount of full sun that the growing plant is able to get when it is smaller. Even the planter itself will cast shade over the tomato. As with upright hanging baskets only the smaller varietals are appropriate for growing upside down.
Upside down tomato pots and whole kits can be purchased, or you can make your own pot fairly easily.

When it comes to tomato plant growing, planting them in the right location is potentially the most important factor in determining your ultimate success.
These heat loving plants grow best with at least six hours of full sun daily.
You will get higher yields and your plants will be more resistant to disease with the more sun they get. It is worth your time to actually time how long an area gets sun to be sure you don't end up cheating your tomatoes of light.
Watering and soil nutrients you can adjust, but - unless you are growing indoors with a grow light - you cannot control the amount of light that your tomatoes get, except by selecting the sunniest spot to plant them. This may also influence your decision whether or not to grow in containers.
Your location possibilities may constrain you when it comes to the number of plants and types of tomatoes that you will be able to grow. When planning your tomato garden, look at your potential locations first.

Because tomatoes tend to be susceptible to soil borne diseases, especially fungal ones, there is a conventional wisdom that they should be planted in a different area each year, rotating through a three year cycle. Obviously, this is not always possible, but it should enter into your thoughts as you are planning your garden.
Another consideration is that you will want to choose a spot to grow tomato plants that makes it easy and convenient to water. Many gardeners use a drip system or a soaker hose for irrigation.
If you are going to be watering by hand, make sure that you have plenty of room to lay down an even amount of water around each tomato plant.
One last thought on location.
Tomatoes cannot grow within fifty feet of a black walnut tree, because the tree's roots are toxic to them.

Peachtree Natural Foods

Peachtree Natural Foods is a natural food store based in Columbus, Georgia. It is owned by Duke Liberatore, the co-host of the nation's number one nationally syndicated health talk show, 'Duke and the Doctor'. Active for over 20 years, Peachtree is dedicated to supplying high-quality supplements, vitamins, organic food, superfoods, and herbal remedies to the local area.
The store's opening times are 10am until 7pm Monday to Friday, and 10am until 5pm on Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

The Four Basic Principles
Peachtree Natural Foods was founded on the four basic principles of value, service, education, and quality. Let's take a closer look at these principles, and how the company applies them:

• Value - Peachtree ensures that its products are excellent value for money, and that there are many sales and promotions available to customers throughout the year. The store has a newsletter that reports the monthly specials, including managers' specials. It also passes through any savings from discounts made by its vendors. Also, because Peachtree is located in a military town, the company likes to support its servicemen and women by offering promotions that are exclusive to them and their families.
• Service - Peachtree prides itself on its high-quality customer service. If you cannot find a product in the store that you want to buy, then you can tell a member of staff about it and they will see if they can order it. Also, the staff are pleased to help with questions about their products. The natural food and supplement industry is daunting for many people, especially for those whom are new to it. But Peachtree's informed staff will empower you to make the decisions that will improve your health and wellness.
• Education - Peachtree's associates are knowledgeable in the field of natural health, and they are always encouraged to expand upon their existing knowledge base at every possible opportunity. Aside from the thorough written exam that they are required to sit after ninety days of employment, Peachtree associates are also expected to attend product training courses and seminars every month to remain abreast of new developments in an ever-evolving industry.
• Quality - Peachtree is determined to ensure that all its products meet the industry's highest standards. Most of the products the company sells are hand-picked by a certified medical and naturopathic doctor, and its vendors are chosen carefully by its owners. Since the company recognizes that there is an increasing need for retailers to provide effective natural cures for their health-conscious clients, it endeavors to sell products that are tailored to specific needs. If you are intolerant of gluten, you will find many products that are gluten-free. If you are diabetic, you will find products that are sugar-free, or which contain healthy sugar substitutes. If you want supplements that contain no artificial binders, then you will find them. And you will certainly find food that is free of aspartame, pesticides, MSG, growth hormones, and other poisons that are becoming commonplace on supermarket shelves.

Why Should We Support Stores Like Peachtree?
Quite simply, stores like Peachtree Natural Foods are becomingly increasingly rare to find. As national and multinational chains continue to dominate the high streets with no signs of slowing down, it is refreshing to find stores that are locally-owned, health-conscious, and with management that are genuinely interested in the products they sell and how their customers respond to them. It is not easy to start and maintain a natural food store; their business is assaulted from all angles by larger companies that sell unhealthier food for cheaper prices. Therefore, if you value your community and your health, then it's always good to support businesses like Peachtree Natural Foods that value the same.

An Overview of Teeth Whitening Procedures

We all realize that a healthy, beautiful smile enhances our appearance and allows us to smile with confidence. However, in some people, stains and slight discolorations on teeth can affect their beautiful smile and can be quite embarrassing. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular and affordable dental procedure that helps you get rid of the stains and discoloration from the teeth so that you can get back your pearly white dazzling smile. It is an effective way to lighten the natural color of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface.

About Teeth Whitening:
Teeth whitening, also known as dental bleaching is done to improve the whiteness of your teeth to give you a bright and sparkling smile. It also helps you get rid of discolored teeth and stains. Stains are caused due to a number of causes, such as aging, consumption of staining substances (tea, coffee, smoking, colas), excessive fluoride and certain medications.

Different Procedures:
Teeth bleaching can be done either in the dentist's clinic, or can be done at home by using materials provided by the dentist.
In-office teeth whitening treatment: This procedure is done at the dentist's clinic. Before starting the tooth bleaching procedure, your dentist will examine your teeth, and do cavity filling and gum protection treatment. The dentist establishes your baseline tooth color, so as to precisely record how stained your tooth are when you came in. Once the baseline is established, the dentist will coat your lips and gums with a solution to protect them from high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Finally, the whitening gel (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) is applied to the teeth, and it is kept on the teeth for 30-60 minutes depending upon the requirements.
After that, the teeth are rinsed with water and a fluoride coating is applied to reduce the sensitivity that some people experience after teeth bleaching.
Laser teeth whitening treatment: In laser whitening procedure, a low intensity dental laser is used in teeth whitening process. Laser beam activates the gel particles applied on teeth, and this speeds up the reaction of the whitening product. Though laser whitening is more expensive, it is the fastest and easiest way to lighten natural color of your teeth and remove stubborn stains.
In-house tooth whitening treatment: Also known as tray bleaching, this process involves using custom made tray that is worn for a specific time period. Your dentist will prescribe you a whitening gel, which is placed on the custom-fitted tray. You are supposed to use the tray and the gel for few days. The peroxide in the gel breaks down and releases hydroxyradicals that naturally whiten the stain.
Natural ways: Many home remedies like fruits and salt can help you remove stains from your teeth. Rub a slice of strawberry or lemon on your teeth and the rinse them with cold water.

Side Effects:
Although the teeth whitening procedure has several benefits, there can be some temporary side effects, such as sore gums and sensitivity of the teeth. These symptoms disappear within a few days of treatment.

One of the best places for in-office teeth whitening is Thailand, where the procedure costs less, but it's done be qualified dentists.

Yummy Winter Beet and Comte Cheese Salad

Grammy & Finding Solace in the Kitchen...
I have found solace in the kitchen since I needed a step stool in my great-grandmother's Missouri home. Grammy would stand me at the sink and I'd wash potatoes, greens, and carrots. She taught me to fill the sink and get to work without complaining. "It ain't gonna git done on its own", she'd say.
And she taught me how to dance. I didn't know it at the time, (sneaky ol' bird) but she'd fill a glass jar with cream, hand it to me with a beautiful southern drawl.."Shake it up--shake it as hard as you can!", she'd say.

And I'd dance and I'd shake until my arms about fell off. I had no idea I was making butter. Grammy had a way of telling you what you did AFTER you did it.
Fast forward 40 years, and I think of her when I make this salad on cold winter days. Simple acts like washing the beets for the salad recipe below bring me comfort. Their earthy flavor and deep red hue speak to me about the inheritance our families pass to us.
It is my view that home-cooked meals & gathering around the table as a family are somewhat forgotten jewels, buried deep under crazy schedules, hectic deadlines, and the drive-through's of our society. Grammy's generation wouldn't understand ours today, not that she'd want to. She made almost everything in her home from scratch, and we still had time to rock on the front porch every night.

I aim to create a family lifestyle which abhors the hasty, pre-made, selfish culture surrounding us. I want my family to learn healthy food choices through my actions. My inheritance to my son will be the same one that Grammy blessed me with--cooking. We might not make butter, but we'll find our solace in the kitchen and find time to rock on the front porch.
I'm going to do what we all know we need to do. I'm going to take a daily personal interest in my family, and cooking will become our shining jewel.

Grammy, I love you---I hope you're giggling at those good ol' times...
Beetroot/Comte Salad:
Boil for ~20 minutes, or roast for ~45 beets thoroughly, so that a sharp knife slides into them easily.
Slice Comte cheese thinly
Plate, heat for a few minutes to melt the Comte cheese, then add S & P.
A bit of olive oil may spark your taste buds, if desired.

Comfort through Family.
Remedy through Food.

Equipment Needed to Set Up a Small Office

 

 Computer

• Whether you're working from your home or have a commercial office, a computer proves an invaluable resource for production, communication, and any aspect of business management. The type of computer and its specs depend entirely on what you'll be doing with it. A freelance writer who only uses her computer for word processing, emailing, Internet research and database management (for earnings and expenses) needs a much simpler machine than the freelance video editor or graphic designer. You can buy a computer brand new or purchase one from craigslist, eBay (some refurbished), which cuts your expense on this item dramatically.

Multi-Function Machine

• Chances are, you'll need to make copies, print something out or fax it from your office. Instead of buying three bulky machines, invest in a machine that gives all three functions. These machines often have a phone as well. The quality of your machine depends on the volume of printing/copying you'll be doing on it. You also must stock up on ink cartridges and cleaning materials to keep your machine in working order.

Equipment for Comfort

• For an inviting, motivating work environment, you can decorate your office as chic or stately as you'd like. Decorating requires items like wall hangings, chair(s), desks, plants, window treatments (shades or curtains that can reduce glare from windows) and desktop tools and supplies. To save money and create an eye-catching look, shop at thrift stores or used office furniture shops. Pay attention not to purchase furniture that is so comfortable you end up dozing off while working. Lighting should be bright, but you don't necessarily have to purchase fluorescent bulbs. Your work environment should stimulate and motivate you.

Storage and Supplies

• For record-keeping, you'll need a file cabinet, expandable file-folder or organizing containers. Consider a firesafe if you'll be storing extremely important documents in your office. Stock up on pens, pencils, tape, staples and a stapler, hole-punch, ruler, dry-erase board and markers and stickies. You might also want some household and electronic cleaning supplies on hand to keep a tidy workplace.