Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you'. - Frank Lloyd Wright
You and I are part of nature but sometimes it seems difficult to believe that this is so. Going to work in a car, grabbing a quick meal, watching TV, all this seems far removed from wild animals, plants, the ocean and large expanses of sky. Its easy to feel cut off from all the other non-human forms of life on the Earth.
Doesn't living like this seem like a form of starvation of the spirit?
Watching a sunset, or a flock of birds, or listening to the wind; really simple things that don't cost the earth.
Even the scientists are saying that nature is good for you!
'Connecting with nature can improve your health and well being, say researchers in this week's British Medical Journal. The theory is know as ecotherapy; restoring health through contact with nature'.
Sometimes all it takes is to look, or stop and listen and be amazed by the beauty of nature all around you. So with this in mind here follow:
7 Simple Steps To Help You Feel Nearer To Nature That You Can Use Right Now
1) Look up at the sky
In the day observe the changing cloud patterns and let your imagination run wild with the shapes and with what they
mean to you. Find out the names of all the different types of clouds and why they are formed. Look up Cloud Formations
on the Web.
At night observe the stars, find out about the constellations and lift your consciousness into the infinite sky.
2) Look down at the Earth
Do you know what type of soil you live on? Is it fertile or infertile? Clay or sandy or rocky? Have a look and see.
What sort of plants grow wild on the soil near you? Even between the cracks in the pavements? Find out what
they are called.
3) Observe all the non human beings that cross your path in a day.
Watch out for insects, mammals, birds.
Anything that crosses your path. Take a notebook to jot down how many you see. Then find out their names.
4) Pick up a piece of nature from the ground (a pebble, a leaf, a twig or feather etc)
Bring it home and be creative. You could make a picture with it, put it somewhere nice, shine a light on it, the possibilities are endless
5) Observe the phases of the moon.
Do you know which phase you are in right now?
The moon waxes and wanes in a 29 1/2 day cycle. Go onto the Web and find out more about it so that you will know exactly where you are in relation the the moon at any time.
6) Find a tree near you and sit near it (preferably touching it but that might be difficult to do).
Still your mind and slow your breathing, imagine that you can feel the life flowing within the tree. Go on, talk to the tree and wait for an answer.
Be patient, trees don't rush around like us remember.
7) Grow your own sprouts indoors.
These are easy to grow, cheap and highly nutritious.
Go onto the Web and look up Sprouting Seeds for detailed information on types of seeds and how to go about sprouting them. The very act of growing something from seed, harvesting and eating it gets you in touch with nature in a very practical way.
I hope that you will enjoy implementing some of the above ideas. Respectfully have fun getting nearer to nature and when you have the chance.......
'Keep close to Nature's heart....and break clear away, once in awhile and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean' - John Muir
Friday, November 21, 2008
Seven Simple Ways To Help You Feel Nearer To Nature
Saturday, November 15, 2008
FIND THE BEST DIGITAL CAMERA
After spending sizeable amount of time at the mall figuring out which is the best digital camera for us, we finally have enough money to buy for that eye-popping, 7 mega pixel, 10x digital zoom, potable, candy colored, up to 512MB expandable memory of super hi-speed SD memory card and not to mention very portable, (that will be the envy of almost everyone we know). We march to the mall armed with our life savings and lotsa pride in ourselves, when we pass by a new display - an eight mega pixel, up to 1G expandable memory, with built it mic and stereo surround, video playback capable, with 22 scenic modes kind-of-camera. And we sigh because the producer of this amazing gadget claims that this is the best digital camera yet out in the market. And so as we always want to have the best, armed with our life savings and a few credit cards, we buy the "best digital camera." But then again, that doesn't last too long, after two months or so, there's another "best digital camera."
And so it confuses us. What makes a digital camera, the best digital camera?
Well, there are certain factors to consider when looking for the "best digital camera" for us.
MEGAPIXELS. One of the most important features of digital camera to make it into the best digital camera category is its mega pixel property. The higher the mega pixels the better the actual photograph will come out. A mega pixel is equivalent to one million pixels. The resolution of your image is based upon the mega pixel property of your camera. This means that as you enlarge the picture, you would get more detail and less blurry colors.
LCD SIZE. The best digital camera will always have a large LCD to help you frame your subject without having to squint to the viewfinder. This is also helpful when reviewing your images, some cameras enable touch up and editing features with its LCD. A 1.5-inch display is average, a 2-inch LCD display is good, but the best LCD size would be 2.5 inches or higher.
ZOOM. Most digital cameras have both digital and optical zoom. A higher optical zoom is always better than a higher digital zoom. Digital cameras are usually furnished with optical of between 3x to 10x. The better the optical zoom, the higher it climbs up to the best digital camera category.
MEMORY CARD. Always make sure that your memory card is the right one for your digital camera. There are different types of memory card like the xD, SD, Flash card and the likes. And these types of memory cards go with certain types of digital cameras. of course memory storage is also up there in choosing the best digital cameras. Choose the size of memory that you need, if you're a photo junkie, you might need more than 32MB. Memory cards can go up to 1G.
The key point to find the best digital camera is to find one that will best fit you and your lifestyle. Don't just buy the latest or the one that claims they are the best digital cameras out in the market. You wouldn't want to buy a DSLR and use it with your home activities or family outing and have to lug it around?! Or you don't want to buy the latest point and shoot camera when you're serious about being a professional photographer. (Of course, you can use this for starters, but if you're not a novice photographer anymore, you wouldn't want to get this kind of camera.)
Actually, the best digital camera is the one that you will enjoy and use. Not the type that you'll just leave rotting in its box or after a few weeks of usage or so, up there in the attic.
Friday, November 14, 2008
bad luck
yet she had stayed by his bedside every single day.One day, when he came to, he motioned
for her to come nearer. As she sat by him, he whispered, eyes full of tears,
"You know what? You have been with me through all the bad times.
When I got fired, you were there to support me.
When my business failed, you were there.
When I got shot, you were by my side.
When we lost the house, you stayed right here.
When my health started failing, you were still by my side...
You know what?" "What dear?", she gently asked, smiling as her
heart began to fill with warmth.
"I think you're my bad luck."
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
10 Steps to a Perfectly Clean Face
Did you know that you have a great deal of control over the texture, clarity, suppleness and long-term health of facial skin just based on how and how often you cleanse? Whether you're young or old, man or woman, you can do your skin a big favor by cleansing correctly.
Cleansing is arguably the most important part of your basic skincare routine. Proper cleansing gets rid of old surface skin cells, dirt and dust, grime, make-up and bacteria, and keeps skin pores free of clogs and able to breathe freely. Cleansing also aids circulation and prepares the skin to receive topically applied nutrients and lipids.
Here are some tips for proper facial cleansing from the 5,000-year-old healing tradition of Ayurveda:
1.Cleanse twice a day, no more. Unless you have exposed your skin to excessive dust, grime or pollution, twice-a-day cleansing is more than adequate for any skin type. Cleansing too often strips your skin of precious natural oils. Not cleansing regularly, particularly before you retire for the night, may lead to build-up and eruptions.
2.Choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type. Do not use soap on facial skin: it can be too harsh and drying and damage skin over time. A too-rich cleanser can clog pores, while a too-dry cleanser can irritate the skin. A cleanser for dry skin should contain nourishing herbs and oils. One for oily skin should include herbs that balance oil production and support clarity. Sensitive skin benefits from an ultra-gentle, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser.
Traditional ayurvedic cleansers are made fresh with natural ingredients such as ground oats, lentils or chickpeas, complexion enhancing or clarifying herbs such as turmeric, Amalaki, Neem and sandalwood, emollients such as milk, cream yogurt or honey, and floral or citrus waters for pure healing fragrance. You can make your own by mixing the dry ingredients to last a week or two and blending the mix with milk or cream right before use. Otherwise, look for a natural cleanser that's gentle and fortified with skin-friendly herbs.
3.Always cleanse with tepid water. Hot water dries and damages skin over time, and cold water won't dissolve and take away embedded dirt and grime as well as lukewarm water.
4.If you use sponges or washcloths, make sure they are clean and soft. They are not necessary for effective cleansing: your fingertips can do just as good a job.
5.Wash your hands thoroughly before you cleanse your face, or you will be working dirt into facial skin. Use a headband to secure hair away from the face.
6.Start by splashing tepid water on your face and neck.
7.Apply the cleanser with your fingertips or a soft sponge, using gentle circular massaging strokes and moving upward on the face and neck. Do not scrub too much...gentle massaging strokes are enough to help improve circulation as well as loosen grime and old surface skin cells. Too much scrubbing will stretch skin and irritate it, especially the delicate skin around the eyes.
8.Rinse with lots of tepid water. Don't forget to rinse off cleanser from the neck and hairline. Cleanser residue can clog pores and attract dirt.
9.Gently blot off excess water with a soft towel. Do not scrub dry or drag towel along skin.
10.Follow immediately with a water-based toner and a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to seal in surface moisture and offer nourishment when skin is receptive.
Note: This ayurvedic information is educational, and is not intended to replace standard medical care or advice.
About Author Shreelata Suresh :
Shreelata Suresh is a yoga instructor from the Bay Area. She writes on yoga and ayurveda. For more information on ayurveda, please visit http://www.ayurbalance.com/.How To Compare Low Cost Car Insurance In Californi
Without a doubt the best way to find low cost car insurance in California is to compare prices. Although the process of contacting several agents to get quotes may seem a bit tedious and time consuming it can result in a substantial savings. The most important thing to note when you are ready to undertake this low rate finding mission is what coverage do you absolutely need and what coverage is optional.
If you drive an older vehicle you may want to purchase only the minimum amount of liability insurance required by law in the state. This amounts to $15,000 for the medical expenses of one injured person, $30,000 for the medical expenses of two or more injured people and then an additional $5,000 which would be used to cover the vehicle of the person you hit. Obviously this coverage isn’t going to be enough if you happen to hit a late model mini van and injure an entire family.
A better approach is to compare low cost insurance rates for a policy that provides enough coverage that should you cause a collision, you won’t be facing bankruptcy. If you have a newer car, you’ll also want to ask about collision and comprehensive coverage. These protect you in the event that your own vehicle is damaged and needs repair or replacement.
You’ll need to divulge any prior accidents you’ve been responsible for as well as how many speeding tickets you’ve accumulated while driving. The agents will also ask questions pertaining to your age, the average number of miles you travel each week or month as well as the type of car you want to insure.
Ask each agent you contact about the length of the policy they are quoting you on as well as what payment arrangements they prefer. This will help you to determine which company has the lowest rates per six month period or perhaps even per year.
Unfortunately for many people living in California, automobile insurance is one expense they simply can’t afford. For some of these people, the alternative to not driving at all is to drive without insurance. This is never advised and many people who fall into this category are actually eligible for coverage under California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance Program. The determining factors regarding who does and doesn’t qualify include the age of the car as well as the income of everyone residing within the home.
For people who aren’t eligible for this coverage they need to find suitable insurance that isn’t too expensive. Finding the best rates on automobile insurance in California primarily involves being prepared when you go shopping for quotes.
Even though insurance agents quote a price when asked, motorists should be aware that this is rarely the lowest price they can get. The reason is that most insurance companies offering automobile coverage in the state of California have discount programs in place. This means that if the driver qualifies for the discount, their quoted price will be reduced.
A few examples of possible discounts include:
• Low mileage discount.
• Air bag and anti-lock brakes discount.
• Safety discount which generally is offered when a vehicle either has a security system installed or is parked in a garage.
• Multi-policy discount. This is offered to individuals who choose one insurance company for more than one type of coverage. For instance, taking out policies for both health and automobile insurance from one insurer.
• Retirement discount. When an individual retires it tends to mean less time commuting each day. Many insurance companies offer a retirement discount. In addition, mature drivers can also enjoy a discount if they take a defensive driving course once they reach the age of retirement.
Asking several different insurance agents for quotes will likely yield different prices. This makes it easier for the driver to ensure they are getting the best coverage for their dollar, as they can choose the company they feel offers the best rates for the most coverage.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Choosing Guitar Music that Has Been Written Solely
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By Peter
Guitar songs are beautiful melodies that can tug at our heart strings. For the beginning guitarist however these guitar songs can be somewhat difficult and very challenging to master. Guitar riffs on the other hand are easy to play, and you will find that they are basically another name for guitar tunes.
These guitar riffs can be found in just about every type of music that people listen to. From Jazz to Blues to Rock-and-Roll you will find that there is a guitar riff that is suitable for all of these. To help new guitar users learn these guitar tunes there are many sites on the internet that have easy-to-learn tunes to play.
When you access these sites you will see a lot of guitar music that has been written solely for guitar riffs. Some of these sites will help you to understand the many groups who have used guitar riffs in their song creation. These riffs are in many cases a pattern of repeating notes.
For this reason when you use these guitar riffs to learn your beginning guitar music there is a big advantage. You are learning how the different sounds of chords go together and just what you need to do to get this sound. These guitar riffs can even be written by you once you understand some facts about guitar playing.
To create an original sounding guitar riff is really very simple. What you need to do is to select a chord or a scale that you will base your "song" around. Now having chosen this single chord you can slowly move a few notes up the chord or scale and then down again. Once you are satisfied with the sound that you have produced, you can try another step.
This step involves transposing the various notes that are in your music. When the entire operation has been carried out you should check how the music sounds. This is an easy way for you to create great sounding music and the use of guitar riffs allows you to learn how to use and combine chords. With this system of playing you should be able to design your own guitar sounds quickly and impress any one who is listening to you.
Guitar riffs are one of the best ways for you learn the art of chording, as the main playing techniques use chords to produce beautiful sounds. With guitar riffs you will have the opportunity of practicing your music and you can be sure that you will become encouraged to play even better.
Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on internet marketing for years. For more information on Guitar riffs, visit his site at Guitar riffs
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Saturday, October 11, 2008
Golf Tips Involving Golf Equipment
Author: Glenn Mcdonald
Blaming your moves, shots and swings for your golf mis-hits and mishaps? Well, no matter how much time and effort you have been spending over practicing your moves to perfect your game, you still won't achieve your goal if you use unsuitable or defective types of golf equipment will you?
Now is high time for you to consider the following golf tips that involve checking on your equipment's quality.
If you plan to choose used golf clubs as beginner's tools, scrutinizing before purchasing is a must. The club heads, the shafts, and the grips are golf club parts that should pass inspection first before landing a decent spot in your golf equipment cabinet. Another excellent golf tip that will get you through the game is making sure that the set of used golf clubs you're eyeing have set consistency. It will also help a lot if you check first the price of new clubs vs. used.
A golf tip for a golfer that plans to regrip his clubs: Be cautious. This is because the grips are the only contact points one can access to affect the shot. Before carrying out the regripping, know the core grip of the club and your hands grip size. To determine your core size grip, measure the diameter of the butt of the shaft you're going to re-grip. The shaft's diameter should match the grip's core diameter. In determining your hands grip, the available size grips are regular, mid-size, oversize and jumbo. Use only the best re-gripping materials that will provide optimum performance for your golf clubs.
Another golf tip or advice is that using ill-fitted clubs will be an obstacle to your golf playing success. A golfer must consider his or her body type in choosing the best-fitting equipment to support and deliver his backswings efficiently. Too steep angles in carrying out backswings may be avoided if one selects the perfect fitting equipment available.
Custom golf club fitting makes a better option than just buying new golf clubs. Getting custom fitting golf clubs is a golf tip that translates to a very worthy investment. The uniqueness of each person is attributed to the need of this way of buying new golf clubs. A custom fitting produces golf clubs that specifically suit the height, strength, swing characteristics and club head speed of the golfer.
The type of club shaft also helps in predicting whether you'll do well in a game or you won't. There's a choice between a steel club shaft and a graphite-made club shaft. This golf tip aims to make you realize which type of golf club shaft will benefit your game. Observations tell that the steel club shafts are more preferred by professional golfers while graphite shafts become more popular with women, senior players and beginners. Steel shafts are less expensive than graphite shafts though.
One more golf tip that could help you is that the golf clubs that must be the main content of your bag must suit your skill level. Since various skill levels need various golf clubs, it won't be wise to just use or bring a golf club that is just lying around. And, don't ever forget about the maximum golf club load your bag is allowed to hold. You can only bring 14 golf clubs in your bag. No more. No less. Aside from your skill level contemplation, your mastery of a certain golf club and your being comfortable with using it must also be put into consideration in deciding which golf club to hit.
A good combination of the right moves and good choice of equipment will better arm you to become the best golfer you could ever be.
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Oolong Tea - Seven Interesting Facts
Oolong Tea - Seven Interesting Facts
When it comes to traditional tea, we have four main types, black, oolong, green, and white.
Each main classification can branch out into literally thousands of varieties, each one having its own distinct characteristic. All tea can provide wonderful flavor, offer many health benefits, and give folks a lifetime of sipping enjoyment.
So, brew a cup, sit back, and learn 7 interesting facts about the increasingly popular oolong tea.
1) Along with its three cousins, oolong originates from the same Camellia sinensis tea plant. Ultimately, it is the processing and fermentation that leaves go through which will determine what type they will become.
Our oolong class is a mix between black and green tea.
2) Once the leaves of oolong are plucked, and "bruised" so as to break them up which releases oil, the oxidation process can be anywhere from 10 to 70 percent, depending on the specific variety. This type of tea is the only one that goes through such a broad range of fermentation.
3) Like green tea, oolong tea contains plant polyphenols that can aid in weight loss. For several years, and even to date, the green tea diet has captured the attention of thousands trying to naturally lose weight. However, as of late oolong tea has taken center stage, and several studies have shown it to be a greater calorie-burner than green tea.
4) China and Taiwan are the two countries this tea is most commonly cultivated in. Chinese varieties give us a more darker and "woody" tasting cup, where as the Taiwanese varieties produce a lighter, more floral tasting brew.
5) Oolong tea is also known as "Wu long tea". Since there are two methods to Romanize Mandarin Characters, we get different spellings. Wu long is the Pinyin translation, and Oolong the Wades Giles system. Other names for oolong are brown tea and rock tea.
6) Although there can be hundreds, popular varieties are, Wu-yi tea, Formosa oolong, Ti Kuan Yin, and Pouchong. Each one offers a tea drinker distinct characteristics, full flavor, and many health benefits such as lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, strengthening the immune system, fighting free radicals, and even help with preventing tumor growth.
7) And finally, the most important oolong tea fact of all is...it is best enjoyed when carefully prepared using whole loose leaves! Folks can expect superior aroma, flavor, and health benefits utilizing this method!
That last one is crucial! Tea bags will not offer much flavor or benefits since they contain old pieces of dried up "tea dust" called fannings. It is because of this that many folks may get a wrong first impression on what could have been a wonderful flavorsome cup!
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For more information about oolong tea and why loose leaf is simply better, see: Why Folks Should Buy Oolong Tea in Loose Form
The Future Of The Housing Markets
Miami, Florida is another major city that has been hit hard at the moment. A twofold reason for this is because of the weak mortgage market and record high rates of foreclosures have lent to decreasing home values as well. In fact, Miami has been among the worst home markets in the country for two years running. The condo boom in Miami just a few years ago has fueled further problems that have now spiralled into a massive real estate bust.
While Florida and California may have been easy to predict as being among the first housing markets to crumble when the real estate market crashed, there are other markets that are on the precipice of falling which have not been as easy to predict. Because home values escalated so rapidly, only a few short years ago due to the real estate boom, places like Florida and California were poised to take a dramatic fall.
Other markets; however, did not rise as much or as quickly, which could be one reason why they have managed to avoid reaching the top of the list; at least until now. These markets include Arizona, Nevada, Indiana and Massachusetts. Declining home prices as well as high rates of foreclosures in these states are also contributing to their worsening real estate market conditions. In Michigan, where layoffs have been significant, the economy is playing a strong role.
Problems are expected to grow worse in many markets as several million adjustable rate mortgages are scheduled to be reset in the coming months. As these mortgages are reset, it is logical to assume that even more homeowners will find themselves facing the reality of being unable to pay their monthly mortgage payments in certain markets. When that happens they will be forced to either face foreclosure or in some cases make a short sell on their home as refinancing is becoming less and less of an option for many homeowners.
According to most statistics, the remainder of 2008 is not looking well in the housing markets. Many statistics indicate that home values could continue to drop and new homes could experience a loss of up to 18% before the year is out.
While there are some indications that the market could begin to level off at the end of 2008 or the beginning of 2009, many experts are quick to warn that when the market does begin to rebound it will not reach the point where it left off. In comparison to the housing peak of 2005, the rebounded market could still be quite a bit lower. Part of the reason for this is that in many areas, prices escalated so quickly that there is simply no way for prices to rebound back to that point.
Still, there may be some hope for certain areas. In many markets sub-prime mortgages have either left the market through quick sales or foreclosure. The stimulus package that is on the horizon is anticipated to help the housing market in many areas.
First-time homebuyers may soon find the relief they have been seeking since they were forced out of the market; however, it may be longer before homeowners begin to experience that same kind of recovery. This is because most homeowners are still reluctant to sell and lose the equity they once had in their homes. The simple fact is that many homeowners have yet to accept the fact that they can no longer get the same prices for what was possible just a few short years ago.
So what can you do if faced with foreclosure? Are there steps that you can take to prevent losing your home? Yes there is
By: Troy Foote