When you co-sign on a loan you are agreeing to take full responsibility for the loan should the borrower stop making payments. Being a co-signer on a loan makes you equally responsible for the full amount of the mortgage. If you agree to co-sign on a loan it's important to be sure you can make the monthly payments assuming the worst and the borrower fails to make them. Also be aware that this will count towards you as a personal loan and may stop you from getting a loan for yourself in the future.
If the worst happens and the borrower allows the home to go into foreclosure, as a co-signer you are considered just as responsible and the foreclosure will also appear on your credit history. The bank that owns the loan may even try to seize assets from you. If foreclosure happens, it's important for you to talk to the borrower and try to work out an arrangement. Try to sell the house together if possible. If it's not, consider getting the borrower to allow you to take control of the property and payments.
There are ways for the borrower to protect the co-signer if they know that foreclosure is pending. Declaring a Chapter Seven bankruptcy will not stop creditors from coming after the co-signer and their assets but a Chapter Thirteen bankruptcy will if certain conditions are met. If the debt is consumer debt, is not incurred during the ordinary course of business, the cosigner will not benefit from the debt proceeds, and the borrower is making payments under the Chapter Thirteen arrangements, the creditors can't come after the cosigner for payment.
In summary, it's important to consider carefully whether you want to cosign on a mortgage loan because you will be fully responsible for the payments if the borrower fails to make them.
By the way, by researching and comparing the best stop foreclosures services in the market, you will be able to determine the one that meet your specific financial situation, plus the cheaper and quicker options. However, it is advisable going with a trusted and reputable stop foreclosure specialist before making any decision, this way you will save time through specialized advise coming from a seasoned foreclosing advisor and money by getting better results in a shorter span of time. Meaning getting your house out of risk as soon as possible.
Hector Milla runs the Stop Foreclosure Loans website, where you can get immediate assistance from professionals serving your state. We have done all the hard work for you and selected the best 3 rated stop foreclosure services.
Read our full reviews of those services, plus hundreds of articles and video training about how to stop foreclose and the best way to do a loan modification in order to stop a foreclosing proceeding.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A Debt Consolidation Loan - Is it Possible With Out Home Equity?
Trying to get a debt consolidation loan but are doubting about your chances because you have no home equity? This is a quiet common question considering the raise in the demand for debt management assistance, specially loans for consolidating debt.
First of all, there are specialized debt consolidation companies which can create management plans catered to an individual's particular financial status. These plans have the goal of paying down debt obligations over a fixed term. Moreover, such companies are capable of negotiating with creditors to waive fees and lower interest rates. Due to the lack of collateral, most consolidation companies are for-profit; however, their services are often well worth the nominal fees they charge for counseling and bargaining on the consumer's behalf.
Next, a personal loan may be an available option for certain borrowers with no form of equity. Depending on the credit situation, a bank or credit union may be willing to offer an unsecured loan. Such a loan typically requires a co-signer with equity. This co-signer will be legally repaying for repaying the loan, should the borrower default on their payments.
Still another option of unsecured debt consolidation may be a credit card loan. Several lending companies offer short-term, low-interest loans for balance transfers. These credit card loans are most commonly available when opening a new line of credit. Of note, this low interest rate may only be part of an introductory offer and may expire after a set period of time. Defaulting on the terms of the credit card loan will likely result in even higher interest rates, so consumers should be certain, as always, of loan conditions and fine print before accepting the obligation.
Eliminating debt without home equity is not impossible. Indeed, with patience and diligence, debt problems can certainly be overcome.
By the way, by researching and comparing the best debt consolidation companies in the market, you will be able to determine the one that meet your specific financial situation, plus the cheaper interest rates offered. Nonetheless, it is advisable going with a trusted and reputable debt counselor before making any decision, this way you will save time through specialized advise coming from a seasoned debt advisor and money by getting better results in a shorter span of time.
Hector Milla runs the Best Debt Consolidation Company website - where you can see his best rated debt consolidation company recommendation.
Visit for further information and read our full review of the best debt consolidation service, plus articles and video training about how to get the most of your debt consolidation process.
First of all, there are specialized debt consolidation companies which can create management plans catered to an individual's particular financial status. These plans have the goal of paying down debt obligations over a fixed term. Moreover, such companies are capable of negotiating with creditors to waive fees and lower interest rates. Due to the lack of collateral, most consolidation companies are for-profit; however, their services are often well worth the nominal fees they charge for counseling and bargaining on the consumer's behalf.
Next, a personal loan may be an available option for certain borrowers with no form of equity. Depending on the credit situation, a bank or credit union may be willing to offer an unsecured loan. Such a loan typically requires a co-signer with equity. This co-signer will be legally repaying for repaying the loan, should the borrower default on their payments.
Still another option of unsecured debt consolidation may be a credit card loan. Several lending companies offer short-term, low-interest loans for balance transfers. These credit card loans are most commonly available when opening a new line of credit. Of note, this low interest rate may only be part of an introductory offer and may expire after a set period of time. Defaulting on the terms of the credit card loan will likely result in even higher interest rates, so consumers should be certain, as always, of loan conditions and fine print before accepting the obligation.
Eliminating debt without home equity is not impossible. Indeed, with patience and diligence, debt problems can certainly be overcome.
By the way, by researching and comparing the best debt consolidation companies in the market, you will be able to determine the one that meet your specific financial situation, plus the cheaper interest rates offered. Nonetheless, it is advisable going with a trusted and reputable debt counselor before making any decision, this way you will save time through specialized advise coming from a seasoned debt advisor and money by getting better results in a shorter span of time.
Hector Milla runs the Best Debt Consolidation Company website - where you can see his best rated debt consolidation company recommendation.
Visit for further information and read our full review of the best debt consolidation service, plus articles and video training about how to get the most of your debt consolidation process.
Reverse Cell Phone Look Up - You Can Find the Owner of Any Number and Bust That Cheater Tonight
When trying to find out who may be calling you, the best solution for you is going to be a reverse cell phone look up. There are many ways that you can conduct a reverse cell phone look up; you just need to find the one that works for you.
There are professionals out there that are very good at conducting these reverse cell phone look ups in order to provide their clients with top information. You can find a telephone investigator easily online and from there you can sit down and have some sort of meeting or consultation. This is where you should ask your prospective telephone investigator any questions that you may have and make sure that the two of you have a clear agreement. Once you pay your investigator, you can expect information in about a week or so and from there you can decide how relevant your information actually is. If money is just not an option right now, then you need to start the search for a free reverse cell phone look up site. Keep in mind that the information that you will receive is strictly sample reports, so you may not get as much as you might need.
When conducting a reverse phone look up, it is important that you are aware of all of your options. This means you may need to use a telephone investigator or a paid site of some sort to get the much-needed information. Stop worrying about who that number belongs to and find out who it is that owns those numbers.
This is my recommendation for the Best Cell Phone Lookup Service Simply Click Here and you can find the owner in seconds.
There are professionals out there that are very good at conducting these reverse cell phone look ups in order to provide their clients with top information. You can find a telephone investigator easily online and from there you can sit down and have some sort of meeting or consultation. This is where you should ask your prospective telephone investigator any questions that you may have and make sure that the two of you have a clear agreement. Once you pay your investigator, you can expect information in about a week or so and from there you can decide how relevant your information actually is. If money is just not an option right now, then you need to start the search for a free reverse cell phone look up site. Keep in mind that the information that you will receive is strictly sample reports, so you may not get as much as you might need.
When conducting a reverse phone look up, it is important that you are aware of all of your options. This means you may need to use a telephone investigator or a paid site of some sort to get the much-needed information. Stop worrying about who that number belongs to and find out who it is that owns those numbers.
This is my recommendation for the Best Cell Phone Lookup Service Simply Click Here and you can find the owner in seconds.
Senior Citizen Ladies Need Pepper Spray Lipstick to Be Prepared
Did you ever hear the story about a bank robber in some small town who was so dumb, that when he asked the teller for the money, she said, "Oh, if you want to rob the bank, you have to fill out this form. I'm afraid it's bank policy, Sir"? The teller then handed the guy an application for some sort of banking service, and it had a space for name, address, phone, date of birth, et cetera. The idiot bank robber took the pen and filled out all of his pertinent information, gave the form to the teller, she thanked him, put a few hundred dollars of singles and quarters in his bag, and off he went. Shortly after that, the police were able to go to his home and arrest him!
Well, just as the teller told the robber that he had to fill out the form, it is completely understandable that if a senior citizen lady was being robbed by a thug who wanted to take her purse or get into her car, the lady could say something like, "Pardon me, Sir, but IF you are going to rob me, I first need to put on my lipstick." Then the lady can pull out her lipstick pepper spray, and spray the creep right in the face.
Even if this scenario never has the opportunity to play out, it is a funny thought, but what is not funny is that little muggings and purse snatchings happen all of the time, and no woman between 18 and 108 should be without a pepper spray of some sort. For those who would like the convenience, they make these small pepper sprays that look just like a woman's lipstick. The lipstick pepper spray can fit comfortably in the pocket or purse, and it is ready if it is ever needed.
We live in a world where anything can happen at any time, and why not be prepared, just in case? So, perhaps the time has come, to buy some pepper sprays for you and your family members. Even these smaller lipstick sized pepper sprays can pack a wallop, as they usually have a stream of about six feet and contain a half dozen one second bursts. Plus, the modern day formula of pepper spray will cause burning eyes, coughing, choking, nausea, and confusion for at least twenty minutes, but no long term damage or harm.
Young people and old alike, all need to protect themselves these days, it is just the way things are. So, consider some pepper sprays for those that you care about, including yourself!
Carleton Cook is a life long military, police, and private security expert. Carleton Cook & Affiliates has a staff of thirteen employees and three warehouses available to serve you.
http://www.know-selfdefense.comIF YOU DON'T NEED US NOW YOU MAY IN THE FUTURE
Well, just as the teller told the robber that he had to fill out the form, it is completely understandable that if a senior citizen lady was being robbed by a thug who wanted to take her purse or get into her car, the lady could say something like, "Pardon me, Sir, but IF you are going to rob me, I first need to put on my lipstick." Then the lady can pull out her lipstick pepper spray, and spray the creep right in the face.
Even if this scenario never has the opportunity to play out, it is a funny thought, but what is not funny is that little muggings and purse snatchings happen all of the time, and no woman between 18 and 108 should be without a pepper spray of some sort. For those who would like the convenience, they make these small pepper sprays that look just like a woman's lipstick. The lipstick pepper spray can fit comfortably in the pocket or purse, and it is ready if it is ever needed.
We live in a world where anything can happen at any time, and why not be prepared, just in case? So, perhaps the time has come, to buy some pepper sprays for you and your family members. Even these smaller lipstick sized pepper sprays can pack a wallop, as they usually have a stream of about six feet and contain a half dozen one second bursts. Plus, the modern day formula of pepper spray will cause burning eyes, coughing, choking, nausea, and confusion for at least twenty minutes, but no long term damage or harm.
Young people and old alike, all need to protect themselves these days, it is just the way things are. So, consider some pepper sprays for those that you care about, including yourself!
Carleton Cook is a life long military, police, and private security expert. Carleton Cook & Affiliates has a staff of thirteen employees and three warehouses available to serve you.
http://www.know-selfdefense.comIF YOU DON'T NEED US NOW YOU MAY IN THE FUTURE
Carbon Monoxide Alarm - The Forgotten Detector - Part Two
Carbon Monoxide Detectors are required, by law, in Colorado, effective July 1, 2009 for all new homes, rental homes as they change Renters and Older homes that are to be sold. One on each floor. The existing Owners are required to install them.
I told you, in Part One, that I had two stories and here is the first one. This is a sad story. A Denver Family of four had won a weekend vacation trip to Aspen, Colorado last Thanksgiving. As they slept during that night Carbon Monoxide was released by a disconnected exhaust of the boiler in the vacation home while they slept. They were found dead.
During the current Colorado legislative session the above bill was passed. Investigations are ongoing as to whether a crime was committed because of the disconnected pipe.
The bill that was passed excluded Hotels and Motels from this requirement. So I would suggest that you take Carbon Monoxide Detector with you when you travel. The battery operated ones will not require you to find that hard to locate electric plug in those rooms.
I think the requirement of one on each floor is a good one. I would put the one on the lower floor as close to the source of heat in the home. That is usually the main spot where Carbon Monoxide is created. Probably between there and the kitchen.
The other News Story was in the Denver Post on March 10, 2009 and has a happy ending. I will quote it as it was in the paper. Headline read: Dog Saves 9 People From Carbon-monoxide Poisoning. The news article went on to read: A pet's barks and cries alerted the occupants of a Western Slope home to a carbon monoxide buildup this past weekend a family says. Kenai a 14 year-old Bernese-mountain-dog mix, started "whining and barking" at 4 a.m. Sunday, waking one of three adults sleeping in the basement of the New Castle home, said Kirstin Kraig of Arvada. Kraig and her husband, their two children, five other adults and four dogs were all staying at the home. That night they had cooked in the oven. Investigators told Kraig that the oven caused the carbon-monoxide leak. The mountain getaway home didn't have any detectors. After the dog woke up one of the occupants, several of them realized they weren't feeling well and one person collapsed. The group collectively identified the carbon-monoxide problem, in part because of fatal cases this year in Colorado and the Denver area that received widespread media coverage, Kraig said.
Please buy and use this safety item in your home. Your family deserves it. They cost less than a dinner out and are so much more necessary.
Be Aware and Alert Always -
Alex Kamas is owner of Simple Safety Solutions providers of Non-Lethal Safety Items. Alex was retired after over 30 years as a Real Estate Broker but retired from retirement to enter the Safety Field. He is dedicated to assist in the Safety Education for anyone who is interested in assistance to care of their loved ones. He is willing to make presentations, in the Denver area, to all groups as well as aid them in fund raising. This could include Fraternal, Religious, Business, Unions, or neighborhood groups. Please contact me through my website. http://www.kamassimplesafety.com
I told you, in Part One, that I had two stories and here is the first one. This is a sad story. A Denver Family of four had won a weekend vacation trip to Aspen, Colorado last Thanksgiving. As they slept during that night Carbon Monoxide was released by a disconnected exhaust of the boiler in the vacation home while they slept. They were found dead.
During the current Colorado legislative session the above bill was passed. Investigations are ongoing as to whether a crime was committed because of the disconnected pipe.
The bill that was passed excluded Hotels and Motels from this requirement. So I would suggest that you take Carbon Monoxide Detector with you when you travel. The battery operated ones will not require you to find that hard to locate electric plug in those rooms.
I think the requirement of one on each floor is a good one. I would put the one on the lower floor as close to the source of heat in the home. That is usually the main spot where Carbon Monoxide is created. Probably between there and the kitchen.
The other News Story was in the Denver Post on March 10, 2009 and has a happy ending. I will quote it as it was in the paper. Headline read: Dog Saves 9 People From Carbon-monoxide Poisoning. The news article went on to read: A pet's barks and cries alerted the occupants of a Western Slope home to a carbon monoxide buildup this past weekend a family says. Kenai a 14 year-old Bernese-mountain-dog mix, started "whining and barking" at 4 a.m. Sunday, waking one of three adults sleeping in the basement of the New Castle home, said Kirstin Kraig of Arvada. Kraig and her husband, their two children, five other adults and four dogs were all staying at the home. That night they had cooked in the oven. Investigators told Kraig that the oven caused the carbon-monoxide leak. The mountain getaway home didn't have any detectors. After the dog woke up one of the occupants, several of them realized they weren't feeling well and one person collapsed. The group collectively identified the carbon-monoxide problem, in part because of fatal cases this year in Colorado and the Denver area that received widespread media coverage, Kraig said.
Please buy and use this safety item in your home. Your family deserves it. They cost less than a dinner out and are so much more necessary.
Be Aware and Alert Always -
Alex Kamas is owner of Simple Safety Solutions providers of Non-Lethal Safety Items. Alex was retired after over 30 years as a Real Estate Broker but retired from retirement to enter the Safety Field. He is dedicated to assist in the Safety Education for anyone who is interested in assistance to care of their loved ones. He is willing to make presentations, in the Denver area, to all groups as well as aid them in fund raising. This could include Fraternal, Religious, Business, Unions, or neighborhood groups. Please contact me through my website. http://www.kamassimplesafety.com
Challenges That Working Mothers Or Homemakers May Face After Returning to India
The NRIs are setting a new trend by returning back to India after they have had their part of luxurious life abroad. Apart from these people, the general economical set back is also chasing the NRIs from US and UK back to India. India which is one of the few countries that has been surviving this recession well has lot to offer the long last NRIs.
Whatever the reason might be for which the NRIs are returning, all of them face the same set of problems when they come back. Settling in a new place is not so easy even if it is your homeland. Being exposed to the culture up there, the NRIs literally struggle to merge with the Indian culture.
In an NRI family returning home each member faces difficulties. The working parents have to start literally from scratch in their working places. The kids have to make new friends in school and residential area. A woman has to face challenges from almost all aspects of life.
First she has to set up the house. Everyone in the family first have to get used to the life style here. By life style I mean the daily routines like the time they work or study or relax. Then they will have to stick on to their family customs and religious belief, the two details which are given a lot of importance in India.
Making friends in the neighborhood is an essential move which is generally done by the homemakers. It is always important to have an active social life. Again the socializing scene abroad and in India is way different and hence the should get familiarized with that. The mother should also make sure that the children are coping up well with the change in atmosphere. They carry the responsibility of choosing schools or colleges for friends and also keep a constant check on their new friends and activities. For a working mother the challenges extend beyond their family and houses.
Adjusting to a new work place is also a bit challenging. For instance in India the hours you work for is given more importance than the efficiency with which you work. However in US once they give you a work load you can spread it through a week or finish it up in a couple days and enjoy through rest of the week. The working hours and days also vary. In US people work only for 5 days a week, they give equal importance to work and fun. But in India people look to earn more and more money to secure their future.
For homemakers they have to find ways to keep themselves entertained. In places like US and UK, the homemakers have lot of activities to indulge themselves like charity houses, game clubs or art classes. However the choices of entertainment in India are narrow and even those few are not so popular. So when an NRIs family enters back to India, the lady of the house should make up her mind to go through months of hectic and complicated work.
HS is the webmaster of IMRTI. He has years of work experience in the IT sector both in India and the USA. He has started a revolution of sorts by taking the return to India wave to another level through his innovative website.
His themed outlook towards the relocation idea is reflected in his writing about these ideas. He knows the Indian job industry in and out and writes about it just as well.
Whatever the reason might be for which the NRIs are returning, all of them face the same set of problems when they come back. Settling in a new place is not so easy even if it is your homeland. Being exposed to the culture up there, the NRIs literally struggle to merge with the Indian culture.
In an NRI family returning home each member faces difficulties. The working parents have to start literally from scratch in their working places. The kids have to make new friends in school and residential area. A woman has to face challenges from almost all aspects of life.
First she has to set up the house. Everyone in the family first have to get used to the life style here. By life style I mean the daily routines like the time they work or study or relax. Then they will have to stick on to their family customs and religious belief, the two details which are given a lot of importance in India.
Making friends in the neighborhood is an essential move which is generally done by the homemakers. It is always important to have an active social life. Again the socializing scene abroad and in India is way different and hence the should get familiarized with that. The mother should also make sure that the children are coping up well with the change in atmosphere. They carry the responsibility of choosing schools or colleges for friends and also keep a constant check on their new friends and activities. For a working mother the challenges extend beyond their family and houses.
Adjusting to a new work place is also a bit challenging. For instance in India the hours you work for is given more importance than the efficiency with which you work. However in US once they give you a work load you can spread it through a week or finish it up in a couple days and enjoy through rest of the week. The working hours and days also vary. In US people work only for 5 days a week, they give equal importance to work and fun. But in India people look to earn more and more money to secure their future.
For homemakers they have to find ways to keep themselves entertained. In places like US and UK, the homemakers have lot of activities to indulge themselves like charity houses, game clubs or art classes. However the choices of entertainment in India are narrow and even those few are not so popular. So when an NRIs family enters back to India, the lady of the house should make up her mind to go through months of hectic and complicated work.
HS is the webmaster of IMRTI. He has years of work experience in the IT sector both in India and the USA. He has started a revolution of sorts by taking the return to India wave to another level through his innovative website.
His themed outlook towards the relocation idea is reflected in his writing about these ideas. He knows the Indian job industry in and out and writes about it just as well.
Wearing Modest Swimwear
For many of us wearing a bathing suit brings up a lot of thoughts of not so much fun. The cut and fit of many bathing suits are not what many of us can wear and feel comfortable in. Feeling comfortable on hot summer days out at the pool, or the beach, is what many of us long for. This year we have a hot new trend in swimwear---the one piece bathing suit. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean it will be comfortable but because of this trend, the availability of Modest Swimwear has increased. For a lot of us this is music to our ears.
With the increased interest in the one piece bathing suit, companies have worked hard on making trendy little suits. With this development, companies who have made Modest Swimwear have been given a whole new line of fashion to work with that would be considered stylish swim wear. Bottom line is, if you are looking for Modest Swimwear you will be pleasantly surprised with this years selection of suits. Instead of the choice between 2 to 3 suits you will find up to 20 with a certain company----now this is what I would call shopping!!!
Having wanted to buy only Modest Swimwear for years, the availability of shopping online and finding an abundance of stores (sites) to shop from is very welcoming. You will find both the one piece suit and tankini style suits in all colors and styles that will not only have you feeling comfortable but you will feel feminine. The trend of not bearing all is an approach many young ladies are taking and it is a courageous statement in today's culture. Not many girls feel they can do this, but for those of you that will, you can do it with great style!
Both women and young ladies will once again be pleased with the many styles, colors, and comfort. You will also be happy with the increased availability of hard to fit sizes, and plus sizes. The Modest Swimwear line has come a long way from even 7 years ago. It is a welcomed sight to many, many women and teens alike. Not every teenager and woman is comfortable with showing so much of her body and it is about time the manufacturers have taken notice. Being modest is a very feminine and sexy approach to your womanhood. It is good to see so many girls going this route these days.
If you are one of the many women who are urgently trying to find stylish, modest swimwear, read some of my other articles and discover how.
With the increased interest in the one piece bathing suit, companies have worked hard on making trendy little suits. With this development, companies who have made Modest Swimwear have been given a whole new line of fashion to work with that would be considered stylish swim wear. Bottom line is, if you are looking for Modest Swimwear you will be pleasantly surprised with this years selection of suits. Instead of the choice between 2 to 3 suits you will find up to 20 with a certain company----now this is what I would call shopping!!!
Having wanted to buy only Modest Swimwear for years, the availability of shopping online and finding an abundance of stores (sites) to shop from is very welcoming. You will find both the one piece suit and tankini style suits in all colors and styles that will not only have you feeling comfortable but you will feel feminine. The trend of not bearing all is an approach many young ladies are taking and it is a courageous statement in today's culture. Not many girls feel they can do this, but for those of you that will, you can do it with great style!
Both women and young ladies will once again be pleased with the many styles, colors, and comfort. You will also be happy with the increased availability of hard to fit sizes, and plus sizes. The Modest Swimwear line has come a long way from even 7 years ago. It is a welcomed sight to many, many women and teens alike. Not every teenager and woman is comfortable with showing so much of her body and it is about time the manufacturers have taken notice. Being modest is a very feminine and sexy approach to your womanhood. It is good to see so many girls going this route these days.
If you are one of the many women who are urgently trying to find stylish, modest swimwear, read some of my other articles and discover how.
Some Say Reborn Dolls Are Creepy, I Say They Are Therapeutic
Reborn dolls, reborn babies, or fake babies as they are known are life like vinyl baby dolls that have been enhanced to resemble a real human baby. The detailed work that goes into the process of creating a reborn baby is remarkable as you can tell by just how real the fake babies appear.
Reborn dolls are great for collecting and can make for a very fun and fulfilling hobby. You can purchase reborn dolls that are fully assembled with clothing and accessories or you can purchase the "do it yourself" kits and create your own reborn doll masterpiece. This can be very fun and rewarding but it is not as easy at it appears to do.
There is just something about a new baby. People, especially older women who are mothers just go goo goo ga ga over babies. It takes them back to that time in their life as a young mother raising their children and brings back all the feelings of joy and happiness they received from raising their children.
Today more and more older women are purchasing reborn dolls as a way of helping them remember what it was like being a mother. Not only are the reborn babies fun to collect but they can be very therapeutic, especially for these older women. Studies have shown that holding and cuddling a baby, whether a real baby or a realistic baby, releases hormones in the body that promotes emotional well being. And who doesn't want to feel a little bit better these days?
Chris McCann is the founder of http://www.rebornbabydollsonline.com/ a website dedicated to helping you find the most realistic reborn dolls. Huge selection of both Ashton Drake and Berenguer dolls.
Reborn dolls are great for collecting and can make for a very fun and fulfilling hobby. You can purchase reborn dolls that are fully assembled with clothing and accessories or you can purchase the "do it yourself" kits and create your own reborn doll masterpiece. This can be very fun and rewarding but it is not as easy at it appears to do.
There is just something about a new baby. People, especially older women who are mothers just go goo goo ga ga over babies. It takes them back to that time in their life as a young mother raising their children and brings back all the feelings of joy and happiness they received from raising their children.
Today more and more older women are purchasing reborn dolls as a way of helping them remember what it was like being a mother. Not only are the reborn babies fun to collect but they can be very therapeutic, especially for these older women. Studies have shown that holding and cuddling a baby, whether a real baby or a realistic baby, releases hormones in the body that promotes emotional well being. And who doesn't want to feel a little bit better these days?
Chris McCann is the founder of http://www.rebornbabydollsonline.com/ a website dedicated to helping you find the most realistic reborn dolls. Huge selection of both Ashton Drake and Berenguer dolls.
Do Your Kids Enjoy Garden Games?
Your garden could be providing a wonderful environment, allowing your children to play safely and happily. But are your kids interested in garden games? Are they something that they enjoy? If not, there may be some simple steps that you can take to make more of your garden space.
Too many children seem to spend far too many hours indoors. This has always seemed something of a mystery to me. It seems strange to think that many kids would prefer to sit indoors playing computer games, rather than enjoying more active pursuits.
This seems particularly strange on a warm summer's day. Who would want to be sat indoors in those circumstances? When I see a child sat watching television or playing video games, I can't help but wonder whether they are missing out.
They're certainly missing out on getting any real exercise. Are they also lacking in the social contact that they should be getting? Encouraging your children to spend time playing in the garden could be a more balanced approach, allowing them to have fun, to exercise and to mix more with the rest of the family.
All of this may sound good but how easy is it to encourage kids to put the video games away and to spend time outdoors? The answer is that it can be difficult. Many kids see alternatives to video games as being dull and boring.
Fortunately, you can help to change their opinions by providing a garden environment that is full of fun. The key is to take some time to think about how attractive a place your garden is in terms of entertaining your kids. If it doesn't offer very much, then there's no time like the present to make improvements!
This may sound like an expensive task but it doesn't need to be. There are a wide range of options available to you. You might opt to introduce some ball games, or you could look at installing a trampoline in your garden.
The possibilities are endless and there are toys and games suitable for gardens of almost any size. The important thing to do is to use your imagination - you'll be amazed by what you can do.
If your children haven't previously enjoyed garden games then here's your chance to help them do so.
Find out more about playing outdoors and fun Super Tramp trampolines with more articles by Keith Barrett. You're welcome to make use of this article, as long as this resource box is retained in full.
Too many children seem to spend far too many hours indoors. This has always seemed something of a mystery to me. It seems strange to think that many kids would prefer to sit indoors playing computer games, rather than enjoying more active pursuits.
This seems particularly strange on a warm summer's day. Who would want to be sat indoors in those circumstances? When I see a child sat watching television or playing video games, I can't help but wonder whether they are missing out.
They're certainly missing out on getting any real exercise. Are they also lacking in the social contact that they should be getting? Encouraging your children to spend time playing in the garden could be a more balanced approach, allowing them to have fun, to exercise and to mix more with the rest of the family.
All of this may sound good but how easy is it to encourage kids to put the video games away and to spend time outdoors? The answer is that it can be difficult. Many kids see alternatives to video games as being dull and boring.
Fortunately, you can help to change their opinions by providing a garden environment that is full of fun. The key is to take some time to think about how attractive a place your garden is in terms of entertaining your kids. If it doesn't offer very much, then there's no time like the present to make improvements!
This may sound like an expensive task but it doesn't need to be. There are a wide range of options available to you. You might opt to introduce some ball games, or you could look at installing a trampoline in your garden.
The possibilities are endless and there are toys and games suitable for gardens of almost any size. The important thing to do is to use your imagination - you'll be amazed by what you can do.
If your children haven't previously enjoyed garden games then here's your chance to help them do so.
Find out more about playing outdoors and fun Super Tramp trampolines with more articles by Keith Barrett. You're welcome to make use of this article, as long as this resource box is retained in full.
Facebook - Social Networks and Teens
Recently I listened to an excellent talk by Dr. Jeffrey Cole (Director, Center for the Digital Future, of the USC Annenberg School) about Social Networks, the digital media and our teens. His research and insights into this digital revolution that we are growing through threw some interesting light on our teen generation. The teens today use technology in ways we never thought of. The entire digital industry is geared up to develop new gadgets and gizmos for the new generation. The social networking phenomenon like Facebook, Orkut and others have demonstrated how much influence this new generation has in defining the shape of digital media. Dr. Cole lists few characteristics of a teen in this and our future digital generation.
They will never read a newspaper. However that does not mean that they don't want to stay informed. They get their news from other sources rather than print media. Some print media still attracts their interest, for example magazines like Vogue and Bazar cannot be replaced by online media just because the glossy paper, and the sniffable perfume ads cannot be reproduced online.
They will never own a land-line phone. Mobile phone will be their center of the universe. They want to communicate, socialize, get entertained, get their information, do financial transactions and conduct their business using their mobile phones. You may have noticed that teenagers do not wear wrist watches - they see time on their mobile phones.
They won't watch television on the schedules set by the networks. They want to create their own schedule - hence Tivo, PVR and DVR, Hulu.com and YouTube!
They trust unknown peers more than experts.
They are least interested in the source of information - they just want the information.
Their internet experience centers on their communities. The popularity of on-line social networks amongst teens proves that. They use these communities to socialize and communicate. They also use it as their source of information.
They think that they are not affected by advertisements and branding, but that is far from truth. How many teens do you think would accept a generic MP3 player other than an iPod?
They want to be able to move their content freely and easily from platform to platform. They don't want content that ties them to a specific device (like your DVD player and TV in your basement).
They want to be heard. That's why they are on Facebook, they are on these blogs and other Web 2.0 media. As Dr. Cole puts it, they don't want 15 minutes of fame, they'd like 15 Megabytes of fame!
Instant Messaging (IM, SMS, Scraps, Walls) is their mode of communication. They think email is for their parents.Being a parent of teenagers, I couldn't agree more with Dr. Cole's observations. I am sure, you do too. Online social networking can be a great tool. I am on Facebook too and I am also on Orkut and Linked-in. However, I am nowhere close to the extent my kids use it. For us it is more like a curiosity, for them it is their lifeline.
Dr. Sudipta Bhawmik is a blogger who likes to dabble in food, films, theater and technology. Sudipta blogs at http://nynjbengali.com and his tweets as bhawmik.
They will never read a newspaper. However that does not mean that they don't want to stay informed. They get their news from other sources rather than print media. Some print media still attracts their interest, for example magazines like Vogue and Bazar cannot be replaced by online media just because the glossy paper, and the sniffable perfume ads cannot be reproduced online.
They will never own a land-line phone. Mobile phone will be their center of the universe. They want to communicate, socialize, get entertained, get their information, do financial transactions and conduct their business using their mobile phones. You may have noticed that teenagers do not wear wrist watches - they see time on their mobile phones.
They won't watch television on the schedules set by the networks. They want to create their own schedule - hence Tivo, PVR and DVR, Hulu.com and YouTube!
They trust unknown peers more than experts.
They are least interested in the source of information - they just want the information.
Their internet experience centers on their communities. The popularity of on-line social networks amongst teens proves that. They use these communities to socialize and communicate. They also use it as their source of information.
They think that they are not affected by advertisements and branding, but that is far from truth. How many teens do you think would accept a generic MP3 player other than an iPod?
They want to be able to move their content freely and easily from platform to platform. They don't want content that ties them to a specific device (like your DVD player and TV in your basement).
They want to be heard. That's why they are on Facebook, they are on these blogs and other Web 2.0 media. As Dr. Cole puts it, they don't want 15 minutes of fame, they'd like 15 Megabytes of fame!
Instant Messaging (IM, SMS, Scraps, Walls) is their mode of communication. They think email is for their parents.Being a parent of teenagers, I couldn't agree more with Dr. Cole's observations. I am sure, you do too. Online social networking can be a great tool. I am on Facebook too and I am also on Orkut and Linked-in. However, I am nowhere close to the extent my kids use it. For us it is more like a curiosity, for them it is their lifeline.
Dr. Sudipta Bhawmik is a blogger who likes to dabble in food, films, theater and technology. Sudipta blogs at http://nynjbengali.com and his tweets as bhawmik.
Talking to Kids About the Vietnam War
Vietnam War anniversary: a chance to talk to your kids about war
As a mother, I'm always looking for inspirational stories to share with my children. April 30 marks the 34th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Whether it's on the TV or computer or in school, they'll hear stories about the war and conflicting views about whether it was just or unjust.
Difficult as it may be, I think this is a good time for parents to talk to their kids about the consequences of war. If parents or grandparents have war stories to share, especially tales of heroism that inspired them, this is a great time to share those stories.
Today, as we honor the heroes who fought in the war, let's also honor the unsung heroes, the Vietnam citizens, including many mothers and children, who as American supporters after the war had become the new enemy inside their own country.
Here is an inspirational Vietnam War story I recently shared with my kids:
In 1978, five years after the Vietnam War ended, Kim Le was just six-years old. She remembers taking her mother's hand and heading into the darkness of Saigon, not understanding why her family needed to leave. Le and her four-year-old brother Quang clung to their mother as they stepped inside a bicycle-propelled rickshaw and journeyed to a nearby river, praying they wouldn't be captured by military police and sent to a 're-education' camp.
"We had no idea where we were going," Le says, noting that the movie The Killing Fields comes closest to depicting the intensity of the times.
Back then, Le couldn't have imagined that the excitement of the evening would soon turn into a years-long nightmare of realizing she'd lost everything-her home, father, three older brothers, grandmother, and even more inconceivably, her country.
Nor could she have guessed that the near-starvation and extreme poverty she would soon face would embolden and inspire her years later to succeed beyond her wildest dreams.
An underground army leads the way
Though her memory of her escape from Vietnam is sketchy, she recalls certain details vividly, such as how her mother kept hushing her and her four-year-old brother Quang to stay quiet inside the rickshaw as they sped toward a nearby river.
She remembers watching in wonder as the rickshaw occasionally stopped for her mother to receive directions from strangers, who seemed to be guiding them on a mysterious adventure. Later Le would learn these strangers were part of an underground army of volunteers, who had helped ensure the safety of their clandestine journey.
Her mother brought no luggage and had dressed them all as plainly as possible. "She wanted us to look like we were on our way to visit our grandmother in case we were stopped and questioned."
Le didn't feel scared. "For me, it was fun to be out at night. I had no clue what was happening or how scary it must have been for my mother to have left everything behind."
Trading gold for freedom
Fortunately, Le's mother, then 34-years old, had gold, which she used to buy their passage to freedom. At the time, printed currency was worthless in the country due to hyperinflation, so people bartered with gold and silver or useful items, such as produce or livestock.
The gold, exchanged before they left for the trip (so they couldn't be captured with it on them) bought the three of them a ride on a tiny, overcrowded fishing boat, which they boarded along with a dozen other families and headed out onto the open seas.
History would soon refer to them as the "boat people."
Le doesn't remember much about the boat ride itself except that after a week, they'd run out of what little rice they had and water. Their throats were parched and their stomachs ached with hunger.
"My mom tells me I kept asking her 'Why did you take us here?' I missed my danh từ (my grandma) and didn't understand why we couldn't be back home with her."
Years later Le learned that her dad and three older brothers had been captured by military police a few days after her escape.
They were sent to a 're-education camp,' where they would remain hidden for years in the wilderness of Vietnam, along with thousands of other prisoners, most of whom had committed no crime other than supporting Americans.
Hunting for the Promised (or any) land
After staring out at nothing but sea for seven days, Le remembers how exciting it had been to see the first glimmer of land in the horizon. "We were all shocked; we had no idea we'd found Malaysia. We just knew wherever we were headed had to be better than where we were coming from."
Le only vaguely recalls jumping off the boat into the icy cold water and swimming to shore. "I still don't know how we did that. I didn't know how to swim, and my mother and brother didn't either."
They lived in a United Nations-sponsored refugee camp in Malaysia for a year, surviving on UN donations and rations and sharing a makeshift tent with several other families.
Rations included mostly rice and dry food that they received once a week. Vegetables were a special treat. "My brother and I got very excited about those rare occasions when we got to eat vegetables."
(When I told my kids about this, I added: "See? Some kids don't have iPods and XBoxes - they are happy if they get vegetables." Preachy, I know, but I couldn't help myself.)
Nearby wells supplied water, she added, but it was a limited supply. "If we waited too long, the water might run out for the day. Long lines for water started early in the morning."
Saved by a stranger
In 1979, someone from the US sponsored Le's family, allowing them to immigrate to the States. "I will be forever grateful to this kind man. Many other families had to live in that camp for as long as five years."
When they arrived in the US, they moved in with their sponsor, who graciously welcomed them to his home in Columbus, Ohio. They later moved to Tucson, Arizona after learning a distant cousin lived there. "We rented a tiny one-bedroom guest house and received public assistance."
At the time, no one in her family knew a word of English.
To support the family, Le's mother worked minimum wage jobs. "She always told me that getting an education would be the only way to get out of our situation."
Education leads the way out of poverty
Le was only too happy to focus on her studies. Though her mother still struggled to learn English, Le took on the role as family translator. In grade school, she'd have to write her own excuse notes on days she had a flu or cold.
Craving more control over her destiny, she stepped up her game in college. "I would sit down and rewrite my notes after each class and do my homework then, too, while it was all fresh in my memory. That helped a lot."
Supporting herself through college, she went on to graduate summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a 4.0 GPA and bachelor's degree in accounting.
Finally, the happy ending
In 2003, Le, now the mother of two, started on her own accounting consulting firm, A2Q2 LLC, serving publicly traded companies.
At the end of 2008, A2Q2 employed 10 people and generated revenues in excess of $1 million.
Le adds, "Poverty is a great motivator. I had to succeed because I didn't ever want to live like that again."
Today, she offers her largely Asian staff business etiquette training, to help them understand and feel more comfortable with American customs. For example, she says, "In Asia, it's acceptable to slurp your noodles. But if you do that during a business lunch here, you are considered rather rude."
When other immigrants ask her for her advice, she encourages them to "'Dream big.' There will be those who tell you that you can't do it-don't listen to them. It will be harder than you think but not as hard as others tell you it will be."
Julianna McLean is an award-winning, accredited business communicator. She is the SF Single Parenting Examiner at Examiner.com.
As a mother, I'm always looking for inspirational stories to share with my children. April 30 marks the 34th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Whether it's on the TV or computer or in school, they'll hear stories about the war and conflicting views about whether it was just or unjust.
Difficult as it may be, I think this is a good time for parents to talk to their kids about the consequences of war. If parents or grandparents have war stories to share, especially tales of heroism that inspired them, this is a great time to share those stories.
Today, as we honor the heroes who fought in the war, let's also honor the unsung heroes, the Vietnam citizens, including many mothers and children, who as American supporters after the war had become the new enemy inside their own country.
Here is an inspirational Vietnam War story I recently shared with my kids:
In 1978, five years after the Vietnam War ended, Kim Le was just six-years old. She remembers taking her mother's hand and heading into the darkness of Saigon, not understanding why her family needed to leave. Le and her four-year-old brother Quang clung to their mother as they stepped inside a bicycle-propelled rickshaw and journeyed to a nearby river, praying they wouldn't be captured by military police and sent to a 're-education' camp.
"We had no idea where we were going," Le says, noting that the movie The Killing Fields comes closest to depicting the intensity of the times.
Back then, Le couldn't have imagined that the excitement of the evening would soon turn into a years-long nightmare of realizing she'd lost everything-her home, father, three older brothers, grandmother, and even more inconceivably, her country.
Nor could she have guessed that the near-starvation and extreme poverty she would soon face would embolden and inspire her years later to succeed beyond her wildest dreams.
An underground army leads the way
Though her memory of her escape from Vietnam is sketchy, she recalls certain details vividly, such as how her mother kept hushing her and her four-year-old brother Quang to stay quiet inside the rickshaw as they sped toward a nearby river.
She remembers watching in wonder as the rickshaw occasionally stopped for her mother to receive directions from strangers, who seemed to be guiding them on a mysterious adventure. Later Le would learn these strangers were part of an underground army of volunteers, who had helped ensure the safety of their clandestine journey.
Her mother brought no luggage and had dressed them all as plainly as possible. "She wanted us to look like we were on our way to visit our grandmother in case we were stopped and questioned."
Le didn't feel scared. "For me, it was fun to be out at night. I had no clue what was happening or how scary it must have been for my mother to have left everything behind."
Trading gold for freedom
Fortunately, Le's mother, then 34-years old, had gold, which she used to buy their passage to freedom. At the time, printed currency was worthless in the country due to hyperinflation, so people bartered with gold and silver or useful items, such as produce or livestock.
The gold, exchanged before they left for the trip (so they couldn't be captured with it on them) bought the three of them a ride on a tiny, overcrowded fishing boat, which they boarded along with a dozen other families and headed out onto the open seas.
History would soon refer to them as the "boat people."
Le doesn't remember much about the boat ride itself except that after a week, they'd run out of what little rice they had and water. Their throats were parched and their stomachs ached with hunger.
"My mom tells me I kept asking her 'Why did you take us here?' I missed my danh từ (my grandma) and didn't understand why we couldn't be back home with her."
Years later Le learned that her dad and three older brothers had been captured by military police a few days after her escape.
They were sent to a 're-education camp,' where they would remain hidden for years in the wilderness of Vietnam, along with thousands of other prisoners, most of whom had committed no crime other than supporting Americans.
Hunting for the Promised (or any) land
After staring out at nothing but sea for seven days, Le remembers how exciting it had been to see the first glimmer of land in the horizon. "We were all shocked; we had no idea we'd found Malaysia. We just knew wherever we were headed had to be better than where we were coming from."
Le only vaguely recalls jumping off the boat into the icy cold water and swimming to shore. "I still don't know how we did that. I didn't know how to swim, and my mother and brother didn't either."
They lived in a United Nations-sponsored refugee camp in Malaysia for a year, surviving on UN donations and rations and sharing a makeshift tent with several other families.
Rations included mostly rice and dry food that they received once a week. Vegetables were a special treat. "My brother and I got very excited about those rare occasions when we got to eat vegetables."
(When I told my kids about this, I added: "See? Some kids don't have iPods and XBoxes - they are happy if they get vegetables." Preachy, I know, but I couldn't help myself.)
Nearby wells supplied water, she added, but it was a limited supply. "If we waited too long, the water might run out for the day. Long lines for water started early in the morning."
Saved by a stranger
In 1979, someone from the US sponsored Le's family, allowing them to immigrate to the States. "I will be forever grateful to this kind man. Many other families had to live in that camp for as long as five years."
When they arrived in the US, they moved in with their sponsor, who graciously welcomed them to his home in Columbus, Ohio. They later moved to Tucson, Arizona after learning a distant cousin lived there. "We rented a tiny one-bedroom guest house and received public assistance."
At the time, no one in her family knew a word of English.
To support the family, Le's mother worked minimum wage jobs. "She always told me that getting an education would be the only way to get out of our situation."
Education leads the way out of poverty
Le was only too happy to focus on her studies. Though her mother still struggled to learn English, Le took on the role as family translator. In grade school, she'd have to write her own excuse notes on days she had a flu or cold.
Craving more control over her destiny, she stepped up her game in college. "I would sit down and rewrite my notes after each class and do my homework then, too, while it was all fresh in my memory. That helped a lot."
Supporting herself through college, she went on to graduate summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a 4.0 GPA and bachelor's degree in accounting.
Finally, the happy ending
In 2003, Le, now the mother of two, started on her own accounting consulting firm, A2Q2 LLC, serving publicly traded companies.
At the end of 2008, A2Q2 employed 10 people and generated revenues in excess of $1 million.
Le adds, "Poverty is a great motivator. I had to succeed because I didn't ever want to live like that again."
Today, she offers her largely Asian staff business etiquette training, to help them understand and feel more comfortable with American customs. For example, she says, "In Asia, it's acceptable to slurp your noodles. But if you do that during a business lunch here, you are considered rather rude."
When other immigrants ask her for her advice, she encourages them to "'Dream big.' There will be those who tell you that you can't do it-don't listen to them. It will be harder than you think but not as hard as others tell you it will be."
Julianna McLean is an award-winning, accredited business communicator. She is the SF Single Parenting Examiner at Examiner.com.
Tips on Hiking With Children
When I want to do some serious hiking; I mean pushing myself to go at a faster pace, scrambling up mountainsides, down & back up over rolling hills, climbing over & navigating around fallen trees, taking another step every time my leg muscles scream for me to stop; I make sure I'm not taking young children along with me. There's hiking and then there's hiking. Most of you who enjoy a rigorous pace of hiking & backpacking know what I mean. But there's another side to hiking, a side which though is a little bit more laid back, can be fun & fulfilling just the same. It's hiking with children. This article is meant to give just some pointers on hiking with children, and doesn't cover every important aspect of this enjoyable activity. These are just some suggestions when bringing children out for a day hike.
Before going out, make sure you check the weather report & plan for the temperature. If it's a bit chilly out, make sure that each child is dressed accordingly. Wearing several layers, hats & gloves if needed, will help them enjoy it more if they're warm enough.
Look at a map to determine a loop hike to take, or choose a simple there-and-back route.
Bring plenty of water & snacks. Nothing kills a good time or activity like a hungry, growling stomach.
Let the age level of the children dictate the terrain you'll be hiking. Be sure to have some ups & downs, but nothing too strenuous. Most children love challenge, at least to a certain degree, and a hill with some rocks & trees to grab hold of as they climb upwards can be fun. It's been my experience that some children enjoy the climbs the best, while some others love going downhill.
Have a destination in mind, as well as a half-way point. Children are goal-oriented, believe it or not, and look forward to reaching an appointed objective or destination. Set a time when you want to stop for an extended rest. This can be for a picnic or just hanging out & taking some pictures of everyone. Bring a favorite food or beverage of theirs that can only be had upon reaching the mid-point. Once the half-way point is reached, a feeling of satisfaction will fill their hearts as food fills their bellies. After a rest, the next goal will be to get back.
If possible, have the children bring along a friend. Of course the number of friends is optional and, depending on how many are going, you may not want each child to bring a friend. This can cause the group to grow to be too large to control.
If available, bring a map of the area you're hiking, and refer to it from time to time. Maps have always interested me, and although they may not understand every aspect of the map, it's a good introduction for them to learning to read a map. Looking at a map and understanding where you are in relation to the grid gives an altogether different perspective to the hike.
If you or another adult knows anything about plants & trees or animals & their markings, make a point of sharing this knowledge with the children. Ask them what they know about these things, as children always enjoy being asked to share what they know with adults.
Teach children to be aware of their surroundings. Tell them to be observant of the landscape around them, natural landmarks & the trail conditions as well. These are skills that if learned & practiced will follow them all their lives, even influencing them in more far-reaching areas.
Finally, have an end goal in mind. Take them all out to dinner at their favorite restaurant or for ice cream. Associate other enjoyable activities with hiking.
This has been just a brief collection of suggestions when it comes to bringing children hiking. We all know that children are the future, the future of everything! One step in making sure that our trails of today are secure & protected for the future is by teaching children the importance of those trails & in being outdoors. Children must learn the importance of nature. Get out & hike, but next time, bring along some children.
Before going out, make sure you check the weather report & plan for the temperature. If it's a bit chilly out, make sure that each child is dressed accordingly. Wearing several layers, hats & gloves if needed, will help them enjoy it more if they're warm enough.
Look at a map to determine a loop hike to take, or choose a simple there-and-back route.
Bring plenty of water & snacks. Nothing kills a good time or activity like a hungry, growling stomach.
Let the age level of the children dictate the terrain you'll be hiking. Be sure to have some ups & downs, but nothing too strenuous. Most children love challenge, at least to a certain degree, and a hill with some rocks & trees to grab hold of as they climb upwards can be fun. It's been my experience that some children enjoy the climbs the best, while some others love going downhill.
Have a destination in mind, as well as a half-way point. Children are goal-oriented, believe it or not, and look forward to reaching an appointed objective or destination. Set a time when you want to stop for an extended rest. This can be for a picnic or just hanging out & taking some pictures of everyone. Bring a favorite food or beverage of theirs that can only be had upon reaching the mid-point. Once the half-way point is reached, a feeling of satisfaction will fill their hearts as food fills their bellies. After a rest, the next goal will be to get back.
If possible, have the children bring along a friend. Of course the number of friends is optional and, depending on how many are going, you may not want each child to bring a friend. This can cause the group to grow to be too large to control.
If available, bring a map of the area you're hiking, and refer to it from time to time. Maps have always interested me, and although they may not understand every aspect of the map, it's a good introduction for them to learning to read a map. Looking at a map and understanding where you are in relation to the grid gives an altogether different perspective to the hike.
If you or another adult knows anything about plants & trees or animals & their markings, make a point of sharing this knowledge with the children. Ask them what they know about these things, as children always enjoy being asked to share what they know with adults.
Teach children to be aware of their surroundings. Tell them to be observant of the landscape around them, natural landmarks & the trail conditions as well. These are skills that if learned & practiced will follow them all their lives, even influencing them in more far-reaching areas.
Finally, have an end goal in mind. Take them all out to dinner at their favorite restaurant or for ice cream. Associate other enjoyable activities with hiking.
This has been just a brief collection of suggestions when it comes to bringing children hiking. We all know that children are the future, the future of everything! One step in making sure that our trails of today are secure & protected for the future is by teaching children the importance of those trails & in being outdoors. Children must learn the importance of nature. Get out & hike, but next time, bring along some children.
When Parenting Boundaries Go Too Far
Your garden could be providing a wonderful environment, allowing your children to play safely and happily. But are your kids interested in garden games? Are they something that they enjoy? If not, there may be some simple steps that you can take to make more of your garden space.
Too many children seem to spend far too many hours indoors. This has always seemed something of a mystery to me. It seems strange to think that many kids would prefer to sit indoors playing computer games, rather than enjoying more active pursuits.
This seems particularly strange on a warm summer's day. Who would want to be sat indoors in those circumstances? When I see a child sat watching television or playing video games, I can't help but wonder whether they are missing out.
They're certainly missing out on getting any real exercise. Are they also lacking in the social contact that they should be getting? Encouraging your children to spend time playing in the garden could be a more balanced approach, allowing them to have fun, to exercise and to mix more with the rest of the family.
All of this may sound good but how easy is it to encourage kids to put the video games away and to spend time outdoors? The answer is that it can be difficult. Many kids see alternatives to video games as being dull and boring.
Fortunately, you can help to change their opinions by providing a garden environment that is full of fun. The key is to take some time to think about how attractive a place your garden is in terms of entertaining your kids. If it doesn't offer very much, then there's no time like the present to make improvements!
This may sound like an expensive task but it doesn't need to be. There are a wide range of options available to you. You might opt to introduce some ball games, or you could look at installing a trampoline in your garden.
The possibilities are endless and there are toys and games suitable for gardens of almost any size. The important thing to do is to use your imagination - you'll be amazed by what you can do.
If your children haven't previously enjoyed garden games then here's your chance to help them do so.
Find out more about playing outdoors and fun Super Tramp trampolines with more articles by Keith Barrett. You're welcome to make use of this article, as long as this resource box is retained in full.
Too many children seem to spend far too many hours indoors. This has always seemed something of a mystery to me. It seems strange to think that many kids would prefer to sit indoors playing computer games, rather than enjoying more active pursuits.
This seems particularly strange on a warm summer's day. Who would want to be sat indoors in those circumstances? When I see a child sat watching television or playing video games, I can't help but wonder whether they are missing out.
They're certainly missing out on getting any real exercise. Are they also lacking in the social contact that they should be getting? Encouraging your children to spend time playing in the garden could be a more balanced approach, allowing them to have fun, to exercise and to mix more with the rest of the family.
All of this may sound good but how easy is it to encourage kids to put the video games away and to spend time outdoors? The answer is that it can be difficult. Many kids see alternatives to video games as being dull and boring.
Fortunately, you can help to change their opinions by providing a garden environment that is full of fun. The key is to take some time to think about how attractive a place your garden is in terms of entertaining your kids. If it doesn't offer very much, then there's no time like the present to make improvements!
This may sound like an expensive task but it doesn't need to be. There are a wide range of options available to you. You might opt to introduce some ball games, or you could look at installing a trampoline in your garden.
The possibilities are endless and there are toys and games suitable for gardens of almost any size. The important thing to do is to use your imagination - you'll be amazed by what you can do.
If your children haven't previously enjoyed garden games then here's your chance to help them do so.
Find out more about playing outdoors and fun Super Tramp trampolines with more articles by Keith Barrett. You're welcome to make use of this article, as long as this resource box is retained in full.
Grilling Tips - How to Grill a Rib Eye Steak
Nothing can match the amazing taste and smell of a perfectly grilled rib eye steak from your very own backyard. Grilling a rib eye steak is not that much different than grilling any other steak. If you want the best results, choose some top quality meat and season to your own taste.
First of all, you need to thaw out your steak thoroughly. Don't put frozen meat on your grill as it won't cook properly. The next thing you want to do is to season your steak. Salt and pepper is generally all you need, you don't want to over do it.
Preheat your grill to the desired temperature before you think about tossing the steak on the grill. Gas grills are the easiest to determine the temperature but with charcoal you need to be extra vigilant to make sure your coals are hot enough. You know your charcoal is hot enough when they start to glow in the middle. You should hear a strong sizzle when you lay the rib eyes on the grill.
Grilling a rib eye steak should take 3-5 minutes per side depending on how thick or thin the cut of meat is. You don't want the flames to reach the steak so move them if you need to. Turn the steak in 45 degree angles if you want cross hatching grill marks.
To see if your steak is done or not you can make a small incision or use a meat thermometer. A rare steak is around 120°, medium rare is around 130°, medium is around 140°, and well done is around 160°. The major reason to use a meat thermometer is that you can tell when to flip it and when your rib eye is done.
About Outdoor Grilling is a site dedicated to bringing grilling tips and techniques to everyone from the beginner to the experienced chef. If you want to learn how to grill a rib eye steak visit Jason's site to get more tips and techniques.
First of all, you need to thaw out your steak thoroughly. Don't put frozen meat on your grill as it won't cook properly. The next thing you want to do is to season your steak. Salt and pepper is generally all you need, you don't want to over do it.
Preheat your grill to the desired temperature before you think about tossing the steak on the grill. Gas grills are the easiest to determine the temperature but with charcoal you need to be extra vigilant to make sure your coals are hot enough. You know your charcoal is hot enough when they start to glow in the middle. You should hear a strong sizzle when you lay the rib eyes on the grill.
Grilling a rib eye steak should take 3-5 minutes per side depending on how thick or thin the cut of meat is. You don't want the flames to reach the steak so move them if you need to. Turn the steak in 45 degree angles if you want cross hatching grill marks.
To see if your steak is done or not you can make a small incision or use a meat thermometer. A rare steak is around 120°, medium rare is around 130°, medium is around 140°, and well done is around 160°. The major reason to use a meat thermometer is that you can tell when to flip it and when your rib eye is done.
About Outdoor Grilling is a site dedicated to bringing grilling tips and techniques to everyone from the beginner to the experienced chef. If you want to learn how to grill a rib eye steak visit Jason's site to get more tips and techniques.
Time-Saving Kitchen Tips
You're making three meals a day, seven days a week. Even with the occasional take-out meal, it still adds up to a lot of time in the kitchen. And if you're like most homeowners, cooking is probably just one of the many tasks at hand. How can you make time for everything without sacrificing the quality of your meals?
It's easier than you think. Saving time in the kitchen is all about making little changes. Even minor adjustments in your routine can add up to a big chunk of time over the week. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Plan your meals. You've probably heard it before, and it's worth repeating: planning is crucial. Take a few minutes to plan out your menu for the week. Make a schedule so you can make simpler meals on days when you expect to be busy. If you know what to do as soon as you get home, you won't be wasting precious minutes poring over the fridge or making things up as you go.
Use the crock pot. If you're one of those people who barely have 15 minutes to whip up a meal, the crock pot can be your best friend. It takes mere minutes to prepare your ingredients in the morning, put them in the pot, and set it to cook for the rest of the day. Your meal will be ready by the time you come home from work—all you have to do is serve it. Most recipes can be adopted for the crock pot, so you can still make all your favorites.
Make use of leftovers. Do you have some leftover pot roast from last night's dinner? Instead of letting it go bad, use it to make a quick meal the next day. Leftover meats can go into soups, salads, and sandwiches. Most soups and stews can be frozen and reheated for up to two weeks. You can even "plan" your leftovers by making extra on lighter days, so you'll have something ready when you're busy. Not only do you get faster meals, you also save a good deal of money.
Simon Burke loves to cook delicious and nutritious meals for his family. And luckily for us he also enjoys sharing his cooking experiences and recipes with the rest of us.Get more information regarding saving time in the kitchen.
It's easier than you think. Saving time in the kitchen is all about making little changes. Even minor adjustments in your routine can add up to a big chunk of time over the week. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Plan your meals. You've probably heard it before, and it's worth repeating: planning is crucial. Take a few minutes to plan out your menu for the week. Make a schedule so you can make simpler meals on days when you expect to be busy. If you know what to do as soon as you get home, you won't be wasting precious minutes poring over the fridge or making things up as you go.
Use the crock pot. If you're one of those people who barely have 15 minutes to whip up a meal, the crock pot can be your best friend. It takes mere minutes to prepare your ingredients in the morning, put them in the pot, and set it to cook for the rest of the day. Your meal will be ready by the time you come home from work—all you have to do is serve it. Most recipes can be adopted for the crock pot, so you can still make all your favorites.
Make use of leftovers. Do you have some leftover pot roast from last night's dinner? Instead of letting it go bad, use it to make a quick meal the next day. Leftover meats can go into soups, salads, and sandwiches. Most soups and stews can be frozen and reheated for up to two weeks. You can even "plan" your leftovers by making extra on lighter days, so you'll have something ready when you're busy. Not only do you get faster meals, you also save a good deal of money.
Simon Burke loves to cook delicious and nutritious meals for his family. And luckily for us he also enjoys sharing his cooking experiences and recipes with the rest of us.Get more information regarding saving time in the kitchen.
The Food Processor - My Favorite Small Kitchen Appliance
We all have many small appliances in our kitchens. Nearly every kitchen counter has a coffee maker and a toaster sitting on it. Included in this line up should be a great food processor. Preferably a Cuisinart. Cuisinart has the power to process and knead heavy bread dough and cookie doughs. Any of your favorite recipes can be easily adapted to a food processor. You can easily cut your food preparation time down a lot. Sometimes, the food prep time is what keeps a lot of us from cooking.
With a food processor if you organize your recipe for chopping, slicing or dicing you can save time. If you hate to chop onions, then relief is on the way! Peel the onion and quarter it, then put it in the bowl of the food processor fitted with the steel knife blade and pulse it a few times until you get the texture that you want. Do be careful here as you can over process and end up with onion juice. That's how powerful a food processor motor is.
Most all food processors come with a slicing disc. The Cuisinart slicing disc makes lovely, even, precise slices.This allows you to make beautiful appetizer trays, because the slices are not torn or jagged. Cuisinart has very little waste because the discs are so precise. This is a very important factor, as we are all trying to save money and groceries are so expensive.
As you become more comfortable and familiar with everything a food processor can do, you will be surprised how it will save you time in the kitchen and how it will help to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your food bill. If you are a newlywed or a new cook, a food processor is like having an extra pair of hands helping in the kitchen. It can easily make you into a gourmet in short order with just a little practice. It is best to keep it out on the counter, so it is always ready to help. If you keep it tucked away elsewhere, you may not bother to get it out and use it. And yes, it will take up some space , but think of it as a kitchen employee that you do not have to pay!
My cooking experience is extensive and over the years I have purchased 3 Cuisinarts. All 3 are still working and they are all over 30 years old! Cuisinart has the power to process and not "walk" all over your kitchen counter.
Many companies make food processors today, so if you are considering making a purchase, you can do research on the Internet and through consumer reports. I feel very certain that if you buy a Cuisinart you will never be sorry. They are a little more expensive than other brands, but there is a reason for that. They are a great product.
Think of all the money you will save by making your own salsas, pesto and baby foods. You can make wonderful creamy soups in the food processor. Anything that you mix using a stand mixer or a hand held mixer can be mixed in the food processor.
Just imagine how happy your family will be enjoying the wonderful dishes that you will prepare. Perhaps, you will prepare recipes that you always wanted to make, but never did, because of all the prep work involved. When you own a food processor you can pass up the expensive bags of shredded cheeses at the grocery store. Shred your own and get more for less money! Pass up so much of the packaged foods that are loaded with preservatives. You can easily make your own bread, then you know exactly what is in it. You can chop meat for great hamburgers with no filler, make baby food--there are hundreds of things you can do with this small kitchen appliance.
So, if you haven't got a food processor, I hope that you will get one and start enjoying food preparation and great eating!
With a food processor if you organize your recipe for chopping, slicing or dicing you can save time. If you hate to chop onions, then relief is on the way! Peel the onion and quarter it, then put it in the bowl of the food processor fitted with the steel knife blade and pulse it a few times until you get the texture that you want. Do be careful here as you can over process and end up with onion juice. That's how powerful a food processor motor is.
Most all food processors come with a slicing disc. The Cuisinart slicing disc makes lovely, even, precise slices.This allows you to make beautiful appetizer trays, because the slices are not torn or jagged. Cuisinart has very little waste because the discs are so precise. This is a very important factor, as we are all trying to save money and groceries are so expensive.
As you become more comfortable and familiar with everything a food processor can do, you will be surprised how it will save you time in the kitchen and how it will help to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your food bill. If you are a newlywed or a new cook, a food processor is like having an extra pair of hands helping in the kitchen. It can easily make you into a gourmet in short order with just a little practice. It is best to keep it out on the counter, so it is always ready to help. If you keep it tucked away elsewhere, you may not bother to get it out and use it. And yes, it will take up some space , but think of it as a kitchen employee that you do not have to pay!
My cooking experience is extensive and over the years I have purchased 3 Cuisinarts. All 3 are still working and they are all over 30 years old! Cuisinart has the power to process and not "walk" all over your kitchen counter.
Many companies make food processors today, so if you are considering making a purchase, you can do research on the Internet and through consumer reports. I feel very certain that if you buy a Cuisinart you will never be sorry. They are a little more expensive than other brands, but there is a reason for that. They are a great product.
Think of all the money you will save by making your own salsas, pesto and baby foods. You can make wonderful creamy soups in the food processor. Anything that you mix using a stand mixer or a hand held mixer can be mixed in the food processor.
Just imagine how happy your family will be enjoying the wonderful dishes that you will prepare. Perhaps, you will prepare recipes that you always wanted to make, but never did, because of all the prep work involved. When you own a food processor you can pass up the expensive bags of shredded cheeses at the grocery store. Shred your own and get more for less money! Pass up so much of the packaged foods that are loaded with preservatives. You can easily make your own bread, then you know exactly what is in it. You can chop meat for great hamburgers with no filler, make baby food--there are hundreds of things you can do with this small kitchen appliance.
So, if you haven't got a food processor, I hope that you will get one and start enjoying food preparation and great eating!
Grilling Tips - How to Grill Pork Chops
Pork chops are one of the more popular choices of meat to grill because they are quite easy and very tasty. Pork chops come in all different shapes and sizes. If you have never tried grilling pork before or are just looking to try something different keep on reading.
The best pork chops for grilling are about one inch thick. It doesn't matter if its boneless or not, both will grill fine. Another option is to buy tenderloin or loin and cut it into pieces about the same same thickness.
If you want your pork nice and juicy you should try to brine it. The total weight of the pork can actually increase by up to 15% by soaking it in the water mixture. It is all water weight of course but that means more water remains in the meat during grilling. The brine solution is one cup of salt for every gallon of water and should be just enough to completely submerge your meat. You can add other seasoning as well to your brine mixture. Leave your pork chops in the mixture for 12 - 16 hours. Remember to make sure to not over do it because too much salt or brining for too long will leave your chops too salty to be eaten.
How long you cook your pork chops will change depending on a few factors. For example, how hot your grill is, how thick the cut of meat is, and whether or not its boneless. Of those factors, thickness is the most important when you grill chops. Thin pork chops will be grilled faster and thick chops will be grilled slower.
To actually grill pork chops is simple and you can use any type of grill available. You grill pork chops very similarly to steak, in other words, over a high heat without flipping much. You want to preheat your grill to as high as possible if you're using a gas grill. When its preheated, toss them on the grill and close the lid. After approximately one minute, rotate the chops 45 degrees. Close the lid and after a minute passes, flip them over. Rotate the pork chops as needed just like you did before. The pork chops should be done in around 4-6 minutes if you keep it on a high heat. If you have a particularly thick cut, you may need to turn down the heat after you flip the first time and cook for a longer period. Also if you are adding sauce to your chops do it with 3-4 minutes before they will be done or you can burn it.
In order to be safe, you want to cook pork until the middle is only very slightly pink or completely white. Another way to tell if your meat is done is to use a meat thermometer. 155 degrees is the magic number for pork.
After your pork chops are grilled you should put them on a plate and cover it with aluminum foil. Leave them their for 10 minutes. This will let your meat loosen up and get nice and juicy.
The best pork chops for grilling are about one inch thick. It doesn't matter if its boneless or not, both will grill fine. Another option is to buy tenderloin or loin and cut it into pieces about the same same thickness.
If you want your pork nice and juicy you should try to brine it. The total weight of the pork can actually increase by up to 15% by soaking it in the water mixture. It is all water weight of course but that means more water remains in the meat during grilling. The brine solution is one cup of salt for every gallon of water and should be just enough to completely submerge your meat. You can add other seasoning as well to your brine mixture. Leave your pork chops in the mixture for 12 - 16 hours. Remember to make sure to not over do it because too much salt or brining for too long will leave your chops too salty to be eaten.
How long you cook your pork chops will change depending on a few factors. For example, how hot your grill is, how thick the cut of meat is, and whether or not its boneless. Of those factors, thickness is the most important when you grill chops. Thin pork chops will be grilled faster and thick chops will be grilled slower.
To actually grill pork chops is simple and you can use any type of grill available. You grill pork chops very similarly to steak, in other words, over a high heat without flipping much. You want to preheat your grill to as high as possible if you're using a gas grill. When its preheated, toss them on the grill and close the lid. After approximately one minute, rotate the chops 45 degrees. Close the lid and after a minute passes, flip them over. Rotate the pork chops as needed just like you did before. The pork chops should be done in around 4-6 minutes if you keep it on a high heat. If you have a particularly thick cut, you may need to turn down the heat after you flip the first time and cook for a longer period. Also if you are adding sauce to your chops do it with 3-4 minutes before they will be done or you can burn it.
In order to be safe, you want to cook pork until the middle is only very slightly pink or completely white. Another way to tell if your meat is done is to use a meat thermometer. 155 degrees is the magic number for pork.
After your pork chops are grilled you should put them on a plate and cover it with aluminum foil. Leave them their for 10 minutes. This will let your meat loosen up and get nice and juicy.
Hands on Cooking Classes
Cooking classes are a fun way to learn to cook everything from basic home cooked meals to advanced culinary techniques. There are many great ways to learn to cook, but the best method of all is with hands on cooking classes. This way you get to actually try to make the recipes yourself in a fun and relaxed environment. You can learn new skills, be as messy as you like and create something that (hopefully) tastes great!
Cooking classes are run at most community colleges and specially set up kitchen training centers. They are more informal than a cooking course (such as those taken by future chefs) and the hands on sessions are usually run in a manner similar to the following;
You will be supplied with all your learning materials and recipes that you will need for the class/es.
The instructor will demonstrate the recipe and allow time for you to write down notes or ask any questions that you might have.
You will be supplied with all the ingredients you will need to make the recipe and you will be given access to the kitchen facilities and utensils.
You will be given time to make the recipe and the instructor will be on hand to give you assistance and/or guidance. This may be completed individually or in groups (such as couples cooking classes) and all the quality cooking schools will tell you thin in advance.
You will get to taste your newly cooked dish and share your recipe with others for a taste test. In most cooking classes there are no grades or assessments - just fun!
Cooking classes are run at most community colleges and specially set up kitchen training centers. They are more informal than a cooking course (such as those taken by future chefs) and the hands on sessions are usually run in a manner similar to the following;
You will be supplied with all your learning materials and recipes that you will need for the class/es.
The instructor will demonstrate the recipe and allow time for you to write down notes or ask any questions that you might have.
You will be supplied with all the ingredients you will need to make the recipe and you will be given access to the kitchen facilities and utensils.
You will be given time to make the recipe and the instructor will be on hand to give you assistance and/or guidance. This may be completed individually or in groups (such as couples cooking classes) and all the quality cooking schools will tell you thin in advance.
You will get to taste your newly cooked dish and share your recipe with others for a taste test. In most cooking classes there are no grades or assessments - just fun!
How to Be a Player - Keep Those Girls Coming!
Okay first things first. Why do you want to be a player anyway? Do you have this intense need to break hearts? Do you crave for some ego-booster? Do you think it's cool to collect and select? We cannot deny the fact that being a player conveys a negative effect to women. Who wants to date a player anyway? However, if you are that serious on becoming one, I suggest you target girls who do not want a serious relationship. Flings are good, it can be healthy, but too much can get you drained out as well when you finally realize you need to get serious.
To be a player, it's your job to always do the first move. It's your job to approach the girl who's been giving you the eye, your job to introduce yourself and give-off signals that yes, you want to get laid tonight. Players are usually jerks and conceited morons, so be original and act otherwise. Instead of doing the above, project an aura of mystery. You can still stick with flirting abilities and the rest but only make sure that you make it clear that you only want a fling. Nothing serious, nothing romantic. Just plain old having fun doing the dating game. It will make you look adorable, instead of having the typical player image.
Also, you might want to stay detached. Date as much as you can but for your own sake, protect yourself and fight the urge to actually fall in love. If you're just out for a fling or a one night stand and actually got yourself a hot girl who wants the same, do not be too emotionally involved or the tables would be turned and you'll be the one to go home with a broken heart.
Still want to a pro when it comes to dating? Discover more intimate details about how to be a player by visiting my website to get your hands on my FREE information which has helped thousands of men get women they thought they never had a chance with! If you are justly serious about mastering the art of attraction and being able to date and seduce ANY girl you want, visit my free website.
To be a player, it's your job to always do the first move. It's your job to approach the girl who's been giving you the eye, your job to introduce yourself and give-off signals that yes, you want to get laid tonight. Players are usually jerks and conceited morons, so be original and act otherwise. Instead of doing the above, project an aura of mystery. You can still stick with flirting abilities and the rest but only make sure that you make it clear that you only want a fling. Nothing serious, nothing romantic. Just plain old having fun doing the dating game. It will make you look adorable, instead of having the typical player image.
Also, you might want to stay detached. Date as much as you can but for your own sake, protect yourself and fight the urge to actually fall in love. If you're just out for a fling or a one night stand and actually got yourself a hot girl who wants the same, do not be too emotionally involved or the tables would be turned and you'll be the one to go home with a broken heart.
Still want to a pro when it comes to dating? Discover more intimate details about how to be a player by visiting my website to get your hands on my FREE information which has helped thousands of men get women they thought they never had a chance with! If you are justly serious about mastering the art of attraction and being able to date and seduce ANY girl you want, visit my free website.
Herbs For PMS and Peri-Menopause
As women get older and closer to menopause, they experience a variety of symptoms in their bodies - symptoms that can make life unpleasant and sometimes downright difficult.
These symptoms include; heavy periods, forgetfulness, fatigue, insomnia, headaches as well as symptoms like bloating associated with menstruation.
There are a number of herbs that can help make life a whole lot easier for women who are experiencing peri-menopause as well as women with symptoms of PMS. Three of these herbs are Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus castus) and Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis).
Black cohosh has been used for menopausal symptoms as well as menstrual cramping, headaches, water retention, lessened or absence of menstrual bleeding and uterine/bladder prolapse. Since black chohosh is anti-spasmodic, it tones the female reproductive tract.
However, it is also good for toning and sedating the nervous system. Many women have emotional ups and downs associated with their cycle, so black cohosh is especially useful for problems such as nervous irritability and depression. The herb also helps aching muscles and chilliness associated with the menstrual cycle for the peri-menopausal woman.
Black cohosh should not be used on its own. It is best used in a formula along with other herbs that support the female reproductive tract.
Chaste Tree is another excellent herb good for a variety of female reproductive concerns. These include uterine fibroids, endometriosis, chronic menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, mid-cycle spotting and irregular cycles which are due to a deficiency of the corpus luteum. Chaste tree can also help with other hormonally related symptoms, such as acne, breast tenderness, fibrocystic breasts and pre-menstrual symptoms including water retention, headaches and depression.
Chaste Tree is useful for younger women as well as it has been used traditionally to treat infertility and prevent miscarriage, as well as to alleviate post-partum depression. It has been used traditionally to relive muscle spasms and pain.
Dong Quai is often used in many women's formulas. It is a warming female tonic as it enriches the blood, promotes blood circulation as well as regulating and normalizing menstruation and the menstrual cycle. Dong Quai is also a mild laxative, an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic.
Dong Quai can be used for PMS, cramps, menopausal-related symptoms, anemia, bleeding of the uterus due to stagnation as well as chronic pelvic infections. In Chinese medicine, Dong Quai is seen as a herb that 'dissolves stuckness,' which means it reduces blood clots, fibroids and other masses.
Dong quai is useful for gynecological complaints when there is pain with spasms, chills, dryness of skin and constipation due to dryness. Dong Quai is often considered the female version of ginseng and it helps women feel good.
Women who take Black Cohosh and Dong Quai should be aware that these herbs should not be consumed during pregnancy and nursing.
These symptoms include; heavy periods, forgetfulness, fatigue, insomnia, headaches as well as symptoms like bloating associated with menstruation.
There are a number of herbs that can help make life a whole lot easier for women who are experiencing peri-menopause as well as women with symptoms of PMS. Three of these herbs are Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus castus) and Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis).
Black cohosh has been used for menopausal symptoms as well as menstrual cramping, headaches, water retention, lessened or absence of menstrual bleeding and uterine/bladder prolapse. Since black chohosh is anti-spasmodic, it tones the female reproductive tract.
However, it is also good for toning and sedating the nervous system. Many women have emotional ups and downs associated with their cycle, so black cohosh is especially useful for problems such as nervous irritability and depression. The herb also helps aching muscles and chilliness associated with the menstrual cycle for the peri-menopausal woman.
Black cohosh should not be used on its own. It is best used in a formula along with other herbs that support the female reproductive tract.
Chaste Tree is another excellent herb good for a variety of female reproductive concerns. These include uterine fibroids, endometriosis, chronic menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, mid-cycle spotting and irregular cycles which are due to a deficiency of the corpus luteum. Chaste tree can also help with other hormonally related symptoms, such as acne, breast tenderness, fibrocystic breasts and pre-menstrual symptoms including water retention, headaches and depression.
Chaste Tree is useful for younger women as well as it has been used traditionally to treat infertility and prevent miscarriage, as well as to alleviate post-partum depression. It has been used traditionally to relive muscle spasms and pain.
Dong Quai is often used in many women's formulas. It is a warming female tonic as it enriches the blood, promotes blood circulation as well as regulating and normalizing menstruation and the menstrual cycle. Dong Quai is also a mild laxative, an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic.
Dong Quai can be used for PMS, cramps, menopausal-related symptoms, anemia, bleeding of the uterus due to stagnation as well as chronic pelvic infections. In Chinese medicine, Dong Quai is seen as a herb that 'dissolves stuckness,' which means it reduces blood clots, fibroids and other masses.
Dong quai is useful for gynecological complaints when there is pain with spasms, chills, dryness of skin and constipation due to dryness. Dong Quai is often considered the female version of ginseng and it helps women feel good.
Women who take Black Cohosh and Dong Quai should be aware that these herbs should not be consumed during pregnancy and nursing.
Clay Pigeon Shooting As an Effective Team Building Activity
Team building is one of the latest concepts for increasing the productivity of a team. In corporate environments, a task is always given to a team, and they will have to discuss the various alternatives that should be employed in order to fulfill the task. Various duties will be assigned to the members and when they work in unison results can be obtained easily. Ample motivation is required so that the team members can corporate among themselves and team building activities are known to be effective for the process. In this article, we shall be looking into clay pigeon shooting as one of the most efficient methods of team building.
The meaning of the phrase can be learnt easily - you will be shooting pigeon models made out of clay. The shooting is accomplished with the help of a suitably crafted gun. Although initially air guns were employed, specialized guns were created for the process. The process is simple, you will have to shoot down clay models of pigeons which are ejected using a suitable mechanism. The task may seem easy, but unless you have prior shooting experience, the whole paradigm becomes tougher. Yet it is one of the most widely practiced forms of team building activity all over the world.
Before the shooting commences an instructor will introduce himself and will explain the working of the sport briefly. Make sure you heed to his words because there are no second chances in this sport. If you are not careful enough you might end up hurting the other team members. It is always better to do some practice shots to familiarize with the gun. Usually the instructor himself will mention these. The shooter and the team members who are attending to him will be given protection in the form of vests.
Many factors should be kept in your mind while shooting these clay pigeons. Some of the much-needed qualities for this sport are precise concentration and eyesight coupled with a good response time. You will get to shoot the pigeon only when it is airborne and usually it takes less than three straight shots to break the mold. For beginners various considerations have been given by employing models that break within one direct hit. Some of the advanced shooting ranges also employ laser guns, which are the safest in the sport. The models will be fitted with a receiver and you will have to point the gun at the model for the model to break apart.
However, these laser shootouts are more expensive, hence be prepared to make an investment. It is better to divide the team into smaller groups so that a minor competition can be held between the teams. This will add an entirely different approach to the whole paradigm adding to the realism of the sport. Besides, the teams get to work together so that they can surpass the other teams in the points obtained. Some rules will have to be followed in this sport and this too will add to the competitive nature of the sport.
The meaning of the phrase can be learnt easily - you will be shooting pigeon models made out of clay. The shooting is accomplished with the help of a suitably crafted gun. Although initially air guns were employed, specialized guns were created for the process. The process is simple, you will have to shoot down clay models of pigeons which are ejected using a suitable mechanism. The task may seem easy, but unless you have prior shooting experience, the whole paradigm becomes tougher. Yet it is one of the most widely practiced forms of team building activity all over the world.
Before the shooting commences an instructor will introduce himself and will explain the working of the sport briefly. Make sure you heed to his words because there are no second chances in this sport. If you are not careful enough you might end up hurting the other team members. It is always better to do some practice shots to familiarize with the gun. Usually the instructor himself will mention these. The shooter and the team members who are attending to him will be given protection in the form of vests.
Many factors should be kept in your mind while shooting these clay pigeons. Some of the much-needed qualities for this sport are precise concentration and eyesight coupled with a good response time. You will get to shoot the pigeon only when it is airborne and usually it takes less than three straight shots to break the mold. For beginners various considerations have been given by employing models that break within one direct hit. Some of the advanced shooting ranges also employ laser guns, which are the safest in the sport. The models will be fitted with a receiver and you will have to point the gun at the model for the model to break apart.
However, these laser shootouts are more expensive, hence be prepared to make an investment. It is better to divide the team into smaller groups so that a minor competition can be held between the teams. This will add an entirely different approach to the whole paradigm adding to the realism of the sport. Besides, the teams get to work together so that they can surpass the other teams in the points obtained. Some rules will have to be followed in this sport and this too will add to the competitive nature of the sport.
Wrinkle Prevention
Most of us generally frown upon the onset of wrinkles as we age. It is therefore very important not just to know what we should do in order to get rid of wrinkles, but how we should prevent or at least prolong the onset of wrinkles in the first place.
The use of sun screen lotions when you expose yourself to direct sunlight is a very helpful method of preventing wrinkles from forming as we grow older. Direct sunlight breaks down collagen that gets entrapped under the surface of your skin. This results in skin sagging and therefore it causes wrinkles to form as it is the collagen along with another protein called elastin which gives the skin its firmness and feeling of youth.
A method called exfoliation which is already used by a lot of women, is very good to prevent wrinkles. Exfoliation involves peeling out the dead skin, and is something that should be practiced at least a couple of times in a week. Exfoliation can be done using natural blends such as strawberry paste for the process, and this is both safe and nourishing for the skin.
Daily cardio exercise also prevents you from developing wrinkles. Even a twenty minute brisk walk walk every day, or at least four times a week, will ensure a good blood circulation within your body and therefore keep your skin looking younger for much longer.
If you are a smoker, that is one habit you should completely quit. Smoking causes nicotine which is present in cigarettes to enter the blood stream, and thereby destroys a lot of the natural collagen and elastin proteins present in the skin. This makes the skin sag. The earlier in life you can give up smoking, the better it will be for your overall health, and of course for your skin.
You should take care of your skin to the maximum by natural means. By this I mean either using natural procedures like exercises and diet, or using creams which are made up of completely natural ingredients. Once wrinkles do form, you should try to remove them only by means of natural ingredients. For more information on a trusted and recommended solution to wrinkle removal please have a look at my website by clicking on the link below.
The use of sun screen lotions when you expose yourself to direct sunlight is a very helpful method of preventing wrinkles from forming as we grow older. Direct sunlight breaks down collagen that gets entrapped under the surface of your skin. This results in skin sagging and therefore it causes wrinkles to form as it is the collagen along with another protein called elastin which gives the skin its firmness and feeling of youth.
A method called exfoliation which is already used by a lot of women, is very good to prevent wrinkles. Exfoliation involves peeling out the dead skin, and is something that should be practiced at least a couple of times in a week. Exfoliation can be done using natural blends such as strawberry paste for the process, and this is both safe and nourishing for the skin.
Daily cardio exercise also prevents you from developing wrinkles. Even a twenty minute brisk walk walk every day, or at least four times a week, will ensure a good blood circulation within your body and therefore keep your skin looking younger for much longer.
If you are a smoker, that is one habit you should completely quit. Smoking causes nicotine which is present in cigarettes to enter the blood stream, and thereby destroys a lot of the natural collagen and elastin proteins present in the skin. This makes the skin sag. The earlier in life you can give up smoking, the better it will be for your overall health, and of course for your skin.
You should take care of your skin to the maximum by natural means. By this I mean either using natural procedures like exercises and diet, or using creams which are made up of completely natural ingredients. Once wrinkles do form, you should try to remove them only by means of natural ingredients. For more information on a trusted and recommended solution to wrinkle removal please have a look at my website by clicking on the link below.
Essential Interview Skills - Tips to Help You Get That Job Offer!
Interview skills are one of the most important pieces in the finding a job puzzle. If you don't capture the attention of the interviewers, it is very unlikely that you will be able to land a job with the company.
One of the most important interview skills is the ability to remain calm in an uncomfortable situation. This is a skill that is basically learned through experience. If you are on your way to your first interview, it is normal to be nervous. The more you do it, the easier it will become for you.
There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for an interview. It is well known that in many interviews you will encounter the exact same questions.
Many times you will be asked what your greatest accomplishments and failures were in your past job. Who was your best boss and why? Why do you want to work for this company? These are some questions that you will undoubtedly be asked in interviews over and over.
You can prepare yourself by knowing what you will answer before the question is even asked. Also, make sure to familiarize yourself with your strengths and qualifications for the job. There is nothing worse than a long pause right after the person conducting the interviews ask you what makes you the right person for the position.
Make sure to do some research on the company you are applying for. Interviewers are very impressed when the applicant shows extensive knowledge of the position he or she is interviewing for. It is a sign that the applicant is very serious about obtaining a position within the company.
When you arrive at the interview it is important to arrive fifteen minutes early and to be dressed appropriately. Remember, the first impression is very important.
Make sure you attend the interview alone. When first meeting the interviewer, make sure extend a firm, warm handshake. Try to relax and be as enthusiastic and positive as possible while in the interview.
When being asked questions, make sure to listen carefully, and if you have trouble understanding, ask the interview to repeat the question. It is good to be able to ask the interviewer questions about the position and company when given the opportunity. This is another way of showing that you have genuine in the company and the position.
It is a good idea to carry a list of phone numbers and dates of your past employment history, in case you are required to fill out an application. When the interview has concluded, make sure to thank them for the opportunity, smile, and extend another warm handshake.
The decision is not normally made immediately after the interview. It is a good idea to send a thank you note to the company the day after your interview. In the beginning of the letter, thank the company for the interview and make sure they know you are very interested in the position.
Also, reinforce in the letter some of your skills that are applicable for the position. At the end, provide your contact information. Make sure to sign it with your first and last name.
These tips above will help you to conduct a perfect job interview, even if you are very inexperienced in the job interview process.
Are you currently looking for and applying for a new job or career opportunity? If you are one of the millions of job hunters in the market today, you must gain a competitive edge to get ahead of the competition for that dream job.
Helene Malmsio and her other HR associates have combined their decades of HR expertise to create the most comprehensive Career planning, job interview techniques and overall Job search kit you will ever need. Learn everything there is to know about career planning from the bottom up, so you get it right the first time... and you get two free reports to download when you visit:http://strategic-services-aust.com/Career-Planning-Guide-Toolbox.html
One of the most important interview skills is the ability to remain calm in an uncomfortable situation. This is a skill that is basically learned through experience. If you are on your way to your first interview, it is normal to be nervous. The more you do it, the easier it will become for you.
There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for an interview. It is well known that in many interviews you will encounter the exact same questions.
Many times you will be asked what your greatest accomplishments and failures were in your past job. Who was your best boss and why? Why do you want to work for this company? These are some questions that you will undoubtedly be asked in interviews over and over.
You can prepare yourself by knowing what you will answer before the question is even asked. Also, make sure to familiarize yourself with your strengths and qualifications for the job. There is nothing worse than a long pause right after the person conducting the interviews ask you what makes you the right person for the position.
Make sure to do some research on the company you are applying for. Interviewers are very impressed when the applicant shows extensive knowledge of the position he or she is interviewing for. It is a sign that the applicant is very serious about obtaining a position within the company.
When you arrive at the interview it is important to arrive fifteen minutes early and to be dressed appropriately. Remember, the first impression is very important.
Make sure you attend the interview alone. When first meeting the interviewer, make sure extend a firm, warm handshake. Try to relax and be as enthusiastic and positive as possible while in the interview.
When being asked questions, make sure to listen carefully, and if you have trouble understanding, ask the interview to repeat the question. It is good to be able to ask the interviewer questions about the position and company when given the opportunity. This is another way of showing that you have genuine in the company and the position.
It is a good idea to carry a list of phone numbers and dates of your past employment history, in case you are required to fill out an application. When the interview has concluded, make sure to thank them for the opportunity, smile, and extend another warm handshake.
The decision is not normally made immediately after the interview. It is a good idea to send a thank you note to the company the day after your interview. In the beginning of the letter, thank the company for the interview and make sure they know you are very interested in the position.
Also, reinforce in the letter some of your skills that are applicable for the position. At the end, provide your contact information. Make sure to sign it with your first and last name.
These tips above will help you to conduct a perfect job interview, even if you are very inexperienced in the job interview process.
Are you currently looking for and applying for a new job or career opportunity? If you are one of the millions of job hunters in the market today, you must gain a competitive edge to get ahead of the competition for that dream job.
Helene Malmsio and her other HR associates have combined their decades of HR expertise to create the most comprehensive Career planning, job interview techniques and overall Job search kit you will ever need. Learn everything there is to know about career planning from the bottom up, so you get it right the first time... and you get two free reports to download when you visit:http://strategic-services-aust.com/Career-Planning-Guide-Toolbox.html
White Laptops - ASUS Eee PC 901 8.9 Inch Netbook
The ASUS Eee PC 901 8.9-Inch netbook is currently one of my favorite white laptops in the market. It is sleek, small and powerful, perfect for anyone who needs to carry a computer with him or her on the go. Here is a quick review of this stylish little model.
Unlike some strange notebook designs that are only white on the outsides, the ASUS Eee PC 901 8.9-Inch netbook is white all over. Everything, from the casing, track pad and the keyboard is white in color. The outer casing of this netbook sports a minimalist design, with a semi glossy surface and the logo 'Eee' discreetly imprinted on one of the corners.
The ASUS Eee PC 901 8.9-Inch netbook comes with a 8.9-inch LCD display. It has a 1024 x 600 resolution that is really easy on the eyes. I use the netbook for a couple of hours everyday and have no problem with eyestrains. On top of the display is a handy 1.3 mp camera that works really well on teleconferences and video calls.
This model also has Bluetooth connectivity. It comes with Intel's 4965 wi-fi chip (802.11n) that has 5 times the performance of the regular 802.11g. It runs on Intel's 1.6Ghx Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and a 20GB solid-state drive. The purchase of one of this model will also comes with 20GB of online storage from Asus.
One of the best features of the ASUS Eee PC 901 8.9-Inch netbook is its battery lifespan. This new model is equipped with Asus's new Super Hybrid Engine that makes the netbook much more power efficient. With a single charge, this netbook can last up to 6 hours. I have owned a couple of white laptops in the past. To date, this little laptop is my all time favorite!
For more real reviews and product information, visit Asus Eee White. For reviews and product info on other laptops and netbooks, visit http://laptops.treeso.com/reviews.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Pecunia
Unlike some strange notebook designs that are only white on the outsides, the ASUS Eee PC 901 8.9-Inch netbook is white all over. Everything, from the casing, track pad and the keyboard is white in color. The outer casing of this netbook sports a minimalist design, with a semi glossy surface and the logo 'Eee' discreetly imprinted on one of the corners.
The ASUS Eee PC 901 8.9-Inch netbook comes with a 8.9-inch LCD display. It has a 1024 x 600 resolution that is really easy on the eyes. I use the netbook for a couple of hours everyday and have no problem with eyestrains. On top of the display is a handy 1.3 mp camera that works really well on teleconferences and video calls.
This model also has Bluetooth connectivity. It comes with Intel's 4965 wi-fi chip (802.11n) that has 5 times the performance of the regular 802.11g. It runs on Intel's 1.6Ghx Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and a 20GB solid-state drive. The purchase of one of this model will also comes with 20GB of online storage from Asus.
One of the best features of the ASUS Eee PC 901 8.9-Inch netbook is its battery lifespan. This new model is equipped with Asus's new Super Hybrid Engine that makes the netbook much more power efficient. With a single charge, this netbook can last up to 6 hours. I have owned a couple of white laptops in the past. To date, this little laptop is my all time favorite!
For more real reviews and product information, visit Asus Eee White. For reviews and product info on other laptops and netbooks, visit http://laptops.treeso.com/reviews.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Pecunia
a respose to Clay Shirk's classic essay
am a big fan of Clay Shirky. I’ve written a hub reviewing his book Here Comes Everyone. It’s one of my favorite books of 2008.
When HubPages announced the support of categories in addition to tags, many people emailed me links to Clay’s essay: “Ontology is Overrated: Categories, Links, and Tags”. Clay Shirky first presented this talk at the O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference in 2005. Since then, it has had a tremendous impact on discussions about categories. As shown by the emails I received in 2009, it carries strong weight with some very smart people. Why would HubPages invest its time and resources to add top-down, hierarchical categories? Isn’t everyone now convinced that categories are overrated and worthless?
Well, before someone sends me another email with a link to this essay, I will try to explain why categories are a very good idea for HubPages, even in light of Clay Shirky’s fascinating analysis.
In 2005, the essay had an important purpose. Categories were often being misused and there were some exciting trends in search engines and tagging that promised greater usefulness than categories alone. Clay argues very persuasively that tags are on the rise and categorization as practiced by the Yahoo directory and libraries around the world have major flaws. If you haven’t read this paper yet, I encourage you to take a look or a listen.
Here is a summary of Clay Shirky’s main points:
Category schemes are inevitably flawed.
Search using key terms is significantly higher value than browsing the web via a categorized directory of web sites.
Categorization fails because it involves mind reading and fortune telling.
Tags have many benefits over categories.
Binary categorization is on its way out.
If you have just read Clay’s article, there’s one major point that sticks out: lots has changed since 2005. The article was written when categories were everywhere and tags were an upcoming trend. This was before Twitter, Yahoo’s purchase of Del.icio.us (Yahoo purchased delicious later that year in December, 2005), and before HubPages was started (HubPages was started in 2006). While Clay Shirky does a great job of showing that categories have problems, he is not as successful in showing that top-down categories, in general, have no value. Others have commented on the problems with his argument: he is a bit unfair to librarians, doesn’t talk about areas where the Yahoo directory does a decent job, and is overly soft on tagging. None of this disproves that ontologies in 2005 were overrated. In my view, Clay’s main point stands strong. Rather it shows that Clay, for purposes of his main argument, is ignoring the benefits of categories and ontological systems.
Even if category schemes are flawed, they can provide significant value when they are offered to users (instead of imposed on them), when they have a nice fit to the topics people are interested in, and especially when they succeed in organizing similar and related items.
The Library Revisited
One of the most entertaining parts of Clay’s paper is his review of library categorization schemes. The Dewey categorization system organizes the world religions into 9 categories (Natural theology, Bible, Christian theology, Christian moral & devotional theology, Christian orders & local church, Christian social theology, Christian church history, Christian sects & denominations, Other religions). So, the punchline is: “How much is this not the categorization you want in the 21 st century.”
But is this really proof of a broken library system? As anyone who goes to the library knows, the call number is the least important part of a book search (it’s what you use after you have selected your books). The main search consists of a subject search, an author search, or a title search. The set of subjects is itself a set of tags. The category, as revealed through the call number, is often invisible to the person looking for a book. It could just as well be a random code (as long as it maps well to a book’s location on a shelf). Even so, there are benefits to having a category system in addition to the tagging system: it is easier to find similar books and easier to find similar topics. For most people, the benefit comes when you are looking for one book and find another book on the same subject or on a related subject.
Yahoo Directory has flaws but for many topics is quite valuable.
The Yahoo directory is easy to attack these days. Who, after all, can argue that the Yahoo directory is better than Google’s search engine. But that is not a valid measure of the worth of the Yahoo directory. Are we better off having a Yahoo directory of the web or is it better if it went away completely. The Yahoo directory clearly provides great value for certain topics. One of my personal favorites is the Yahoo directory of mathematics (no, my math blog did not make the Yahoo cut).
Directories have their place. I find that they are especially useful for very specific topics. Often, a search excerpt does not provide enough information to figure out the value and relevance of a url. In these circumstances, I find myself going to Wikipedia, Amazon categories (great for browsing books), or Yahoo’s directory.
At HubPages, we have spent a lot of time making sure that our category system is usable. We have a category tool to make it as easy as possible for authors to identify the relevant category for their hub. They can do a search, get recommendations based on their tags, look up the categories they have used previously, or browse through the full list. We will have category landing pages that showcase featured hubs of that category. We have an excellent tool so that the HubPages staff can add new categories, remove categories, or move categories around. From my experience, usability of a feature is far more important than any theory behind it. Categories are useful because they are one more way for a reader to discover new content in a specific area of interest. It is one of many navigation tools available on HubPages. If you prefer, you can filter hubs by related tags, do a full-text, site-wide search, or browse hubs by popularity, quality, or recency. I think it’s clear that categories provide value not offered by these other choices.
Tags are not the perfect end-all categorization technology
Tags are not the end all classification technology. There, I said it. I feel better. Tags are great. We will continue using them at HubPages but they have significant limitations. Their identity depends on their form more than their meaning. If one person adds a space, another person adds a hyphen, and a third person removes the space, then you have three different tags that should really the same thing. Tagging is a skill. While the experienced HubPages author may get a sense of the popular tags, the newbie and the occasional writer often have real trouble figuring out the optimal tags. A few months ago, we added a tag suggestion feature which has really helped people to pick better tags. Tools such as this can really help to improve the effectiveness of tagging.
Tags also suffer from the same problems that Clay outlines in his essay about categories: they quickly get dated and they assume some level of mind reading and fortune telling. Tag clouds are found everywhere on the web seemingly more for show than for use. In 2005, Jeffrey Zeldman asked if Tag Clouds were not becoming the web equivalent of the mullet haircut.
Categorization does not have to rely on mind reading and fortune telling
Clay argues that categorization schemes inevitably require mind reading and fortune telling. You need to mind-read the would-be users of the hierarchy scheme and then you need to predict the interests of future users as well as the relevant topics that will organize future web links. Clay writes:
“One of the biggest problems with categorizing things in advance is that it forces the categorizers to take on two jobs that have historically been quite hard: mind reading and fortune telling. It forces categorizers to guess what their users are thinking, and to make predictions about the future.”
He talks here about the problems of using the Soviet Union as a category or East Germany as a category. In both of these cases, the category is no longer relevant. This is one of the dangers of categories (and tags for that matter). They get dated over time and even well chosen categories may not be relevant to future users.
At HubPages, we provide a set of categories which our authors decide to use or not use. It is true that we are doing limited mind reading and fortune telling in the sense that we came up with our set of categories before the author writes a hub. In practice, this is not as tough as it sounds. If no one signs up for a category, we can remove it. If someone requests a category, we can add it. Additionally, our writers tend to have favorite topics so past writing behavior is a reasonably good predictor of the future. For example, the user mattressguru is excited that there is a mattress subcategory.
While each hub has to get mapped to a single category, we give authors many choices: they can use a top level category, a second level category, or in some cases, a fourth-level category: it’s up to them. This really takes away the burden of mind reading since if all else fails, the writers can pick a more general category. You can see our complete list of categories here.
Our design of categories came about from a discussion between the staff and the HubPages community. The staff got the ball rolling by coming up with an initial set of top-level and second-level categories which we presented through forum announcements. I am proud to say that most of what was initially proposed was well received and the discussion that followed really helped to improve the overall set of categories.
Binary Categorization didn’t leave completely
Visit any of your favorite sites and most likely you will find some level of categorization there. Clay Shirky’s web site, for example, has the following categories:
New Book
Popular
Napster and Peer-to-Peer
WAP and the Wireless Internet
Globalization and the Internet
Network Economics
Media and Community
Open Source and Software Design
Interviews
Clay was surprised to find that he could organize his writings around common “themes”. He writes:
“As I have gathered these writings together and tried to organize them, however, I have been surprised to see that there are things here that organize these writings, not so much by category as by theme.”
Recently, Google has introduced categories to its Knol product.
Clay’s arguments in his essay focus on an older way of doing categories: of having a small group of category experts create a hierarchy of boxes which they impose on the world. The HubPages approach is very different. We recognize from the beginning that categories are imperfect and we offer categories more as “themes” than as a “boxes”. Authors are able to switch categories at any time.
We moved to categories as a result of our experience with tags. Tags were too imprecise to help users find the specific content that they wished. Because authors, in a sense, get to vote for the categories they like, category ordering at HubPages is significantly more organic than the categorization schemes that Clay critiques.
I am very excited about this week’s release of categories to HubPages. I look forward to hearing the feedback as people try it out.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm and is filed under Announcements, Larry's Random Thoughts, New Features, Thoughts to Chew On, Uncategorized, Web 2.0.
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When HubPages announced the support of categories in addition to tags, many people emailed me links to Clay’s essay: “Ontology is Overrated: Categories, Links, and Tags”. Clay Shirky first presented this talk at the O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference in 2005. Since then, it has had a tremendous impact on discussions about categories. As shown by the emails I received in 2009, it carries strong weight with some very smart people. Why would HubPages invest its time and resources to add top-down, hierarchical categories? Isn’t everyone now convinced that categories are overrated and worthless?
Well, before someone sends me another email with a link to this essay, I will try to explain why categories are a very good idea for HubPages, even in light of Clay Shirky’s fascinating analysis.
In 2005, the essay had an important purpose. Categories were often being misused and there were some exciting trends in search engines and tagging that promised greater usefulness than categories alone. Clay argues very persuasively that tags are on the rise and categorization as practiced by the Yahoo directory and libraries around the world have major flaws. If you haven’t read this paper yet, I encourage you to take a look or a listen.
Here is a summary of Clay Shirky’s main points:
Category schemes are inevitably flawed.
Search using key terms is significantly higher value than browsing the web via a categorized directory of web sites.
Categorization fails because it involves mind reading and fortune telling.
Tags have many benefits over categories.
Binary categorization is on its way out.
If you have just read Clay’s article, there’s one major point that sticks out: lots has changed since 2005. The article was written when categories were everywhere and tags were an upcoming trend. This was before Twitter, Yahoo’s purchase of Del.icio.us (Yahoo purchased delicious later that year in December, 2005), and before HubPages was started (HubPages was started in 2006). While Clay Shirky does a great job of showing that categories have problems, he is not as successful in showing that top-down categories, in general, have no value. Others have commented on the problems with his argument: he is a bit unfair to librarians, doesn’t talk about areas where the Yahoo directory does a decent job, and is overly soft on tagging. None of this disproves that ontologies in 2005 were overrated. In my view, Clay’s main point stands strong. Rather it shows that Clay, for purposes of his main argument, is ignoring the benefits of categories and ontological systems.
Even if category schemes are flawed, they can provide significant value when they are offered to users (instead of imposed on them), when they have a nice fit to the topics people are interested in, and especially when they succeed in organizing similar and related items.
The Library Revisited
One of the most entertaining parts of Clay’s paper is his review of library categorization schemes. The Dewey categorization system organizes the world religions into 9 categories (Natural theology, Bible, Christian theology, Christian moral & devotional theology, Christian orders & local church, Christian social theology, Christian church history, Christian sects & denominations, Other religions). So, the punchline is: “How much is this not the categorization you want in the 21 st century.”
But is this really proof of a broken library system? As anyone who goes to the library knows, the call number is the least important part of a book search (it’s what you use after you have selected your books). The main search consists of a subject search, an author search, or a title search. The set of subjects is itself a set of tags. The category, as revealed through the call number, is often invisible to the person looking for a book. It could just as well be a random code (as long as it maps well to a book’s location on a shelf). Even so, there are benefits to having a category system in addition to the tagging system: it is easier to find similar books and easier to find similar topics. For most people, the benefit comes when you are looking for one book and find another book on the same subject or on a related subject.
Yahoo Directory has flaws but for many topics is quite valuable.
The Yahoo directory is easy to attack these days. Who, after all, can argue that the Yahoo directory is better than Google’s search engine. But that is not a valid measure of the worth of the Yahoo directory. Are we better off having a Yahoo directory of the web or is it better if it went away completely. The Yahoo directory clearly provides great value for certain topics. One of my personal favorites is the Yahoo directory of mathematics (no, my math blog did not make the Yahoo cut).
Directories have their place. I find that they are especially useful for very specific topics. Often, a search excerpt does not provide enough information to figure out the value and relevance of a url. In these circumstances, I find myself going to Wikipedia, Amazon categories (great for browsing books), or Yahoo’s directory.
At HubPages, we have spent a lot of time making sure that our category system is usable. We have a category tool to make it as easy as possible for authors to identify the relevant category for their hub. They can do a search, get recommendations based on their tags, look up the categories they have used previously, or browse through the full list. We will have category landing pages that showcase featured hubs of that category. We have an excellent tool so that the HubPages staff can add new categories, remove categories, or move categories around. From my experience, usability of a feature is far more important than any theory behind it. Categories are useful because they are one more way for a reader to discover new content in a specific area of interest. It is one of many navigation tools available on HubPages. If you prefer, you can filter hubs by related tags, do a full-text, site-wide search, or browse hubs by popularity, quality, or recency. I think it’s clear that categories provide value not offered by these other choices.
Tags are not the perfect end-all categorization technology
Tags are not the end all classification technology. There, I said it. I feel better. Tags are great. We will continue using them at HubPages but they have significant limitations. Their identity depends on their form more than their meaning. If one person adds a space, another person adds a hyphen, and a third person removes the space, then you have three different tags that should really the same thing. Tagging is a skill. While the experienced HubPages author may get a sense of the popular tags, the newbie and the occasional writer often have real trouble figuring out the optimal tags. A few months ago, we added a tag suggestion feature which has really helped people to pick better tags. Tools such as this can really help to improve the effectiveness of tagging.
Tags also suffer from the same problems that Clay outlines in his essay about categories: they quickly get dated and they assume some level of mind reading and fortune telling. Tag clouds are found everywhere on the web seemingly more for show than for use. In 2005, Jeffrey Zeldman asked if Tag Clouds were not becoming the web equivalent of the mullet haircut.
Categorization does not have to rely on mind reading and fortune telling
Clay argues that categorization schemes inevitably require mind reading and fortune telling. You need to mind-read the would-be users of the hierarchy scheme and then you need to predict the interests of future users as well as the relevant topics that will organize future web links. Clay writes:
“One of the biggest problems with categorizing things in advance is that it forces the categorizers to take on two jobs that have historically been quite hard: mind reading and fortune telling. It forces categorizers to guess what their users are thinking, and to make predictions about the future.”
He talks here about the problems of using the Soviet Union as a category or East Germany as a category. In both of these cases, the category is no longer relevant. This is one of the dangers of categories (and tags for that matter). They get dated over time and even well chosen categories may not be relevant to future users.
At HubPages, we provide a set of categories which our authors decide to use or not use. It is true that we are doing limited mind reading and fortune telling in the sense that we came up with our set of categories before the author writes a hub. In practice, this is not as tough as it sounds. If no one signs up for a category, we can remove it. If someone requests a category, we can add it. Additionally, our writers tend to have favorite topics so past writing behavior is a reasonably good predictor of the future. For example, the user mattressguru is excited that there is a mattress subcategory.
While each hub has to get mapped to a single category, we give authors many choices: they can use a top level category, a second level category, or in some cases, a fourth-level category: it’s up to them. This really takes away the burden of mind reading since if all else fails, the writers can pick a more general category. You can see our complete list of categories here.
Our design of categories came about from a discussion between the staff and the HubPages community. The staff got the ball rolling by coming up with an initial set of top-level and second-level categories which we presented through forum announcements. I am proud to say that most of what was initially proposed was well received and the discussion that followed really helped to improve the overall set of categories.
Binary Categorization didn’t leave completely
Visit any of your favorite sites and most likely you will find some level of categorization there. Clay Shirky’s web site, for example, has the following categories:
New Book
Popular
Napster and Peer-to-Peer
WAP and the Wireless Internet
Globalization and the Internet
Network Economics
Media and Community
Open Source and Software Design
Interviews
Clay was surprised to find that he could organize his writings around common “themes”. He writes:
“As I have gathered these writings together and tried to organize them, however, I have been surprised to see that there are things here that organize these writings, not so much by category as by theme.”
Recently, Google has introduced categories to its Knol product.
Clay’s arguments in his essay focus on an older way of doing categories: of having a small group of category experts create a hierarchy of boxes which they impose on the world. The HubPages approach is very different. We recognize from the beginning that categories are imperfect and we offer categories more as “themes” than as a “boxes”. Authors are able to switch categories at any time.
We moved to categories as a result of our experience with tags. Tags were too imprecise to help users find the specific content that they wished. Because authors, in a sense, get to vote for the categories they like, category ordering at HubPages is significantly more organic than the categorization schemes that Clay critiques.
I am very excited about this week’s release of categories to HubPages. I look forward to hearing the feedback as people try it out.
This entry was posted
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Children And Baby Apparel
This week the HubMob team decided to mix it up a bit and came up with a topic of Children and Baby Apparel that will not only be fun for Hubbers to write about, but will also help them fill in some new categories that don’t have many Hubs posted in them yet. This will do a couple of things:
It will help HubPages become a better resource as each of the 2nd and 3rd level categories begin to fill up with quality, original and well-written Hubs.
It will give the Hubbers who first publish Hubs in the new categories a head start in becoming the best Hubs that the category has to offer. If a Hubber has one of the top Hubs in any given category, they will then have the potential to be showcased as that particular category’s featured author or featured article, which are now incorporated into the various topic/category level pages like this one for Skin Care.
Now all you have to do is come up with an idea for a great Hub that has to do with Children and Baby Apparel and become a HubMobster, too! Happy Hubbing and have a great week.
This entry was posted
on Monday, April 13th, 2009 at 3:48 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
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It will help HubPages become a better resource as each of the 2nd and 3rd level categories begin to fill up with quality, original and well-written Hubs.
It will give the Hubbers who first publish Hubs in the new categories a head start in becoming the best Hubs that the category has to offer. If a Hubber has one of the top Hubs in any given category, they will then have the potential to be showcased as that particular category’s featured author or featured article, which are now incorporated into the various topic/category level pages like this one for Skin Care.
Now all you have to do is come up with an idea for a great Hub that has to do with Children and Baby Apparel and become a HubMobster, too! Happy Hubbing and have a great week.
This entry was posted
on Monday, April 13th, 2009 at 3:48 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
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You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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The Payout Chronicles : Bard Of Ely Explains HOW HE FOUND 100$ + In HIS Adsense Account
Well hello there Hubbers and welcome back to another exciting edition of the Payout Chronicles, where I interview a Hubber who has recently passed a major milestone in their Hubbing — getting their first $100 payout from Google. It’s always interesting hearing each of the Hubbers that I interview talk about the methods, techniques and tips that they have to share regarding their success (or not) with writing on HubPages. I’m a big believer in the ability to learn best practices from one another and I think that hearing it straight from the Hubber who has reached his first payout can be super helpful.
So, with all of that being said, I’d like to introduce the Hubber that I’ll beinterviewing about his first payout today, the one and only Bard of Ely.
Hup: So Bard, I happened to see your Forum post that said you found $113 in your AdSense account after checking it a few days ago. Can you tell me briefly how it ended up in there?
Bard: Well, I don’t know exactly how it all got there because I don’t spend a lot of time checking stats and visiting my Google Adsense account because it has been quite depressing until recently. I am very pleased to see that the total has now gone up to just over $125. I think it’s mainly got there because I have been patiently waiting having seen it advised over and over again in the forum threads that patience is one of the keys to success here.As a writer and musician because it is so damned hard to get published and released by a ‘proper’ publisher or label it has taught me over the many years to be patient and just keep at it.
Hup: Well, I guess that’s it’s true then, eh? You really can make money from HubPages! I thought that that it was all just a figment of my imagination or something.
Bard: I first came to HubPages having found the site whilst searching for ways to make money online. That was my original reason for being on the site but it soon became somewhere I wanted to spend a lot of my time not just because of the possible money. I made a lot of new friends there and I also concluded that it would make a great showcase for my writing.Hup: You’ve been an amazing member of the HubPages community for over a year now and in those 12 months you’ve published over 150 Hubs, which is quite a feat in itself. What has kept you sticking around for all of this time and what does being a Hubber mean to you?
Bard: I have already discussed patience, and whilst I admit I have been patiently waiting to see if I ever did make anything here, there are so many more reasons why I have been such a regular Hubber. I appreciate the great community spirit and the quality of a lot of the hubs, which are a great resource for info as well as enjoyment. I only wish I had more time to spend reading more of them! As I’ve already said I have made a lot of friends on HubPages and another thing I like to do is watch how well my friends do on here. In particular I am very glad to see how successful CJ Stone and Misty Horizon have been.Being a Hubber means to me being ready to answer questions and give advice in the forums, being willing to spend time researching and creating your own hubs and also being willing to experiment and learn as you go along, and which I am still doing of course.
Hup: After publishing Hubs and hanging around the place for over a year, you must have some pretty solid advice for all of the Hubbers out there when it comes to what works and what doesn’t when publishing on HubPages. What fantastic nuggets of knowledge do you feel could be the most helpful?
Bard: I think it’s important to get good titles, to include videos and photos and plenty of links. I tried the news capsules but they didn’t really work for me and so far I haven’t had much luck with Amazon and eBay but I like to add items on them to help illustrate the hub and show what is available. It seems pretty obvious that writing about popular stuff like sex works well, but at the same time I have had very good ratings and traffic for some of my articles about nature and foraging as well as my conspiracy hubs on the Illuminati and David Icke’s theories etc. I don’t claim to know why some of the nature hubs prove very popular and others don’t though. For example, my hub on Antlions and other insects has been one of my very successful hubs but why I wonder?My advice would be not to give up and not to worry about the money side of it but look on HubPages as a place to display your writing skills and to talk about all sorts of subjects and to meet people too.
Hup: The fact that you have the word ‘bard’ in your name is pretty sweet, can you give me a brief explanation of what it means?
Bard: It came about when in 1997 I had a regular column in Big Issue Cymru magazine for homeless people. I was writing mostly general interest stories but I was already known to the publication as a singer and songwriter from the South Wales music scene. Because of that they dubbed me Bard of Ely. Ely is a vast council housing estate, said to be the biggest in Europe, and I thought it was funny being a bard from such a place. A bard to my understanding is a person who is a singer, a musician, poet and storyteller and I am all of those and I really did come from Ely having lived there for 25 years, so it was an accurate description. I am also a Bard of the Free Gorsedd of Bards of Caer Abiri (Avebury) and Principal Bard of the Travelling Court of Camelot (musical wing of the Loyal Arthurian Warband druid order).
So, with all of that being said, I’d like to introduce the Hubber that I’ll beinterviewing about his first payout today, the one and only Bard of Ely.
Hup: So Bard, I happened to see your Forum post that said you found $113 in your AdSense account after checking it a few days ago. Can you tell me briefly how it ended up in there?
Bard: Well, I don’t know exactly how it all got there because I don’t spend a lot of time checking stats and visiting my Google Adsense account because it has been quite depressing until recently. I am very pleased to see that the total has now gone up to just over $125. I think it’s mainly got there because I have been patiently waiting having seen it advised over and over again in the forum threads that patience is one of the keys to success here.As a writer and musician because it is so damned hard to get published and released by a ‘proper’ publisher or label it has taught me over the many years to be patient and just keep at it.
Hup: Well, I guess that’s it’s true then, eh? You really can make money from HubPages! I thought that that it was all just a figment of my imagination or something.
Bard: I first came to HubPages having found the site whilst searching for ways to make money online. That was my original reason for being on the site but it soon became somewhere I wanted to spend a lot of my time not just because of the possible money. I made a lot of new friends there and I also concluded that it would make a great showcase for my writing.Hup: You’ve been an amazing member of the HubPages community for over a year now and in those 12 months you’ve published over 150 Hubs, which is quite a feat in itself. What has kept you sticking around for all of this time and what does being a Hubber mean to you?
Bard: I have already discussed patience, and whilst I admit I have been patiently waiting to see if I ever did make anything here, there are so many more reasons why I have been such a regular Hubber. I appreciate the great community spirit and the quality of a lot of the hubs, which are a great resource for info as well as enjoyment. I only wish I had more time to spend reading more of them! As I’ve already said I have made a lot of friends on HubPages and another thing I like to do is watch how well my friends do on here. In particular I am very glad to see how successful CJ Stone and Misty Horizon have been.Being a Hubber means to me being ready to answer questions and give advice in the forums, being willing to spend time researching and creating your own hubs and also being willing to experiment and learn as you go along, and which I am still doing of course.
Hup: After publishing Hubs and hanging around the place for over a year, you must have some pretty solid advice for all of the Hubbers out there when it comes to what works and what doesn’t when publishing on HubPages. What fantastic nuggets of knowledge do you feel could be the most helpful?
Bard: I think it’s important to get good titles, to include videos and photos and plenty of links. I tried the news capsules but they didn’t really work for me and so far I haven’t had much luck with Amazon and eBay but I like to add items on them to help illustrate the hub and show what is available. It seems pretty obvious that writing about popular stuff like sex works well, but at the same time I have had very good ratings and traffic for some of my articles about nature and foraging as well as my conspiracy hubs on the Illuminati and David Icke’s theories etc. I don’t claim to know why some of the nature hubs prove very popular and others don’t though. For example, my hub on Antlions and other insects has been one of my very successful hubs but why I wonder?My advice would be not to give up and not to worry about the money side of it but look on HubPages as a place to display your writing skills and to talk about all sorts of subjects and to meet people too.
Hup: The fact that you have the word ‘bard’ in your name is pretty sweet, can you give me a brief explanation of what it means?
Bard: It came about when in 1997 I had a regular column in Big Issue Cymru magazine for homeless people. I was writing mostly general interest stories but I was already known to the publication as a singer and songwriter from the South Wales music scene. Because of that they dubbed me Bard of Ely. Ely is a vast council housing estate, said to be the biggest in Europe, and I thought it was funny being a bard from such a place. A bard to my understanding is a person who is a singer, a musician, poet and storyteller and I am all of those and I really did come from Ely having lived there for 25 years, so it was an accurate description. I am also a Bard of the Free Gorsedd of Bards of Caer Abiri (Avebury) and Principal Bard of the Travelling Court of Camelot (musical wing of the Loyal Arthurian Warband druid order).
House prices resume decline
House prices fell again in April following March's surprise rise. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty
House prices fell by 0.4% in April, reversing some of the surprise 0.9% rise in March, the Nationwide building society said today.
The return to falling prices brought the average cost of a home in the UK down to £151,861 – 15% lower than in April last year.
The society said there were signs that the pace of decline was easing, with the three-month rate of change, which is a better indication of trend than the one-month figure, falling from -4.1% in March to -3.1%.
However, it said it was too early to talk of a housing market revival. Nationwide's chief economist, Fionnuala Earley, said that although falling house prices had made homes more affordable to first-time buyers, caution about the future direction of the property market was still restricting activity.
She said the decision to keep the stamp duty threshold at £175,000 until the end of the year, announced in last week's budget, was welcome, but unlikely to stimulate a significant increase in sales.
"It is possible that the extended period of the higher threshold will be more of an incentive for first-time buyers to enter the market now that affordability has improved due to falling interest rates and house prices," she said. "But it seems more likely that, for the most part, buyers will remain cautious as long as they think that prices will continue to fall."
The government scheme to boost the availability of mortgages by offering guarantees for new mortgage-backed securities is also unlikely to make a big impact on the market, Earley said.
"Lenders have already indicated that the availability of credit is less of an issue than it has been, but at the same time expect that the demand for secured lending will fall further.
"Given the weakness of the economy and the expected further increase in unemployment this comes as no surprise."
Land Registry figures
Last month's figures from the society took commentators by surprise and were almost immediately contradicted by rival lender Halifax, which reported a 1.9% fall in March.
Today, figures from the Land Registry confirmed that in many areas the market was still falling last month, although the pace of decline seemed to be slowing and some areas did see prices rise.
Its latest snapshot of the market showed that house prices dropped by 0.4% in England and Wales in March, the lowest monthly fall in 11 months.
The Land Registry index, which records the completed sales price of all homes that have changed hands at least once before, put the average price of a property in England and Wales at £152,895 – 16.2% less than in March last year and the same price as in August 2004.
However, it said that in London prices increased by 0.6% over the month, while in Wales prices rose by 1%. In the north-east and south-west house prices jumped by 1.1% and 1.8% respectively.
Michael White, chief executive of broker Email Mortgages, said it was no surprise to see the market falling again after last month's shock rise.
"A return to a monthly fall in April seems to show the market was right to be cautious about any perception that house prices had reached their floor and were on the rise again.
"The 0.4% fall seems to reflect the majority of other indices which continue to show that UK house prices are still falling and will probably continue in the same vein for at least the rest of 2009."
He added that lenders still needed to take "a much more borrower-friendly stance" before prices could start to rise again.
"At the moment, too many prospective purchasers are unable to get the mortgage finance they need to get on the property ladder – high loan-to-value products are still in short supply and until lenders feel confident enough to move up the risk curve and meet their responsibilities to these borrowers, we are unlikely to see any regular and sustained movement upwards in house prices for the foreseeable future."
Ed Stansfield, property economist at Capital Economics, agreed the housing market correction was still some way from being over.
"Although the recent upturn in buyer interest may encourage sellers to hold out for higher prices, thus slowing the rate of house price falls over the next few months, ultimately the combined effect of rising unemployment and widespread pay freezes will mean that prices fall considerably further," he said.
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