A weather vane (or wind vane) is an instrument for measuring wind direction. It is a simple instrument, consisting of an arrow, or any figure, mounted on a rod. This rod moves in the direction of the wind when there is breeze. The front part of the vane is more or less pointed and the back end is wide, so that even the slightest breeze will move the vane. The arrow turns until the wind is equally distributed on either side of the weather vane, making the front part indicate the exact direction of the wind. Wind vanes are placed in open and high places to catch the wind.

Weather vanes are one of the oldest wind instruments used by man. The oldest wind vane has been traced to the Tower of Winds in Athens, Greece, and dates back to 48 BC. Over the centuries, weather vanes have been used as ornaments to display the icons of various cultures, religions and countries. At one point of time, these weather vanes were most likely used as flags, as the origin of the word “vane” seems to have come from the Anglo-Saxon word “fane”, which means flag.

Weather vanes have no doubt been used to represent patriotic feelings as depicted by the Federal Eagle and the Goddess of Liberty vanes. Weather vanes, even today, are used more as ornaments on buildings than for any other specific purpose. Even office buildings are sporting weather vanes with corporate logos etched on them. They can be custom designed, from the size of the vane, to the material used, and of course the design. Modern wind vanes are also mounted with an anemometer, a device for measuring the speed of the wind. They may also be connected to a remote reading station. Modern weather vanes are rust free and maintenance free.

Weather vanes are available in hundreds of models and designs. They can be crafted to suit the exact feature of the house, its location, and the unique taste of the customer. Weather vanes are available in wrought iron, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze or steel. They are made in different shapes ranging from simple arrows to shapes of animals, birds, humans, crests, exotic figurines, or a combination of these themes. Antique weather vanes are so much in demand that there are some dealers who specialize in recreating weather vanes to look like antiques. Though weather vanes are more popular for the “country” or “farm” look, they can add a graceful touch to any building. Weather vanes are also used as decorative items inside the house or even on desktops.

Weather vanes are instruments used to detect the direction of the wind. They date back to the year 48 BC, as seen from the Tower of Winds in Athens, Greece. There are many other references to weather vanes in history right from the 1st century BC. The first authenticated weather vane in the US was supposedly made by Shem Drowne of Boston in 1716. Another vane made by the same master vane-maker was a large copper Indian vane and it was installed in 1740 on Boston’s Old North Church.

Antique weather vanes are very rare and much in demand. Handcrafted ones are very difficult to authenticate. There is a great demand for those made in the factories which date back to the mid-to-late nineteenth century. Some of the most popular weather vane makers were A.L. Jewell, J.W.Fiske, E.G.Washburne and Cushing and White. Some unscrupulous dealers duplicate weather vanes to look like antiques by coating them with animal manure, placing them in dirt-filled boxes with salt water and burying them underground for a few months. The antique look can also be duplicated by treating them with copper sulphate, acetic acid and potassium sulphide.

Antique weather vanes were also highly experimented upon, and so we find many unique pieces like the one made by Thomas Jefferson which had a shaft that went through the roof into the room below. There was an indicator there so that the wind direction could be checked without going out of the house and looking at the vane directly. Antique iron weather vanes are also available in several types like: deck or fence weather vanes, lawn weather vanes, roof top weather vanes, table top weather vanes, and more. They are also provided with the necessary accessories and hardware like cupolas, mounting shafts, and roof mount bases.

There are certain guidelines for identifying whether a weather vane is really an antique or not. Real antique vanes are much finer than fake ones. Since antique vanes were usually covered with metal sheets, rather than being painted on, they may have some square borders of gilt remaining. Also, they would have a mellow burnished finish instead of a shiny look. Since weather vanes were usually used for shooting practice in olden days, some real antique vanes may have bullet holes in them. If it has holes or fissures, then there should be some dust accumulated inside. A good shake should reveal this. Although these are not sure-fire tests for antique weather vanes, they can help to know at a glance if the vane is really antique or not. Antique weather vanes, like other antique products, are in high demand by collectors.

Pumpkin is at the heart of Halloween festivities, and for many is the only experience they have of the squash all season. This is usually for the joys of pumpkin carving rather than cooking. When you discover just how healthy pumpkins are however, you'll realise that pumpkin recipes are just as worth getting excited about and that it would be foolish not to eat the remaining flesh left over from your pumpkin carving. (As a note, if you're rolling up your sleeves ready to tackle your orange fellow there are plenty of free pumpkin carving pattern ideas available on the internet).

Pumpkin is a superfood indeed. In fact, it's not just the inner meat of a pumpkin that's virtuous but its seeds are super nutritous too and contain a wealth of health-promoting properties. Like melons, cucumber, and squash, pumpkins belong to the gourd family. They were much celebrated by Native American Indians who made use of their flesh and seeds for culinary and medicinal purposes. Pumpkin flesh is high in fibre and vitamins C and E, magnesium and potassium and a staggering quantity and variety of carotenoids, being one of the most abundant natural sources of these amazing phytonutrients.

Dietary carotenoids correlate with lower a risk of numerous cancers, heart disease, cataracts and blindness. Pumpkin contains heaps of beta-carotene as well as a huge concentration of alpha-carotene, with just a quarter of a cup yielding the recommended daily amount. Alpha-carotene protects against certain cancers and cataracts, and has also been discovered to be a powerful ally against aging.

Both alpha- and beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A within the body, which plays an essential role in growth, development and immunity. Beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent and prevents cholesterol build up in blood vessels that could lead to stroke or heart attack. The presence of magnesium, potassium and folate in pumpkin heightens its heart-friendly attributes. Beta-carotene works most effectively in combination with other carotenoids and has been found to reduce the risk of lung and colon cancer in particular.

When exploring pumpkin recipes experiment with other squashes too. There are numerous types in all shapes and sizes with many similar nutritional values. One tasty alternative is the butternut squash.

Pumpkins yield delicious and highly nutritious seeds. Known as pepitas, they are dark green and flat with a chewy texture and rich nutty flavour. These seeds are dense in minerals, with just a quarter of a cup providing approximately half the daily recommended dose for magnesium and iron, in addition to high doses of zinc, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, manganese and copper. They also contain the amino acid tryptophan known for anti-depressant qualities, and essential fatty acids.

The dark green oil produced from pumpkin seeds has been used throughout history in India, Europe and America to fight parasites, aid the digestive tract and help with prostate and reproductive disorders. It has also been recommended for pregnant and lactating women because of its high content of essential fatty acids.

For the vast majority of us, power tools have been around as long as we can remember in one form or another. When we look back to see such items of our childhood, it’s funny how they seem so primitive, yet at the time they were the most up-to-date invention making the lives of our families so much easier than those of past generations.

Centuries before the wheel was invented, the Egyptians built the pyramids with nothing more than copper tools to quarry and cut the colossal blocks. It’s believed that this was one of the first uses of a copper drill, sharpened by the many metalworkers of the day, spun by twine attached to a cross piece that was moved back and forth like a bow. One theory for physically moving the blocks to the site was that the laborers drilled holes through the blocks, placed either twine or a dowel through the block, and pulled the giant blocks up that way.

Somewhere around the first century B.C., the first screws came into existence. They were made out of wood, had a corkscrew design and were used in various presses of the day, like wine and olive oil. The drivers of the times were basically anything that would twist the screw to get the desired result, eventually leading to a slot in the head of the screw and a coordinating driver with a tip that fit in the slot to ease the twisting process. Metal screws and nuts used for fastening two items together weren’t seen until the fifteenth century.

Henry Phillips developed the Phillips head screw as a need came for screws to take greater torque and grant tighter fastenings to coincide with the 1930’s automobile assembly lines and their automated screwdrivers. Phillips’ screw fit in nicely and created a new generation of screws and drivers in the process. Of course, it only took a few more decades to add power to the screwdriver, either as a single driving device or as an attachment for an electric drill.

The history of saws takes us back to 1777 England where Samuel Miller invented the round metal disk type of saw that cuts by spinning, also known as the circular saw. 1813 saw a vast improvement to the two-man pit saws that were used in the production of lumber when Tabitha Babbitt invented the first circular saw used in a sawmill. The band saw came into the scene in 1807 with its invention by William Newberry.

It’s been said more than once “necessity is the mother of invention” and “with age comes wisdom”. Combining both of these proverbs to come up with easier, simpler ways to do things more quickly and efficiently is what has changed these uncomplicated tools of the past into the higher-tech power tools of today, and will help to create the next generation of power tools for tomorrow.

Antioxidants represent a crucial line of defense in each of our bodies. They serve to neutralize free radicals, which pose multiple threats to our well-being. Simply put, free radicals are made up of an odd number of electrons, and they attack cells in order to pair up electrons. When these free radicalsare successful in their assault, many complications and diseases can occur. Cancer, Heart Attack, Diabetes, and AIDS are just a few of the diseases directly caused by these free radicals. In addition to breaking down DNA and cell structure, free radicals also speed the aging process. Therefore, it’s not hard to see the importance of maintaining the best antioxidant protection possible. In this article, we will give you some easy tips for achieving and maintaining this vital resource.

Maintain a Proper Diet

It should come as no surprise that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains should represent your first line of defense against free radicals. These foods are all high in natural antioxidants, and provide your body with countless nutrients.

Vitamins and Minerals

There are several essential nutrients that work to scavenge these free radicals. Vitamins A, C, and E have great antioxidant properties, as do copper,selenium, and zinc. These supplements all help in the prevention of damage by free radicals.

Stay Away From Tobacco and Alcohol

These two substances contain an abundance of free-radical producing toxins, and should be avoided whenever possible.

Avoid Over-Exposure To Sunlight

In addition to many pollutants found in the air that we breathe (which we have little control over), free-radicals can also be found in the ultra-violet rays emitted by the sun. If you have to spend an increased amount of time in the sun, be sure to use a strong sunscreen to offset the exposure.

Your Best Defense

Hopefully, these tips will help you increase the amount of antioxidants you have available to seek out these harmful free radicals. Ultimately, you serve as your body’s best defense against sickness, disease, and aging. By following a healthy lifestyle, you can provide yourself with a sense of security and peace of mind.

Technocrat: Another little known name of great influence on blackjack Keith Taft. He was an engineer, computer specialist and inventor, he created his first blackjack computer in 1970, before Ken Uston appeared on the stage, just four years after the publication of the second Thorp’s book that encouraged him for this work. This computer named "George" was used by Uston’s teams.

Consider the fact, that at that time, there were not computers at all, to say nothing of miniaturization. The first version used 16bite processor, manually made memory and manually wired-in program. Assembly work and debugging took two years. He protected his device with copper screen from possible clutters and hid it in his boots. At first he was very lucky, but then he lost a great deal. It made him give up independent playing. Keith thought of writing a book, but then contracts with professional players came his way. After a few years the market offered more powerful computing devices.

The basis of the other device was Z80 processor. Keith built it in the pocket calculator. This version of "George", later renamed as "David", caught Uston’s eye. Keith together with his brother made several such computers for his team. They doubled their capital in a week. Trebled in two weeks. Then they were caught, the money and the computer were confiscated. By the way, Uston’s lawyer in the case was Oscar Goodman – now he is effective mayor of Las Vegas.

In the upshot the project broke down. And a new one emerged with more sophisticated and secret devices but now without Uston. More complicated computers required new processors and larger memory. New investments from the players and "Thor" project made good money for Taft and gamblers. Moreover, this computer remained unnoticed in the casinos. Keith created protection system which in fact repeats the concept of modern "electronic key". Then he developed "7-Up" scheme which connected 7 (!!) players at the table into the network. Each had a computer and they were united into the network. Just think – this guy – created computer networks!!!! It was 1982! Before Microsoft these people managed computer severs…

Then video cameras appeared. Keith started applying satellite and radio signals. Then again a failure, arrest and accusation of fraud. Charges were again dismissed. A new hi-tech project followed.

Finally when the usage of computers was deemed illegal in the USA, Keith stopped playing blackjack. Now he is living in his house and is working in his laboratory. I wonder, on what?

Things get easier when done together. Blackjack boom in 70-80-s, public description of team playing methods lead to creation of the biggest blackjack teams. The most famous, probably was the team of Massachusetts technological Institute or MIT Team. The idea was innovative– instead of hiring people with money, the operators of the team trained the students of playing the game and offered blackjack as summer earnings during their vacation. They almost posted announcements in the lecture rooms saying "Blackjack players wanted!" At first he team was small, however the management drew great funds from outside investors and project became very large. These young guys and ladies lived a double life – five days a week attending the lectures and eating in the campus canteen and on the weekend flying to Las Vegas, betting on 10 thousand dollars in the box, living in luxury apartments and driving in limousines at the expense of casinos.

How many times have you settled for a plain, white light switchplate cover because you couldn’t find the right shade of color to contrast or compliment your walls and the rest of your home’s decorative items? Or maybe you chose boring white because you didn’t realize that the latest trend in home décor is decorative light switchplate covers for every room in your house!

I remember back in the day when I was about 7 or 8 years old, I’d go to my grandmother’s house on a Sunday afternoon for dinner. I specifically remember the wallpaper in the dining room. It was off white with a slightly fuzzy, golden fleur-de-lis pattern running through. The entire wall was covered with this repeating pattern, including the light switchplate covers, for back then the covers were considered to be more of a hindrance than today’s decorative mini works of art.

Interior design is still focusing on a wide-open floor plan, creating an airy feel while still being able to maintain a warm, friendly and inviting atmosphere. Cleverly placed details can make or break this atmosphere, and can act as a centrally located focal point for all. One such item, the decorative light switchplate cover, can fulfill this task while becoming the muse, or inspiration for the rest of the room’s décor. Why? Because it’s a detail that can be easily grown into a theme, either color, style or story; it’s all up to the decorator in you.

It’s sort of funny, really, how the one room of the house that doesn’t get overlooked for a coordinated light switchplate cover is the bathroom. Maybe it’s because of the generally small space coupled with an undying need to coordinate everything possible. Maybe it’s just because this particular room has a wider selection of coordinating details available at every discount department store in town, turning the light switchplate cover from a piece of plastic covering a hole and some wires into a miniature work of art. Whatever the case, it’s time to spread the news and spread the art to every room in your home!

Today’s decorative light switchplate covers can be as unique or passive as you’d want them to be. Even if you have a hard-to-fit size, you’ll undoubtedly be able to find the perfect size from a specialty shop. Antique pewter, brushed or satin nickel, and mottled antique copper are just a few simple ideas to keep your light switchplate covers apart from the norm. And of course, don’t forget about the hand painted originals that can be found at discriminating local shops or from quality dealers across the World Wide Web.

The Philosopher's Stone is a catalyst that transmutes an object to its highest expression. With the application of the Stone, for instance, base metals are transformed into gold; men are changed into gods. The stone is a prime requisite in Alchemy and Hermeticism, without it the state of regeneration and resurrection are not attained.

Legends of mystical stones are to be found in various cultures; for instance, taoists refer their stone as the "Stone of Wisdom." The Burmese called theirs "the Stone of Live Metal."Muslims venerate a stone that lies reposed in the kaaba. This stone is said to be a fragment of a meteorite. It is traditionally believed to be white in hue but because of the sins of men, it turned black. There is a stone called "Cintamani" said to be a state jewel of the mystical and mythical city of Shamballa. Shamballa is believed to exist in the etheric plane above the Gobi desert. Esoterically speaking, "Cintamani," or the "love-jewel," represents the perfect expression of the anahata, or heart chakra, the enlightened mind, or bodicitta. When a seeker is told to acquire Cintamani, the unfoldment of the heart chakra is meant. This has its parallel with the Grail Quest in that, microcosmically speaking, a spiritual principle within man is the object of the search. This is further supported by the tradition that King Solomon's temple was built without the sound of tools. A certain stone called "shamir" was used to fashion the Temple. Esoterists know that the Temple refers to the causal body, the vessel clothing the Monad, the Spirit of Man. The Temple, or the causal body is built with the shimmering stone of virtues, good works, and an enlightened mind. These are nourishment that beautifies the Temple.

Perfect Love is truly a catalyst. Its power transforms human expression into that of the divine. Love is an aspect of the buddhic component within man; alchemically speaking, it is described as the gluten of the White Eagle.

From the above it can be gathered that the Philosopher's Stone is no stone in an ordinary sense. This is stressed repeatedly by alchemists in their writings. They declare that the Stone is made out of the First Matter, and is composite of the four elements. The Stone is believed to be hidden within man. Powers of the Godhead are ascribed to this fabulous Stone. Its appearance, so say the alchemists, is unsightly to look at, is to be found in filth, and is valueless to the majority of men. Since there are various categories of alchemy, it is probable that the Stone differs at each alchemical level, taking on a different characteristic and nature.

Aside from Love, other aspects of God, of Omneity, can be said to be the Stone, such as Supreme Reason, Wisdom, Power and Light. These qualities all have the ability to purify and illumine body, mind, and soul. To acquire the Stone is to discover Truth, Reality, and the Absolute, the "fixed," the non-aggregate--and this is the Magnum Opus--to experience and to know Reality veiled by the "adversary," "deceiver," "opposer," or "maya." It is the sublimest work any person can do.It fulfills the old adage: "Man, know thyself." The Stone derives its power from the highest aspect of man, from his divine Self which is essentially a spark of God.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to garden art. It all boils down to finding pieces that are unique and special to you and that make you feel good.

Many homeowners wouldn’t dream of putting any kind of garden art in their backyard unless it was very traditional. They like formal garden art like stone or concrete statuary of angels, gargoyles and goddesses. Formal garden art also includes ornate birdbaths and heavy classical water fountains.

Others take their garden art far less seriously and want unique outdoor yard art with a more modern look and feel. This group of backyard lovers enjoy nostalgic and fun resin or bronze sculptures of children and animals of every kind. I’ve even seen alligator statuary yard art!

Other examples of this semi-formal garden art include copper art for patio and yard, stainless steel yard art, topiary wire garden sculptures, as well as handcrafted items like one-of- a- kind birdhouses, stain glass stepping stones, pottery, and other unique outdoor yard art.

Then there’s the crowd who declare that art should be just plain fun and crazy. They like informal garden art. Their taste is off the wall. They love to shake things up with a few pink flamingos, or to decorate their gardens with unusual household objects like broken china plates, a dressmaker’s dummy, even an old toilet seat lid.

They like to transform old junk into beautiful works of art. No need to waste anything. Try placing recycled metal garden art in your backyard or use architectural salvage to create garden art from old windows.

Whatever you consider garden art, here are 10 places to display it to bring out its full charm.

• In a boring, bare part of the yard to add interest and stimulate conversation.

• At the end of a path to add drama.

• In any area to add comic relief. How about some playful topiary wire garden sculptures of your favourite animal like a lion or a dinosaur?

• In front of an ugly spot to hide dead patch.

• Directly in line with an unwanted view of the neighbour’s yard to create privacy.

• On a wall or fence to visually break up the long monotonous line. I have a beautiful concrete painted face hanging on one part of my fence and a mirror hanging on another to add interest. Any garden wall art sculpture will do.

• In front of a colorful burst of foliage to punctuate the space. My classical white bird bath looks gorgeous just in front of my huge pink rose bush.

• Hidden behind some greenery so it just peeks out a little to create a feeling of antiquity. This will put plants in the spotlight.

• Within the frame of a beautiful view to enhance the view even more. My backyard is on the lake and the view is made even more beautiful by a piece of unique outdoor yard art --A fountain of Poseidon the sea God that we have made part of the view.

• In a rock garden to create feeling of garden gallery. The rocks are natural pedestals for the art and create a wonderful playground for eye to bounce around in and land on art.

Don’t forget about the view from inside. Take a look out your window to see where you might place garden art so that it draws you out into the backyard.

Finally, less is more. Too much garden art will make your backyard look junky. All you need is a few interesting pieces of unique outdoor yard art to personalize your backyard and give it a sense of place.

Many people are aware of the nutrient value of almonds. Health food stores and even some grocery stores now carry almond milk as a substitute for dairy and its use is becoming more common in skin care lotions and cleansers. However, in addition to the beneficial almond-derived ingredients, most of these commercial products also contain harsh and harmful chemicals. An easy solution to this problem is to make your own almond products at home and add them to your basic dry skin care routine.

What are the benefits of almonds? In addition to being an excellent source of protein, calcium, copper, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, niacin and other B vitamins, they have a high fat content that replenishes the skin's natural oils. Like olive oil, the fat is "good fat" - unsaturated oils very high in linolenic acid that is especially beneficial for dry skin care. In addition to drinking almond milk for overall health, almonds can be included in many homemade skin care products but they are most useful as cleansers. Try the following recipes.

Gently heat a few tablespoons of almond oil until it is warm. Add calendula flowers, about half the amount of almond oil, and leave it on the heat without letting it boil. After about 30 minutes, let it cool down and strain out the flowers. Throw in a few drops of flower water - orange, violet or rose water are great. Try each of them and choose your favorite scent. Use this oil instead of your regular cleanser.

For a deeper cleaning you need to substitute marigold for the calendula and add grape seed and lemon oils. Marigold is a good cleanser, astringent and toner and also has healing properties. Grape seed oil is a very potent antioxidant - great for dry skin care and smoothing out little lines and wrinkles. Lemon tones and lightens the skin and restores the natural pH. Heat about 2 tablespoons of grape seed oil then whisk in 3 tablespoons of marigold infusion. Add about five ounces of almond milk and 5 drops of lemon then allow to cool. Used morning and night, this solution will last for a good week - just shake it before each use.

After cleansing, always apply a shielding lotion. If you're taking the time to make your own dry skin care products, you'll want to do everything you can to make the benefits last as long as possible. A good shielding lotion locks in the skin's natural moisture and forms a protective layer on the surface of the skin to keep out the harsh chemicals and pollutants in the environment. Dry skin care using the combination of cleansing with almond oil products and protecting with the shielding lotion will give you the supple, healthy skin you've always wanted.

The big question now being asked by investors, institutions, uranium speculators, fuel brokers, uranium miners, industry consultants and utilities is: ‘How high will the price of uranium reach during 2007?’ Growth in the uranium sector continues to depend upon ever more convincing confirmatory evidence of global warming, caused by excessive fossil fuel use, in order to accelerate broad public demand for the expansion of nuclear energy as a replacement source for electricity.

In that context, it was a fitting end to 2006 when Associated Press reported the Ayles Ice Shelf had broken away from Ellesmere Island in Canada’s northernmost shore, where polar bears are reportedly drowning from the lack of ice to rest upon. This 41-square mile block was one of six remaining ice shelves in Canada’s Arctic, some 800 miles from the North Pole. To put this into perspective, the ice chunk was larger than New York City’s Manhattan Island – about the size of 11,000 football fields. By next summer, oil and gas drillers may find the ice shelf interrupting their production and explorations; shippers may need to re-route to avoid collisions.

While this news passed by generally unnoticed, a new record January temperature in Manhattan’s Central Park was widely reported. Global warming closer to home, as opposed near the Arctic Circle, obviously carries more weight. Juxtaposed against December’s bizarre near-hurricane-like winds in the Pacific Northwest and three winter blizzards in Denver within three weeks, cynics still dismissing abrupt climate change should wake up and smell the CO2. (Perhaps some should visit downtown Beijing for a ruder awakening on this subject.)

According to a 2002 report in the Christian Science Monitor newspaper, three key countries – China, India and the United States – collectively plan to build more than 800 coal-fired plants by 2012. These would emit an additional 2.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ironically, the Kyoto Protocol countries had proposed “reducing” CO2 emissions by a mere 450-plus million tons by 2012. Climate change, global warming and political tomfoolery worldwide should strengthen the case for stronger uranium prices at higher sustainable prices.

Will 2006 be remembered as uranium’s watershed year? If for no other reason, the past year should be marked as the transformation period for uranium mining projects. Those exploration and development uranium companies, which had uneconomic sub-$40 and $50/pound projects, became very economic when uranium began trading north of $60/pound. After spot uranium broke through $70/pound in mid December, and long-term uranium reached $69/pound, those once-questionable uranium miners took on shades of becoming potential cash cows within this decade.

The Year of the Uranium ‘Auction’

“The year 2006 was undeniably the most extraordinary in the history of the uranium market,” wrote TradeTech Chief Executive Gene Clark in the December 31st issue of Nuclear Market Review. “Although there is no open exchange for uranium (in contrast to most other commodities), a new market mechanism evolved with the secondary benefit of providing such transparency: the (so-called) uranium auction.”

The loss of hair is caused by a variety of reasons. While it is true that hair loss is part of the natural process of the growth and development of the scalp area, as well as the cells underlying it, abnormal cases may occur that fall outside of what is considered to be “normal”. It is these abnormal losses of hair that cause a great many people to search for a hair loss remedy.

What Causes Hair Loss?

Simply stated, hormones cause natural hair loss. It’s a fact that we lose more than a hundred strands of hair per day without our knowledge. While we shed a considerable amount of hair daily, it is later replaced by a new growth of young, vibrant, shiny hair.

However, for reasons that still remain unclear, many people experience an abnormal loss of hair. Later in this article, you will find information on how hair loss is accelerated, and what you can do to prevent, or minimize the loss of hair through the use of natural remedies and a little habit changing.

What Do We Really Know About Hair Loss?

Hair loss as a result of aging is commonly referred to as Androgenic Alopecia. This phenomenon is normal and accounts for more than 96% of hair loss in people of advancing age.

This normal process of hair loss is genetic in origin; meaning, it “runs in one’s blood,” and has the tendency to be passed on to offspring who may also exhibit the same characteristics. Men suffer hair loss more often than women, with both seeking a hair loss remedy as a solution to their problem.

The first sign of hairloss in men is usually a receding hairline. Men would usually see this when baldness begins at the original hairline, and continues toward the top of the head. While women also suffer hair loss, the resulting effect is not as significant as it is in men.

The term “Male Pattern Baldness” usually begins in men in their twentys. However, signs of pattern baldness may show up as early as sixteen years of age, and in extreme cases, as young as fourteen. A womens progression of hair loss may go unnoticed due to the pattern being more evenly distributed on their head then on a mans.

In women, the entire scalp experiences an even hair loss, unlike men, where a specific portion of the scalp is initially affected, and then progresses to other parts of the scalp. Male hair loss starting in a specific area makes it noticeable even in minor cases.

A research team at the Wood Center of the University Of San Francisco was able to create a synthetic hair loss remedy that encourages hair growth in areas where follicular damage has occurred.

Copper Peptide, a synthetic medical product, was successfully used to promote active hair follicle renewal, and hair growth in damaged areas. The growth of hair is part of the unusual positive side effects copper peptide has on hair follicles. This has been an important development in the search for an effective hair loss remedy.

Many view zinc as the golden cure for the common cold, but its easy to get caught up in the hype and forget to look up the information on many nutritional remedies to see if they really do all they are said to, especially when your suffering from a cold and want relief fast.

It looks like zinc really is all it’s suggested to be, at least for colds. Zinc has been found to cut the durations of colds in half in several recent studies. In one study researchers at Wayne State University gave fifty lozenges each to forty eight staff and employees who’d had cold symptoms for twenty four hours or less. These lozenges were either a placebo or contained twelve and a half milligrams of zinc acetate, neither those handing the lozenges out nor the volunteers knew which was which. They were told to take one lozenge every three hours while they experienced symptoms and of course while they were awake.

At the end of the study they found that those taking the zinc lozenges had a cold for an average of four and one half days, while the placebo group had a cold for an average of eight point one days. And this study also found that recipients of zinc on average coughed for three days while the placebo group coughed an average of six days. Those participating in this study ended up taking eighty milligrams of zinc a day, which is five times the recommended amount! Suffice it to say don’t take a dosage this high on a regular basis, you will experience overdose symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and it will inhibit your body’s ability to absorb copper which can lead to anemia.

Zinc lozenges in particular have been recommended for those looking to fight the common cold. The lozenge dissolves slowly in your mouth and trickles down your throat. Firstly the common cold is usually a head cold and the mucosa membranes are the tissue most likely to be infected, sucking on a zinc lozenge allows the zinc to stay where it’s needed to fight those cold causing cytokines. Secondly, the membranes are thin and have a large number of capillaries which allows for best absorption of the zinc as it dissolves.

Here are some tips for making your zinc lozenge work better for you. Place the lozenge under your tongue, remember don’t chew it because it will end up in your stomach not stay where it’s needed. Also take zinc right before bedtime. Obviously don’t fall asleep with it in your mouth. Zinc is thought to move through the body via the lymphatic system and once you fall asleep your lymph system stops so the zinc will stay in contact with the infected mucus membranes all night. You may wake up with the sensation of being dried out; this is just due to the other astringency and anti-inflammatory properties of zinc.

The daily recommended amount of zinc for adults is fifteen milligrams a day. If you are pregnant or lactating or if you have a specific medical condition you will need to take a higher dosage of zinc.

Property in Cyprus has seen price rises in Cyprus which have led to steady capital gains for Cyprus property owners. Recent announcement by low cost airlines that they have new routes to the island are set to make property in Cyprus even more disirable. One city that overseas investors love is Nicosia. The city has been a firm favourite for overseas property buyers and offers some attractions that you simply cannot ignore these include:

The sun shines for approximately 330 days of the year.

Crime rate is 1/6th of the EU Average.

The cost of living is much lower than in many parts of Europe.

Ninety percent of Cypriots speak English.

The legal and banking systems are based on the British.

The telecommunication systems are very advanced.

Advanced medical care.

Cyprus net rental returns vary between 4.5% to 11% and capital appreciation is still in double figures, expecting to show 10 to 17.5%. The average rental net return in Britain today is around the 3% to 4% mark, and capital appreciation generally matches this.

The Land Registry Department in Cyprus is one of the most advanced and reliable system in the world.

Steady Cyprus house price increases have been putting a smile on the faces of the islands home owners and with the recent announcement by low cost airlines the news cannot get better One city that overseas investors love is Nicosia.

About Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital and largest city in Cyprus. The city is located on the Pedieos River and the population of the city is 206,200. The city is modern with several shops, restaurants and entertainment. The main industries include textiles, leather, pottery, and plastics. There are also several copper mines near the city.

Nicosia is located in the center of the island and has a historic feel with a Royal Palace and several Byzantine churches. The streets and old houses are very ornate. The Cyprus Museum is home to a large collection of Cypriot treasures and antiques. The heart of Nicosia is Eleftheria Square, also known as Freedom Square. The city hall, post office and library is located here.

Northern Cyprus has a large property market of apartments and villas. The town of Karsiyaka is projected to be the next number one area for overseas property investment. The town is only half an hour from Nicosia is expected to become a luxury development area with hotels, vacation homes and luxury villas. The area is simple with coffee shops and markets, but the area is very beautiful and nestled into the mountainside. The majority of the property in this area has been allocated by the government for development for the tourism industry and several superior resorts are expected to begin construction. The area features stunning beaches that have been relatively untouched as well as numerous mountain trails. Shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities are also expected to begin growing in this region, making the area prime investment property.

The climate of Cyprus is very Mediterranean. The area is still very natural except for the major city districts. The outskirts have attracted numerous people because of their beautiful beaches and mountain scenery. Seaside homes are very popular with vacationers, tourists and retirees.

Are you really willing to have beautiful hair that can become the envy of everyone? Obviously, you would like to have hairs that look pretty and awesome on you. Though some of you might be luckiest ones to be born with naturally beautiful hairs, but this is not the case with everyone. As some people might develop some hair problems with the passing of time, hair extension can be the best solution for them. Hair extension New York is considered as one of the special treatments meant especially for such people. Everyone has the right to have wonderful looking hairs.

Hairs add to the looks of a person and a perfect cut will surely enhance your looks. These days, people are becoming more and more stylish and fashionable. This drive has made them turn towards hair extension New York. The main reason behind this is that this treatment will help you to grow your hairs in very less time. Whenever people see the hairs of the other people, they keep on thinking that I wish I could have hairs like her. Hair extension will give you a chance to have that style and length which you have always wanted. Moreover, it will also solve the problem of those people who keep on complaining that their hairs tangle a lot after wash.

The concept of hair extension came into existence because of this reason only. Since its advent in the world of fashion, its popularity is raising in the charts. You get to see a huge number of people suffering from hair problems that keep on visiting their hair stylist. And with hair extension, this number has increased much more. As a part of hair extension treatment, a bunch of real hair extensions are attached to the track of your natural hairs. These extensions are attached to the inner most layer of your hairs, so that they are not at visible. This advantage has made this development even more admirable.

Be it in New York or any other state, hair stylists have to be a specialist in this so as to carry out the procedure properly. Well, there are many hair stylists who make use of different methods of attaching these extensions to the human hairs. Some use glues or bonds, while others use copper coils that merge naturally with the hairs. With hair extension, only you would know that something is being worn. But no other will be able to make you that you are wearing extensions. Who does not like to look beautiful and get compliments? It is the hair extension that adds elegance and style to your looks.

Hair extension is available in different colors and textures. This makes it possible for every person, who is suffering from the problem of damaged hair or wish to grow her hair faster, to go for this treatment. The time period for this process depends on the severity of the person’s problem. Another thing to be kept in mind is that you have to take care of your hair extension, so that its texture and softness can be maintained. You are required to wash the hairs twice in a week and apply moisturizer to maintain the softness of hair extension New York.

Everyone wants great skin ! In today's world, supple skin, a healthy glow and a blemish free complexion are a great asset and diet plays a major role. Introducing a new class of foods to protect and improve skin. Here are the six skin care secrets that can rejuvenate and revitalize your skin……the natural way.

WATER – THE MOST IMPORTANT SKIN NUTRIENT Water is a very low-cost way to improve your skin quality, and the effect is fast. Just one week after increasing your water intake you can see fewer wrinkles and minor blemishes. Water has two functions that lead to better looking skin. First, it helps flush toxins out of your body which can show up as blemishes on the skin. Second, it plumps up the skin so wrinkles don't form or are less noticeable. Drink plenty of water.

VITAMIN C – THE SUPERSKIN VITAMIN. Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits (oranges), strawberries, tomatoes and cabbage, and this vitamin is critical to the formation of collagen - a key element of the connective tissue that keeps skin firm and prevents it from breaking. This leads to more resilient skin. This is something simple you can try at home - toss in a few sliced pieces of oranges, pears or strawberries in a little lemon juice and sweetener for a refreshing slush. Combine with some yoghurt in a blender and you get the world's best smoothie!

VITAMIN B3 – NIACIN.- THE SKIN REJUVENATOR Meat, fish, poultry, legumes and grains are rich in Niacin, an essential nutrient for skin. Chicken in particular, provides a complete array of amino acids to fuel the growth of fresh new skin cells.

VITAMIN A FOR A+ SKIN TEXTURE

Papaya's and yellow-dark green vegetables such as carrots provide a nice beauty boost because vitamin A is one of the vitamins that most directly contribute to keeping skin's texture youthful. You could say that a carrot a day - loaded with fiber and beta carotene (precursor to vitamin A), plays an important role in maintaining smooth, healthy skin and keeps blemishes away! Try carrot juice, instead of orange, at breakfast once in a while.

FIBER – SUPER SKIN IS ALWAYS STRESS FREE. Studies suggest that oats and some cereals include fiber help to balance blood sugar level and even control stress levels. And any stressors can precipitate skin eruptions. Less stress helps in improving skin tone. Choose oatmeal or oat-based cold cereals for breakfast a few times a week, and wheat / oat enriched breads and muffins. Here is a great tip - Tomatoes are year round skin helpers, because they provide all of the above mentioned nutrients in one easily available source.

MORE FOODS FOR SUPER SKIN.

One cup of low-fat yogurt is enriched with an ample amount of protein, zinc, folacin, B12 (important for healthy blood and skin tone) and riboflavin, important for providing energy to skin cells. A single serving of potatoes (6-8 oz) provides an ample amount of vitamin C, B vitamins, especially folic acid, iron, copper, niacin, and fiber. Whole-grain breads, available at health food shops are rich in fiber, zinc and B vitamins.

So now that you know all the facts, start eating healthy today! Beauty doesn't lie in the hands of the beholder, it lies in the hands of the smart eater !

Weather vanes, which are devices for measuring wind direction, are one of the oldest geographic tools used by man. They have an ornamental value in many American homes, giving a classy and artistic look to the house. They are used on all kinds of buildings: residences, farmhouses, barns, garages, offices, and churches. They are available in several designs shaped like simple arrows, animals, birds, humans, crests, exotic figurines, or combinations of some of these.

Weather vanes are also available in several models like: deck or fence weather vanes, lawn weather vanes, table top weather vanes, roof top weather vanes, and more and are provided with the accessories like cupolas, mounting shafts, and roof mount bases. Modern wind vanes are also mounted with an anemometer for measuring the wind speed and may be connected to a remote reading station. Modern weather vanes are rust free and maintenance free.

Though weather vanes are generally shaped like arrows, designs have become quite ornate over time. The white horse weather vane is one of the most popular designs. The white horse carries a certain symbolism, which makes it a favorite among many. White horses are associated with fertility, empathy, travel, power, freedom, peace, sincerity, wealth and loyalty. They are referred in the bible and their tradition dates back to the Celtic mythology. In the bible, they are used to represent virtues like righteousness, holiness and purity and also stand for salvation. White horse weather vanes hold very strong symbolic messages. They are also particularly relevant for Irish people since their folklore and fairy tales consider white horses to be very majestic. Arabian horses represent peace, friendship, sincerity and honor.

White horse weather vanes are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and finishes. Whitehorse weather vanes are also designed with one horse, a group of horses or horse with a carriage, etc. These vanes are ideal for horse lovers. They can be made of copper, wrought iron, bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel. White horse weather vanes still hold a lot of appeal for townspeople and country folk alike.

Skin tag removal can be done quite conveniently at the dermatologist or physician’s clinic. But before you head straight to the clinic for your treatment, it would serve you well to know what the skin tag removal options available for you are. Since the skin tags are attached to your skin, you must be prepared for some level of discomfort or pain during the removal. This can be quite unbearable for some if the number of skin tags is just too many. In such instances, the dermatologist or doctor would usually apply local anesthetic on the surrounding skin to numb and alleviate the pain. In this article, you will read about the different common removal methods that are used to get rid of those ugly skin tags.

Cyrotherapy

This describes the freezing of skin tags to “kill” and remove them. This is often done using ligation and application of liquid nitrogen. Basically, a suture/copper wire is wrapped around the peduncle or stalk before freezing the skin tags. At times, the dermatologist may use forceps instead. But bear in mind that while this method is effective, there is always the risk of suffering from dsychromic lesions if the dermatologist is not careful.

Excision

Excision using scissors or scalpels is normally more suitable for larger skin tags. Aluminum chloride may be applied to arrest the bleeding.

Cauterization

This skin tag removal method involves burning off the skin tags using electric current.

Tying the Skin Tags

You may not be aware but small skin tags can be tied up with threads. The intention of tying is to stop blood supply to the skin tags, and let them die off slowly. After some time, normally several days to a week, the skin tags would darken and slowly dry up. Once that happens, they can be easily removed. One setback of this method is it can be rather tedious if you have numerous skin tags. It is also rather unsightly.

These are the few common skin tag removal treatment that your dermatologist could offer you. You may wish to first consult him/her if the skin growths on your body are skin tags and not other malignant skin tissues. He/she would be able to advise you on the appropriate removal method for your skin tags. However, before you decide on removing those skin tags, you must be prepared to fork out the entire medical bill. Skin tags are benign and are removed mostly for cosmetic reasons, ie to improve one’s appearance. Insurance companies would not cover such expenses.

Playgrounds a source of fun and recreation for all kids. An ideal playground should contain proper equipment that would not only entertain children but also provide a place for parents to relax. Besides being fun, playground equipment also develops kids' physical strength, dexterity, agility and concentration. And the playground is a place for kids to make friends.

Wooden equipment is very common in most playgrounds. This is because of the strength, sturdiness, and durability of wood. These days, wooden playground equipment is being made from conditioned wood that is pre-treated to provide lasting durability and strength. Wood is also non-polluting easily bio-degradable. Wooden playground equipment last for 20-30 years and do not need much maintenance. Wood treated with copper azole lasts even longer as it deteriorates slowly. It is also more resistant to adverse weather conditions like sun, rain or snow. Wooden playground equipment also have a natural look to them. Since wood is a renewable resource, wooden equipment is also a great benefit to the environment as compared to plastic equipment. Wooden playground equipment should meet industry standards set by the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) as well as the AWPA.

Wooden playground equipment is generally made from pine lumber, solid California Redwood or recycled plastic lumber. However, the smaller and accessories may be made of steel, aluminum or plastic.

Wooden playground equipment should be checked for unsafe conditions such as objects protruding that might poke, or hanging ropes that can strangle or cause a child to trip or fall. For the most part, wood is easy to maintain and durable enough even for harsh outdoor weather conditions.

There are many providers of wooden playground equipment. Information about these companies can be accessed online. The Internet is also a good way to shop for wooden playground equipment since the range is greater than that in a conventional store. Besides, some websites also allow interactive designing of the products online. You can also know about the latest offers of prices, discounts and warranties and compare them with other companies' stock.

Continuing my theme of looking at the diversified ETF's(Exchange Traded Funds) coupled with my belief that we are in the midst of a secular Bull Market for commodities(who am I to argue with Jim Rogers !!) then I wanted to expand on my recent post around China and Taiwan and take a look at Australia.Since 2001 Australia has benefited from the boom in commodities especially the Metals such as Gold,Silver and Copper mined by companies such as BHP Billiton (NYSE : BHP) and the agricultural commodities-which some would argue are only recently starting to catch up with the rest of the booming Natural Resource Mkts-(witness Corn and Wheat over the last few months.)

If you believe as I do that we have a good few years to go before the Natural Resource boom tops out then the Australian Mkt should do very well in the next 5 or so years.Even although the ASX 200 broke out from its all time high in the last few weeks I still believe that we will see it higher in the years to come.It climbed 19% in 2006 topping its 2005 performance of just over 17%. If that was not reason enough to look more closely at the opportunities in Australia the fact that the Australian Dollar has strengthened against the US dollar is another good reason for any American Investors or those who hold substantial amounts of their portfolio in dollars to consider the Australian Markets. In order to benefit from the boom "down under|" then we could look at individual companies such as BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP ) or Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP) up 220% and 150% respectively over the last five years, but I prefer the diversification of a fund-especially when companies can be as volatile as BHP and Rio Tinto.I would therefore take a close look at iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund (AMEX: EWA).This will give you a broad exposure to Australian companies and also will give you the benefits of some protection against the potential of a falling US dollar.This ETF is up 180% since 2001 and put in a performance of nearly 30% last year-that being said I think there is still some more upside particularly if you take a 3-5 year view. I currently hold some of the EWA but would be looking to add some more on any weakness or pullbacks.

People who suffer from rosacea often have a very sensitive skin which doesn't tolerate certain treatments that include chemicals and other substances which may cause severe damages for the skin. In addition to this, patients should avoid products which may contain certain ingredients, such as retinol, different kinds of acids, alcohol and many other substances which are toxic. In order to treat rosacea and to ameliorate its symptoms, the specialists have managed to produce a special treatment known as Rosacea Ltd III.

Rosacea Ltd III includes more than 99% snoothing and calming ingredients and has been designed especially for acne ,pimples, seborrheic dermatitis and also for the sensitive skin. It is important to say that Rosacea Ltd III is composed of different ingredients like zinc oxide, magnesium stearate, sodium chloride, copper oxide, substances which don't affect the skin texture such as other sources for cleaning:soap, astringents and lotions which contain alcohol. Much more, Rosacea Ltd is very well tolarated by the body system, does not interact with other drugs, doesn' t produce side effects such as nausea, constipation, watery eyes, burning sensations and not in the last place it is safe for pregnant and nursing women.

First of all, Rosacea Ltd III as a vascular constrictor brings great results in calming the skin and reducing the redness caused by the broken blood vessels. Moreover due his neutral pH, Rosacea Ltd III doesn' t damage the skin but it has a great effect in killing bacteria, fungal cells and viruses.

Secondly, Rosacea Ltd III is usually used in treating acne, pimples and seborreheic dermatitis, infections which usually come along with rosacea. Furthermore, this treatment offers significants results and the time for treating is shorter in comparision to other medicines. Rosacea Ltd has a fast effect, healing the broken capillaries which produce redness on the skin and flushing in less than 2 months. Much more, it clears the rosacea papules and pustules in about 10 days and also has an important role in preventing the recurrence of other pimples and infections caused by rosacea. Thirdly, treatments with Rosacea Ltd III are used in treating the symptoms of ocular rosacea such as blurred vision, red eyes, swelled, dry eyelids and others. Another way to treat rosacea is the well known Sobye's Massage, a mechanism of action which accelerates lymphatic drainage and in this way the facial redness tends to vanish. In addition, facial massages together with cleansing of the face with a washcloth and soap are two efficient methods which help the skin to regain its normal and healthy aspect.

To sum up, Rosacea Ltd III is a blessing for the people who suffer from rosacea being gentle and effective at a low cost and moreover due its neutral pH which has created a special diet known as "rosacea ph balance diet".

DSL or xDSL is a group of technologies that provide digital data transfer over the telephone network. DSL originally stood for digital subscriber loop, but is now commonly referred to as digital subscriber line. The typical transfer speeds of DSL services range from 128 kilobits per second to 24,000 kbit/s. DSL technology was originally begun as a part of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). ISDN is a series of protocals designed implemented to allow for digital transmission of voice and data over the telephone networks standard copper wires. This resulted in better speeds and quality than the old analog system.

Most Common Forms of DSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a form of DSL that enables faster transmission of data over these same copper wires than a standard dial up modem can. It accomplishes this by using the frequencies that are normally not used by a voice telephone call, in particular, frequencies higher than normal human hearing.

The drawback to ADSL is that it is ony effective over relatively short distances. The user must be within 5 km of the telephone companies Central Office. Once there, the ADSL signal is stripped off and immediately routed onto a conventional internet network, while any voice-frequency signal is switched into the conventional phone network. This is allows a single phone line to be used for both voice and data transfer.

The most distinguishing characteristic of ADSL is that data transmission speeds are greater in one direction than the other. This is often marketed to small businesses or residential users who are most interested in accessing the internet at an affordable price. It allows for higher download speeds, thus decreasing the users time to view websites and download files. This is not recommended if one has a need to upload large quantities of information or run servers that would require large amounts of bandwidth in the other direction.

Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) is a DSL variant that enables the user to have the same data transfer rate in both directions. This technology has a transfer speed range of 72 to 2320 kbit/s. The primary drawback is that you must be even closer to the telephone companies central office. A maximum distance of 3 km is all that is supported. It is also much more expensive.

Typical DSL technologies include:

High Data Rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL), the first DSL technology that uses the higher frequesncy spectrum to transmit data

Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL), a standardised version of HDSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), a version of DSL with a slower upload speed

Rate-Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line (RADSL), A variation of ADSL that adjusts the upstream speed of the connection in an attempt to maintain a specific downstream speed.

Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), An improvement on HDSL that Provides a faster rate of transmission speed. It uses up to 4 different frequency bands, two for upstream (from the client to the telco) and two for downstream.

Long before I even knew about living an organic lifestyle, I learned about the benefits and power of 3 very simple household items. These 3 all natural cleaning solutions have passed the "test", time and time again, for this mom of 3 very active boys!

Vinegar. A natural product that poses no chemical or toxic harm to your family, vinegar is a natural cleaning solution that can be used as an all-purpose cleaner for most any household cleaning jobs.

(NOTE: Always test a small area if you have any doubt or concern about the surface you plan to apply vinegar/water to.)

With an equal mix of vinegar to water, it's a great cleaner for floors, kitchen cabinets, countertops, sinks, appliances and the inside of your refrigerator.

Vinegar is also an effective natural cleaner for the bathroom. It's great for cleaning through soap scum and stubborn hard water stains in sinks and toilets. Again, test on tile and/or grout areas before use. You can also use to achieve a streak-free cleaning on all mirrors and glass surfaces.

Of course, organic produce is always the best choice, but when it's not an option, vinegar can help. That's right! A few tablespoons of vinegar to a sink or bucket full of water, washes away pesticides, chemicals and germs from non-organic fruits and vegetables. Soak the produce for 15-30 minutes before using.

Baking Soda. Another all natural product that's inexpensive yet an effective all natural cleaner and deodorizer. Mixed with a small amount of water the baking soda paste can be used to scrub stubborn stains from most any surfaces. It's also a great natural teeth cleaner and whitener as well as a natural deodorizer in closets, refrigerators and freezers.

And the third natural cleaning solution I found many household cleaning tasks for is lemon. It's natural, smells great and combined with baking soda is a very effective cleaner.

Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with baking soda and you have an all natural scrubbing solution for dishes, countertops, stubborn stains and soap scums. Lemon also cleans brass and copper and when combined with olive oil can be used on wood as an all natural furniture cleaner.

So there you have 3 very simple, inexpensive and effective all natural cleaning solutions. Vinegar, Baking Soda and Lemons.

Chances are, you already have these items in your home so the next time you reach for a toxic cleaning solution, think twice, and try going all natural!

If you’ve ever been in a decorating “slump”, you’re well aware of feeling the need to do something to an area or complete room, but you’re just not sure where to start. The mere thought of trying to find an idea can put you in a tough place to begin with, but you do have to begin somewhere. Sure, there are all of those shows on cable showing you tips and tricks of the trade that are perfect for the homes of others, but your home is not anything like the ones on TV. Your home is unique, just like you are. Why not start the process where so many end: with decorative outlet covers?

The passing years have seen many different levels of both the outlet cover (sometimes referred to as the duplex outlet cover, to avoid confusion with the plastic safety inserts) and the switchplate cover. For example, many homes in the 1950’s and 1960’s saw wall coverings like wallpaper and fabric placed directly over outlet and light switchplate covers, all in an attempt to conceal what could have been a focal point on a wall. But thankfully that has all changed, and decorative outlet covers are hitting the interior décor market by storm!

While some of the more traditional interior designers are still a bit leery as to the colorful raised and sculpted outlet covers, the up and coming decorators and designers aren’t afraid to enable each room in your home make its own statement- including the details like wood-burned, metal and ceramic, and jeweled copper designs of decorative outlet covers. Most designers will agree that classic filigree and fleur-de-lis patterns are true classics and will remain in the loop for many years to come.

If you just can’t seem to get away from the boring old white outlet covers, why not break into this new trend slowly with a white, ceramic outlet cover with an inlaid pattern or design, or an interesting outside border, or a hint of a scalloped or raised edge around the non-rectangular perimeter. Or maybe you prefer a hand painted, Shabby Chic design (made popular with HGTV’s popular series) white over copper so that a bit of the material’s luminous qualities allow the cover to naturally shimmer.

Got kids? Then the word “plain” can’t possibly be in your vocabulary! What would the kids’ rubber ducky bathroom be without the coordinating duplex outlet and switchplate covers? How could you possibly have a pink princess bedroom with boring, white outlet covers? What good is the finest blue paint job in junior’s room when the bright white cover is staring you in the face? A tiny bit of design or a lot of dazzle can be the finishing (or beginning) touch in any room in your home.

Most flowering trees are small and can be planted in full sun or partial shade, being easily adapted to small yards. The Japanese Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia x Soulangiana, awakens in late winter or early spring. First growing flower buds that increase in size as the weather warms up, burst into dramatic flower colors of purple, pink, white, red, and yellow; the yellow flowering magnolia is the rarest. If freezing weather occurs, as it often does during the late winter or early spring, the flowers will wither from the tree, but most often will rebloom, as the weather warms up again.

Crabapple flowering trees are cloud-like, fluffy white, pink or red in color, and often bloom along with the flowering dogwood trees and the pink redbud trees. The white dogwood, Cornus florida, flowering trees are among the most generally planted and grafted pink dogwood cultivars, and red dogwood trees are available to buy commercially, but are much more expensive. White dogwood trees, Cornus florida, were discovered and described as growing in Florida and Alabama in 1773, by the famous American botanist and explorer, William Bartram, who wrote in his book, Travels, page 399, "We now entered a very remarkable grove of Dogwood Trees (Cornus Florida) ... an ... admirable grove by way of eminence has acquired the name of the Dogwoods ... spacious groves of this fine flowering tree, which must, in the Spring season, when covered with blooms, present a most pleasing scene."

Flowering cherry trees in the primitive wild forests were described by William Bartram, in his book Travels, on page 196, as "delightful grove of ... Prunus Caroliniana, a most beautiful evergreen, decorated with its sweet, white blossoms." This flowering cherry tree today is known as the Cherry Laurel, and is in high demand as an evergreen privacy screen that produces in late spring, fragrant white flowers. American gardeners have been struck with the beauty of the long list of varieties of Japanese, flowering cherry trees. The most important Japanese flowering cherry tree is the Kwanzan, Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan', that grows splendidly as a beautiful garden specimen, abundantly clothed in early spring with large, double-flowering blossoms, that grows up to 25 feet tall. 350 of these trees were planted in Washington, D.C., in 1912, by the First Lady, wife of President Taft, and 1800 Yoshino flowering cherries were planted at the same time. In 1935, the first National Cherry Blossom Festival was held at the Nation's Capitol, and since then, many other Cherry Blossom City festivals have been held to celebrate the birth of spring. Citizens of Macon, Georgia have planted thousands of these Yoshino flowering cherry trees to connect with many pageants and local events, which attract large numbers of tourists to celebrate the festival. These Japanese, flowering cherry trees are cold hardy, and recommended to be grown and planted in zones 5 – 9. Other popular Japanese cultivars are; Blireiana, Prunus cerasifera 'Blireiana'; Kwansan, Prunus serrulata 'Kwansan'; Okame, Prunus campanulata x Prunus incisa; Snow Fountain, Prunus x Snow Fountains 'Snowfozam'; Snow Fountain (Dwarf), Prunus x CV. 'Snofozam'; Yoshino (Akebone), Prunus yedoenis ‘Akebone';

Tequila is a distilled spirit that is produced only in Mexico, and only then in the region of Tequila. Juice from the heart of the agave plant is fermented and distilled twice to make tequila. The production of Tequila has to be in compliance with stringent regulations put forth by the Mexican government.

To make tequila, you need to start with ripe blue agave plants, which that take eight to ten years to mature. When the plants have reached their peak ripeness, the leaves are stripped off and only the core or “piña” is used in the making of tequila. These cores can weigh from 40 to 80 lbs, and some can weigh even more. The piñas are then taken to the distillery where they are cut up for roasting. The piñas are roasted in special furnaces, and the starches in the cores turn to sugar. Each piña makes approximately 8 bottles of tequila. After baking, the piñas are shredded and put through a press. The press squeezes the juice from the shredded piña pulp. The juices are then pressed from the shredded pulp and placed in fermentation tanks.

Once the juices are in the fermentation tanks, yeast is added. Distillers have their own technique for the adding of the yeast. At this point, the yeast begins to act upon the sugars of the roasted pulp, turning it in to alcohol.

Juices now ferment for 30 to 48 hours. With no additional processing, the fermented piña juice has about a 6% alcohol content. The fermented juice is distilled two or even three times in either customary copper stills or more up to date still that are made of stainless steel. The first distillation is always a rough, low-grade distillate and the second or third run is used to purify and perfect the liquor. Ultimately, distillers want to create a product that captures the aroma of the agave and, at the same time, tastes as pure as possible. Alcohol content may be between 70 and 110 Proof.

This becomes your basic tequila blanco, or silver tequila. Oro, or gold, tequila requires 2 months aging in oak barrels. Reposado tequila – or “rested tequila”- must be aged for up to a year. Tequila añejo is premium tequila and needs to be aged in oak for at least one year. Many producers age añejo for many years. This is considered to be the best tequila available and will be very expensive.

*Per Mexican government guidelines, all tequilas are required to age for at least 14-21 days. To be called a “Tequila”, It must be made from 100 percent natural ingredients, and be at least 38% alcohol. Most importantly, it must be made from blue agave grown and harvested only in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit or Tamaulipas.

The use of water fountains can be traced back to the days of ancient Egypt, where diagrams of these manmade cascading springs were drawn upon the tomb walls of only the most prestigious Egyptians. These typically rectangular fish pond-masterpieces added both beauty and tranquility to even the harshest landscapes. Too bad they didn’t have the Internet to shop back then, as they could have truly impressed those visiting their enclosed courtyards, as well as be the envy of everyone on their block!

The World Wide Web has indeed made the world a much smaller place, especially when shopping for a specific item that reflects you, your home and your personality- like a water fountain!

First things first- where do you want to place your water fountain? Will it be a glorious outdoor masterpiece set in the landscape of your backyard for the entire word to see, or a glorious indoor masterpiece in your living room for only your closest friends to see? Shall it be a wall fountain, or will it be a freestanding type of design? Tabletop? Limiting your possibilities is only limiting yourself- a good online store will have both indoor and outdoor water fountains, while a great online store will also show you how to bring the outdoors in.

Next on our agenda is the type of finish you would like your fountain to have. From fiberglass to sandstone, from copper to wood, you’ve got some choices to make. Of course, a lot will weigh on where you plan on placing your fountain. Fiberglass is definitely a lighter material than sandstone, so it might be a better choice for indoors. Climate is a factor for outdoor fountains. You need a knowledgeable sales staff to help you choose the right finish for you.

Finally, let’s brush upon one of the most popular topics for interior and exterior landscape design: Feng Shui- the ancient art of the law and order of the universe. For over 6,000 years, the Chinese people believe that with the specific placement of items in and around your home, the balance of all good things in life will come. Water, or the “Shui” of Feng Shui, is necessary to all things to grow, but can also dowse the fire, or “Huo”, another key factor in this ancient art. Placement is very similar to the child’s game “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. There are many online stores that offer placement and style suggestions to “Feng Shui your life.”

So be sure to find an online store that wants to help you create your ideal setting the right way, and wants to keep you as a customer for life.

Makeup is essential in women life. It is must for every woman. The breed of women is of many types like short, tall, slim, fat or extra slim. Skin color also varies like white, whitish, toned or black. The variety list may go long but one thing is common and that is every woman needs makeup. So the question arises, do all the woman needs same type of make or something else. While application of makeup is concerned, it widely varies according to skin color and body type. So what type of make suits to a given skin color is a definite requirement to know.

So come on black beauties and know how to do your makeup to be street smart and gorgeous. The secret of you black beauties lies in the selection of shades, so it is best advisable for you to know about undertone found in dark skin. You also will need well – hydrated skin to apply some makeup. Here goes the to make your skin beautiful and healthy.

Any black object is a good absorber of light and radiation and hence the good reflector also. Since your skin is dark it will also behave in the similar manner, that’s why dark skin seems oily, even though it may not. Because of your skin color, you will need to avoid creamy foundations and choose from liquid foundations or water based foundation. You must choose the foundation, the shade of which is lighter than your skin tone. It would be better, if you will find the foundation color closer to the color of your skin. Apply foundation and powder lightly, because dark skin reveal the layers of makeup more than any other type of skin, say fair skin etc.

You should blend the foundation well. To do blending properly add a drop of water to the foundation. Do mixing and then apply. Check for the effect in daytime. After applying the foundation, try on a little baby powder. This will give your skin the necessary luster. Do not use too much powder and always dust of the extra powder.

Choose the colors like coral, rose, deep orange for your blush. Peachy shades and browns are a complete no – no for you. If you have extremely dark skin tone, rose pink color will make your day, however for nights, choose shades of bronze, plum and wine. To give luster to your skin tone, blend the blusher well over your cheekbones. A touch of golden color will make you dark skinned glamorous and gorgeous on special occasions. You can apply golden at your temples and corners of your eyebrows.

If you want to use eyeshades, prefer soft brown with a darker brick brown. Say no to light colors and whites. For upper eyelids, use light brown. In the tuck of eyelid, use dark brown and drag it slightly outward. This will give depth to your eyes.

If you want to try on more color, choose from dark blue, wine or purple eyeshades to line your eyes, closer to the eyelashes. You also can line the eyelids with dark blue, dark grey, wine or purple color. Do softening of the lines with a soggy brush or with a sponge tipped applicator. Outline the eyes with kaajal using kaajal pencil. Kaajal makes your eyes appealing and cool and this will extremely good on Asians and especially Indian women. You also can do Mascara to thicken the eyelashes. Mascara will give glamorous look to you.

For your lipstick choose colors like copper, bronze, dark red, wine and burgundy. You can use a single color or a blend of two colors according to your skin color. For nighttime use darker colors. Do not use lipstick in excess. It will be good, if your lip color will match to your nail colors. Try to maintain a balance between your eyes and lip color so that one does not look heavy on other.

Proper balance and color blending is important for color makeup. It is as equally important as your clothing.

So that if you are a dark skinned beauty, tries on your makeup as discussed above. After all ‘brown is beautiful’.

In this modern life we live in, where gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops and other high technology equipments in combination with lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking and stress may subject our body to free radicals. Free radicals oxidation is the reason why apples get rancid. If it can do this to an apple, what do you think it can do to your body?

You, however, do not have to worry much. Life is very beautiful.

Because if experts can recognized what can harm us; science can learn what could save us. Antioxidants are one possible answer. Antioxidants properties may be found overflowing in small berries grown in the pristine valleys of Tibet and Mongolia.

Introducing Goji Berries! Goji berries are miraculous because this small bright red fruit may contain all the nutrients our body needs to keep it healthy and happy.

These small goji berries are packed with nutrients your body needs such as the 8 essential amino acids plus 10 more different kinds of amino acid, which are hard to find in other fruits. Goji berries likewise contain 21 trace minerals including the essential ones such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium, selenium and phosphorous.

Carotenoid such as beta-carotene more potent than that of a carrot are in goji berries. If these facts are not enough to excite you to the beneficial factors found in goji berries, consider this these amazing berries contain 500 times Vitamin C by weight compared to oranges. They also contain Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E.

Where can you find such a small fruit packed with all these beneficial nutrients? Only in goji berries.

Here is a list of few of the many benefits you will get from eating goji berries:

Fight Aging – Because goji berries may save your cells, you might be able to fight aging because aside from eliminating free radicals, goji berries stimulate the growth hormone in your body. It will thus help keep you fresh and young looking.

Energy and Vitality – these berries can help increase your stress tolerance, stamina and endurance.

Blood Sugar Balance – Goji berries has the necessary polysaccharides to regulate blood sugar levels. It also has betaine to support normal liver function and cardiovascular health.

Sleep Well – goji berries can give you normal health balance, you may experience better sleep quality that will prepare your body for the day to come.

Better Immune System – goji berries contain polysaccharides that support and balance the activity of your immune cells such as T-cells, NK cells, lysozyme and the immunoglobins.

In addition to all these, goji berries may also enhance your sexual function. You may also use goji berries as memory tonic. This small but wonderful fruit may also help control your cholesterol levels. Digestion may also not be a problem for those eating this wonderful fruit.

These are only a few of the benefits one can get from goji berries. However, you will agree with me that having none of these problems will help you keep a healthy and long life. As a result, you will be happy and ready for life’s challenges.

You can get all these benefits in various ways:

Eat fresh goji berries. They are very sweet and tasty.

Eat dried goji berries. The taste does not change at all, sweet and tastes like a cranberry and cherry.

Drink goji berry juice. This is another best way to take this sweet and tasty berry.

You can mix goji berries to your food, use your imagination on how you can enjoy this miraculous berry.