MOVIE SPECIAL

You Gotta See This iLASIK Video!

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:41:00 +0000

Never knew what iLASIK is about and how it can improve your vision? Basically, iLASIK is a high tech procedure that uses lasers to correct one’s vision instead of going the normal route of using glasses or contact lenses. By the way, now you have a casual way of seeing what other people really think of iLASIK by viewing videos made and submitted by them in the ‘You Gotta See This’ iLASIK Video Contest. Well, some of the videos won’t actually help you understand more about iLASIK but they are sure fun to watch! Anyway, by viewing the creative iLASIK themed videos, you sure will feel like wanting to know more about iLASIK thereafter.

I mean, these people in the videos are so excited about iLASIK so why not you too, right? Also, don’t forget to vote for the best videos or better yet, make your own creative video and submit it for a chance to win the $5000 grand prize! Other prizes include a $2500 value HDTV package (First Prize) and a the Flip UltraHD ™ camcorder valued at $199.99 (second prize). Now grab your video camera and shoot whatever you were going to shoot before and add some iLASIK flavor to it! Don't forget to ask your friends to vote on your video! The video contest is brought to you by Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO), a global leader in laser vision correction.

What the Heck is it with Black DSLR Cameras?

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:22:00 +0000

HD video is the norm in DSLR cameras nowadays. Would it not be better that major camera brands like Sony, Nikon, Canon, Olympus produces DSLR’s (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras in many other colors? Canon did it with the silver colored Rebel XTi. However, the XTi camera is not exactly my cup of tea.

What? Do they think that their DSLR’s are going to be looked at less seriously? Come on, its not like professionals would want Disneyland theme painted DSLR’s although it could be a good idea.

Lol.

The situation is so bad that I would not mind buying a striking pink colored DSLR (provided it is the best performing DSLR for me).

You know, as long as it is not BLACK!

Panasonic or was it Pentax has a gordy colored DSLR now but at least its colored.

Black Color for DSLR cameras @%*^&!

*sigh*

Peace to Instant War in Blood Diamond Movie

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:52:00 +0000

The tale is about a fisherman, Solomon Bandy (Djimon Hounsou) living in Sierra Lieone, Africa with his family. Djimon co-starred in the Gladiator & speaks the African language too. An African gang comes to his village & starts to kill many of them in the Blood Diamond (2006) movie.

The scene is reminiscent of the bloody massacres that happened when the Hutu majority tribe performed racial cleansing of the Tutsi tribes in Rwanda. The ruthless RUF (Revolutionary United Front) takes Solomon hostage & forces him to work in a diamond mine in exchange for sparing his life.

A weapons dealer by the name of Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio); sells weapons to the RUF (Revolutionary United Front) & receive payments in uncut diamonds in the Blood Diamond (2006) movie. Having been caught by the authorities trying to go to Liberia, smuggling his payment, Danny ends up in a Sierra Leone police station lock-up. It is certainly an odd scenario seeing Danny as the only non native African in the lock-up.

At first it is unclear where Danny’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) location is when he is taken into custody but anyway, the two of them meet in the Sierra Leone police station lock-up. The reluctant collaboration between the two main characters of the Blood Diamond (2006) movie begins. What interests Danny is a large pink diamond which Solomon (Djimon Hounsou) found in the river mines while Solomon is only concerned about his family’s whereabouts.

Solomon’s (Djimon Hounsou) son, Dia Bandy (Kagiso Kuypers) is taken by the RUF (Revolutionary United Front), possibly forced into recruitment. It is like a hellhole in Sierra Leone where even peaceful cities with big hotels can suddenly become a war zone in an instant. You can see that Solomon Bandy is enthusiastically looking for his family whenever they stumble upon a group of refugees in the in Blood Diamond movie.

Danny (Leonardo DiCaprio) meets with an American journalist, Maddy Bowen (Jeniffer Connelly). At first, he pushes her away as both of them are at odds over their professions. However, they find use for each other as they want to help Solomon find his family, she wants the story about diamonds smuggling from Danny, & Danny wants the diamond from Solomon. They can help find Solomon’s family along the way.

Awww…you can almost cry from their kindness.

Sheeesshh..

PppHHbbbTT!

:|

Both of them have their own agenda which makes them help Solomon. Otherwise, Solomon would be out of the equation & on his own to find his family. Danny & Maddy have a lingering romance in the air between them & it is as though they should be kissing each other already at least.

The Blood Diamond (2006) movie also explores the training of child soldiers in Africa. Young boys are taken from their refugee families. They are told that the RUF (Revolutionary United Front) are their family now. They are trained to kill & execute people, & fed with drugs to make them believe that they are invincible.

It seems like it now two crazy people hiking towards the hidden diamond, without much weapons & in RUF territory. They instill a bond of friendship but he is critically wounded. In a titanic style ending (which he is so every good at), Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) is left behind during the escape; alone to unknown outcomes.

Natural Weight Loss: Without Accessories & Aids

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:05:00 +0000

You just have read all that you need to know about how to prevent being overweight without accessories & wrongly advertised helpful aids. That simple set of instructions should be easy to follow, but not for 35% of Americans who are unable to prevent being overweight. Of course, once we are overweight, we usually want to trim down & lose the flab for a whole lot of reasons, some related to health, others having to do with looks.

In addition, it is never too late to for weight loss. The fact is that it is a whole lot easier to prevent putting on pounds than to try losing them later. One thing we all know, it is that weight gain is likely to happen by not taking forward-looking steps to stop it. Health experts say that most people who are into weight loss usually stray. They tend to go back to their old eating habits even after they learn to like low-fat eating. They tend to return to sedentary ways even though they like exercising for burning the flab away.

Despite the momentum toward weight gain, you can stop it from happening, experts say. There are plenty of good reasons to avoid excess pounds, reasons that go beyond vanity or social acceptance. In fact, some health experts contend that the significance of excess weight is more than cosmetic. They say that it takes a huge toll on people’s physical health.

The Way to Natural Weight Loss

The nuts and bolts of eating right maintaining a healthy weight is not all that complicated. In fact, it is quite common that most people know pretty well what is best. Hence, natural weight loss should not be a problem at all. Consequently, a reasonable approach for natural weight loss is to stick to a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, high in fiber, moderate in protein, and low in fat.

A complex carbohydrate is a baked potato. Fat is the sour cream and butter you should not put on it. Fiber is vegetables. Fat is the oil you should not fry them in. Protein is a lean cut of meat. Fat is the gravy you should not pour over it. Moreover, health experts say that dietary fat promotes weight gain & more flab because it is a very dense source of calories. Also, when you consume excess calories from dietary fat, you store those calories as body fat more efficiently than excess calories from other sources; not a good way to promote natural weight loss & lose flab.

On the other hand, it can also help you with natural weight loss by not falling into the so-called “fat-free” trap. Manufacturers keep coming out with low-fat or fat-free versions of their best-selling foods, but Americans keep getting fatter anyway. One of the greatest delusions nowadays is that “no fat” means “non-fattening.” The truth is that you are often getting just as many calories from the no-fat version, even when the calories are not coming from fat. The term fat-free can be a trap for folks who start to believe that they can eat any amount of the foods that are advertised that way.

What’s more, as part of a weight loss program, it is best to respond to hunger with healthful snacks. Health experts say it would be better to try eating every three to four hours, which may mean a nutritious low-fat snack between lunch and dinner. When you feel the urge for food coming on, snacking on something healthy such as a slice of whole-grain toasted bread is a better alternative. Never skip a meal and eat snacks instead because that is the worst thing you can do when trying to control your eating habits and weight.

Remember, by wanting natural weight loss, you have to keep track of every food you eat and of every performed activity. When you say natural weight loss means that you do not have to use some accessories or helpful aids just to lose the flab. Natural weight loss is a process and not a fad. Hence, it would take a lot of dogged determination, self-control, and discipline just to achieve your ideal weight.

Visit a Coin Dealer for More Variety

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:10:00 +0000

Some banks offer pure .9999 fine gold coins to their customers. They vary in size like an ounce or half an ounce or even quarter ounce coins. For more variety it is suggested that you visit a coin dealer. Well known coin dealers like Monaco Rare Coin for example has many types of rare coins ranging from silver coins to very rare gold coins.

They will be happy to let you know about the coins they currently have in their inventory. Not only does one purchase the gold value of a gold rare coin but also its historical value which makes the price of the rare coin higher over the years. One does not get that kind of investment return from buying a typical gold coin minted in the current year from the local bank.

Exercise for Weight Loss Tips

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:54:00 +0000

A lot of us live our lives like penned animals. Built to move, too often we put ourselves in a cage. We have bodies designed for racing across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room couch and back to the bed.

It was not always this way. Not long ago in the United States, a man who worked on a farm did the equivalent of 15 miles of jogging every day; and his wife did the equivalent of 7 miles of jogging. Today, our daily obligations of work and home keep us tied to our chairs, and in order to have some exercise for weight loss, we have to seek it out.

In fact, health experts insist that obesity problem is probably caused at least as much by lack of physical activity as by eating too much. Hence, it is important that people need to move around to start losing the flab. However, that does not mean that a lap or two around the old high school track will offset a daily dose of donuts. Exercise alone is not very efficient for weight loss, experts say. They contend that just by exercising without changing your diet, you may be able to prevent weight gain or even lose a few pounds.

Nevertheless, it is not something that you are likely to sustain unless exercise is part of an overall weight loss program. The more regularly you exercise, the easier it is to maintain your weight & lose flab. Here are every day tips to make sure that you get the exercise you need.

1. Get quality sleep.

Make sure that you get adequate sleep. Good sleep habits are conducive to exercise, experts point out. By feeling worn out during the day, you are less likely to get much physical activity during the day. In addition, there is evidence that people who are tired tend to eat more, using food as a substance for the rest they need.

2. Walk the walk.

It is probably the easiest exercise program of all. In fact, it may be all you ever have to do, according to some professional advices of some health experts. Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five sessions a week. Brisk walks themselves have health and psychological benefits that are well worth the undertaking.

3. Walk the treadmill.

When the weather is bad, you might not feel like going outdoors. By having a treadmill in the television room, you can catch up on your favorite shows while you are doing your daily good turn for your weight-maintenance plan. Most of us watch television anyway, and indoor exercise equipment enables anyone to turn a sedentary activity into a healthy walk to help lose the flab.

4. Seize the moment.

Excuses aside, lack of free hours is certainly a limiting factor for weight loss in most lifestyles. That is why health experts suggest a basic guideline for incorporating exercise into your schedule. Get as much weight loss exercise as you can that feels good without letting it interfere with your work or family life. When required, remind yourself that you are preventing many health problems when you prevent weight gain; and keeping your health is a gift to your family as well as yourself.

21 & Counting

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

It is a great feeling to be winning hundred of thousands of dollars every weekend. It is a good enough feeling to be in MIT, Harvard, & do clever things but the lead character, Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) in the 21 movie gets to make loads of money in the weekends too! Hence, genius optimized. He gets caught once, bruised & threatened by casino security & his hard earned loot stolen from him twice. He is left with only a dazzling story to tell his Harvard Med scholarship sponsor about his Blackjack 21 Vegas experience.

He probably received the scholarship; well at least it is how the movie shows us. Also, he got the pretty lady, Jill Taylor (Kate Bosworth) too. Another probability is that he & his team, along with new members; his best friends, they are going to hit the Blackjack tables again. Their nemesis is retired so they have nothing to stop them from winning a fortune in Blackjack 21 in Vegas casinos or the world. For many of us, the 21 movie is just a fantasy life but it is a good movie that showcases the beautiful hotels & lifestyle of high rolling people in Las Vegas. Cast includes the despising character, Prof. Micky Rosa played by Kevin Spacey.

Aeon Flux: Watch Charlize Theron in her best element

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:52:00 +0000

Goodchild regime is against the Monacans who are fighting to see justice in the world, or rather the only surviving city on earth in the Aeon Flux movie. The name sounds like a kind of laundry detergent to me. Aeon Flux…leaves dirt & stains wishing there were not dirty. Heheh :) Do you agree with me?

Anyway, the Aeon Flux movie takes advantage of new technology concepts like transfer data through a pill that biologically bring one to dream land while maintaining normal activity for good special effects & story line. Fashion & hair style looks like a modern version of 16th century wear, extravagant & decorative.

Watch Charlize Theron in her best element; in tight fitting clothes. Lol :) I got the Aeon Flux movie snippets video from YouTube. Fans of hers should watch the movie.

I reckon parts of the Aeon Flux movie are pictured in Spain as there are some futuristic looking buildings by Santiago Calatrava in some of the scenes. Also, some scenes are possibly shot in Japan too as I saw what looks like one of the museums designed by Kisho Kurakawa. The Aeon Flux movie provides a lot of good opportunity to see Sexy Charlize Theron in tight fitting clothes. Her sister, Una Flux (Amelia Warner) becomes killed as she is suspected to be a Monacan rebel.

Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron) is an assassin; the best there is in the Monacan group. The Goodchild looks like a bunch of university students, dressed in futuristic GAP clothing. Lol. She fails in her attempt to kill Trevor (Martin Tsokas) only because a flash back of her intimacy with him suddenly came to her mind & so does his. They hit is off right from the start. Now they can go on a date. Lol :) Well, not exactly, she is as dumbfounded as he is about the mysterious incident but still maintains her intent as she is a professional. Aeon is captured & imprisoned in the Aeon Flux movie. Well, not for long.

The most amazing piece of equipment Aeon carries is the whistle guided explosive pellets. She can call upon them in case of emergency in the Aeon Flux movie. For example in the movie she used them to blow a hole in the cell wall. She was captured & whistled through the ventilation duct. The whistle guided explosive pellets then went on its way even climbing stairs to get to her. The balls are pretty much the most advanced weapons in the Aeon Flux movie. They are some freaking amazing exploding balls.

The Monacan decides to kill Aeon (Charlize Theron) & sends four other assassins including Sithandra (Sophie Okonedo) after Aeon. She finds out that her sister, Una Flux (Amelia Warner) was killed because she was pregnant in the Aeon Flux movie.

Trevor Goodchild’s brother, Oren Goodchild (Johnny Lee Miller) wants live forever & is behind all the murders happening in the city. He wants no cure. He wants the cloning to continue so he can continue being in power. I prefer the extended life span option rather than rebirth of the same person via cloning. Then I know that it is really me. Heheh :)

Now I remember how Charlize Theron’s acting is similar to that of CSI Miami’s Horatio. She also employs the cold & composed facial expression, a serious attitude & speaking in an “I told you so” manner. I also like how the out of focus shots were used in the flashback scenes of the Aeon Flux movie. It creates an interesting variant to the normal flashback scenes seen in other movies.

A firefight ensues & it is quite predictable that they are going to die without much cover on top of the towers. Four snipers to kill two people are an overkill & waste of manpower in my opinion. Otherwise, Aeon Flux is one mean lady to hunt. Also, it is funny how guns & rifles have not been revolutionized in the Aeon flux movie. Only Aeon & the hero survive in the battle so they can finally breed happily ever after. The Aeon Flux movie is directed by Karyn Kusama.

Celebrate Halloween in Orlando to Relieve Back to School Blues

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:17:00 +0000

Your children have probably started school sessions again now. How about bringing them for a weekend trip or short holiday at Disney World, Universal Studios, and other attractions in Orlando to help relieve their back to school blues? Halloween might present that ideal opportunity and you can get cheaper discount tickets like Disney World Tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

So here’s some fun things happening in Orlando during Halloween: Disney World Florida is offering Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2009, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has its Howl-O-Scream (Watch out for the deadly vampire models!), and Universal Studios is turning the whole park into one giant horror park! In my opinion, there is nothing quite like a chainsaw wielding scare-actor, a vampire actress, or even a quaint Mickey Mouse to chase the back to school blues away.

Program Your Weight Loss in As Easy As A Week

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:26:00 +0000

The idea of the program is to be able for you to develop an easy & consistent approach to weight loss as well as a healthy endurance when exercising. The program’s objective is to get rid of the flabby excesses in your body, the excess fat. Not the healthy and lean muscle tissues and body fluids.

The program first requires your focus and dedication, so therefore you need to be prepared in both mind and – of course – body. It is highly advised that you first visit your doctor for a check-up before embarking on any weight loss program. It is important that when starting on any weight loss program, one should be positive enough to work for the results. Some people get impatient easily but long term effects are assured as long as one sticks to the weight loss plan at hand.

Stretch, stretch and stretch some more. Before actually doing those exercises and working out those muscles to burn flab, a little stretching is needed in order to avoid any injury or soreness in your body. It is also not advisable for anyone to try too hard. Everything should be done in moderation. Find the level of exercise and training that suits you. It should be enough for you to be comfortable but not too convenient that it will not be much of a challenge.

The First Week Easy Plan

The first day of the program involves a long and steady walk in a little over twenty minutes. After the walk, follow it up with a good stretch. This takes so little minutes for the first day. In less than an hour you have taken that first step to a weight loss program that could work to your advantage.

By the second day, it is good to focus on an upper body workout. This maintains your strength to be able to go through the whole weight loss program for the week. On the third day, a brisk walk or jog for ten minutes is in order. For beginners, a lower body workout should be done in the evening.

In the fourth day, a good rest is in order, as well as a good stretch. This lag period should be used wisely though to sort out any negatives in your mindset. The fifth day starts with a good ten minute walk. Exercise the lower body in four sessions of workouts; follow this up with another ten minute walk, and another four sessions of lower body workout.

The sixth day should be spent on a low impact exercise such as swimming. To avoid boredom, do not be afraid to try something new in your weight loss program. The last day of the week is when you solicit the support of the people who care about you. Spend a day with them or get them to be with you in your long walk. Again, follow up your walk with a light upper body workout.

This is just the beginning. By you being able to stick to the program in the first week, you have a great chance to further boost your weight loss and stay with the plan until you achieve your desired result. Try as much as possible to be unlike the people who give up easily just because they could not see the result they want when they want – like this moment, today, now! Patience is a virtue. How long did it take your body to gain all that weight? Think about how long your body will have to exert just to get rid of the flab. Happy Weight Loss!

Free Weight Loss Programs Considered

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:18:00 +0000

The race to fitness is on and a lot of people are getting into the band wagon. Some people do it to lose the flab & achieve a sexy body, some people just do it because they are embarrassed with the body they have now, while others do it simply to remain fit and healthy. As such, many fitness programs are out in the internet, in gyms, spas and fitness centers all over. Some are too expensive to afford that one may even lose weight just by trying to work out the money needed to pursue these fitness programs.

One may not have to go to the gym or the spa or any fitness center and spend much just to slim down to obtain that longed for sexy body. There are many books available in the book store which offer weight loss programs; convenient and for free, not including the price of the books. These weight loss programs, or diet plans are gaining immense popularity with so much publicity, testimonials and reviews that one may be confused which exactly to follow. So before choosing which weight loss plan to follow, try reading the below summaries about the most popular diet programs out today & consider them considered.

Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins: This weight loss program encourages high protein diet and a trim down on the carbs. One can feast on vegetables and meat but should fast on bread and pasta. One is also not restricted against fat intake so it is okay to pour in the salad dressing and freely spread on the butter. However, after the diet, one may find himself lacking on fiber and calcium yet high in fat. Intake of grains and fruits are also limited.

Carbohydrate Addict's Diet by Drs. Heller: This diet plan advocates low carbohydrate eating. The diet program approves on eating meats, vegetables and fruits, dairy and grain products. However, warns against taking in too much carb. "Reward" meal can be too high on fats and saturated fats.

Choose to Lose by Dr. Goor: Restrains fat intake. One is given a "fat" budget and given the liberty on how to spend it. It does not pressure the individual to watch his carbohydrate intake. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafood is okay. A go signal is also given on eating vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta. This weight loss plan is fairly healthy, good amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as saturated fats. Watch triglyceride levels though; when high, trim down the carbohydrates and tuck in more of the unsaturated fats.

The DASH Diet: Advocates moderate amounts of fat and protein intake and high on carbs. Primarily designed to lower blood pressure, the diet plan follows the pyramid food guide and encourages high intake of whole wheat grains as well as fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy. Some dieters think it advocates too much eating to procure significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less by Dr. Ornish: Primarily vegetarian fare and strictly low-fat. Gives the go signal on the "glow" foods but warns to watch it on non-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet is poor in calcium and restricts consumption of healthy foods like seafood and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type: Interesting because it is based on the person's blood type. Recommends plenty of meat for people with the blood type O. Diet plans for some blood types are nutritionally imbalanced and too low in calories. And for the record, there is even no proof that blood type affects dietary needs.

The Pritkin Principle: Focused on trimming the calorie density in eating by suggesting watery foods that make one feel full. Eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta, soups, salads and low-fat dairy is okay. Protein sources limited to lean meat, seafood and poultry. Although it is healthy by providing low amounts of saturated fats and rich amounts of vegetables and fruits, it is also low on calcium and limits lean protein sources.

Volumetrics: For low-density calorie eating. Recommends the same foodstuff as Pritkin but restricts fatty or dry foods like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This plan is reasonably healthy given the high amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as being low in calorie density and saturated fats.

The Zone: Moderately low on the carbs yet moderately high on the proteins. The diet encourages low-fat protein food intake like fish and chicken plus veggies, fruits and grains. It is also healthy but lacking in grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers: High carbohydrates, moderate on fats and proteins. It is a very healthy diet plan and very flexible one too. It allows the dieter to plan his own meal rather than give him a set to follow.

Weight Loss Plan: Going For the Goal

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:09:00 +0000

Since excess weight or flab puts you at risk for many health problems, you may need to set some weight loss plans to help avoid those risks and prevent disease.

But what should be your long-term goal? And what short-term goals should you set to help you get there? You have a better probability of attaining your goals by making sure that the weight loss plans that you will use are sensible and reasonable right at the beginning.

Here are some guidelines from the experts in choosing weight loss plans and goals.

1. Be realistic

Most people’s long-term weight loss plans are more ambitious than required. For example, a person weighs 170 pounds and the long-term plan is to weigh 120. The person had not weighed 120 since the age of 16 and now at 45, that is not a realistic weight loss goal.

Your body mass index or BMI is a good indicator of whether or not you need to shed of pounds. The ideal BMI range, according to the national Institutes of Health, is between 19 and 24.9. If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9, you are considered overweight. Any number above 30 is in the obesity range.

From this point of view, you will need a sensible weight loss plan that will correspond to the required BMI based on your height, because this is the primary factor that will affect your BMI.

2. Set appropriate objectives

Using a weight loss plan just for vanity’s sake is psychologically less helpful than losing weight to improve health. You have made a big step forward deciding to undergo a weight loss plan that includes exercise and eating right so that you will feel better and have more energy to do something positive in your life.

3. Focus on doing, not losing

Rather than saying that you are going to lose a pound this week, say how much you are going to exercise this week. This would definitely make up of a sensible weight loss plan. Keep in mind that your weight within a span of a week is not completely in your control, but you can control your behavior.

4. Build bit by bit

Short-term weight loss plans should not be “pie-in-the-sky.” This means that when you have never exercised at all, your best weight loss plan for this week should be based on finding three different one-mile routes that you can walk next week.

5. Keep up the self-encouragement

An all-or-nothing attitude only sets you up to fail. Learn to evaluate your efforts fairly and objectively. In case you fall short of some goals, just look ahead to next week. You do not need to have a perfect record. After all, self-encouragement should definitely be a part of your weight loss plans. Otherwise, you will just fail in the end.

6. Use measurable measures

Saying that you are going to be more positive this week or that you are going to really get serious this week is not a goal that you can measure and should not be a part of your weight loss plan. This is another reason why you should incorporate exercise on your weight loss plan and focus on it. You should be able to count up the minutes of exercise in order to be successful in your plan.

The bottom line is; people should make weight loss plans that will only remain as it is, just a plan. They have to put it into action by incorporating goals that will motivate them to succeed. Happy Weight Loss!

Healthy Diet - A Weight Loss Guide

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:26:00 +0000

Here are some weight loss diet tips that can be followed anywhere, everyday as a guide:

1. Make a delicious low fat mayonnaise by combining one teaspoon of Dijon mustard or satay sauce with a low fat yogurt.
2. Do not skip meals. Skipping meals slicks the body into slowing down the metabolism, attempting to conserve calories during a period where limited fats and fuel are available. Remember that eating increases the metabolism; good to burn away the flab.
3. Stuff vegetables like capsicum and zucchini with flavored fillings or minced chicken, white meat or fish. These are healthy and contain low fat.
4. Take pita bread roll ups or wraps with salad fillings.
5. Eight hours after waking up, our metabolism slows down that is why 30 minutes of exercise before dinner will increase the metabolism for about two to three hours. This produces an increase in burned fat even hours after the work out is over.
6. Add alfalfa or mung beans to salad to get extra iron.
7. Good cooking and healthy eating begins with learning about nutrition and how to prepare healthy recipes.
8. Learn how to make the family favorite recipes and make sure that fats, salt, and sugar are cut out. Substitute non-fat yogurt for cream, stir-fry without oil and use herbs and spices instead of salt to taste.
9. Consult the doctor before beginning an exercise or weight loss program.
10. Slowly eat and chew each bite during meals as this would decrease one's appetite.
11. Complete three small meals and two snacks everyday instead of one or two huge meals.
12. Use chicken stock when stir-frying. This will cut down on hidden fat.
13. Buy non-toasted muesli instead of the toasted ones. A plate of toasted muesli contains more fat than a plate of beef bacon and eggs.
14. As much as possible do not remove the skins of fruits and vegetables since most of the nutrients are concentrated under the skin.
15. Warm water with just a squeeze of lemon juice before breakfast get the metabolism going for the day, this also help preventing constipation and is excellent for the skin.
16. One of the best sources of vegetable protein is from soya beans or tofu. All legumes provide some protein, so include lentils, lima beans etc into casseroles and soups.
17. Look for a weight loss "buddy," club, or support mates. This will motivate you to stay and enjoy your weight loss program.
18. Though it's hard at first, try not eating 3 hours or more before bedtime.
19. Make pasta a fast food choice - preparing a pasta meal or salad will only take 10-12 minutes.
20. Chili helps to speed up metabolism - even the milder varieties.
21. Try making omelettes without adding the yolks! It provides a dramatic decrease in fat.
22. Substitute baking soda, baking powder, MSG and soya sauce in cooking.
23. Remove fat by dropping ice cubes into the baking tray. Fat will stick to the ice cubes.
24. Drinking hot water instead of cold water in the morning can increase the speed of your metabolism and burn more calories.
25. Eat before you go food shopping and always prepare a shopping list. Only buy food which relates to your weekly menu plan and don't be tempted to buy goodies.

Make sure that the right discipline is still practiced to promote consistency on the diet plan. This will lead eventually to a healthy life-style and a more fruitful living without the extra fat and extra pounds of flab on the side.

Pointers on Safe Weight Loss

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:18:00 +0000

People who want to lose weight commonly, and first of all, think about reducing the amount of food they eat. This may be quite a solution but not exactly the best solution. In fact, depending on the amount you reduce in your food intake, it may even be dangerous to one's health. So how does one lose weight effectively and safely? Here are some pointers one should consider when trying safe weight loss:

Beware of the Crash Diets

Most people think that trimming down the calories can alone shed off their unwanted excess. Probably this is because of the fad there is in advertising about low-calorie food products and beverages. What people don't know is that this could be dangerous because when they decrease their calorie intake way to below the required levels, the body begins to digest the fats. Sounds good but it is actually not good. Burning fat requires a lot of energy. Since there is not much energy in the body to facilitate metabolism of fat, it will run at a very slow pace resulting to fatigue, illness and weak immune system.

Low-calorie diet is also compensated by the body with burning muscle. People on this type of diet who revert back to their old eating habits end up gaining back some flab or worse. This would consist mainly of fats. And since fats have more volume per mass than muscle, they end up having the same weight as before but more bulky. Not much of a weight loss scheme, now is it? In losing weight, one should keep in mind that they should only lose excess body fats.

However, one can try out eating small meals at more frequent intervals. This way the body will not think that it is being starved and will not store food as fat

Eat Properly

One may have considered junking the crash diet option but should also not forget to watch what one is eating. Variety must always be considered so that one may be able to get the necessary nutrients from one’s diet as part of a safe weight loss program. It is also healthier to eat foods which are roasted, steamed or broiled rather than fried. It is also important to include a lot of fiber in the diet. Frequent re-hydration is also necessary.

Pump Up lean Muscle Mass

Muscles burn calories when they work; they even do so at rest. Unlike fats which just lie around, bulge around the pants and dangle beneath the sleeves, muscles burn calories all-day round. With this fact, one can start weight loss by increasing muscle mass. The more muscles, the less flab will be left. This is attainable starting by working out with resistance exercises.

Engaging in Aerobics

Aerobics are not only good for the heart by increasing cardio-vascular endurance. Aerobics also help in increasing lean muscle mass while simultaneously decreasing excess body fat. Aside from these, aerobics make the metabolic process more efficient and its rate high, even after a long while. Imagine burning fat efficiently while driving along the freeway or even while watching television. Aerobics is a good feature to have in one’s safe weight loss program.

Extra "Push"

Some people believe that smoking and caffeine can actually help in losing weight. This can perhaps be true; however, they do the body more harm than good because of their side-effects. For that extra "push", one can try out taking food supplements. After all, 95% of these products out in the market actually do some good.

On Taking Diet Pills

Over-the-counter diet pills affect the amount of weight one loses as well as how long one keeps that amount of weight off. However, one must be wary of the side-effects of these diet pills. As such, one must faithfully follow the instructions provided for in the packaging. It is also prudent to consult the physician anyway before trying out these drugs and also to find out which type would be best for the individual.

Losing weight does not have to mean sacrifice and suffering. It actually means opening up to a fuller and healthy life where one may not have to feel bad about oneself having to look the way one does or not being able to do what one wants to do. Losing weight might entail a little adjustment plus the discomforts, but as the old saying goes, "No pain, No gain." Besides flab, what has one got to lose anyway? Happy & Safe Weight Loss!

Better Than Public School

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:38:00 +0000

When we consign our children to public schools, we feel satisfied that they are receiving 'quality education'. Still, are we really getting our money's worth? More importantly, are the children gaining anything from this kind of a learning procedure? Socialization is hailed as one of the greatest advantage of schools.

This is the place where the child picks up the rudiments of social skills that help him survive. But in truth, a regular school-going child can interact only with his peers. He may bully younger children or fear older ones. He does not know how to behave with an adult. This is because in the school environment he interacts only with his peers. A homeschooling environment brings in a more natural social environment.

A regular school going child cannot read literature. He cannot keep silent or think in depth about any one thing. The artificial busy-ness imposed upon him by the school disallows quiet contemplation. Rowdy and destructive behavior, as seen among peers, is more noticeable in school-goers.

There is little long-standing knowledge among regular school goers because most things are learnt for the exam. There is no correlation of facts with life. The child may know a lot, but understands very little. This is where the homeschoolers beat the regular school goers. Ultimately, homeschoolers emerge more adept at facing the outside world.

Child Homeschooling Benefits Parents Should Know

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Why let your children learn at home rather than send them to school? Well, first of all, you don't have to wake them up at 7am every morning and bundle them off to school with a barrage of instructions, and wait with an anxious heart till they return. Homeschooling gives you more control over the influences that affect your child. The growth and development of your child is removed from the realm of the unknown. You and you alone can decide what your child needs to do or learn. Tailoring the curriculum to suit the needs and interests of the child is one of the most obvious benefits of homeschooling. Individual attention is another salient benefit of homeschooling. For instance, let’s say that your child needs to brush up on Math; then he or she can reduce the hours spent for the English lessons.

There are no fixed hours of learning per subject. This means that a child has the advantage of assigning more number of hours to the subject that seems tough WITHOUT any additional pressure. The amount of hours needed to learn each subject will depend on the abilities and interests of the child. The schooling of the child becomes an extended family activity. Parents get involved in every step of the learning procedure. Field trips and experiments become family activities. Thus, the child receives more quality moments with the parents. The entire family shares games, chores and projects. Family closeness becomes the focus now. The child is also free of any negative peer pressure while making choices and decisions.

Competition is limited when it comes to homeschooling. The child does not need to prove his ability with regards to other children. The child’s confidence remains intact. Since parents have a deep understanding of their child, they can plan the learning program to pique the child's interest. It is also possible to intersperse difficult tasks with fun activities. A tough hour with Algebra can be followed by a trip to the nearest museum. Learning becomes fun.

Parents can also tailor the curriculum to suit the learning style of the child. Some children learn through reading, while others need to write, and still others need to see objects in action. Homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and religious learning of the child. Parents have the flexibility to incorporate their beliefs and ideologies into the child's curriculum. There is no confusion in the child's mind either because there is no variation between what is being taught and what is being practiced.

Lastly, more and more parents are getting disillusioned with the public school system. They believe that their children are being pushed too hard or too little. Other worrying issues pertaining to discipline and ethics also make the school system less welcome. Many repudiate the educational philosophy of grouping children solely on the basis of their age. Some parents themselves have unhappy memories of their own public school experience that motivates them to opt for homeschooling when it comes to their own children. Homeschooling is the best way to teach a child if you have the time, the ability and the interest to follow through with his education. After all, nobody can understand or appreciate your child more than yourself.

First-Aid Medical Kit as Part of Home Medical Supplies

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:51:00 +0000

Usually, there is the box of aspirin in the kitchen cabinet to relieve a person’s occasional headache. Nonetheless, one’s home medical supply should not stop at just having aspirins. You know the saying ‘Have an umbrella ready before the rain falls’. For homes that have elderly or sickly people staying in them, having enough medical supplies at the ready becomes more important because these people have a greater dependency on such things in order to maintain or regain their health.

An emergency first aid medical kit too can come in handy to treat minor cuts and bruises. First aid kits are not costly and can be bought at the local pharmacy or online. In some cases, paired with some basic medical knowledge, first aid treatment could make the difference between life and death. Keep the home as a safe environment, keep small children out of the toilet, and ensure the medication is of sufficient supply and equipment for the elderly or sick is functional at home for avoiding accidents.

Strength of Materials Video 2: Analysis of Stress 1

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:32:00 +0000

This is the second video in the Strength of Materials series; Analysis of Stress 1. Explained in this video are the answers to previous video’s questions which includes Equilibrium of Forces and Behavior of deformable member subjected to forces depend on explained axiom. Reminded in this video is that Force divided by unit area is stress hence stress multiplied by area acted upon equals Force and vector sum of the forces keeps the body in equilibrium – at any section.

Integral parts of this video is Stress Resultant Vector, Stress Components, Stress Tensor, Cross Shear are Equal, Differential Equation of Equilibrium (how to evaluate or write down stresses in different planes), finding Equation of Equilibrium in 2D, and maximum value of normal stress and shearing stress. An exercise is provided. This video lecture was presented by Professor S.K. Bhattacharyya from Department of Civil Engineering, I.I.T, Kharagpur, India, made available by the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, a joint venture by Indian institutes of technology & Indian institutes of science. TUNE IN!

A Swimming Pool Decision

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:12:00 +0000

In the tropical areas of the world, there are several breathtaking areas that you could swim in, from lakes to amazing coastal beaches. Areas such as Hawaii, the Bahamas, California, and Puerto Rico have several beaches for you to enjoy. For folks living in the middle of the United States, take a swim and enjoying the water can be a bit more challenging.

While you can choose to go to a local swimming pool, the summer months can often leave the local pool crowded. Crowded pools can be very frustrating indeed, especially for those who are looking to swim laps. When it’s a really hot summer day, the pool can be so crowded that it can be extremely hard to relish a nice dip in the water.

To savor the water, you may want to invest in a swimming pool for your home. Swimming pools can add value to your home, and give you the comfort and pleasure of the water whenever you take a notion. By craving that exotic feel, you can always add plenty of accessories to your pool, such as shade trees, lemonade, and toys. There are hundreds of accessories and furniture out there, many of which can add virtually any look you desire to your swimming pool.

During the hottest days of summer, nothing makes you relax more than a pool. During the afternoon or evening, swimming can help to make it a little cooler. By owning a swimming pool, you can go swimming whenever you please. You can even take a swim at night as well, providing you have adequate lighting outside near your swimming pool.

For a professional swimmer however, a swimming pool at home just might not be enough. Sport swimming has a lot of strict requirements, including lap swimming. A traditional swimming pool in your backyard may not be the best way to swim laps. You can always get a lap pool or swim spa, although they cost a lot more money than most people are willing to invest.

When you look for your swimming pool, you’ll have to decide between an in ground pool or an above ground pool. There are several choices available to you, although most will depend greatly on your budget. By having the money to spare, you should go with an in-ground pool. These swimming pools provide the most space, and give you plenty of options to take pleasure in swimming.

You can also look into a fiberglass swimming pool as well. Swimming pools that are made from fiberglass are very durable, and offer you a pleasant solution to hot days. These pools are very flexible, as they can easily be lowered into a hole already in the ground. There is little to no construction involved, as most fiberglass pools are already constructed. They are also the cheapest solution to in ground pools as well. Fiberglass pools also eliminate the need for acid washing and liner replacements, as they don’t require any type of treatments.

With several options available to you, it’s easier than ever these days to have your very own swimming pool. To further your interest in a swimming pool you can look for the best prices online, or contact your local swimming pool dealer. Most pools are very affordable, and you can get some great deals by buying right. You’ll make a lot of friends with your new swimming pool - especially on hot days when the local pool is crowded.

Azul Hotels by Karisma for Family Vacations

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:06:00 +0000

Riviera Maya in Mexico offers plenty of exciting activities for the family. Activities include excellent scuba diving, excursions to Mayan Ruins, shopping, swimming with the dolphins, riding horses on the beach, and much more. There are many Karisma owned hotels and resorts along Riviera Maya that offer an amazing family vacation experience.

Azul hotels by Karisma easily facilitate the concept of a family oriented holiday. Even large family reunions can be coordinated! There are hotel suites for the family in all Azul hotels. The Azul Fives Hotel, by Karisma for example boasts a Kid’s Club sponsored by Fisher-Price® for the kids! Experience a memorable, gourmet inclusive and luxurious family vacation in Riviera Maya.

Get the E-Commerce Online Marketing Success Factor Covered

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:56:00 +0000

Many wannabe internet entrepreneurs fail in their online business due to many factors. It could be due to lack of advertising, bad products or services, and etc. Also, some of the failed online businesses are caused by lack of planning and having an unprofessional website.

The planning of the e-commerce business and having a professional functional website is important because building and growing an online business from scratch requires skill, experience, and a good online presence. Therefore, it can be a good idea to approach a reputable professional web design company that will not only build your business website but also provide an ecommerce case study – forming your online business strategy.

Go with a professional web design company that provides a full-service interactive advertising package and website development services. Then at least, you will have an important factor for a successful e-commerce business fulfilled, minimizing your online business risk of failure. Of course, having the best online marketing service to help your business to sell bad products or services wont help much towards success either but that is another story.

Strength of Materials Video 1: Introduction

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:16:00 +0000

This is the first video in the Strength of Materials series; Introduction of Stress. This module provides a complete analysis of stress which comprises of six videos. There are a total of forty videos, each about an hour long to cover the entire subject of Strength of Materials. The video introduces derived units: Area, Velocity, Acceleration, & Force.

Primarily, this video includes parameter of Force per unit area called as stress, normal stress, reactive forces, active forces, internal forces, member forces, free body diagram, & explanation of Newton, Pascal, Megapascal, Kilopascal, Gigapascal. Professor S.K. Bhattacharyya from Department of Civil Engineering, I.I.T, Kharagpur, India presented the video lecture. An exercise is provided. This video is made available by the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning, a joint venture by Indian institutes of technology & Indian institutes of science.

Fun Family Events to Keep Child & Parent Bond Strong

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:45:00 +0000

Haven’t been spending enough quality moments with your children? Well, here’s an opportunity for you, as a parent, to strengthen the bond between parent and child. Fun family activities like camping, sports, shows, parties, eating-out, and etc can help you relax and forget about work for a bit while having fun with your children. For instance, that little sport activity with your child helps you get the exercise that your body needs in order to maintain good health; something that you could overlook while working in the office. More importantly, hanging out with parents is just the thing a growing child wants.

Check out the fun family activities available near you by visiting the ParentsConnect.com website. Better yet, just type in the postcode of your area in the below widget and you will be served some fun family options. This is a good way to stay up to date with fun family happenings in your area. Fun family events are always happening and offer opportunities for parents to bond better with their children as well as meeting other parents and their children socializing with other children. The Parentsconnect.com website also facilitate parents to chat with each other regarding anything related to parenting like baby names, summer fun, back to school countdown, and much more!

Fast Weight Loss Diet & Identifying Fad Diets

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:39:00 +0000

When a lady wears a size 14 and buys designer size 8 dresses as motivation, the lady will probably end up feeling guilty, frustrated, and angry by not being able to fit in it a month later.

In reality, you will do much better setting smaller, achievable targets for yourself regarding weight loss. By thinking that you must try the new-clothes strategy, go down a size at a time, and do not buy anything you have to take out a second mortgage for the purchase.

Because, by continuing to remorse on fast weight loss, you will end up incorporating fad diets or those that offer quick weight loss. For most people who are not aware of this fact, there are no such things as quick weight loss diets and there is no fast flab buster for people who want to be slimmer than what their body can do for them.

The problem with most people is that they tend to opt for quick fixes wherein fact these things are not effective at all.

What Does Not Work

Today, there are plenty of weight loss strategies that are guaranteed to backfire. This is because these quick fixes instilled on certain diet plans are, in reality, not efficient because it does not employ the right principle and the right attitude in losing weight.

These fast weight loss diet plans are known as fad diets because that is exactly what they are, just a fad. Over the long run, when fashion is over and popularity wanes down, people will realize that the diet they have depended on is not reliable at all.

To know more about these fad diets that are selling like hotcakes in the market today, here is a list of some telltale signs that would help you identify them & not to try it even once.

1. Skipping meals

Does your diet plan require you to skip meals? A fad diet will have you skipping meals as part of the program. Abstain from food completely is not a healthy habit. It may even cause some serious complications or problems especially for people who are sick with diabetes.

Skipping meals will only cause a hypoglycemia, or the condition wherein your blood sugar is really low, and will probably only be effective in making you eat twice as much at the next meal, having you gain more flab than losing flab.

2. Dieting without exercise, or vice versa

Exercise is crucial to the human body & for losing the flab. It is important in the proper blood circulation and other activities of the human body system. Therefore, diet plans that do not require you to exercise are nuisances. People are born to move. But then again, exercise alone is not sufficient. Hence, it would be better when diet and exercise will go hand-in-hand.

3. Continuous procrastination

There is no better time to start losing weight. By you wanting to really lose those excess fats/flab, you have to lose weight now. Delaying tactics & procrastination will not get you anywhere and will only make the problem worse. So, seeing that your diet plan suggests a certain period for you start losing weight, chances are, you are following the trend of fad diets.

At the end of the day, it is best to rely more on the way you feel than the tale of the tape. This means that even when the weighing scale tells you that you are losing weight although slower than you would like, but you are feeling energetic and positive about your weight-loss efforts, then, you are just doing fine. As mentioned and is worth mentioning all over again, weight loss is not a quick process.

Homeschooling in its Most Simplistic Form

abaskamal@gmail.com (Abasster) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:02:00 +0000

The term 'homeschooling' basically refers to the process in which one or more children of not more than two families are instructed by parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household. The laws that define homeschooling vary from State to State. The legal requirements for establishing a homeschool also vary with the State.

For most children, the actual process of learning begins much before school. Many children already know their alphabets, the names of animals, colors and other more complicated stuff before they reach school. This is mostly due to the hard work of a member of the family who has taken the time to teach the child. Homeschooling is just a natural progression from here. Instead of sending their children to a public school, parents make their own curriculum and teach their children in ways that best suit the child. This is homeschooling, in its most simplistic form.

Before you decide to go in for homeschooling, there are certain important matters for consideration. First off, meet with parents of other homeschoolers. Find out the pros and cons of homeschooling. Then ask yourself why you would want to adopt this method. This is a very important aspect, as the success of the program depends on the clarity and sincerity of your purpose. Next, it is time to consider the expenses of homeschooling. It may cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand every year. More importantly, you are also effectively shutting out any job opportunity for one of the parents. It is only obvious that one parent will have to stay at home full time to manage the homeschool. A home-based business however is a great alternative.

Are you qualified to take on homeschooling for your children? Teaching is a continuation of your own learning process. With the advent of the internet, information is aplenty. There are various books and resources for those interested in homeschooling. Go through the various methods of homeschooling and choose one that is most suited to you. It helps to know what kind of learning style your child has. Also, find out what your child feels about homeschooling before you start.

Every state has its own laws regarding homeschooling. For instance, in North Carolina, you must first file a 'Notice of Intent' to start a home school. In this you have to mention whether the school is a 'Private church' school or a 'qualified non-public school'. The persons providing the education are required to have at least a high school diploma. You have to maintain an annual record of the child's attendance and disease immunization. Every year, the child is required to undergo a standardized test. Each student attending the eleventh grade has to take a nationally standardized test. These are the requirements in North Carolina, but it is enough to give you a good idea of what homeschooling entails.

Homeschooling may seem like a lot of fun and freedom from the outside. However, things are seldom as simple as they seem. Homeschooling is a lot of added responsibility and hard work. Nonetheless, a successful homeschool will forge a strong bond of love and respect between parent and child, while providing your child with the best form of education for the child.