Dare to Blog

5 Accessories for the Perfect Medieval Outfit

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 18:17:00 +0000

There's more to medieval clothing than tunics and boots. For example, do you know what kind of undergarments were worn back in the day? Can you pick out real medieval jewelry from the fake junk jewelry popularized by books and movies? If you're looking to create the most authentic medieval costume that you can, here are just five accessories to bring your ancient ensemble to life.

1. Belts

Belts served multiple purposes back in medieval times. Not only did they keep the wearer from embarrassing themselves whenever they bent over, but they also provided transport and storage space for blades, swords, pouches and everyday necessities. Your medieval outfit won't be complete without a belt, so start looking today. Pay attention to length and material type.

2. Corsets

Ladies, you probably don't want to hear this, but corsets are essential for certain kinds of medieval fashion. The good news is that modern corsets have come a long way in breathability and functionality. Many of them look rustic but have all of the conveniences of 21st century design, including room to inhale and exhale.

3. Armor

Medieval armor comes in many shapes and sizes, so you'll need to do some research to make sure that you're getting the details right. For example, later centuries may have had different chain mail designs than earlier ones, or a particular country might have had a special way of tempering their breastplates. It's the little things that will make your armor authentic.

4. Jewelry

Women wore necklaces, earrings and head scarves. Men wore chains, pendants and amulets. Royalty of both genders wore circlets and gemstones. Jewelry can elevate an average medieval outfit into something truly extraordinary, so don't be afraid to experiment with colors, cuts, clasps and chains.

5. Underthings

If you want to be authentic down to the skin, consider medieval underwear. This is another area where you'll need to do your homework to get the details right, but depending on the time period, you might need everything from a petticoat to a bum roll. Only by embracing everything about the past will you create a genuine piece of medieval fashion.

These are just a few essentials for the authentic medieval costume. Whether you're roleplaying at a renaissance festival or dressing up your children for a school performance, use these accessories to give their outfits that extra "oomph."

7 Tips to Talk to Your Tween about Underage Drinking

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:56:00 +0000

Throwing back a beer with pals may be the furthest thing from your tween's mind, but if you haven't yet opened the lines of communication about alcohol, consider this: a study on age at onset of alcohol use and abuse published in the 1997 Journal of Substance Abuse found that kids who use alcohol prior to age 15 are four times more likely to become dependent on it than those who wait until they're 21. And if you think your kid won't have access to drinks, think again: the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that two in every five 8th graders have tried alcohol (according to a 2005 Monitoring the Future study).

Given the statistics above, discussing the dangers of drinking with your middle-schooler isn't just a good idea, but a necessity. But how, exactly, do you go about tackling such a sticky subject, especially when you've got a moody twelve-year-old whose temperament seems to change by the minute? Before going it alone, read through the seven tips below for advice on how to successfully navigate the discussion with your tween about alcohol and drinking:

Boost self-confidence. Begin the conversation by telling your middle-schooler that you're proud of her and the person she's becoming. Identify specific instances where she was mature (think, doing the dishes without being asked, or watching a younger sibling), and tell her how much you admire that behavior. By working to raise her self-esteem, you make your tween less likely to turn to alcohol as a way to fit in or feel better about herself. Additionally, knowing you respect her makes her respect you in turn, and take your words seriously.
Talk often. It can take a lot of repetition before your message about your tween doing her own laundry sinks in—and an anti-alcohol message is no different. Work towards creating an ongoing dialogue with your tween about drinking, rather than a one-time conversation, and speak "as frequently as you have an opportunity," recommends Sue Scheff, a parent advocate, author, and founder of Parent's Universal Resource Experts, Inc. "If there is a reason for it—if there is a conversation about it, expand on it—don't run from it." It may feel awkward at first, but have patience: the more you chat freely, the less forced it will feel.
Use a movie. Since getting a middle schooler to open up can be tricky, try starting the conversation by bringing up a book or movie she's familiar with. Ask about how your child thinks the characters onscreen handle themselves while drinking, such as during the party scenes in Mean Girls. Keeping the conversation about popular culture makes your tween feel less vulnerable, and more willing to openly share her opinions and thoughts.
Share your story. If you or a family member has ever battled alcohol abuse or addiction, you may have struggled with whether or not to tell your tween. According to Scheff, the best approach is typically an honest one, especially if you're dealing with a tween who's thinking about trying alcohol for the first time. She explains, "If you have a family member that has battled with addiction, alcoholism or similar issues, there is nothing like firsthand experiences (especially those people that are related to them) to help them understand how harmful this disease can be and in some cases, deadly."
Act it out. Role-play with your kid to act out how she can respond to real-world situations where she might be offered alcohol. If you're not sure where to start, you can again try referring to scenes from a well-known movie, or have your tween be the director and let her stage the scenarios. Regardless of which situations you choose, make it a point to teach several different ways to say no to drinking. Popular ways to say no include, "I'd rather have a soda," "Can't, I've got a test/game tomorrow," "My parents would kill me!" or plain old, "No thanks."
Find role models. Direct your tween towards positive role models to counter-act any peer pressure she feels to fit in by drinking. Find an adult in a field that interests your kid (think sports, music, or drama) who has spoken out against teen drinking or alcohol abuse. Recently, for example, superstar speed skater Apolo Ohno partnered with The Century Council, a leading activist group against underage drinking, to spread the word on the dangers of teen drinking and to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Offer resources. Give your tween an outlet where she can go for answers to questions that she feels uncomfortable asking you or other adults. Since most thirteen-year-olds practically live online, it's a good idea to find a few websites that offer accurate information in a format you're comfortable with. For tweens, Scheff recommends The Cool Spot, an informative website that discusses the dangers of alcohol and ways to beat peer pressure.

Though starting the conversation can be hard, the tips above will make it easier to begin (and continue) discussions about alcohol and drinking with your tween. Chatting often with the above suggestions in mind will help you give your middle-schooler the knowledge, practice, and confidence she needs to rise above peer pressure and say no to underage drinking.

By Elizabeth DeMeo - Education.com

Homme arrêté pour avoir fumé du cannabis dans une salle d'accouchement

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:53:00 +0000

Aujourd'hui, nous avons été surpris de lire une histoire inhabituelle sur le Huffington Post sur un père en Floride qui a été arrêté pour fumer du cannabis provenant de graines de cannabis dans la salle d'accouchement de l'hôpital.

Le père âgé de 28 ans, attendait dans la salle d'accouchement pour sa femme. Il a commencé à se sentir mal à l'aise et nerveux au sujet de ses futures responsabilités en tant que père. Afin de calmer ses nerfs, il a décidé de fumer du cannabis de graine autofloraison.

Une infirmière qui passait par là qu'elle a attrapé une bouffée de son père en train de fumer. Elle a immédiatement appelé la police qui ont questionné le père, ont confisqué son vaporisateur de cannabis et l'ont arrêté.

The Benefits of Team Sports

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 07:04:00 +0000

The stereotype of the cutthroat, pushy Little League coach is all too familiar to most people. Why, some parents ask, should I subject my child to competitive team sports if that’s how it goes?

For one thing, the news. Today’s generation of children is fighting the worst obesity epidemic in history. Giving kids an excuse to exercise is reason enough to consider team sports. But calories aside, team sports have other benefits to kids—social, emotional and physical ones.

Here are some things that team sports teach that go well beyond scoring, batting, shooting and winning.

Ego Checks

Any parent knows that a child can be extremely egocentric. But that “my way or the highway” attitude will have to stay in check on a team sport. When a kid sees that everyone gets to play, they hopefully start to think about the group as a whole, and not just themselves. Even better, they learn to be happy for other player’s successes because they see how it benefits the team.

Positive Mentors

A dedicated, thoughtful and skilled coach can have an amazing impact on children. In fact, sometimes your child will respond better to an objective coach than he will to his own parent. When kids have early, positive experiences with coaches, they continue to seek out and learn from mentors who can help them with school, jobs and other interests.

The Three P's

Just as they must practice spelling, math and any other skill, kids need to learn that being part of a sports team requires the three P's … practice, patience and persistence. Whether it’s showing up to practice when you’d rather be home with Legos, waiting your turn on the sidelines, or doing the same drill over and over again, the three P's of team sports translate into important life lessons.

Another Reason for Family Time

Playing catch in the yard, heading down to the local soccer field for some drills … these types of outings with your kids can mean a great deal in our busy parenting culture. While the official reason may be practicing for the team, an even greater benefit is the time you get to spend together. Sometimes, in between dribbling and lay-ups, an important truth is revealed or an opportunity presents itself to teach a value.

Did we also mention that by practicing drills with your child and running up and down the sidelines to cheer them on, you might get into better shape, too? Score one for the family team!

By: Lucy Rector Filppu - Education.com

Polarization Instruments Info!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 07:01:00 +0000

Geosciences continues to be a growing field. With more governments and populations looking to be
proactive for events such as earthquakes, potential volcanic eruptions as well as situations with man-made products like dam examination, geoscience institutes are looking for the advanced equipment for geophysical resistivity and IP imaging systems. There are plenty of manufacturers in the United States that focus on these types of items, but one of the best out there is Advanced Geosciences, Inc.

Their site offers the most versatile set of products for those involved in the geosciences. This includes earth imagers, resistivity meters, and induced polarization instruments from AGIUSA.com. The company's main product is the SuperSting. Complete with WiFi access, the SuperSting provides the lowest noise levels and highest accuracy in today's geosciences market. There's even a Smartphone app that can be used to remotely monitor the SuperSting.

Other products sold by AGIUSA.com include the PowerSting High Power External Transmitter, which increases resistivity and induced polarization in the SuperSting, and the Swift Multi-Electrode System, which enables automatic earth measurements. The company's underwater product, the SuperSting Marine, allows for consistent resistivity profiling (CRP) and comes with a tow cable to transport the equipment.

On the imaging side of the company, AGIUSA.com sells both a 2D and 3D version of their EarthImager product. Both available for Windows systems, EarthImager provides real-time visuals in less than one minute. The 2D and 3D versions of the product display inversion of surface and borehole resistivity while also providing IP data, terrain correction, and CRP. The EarthImager allows for printing of images and comes in a demo mode for further examination.

In addition to the products mentioned, AGIUSA.com offers a catalog of resistivity software, manual cable sets, electrodes, and spare parts for the MiniSting and Sting R1. Products cannot be purchased on line. Instead, customers need to contact the company at the phone numbers provided at the top of the website for additional information. International customers can contact AGIUSA.com's headquarters in Madrid. The company does accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express for purchases. More information on the company and what they offer is obtained from either a downloadable brochure or sending a query via the websites Information Request link.

Get yourself a shopping cart!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 12:41:00 +0000

So you've got a business, and now you've got yourself a website, and maybe a social media profile or two. And you know you want to sell your products online. But the only question is, where to start? Well, if you want to successfully move merchandise in the online world like you do in the offline world, then you'll need to do more than hawk your wares and hope for the best with one-to-one sales. You're going to want to do an overhaul on your website that includes a clean and crisp layout, integration with social networks, and the presence of virtual shopping cart software to handle transactions.

Any site that sells goods has a shopping cart, and it's the shopping cart software that is the heart of an e-commerce website. This software enables customers to browse your website, select products to purchase, and then successfully complete a checkout. And on the administrative side, shopping cart software makes it easy and mostly automated for orders to be processed - from the checking of inventory to the shipping of goods to the updating of your inventory after the goods have left the warehouse. Many of these software packages run things so "automagically", as many webmasters put it, that there is very little you need to do on your end, other then completing the initial setup and adding new products as needed.

But how do you know which type of shopping cart software to go with? Well, this online cart selection has a lot to offer. Like many shopping cart solutions, there are multiple packages, with each higher-tiered packaging offering a bit more in the way of features. And 24/7 support is offered on all packages. Generally you will want a shopping cart script that can automate as much as possible, integrate with your website, and generate logs and error reports as needed. But in the end, be sure to take the time to sample various shopping cart scripts before spending the time, effort, and money to buy and set one up. Check on demos and trials before you finalize your choice.

Document Management into one!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:19:00 +0000

Do anyone of you here been searching a reliable software to manage your hard and soft copies of documents? Are you one of those people who hold the position as document controller yet you need a help of document management software? Well if you are, then I bet you need to try out this Paperless Office management software ’cause this will definitely help you out to organize your documents according to subjects or depends on your needs.

You don’t have to worry if you wanna try this software simply because they are known to be one of the leading provider for document management software who helps a lot of companies out there who been hunting for this type of software. In fact, even those single individuals who do have a common issues on managing their documents at home tends to take the said software due to the fact that it simply helps organize your important documents.

So, if you guys are one of those people who wanted to try this software better take sometime to visit their site and purchased at them online. Rest assures that your ordered item will be delivered right into your door steps or on your desired delivery location.

Pursuing an MBA Degree!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 08:44:00 +0000

The flexibility of online MBA programs is appealing to many entrepreneurs and business professionals. This highly-valued degree will not only improve your skills and knowledge, but also give you more confidence to take on new challenges in your career. Students who enroll in these courses receive extensive guidance and assistance. They also have access to online libraries, textbooks, student-faculty discussion forums, and self-assessment tests.

The Advantages of Pursuing an MBA Degree

Earning an MBA can increase your earning potential and open a whole new world of possibilities. Distance learning MBA programs give you all the flexibility and convenience of online education. You can focus on the discussion topic or assignment for your online classes from your computer. Each student is assigned a personal advisor and has access to the latest information. Highly qualified teachers are ready to answer your questions and help you study for your exams.

When you enroll in an MBA program online, you can overlap courses for faster completion. Students can go to classes at noon, midnight, or whenever they want. The most appealing aspect of distance learning education is that you can keep your job and take care of your children while studying for a better future. Here are the key benefits of earning an MBA online:

• Flexible learning
• Cutting edge technology
• Career advancement opportunities
• Access to online learning resources
• Timely responses
• Technical support
• Individual attention
• Affordable fees
• Low tuition costs
• Increased convenience

Students can customize their class schedule to meet their needs. They can attend classes anytime they want. Costs are lower because you don’t have to commute to and from your classes. Most distance learning MBA programs allow you to review materials at your own pace as long as you complete all the work before deadline.

Should You Apply for an MBA Online?

Earning an MBA online can help you become the business professional you want to be. After graduation, you'll understand complex business issues and think strategically. Since you have to study from home, you'll improve your time management skills and learn to be more organized. Distance learning MBA programs offer the same quality education as traditional classes.

Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business offers top rated MBA programs online for students who want to pursue a business career. Applicants can choose from several specializations, including healthcare management, international management, supply chain management, marketing, finance, and innovation entrepreneurship. You can also earn a dual Masters in finance/MBA with only four more courses.

Foods to Avoid if You Want to Look Young

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 08:41:00 +0000

Want to keep your complexion smooth and youthful? Take a look at your plate. What you leave off of your plate is sometimes just as important as the food you’re putting on your plate when it comes to nutrients that can affect your complexion. Put your best face forward (and improve your health) by keeping these to a minimum (remember that classic motto... moderation):

Sugar—Sweets and refined carbs raise glucose levels, which increases advanced glycation end products, which in turn interferes with the repair of collagen and elastin, a protein that allows skin to retain its shape.

Saturated Fat—Not all saturated fatty acids are created equal (see coconut oil), but experts say that eating a lot of saturated fat coming from marbled meats and full-fat dairy products can induce skin-aging inflammation.

Alcohol—With the exception of resveratrol-delivering red wine, alcohol can take a toll on your skin. It dries out skin and when metabolized in the liver, it creates skin’s enemy: free radicals.

Your Guide to Online Education!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 08:33:00 +0000

Many of today's best business programs are provided through the online interface of various schools. This is the new way of the world, as students no longer have to head to a typical college to the education that they so desperately crave. Instead, these students can get an accredited online MBA from a place like the University of Maryland. That's a legitimately strong college offering a full program right over the Internet. Maryland isn't alone, either, as many other schools are providing the same type of service to students across the country. These programs are wholly legitimate, and they're providing a great alternative for today's students.

Accreditation matters in today's world

When a student's looking for an MBA, there are many factors to consider. One of the most important, of course, is whether the school is accredited by the proper authorities. This indicates that the school has certain strengths that a student can rely on. It means that the faculty is qualified, as well. The biggest reason this matters, though, is that employers will care if the program has the right credentials. There are many things that employers won't look for. They will look hard, however, at whether a school's been sanctioned by the proper administrative bodies.

A big college education with an online feel

With so many large universities offering great business programs today, students are able to get a big college feel with the flexibility of going to an online school. This is the perfect combination for many students. They crave some of the opportunities that go along with a name like Maryland. They also crave the ability to choose their own class schedule and work at their own pace. The good news is that students can have all of these things when they look into some of today's top programs.

Programs making use of top technology

One of the nice things about some of the online programs today is that they're experimenting with new types of technology and different types of instructions. It's not exactly correct to say that students are guinea pigs in the new educational world. They do get to see some of the newest innovations, though, and this can make a huge difference. Some students may perform better under these conditions. There is no way that you'll know this until you're exposed to some of the great things that modern online business programs are providing.

A Teacher's Guide to Differentiating Instruction

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:22:00 +0000

Does effectively teaching 30 students in one classroom require teachers to develop 30 lessons, one tailor-made for each student? Or should teachers “aim for the middle” and hope to reach most students in a given lesson? The answer is not simple. While most would agree it is impractical to try to individualize every lesson for every child, research has shown that teaching to the middle is ineffective. It ignores the needs of advanced students, often leaving them unchallenged and bored, while it intimidates and confuses lower functioning learners. Best practice suggests an alternative: differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction is an approach that assumes there is a diversity of learners in every classroom and that all of those learners can be reached if a variety of methods and activities are used. Carol Tomlinson (2000), a noted expert on differentiation, points out that research has proven that students are more successful when they are taught based on their own readiness levels, interests, and learning profiles. This month’s newsletter examines the characteristics of differentiation and offers suggestions for how teachers can use it to improve student achievement.

What is Differentiation?

Simply stated, differentiation is modified instruction that helps students with diverse academic needs and learning styles master the same challenging academic content. Although it might seem like a daunting task, designing and applying a variety of strategies within one classroom can be done at a variety of levels. Teachers can differentiate instruction with an individual student, within a small group, or with a whole class. Differentiating does not mean providing separate, unrelated activities for each student but does mean providing interrelated activities that are based on student needs for the purpose of ensuring that all students come to a similar grasp of a skill or idea (Good, 2006).

How to Start

Four planning steps set the stage for effective differentiated instruction. First, teachers must have a thorough understanding of the academic content or skill they want their students to learn. Second, they must determine how much their students already know—and what they do not know—about that content. Then they must decide which instructional methods and materials will most successfully address those needs and, finally, design ways to adequately assess student mastery of what is taught. Taking stock of student knowledge and understanding is a key first component of successful differentiation. While end-of-year tests provide some information that can help differentiate instruction, regularly used, classroom-based assessments are much more effective in achieving this purpose. These assessments help teachers accurately measure their students’ academic strengths, weaknesses, and interests on a day-to-day basis and provide a roadmap for next steps in instruction. An initial skills assessment can be conducted at the beginning of the school year, but teachers also should gauge student knowledge and needs before introducing a new concept, starting a new unit, or when developing lessons to review or expand on topics already covered. These assessments can be formal, such as diagnostic tests that evaluate specific skill levels, individual student performance notebooks in which teachers keep track of objectives or skills the student has or has not mastered, or student surveys and questionnaires that determine interests and preferences. But skills assessments also can be informal. Teachers can review existing student work such as writing samples or test results, conduct conferences with students, or observe them to get a sense of their current skill level. (See The Center’s December 2006 newsletter, Using Classroom Assessment to Improve Teaching, at http://www.centerforcsri.org/files/TheCenter_NL_Dec06.pdf for more information.) Formal or informal, the key to the successful use of these assessments is keeping track of the findings and using them to design instructional strategies tailored for the individual student.

Vary Materials

Author Joyce Van Tassel-Baska (2003) suggests that the selection of materials for use in the classroom is a crucial next step to effective differentiated instruction. For instance, students in a third-grade class might be learning how to determine main ideas as a part of the language arts curriculum. A variety of materials can be used to support instruction in that concept, including the following:

Nonfiction and fiction, written at a variety of reading levels. For struggling readers, the text might be accompanied by a spoken version. The use of leveled materials challenges accomplished readers but does not intimidate students who are less skilled.
Pictures that invite students to identify the visual “main idea.”
Video clips.

Newspaper or magazine articles that reflect student interests or cultural backgrounds.
The use of varied materials will encourage these students to understand the concept of “main idea” not only within language arts but in other settings as well.

Vary Process

When teachers differentiate instruction, they vary not only the materials students use but also the way students interact with them. Varying instructional activities allows all students to learn the same concepts and skills with varied levels of “support, challenge, or complexity” (Tomlinson, 2000, p. 2). And differentiating does not mean teaching students one by one. Good (2006) suggests that teachers plan “several activity options, not one for each student. Instead of generating isolated tasks, on any given day the teacher may work with the whole class, small groups, individual students, or a combination of all three” (p. 14). When introducing new content, for example, the teacher might address all students but make use of graphs, pictures, or artifacts in addition to lecturing. At another time, teachers might ask most students to work in pairs or independently while they assist a small group of students, using questioning that encourages critical thinking or assesses the students’ level of understanding. For literature instruction, small groups can be arranged by achievement level, but they also can be grouped by a common interest in the subject matter even if materials at varying reading levels are used (Willis & Mann, 2000). Teachers can differentiate even in their one-to-one work with students, teaching the same concept but using an interview with one student and flashcards with another. As always, the keys to choosing the “right” strategies are capitalizing on student strengths and possessing a clear understanding of students’ current academic needs.

Vary Assessment

Teachers who effectively reach all of their students stay focused on teaching challenging academic content but vary the materials and strategies they use. They also give students options when it comes to demonstrating their mastery of that content, and these options allow for another form of differentiation. Teachers might vary the length of time a student has to complete a task or allow a written essay rather than an oral presentation. Making use of rubrics—guides that identify the criteria for demonstrating mastery of assigned work—can empower students to choose how they will show what they know and also provide them with a way to assess the quality of their own work. Willis and Mann provide concrete examples of how to differentiate the means by which students demonstrate mastery, from creating a newsletter in which students write stories on a topic of their choice to staging a mock trial to demonstrate their understanding of the concept “beyond reasonable doubt.”

Conclusion

Differentiating instruction alone will not automatically improve student performance. Tomlinson (2000) points out that efforts to differentiate are most successful when they are combined with the use of a high-quality curriculum, research-based instructional strategies, well-designed activities that address the needs and interests of students, active learning, and student satisfaction with the lesson. Tomlinson (1999) also notes that moving from traditional instruction to this approach takes time and recommends that teachers introduce differentiation strategies gradually. Schools and districts can support teachers in learning these new skills by designing professional development activities that “provide clear models for…differentiated instruction in action” (p. 115). The consistent, effective use of differentiated instruction also requires considerable amounts of practice and feedback. To increase their repertoire of skills, general education teachers also can consult with colleagues with specialized training in differentiation, such as special education teachers and teachers of gifted students. Keck and Kinney assert that once teachers learn the needs of their students and incorporate strategies to meet those needs into their instruction, differentiation ensures “equity in the learning process” (2005, p. 15). Although it requires attention, skill, and commitment to its use, differentiated instruction is a practical and attainable method of facilitating learning and academic growth in all students.

By: Education.com

Platform Scales on the go!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:08:00 +0000

A floor scale is the reason that so many businesses fail or succeed in the industrial business. However, when you're starting out, you need a good floor scale made from heavy-duty materials that doesn't cost a whole lost. FloorScalesDirect.com provides platinum scales just for this purpose. While cheap, they are not made from cheap materials. Most of their floor scales are made from steel and aluminum, allowing for heavy-duty weighing but also portability, which means that you can move them around freely and get them into position. FloorScalesDirect.com is one of the go-to online stores for all things industrial and warehouse weighing.

You can pick up axle scales, platform scales, wheel weighing scales, livestock scales and other weighing systems for much less and yet you don't have to miss out on top brands. FloorScalesDirect.com carries all of the top brands that you'll find at other outlets and industrial stores. The best part about working with FloorScalesDirect.com has been the service. They truly have some of the best supplies for businesses and super fast shipping. You can get a ton weighing system shipped to you by the next business day easily, and it isn't expensive to use their services. The floor scales are relatively cheap compared to the costs of not getting accurate measurements or depending on someone else's floor scale to help you on tough work days. Professional warehouse companies need a floor scale to make sure that they are efficient and keeping accurate records. Platinum scales come with their own reporting system so you can see the exact weight.

10 Best Holiday Apps for Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:11:00 +0000

'Twas the night before Christmas and across the map, every child was playing with a holiday app. The holiday season means festive parties, volunteering, family gatherings, and last-minute shopping—one seriously jam-packed schedule. That's why just like Santa, you need a bag of the best holiday apps for kids to use on tablets, smart phones and MP3 players, keeping little hands busy while you check items off your to-do list.

The best holiday apps won't only keep your kid busy, but these interactive games can help keep his mind sharp, and avoid a winter slide before school starts up again. Here are ten entertaining, educational apps—found on iTunes, Android Market and Amazon—that will test your little one's reading, math, logical and spatial skills.

Snowman Math ($.99) Who needs to brave the cold to build a snowman? Skip the time it usually takes to bundle up your little one and let him build Frosty indoors with the Snowman Math app. Every time your kid answers a simple addition or subtraction problem, he'll add a carrot nose, mittens, coal eyes, or other traditional snowman accessories to his icy pal. Classical guitar, enchanting graphics and sound effects add up to seasonal fun with numbers.
A-Story-A-Day Advent Calendar Christmas ($1.99) Looking for an interactive Advent calendar without the sugar buzz? This app allows your child to count down to Christmas with a customizable calendar. Help him choose from holiday tunes and background themes to make this countdown his own. Each of the 25 days also comes with a different Christmas image and corresponding holiday book to read. You'll look forward to reading and watching as Christmas gets closer.
Cookie Doodle ($.99) Avoid a sticky mess without sacrificing tradition with the Cookie Doodle app. Boasting 199 cookie cutters, 24 make-your-own cookie dough recipes, 21 instant cookie dough flavors, 48 different sprinkles and 85 candy toppings, this baking app has everything your little baker needs to create colorful, mouth-watering treats for Santa—without covering the kitchen in flour. Your kid will learn some of the basic rules of baking, including how to measure and mix ingredients, that he'll eventually be able to use in the kitchen.
Cut the Rope: Holiday Gift ($.99) This Christmas-themed version of the popular game Cut the Rope challenges your kid to slice strings of lights, freeing holiday goodies to be scarfed down by Om Nom, a hungry little monster. Your kid will be so jazzed about the adorable graphics, lively music and 25 levels of puzzles that he won't even notice reaping the educational benefits of physics fundamentals and fine motor skill practice.
Santa's Christmas Village ($.99) Step off the Polar Express and enter the magical world of lights, elves, and workshops in Santa's Christmas Village. This app features 17 classic brain games with a holiday twist—including solitaire, Sudoku, word searches, and checkers—set to a soundtrack of holiday songs. Challenge your child to a friendly competition with multi-player games, help Santa plan his delivery route, or help your child create a melody by tapping on the North Pole's most musical bears.
Super Dreidel ($.99) Rousing games of spin the dreidel are a Hanukkah tradition, and the Super Dreidel app puts a modern twist on the classic game. Up to 8 players can challenge each other in three different speed modes; Traditional, Vegas or Turbo. A quick swipe with a finger sends the dreidel spinning, and the last person with gelt wins! Complete with different versions of the classic "Dreidel Song," this portable game saves you the trouble of hunting down a spinning top after the latkes and brisket are eaten.
Reindeer Match 'Em Up ($.99) Challenge your child's memory, concentration, and motor skills with this fast-paced game. Find Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen's look-alikes in Reindeer Match 'Em Up, a virtual memory game played solo or with a friend. Rack up bonus points by matching Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen cards in record time.
Grinchmas ($.99) The grumpy hermit who attempts to steal Christmas is back, but this time in a highly addictive app. If your kid loves whack-a-mole, he'll love playing the part of 'Mean Grinch' or 'Merry Grinch' perched atop Mount Crumpit, lobbing presents or snowballs down to Who-ville. Speed and accuracy are crucial as your kid races against the clock, all the while soaking up information about physics basics and honing fine motor skills.
PopOut! The Night Before Christmas ($4.99) This electronic rendition of childhood classic, The Night Before Christmas, is full of surprises! Based on the beloved children's story by Clement Clarke Moore, this storybook app allows your child to interact with everything on the page as the story is read. He'll get to do pull-tabs, spin-wheels and other interactive elements, bringing these classic illustrations to life. As he goes, the "Read to Me" function can help him practice phonics, as words are narrated and highlighted on the screen.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ($2.99) Everyone's favorite little sleigh-leader is back! This digital book version of the 1964 Christmas special allows your kid to read the book in its traditional form, listen to the narrated version and follow along with highlighted words, or simply press play and watch the classic story unfold. With customizable music, original artwork and clips, this app is sure to warm hearts by bringing this timeless story of friendship and acceptance to life. By: Lori Calabrese - Education.com

Life at its best!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:56:00 +0000

Its been a while since my last entry on this blog. If my memory serves me right, that was back a couple of months ago. Oh! Well! What did I expect with such a very hectic schedule while working abroad? I didn't even have time to check all of my emails and do other things while away, with life being so busy.

Anyways, God was just so amazing, 'cause its been awhile now that I haven't felt any stress at work, and the calmness I feel at my work place is pretty awesome now, to the extent that I even sneak time to browse the Internet and check some sites that offer great deals! It's so weird, 'cause I actually have some time to browse the web at work, but at home I don't. It's just that I feel so tired when I'm heading home, so all I wanna do is cuddle my pillow and fall asleep.

Oh! By the way, I bet you guys would be interested in something I just discovered. Just earlier this afternoon as I was checking the web on my free time at work, I found this dry ice blasting equipment for sale at a very affordable price. You can actually Click here for more products they sell, aside from the items I found earlier. One good thing was that fact they even have dry ice blasting rental too! So, if you think that it is too expensive to buy, you can try their rental service as it may suit your requirements for the time being. But I would suggest that you browse their site and check all the products, services and some headlines they have, that will give you a clearer understanding about them, which could possibly just blow you away!

One last thing, for more information about them you can contact one of their dedicated customer service reps, so that you can find the answers or details you are looking for. Enjoy shopping!

7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:14:00 +0000

For teens, life is not a playground, it's a jungle. And, being the parent of a teenager isn't any walk in the park, either. In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, author Sean Covey attempts to provide "a compass to help teens and their parents navigate the problems they encounter daily."

How will they deal with peer pressure? Motivation? Success or lack thereof? The life of a teenager is full of tough issues and life-changing decisions. As a parent, you are responsible to help them learn the principles and ethics that will help them to reach their goals and live a successful life.

While it's all well and good to tell kids how to live their lives, "teens watch what you do more than they listen to what you say," Covey says. So practice what you preach. Your example can be very influential.

Covey himself has done well by following a parent's example. His dad, Stephen Covey, wrote the book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, which sold over 15 million copies. Sean's a chip off the old block, and no slacker. His own book has rung in a more than respectable 2 million copies sold. Here are his seven habits, and some ideas for helping your teen understand and apply them:

Be Proactive

Being proactive is the key to unlocking the other habits. Help your teen take control and responsibility for her life. Proactive people understand that they are responsible for their own happiness or unhappiness. They don't blame others for their own actions or feelings.

Begin With the End in Mind

If teens aren't clear about where they want to end up in life, about their values, goals, and what they stand for, they will wander, waste time, and be tossed to and fro by the opinions of others. Help your teen create a personal mission statement which will act as a road map and direct and guide his decision-making process.

Put First Things First

This habit helps teens prioritize and manage their time so that they focus on and complete the most important things in their lives. Putting first things first also means learning to overcome fears and being strong during difficult times. It's living life according to what matters most.

Think Win-Win

Teens can learn to foster the belief that it is possible to create an atmosphere of win-win in every relationship. This habit encourages the idea that in any given discussion or situation both parties can arrive at a mutually beneficial solution. Your teen will learn to celebrate the accomplishments of others instead of being threatened by them.

Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

Because most people don't listen very well, one of the great frustrations in life is that many don't feel understood. This habit will ensure your teen learns the most important communication skill there is: active listening.

Synergize

Synergy is achieved when two or more people work together to create something better than either could alone. Through this habit, teens learn it doesn't have to be "your way" or "my way" but rather a better way, a higher way. Synergy allows teens to value differences and better appreciate others.

Sharpen the Saw

Teens should never get too busy living to take time to renew themselves. When a teen "sharpens the saw" she is keeping her personal self sharp so that she can better deal with life. It means regularly renewing and strengthening the four key dimensions of life – body, brain, heart, and soul.

By: Education.com

Caribbean Vacation...

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 17:09:00 +0000

There's nothing more amazing than traveling around the world. Experiencing the cultures, lifestyle, traditions, practices, foods and geographical arenas of each place is one of the nicest things to do. You know why? Because you'll be able to explore the real beauty of nature and how great it is to be part of every living thing.

For some people they find traveling to be a hobby, or somehow the best way to relax and unwind from a busy life in the city. Some also find traveling to be the best way to explore every culture and the differences of each one. But most reasons why people tend to have a vacation is simply because they want to enjoy life at its best.

For that reason, if any of you are planning to have a break and would love to have a Caribbean vacation, I highly recommend you browse the web and look for cheaper packages that suit your budget.

There are several online bookings out there for your desired vacation, but be vigilant in choosing. One good thing about considering a resort in the Caribbean is the fact that it offers a variety of foods, accommodations, and some other options you may possibly get if you consider an all inclusive package.

So, if you guys are one of the few people who can afford to have a great and long vacation, then better to take some time now and spend it in the most adorable resort in Caribbean paradise and have a blast while you're there!

If you're in hurry and want to book a resort in the Caribbean right away I highly encourage you to visit this site at breezes.com and book your reservation for said vacation. You can actually consider some other place if you think the Caribbean is not your type. You can browse on their site and look for some for some other packages they offer at different locations. Enjoy the vacation!

School's Fundraising Program!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:46:00 +0000

What's good about fundraising ideas for schools for the benefit of society? What's the purpose of generating an income out from nature fundraising? Do fundraising is really helpful not just for the benefit of society but for every people as a whole? Well, in my own point of view, fundraising is actually a product of human mind. The proceeds of the said fundraising would be a great help for the students at school.

A nature fundraiser or a teacher who in one way stands as a fundraiser coordinator usually acts as the focal person whose in-charge of all productions. Meaning, whatever he/shes receives from the outside must be added on the fundraising income.

A nature fundraising is actually generated to improve the current situation of the school environment. Its a part of school plans and improvements which in one way fundraising in the only way to support the needs of the school to radically change the aura of the school environment.

So, for parents out there who are the major contacts of the school I highly ask your humbleness to support your children on whatever fundraising ideas for schools as this will definitely help to improve the school's current standing on clean and green program.

Travel Tips to UK!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:37:00 +0000

With the cost of petrol still on the rise, more and more airlines the world over are getting strict about how much luggage you can bring with you on board specifically, if your traveling United Kingdom where you want to see the Amsterdam designs and Vienna Art you should know this tips on how to pack to kep that weight down for you to arrive in UK with all those valuables.

* Only carry what you need because “weight restirctions change all the time and if you show up overweight, it could set you back a lot. Check the weight restrictions online for whatever airline you’re flying with as airlines vary, I recommend buying a small portable scale to check your suitcase before showing up at the airport.

* I suggest taking valuables in your hand luggage in the (unlikely) event that your suitcase doesn’t turn up at your destination. Keep all medication on you at all times – you might have an emergency on board, plus that particular medication might not be easy to get at your final destination.

* For Frequent flyers, I suggest business travellers pack “a comfortable and versatile outfit that you can not only change into on the flight which you can have as a buckup in case there’s a mess on the flight or you checked in luggage getslost and doen’t turn up – and you should already be travelling in a versatile pair of comfortable shoes.

* Limit the amount of clothes you’ll need by packing colour coordinated items and only one or two pairs of shoes that you can wear with multiple outfits – ditto accessories. If you can’t carry what you’ve packed, you’ve probably got too much.

So, for those of you who are planning for a vacation in UK just to see the museum zurich make sure that you've got to follow some if not all guidlines I've uttered it here. Enjoy the vacation!

Smokers around the world!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:21:00 +0000

Its not new to us anymore that oliva cigar is just one of the many cigars available in the market nowdays. A lot of print ads says that smoking is dangerous to health. But why is it that there are still several smokers around the globe? Well, there are several reasons to consider why do people use to smoke. Some says its a comfort for them. Some maybe out of curiousity. What ever their reason is still smoking is a matter of discipline.

Do you think that those people who were inclined to Rocky patel cigars are not worried too as they smoke continously? In my own point of view, I do think so. But the probablity they were on the stage of struggling to set aside the smoking thing. Do you think that those people who use to buy cigars online are enjoying what they do? Well, I guess yes! But of course, they do think of buying some other things instead of cigars.

What I'm saying here is actually just a perception that those smokers out there are also willing to left behind the smoking scenarious but just because its hard to quit they merely go on passive way. I wish those people who were starting to set aside smoking. May you succeed on your goal.

Loneliness in Young Children

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:14:00 +0000

Loneliness is a significant problem that can predispose young children to immediate and long-term negative consequences. However, only recently have research and intervention in educational settings focused on young children who are lonely. It is becoming increasingly clear that many young children understand the concept of loneliness and report feeling lonely. For example, kindergarten and first-grade children responded appropriately to a series of questions regarding what loneliness is ("being sad and alone"), where it comes from ("nobody to play with"), and what one might do to overcome feelings of loneliness ("find a friend") (Cassidy & Asher, 1992). In a more recent study (Ladd, Kochenderfer, & Coleman, 1996), kindergarten children's loneliness in school was reliably measured with a series of questions such as, "Are you lonely in school?"; "Is school a lonely place for you?"; and "Are you sad and alone in school?" These studies suggest that young children's concepts of loneliness have meaning to them and are similar to those shared by older children and adults. This Digest presents an overview of loneliness with suggestions for practitioners on how they can apply the research in early childhood settings.†

Consequences of Loneliness

Children who feel lonely often experience poor peer relationships and therefore express more loneliness than peers with friends. They often feel excluded--a feeling that can be damaging to their self-esteem. In addition, they may experience feelings of sadness, malaise, boredom, and alienation. Furthermore, early childhood experiences that contribute to loneliness may predict loneliness during adulthood. Consequently, lonely children may miss out on many opportunities to interact with their peers and to learn important lifelong skills. Given the importance placed on the benefits of peer interactions and friendships to children's development, this potential lack of interaction raises many concerns for teachers who work with young children. Peer relations matter to children, and lonely children place as much importance on them as do other children (Ramsey, 1991).†

Contributing Factors of Loneliness

Several factors contribute to feelings of loneliness in young children. Some that occur outside of the school setting are conflict within the home; moving to a new school or neighborhood; losing a friend; losing an object, possession, or pet; experiencing the divorce of parents; or experiencing the death of a pet or significant person. Equally important are factors that occur within the child's school setting, such as being rejected by peers; lacking social skills and knowledge of how to make friends; or possessing personal characteristics (e.g., shyness, anxiety, and low self-esteem) that contribute to difficulties in making friends. Kindergarten children who are victimized by peers (e.g., picked on, or physically or verbally attacked or taunted) report higher levels of loneliness, distress, and negative attitudes toward school than nonvictimized children (Kochenderfer & Ladd, 1996).†

Observing and Assessing Young Children

Participating in careful observation of children is a necessary first step to gain insights into children's loneliness. While observing children, teachers can focus on the following, which may suggest signs of loneliness: Does the child appear timid, anxious, unsure of himself or herself, or sad? Does the child show a lack of interest in the surroundings? Does the child seem to be rejected by playmates? Does the child avoid other children by choice? Does the child appear to lack social skills that might prevent him or her from initiating or maintaining interactions? Does the child have the necessary social skills but is reluctant to use them? Is the child victimized by peers? Does the child's apparent loneliness seem to be a consistent pattern over time, or is it a more recent phenomenon? In addition, because loneliness cannot always be observed in children (e.g., there are children who appear to have friends but report feeling lonely), teachers can spend time talking individually with children. They might ask children, "What does sad and lonely mean?"; "Are you sad and lonely?"; or "What would make you happier?" (Cassidy & Asher, 1992; Ladd, Kochenderfer, & Coleman, 1996).†

When observing and assessing children, it is important to be sensitive to and aware of their developmental abilities and personal inclinations. For example, it has been suggested that young children who play alone may be at increased risk for later problems, both socially and cognitively. Many preschool and kindergarten children, however, engage in nonsocial activities that are highly predictive of competence. Therefore, over time, teachers need to observe children's interactions with their peers, talk to children about their feelings, and document their behaviors and responses to determine whether they are lonely or are happily and productively self-engaged.†

Intervention Strategies and Recommendations

Although research in support of specific practices assisting lonely children in the classroom is weak, teachers might consider several approaches that may be adapted to individual children. Children who are aggressive report the greatest degrees of loneliness and social dissatisfaction (Asher, Parkhurst, Hymel, & Williams, 1990). Children are rejected for many reasons, and teachers will need to assess the circumstances that seem to lead to the rejection. Is the child acting aggressively toward others? Does the child have difficulty entering ongoing play and adapting to the situation? Does the child have difficulty communicating needs and desires? Once the problem is identified, teachers can assist the child in changing the situation. The teacher can point out the effects of the child's behavior on others, show the child how to adapt to the ongoing play, or help the child to clearly communicate feelings and desires. Children who are supported, nurtured, and cherished are less likely to be rejected and more likely to interact positively with peers (Honig & Wittmer, 1996).†

Children who are neglected or withdrawn also report feelings of loneliness, although to a lesser extent than do aggressive-rejected children. Because these children often lack social skills, they have difficulty interacting with their peers. These children may also be extremely shy, inhibited, and anxious, and they may lack self-confidence (Rubin, LeMare, & Lollis, 1990). If children lack certain skills, the teacher can focus on giving feedback, suggestions, and ideas that the child can implement. Children who possess adequate social skills but are reluctant to use them can be given opportunities for doing so by being paired with younger children. This experience gives the older child an opportunity to practice skills and boost self-confidence.†

Children who are victimized by others believe that school is an unsafe and threatening place and often express a dislike for school. Furthermore, these children report lingering feelings of loneliness and a desire to avoid school even when victimization ceases (Kochenderfer & Ladd, 1996). These findings point to the importance of implementing immediate intervention strategies to reduce victimization. Teachers can provide firm but supportive suggestions to the aggressor. For example, teachers might guide and assist children in developing the life skills they need, such as respecting others and self, engaging in problem solving, working together on skills and tasks that require cooperation, and expressing feelings and emotions in appropriate ways (Gartrell, 1997).†

Teachers can think about how the curricula might be helpful to a child who is feeling lonely. Some children may benefit by being given opportunities to express their feelings of sadness or loneliness through manipulation, drawing, movement, music, or creative activities (Edwards, Gandini, & Forman, 1993). Arranging the dramatic play area with props may help some children act out or express their feelings and feel a sense of control. Use of crisis-oriented books with children, referred to as bibliotherapy, may assist a child in coping with a personal crisis. Sharing carefully selected literature with children may assist in facilitating emotional health. Children who are able to express and articulate their concerns may want to talk about their unhappiness.†

Developing close relationships with children and communicating with their primary caregivers can give teachers valuable insights and guidance. When teachers become aware of children who are experiencing loneliness caused by a family situation, they can lend their support in a variety of ways. Spending extra time listening can be reassuring and helpful to some children. Suggesting to a parent the possibility of inviting a peer over to the child's home may be a good idea and may help the child to form a friendship. In addition, teachers can ask parents for their recommendations about what might make the child feel more comfortable at school, and they can share relevant resources with parents, such as literature or information on parent discussion groups.†

Conclusion

The issues of loneliness were once considered relevant only to adolescents and adults. Research suggests that this notion is misguided and that a small but significant portion of young children do in fact experience feelings of loneliness (Asher, Parkhurst, Hymel, & Williams, 1990). As a result, the immediate and long-term negative consequences associated with loneliness in children are becoming apparent, and the need to observe children and to develop and implement intervention strategies is becoming critical. When teachers take time to focus on individual needs of children, build relationships, and assist them with their needs, children thrive (Kontos & Wilcox-Herzog, 1997).†

By: Janis R. Bullock - Educational Resource Information Center (U.S. Department of Education) - Education.com

House Renovation Facts!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 22:37:00 +0000

Did you know that on going house renovations needs to have a full set of concrete floor grinder and concrete polisher? Did you know that house renovations is not as easy as taking a bath? Did you know that renovations merely takes several days or months before it'll be fix and tidy?

Well, for those of you who don't know about it. You should read at least some articles here in the web and check for yourself. Its for your own benefit just at least you had an idea as to how long it takes if you decide to renovate your own place.

Anyhow, for those people out there who are in-need of carpet removal, concrete polisher and some other items related to the one I've mentions you've better check the web now and buy online. Make sure that the provider you choose is among of the leading provider and they offer a 24/7 support just in case you need to know as to where your oredered item is. But for those of you who are in hurry I highly recommend you to visit the site of Innovative Tech 'cause they are the you need for those items. In just a click away you'll have it in few days time.

Desired ceiling fans & lighting choices...

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 22:26:00 +0000

Do you need to have a new set of discount ceiling fans for your on-going house renovation? Have you been searching a reliable and excellent provider of lighting fixtures for your home? Well, if you do then better grab the chance now to visit the site of Echo Lighting Design ’cause they are the one you nee looking for!

They got a wide choices of fluorescent lighting fixtures according to structure yoou want or according to your needs. You can also request for your desired lighting fixtures style as long they have all the materials. All you need to do is give them the right design you want and at to what type of size you need ’cause they all cater not just for house convenience but also for those hotels, inns, palace and all other buildings who need their services.

Anyhow, you need not to worry if you decide to buy your dream lighting fixtures with them simply because they are one of the leading provider for the said products and they has been to this type of business for several years now. Through that time they garnered the trust and loyalty of their clients and customers who keep coming back to avail their procducts and refer them to their friends and relatives.

So, if you guys are one of those people who do have an on-going house renovation and are looking for discount lighting fixtures, and ceiling fans better take sometime now to browse their site and put your order right away! With them, your desired fans is just a click away!

Searching for gadgets!

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 22:15:00 +0000

Hey! Guys, are you in search of Cell Phone Cases, remote controls and some other gadget things for personal? Do you want to buy those items in a cheap and affordable prices? Worry no more! 'Cause you can use the web to search for the reliable providers of the said items. There were many of them in the market nowadays but beware of fraud 'cuase they were also rampant in the web.

If you choose to buy online make sure that they do have a 24/y contact support just in case you want to track as to where is the item you buy from them. otherwise, you'll be sorry if you buy from those unknown suppliers. For those of you who don't have enough time to browse the web and even stroll in the city to find a TV DLP Lamps aside from remote controls to be use at home I higly recommend you to buy at Part Simple dot com 'cause they are the one you been looking for!

They do have a great and excellent services aside from a very affordable and amazing products. In fact, they cater orders anywhere in the world as long as you will place your order at them. So, check them now!

Food Processing and Obesity

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:10:00 +0000

It’s no secret that all of America weighs 25 pounds more than it did just 30 years ago. Just go to the mall or to Disneyworld, and see for yourself. And those extra pounds have led to skyrocketing increases in heart disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and many other adult conditions, even in children. Indeed, nowhere has this weight burden been more obvious than in our nation’s youth. We have 10% of preschoolers, 25% of elementary school children, and 33% of teenagers tipping the scales. The childhood obesity epidemic has disastrous consequences. Thirty years ago, no one ever heard of Type 2 diabetes in children, and now 1 out of every 4 children with diabetes is Type 2. [Type 2 is Diabetes that develops later in life, often related to obesity, and can improve with weight loss; Type 1 Diabetes is the more ‘classic type’ that develops earlier in life and is more typically and persistently dependent on insulin.] One-third of adult Americans by the year 2030 are predicted to be diabetic. This current generation is the first one in history that is predicted to die younger than their parents, mostly due to the problems associated with overweight.

So what happened? It is said that obesity is an interaction between genes and the environment. Well, our genes haven’t changed in the last 30 years, but the environment sure has. We all eat more, and exercise less. This isn’t news. But what is news is that our energy intake (what we eat and drink) and expenditure (what we use in everyday living – including normal activity and sports/exercise) are biochemically determined. So what in the environment changed our biochemistry?

To understand this dilemma, you have to understand a little biochemistry, but I’ll explain as simply as possible. The hypothalamus (the brain region which regulates hormones and energy balance) normally receives a signal from your fat cells (adipocytes) called leptin. Leptin is the fat cell hormone that tells your hypothalamus that you have enough energy stored in order to burn energy at a normal rate. Leptin levels can be too low (leptin deficiency, due to dieting or starvation) or too high (leptin resistance, if something blocks the leptin hormone from acting on those brain cells). In either case, the brain can’t see the leptin signal, and so the brain interprets it as a state of starvation. In this “starvation response”, two things happen: 1) the sympathetic nervous system (which controls your heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle metabolism) slows energy expenditure in order to conserve energy (which makes you feel bad), and 2) the vagus nerve (which controls your stomach, intestine, and pancreas) directs the body to store more energy as fat. Both of these “starvation responses” work to bring your leptin level higher. Obese people have high leptin levels, and therefore they are leptin resistant.

What blocks leptin signaling in obese people? Research over the past ten years suggests the following: leptin transport from fat cells to the brain is prevented by high triglyceride levels in the blood, and leptin release from fat cells is prevented by high insulin levels in the blood. This phenomenon is a normal response under some circumstances, such as the temporary blockage of leptin to promote weight gain during puberty and pregnancy, and is essential for reproduction and the survival of the species. But at other times, this phenomenon becomes a problem, as it causes the “starvation response” at a higher weight instead of a normal response at a lower weight. In addition, leptin resistance also fosters continued reward of food, which makes you eat more. These are the cardinal features of the obesity epidemic.

So, in order to prevent or treat obesity, we have to get the triglycerides and the insulin down. But what caused them to go up? This is where food processing affected our biochemistry directly. I can sum up the downside of food processing into two basic concepts.

1. Sugar. Dietary sugar is either sucrose (cane or beet sugar, composed of 50% glucose and 50% fructose) or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS, composed of 45% glucose and 55% fructose). For lay purposes, both sugar sources are equivalent. Both are equally bad. It’s the fructose that is the problem. Fructose is what makes sugar sweet. But due to its unusual biochemical properties, fructose has been shown to increase the liver’s production of triglycerides, induces liver insulin resistance (making your liver sick), and drives your insulin levels up. All of this contributes to the phenomenon of leptin resistance, driving the obesity epidemic.

Fructose has been added to most processed foods. Look at the food labels. The food industry says fructose improves palatability, is a better browning agent, and holds onto water, keeping things moist. But, a more sinister reason it’s added to processed food is that it makes you eat more! Soda, juice, and sports drinks are merely fructose delivery vehicles.

Water is the perfect beverage; it has everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

Two simple rules:

1. If it’s a liquid, look at the calories. 6 or more, leave at the store! Milk is the only exception.
2. If it’s a solid, look for the sugar in the ingredients. If any form of sugar is one of the first three ingredients, it’s a dessert!

2. Fiber. Fiber is the antidote to sugar. I like to tell my patients, “When God made the poison, he packaged it with the antidote”. Wherever there is sugar in nature, there is way more fiber. Sugar cane is a very fibrous plant that’s almost impossible to chew. Fruit has much more fiber than fructose.

Fiber slows sugar absorption from the gut into the bloodstream. This gives the liver a chance to process the fructose, so the triglyceride levels in the blood are lower and the insulin rise is lower. Fiber also moves food through the gut faster. This leads to faster satiety (feeling full), which reduces the number of second portions. Unfortunately, fiber doesn’t freeze well – the ice crystals affect the molecular structure and it becomes mushy when it thaws. The food industry avoids this by removing fiber, to allow for freezing and increase the shelf life. So “fast food” is “fiberless food”, which makes it doubly bad.

The answer here is: Eat your carbohydrate with fiber.

Two simple rules:

1. If it’s a solid, look for 3 gm of fiber or more.
2. Eat the fruit, don’t drink the juice!

But be careful, adding cereal fiber to processed food doesn’t do the job. The fiber must cover the starch or sugar molecules (i.e., whole grains) as it does with food that comes out of the ground, to reduce the rate of the sugar absorption in the gut.

So one big way to fight obesity is to fight food processing. We need to eat the way our ancestors did. We need to eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and a lot less sugar. And we need to relearn to cook. Eating this way often costs more, because the shelf life of such foods is much shorter. And with our current economic downturn, there is a premium for cheap food (since 2008, only two stocks are up: Wal-Mart and McDonalds). But for America to win the battle of obesity, we need to undo the damage that the food industry has done to us.

By: Robert H Lustig, M.D., Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Director, Weight Obesity Prevention Special Edition Contributor - Education.com

Navisis Financial

noreply@blogger.com (Wilson) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:57:00 +0000

Founded in 1999, Navisis is an established group of independent investment executives in the greater Chicago area. Our team is highly experienced, committed to building strong client relationships, and has access to sophisticated tools for analyzing today’s portfolios. Navisis Financial offers a full suite of financial products and services while maintaining the flexibility and freedom to protect the interests of our clients.