Be a Good House Guest and a Good Vegetarian

When you are learning the ropes of your new lifestyle of being a vegetarian, every aspect of life will be affected. From work to home life to eating out, you have to have a strategy for how to maintain your vegetarian discipline and still enjoy these different situations of life that are important to you. One of the situations we all find ourselves in, albeit perhaps infrequently, is when you are a house guest of a friend or relative. In that situation, you are going to find yourself under the hospitality perhaps of a person who is not a vegetarian. So you have to find a way to keep your diet healthy and proper and still be a good house guest.

While your desire to live a life free of the eating of meat and perhaps a meat byproducts like eggs and milk is not a eating disability, it is an eating limitation. If you had a food allergy, perhaps to shell fish and you were going to stay as a house guest with someone, you would not feel any guilt letting them know your problem. If you can put your vegetarian lifestyle in that context and prepare for your visit accordingly, there doesn’t have to be any "stigma" or guilt or problems bringing up your dietary needs with your host.

Your host, after all, naturally wants you to enjoy your stay in their home. Anyone who is hosting has a natural instinct to make your stay comfortable and perfect. You can capitalize on that instinct and be polite about the desire your host has to make your stay go well but working with your host to let him or her know about your vegetarian diet and how it might impact food planning.

When you get the invitation to come for a stay, that is the time to discuss what you can and cannot eat in your vegetarian discipline. If you just avoid meat and not dairy and meat byproducts, it is very likely your host or hostess can prepare their regular meals but also put together a small main dish that fits your diet needs. And you can enjoy the vegetable side dishes all you want so by working with your hosts, you can easily integrate how you eat into their meal planning and not disrupt the visit.

But also be aware that there are items that your host may not supply that you may wish to bring with you or go get after your arrival. If you need soy milk because cows milk is not part of your diet regimen, by all means bring that in so your hosts are aware you are taking care of your own needs. Just let them know what you are providing for yourself and if the communication goes well, you can be accommodated and your hosts will be grateful that you did not see it as their job to provide for every aspect of your vegetarian program.

The other side of being a good house guest and not letting your vegetarian way of life be a problem is to be both open about your discipline and not judgmental or "preachy" to others about the fact that they have not made the same diet decisions you have made. In fact, you might even offer to prepare an entirely vegetarian meal for the host family and your own one night just to demonstrate to them just how delightful and tasty meat free eating can be. You may be surprised just how interested and fascinated your friends and family are about your diet and why you are a vegetarian. And by being friendly, open, loving and easy to talk to, you make the visit more interesting, fun and warm and you may even be able to educate your hosts and maybe your own family about why your vegetarian way of life is a good one.

Asteroids

There is a lot of exciting stuff going on in the stars above us that make astronomy so much fun. The truth is the universe is a constantly changing, moving, some would say “living” thing because you just never know what you are going to see on any given night of stargazing.

But of the many celestial phenomenons, there is probably none as exciting as that time you see your first asteroid on the move in the heavens. To call asteroids the “rock stars” of astronomy is simultaneously a bad joke but an accurate depiction of how astronomy fans view them. Unlike suns, planets and moons, asteroids are on the move, ever changing and, if they appear in the night sky, exciting and dynamic.

Like rock stars, asteroids have been given their fair share of urban myth and lore. Many have attributed the extinction of the dinosaurs to the impact of a huge asteroid on the earth. This theory has some credibility and, if it is true, it evokes some pretty startling images and foreboding fears in the current reining species on earth, the human race.

The fact that asteroids are fast moving space debris only makes their movement and activity more interesting and exciting. Unlike a moon, planet or star, the odds that an asteroid could hit the earth are entirely reasonable and in fact, there are many documented cases of small asteroids making it through our atmosphere and leaving some pretty impressive craters in the earth’s surface.

Popular culture has happily embraced the idea of an asteroid impact. The idea has spawned many a science fiction story adding the idea that alien life forms may ride asteroids to our world and start a “war of the worlds” situation. But by far, the most talked about concept that has captured the imagination and the fears of science fiction fans and the general public is of another asteroid hitting the earth that could wipe out life as allegedly happened to the dinosaurs. In fact, the movie “Armageddon” was based on this idea and the concept that somehow mankind could avert that catastrophe with technology.

But probably the best way to calm our fears and replace science fiction with science is with understanding and knowledge. The truth is, there has been a lot of study of asteroid activity and the serious scientific community has gained significant knowledge of these amazing celestial bodies. A number of probes to asteroids have been conducted which have given us a wealth of information about their composition and how we might predict their behavior.

We now know that the majority of asteroids we get to witness come from an asteroid belt that exists between Mars and Jupiter. It is from this community of asteroids that many of the notable asteroids emerged. Scientists have gained significant knowledge about the composition of asteroids and separated them into classes including class S which comes of the part of the belt that is closest to Mars, classes C, D and V which are classified by composition and a class called “Centaurs” whose flight patterns take them closer to Jupiter and Uranus.

Some of the probes NASA has conducted on near flying asteroids have performed some pretty amazing studies of these eccentric celestial bodies. In 1994 the Galileo probe got within 1000 miles of the asteroid Ida and discovered that Ida actually had its own moon.

Other probes have fired impactors into asteroids and even landed on an asteroid to produce some amazing scientific data for us. There is much to learn about asteroids in our love of astronomy and that knowledge only makes our enjoyment of seeing them in the cosmos even more exciting.

A Look At Airbrush Art Workshops

Learning airbrush art from books and videos can only take you so far with your art. To take things to the next level and gain some insight straight from an expert, then enroll in an airbrush art workshop. Airbrush art workshops are offered around the world by many expert artists who will show you up close and personal how to create art like a pro. These workshops range from beginners to advanced classes. Each artist and each individual workshop will teach you something new and exciting about the world of airbrush art.

The Learning and Product Expo: Art is one such place to take part in workshops with airbrush experts and gain some hands on experience. While under the supervision of an expert you can quickly learn where you are making some mistakes with your work. Expert instructors include Peter West and Pamela Shanteau who hold classes at the Learning and Product Expo: Art for beginners through to advanced.

AirBrush Action offers their Airbrush Getaway Workshops that run from a one day class to four day classes and are located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The workshops offered cover airbrush t-shirt art, murals on steel introduction, achieving photorealism, pinup art, pin striping and much more on airbrush art. The pricing for AirBrush Action's workshops runs $150 for a one day class and $575 for the four day classes. This is a small price to pay to learn hands on with experts such as Cross-Eyed, Javier Soto, Jonathan Pantaleon and Craig Fraser.

In the UK airbrush art workshops are being offered by Organic Image with instructor Beej Curtis. Beej Curtis instructs on airbrush art in 1 and 2 day classes covering different aspects of airbrush art. Beej Curtis also offers private 1 on 1 lessons for anyone wanting to learn in a more private setting. The private lessons are 3 day classes that will take you from beginner to advanced airbrush art techniques. If you have experience then start where you know and go forward advancing through airbrush art techniques.

Workshops can cover a wide variety of different styles and techniques of airbrush art. Makeup artists that practice airbrush art for makeup sometimes will offer workshops in their salons to teach the art of airbrush makeup. So when interested in learning about how to apply airbrush makeup then look into the websites for artist that practice this form of airbrush art. Usually they will have a place on their website that talks about offered workshops. One such airbrush artist is Suzanne Patterson of Creative artistry. Suzanne Patterson has held several workshops teaching people hands on all about the art of applying airbrush makeup.

With airbrush art is does not matter what your skill level is because there is a workshop out there for you. So even if you have read almost nothing on airbrush art or tried anything with airbrushes then learn all about it in a beginner's airbrush workshop. Find the workshop that works for what you are wanting and needing to learn then get ready to learn hands on from the masters of airbrush art.

Adventure Sailing is More Fun When You Own The Yacht

You can charter adventure sailing vacation to almost any destination in the world. The only problem is that it will cost you a lump sum paying for the crew, the meals and the fuel for the trip. You can probably save money on a sailing vacation when you own the yacht but only if you know how to navigate and control it.

The advantage of owning a boat is that you can go on a sailing vacation at anytime. You don’t have to call your travel agent or make any reservation online since the boat is just sitting at the dock waiting for you to come aboard. The only thing you have to do is buy food and fuel which should be enough to get you back to port.

The boat also brings financial benefits because when you are not using it, this can be rented out to those who want to go on their own sailing vacation as long as they are able to pay your rate. This of course means additional revenue for you so the ship stays in good shape.

This makes it also ideal for those who want to conduct business on board because this is a tax deductible once you register your boat as a place of business. To see how this works, get in touch with your tax advisor

Another financial benefit of owning your own yacht is the fact that this is considered to be a second home. This is as long as the boat has at least one berth, a permanent galley and a head which is the requirement of the IRS.

If you can’t buy your own yacht, there is something called fractional boat ownership which means for a certain period during the year, you can do whatever you want with the boat. This will allow you to use it to go on a trip with your family.

The best thing about this is that a group of you share the cost of owning the yacht which already includes its maintenance, insurance, moorage, equipment, fuel and repairs.

This can only happen of course after you have completed a boating safety class and a safety orientation. This will not be a problem for you if you are already certified to sail a boat and know how to use all the equipment like charts, compass and GPS on board.

The other option is to join a boat club. Unlike part time sharing, you don’t get to own a boat. But as a member, you are entitled to up to 4 advanced reservations at any given time and access to powerboats or to sailboats that are up to 30 feet in length. The club for its part will shoulder all the other expenses such as maintenance, cleaning, storage and insurance.

There are many of then around so you won’t have a hard time choosing one. Some cater to one market while others cater to all. They also offer boating classes for those who want to do this for fun or commit themselves in the sport.

Adventure sailing vacation is truly better when you own the yacht as the only thing you have to do is drive on over to the docks, stow your gear on board and then sail off into the sunset.

Arcade Games and features

Keep in mind that arcade games have very short learning curves, but they are based on simple levels of challenge. You will find that the games are to give you an adrenaline rush. When you play a console game, you will notice that the game is scripted and it’s more about putting time into the game to win, rather than just playing one round.

Basically, you rent an arcade game as long as you can keep your player alive. The game titles in PC’s or consoles can also be termed as the ‘arcade game’ if it shares the same qualities.

Then the arcade racing game will save certain actions, but the physics of it all is very simple.. The effects are not always pragmatic; as you can turn sharply without drifting or losing control.

The arcade racing games just used a very simple Rubberband A.I. System. The systems are programmed so that you don’t get left far behind or move ahead of the rest.

If you were to compare arcade flight games to flight simulators you would find that they are highly simple. These games are facing a steady resurgence with people increasingly favoring action over reality.

The past success of Crimson Tide and even Secret Weapons over Normandy has become a huge phenomenon.

When it comes to some of the simple games, you will find that the arcade games are very simple and also very addictive. Arcade classics like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and King of Fighters were built on simple game play.

Often there is just something about pounding the buttons and beating the joystick mindlessly, but you will also find that even the newer games are very detailed and the graphics are an improvement on the classic games.

Suffering from Allergies: Should You See a Medical Professional

Do you suspect that you suffer from allegories? If you do, are your symptoms severe? If they are not, you may be wondering if you really need to seek medical help. Of course, there is no harm that can come from scheduling a visit with your doctor, but you still may not want to do so. Before you make your decision, it is a good idea to examining the pros and cons of seeking medical help when you only experience moderate to minor allergy symptoms.

As for the pros or plus sides to seeking professional medical help when you think that you are suffering from an allergy, there are a number of them. One of them is the knowledge and expertise that you gain access to. It is no secret that professional healthcare providers know what they are doing. Many have years of experience diagnosing allergies and well as helping their patients seek relief. Of course, you can do your own research online to learn more about allergies, but there is nothing that compares to the expert advice of a doctor.

Another one of the pros or plus sides to seeking medical attention when you suspect that you are suffering from an allergy is that you can receive prescription medication. Although many doctors only prescribe prescription medication when allergy symptoms are severe, having the option is still nice for many. For some individuals, over-the-counter allergy relief products just don’t work. Those who suffer from food allergies, like peanut allergies, may not only receive medicine from their doctor that can help with their symptoms, but they will also likely receive medicine that may one day save their life.

Another pro or plus side to seeing a doctor if you suspect that you suffer from an allergy is that it should be easy for you to schedule an appointment. If you have a regular doctor who you see on occasion, all you should have to do is schedule an appointment. With that said, it may be more difficult for you if you are a new patient. New patients often get the last appointments and some are even put on waiting lists. Still, you can shop around for a good doctor. Look for one that accepts your health insurance. Someone in your town who practices medicine should have an opening soon.

Although there are a number of pros or plus sides to seeking medical attention when you suspect that you may have an allergy, there are a number of cons or downsides to doing so as well. One of those downsides is the cost. If you do not have adequate health insurance, you may have high co-pays or high deductibles. If you do not have health insurance, it can be costly to schedule an appointment with a doctor. With that said, it is still a good idea to seek medical attention. If you need to, look for doctors or healthcare establishments that are income based. They can help you save money. Also, see if you qualify for state run programs, such as Medicaid. This is most important to do if you do have severe allergy symptoms.

Time is another common downside to seeking medical attention when you are only experiencing a small number of non-severe allergy symptoms. It is no secret that doctors don’t always have the most convenient hours. If you do not have enough time or if you cannot take time off from work, you may find it difficult to seek medical attention. With that in mind, some clinics have flexible hours. These hours may include being open on the weekends or late at least one night at week. If you do experience severe allergy symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you are advised to go to the hospital.

Finally, some do not like seeking medical attention when they can treat themselves at home, because nothing may be done. It is not uncommon for a doctor to recommend over-the-counter allergy relief products when symptoms are not severe. You and many others sometimes view a visit to the doctor’s office, in this type of case, as a waste of time and money.

Adding an Oyster to the Ecosystem Inside a Saltwater Aquarium

Saltwater aquariums can make a lovely addition to a home, and are a source of endless fascination to young and old alike. The different fish and plant life which are capable of living in a saltwater aquarium are both exotic and beautiful, and provide a rich introduction to life under the sea. Fish and plants are not the only things which can be found in the deep blue, however, and it is becoming more and more common for aquarium owners to attempt to incorporate these other elements into their home aquarium.

Artificial oysters which open up and blow bubbles into the water have been a part of home aquariums for many years. With the increase in desire to perfectly emulate the ocean floor live oysters are becoming a common addition to saltwater aquariums. It is not common but not unheard of for a pearl producing oyster to be offered as an addition to a home aquarium; however, it is generally their less productive relations that become permanent residents. Since scallops and oysters have more specific needs than many of the inhabitants of the home aquarium it is necessary the aquarium owner be sure that they are prepared to make these adjustments prior to installing the oyster into the aquarium.

Oysters require very "pristine" water conditions; these are not the organism of choice for those who tend to be a bit lazy about cleaning their tank, as the oyster will not survive long if their water becomes cluttered with junk. Fortunately, the oyster also filters the water, so this may balance itself out. They also have specific dietary needs that will not be met with the generic food fed to many saltwater inhabitants. They will need a specialized organic food designed especially for filter feeders which can be inserted with a pipette upstream of the oyster. Each oyster is going to need to be fed individually, so unless an aquarium owner finds themselves with a great deal of time on their hands it may be wise to keep the oyster population of their aquarium to a minimum. These invertebrates also require nutritional supplementation with phytoplankton, a microscopic portion of plankton that drift through the water.

Certain types of oysters have been shown to have a better chance of survival in captivity than others. The beginner would be wise to look to these breeds to begin with, moving on to the more delicate oysters as they become more comfortable with their needs. Common aquarium oysters are the spiny oyster and the thorny oyster; strange yet accurate names for these beautiful and unique creatures.

Oysters are a demanding but beautiful addition to any home aquarium; for more information on introducing an oyster to a home aquarium consumers should speak with the retailers who sell them. Remember, no detail is too small when attempting to take an organism from its natural environment and watch it thrive.

Avoid Table Scraps in Your Dog's Diet

We have all done it. Our cute, little furry friend is practically smiling at us from beneath the kitchen table. The ears are perked and the tail is wagging. We know what our dog is after. Just a tiny tidbit from dinner would be delightful, right? What could it hurt? It is just a bite or two after all.

Hold Fido's ears he won't want to hear this. A dog's diet really should not contain table scraps. People food is just that...for people. A dog's nutritional needs are not the same as a human's. Sure, we eat some of the same things, but feeding your pet from the table is one of the biggest mistakes for your pet. A dog's diet doesn't require all the added goodies we put into our meals.

People have problems with obesity. A dog can have this problem, as well. If your dog's diet consists mostly of scraps from the dinner table, chances are high that your dog will have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. Even a few pounds over weight can really make a difference in the quality and length of your pet's life. Curb the begging and stick to your guns.

When you have a dog who is not a picky eater, it can be tempting to let your pet be the garbage disposal in the home, but really, this is not a good idea. Certain people foods can harm your dog and should never be a part of your dog's diet. Grapes, for example, have been known to cause serious problems for dogs, even death. Chicken bones and popcorn can also be a problem for your dog. Permitting large quantities of chocolate can be dangerous in a dog's diet.

A poor diet even shows up out in the yard. When your dog's diet is not at its best, your pet's outputs will be greater in size, smell, and mess. Benefits of choosing a healthy diet for your dog will be noticeable in your pet's health, as well as, during those walks around the block.

There are a few occasions when a supplement or treat from the kitchen may be alright, but never in excess. Talk to your veterinarian about healthy snacks for your dog's diet. If you simply must continue feeding Fido at the table, many vets recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to munch on between scheduled feeding times. Providing your pet these healthy alternatives to pizza and cupcakes gives you the freedom to choose a healthy and nutritious snack for your dog's diet.

So, the next time your beloved pet starts eyeing your grub, redirect his or her attention. Don't reach for your fatty steak or chicken leg. Instead, toss your buddy a cool, refreshing ice cube to bat around and munch on. A couple of baby carrots will keep Fido happy and leave you feeling good about your choices for the nutritional value of your dog's diet. You will know that you are doing your best to maintain a high-quality diet for your pet.

Archery Arrows

Archery has helped in shaping the human civilization. Archers have fought many wars and have helped in shaping human civilization. Since ages people have used bows and arrows to conquer their enemy and to tame wild animals.

There are innumerable stories about great archers in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, India, Greece and Persia. These archers are revered even today.

Bows and arrows are the main constituents of archery. Studies have shown that the bows were developed in either early Mesolithic age or late Paleolithic age. Pines were used for making arrows.

Bows and arrows are an indispensable part of archery. It helps an archer in properly aiming at the target and shooting the arrow. If the bows are not proper then the archer will face difficulties in mounting the arrow. If the arrows are not properly mounted then the archer won’t be able to properly shoot the target.

The archery bows commonly used are: longbow, shortbow, flatbow, recurve bow, crossbow and compound bow. Longbow as the name suggests is very long; the length of the bow is equal to the height of the user and in some cases even exceeds the height of the user.

The limb of the Flatbow is wider and the cross-section is rectangular in shape. Shortbow is shorter in length; it is light weight and has a short range. It was basically used for hunting purpose.

In crossbow the limbs are mounted in a horizontal manner and not in a vertical manner. The compound bow is designed in such as manner that the archer is at his ease while mounting the bow.

In this activity, archery arrows play a very vital role. Shaft, arrowheads, nock and fletching constitute an arrow. Aluminum alloy, carbon fiber, wood and fiberglass are used for the construction of the shaft. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example arrows made up of fiberglass can break soon.

While selecting any material as shaft for archery arrows the weight of the material and their strength should be given importance. The shaft should not be too flexible; it should be straight and easy to handle. At present arrows made of carbon alloys are popular and are being widely used by the archers. In fact arrows used in popular sports events like Olympic are made of carbon alloys.

The arrowhead of archery arrows needs to be made of some hard materials like metals. The arrowheads heads plays a pivotal role in shooting the target. Fletching provides balance to the arrows; it is generally made of plastic or bird feathers. Fletching is at the rear end of the arrow and it helps in the projectile motion of the arrow.

In order to properly shoot an arrow the archer has to maintain a proper stance. The posture of the body, the eye and the way the archer is holding the bow should be proper.

Today archery has become a sporting activity; some even use it for recreational purposes. Proper knowledge of archery arrows will have those individuals who want to learn archery.

Allergy Relief: Your Relief Options Reviewed

Do you suffer from allergies or do you suspect that you may? If so, you may be looking for ways to seek relief from many common allergy symptoms. These allergy symptoms may include hives, a runny nose, sneezing, or postnasal drip. The good news about seeking relief from allergies is that you do have a number of different options. A few of these options are highlighted below for your convenience.

One of the best ways to seek relief from an allergy is to stay away from or limit your exposure to the source of your problems. For example, if you suffer from pet or mold allergies, limit the amount of close contact that you have with your pets and stay away from areas of your home where mold or mildew is present, like in the basement. For food allergies, it is always best to play it safe. Instead of just limiting the consumption of foods that you may be allergic to, you should completely eliminate them from your diet.

Another way to seek relief from allergy symptoms is by relying on natural remedies. Natural remedies, which are also sometimes referred to as home remedies, are nice. They are almost always safe, effective, and affordable. In fact, you may have many of the ingredients needed for a home remedy in your home already!

If you develop hives from an allergic reaction, did know that you can seek relief from oatmeal? You can. Many individuals recommend pouring one cup of bowling water over oatmeal, letting it set for around thirty minutes, and then straining. After you have made sure that the water has cooled, use a cloth or a cotton ball to apply to your hives. For other allergy symptoms, green tea is recommended. Green tea has natural antihistamines in it. Other teas are also a great way to stay calm, cool, and collected.

Although there are a number of natural ways that you can manage or treat your allergy symptoms, many individuals prefer the convenience that is often associated with prescription medications and over-the-counter products. If you are able to see a doctor, like if have health insurance, you may be able to get a prescription strength allergy medication. With that in mind, sometimes, severe symptoms must be present. If you are able to get a prescription from your doctor, just head down to your local pharmacy and get it filled.

Over-the-counter allergy relief medications and products are another great way to seek relief from allergies. What is nice about over-the-counter products is that you do not need to have a prescription. This is great if you are uninsured, as you may find it a more affordable way to seek relief, as opposed to visiting a doctor. Over-the-counter allergy relief products are sold by drug stores, supermarkets, discount stores, and department stores.

As for which of the above mentioned approaches you should take to seek relief from your allergies, you will find that it all depends. Obviously, limiting your contact with or removing yourself from the source of your allergies is best. Next, many allergy sufferers recommend medicines, but they aren’t always right for everyone. For example, some people experience painful and irritating side effects. In those instances, natural remedies are often the best way to go, as they are a much safer approach to take.

Back Pain and Tendons

The skeletal muscles supplies us movement, which is supported by the posture. Our muscles will shorten, tighten, contract, and promote mobility. The muscles join with bones that attach to the tendons. Once the muscles begin contracting, the muscles are stimulated and join the fibers through our motor neuron cells. The nerves makeup axon, body of cells, dendrites, etc, and these elements transmit impulses to the nerves, sending the impulses to the major components of our system, such as Central Nerve System. The network joins with cells, fibers, muscles, etc, and conveys messages, transmitting them through sensations that stop at the brain. The brain transmits signals that are sent from motor impulses and carries onto the organs and muscles. Collagen is produced from the muscle fibers, which the tendons surround the fibers via the softer tissues. (Paratenon)

Injuries in this area occur when a person suddenly stretches, or overexerts the tendons. The back muscles in the leg make up the gluteus medius, (Hamstrings) biceps femoris, (Hamstrings), gluteus maximus, iliotibial tract, Sartorius, adductor Magnus, gastrocemius, semitendinosus, and the soleus. In this area, the muscles can be completely ruptured, or incompletely ruptured. The soleus, tibia, fibula, Achilles, etc, is the areas that are usually strained, or ruptured. The pain can caused from the injury can also affect the back. Since the legs are limited, as well as the tendons, muscles, etc, mobility is limited, which restricts muscle movement. This means that muscles are not exerting daily on the level it requires to function properly. Tendons operate akin to the ligaments.

Ligaments are vigorous bands that mingle with threads of collagen fiber. The fiber connects to the bones. The fiber bands and bones connect and encircle the joints. We get our strength from these joints. Tendons are ligaments and muscles respectively, since tendons join with the muscles, which make up connective proteins and/or collagen. Tendons make up fiber proteins. The protein fibers are created in the cartilages, bones, skin, tendons, and interrelated connective tissues. Tendons are affected when various conditions interrupt its actions, including simple tendonitis, and peritendinitis.

Tendons are also interrupted when spinal or neck injuries occur. Neck injuries include whiplash, which many people believe is a head injury. Contrary to their notions, whiplash is a neck injury usually caused from rear-ends motorized collisions. Whiplash is neck damage, which can cause disjointed, fractures, ruptured spines, etc. Whiplash can lead to edema, hemorrhaging, and so forth. The problem causes pain around the neck and shoulders, but extends to the back. Whiplash can also depress the nerves, which leads to linear and/or comminuted difficulties. Comminuted difficulties arise from bone damage.

Spinal injuries often occur during falls, slips, inappropriate movement, muscle exertion, automobile accidents, trauma, and so on. In fact, the coccyx lies at the bed of the second spinal column. Damage to this baby can lead to serious problems, which the coccyx is non-supported. The coccyx creates the fused bones. The fused bones reside at the baseline of the spinal columns. The bones in summary are the tailbone.



The coccyx is at greater risk than any other element within the skeletal structure, since the coccyx can break easily from falls, thus leading to coccygodynia. Coccygodynia is a condition of the spinal that can create damning pain. Back injuries and injuries to the neck can affect the airway, breathing, and blood circulation. Some injuries require resuscitation.

Resuscitation is the process of clearing the airway. The act is performed by smoothly tilting the head back and lifting the chin. The tongue is pulled clear so that air can travel to the lungs. If neck injuries are present, you want to take extra precautions if resuscitation is necessary. Once you clear the airway use your ear, placing it over the mouth and listen for breathing. You can also put the hand over the mouth to feel breathe. If you cannot get results after testing for breathing, you will need to test the carotid pulses located in the neck to check for circulation.

Littman Stethoscopes - Special Outstanding Features Of the Littman Stethoscope

When it comes to health and the dignostic instruments and tools that are required to service health, the factors of quality, precision and accuracy are of the highest priority.

For the medical doctor or nurse, nothing is more relevant and useful than the use of the stethoscope. Ask any doctor or health professional, and he would most likely be using a littman stethoscope.

It was in 1963 that the Harvard Medical School Professor David Littmann, a renowned cardiologist, invented a stethoscope which would revolutionize the world of medical auscultation.

Named after him, this invention continued to improve and develop, resulting in a highly acclaimed stethoscope named aptly, the 3M Littmann Cardiology Stethoscope.

This stethoscope is uniquely equipped to help the medical doctor pick up difficult-to-hear heart, lung and other body sounds admist distracting noises.

Using, the 3M´s new Ambient Noise Reduction technology, it is possible to now reduce distracting room noise by an average of 75% (- 12 decibels) over the bell and diaphragm operating range. This is convincingly the most important feature of the littman stethoscope.

Apart from this, the new tunable diaphragm technology used in Littman Stethoscopes, allows the health practitioner to alter the pressure on the chest piece in order to change from bell mode to diaphragm mode and vice-versa. This makes it very versatile for adaptive use.

As a result, the technology has led to a whole new line of Littmann stethoscopes including the electronic Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope for infant, pediatric, and veterinary disciplines.

The Littmann stethoscopes are among the most popular stethoscopes for cardiologists where Littman stethoscopes like Littman cardiology III, Littmann cardiology STC, and Littmann Master classic II are used for both adult and pediatric auscultation.

One particular innovation is that the stethoscope carries a large side of the diaphragm and a small side diaphragm. The large side of the diaphragm is for adults and the small side is specially designed for sound with pediatric patients or extremely thin adult patients. This makes it a truly versatile tool for the doctor or nurse or cardiologist.

In addition to the standard adult size, Littman offers a one-inch pediatric bell and the infant bell.

As nurses form the bedrock of the health system and require stethoscopes,they are not left behind. There are active online nursing forum communities where nurses from around the world discuss and share information about the use of medical and nursing tools such as the nursing littmann stethoscope, and there is a nurses' kit including a littman stethoscope for members at special price.

The next time we see a doctor with a stethoscope, the chances are that he is using a littman stethoscope, and we can be grateful to the efforts of the brillant cardiologist Professor David Littmann.

uiz Yourself - Will You Survive Break-Up?

I did everything possible to save our relationship. I gave in a lot, but I could not save. We will be breaking-up soon. That has already broken my heart. This relationship was made brick by brick over so many years. What all we did not do to make it last? But alas, we are breaking -up. This is a typical statement from a person facing break-up. How to survive after a break-up? Will you survive a break-up? Why not quiz yourself about it?

The immediate effect of the break-up would be pain. Will you be able to take the pain? The pain would go away slowly over a number of years, but the initial impact will be high. You will have to gather all your energy and tolerate the pain.

The second effect would be bitterness and blame. You will non stop think about the behavior of your ex partner and fix blame everywhere. You will recap all the arguments and fights and there will be a large amount of self-talk about how you were ditched. That will not be a pleasant experience. You will have to find way out of all this by spending quality time with friends, involving you in new activities, and keep yourself busy. Are you ready for that?

The major effect would be the temptation to join immediately with anew partner. This can work both the ways. Some people never wish to form a relationship again after undergoing the trauma, while some want to form a relationship as soon as possible to forget the earlier one. Both of theses choices carry danger. The best alternative is to wait for sometime and when you find your stability and self esteem back, try and form another relationship. Are you ready for this?

Six Types Of Meditation

There are so many different types of meditation. How many? Who knows, but enough so that you can find the one that's right for you. To get your search started, here are six types of meditation you can try.

1. Breath watching. Can meditating be as simple as paying attention to your breath for a few minutes? You bet. Relax in whatever position works best for you, close your eyes and start to pay attention to your breathing. Breathing through your nose gets your diaphragm involved and gets oxygen all the way to the bottom of your lungs. As your mind wanders, just re-focus your attention on the air going in and out of your nose. Just do this for several minutes, or longer as you get used to it.

2. An empty mind meditation. Meditating can create a kind of "awareness without object," an emptying of all thoughts from your mind. The techniques for doing this involve sitting still, often in a "full lotus" or cross-legged position, and letting the mind go silent on its own. It can be difficult, particularly since any effort seems to just cause more business in the mind.

3. Walking meditations. This one gets the body involved. It can be outside or simply as a back and forth pacing in a room. Pay attention to the movement of your legs and breathing and body as you walk, and to the feeling of your feet contacting the ground. When your mind wanders, just keep bringing it back to the process of walking and breathing. Meditating outside in this way can be difficult because of the distractions. If you do it outside, find a quiet place with level ground.

4. Mindfulness meditation. A practice Buddhists call vipassana or insight meditation, mindfulness is the art of becoming deeply aware of what is here right now. You focus on what's happening in and around you at this very moment, and become aware of all the thoughts and feelings that are taking your energy from moment to moment. You can start by watching your breath, and then move your attention to the thoughts going through your mind, the feelings in your body, and even the sounds and sights around you. The key is to watch without judging or analyzing.

5. Simple mantra meditation. Many people find it easier to keep their mind from wandering if they concentrate on something specific. A mantra can help. This is a word or phrase you repeat as you sit in meditation, and is chosen for you by an experienced master in some traditions. If you are working on this alone, you can use any word or phrase that works for you, and can choose to either repeat it aloud or in your head as you meditate.

6. Meditating on a concept. Some meditative practices involve contemplation of an idea or scenario. An example is the "meditation on impermanence," in which you focus on the impermanent nature of all things, starting with your thoughts and feelings as they come and go. In the Buddhist "meditation on the corpse," you think about a body in the ground, as it slowly rots away and is fed on by worms. The technique is used to guide you to an understanding that your rationalizing mind might not bring you to.

There are many other meditations you can try, such as the "meditation on loving-kindness" or "object" meditation, and even meditating using brain wave entrainment products. Each type has its own advantages and effects. For this reason, you may find that at different times and for different purposes you want to use several different types of meditation.

Barbecue Is The PITS! New Book - Gets Grillin' NASCAR Style

Want the inside track on what fuels the stars of NASCAR? Get it straight from the winner's circle with grill master, Big John Youk. Big John changed the way NASCAR eats by making winning food for champion drivers. In his new book BIG JOHN'S SPEEDWAY GRILL: Racing Tales & Sizzling Recipes from the NASCAR Tracks, he brings his straight-shooting techniques for great barbecue from the speedway to your driveway.

BIG JOHN'S SPEEDWAY GRILL is more than just food. The book is an inside look at NASCAR literally straight from the gut with stories and anecdotes about stars like Kyle Petty, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart alongside the food they love to eat. Foods from In the Pot-Hole Chicken to Teach Those Brats a Lesson to Swimming to Freedom Swordfish to Dumpster Divin' Pecan Bars (named for Kyle Petty who literally dumpster dove for them), Big John Delivers.

Big John puts tailgating and backyard bashes on track with his surefire recipes, all of them easy to prepare and hearty enough to satisfy a fierce appetite. The recipes contain no obscure ingredients. This is grilling for the everyday barbecue chef, without any complicated maneuvers. "Big John's Speedway Grill" serves up sizzling platters of easy, crowd-pleasing winners like these:

• I Want My Baby Back Ribs: Big John shows how to grill 'em to perfection-so tender the meat is falling off the bone, with every bite delivering the sweet-and-sour flavors of brown sugar, onion and garlic.

• Oh Say Can You Sea Lobsta & Steamas: A turkey fryer becomes a lobster pot.

• Holy Cow Ribeyes & Spuds: The secret is to start marinating the meat hours in advance, and give the potatoes plenty of grilling time.

• Barbecue Beef Sandwiches: Chuck roast, Louisiana hot sauce and onion buns are the trifecta in this juicy speedway favorite.

• Dumpster Divin' Pecan Bars: They're so good they sent Kyle Petty bounding into a Dumpster to retrieve a batch tossed out by mistake.

Categorized by region, from the Carolinas to the Great Lakes and the Southwest, with stops at world-class tracks in between, "Big John's Speedway Grill" is also packed with insider NASCAR memories that readers will relish while they're chowing down.

Running Indoors has its advantages

Treadmills have many advantages over real running and walking. Sure, you don’t get to go outdoors in the nature, but you can also avoid bad weather and all the other hazards that come with going out of your house, such as cars and passers-by. It’s much more relaxing to not have to keep your mind and one eye on the potential problems, and just concentrate on your running.

Apart from that, though, there are many more serious benefits. The ground remains at the same level for the whole run, which avoids you having to constantly adjust the way you’re running – you can build up a pace and then keep going. Also, the run is always at the speed you’re most comfortable with, and you can change it whenever you like. If you do want to run uphill, though, you can simulate that too, by adjusting the gradient of the machine.

Another advantage is in all the statistics you can collect about your running: because the machine is setting the pace of the run, it can calculate all sorts of things automatically, such as the amount of energy (calories) you have burned. You can also hook yourself to various monitors – heart rate monitors, breathing monitors, and so on – to check all the different aspects of your health when you run.

One of the best things about running indoors is that you don’t have to be bored while you’re doing it – you can watch TV or read a book while you’re using it. Even though it can be quite relaxing, though, treadmills are still a more effective form of exercise than some complex cardiovascular exercises. Faced with a choice between getting into all sorts of strange positions and contorting my body into odd shapes or just running on a treadmill, I know which one I’d choose.

Diabetes and Your Mouth

We diabetics have to pay even more attention to our teeth and gums than other people.

We are at greater risk of cavities, gum disease and tooth infections. Not only that, but those infections can cause our blood sugar to rise, so it becomes a vicious cycle.

Here are some mouth problems common in diabetics.

Plaque

Plaque is, of course, a problem for many people, not just diabetics. But it's caused by starches and sugars, and of course we have more than our share of those! So diabetics are highly prone to plaque.

Dry mouth

Sometimes my mouth is so dry in the morning I can hardly speak—I'm sure you know how that feels. But it's more than just inconvenient, it's dangerous to the health of our mouths. You see, saliva washes away many of the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth cuts the amount of saliva available for this job, so the result is more cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth sometimes also creates inflammation of the soft tissue in the mouth, making eating difficult and unpleasant.

While there are artificial saliva substitutes, which your dentist can tell you about, you can usually stimulate your own saliva by sucking on a sugar-free hard candy. I like no-sugar-added Ricola for this purpose. And of course, drinking water helps.

Fungal infections

Not only do we diabetics have less saliva than we need, but the saliva we do have is high in sugar content, so it's double trouble for us. This can cause a fungal infection called candiasis, commonly known as thrush. It produces sore red or white spots in the mouth. Medication can help though, so ask your dentist.

As a diabetic, you must pay great attention to oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss daily. Examine your gums for signs of problems—and always visit your dentist at least twice a year.

Leadership: Is Mentoring For You?

If you are considering mentoring a younger person, here are some things to think about.

Make sure that mentoring is for you. Most effective mentors truly, deeply enjoy helping younger people grow and develop. Make sure you're likely to enjoy the process before you take it on.

Make sure you have the time and flexibility. If your schedule is already overloaded or you're under stress at home, you might want to consider holding off on a mentoring commitment until things are a little less hectic.

Make sure you know what you bring to the table. None of us is good at everything, but every one of us is really good at something. If you know what you're good at and what other things you may bring to the table, you're more likely to be successful.

In his excellent book, Winning, Jack Welch says that "There is no one right mentor. There are many right mentors." From your perspective, that means you don't have to do everything. You aren't the only place that your protégé should get help.

Make sure you know what kind of people you like to work with and which ones are hard for you. Mentoring should be a pleasant relationship for both of you.

Make sure you know what you expect from your protégé. It's a good idea to tell him or her what you expect them to do. Clear expectations are vital to a mentoring relationship.

Make sure you know that a good mentoring relationship should be a good experience for both of you. You should both enjoy it. You should both grow and develop. And you should both make a friend for life.

Mentoring can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your career or it can be a frustrating and time-consuming trial. Make sure you know what you're getting into.

An Open Letter To All Historic Buildings Nearing Retirement Age

If you're a historic building looking for a nice place to spend your golden years, Miami might not be it. Quite apart from the subtropical sun beating down your finish to a dull suggestion of what you once looked like, you'll be subjected to a vicious cycle of heat, humidity, rain and (sometimes very big) wind that will leave you old before your time.

And, if you survive all that, good luck surviving developer's fever. No, it's not a disease you can catch, but it can kill you just the same. As soon as the dirt under your footers becomes valuable enough, they'll start fitting you for the wrecking ball, and you won't be getting a corsage. Sure, you'll still get some visitors who think you deserve to be left alone, but very few of them will have enough influence (or money) to save you. Those that do will probably form their own buyer's group to sell the city fathers (and mothers) a slightly less destructive plan. When the dust settles, your old friends will be greeted by a nice plaque, maybe even a scale model, when they visit your grave.

I know you've been around. You should know all this by now. If you don't, my novel "Landmark Status" offers a short, sharp lesson. In it, third-generation barkeep Walter Marsh calls on lawyer Benjy Bluestone to help him sell the Century Club, a once-legendary nightspot awakened from decades of slumbering decay along Biscayne Bay by a local building boom. An obscure civic group has sued to enjoin Walter's planned sale to out-of-towners, claiming the Club is historic and shouldn't be altered, much less bulldozed. They might not mean it, and might be shills for developer Chuck Steinberg and his frontman, politician Oscar Torres, who'd love to screw things up just long enough to drive away other buyers.

Beating them won't be easy, and neither will getting paid, but Benjy's motivation includes the chance to get next to Oscar's niece, beautiful broker Delia Torres. She's been promised a huge commission by Steinberg but decides to get on Walter's side of the deal, so she'll get paid no matter who buys the Club. Winning an initial skirmish in court, Benjy holds off the injunction pending resolution of petitions for historic designation. Afterward, he shows Delia what made the Century Club famous:

To get to the Everglades Room, Delia and Benjy followed the path between the end of the street and the railroad tracks by the water. In the old days, they'd have crossed the street on a covered footbridge between the second floor of the Club and the small hotel attached to the Everglades Room. But the footbridge was too low for the modern world, and it was demolished after it sheared the sleeper off a moving van some years back.

"Let me carry that for you," Benjy said, reaching for Delia's drink.

"That's okay," said Delia, pulling it away from him. "You have a tendency to fall down around me." She was thinking about how to get Benjy to help her convince Walter he needed an agent — her. She smiled slightly, unexpectedly tickled as one obvious method came to mind. Benjy smiled back, as they reached what looked like a huge Miccosukee chickie hut, walled in with weathered planks of Dade County pine framing wide windows.

They unlocked the door and went inside. The afternoon sun filled the room with crisscrossing arrows of light that flared out across pictures on every wall. Delia put down her drink and stopped, arms at her sides, a shaft of sunshine picking her out, lighting her up like a model at the end of the runway. She stood still and looked around, surrounded by hundreds of glamorous women and sharply dressed men in fading photographs, most with fading autographs. With a light touch on her elbow, Benjy steered her past a long bar toward one of the oaken captain's chairs gathered around a dozen tables. They sat down.

"Once upon a time," Benjy said, "this was a retreat for the swells, the mavens, the beautiful people before they were called that. They came here to get away from the crowd."

"It looks like they stayed, like this is some kind of weird shrine," Delia said, surveying the walls of photos. "Kind of creepy, if you ask me."

Benjy stood up. "Come here for a second," he said, and walked over to a wall of pictures. Delia followed, and the two of them read Miami's young history in the pictures of its celebrities, famous, infamous and obscure, all united by the time they'd spent in this place. There were gangsters, movie stars, writers, crooners, comedians, politicians and, of course, developers. Al Capone was there. So were Rita Hayworth and Damon Runyon, Perry Como and Jackie Gleason, Harry Truman and Carl Fisher, creator of Miami Beach.

Like their namesakes many years ago, the pictures of the truly famous were sitting next to pictures of locals most people never heard of. Delia walked by an autographed picture of Eddie Arcaro on a winning colt at Gulfstream, also autographed by the two smiling men holding the colt's bridle, Moe and Izzy Fine. She stopped to look at a picture of nameless workmen, sledgehammers and shovels at their sides, smiling for the camera as they took a break from building the railroad, the posh hotels and the places where plain folks lived, all come to find their place in the South Florida sun. Like her.

"This was the room where Miami was divvied up for decades," Benjy said, "where the pea patches were replaced with gleaming piles of rubble to be."

"And now it has to make way for the next gleaming pile," Delia said, smiling and getting to the point.

"You're learning fast."

"I was always a quick study."

Fighting the battle of the Century Club in historic buildings like the Dade County Courthouse and Biltmore Hotel, Benjy's and Oscar's crews careen through historic neighborhoods like Coral Gables and Opa-Locka, marking the handiwork of famous developers like George Merrick and Glen Curtiss. Their antics celebrate Miami's principal industry, the sale and resale of the same dirt to next wave of newcomers, sometimes called the great Florida Ponzi scheme. They embrace this unifying tradition of a new city where everyone came from somewhere else, even the Native Americans, long after the Spaniards stole the land from (and slaughtered) its first developers, the Tequesta, builders of the mysterious Miami Circle. Rolling north on Collins Avenue, Benjy and Delia take a somewhat shorter trip back in time:

After a stretch of dunes and public beach, they passed through Sunny Isles. It once was known for low-rise motels from the fifties with names stolen from Vegas hotels of that era, like the Sahara, Thunderbird and Desert Inn. The motels were all gone or going now, and the few that were left looked like radioactive waste, glowing orange as the sun started to set.

"By the way," Delia asked, "where are we going?"

"Just a little further," said Benjy. "I promise you it's worth the drive."

"I'll be the judge of that," Delia said with a smile. So they kept going, through canyons of high-rises, until they came to a toy town of tiny motels and apartments on the beach. They were in Hollywood, another place with a purloined name.

"Now that's more like it," Benjy said.

"Like what?" Delia asked.

"Something more peaceful, on a more human scale. There's still lots of places in Florida that look like this, just not down here. And the best is yet to come."

"And when will that be?"

"You'll know it when you see it."

She did. A few blocks north, the strip of land between the Intracoastal and the ocean was too narrow for more than a couple of restaurants, along with a day-cruise gambling boat berthed in the mangroves. The sunset was getting more dramatic, splashing vivid red streaks across the horizon. It lit up everything with a rich russet glow. They could have been hundreds of miles north, driving along a beach that was largely being left alone to live in peace.

"Let's stop for a minute," Benjy suggested.

Delia turned into a wooded parking lot next to the ocean. "I haven't been here before," she said.

"This place is special," said Benjy. "Come take a look."

They walked toward the water on a path bathed in purplish light and shadow, as the sunset played on rows of slender palm trees in the sand.

"What are all these trees doing here?" Delia asked, leaning up against one and taking off her heels.

"Why, they're going to the beach, of course," Benjy said. "Here, let me give you a hand," he said, reaching for hers and holding it unselfconsciously as they walked on.

Delia looked down at Benjy's hand holding hers, wondering whether to pull it away. She decided not to. "I guess the trees strolled over from their tree motel, right?"

"Not exactly," Benjy said, as they walked closer to the water. "They're different from us in many ways. And they only get to choose where they want to be once." He stopped and turned to face her.

"What if they make a mistake?" Delia asked, looking back at him.

"They don't. Trees aren't filled with longing for what they don't have." With a light touch, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, softly, as if asking a question. He thought he felt Delia answer, as she let go of her guarded caution for an instant and kissed him back. But she pulled away quickly. "Don't get any ideas," she said with a half smile.

"Who, me?" he asked, as they turned to walk back from the beach, under a darkening sky filling up with stars.

Like Benjy's beachgoing trees, I hope you and other historic buildings aren't filled with longing for what you don't have, because pinning your hopes on a quiet retirement in Miami is very risky. Like the Century Club, you'll need to choose your friends (and owners) wisely. You'll also need more than a little luck. Otherwise, you'll end up like the Americana, grandest of renowned architect Morris Lapidus' Miami Beach hotels, recently blown up at the age of fifty-one to make way for a spiffy new condo/hotel/resort/spa wonder palace. There's no reason to be confident its older siblings, including the Eden Roc and the Fontainebleau, will make it to seventy-five. My advice is to tune out those chattering snowbirds going in and out your door when the weather turns cold. You're better off staying where you are.

Optimal Performance from Super Pocket Bikes

Any racer is likely to tell you that there is performance, and then there is Performance. Optimal performance is the end goal, especially from super pocket bikes. You want the best possible performance out of super pocket bikes, and doing so is not all that difficult. There are a few basic tips that can help to ensure your bike stays in top notch shape.

One of the most basic rules to keep your super pocket bike running smoothly is the same rule that you need to keep any vehicle running smoothly, from mini bike to a car or van: choose your gas carefully. For super pocket bikes, most pros will tell you not to use racing fuel. Not only does it not help, it might cause problems that other fuels would not. High octane unleaded gasoline works best. As with any gas station, look at the condition of the pumps and ground. If they look bad and there is standing water around where the gas in put into the tank, try the next one down the road. Make sure to mix the oil right, too. The mixtures are fairly easy to figure out, and do not use the same oil as cars. It is not designed for pocket bikes. Buy motorcycle oil.

Break the super pocket bike in right. This mainly involves using common sense. Don't run your bike at the maximum RPM's during the break in period. That puts undue stress on the motor. On average it will take about four tanks of gasoline, five to be safe, to break your super pocket bike in. During this period, don't push the bike too hard - baby it a bit. Slow and steady quite literally will lead to winning the race. Going along with treating your bike right, don't run it cold. Allow your super pocket bike to warm up for about five minutes after starting it. This allows the motor and the fluids to heat up to their optimal running temperatures. You would never just start your car when its winter outside and take off, so don't so the same with your bike. It's not meant to run cold!

Finally, get to know your super pocket bike. Learn what is normal, and what isn't. When it isn't running normally, or if anything at all sounds different than usual, turn it off and find out what the problem is. Make all repairs as soon as possible, and park the bike until the repairs are made. Caution will save you a lot of money in the long run. Follow these tips, and you will be able to enjoy a super pocket bike that lives up to every ounce of its potential.