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Historians consider that about 3 percent of Americans took arms and challenged the King during the Revolution.
3 percent. III Percent. Threepers.
We exist today.
We are that percentage of Americans who have the tools and mettle of the Militiaman who stand and have drawn a hard line for the Hard Right of the political spectrum.
We are that cadre of American Patriots who refuse to yield further. Our fathers and grandfathers permitted the insanity of Collectivism too much latitude, and it is we that History has called upon to set the republic back to her Constitutional principles.
The diseases of Liberalism and Collectivism are murdering the republic.
We are simply Patriots who are finished passively backing up. We are Patriots who have decided to take action...and if you are an Enemy of Liberty and the republic, stand aside, shut your mouth, or face the consequences of trying to enslave a group of men and women who have no intention of accepting the chains.
The concept of the III Percent is a matter of historical fact and state of mind. It is not a club or private group. No Patriot need submit an application to any Leader seeking acceptance, and no entity may strip you of the III Percent title.
If you are an American who shares the ideals of that historic III Percent of Americans who took arms against the King and took to the field when we needed serious men and women who were willing to fight, kill and die for the ideal of Liberty, you are a III Percent Patriot.
Every single law on the books, ultimately,
is enforced with the muzzle of a weapon. It does
not matter if the charge is failing to pay your
property tax or jay walking, hosting a yard sale
without a town permit, or murder, if you resist the
punishment in any of these cases, Government will
escalate until you yield
Copyright 2010 & 2011 Christian Kerodin ©
Sam to my friends


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Two high-level executives at separate Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) member corporations have informed Badger Democracy of a quiet conspiracy within its membership. According to the executives, WMC is promoting a policy which would have private employers completely drop any employer-paid insurance programs by 2014 – forcing employees into (at the moment) non-existent exchanges in Wisconsin.
Rumors of such an action by employers have been circulating since early 2012. A May 2012 report from Fox News questioned the ethics, and points out the politics of such an action:
A new survey of Fortune 100 companies finds that the health care overhaul, contrary to the claims of its authors, created some perverse incentives for employers to drop workers from company insurance plans…
"The penalties for the employers who drop coverage are very low, and the subsidies for the workers in the exchanges are very high," said James Capretta, with the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
If the companies indeed take this step, the move would fly in the face of pledges by the law's backers, including President Obama, that U.S. workers would not lose their employer-provided health plans.
The Fortune 100 "study" by the partisan Republican House Ways and Means Committee published in May, 2012 ignores the net effect of ACA to control health care costs. Two veteran health economists, David Cutler of Harvard and Karen Davis, president of the Commonwealth Fund, have calculated that over the first decade of Obamacare total spending on health care, in part by employers, will be half a trillion dollars lower than under the status quo.
The House Ways and Means "study" cites no facts to support these cost increases. It merely cites a survey based on the beliefs of the conservative National Federation of Independent Businesses about what they think the impact of the ACA will be:
Consistent with the findings of this report, a separate survey of benefits and human resources executives managing health care costs shows the vast majority of respondents—about 85 percent—said they expect health care costs to rise in the next five years as a result of the law. 68 percent said they plan to re-evaluate their benefits strategy to offset the law's impacts.
The report ignores the economic reality of the ACA reported in non-partisan studies (i.e. Cutler/Davis above). Rather, the "study" focuses on rationalizing the action of large employers who would drop any employer-funded health plan. In complete ignorance of the economic consequences of such a cynical, political, and ethically challenged action; the US Chamber of Commerce also sounded a warning:
"Despite promises that the health reform law would build on the existing employer sponsored system, the [employer] mandate will in fact undermine it. It will be more affordable for employers to pay the penalty for not offering coverage than to offer coverage
itself. And so, ironically, the employer mandate incents employers to stop offering health care coverage."
The economic repercussions of such an action would be severe – especially during the current recession. Just what is the cost to employers for health insurance benefits?
The March 2012 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics breaks it down by the hour. "Employer costs for private industry workers averaged $2.34 per hour worked for insurance benefits (life, health, and disability insurance)." A year of 40 hour work weeks amounts to 2,080 hours per year. The average cost to employers, from BLS data, is $4,596.80. Let's give corporations the benefit of the doubt – $5,000/year on average for health insurance premiums.
The savings is obvious. The ACA assessment per employee (over 30 employees) for employers who offer no health insurance is $2,000. The average employer would save $3,000/year for each employee (after the first 30) by dumping their health plan, and just paying the assessment.
The cost to the average employee (and the broader economy) would be devastating. A search on the US Government website for health insurance coverage in Wisconsin, based on a similar, employer-provided health plan; show the cost to the employee would be nearly double the cost to the employer. $7,800 in premiums, coupled with a $2,000 deductible…versus $5,000 in cost to the employer.
The following email was sent to WMC spokesman Jim Pugh on Friday AM, September 7:
Hi Jim,
Having spoken recently to a CEO/President of a WMC member corporation in Milwaukee, I was told by this person that WMC is advising its members that to avoid having to comply with the full scope of the Patient ACA in 2014; if the law still is in force, member corporations should drop its employee benefit regarding health insurance. This would force formerly covered employees into the exchange, and more expensive (for them) premiums.Do you have any comment on this? I will be forwarding any response to the person who gave me the information for a response.In the absence of a response, I will assume "no comment."
Any corporate entity or lobby which participates in this type of activity, which would be ruinous to a broader economy, should be vilified for the cynical ideologue they truly are. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, The US Chamber of Commerce, and any of its GOP lackeys are showing their true priorities – profit. At any cost.
Follow Badger Democracy for daily reports from Chicago, and the Chicago Teachers Union strike…starting with Monday night's post!

subset: commoncrawl


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As part of Tabor College's Lifelong Learning program Friday, Al Schmidt, a behavioral educator at Via Christi, will show attendees how humor contributes to good health.
Schmidt and Tabor director of alumni Marlene Fast will play guitar and keyboard as part of the program. It will begin at 9:45 a.m. in Wohlgemuth Music Education Center.
The presentation will include products made from olives grown by Don and Connie Isaac. The Isaacs also will show how the "good fat" in olive oil is grown and processed.
Don Isaac is a former chair of the Tabor College business department, and Connie is Director of Lifelong Learning at Tabor.
Admission is $4. For more information, contact Connie Isaac at (620) 947-5964 or at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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So here I am at my virtual craft table with a tutorial for the butterflies and hearts that I posted yesterday.
Three Dimensional Butterflies and Hearts
Supplies Needed:
- White glue (the stuff you used at the craft table in preschool!)
- Bowl for mixing
- Paper plate or other work surface (you just need a place to get messy)
- Paintbrush
- Assorted fabric scraps
- Pencil or fabric marker
- Double-sided tape (if you're going to attach these to your wall or other surface)
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine or needle and thread for hand sewing
- Cardstock (to trace your templates)
- Templates for your shapes (you can make your own or download my pdf below)
Here's how you make them...
Assemble all of your supplies and trace and cut your templates onto cardstock. For the purpose of this tutorial, I'm going to show you how to make the hearts but the process is exactly the same for the butterflies.
Now you need to stiffen your fabric scraps. You can buy commercial fabric stiffener but I usually just make my own with white craft glue (with a three-year-old in the house I tend to have it on hand).
To make your own fabric stiffener, mix three parts glue to one part water in a bowl.
Paint a generous coat of your glue concoction on all of your fabric scraps and allow to dry about one hour. I drape my wet scraps over coat hangers for drying.
Once your scraps are dry, give them a quick press with a dry iron to flatten them out.
Now fold your scraps in half with the wrong side showing. Place your template on the fold and trace with a pencil or fabric marker. Cut all of your shapes.
Once you have your shapes all cut, you're ready to assemble them. For the hearts, I chose three coordinating fabrics and cut a large, medium and small to stack together.
At this point I like to sew them together. I just do a quick line of stitches with my machine but you could easily hand sew a few stitches if you prefer.
That's it! You have an adorable three-dimensional piece of fabric art.
There are so many things you could do with these little beauties. Here are just a few ideas...
- Glue them to blank cards to make sweet valentine's or birthday cards for your friends
- Frame them to make adorable wall art
- Use double-sided tape to attach them to your wall (I've had the butterflies up in my daughter's room for about a week and they haven't fallen yet!)
- Glue to the top of a gift box for an extra special presentation
- Attach a ribbon loop and hang from a cabinet or doorknob
- Glue to a picture frame for a sweet embellishment
- Sew several together to make a little garland
I'm sure there are many other things you could do with these. Get creative and have fun.
As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave me a comment or send me an e-mail.
Happy Crafting to you!


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Genres: Action fiction, Drama, Thriller, Mystery


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Alex P Keaton changes parties
Michael J Fox was spotted last night in Washington celebrating President Obama's inauguration. Alex P Keaton no longer a Young Republican. Hee. Family Ties memories are always good ones. And after all these years, Michael J Fox is still just as popular. Seriously, it's not just this occasion, everywhere he goes, they love him.
Those on tv today, who will still be loved in 20 years?
Anyway, check out Michael J Fox, signing autographs, greeting his fans, his eyes bright and excited, heading to one of the many celebratory events.
Also attached – Edward Norton all casual and hot. Haven't seen him in ages. Inauguration brings everyone out!
Photos from Wenn.com


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SAMJ: South African Medical Journal
versión On-line ISSN 2078-5135
versión impresa ISSN 0256-9574
SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. vol.99 no.7 Cape Town jul. 2009
HIV-negative mother with an HIV-infected child: a diagnostic dilemma
Mohammed MithaI, *; Raveen ParboosingII; Andiswa NzimelaIII
IMB ChB, Department of Virology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
IIMB ChB, FCPath (Viro) (SA), Department of Virology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
IIIMB ChB, FCPaed (SA), Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban
To the Editor: Vertical transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) accounts for the vast majority of HIV cases in children before, during and after birth.1 However, there are cases where the transmission mechanism is not fully explicable.2 We present such a case: an HIV-negative mother with a 6-month-old HIV-positive infant.
Case report
A term infant was delivered by caesarean section (CS) at King Edward VIII Hospital, a tertiary-level hospital in Durban. The CS was indicated by a previous CS, and the delivery was uneventful. The baby was exclusively breastfed by the mother for 2 months and formula-fed thereafter. The mother was the sole caregiver of the child. At 2 months of age, the child was admitted to hospital in respiratory distress and ventilated in the ICU. A diagnosis of acyanotic congenital heart disease was made. The child was admitted for cardiac surgery at age 6 months to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, a quaternary hospital in Durban. Two days after the operation, he developed cardiac arrest twice and was successfully resuscitated on both occasions; he also developed nosocomial sepsis. He was ventilated and received a blood transfusion during this period. An HIV test was done, as per routine ICU protocol, having not been tested for HIV prior to this admission. He tested positive with a 4th-generation HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).3 An HIV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR)4 test confirmed the result. The CD4 count was 22%.
The mother had tested negative 6 times previously at various local government clinics, using rapid HIV diagnostic tests; 2 of these tests were performed after delivery.
The virologist was consulted and suggested an HIV ELISA on the mother and father, as well as a repeat HIV ELISA and DNA PCR on the infant. The repeat ELISA and DNA PCR was positive for the infant, and the mother's ELISA was negative on a 4th-generation immunoassay. Owing to the exceptional nature of the case, a DNA PCR test was also done on the mother, which was negative. The father tested positive on a rapid test, which was confirmed by DNA PCR (Table I).
Since this was a sensitive matter with major emotional, social and diagnostic implications, clerical errors were excluded by verifying patient details and sample identification.
The diagnosis of an HIV-positive child and HIV-negative mother was confirmed after all samples had been verified. The mother was informed of the results and the possible explanations and consequences thereof, and was appropriately counselled.
HIV infection is diagnosed in adults by the ELISA test which detects antibodies in serum, and, if positive, is confirmed by a Western blot or by a second sample. In children <18 months old, DNA PCR is used owing to the presence of maternal antibodies which may confound the result.5,6
The 4th-generation ELISA detects both the HIV antibody and the p24 antigen, and has a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99.86%.3 HIV DNA PCR has a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 97%.5
In South Africa, rapid testing is widely used and has been found to be feasible, accurate and cost-effective.7 The kit routinely used in the KwaZulu-Natal public health sector has a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99.8%.8
There are several explanations for the discordant result between mother and baby:
The infant might have been infected in a health care environment, either by an infected needle or an intravenous line in a hospital. The patient had been hospitalised for 3 months. In the majority of similar cases identified, the affected infants had been hospitalised and had an intravenous access line and more frequent medical injections. There are, however, limited studies to prove this association.2,9,10
The child might have been infected by blood transfusion; however, the risk of contracting HIV by blood transfusion is estimated at 2 in a million cases.11 Antibodies generally appear 3 weeks after the infection12 and the patient tested positive for HIV on the same day that the transfusion was administered. Futhermore, there have been no documented cases of HIV transmission by blood transfusion in South Africa since nucleic acid testing was introduced in 2005.13 The blood donor was traced and tested negative for HIV, so effectively eliminating blood transfusion as a possible cause.
The possibility that the infant was not the mother's child owing to accidental switching of babies at birth was considered. After extensive counselling and at the parents' request, DNA analysis was done using the 15 short tandem repeat polymorphic markers and revealed that this was indeed the mother's child.
- Sexual abuse of the child was unlikely in view of the lengthy hospital stay and the lack of suggestive signs on physical examination.
There have been few cases of father-to-child transmission documented worldwide. The mechanisms of transmission have been speculative, requiring phylogenetic analysis of the virus in both father and child.14
The cause of HIV infection in this child poses a major diagnostic dilemma. The most likely explanation is iatrogenic transmission during his hospital admissions; however, other possibilities cannot be excluded. Cases like these must be actively reported to the registry created by Tygerberg Children's Hospital;9 alternatively, registries can be established at regional virology laboratories to determine the causes of horizontal or unexplained HIV transmission in children. This will provide a greater platform for future research.
The clinical virologist and laboratory staff play a crucial role in the releasing of confidential results. It is of the utmost importance that there is good quality control and that all samples are checked, verified and then released. It is also imperative that equipment is validated and calibrated and that diagnostic kits and reagents have not expired. The clinician should ensure that samples are correctly labelled and that tests are correctly ordered.
There have been very few cases of a discordant result regarding transmission of HIV between parent and child in the South African literature.9 The disclosure of a discordant result has tremendous psychological, social, emotional and legal implications for the family and health care personnel involved. The investigation of such a result requires a multidisciplinary approach to determine the exact cause of transmission.
1. Newell ML. Mechanisms and timing of mother-to-child transmission of HIV 1. AIDS 1998; 12: 831-837. [ Links ]
2. Gisselquist D, Potterat JJ, Brody S. HIV transmission during paediatric health care in sub-Saharan Africa risks and evidence. S Afr Med J 2004; 94: 109-116. [ Links ]
3. HIV COMBI performed or used on ELECSYS. Mannheim, Germany: Roche Diagnostics. [ Links ]
4. Amplicor HIV 1 DNA tests, version 1.5. Branchburg, NJ: Roche Molecular Systems. [ Links ]
5. Rivera-Hernandez DM. HIV infection. eMedicine 11 June 2007. http://www.emedicine.com/ped/TOPIC1027.HTM (accessed 1 October 2008). [ Links ]
6. Gürtler L. Difficulties and strategies of HIV diagnosis. Lancet 1996; 348: 176-179. [ Links ]
7. Wilkinson D, Wilkinson N, Lombard C, et al. On-site HIV testing in resource-poor settings: is one rapid test enough? AIDS 1997; 11: 377-378. [ Links ]
8. SD Bioline HIV 1/2 3.0 Rapid Test Procedure. Suwon, Korea: Standard Diagnostics, Inc. [ Links ]
9. Hiemstra R, Rabie H, Schaaf HS, et al. Unexplained HIV-1 infection in children documenting cases and assessing for possible risk factors. S Afr Med J 2004; 94: 189-193. [ Links ]
10. Baggaley R, Boily MC, White R, et al. Risk of HIV-1 transmission for parenteral exposure and blood transfusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AIDS 2006; 20: 805-812. [ Links ]
11. Schreiber GB, Busch MP, Kleinman SH, Korelitz JJ. The risk of transfusion-transmitted viral infections. N Engl J Med 1996; 334: 1685-1690. [ Links ]
12. Glass AJ. Diagnosis and monitoring of HIV infection. S Afr Fam Pract 2006; 48(8): 46. [ Links ]
13. Haemovigilance: Annual Report 2006. Johannesburg: South African National Blood Service. http://www.sanbs.org.za (accessed 1 October 2008). [ Links ]
14. Ceballos A, Andreani G, Gonzalez Ayala SE, et al. Epidemiological and molecular evidence of two events of father-to-child HIV type 1 horizontal transmission. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2004; 20: 789-793. [ Links ]
Accepted 29 October 2008.
* Corresponding author: M Mitha (email@example.com)


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The Some science behind canned wine
How do winemakers need to think about canned wine differently? Does the canning process need to be altered to avoid damaging the wine, or is it just the same as canning a pale ale, or diet cola? What is the science behind canned wine?


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Today marks an important milestone in Web video. Hulu, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite online video sites, has started to add high-definition videos to its site. The most recent release of Adobe Flash Player added support for streaming HD, using H.264 encoding.
Hulu's HD Gallery is a little bit limited right now, only offering nine HD movie trailers, but we can assume that Hulu will probably be adding HD versions of other content in the future. Noticeably absent from the HD offering is the ability to embed the video in another Web page, which is a killer feature of Hulu, in my opinion.
Hulu is serving up its HD video in 1,280x720 and requires some beefy system specifications, including a 2.5 Mbps Internet connection. Hulu has a whole lot going for it right now, and it will only get better as the company signs more networks and studios. The embed feature is really great and it makes it easy (and legal!) to serve up your favorite shows on your Web site. For your viewing pleasure, I'm going to leave you with one of my personal favorites.


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SOMERVILLE, N.J. - Jurors in New Jersey have convicted a former "Melrose Place" actress of vehicular homicide.
A jury Tuesday acquitted Amy Locane-Bovenizer of a more serious charge, aggravated manslaughter, in a 2010 accident that killed a 60-year-old woman and injured her husband.
Somerset County prosecutors say Locane-Bovenizer's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when the crash occurred on a dark two-lane road in Montgomery Township.
She faces five to 10 years in prison on the vehicular homicide charge. She also was convicted of assault by auto and faces three to five years in prison on that count. Her bail was revoked after the verdict and she is now in jail.
The actress appeared in 13 episodes of TV's "Melrose Place" and in movies including "Cry-Baby," ''School Ties" and "Secretary."


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When Julie Walters interviewed for the job of executive director at the Pregnancy Care Center last year, she felt hesitant and a little unsure that she was in the right place, in terms of her purpose in life. After just two days on the job, however, Walters would encounter a situation that provided all the confirmation she needed to know that she was right where she was supposed to be.
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(310 results)
Media type
Rick Crandall • Sermon • • 53,637 views
Funeral Service for Difficult Situations Psalm 25:6-7, Psalm 33:5, Psalm 34:8, James 1:17, John 3:16, Matthew 11:28-30 Sermon by Rick Crandall BACKGROUND: *It's wonderful to be able to preach the funeral for dear saints of God who could echo Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight,…
Rick Crandall • Sermon • • 48,954 views
The Hand of the Lord: 1. is mighty. 2. is dangerous and deadly against His enemies. 3. empowers His servants. 4. can be heavy to discipline His people. 5. will help His people. 6. will always be with His people today.
Media • 6,959 views • 6,747 downloads
How Great Thou Art uses dramatic winter pictures of creation to remind us of God's glory. This set is social media ready and is great for announcement slides and worship backgrounds.
Elliott Kwong • Sermon • • 3,740 views
Time with Abba - Bible Reading Schedule Jan l Feb l Mar l Apr l May l Jun l Jul l Aug l Sep l Oct l Nov l Dec Date Psalms OT NT Proverbs 1/1 Ps 1:1-6 Gen 1:1-2:25 Matt 1:1-2:12 Prov 1:1-6 1/2 Ps 2:1-6 Gen 3:1 - 4:26 Matt 2:13-3:6 Prov 1:7-9 1/3 Ps 2:7-12 Gen 5:1 - 7:24 Matt 3:7-4:11 Prov 1:10-19 1/4…
Rick Crandall • Sermon • • 3,011 views
Jesus Can Heal Our Broken Hearts Luke 4:14-21 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - August 17, 2014 *One of the biggest news stories this past week was the tragic death of actor Robin Williams. Millions of Americans were stunned and saddened by his unexpected death. *Part of that reaction…
Media • 2,304 views • 2,299 downloads
Media • 2,303 views • 2,298 downloads
Media • 2,333 views • 2,297 downloads
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Media • 2,299 views • 2,296 downloads
Thematic Outlines
Faithlife Sermons • Sermon • • 2,291 views
God's desire is that all people should seek after him and find him. Those who seek God with all their heart are rewarded, but those who fail to seek him do so to their eternal loss.
Byron Hand • Sermon • • 2,179 views
"Comforting others with our comfort" 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Story of Cat and detergent – I wanted to call this message "Life in the Spin cycle" Introduction - 1:1-2: Suffering prepares us to comfort others – 1:3-7 Focus on who God is – i. He is God – Creator, powerful one and in control. ii. He is the…
Dr. Thomas Jackson • Sermon • • 2,037 views
Set Up to be Set Apart (I Peter 1:1-8) Introduction: I want us to appreciate something about what it means to be in Christ. And to have a sense of real joy about our salvation. And to know that In Christ: We were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world We are predestinated unto the adoption…
Jason W. Miller • Sermon • • 1,365 views
Old Testament Survey Dr. Berrey Tuesday, February 08, 2005 Intro lecture 1:06 PM Class intro know everything related to things on the study guide the questions will be detailed sometimes things will come from footnotes chapter content points not necessary to know outline points Introduction to the Old…
Bob Pritchett • Sermon • • 989 views
Theological Poetics: Typology, Symbol, and the Christ The Theory and Method of Biblical Typology A modern introduction to biblical typology should begin inductively with several examples of certain shadows and types from Old Testament passages widely acknowledged to be prefigurative in character, seeking…
Sermon • • 922 views
The experience of human suffering has perplexed minds ever since the fall. For Christians, the question of suffering rises to a new level of importance because of our belief in the sovereignty of our loving and merciful God. In Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, John Piper and friends tackle some…
John Fimple • Sermon • • 880 views
Text: Psalms 25 Title: Choosing the Right Path Thesis: God helps us walk the path of discipleship Time: Lent, 1 Sun, B The way our American society works is we make all kinds of choices. We make choices from the brand of corn we buy at the grocery store, to the model of car or truck we drive, to the…
Sermon • • 843 views
Psalm 25 Not shaken but stirred. Introduction Last week I was flying back from Vancouver so ended up killing some of the ten hour flight watching Casino Royale. One of the phrases which will always be associated with James Bond is "shaken not stirred" that's how he insisted on having his martini. What…
Allen Springer • Sermon • • 700 views
Part I Prolegomena Introduction to Theology 8 2006 I. Introduction to Prolegomena A. What is Prolegomena (the singular is Prolegomenon) 1. It is from the Greek pro/ + le/gw, meaning to say beforehand (Random House Dictionary, 2nd Ed., 1547). 2. It refers to "a preliminary discourse prefixed to a literary…
The Christmas Dilemma
Mike Measley • EFBC - Evangelical Free Bible Church • Sermon • • 666 views • 40:06
The Dilemma of Belief. Have you ever had those moments when you wondered, "Is this really true?" Maybe life has gotten difficult. Maybe you have come to the Derailment of your hopes and dreams like Joseph, Mary's husband, when he found out that his betrothed bride was pregnant after all his time and…
Attributes of God
Nathan Sehi • Sermon • • 497 views
Review of God's love: Last week, we Defined God's love, mostly using J.I. Packers definition, as this: (Adapted from J. I. Packer, Knowing God, Pg. 123) Love Defined: God's love is an exercise of his goodness toward individual sinners whereby, having identified himself with their welfare, he has given…
Randy MacVicar • Sermon • • 474 views
We're teaching on the subject of the Blood Covenant. The Blood Covenant is a very important part of the Word of God, even though many don't teach on it or know much about it. Blood Covenants are not something that we practice in the western world. The Blood Covenant has so much to do with WHO WE ARE…


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Southwest Windpower is the recognized global leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of small wind systems. A pioneer in wind technology development, Southwest Windpower has built and shipped more than 180,000 wind turbines to over 120 countries worldwide.
Southwest Windpower Partners with Renewable Energy Equipment Leasing (REEL) to Offer Consumer Financing Program
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Southwest Windpower Offers Lifetime Warranty for Small Wind Turbines - An Industry First
Read more
Sales of wind turbines for home use are going strong
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Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system - your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza, commonly called the flu, is not the same as the stomach viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Influenza and its complications can be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that tens of thousands of people in the United States die each year of complications of influenza.
People at higher risk of developing flu complications include:
Your best defense against influenza is to receive an annual vaccination.
[ More Information from the Mayo Clinic ]
Famous Faces of Influenza and Their Stories
Seasonal Flu Updates
Test Your Flu IQ
Explains to vaccine recipients, their parents, or their legal representatives both the benefits and risks of the vaccine(s).
Cover Your Cough (English)
Cubra su Tos (en Español)


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Welcome to The Sutton Gallery!
The Sutton Gallery is based on Dundas Street in Edinburgh's New Town gallery district, specialising in modern British and European art at affordable prices. We regularly hold stimulating and thought-provoking exhibitions at spaces around the country. Visit our exhibition pages to find out about our current exhibitions. We also stock a wide variety of work by exciting contemporary artists as well as some of the most celebrated British artists of the 20th Century. If you are interested in any of the work featured on this site, please email us via the contact page to find out more.


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CPAC's absent GOP rock stars
Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie are two of the Republican Party's big success stories: popular East Coast governors who have enacted conservative policies in states that President Barack Obama won twice. Elected together in 2009, the pair formed an advance guard for the 2010 Republican revolution.
And during the Conservative Political Action Conference this week, both governors find themselves on the political ash heap.
Story Continued Below
Neither McDonnell nor Christie was invited to speak at CPAC, one of the premier showcase events for national Republicans. The snub of Christie was more heavily covered —perceived as punishment for his post-Hurricane Sandy embrace of Obama — but both governors have run afoul of CPAC organizers in related ways.
( Also on POLITICO: CPAC muddle mirrors GOP mess)
Officials with the American Conservative Union, which hosts CPAC, caution not to draw any dramatic conclusions from the fact that Christie and McDonnell didn't make the cut this year. Both have spoken at CPAC in the past; the fact that Christie irked the right after Sandy and that McDonnell backed a tax-raising transportation bill this year doesn't mean that they've been written out of the conservative movement altogether.
But in an age when conservative advocacy groups, right-leaning media and a white-hot Republican base tend to reward the most confrontational and theatrical politicians, neither Christie nor McDonnell appears to be in the GOP sweet spot anymore.
Instead, the heroes of the moment are a trio of senators with far fewer substantive accomplishments but a far tighter emotional bond with the GOP base: Marco Rubio of Florida, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas.
It all amounts to a jarringly rapid turn of events for the GOP's rock stars of 2009, whose off-year victories in competitive gubernatorial elections brought cheer to a dejected Republican Party — and whose accomplishments since taking office set them near the head of the pack of conservatives nationwide.
( WATCH: CPAC top 5 Republicans to watch)
"McDonnell and Christie's victories really showed that the tide was turning," recalled Ralph Reed, the longtime Republican organizer who heads the Faith & Freedom Coalition.
Reed, who said he has "some disagreements" with both McDonnell and Christie, invited the Virginia governor to address his group's Friday breakfast, which is taking place at the same venue as CPAC. He urged observers not to over-interpret what CPAC means to the governors' political standing.
"I think there is a sense in which American politics is beginning to resemble, sort of, a reality show. There's a little bit of an 'American Idol' quality to it. And right now, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are arguably the hottest properties in the party," Reed said. "But I still think Christie and Bob McDonnell are important figures."
Aides to McDonnell and Christie declined to comment on their exclusion from this year's CPAC gathering, which starts Thursday in National Harbor, Md. In a statement, ACU President Al Cardenas said the reality of scheduling such a packed event is that "it is impossible to invite everyone we would wish to the conference."
( PHOTOS: 10 memorable CPAC moments)
"This year, we have invited leaders who are focused on furthering conservative ideals, and we even invited a select number of those with whom we disagree," Cardenas said.
Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist said the absence of invitations for Christie and McDonnell wasn't some kind of elaborate rebuke. "The tax increase [McDonnell] got wrapped around the axle on really happened long after the invites went out," Norquist offered, but he acknowledged that the formula for choosing featured speakers didn't work out in the governors' favor this year.


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Manchester United vs Sunderland: Talking points
David Moyes can blow a sigh of relief as Manchester United sealed a valuable three points from a struggling Sunderland side this weekend to claim his third win of the campaign.
GMS contributor Christopher Robins looks back at Manchester United's top five talking points from Saturday's 2-1 victory over Sunderland.
1. Adnan can
It seems like young Adnan Januzaj is the talk of the footballing town after what was a sensational full debut performance by the 18-year-old, and rightly so.
Right from kick-off Januzaj looked like to be the creative spark Manchester United had been missing all season long. Composed in possession the teenager looked without nerves with the ball at his feet, beautifully gliding past his opponents and spreading the ball seamlessly around the pitch and making everyone else look average.
But In the second half Januzaj took things to a new level with two fantastic strikes that rescued David Moyes from yet another grilling from the media and secured Manchester United the three points.
His first showed signs of his intelligence when he made a crafty move into the box slotting away Patrice Evra's cross and his second a pure technical masterclass in how to strike a volley.
Januzaj is a special player and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to state that United have probably found a potential future owner of the illustrious no.7 jersey. There are few players in the same ilk as Januzaj. He's truly is a sensational talent and Manchester United must make offering a new contract to the player a top priority.
2. Nani far from canny anymore
How many more chances will Nani get at Manchester United?
Here's a player who was once touted as the natural successor to Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo but six years on and Nani is yet to fulfill his true potential.
The Portuguese international once again failed to impress against Sunderland showing only glimpses of his £17 million price tag. Nani was wasteful in possession and scuppered plenty of great opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
On the night Nani was overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of Adnan Janzuaj and never really got into the game. The 26-year-old must consider this a warning sign because it won't be long before he falls down the pecking order at Manchester United with the likes of Wilfred Zaha and Januzaj emerging as fantastic talents.
3. RVP not so MVP
Last season Robin Van Persie was made for games like Saturday's match against Sunderland; a game in which Manchester United looked unconvincing and were in need of a stroke of genius. Van Persie was there to carry United through scoring the pivotal goals that led them to a 20th league title.
However that was not the case against Sunderland with the Dutchman looking lacklustre and lethargic in front of goal, being far short of his usual razor-sharp self. Van Persie couldn't get into the game and was easily isolated by the opposition's defence.
His performance was summed up late when teammate Antonio Valencia played a neat through ball into the path of Van Persie who went one-on-one with the keep to slide it past the post.
4. "David De Saviour"
Adnan Januzaj will rightly get the back page headlines, but if it wasn't for David De Gea's athletic diving save 11 minutes before halftime things may have not been so rosy for David Moyes' Manchester United.
David De Gea's one-handed save in the first half at Sunderland was one of the best ever seen in the Premier League, according to Peter Schmeichel. It was a pivotal moment in the game which helped keep United in the game and enabled Januzaj to shape later events so spectacularly.
Manchester United went onto secure a vital three points that could kick-start the clubs lacklustre campaign, and all thanks to an exquisite reflex save from De Gea.
5. Manchester United's defence far from immense
In the modern game rotation is key to the success of a football club over the course of a long season but that might just be the problem for Manchester United's centre back pairing options. This season we've already seen various combinations of Manchester United's centre backs and David Moyes needs to find a stable partnership at the back that can provide the authority and brawn that the club needs on a consistent basis.
Sunderland exposed Manchester United's defence with ease in the first half with Patrice Evra and Phil Jones being badly at fault for the opener; while Neminja Vidic looked a shadow from his former self struggling to handle the presence of Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore.
Moyes faces a perturbing test as to whether he should remain patient with the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to become seasoned campaigners, or bring in an established player, like Neven Subotic, who could walk straight into first team with valuable experience.
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Apprentice Nursery Practitioner VAC-42266
This listing has expired
Are you looking to start your career in a rewarding environment? If so kick start your career with Childbase!
Fun is an essential ingredient in our nurseries where the care and education opportunities for each and every child are as extraordinary as the staff who provide them.
Duties Include:
– To support qualified staff with daily routines in the nursery.
– To learn the skills of a nursery nurse, (on the job), working practically as part of the team.
– To learn how to provide high quality childcare to our children.
– Understand the importance of keeping everyone safe and the part you play.
– To never be left unsupervised with the children
– To gain a good understanding of child development and how this is important when caring for children
– To contribute/complete children's observations and records when required.
create consistency.
– To build positive relationships with the children, families, colleagues and internal/external professionals
We are now in the process of recruiting a passionate and dedicated Apprentice Nursery Practitioner to join our fantastic team.
You will be joining the nursery to complete your apprenticeship for a period of 12-15 months, whereby you will then have the opportunity to apply for any suitable roles that Childbase may have within your local area.
As an Apprentice Nursery Practitioner you will be studying for a work-based qualification whilst you are with us and the nursery will support you with the experience required to achieve this.
You will be contracted to work 37.5 hours per week to ensure you receive the best possible support.
As you will be providing outstanding care to the next generation, this role does require you to hold Grades A-C in English and Maths or equivalent. You will be allocated time out of the rooms each week to complete your computer based learning as part of the Qualification.
Duties will include
1) Observe and monitor children's play activities.
2) Keep records on individual children, including daily observations and information about activities, meals served, and medications administered.
3) Instruct children in health and personal habits such as eating, resting, and toilet habits.
4) Read to children, and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs.
5) Organize and participate in recreational activities, such as games.
6) Assist in preparing food for children and serve meals and refreshments to children and regulate rest periods.
We are looking for someone with a passion for wanting to work with Children so if this sounds like you please apply on the link below.
Childbase is an equal opportunities employer who is committed to promoting the welfare and safety of our children. All successful applications will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS/ CRB check.
Location: Milton Keynes
Position Type: Apprenticeship
Sector: Childcare
Working Week : 37.5 hours a week – Monday-Friday
Weekly Wage : £208.13
Application Deadline: 01-03-2019
Possible Start Date : 08-03-2019


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It's not too long now before B.o.B plays at Universal Orlando Resort for Mardi Gras 2012 – an authentic celebration that completely transforms Universal Studios Florida into a family-friendly version of the famed New Orleans street party.
On Saturdays and select nights starting February 11 through April 14, Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras celebration combines theme park entertainment with an elaborate Mardi Gras parade, dozens of performers, authentic New Orleans bands, delicious Cajun cuisine and live concerts by some of today's most popular artists.
As a reminder ... B.o.B is playing March 24. You can also catch Kelly Clarkson, Hot Chelle Rae, Diana Ross, Boyz II Men, Big Time Rush, J. Cole and Prince Royce if you come back on a different day.
Click here if you need more info.


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Mosport International Raceway, Ont. — I am faced with a conundrum. An inappropriate conundrum. Actually, it would be far more accurate to say I am faced with a conundrum at an inappropriate time.
Said conundrum is my attempt to forage through the memory banks in my old-timer's cranium, trying to remember the technical details of Ford's press material about the Boss 302, the latest — and most probably the best — Mustang ever. The inappropriate part is that I am doing so while tossing said high-performance Mustang deep into the fastest corner of Mosport's Driver Development Track (DDT) with a hopped-up Subaru WRX STi biting at my heels. As any driver instructor will tell you, I should be concentrating on the road ahead rather than on the metal bits underneath.
But the salient point I am trying so desperately — and, again, inappropriately — to remember is whether Ford slipped an independent suspension under the Mustang's rear wheels unbeknownst to me. The Mustang is handling so well around the rather bumpy and scrappy DDT that I couldn't believe it was suspended by anything so archaic as a live rear axle.
But — quandary solved — there really is a solid rear axle back there, which besides being almost unbelievable finally lends some credence to Ford's long-held assertion that a live rear axle can be made to handle almost as well as an independent system. And even though I will later find some sharp-edged bumps on the way home from the race track that will show up the limitations caused by the live rear axle's massive unsprung weight, for my time on the track, the rear end of the 302 proved a surprise and a delight.
Indeed, the Boss reveals precious few limitations on the track. Like the recently introduced Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, the new Boss Mustang quickly dispels any notion that Detroit muscle is in any way secondary to European muscle. Although Ford's contention that the 302 is the equal of Porsche's 911 is a stretch, comparisons with BMW's M3 are credible.
Despite being ill suited to the DDT's tight hairpins (indeed, anything bigger than a 125-cubic-centimetre motorcycle seems overly large for the short 2.4-kilometre circuit), the Boss scoots around like a slot car on steroids. The big Pirelli P Zeros (P255/40ZR19 front and P285/35ZR19 rear) display remarkable grip and, even though the front end pushes a little in tight hairpins, thanks to the lowered (10 millimetres in front and one measly mm in the rear) and stiffened suspension, the Boss remains admirably neutral, able to drift all four wheels simultaneously through that aforementioned high-speed bend that was causing me so much consternation. Said high-speed left was followed immediately by a hairpin right, meaning the Boss had to drift left at high speed while retaining enough composure to set up for a quick brake-and-flick to the right. Previous Mustangs would have tied themselves up in knots. And, yes, that includes the King Cobra GT500, which feels like a softly suspended pillow in comparison.
Of course, many have already compared — sometimes unfavourably — the Boss with the supercharged GT500, lamenting its "paltry" 444 horsepower compared with the GT's 550 (and now 662) horses. But mere numerical advantages work only on digitized race courses. I'll take the normally aspirated but fully controllable power of the Boss over the GT's supercharged ferociousness any time. For one thing, though the Boss sacrifices outright power, it has a much wider powerband, able to rev with authority to 7,500 rpm where the GT is all done by 6,000. On the tight Mosport track, that lets me hold third gear longer and not have to constantly row the six-speed gearbox (its notchy gear selection is still the Mustang's major limitation) between hairpins. Throttle response is also far more linear, making controlling the aforementioned rear wheel drifting far more easily than on the torque-laden GT. According to Ford, on certain tracks, the Boss is quicker than the power-mad Cobra (no comparisons are available for the new 662-hp edition, however). Throw in the fact that the Boss offers a race car-like manually adjustable suspension (five settings are available front and rear, but I spent most of my time in the factory settings, which are the second softest all around) and customizeable steering effort (choices of Comfort, Normal and Sport; I left it on Sport) and you have a surprisingly competent track car. Again, that comparison with the M3 is not that outlandish.
Niggles are few. The reason I appreciated the 5.0-litre V8's extremely wide powerband is that the six-speed manual is a little notchy between gears. It's not at all like the rock crunchers of yore, but compared with German manual transmissions that must handle the same torque, it's not as slick.
And, while the Brembo-sourced brakes are wonderfully fade free, I'd like a little more initial bite. Maybe it's just that I am used to the two-finger braking of modern superbikes, but a little more sensitivity underfoot would not go amiss. That said, I could not get the brakes to fade despite some serious abuse. Since the four-piston calipers are made by Brembo and the discs are ventilated as well as being 356 millimetres in diameter, perhaps the solution is as simple as a more aggressive brake pad material.
And, if I must gripe, the only significant upgrades inside are the (much-appreciated) Recaro front seats. Most of the rest is standard Mustang GT, i.e., a lot of hard plastic and underwhelming decor. A $50,000 Mustang should have more upgrades inside, even if it is just a more comprehensive gauge set that shows the owner is a little more serious about his or her driving.
That said, the Boss 302 is, by far, my favourite Mustang. Ford has long been trumpeting the pony car's sporting bona fides. This is the first one that fulfills that promise.


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Have I mentioned that I am moving in a couple weeks? Lucky for me, you Green Phone Booth readers (and, as you will see, the members of the Green Moms Carnival provide the perfect sounding board for my initial research. My kid's appointment is in early October -- and I bet my dentist will need a couple weeks to order the sealant. So we've got all summer to talk teeth!
First off, I'm kinda shocked that the ADA hasn't fast tracked discussion of dental enviro health issues since I wrote them a letter last summer (cough). As I noted in my letter in August '08:
Regarding the BPA in sealants, some research seems to indicate that it may be soluble in saliva at high levels during or immediately after application. (In the March 2006 Journal of the American Dental Association, researchers tested 14 volunteers immediately after sealant application and found that patients who received Delton Light Cure (LC) Opaque brand absorbed about 110 micrograms of BPA, 20 times that absorbed by recipients of another brand, Helioseal F (5.5 micrograms). Delton Light Cure (LC) leached amounts similar to those that caused developmental toxicity in rodent studies and, at 42.8 parts per billion (ppb), are higher than the highest amount found in canned food, 38 ppb.... ") Is there an alternative to BPA-based sealants that is effective and safe? I tend to try to avoid potentially toxic chemicals (like endocrine disruptors) even if the jury's still out because I have young children with developing bodies. If I am getting rid of a baby bottle that may or may not leach minute amounts of BPA, I certainly want to avoid a massive ingestion of BPA during the application of a tooth sealant.
ADA inactivity aside, guess which brand of dental sealant my dentist uses? Of course! Delton Light Cure! And yes, I've read the ADA statement, read it last year, in fact, and I still don't want to test out their theory that, "When compared with all other sources of BPA, these dental materials pose significantly lower exposure concerns." I'm betting the ADA thinks I still eat canned food. As if. I've also read the industry pro-BPA spiel. I am not sure what the risk level really is for dental sealants, to be sure, but I am aware that companies are making sealants without this potentially problematic side effect. So why risk it atall? Katy from Non-Toxic Kids agrees, and urges parents to ask dentists for BPA free sealants.
So what are specific brands that are BPA free? According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, "No dental sealants are made with BPA, but the older versions of one brand are made with a compound that breaks down into BPA when it comes into contact with saliva, causing high but temporary elevations in blood levels of BPA. The brand is Delton from Dentsply International of York, Pennsylvania. According to a company representative, newer versions of Delton that have either the plus sign (+) or the word "plus" in their name do not contain the compound that breaks down into BPA."
That completely jibes with what they told me! I called Delton and their super helpful and friendly customer service rep said, after commenting that the ADA has a statement about BPA and that the levels in their products were low, that they offer products that do not contain BPA. She said if I want to avoid BPA not to use the Light Cure (Light Curing Pit and Fissure Sealant Direct Delivery System, for you geeky MSDS readers) or the Self Cure products. Ask for Delton FS Plus or the Seal and Glow products. Excellent!
Tara Parker Pope's blog Well notes that although dentists back sealants despite bpa exposure risk there are specific products that meet a BPA-free criteria:
"A review of 16 studies by the Cochrane Collaboration, a nonprofit group that evaluates medical research, ...found that three products did not release detectable amounts of BPA: Helioseal from Ivoclar Vivadent; Seal-Rite from the Pulpdent Corporation; and Conseal from SDI (North America). All carried the 2007 American Dental Association seal."
Great! BPA free sealants. Which are, of course, still composite plastic sealants. And I still don't have that pesky chemistry degree and Lord knows what else is worrisome in those sealants, right? I'm not sure what I will do, since my kid has had a number of cavities (we all blame it on the fruit leather around here). I'm thinking that mercury fillings are to be avoided, and, although it seems pretty benign health-wise, she might not forgive me if I gild her teeth.
Beth from Fake Plastic Fish suggested I contact the Eco Dentistry Association (of which her dentist is a member). So I asked them (and will update if they respond): "I'm seeking info on BPA in dental sealants. Or rather, the reverse. I'd like to minimize my child's exposure to BPA in dental sealants, and even if they are safe for my child I want to minimize the amount of BPA I send down the pipeline in wastewater. Do you have recommendations for BPA free sealants or other specific products you'd recommend in lieu of sealants containing BPA? Thanks very much."
Green Bean gave some sage counsel: "I'll jump in here just because my dad is a dentist and I went through this with my oldest who had 8 cavities at once!! I'm pretty aware about toxins. I grilled my dad and everyone on sealants, mercury v. plastic (composite) fillings. We ended up going with composite because I was so paranoid about the mercury but my dad tells an interesting story about a super brainy scientist who once asked him for the materials list on the plastic fillings. After taking a look at that, the scientist decided mercury exposure was a better bet." Sigh.
Anna from Green-Talk weighs in: "My dentist is also into kinesthesiology so he muscle tested for adverse reactions to the plastic. (Chiropractors use this method to find out what you are sensitive to.) There are many different plastic composites used today. Some my kids have tested negatively to. But the BPA questions is really a good one to ask. I had all of my mercury fillings removed with a proper protocol to reduce mercury exposure from the removal of the mercury." She also rec'd I check out the Holistic Dental Association.
Jennifer Taggart aka The Smart Mama proffered the following advice (which she found while doing research on this topic):
Dental providers can avoid the potential for BPA toxicity from dental sealants by treating the surface layer of the sealant immediately after placement to reduce the possibility of unpolymerized BPA remaining on the tooth by:
- Using a mild abrasive, such as pumice, either on a cotton applicator or with a prophy cup.
- Having older children and adolescents gargle with tepid water for 30 seconds.
- Washing the surface of the sealant for 30 seconds with an air-water syringe while suctioning fluids and debris from a child's mouth.


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Bento (弁当 bentō) is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento holds rice, fish or meat, with pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware. Bento boxes are readily available in many places throughout Japan, including convenience stores, bento shops (弁当屋 bentō-ya), railway stations, and department stores. However, Japanese homemakers often spend time and energy on a carefully prepared lunch box for their spouse, child, or themselves.
Bento can be elaborately arranged in a style called "kyaraben" ("character bento"). Kyaraben are typically decorated to look like popular characters from Japanese cartoons (anime), comic books (manga), or video games. Another popular bento style is "oekakiben" or "picture bento". This is decorated to look like people, animals, buildings and monuments, or items such as flowers and plants. Contests are often held where bento arrangers compete for the most aesthetically pleasing arrangements.
There are similar forms of boxed lunches in the Philippines (Baon), Korea (Dosirak), Taiwan (Biandang), and India (Tiffin). Also, Hawaiian culture has adopted localised versions of bento featuring local tastes after over a century of Japanese influence in the islands.
History of Bento
The origin of bento can be traced back to the late Kamakura Period (1185 to 1333), when cooked and dried rice called hoshi-ii (糒 or 干し飯, literally "dried meal") was developed. Hoshi-ii can be eaten as is or boiled with water to make cooked rice, and is stored in a small bag. In the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568 to 1600), wooden lacquered boxes like today's were produced and bento would be eaten during a hanami or a tea party.
In the Edo Period (1603 to 1867), bento culture spread and became more refined. Travelers and sightseers would carry a simple koshibentō (腰弁当, "waist bento"), consisting of several onigiri wrapped with bamboo leaves or in a woven bamboo box. One of the most popular styles of bento, called makuno-uchi bentō ("between-act bento"), was first made during this period. People who came to see Noh and Kabuki ate specially prepared bento between maku (acts). Numerous cookbooks were published detailing how to cook, how to pack, and what to prepare for occasions like Hanami and Hinamatsuri.
In the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912), the first ekibentō or ekiben (駅弁当 or 駅弁, "train station bento") was sold. There are several records that claim where ekiben was first sold, but it is believed that it was sold on 16 July 1885, at the Utsunomiya train station, and contained two onigiri and a serving of takuan wrapped in bamboo leaves. As early schools did not provide lunch, students and teachers carried bento, as did many employees. A "European" style bento with sandwiches also went on sale during this period.
In the Taishō period (1912 to 1926), the aluminium bento box became a luxury item because of its ease of cleaning and its silver-like appearance. Also, a move to abolish the practice of bento in school became a social issue. Disparities in wealth spread during this period, following an export boom during World War I and subsequent crop failures in the Tohoku region. A bento too often reflected a student's wealth, and many wondered if this had an unfavorable influence on children both physically, from lack of adequate diet, and psychologically, from a clumsily made bento or the richness of food. After World War II, the practice of bringing bento to school gradually declined and was replaced by uniform food provided for all students and teachers.
Bento regained its popularity in the 1980s, with the help of the microwave oven and the proliferation of convenience stores. In addition, the expensive wood and metal boxes have been replaced at most bento shops with inexpensive, disposable polystyrene boxes. However, even handmade bento have made a comeback, and they are once again a common, although not universal, sight at Japanese schools. Bento are still used by workers as a packed lunch, by families on day trips, for school picnics and sports days etc. The bento, made at home, is wrapped in a furoshiki cloth, which acts as both bag and table mat.
Bento made its way to Taiwan in the first half of the 20th century from Japan, and remains very popular to the present day. The Japanese name was borrowed as Bendong (Taiwanese: piān-tong) or Mandarin Biàndang (便當, "convenience pack").
Airports also offer an analogous version of the ekiben: bento filled with local cuisine, to be eaten while waiting for an airplane or during the flight.
Types of Bento
- Shōkadō bentō (松花堂弁当) – A traditional black-lacquered Japanese bento box. It inspired IBM's (later sold to Lenovo) ThinkPad design.
- Chūka bentō (中華弁当) – Filled with Chinese food. While Chinese do have cold plates, it is more for appetizers or midnight "snack".
- Kamameshi bentō (釜飯弁当) – Sold at train stations in Nagano prefecture. It is cooked and served in a clay pot. The pot is a souvenir item.
- Makunouchi bentō (幕の内弁当) – A classic style of bento with rice, a pickled ume fruit (umeboshi), a slice of broiled salmon, a rolled egg, etc.
- Noriben (海苔弁) – The simplest bento, with nori dipped in soy sauce covering cooked rice.
- Sake bentō (鮭弁当) – A simple bento with a slice of broiled salmon as the main dish.
- Shidashi bentō (仕出し弁当) – Made in a restaurant and delivered during lunch. This bento is often eaten at a gathering like a funeral or a party. It is usually packed with traditional Japanese foods like tempura, rice and pickled vegetables. A shidashi bento packed with European-style food is also available.
- Tori bento (鳥弁当) – Consists of pieces of chicken cooked in sauce served over rice. It is a popular bento in Gunma prefecture.
- Hinomaru bento (日の丸弁当) – The name for a bento consisting of plain white rice with an umeboshi in the centre. The name was taken from the Hinomaru, the Japanese flag, which has a white background with a red circle in the centre. Pure Hinomaru bento only consists of rice and umeboshi to flavour rice without any other side dishes. The metal bento boxes, once popular in Japan, were often corroded by the acid of umeboshi, eventually making a hole in the middle of the lid.
Other Bento Types
- Hokaben (ホカ弁) – Any kind of bento bought at a take-out bento shops. Freshly cooked hot (hokahoka) rice is usually served with freshly prepared side dishes. The name was popularised after a pioneering take-out bento franchise in the field, Hokka Hokka Tei.
- Hayaben (早弁) – Literally "early bento", is eating a bento before lunch, and having another lunch afterward.
- Ekiben – A bento sold at railway stations (eki) or on board trains. There are many kinds of ekiben. Most are inexpensive and filling.
- Soraben – A bento sold at airports for eating on an airplane.


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Join us at this two-day workshop as we explore eighteenth-century letters from the collections of the Revere House and the Massachusetts Historical Society! Teachers will learn more about the importance of letters as a communication tool in the eighteenth century, as well as their importance as historical sources today. Participants can also try their hand at writing letters using eighteenth-century technology and conventions and transcribing letters written by members of the Revere and Adams families.
Participants can earn 12 PDPs by attending both days of the course and writing one lesson plan, or One Graduate Credit (equal to 22.5 PDPs) from Framingham State (credit pending) by paying an additional fee of $75 and completing a more extensive project.
Registration Fee: $80. Includes course readings, morning snacks and one lunch. To Register: Please complete this registration form and send it with your check (payable to the Revere House) to:19 North Sq., Boston, MA 02113 by 31 January 2013.
Workshop Schedule
9:00 – 4:30 Paul Revere House 19 North Square, Boston, MA 02113
Morning Sessions:
Letter-writing in the 18th century: Who wrote letters and why?
Reading Between the Lines: What do surviving Revere letters tell us about the family? Small groups work together to note information gleaned from original and transcribed Revere family letters. A short tour of the Revere House is included to see a few Revere written items on display. Staff reveal the recent discovery of a missing Revere letter, how it came to light and how it has since been conserved.
Afternoon Sessions:
Composition Workshop: Write your own 18th c. style letter by following patterns & styles noted in examples shared in the morning sessions and required reading.
Penmanship: Quill Pen Writing Workshop: Copy out your own letter with a quill pen and ink. Proper 18th c. writing style & quill pen sharpening method will be taught by R. P. Hale, calligrapher and printer extraordinaire.
9:00 – 4:30 Massachusetts Historical Society 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215
Morning Sessions
Making Sense of Manuscripts: Learn more about the challenges & rewards of working with eighteenth-century documents such as the Adams Family Papers.
Collections Tour: View examples of letters in the Massachusetts Historical Society's extensive collections.
Afternoon Sessions:
Your turn: Try your hand at transcribing eighteenthcentury letters from the Society's collections. After working in small groups, participants can share their own challenges and successes.
A Life in Letters: What does the correspondence between Abigail Adams and her husband and sisters tell us about life in the late eighteenth century? Participants will examine a series of letters in order to create a sketch of Adams family life at the time of the American Revolution.
For Further Information: Contact the Education Department: 617-646-0557 or firstname.lastname@example.com


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7 Coaching Greats Who've Never Made a Final Four
In the minds of many college basketball fans, reaching a Final Four is the true measure of being a good coach. But for every Mike Krzyzewski there's a John Chaney -- a coach who never made the Final Four, despite years of success.
Bo Ryan is taking Wisconsin to the Final Four -- it's his first trip after more than 700 career victories, meaning he no longer has that cloud hanging over his head. That's a feat some of his colleagues in the field would like to duplicate sooner than later.
Here's a look at seven active coaches who you may not realize haven't made a Final Four in their career.
- 1
Mike Brey
Brey, who began his head coaching career at Delaware in 1995, has piloted the Notre Dame program since 2000, often putting together competitive teams that seem poised to make a deep run in March. The Fighting Irish have consistently stumbled, though, with their best showing a Sweet 16 back in 2003.
- 2
Jamie Dixon
Dixon is the man in charge at Pittsburgh and his teams haven't just been good – they've been great. Despite regular season success, the Panthers have never marched to the Final Four under his watch. In 2009, they made the Elite Eight for their best showing in the Dixon era and that was a disappointment, considering the Panthers were a one seed. They also earned a top seed in 2011, but couldn't make it past the round of 32.
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Steve Alford
Alford's story is something out of 'Hoosiers.' A hero in Indiana, he led IU to the NCAA title as a player in 1987 under Bob Knight before his coaching career in the D-1 ranks took off in 1995 at Southwest Missouri State. Alford's greatest postseason success would actually take place there, with a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1999. He's had stops at Iowa, New Mexico and UCLA (his current job) since, but never made it past the first weekend with any team he's coached since then.
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Leonard Hamilton
Hamilton's coaching days stretch back all the way to 1986 when he was the head man at Oklahoma State. He later rebuilt Miami's program, taking the Hurricanes to a Sweet 16 in his final year in 2000. Following a disastrous stint as head coach of the Washington Wizards, Hamilton returned to the college ranks in 2002 with Florida State, where he has enjoyed a good run. In 2011, the team enjoyed its best season with an appearance in the Sweet 16. He still puts a solid product on the floor, though -- the Seminoles haven't had a losing season since Hamilton's inaugural campaign on the sidelines there.
- 5
Steve Lavin
Lavin is one of the glamour boys of the sport, beginning his coaching career in high-profile fashion with the storied UCLA program. In his first season, he led the Bruins to an Elite Eight and it seemed like a Final Four was all but inevitable. He never advanced that far again and he and UCLA parted ways in 2003, even though he went to five Sweet 16s in seven seasons. After several years with ESPN, Lavin took his current post with St. John's. He snagged a tournament berth in his first year in 2011, but the team lost its opening game. The Red Storm haven't been back to the big dance since.
- 6
Mark Few
Few carried the momentum Dan Monson generated when he took over Gonzaga from Monson in 1999. The Bulldogs immediately went to the Sweet 16 in his first two seasons and made another one in 2009. Despite all the regular season wins, Few has never brought his team to the promised land, even though expectations have grown. The Bulldogs have been everything from a one seed to a 12 seed during their current tournament run.
- 7
Lorenzo Romar
Romar resides in relative anonymity in the Pacific Northwest, leading the Washington Huskies. He's been a head coach since 1996 when he took over Pepperdine. He moved on to Saint Louis before Washington came calling in 2002. He's made a trio of Sweet 16s, all with the Huskies, but has yet to get over the hump.


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MANACOR, Spain -- One week before his expected return to tennis, Rafael Nadal says his left knee still hurts.
The 26-year-old Spaniard is scheduled to play next week in Chile before heading to tournaments in Brazil and Mexico.
Speaking Wednesday on the island of Mallorca, Nadal says that although his knee is better, "sometimes it still hurts ... but I have to start sooner or later."
Nadal says playing at the three Latin American tournaments "will be very useful." He says he is "fine, enthusiastic," after not playing since losing to Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon.
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Replies to This Discussion
I guess that knee is just not healing and he has to get back on the court. This is probably because it is a degenerative injury and will never be "normal" again - like tennis elbow I guess.
He's kinda cornered now to perform. His fans, his sponsors, the chance to get close to Roger's slam record, all depend on it.
Hopefully it will be something he can manage by playing on the clay. Wouldn't be surprised if he avoided the hard courts for a while. Totally save himself for the French. I will be glad to see him back on the courts again.
Hmm, Mark. Did you put up this picture? It's his left knee that hurts, not his right. It's the back leg that he plants on for his forehand.
I did add the picture - I hope you don't mind. I'm going to post this on the 'opolis facebook page and that always works better when there is a picture in it. And Dr. Tim, this must be an older picture of his knees when his right knee was hurt. Don't sweat the details. :-)
Nope not me. I only post pics of him in full strenght. No weaknesses from me.
Who's lukas rosol? EEEH just kidding, How long do you guys think rafa will last? Another 2 to 3 years? I'M SAD.
That's a good question. How about this one: If Rafa is playing at a lower level, like 20 in the world, will he keep at it or hang it up?
His heart is to large to be playing at that level, I couldn't watch his level go down like that, it would kill me.
I like what jim courier said. "he should never play another doubles match again, nor the davis cup." He said something like that. haha I agree and i hope Nadal's camp does that.
This sport wouldn't be the same, because these grand slams seem a little false or one sided, with semis.
Kinda seems unfair considering Rafa's age. Retiring so young and he should be physically peaking at this time but his wheels are already worn :(
I agree with you regarding the semi's. It's a straight shot to the final if you're on one side and the other top two on the other. hehe..
I think he should avoid hard court tournaments as much as possible, at least in the winter and spring. Then play them leading up to the U.S. Open, but other than that he needs to stay away. That would help lengthen his career.
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Jackattack wrote:TMC wrote:I think it's time to add my own personal imput into this. 32 was just a bad influence for this board. We miss a member able to offer great insight on the Warriors, but the board is gonna be a lot more peaceful without him around.
It's not only what you say, but 32's contentious nature made him a prominent character in every spat we've ever had on this board. And his quarrel with Migya was personal already. 32 just didn't stop to try to get him banned, and that happens to be our job, not his. A job we do for free and because we enjoy this place and interacting with our members.
I'm not saying he didn't have a point at times, because migya has made some mistakes over the years, but we all do. And he never, ever, attacked anybody personally without being provoked. I can't punish that with a ban. Cases like those have to be solved talking, looking for an agreement about what's acceptable and what's not. But never actively looking to ban another member because you don't like him.
word. You guys have done a great job!
I cannot believe you guys put up with our bs....
another win last night! this place already feels more at ease.
Which "win" was that then? the one against Portland..............or the one where "someone" said they were leaving?


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TITANIUM WEDDING BAND WITH A BLACK ZIRCONIUM OVERLAY AND A 14KvGOLD INLAY (available in silver, black zirconium, damascus steel & 14K white, yellow, or rose gold)
TITANIUM WEDDING BAND WITH A BLACK ZIRCONIUM OVERLAY AND A 14KvGOLD INLAY (available in silver, black zirconium, damascus steel & 14K white, yellow, or rose gold)
Because most of our rings feature natural materials and require special care, we often make these tough blank bands for those customers who love their custom band but want to show their love and commitment while swimming or participating in other rough activities.
Each of our rings is a handcrafted one-of-a-kind piece, and is made to order for you and your significant other by a passionate and skilled artisan. This ring features a titanium base ring with a black zirconium overlay and a 14K yellow gold inlay.
The width of the ring pictured is approximately 7-8mm wide, but can be ordered in a custom width. If you prefer a different width please specify your desired width in the "Notes to Seller" section during checkout.
Available in: TITANIUM, SILVER, BLACK ZIRCONIUM, DAMASCUS STEEL & 14K WHITE, YELLOW, OR ROSE GOLD
Please note when you are selecting your desired metal from the drop down menu you're selecting the BASE material, not the overlay or inlay. The gold inlay shown can be changed to 14K rose, yellow, or white gold for no additional cost. Just specify which gold type you'd like in the Notes to Seller section during checkout. If nothing is specified we will assume you want what's stated in the title description.
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Handmade || Custom || Made to order
This ring may be pictured in metals that differ from what is stated in the title description. This is to show you what the ring looks like in a different metal, but you can select your desired metal from the drop down menu.
We love taking on custom orders! If you have your own idea for a design reach out to us in the contact section of the website. We would love to make something as unique and special as the love you have found.
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Lead Time: Our lead time for titanium rings is 6 WEEKS from the date of purchase or 8 WEEKS if you are ordering a ring containing any other metal (silver, black zirconium, etc.).
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If you're in a time crunch and need your ring sooner than our 6-8 week lead time we do offer a rush service fee. Please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com for further details!
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Chris Bolt has some good comments on the old canard that "conversions do not come about through argument." To his apt observations, I would only add the following:
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, has was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ." And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. (Acts 17:1-4)
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. (Acts 28:23-24)
Preaching instead of apologetics? No. Preaching with apologetics.


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Beginner Skating Lesson
March 23 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm GMT£45
Start at the very beginning with our 3 hour Beginners class, designed to make your first skating steps safe and fun. This class is for you if you are a complete beginner who wants to learn all the basics in detail or if you cannot stop on your skates. You will leave with lots of exercises to inform your practice and ensure you continue to progress outside of class. If you are already up and moving and using your heel brake (albeit not very efficiently), you may be better suited to our Improver lesson.
Please note: You will need to bring your own skates, wrist guards and knee pads as these are not supplied by Skatefresh - Click Here for Lesson Requirements page
Any questions? please email us at: email@example.com
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By Ed Harris
Some members of the Board of Education expressed their dissatisfaction with how the planned renovations at Kennedy and DePaolo Middle Schools were hit by several costly issues at the school board meeting last week.
Representatives from Newfield Construction and Fletcher-Thompson attended the meeting to discuss the current state of the project and explain to the board why the costs of the project were creeping up.
Earlier this month the Town Council began the process of sending the project back to referendum, the first time that this has had to be done in the town's history. However, officials have noted that this scenario will save taxpayer money in the long run.
"I fail to understand how I was sold a rendering of a building that is now missing so many of the parts," said school board member Terri Carmody. "How could the estimate be so off?"
The discovery of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in both Kennedy and DePaolo Middle Schools has the building committee anticipating abatement costs of either $6 million or $14 million. The major question is whether the town will be required to remove the "vapor barriers" inside the walls, which contain high concentrations of PCBs, but have little risk of being exposed to the public.
Hygenix, the environmental company helping the town deal with the contamination, has expressed confidence that the EPA will sanction the less severe option. However, it could be months before the agency makes its decision.
At the meeting last Thursday, school board officials said that they did not believe they would have the EPA's answer in time for the referendum in March, but they were confident that the decision would be made prior to going out to bid on the project.
Another ongoing issue is the $4 million worth of cost overruns projected by Fletcher Thompson and Newfield Construction, resulting in part from mistakes in calculating the square footage to the initial proposal's absence of required items like firewalls.
The overruns are the major reason why the PCB cleanup costs remain a threat to the project, despite the committee approving millions of dollars worth of "value-engineering" reductions to the original plan for the schools.
Angela Cahill, of the architectural firm Fletcher Thompson, explained to the school board that the original numbers were predicted before numerous studies were performed. These studies are costly and are not normally done unless the project moves forward, Cahill explained.
"The assumptions were made on limited information," Cahill said.
School board members Patricia Johnson and Patricia Queen had questions on the PCB contamination. Johnson asked if the contamination was something that could have been anticipated and Queen said that there was no discussion with the board on how much the hazardous materials abatement could go up.
"We don't have very much precedence," Cahill told the board members, describing how there was no framework on the issue from the EPA. Cahill said the whole issue did not surface prior to 2009-10.
School board member Terry Lombardi questioned how firm the current price tag was now, given the changes in the past. Tom DiMauro, of project manager Newfield Construction, said that the numbers were good, given what they know now.
"We can not afford the continuous miscommunications," Lombardi said. "The community is not confident given the history of the project."
There is a small silver lining in sending the project back to referendum for an additional $4.7 million: Southington taxpayers will actually save a little in the long run.
The reason for the savings is that the updated proposal is eligible for more state reimbursement than the original plan. The state was prepared to reimburse 52 percent of the $85 million plan, but the proposed square footage was outside the state's guidelines, costing the town potential funds. The new $89.7 million plan, with its reduced square footage, is eligible for 56 percent reimbursement from the state.
Reporter Rob Glidden contributed to this article.


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Federal prosecutors asked a U.S. appeals court in San Francisco Thursday to allow them to use three allegedly positive steroids tests in the long-delayed perjury trial of home-run champion Barry Bonds.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Valliere told an appeals panel, "There is no evidence" that Bonds' trainer, Greg Anderson, "had a motive to lie" when he allegedly linked the tests to Bonds.
Bonds, 45, is accused of lying about his steroid use in 2003 in testimony before a grand jury investigating the sale of performance-enhancing drugs by the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO.
Prosecutors want to use as evidence three allegedly positive steroid tests from 2000 and 2001, which they contend were provided by Bonds and given by Anderson to BALCO for outside testing.
But the trial judge, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, has barred prosecutors from using that evidence unless Anderson testifies to authenticate it. Anderson has refused to testify.
Bonds' trial, which was scheduled to begin last March 2, was abruptly halted three days before its opening when prosecutors decided to appeal Illston's ruling.
After hearing 40 minutes of arguments this morning, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals took the case under submission and will issue a written ruling at a later date.
Valliere argued that Anderson's direct testimony is not needed because he was acting as Bonds' agent and a former BALCO official, James Valente, can testify that Anderson brought in the samples.
But Dennis Riordan, one of seven defense lawyers working on Bonds' case, argued, "There is probably no area in which lies and misstatements occur more commonly than in the area of drug testing."
The defense also contends that prosecutors didn't back up their argument fully before Illston and therefore can't argue now that her decision was unreasonable.
The panel, made up of Circuit Judges Mary Schroeder, Stephen Reinhardt and Carlos Bea, has no deadline for issuing a ruling, but has said it is handling the appeal on an expedited basis.
Bonds, now a free agent, set the Major League Baseball career home-run record while playing for the San Francisco Giants in 2007.
He is charged with 10 counts of making false statements and one count of obstructing justice in grand jury testimony on Dec. 4, 2003.
Among other statements, he is accused of lying when he said he never knowingly took steroids, never received testosterone or human growth hormone from Anderson and never was injected by Anderson.
Bay City News


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The Doshas
One's sense of well-being reflects the inner state of health. Good health is the maintenance of one's unique combination of the doshas, a balanced condition of agni, of the seven body tissues, of the three waste systems (urine, sweat and feces), as well as balance in the mind, senses and consciousness. It is equally important to one's well-being to have love, happiness and clarity in daily living.
Doshic imbalance governs internal biochemical changes that will eventually lead to either high or low metabolism.
Pitta dosha governs all physical and biochemical changes that take place within the body. Through this process foodstuffs are transformed into energy, heat and vitality. Pitta performs these functions throughout one's life, but is especially prominent during the adult years. All these activities of pitta depend upon "digestive fire" or agni. Poor agni means poor health. Wrong diet such as hot spicy foods, wrong life style such as living in a hot climate and repressed emotions can alter the normal function of pitta.
Anabolism is the process of building up of the body. It is the repair, growth and creation of new cells. This is managed by kapha and is most active in the baby, child and teen years. Kapha dosha can be disturbed by excessive intake of dairy, cold and oily foods.
Catabolism is the destructive, but necessary, stage of metabolism. Larger molecules are broken down into smaller ones. This molecular death is governed by vata dosha and is most active in old age. Repeated intake of vata-provoking food, such as salads and popcorn, and over-exercising can escalate vata and disturb health.
Improper Eating Habits
1 Overeating
2 Eating soon after a full meal
3 Too much water or no water during a meal
4 Drinking very chilled water during a meal or, indeed, anytime
5 Eating when constipated
6 Eating at the wrong time of day--either too early or too late
7 Eating too much heavy food or too little light food
8 Drinking fruit juice or eating fruit with a meal
9 Eating without real hunger
10 Emotional eating
11 Eating incompatible food combinations
12 Snacking in between meals
Time of Day and Time of Season
The body's biological clock is regulated by the doshas. The time of maximum activity of kapha is during early morning and early evening, 6-10 a.m. and 6-10 p.m. The pitta period is during midday and midnight, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 10 p.m.-2 a.m., while vata hours are dawn and dusk, 2-6 a.m. and 2-6 p.m. Thus a pitta-type disease, like ulcers, may cause the most discomfort late at night in the pitta time of the bio-clock. The reverse is also true, in the sense that experiencing a sharp pain in the stomach region late at night may signify ulcers or another pitta-type aggravation.


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(images: nato welton via sarah kaye)