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I eat soup most of the year round, but during the dark, cold nights of midwinter it becomes more out of a necessity than choice. This seasonal, hearty and nutritious kale and sweet potato soup really hits the spot.
All of the ingredients in this recipe are organic and free from artificial chemicals, which is more than can be said for much of the food we consume in the UK.
The use of many of those additives are driven by greed rather than necessity. For example, a third of all antibiotic use in the UK occurs in cattle rearing. Antibiotics were once added routinely to animal feed to promote rapid growth, but since 2006 this practice has been banned within the European Union (EU).
Despite this, farmers are still permitted to use antibiotics as a "precaution" against "possible disease". This represents a huge "get out clause", and it should be borne in mind that animals are more prone to "possible disease" when they are farmed intensively in cramped conditions.
Nevertheless, EU regulations on antibiotic use are strict compared to most other countries. Farmers in major meat-producing countries such as the USA, China and New Zealand, for example, are still permitted to use antibiotics as a growth promoter.
The UK only produces around 50% of the food it consumes. That means that post-Brexit we will have to try to strike up trade deals with countries that have lower food standards than out own.
The much-derided EU "red tape" has in fact given UK citizens protections not afforded to citizens of other countries, and now those protections are under very real threat.
Anyway, back to the recipe. In this rich, nutritious soup the natural sweetness of the sweet potato is complemented by the earthy goodness of kale. The horseradish cream is optional, but I really like the boost its fiery heat gives to the dish.
All in all, a great, healthy soup to keep those midwinter chills at bay.
kale and sweet potato soup with horseradish cream
500 g organic sweet potatoes, roughly chopped
100 g organic kale, tough stems removed, roughly chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 sticks organic celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 litre organic vegetable stock
2 sprigs fresh thyme
½ tsp sea salt
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
for the horseradish cream
10 g horseradish, peeled and finely grated
100 ml cashew milk (or use soy or coconut milk)
pinch sea salt
to serve
a few fresh time leaves
1. Pour the olive oil into a large pan and place over a medium heat. Add the onion and celery, and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the garlic and, sweet potato chunks and cook for a further two minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Now add the stock, sea salt and thyme. Increase the heat and bring the soup to a simmer. Stir in the chopped kale. Reduce the heat and keep the soup at a gentle simmer. Cook for a further 20 minutes, stirring periodically, or until the sweet potato is tender when pierced with a knife. Remove the soup from the heat and leave to cool for 15 minutes.
3. Place the horseradish, cashew milk and sea salt in a blender and process until smooth. Set to one side.
4. Process the soup in a blender until smooth and creamy (you will need to do this in batches). Reheat the soup over a gentle heat, stirring frequently, and do not allow it to boil. Serve in bowls with a drizzle of the horseradish cream and a scattering of fresh thyme leaves.
Categories: dairy free, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian
Tags: animal feed, antibiotics, Brexit, European Union
9 replies ›
Yum! I have all the ingredients at home for this so it's on tonight's menu…..perfect for the winter storm we're dealing with!
What a WINNER!! Will tuck this one away for our Winter months here in Oz. Thanks for sharing all your lovely recipes. Wishing you and yours a very Happy and Healthy New Year for 2019.
I'm a huge horseradish fan, this sounds right up my alley!


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Luke Somers rescue raid: What went wrong?
Something or someone alerted the al Qaeda guards as US Special Forces approached early Saturday. Gunfire broke out before the US forces were within 100 meters of the compound.
| Washington and Sanaa, Yemen
It could have been something as simple as a barking dog that alerted the al Qaeda guards as U.S. Special Forces approached the compound just after midnight. Within seconds, as they neared the building, intense gunfire erupted.
Those details and others provided by U.S. and Yemeni officials on what they describe as Saturday's execution of American photojournalist Luke Somers and South African Pierre Korkie in Yemen illustrate the formidable odds the United States faces in retrieving hostages from the hands of militants across the region.
"There is nothing to indicate what or how these guys knew the team was about to enter the compound," said one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and a Yemeni intelligence official said Somers, 33, and Korkie were shot by their captors shortly after the raid began in the arid Wadi Abadan district of Shabwa, a province in southern Yemen long seen as one of al Qaeda's most formidable strongholds.
The operation, the second attempt to free Somers in 10 days, began with about 40 U.S. Special Forces late Friday in Dafaar, a small village. No Yemenis were involved in the raid, a U.S. defense official said.
The commandos arrived on tilt-rotor CV-22 Ospreys, which can fly like an airplane and land like a helicopter. Once on the ground, they approached the compound on foot. A barking dog may have given them away, but that remained unclear, an official said.
As they approached, they "lost the element of surprise," the official said.
A fierce gunfight erupted.
"The enemy started firing erratically and then our guys returned fire," one U.S. official said.
The commandos were less than 100 meters (330 ft) from the compound at that point.
They shot and killed about 10 people, including al Qaeda guards and some civilians, said Ali al-Ahmadi, Chief of Yemen National Security Bureau. The Pentagon said it was unaware of any civilian casualties.
As they fought, an al Qaeda guard darted inside the compound and then exited through the back. Gunfire was heard. That's when American officials believe Somers and Korkie were killed.
With al Qaeda guards wounded or dead, U.S. commandos moved into the compound. They found the hostages with multiple gunshot wounds and carried them to a waiting Osprey, where they were treated. One of the hostages died in the aircraft, the other died once they landed on a nearby assault ship.
The raid lasted just five to 10 minutes.
The operation was pulled together quickly.
Early on Friday, President Barack Obama authorized the mission to rescue Somers based on information from the military, law enforcement and the intelligence community. The Pentagon quickly drafted an operational plan.
"We were working against a timeline, which was al Qaeda's public threat to execute Luke Somers within 72 hours," one senior administration official said. "It was our assessment that that clock would run out on Saturday."
Late on Thursday, Pentagon officials told the White House they had drafted a plan for the mission.
It was reviewed at the White House the next morning and signed off first by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and then by Obama. U.S. officials said it had support of Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. (Additional reporting by Phil Stewart in Kabul, Yara Bayoumy in Bahrain and Mohammed Ghobari in Sanaa; Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Frances Kerry)

subset: commoncrawl


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When Swedish journalist Jojje Olsson left Beijing, the city that had been his home for eight years, he had no idea that he would be banned from re-entering the country. He has never been given an explanation, and cannot even visit on a tourist visa.
Olsson had left Beijing for a routine visit to Sweden, a trip he makes every year to renew his business visa.
"For eight years, it was never any problem for me to renew my visa," he told HKFP.
But last July, his passport was held for over a week – longer than the usual few days – by the visa office that handles the applications on behalf of the embassy. When he called the visa office, they promised to contact him upon any updated from the embassy. But such news never came. Not until Olsson wanted to cancel his application was he told it was rejected.
"I asked them: 'do you know what is the reason for the application being denied?' They said: 'no, we don't know, but it's very rare that any Swede gets his application denied. But if there is no reason stated, you probably know the reason yourself.'"
m- and l-visa rejected with 2 passports in 2 countries, wont say why, but there is a range of options. books, articles, radio etc
— Jojje Olsson (@jojjeols) August 19, 2016
He then called the Chinese embassy in Stockholm and was told that it was a decision from Beijing and there was nothing they could do. No reason was given and staff could not tell him when he would be able to get a visa again.
Olsson did not know the reason, but he had his suspicions.
He had been writing a book about current political and cultural development in China, including sensitive topics such as corruption, the environment and human rights issues. He had also written about the detentions of Swedish citizens Peter Dahlin and Gui Minhai in Swedish media, and talked on Swedish radio about the the South China Seas dispute.
Peter Dahlin is an activist who was detained by Chinese authorities a year ago on charges of threatening national security. Gui Minhai, a Hong Kong publisher, disappeared from Thailand in October and appeared on Chinese state TV to "confess" to a drunk driving accident.
Visa controls
China has been accused of using visa restrictions as a way to control foreign media reports. In 2013, visas for about two dozen reporters at the New York Times and Bloomberg were delayed until less than two weeks before they would be expelled from the country. The two media outlets were not given new journalist visas for more than a year after they published stories about the wealth of the families of top officials.
In 2015, China refused to renew press credentials for Gauthier after she wrote a column questioning the government's policies in the restive region of Xinjiang, effectively expelling her from the country. Unlike Gauthier – who was asked by the authorities to publicly apologise for her article – no reason was ever expressed to Olsson.
See also: HKFP Interview: China's 'regression' a result of Party infighting, says expelled French journalist
Olsson found that the Chinese authorities had not only rejected his new application, but also cancelled his old visa, even though he always kept extra entry quotas unused as an emergency measure. So, he applied for the shortest tourist visa from Hong Kong with a new Swedish passport so that he could go back and pack up his belongings, but it was also denied.
This meant that he had lost his job, the apartment he had lived in for six years near the historic drum and bell towers, along with most of his friends and possessions.
"There's so many friends, and especially local friends that you have in China, that you know that you're probably never going to see again, and you didn't have a chance to say goodbye to them – that was probably the worst thing."
Olsson has never had a journalist's visa (J visa) – like most freelancers, he depended on business visas sponsored by friends' companies or agencies and tourist visas. He had also never been questioned by police, like some journalists, nor received any other signals that the authorities were watching him.
"That's why I was so surprised that my visa was denied," he said.
He also assumed that, as he wrote mostly in Swedish and did not report on sensitive issues in English, his work would pass by authorities unnoticed. It seems that Chinese authorities are increasing their scrutiny of less-spoken languages like Swedish and French, Olsson said. Olsson said that he spoke to friends, Swedish journalists and diplomats, and most of them believed that Swedish media is now more scrutinised because of the cases of Swedish citizens Peter Dahlin and Gui Minhai.
"We are not aware of any increased scrutiny of Swedish journalists in particular, but the overall climate has become more restrictive," a spokesperson from the Swedish Embassy in Beijing told HKFP when asked to confirm this.
Peter Dahlin told HKFP that Swedish media traditionally did not pay much attention to China.
"Gui Minhai's case was largely ignored by Swedish media, but with my own detention media had to start paying attention to China, and by extension also to Gui's case."
Since Gui Minhai's daughter's activism has also brought more attention to his case in Swedish media, "it's only natural that China will start to pay attention more," he said.
Regarding coverage on Gui, Olsson "was the only one pushing it in Sweden," Dahlin said, and his reporting game him a name. "[S]o I think it's safe to assume his work on Gui's case was what attracted attention to him, and got him booted out."
Holding journalists 'hostage'
Olsson has written about the issue himself while writing his latest book on China. "It seems that issuing visas has become a more common method to try to keep foreign journalists in line. And visas are being used more or less to hold some foreign journalists hostage, in the sense that if you write things that are really negative – or if you write things that the Chinese government doesn't approve of – you might not get a new visa."
"The paranoia, or the will to control foreign media, has definitely increased in the past two or three years, since Xi Jinping took power as well, of course. And the resources that are being spent, not only to control foreign media but also to expand Chinese state media, have increased a lot."
When asked if he saw his ban as a badge of honour, Olsson expressed ambivalence.
"In one sense, it's not a badge of honour, because if you are clever enough, you should be able to avoid being blacklisted. And at the same time I also think that, yeah it might be a badge of honour, because for me, I decided very early on when I started to write that self-censorship is not something that I would ever do."
He has talked to many journalists since he was blacklisted, and many are careful what they say or write about China, he said.
"It's not only journalists, it's also academics, business people, people working for NGOs – they are actually already doing a certain degree of self-censorship because they are afraid that they will never be able to get into China again."
"So maybe yeah, I am more proud that I followed through on that promise rather than the actual act of getting blacklisted."


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At Club Mahindra resorts, we believe that every holiday should consist of that one special evening, an occasion to get all dolled up and enjoy a meal with your loved ones, plus a view to cherish forevermore. A moment when time stands still, and all that's left is great memories, great conversation and great food.
Which is why, one of our signature dining experiences includes a Candle Light Dinner. Now, doesn't that sound romantic? And, we don't just mean romance in the traditional sense. We mean, romance of the scenery. Romance of the atmosphere. Romance of the culinary art. Picture this. A gleaming pool surrounded by a lush lawn. A table setting, apt for a small family. Candle light pouring down on shiny silverware. Plates of rich, flavourful delicacies such as scallops with curry leaves, roasted aubergine sautéed with spices and many more Club Mahindra signature dishes. This is precisely what you can expect from our Candle Light Dinner. Personalised service, exceptional cuisine, magical ambience. All the makings of a memorable time.
If you're yearning for this beautiful experience, travel to one of the Club Mahindra resorts and discover what special holidays are made of. And, for many more unique experiences, Club Mahindra has 100+ properties in India and abroad. So, take your pick.
Other Experiences like this.
A family vacation is an album of memories… one that's waiting to be shared. Read through our Club Mahindra membership reviews to find out what makes a resort story so special.
With Club Mahindra, we can holiday at amazing resorts without denting our pocket. There is something fun and exciting for every member of the family at the resorts.
Via Facebook
Club Mahindra has actually brought us closer to our children as we now take holidays together regularly and are able to spend quality time together.
via Facebook
It was like our own personal space to relax in the lap of nature at Binsar Valley.
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I felt like a royal during my Rajasthan holiday with Club Mahindra, from experiencing a royal welcome to a royal dinner setting created for us.
Jignesh Shah
With Club Mahindra, we pay almost the same rate for a holiday in India or abroad and no worries about changing exchange rates. As we plan in advance, we also get good airfare deals.
Aarti Bhalla


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Our sports picks preview today is on the Toronto at Tampa Bay game. Toronto Blue Jays are ranked 27th only knocking in seventy two runs with a pathetic batting average of .225. On the other side of the diamond, the Tampa Bay Rays are ranked 14th and interesting enough have only generated eighty three runs {just eleven runs more than Toronto}. Left hander Bret Celocil has been called up from Triple A Las Vegas where was two and zero with an earned run average of 2.45. Lifetime he is one and one versus Tampa Bay. His counterpart Tampa Bay's starter Matt Garza has been outstanding in his first three starts. Garza surrendered two runs on fourteen hits in twenty four innings of work with an ERA of 0.75.
Our sports handicapping continues to win consistently, take the time to check out our record and become member of the best sports handicapping service available.
Sport betting information
Total is set at 9
The Rays are 6-1 in Garzas L7 starts as a home favorite.
The Rays are 5-1 in Garzas L6 home starts when facing a team with a winning record.
The Under is 7-0 in Garzas L7 Friday starts.
The Under is 5-0 in Garzas L5 starts as a favorite in this price range.
The Under is 7-0 in Garzas L7 against the Blue Jays.
Umpire Information
No trends available.


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While serious traffic accidents are always horrible events, collisions that are caused by drunk drivers can be particularly tragic because they are entirely preventable and they often result in severe – if not fatal – injuries. In fact, according to Mother Against Drunk Drivers (MADD):
- Every day in the U.S., about 300,000 drivers choose to get behind the wheel when they are intoxicated.
- While one person is killed in a DUI accident every 51 or so minutes, another person is hurt in a drunk driving accident every 90 seconds.
- About 33 percent of all Americans will be involved in a DUI accident at least once in their lifetime (either as the drunk driver or the accident victim).
Despite the frequency of DUI accidents and their often terrible outcomes, people who are hit by drunk drivers should know that:
- While drunk drivers often face criminal charges and penalties, victims can also hold these negligent motorists accountable in civil court.
- Victims can obtain compensation for the damages and injuries caused by the drunk driver by filing a lawsuit.
- They will have the best chances of obtaining the full amount of compensation they deserve by working with the Littleton drunk driving accident attorneys at the Law Office of Bahr, Kreidle & Flicker.
Proving Negligence in DUI Accident Cases
Some of the ways in which our Littleton DUI accident lawyers can help victims prove that other drivers were drunk and, consequently, at-fault in the accident include by (but are not limited to):
- Reviewing the details of the police report
- Gathering essential evidence, including the results of BAC (blood alcohol content) testing, surveillance footage captured by police cruisers (or other cameras), etc.
- Interviewing witnesses and collecting official statements
- Reviewing the drunk driver's criminal record to see if (s)he has a history of DUI
- Going up against insurance companies inside and outside of the courtroom
- Working relentlessly to help DUI accident victims obtain the best possible resolutions to their cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident call us for a free case evaluation.
The Littleton, Colorado Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers at Bahr, Kreidle & Flicker
Since 1983, the Littleton DUI accident attorneys at Bahr, Kreidle & Flicker have been fighting on behalf of injured people and aggressively standing up against injustice, inequality and intolerance. After being hit by a drunk driver, injured people can count on our lawyers to advocate their rights, help them hold the drunk drivers responsible and ultimately help them get the highest possible awards for their injuries and losses.
At every stage of a case, our attorneys are dedicated to providing our clients with exceptional personal service and the highest quality legal representation. This means that our clients can always count on us to be available to answer their questions, to fiercely defend their rights and to be tenacious about getting them the justice and compensation they deserve.
A choice to work with the trusted Littleton DUI accident attorneys at the Law Office of Bahr, Kreidle & Flicker can empower injured people and give them confidence that their important legal matters will be resolved as favorably and efficiently as possible.
Contact Us for a Free Consult
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, our Littleton drunk driving accident lawyers urge you to get more information about your potential case and rights by meeting with us for a free, no obligations initial consultation. To set up a meeting, call us at (303) 794-7422 or email us using the form on this page.
From our law offices in Littleton, we represent clients throughout Colorado, including in the Denver Metro Area, Arapahoe County, Adams County, Jefferson County and in the cities of Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, Lonetree, Castlerock, Westminster, Centennial and Aurora.
Additional Car Accident Articles


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A will is one of the most important documents you and your family will rely upon. Your wishes for distribution of assets and how to handle your estate are spelled out clearly for your survivors. However, there are sometimes disputes over a will, which is why it is important to have an experienced and trusted estate planning lawyer on your side.
To prepare a will, finding the right estate planning lawyer is the first step. By researching the options, and interviewing numerous options, you will have a clearer understanding of the attorney with whom you have the best rapport. Ability to disclose information and freely discuss your wishes is critical as the will reflects your personal wishes. Experience with will contests and disputes is also a must as this may become an issue down the road; you'll want the right person for the job in the event that the will is contested.
Customizing a will includes conversations about advanced health care directives, powers of attorney, and other documents pertaining to your assets. There are many types of case-specific documents to delineate what you want to happen with your estate; our estate lawyers can direct you to those which will fit your needs.
Wills can be contested for the following reasons:
- a claim that the decedent was not of sound mind upon executing the document
- claims of undue influence, that someone manipulated the decedent into signing the document
- executor fraud
- trustee fraud
These are some of the reasons behind a will contest that can evolve into lengthy disputes. It is not always as simple as having a will, challenges presented by the above require further legal attention.
If you do not yet have a will or need to update your will, call our office to schedule a consultation with the trusted estate planning attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael Kuldiner, P.C. Our attorneys will ask the right questions and ensure that your will is comprehensive and current. If you are on either side of a will contest or need to dispute the validity of a will, we can aggressively work for you to ensure the will is properly understood.
When you need an attorney to represent you with your legal matters, contact the Law Offices of Michael Kuldiner, P.C. in order to obtain the best results possible in each case. To arrange a consultation, please give us a call at (215) 942-2100 or contact us by submitting the form at top right.


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5 Best Car Batteries
A car battery is a relatively small, mostly rectangular box in the hood of a vehicle that provides the electricity for starting the engine and other functions. A car battery can serve for years and sometimes for the whole lifespan of a car for some users before they change vehicles. A car battery needs to be replaced sometimes but not often. It handles all the electrical functions of a car and in today's environment where cars have more electrical functions than they used to and some are even added after purchase, a good car battery is necessary to bear the workload.. A car will not start without a battery and the battery needs to be strong and well connected too.
What to pay attention to when choosing car batteries
Some points to consider before purchasing a car battery include:
- Price: staying within your budget is advised. Higher priced batteries do not guarantee better working quality than cheap batteries for cars.
- Functions: as the vehicles differ in types and functionality so do their battery needs.. If your car is a newer model it probably has a lot of electrical components and you should get a car battery strong enough to sustain them.
- Equipment: does your replacement battery of choice have all the features to fit your vehicle? What equipment is needed to insert the battery?
- Manufacturer: there are top car battery brands out there but not every manufacturer creates their products to be compatible with every single car. That is virtually impossible. Look for brands that are generally compatible with your vehicle's make and model.
- Materials: the makeup of a car battery is very important to its functionality and lifespan. You do not want to have to change it frequently so look out for things like AGM batteries or dry cell batteries that are spill proof.
Dimensions: most car batteries are made to fit the space of most cars, but it is still paramount to check if the new one you are getting will fit into the battery space for your car.
Best car batteries in 2019
Bosch S6507B S6 Flat Plate AGM Battery – 5
Bosch S6507B S6 : this battery has Energy Life technology that can provide extra life, up to double the life of normal flooded batteries. This battery requires no maintenance through the entire duration of its life. It does not spill because of its spill proof construction. This car battery weighs 47 pounds and its dimensions are 12.5 x 11 x 9.9inches. This battery meets the high standards of starting and power supply even in the most extreme cold and hot temperatures and can handle up to eight times more charge/discharge cycles than a normal battery. The starting, stopping, short distances, and extreme hot and cold weathers puts great demand on the battery of a car. The strength of the AGM helps to recharge the battery almost twice as fast as other batteries would in these high demand situations. In Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) technology, an electrolyte is held between glass mat separators in the lead plates instead of flowing without constraint. The lead plates and glass mat separators are packed very tightly, and the dry cell batteries will not leak if the case splits. This means lifespan of the battery is increased alongside the high energy capacity /output of the battery.
Top 4 – ACDelco 94RAGM Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 94R Battery
This best cheap car battery is pressure tested against leaks and is also corrosion resistant. The enhanced life alloy/ silver calcium stamped alloy increases its life cycle and gives this AGM battery increased performance. The calcium lead positive grid allows for low resistance while increasing conductivity. Acid circulation is increased by the Robust Envelope Separator which has a puncture-resistant bag. This technology prevents shorts, extends battery life, and helps the battery to remain cool. This cheap car battery from ACDelco has high cycling capabilities and good charge receptiveness which is necessary for starting and stopping applications. The electrolyte is permanently held in the glass mat separator and doesn't flow unhindered like other car batteries, so the AGM technology provides a leak and spill proof car battery. The amount of active mass lost from the battery's grid is drastically reduced by the maintained pressure on the plates which in turn gives longer life expectancy. ACDelco offers this as a 100% maintenance free battery.. Oxygen recombination reassures optimal performance without the need for maintenance by reducing water loss.
Top 3 – Exide Edge FP-AGM24F Flat Plate AGM Sealed Automotive Battery
This is the first and the only AGM battery with SureLife graphite technology. This maximizes available energy capacity to enable the battery to perform at a higher level for a longer time. Your vehicle will perform perfectly and soundly with this battery because it designed to never fail. This battery is constructed with no spill AGM technology and is well equipped with the ability to handle the heavy electrical loads placed on car batteries today. In heavy use, hold ups, stop and go traffic, and vehicles with high demand for electricity, this battery has been tested and it outperforms conventional car batteries. It sustains excellent performance even in the toughest of automotive stress conditions. Exide is one of the good car battery brands available and this model is good for auxiliary battery replacement. It fits into many battery compartments and has 710 CCA, 120 minimum RC and is 25A.
Top 2 – Optima Batteries 8004-003 34/78 RedTop Starting Battery
This high-performance AGM battery by Optima is one of the best starting batteries designed to give a mighty burst of ignition power for a reliable start up every single time. It is a very durable battery in applications that demand high cranking/starting. It can be used as a truck battery, an automotive battery and for other applications. . This battery produces normal engine starting whereby an alternator monitors the state of charge and supplies energy to the battery when needed. This includes diesel vehicles with no aftermarket electronics added, heavy equipment where starting is the primary function, and most stock automotive and RV vehicles. This battery has more than 15 times vibration resistance than other car batteries. It can be mounted in almost any position because it is spill proof. It has up to two times longer lifespan than normal batteries and a faster recharging rate. It is not the cheapest battery for a car but works well for a wide range of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The unique spiral winding lead plate design is made of two pure lead plates, one positive and one negative, both with a coating of lead oxide. This construction is more expensive than flat plate AGM batteries but is also more precise.
Top 1 – the best- Optima Batteries 8040-218 D35 Yellow Top Dual Purpose Battery
This battery offers premium cranking power and rechargeability. This battery is among the top car batteries for modern vehicles that are loaded with accessories and components requiring electricity. With over 40 years of history, Optima is one of the top rated car battery brands available and for good reason. It has up to three times longer life than regular car batteries and it requires absolutely no maintenance. It has up to fifteen times more vibration resistance than other batteries to keep it in position. You can set up this battery in virtually any position and it will not spill. It has a recharge cycle of 300 plus recharge/discharge for fast recharging even in extremely bad hot or cold weather.. There is a series of spiral wound cells of two, one positive and one negative, 99.99% pure lead plates coated with lead oxide. This spiral construction of lead plates is much more precision-controlled than the flat lead plates of AGM batteries. Tolerance to temperature fluctuations, humidity, and automated processes are better maintained and monitored for the quality process.
How much do car batteries cost
You may be surprised to learn how many times car problems are related to car batteries. Even cars that are over 20 years old may develop problems that seem overly severe, and yet they all boil down to a faulty, weak, or dead battery. The reason why so many car problems are linked to batteries is because cars need a certain number of volts and amps on a consistent basis, and even a slight fluctuation from something like a damaged, old, weak, or almost-expired battery will cause a range of car problems. Sometimes, knowing when to change car batteries is less about battery testing and more about car performance.
Even the best deals on car batteries are not going to be cheap. This is because finding the right battery for the right car is sometimes difficult. Our best place to buy car batteries link will help you find the best car batteries on the market, but keep in mind the type of battery you need. Your first point of reference should be your car manual. If you cannot find the paper version, then look online because most manufacturers have libraries full of old car manuals that you can usually get for free. Plus, there are quite a few websites that will tell you which battery type goes with which car.
Cheap car batteries are fine, there is nothing wrong with saving money, but you shouldn't always go for the very cheapest of the cheap car batteries. There are three reasons why you shouldn't automatically opt for the very, very cheapest car battery. The first is because the wrong/cheap battery may damage your car in a way that causes problems starting, problems with your electronics, and may even cause errors on your on-board computers/car-programming. Secondly, cheaper car batteries rarely last as long as a good-quality battery. Finally, car battery failure is one of the biggest causes of cars breaking down (besides flat tires), and there is nothing worse than being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a car that won't start.
Top rated car batteries
Some of the most top rated car batteries on the market at the moment are Optima batteries 8016-103 d34m. They may look like batteries that you would find on a four-person yacht, but they are strong, reliable, durable, and they are growing in popularity.
Besides things such as battery power and size, the difference between Optima batteries is usually denoted via its color. BlueTop and YellowTop batteries are both deep cycle batteries, but BlueTop batteries have threaded studs and automotive (SAE) posts, whereas the YellowTops have SAE terminals only (except for D31T).
Getting the best price on Optima batteries is often difficult because they are in high demand. That people who get the best prices are the people who are willing to wait. If you need an Optima battery right away, you are going to pay far more than somebody who is willing to wait several weeks for delivery. Secondly, do not buy through a mechanic. It is far cheaper to buy the batteries yourself and then have the mechanic install it (unless you wish to do it). Mechanics will charge a premium for Optima batteries because few mechanics can get Optima batteries on a trade discount.
Cheapest car batteries
Do not opt for the very cheapest car batteries. There are plenty of reasonably priced cheap batteries, so if you are looking for low-cost car batteries, then search out the very cheapest battery that would fit your car, and then add about 10% and search for cars of that price. For example, if you have read any Kinetik battery review blogs, you will know that the Kinetik battery hc600 is not the cheapest car battery, it is probably the third cheapest, but it beats and dominates its competitors so thoroughly that you would be mad to buy its cheaper competitor.
A cheap Kinetik battery will last almost as long as a high-priced battery, and even though it is not as durable, it will still perform reliably for a lot longer than its cheaper competitors. A Kinetik hc600 battery is not built to last for tens of years, but it is built with the sort of precision that means you can rely on it to act when it is supposed to act, and to perform when it is supposed to perform. It isn't going to beat any world records when it comes to high-powered starting in all temperature conditions (a title currently held by Optima), but a Kinetik battery will be there for you when you need it.
Another, lesser-known, fact about Kinetik is that they make some very powerful car batteries, which is a little unusual for a lower-priced manufacturer. Do you need 2000 Watts? Kinetik batteries will do the job. One of the most annoying problems that car owners face is when they buy a cheap battery and their headlights dim either when starting the car, or while driving around for short


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Its a slow time now, with only MLB going and in a few weeks College football starts and then the NFL.
MLB is hovering around breakeven for the season, with Totals the standout , and despite beating the closing line by almost 70% on the overnights the plays are slightly negative for the season.
So, the special could go either way at this point:)
But, now is a good time to take a look at political odds. We are rapidly approaching primary season where to me there are some outstanding wagers.
I had the opinion that fading Republicans that were running in the primary that either voted to impeach Trump or convict him would be a very profitable across the board wager.
This was reinforced by Ohio, where the Establishment spent massive amounts of money to prevent Trump's pick, Mike Kerry. Not only did he win but he won easily considering the crowed Republican field.
So lets look at some of the odds on Predictit.org.
To start off I had a few questions about several races.
The first was what I felt was Newsom's chances of being recalled in Ca. The odds this morning are 3 to 1 against him being recalled. That line appears about right to me. I know the headlines are that he is in trouble, however, the way the mail in voting is set up in Ca, I doubt anyone can beat him. The line would have to be much higher for me to consider betting against the recall.
The second was whether Cuomo would resign. The odds right now are 3 to 1 against him resigning by 9/17 but its a bit over 3/1 that he will not be in office by the end of the year. My guess is a deal will eventually be made and he will retire quietly. So both lines to me are hard to wager on as there are external forces that are unknown going on behind the scenes daily on this one. Best to stay away from this wager.
Republicans are a bit over a 2 to 1 favorite to retake the House. That looks about right to me. Most of the recent elections seem to bear that out. If anything 2 to 1 seems a bit low. But I do not see any value right now betting either side of this one.
The Senate last I looked was a toss up. The value is on the Republicans at a toss up, however, never underestimate the Republicans self destructing which they are doing right now. A lot will hinge on the primary. If the establishment is successful in winning primary's then there is a reasonable chance the base will not come out. Ga is a good example of that.
If however a lot of establishment Republicans get upset in the primary, then the chances of a Republican lead senate increase substantially. This of course is contrary to the idea that the incumbent has the edge. However, among the Republican base, the establishment Republicans have such a low approval rating that I do not think this factors in this time.
All in all I would put the line at 3 to2 in favor of the Republicans taking back the Senate.
The best wager I can see is to fade every Republican in the primary that voted to impeach Trump or convict him. I would not cherry pick these but just wager the same amount across the board.
Regardless of your feelings toward Trump, the fact is the base is still behind him. I do not think the primary season will be kind to those that voted against him on impeachment.
Some of the more vocal members :
Kinzinger is a 3 to 1 dog to win the primary
Cheney is a 5 to 2 dog
Murkowsi is a 6 to 4 favorite
Lines are not up on many of the races yet. However, fade them all, and I doubt you will be negative when the smoke clears.
Another interesting wager revolves around McCarthy. McCarthy's popularity is getting lower and lower. I do not think he is an automatic to win the his House seat although as of right now I do not see a serious challenger. It is a race to watch for an opportunity.
The other is Rubio in Florida. Here again the field is not set and as of yet no on serious has come forward. Make no mistake Rubio is as establishment as they come. If he gets a serious opponent the line is going to be very high in Rubio's favor. This would be an excellent long shot wager in my opinion. We will have to see how this develops.
You have several things to weigh here. There will be massive amounts of money going to support the establishment Republicans. Also the RNC will be behind the establishment candidate. A good example is Herschel Walker in Georgia. The establishment Republicans have already come out against him, even though the reality is he would be an easy winner in the general.
The establishment Republicans are driven not be who is most likely to succeed but who is most likely to not make waves once they get into office. This strategy has cost them seats the most recent being in Alabama when they cancelled Mo Brooks and ended up losing a Senate seat in Deep Red Alabama, and the Ga, where both candidates, both unpopular establishment tow the line candidates, could not muster the base in red Georgia. Collins on the other hand would have been an easy Senate pick up, which McConnell nixed out of hand.
Essentially what you have is the establishment Republicans giving up EV, for the sake of not giving up their own power. And it is costing them dearly. The failure to accept reality in politics is probably the worst mistake you can make. In what world does a party think they can win by alienating its base??? Yet, the Republican continue on this self destructive path with no end in site.
So as I see it, the voters will decide the general primary season.
Now, I could of course be wrong:) But to me its pretty clear as to the dynamics at work. The establishment Republicans war on Trump and his supporters may well do them in as a viable party.
The only thing that I can see that would prevent this is the Democrat strategy. The Democrats had a rare opportunity this time around. Over 75 million Americans voted for Trump, which consists of almost 90% of the Republican base. One thing they have in common with many of the Democrats is their distaste for the establishment Republicans.
The Democrats have chosen a strategy that not only does not take advantage of this, but gives the base a "Sophies Choice" so to speak. Two impossible choices, which the end result may well be forcing them to choose establishment Republicans.
All the Democrats had to do was move a bit to the center, not demonize Trump voters, and praise Trump for some of his policies. This could have moved a large % of the Trump supporters who could not stomach the Republican establishment to consider voting Democrat this time around. But, the Dems not only did the exact opposite, they did it in spades.
It seems neither side has the ability to shift gears. That is what is going to make this election season a crapshoot. Except of course in the Republican primary when the base is going to come out in record numbers to consider that it is their patriotic duty to get rid of the "traitors" that voted to impeach or convict Trump.
So simply right now, the only wager I can see that has a lot of EV is the fade I have been talking about.
I will have more as the races become more defined.
Remember football season is almost here. You can subscribe by going to rickjshandicappingpicks.com, and choosing the subscription of choice from the drop down PayPal menu. All subscriptions have a 3 day free trial.
Also if you have any questions you can email me at firstname.lastname@example.com and I will answer them for you.
I have had this site for almost 20 years now and have successfully weathered the ups and downs of sports betting while keeping variance at a reasonable limit.
My plays are sent out via twitter, email and now Slack.
As an added feature that is included in the subscription, I post most of my stock trades on slack. My trades consist of mean reversion, pullback , income trades and also 2 day short put sales.
The 2 day short put sales are made on Thursday with Friday expiration. These have been as solid a method as you will find so far. 325 Trades 306 winners 19 losers with a 94.15% success rate and a profit factor of 3.89. The drawdowns have been minimal.
RickJ's Handicapping Picks
Twitter: rickjsportplays
Slack: rickjsports


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The Hampton Inn East hotel in Knoxville, TN is an ideal vacation destination, where rustic Appalachian wilderness meets upscale metropolitan entertainment. A wealth of great attractions nearby, there's something for everyone to enjoy, from historic sites to riverboats, performing arts to professional sports. In fact, just about the only thing you can't do when visiting our hotel in Knoxville is get bored!
The absolute best for business travelers and vacationers alike will be delighted to discover the comfortable amenities and outstanding service at the Hampton Inn Knoxville-East, TN hotel. We're conveniently located off I-40, just a short drive from downtown Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Dollywood, and much more! You'll discover the best our beautiful city has to offer when you visit our comfortable Knoxville hotel.


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The anyone-but-Ford bandwagon gets a bit more cramped: Adam Vaughan endorses Smitherman
With the election now 10 days away and polls being increasingly unkind to anyone but the front-runners (that's you, Pants), Toronto is settling somewhat uncomfortably into a predictable two-man race: George Smitherman gaining support as the anyone-but-Rob Ford candidate. The poll earlier this week showed it, Rocco Rossi's departure showed it, and now the latest news is that the Smitherman camp is getting the endorsement of Adam Vaughan, councillor for Ward 20 and one of Ford's most prominent opponents on council.
The Toronto Star reports:
"I like Joe and I consider him a friend, but you have to fight the election you're dealt, not the one you want," Vaughan said in an interview Friday morning.
"The only way to deal with Rob Ford is George Smitherman. I'm prepared to work with George Smitherman," he said.
"It's not so much an endorsement as a frank and realistic look at the way the polls are breaking. Not only do they say George Smitherman is the only candidate who can beat Rob Ford, they say he is beating Rob Ford."
If Vaughan's endorsement sounds kind of bloodless, that's because it is. He's been saying for a while now that he'll be voting for whoever can beat Ford. Certainly, this move doesn't match Giorgio Mammoliti's for sheer realpolitik, but hey, we can't fault Vaughan for having a clear read on the state of the campaign. Whether he can carry any left-wing voters who've been struggling with strategic voting—let's call them the AAV (anguished Annex vote)—remains to be seen.
• Adam Vaughan backs Smitherman [Toronto Star]
UPDATE: According to Twitter, Senator and former Toronto mayor Art Eggleton is endorsing Smitherman at the Board of Trade, where Smitherman just gave an apparently-impressive speech. No word on whether Eggleton now has to sit on someone's lap to fit on the bandwagon. (Don't ask Sarah Thomson to move, Senator: she's a lady, and she got there first.)
(Images: Smitherman, Shaun Merritt; Vaughan, BriYYZ.)


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Writing a Thesis - Thesis Seminar
Writing a Thesis - Thesis Seminar
Proposed topics for the Thesis
In order to write a thesis (master or bachelor) you have to make an appointment for office hours and hand in (by post or e-mail):
• a transcript about your courses and seminars (Agnes).
• a draft proposal of the topic of the thesis (half page). You may suggest several alternatives.
Based on your proposal we will discuss the project during office hours.
In line with current teaching at the chair, I propose some topics from the design and regulation of network based energy systems and energy policy in general. But students can suggest own topics for their thesis.
Once accepted, you will be signed up for the thesis seminar which provides the framework for the supervision of your work. You have to make three presentations in the seminar:
• In the first, at the beginning of the term, you will outline your project: motivation, what kind of results do you want to obtain, the methodological approach, etc. Only then you will register for the thesis by filling out the form of the examination office.
• After about half of the time, you will give a second presentation reporting preliminary results, open problems, changes in your approach, etc.
• The final presentation is about two weeks before the deadline for handing in the thesis. You will report progress and new problems and we will discuss last minute changes.
• Distortion of energy prices through taxes
and subsidies
• Pricing network access
• Competition for RES subsidies
• Reserve Capacity Markets and RES Power
• Cost of re-dispatch and intermittent power production in Germany
• Zonal versus Nodal Pricing (in Germany)
• Development of the European transmission system
• Market coupling
• Subsidies for power production from renewable sources in Germany
• Public subsidies for conventional and renewable power production
• Market designs for ancillary services and reserve capacity
• The value of intermittent power production
• Cost of re-dispatch versus cost of transmission capacity
• The economics of power storage
• The European CO2 market
• Negative power prices and the value of flexibility
• Challenges for "Energy only" power markets
• Capacity credits of wind and solar power
• The economics of "power gas"
Some previous topics for thesis
• A harmonized European electricity balancing market
• Market coupling in the Electricity Markets: CEE and CWE regions
• Market design for Capacity Markets - Assuring resource adequacy in the German electricity market
• Power Prices in Germany - Impact of renewable energy on power prices
• Analysis of Short-Term Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on Market Outcomes on Overlapping Routes in the Airline Industry


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Christmas in July
It is hard to believe that a year ago today I was in the final round of The Crafts Report 2013 Cover Contest. It was an unforgettable summer adventure and as you know, the past year has been pretty extraordinary too. This month marks my fifth feature in The Crafts Report since my first feature last October. Click here to see my feature in the "'Christmas in July' Wish List" article and you might just be adding a scarf from my new collection to your Christmas wish...Read More
Spoiler Alert (A.K.A. The Inside Scoop!)
I have heard a lot of feedback that some of you VERY observant Team Pamela members noticed something "different" in this photo outside of the WAVE 3 studios. Why yes, that IS a new scarf. In fact, it is a DyeSign from my new scarf collection! Details are coming soon, but for now you can get another sneak peek of more pieces from my new collection in my recent TV interview. —> CLICK HERE to see the interview. <— Look for the "Featured Videos" box in the top right corner & click on the "DyeSigns By Pamela, Inc."...Read More
As Seen On… Wave Country with Dawne Gee
What do… As seen on TV, As seen on WAVE 3, and As seen on Dawne Gee …have in common? Well besides being a fabulous and timely rhyme, they all describe me! In case you missed seeing my recent TV interview on Wave Country with Dawne Gee, below is the link where you can watch it. —> CLICK HERE to watch the interview. <— Look for the "Featured Videos" box in the top right corner & click on the "DyeSigns By Pamela, Inc." link. (Bonus points to anyone who pops a bag of popcorn to watch it!) Bucket List Update: Add "As seen on TV" to the resume....Read More
Set Your DVR
This week I taped a fun and fabulous interview with one of Louisville's most loved local newscasters, Dawne Gee of Wave 3 TV. My scarves and I will be featured on a Wave Country with Dawne Gee segment which will air several times this weekend in the Kentuckiana/Wave 3 viewing area. The episode will air… Saturday (14th) at 4:30am on Wave 3 Sunday (15th) at 4:30am on Wave 3 Monday (16th) at 6:30 am on Bounce channel (TWC 193) Monday (16th) at 8:30 am on THIS TV channel (TWC 194) Thursday (19th) at 6:00 am on THIS TV channel (TWC 194) Friday (20th) at 8:30 am on THIS TV channel (TWC 194) I hear you shouting… "But I am not awake at 4:30 am!" "But I am not in the Wave 3 viewing area!" "But I don't get those channels." … but don't you worry! Starting next week you can watch the segment online any time of day, from anywhere in the world. I will let you know the link to the website next week once the segment is posted. So tune in to Wave 3 this weekend, set your DVR, or be on the lookout for my post next week with the link to watch the segment...Read More
It Happened Again
I am so delighted to be in my fourth issue issue of The Crafts Report magazine. I am featured in the May 2014 issue in the article "Focus: Mother's Day Delights". Check it out for a sneak peek at my new...Read More


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AVG Pro APK Overview
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What Are The Benefits to Diamond Jewelry?
If you are planning on buying jewelry for yourself, or for a loved one, then you will obviously have a lot of choices to choose from. If you are looking for the perfect precious stoned jewelry, then you should really consider diamond jewelry. If you choose diamond jewelry, then you will be able to receive all the great benefits that it offers you and anyone else. This article is for anyone that wants to know and understand the best benefits to diamond jewelry. This article is going to take you through some of the greatest benefits that you will receive from diamond jewelry. So out of all the great benefits to diamond jewelry, here are only the top 3 benefits.
The first benefit that diamond jewelry will provide for you is beauty. When you wear jewelry, you probably want to look beautiful in it. Since diamond is always a beautiful stone, you can be sure that you will be able to show off even more beauty by wearing great and beautiful diamond jewelry. If you pick out diamond jewelry, then you can be sure that it will show off great beauty in itself that will really compliment your own beauty and the beauty of your outfit. So beauty is the first great benefit that diamond jewelry will surely provide for you.
Durability is actually another one of the greatest benefits that you will receive from diamond jewelry. When you buy jewelry, of course you will want it to last for a very long time without either breaking, withering away, or any of that sort. No, you will want to make sure that the jewelry you buy is strong, sturdy, and durable. But with diamond jewelry, you won't be seeing it breaking or fading away in a very long time because of the diamond's great durability. So this is benefit number two that you will receive from diamond jewelry.
Yet another thing, diamond jewelry can provide many options to choose from. When you buy jewelry, you will want to make sure that you can find necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and any other kind of jewelry with the same precious stone. You can be sure that when you go to a jewelry shop, you will find any and all kind of jewelries that come in diamonds. So with this benefit, you can wear an all diamond jewelry fashion to your next party or big event. So this is benefit number three that you will receive from diamond jewelry; however, just because this was the last benefit that we mentioned here in no way means it is the least of the benefits to diamond jewelry.
What I Can Teach You About Trends


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Monday, April 18, 2011
SEC Announces Settlement of Insider Trading Charges Involving DRS Technologies
The SEC announced a proposed settlement with two Italian citizens, Oscar Ronzoni and Paolo Busardò, their investment vehicle, Tatus Corp., and another related entity, A-Round Investment SA, for alleged insider trading in the securities of DRS Technologies, Inc. Ronzoni, Busardo, and their related entities have agreed to settle the Commission's charges by, among other things, paying approximately $1.46 million in disgorgement and penalties. In its October 2010 Amended Complaint, the Commission alleges that Ronzoni, Busardò, Tatus, and A-Round purchased DRS call options that were out-of-the-money and set to expire in the near term while in possession of material, nonpublic information concerning the acquisition of DRS. If approved, the settlement would bring this litigation to a close and bring the total disgorgement and penalties collected in this civil action to approximately $4.4 million.


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Undergraduate linguistics and human research ethics
CitationExport citation
Barbour, J. R. (2016). Undergraduate linguistics and human research ethics. Te Reo, 59, 71–89.
Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/12691
For students of linguistics at the University of Waikato, in Aotearoa/New Zealand, human research ethics has been something of a mystery. Delayed until graduate study, allocated to a generic Research Methods class, or even encountered for the first time in the preparation of an application for Human Research Ethics approval, ethics has been viewed as a separable module of learning, closely tied to graduate study, but less relevant to our undergraduate students. In this paper, the argument is put forward that ethical learning can and should be incorporated into the undergraduate linguistics curriculum. Two sets of ethical principles that could inform such a curriculum are presented, followed by the description of a pedagogic strategy that can be used to ensure that students graduating with a linguistics degree take with them an understanding of ethical considerations relevant to their discipline.
© Linguistic Society of New Zealand. Used with permission.


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for love of nature
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Sometimes, NOT Sharing Is Caring
I'm a writer, and therefore in the business of sharing. On social media, I don't tend to favor those who launch deliberately vague posts which cause others to wonder about the circumstances, but remain respectfully afraid to ask followup questions. It has recently dawned on me that I might have been one of those very people over the last few months. For that I apologize.
I haven't been intentionally opaque but as a writer, I've also been taught to share things that people might actually care about.
Having said that, if you really don't want to know about my health issues (and believe me, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't!), stop reading now because I'm about to bore you. However, if you've been wondering about my weird Facebook posts on the subjects of surgery, back pain, and pain meds, I will solve the mystery for you.
So . . . many moons ago, I was accidentally diagnosed with a few fibroid tumors — like half of the female free world. I was having lower stomach pains and during an ultrasound intended to rule out appendicitis, a few fibroids were detected.
My doctor told me that we were coexisting nicely, my fibroids and I, and if they became a problem I should do something about them. But not until. Her only concern was that they were positioned in an area that could prevent conception should I want to have children. If you know me at all, you'll realize that this was only an incentive to keep them. They weren't bothering me AND they were an added bit of birth control? I had hit the medical jackpot.
She gave me a few warning signs to look for that would indicate that the fibroids were becoming a problem. Excessive bleeding was the one that stuck out, as several of my friends experienced similar issues that forced them to have surgery.
I lived my life very happily for many years, until I began noticing things about my body. Things I didn't like. My increasing waistline was of major concern. I've always been the girl with the small waist. Even though I have an ass and huge thighs, at LEAST the Universe gave me a tiny waist to offset them. However, I'd noticed a little thickening over the years, which was upsetting and perplexing. The other problem was my ability to watch my food digesting. Probably more information than anyone needs, but I noticed that, whenever I ate a large enough meal, I could see the resulting lump in my stomach. Sometimes through my shirts, if they were clingy enough. Yuck. I was also starting to have random pain in my lower back — around the kidney area.
But because I thought I felt good (in the grand scheme of things), I didn't think about any of these problems very much (until I attempted to zip my smaller sized jeans).
If I weren't vain, I might have happily lived on with small issues cropping up randomly and my stomach expanding annually.
I was in Miami for about three months last year and while shopping on Lincoln Road, decided to slink into BCBG to try on a Herve Legere bandage dress (because whenever I'm in Miami, I like to skank it up). I zipped it, turned around and yelled "What the fuck is THAT?" Turns out, that? Was a gut! An honest to God gut? I've never had a gut in my life! (Again, a major butt, but never a gut!) And, I might add, a gut that looked absolutely terrible when accentuated by a purple bandage dress.
I thought about it, and realized that the fibroids were clearly out of control. I channeled my friend Jen, and went on WebMD to check symptoms, and while I didn't have the normal associated ailments, I had others, and because my stomach was hard, not flabby, I was pretty sure that my fibroids were the problem (either that or I needed to abandon the pizza — which I should probably do anyway, but that's hardly the point). While recalling all of the small abnormalities in my health, it was amazing that I had grown used to them and that they were the new normal.
Long story short, I eventually returned to Chicago and had an ultrasound. The technician lost count at 13 fibroid tumors. I met a doctor whom I instantly hated. She was only too happy to tell me that I needed a hysterectomy, with a big smile on her face (yeah lady, bite me!). I did research, and research and more research to find a minimally invasive way to take care of a maximally invasive problem. Everyone had suggestions, but none of those suggestions pertained to me.
I was referred to a wonderful doctor whom I instantly loved and he convinced me that, not only did I need a hysterectomy, but that I needed the kind that required the big incision. And not the cute horizontal bikini cut. The ginormous vertical cut! Because apparently I had let this scenario drag out for too long, and if I did nothing else well, I grew fibroids superbly.
If you're in this situation, what I recommend you DON'T do? Is read too many bulletin boards and websites of women who have had similar surgeries. They will give great tips, but they will also scare you to death. They will make you think your life is over and that you're never going to be even remotely attractive, ever again in your life. They will make you believe that you won't be able to walk for an entire week, and that it will take 6 months to put your jeans back on — if that ever happens. You'll read about their infections, emergencies, and their tremendous weight gain. Those websites freaked me out, and almost kept me from having surgery.
The BF, however, who had been a saint throughout my emotional and physical drama, finally told me in no uncertain terms that the surgery would happen if he had to take a kitchen utensil and perform it himself. My doctor assured me that some of those women were sedentary, in poor health otherwise, and just plain out of their minds. He roped me back in.
So, after about 15 people asked me if I was SURE I didn't want to have children, surgery was scheduled, and on October 28th I became fibroid free. My operation was a complete freak show. If you watch Grey's Anatomy, you'll know that interns and residents love nothing more than having the chance to work on a patient who has a weird condition. They hovered over me in pre-op, which was nothing short of hilarity.
The surgery went perfectly, and I received a series of post-op visits from interns and doctors who were eager to discuss the amount of fibroids (17, all told) and size of my stomach, and how they've "never seen anything that large come out of a person of my size." Unlike the predictions on the bulletin board/website, my stomach flattened immediately, and eventually I was pleased to have lost weight (as opposed to the weight gain that I had anticipated).
After 2-3 days, I strong-armed my doctors into releasing me from the hospital, and the BF was an incredible caretaker (despite the fact that he had bronchitis at the time). I had previously been skeptical about his nursemaid skills, as I'm the natural caretaker of the two of us, but he was attentive and did a great job. I'm not the best patient. I was supposed to limit my stair climbing (I was ALL up and down the stairs all day), I wasn't supposed to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds (I think my purse alone weighs 12 lbs), and I was supposed to focus on relaxing and healing (I think I'm allergic to relaxation). I was unable to drive for an entire month (he confiscated the keys, which forced me to comply). It was a process.
A month later, around Thanksgiving and JUST when I was feeling good after the surgery, I started to feel like I had a knot in my right shoulder blade. Like, maybe I'd slept in a funny position and needed to get it worked out. I got a series of massages from great massage therapists (not including the one guy whom I'm convinced was highly skilled in happy endings). In all cases, I felt better for about an hour, but always returned to the pain. The pain grew progressively worse, and I went to chiropractors and muscle therapists. Each had their benefits, but no real improvement.
I tried every form of painkiller that could be purchased over the counter. I learned a few valuable lesson. First OTC drugs ain't shit! Great for headaches and slight relief, but if you REALLY want to wipe it out, you need a prescription for something heavier. Second, people who don't know what's wrong will take your money to experiment on you. It's not their fault, per se, but it's something to be mindful of as you advocate for your own health.
I discovered the wonderment of pain patches. I covered my shoulder blade in Salonpas (which I always thought was an extremely stupid name. Sounds like an animal in a spa, doesn't it?). A few days later I realized that pain patches aggravate my skin, so I could have either continued to look like I had been laying on a Weber grill, or leave the patches alone. Again, vanity won, even though I was seriously considering trying to find a special drug dealer who sold muscle relaxers by the pallet.
This nightmare continued on for weeks, and on Christmas day I fell down the stairs in my house. And not a graceful fall, either. I took a nasty spill that included a leg flying in the air and landing directly on my back. As my luck would have it, I landed directly on the pained area, and slid aggressively down the stairs. I felt the blow of each stair on my right shoulder blade until the BF caught me at stair 13 of 15. I continued the day, and even managed to visit the home of one of my BF's cousins (who are big affectionate huggers, which is frightening to someone with a back injury, but I made it through).
On December 26th, I woke up and decided to make a trip to the ER. I received x-rays (and a lovely dose of valium along with a coveted limited prescription), and it was determined that I hadn't fractured anything.
On December 27th, I had a followup visit with a doctor from my primary care physician's office. I got more x-rays, and they found a degenerative joint disease in my neck (which is essentially the normal degeneration we have when we age), and shortening of the space between a few vertabrae.
Right before the end of the year I was prescribed a mild muscle relaxer for the pain (and by "mild," I mean "barely noticeable").
On January 9th, after leaving me on hold for nearly an hour, my insurance company FINALLY approved my order for physical therapy (which I must complete before I'm allowed to have an MRI). On the same day, I visited my new physical therapist and received a treatment plan. I was previously irritated that I had to go to physical therapy, but I have to admit that my therapist has been the only person who has given me some sort of logical explanation as to why I have this problem. Now, let's see if she can successfully improve it. The jury is out, but I'm optimistic (desperate).
I should note that by January 10th, I had signed up for health insurance with a different company.
So, where we stand today is that I'm still in pain (and would strangle a small child if I were promised a good comfortable night of sleep), I'm in physical therapy, still looking for the perfect painkiller, I've abandoned all other therapies, and it was suggested that I remain active and have a daily cardio activity. Today I also determined that spinning is a bit much for me at this juncture. Soon. I'm tired of doctors and diagnoses and ice and smelling of Ben Gay, and am looking forward to a new chapter. A new healthy chapter. And I'm planning a party to celebrate the return of my waist.
And now that I've shared, you still might not care. But at least my posts will make more sense going forward.


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Mobile App News – This Week!
Another exciting week in the mobile app industry. Google's reward program is something most will be excited about. Read on!
Snapchat CEO Takes The Stand
Snapchat CEO posted a 4 minute educational video to make parents understand why their children are hooked up to his app. Parents can't understand the importance of clicking images of random things and conversing through them. Evan Spiegel explains that the concept of social media has changed over time. When the concept of social media took form, people were accumulating their life for other people to view but with the evolution of social media, people want to instantly express themselves. Thus, the concept of Snapchat was born. Snapchat works in three stage – Users send images, chat with friends and create stories. The images taken over the day unfold into a story, letting the user express themselves instantly. Spiegel then went on to delete all his twitter posts claiming that they had accumulated data which is, "so yesterday."
Mandatory Monitoring Tool For Teens Under 19
South Korea is forcing parents to monitor the phones bought for kids less than 19 years of age. Smart Sheriff is a smart phone monitoring tool which can trigger the search of specific keywords, block harmful websites, and even give the option to completely lock the mobile phone, if needed. Hot keywords such as pregnancy, drugs, running away from home, etc. will send a trigger alert to their parents. This particular rule is under a lot of speculation. Critics think that the government should not be force parents to use the app – Rather, they should be given the option on how they want to monitor their child. Similarly, this rule applies for new smart phones and not other hand me downs and iPhones, as the app works only on Android devices.
Vessel – The Upcoming Video Streaming App Hoping To Hijack YouTube Users
Vessel is a video streaming service launched earlier this month. For users requesting an Android app, it's out now. Take note that the app only works for device running on Android version 4.1 or higher. This unique video streaming service gives early access to content from YouTube stars for a minimum fee of just $3. Their main focus is short videos and they get their content from other sources like BuzzFeed, New York Times, etc. To achieve this business model, Vessel offers compelling incentives to YouTube video creators to post their content in Vessel, 72 hours prior to uploading it on YouTube.
Google Announces Reward Programs For Finding Security Issues In Android OS
Google has long had such programs for their various apps and websites, but in the quest to make their OS more secure, they have launched this security program. The program plans to make awards for high and medium security issues, with the importance given to low-risk issues on case to case basis. The vulnerabilities should be tested for the latest available version of Google Nexus 6 and Nexus 9. No other products (such as Android Wear, Tango, etc.) are included in the program. Hopefully, through enforcing such measures, Google can achieve a more secured OS.
Watch this space for more exciting news. Want to develop your own app and make news, contact us now!


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Simple Creamy Potato Casserole
A cold January weekday is the perfect day for this recipe! It assembles in under 10 minutes (including the time it takes to walk out to the deep freezer in the garage) and is so, so yummy.
This creamy potato casserole may just become your best friend — as far as side dishes go! First, it's gluten-free – so it's universally accepted at your office or church potluck! Second, it only contains 5-ingredients making it both inexpensive and simple to make. And last, it's so, so perfectly creamy and comforting and full of potato goodness.
Another bonus — this recipe requires no peeling or boiling of potatoes thanks to frozen Southern style hash browns (that's where the deep freezer comes into the equation).
I've kept this recipe super basic, only adding the essentials. But feel free to give it some flair! Maybe a buttery Ritz cracker crumb topping or how about loading it up with bacon crumbles, scallions, shredded cheese and sour cream?! It just so happens the day I made this, we were trying to get back into the routine of school and work after winter break and this basic version was all I could muster — and it hit the spot!
So, whether you keep it simple like I did or your give it some flair – I'm sure this little recipe will work it's way into a long-term relationship with your family!
Creamy Potato Casserole
- 2 lb bag frozen hash browns, I used Southern style diced
- 1 c heavy whipping cream
- 3 oz white cheddar or original Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 3 oz shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 3 T salted butter, cubed
- 1 t sea salt
- 1/4 t black pepper
Preheat oven to 350°**. In a 9″ x 13″ baking dish, combine all ingredients. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove from oven, stir and season to taste. Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake for 15-20 more minutes to thicken.
Serves 8
* Laughing Cow triangles work well in place of Velveeta
** You can just as easily place this casserole in the oven while it's preheating.


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Free Fiction Monday: Substitutions
Silas has worked for Death in Nevada for 150 years. He gets Christmas and Christmas Eve off. Only this year, his substitute finds him in a Las Vegas casino. His substitute, who is little more than a boy, a boy whose task terrifies him.
If the boy finishes the task, he'll have a permanent job. If he doesn't, a dozen kids will live in agony.
Silas hates the choice. He wants to tell the boy, That's the job. Get used to it. But he can't abandon the poor boy on Christmas…
Chosen as one of the best short mystery stories of 2007.
"Substitutions," by New York Times bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch, is free on this website for one week only. The story's also available as an ebook through various online retailers here. And if you want to get in on the excitement of the WMG Holiday Spectacular 2019, which brings a new holiday story to your inbox every day through to New Year's Day, click here.
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The free story will be available for one week only. If you missed this one, click on the links above. There's another free story lurking somewhere around the site. Track the story down, read, and enjoy!


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It is without any doubt that Caitriona Balfe has dedicated the few years of her life to Outlander. It takes a long time to film all the episodes. In an interview with Canada's Hello Magazine, Caitriona discusses the impact on her life and season two of Outlander.
In many ways Outlander has become our lives. It's pretty much all consuming but it's fantastic," gushed leading lady Caitriona Balfe during a recent chat in Toronto.
"It was such a wonderful experience last year. And then when it came out there was just such a great reaction to the show," she tells us, adding, "You hope that the original fans [of the books] will love what you do and we're very grateful that they sort of transferred their love to our show."
Source: Hello


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Press Releases
Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's decision to bring the Senate back to normal operations amid the coronavirus pandemic. She also sent Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) a letter on the subject that is available here.
"More Americans have died from coronavirus than died during the Vietnam War, and America leads the world in both infections and deaths.
"Every day I look at the numbers of new cases and deaths in the world, in the United States, and in California. It is clear that we remain in a critical time. In many states, the spread of this disease is continuing at a steady rate and transmission is even accelerating in others. This is not the time to back off of protective measures.
"The Attending Physician of Congress, Dr. Brian Monahan, advised House leadership that he recommends against resuming their session. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer did the right thing by heeding this public health advice and are setting the right example for the country.
"That's why I ask the majority leader to reconsider his plan to reconvene the Senate. He would bring 100 senators and many more staff members and reporters into close proximity while Washington itself remains under a stay-at-home order. There is no way to do this without increased risk. This is the wrong example for the country.
"To date, at least one senator, eight Capitol Police officers and 11 workers with the Architect of the Capitol have tested positive for the virus. As Dr. Monahan convinced leaders in the House, returning the Senate for non-essential business is not worth the risk."


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Daily Verb Lesson: French for be confirmed is se confirmerThe French for be confirmed is the regular ER reflexive verb se confirmer.
To remember this, imagine a T.V. show host in the French colours - red, white and blue - says, you have been CONFIRMED as the winner! "
se confirmer can also mean; to be corroborated.
Related words include:
- confirmer (v) : to confirm, to uphold, to bear out.
- la confirmation (nf) : confirmation; certification; check.
- confirmé (adj/pp) : confirmed; borne out; experienced.
The meaning of verbs can change when in the Reflexive. They often show action done to oneself or between each other, and use the Reflexive Pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se). Reflexive verbs also take être in the compound tenses and the Past Participle agrees in number and gender with the subject.
Learn and remember French vocab, try innovative memory techniques like Cartoon Memory Triggers. To remember a word, just think of the pic!
to be confirmed: se confirmer
Imagine a T.V. show host in the French colours says,
"You have been CONFIRMED as the winner!"
|← Yesterday's Lesson | More French Lessons | Add Daily French Lessons to Your Website Free
✔ Se confirmer is a regular ER reflexive verb. There are over 5,000 ER verbs these being the most common verbs in French.
✔ Learn se confirmer and it will reinforce the pattern for ALL those other ER verbs.
✔ Do these verbs every day for a month and you will have a solid knowledge of the ER verbs' conjugation patterns.
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French Learning Made Fun and Fast with your free Daily French Verb Lesson - se confirmer.


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A quick report to let you all know that Clara is out of surgery and it went well. We'll share more details in a longer post later tonight but wanted to thank everyone for all of your prayers. We are praising our mighty and merciful God. Continue praying as Clara will likely face some more setbacks in the next few days. About an hour ago she had a heart arrhythmia and the doctors are working now to try to determine the cause of it. She is currently stable and doing fine. More updates later. Thanks again for your faithful prayers.
March 31, 2011
7 comments:
We are SOOO grateful and are continuing to be diligent in our prayers! You have a lot of people in Maryland and Oregon praying for you and your precious little Clara!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 5:26 PM
So thankful that the surgery went well...continuing to pray for all those post surgical hurdles to go just as well. Baby Clara is as strong as she is beautiful!ReplyDelete
Susan Cain
- AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 5:38 PM
Praise the Lord !ReplyDelete
Thank God! How blessed Clara is the Lord chose you and Robert as her parents. May God continue to take care of Clara along with the excellent medical team. May He also give you and Robert the strength to handle each second, moment, hour and days ahead. Thanks for keeping us posted. I know it must take a lot of time and emotional energy. In a funny kind of way, Clara is all of our "Baby Girl"! Love, Linda and Larry Varner (Cole's parents)ReplyDelete
So glad to hear that the surgery went well. I will continue to pray that the next few days Clara will heal and get stronger for the next steps ahead.ReplyDelete
Mommy to Marco LCDH 3.2.07
- Elaine BaerMarch 31, 2011 at 7:08 PM
Chrissy, In one of your blogs you talked about image prayer. I just wanted to tell you that my image prayer is of God holding Clara" in the palm of His hand." The quote is from the song "On Eagles' Wings. Today He held Clara and lifted her up on Eagles' Wings. Praise God for her successful surgery.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Hardy Family,ReplyDelete
I would just like to thank you for giving us the honor of witnessing this very special part of your lives. It is amazing how a baby girl can impact others' lives so profoundly. I have always considered myself to be faithful person, but I know that with the immediate concerns of school and work, I have been remiss in my faith and allowed it to fall to the wayside. Your family's faith has been such an inspiration to me, and I have prayed more in the past two weeks than I have in a long time. Thank you for helping me to realign the priorities in my life and rekindle my relationship with God. Clara truly is a testament to the power of God and the miracles He can work.
Continuing to pray for your family, Clara, the doctors, surgeons, and nurses, and everyone else who has been touched by your amazing story,
Erica Sigley