text:
Nepal Church Bomber Faked Repentance
Imprisoned chief of Hindu militant group used Christianity to cover up extortion, terror
KATHMANDU, Nepal – The chief of a militant Hindu extremist group sought to disguise his extortion and terror activities from behind bars by claiming he had repented of bombing a church in Nepal and showing interest in Christianity, according to investigators.
The revelation emerged when Nepal's premier investigation agency foiled a plot to explode a series of bombs devised by Ram Prasad Mainali, former chief of the Hindu militant outfit Nepal Defence Army (NDA), in the capital city of Kathmandu. Police on March 4 arrested six cohorts of Mainali carrying powerful "socket bombs" – home-made, hand grenade-type weapons made from plumbing joints – and high-explosive powder, to be used as part of a plan to extort money from industrialists, The Himalayan Times reported.
In an interview last year, Mainali had told Compass that his interaction with Christians inside jail in Kathmandu's Nakkhu area had led him to repent of his deeds and read the Bible (see www.compassdirect.org, "Bomber in Nepal Repents, Admits India Link," Jan. 4, 2010). Mainali was arrested on Sept. 5, 2009 for exploding a bomb in a Catholic parish in Kathmandu, Our Lady of the Assumption, which killed a teenager and a newly married woman and injured more than a dozen others on May 23 of that year.
Prior to the Compass interview, Mainali had sent a handwritten letter from the prison to a monthly Christian newsmagazine in Nepal, Hamro Ashish (Our Blessing), saying he regretted having attacked Christians.
A local Christian worker who had known Mainali said the church bomber used Christianity to evade police surveillance.
"I was disheartened when I recently learned that Mainali had threatened some pastors with violent attacks, demanding protection money from them," he told Compass on condition of anonymity.
The source said Mainali threatened him and pastors he knew by phone. He suspected that a fellow prisoner, Jeevan Rai Majhi, previously considered a convert to Christianity, had given the pastors' phone numbers to Mainali. Majhi, formerly a notorious criminal, had allegedly accepted Christ inside the prison, and jail authorities made him the prison leader. He also led a Bible study group in the prison.
"Some prisoners who attend the Bible study in the Nakkhu Jail told me that Mainali shared the extortion money with Majhi, which aroused jealousy among other prisoners, who reported it to the jail authorities," the source said.
Around 150 prisoners attend the Nakkhu Gospel Church inside the prison premises, though Majhi is no longer leading it. Both Mainali and Majhi were recently transferred, Mainali to the Dilli-Bazaar Jail and Majhi to the Mid-Nepal Central Jail.
Deputy Inspector General of Police and Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) Director Rajendra Singh Bhandari told The Kathmandu Post that the arrest of Mainali's men was a "tremendous achievement" that averted "mass casualties" in the capital.
"It seems that Mainali had filled the arrestees' minds with dreams of earning quick bucks through terror," the daily quoted another investigation official as saying.
The Christian source said he still hoped for genuine repentance in Mainali and Majhi.
"Mainali and Majhi must have at least some knowledge of the Bible," he said. "So I am still hopeful that they would reflect on who God is and truly repent of their ways as they spend their time in prison cells incommunicado [prohibited from speaking with any outsider]."
According to The Kathmandu Post, the CIB had been observing Mainali following complaints that he had demanded large sums of money from businessmen and others.
"He had been making phone calls and sending demand letters to them," the daily reported on March 4.
Compass requested an interview with Mainali at the Dilli-Bazaar Jail, which officials refused.
"We have orders not to allow Mainali to meet anyone," said one official.
Mainali had earlier told Compass that he formed the NDA with the support of Hindu nationalists in India in 2007 to re-establish the Hindu monarchy, which fell after a decade-long armed struggle by former Maoist guerrillas peaked in 2006, when all political parties joined protests against King Gyanendra.
The NDA is also believed to be responsible for bombing mosques and killing Muslims and Christians, including the Rev. John Prakash Moyalan, a Catholic priest who was principal of the Don Bosco educational institution in eastern Nepal, in June 2008. While Christians in Nepal faced persecution at the hands of the Hindu monarchy until 2006, non-state actors have been attacking them since the country began transitioning to a secular democracy.
"Several incidents of religiously incited violence directed at minority religions and their property have been recorded since the signing of the peace accord [between the interim government and the Maoists in 2006]," a local Non-Governmental Organization, Informal Sector Service Sector (INSEC), noted last year.
"Although moves have been made to promote religious tolerance and a climate of peace and cooperation, this area must continuously be monitored," stated an INSEC report, "Commitment versus Reality," which mentioned attacks on Christians by Mainali's outfit.
Of the roughly 30 million people in Nepal, only .5 percent are Christian, and more than 80 percent are Hindu, according to the 2001 census. The actual number of Christians, however, is believed to be much higher.


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Monday, June 27, 2011
The Four Steps To My WS DNF
50 comments:
- Paul said...
Such is life!
On to the next race!...8)
(I'd be thrilled to run 55 miles) - June 27, 2011 at 8:45 PM
- R. Logan Brooks said...
Nicely said. On a side note, your record of 8 straight 100 mile wins or whatever ridiculous amount it was unreal. Take care man.
- June 27, 2011 at 9:23 PM
- Dahiya said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- June 27, 2011 at 9:37 PM
- Dahiya said...
Hey Geoff,
In your pre-WS interview with irunfar, you mentioned about cold & timetrail kinda uphill climbs in Alaska & I thought in my head.... whooops, but hey...you are a super-duper ultra athlete & you know your body well, So never mind about WS-2011 outcome.
You still rock, keep up that passion for mountains, nature and running...I hope many people like me respect you for that. You indeed inspire a lot of people.
Train hard again for UTMB (of course you know what kind of training!) AND very imp...Stay away from Evil people...hahaha j/k
The world doesn't end here!
Best wishes - June 27, 2011 at 9:39 PM
- sharmanian said...
After your comeback last year I half expected you to shoot past in one of those canyons then chase down the win, but you'll be back to give them hell in Chamonix. Rest well.
- June 27, 2011 at 9:55 PM
- GZ said...
Sh*t happens. If it didn't then this would be too easy and we'd probably not do it. And, fwiw, I find there are more lessons we learn in failure than success.
Onward, upward. - June 27, 2011 at 10:59 PM
- mi55ter said...
Whoa, that "Yo, feet" blog entry looked a bit like stalking. Maybe it'd be healthier for that person to run his own trails and let others run theirs.
I like the way you're handling this year's WS. Your analysis sounds healthy. Now, on to the next one!
Matt - June 28, 2011 at 2:16 AM
- sado said...
Geoff, I truly admire your honesty. Best wishes.
- June 28, 2011 at 2:33 AM
- JR said...
hey Geoff,
no matter what your results the other day, you and your fellow runners are truely inspiring in a world of drugged up and over paid athletes. You guys do this stuff b/c it is what you like to do which makes it all the more interesting for all of us. Go gettem at UTMB! - June 28, 2011 at 4:34 AM
- Derrick said...
Interesting to read your thoughts on the race. Didn't sound ideal going into the race, but you always hope for the best. In many ways I expect that you'll run that much better in UTMB now than if you'd had a good race at WS.
Was great/classy to see you and the exchange in the video before Kilian hit the track. - June 28, 2011 at 4:36 AM
- Charlie said...
Geoff, you are an awesome runner with an impressive record of wins. I think you will do well at UTMB. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
- June 28, 2011 at 5:14 AM
- lafritse said...
Hey Geoff,
I'm really sorry you DNF this race. I hope you'll be 100% at the end of august for UTMB.
I just wanted to ask you a question. I red something quite interesting in the link you gave us at the beginning of this article. The author mentionned your lack of focus on this year's WS100 to explain your failure.
What's your opinion about this analyze? More generally, do you think it's not possible to combine the real running pleasure (pleasure you took the last monthes) with a strong racing motivation?
Is it compulsory to be really focused to win the kind of race?
Thanks in advance for your answer and sorry for my english, I'm french and it's hard!!!
Best of luck for your season. - June 28, 2011 at 5:33 AM
- eric said...
i wonder if the constant altitude of boulder comes into play... with the switch to juneau just before the run, your body could have been slightly confused. not that i really know what i'm talking about, just talked to some people who have moved there about how long it takes to adjust.
the thing that's remarkable to me is that, feeling badly, you still managed to run over 2 marathons. i mean, 55 miles of running is pretty ridiculous on it's own...
hopefully, you got a chance to enjoy some scenery and at least could enjoy being in such a lively environment. - June 28, 2011 at 5:53 AM
- The Sean said...
drop in the bucket... rest up and move on!!
- June 28, 2011 at 5:56 AM
- Unknown said...
I've just recently started reading your blog, Geoff, as I've started trying to make a return to ultras after a 10 yr layoff. Your approach is an inspiration and reminds me why I missed this sport so much. So thanks for that.
You went out at WS and gave it what you had on that day. Who can ask for more?? - June 28, 2011 at 6:03 AM
- Devon said...
I came into states last year with the edges of a lingering cold and thought that I was recovered enough that it wouldn't effect me, but the factors at play in a mountain 100 seem to be too much for a weakened immune system. Couple that with a bit of overtraining/undertapering and there is no way around what happened. When I saw you come in to Michigan Bluff, I completely sympathized. I did the death march out of the canyons as well.
From the Fall of '09 until this past winter, I had four big races affected by illness and I was wondering what the heck, how can I be missing so many races due to illness, I don't feel like I get sick that often. As you pointed out, 4 races out of 40 is not a high number, but some how statistics don't remove the frustration by it. I finally got a flu shot, take regular wellness supplements and haven't missed a race because of sickness since. I highly recommend a flu shot.
Recover well. Take good care of yourself. I look forward to seeing you rock UTMB later this summer. - June 28, 2011 at 7:04 AM
- Brandon said...
I am beginning to think that 100 mile performance is directly related to beer consumption...I mean look at AJW.
It may be helpful to analyze your consumption statistics as you approach UTMB.
Brandon - June 28, 2011 at 8:34 AM
- Alfonso Lopez said...
Hello Geoff, I follow your blog for three years, and really are an inspiration to continue progressing as runner .. I write from Spain, I'm happy for the victory of Kilian but I'd like you won the UTMB and later UROC .. I faced the cold western has been key to undermine your whole body .. you are an example in victory and in defeat
- June 28, 2011 at 8:34 AM
- Martin Philip said...
Hang in there Geoff. I say congratulations to you for keeping it in perspective and being such a classy, humble presence.
Best of luck in realizing your dreams at the UTMB, or, better yet, enjoy the mountains and let the rest of the chips fall where they may.
Be well,
Martin - June 28, 2011 at 9:09 AM
- Kris said...
I think you do get sick alot. 2-3 times a year is alot. I get sick once per year or sometimes every 2 years. Getting sick that many times per year isn't normal. You should check into that. I expect you to win UTMB. - June 28, 2011 at 10:28 AM
- Tiffany Guerra said...
Hi Geoff,
Sorry you were not feeling well during Western States... I was pullin' for ya! But yeah, stuff happens. Always will.
Reading the Yo, Feet! blog was interesting... I hope you don't pay heed to such analyses, as after all you are the one who knows better than anyone what you need, what motivates you, etc... and it sounds like you are pretty in touch with that (or at least thinking deeply about it)!
Keeping running strong, Geoff. Hope you are feeling better and best of luck at UTMB. - June 28, 2011 at 10:35 AM
- Eric B said...
UTMB, 26 August, 2011.
- June 28, 2011 at 11:09 AM
- Geoff said...
I thought a bit about this and I don't think it's a one or the other kind of thing. I think you can have the super relaxed/low focus approach and still compete at your top level on race day. this is after all pretty much what i've done for the past two years. I did have a ton of focus on WS last year and have had a ton of focus on a few races I've done in the past two years, but for most of them I have been every bit as relaxed and low-key as I was for WS this year. Mountain Masochist in '09 and Chuckanut this year might be the two best races I've had in terms of pure physical performance and both of those were about as unfocused or an approach as i've had to any races.
yeah, i would love to get sick less than I do but i've always gotten head colds about this much. most people i know get a cold a couple times (at least) a year. consider yourself lucky that you don't. - June 28, 2011 at 11:13 AM
- Will Cooper said...
Geoff you're making a great contribution to the sport just by your willingness to put everything out there in the open, good or bad. thanks for sharing your experiences with such honesty. But don't settle for getting sick that often...your body is telling you something.
- June 28, 2011 at 11:56 AM
- Unknown said...
Probably just wasn't your day this weekend but you probably showed more of what kind of person you are by not finishing, than winning the race. By sticking around and cheering on the other runners showed what kind of charachter you possess. Knowing how disappointed you must have been and then sticking around to cheer on other runners shows alot of grace and class. I met you before the race and asked for a picture to be taken with you. And you couldnt have been more gracious. Lots of people were clamoring for your attention and you couldn't have been more patient or gracious. It is certainly appreciated by us back of the packers. Rest up, be well and through adversity comes strength. Good luck at UTMB - June 28, 2011 at 12:09 PM
- Lundo said...
Thanks for the thoughtful and honest post.
All you can do is prepare yourself as best as you know how, race hard, and look back and try to sort out what worked and what didn't. You do all of those things as good as anyone.
Anyone who races understands that bad days happen. Enjoy your recovery and best of luck with the rest of your year.
b.t.w., I wish I only got sick 2-3 times per year! - June 28, 2011 at 12:11 PM
- Unknown said...
Geoff, you are still a class act regardless of what happened at the race this year. We've all had our issues in races 50 Miles and beyond. Sure, we'd like to turn back the clock, sitting around thinking about what could have been. You will bounce back no doubt about that. As you know, the immune system gets obliterated during these type of events. And when you're running at or near max level like most guys at the front, you are always living on the edge. Good luck during this recovery phase.
- June 28, 2011 at 12:19 PM
- Börkur said...
I was going to tell you to read Devon's blog from WS 2010 but she has already given you the short story. I had similar problems last year, was a little sick the week leading up to last years race and was worst the night before (but still "just" a cold I thought). Was feeling good when I woke up and the first few miles but then everything went the wrong way, my legs were totally ruined after 25 miles and I DNF'd at ALT, and my legs ain't no toothpicks :). I was shivering constantly for four days after the race, never experienced that before and don't want to.
Beforehand I didn't realize that simple cold could ruin a race, maybe a little short on breath but that the whole body just stopped functioning was totally unexpected. - June 28, 2011 at 12:20 PM
- Wyatt Hornsby said...
Please take 30 seconds to view this video:
Pulling for you, bro!
Wyatt - June 28, 2011 at 12:57 PM
- Erik Sagerdahl said...
Thanks for sharing all of this...I was eagerly wanting to know what you thought caused your tough day...I am getting ready for my first 50m (Headlands 50). I was thinking of running my legs into the ground and then resting 3 days prior. After reading your blog, maybe being healthy and getting some quality runs and rest is a better idea. It is such a ballance between resting and running and timing is so key. Also, it takes months/years to improve (talking about myself)...I can only do so much in 2 weeks. Thanks for your insight.
- June 28, 2011 at 1:58 PM
- Tina said...
Geoff - Good honest analysis! It certainly makes sense to me. (I commented on your June 26th post, which for the most part fits here, too).
I'm new to ultras, so I really appreciate reading about your conclusions on both the great days as well as the "bad" days in both training as well as races.
As for prevention of colds, I find that taking echinacea at the very earliest onset (or when around people who have a cold or flu) boosts the immune system so I don't get sick. This in combination with increased fluids, fruits and vegetables, has successfully knocked the average of 3 to 4 colds per year down to one or less. If you're interested in learning more, you can easily google this herb. Probably best to stay away from formulas that contain goldenseal since it's hard on the kidneys.
I hope my little blurb is helpful info for you. ;)
Best to you. - June 28, 2011 at 2:32 PM
- Kris said...
Maybe I'm too patriotic but please win UTMB! And next year if you run WS 100 we want the cougar back in the USA! :) - June 28, 2011 at 3:13 PM
- runingfool said...
I met you at the airport on Monday and my heart goes out to you. Wishing you all the best.
Texas - June 28, 2011 at 3:18 PM
- Michelle said...
don't know for sure if this is significant, but I started taking a chewable vitamin c every morning a few years ago, and have gotten far fewer colds. maybe I get one a year. might be a harmless thing to try (we do share some of the same genes after all) - June 28, 2011 at 6:23 PM
- Bill said...
I guess you can sum it up like a friend of mine (who is from China and speaks somewhat broken English) said when I asked her how her race went. "IT WAS SUCK!" My new favorite expression for bad runs.
- June 28, 2011 at 6:32 PM
It was great to see you at WS, Geoff! I'm sorry the race didn't go well but really glad to hear that you're feeling good about UTMB!!!!
Obviously, I'm the last person who should be giving you advice on ultras ;) but this is what helps me: In your post you mentioned that you like to tell it like it is about how your feeling because of the mind game factor. I have a different technique that helps me a lot. When you vocalize that you're not feeling well to others, you are, in effect, telling yourself that you don't feel well. By not playing mind games with others your are playing mind games with yourself. In races, the worse it gets, the more I force myself to smile. Our brains default to learned response patterns (neurons that fire together wire together) and habits are formed. Eventually, the challenge of feeling like crap is something you look forward to and enjoy (which I'm sure you already do!). This is why/how I usually seem so happy while I'm on the course for such a long time! Maybe it's silly, but I really think that this is my one secret to ultras and the only reason I'm able to finish the ones I actually finish! I'm not sure if any of this will help or not but it is what works for me!
Another bit of advice would be to have someone else monitor your blog and delete comments by Cloud (before you can read them) until he/she gets bored and goes away. I get the occasional negative comment with Running Stupid and even though I try to not let them get to me, I know they do.
Hope your recovery is quick and you can get back out there and do what you love to do!!!!
All Day!
~Ken - June 28, 2011 at 6:51 PM
- David Criswell said...
Geoff, thanks for your candor. I'm just venturing into the ultra scene and it is great to read about candid and authentic experiences.
It sounds like you keep close track of your mileage and elevation, time, etc. Are there particular tools you prefer to track your training. For example, do you use a GPS device, use a particular tool to log everything, etc?
Cheers and best to you in the next one! - June 28, 2011 at 7:11 PM
- Pepére said...
Hi Geoff, sorry that things didn't go your way this year at WS.
In addition to the factors you mentioned in your post, do you think heat could have played a role too? I remember thinking before the race that you might lack acclimatization to the WS temperature since for the last few months you lived and trained in wintry conditions. I live in Montreal and can testify that when it comes to runnning, even a sunny day at 20˚C (68˚F) isn't necessarily easy to handle in the Spring after 3 months below or near the freezing point. But again, sometimes I get the feeling that you ultrarunners come from another planet and have your own separate genetic code...
Enjoy your recovery, and best of luck for UTMB! - June 28, 2011 at 7:36 PM
- bmundy said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- June 28, 2011 at 10:35 PM
- bmundy said...
Geoff, I agree. All body/race feedback is good. You will be so motivated by this that you will DESTROY UTMB, not in a negative way but it will be a very triumphant experience to be running so well in two months.
PS: run where you love to run. If it's Alaska, it's Alaska.
PPS: thanks for autographing my hat on the Bridge while waiting for Ellie. I know I came off as goofy, but I thought you showed great humility and honesty when I asked you how it was out there today.
Ben - June 28, 2011 at 10:37 PM
- Burt said...
Some days you just don't have it. Of course there may be reasons and lessons to be learned, but as you said so well, controlling all of the factors all of the time is next to impossible.
I do have one question: Do you think orgainizing and participating in the Alaskan Running Camp in early June contributed in any way to you feeling lousy on race day?
All the best at UTMB? - June 29, 2011 at 10:53 AM
- twardzik said...
Roes... you dont owe us crap man. you are a stud and seem to be a cool dude. your post seems to be explanations when we dont deserve them. screw what people think and say about WS. Ultras are crazy and you happen to be one of the best on the planet. I'm a fan of ultras and yourself and always will be - i just dont like when people micro-analyze. run. be happy. do your thing.
- June 30, 2011 at 9:17 AM
Hey Geoff, thanks for your honesty. It is inspiring to here. I am learning ultra running by experience. There are races this year I feel like crap and others great. For various reasons and challenges I have learned from every one of those experiences. No matter what, I still enjoy the essence of running and community, which is far more important than the time goals. Keep it up and good luck for your upcoming races.
- June 30, 2011 at 7:27 PM
- saschasdad said...
Reading that last sentence was very awe-inspiring, Geoff. I love it!
- June 30, 2011 at 8:54 PM
- Kris said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- July 1, 2011 at 12:17 PM
- Kris said...
Check out the link about Killian. Article says Killian is considered by most the world's greatest trail runner. My question is who is "most." I would put Krupicka, Roes, Jurek and of course the great Matt Carpenter in front of Killian anytime!
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=23236 - July 1, 2011 at 12:18 PM
- Kangsan said...
Well, you're still the best of the best, Geoff. You'll get 'er next time.
I know many folks who hope you give the AC100 a try some year while you are still in your prime.
No matter who runs it, no one can break the 22 year old record Jim O'Brien set on a course that was 2 miles longer than the current one. But you can.
Take care. - July 1, 2011 at 11:35 PM
- cul8r said...
Keep it up Mister. One bad race. oh well. You are a huge motivator to the majority of trail runners out doing what we love. Good luck on your training.
- July 3, 2011 at 10:09 AM
- brendaontheRun said...
It is what it is on race day ... you have a fabulous attitude and will always be a great ambassador for ultra running whether or not you come in first, second or DNF.
- July 6, 2011 at 8:03 PM
- The Happy Meals said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- July 9, 2011 at 5:45 PM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Top of the pageActionset
Healthy Eating: Getting Support When Changing Your Eating Habits
So you've decided to change your eating habits. Great!
Have you thought about getting support in making this change?
Having the support of people close to you is an important part of change. It doesn't matter if you're changing a job, a routine, or how you eat—support gives you a better chance of making the change work.
- Support can come from lots of people. Your family and friends can help you change how you eat, but you also can get help from others.
- Support comes in many forms. It can be positive words and actions or gentle reminders to stay on track.
- Support works. Research shows that getting support from spouses, family members, and friends is important in making behavior changes that affect health.footnote 1
- Some people that you may expect to support you may not help you and may even make it harder for you to succeed.
- You can decide who you want to share your plans for change with.
How can your family and friends help you?
Your family and friends can do a lot to help you change how you eat, but you need to talk to them about it.
- Tell your family and friends why you're making this change. Give them your reasons, and explain why they are important to you.
- Tell them that you would like their help, but that you don't expect them to change their lives for you. If they're willing to make some of the same eating changes as you are, then that's great. But they can support you even without changing how they eat.
Support from your family
Here are some ways that you and your family can team up.
- Keep to a regular family meal schedule. Families that regularly eat meals together tend to eat healthier foods and be closer to a healthy weight than those who don't.
- You may be able to talk with your family about making some of the same eating changes you are. This may take compromise on everyone's part. It may mean eating less of some foods and more of others.
- If what you eat is different from what your family eats, ask them to eat a meal from your food plan once a week. If they see that this is as tasty as the food they're eating, they may choose to eat more of what you're eating.
- Set up "no food" zones in the house. Make one room food-free. You can use this room to do things that you may have done in the kitchen while eating, such as paying bills or helping the kids with homework. Staying out of the kitchen may help you stay with your eating plan.
- Put away foods that you don't want to eat so that they are out of sight. Ask family members not to leave food on the table when they are finished eating.
- Set up a kitchen or refrigerator shelf that is just for healthy foods that you want to eat. When you're hungry, you'll have several healthy choices.
- Discuss your family routines. If you take the kids out for pizza once a week, could you make a healthier pizza at home instead? Or you could go out to eat but order a salad and other healthy foods with the pizza. This way you can fill up on other foods and eat fewer slices of pizza. See if you can find something you can all agree on.
Support from your friends or family
Here are some ways that your friends or family can help you. Ask them to:
- Not say negative things about you or what you eat.
- Be positive about your desire to change. Let your family and friends know that you'd like to hear encouraging words from time to time, and that their words and actions mean a lot. Hearing how well you are doing with your new eating habits helps you stay with your plan.
- Celebrate with you when you reach your goals. Take a cooking class or go to the movies together. Remind yourself and others that you're successful.
- Help you make healthy food choices. Ask them to encourage you to eat more fruits and vegetables, for example.
- Encourage you when you slip away from your eating plan. A reminder of how well you've done will help you get back on track.
- Respect your new eating habits and not urge you to eat foods that you don't want to eat.
Many people find that having a partner or "food buddy" makes the change easier. A food buddy is someone who is also making changes in his or her eating habits.
It's motivating to know that someone is sharing the same goals. Your food buddy can remind you how far you've come and support you when you're having a hard time following your eating plan. You and your buddy can talk about healthy recipes, ways to plan regular meals, and how to fit small amounts of your favorite foods into your food plan, for example.
You may find that some friends or family members say or do things that make you feel bad. They seem not to want you to succeed. They may urge you to eat more than you want, make negative comments about your new eating habits, or point out how many times you may have slipped up.
If this happens, it's important to talk to these people. They may not even be aware that they are doing it or that it bothers you. If you need to, ask them to stop doing this. You also can ask them why they are behaving this way. You might find that they are worried that your change is leaving them out or that you are making them look bad. They may not like the attention your change is getting you.
If this is the case, ask them what you can do to help them. Often, an honest talk is all that is needed.
Other types of support
You also can look for support outside of your family and friends.
- Join a healthy-eating class or support group. People in these groups often have some of the same barriers that you have.
- The Internet has many online forums and chat rooms for people who are trying to make changes in food choices. You can read and leave messages and chat online with others for support.
- A local hospital or other health facility may have a wellness center or support groups.
- If part of your plan is to become more active, see if anyone in your exercise class or neighborhood wants to change how they eat.
Current as of: November 7, 2018
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito, MD – Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE – Certified Diabetes Educator
Current as of: November 7, 2018
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Kathleen Romito, MD – Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE – Certified Diabetes Educator
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.


text:
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. has settled with family members of two people killed in a sudden-acceleration crash in Utah as part of a lawsuit that was to go to court next month and serve as a test case for a group of hundreds more that are pending.
Toyota reached the agreement in the case brought by the family of Paul Van Alfen and Charlene Jones Lloyd, company spokeswoman Celeste Migliore said Thursday. They were killed when their Camry slammed into a wall near Wendover, Utah in 2010.
Migliore declined to disclose the financial terms.
Attorney Mark P. Robinson, who represents the nine plaintiffs named in the suit, did not reply to phone or email messages.
Last month, Toyota agreed to a settlement worth more than $1 billion to resolve hundreds of lawsuits claiming economic losses Toyota owners suffered when the Japanese automaker recalled millions of vehicles because of sudden acceleration problems.
But that settlement did not include those suing over wrongful death and injury, and hundreds more of those remain.
The Van Alfen case was one of a handful selected as a bellwether case that would be tried before the rest.
The remaining lawsuits are not affected by the latest settlement, Migliore said.
Toyota issued a statement saying that the company and its attorneys may decide to settle select cases, but "we will have a number of other opportunities to defend our product at trial."
"We sympathize with anyone in an accident involving one of our vehicles," the statement said, "however we continue to stand fully behind the safety and integrity of Toyota's Electronic Throttle Control System, which multiple independent evaluations have confirmed as safe."
The Los Angeles Times, which first reported the agreement Wednesday, said Toyota had also reached a settlement in another case brought by retired Los Angeles police officer Michael Houlf. The case was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and brought under California's lemon law for vehicles. The size of that settlement and details about that case were not immediately available.
In 2010, Toyota settled a previous wrongful death lawsuit for $10 million before the current cases were consolidated in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana.
In the earlier case, a California Highway Patrol officer and three of his family members were killed in suburban San Diego in 2009 after their car, a Toyota-built Lexus, reached speeds of more than 120 mph, hit an SUV, launched off an embankment, rolled several times and burst into flames.
Investigators determined that a wrong-size floor mat trapped the accelerator and caused the crash.
That discovery spurred a series of recalls involving more than 14 million vehicles and a flood of lawsuits soon followed, with numerous complaints of accelerations in several models, and brake defects with the Prius hybrid.
Toyota has blamed driver error, faulty floor mats and stuck accelerator pedals for the problems.
In the accident that spawned the newly settled case, Van Alfen was driving the Camry on Interstate 80 near Wendover, Utah, on Nov. 5, 2010, when it suddenly accelerated, investigators said. Skid marks showed that Van Alfen tried to stop the vehicle as it exited Interstate 80, police said. The car went through a stop sign at the bottom of the ramp and through an intersection before hitting the wall.
Van Alfen and Lloyd, his son's fiancee, were killed. Van Alfen's wife and son were injured.
The Utah Highway Patrol concluded based on statements from witnesses and the crash survivors that the gas pedal was stuck.


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The use of play area gym equipment in Buckland CT17 0 is becoming more common in schools as it helps children to improve their fitness levels in the fresh air through a number of activities.
Each of the different fitness machines we offer for outdoor areas can be supplied at a great value price so feel free to contact us for more information on the costs.
Depending on the types of products you choose, the outdoor activity features and trails could be used by children from EYFS groups, primary schools in Buckland and up to high school age.
Most types of gym machines are used by older children in high schools during PE lessons or break times. These products are ideal for promoting physical development and fitting in with OFSTED guidelines for outdoor activities and fitness.
Outdoor gym equipment for schools is specifically designed to encourage physical activity, improve coordination, balance, and strength, all while promoting fun and social interaction. Here are several types of outdoor gym equipment commonly found in school playgrounds and recreational areas:
The average cost for an outdoor gym is £4,000 - £10,000.
The cost of outdoor gym equipment for schools can vary widely based on several factors, including the location, the size of the gym, the types of equipment chosen, the quality of the equipment, installation costs, and additional features such as surfacing, shelters, and landscaping.
As the UK goverment is trying to encourage a healthy lifestyle and fitness in children, a lot of schools are eligible for funding which can help them purchase the outdoor exercise equipment.
A grant which a lot of schools have been able to utilise for outdoor fitness equipment is the sport premium funding.
Lots of children do not get enough exercise or physical activity and this can sometimes be made worse by a lack of facilities in schools.
With play area gymnasium apparatus, the kids can take part in a number of activities using different machines to target skills like core fitness, strength and balance.
We can supply products like treadmills, exercise bikes, benches and weight machines which are all perfect for outdoor use.
These may be used during physical education lessons as part of the standard curriculum, or the children can use them during break times and after school fitness clubs.
By having these playground exercise machines available, the kids have a better opportunity to improve their health and fitness with regular exercise.
It's great to give kids an opportunity to use exercise equipment outside so they can develop their physical literacy and fitness while they're at school.
A number of outdoor activity machines can be installed to your school playground so feel free to get in touch with us if you need more information on the costs for each piece of equipment.
We'll send you all the details and give you a quote for installing the exercise features.
If you are interested in having a children's outdoor play gym installed at your school, we can give you all the information on different features and pieces of equipment that can be supplied.
This means you'll be able to create your own bespoke facility with everything you need. Some of the external fitness machines you can have include treadmills, fixed bikes, weight resistance machines, pull up bars and balancing beams.
These are all great for developing fundamental skills like strength, core fitness, agility and balance.
An activity trail with gymnasium machines could also be set up for your children's playground, these have climbing structures, bars, rope bridges, stepping logs, tunnels and any other features you would like.
There are a number of designs and combinations that we supply for school play areas and public park facilities.
We understand that everyone has a different budget so the costs and designs can be adjusted to suit your requirements.
OFSTED recommend that you have a range of outdoor activity areas for the kids to use and enjoy, so these play area gym machines could be a great addition to a standard playground.
Playground gym equipment is the sports facilities that we offer to improve the fitness of children and encourage them to live a healthier lifestyle.
The outdoor fitness equipment allows childen a free way of exercising with their friends whilst having fun. When it appears to be fun, kids will want to continue the activity and therefore will impove their fitness levels.
This equipment is common for older children that have more stength however it does still appeal to younger kids that want to play.
You can often find our apparatus in local play parks however we do offer our services to many clients including schools and sporting facilities. To find out more about the playground gym apparatus, please fill in the contact form provided.
For more details on the huge range of outdoor play area gym equipment in Buckland CT17 0 that we can provide, please send us your enquiry through our quick contact form.
School Playground Equipment Limited be happy to talk through what you need and offer you a great value price to supply and install the different school play area equipment products.


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Most of you know that I do my share of cooking around here, and that while I do occasionally use some convenience products, my primary focus is on scratch cooking with fresh ingredients. Just like the rest of you though, I have days where I am too hot, too busy or just plain too tired to want to spend any time in the kitchen. It doesn't happen often, but it happens.
Lots of folks are cutting way back on eating out in this economy and are often so busy that frozen dinners can help to fill in occasionally. They are handy for busy workdays when you can't break away from the office, weeknights when life is a rush to begin with, and especially right now when the thought of cooking in this heat make you want to just skip eating altogether. I also know that many of you are already familiar with, love and use Zatarain's products – from boxed mixes, to pouches, to seasonings. I only recently learned, however, that they were carrying a new line of frozen dinner entrées so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to give them a taste test. There are currently eleven meals to choose from.
The first time I went to the store, I picked out Sausage and Chicken Gumbo and Jambalaya Pasta with Chicken and Sausage. I tried the gumbo first.
My husband had gone shrimping, I had literally been putting away shrimp for the freezer all weekend, and was on my own for supper one night, when I remembered this was waiting in my freezer for me to try. Perfect - because I was tired!
First bite I was a bit skeptical. The roux was thinner and less rich than I usually like for a gumbo and the smoked sausage was softer than the kind that I use, but honestly, every bite grew on me and I finished it before I knew it. Rotisserie seasoned chicken and sausage, with rice, okra, red and green bell peppers, onion, garlic and spicy seasonings is the flavor profile for this one.
The next time we went shopping, I asked my husband to pick out two that he thought he might like - and I actually remembered to use the coupons this time, unlike the first time. Thanks Zatarain's! He picked out the Red Beans & Rice with Sausage and the Blackened Chicken with Yellow Rice.
The next time we went shopping, I asked my husband to pick out two that he thought he might like - and I actually remembered to use the coupons this time, unlike the first time. Thanks Zatarain's! He picked out the Red Beans & Rice with Sausage and the Blackened Chicken with Yellow Rice.
This past Thursday, it was so hot and I was tired, so I was more than happy to let Zatarain's do the cooking for me. I tried the Jambalaya Pasta with Chicken and Sausage I still had in the freezer from the first trip.
This one was made with a penne rigate pasta featuring both rotisserie seasoned chicken and smoked sausage, in a tomato sauce base with onion, green peppers and seasonings. I'm iffy with frozen pastas sometimes, but the pasta was still firm and not mushy. Again, the dish had a healthy spicy bite to it, but not overpowering. I thought it was delicious.
My husband had the Red Beans & Rice with Sausage.
Now, I'll be the first to tell you that he absolutely loves my red beans and rice, so I told him not to rate the flavor against my homemade beans. The Cajun said "tastes like New Orleans!" so I'm guessing that he approved. Truthfully I stole a little bite out of it to try before I gave it to him, ssshh don't tell! I thought that there was a nice ratio of beans to sauce to rice, the rice was firm and not mushy, you could both see and taste the veggies, and the beans were nice and tender. The smoked sausage was the same as that in the gumbo and pasta jambalaya, and I thought the dish overall had a nice flavor and a spicy kick, but not so much to burn your mouth. Yes, it's different from my homemade red beans, but I thought it was quite good!
Now, of course, these are frozen dinners, so you can't really compare them against a home cooked meal, but I do have to say, for a meal that was ready in about 5 to 6 minutes or so, we enjoyed all of the entrees we've tried. They each had the expected Zatarain's flavor spicy kick to them, but none of them were overpowering. Add some kind of bread from your pantry and a vegetable or side salad from your fridge and you've got a nice, quick meal, faster than you can change into your pjs.
As with any packaged product, be mindful of the nutritional information if you are having to regulate your sodium intake. Suggested retail price is around $3.50 per entrée but appear to run anywhere from around $2.50 and up, depending on where you live. I think most of us can manage that in our budgets for a good lunch or speedy supper on those busy nights. Be sure to like Zatarain's Facebook page and sign up for their email newsletter to get in on coupons when they are available too!
All in all, I'd rate Zatarain's new frozen dinner entrees a winner. Zatarain's - a New Orleans tradition since 1889!
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Update: Giveaway is closed!!
Congratulations to mary rs56 (#1) Karen S (#12), Nan (#19) Christina l (#26), Karol Ann (#33), LaRonda L (#49). Please verify you are the winner by your comment number listed, then contact me by email within 48 hours at firstname.lastname@example.com with your mailing address, to claim your coupon for a free Zatarain's frozen entrée (Current Date/Time: 7/21/11, 12:34 PM) I am not responsible for misdirected mail, so please double check and make sure that your address is correct before you send the email - enjoy!!
The Rules:
➮Giveaway closes on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 12:00 noon CST.
➮Open to residents of the United States, ages 18 and over only please
➮Anonymous entries are okay, however, please leave your name or a way to contact you so that I can identify you should you win!
➮Winners will be announced at the site and will be responsible for checking back and responding with mailing information within 48 hours of the announcement, or an alternate winner will be selected.
Good luck!
Disclosure: Zatarain's provided me with coupons for the products described, both for me to try and to giveaway to readers. I was not required to write a positive review, and I received no compensation for posting this. All opinions stated are my own honest review of the product.


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Source: Eric Mortenson / Capital Press
HOOD RIVER — Oregon and Washington's combined pear harvest will approach a record this year, with growers and packers reporting a heavy yield of large, high-quality fruit.
Estimates made in June, well before picking began, projected a fresh market harvest of 19.8 million 44-pound boxes, the standard measurement unit. The estimate was 4 percent larger than the five-year average, and would have made it the third largest crop grown by the Wenatchee and Yakima regions of Washington and the Mid-Columbia and Medford regions of Oregon.
The record is 20.5 million boxes, set in 2011-12. Since the June estimate was made for 2013-14, excellent growing conditions resulted in a bigger crop than expected.
Some growers were hard-pressed to find enough pickers at peak harvest in mid-September, when the Hood River Valley alone employed about 1,800 pickers a day. The crunch has passed, however. Growers in the upper valley, where fruit comes on later than at lower elevations, will finish picking soon, said Jean Godfrey, executive director of the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers in Hood River.
"We have a very heavy crop, a beautiful crop, larger than normal," Godfrey said.
Nathan Duckwall, assistant production manager at Duckwall Fruit in Odell, said his company may pack 10 percent more boxes than last year.
"We had really good growing conditions this year, a good hot summer," he said. "The size of the fruit is really big, too."
The larger the pears, the fewer it takes to fill a box, which results in increased box production numbers.
No matter the final production numbers, the harvest marks another good turn for Oregon and Washington pear growers.
Duckwall, the third generation of his family involved in the company since it formed in 1919, said the industry "goes up and down with the economy of the world, just like anything else," but has largely stabilized since the recession.
About one-third of the crop that moves through Duckwall is exported. Top export markets include Mexico, Canada, Russia, Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong and India. The latter is one of the strongest growth market for Northwest growers, according to Pear Bureau Northwest, a non-profit marketing firm that represents about 1,600 growers in Oregon and Washington.
China opened its door to U.S. pears for the first time in February, and is projected to become a top 10 market for Northwest growers within three years, according to the Pear Bureau.
Pears packed by Duckwall were the first into China, Nathan Duckwall said. He's cautious about the future impact of that market, however.
"I don't think it will be that big," he said. "It's significant, but it's not a game changer."
While market and growing conditions have been good recently, this fall's temporary labor shortage is an on-going concern. Godfrey, of the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers, said it is more difficult for pickers to enter the U.S. from Mexico. The federal government needs to simplify the work visa program, she said.
"It's becoming an annual problem, it's tighter to find labor," she said.
In addition, farm laborers who immigrated a generation ago and stayed in the U.S. are reaching retirement age and are not being replaced. Their children, having grown up here, have other opportunities, Godfrey said.
"That's why people come to this country, to have a better life for their children," she said. "We hear that from our workers, they don't want them to have to do that heavy labor.
"It is the American dream," she said.
- A Very New Pickathon in 2022 - August 13, 2022
- Pickathon returns to Pendarvis Farm! It's not just the artists that'll be new. - August 3, 2022
- July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) - July 14, 2022


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By Ronald J. McNamara, International Policy Director
Spain's Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, appeared before the Helsinki Commission on October 29, in his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to discuss developments in the 56-nation OSCE before ministers meet in Madrid in late November. Similar hearings with the top political leader of the Vienna-based organization have been convened annually since 2001. Finland will assume the year-long chairmanship beginning in January.
In prepared remarks, Commission Chairman Alcee L. Hastings noted, "While the participating States may share a common view of Europe on paper, translating that vision into reality is another matter altogether. While all OSCE commitments have been agreed to by all of the countries, the fact is that there are human rights commitments that have been on the books for many years that would not be agreed to by some today. Indeed, the OSCE, and its precursor, the CSCE, have served as barometers for relations among the participating States. Frankly, the current barometric pressure is low, signaling a likely impending storm."
Commission Co-Chairman Benjamin L. Cardin, also in a prepared statement, commended the Government of Spain for organizing the 2005 Córdoba Conference on Anti-Semitism and on Other Forms of Intolerance. He noted that the Helsinki Commission has been particularly active in the face of the spike of anti-Semitism and related violence in the OSCE region. "We appreciate your efforts to keep this important issue on the OSCE agenda with the reappointment of the personal representative on different aspects of tolerance as well as the related conferences convened this year in Bucharest and Córdoba," said Cardin. The October 2007 Córdoba Conference focused on intolerance and discrimination against Muslims, a priority concern of the Spanish chairmanship.
Commissioner Louise McIntosh Slaughter, who chaired the hearing, expressed particular appreciation for the Minister's recognition of the distinctive contributions of parliamentarians to the Helsinki process. Slaughter has been a long-time active participant in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. She welcomed the timeliness of the hearing and recognized the complicated dynamics evident in the lead up to the Madrid Ministerial. "I know you have an ambitious agenda for the Madrid meeting and the Russians and others may complicate your work given the OSCE rule requiring consensus," she said, continuing, "over the years, I have appreciated the opportunity to work closely with fellow parliamentarians from throughout the OSCE region, from Vancouver to Vladivostok. The OSCE PA has provided important leadership on issues from combating anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance to promoting projects aimed at protecting the environment, to combating the scourge of human trafficking and advancing security among the participating States." As one of Congress' leading voices on equal rights for women, Commissioner Slaughter also commented on the OSCE PA's trailblazing work in this area, as well.
Moratinos' testimony covered a wide range of accomplishments during the Spanish chairmanship as well as the numerous outstanding and potentially contentious issues on the OSCE's agenda. On Kosovo, the Minister stressed, "We have managed over the years to maintain a neutral and unbiased position in regard to the status of Kosovo and the communities recognize this effort of OSCE. While the OSCE is not directly involved in the status negotiation, we are, as OSCE, contributing to the process of creating the necessary conditions on the ground for the implementation of the status settlement." In response to a query from Slaughter about a possible unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo and the prospects for renewal of OSCE's current mandate covering operations in Kosovo which expires at year's end, Moratinos stressed that "it's very important that OSCE maintain its engagement in Kosovo, whatever is going to be the future status. We are ready to stay in Kosovo in order to focus on monitoring protection of the rights of communities, particularly regarding the centralization and the protection of cultural and religious sites."
With regard to longstanding conflicts in the OSCE region, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office pointed to the Organization's continuing work to facilitate a settlement on the Transnistrian issue in Moldova, through participation in the "five-plus-two" negotiations. Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he reported that while ongoing mediation efforts by the OSCE Minsk Group have not resulted in a breakthrough in the settlement process, the parties nevertheless remain committed to continuing the negotiations. Moratinos cited concern over serious incidents both in Abkhazia and the zone of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. He discussed the chairmanship's efforts in the aftermath of the August 6th missile incident between Russian and Georgia, stressing the need for forward-looking measures to build confidence between the two OSCE countries and avoid similar incidents in the future.
Turning to Afghanistan, the OSCE's newest Partner for Cooperation, Slaughter remarked, "When I first flagged the concerns regarding the problems in Afghanistan in the OSCE context, some people said 'that isn't our concern, it's outside the OSCE region.' Well, one of the lessons of September 11 is that events in seemingly faraway lands do matter for the people there and ultimately for our own security." Moratinos, in response, said "The situation in Afghanistan continues to have a substantial impact on security in Central Asia. In this respect, the OSCE is considering a serious border management project, particularly in Tajikistan. We hope to encourage counterparts in Afghanistan in these border related activities." Spain is proposing an informal discussion on the margins of the Madrid Ministerial on the OSCE's role in promoting the stability and future of Afghanistan. Slaughter referred to a recent meeting she had with Afghanistan's President Karzai in which she underscored the importance of the movement of women in that country and the benefits of educating his young Afghan girls.
An outspoken supporter of Kazakhstan's longstanding bid to chair the OSCE, Moratinos remarked, "this bid has been welcomed by all members of the Organization and we hope and we are sure that this is an excellent opportunity for Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the OSCE as a whole. For now, there is not a final consensus regarding the date of the chairmanship by Kazakhstan, but as Chairman-in-Office, Spain is actively seeking to build a consensus amongst all OSCE states on this important decision for the Organization."
Broaching concerns over observation of upcoming parliamentary elections in the Russian Federation scheduled for December 2, Commissioner Slaughter cited remarks by a senior Russian elections official suggesting that there would be a numerical limit to the number of international observers, including OSCE observers to 400 in total. Slaughter pointed out that the OSCE alone deployed over 450 in 2003 for the last election to the State Duma, Russia's parliament. In response, Moratinos stated, "If there is a danger in the debate of election observation, it is that some participating States, to a certain extent, would like to shift the discourse away from commitments and the fulfillment, or lack of fulfillment. We find it unhelpful to call into question the well established OSCE practice on election observation, which so far has proved most fruitful. In this respect, it is our concern that the announcement made by the Russian representative in Vienna indicating that the invitation to observe the Duma election would be 'ala carte.'"
On the thorny issue of Russian intransigence in the OSCE, Ranking Minority Member Christopher H. Smith, in a prepared statement, underscored that the power of ideas remains a meaningful force today as witnessed by the drama being played out in the arena of the OSCE between those committed to pluralistic democracy and those pursuing authoritarianism, euphemistically termed "managed democracy, and dictatorship, as in Belarus and others. "Compromising on core values or watering down longstanding commitments is not the solution to the current impasse. Rather, our responsibility is to remain steadfast to these values and principles to which all participating States – including those now recalcitrant – have promised to uphold in word and deed," warned Smith.
Moratinos concluded by focusing on the future of the OSCE against the backdrop of discontent among some participating States, notably Russia, Belarus and like-minded countries with some of the activities of the Organization and its direction as well as uncertainty over sustained funding of OSCE, including potential gaps between U.S. rhetorical support and actual commitment of resources. On the former, the Minister suggested that perhaps the time was ripe for the convening of an OSCE summit meeting of Heads of State or Government from the participating States. The last OSCE summit was held in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1999. Skeptics might question the prudence of organizing a summit now, given the acrimony over fundamental aspects of the OSCE standing in stark contrast to the 1990 Paris Summit which opened a new chapter in the Helsinki process firmly rooted in a commitment to pluralistic democracy and free and fair elections. On the question of U.S. funding of OSCE, Moratinos voiced concern over "some rumors" regarding possible cuts in support and enlisted the support of members of the Helsinki Commission in addressing the matter.
"I know that the Helsinki Commission plays a unique role as a forum for debate on the burning issues of the day facing the OSCE and the region. In so doing, this Commission pays unique tribute to the longstanding and continued engagement by the United States with the OSCE and the values that underpin it," said Moratinos.


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The top home decor trends for 2013 are already emerging, and homeowners seeking a fresh look will find a lot to love. Not only can these looks be accomplished in minimal time – they're budget friendly and easy enough for DIYers to finish in a weekend or less.
Giving your home an updated feel doesn't require a full-scale renovation. Instead, focus on simple updates for the most frequently used rooms in your house. When you're ready to get started on your home's new look, let these trends of the year be your design guide.
In the kitchen
Kitchens need to be functional, but in this hub of the home style is just as important. Upholding practicality while adding visual interest is a top trend this season. Two-toned upper and lower cabinet colors are rapidly growing in popularity as a way to let homeowners customize their kitchen spaces and express their personalities.
* Maple is the style frontrunner when it comes to wooden cabinets, but painted cabinets in white, black and gray tones are also on the rise. Whether you opt to replace your cabinet fronts or paint them, your efforts will give you impressive – and fast – results.
* On the functionality front, innovative hands-free faucets simplify cooking and cleaning tasks while requiring minimal effort to install.
* Open shelving is seeing a boost in popularity. Both glass-fronted cabinets and simple open shelves capture this trend, allowing you to put your style on display while creating a sleek, updated look.
In the bath
A luxurious-feeling bath doesn't need to make big demands on your wallet. By making a few on-trend updates, you'll give your room designer appeal guaranteed to make an impression.
* Updating the vanity, often the focal point in a bathroom, provides immediate results. Customizable modular options like those from the allen + roth Windelton line let you create a storage-savvy vanity that fits virtually any bathroom while also adding functional drawer and countertop space.
* Tiling provides the perfect solution to add extra personality to your bath. Right now, trends offer two different but equally chic directions – large-scale tile and small-scale mosaics. Tiles with wood-like appearances are also gaining popularity; they create a warm, inviting look, but offer the wet-space practicality of tile. If it's your first time tiling, home improvement experts at stores like Lowe's can provide guidance to get startedwith your tile flooring.
Throughout the home
When it comes to low-effort, big-impact changes, it's hard to beat a fresh coat of paint. For walls that feel drab, boring or outdated, new paint makes a color statement and draws attention to architectural details. Follow these paint tips to make an instant, dramatic impression:
* Alter the dimensions of a space by painting ceilings a slightly lighter color than the walls.
* Create patterns and shapes using painter's tape. Stripes, chevrons and ombre effects are perfectly on-trend.
* Highlight architectural details by painting interior doors and trim in a colorful hue instead of traditional white.
In one weekend or less, these simple changes will make your home feel like an entirely new space. So when the seasonal urge to renovate sets in, don't resist – reinvigorate your home with these ideas. Find more decorating trends and inspiration at Lowes.com.


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As Chicago Teachers Strike, Unions At A Crossroad
Unions in Wisconsin challenged Gov. Scott Walker's anti-union policies and lost, while teachers successfully challenged similar laws in Ohio. But many of these policies are supported by President Obama, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and other Democrats. And the American Federation of Teachers has been walking a fine line between advocating for reform and protecting traditional union positions.
On the face of it, the teacher's strike in Chicago is about money, job security and how teachers are evaluated. But it's also about the political pressure on teachers' unions to make concessions that not long ago would've been unheard of. Teachers' collective bargaining rights these days have taken a backseat to bare-bones budgets and to claims that unions are an obstacle to efforts aimed at improving the quality of schools. As NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports, all these elements have come together in Chicago.
CLAUDIO SANCHEZ, BYLINE: If you ask Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, why the Chicago teachers strike is important, she chooses her words carefully.
RANDI WEINGARTEN: This is a local situation that has national ramifications.
SANCHEZ: Weingarten is walking a fine line. On one hand, she supports the strike because she says teachers in Chicago are hurting.
WEINGARTEN: They don't have the right class sizes for kids. They don't have, you know, social workers for kids. They don't have guidance counselors for kids. They don't have libraries for kids. They don't have nurses for kids.
SANCHEZ: On the other hand, Weingarten has worked very hard to promote her union as a champion of reforms that call on teachers to agree to big changes.
WEINGARTEN: We all have to change to help improve public education.
SANCHEZ: The problem says Anthony Cody is that union leaders like Weingarten have made too many concessions in the name of reform. Cody is a former teacher and activist opposed to the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law and President Obama's Race to the Top policies.
ANTHONY CODY: So it's up to the teachers of Chicago, it's up to the teachers of Los Angeles, New York, Oakland everywhere else to lead from the bottom and that's what teachers in Chicago were doing. And I think there's a lot of us that are really ready to follow them.
SANCHEZ: In other words, says Cody, don't look to the unions' national leaders to protect teachers from pay for performance or schemes that tie teacher evaluation to students' test scores. This internal conflict over the role of unions in school reform comes at a bad time for unions because big city mayors, regardless of party, are more willing to take them on.
JOE WILLIAMS: You're starting to see management start to act like you would expect management to act.
SANCHEZ: Joe Williams heads Democrats for Education Reform. He takes the position that the Democratic Party should be pushing tougher reforms, which is exactly what Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is doing.
WILLIAMS: Looking after the taxpayer, looking after the students, looking after the bottom line. And it's created some fault lines which are pretty tricky to get over right now.
SANCHEZ: Still, Williams says the strike in Chicago could embolden anti-reform factions within teachers' unions. Nonsense, says Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers' union.
DENNIS VAN ROEKEL: And to insinuate that somehow this is a movement for unions to rebel against education reform, that's crazy because unions across this country are leading education reform.
SANCHEZ: The NEA supports the Chicago teachers' strike, which Van Roekel says will be settled. And it won't be at the expense of meaningful school reform. The question is: Will there be anything left of the old alliances between teachers' unions and their democratic partners, especially with a presidential election right around the corner. Again, Joe Williams of Democrats for Education Reform.
WILLIAMS: I've got to think that President Obama's team is watching these developments very, very carefully. And I don't think that it's in anybody's interest for this to drag out for a long time.
SANCHEZ: The longer it takes the more time teachers will have to dwell on a key question: Should teachers continue to support a party that they think no longer backs them?
Claudio Sanchez, NPR News.
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