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Dragon's Blood
Medically reviewed on Jun 4, 2018
Scientific Name(s): Croton lechleri Muell.-Arg. Family: Euphorbiaceae (spurges)
Common Name(s): Dragon's blood , sangre de grado , sangre de drago , drago
Dragon's blood has been used for its antiviral, wound healing, and GI benefits.
The standardized dragon's blood product SP-303 ( Provir ) has been studied for diarrhea at doses of 125 to 500 mg daily. 1
Contraindications have not yet been identified.
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
There have been no major toxicities reported with the use of dragon's blood.
No data available.
The genus croton contains about 750 species of trees and shrubs commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. This tree grows from 10 to 20 m in height. The trunk is covered with smooth, mottled bark, which when cut or "wounded," oozes a red, sappy resin that makes it appear as if the tree is "bleeding." 2
Red resin from the genus Daemonorops draco , used to color varnishes and lacquers, is the common dragon's blood of commerce, 3 and is an entirely different plant than C. lechleri . Since C. lechleri latex is sold in Peru and elsewhere, it is also "of commerce" though not as widespread as the Daemonorops resin.
Sangre de grado, Spanish for "blood of the dragon," has a long history of use for both the bark and the resin. An early reference dating back to the 1600s notes that Spanish explorer P. Bernabe Cobo found the sap was being used by indigenous tribes throughout Peru and Ecuador. They used it internally and externally to stop bleeding, help heal wounds, and treat intestinal problems. Studies regarding this plant date back to the late 1970s. Preparations made from dragon's blood are found in several pharmaceutical products, some of them patented.
Alkaloid taspine has been isolated from C. lechleri . 4 Diterpenes and polyphenolic compounds including proanthocyanidins (90%), catechins, epicatechins, gallocatechins, and related structures have been found in the sap. 5 , 6 Clerodane diterpenoids including korberin A and B have been isolated as well. 7 A dihydrobenzofuran lignan; 3′,4-O-dimethylcedrusin, has been found in the latex. 8 Volatile constituents from C. lechleri sap, as determined by GC/MS analyses, include ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate, 2-methylbutanol, 2-methyl-bu acetate, Pr acetate, 3-methyl-bu acetate, eucalyptol, 1-bu acetate, and 3-methyl-2-pentanol. 9 Other phytochemicals reported from the plant include pinenes, camphene, eugenol, linalool, pectic acid, tannin, vanillin, and resin. 2 One report suggests the presence of pro-oxidant compounds. 10 Another report provides the synthesis of methyl dihydrohardwickiate from crolechinic acid isolated from C. lechleri 11 with the goal of generating useful derivatives.
Sinoacutine has been isolated from C. lechleri leaves. 12 A review on certain techniques for isolation of natural products is available, including chemical and biological investigations of dragon's blood in particular. 13
Uses and Pharmacology
C. lechleri resin and bark are used in traditional medicine in South America. Externally, it is employed as an antiseptic, as a wound-healing agent, and for skin disorders. Internally, it is used for hemorrhaging, mouth and throat ulcers/infections, and intestinal disorders. 2 This important "rainforest resource" has several uses that have been validated by several studies.Antibacterial and antiviral effects
Animal data
Several phenolic compounds and diterpenes have demonstrated potent antibacterial activity. 7 , 14 Antiviral effects are seen from C. lechleri as well. A large proanthocyanidin oligomer isolated from the latex demonstrates broad activity against DNA and RNA viruses, including RSV, influenza A, parainfluenza virus, herpesvirus types 1 and 2, and hepatitis A and B viruses. 15 Constituent taspine inhibited RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity from certain virus types, including leukemia and sarcoma virus. 16Clinical data
Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of dragon's blood as an antibacterial or antiviral agent.Wound-healing effects
Animal data
The taspine alkaloid from dragon's blood was first documented with anti-inflammatory actions in 1979. 4 Later studies confirmed these actions, leading to further studies in the area of wound healing. Taspine was found to be the healing principle, as in 1 study by in vivo testing in mice. Increased migration of human fibroblasts was suggested as the probable mechanism in this acceleration of the wound-healing process. 17 Another report evaluating taspine's wound-healing properties demonstrated positive results (with higher dosing, earlier seen than later), using such parameters as wound tensile strength and histology. Taspine also was found to stimulate chemotaxis for fibroblasts. Data from the report suggest that taspine promotes early phases of wound healing in a dose-dependent manner. 18 A patent was issued for taspine in DMSO (solvent), which healed wounds faster than DMSO alone or no treatment at all. 19 Another dragon's blood constituent, a dihydrobenzofuran lignan also involved in wound healing actions, was isolated in 1993. 8Clinical data
Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of dragon's blood for wound healing.GI effects
Animal data
Research reveals no animal data regarding the use of dragon's blood for GI effects.Clinical data
Dragon's blood also plays a role in GI health. Practitioners are reporting it beneficial for stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease when taken internally. Ten to 20 drops of the resin in water once to twice daily is the regimen based on South American herbal medicine practices. 2 A patent describing use of the proanthocyanidin polymer from croton species as an antidiarrheal was issued to Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc. USA. 20 The company's natural dietary supplements containing standardized extract from C. lechleri sap are called NSF 21 and NSF-1B. 22 The products claim "clinically demonstrated relief from diarrhea that won't cause constipation." Normalization of diarrhea caused by excess fluid secretion into the intestinal tract is the suspected mechanism of action. 23 A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the principal ingredient (SP-303) in patients with HIV-associated diarrhea demonstrated beneficial effects. 24Other uses
One report describes protective effects of C. lechleri latex on spontaneous lipid peroxidation in rat livers. 25 Taspine, isolated from C. palanostigma sap, has been isolated as a cytotoxic substance. 26
The standardized dragon's blood product SP-303 ( Provir ) has been studied for diarrhea at doses of 125 to 500 mg daily. 1
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
No major toxicity has been reported from dragon's blood. The natural product (NSF) web page mentions its safety and efficacy in clinical testing involving more than 1200 patients. No interactions were observed. 21 One report found taspine to be nontoxic to human foreskin fibroblasts. 17
There is no safety data regarding pregnancy. The American Herbal Products Association lists dragon's blood as Class I, meaning it can be consumed safely when used appropriately. 27
Research reveals little or no information regarding toxicity with the use of this product.
Bibliography1. DiCesare D, DuPont HL, Mathewson JJ, et al. A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of SP-303 ( Provir ) in the symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhea among travelers to Jamaica and Mexico. Am J Gastroenterol . 2002 Oct;97(10):2585-2588.
2. http://www.rain-tree.com/sangre.htm
3. http://www.mcs.drexel.edu/~gslombey/Personal/Sangre.html
4. Perdue G, et al. South American plants II: Taspine isolation and anti-inflammatory activity. J Pharm Sci . 1979;68(1):124-126.
5. Cai Y, et al. Biological and chemical investigation of dragon's blood from Croton species of South America. Part 1. Polyphenolic compounds from Croton lechleri . Phytochemistry . 1991;30(6):2033-2040.
6. Cai Y, et al. Biological and chemical investigation of dragon's blood from Croton species of South America. Part 2. Diterpenes from Croton lechleri . Phytochemistry . 1993;32(3):755-760.
7. Cai Y, et al. Biological and chemical investigation of dragon's blood from Croton species of South America. Part 3. Clerodane diterpenoids from Croton lechleri . Phytochemistry . 1993;34(1):265-268.
8. Pieters L, et al. Isolation of a dihydrobenzofuran lignan from South American dragon's blood ( Croton spp.) as an inhibitor of cell proliferation. J Nat Prod . 1993;56(6):899-906.
9. Bellesia F, et al. Headspace analysis of Croton lechleri L. sap. J Essent Oil Res . 1996;8(4):435-437.
10. Desmarchelier C, et al. Effects of sangre de drago from Croton lechleri Muell.-Arg. on the production of active oxygen radicals. J Ethnopharmacol . 1997;58(2):103-108.
11. Costa M, et al. Synthesis of methyl dihydrohardwickiate and its C-4 epimer. Structural amendment of natural crolechinic acid. Phytochemistry . 2000;53(8):851-854.
12. Carlin L, et al. Isolation of sinoacutine from the leaves of Croton lechleri . Planta Med . 1996;62(1):90-91.
13. Phillipson J. A matter of some sensitivity. Phytochemistry . 1995;38(6):1319-1343.
14. Chen Z, et al. Studies on the anti-tumour, anti-bacterial, and wound-healing properties of dragon's blood. Planta Med . 1994;60(6):541-545.
15. Ubillas R, et al. SP-303, an antiviral oligomeric proanthocyanidin from the latex of Croton lechleri (sangre de drago). Phytomedicine . 1994;1(2):77-106.
16. Sethi M. Inhibition of RNA-directed DNA polymerase activity of RNA tumor viruses by taspine. Can J Pharm Sci . 1977;12(1):7-9.
17. Vaisberg A, et al. Taspine is the cicatrizant principle in sangre de grado extracted from Croton lechleri . Planta Med . 1989;55(2):140-43.
18. Porras-Reyes B, et al. Enhancement of wound healing by the alkaloid taspine defining mechanism of action. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med . 1993;203(1):18-25.
19. Lewis W, et al. Wound-healing compositions . U.S. Patent 5156847, Oct. 20, 1992.
20. Rozhon E, et al. Enteric formulations of proanthocyanadin polymer antidiarrheal compositions. #WO 9816111, Apr. 23, 1998.
21. http://www.diarrheasolutions.com .
22. http://www.nsfib.com .
23. Gabriel, et al. A novel plant-derived inhibitor of cAMP-mediated fluid and chloride secretion. Am J Physiology . 1999;279(39):G58-G63.
24. Holodniy, et al. A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II study to assess the safety and efficacy of orally administered SP-303 for the symptomatic treatment of diarrhea in patients with AIDS. Amer J Gastroenterology . 1999;94(11):3267-3273.
25. Desmarchelier C, et al. Protective effects of "sangre de drago" from Croton lechleri Muell.-Arg. on spontaneous lipid peroxidation. R Soc Chem . 1999;240:272-274.
26. Itokawa H, et al. A cytotoxic substance from sangre de grado. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) . 1991;39(4):1041-1042.
27. American Herbal Products Association. American Herbal Products Association Botanical Safety Handbook . Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997.
Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.


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- ""I.R. checkmate on I.R.! I.R beat I.R.! I.R. beat I.R.! I.R beat I.R.!""
- — I.R. Baboon
I.R. Baboon are Weaselle's rivael! I.R. dimwitted, ugly, and ridiculed baboon characterizinged by I.R. intense stewpidity and hunger for attention, and he therefore despisinges Weaselle because of he are's success and talenting. I.R. main goal throughout series are to acquiring fame and surpassing enemy somehow, though his are utter lack of talent or skill presentings numerous disadvantagings in his are chances of achieving this entirely unattainabling goal. His supreme willingness to topping Weaselle may endangering him severely, and his unintelligence burdenings him with great vulnerability to hazards, leaving Weaselle to racing to his aid in many occasions. I.R. characterized by his are large, smelly red buttocks, the subject of ridicule on countless occasions, and he are residings in a dilapidated trailer outside of Weasel's immaculate mansion.
I.R. Baboon are voiceinged by Charles Adler, knowning for everything.
Who I.R. Against?!Edit
I.R. Baboon are always againsting I AM WEASELLE!! [laughs stupidly] He are always wanting to being better than WEASELLE!! I.R. Baboon loving to being smart and victorious. HE ARE BABOON!!!!
He are loving his big red butt, to sniffing his finger, and to doing stewpid things. I.R. LIKING TO WIN!! I.R. LOVING STUPIDITY!!
I. R. Baboon along with weaselle running the show I. M. Weaselle . I. R .Baboon always wanting equal or betterer share of fame as weaselle and diding everything in his are power to getting it (he are never didding until the series finale). Becausing of that, he becamming knowinged as the antagonist of show until Season 2, when Red Guy becamming regular character, Baboon were replacinged. Then he workinged alongside Red Guy, helping him with scams, or working alongside weaselle being a protagonist. In series finale, I. M. Legend, it turningss out, I.R. were really the star of show, not Weaselle, so his goal were acheiveinged after all.
When angeringed, he are to becomings very devious character. He are suprisingly cunning. He gettings offendinged when someone laughings at his buttocks (like red guy) but he never wearings pants to covering them. He are livivings in dirty run down trailer right next to Weaselle's masion. He no likie to looking at mansion. Christmas makings him happy because it are teh only time he are see familiee. Though Weaselle were never cruel to him, he were actually quite generous to him, Baboon (before season 2) were quite mean and jealous towarding him. He are detestinged him and blaminged everything on him. But now Baboon has changinged a lot.

subset: commoncrawl


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Analyst briefing: Laying the groundwork for successful cloud deployment and management
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This cloud strategy analysis describes current deployment and service models and looks at the key characteristics of cloud service offerings, such as performance, reliability, and compliance.
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Event: American rapper Snoop Dogg is snapped addressing the media at a press conference in India.
Guest List: Snoop Dogg
Bollywood celeb Aamir Khan along with wife Kiran Rao were spotted at PVR.
Bollywood producers-directors Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Krishan Kumar, Ravi Bahl, Divya Khosla Kumar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Wardha Nadiadwala celebrate diwali with Bhushan Kumar
Bollywood celebs Kareena Kapoor Khan, Malaika Arora, Sonali Bendre, Nimrat Kaur among others were snapped by paparazzi.Bebo looked super cool in a casual look. She wore a white t-shirt with yoga pants...
Bollywood actress Shama Sikander celebrated Diwali festival at her residence.
Bollywood celebs Aamir Khan, Zaira Wasim, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Anil Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari, Aparshakti Khurrana, Bhushan Kumar, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Sachin Tendulkar, Rajkumar Hir...


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Free Comic Book Day Musings
This past weekend was Free Comic Book Day, the nationally celebrated comics holiday that trends on social networks, makes the front page of the local newspapers your parents read, and brings millions of people into comic shops across the country for one day only because, hey, free stuff. If even a tiny percentage of the outreach works, though, it's all worth it.
Coincidentally, my five-year-old has taken an interest in comics in the last week. While I've bought her a couple in the last year or so that she's been reading, she's never taken to them. I'm not pushing. She knows they're there and she knows what Daddy likes to read. As with everything else in her life — reading, riding a bike, swimming — one day it'll click, and she'll be off to the races.
This past week, she decided she likes comics all of a sudden. I think it has to do with her expanded reading capabilities and vocabulary. There's a lot of words on the page of an average comic, even in a kid's comic. That can be daunting to someone whose sight word list is only double digits. But with Daddy there to help her out with the bigger words, she's loving cracking the code of comics. She continues to surprise me with the words she can work out at first read.
So when she asked to sit on my lap Saturday morning to read a "My Little Pony" comic book to me, my heart melted and had to be scooped up off the floor. Then I decided she needed to go to the comic ship for more. I brought her later in the afternoon after the madness had died down and all the free stuff was gone. The big sale was still on, though, and I treated her to a few one dollar "My Little Pony" comics. (I offered her a "Supergirl" comic, but she's not a superhero fan at all, so she passed. Where are the Disney princess comics? I have a couple of Fairy comics from NBM, at least, that she loves.)
I let her choose the comics she wanted, but I admit to steering her towards the work of Thom Zahler and Agnes Garbowska. A decade ago, I'd run into Zahler at all the comic-cons and pick up his books there; now my daughter is picking up his work for herself. It didn't earn me any cred, though, to tell her that I had met both creators in the past.
One funny aside: While standing in line to pay, my daughter started looking at the wall of new comics. The first one she liked the cover of enough to want to pick it up to read it? "Sex Criminals." This one, in particular:
I stopped her before she could open it up, then changed the topic quickly.
FCBD was, indeed, free for me. I didn't pick up anything. The only thing I might have wanted was the Don Rosa "Uncle Scrooge" comic from Fantagraphics but, in all honesty, I own the story reprinted in it in at least two other forms. I don't exactly need it again. I should just pull out the album and read it there.
The other comic she was reading Saturday morning was Dynamite's "Captain Action Cat" from Art Baltazar, Franco, and Chris Smits. It's perfect for her. The panels are large, the words are mostly simple, and the cats are cute. But the back cover is a buxom babe and a baby drinking blood. "The Blood Queen" is not the next comic for this book's audience. Maybe we'll have better luck with Dynamite's "Doodle Jump" comic. Let's hope there's not a "Game of Thrones" ad on the back cover of that one.
One neat thing I've learned from my daughter is that not every comic is precious. They are disposable things. I understand that when I give her a comic, it's going to get mangled. She'll fold the corners of pages to remember where she left off. Her small little hands will grab the covers and crinkle them in places. She'll leave them open face down in odd places, and maybe even step on one or two.
And I think it's the coolest thing in the world. The comic is part of her world. She treats it like everything else. She's using it. I love it. She knows not to touch Daddy's fancy books, and she knows there are ones for her, always, to read. So let's see how that goes in the years ahead.
Your tech podcast listening for this week, if you're looking for other angles on the recent comiXology shakeup:
- Merlin Mann's Back to Work show last week reminds us that we don't know everything, even if it does stink and make reading digital comics slightly more complicated. Mann laments the loss of functionality — which story comes next? — that will most likely be returning to the app in the course of time.
- The Accidental Tech Podcast takes on the issue, with John Siracusa delivering a well-reasoned rebuke of Apple for the situation. You'll need to fast forward to the 47:17 mark for that part of the show.
- Finally, MacBreak Weekly #400 goes into it, too, with Andy Ihnatko providing commentary, amongst others. It's also fun to watch Leo LaPorte try to figure out which "Sandman" to buy, too.
Before we get to the fun of McSpidey for the week, one serious note:
Our condolences go out to the Comic Geek Speak family, who lost Jamie D. after a long fight against cancer last week. He was one of the first comics podcasters, and a distinctive voice and point of view on a show with so many voices. Our hearts go out to his family, his friends, and his extended comics and podcasting family. Let it be a reminder to all of us that life is precious and all too short, and that we should enjoy each other while we have the chance.
And, as has been said many times in the last few days, $%#^& cancer.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #305: "Westward Woe!"
The Black Fox has stolen a chalice that Spider-Man wants to get back, but The Prowler has a good reason to want it, too.
This week's sub-title: The Inkers of McFarlane
I have to start off with a correction from the last installment of this series. I mentioned that Todd McFarlane needed some help with the inking duties to handle the bi-weekly grind during the summer, but that issue #304 was the only one where he used guest inkers. It didn't take long to see where I missed something. "Amazing Spider-Man" #305 is inked by "The Magnificent Seven," a team of inkers Jim Salicrup outlines in the letters column of the issue.
Jim Sanders was originally scheduled to ink the issue, but the scheduling didn't work out. Sanders inked the first page and some random bits across the issue, but the rest of the pages were farmed out to all available hands. That list includes Mark McKenna, Ken Lopez, Rodney Ramos, Josef Rubinstein, Pat Redding, Chris Ivy, and Hector Collazo.
The Magnificent Seven is eight inkers. Whoops.
It's too bad Sanders couldn't ink the whole thing. His first page ink job is the most faithful to McFarlane's style. That could be because McFarlane spent more time on the page and provided more detail for the inker. We may never know. But it's a good look. Before I read Salicrup's explanation, I had assumed McFarlane inked that opening splash, too.
The nice part about this Inker Jam Issue is that it gives us a chance to look at a number of different inking approaches on McFarlane's pencils.
Mark McKenna handles McFarlane's line particularly well. He stays the most faithful to it, I think. McKenna handles all the niggling little details and the speed lines well, not trying to add extra thickness to the line to beef it up. He plays to McFarlane's strengths. Some of the art looks a little lighter, but that's likely because McFarlane didn't do all his usual noodling in pencils, so it's not like McKenna could replicate it in the inks, particularly under the deadline crunch.
Josef Rubinstein adds the most, using chunkier ink lines (as he had in his previous work over McFarlane) and the bits of toning, like on Hobie Brown's face when Spider-Man unmaks him. It's not pure McFarlane, but I like the final result.
Pat Redding's inks might be the most mismatched, but it's not fair to judge when Redding pulled the short straw and had to ink the Johnny Carson likeness. It's horrible. Like in a previous issue with Paul Schaffer, I don't know if someone else did that likeness, but it doesn't look like McFarlane's style at all. Carson looks more like H. Ross Perot here.
Michelinie never flinches from inserting pop culture references in this series. As the flagship Spider-Man title at the time (with two supporting series running, as memory serves, with "Spectacular" and "Web of"), Michelinie kept the series set in the most modern times. This issue not only features Johnny Carson, but even has a Church Lady line in it. As with most "Saturday Night Live" references, it's a forced catch phrase in search of a point, but it kept the book au courant, I suppose. I wonder if "kids" reading this today would miss a lot of the references. Heck, I missed the "L.A. Law" one already a couple weeks back…
Rodney Ramos' pages are too smooth. He tried to simplify McFarlane's line. It's structurally sound, but not exciting to look at. He even got to ink a smoke grenade's explosive smoke, which is the kind of thing McFarlane's ink line makes interesting. Here, it looks repetitive and too straight-on. There's not enough variety in the line weight or direction. It looks lifeless, like a repeated geometric shape and not an active smoke screen.
Chris Ivy's page is uninspired. He doesn't have too much to draw, besides one of McFarlane's trademark close-ups where McFarlane would almost employ a different classical inking style to draw strong shadows and feathering on the face. Ivy gets one of those and the whole thing looks stiff. Earlier panels use too thick an ink line for the art.
Collazo's page holds up very well. He even adds a slight bit of texture to the Prowler's cape. The rest of his page remains faithful to McFarlane's style and shows promise. I wish he had inked more.
Enough of the inks, what about the story? This is the second part of the story that began last issue, with Spider-Man chasing after the Black Fox. It's Spider-Man versus two sympathetic villains. One is a good guy who supposedly had hung up his costume but now has returned to clear his wife's good name. The other is an elderly man who just wants to retire and hang it up. Spider-Man's reaction to both of them is kindly and favorable. He knows the Black Fox is likely putting one over on him, but he can't be tough with an old man. Aunt May has softened him up too much. And he knows The Prowler deserves a second (or third) chance, and feels let down when the Prowler leads him astray. Still, he can't give up on him and helps him out.
It's a cute issue with a couple of fun costumes for McFarlane to draw. It mostly sticks to its prime story, which has a couple of twists in it to keep things interesting. Michelinie also includes some Peter Parker time, if only to let McFarlane draw Mary Jane in a bathing suit that leaves little to the imagination.
Spawn Watch: Just look at The Prowler. That cape, that mask, those pointy-fingered gloves. He has all the elements there.
Felix Watch: The Cat shows up twice in this issue, once on an outdoor billboard, and once on a sign in the store Peter Parker is signing his book at.
Next week: We hit issue #306, featuring McFarlane's inks and naturally cartoony style, a silly insect-based villain, and Spider-Man dealing with the paparazzi while on a book tour to promote photography of himself. So very meta.
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If waking up is the hardest battle you fight every day, you'll want to try this soap in your morning shower.
This peppermint scented bar will enliven you to your very core with its tantalizingly sweet aroma and the refreshing tingly feeling it imparts as you wash away your slothful desires.
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Wet and lather bar in hands. Apply lather to body. Use sponge or loofah for extra lather.
Made in the USA with US and imported materials.
Masculine, musky and exotic. Herbaceous, and woody with floral undertones. Ah yes...balance, the constant struggle! We...
Bright and mild sweetness of orange tamed by a crisp and lemony spice. Orange Valencia | Litsea...
Warm spices perfectly mingled with comforting citrus. Orange Valencia | Clove Celebrate fall all year long with...
Boeccure is a boutique bath and body company based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We hand-craft our natural products in a studio that is part of the Bocage Cultural District.
Boeccure was founded in 2014 by Kyle Baker and Melinda Thiessen - Baton Rouge natives, graphic designers, rabbit owners.
To us, craft represents quality, tradition and community, along with the appreciation and stewardship of our diverse and abundant natural environment. At Boeccure, our goal is to manifest and advocate all of these things in every product we make.
In a time of mass production, when quality, consumer health, and consequence to the environment are just an afterthought, we strive to craft products that can deliver an eye-opening, revolutionary experience that doesn't just enhance your daily skincare routine, but also encourages mindfulness and self love.
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We also believe in being kind to the planet and its inhabitants (that includes you, so be nice to yourself, please). We try to do our part for the planet in the following ways:
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The Lenovo IdeaPad K1 and ThinkPad tablets will be enjoying a global release on July 20th and midnight on the nose here in Asia they've posted approximately 60 press shots of the two tablets. If you're keen on the press shots for the Lenovo IdeaPad K1 here is the link to Lenovo's Picasa page and for the ThinkPad tablet try here. If you are just after a few photo's we've got some below.
We still haven't been able to pull a full spec sheet for the Thinkpad Tablet but we do know that it will be running Nvidia's Tegra 2 processor under its 10.1″ 1280 x 800 display, capacitive touch screen with stylus support.
The specs for the IdeaPad K1 have been leaked in full and include:
Android 3.0 Honeycomb
Nvidia Tegra 2 (T20)
10.1″ 1280 x 800 display (multi-touch capacitive)
32GB flash storage
2.0MP front / 5.0MP rear cameras
Stereo speakers
802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 2.1
Micro SD card reader, Micro HDMI, headphone, mic
10 hour battery life
10.4″ x 7.4″ x .0.52″
1.65 pound / 750g weight
Via Netbooknews.it


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"We have our cake, and are eating it too." — Eli Broad Dan Chang's SuperPAC, formed to support erstwhile LAUSD candidate Alex "ALEC" Johnson, is now funding a new astroturf group to get his fellow Broad Urban Residency alum, Marshall Tuck, elected to the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction seat. Using the wonderful astroturf […]Click here for reuse options!
Copyright 2014 K-12 News Network's The Wire


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The coolest car tech; the ultimate mobile environment is up for grabs with North America's premier 2018 LA auto show. New cars guaranteed to drive clicks anywhere you look will undoubtedly be BMW's new 3-series; Rolls-Royce' new Cullinan; McLaren's 600LT; Audi's Q8, to name a few. This one will be big. Want to get in the mood? Click on these links below and start your orders, er engines. More, much more to come soon.
Wilson Audio Factory Tour (or how we got WAMMed!) – Alma Music and AudioWilson Audio Factory Tour (or how we got WAMMed!) – Alma Music and Audio
Nice write up by the guys at Alma Audio, the affable Fabio and Alex (ed. or is it "Alexx"?). Great audio salon type HiFi shop that caters to the greater San Diego market. Care for a dose of darTZeel, YG, Wilson or D'Agostino? Heck, they even stock the awesome Technics 1200G. Go check them out!
The sound coming from SonicFlare's setup was far better than last year; grand canyon sound staging and imaging to die for all came as a result of Wilson Audio's Sabrina mating ever quite so perfectly with EINSTEIN's gear; The Silver Bullet OTL in particular (run off The Preamp) managed to create an incredible sounding facsimile of whatever was transcribed onto the various records we played through the equally as awesome TechDAS Air Force 3, Bob Graham's Elite arm and TechDAS' Titanium cartridge. Digital simply wasn't necessary this year.
More space equals more room for fun; thus, playing various tunes from Acoustic Sounds' upcoming releases as well as hearing the latest from Ying Tan's Groove Note label (Vanessa Fernandez - When The Levee Breaks), IMPEX and Intervention Records presented by none other than the fine teams behind each of those releases, produced the expected Uhhh's and Ahhh's from the fortunate in attendance. Hearing from Robert Pincus, aka, Mr. Record, just what went into the latest classical release, Jacob Lateiner's Beethoven/Haydn/Rozsa/Heifetz-Piatigorsky Concerts, is something you simply don't often hear, or hear all too often. Magic. Equally interesting was hearing about the Brubeck/Bennett concert (discussed by IMPEX' Robert Sliger) performed live for then President Kennedy (who no doubt wouldn't recognize today's hardcore leftist-statist Politburo members), with live sound that truly captured that evening's performance ever so perfectly. Intervention Record's Shane Buettner's playing of oh-so cherished lacquers was an instant hit. Hearing the dramatic difference of an upcoming Erasure release where the original had no bass below 40hz (cut off on the cutting side of the original early 90s release) and IRs remastered version was eye and ear opening: Wilson's Sabrinas driven by EINSTEIN's OTL amps produced punch, dynamic slam and authority that was simply not to be believed.
Elsewhere at the show I heard quite a few other nice rooms; Dan Meinwald's EAR / Marten setup; Sean Casey's Zu Audio room, now an institutional obligation for a fabulous visit and music session; Jonathan Tinn's Evolution Acoustics / darTZeel; YGs big and small rooms, manned by Bill Parish/Dick Diamond/Joe Kubala and Kerry St. James respectively; Technics (yes, Technics) made nice music with their new SL-1200GM; of course, the big Wilson system fronted by the all new Alexx / VTL / dCS sounded rather lifelike and real; frankly, in many respects, the show was a show like many others. Some folks managed to get great sounding rooms; others did not. The lunch scene could have used a few more food trucks - lines where long and there was hardly a place to eat and enjoy your food (in the shade). Overall, Marine did an outstanding job managing the show without Richard's guiding hand. As rumors abound for 2017, let's see what / if they will pull together for next year.
Enjoy the pics!
Finally, there's just the overall quality of reporting that is just hilariously stacked against high end audio. Take for example the following two video reports to see what I mean:
AV Showroom reporting on whatevertheheckIcan'tevenwatchthis, vs. Hodinkee's Basel show video, illustrates the point to a T.
Reporting and video issues aside, there's a glimmer of hope with new sites like New Record Day, hosted by the affable Ron Brenay, which are gaining momentum and driving excitement towards high end audio.
Thus, while I personally would love to see high end audio elevated to the status of haute horology, we still have ways to go and the work that needs to be done to get there won't be all peaches. I've always said that high end audio needs to simmer down each of the various factions and get behind a band wagon to lead the business to the 21st century. Time will tell!


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Embroidered eggs
Originally uploaded by wardi.
For some reason I've been looking at pictures of Fabergé eggs lately. I'm not sure if I've been looking at them because I kind of had the idea for these embroidered eggs, or if the eggs came about from looking at the Fabergé ones...
It doesn't really matter, I guess.
They are like little gems to me. I like how they are all different, and how they were an opportunity to do some different stitches. Although it was my attention to follow the Take A Stitch Tuesday challenge every week, that just hasn't happened.
I especially like the pink egg, the colours are so lovely together, and the pattern is really simple. To my surprise I also like the yellow egg. And this is surprising because I rarely use yellow for anything; I don't know why, but yellow just doesn't appeal to me at all. Neither does grey, too boring for my taste. Black is the colour I'm most vary of, probably from too many paintings gone bad from an excessive use of it!
I think I'm going to make some more of the eggs and then put them in a bowl as a little decoration for Easter.


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Movado Automatic and Quartz Swiss Watches Review
Movado -- "In Motion"
Movado is a classic Swiss watchmaking company started at the end of 19th century. The word itself originates from "Movement" in Esperanto language; for the company it means movement in time, technological evolution, and a trend-setting design philosophy that carries ultra-sleek modernity on its title page.
The brand has established a name during the last decade - it instills confidence - securing the act of buying a Movado watch as a rewarding experience in itself.
A Known Brand
The nearly blank face, most often black - Movado usually prefer this universal color - in a way presents a poker face to the public.
A wearer will often be a person who respects and guards their own space and privacy, and who attributes great importance to extra clean, stripped, minimalistic style that nevertheless doesn't shun such materials as precious metals and sapphire crystal.
These people present a quiet temperament that is as strong as it is succinct. If that sounds too complicated - most people are. A Movado watch epitomizes this complexity and eloquently speaks for its owner without a single word, with polished elegance.
Watches and Jewelry
Other notable features include uncommon thinness, noble-shaped, rapier-looking hands, and the trademark ubiquitous dot at the 12 hour mark, representing the sun and the moon - the cosmic objects that rule our calendar and time ("keeping it real" via a symbolic, holistic gesture). Movado watches are sold with both metal bracelets and leather straps.
The company offers many series of watches, made for men and women, and recently developed a new line of sports timepieces, the series 800, that push the watchmaker's design motto to new limits (by paradoxically making more ordinary looking watches).
If you are into design extremes, the brand's jewelry (necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets) includes some of the company's most futuristic designs that nevertheless retain the classic quality of continental restraint of old Europe.
Other Movado Reviews You Might Like
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See how far you can go!
CCBC alum pursuing his dream at Cornell
Born in Nepal, Sagar Chapagain came to the United States in 2011 and enrolled at CCBC in 2012. As a first-generation college student, he found it challenging to learn the culture, adjust to the language and navigate the American educational system. But, his determination far outweighed any challenges he faced and in 2015 he graduated with honors from CCBC, received the President's Distinguished Graduate Award and served as the commencement speaker.
As a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship recipient, Sagar was able to continue his education at Cornell University where he is pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor. And, it all started at CCBC where he thrived as an Honors student and member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Thanks to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, you can hear Sagar's story as he shares his experience at CCBC and how Phi Theta Kappa changed his life.
Let CCBC make a difference in your life too! Join Honors at CCBC and see how far you can go.


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The Crunch: Before Magic: The Gathering was released in 1993, trading card games didn't exist. In the years since, Wizards of the Coast and parent company Hasbro have helped take the brand to new heights. With an estimated 20 million players all over the world, Wizards focuses on innovative game designs to keep fans of MTG anticipating every new card release. The game has evolved over the years to reach additional markets, including its massively successful online edition. Ultimately, MTG has continued to feed the thriving local game shop community, where thousands of players meet to match wits, and where enough game wins could take them to the Pro Tour to challenge the best players from around the world.
When Wizards of the Coast released Magic: The Gathering (MTG) in 1993 it created an entirely new gaming category: the trading card game.
The game's creator, Richard Garfield, first approached then-Wizards of the Coast CEO Peter Adkinson, to pitch an entirely different concept, RoboRally. Peter initially shot the idea down (before later green-lighting the project), and instead told Richard he was looking for a small, inexpensive-to-produce game that could be played in between other popular role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons.
"Richard thought about this, and came back a bit later with Magic: The Gathering," said Gavin Verhey, Game and Product Designer at Wizards of the Coast. "It released in 1993, and was an immediate hit! Players loved it. … The game's constant innovation and promise to let players build any kind of deck they want truly captured imaginations everywhere."
Since its release, several contenders have emerged to challenge the world's first trading card game. While offerings like Yu-Gi-Oh!, the Pokémon: Trading Card Game, the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, and Legend of the Five Rings certainly are popular games, MTG has reigned supreme with more than 20 million players worldwide. It's so big, in fact, that talented groups of players actually make a living from the game's Pro Tours.
Appealing to collectors, gamers, and art appreciators alike, MTG strikes a unique balance that has led to its massive popularity with local game and comic book shops playing host to battles between mages of all ages and skill levels during weekly Friday Night Magic events. And it's this community of players that is at the core of MTG's success.
Wizards, which was acquired by toymaker Hasbro for $325 million in 1999, has handled the brand masterfully over the past 20-plus years. Its product team is constantly designing fantasy worlds for its fans to explore, and releasing new card sets with unique mechanics that keep them interested.
"Nearly 25 years later, the game is bigger than ever," Gavin said. "That initial spark has turned into a game played around the world by millions of players, who range from those who play casually with their friends to those who have made professional Magic their profession. And even now, after nearly 100 different sets have been released, the game is still evolving and coming up with things the players have never seen before."
Diverse Gameplay & Collectibility are Selling Points for MTG Fans
One of the game's major draws is that, because of the more than 16,000 cards Wizards has created, no two MTG matches are the same. In fact, the game lends itself to unlimited playability because of several popular formats.
"A key to Magic's success is that it is so many games within one," Gavin said. "There are all kinds of different play formats, from Sealed — a format where you make your deck out of cards you open right there and play against others doing the same — to perhaps our most popular format, Standard, which uses the most recently released cards."
Unlike other games, MTG involves no boards, dice, or spinning wheels. The cards are the stars, and they are all that's needed to play the game. The collectibility of these artfully designed cards is actually a key part of the brand's success. MTG fans are gamers, but they are equal parts collectors.
When MTG first came out, it gave collectors the same excitement they had experienced when opening a new pack of baseball and other sports cards. The thrill in not knowing what's behind the thin wrapper is enough to keep players headed back to their local game shops to add new cards to their collections. In addition to local game stores, which have become the true lifeblood of MTG, major retailers, including Target, Walmart, and Toys "R" Us, also tend to keep MTG cards in stock.
Since the game's players are always looking for the best possible deck of cards to play, a secondary market for MTG cards has emerged, where particularly rare or effective cards have become worth a lot. In fact, an extremely rare Alpha Black Lotus card sold for more than $27,000 in 2013. While this is an outlier, it's not unheard of for serious players to spend hundreds of dollars on just a few cards.
The card game has also inspired books, video games, comic books, and even a documentary featuring players on the Pro Tour called "Enter the Battlefield."
Creating a Community Around Events Has Led to Global Adoption
A major component of MTG's growth is that the game is designed to be social in nature. Thousands of devotees flock to their local game shops each Friday night to play weekly tournaments. Local stores can join the Wizards Play Network, which helps them with resources to attract players to events and build their business in the process.
"One key element which has really helped keep the game so relevant and beloved is its robust community," Gavin said. "Going to your local Magic event and meeting friends — or making new friends — is a cornerstone of Magic play. Online, there are gigantic groups and websites dedicated to Magic, with discussions about everything you could possibly imagine."
MTG's millions of players come from every corner of the globe, and since locals are meeting so frequently to play in tournaments and update their decks at game shops, there tends to be a lot of familiarity between players in a particular region.
"I've traveled all over the world, and I've met Magic players in every corner, from Slovakia to South Africa, and they've all welcomed me into the Magic scene there with open arms," Gavin said. "Most of my closest friends I've met through Magic. I have friends who are married, who have met through Magic! Magic is an incredible game, and the community is as amazing to match."
While novice players can typically find equally experienced opponents in their areas, the game has spawned Pro Tours all over the world that draw expert players who must qualify for events by competing at Regional Pro Tour Qualifiers or winning Magic Online Championship Series events. These events award cash prizes for the top 64 finishers, with the champions receiving as much as $50,000. There's even an MTG Hall of Fame for the best professional players in the game's history.
And while it's traditionally a printed card game, the digital version, Magic: The Gathering Online, allows players to compete all over the world at any time of day.
"Of course, especially in today's day and age, Magic is shown not only in cardboard form — but digitally as well," Gavin said. "With tons of streamers on websites like Twitch.tv, and players on Magic Online playing around the clock to always make sure you have an opponent."
New Concepts in Regular Releases Keep Fans Engaged & Challenged
MTG has established itself as the long-standing king of trading card games and shows no signs of slowing down. We asked Gavin, a former pro player himself, about how MTG turned its brand into such a phenomenon.
"Well, it's not easy – but I really would emphasize three things: innovation, evolution, and community," Gavin said. "Show me something I've never seen done like this before. Show me you can evolve it over time. And finally, show me you have a community I can get invested in and care about. Do all three of those things, and you'll have shown me a brand I deeply want to be a part of."
Innovation is key at Wizards, which has designers constantly imagining up new worlds and cards with new mechanics to keep its die-hard fans coming back for more. New cards and expansion sets are regularly released, and the game's designers spend a lot of time on each one, while also paying close attention to feedback from those who love the game.
"There are so many things to be excited about while working on Magic — and for me, a huge one really is the constant call and response of innovation and release," Gavin said. "We work years ahead on projects, and so when a product finally releases after all that time of innovation and inspiration, and you get to see players react, it's really amazing."
For example, Gavin was the lead designer for Commander 2017, which will be released this August. This is actually a big year for MTG as it marks the 25th anniversary of the game. To celebrate, MTG has a lot in store for its fans with Hour of Devastation, Ixalan, Rivals of Ixalan, Explorers of Ixalan, Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins, and Unstable planned for the next 12 months.
Thanks to its constant innovations that keep gameplay fresh and its well-established community of global players to ensure there's always someone to challenge, fans of the franchise can look forward to gathering for a game of Magic for years to come.


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Praise for Jennifer Tamayo
"Jennifer Tamayo's writing is cacophonous, rude, and stripped. She uses equal measures of English, Spanish, and Spanglish; she landmines her poetry with malapropisms so the music is startling and pleasingly discordant. [Red Missed Aches] feels defiantly unfinished, adhering to a DIY feminist punk aesthetic so that it is more rough assemblage than bound book, a palimpsest that provocatively revises female sexuality and citizenship. Tamayo's debut collection is a daring and astonishing work that refuses borders"
—Cathy Park Hong
"Jennifer Tamayo's Red Missed Aches Read Missed Aches Red Mistakes Read Mistakes is fueled with a feminist DIY punk aesthetic weaving in and out of narratives which explore the "body" as well as personal and cultural identity. Tamayo layers her fragmented poems with complexity by mixing in English, Spanish, and Spanglish, moving from elevated language to guttural yawps as a means of exploring and ultimately contesting borders and barriers."


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June 12, 2014 07:00 AM
Matthew Bennett International offered U.S. and Canadian stamps May 12-13 in New York. The sale, filled with superlative items, was previewed in Linn's May 12 issue.
As expected, the high realization of the sale went to an unusually well-centered example of the Jenny Invert, the 1918 24¢ airmail stamp with the biplane in the center printed upside down in error (Scott C3a).
Like many of its kind, the example in the Bennett sale shows some wear and tear: a "small thin spot and light crease," as well as a slight disturbance of the gum.
The stamp, position 89 from the original sheet, went for $264,500 including the 15 percent buyer's premium Bennett adds to all lots.
To date, the Philatelic Foundation has certified just one example of America's first stamp, the 1847 5¢ Franklin (Scott 1), as being in mint, never-hinged condition.
That stamp also boasts full margins, a pretty red brown color and no faults. It was offered as the first lot in the Bennett sale, going for $20,700. That's about triple the value for a hinged example quoted in the Scott Standard Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers.
A corner sheet-margin example of the $5 Columbian stamp of 1893 (Scott 245), graded 98-superb and described as "spectacular," went for $14,950, while a 1911 3¢ Orangeburg coil (389) with a light diagonal crease sold for $3,450.


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Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Agenda PM Cover Pre Owned
This item is no longer available
This is an authentic LOUIS VUITTON Agenda PM Cover. This is the perfect luxe accessory item to add your LV collection. It features the classic Monogram canvas with a chocolate cross-grain leather interior. This is the petite-sized cover with three card slots, two open side pockets, a six-ring gold-tone binder, and a tab snap closure. Stay organized with this classy day planner cover by Louis Vuitton!
- Exterior: Good
- Interior: Good
- Description of Interior: Leather Lined
- Interior Pockets: 2 0pen and 3 Card slots
- Color: Brown
- Hardware Description: Gold Hardware
- Material: Monogram
- Width: 3.9 in.
- Height: 5.7 in.
Authenticity code: Louis Vuitton
Authentic: Pre Owned
Product Code: 3734022
Read more about Louis Vuitton Date Code here.
All photos are of actual item being sold. © 2007-2018 LuxeDH.
This Louis Vuitton® item is guaranteed to be authentic. Louis Vuitton is a registered trademark of Louis Vuitton. LuxeDH is not affiliated with or represents Louis Vuitton in any way or form.


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Wayne Wasilewski
United States
I have been lucky enough to see some of the beauty that this world has to offer. From the sun rising over the South China Sea to the moon rising above the Black Forest of Germany. As an Engineering Consultant in the Aerospace industry my work requires long term travel through out the USA. Working and living throughout the United States have taken me from the Majestic mountain ranges of NW Montana down to the flatlands of Kansas and too feel the breeze of the Atlantic blowing through the palms of Florida...
Camera Bag
Sigma 8-16mm


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Conor Mccreedy Wearing Bespoke
Our client, Mr. Conor Mccreedy, in his PEYMAN UMAY BESPOKE SUIT and Shirt -- be sure to checkout his amazing, charitable organization called, Protecting African Lions! A closer look at the PAL and UBUNTU bracelets from the NYC gala. Make sure to get your PAL Bracelet here.. www.protectingafricanlions.orgContinue Reading →


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What sort of restructuring can we expect?
As everyone knows, our most benevolent and omniscient ruling class has discovered a new silver bullet – the one thing that will fix all of Nigeria's problems. All our elder statesmen and veteran public commentators have settled on restructuring as the key to turning Nigeria around. It is not a new argument by any means, but of course, like the 6 blind men of Indostan who went to see the elephant, what restructuring is will no doubt depend on who is being asked the question.
For some it will mean full resource control, repeal of the Land Use Act and devolution of many of the Federal Government's current powers to the States. For others, it will mean ripping up our 36-state structure and reverting to a form of regionalism akin to the situation at Independence. For others yet, it will mean the creation of State Police and scrapping various quota enforcement mechanisms in the national architecture. Whatever form it takes, restructuring will require a wholesale constitutional overhaul, meaning that the final deal will have to be approved by the National Assembly and the state houses of assembly in at least 24 states.
What this means though, is that if 13 states are opposed to the version of restructuring that emerges after the smoke has cleared, there shall be none. Indeed, it is hard to see how states caught up in 'enfrightened' self-interest would vote for an end to the monthly bazaar from Abuja, or Abuja favour a curtailing of its own powers. This is a land after all, where might is largely still right and the big man has to be able to put the small man in his place. And if they did agree, would we have a transitional period or would the band-aid be ripped off in one quick, sharp motion?
Would restructuring mean more autonomy for the local government system or a modification of what currently exists? Would bus routes and car parks still be left to thugs masquerading as a drivers' union to operate and, if not, what would the plan be to keep the inevitable unrest in check for good?
And how about the matters over which the States have always had control? Primary and Secondary education, primary healthcare, sewage treatment and waste disposal, control over the devolution and administration of landed property? Literacy and maternal mortality rates remain dire in many states, in what may well be the strongest argument against this restructuring movement. If the states have done poorly with the matters over which they have authority, how will the restructuring revamp their performance? The administration of justice is also fully devolved, looking at the judiciary, yet justice is frequently delayed (and therefore denied) for many. What will the restructuring that fixes this look like?
Will the restructuring talks (one assumes there will be discussions for a consensus to be reached) have no-go areas or will the discussion be a full and frank one? Who will preside over the talks and who will represent what regions? Are the same people who balkanised the country and now touting restructuring going to be the ones to drive the process? What if the conclusion of the discussions is similar to the constitutional conferences of the past, whose reports are all gathering dust in a bunker somewhere? Will those who rejected earlier positions be ready to do the about-faces?
Very importantly however, is this debate one that the president has any interest? Will he give his nod to setting up the structures required to give whatever version of restructuring that emerges its legitimacy?
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Welcome to the Tim Hortons Wellness Centre at the AYR Motor Centre. Today is the day we help reach your wellness goals. Located on the Second Floor of the AYR Motor Centre. Locker Rooms & Showers on First Floor. Indoor footwear is a MUST!
The fitness centre is unsupervised. Members work out at their own risk. Please ensure due caution while working out.


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Weather Reports, Forecasts & Flight Planning Ebook
Sorry, this ebook is not available for sale. Please take a look at other works by author, or good alternatives from the same category.
Praise for previous editions: "The best new book on the subject…comprehensive, authoritative, and filled with examples and illustrations…beneficial to student pilots and pros alike."—AOPA Pilot
"Lankford's book does a much better job of helping pilots understand reports and forecasts than Aviation Weather Services. In addition, Lankford explains quite a bit of meteorology as he shows you how to understand written material and charts."—Flight Training magazine
Whether you're flying into the wild blue yonder, gray skies, or pitch-black night, Terry T. Lankford's classic weather guide for pilots is your one indispensable source for clear meteorological information. In this easy-to-understand book, FAA Weather Specialist and 30-year veteran pilot Lankford gives pilots practical weather guidance for safer flights.
In WEATHER REPORTS, FORECASTS & FLIGHT PLANNING, you'll find more than weather theory and simple assessment information. Terry Lankford gives you:
- Hands-on advice on pilot interpretation and application of diverse weather information
- The voice of experience in applying real-life techniques to specific information
- Pilot-tested, best-practice procedures for all types of conditions, forecasts, and flight planning
- Vital information on challenges such as vorticity, icing, low-level wind shear, thunderstorms, and turbulence
- A pilot-savvy understanding of the limitations and evolution of weather forecasting
- Clarifications of dangerous misunderstandings and misconceptions about weather forecasts and terminology
- The most efficient ways to get the meteorological information you need and make maximum use of FAA automated services
- Decoding of weather and NOTAM abbreviations
- Coverage of satellite imagery
- Completely updated to METAR format
- NEXRAD and Leading-Edge radar products
- National Weather Service procedures, techniques, reorganization
- Aviation Weather Channel web page help
- Mountain Wave Forecasts information
- Wind chill/comfort index
Providing the equivelant of in-depth experience in gathering, interpreting, and applying meteorological information, this book puts the goal of weather-wise piloting within easy reach. WEATHER REPORTS, FORECASTS & FLIGHT PLANNING will raise your confidence level as it raises your skills.
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text: Home Page» Programs» Veterans Service Partnership Please feel free to use any resources posted to this page. There are VSP program guides, veteran & veteran services contact information, demographics, and other program assists contained herein. Please feel free to add information that has proved helpful at your VSP which will benefit us all. Most of us have VSP Teams who provide this program to one extent or another for the benefit of our communities veterans. Please feel free to contact Ernest DeMastus, (216) 647-2152, Zac Salada, (814) 470-1723, or Jim Lanning, (814) 238-2086. You may also find more information on our Facebook page. Click here to download resources: Calling All Veterans 2017 Single Sheet Brochure-Edited PATU VSP Rollout 021117 edit 11 final presentation TU Veterans Services Partnership Program Guide 2016 Logo Art


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Hey guys!
I wanted to write today about facial cleansers and make-up removers.
Earlier I posted my own Facial Scrub recipe that I use in the shower.
However, what about the daily light cleansing and make-up removing task?
In the past I've spent a fortune buying the brand name make-up removers and loved them. However, there are better ways. Have you ever looked at the back of the bottles at the ingredients? I have and it is daunting. First, most of the time the ingredients are in french. Second, even if they aren't in French, they may as well be because I have no idea what they are.
So I've decided to list my inexpensive and easy facial cleansing solutions and make-up removers.
Make-up Removers
Coconut oil– I swear this is just the number one product to have in your house at all times!
(if you need proof check this list of 101 coconut oil uses)
Above is the brand I use. I love it! It's simple and easy to use.
Step 1: Open Coconut Oil Jar
Step 2: Stick fingers in and wipe
Step 3:Rub oil on make-up covered area
Step 4: Wipe off gently with warm wet towel
Coconut Lotion Bars- I use these when I need something a little heavier to remove my make up.
Here is my recipe.
I keep one in my shower and one on my sink ledge at all times. These are great for nights where I put a little more mascara on.
The best thing to do is take it in steps. Get some on your fingers, apply to eyelashes and gently rub with warm wet towel and repeat. Now its not perfect and there is sometimes left over residue, this I take care of in the shower in the morning, same process.
All in all, no raccoon eyes and no harsh chemicals.
Baby Lotion- I used this before I realized the wonders of coconut oil. However, beware! Read the ingredients people!
Unfortunately a lot of baby lotions are laced with iffy chemicals, and we only want plant derived and not modified. The brand above is a great brand and unfortunately Johnson's is not. I know this because I used to use it. I really like it because it was gentle on my skin, but then I looked at the ingredients. 😦
Lesson learned, ALWAYS LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS!
Also, checkout this great make-up remover recipe!
Easy Facial Cleansers
Thayer's Witch Hazel Formulas- I use this before going to bed. Squirt it onto a cloth and wipe my face, dirt comes right off. Just remember witch hazel is a natural astringent so moisturize afterwards.
The best thing about this particular brand, is that there is a ton of different options. This is the most basic witch hazel aloe combinations. Some of the others have rose hips, cucumber, lemon, etc.. It's awesome. So do your homework and pick your favorite.
Oatmeal- Oatmeal is a wonderful cleanser, really loosens and grabs the dirt. Just mix with water.
Yogurt- Yogurt has tons of protein, lactic acid, and fat; all of which are great for your skin and great for cleaning. Just use it plain or add lemon, your choice.
Honey- Another super multi-purpose ingredient. Honey is my favorite cleanser of all time. The quality of clean as well as the feel of your skin afterwards is amazing. Its easy to use too, just squirt some on your hand and wash.
And I always encourage buying honey from your local beekeepers! We do!
Of course there are tons of other complicated recipes and products out there that are natural and safe. However, I prefer simple and cheap. Hopefully this was helpful!


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DistributionRead full entry
Range DescriptionThe type locality of this species is in northern Papua New Guinea, but the exact location is not known. Otherwise the species is known with certainty only from Ivimka Camp, at 100m asl in the Lakekamu Basin, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea (Richards and Oliver, 2006). Records from Darai Plateau, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, and from Dark End Lumber, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea refer to Litoria sauroni, whereas those from Huon Peninsula, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea refer to L. dux, and those from the northwestern coastal mountains of Papua New Guinea refer to L. huntorum. Records from the Vogelkop Peninsula in Papua, Indonesia, could refer to one of these species, but most likely represent an undescribed species (S. Richards, pers. comm.). However, Litoria graminea almost certainly occurs more widely in eastern Papua New Guinea than is currently known.


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Looks divine!
Chewy Apple-Oat Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Aside from the occasional whimsical celebration cake or all-or-nothing recipe involving crazy things like corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk, most recipes that come out of the Piece of Cake kitchen are relatively simple, without a whole lot of complicated stuff going on. As much as I like a culinary challenge, my favorite treats are the kind that sit quietly on the counter and softly call to you all day long as you pass through the kitchen. You know–a sliver here, a nibble there, until all that's left is crumbs and you wonder where the whole thing went. But some things don't fit so neatly in to either category. Like a humble, chunky, apple-studded bar cookie made fancy with a slick of decadent icing.
When I first saw this recipe, I thought, Sweet Lord! That's a whole lotta concepts going on. I mean, these bars are basically a chewy apple pie-oatmeal cookie-cheesecake hybrid. And if you can think of any more delicious things to cram into one sentence, please report to me. Because after I wrapped my brain around the recipe, I could not get it out of my head. With a few tweaks to the add-ins and more sophisticated icing than the original recipe called for, these bars emerged as one of the more addictive things to come out of the Piece of Cake kitchen in recent months.
If you're looking for a great dessert for a tailgate or a pumpkin-carving get-together or just a little something to take over to a friend's house for coffee and Oprah on a rainy day, look no further. The nubbly bar cookie base is crowd-pleasingly familiar, but the white chocolate and cream cheese frosting dresses it up just a bit and adds an amazing punch of flavor. Dusted with cinnamon and cut into two-bite-sized bars, they're autumnal party perfection.
And a quick word about cinnamon: have you ever gotten your hands on some good Vietnamese cinnamon? Because it will completely Blow. Your. Mind. In fact, you may question what kind of lie you've been living using that drab, dusty brown powder from the supermarket all these years. Vietnamese cinnamon is like cinnamon on steroids. It smells and tastes exactly like Red Hots candy, people–hot and so intensely spiced and sweet that you'd think it couldn't possibly come from nature. But it does! And if you're me you trek regularly to a bulk foods emporium with a spectacular spice section to buy it by the cupful while people look at you suspiciously. And then once you get it home, you shove the filled spice tin under every nose that enters the house while being a Vietnamese cinnamon-raving lunatic. It's really something. With high baking season upon us, there's no better time to track some down.
Chewy Apple-Oat Bars with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing
Loosely adapted from the Land O' Lakes website, of all places
Refrigerating the bars after icing them will set the icing as well as make for easy, clean cutting of the bars. Their taste and texture actually improve a day after baking, so make them a day ahead whenever possible. For a less decadent variation, skip the icing, and swap out the white chocolate chips for toasted walnuts.
Makes about 20 two-bize-sized bars
For the apple-oat bars:
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup old-fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
6 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup diced apple (about one small apple, I like Fuji or Honeycrisp)
4 ounces white chocolate chips
For the white chocolate cream cheese icing:
2 ounces white chocolate chips
2 ounces cream cheese, softened but still cool
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar (more or less, depending on your sweet tooth and how stiff you want the icing to be)
Ground cinnamon, for dusting
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil (with a few inches of overhang on all sides) and spray the foil lightly with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and oats and set aside. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth and lightened in color. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, and beat in the egg and vanilla until well-blended. On low speed, blend in the dry ingredients. On the lowest speed or by hand, stir in the apple chunks and white chocolate chips.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake just until a toothpick comes out clean, about 35-38 minutes. Do not overbake. Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then use the foil "handles" to remove the slab from the pan. Let cool completely on the rack in the foil sleeve, at least 1 hour.
Meanwhile, make the icing. In the microwave, melt 2 ounces of white chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl in 30 second bursts at 50% power, stirring after each interval until smooth. In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Add the melted white chocolate and beat until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar until the icing is slightly thickened and sweetened to your liking.
When the bars are completely cool, spread the icing in an even layer over the bars, using the foil to create a dam of sorts that will keep the icing from dripping down the edges of the bars. Refrigerate the bars with the foil sleeve until the icing is firm, at least 1 hour.
Remove the slab from the foil to a cutting board and dust with cinnamon. With a large, sharp knife, cut into about 20 bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Oh Good Lord woman…I was all set to make an apple pie tonight and I have been suddenly, deliciously de-railed in that plan. I shall happily switch my recipe out and try this concoction and I will undoubtedly become immediately addicted!!
wow… just wow!
Shauna–Hope you love it! Report back!
Dear Shauna:
I'm from Brazil and I love to cook. I'd better say I love to cook deserts!
I really love your blog!!
I'll make sure to keep up with your posting!!!!
Complex or not, these sound So yummy! These are going in my file for sure!
oh MY! can those look any more AMAZING?!
These look like the perfect fall treat!
HI Shauna,
Yes, I remember you:) and thanks for the comment. How's life going for you these days? We're still here, still H411, although some of the staff has changed. Anyway, hope all is well!
I made this cake last night and brought it to school this morning. I teach high school and each Wednesday morning we have a home room. Someone always brings a snack, so this was my turn. They absolutely loved it. I doubled the recipe and I think some of them had four pieces!
Oh, and I made the strawberry cake, too. It was for my daughter, too, but she was turning 17. She loved the cake and I love her. Enjoy every minute with her because, I know it sounds cliche but here goes, life goes way, way too fast.
abru–What great feedback! If high school students like it, that's high praise. 🙂 Also, your comment about your daughter gave me a little tear…I'm already finding out the cliche is true! Baby C is 1 going on 17, for sure. Thanks for visiting!
ooooo this looks amazing!
I'm a new reader, and I came across your blog looking for a recipe to serve when my sister and her boyfriend came over to visit. They showed up early, and I didn't have time to frost the bars before the boyfriend was digging into them. Needless to say, he ate almost the whole pan, and asked to take the leftovers home with him. When I called my sister the next day, she said, "I hid those bars because I knew he would get up in the night and eat them and then I wouldn't get any!" LOL! Thanks for the awesome recipe! : )
wow! These sound amazing!
I think I just got weak in the knees… these apple bars look absolutely amazing! I love apples, oats, white chocolate, and cream cheese – so I will definitely be making these.
These are SO good! So easy to make, too. McCormick actually makes Saigon Cinnamon, for those of you still looking for some, & I love it! Thanks for the (once again) awesome recipe. 🙂
My God Woman…you are killing me, or rather driving me to BAKE! Can't wait for this one. A happy family I will have soon. Happy Fall to you.
I made this today!! It was so good! I didnt have any white chocolate though so for the cake I just left the chocolate out and for the frosting I used semi sweet chocolate chips instead of white. It was still wonderful thanks for the recipe
Wow. As a person who goes to eat out at well established restaurants on a weekly basis, I'm not easy swooned. The picture of this made me go crazy! I don't even like cooked apples- yet, this will be something I'll definitely make.
I won't post this experience in my blog (which I would have referred to you, ofcourse) since I'm more concentrated on healthy and easy, but your recipe looks devilishly attractive and I know my hubby and my belly will be swooned just as I was when I saw the picture.
Keep up the great work!
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Welcome back to Game Scoop!, your weekly dose of gaming news and massive LOLZ. Your shepherds this week will be Daemon Hatfield, Greg Miller, Craig Harris, and Ryan Geddes. Let's scoop this.
Here's what's on tap:
Beyond Good & Evil HD is coming next year.
Gears of War 3 has been delayed.
Naughty Bear is now torturing iPhone gamers.
The 3DS has a price and release date.
The Taliban are being renamed "Opposing Force" in Medal of Honor.
Daemon has your Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Review. People seem to need a reminder that 7.5 is a good score.
Plus, we answer a bunch of listener mail about NBA Jam, defending the PSP, and peeing in the shower. Don't forget, we're available on iTunes. Remember to rate the show while you're there.
Please to enjoy:
Game Scoop! Ep. 179 - 56MB
Inquiring minds: e-mail us your questions.


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Thursday, 25 February 2010
Mrs Harris goes to Bloomsbury
Here's the cover for the new edition of Mrs Harris; as always, Bloomsbury has done the author proud. I love both covers that Bloomsbury designed for Daphne -- paperback as well as hardback -- and I like to think that Mrs Harris herself would have been equally delighted with this latest incarnation.
On another matter entirely: last night I ate a packet of chocolate-covered edamame beans given to me by a friend from her local deli, Raoul's. They were unexpectedly delicious, and apparently very health-giving, so I felt duty-bound to share them with you.
31 comments:
Gorgeous cover - love that pink.
Chocolate covered edamame sound divine - I'm hooked on wasabi peas at the minute. The first time I saw someone buying them in bulk I thought 'He must own a restaurant', but now anyone seeing me at the cash desk would think I own a chain of Japanese snack bars.
- 25 February 2010 at 09:40
- kairu said...
I love those Bloomsbury covers. Am tempted to order the Mrs. 'Arris books, even though I already have two of them.
Chocolate-covered edamame beans? Have never tried them, but they sound intriguing. Dark chocolate is good for you, and so are soybeans (edamame). Last night...and the night before...I ate an immodest number of dark-chocolate covered honey pecans.
- 25 February 2010 at 11:41
- Justine Picardie said...
Have just finished the chocolate covered edamame beans, so must be brimming with health. No wasabi beans in the house, unfortunately, but have made a cake with blueberries in it instead for my younger son, who has just suffered the misery of a chemistry exam (in fact, he's had exams all week; mock GCSEs). It's been raining all day, and my roof is leaking again, but nevertheless am feeling fortified by beans.
- 25 February 2010 at 14:11
- enid said...
I am sorry to be a dissenter but i love my original cover of Mrs Harris so much. I have never eaten edamame beans covered in chocolate but you have made me want to find them here in Cape Town as I have now become obsessed.
- 25 February 2010 at 22:13
- Justine Picardie said...
I like the original cover, too, but the illustration of Mrs Harris on my paperback edition is a bit too sugary.
Unlike the dark chocolate covered edamame beans, which are perfectly judged. I'm sure you'll be able to find them in Cape Town; last time I was there, it seemed brimming with sophisticated delis and restaurants. In fact, I wish I was there now. It's still raining in London, and no sign of sunshine for days...
- 26 February 2010 at 00:27
- oxford-reader said...
Wow - that's unreservedly pink! I do love the fact Bloomsbury are reprinting all these old classics. I shall have to rush out and buy it ... I don't have enough books (actually, this is semi truth, I've finally moved house, and only have one bookcase instead of three... what is a girl to do?)
- 26 February 2010 at 00:31
- Blue Floppy Hat said...
It's almost the same shade of pink as my copy of Sophie's World!
I ate some chocolate-coated peanuts once. They were delicious (but then I love Snickers bars, I suppose my liking the raw ingredients together is no surprise)
- 26 February 2010 at 02:41
- Kentishmaid said...
Love edamame beans, love dark chocolate so will be doing a search for these. Recently I had some broad beans made into a snack not unlike crisps; found in Jamielicious, the Jamie Oliver shop near Clapham Junction.
- 26 February 2010 at 04:16
- Sarah Standalone said...
The pink is exactly the same colour as my first car.
Embarrassingly I had my rust-riddled mustard Triumph spitfire re-sprayed. I took a pair of leg warmers in to the spray shop (well, it was the 80's) and said can I have it this colour pink please....?!
Re: beans, it has been very windy today....
- 26 February 2010 at 11:51
- Karen, Surrey said...
Your chocolate fest makes me feel better as I ate a whole Green & Blacks milk chocolate with hazelnuts and raisin for my lunch!
- 27 February 2010 at 08:46
- Karen, Surrey said...
Having read further down the comments I can sympathise with the GCSE mocks my son did his just after Christmas and they were disrupted by all the snow closures. I guess we are now on the long revision slog until they're finished.
- 27 February 2010 at 08:52
- A Bookish Space said...
I can't wait for this to be published by Bloomsbury.
- 27 February 2010 at 09:29
- Lazywell said...
Looks as though the designer of that cover had been eating Prestat chocolates: http://www.prestat.co.uk/chocolates/medium_chocolate_assortment
- 28 February 2010 at 03:54
- Wendy said...
I am a big fan of your books. Could you tell me when the Coco book is coming out? I am in US.
- 28 February 2010 at 12:36
- Justine Picardie said...
Coco is out in September, at long last!
- 1 March 2010 at 08:06
- A Bookish Space said...
Oh fantastic. I'm looking forward to Coco being released!
- 1 March 2010 at 09:08
- Sarah Standalone said...
Great news, I will put it on my wish list.
- 1 March 2010 at 10:27
- Simone Esmanhotto said...
Justine, hello, I'm writing from São Paulo to learn a little/a lot about your upcoming Chanel book. THis is for a features in Vogue Brasil.
Best regards,
- 1 March 2010 at 10:49
- Wendy said...
Thanks, Justine. The publication date seems to keep being pushed back and I have been eagerly awaiting it! I loved Daphne, and have read it twice so far. (Wish you would write books about Zelda Fitzgerald and Virginia Woolf.)
- 2 March 2010 at 04:27
- Justine Picardie said...
Hope it's worth the wait! I'm obsessed by Zelda Fitzgerald and Virginia Woolf, so if ever I had the chance to write books about them, I'd welcome it, but I fear that publishers might feel the territory has already been covered too extensively. I did write a chapter about Zelda in 'My Mother's Wedding Dress', but you have prompted me to wonder if there is another way into them....
- 2 March 2010 at 04:48
- Wendy said...
Yes, I read "My Mother's Wedding Dress" and enjoyed it as well. However, I think that both subjects could do well with your special style.
- 2 March 2010 at 06:04
- Justine Picardie said...
My mind is whirring on the subjects...
- 2 March 2010 at 08:21
- A Bookish Space said...
May I also second Wendy's suggestions about writing about Zelda Fitzgerald and Virginia Woolf.
- 2 March 2010 at 13:22
- Justine Picardie said...
Now, if only a publisher to agree with both of you... Thanks for your encouragement!
- 2 March 2010 at 13:53
- kairu said...
May I third the suggestions of Zelda Fitzgerald and Virginia Woolf?
I've loved Virginia Woolf since reading Orlando when I was 13, but a few years ago I came across a collection of her essays (Three Guineas) in a used bookstore, and it made me love her even more. She wrote about the disparity between a man's and a woman's education at that time, saying "...your education was not merely in book-learning; games educated your body; friends taught you more than books or games. Talk with them broadened your outlook and enriched your mind. In the holidays you travelled; acquired a taste for art..." She might have been talking about the education I had been privileged to receive at the end of the 20th century (which was, like Flora Poste's, "expensive, athletic, and prolonged").
- 2 March 2010 at 16:07
- Justine Picardie said...
Ah, Flora Poste, whose education must have been excellent, to have produced such a marvelously resourceful character.
- 3 March 2010 at 03:47
- kairu said...
I wish I were even half as resourceful as Miss Poste, but then, as the state of my apartment would tell you, I can endure a mess quite well.
- 3 March 2010 at 08:22
- jaywalker said...
What about the Woolf/Garman affair. I don't think as much has been written about that as about Violet and Vita and from having just read the bio of the Garmans I gather there are a lot of letters around.
- 3 March 2010 at 23:20
- 4 March 2010 at 01:09
I love this cover. Now I want the book!
- 4 March 2010 at 02:36
- Justine Picardie said...
I love Cressida Connolly's book about the Garman sisters. I must re-read it, and think more about Woolf...
- 4 March 2010 at 02:47


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Lenten Devotional, Monday, February 29Monday, February 29th, 2016
Scripture: Mark 11:15-19
In today's passage, the moment Jesus arrived in Jerusalem he immediately went to the temple and engaged in an act of disruption, an act of civil and ecclesiastical disobedience. It was a dramatic confrontation.
Jesus went to the seat of religious power in his world, which was also the seat of imperial power in Judaea, and performed a prophetic act in disrupting the business of the temple and indicting it as a place of robbers. To put an exclamation mark on that, he stayed for the rest of the day and taught in such a powerful and charismatic way that he kept the people spellbound and left the authorities afraid to touch him.
It's hard to translate this into today's terms, but imagine that St. Peter's Basilica were in Washington, D.C., and that St. Peter's and the Capitol Building were one and the same. Then imagine some self-proclaimed preacher showing up, performing an act that disrupts the whole place, bringing business to a grinding halt. Then that same upstart sticks around to teach and preach, and he keeps the people so enraptured that the various policing powers were afraid to stop the guy and arrest him.
And now going back to our biblical story, at the end of the day, Jesus and his disciples just up and left the temple and walked out of Jerusalem.
Suffice it to say, Jesus wasn't condemning mere unfair business practices; he was provoking the chief priests and the Romans in such a way as to result in his own death sentence. To be clear, crucifixion was an imperial form of execution for political criminals.
This action speaks to the central meaning of Jesus' ministry. As Marcus Borg explains in Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary, Jesus came to the peasants. The Jews of Jesus' day, if they weren't religious and political leaders, were peasants, exploited by the imperial domination system and its collaborators, the religious leaders. Jesus brought a message about the nature of God as a God of love, justice and compassion, and about life lived passionately, radically centered in God. This was a message about transformation of life in this world; it was radically different from what was coming out of the temple. And on this day during Jesus' last week, this was a message that he brought to the center of power, the religious and imperial powers that governed the day-to-day lives of the peasants.
If we are to take Jesus seriously and follow him, this means participating in this passion for God and God's nature of love, justice and compassion. This is a very different way of living, and at times it can put us in conflict with the powers of today, whether they be political, economic or even religious. May we embrace this challenge to be passionate about God, to be loving and compassionate, and to pursue justice in all that we do.
O Gracious one, give us the courage to seek after your passions, to be loving and compassionate, and to seek justice just as you are these things. Open our eyes to those who are oppressed by the structuring of society that so often benefits the privileged. Conflict and provoke us such that we never grow complacent in who we are and the comfortable lives that we might otherwise live. Call and urge us into a new and different way of being, and give us the strength to never cease answering that call, always pursuing a life made perfect in love. Amen.
Parting Question:
What does taking Jesus seriously, following him and participating in his passion require of you today?
Kevin Nelson, Brighton, MA