text:
inspiration board #47: carousel
Hello happy ladies! How was your weekend, did you get much snow?! It was bitterly cold here in London, and a light dusting of snow with such beautiful sunshine streaming in through the window as I worked, it made me feel very happy and excited for some real sunshine as I venture off to sunny Cape Town in a few of weeks time :)
I'm also really excited to have found out this weekend that b.loved has been included in the BrideTide Top 100 Wedding Blogs :) I am honoured to be listed alongside some amazing blogs that I admire and that inspire me every day! To see the full list click here.
Today's pretty inspiration has me dreaming of hazy summer days, a soft combination of pretty hues perfect for an afternoon wedding. Pale tones of pink, yellow and blue are beautiful colours for a celebration with a touch of feminine whimsy and a dash of sparkle. Balloons, reminiscent of childhood trips to the fair, are becoming ever popular decorations at weddings. These giant round balloons in pastel colours are such a fun addition to your portrait shots, or even as a backdrop to your cake or dessert table. Speaking of, just how beautiful is this dessert dresser I spotted on the gorgeous Grey Likes Weddings?! I love how they used the dresser drawers to add an extra dimension to the display. You can never go wrong with ribbons and streamers as far as I'm concerned (I may have a mild obsession…) Spilling out of the dresser drawers, tied to balloons, and used as decoration for the backs of chairs (even if just the bride and groom's) they look so pretty as they drift and sway in the breeze. I am also loving these adorable confetti printable invitations from Love vs Design, the polka dot envelope liner is a fabulous way to add an extra-special touch to your stationery.
For a beautiful fairground themed venue why not check out the stunning Preston Court, in Kent, with it's very own vintage carousel and beautiful barn complete with fairground organ.
Image Credits
Top Row: girl with balloons photographed by Luis Monteiro, dessert dresser by Jenna Rae Cakes & photographed by Tracey Kianski via Grey Likes Weddings, pastel carousel photographed by Gaby J Photography
Middle Row: sequin star drinks stirrrers photographed by Paper Antler via 100 layer cake, printable confetti stationery by Love vs Design via HGTV, ribbon backed chairs photographed by Readyluck via Ruffled
Bottom Row: bride with streamers photographed by Readyluck via Ruffled, glass teacup photographed by Jenna McKenzie via HeyGorg, cake pop flags by Jenna Rae Cakes & photographed by Tracey Kianski via Grey Likes Weddings


text:
The Rotaract Club of Vancouver Yaletown is a small but dedicated group of students and young professionals. Chartered during the summer of 2009, RCVY is the first Rotaract club in the downtown Vancouver area. With emphasis on leadership and professional development, the club was formed with the main vision of providing service and giving back to the Yaletown community.
Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Vancouver Yaletown.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
My Dearest Kaidence,
Today is December 23rd, only 2 days before Christmas and we are celebrating your "First Angel Heart Birthday." Last year at this time you were in surgery and we were awaiting the arrival of your new heart. The moment they came and told me your new heart was in a beating will be a moment that I never forget. This gift was given to you by an amazing family who's little boy returned back to Heavenly Father. They wanted you to live and be happy and because of them you will.
Kaidence, you truly are a daughter of God. You have been blessed with many beautiful attributes that were given to you by your Heavenly Father so that you would be prepared for the trials that you would face in this lifetime. One thing that the nurses and doctors that cared for you for so long said about you, was that you were full of patience and grace. I am amazed by these qualities every time I think back to those days. It was like you knew that this was part of your mission in life and that you accepted everything about it, including the pain.
You are a fighter Kaidence, You never gave up. You are our "Fairy of Faith." We know that "Medically speaking", you should not be here. But we know that "Spiritually Speaking" Heavenly Father has his own plans for you. You have a big purpose. You have already taught so many about life. You have given so many HOPE.
Faith, fasting and prayer were some of the things that we could not have done without. I have spent many nights on my knees in a hospital bathroom pleading in prayer.
You have had many amazing blessing given to you by your daddy and others and I am starting to see those unfold before my eyes. You do have an "infectious love" and so many "have been drawn to you." You are also a "medical miracle" and are"living a happy, joyful and fulfilled life at home with your parents and your brothers." So many people love you, many of whom you don't even know yet. Kaidence, I want you to know that while you were sick so many reached out to your family and we have been blessed by hundreds of acts of kindness and service.
Kaidence, I am sorry for all the times that I have had to hold you down while doctors and nurses did what they needed to do. I know that you probably wondered why your mommy would let others hurt you like that. It would break my heart when you would just cry and look at me or when you would reach our you IV filled hands and want mommy to pick you up, but I couldn't. You were too sick . I knew that it took all your energy to lift your little arms to me, because you were so weak you would no longer fight or cry when they would come to draw blood and place IV's. You no longer had a voice for yourself but please know that your daddy and I have tried and will continue to be your voice.
Kaidence, you have two AMAZING big brothers who love you very much. They have made sacrifices but never complained because they love you. They have learned more about faith and prayer than most their age and they too recognize that Heavenly Father has heared their prayers for you. Because of what they have seen you go through and watching others at he hospital they have been blessed with the gift of compassion, prayer and understanding for others. They understood that mommy had to spend so much time with you because they didn't want you to be alone at the hospital. They have been so good to you.
Kaidence, you have carried a great spirit about you since your birth and now I know why. I would never trade all the sleepless night, sick tummies, the tears, worry, walking the hospital halls in my pj's, and my crash course in nursing for anything, because I get to love and care for you in this lifetime.
I love you my baby girl. Always embrace life and who you are. You are my miracle!
I Love you,
****UPDATE- I think we are going home today!!!!
Here is the link to her article from Sunday http://www.standard.net/live/news/159399
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
My Dearest Kaidence,
Posted by Kaidence's Mommy at 8:32 AM 20 comments
Monday, December 22, 2008
I have had about two hours of sleep and my eyelids are so heavy, but I wanted to quickly update about this morning. So, I of course woke up feeling.....exhausted, frustrated, stressed and VERY emotional. I knew that this day was coming and I still have many emotions to deal with regarding Kaidence's transplant. I know that sounds very weird and I thought that I had dealt with all my feelings, but apparently not. Today was the day a year ago that we got "the call" telling us that our prayers have been answered and that Kaidence was getting a new heart. Everything happened so quickly from that point on and I have been so busy caring for her since that I haven't really been able to work through some feelings. These are good feelings of gratitude but also the ongoing heartbreak that I think I may always carry in my heart for our donor family. I am still just so amazed that someone would give us such an amazing gift. I have worried about our donor family so much lately. So needless to say I have some emotional stuff going on. I couldn't even walk to the cafeteria today without crying because every time I walked by, kind people were dropping off gifts for the children at the hospital for Christmas. We truly live in a very unique and kind community. Not all children's hospitals have this type of support.
Anyhow, as the day went on, things with Kaidence got better. She is still very tired but is getting better all the time. Every blood, stool, snot and urine sample sent out has come back negative, so that is good, but her CRP increased today to 22 (not good). Her echo looked fine. The medical team consulted with cardiology and let them know that the "illness" that Kaidence has, has been going around and that they have also seen elevated CRP's in others kids with the same symptoms. So the plan is that if no fevers occur during the night, we can go H _ _ _ tomorrow. What a great way to celebrate Kaidence's "Angel Heart" birthday tomorrow. To think, last year we were holding Kaidencce for the last time before she went off to surgery and now here we are a year later looking forward to spending Christmas together as a family. Thanks for your prayers, they are working!
Posted by Kaidence's Mommy at 8:13 PM 1 comments
Well, it is just about midnight and we are still sitting in the ER. Mike has gone home because he has work tomorrow and no longer has any time off (it has all been used on Kaidence and his arm surgery). I haven't slept really in over 24 hours and am starting to feel it. Maybe my patience is starting to struggle a little. Kaidence's fever has finally broke and she has gotten some IV fluids. (gotta go. I'll update in a minute).
Ok, it is now 2 AM and I am officially very grumpy. Kaidence's CRP (the bodies inflammatory response) is very high. It should be below .8 but it is 18. So we know that something is going on somewhere but we don't know were. We finally got a room for Kaidence (I arrived at the hospital at 5:30 tonight). As we started getting situated in her room they told me that we had to move to the PICU because they could not do high flow oxygen on the floor. Hello, you can send an average mom home with a kid on high flow oxygen for night times sleeping but the trained nurses along with the respiratory therapist next door can't handle it???? Hospital protocol. So then after much conversation and getting our PICU room ready they decided to keep us on the floor. Well now they just came and said that they didn't know that Kaidence is on precautions because they did a respiratory panel. We have to wait for the "official" respiratory panel to be done, but all preliminary results are negative. So now we have to move to a dirty pod and chance Kaidence picking up who knows what but they have to call in a nurse and so we can't move until she gets here. Each person that walks into the room ask the same questions and does the same exam. Kaidence has had her ears examined about 5 times today (usually always being woken up to do so). I know it is always like this. We have done this enough to know better but you would think that when child hasn't slept since Saturday afternoon, they would let her do so. Our plan is to do more labs in the morning and check her heart. Battery dad, gotta go.
So It is 5 Am and I am Super Duper Grumpy and tired. We are finally moved, Kaidence is asleep and I am heading to bed. I will be up in an hour when they round at 6 AM. I need some sleep!!!!
Posted by Kaidence's Mommy at 6:00 AM 5 comments
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Off to the hospital!!!
We are off to our "house on the hill"....Please say a prayer for little Kaidence!!!
Posted by Kaidence's Mommy at 4:51 PM 4 comments
Prayers please, we want to be home for Christmas!
I was really hoping to go to church today as a family and let Kaidence wear her beautiful Christmas dress but.......Kaidence is pretty sick. She has had a fever of 103.8 (much to high for an immunosuppressed kiddo) and is coughing, vomiting and not eating anything. She has cried all night and all day today. Even with Tylenol (we can't have Ibuprofen) she continues to have a fever. I can't give her all of her meds so we have to pick and choose the most important. We need your prayers please. If her fever continues and we don't have a answers as to why, we have been told by cardiology that we will have to take Kaidence up to PCMC ER. I don't want to go because I know we will be admitted for "cultures: and other tests and I don't want to chance another Christmas up at the hospital. The boys don't want it either. I hope that this is nothing too serious. Our WONDERFUL pediatrician is stopping by to take a look at her today and hopefully we can find something that can be treated with antibiotics at home. Please keep little Kaidence in your prayers.
-Also, Kaidence's story is on the front page of the "Standard Examiner" today and not last Tuesday for those that were wondering what happened.
Posted by Kaidence's Mommy at 1:43 PM 1 comments


text:
One year ago today, I got the call that would forever change our lives. I was talking to Cole about how much I was dreading today, and he reminded me that not every anniversary had to be remembered. But the truth is that, while I never wanted that phone call, having a diagnosis has been a blessing in so many ways. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it wasn't October 17th I was dreading...it was October 16th.
The 16th. The day before. Because one year ago yesterday I was going about our lives, blissfully unaware of how the rug was about to be ripped from under my feet and the breath taken from me. Still living with the idea that she would catch up and grow out of it eventually. Still able to realistically dream of her typical future- one filled with college, career, marriage, family. Not knowing that in 24 hours or so, those dreams would forever be shattered and I would have to start picking up the pieces and putting together new goals and dreams for my baby girl.
Before Ava was born, I had put I Samuel 1:27 on her nursery wall. "For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me the desires of my heart." I have been thinking about how true those words really are. Because I prayed so hard for a baby girl. A girl with blonde hair and blue eyes like mommy. An easygoing and happy nature like daddy. A girl we would name Ava Faye- Ava because it means "to fly" and Faye after myself, my mom, and many great aunts. A girl that would touch and bless others and be a light in our lives. And that is exactly what we got! But what I didn't pray for, what I didn't desire in my heart, was to have to watch my child struggle. To watch my child be profoundly disabled and have to work ten times as hard to accomplish things that just come naturally for her peers. I didn't pray for that. I didn't want that. So does that mean that God made a mistake or that He didn't really answer my prayers?
No. Not at all. I believe the total opposite, actually. God knew our hearts. He knew how much we would love and cherish any child we were blessed with, and He didn't choose Ava for us- He chose us for her! I had no idea what the true desire of my heart was until he gave me Ava. And my desire is to love her and be her mother!
I wrote about getting the call that day, and my memories from that afternoon, in this post. I have talked before about some of the blessings that a diagnosis have brought, but not any specifically. It seems like, with every challenge we have faced since October 17th, 2011, we have also been equally as blessed. Like God is reminding us that, although we will face obstacles on this journey, He is still with us and will lead us through to brighter days.
So I wanted to, instead of focus on the heartache and pain that this day brought us last year, to focus on a few of the blessings that have been given to our family in the year since....
* This past year, both Cole and I have grown so much. Our marriage, our faith. In so many ways. We are both closer to the Lord and closer to each other. We had a strong marriage before, but having to face the diagnosis of AS has really brought us closer together and made us lean on each other for strength and courage. Cole has always been an amazing father, but watching him since Ava was diagnosed- he has really stepped up and become her protector and is just astounding with her. He is really my rock on days that I think I can't keep going, and knowing that he has my back is more comfort to me than he understands. An example of this- we had a GI appointment for Ava yesterday. Just a regular check-up, but I was really worried that I would have to fight her GI doctor to keep her on Nexium for reflux, and I told Cole as much. Now, normally at these appointments, I do the talking. But Cole was the first to speak up when the issue was brought up, and say that she needed to stay on the medicine, and explained why. I think the doctor didn't know how to take both of us insisting on it, so he agreed and there wasn't any resistance from him! I am so blessed with a husband who will do anything to protect his family, and who is my partner on this journey. He is an incredible man, and the AS has really brought us closer together than ever before.
* Cole's job and that journey. Since we were married, Cole has worked away from home. Either deployed or working in the gulf as an off shore pilot. He wanted to be closer to home, but helicopter jobs in Arkansas are few and far between, and usually go to someone with more experience than he had in the beginning. So we decided to buckle down, endure the schedule, and when jobs did come open (mostly at the guard) he would apply for them. For about three years, he kept getting passed over for positions in Arkansas, for one reason or another. It was frustrating and discouraging for us both- but we just kept praying that the right position would come his way when the time was right. In the meantime, he continued to further his career in the gulf, and eventually began flying S-92s. In the process of his S-92 position, he also obtained his Airline Transport Pilot license, or ATP. The ATP is a step up, or add-on, to a commercial license, and is something that he never would have gotten had he worked for the Army, since the Army doesn't require ATPs. Well, he was continuing to build his hours and experience in the gulf one year ago when we got the phone call about Ava. Not 30 minutes after hanging up from telling him what the doctor said, he was calling me back telling me that he was going to start putting in for Arkansas jobs again- something we had both agreed he wouldn't do for a while until he had more hours and had fulfilled his obligation to his current employer.
So as soon as he got home, he started preparing his application for a job as a maintenance test pilot for his unit. At the same time, he got a call from a friend telling him that Arkansas Children's Hospital (aka, our dream job) had an opening. Now we got the AS call on a Monday. Cole came home from work late that Thursday night. Early the next week he put in his application at ACH. He was called late that week and an interview set up for the following Tuesday. We spent that weekend praying, me drilling him on the history of ACH and Angel One (I even made him a little Angel One study guide! HA!) and preparing him for interviewing at ACH. That Tuesday, I sent him off to interview, and prayed the entire time he was gone. He came home feeling good about the day, and excited that he got to fly one of their 76s with the chief pilot. He already had a lot of experience in 76s, and felt really good about his performance. Early the next morning, he left to head back down to Louisiana for work. I got a call about 11 from him- he was on the road, but he was calling to tell me that he had just hung up with the Flight Director from ACH, who had offered him the position!!! I literally screamed. Ava thought I had lost my mind!!! Not three full weeks after getting a heartbreaking phone call, I was getting an AMAZING phone call! But he told me not to get too excited. He reminded me that he was still contractually obligated to his current company, PHI, and that they might not let him out of his contract, or they might require him to repay the money they spent on him to send him to the S92 transition and ATP course.
That night, I sat down on the phone with him, and wrote out his resignation letter, and the next day he talked quietly to some of the management about our situation and the offer on the table. In the letter, I simply explained Ava's diagnosis, and if it wasn't for that, he would not be seeking employment closer to home. But that the strains and demands of a special needs child are such that being closer to home must be a priority. I think he was surprised when his bosses at PHI were completely supportive and understanding, and didn't give him any problems at all. They had spent a lot of money on his training, and I think he was expecting at least some resistance. I wasn't. I knew that they would be great about it. Because I knew that it was God opening these doors for Cole to be able to be home more often. And I knew that God wouldn't provide him with this amazing opportunity without providing a way for him to take it.
* In dealing with Ava's diagnosis, I have had to face the fact that there were some people in our lives that didn't belong there. Some friends. Some family. People that would tear me down and put my child down at every opportunity. They would constantly berate me, try to compare Ava and our family with their own child and family, were more worried about things like being my facebook friend than they were about the fact that I was dealing with what is likely the most difficult thing I would ever face in my life. And while my decision to cut these people from my life has caused some discomfort and conflict, it has been worth it to not have to deal with the anger and heartache that their presence in my life caused.
There are so many small blessings- new friends, amazing doctors, closer family- that AS has brought to our lives. But I guess my point is that, it is a blessing. As difficult as that is to understand, and as difficult as it is to accept, this is the path that God has chosen for our family and knowing that, I must always remind myself that the Lord granted me the desire of my heart. And He will teach me just how remarkable and amazing that desire is!!! The greatest things in life do not come easily, nor do they come without a price. The price for being Ava's mother is a lot of heartache, sleepless nights, and worry. But the gift is the most precious piece of Heaven- a true and pure and wonderful person made in His image- someone that will constantly remind me of how remarkable the Lord is. And that is priceless!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
One Year Later...Reflections
One year ago today, I got the call that would forever change our lives. I was talking to Cole about how much I was dreading today, and he reminded me that not every anniversary had to be remembered. But the truth is that, while I never wanted that phone call, having a diagnosis has been a blessing in so many ways. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it wasn't October 17th I was dreading...it was October 16th.
Posted by The Brewers at 7:10 AM
1 comments:
- Soledad said...
Reading your post got me thinking about our diagnosis day as well. It was more for me. Going on 3 years this January. I have to tell you though this year, I completely forgot about "that day." Didn't think about it until a couple days later and I have God to thank for that. Like you I felt Lily would just grow out of it and one day catch up. I was even mad at God when we got the diagnosis because I literally had every religions praying for her. My family is very diverse LOL. However in time, I realized God did bring me the angel I prayed for. God bless you and your family. Angel hugs!
- October 17, 2012 at 7:57 AM


text:
The Ultimate Guide to Setting up WordPress after an Install538
There are a few essential steps that need to be taken with any new wordpress install. Obviously not every wordpress blog will be the same but there are some basics that I feel should be done regardless of what kind of blog you're creating.
Here we'll go through 10 steps that are essential to preform after any wordpress install including a list of 10 plug-ins that are a must for blogs of any type.


text:
SureFire Ag Systems is an employee owned company that practices open book management. We believe our people are our greatest asset at SureFire. Employee ownership and open book management let us tap into every employee's enthusiasm, intelligence and creativity to build an enduring business.
We have visited and studied Springfield ReManufacturing Corporation (SRC) in Springfield, Missouri. They are a pioneering employee owned company that has shared their success story so companies like SureFire can learn. We strive to customize open book management principles to propel SureFire's future growth and success.
We created our Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 2010. In 2012, the ESOP included 14 employees. Today the ESOP includes 33 employees who own about 15.68% of SureFire Ag Systems. More employees will become eligible to join the ESOP in future years.


text:
About me
roger henke
Still figuring out the story line that would satisfy myself here. Listening to what my family and friends evoke, what the words I absorb, the images that move me, the movements that still me, point to.
Personal Links
Tag Archives: Jamaica
spectacular talent deserves support
Mira Rai is starting to make her mark internationally. A couple of months ago she showed up at the start of her first ever 50k and did remarkably well for a girl that hadn't run much beyond 5 and 10k races. … Continue reading
Posted in (trail) running Tagged David Rothkopf, Die Antwoord, gift economy, girl power, Jamaica, JoeJoe Fan, Matt Moroz, Mira Rai, Nepal, Richard Bull, Stevie Kremer 15 Comments


text:
Home > Women > Wallets & Purses
In stock
A multi-purpose coin/key pouch. The main zip compartment includes a key ring and can hold coins, cards and notes. A zip pocket can be found on the outer side of each face for extra storage space. The small tabs allow the pouch to be attached to a hook or key ring.
UK orders
We can post anywhere within the UK. We ask for a £2.50 charge for any deliveries under £50.On orders over £50, we offer free postage and packaging.
For more information, please check our Delivery & Returns section.
Size: 13.5 x 9 x 1.5 cmMaterial: Leather
Be the first to Write a Review for this item!


text:
The eagerly awaited 2018 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, presented by Fury Jeep, will begin with publication of the first clue in Pioneer Press editions of Sunday, January 21st, 2018 and on TwinCities.com, the digital home of the hunt.
The hunt, a Saint Paul tradition since 1952, challenges readers to solve daily clues and be the first to find the medallion hidden on public land in Ramsey County. The successful hunter could win up to $10,000.
A new Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt clue will be published daily through Thursday, February 1st, 2018, unless the medallion is found before that date.
To qualify for the full $10,000 prize award, the individual who finds the medallion must return it promptly to the Pioneer Press, have a registered 2018 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Button (postmarked or registered online by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 19th, 2018. Please note that the button ID is printed on the button card, therefore all buttons purchased online after Tuesday, January 16th can not be guaranteed for delivery before the January 19th, 2018), and the daily clues clipped or copied from the Pioneer Press or Twincities.com. (Please Note: Groups or hunting partners may not share a registered button. In addition, the Pioneer Press will recognize one winner with one prize. If the finder chooses to share the prize award, it will be his or her responsibility to do so.)
Buttons may continue to be registered through February 10th, 2018 to be eligible for other prizes.
Follow the action on Twitter (search #pphunt) and on Facebook (become a fan of the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt page).
The Treasure Hunt Hotline – 651-228-5547 – will state the current status of the hunt and verify that the hunt is over after the official winner has been confirmed.
For media inquiries regarding the Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt, please contact: Patricia Effenberger, APR, email@example.com, Office: 651-228-5016, Pioneer Press, 10 River Park Plaza, St. Paul, MN 55107


text:
Army chaplain T Guy Rogers reported his latest experiences to his old friends in Reading.
August 15th, 1916.
My Dear Friends,
I wish I could give you some idea of all the wonderful sights one see on the march. It is true one only sees under difficulties. Great clouds of dust half blind and choke us as we go. The blazing sun makes even the hardiest warrior droop his head a little as we traverse the rolling hills. Sometimes we become too preoccupied with mopping our faces to do any justice to the landscape. But when the ten minutes' halt comes- ten minutes to the hour – when ranks are broken, and we lie down on the bank, or in the ditch, or on the heap of stones by the road, we find ourselves in more observant mood. Perhaps we have halted near some bivouacs and see hundreds of naked forms bathing in some tiny stream which would have been utterly despised in days of peace. The British soldier is not proud like Naaman! If he cannot find Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, he is content with any trickling or shallow Jordan which come his way.
Perhaps we have halted near some batteries and admire the cleverness with which they have been screened from aeroplane observation. The whole country is stiff with guns. Though there may be good reason to smile at some statements made by politicians, believe all that you hear about the guns. They are as thick as 'leaves in Vallombrosa' or blackberries in September. Whole batteries of – spring up like mushrooms in a night; our old eighteen pounders are, like silver in the days of the great King Solomon, 'nothing accounted of' for their number.
I wish too, I could repeat for you some of the stories I have heard of the tremendous fighting of the last six weeks. All honour to the armies we call by the name of the great Kitchener. To-day I hear of a boy under age for military service, who, with a handful of men, has held a position for three days against German attacks, when the rest of their Company was killed. The deeds of heroism are without number. Alas we say for those who have fallen. Such sad news comes to me from home of our brave fellows from S. John's who have laid down their lives in the great advance. But our last word must not be 'Alas.' I like that custom of the French Government which consists in congratulating as well as commiserating with the relatives of the fallen. And even though from constant reiteration those fine phrases 'The Last Debt,' 'The Supreme Sacrifice' may have lost something of their pristine glory, the simple testimony still remains, 'Greater love hath no man than this- that a man lay down his life for his friend.'
My own life is full of the kaleidoscopic changes of an army in motion. This evening I am in a chateau with ample grounds. I lunched (is the word permissible?) to the roar of a 9-inch gun. Last night I slept in a cellar, full of empty wine bottles, and most inconveniently damp; another night a little farther back in a dug-out in the front line, after burying some poor bodies lying out upon a recent battlefield.
Nearly all my services of late have been in the open air. I can recall so many which could not but touch the least sentimental, and which leave behind unforgettable memories – memories of men kneeling on the slopes of a hillside in the early morning to receive the sacrament, memories of services held between long aisles of waving pines, and on the tops of downs swept by the evening breeze.
Amidst all the sadness – and there is much – when friends (and one has so many now) are struck down by shot or shell, there is an uplifting sense of God's presence, and we can feel it even in the valley of the shadow. And even if called upon to face sterner ordeals in the immediate future, 'out of the depths' shall we still praise our God.
Your sincere friend,
Reading St. John parish magazine, September 1916 (D/P172/28A/24)


text:
These 30-Day Learning Challenges Can Completely Change Your Year
Starts with a bang. Ends with a whimper. That's the story of most new year resolutions. But, challenge yourself to learn a new skill this year.
One of the solutions to your new year resolution woes according to the American Psychological Association is to start small. They also say:
Change one behavior at a time
Learn a new skill one at a time. Maybe, don't set the horizon too far away. Combine the three tenets of small starts, short time frames, and one new skill or habit at a time into brief challenges of 30 days or less. A month can be just the right time to see if you are interested in learning a new skill and have the grit to carry it out beyond a month.
There are a lot of challenges you can try as 30-day projects 12 Life-Changing Challenges You Can Try as 30-Day Projects Personal challenges make us change. How about adopting a more deliberate method by designing your own challenges with 12 self development projects for the New Year? Here are some ideas. Read More . We picked up five from Udemy's roster of courses. This is part of our continuing series on the best Udemy courses you can benefit from.
The first course is something we can all agree on…
30 Day Challenge to a More Productive and Much Happier You!
Key Lesson: How you can boost your productivity, focus, success, and happiness in 30 days.
Productivity, focus, success, and happiness are the not so secret alchemic formula for a well-lived life. If you have managed to combine them together then don't read anymore. Stop here and go back to what you were doing, because I am then certain you haven't let productivity take over your life 5 Ways to Keep Productivity From Taking Over Your Life Are we, as a society, significantly more productive? And if we are, are we happier? Productivity is important, but it needs to be put in its place. Read More . Productivity is useless without the happiness wagon trailing behind it.
But if your journey has stalled, then take on this 30-day challenge on Udemy. Chris Haroun takes you through 30 short exercises in 30 days to help you find more balance in your life. Tools like the Daily Achievement Blueprint will make you feel in control over your life.
The course goes to the heart of your work life but give it eight percent of the year and wait for the spillover into your entire life.
30 Day Yoga Challenge & Detox Diet Transformation System
Key Lesson: Learn all about yoga, meditation, and cleansing dietary practices.
No resolution has been able to displace health and fitness from the list of new year promises. Try a different approach this time. Skip the resolution. Just create a simple system with the help of a micro habit or a mini habit How to Use Micro Habits and Spark Massive Personal Change Creating new habits is hard. Habits are usually built over weeks or months of repetition, and motivation is the challenge. When the going gets tough, micro-habits can be a huge help. Read More . Instead of a wasted gym membership, try the more soothing and almost meditative practice of yoga.
This 30-Day Yoga Challenge course on Udemy just needs a yoga mat, a soft surface, and less than an hour of your day. Dashama Konah is a lifestyle guru and an expert yoga teacher. You can try learn the yoga habit irrespective of your physical flexibility. It is created for women and men ages 16 through 60 but as always consult a doctor if you have any major health concerns.
Do the exercises as a 30-day learning experiment. You will find out if you enjoy yoga or at least it will push you towards another fitness habit.
Complete Guitar System – Beginner to Advanced
Key Lesson: Learn to play guitar and understand music.
It will take far longer to master the guitar. But the thirty-day learning experiment is a start. It's also a start to improving your health and mind in a way that does not involve exercise. Repeated studies have found that a musical hobby protects the aging mind against dementia. If you start young, it can even boost your IQ and grades.
Take on the 29 hours of video as a thirty-day challenge. There are 289 lessons in this Udemy course. The coaching is in three stages — beginner, intermediate, and advanced. This is a solid start even if you have never picked up a guitar in your life. Then, take these lessons and continue your journey.
Looking for something that is easier to carry around? Pocket this harmonica course on Udemy.
30 Days of Python — Unlock Your Python Potential
Key Lesson: Understand the basics of the Python programming language.
Programming is one of the best ways to upgrade and future proof yourself. If you are a geek then it must be on your bucket list anywhere. Learning Python 5 Reasons Why Python Programming Is Not Useless Python -- You either love it or you hate it. You might even swing from one end to the other like a pendulum. Regardless, Python is a language that's hard to be ambivalent about. Read More gives you a good launch pad because you can use it on anything from a simple Raspberry Pi to an Enterprise level server. IEEE Spectrum ranked Python at the top in its list of Top Programming Languages in 2017.
You might not launch rockets with Python yet but you can use it for simple data extraction. It's a great skill to show off at work. The 30 Days of Python course will teach you the basics of data scraping and its manipulation among other things.
Learn the foundational skills in a month and then take it in other directions with more advanced projects.
30 Day Challenge: Step by Step Online Business Success
Key Lesson: Start with an idea and set up your own income generating online business in 30 days.
Shark Tank is in its ninth season. If the success of the multi-Emmy Award-winning reality show doesn't tell you something about our century's gold rush then nothing will. You don't even need to launch a venture-backed startup. Thanks to the web, you can turn any idea into a side hustle Start an Online Side Hustle From Your Armchair With These 5 Courses A side hustle can make you some extra income every month. But it is also about using your passion to improve your life. These five Udemy courses will help you start a side job. Read More . A side hustle is a low-cost and zero risk way to test your novel business idea.
Discover your stamina to take on bigger tests beyond the 30-day challenge. The focus of this Udemy course is on an online business idea, but that's one of the best things you can do from your armchair or anywhere in the world. Niche business ideas can involve internet marketing, graphic design, website development, or any other option.
The course is theoretical but it can give you a step-by-step roadmap to act on your side income impulse.
Design Your Own 30-Day Challenge
You can work on your own 30-day learning challenge. The calendar on the wall or on your computer is the only reminder you need. My suggestion would be to take a bad habit or a project you procrastinated on and push it forward with this time frame. It can be a cure for bad financial habits How to Fix Bad Financial Habits With a 30-Day Money Challenge Read More or the first move to examine your life Start A Digital Journaling Habit With A 30-Day Challenge One useful path to personal self-improvement is through keeping a journal. But this approach requires journal writing to become a habit. A journaling challenge could be the push you need to just begin. Read More . Maybe, the idea is in your bucket list somewhere.
These Udemy courses give you some structure and knowledge. Search for a few more on the education platform. As you know, every paid course on Udemy comes with:
- Lifetime access.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Certificate of completion.
Have you ever tried a 30-day challenge or a project? How did it turn out? What advise would you someone who wants to experiment with their own self-improvement project?
Related topics: Education Technology, Habits, Motivation, Online Courses, Udemy Courses.
Affiliate Disclosure: By buying the products we recommend, you help keep the site alive. Read more.


text:
How to meet Russian women
Are you dreaming of meeting a Russian singles? Sure, it is worth trying. Russian women are careful, thoughtful, attentive, beautiful and well-groomed. They are positive and manage to set your mood as well. Sometimes they are adventurous, but can seem to be more comlicated than other girls just because they come from a foreign country. So it's time to learn something new and useful about these girls, and the main thing, to answer the questions: how to meet Russian singles, where can you meet Russian women, what you should know about them to win their hearts. It is exciting, isn't it?
One more important thing to say before we start our «investigation» is the following. If you want to meet Russian single ladies, you should know one secret. Have a strong approach. Show that you are confident in your body language, eye contact and what you do. When you meet Russian women, they will be thrilled with your behavior. Be positive about your life. It is no need to lie, if not all spheres of your life are perfect, but it is great to talk about things and people you love. In such a way you show your woman what and whom you love and who loves you, and it will fan the spark in your women's heart. You are welcome to start meeting Russian women!
Meet Russian singles in the right place
Where to meet Russian women? It is quite rationally to go to places where they are most likely to be. You may know the most of these places, but some of them can be new for you. You can start your search here:
- Go to Russia. There you will meet so many Russian women that you even can't imagine. You will see them on the streets, in shops, in buses — everywhere. A woman will gladly make an aqcuaintance with you, even if you start speaking with her on the street. It is a great idea to ask her for help. Tell her that you don't know how to find some street or shop, and maybe she will even lead you to the place you need. It is a good reply to the question «How to meet Russian women», really!
- Visit countries that were a part of the USSR. They are Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia or Belarus. It is a good place where to meet Russian girls. Some of them move to these countries even after collapse of the Soviet uni0n, because almost everybody there speaks Russian. Nevertheless the girls gladly learn the language of the land where they live. Bring to notice that Russian woman like to learn foreign languages very much, and they will learn your native language with pleasure as well!
- Meet Russian singles in USA. Visit Russian disctricts, restaurants, shops and clubs in your area. If you meet a girl whose name is of Slavic origin, like Irina, Tanya, Masha, Olga etc., it is quite possible that she comes from Russia.
- Find a good dating website. Do you have friends who like to meet Russian women online? Online dating is exciting, but you have to find a safe place to look for a relationship. There should be no scammers, no fraud and no fake personalities. How can you know this? Look for the real dating agency with Russian and Ukrainian girls. Read reviews about various sites and try some of them. Use services of a reliable and reputable dating website. For example, www.uadreams.com is about 10 years in dating business.
Meet Russian girls online and feel safe
Safety in online dating is the main question that bothers a lot of men. It is naturally that you are careful choosing a good matchmaking agency, because there are so many scammers in internet! Dishonest people who create fake women's profiles and ask men for money. Is it possible to avoid dating scams? Yes, sure.
As for UaDreams, this agency provides a strict Anti-Scam policy. This policy includes the following rules. No other agency is allowed to post profiles of their members on UaDreams website to promote their business. When UaDreams registers a woman in their Gallery of Ladies, they check her documents and matrimonial status. You can make sure that ladies in this agency are real, because you will find free videos in their profiles. Besides, you can invite a lady in video chat and make sure that she is real. It is prohibited for women to ask men for money on UaDreams.com. If the case takes place, the girl is immediately excluded from the agency.
Try safe internet dating and meet Russian girls online!
Try safe Internet dating and meet Russian girls online!
Lots of foreign men are eager to take some advices that would help them to meet Russian girl online for serous relationships and family. It is difficult to meet a Russian woman face to face being separated by miles of distance but it does not matter that it is impossible to take your sweetheart on a almost real date. Video chats and video conferences in Skype are the best means to accomplish this uneasy but pleasant task. You can even able to present her with flowers and a dinner delivered to her home to make things run smooth and get in the lady's good graces. Who would name such a date unreal?
There are some more useful tips that might help you and your beautiful date get along very well during your online conversations.
Be romantic. "Men fall in love with their eyes, and women with their ears". Russian women love hearing compliments from men on their wits and beauty. Even the Snow Queens are not immune to flattery and would not turn from sincere expression of interest and gentlemanly gestures. For any Russian female their looks mean a lot, and reassurance from her man that he likes the way she looks means volumes to her. This one will never get too old.
Don't push her. When you are dating a Russian lady, give her time to think over everything. Russian girls hardly appreciate cave man's attitudes. Don't speed things up and make her feel under pressure. Set a natural step by step pace in evolving your relationships.
Be attentive and supportive. Actually listen to what she says or writes. Even if she complains. Even if you think there is no actual problem. You might be not too helpful with finding a solution, but you should not criticize her for her concerns, brushing them off as irrelevant or ridiculous. And don't forget that a conversation means that both parties are involved, and randomly murmured "Yes, dear" won't show your actual participation in it. Ask her questions to help the conversation flow and tell something about yourself if it fits the situation.
Be honest. Don't hide things about who you are and your past, don't make a big deal of your previous history. Remember that happiness built on lies won't last long.
Spend more time together. Common interests give opportunity to develop the relationship and bring something new into them. Emotions experienced together make life even brighter. But that does not mean you have to completely abandon your own hobbies and have them replaced with those things that your partner likes. If your interests are radically different, find what you like to do together.
No matter if you are eager to meet single Russian women for free or prefer using high-class dating and meeting services, being persistent and active you will definitely succeed in meeting your special someone.


text: industries served motorcycle Motorcycles Motorcycles… Few engines make as much horsepower per liter of displacement. What better an application for performance coatings? And with so much of a motorcycle visible to the eye, what other type of transportation needs to look good everywhere? HPC's coatings are ideal. Exhaust Coatings: "The difference on our discolored [Buell] M2 pipe is amazing. It didn't look this good when it was new!" Hot Bike Magazine – June 2000 HPC's HiPerCoat® exhaust coatings give your bike the custom look that doesn't go away as you ride it. Our polished aluminum finish will not turn blue or gold like chrome and stainless and our colors will not fade over time like paints and other high temperature processes. HiPerCoat is coating of choice by many customizers and several original equipment motorcycle, snowmobile and ATV manufacturers because of HiPerCoat's durability and quality. HiPerCoat reduces the skin temperature of the header up to 35% and heat inside fairings up to 38%, making for a more comfortable rider and passenger and protecting expensive body work and paint. HiPerCoat is available high luster polished aluminum as well as semi-gloss black, gray, blue, red, green and purple. Appearance Coatings: HPC offers hi tech appearance coatings. HiPerColor™; and HiPerCrystal™; coatings are much more durable then enamel paints and offers excellent corrosion resistance. These coatings are especially suited for components that see less then 600° F such as engine cases and jugs, suspension components, frames, wheels and anything else metal. HPC's appearance coatings are available in many colors. Our appearance Dry Film coatings offer the best in chemical and impact resistance. HiPerColor coatings are not effected by many common chemicals including brake fluid and are available in most basic colors. Engine Coatings: HPC offers a variety of engine coatings to make more horsepower and promote longer engine life. HPC's piston coatings are especially suited to motorcycle engines. This two step process provides a thermal barrier coating to the combustion face of the piston and a lubritic dry film coating on the skirt. The thermal barrier coating (TBC) helps maintain combustion temperatures and prevent heat soak to the rings, causing radial tension loss leading to losses in compression and excessive oil consumption. HPC's SDF coating on the skirt greatly reduces friction and prevents scuffing and galling of the cylinders. Oil temperature can be dropped as much as 10° F with these processes. HPC's S-Series coating for valve springs can triple the life of valve springs. By reducing friction and attracting oil to the spring for cooling, valve springs maintain their seat pressure, accurately operating your valve train for maximum horsepower over many miles. In fact, after 90 minutes at 6,500 RPM (300,000 cycles) HPC coated valve springs had lost only 3.5% (max) of their seat pressure compared to the 15% of uncoated springs. For more information E-mail our Tech Department or call us at 1-800-456-4721. Click here To receive a FREE "Start Seeing Motorcycles" Decal! Put "FREE Start Seeing Motorcycles Decal" in the Description of Parts section.


text:
No more Dutch cows in Turkey
Political tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands are now affecting the economic relationship between the two countries. Disputes on diplomatic level emerged from the Dutch government's decision to ban ministers from Turkey to conduct a campaign in favor of extending the power of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As a result, Bulent Tunc, the chairman… Read More »


text:
........not take your vehicle! OK, not strictly speaking a motorhome topic but perhaps one we should all be a bit aware of.
The pictures below were taken at a beach not a long way south of Sidi-Ifni, a favourite camping location for motor homer's ....... And yes, I have seen motorhomes on the sands.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.......................
OK Marrakech again…….but you will find these Spice Souks in every town in Morocco. Don't just hurry by, looking the other way while taking a little peek. Stop, smell and step inside…… Seeing ghosts has never been a major preoccupation for me, but if ever I find myself frightened of phantoms I know exactly where to go..........to the Spice Souk in Marrakech, where Ahmed will create a secret blend of dried chameleon, iguana foot, sea urchin, hedgehog and fish bones. He'll mix and grind them together for you........ Later throw them in fire and breathe in the cleansing fumes, make a paste and apply to the requisite spot, digest in raw form or as a bedtime beverage. Dried chameleon and hedgehog may be some of the more obscure ingredients on offer at the Berber Pharmacies, but as I said for whatever ails you have they will have something to swallow, breathe, rub on or wash in. Too much stress and not sleeping? Try an infusion of nutmeg flower. Having trouble with migraine or sinus? Then a few tiny black nejillia seeds wrapped in a cloth and inhaled after a quick rub on your palm will blow your head off, make your eyes water and instantly clear your head. It's also great for snoring we are told.
Ahmed spots a shaving cut on my face and gives me a piece of alawn stone to rub on to aid quick healing. With a side-long glance he tells me that is also "creates new virgins", a topic I prefer not to pursue. Continuing with the theme he suggests that should I ever need help in the "men's department" he'll mix me a concoction of Moroccan ginseng tea with just a smidgen of Spanish fly, a tiny insect so toxic that they are sold in the most miniscule quantities imaginable, but even so, Ahmed assures me, "all the night gymnastic, by morning's man's dead".
A visit to a Berber pharmacy is as much ceremony as shopping. With a grin they will offer you a glass of "Berber Whisky" - mint tea - while they discuss what ails you, let you sample a little of this, smell a soupcon of that, before mixing your potion, over charging you and then try to sell you something else. But it's all part of the game.
When I first visited Ahmed almost ten years ago I brought three small blocks of concentrated ambergris, jasmine flower and musk, which still perfume my home and never seem to fade or reduce in size. But after setting fire to a piece of gourd and inhaling the smoke to try and cure a headache, the stench was so bad that I decided that perhaps modern-day pharmacy does have something to offer - and swallowed a paracetemol instead.
A visit to a genuine Berber Pharmacy is pure entertainment ...... with a bonus!
So, when you come to Joujouka for the festival, you're not just following in the footsteps of Paul Bowles, Brion Gysin, William Burroughs, Brian Jones and some of the world's most challenging artists. You're experiencing the unique healing power of the music of the Masters in its purest possible form. The next Master Musicians of Joujouka Festival takes place from 14-16 June 2013. For the last six years Moroccan Sufi trance group the Master Musicians of Joujouka have held an annual festival for an international crowd of music lovers to experience their music in an intimate setting.
Inside the village the thatched houses crouch low in their gardens to hide in the deep cactus-lined lanes. You come through their maze to the broad village green where the pipers are piping; fifty raitas banked against a crumbling wall blow sheet lightning to shatter the sky. Fifty wild flutes blow up a storm in front of them, while a platoon of small boys in long belted white robes and brown wool turbans drum like young thunder. All the villagers dressed in best white, swirl in great circles and coil around one Wildman in skins.
Bou Jeloud leaps high in the air on the music, races after the women again and again, lashing at them fiercely with his flails -'forget not in your speed, Antonius, to touch Calpurnia' - He is wild. He is mad. Sowing panic. Lashing at anyone; striking real terror into the crowd. Woman scatter like white marabout birds all aflutter and settle on one little hillock for safety, all huddled in one quivering lump. They throw back their heads to the moon and scream with throats open to the gullet, lolling their tongues around their heads like the clapper in a bell. Every mouth is wide open, frozen into an O. Head back and hot narrow eyes brimming with dangerous baby.
Bou Jeloud is after you. Running, over-run, laughter..... someone is crying. Wild dogs at your heels, swirling around in one ring-a-rosy, around and around and around. Go! Forever! Stop! Never! More and No More and No More! ........... Pipes crack in your head. Ears popped away at barrier sound and you are deaf. Or dead! Swirling around in cold moonlight, surrounded by wildmen or ghosts. Bou Jeloud is on you, butting you, beating you, taking you, and leaving you. Gone! The great wind drops out of your head and you hear the heavenly music again.
Pan leaps back on the gaggle of women with his flails. The women scream and deliver one tiny boy, wriggling and stumbling as he dances out in white drag and veil. Another blood curdling birth-yodel and they throw up another small boy. Pan flails them as they push out another and another until there is ten or more little boys-girls out there with Pan, shaking that thing in the moonlight.
Bigger village drag-stars slither out on the village green and shake it up night after night. Pan kings them all until dawn. They are, all of them, Aisha Homolka .......... He is the God Pan.
The marathon is in reality a multi-day 'ultra-marathon' or 'ultra' run over six days following a course of between 150 and 156 (254km) miles, If that does not sound much then think about it, it's the equivalent of running from London to Dover and back again, but in 120 degree heat and with a heavy survival backpack strapped on and with tormenting voices in your head screaming out for a cold beer!
The actual routes and formats change every year. The Race Director and his team spend a month meticulously planning routes that are held secret until the day before the event starts.
Competitors stay overnight in a bivouac village, comprised of tents that sleep about 8 competitors per tent. Once you get your 'bivvy' your bivvy team become your family, your support team, your nursing team and invariably they become long-term friends.
In countryside homes, it's not unusual to see whole rooms knee-deep in rosebuds and petals that are left to dry. Moroccan women use rosewater on their faces (it's great for combatting wrinkles!), and the dried buds can be mixed with ghassoul (clay) in facial and hair products. It's also used in flower water shakers at celebrations, and spice merchants add dried buds to ras el-hanoot, used in cooking.
Rosewater from El Kelaa M'Gouna is available everywhere in the Fez Medina and is very cheap (around Dh10 for a 200ml bottle). Moroccans make their own rosewater at this time of year, when you can see shops selling nothing but rose petals, and small zinc stills are widely available.
The "Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013" ranked 140 countries according to attractiveness and competitiveness in the travel and tourism industries. Among the extensive analyses, one of the most interesting rankings was how welcome tourists are in each country, under the category "Attitude of population toward foreign visitors."


text:
ABB's website uses cookies. By staying here you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Learn more
Search now
There was a problem with your request. Please fill in required fields
E-mail address *
Password *
Sign up for a myABB account to access some of our online services
Sign up
You are being logged in as:
The Power Grids business is the world's leading supplier of power and automation products, systems and service solutions across the power value chain of generation, transmission and distribution enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid. The division serves utility, industry, transportation and infrastructure customer and is focus on addressing key areas such as the integration of renewable energies, growing network complexity, grid automation, and microgrids. This division also offers a full range of consulting, service and asset management solutions based on a lifecycle approach.
The full range of ABB's products.
From product and system services to asset management, we cover all aspects of operations.
Useful information and data about solutions specific to your particular industry.
A guide to the numerous acquired brands that have been instrumental in ABB's evolution.


text:
What alcohol does with a human being is quite well-known, and not everything it induces in terms of human behaviour is agreeable. Still, most of us like to drink a couple of alcoholic beverages in company of others. Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh have now scientifically proven that drinking alcohol together with other people does make things better. They showed that consumption makes positive things more positive, while negative emotions are toned down.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Genetic discovery explains variety of brain disorders
Development of an organism, construction of tissues and even the onset of disease: it all starts with genetics. Genes provide the blueprint for proteins, which in turn form the foundations of all structures. Finding genetic modifications, or mutations, often tell us something about how things go wrong, as a disturbed blueprint leads to malfunctioning proteins and thus disease. Scientists from Seattle Children's Research Institute have found a series of mutations in genes that explain a variety of disorders which predominantly focus on the brain. This includes cancer, but also explains why some people have very large brains or suffer from epilepsy.
Posted by Unknown at 6:02 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Exercise helps to prevent alzheimer's disease
There is much research going on regarding alzheimer's disease. Because it severely impacts the life of the patient and people around him or her, many studies are devoted to find out how we can prevent development of alzheimer's. A previous study revealed that diet may play an important role, but according to scientists from Kyoto University, exercise is actually more important.
Posted by Unknown at 1:11 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Google creates computer network to simulate the brain
The engineers over at Google have been busy with another interesting project in the elusive X lab. After self-driving cars, they now managed to develop a computer system that can learn without human supervision. By connecting over 16.000 processors, they created a network powerful enough to simulate some features of the human brain. Google developers then managed to create an algorithm that turned the powerful computing grid into a 'self-learning machine'. While that may be the first step in order to develop scary machines that are set to take over the world, it actually helps us to understand our own brains better.
Posted by Unknown at 3:44 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Birth of a human captured with an MRI scanner
Birth is a wonderful natural phenomenon. Mammals, like ourselves, carry an unborn child around for a set period of time, after which it is brought into the world as a completely new organism. Most of us only get to see the result of birth: the child itself. However, scientists from a hospital in Berlin, Germany have captured the birth of a child on video with an MRI scanner. It is interesting to see how a woman expels the unborn from her womb.
Posted by Unknown at 12:49 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Embryology, Health
Monday, June 25, 2012
Exercise reduces the risk of breast cancer
A study conducted by a research group from the University of North Carolina has shown an interesting link between the occurrence of breast cancer and physical activity. It seems that exercise results in a rather dramatic decrease in breast cancer risk, which is relevant for those wishing to remain healthy. Although previous research already showed a correlation between exercise and breast cancer, the researchers from North Carolina made the effort to find out exactly what difference it makes.
Posted by Unknown at 4:38 PM 5 comments Links to this post
Friday, June 22, 2012
Research on deadly H5N1 published, reveals dangers
Dutch and American scientists shocked the world a while ago by revealing that they have successfully modified the H5N1 influenza virus in order to become much more deadly. The study was halted because authorities feared terrorists could use the information in order to create biological weapons. Because just five genetic mutations are necessary to create the deadly variant, there is also a risk that nature itself will 'create' this particular lab virus. Because the benefits of publishing were deemed to outweigh the risks, authorities gave the green light for publishing the results, which has recently been done. The papers from both research groups reveal the dangers of this potentially devastating virus.
Posted by Unknown at 1:34 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Microbiology
Scientists grow human liver inside mouse's head
One of the most promising fields of science is the artificial construction of tissues and organs that can be used for transplantation. After the discovery of stem cells, scientists thought they would be able to make anything and replace damaged tissues and organs in the body. It has proven to be much harder than originally thought, especially the growth of whole organs. To tackle one of the major problems with artificial organs, which is the lack of a blood vessel system providing the nutrients, researchers from Yokohama City University devised an interesting experiment: they tried to grow a human liver inside the head of a mouse.
Posted by Unknown at 12:50 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: Transplants
Binge eating may be stopped by blocking a receptor
Eating disorders are on the list of 'modern' diseases, and are rarely taken seriously. A lot of people think it is simply a state of mind, and not a real thing that deserves treatment. However, the body has various mechanisms to regulate appetite, and, by proxy, food intake. Sometimes, biological intervention is possible, as is the case with something called a binge eating disorder. Scientists from Boston University School of Medicine discovered that by blocking a certain protein, that serves as a receptor for incoming signals, binge eating behaviour can be reduced.
Posted by Unknown at 12:04 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: Food
Thursday, June 21, 2012
'Master molecule' to improve stem cell treatment
Stem cells are hallowed as a wonder drug that could potentially restore all bodily damage. Because these primitive cells have the capability to turn into any type of tissue, scientists have tried utilizing them to artificially create tissues that consequently can be transplanted into a patient. Despite these promises, delivering actual treatments has proven to be troublesome. Recent studies have shown some success with restoring heart tissue after a heart attack, but these treatments need to be optimized to let patients fully recover with the aid of stem cells. At the John Hopkins University, scientists discovered that one particular protein on its own may significantly improve creation of heart tissue from stem cells, promising more effective treatment of patients with damaged hearts.
Posted by Unknown at 6:07 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Cardiology, Cells
Gut bacteria help us to fight off virus infections
We have a peculiar relationship with bacteria. Some are out there to kill us, but some of them do not harm us at all, and are in fact quite beneficial. Those that live in our intestines help us with food digestion, and their presence makes sure that gut space cannot be taken up by bad bacteria that constantly try to infect us. New research shows that our small friends in the gut do more than just that: they also help us to get rid of viruses. It was already known that having bacteria in our intestines was needed for our survival, but it appears this is true in more ways than previously assumed.
Posted by Unknown at 2:39 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Immunology, Microbiology
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
New clues about origin of the nervous system found
Our nervous system is what sets us apart from other animals. We are conscious of ourselves and our surroundings, and our brain makes us able to create things that greatly extend our capabilities of survival. Human beings have a complex nervous system with a central part of which the brain is the most important. Simple organisms lack this central part, and just use simple 'wiring' to control body functions. In evolution, the nervous system has become increasingly complex, and scientists from the University of California in Santa Barbara have found clues about the origin of this magnificent system.
Posted by Unknown at 10:36 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Splitting atoms by using quantum mechanics
The concept of an atom has been used by scientists since the ancient Greeks. While the word is derived from the Greek word for indivisible, we now know that atoms are made up of even smaller building blocks. Researchers have managed to split atoms and create enormous amounts of energy, according to the famous law E=MC². This process, called nuclear fission, is based on radioactivity, and works with expulsion of small particles from the atom core. New attempts from the University of Bonn use the fuzzy mechanics of quantum theory in order to split atoms.
Posted by Unknown at 5:13 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Physics
Girl receives vein transplant with her own stem cells
For the first time in medical history, a patient has received a blood vessel transplant made from her own stem cells. After the surgery, the girl, only 10 years of age, recovered successfully and appears to be functioning pretty well with the artificially constructed portal vein, which transports blood coming from the intestines to the liver. The method, developed by the University of Gothenburg, is a prime example of how stem cells can be used to regenerate malfunctioning or dead tissues. Previous studies already showed that it is possible to create such artificial blood vessels.
Posted by Unknown at 3:44 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Cardiology, Transplants
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Scientists measure size of 'phantom limbs'
Hands and feet are ultimately controlled by signals coming from the brain, which direct muscle movement. Our nervous system is very accurate in directing movement, as is visible by the incredibly precise and fine movements of our fingers. The brain cells and the required neuronal wiring for limb control do not go away after we lose one of our limbs, for example after amputation. Because of that, patients sometimes feel pain coming from an arm or leg that does no longer exist. This is called phantom pain and is caused by neuronal pathways that are still active after amputation. Scientists have been able to map what a phantom hand feels and 'looks' like, to precisely determine its size and shape, which tells us something about what such patients experience.
Posted by Unknown at 10:33 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Neurology
Friday, June 15, 2012
Possible cure for deadly Ebola virus
We have been quite successful in fighting 'invisible' threats such as viruses and bacteria over the last fifty years. The discovery of antibiotics fuelled many cures for infectious diseases that until then remained untreatable. Viruses are a little harder to kill, mainly because they are built in a much more simple fashion, rendering them with less vulnerabilities to exploit. Nevertheless, scientists have been able to develop some anti-viral drugs, even though some viruses remain extremely dangerous. The Ebola virus is an example, which causes haemorrhagic fever and is deadly in most cases of infection. It remains a potential threat to mankind, but luckily scientists from the National Microbiology Laboratory in Canada have developed a vaccine that seems to function as a cure.
Posted by Unknown at 11:12 AM 31 comments Links to this post
Labels: Medicine, Microbiology
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Bacteria in the gut instrumental for happy feelings
Happiness is a feeling that is generated in the brain by several molecular signals. Especially important is the neurotransmitter serotonin, that functions as the main component of the 'happy brain'. Lack of serotonin is associated with depression, and treatment involves letting serotonin do its job for a longer period of time. Therefore, it is important for our well-being that we have serotonin flowing through our brains, even though there are several other components that play a role in happy or unhappy feelings. Scientists from the University College in Cork have discovered that the levels of serotonin are regulated by something quite unexpected: bacteria.
Posted by Unknown at 12:43 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Microbiology, Neurology
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Sleep deprivation makes you want unhealthy food
Despite the fact that we have not quite figured out yet why it is that complex organisms need sleep in order to function properly, we do know it has to be very important. We all know that awful feeling of being sleep-deprived, even though it is still unknown what consequences it has on the long term. Previous research has revealed that a lack of sleep increases food craving, because it activates brain areas involved with appetite. Now, a different study shows that it also increases desire for eating junk food. Altogether, these studies show that sleep deprivation is not only unhealthy by itself, it also leads to unhealthy behaviour.
Posted by Unknown at 9:10 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The 2012 Venus transit
Every so often, celestial objects align in such a way that special effects occur. We have seen it with the moon during a lunar eclipse, but the same can happen with the planet Venus, which orbits the Sun at a closer distance than the Earth. Last night, or just yesterday depending on where you are in the world, something special happened: the Sun, Venus and Earth were aligned in a way that made Venus visible when looking at the sun. In case you did not see it yourself, NASA snapped a few pictures that show this magnificent natural and rare phenomenon.
Posted by Unknown at 8:30 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Astronomy
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Migraine origin tracked to female X chromosomes
Headaches are annoying, but especially troublesome are the ones that appear regularly and greatly impede your functioning. Those headaches are collectively known as migraine, and there is little known about the underlying causes for these heavy headaches. Mostly women suffer from migraine attacks, but so far scientists have only been able to hint at why this happens. A study performed by the Griffith University has linked migraine to a genetic area found on the X chromosome, indicating why women are mostly struck by this debilitating form of headache.
Posted by Unknown at 2:33 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Genetics
Monday, June 4, 2012
Error in immune system makes death much more likely
Analysis has revealed that a slight error in the immune system significantly increases the chance to die from a wide variety of diseases. Puzzling enough, what exactly causes the increase in mortality is unknown, but the error results in an increase in the concentration of a molecule known as a free light chain, which is part of the immune system's weapon arsenal. It is peculiar that such a seemingly innocent rise in the concentration of this particular molecule can cause such pronounced health effects.
Posted by Unknown at 9:44 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Immunology
The alphabet to write DNA can be easily expanded
The genome, which is the entire collection of DNA that we possess, is an incredibly complex structure with tight regulation. Our DNA is divided over 23 chromosome pairs that each contain many genes that need to be read-out on an individual basis using a wide variety of regulatory molecules and proteins. The genetic code forms the instructions for life, which basically explains why it is incredibly complex. Nevertheless, DNA is pretty simple on a molecular level: it is 'written' using only four letters that match with each other in a specific way. Those letters are called A, T, C and G, and because the DNA structure consists of two entwining strings, A sits opposite of T, while C matches with G. All known forms of life are based on these lines of code, but scientists have discovered that it is relatively easy to add more letters to the DNA alphabet. This gives us more freedom to mess with the foundations of life and create our own applications, and possible even new life forms.
Posted by Unknown at 3:26 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Genetics
EU launches database for drug side effects
Drugs help us cure diseases and are therefore arguably one of the best inventions of mankind. However, drugs are not perfect, and all of them induce side-effects. Some are more harmful than others, but it is always necessary to carefully document what medicine does to a patient. That is why drugs tested in clinical trials are first administered, in very low doses, to healthy volunteers: scientists first want to know about the side-effects before actually testing something on fragile patients. The European Union has decided to create a database in order to keep track of all the suspected side-effects that drugs cause. This ought to help us increase drug safety and spread awareness about possible side-effects.
Posted by Unknown at 1:36 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Medicine, Science in Society
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Chocolate consumption as a medical treatment
Several studies have pointed out that consumption of dark chocolate can induce health benefits. A large data analysis revealed that it can reduce cardiovascular disease, while another study showed that it functions by restoring 'energy factories' inside our cells. Researchers at the Monash University in Australia asked themselves whether chocolate could be used as an actual medical treatment to prevent a heart attack or stroke, and found that this would indeed be cost-effective. Therefore it may be that doctors will be ordering their patients to eat chocolate in the near future.
Posted by Unknown at 7:53 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Cardiology, Food
Unused brain cells get eaten
When it comes to the brain, it is 'use it or lose it'. That became especially clear when a group of scientists recently demonstrated that those who do not do a lot of thinking, or to be more precise, do not have a cognitive lifestyle, lose their brain cells much faster. Now, researchers from Boston Children's Hospital have found something that might explain why our brains deteriorate faster if they are not used. The immune system appears to eat the neural cells that are not used anymore. Basically, that means 'use it or get eaten', when it comes to the brain.
Posted by Unknown at 5:13 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: Neurology
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Project attempts to map the entire brain circuitry
Our brain is an incredibly complex computer with billions of wires and billions of 'calculating units', called neurons. Each individual brain cell, or neuron, can be connected to countless of others by special wires, creating complex patterns and communication pathways. This overwhelming circuitry is hard to grasp and understand, which is why neurologists have more or less studied it by assessing the function of whole brain areas instead of looking at it cell by cell: it is just too complex. In an attempt to learn more about the wiring of the brain, neurologists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory are trying to map the whole brain by taking highly detailed pictures of all the cells and wires. This should help us to study the brain.
Posted by Unknown at 6:54 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Friday, June 1, 2012
New therapy can help paraplegics walk again
A paralysis is one of the most severe impediments of life. Paraplegics lose control over, mostly, limb functions because their muscles are no longer working. This is caused by malfunctions in the nervous system, which ultimately controls muscle movement by sending signals coming from the brain. Sadly, a paralysis is also one of the hardest things to cure, as we are currently unable to assert much influence over the nervous system. The body lacks internal repair systems, and attempts to artificially regenerate the required neural networks have been troublesome. A group of scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have developed a way to 'rewire' the nervous system in order to find a cure for paralysis.
Posted by Unknown at 4:43 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: Neurology, Synthetics
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Travel writing, photogrpahs, essays, news, literature, "general interest" nonsense – it's all here!
I wish to apologise if at any time I should slip into pretention or self-aggrandisement. I am aware of my tendency toward both, and will try to avoid slipping into either. However, although I may look back and cringe, I would rather speak and be damned, than be taciturn and forget.


text:
No. Enc.: 1d2 (1d6+1)
Alignment: Chaotic
Movement: 90' (30')
Fly: 150' (50')
Armor Class: 6
Hit Dice: 2d8 + 1
Attacks: 2 (claws, 1 bite, see below)
Damage: 1d4/1d4/1d6
Save: F1
Morale: 6
Hoard Class: XXI
This awkward, gangly creature is the size of a carrion crow. It has the body of a hairless bat with large wing-claws, slender stiff tail and a frilled lizard head. Named for the barking noise it makes, the qut-qua scavenges carrion. If forced to fight, it lashes with it's wing claws and spits a gout of flame in a line 10' long and 5' wide. The fire does 2d6 damage (a save vs. breath weapon halves any damage). This breath can be used three times a day and the qut-qua will use it 50% of the time each round until the breath weapon runs out or it flees.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Posted by satyre at 09:00
Labels: labyrinth lord, OSR, rpgs
2 comments:
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Greatest Hits
Positioned at the edge of the first piazza after the market gate, The Lance And Board is a well-maintained stone gatehouse bought as the cit...
Metric: Pieces. Whether of eight, of mind or meeses depends on the game. DISCLAIMER: Review based on PDF copy provided by Open Design. ...
A play by Jose Zorilla performed in Spain on All Saint's Day for over 100 years, the story provides buckets of inspiration, be it the n...
A trio of sites that help get ideas together. What happens next? That's down to you. Springpad - This intuitive notepad app has hi...
Igneous Ink This ink is used for ritual purposes, igniting once it dries and burning with a faint orange smoky flame equal to candlelight. ...


text:
Search Engine Optimization
Services In Richmond, VA
Having a website built is a must for any local business and one which you will want to get right the first time. An easily accessible website with up to date information is often the difference between keeping up with or falling behind your local competitors.
However, the best website in the world is a waste of an investment if it cannot be found. Search Engine Optimization or SEO for short is the component that elevates your website to the next level. Having your website correctly optimized for search engines means you will be ranked higher than or in comparison to your competitors, in turn driving more traffic to your website from users interested in what you do and where you do it. Incorrectly done, your website could be ranked lower by major engines such as Google, listing your website several pages into results search or not listing them at all.
There are over 400 factors that play a role in why and what a website ranks for. These factors can typically be broken up into two key types of Search Engine Optimization, these being on-page SEO and off-page SEO.
On-page SEO: focuses on a page by page breakdown of your website to optimist each individual section. This also includes making changes to the source code of your website and pages, so even though viewers may not see a change post SEO changes, search engines will place more value on your content and return your website higher in search results.
Off-Page SEO: Whereas on-page SEO involves altering the content and source code for your website and making direct changes to improve your visibility on search engines, off-page SEO involves links and factors external of your website.
Social Media Management: As well as being vital as a standalone feature of your business to communicate with and increase your customer base, social media channels are excellent methods of improving off-site optimization Publishing great quality content, engaging positively with your customers and generally maintaining a strong presence on your social channels will improve the quantity and quality of links back to your website, directly benefiting your website's level of optimization.
Content Quality: One of the single biggest misconceptions regarding Search Engine Optimization is that only keywords matter and that these can be used to boost your website up the ranks.
What are Keywords? Keywords are words relevant to your website, business or industry that clients are likely to search for. When someone enters a search term on engines such as Google, these keywords play a leading role in the results that are returned.
Keywords In-depth: Keywords are a crucial component of SEO and bumping your website up the results and therein lies the problem presented by many agencies claiming to promote your business through search engine optimization Search engines gather information from your website and then use this information to return the correct website for the correct search term. When search engines detect spam or fake content, this significantly harms your website's overall ranking and risks your website never being found. Overusing keywords with bland or incorrect content will flag up on search engine trackers and directly harm your rank. It is crucial therefore that SEO is carried out by professionals who can get the best results for your business.
These are just some of the basics principles or concepts when it comes to SEO. If you're looking for a strategy that can help your businesses website rank higher in search engines for users in or around the Greater Richmond Area, we can help. We'll be sure to cover as much or as little of the technical detail in our free SEO consultation.


text:
I-5 is closed
I think this is going to mean increased truck traffic on 101 and 199 to get around the conflagration, and they had 199 closed from the fire at the Hoopa rez such a short time ago. Sheesh. Plus, some rural roads in Trinity County are pau and people evacuated while their houses burn down, while it looks like the North Fire has moved away from I-80... in case it's all getting too much for you and you need to escape to the salt flats for a breather.
pipe up any time....
love, nines ||| california


text:
1. Application of Personal Metaphor (Governance) for Organizational Theory Abstract.
Desc: The experience of the past decades in designing and implementing international development-related strategies and governing the process through which they become possible is not especially encouraging. Major disaster has been averted but the early hopes are far from being fulfilled. The situation has become worse for many and the risks of major disaster have increased for everyone. Particularly tragic is the recognition that the international system of institutions is defective in its management of the development process, riddled with inefficiencies and lacking in credibility, especially in the eye of public opinion. This situation has just recently been officially documented for the first time for the United Nations system by Maurice Bertrand of the Joint Inspection Unit (1). It is within the constraints of this context that the economic aspects of human development need to be considered.
2. A Global Market - A Study of Alternative Strategies.
Desc: This paper is a study of alternative methods of global marketing in addition to maintaining a web presence. Examples will be cited and conclusions will be supported by data. 6 pgs. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
3. An Analysis of the French and Hong Kong Political Systems: Past and Present
Desc: This paper will analyze the political systems of France and Hong Kong, and compare and contrast their ideology through governing practices. By understanding the current events surrounding Iraq, we can realize the falling influence of the French through their socialistic practices in the public sector. By offering a far more private sector military complex since the invasion of Iraq, President Chirac offers more capitalistic solutions to their current dilemma in world politics.
4. Anti-Globalization as Anarchism.
Desc: Anti-globalization reflects a 'reinvented anarchism' in rejection of an authoritarian, neo-liberal status quo of strong power imbalances between the rich and the poor in a world increasingly given to hyper-capitalism.
5. Aquaculture
Desc: This five-page paper highlights the fundamental features of aquaculture world. The works cited-page appends three sources in MLA format
6. Arguing in Favor of Globalization: Kanter's Exploration of the World Class .
Desc: This paper provides a summary of the book, "World Class: Thriving Locally in the Global Economy" by author R. M. Kanter. This book was first published by Touchstone Books in 1997. This book examines why globalization is not a negative economic force for communities if the communities focus on a desired outcome and concentrate on providing a specific type of product or service. 5 pgs. Bibliography lists 1 source.


text:
The kitchen is one of the biggest producers of waste (both food and packaging). By making a few simple changes you can easily make your kitchen more environmentally friendly, and zero-waste.
Coffee Time
Avoid paper filters for brewing your coffee. There are so many different ways to make coffee and most of them don't use a paper filter. You can use a Bodum/French Press, a moka pot, an automatic coffee maker with a mesh filter, espresso machines, manual espresso makers, and so much more. They all change the flavor of the coffee (really only coffee snobs will notice most of it) and it can be fun to have different options every morning.
If you use paper filters switch to non-bleached filters. This way you can compost your filters and grinds easily. Composting your used grinds is the best way to get rid of them. You can also throw them straight into your garden (tomatoes and kale especially love coffee grinds).
In addition you can use coffee grinds for many DIY beauty products. Lip scrubs, body scrubs, soap bars, and a hair treatment are some of the many things you can do with used coffee grinds, other than compost them.
Say No to Paper Towels
Paper towels are awful for the environment. So many of them get used every time you cook a meal or clean the kitchen. It's just as easy to use a dish cloth and wash it. I just throw them in with my regular laundry. It's super easy. You can buy them in any colour you like, made out of sustainable/organic materials, and you can even thrift them.
You can also use old clothing to make cleaning rags for your kitchen and save the dish clothes for your hands, dishes, and produce. It's a very simple way to limit the amount of trees that get turned into paper products.
Find Good Packaging
If you can't find a zero-waste option near you, just buy the product with the best packaging you can. Look for items in glass jars instead of plastic (peanut butter is an easy one for this), pick cardboard over plastic (it stands a better chance of being recycled), and items made out of sustainably sourced materials or recycled materials.
On the left are two different ways to buy yeast, one in a glass jar with metal lid, and the other in paper packets. The packets aren't recyclable, but the glass and metal lid are. You can also re-use the glass jar. In addition one packet has enough for one loaf of bread while one jar has enough for several.
Some companies try and package as ethically as they can. There are no zero-waste breakfast options for me (I really wish I had a local zero-waste store) so I try and find the best option I can. Natures Path Organic makes cereal that I really like. They use eco-pac for their bags, and have no cardboard box. Without the cardboard box there are less trees being turned into paper, and the eco-pac is biodegradable. It also just tastes good.
Use Produce Bags and Shop Locally
Bringing your own grocery and produce bags is a super easy way to reduce your waste. The thin plastic bags your produce goes in stand little chance of being recycled so skip them as often as possible.
Shopping at smaller local stores and farmers markets can help you reduce your waste (they are usually less picky about you using your own bags/jars/whatever) and help you reduce the carbon footprint of your food. If you're buying locally the food had to travel less. You don't have to give up all far-away foods but try and buy seasonally and locally when you can.
Tea Time
Tea bags are not compostable. It's best to switch to loose leaf tea. You can buy loose-leaf tea at bulk stores, David's tea, and health food stores without packaging. If you can't find it zero-waste than buy it in a metal or glass container. I have loose leaf tea from Twinnings and from For Teas Sake that is not zero-waste but come in metal tins that I plan on reusing after words.
I use to find loose leaf tea annoying, but it really isn't that much harder to empty a tea ball than it is to throw out a tea bag.
There are also a ton of different tea balls you can use. I have gotten so many as gifts. You can get them in nearly any shape and made out of nearly anything. Plastic isn't best but if you buy one plastic thing to replace thousands (that's really how much tea I drink) of tea bags it's not a bad option.
My favourite one is my round metal one that I found in my grandparents house. No one was using it so it became mine. It has a finer mesh on it so I can use all my teas in it. I find with some of my others tea gets out.
Use Jars to Store Food
When you store food properly you won't end up wasting it. I prefer to store everything in glass jars because they are recyclable and reusable. I also didn't pay for my jars. They are all old food jars that held nut butters, sauces, coconut oil, and juice. It's much better to use what you have than go out and buy new jars.
I store my lunches, juices, coffee, and any chopped up produce in a glass jar. It's super handy and looks nice. I make lemon water most mornings, so I chop up a lemon throw it in a jar and I'm set for the week.
Make it Yourself
One way to reduce packaging is to make things yourself. This is really only good if you have the time. I like making home made bread but I don't do it all the time. Baking is an easy way to reduce waste because breads, cookies, pies… almost always come in plastic bags.
If you don't bake there are a lot of easy things you can make at home in large batches and freeze to save time (pasta sauce for example).
Have you tried any of these swaps? Do you have any to add? Let me know in the comments below.