Haven’t you ever had time you wanted to get away from it all? In March/April 1978, www.motherearthnews.com published a story about a couple who bought McLeod’s Island — a 90-acre island off the coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. They have a few animals, spend very little on groceries, and are pretty well sustained by the island itself. Although it does present them with some challenges: “The sea, you know, is not called “restless” for nothing. A glass-smooth bay (as we’ve learned so well!) can churn-sometimes seemingly in seconds-into a windswept chaos of currents and combers. We’ve also seen that same bay (the one in which our island is located) thaw and then completely refreeze in just hours on a single December day. Winters up here can be especially variable. Continual spring-like thaws throughout 1976’s cold season, for instance, kept our bay filled with slushy ice that was too thick to push a boat through … but too dangerous for even a fox to walk on. We were marooned for three full months, from the first of January until the end of March. Last winter’s record cold snap, on the other hand, filled the bay so solidly with pack ice that we could hike back and forth to the mainland for our mail and toboggan loads of supplies any time we wanted.” For some of us, we find the Internet gives us the freedom to be able to work and live almost any place we want to. These people didn’t have that luxury. I use the past tense as I can’t find any current information about them. Who knows? Maybe the tide swept the out to sea. Life is full of sacrifices. Some are just more dear than others. Still, I don’t think buying an island is in my future. You can read the whole article here. http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1978_March_April/We_Homesteaded_an_Island
Archive for ◊ March, 2010 ◊
You’ve heard the popular advice on weight loss diets. Cut the fat! Cut the carbs! Cut the calories! Eat a balanced diet! Yes it’s true. But it’s confusing. So many people fail because of “information overload”. How can you eat a diet that’s balanced and healthy in order to cut fats, carbs and calories? Here’s the advice from nutritional science: Cut the JUNK fats: Most people do not need an ultra low fat diet. But most of us could improve our diet by cutting out the junk fats. Basically, these are the processed fats: hydrogenated fats, polyunsaturated oils that have been heated, and fats that are combined with junk carbs. Processed fats are the fats most likely to put on flab and clog your arteries. Cut the JUNK carbs. Most people do not need an ultra low carb diet. But unfortunately, so many people who go on a low fat diet continue to eat highly processed foods – they switch from processed high-fat to processed low-fat. And when food manufacturers create low fat foods, they tend to replace the fat with junk carbs, which tend to pile on the pounds. Basically, junk carbs are low-fiber carbs, like sugar, fructose (and all the other *oses), flour, cornstarch, fruit juice. Yes, fruit juice is a junk carb too! – After all, how much fiber is there in fruit juice? – Virtually none – it’s yet another junk carb. You should eat the whole fruit instead, with its fiber intact. Cut the JUNK calories. Most people do not need an ultra low calorie diet. But just think what your diet would be like if you dropped the processed fats and the low-fiber carbs. You’d be eating mainly natural proteins, with lots of vegetables plus whole fruits – and the odds are that you would be eating far fewer calories as well. That’s the kind of calorie cutting most of us should be doing. Eat a balanced NATURAL-FOODS diet. By natural foods, we mean the foods that would have been eaten by your hunter-gatherer ancestors: – lots of whole vegetable foods for vitamins and fiber; moderate to small portions of meats, fish, seafood, and other animal and protein foods, grilled, stewed or baked; and small portions of fresh whole fruit in season. This is the diet on which the human race evolved, and the diet which, for the vast majority of people, makes for optimum health So the next time you’re about to order a meal with fries and sugary soda, think about how it could be improved. Replace the fries with a salad, and the soda with mineral water, and you’ve already made significant progress towards a healthier, balanced meal. And at home, look for recipes that use whole, fresh foods, with a minimum of processing. Make sure your meals include natural unprocessed foods, with lots of healthy vegetables, both cooked, and raw in salads. Avoid processed fats and processed low-fiber foods. A sample menu: – grilled fish with steamed green beans, and peppers – mixed salad, dressed with small amounts of olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice – fresh fruit platter – Sushi : fish and seafood (low-fat and well balanced in terms of nutrition) – Tofu (bean curd): low-fat, quality protein food. Highly recommended I personally recommend Sushi for your healthy weight-loss. Cheap junk food is OK(I actually like junk food too). But don’t eat junk food too much for health! Would you like to try sushi? Sushi is very healthy. With the rise in popularity of sushi in western countries you may be invited by friends to join them at the local sushi bar. Many of Hollywood celebrities love to eat Sushi in fact. While you may be anxious about the prospect of eating anything raw, don’t worry, all you need is a little bit of information to take the anxiety away from the experience and enjoy this wonderful delicacy. Sushi is a very simple dish, although the making of it is considered an art form. The Itamae (sushi chef) traditionally needs to train for 10 years before being hired to prepare sushi. However, the popularity of sushi has forced the hiring of chefs with only a few years experience. There are four main types of sushi you can order: Nigiri sushi: nigiri means “grab”. These are hand pressed balls of rice with raw fish on top and bit of wasabi between the fish and rice. Sashimi: sliced raw fish (technically not sushi since the term sushi refers to the rice and sashimi is not prepared with any rice). Maki sushi: maki means “roll”. The maki sushi is rolled with bamboo mats. Traditionally the seaweed is on the outside; rice on the outside is called ‘inside-out’ (ie: California roll). Temaki is a hand rolled version of Maki. It is cone shaped like an ice cream cone. Sushi comes in an amazing variety of combinations, however you’ll find these common ingredients or garnishes with nearly every version: The word sushi actually refers to The rice, also called ’sticky rice’. Sushi rice is short grained and cooked with a 1:1 ratio of water. Sushi vinegar and sugar is added which makes the rice both sweet and tart. Wasabi: Japanese horseradish. Often served as a green paste alongside your sushi as an additional condiment; a word of caution – wasabi is VERY hot, so use it sparingly while developing a taste for it. Gari: Thinly sliced, pickled ginger is also served with sushi. Some use it as a garnish although it is technically to refresh your palette between bites. Nori: The seaweed sheets used to roll rice for sushi. Soya Sauce (Shoyu): used as a dipping sauce. The wasabi can also be mixed with the soya sauce for those who enjoy the intense flavor. Sushi can be made with a single ingredient or several. Single ingredients include avocado, cucumber (kappa), tuna (tekka or maguro) or salmon (sake ? but not the rice wine). There are also many modernized combinations designed to please American palettes. These include the California roll made with avocado, crab, and cucumber and the Philadelphia roll made with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber. As you can see, despite the unusual presentation you can easily find identifiable and delicious combinations you are sure to enjoy. Despite what you may think, the nori (seaweed) has very little flavor and is nearly undetectable when combined with the flavors of the sushi and the addition of soya sauce or wasabi. In fact, like many other converts, you may just have found yourself a new addiction! Yes – A healthy, balanced diet can be that simple! To Your Healthy Weight-Loss Kaz Omino Global Article Directory.com
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Sunglasses offer protection from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays and that’s one offer you definitely want to accept. The eyes are the windows to the world, and these complex yet delicate body parts need all the protection they can get. You can’t see them, but damaging ultraviolet rays are always present, even when the sun isn’t shining. Sunglasses that block these rays can help keep the eyes healthy. Who should wear sunglasses? Anyone who wants to limit the eye’s exposure to this type of damage. It’s true that clouds block most ultraviolet rays from reaching the ground, so it’s not as important to wear eye protection when the sun’s not shining. But when it is, better get into the habit. Age shouldn’t be a factor either, meaning that children’s eyes are just as susceptible to these hidden dangers. And when you consider that they generally spend more of their time outdoors, eye protection for children is an absolute must. How much is enough? The sunglasses you choose should have lenses that block at least 99% of the ultraviolet light. There’ll be a sticker on the lens or a tag attached to the frame that advises how much UV protection each pair provide so be sure to read it. If you’d don’t see a sticker or tag, select another pair. And if you’re worried about being fashionable, find something else to worry about. With literally thousands of styles of sunglasses to choose from, you’re sure to be something suitable for everyone in the family. Wire frames or plastic, rectangular-shaped lenses or heart-shaped, with or without monograms, rhinestones, or other notable logo, the choices are endless. And because it’s so important to keep ultraviolet rays away from eyes, even those who wear eyeglasses have options. Prescription sunglasses are available through an optician in a wide range of prices and styles. Next time you think it’s no big deal, remember that over time, excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to the onset of eye conditions including retina damage and even cataracts. So do your eyes a favor – eat your carrots and be sure to carry your sunglasses with you at all times!
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As far as the cost of LASIK eye surgery is concerned, the only worldwide standard is that prices are quoted per eye. However, the cost depends on several factors and varies from one provider to another. A strong reason behind such a variation is that different providers perform different levels of pre-operative testing. A thorough pre-operative examination can avoid LASIK complications, and hence it’s imperative to determine if appropriate pre-operative testing is included in the quoted price. The cost of equipment used for pre-operative testing and surgery also varies, and this reflects in the overall procedure fee. Computer-controlled scanners to determine the exact shape of the cornea, eye tracking device, tear film analysis, the laser used to make incisions, and all other pertinent equipment vary in cost from one medical center to another. A few unscrupulous practitioners may advertise their services at a discounted price. Don’t be fooled if an ad says, “LASIK for $500 per eye”. The truth is that not all patients are eligible for a discounted price. A particular patient may require an extensive refractive surgery in the first place, or frequent follow ups after the surgery. Furthermore, it is typically the case that a discounted price does not include the essential pre-operative testing. Hence, make sure what features are being offered for the quoted price. Cases have been reported where medical institutes have been found guilty of misrepresenting the actual cost of LASIK eye surgery. As the popularity for LASIK eye surgery rises, so does the incurred cost. A leading refractive industry newsletter reported that the average cost for LASIK eye surgery in the second quarter of 2005 was 1,965 USD. The study was based on a comprehensive research of various medical facilities, ranging from regional practitioners to nationwide networks. Most insurance companies do not cover LASIK eye surgery, since they consider it as a cosmetic procedure. People are tempted to choose a surgeon that offers a discounted price. But that may be an act of foolishness. The smarter thing is to choose the best surgeon available who has experience of this procedure. There is no point risking your vision for the sake of a petty few dollars. If in doubt you should seek further information.
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Beware of those so-called “health-conscious” food products you’re buying – they may be disguised as low-calorie, but these culprits could put a dent in your diet goals. Just when you think you’re getting a low-fat muffin, you’re snacking on tons of extra calories. And the ones that seem to be obviously good for you, well, that isn’t always the case! Soups: certain soups can be packed full of calories and fat, especially favorites like New England clam chowder or cream of broccoli. Sugar-Free Cookies: It’s not uncommon for a fat-free or even sugar-free food to have nearly the same number of calories as its regular counterpart, and taste- wise, there’s no comparison to the real deal. Pork: Depending on the cut, the piece of pork in front of you can be comparable to low-fat, low-calorie chicken, or as high in fat as a hot dog. And adding sauces can de-lean it! Coffee: Coffee drinks can be astronomically high in calories depending on the ingredients and size of the drink one selects Salads: Throw on a creamy dressing, cheese, croutons, and bacon bits, and your lunch is starting to look less healthy, more calorie packed, and detrimental to your diet. Breakfast Bars: Some breakfast bars look healthy and even have healthy looking pictures on the box – look at the actual calories and extra sugars in its ingredients. Dried Fruits and Granola: Granola sounds great, but it’s very rich in fat, so you have to watch how much you eat. Juice and Soda: You have a juice midmorning, and a soda midafternoon, and next thing you know, you’ve consumed an extra 400 calories in liquids – they add up. Low-Fat/Low-Cal Foods: Low calorie does not mean no calorie. Nuts: Nuts are high in fat so they are only healthy if you can eat just one serving. Before your diet goes south, consider the effects of the above diet busters. And before you pat yourself on the back for eating soup and salad for lunch, make sure you read the label.
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To have separation anxiety is normal to be experienced by anyone; may it be an adult, a teenager, or a child. This feeling is basically a fear or worry of being separated from a certain person, thing, or place. For instance, a child may show unwillingness to let his parents leave him alone at school or a parent may feel doubtful to send his daughter or son away to boarding school. Most of the time, this type of social anxiety disorder is only temporary or short lived. However, when fear or anxiety becomes extreme, the condition is then categorized as Separation Anxiety Disorder or SAD. A person who has this type of anxiety disorder becomes extremely scared of being separated from the things or individuals that matter most to them. The fear is continuous and the feeling of social anxiety is intense. A person is diagnosed to have separation anxiety disorder when the symptoms for the said condition lasted for four continuous weeks. The following are the symptoms for SAD: 1. Excessive and persistent worrying about losing the person or object of attachment. 2. Repetitive nightmares on separation. 3. Recurring worries about being separated from the person or object of attachment. 4. Refusal to sleep without being near the object of attachment. 5. Excessive and persistent fear that a certain event will result to separation from the person or object of attachment. In some cases, individuals who suffer from SAD are diagnosed to have other types of psychological disorders like panic disorder, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. As for the cases of children, the parents are generally the first ones to notice if their children are suffering from SAD. A parent can easily determine if a child is suffering from separation anxiety disorder through the following signs: 1. Excessive closeness or attachment at home. 2. Zero desire to socialize or play with other kids at school or at the neighborhood. 3. Noticeable change in appetite. 4. Noticeable change in sleep. Recent studies on SAD explain that there are a number of factors that trigger extreme anxiety on being separated from a particular object or person. These factors include genetics, environmental, family life, and biological. Genetics has a lot to do with SAD cases on children, for a child may inherit his or her parents’ extreme fear and anxiety of separation. It is possible for members of the family to pass on their condition to their children. In addition, a child may also develop SAD due to traumatic experiences, events, and affairs within the family. Once a child is believed to have separation anxiety disorder, it is highly advisable for parents to have their children be seen and properly diagnosed by a doctor or a medical expert. As stated earlier, SAD may be a sign or symptom of other disorders, that is why having a correct diagnosis and immediate treatments are a must. Doctors generally recommend the young patients to undergo a series of psychiatric evaluations and tests to ensure a better future and health on the part of the children.