Monday, March 29, 2010

Healthy Snacks for Pregnant Women

In order to gain the ideal amount of weight, doctors recommend that pregnant women consume about 300 extra calories a day—and those calories shouldn't ALWAYS be from cake and ice cream!

While indulging on craved delicacies during pregnancy is certainly okay every once in a while, pregnant women should try and get in the habit of eating healthy snacks every day, both the reduce the amount of weight gained over the nine month period, and to send that fetus the message that it's momma cares about health!

Here are some 300 calorie snacks to consider:

1. 1 medium apple and one cup of low fat or fat free non-flavored yogurt with a tablespoon of 100% fruit jam for flavor.

2. 1 cup of vanilla ice cream or fruit sorbet, topped with a teaspoon of chocolate sprinkles..

3. 1 hard boiled egg sliced on a piece of whole wheat toast. You can add a thin layer of low fat mayo.

4. Raw vegetables (celery, tomatoes, carrots, kohlrabi) dipped in ½ cup of homemade humus.

5. 1 banana and 1 tbsp of natural peanut butter and a small handful of raisins.

6. A small whole wheat tortilla with 1/3 cup of melted low fat cheese.

7. 6 cups of air popped popcorn sprinkled with ¼ cup parmesan cheese.

8. ½ cup of shredded or cubed chicken breast on top of a bed of salad greens (1 cup).

9. ½ cup of low fat cottage cheese with a ½ cup of fruit (apples, pears, melon, grapes).

10. Three 100-calorie pack snacks spread out throughout the day.

11. ¼ cup of almonds, ¼ cup of raisins, and a sprinkle of chocolate chips.

Remember, this is a time for slight weight gain, not weight loss. You can order your diet pills from your online pharmacy only AFTER you've given birth and after you're done breastfeeding.


This article was written by Cynthia Bond, a dietician and nutritionist who specializes in weight loss and exercise.

Don't Give Up Your Kids To The System--The Educational System That Is!

As my two kids were having a private conversation I heard, "Give up your kids?" in an incredulous tone from my 6 year old daughter. That started me to thinking of how many people unknowingly give up their kids to an educational system that may or may not work for them.

As a parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your children get everything they need. Not just the bare necessities of food, shelter, and clothing but the more meaningful attributes that they will take with them for the remainder of their lives. These include love, first and foremost, security, and yes, education.

So why do so many parents enroll their children in school and expect the system to do the rest? Have we not learned that the system fails at least as many as it helps? The scary truth is that in order for your children to be successful in obtaining a good education, YOU will have to delve deep and determine what a good education is and help them get it.

How? Many people have read or been told that children do better when parents are a part of their school lives. I concur. However, that doesn't mean that you must spend hours completing his math project so that he will get a good grade. While assisting with homework will help your child do better in school, there is another way that studies prove increases his achievement. Simply be a presence in his school. Go to the parent-teacher conferences, PTO nights, plays, and games. But more than that, help out around the school in various ways. Maybe you can donate some items for art, beautify the school grounds, assist a teacher by running some copies, answer the office phone, etc. The list is endless. Ask school personnel what you can do to help if you are unsure where to start.

What if you work?

You don't have to be in the school everyday or even every week for that matter. You can take a couple to four hours per semester to volunteer at your child's school during the day. Altogether, that's ONE day you will miss work for an entire year, and it's for a far better cause than watching a ball game! Imagine if 100 parents per school committed to spend 4 hours per semester in their children's schools. That's 400 hours, or 57 days per semester (based on a 7 hour school day) of extra, free workers in our schools, and 100 extra bodies making sure that our kids are safe!

For more strategies to help your child achieve in math, go to http://HelpYourChildAchieveInMath.com for a 38 page book.


Tirish Jacobs is a former math educator who has written a 38 page e-book, "How to Help Your Kids Achieve In Math" which is available for download at http://HelpYourChildAchieveInMath.com. She is also the author of the "Help With Math" blog that is updated frequently and contains FREE tips. You can follow the blog at http://HelpYourChildAchieveInMath.blogspot.com.

Condolence Letters: The Etiquette of Writing Condolence Letters

Everyone will agree, writing a condolence letter is not only difficult but also painful. Wrought with grief, you have to gather your thoughts and put it down on paper. Some people never get around to writing a condolence letter as they use the excuse that it was too painful. Yet, if you think of the comfort, your letter will bring to the bereaved as he or she reads it. Then again, you might send flowers, or a sympathy food basket, write an email, make a post on Facebook or Tweet about it. Still, nothing can replace the lasting gift of the handwritten condolence letter.

What are your choices - You have four ways to write you condolence letter:

1. Write a letter from scratch. You can see good examples of condolence letters online at ObituariesHelp.org. Be genuine and avoid pretentious language. Express your sympathy and acknowledge the grief of the person you are writing to.

2. Use an existing letter. You can add your personal touch to a letter you already have, putting it in your own style, you might be lucky to find a letter, which reflects your sentiment.

3. Use a quotation, a reading or historical letter. There is nothing wrong with writing this type of condolence letter. In fact, this will reflect how much thought you gave to the importance of saying the right things. This only adds to the lasting effect of your letter. ObituariesHelp.org has examples of poems and readings you might want to include in your letter.

4. Express your feelings the commercial way. If you do not wish to write a letter, sending a sympathy card by mail, putting a post on Facebook or sending out a Tweet, is also acceptable.

The Etiquette of it all. - Although there isn't a right or a wrong way to write a condolence letter, there are accepted principles you should observe.

1. What is the relationship? Normally you would write the letter to the bereaved person with whom you have the closest connection. In the case where you knew the deceased very well, but not the family, you should still write a condolence letter. If it is a married person who has lost a parent, you should write to the person who lost the parent. If the spouse had a close relationship with the deceased, you should address the letter to both.

In many cases the surviving children who lost a parent, grandparent or sibling are often forgotten when it comes to condolence letters. Taking the time to mention them specifically in your condolence letter or even addressing the letter to the children is therapeutic to the recipient and considerate on your part.

You can also consider sending a condolence letter to the surviving member of a divorced couple when the former spouse dies, depending on the circumstances. If the couple's relationship after their divorce was amicable, your letter will be appreciated.

2. How long should you wait to send your condolence letter? It is a good idea to send your letter as soon as you get the news. If you wait until you get over the shock you might never send a letter. You should make every effort to your condolence letter within two weeks. Waiting until after six weeks is a no-no.

3. What kind of stationary should you use? You can find appropriate stationary in specialty stores or online. Soft colors such as mauve, gray, white or cream is customary. Avoid bright colors and bold patterns on your stationary. Writing your letter by hand is appropriate especially if you were close friends with the decease or the surviving family.

4. Is there a standard length for a condolence letter? Your condolence letter should be as long as you think is appropriate to convey your feelings. You may be able to accomplish that in a few sentences or you might need a few pages. It is totally up to you.

Good examples of condolence letter with specific examples for your situation can be found online at obituarieshelp.org. If you knew the deceased well, it will be easier to write your condolence letter because you can draw on your memories of the person. If you did not know the person well, you can focus your letter on the family and offer your support during this difficult time. In any case, expressing your sympathy in a condolence letter is always appropriate and appreciated.


Melanie Walters recommends ObituariesHelp.org for Condolence Letters, sample letters of sympathy and condolence, written examples of eulogies as well as help with all aspects of funeral planning. Also download free genealogy resources and read about building a family tree.

The Importance of Childhood Manners

Manners are important for a few different reasons. Teaching a child to be polite is a great way to set them up for success in adulthood. Good manners say a lot about a child and a child's upbringing. Learn how good manners can help your child's behavior and teach them respect.

Having good manners is really about respecting those around you. Politeness makes a good first impression and can affect the way that people treat and view your child. If your child demonstrates a lack of concern for other children and adults, then they will follow suit and show little respect for your child.

Teaching your child to think about other people's feelings will help them to be the first to set the tone of new relationships. Social skills are important for learning, building relationships, communication and more. Children lacking manners have a very difficult time being accepted by other children.

Let's take sharing, as an example. It is definitely polite to go ask another child if they would like a turn with your toy. If a child shares and takes turns, then they have made the other child happy. Children want to repeat things that are pleasing to them. If it was fun to play with your child, then that child will be excited to play with your son or daughter again. Not only that, they will treat your child with the same respect that was demonstrated earlier.

In turn, your child will experience satisfaction by receiving positive feedback for sharing. This will further instill the value of being considerate and the child will actually want to be polite. Adversely, if your child does not have good social skills or manners, then other children will avoid them.

Teaching manners is relatively easy, especially if you start early. Children as young as one year old can learn to say "please", "thank you", and "you're welcome". At this age, they will learn simply by imitating you. It is very important to be a constant role model for your children.

As your child gets older, it you will probably face more resistance. Sharing is the first big social hurdle that most parents face. You can ease into your first attempt at teaching the new skill. If possible, get some new preschool toys and tell your child that these are "big boy" or "big girl" toys that are made for sharing. Something easy to share, like a train table or an activity table, is a great choice. When your child does share, or at least tolerate another child playing with the same toy, praise them as much as you can.

Some manners are easier to teach than others. Be patient and be a good role model. Teach your child one type of manners at a time. There are table manners, phone manners, visitor manners, church manners, school manners, and more. You can simply teach them to treat others as they would like to be treated and it covers most of the bases.

Making manners come as second nature takes starting early and being consistent. Lead by example and you'll be through half the battle of teaching this important life skill.


About the Author: Jim Ford is the President of KinderMark, a family owned and managed business which sells waiting room toys and waiting room furniture used in doctor's offices, hospitals, auto dealers, dentists offices and libraries. Preschool toys such as an activity table and learning toys are favorites for pediatric offices.

Mentoring Can Save Single-Parent Children

The dangers for single-parent children have only been exacerbated by a recession that has forced children in single-parent households to spend more time alone while mom or dad spends extra time at work.

According to the National Center on Health Statistics, single-parent children are at risk for a wide variety of problems in later life.

• Fatherless children are 100 to 200 percent more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems.
• Fatherless sons are 300 percent more likely to be incarcerated in state juvenile institutions.
• Fatherless men are 35 percent more likely to experience marital failure.
• Fatherless daughters are 92 percent more likely to fail in their own marriages.
• Eight-five percent of children who exhibit anti-social behavior disorders are from fatherless homes.

One expert, who was mentored himself at an early age, believes that mentoring - from inside or outside of a child's family - can help fill the gaps for children in single-parent households.

"Children in their formative years are looking for direction from an adult in their life," said Paul Hansen, author of Turnaround Summer from Book Publisher's Network (www.turnaroundsummer.com). "This guidance should preferably come from a parent, but the real qualification is that it be from someone who always listens closely, reinforces positive actions, and with guidance encourages kids to go beyond their comfort zone. Young minds are curious and need direction, discipline and an outlet for their creativity. And this is not just a single-parent family phenomenon. Traditional families, caught by the stresses of making ends meet and a faster-paced life, experience similar issues, so their children could benefit from mentoring, as well."

Hansen understands that concept from experience, having been mentored at a time in his life when he was heading down the wrong path.

"I lived this, and I speak from first hand experience about the power of that turnaround summer," he said. "I was taken out in the wilderness and taught how to survive off the land. I didn't realize about the conditions, about the fact that I was totally in for a surprise or, better yet, a shock about how survival in the wilderness takes place. That experience changed my life and paved the way for me to be successful in business and in life. It taught me what it really took to be a man, a husband and a provider."

That shock turned to understanding when Hansen saw that the survival training was a metaphor for life.

"That summer, I learned how a structured family goes about the daily routines of farm life, how to make a living with the skills of an outdoorsman, how to treat people that depend on you with respect, and most of all, that we affect the people in our lives by what we do or do not do," he said. "Children need a positive influence at this time in their lives. They will engage that which is present around them in an attempt to build self esteem, a sense of belonging, and to rise up in knowledge - good or bad - whatever the environment around them has to offer."


Rachel Friedman is a staff writer for News & Experts.

3 Suggestions For Your Online Baby Book

My first advice is to remember to make it your book as detailed as possible but not to the level of being boring or repetitive. You may be surprised with everything your little one does now, but years later you may well find yourself having repeated same wonders again and again. Instead of writing alone invite family members to help. New contributors are sure to make the baby book more interesting.

Second, it is a good idea to start just after your baby is born. This will help you write small things each time gradually. There is little chance of forgetting anything. You will see that there will be so many surprises that if you don't write down then and there, you will find it hard to keep track of.

The most important point of a baby book is to add as many photos of your child as possible. Snap a picture with everyone and put it in your book. This will make nice memories once your child grows up and sees this book as many of these people may not be around then. Also remember to take lots of photos with the two of you and add them in the book as special moments with Mama and Dada. You will be surprised to notice how fast your baby changes in physical appearance in the first year of his life!

Now if you are worried how you can do all these, you should try BabyChapters.com. You can sign up there for free and get a great online baby book for your child.
They will give you a custom online baby book where you can put all the details of your child by using some simple tools. Once you have done this, you can personalize your baby book in the way you want to. There are absolutely no restrictions to your creativity there. When you think your baby is too old for a baby book then you can get this book professionally printed with hard covers at BabyChapters.com.


Pauline Bhuren is a mom with two daughters. She has enjoyed many wonderful moments putting together her online baby journal. When she is not writing articles, she is probably polishing her daughter's baby photo album.

Puppy Love

Everybody loves puppies. Who can resist those cute little faces and wet noses? Puppies can be a lot of fun, but they also come with a lot of added responsibility.

More than five million puppies are born every year in the United States. In fact, one in every three families owns one or more dogs. A female dog carries her puppies for a term of approximately 60 days before they are born. Puppies are born blind, deaf, and with very little sense of smell. Their eyes stay closed for about 10-15 days. By four weeks old they have complete vision. A puppy’s sense of smell and hearing develops quickly. Puppies have 28 temporary teeth, which start to appear around 3-4 weeks. Their 42 permanent teeth begin to emerge around four months. Be sure to have plenty of chew toys for your puppy. Puppies need to chew to stimulate the loss of their baby teeth and to help place their permanent teeth.

Puppies like to stay cuddled up close to their mother and siblings to stay warm and feel secure. Because puppies are somewhat dependent on their mother and need to learn to get along with other dogs, they should stay with their mother for at least eight weeks.

A new puppy should be chosen with great care. A new owner must not think only of himself, but also about people around him. A mischievous or noisy puppy can be a great nuisance to neighbors. Most importantly, a new owner must think of the comfort and well being of the puppy. Here are some questions a new owner may want to ask himself. Does the puppy have a clean place to stay and does it need a cage or pen? Is the puppy the right size for the house or apartment where it will live? Will your puppy need more exercise than it can be given? A puppy needs to work off excess energy every day. Do you prefer a playful puppy or a docile one? Will the puppy be easy to keep clean? Will you be able to give him plenty of the right kind of food? Can you afford the veterinary care your new puppy will need? Your puppy will need to receive it’s first vaccine at 6-8 weeks, then it will need boosters at 12 and 16 weeks.

Puppies are fun and full of tons of wiggly energy. Enjoy your puppy. Be sure to give your puppy a name befitting of it’s personality and call it by name often. Show your commitment to the puppy by bolstering it’s self esteem with lots of affection, attention, and rewards. Your puppy is bound to give you years of unconditional love and friendship. Soon you will be calling it “puppy love”.


Published by: Wendy Yeager http://www.wenmarcorp.com/dogs-go2/puppies.html

The Greener Spray Foam Has the Maximal Oxygen Index-00-3608

They feature every little bit helps. Why not do your conception to make your bag or business more environmentally helpful? By using eco-safe, agriculturally based spray foam insulation, you can.

There are a variety of detachment options but whatever is much greener than others. If you're afraid with your bag using renewable, energy economical materials, then using a foam detachment spray could be your solution.

In addition to added benefits you intend from using a foam material in your bag or business, the product is also environmentally friendly. It's made up mainly of renewable resources and the means of covering is Earth friendly. It is free of ozone depleting components, and the covering resolution is water based.

Unlike kindred petroleum based products, the greener spray foam has the maximal oxygen index, and zero fuel contribution. There are some products that crapper jactitation such qualities. The properties of the detachment also support to make your bag energy efficient.

You crapper apply this detachment anywhere you need it, around joints, joists, frames and added antiquity support structures and still intend a dripless seal. You won't intend some expose pockets or little crevices where expose crapper leak in or out. This variety of expose dripless sealing ability helps to keep your vaporisation and chilling units working efficiently. Also, it allows you to intend a smaller unit because it doesn't have to work so hard. It's been shown to turn vaporisation and chilling costs by 40%. That's power you crapper see.

Not exclusive is spray foam detachment green, it's versatile. It functions well as a barrier to airborne sound and comes with digit of the maximal fire resistances available in kindred products. Pest and rodents won't do some damage because the material has no nutritional continuance to them. It's water resistant, and flexible enough to allow whatever movement of the antiquity structure. You crapper even rent or buy the equipment and install it yourself.

With concerns most the surround on everyone's minds, it helps that you crapper find products to support in your advance efforts. You crapper intend greener cars, reuse your trash and electronics, and buy energy economical appliances. Why not make your bag or business conception of the solution? Renewable resources benefit all of us.

The prizewinning thing most spray foam detachment is that you crapper put it anywhere. It doesn't matter if you're starting fresh on your building, or replacing worn discover or useless materials. The spray foam crapper is practical to existing structures with the same power it has on new structures.

If going green is a priority for your house or office, applying spray foam detachment is added way to support your environment.


Shree Ram Equitech Pvt. Ltd. provides Insulation, Rockwool, Hot and Cold Insulation as per Indian and International Standards.
To stay informed about Insulation visit here.

Positioning is everything

Have you ever heard the phrase “Oh, I just slept wrong last night”? The person has a sore shoulder or hip or other joint, and they think it’s because of the way that they slept? Well, it might not be because of the position they slept in. It might be because of their mattress.

Getting a good night’s sleep depends on a couple of things. Some you’'ve already heard about, like going to bed early and getting at least seven hours of sleep. Others, like how you should allow yourself to wake up on your own instead of be jolted out of sleep by an alarm, you might not have heard of. And still others, like your sleep needs to be unbroken, you might think are beyond your control.

That would be where you’re wrong. The quality of the sleep you’re getting while you’re sleeping is not beyond your control. It all comes down to the mattress that you’re using. If you have an uncomfortable mattress, you’re sure to be tossing and turning all night. You might wake up with a crick in your neck from not enough support, or from too little support. Or you may wake up with sore joints. In any of these cases, you’re not getting any unbroken sleep. You’re waking up just enough to move around before going back to sleep again.

In order for your sleep to be restful, you need to cycle in and out of REM sleep around five times. If you don’t do so, you’re not getting the amount of sleep that your brain needs to function at its highest level. This is a problem. The reason why moving up towards waking in your sleep cycle reduces your REM time is that there are many stages of the cycle that you need to go through before reaching REM. If you don’t manage to make it through the fourth cycle, called delta sleep, before your uncomfortable mattress makes you wake up and shift around, you’re not getting the sleep that you need.

Memory foam mattress changes this. It’s designed to be the ultimate comfortable mattress. Whatever position you like to sleep in, the memory foam mattress will mold itself to that, creating a surface that is molded perfectly to your body. The way it works is that the foam is stiff until it’s heated with your body heat. Then it allows you to sink down.

The only places that your body heats up are the places that it’s touching; therefore the mattress becomes perfectly molded to the shape of your body, allowing you to get a full night of good sleep. You won’t be telling people you slept wrong anymore if you switch to a memory foam mattress or Divan bed.


For deeper readings and information regarding the purchase of beds and all things sleep related, please refer to the helpful and informative pages of -- http://www.bedstar.co.uk -- here you will be inundated with help and advice to guide you through your potential purchase!

Banish Summer Pool Boredom

Boredom sometimes occurs with families who have had a pool for many years. Even the idea of swimming becomes boring. The pool is filled, cleaned, and the water is perfect, but the children have shown no interest. Since I come from a family with this problem, I can understand why kids get bored with the pool: there isn't anything new for them to do. After you learn how to do underwater flips, float, and swim laps around the pool, the pool isn't the same anymore.

Fortunately, there are numerous enjoyable activities for today's pool owners that will guarantee that children of all ages will always have fun in the pool. Here are some games and toys that will keep you entertained in the pool all summer long.

It can be difficult to entertain young kids, but there are many competitive diving games that are perfect for children on hot summer days in the pool. A great way to keep the kids busy in the pool is seeing how many underwater rings or other submersible toys they can retrieve. These handy gadgets can be on the water, in the water (floating in the middle), or even at the bottom of your pool!

You can find water toys on the internet, at a local pool supply retail outlet, or, if you want to save some cash, you can just find items already in your house! Older kids will find hours of entertainment diving after sinking glow sticks long after the sun goes down.

If you have a large group of kids and/or adults, poolside volleyball is a great game. One can transform an entire pool into a volleyball court simply by stretching a net that hovers just above the water across the pool and attaching it to portable posts on either side. Older children can easily use a real volleyball, which floats, to play in the pool. Younger children are more likely to get enjoyment from the standard inflatable beach ball.

You can also get basketball hoops that float in the pool. These floating rings that are made out of vinyl or plastic will give lots of competitive enjoyment for parties or other groups of people. Any pool can be a fun zone all summer long with hoops on mini islands that drift with the motion of the waves.

If the old options are becoming a bore, why not purchase the newest pool product on the market. The Sub Jumpa gives hours of entertainment under the water; at the 2008 International Pool and Spa Expo, it was voted the best new pool accessory. Your children will literally be bouncing off the floors and sides of your pool with this new underwater pogo stick. Kids can learn so many flips and tricks to do on a Sub Jumpa that even the most distracted child will be challenged and entertained all through the season.

Some, like hip adults and older kids, prefer a bit more advanced equipment. For them there are remote control planes, boats, and even submarines that all run smoothly, even if your pool is chlorinated! You can also find many types of floating golf games to help you learn how to chip balls onto small islands; some of these islands even have pockets for you to try to make a hole-in-one.

Having a backyard pool opens up so many possibilities. With just a few fun toys and the gift of imagination, one can keep any group of kids happily exercising in the pool all summer long.


As a pool owner with children, Gunter Walderon has purchased many pool toys over the years. When he first started searching for Valencia pool contractors or West Covina pool builders to add a large gunite pool onto his property, he thought that his kids would be thoroughly occupied for years to come. However, now he purchased few pool toys for himself.

Selecting wine cellar racks and wine cellar designs

Original content from www.wine-cellar-racks.com
Wine storage racks are the cornerstone of just about any
cellar, whether for your house, restaurant, retail store, or vacation
property. Intended for both protecting
and showcasing your collection in style, they are an important furnishing that
you wouldn’t dare overlook. They have to
be strong enough to safely hold the combined weight of your precious bottles,
and be pleasing to the eye. Wall wine
racks need to be secured in place with the appropriate fasteners to ensure the
entire thing doesn’t come crashing down once loaded up. Likewise, wine glass racks hold equally
valuable items and showcase your stemware in style. Some types may be combined with wine storage
racks, which are ideal when space is limited and you have a smaller inventory
to deal with.


You may already have a clear idea of what you are searching
for when shopping for wine storage racks.
If you aren’t so certain, it may be helpful for you to first identify
the primary purpose you wish to achieve.
Do you seek pure utility, or is a certain style that blends in or
compliments your existing décor more important?
Would wall wine racks be more suitable?
Perhaps you are looking for wine glass racks to conserve room in your
bar or kitchen. Chances are good you can
find the perfect mix and won’t have to compromise to fulfill your needs and
desires. Unlike the limited selection
your local merchants may carry, the wide variety of online retailers combined
with full manufacturer product lines, are sure to accomplish your goals and
turn your vision into reality.


An important aspect of wine cellar designs, one must take
into consideration both the wine cellar racks and other items such as the
primary wine cellar equipment. It may be beneficial to determine what
your needs are, before even getting into budgeting or space restraints.
Are you looking for something that is purely a utility room to safely stock
your inventory, or do have grand plans for an extravagant - yet well planned
and fully functional – and luxurious cellar that will proudly showcase your
prized collection prominently on custom built wine cellar racks.
Whichever you choose, it pays to do you research and explore the many options
available to you.


Some people may caution you not to rush out and purchase all
your wine cellar equipment until after your basic plan has come together.
However, thought should be put into some of these key items as large items like
refrigeration, bottling and dispensing units, and other accessories may in fact
consume large areas of space. Good wine cellar designs should incorporate
all aspects of the final vision, and assist in producing a functional and
appealing room that you can get maximum enjoyment from. Simply filling a
room with some expensive wine cellar racks and putting bottles on them won’t
wow your guests or magically increase the resale value of a property.
Taking the time to seek out quality furnishings and find attractive prices that
meet your budget will pay off in the long run once your vision comes to
fruition.


Super savings for residential and commercial
applications can be easily found online.
If you want wall wine racks that are custom built, or would prefer a
modular system that can be changed as your collection grows, I encourage you to
explore the wide range of styles, materials, and designs showcased online by
some of the leading manufacturers of wine glass racks.


Michael Boyce is a regular contributor to wine-cellar-racks.com, a consumer's resource to wine-related products and services.

How to Identify Dog Allergy Symptoms

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How to Identify Dog Allergy Symptoms
Submitted by seththewriter
Tue, 30 Jun 2009


You may not ever have heard of dog allergies, or you may have noticed something strange with your dog lately. If you're a new dog owner, or have never encountered a dog with allergies before, you may not be aware of the common dog allergy symptoms.

However, with as many as twenty percent of dogs thought to have some form of allergy, it's a good idea to learn what they look like, just in case! Here are a few of the common dog allergy symptoms to look for:

* Hair loss - unexplained hair loss on large areas of the body.

* Skin problems - an allergy may be present if your dog suffers from a dry, flaky, itchy skin. You might even notice hives or swellings, or sometimes even areas that look like ringworm. A trip to the vet should allow you to distinguish between other diseases or conditions and an allergy related skin disorder.

* Ear inflammations - excessive redness, shaking of the head, or constant scratching at the ears may also be a symptom of an allergy.

* Chronic hot spots - raw, inflamed areas of skin, usually caused by your dog licking excessively.

* Excessive scratching, biting or chewing on itself. Some dogs become almost obsessed, to the extent that they injure themselves!

* Poor coat - dull, dry or excessive shedding hair may all be a result of an allergy, rather than seasonal change or other factors. If your dog is looking shabby, with no good reason, there's a good chance you've got an allergic pooch on your hands.

* An upset stomach - usually a symptom of a food allergy. Loose stools and vomiting are typical examples of allergic reactions to foods.

If any or all of these are present in your dog, and you have noticed them over some time, chances are you're looking at dog allergy symptoms. It's also worth noting that sometimes, dogs that were not allergic to something before, suddenly (or gradually) develop an allergy to it.

Unlike diseases, allergies cannot be cured, but they can be treated, simply by removing the irritant that is causing the dog allergy symptoms. While that may sound simple, it's not always. Your dog cannot speak to you to tell you what's causing irritation. He probably doesn't even know himself. In fact, many dogs with food allergies will gratefully wolf down the very things that are causing their allergy.

For this reason, it's important to keep a close eye out for dog allergy symptoms, and if you do notice them, to begin the long, and sometimes arduous, process of elimination that will help you identify the allergen. Then it's simply a case of removing it from the dog's environment.

Again, an allergy is not curable, but it can usually be treated by removing the allergen. Sometimes, your veterinarian may suggest treatments of another kind, for example cortisone. Whatever the treatment is though, you can rest assured that your dog will feel much better without the often pesky dog allergy symptoms he's been living with!


Your dog's health means a lot to you, as well as your own. Keep yourself informed and learn more about dog allergies at CureDogAllergies.com, where you'll find everything you need to know to keep your dog, your home and of course yourself free of allergies, and in tip top shape!


Source: ArticleTrader.com
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Home Decor to Add Panache to Your Home

Home is the ideal place to unwind and the only place you want to rush to, after a day's work. A lion prefers his den to the wilderness and this holds good for all creatures. Living in a habitat is interesting but having a niche or a place, you can call your home is indeed a blessing.
In the past, by virtue of civilization, there have been incessant changes in trends which have by and large, improved the way of life. Today, home decor and home furnishings epitomize good civilization. Home furnishing is considered to be an art; so much so that professionals are specifically trained to add ingenuity to your home with suitable home decor.
The whole concept of ideal home furnishings can be explored and simplified as follows.
Oriental home decor- an overview:

Oriental home decor is ideally suited for Indian homes and is widely seen across Asia. The house is generally spacious and there is often ample space for wooden furniture. The very common items of oriental home furnishings include wall hangings, ethnic curios, curios with carvings, Idols of gods, artificial or fresh flowers, pottery, bamboo craft and much more. The way you arrange them will define their resourcefulness. A few key points to consider when you do up your home are as follows:
Is space a constraint?

Size does matter when it comes to your abode and it is important to decorate your home accordingly. If space is a constraint, make sure the curtains and walls are of a lighter shade. The more the light filters in, the wider the space will appear. Let the various curios and artifacts adorning the floor, tables and walls be smaller. Vertical wall hangings festooned with smaller designs and subtle hues are ideal for smaller homes.
On the other hand, a larger interior space can have dark colored walls and curtains adorned with bold prints and embellishments. The artifacts can be of appropriate shapes and sizes, as space is not a limitation. Wall hangings with darker hues and bold designs may seem ideal. Dangling wall hangings, suspended cane swings or the traditional swings festooned with carvings and oriental wind chimes may be included in home decor.
Art of choosing ideal home furnishings

The type of home furnishings you choose will depend on the wall color, the type of furniture (if the abode is furnished), number of people living in the house and the type of flooring, in addition to the size of the abode as mentioned earlier. Here are a few aspects that are integral to home decor which you may find useful:
Curtains: Choose them right

Your living room and bedroom curtains need to be of thicker fabric while door curtain fabric can be the thin and flowing type, exuding fluidity to the ambiance. This not only enhances the relaxed atmosphere native to a drawing room but also adds a touch of panache to your interiors. Translucent curtains embellished with embroidery or self prints make ideal door curtains. If you do up your house in a particular pattern and want similar curtains for the whole house then go for pastel shades like beige, off white or the lightest shade of pink.
A pair of window curtains can be teamed with netted or translucent curtains in lighter shades, to enhance the look.
Furniture:

A leather couch, cozy sofa with fabric upholstery or the very oriental cane chairs, makes ideal home furnishings for a contemporary house. If you want wood in the house and do not have the space to add an ensemble, a pair of rocking chairs or chairs with elaborate carving which exude a traditional touch is recommended. This could be complemented with a magazine or paper stand in the same material. Cane furniture is cost effective and ideal for people who keep changing homes.
Bedding:

If you spend most of your time in the confines of your room, make it more appealing by including the precise elements of home decor. Match the bed cover with the color of the lamp shade. It is ideal to have lamp shades in neutral colors like cream or light beige which complements almost every shade of the curtains and bedding you may wish to use. Take care to choose the curtains too, lest it should appear out of place.
Decorative flooring for that extra element of style:

Carpets are another integral part of home decor. Not only do they enhance the look of the floor but add a distinct panache to the interiors. The color, design and quality are the decisive factors before you zero in, on the buy. The flooring need not be done up entirely in carpet, more so if the home decor boasts of attractive flooring. Besides the flooring, intricate ceiling is in. A wide gamut of artistically designed ceilings and art fiberglass for windows are the latest trend.
If home decor is on your mind now and you have been considering these options, wait no longer. Take time to analyze the house, its pros and drawbacks and choose home furnishings accordingly. Shopping for home decor at renowned outlets is no doubt a good option but if you have been contemplating buying and presenting them as gifts, an online mart is the best bet. They assure a wider product range, easy website tools and hassle free delivery. What more could you ask for?
Time spent in planning and smart shopping is any day better than time wasted in finding a suitable niche to place curios. So plan and get started to make your home a pleasantly trim and amicable place to live in.

Gifts to India - Infibeam.com is an exciting new online destination and community that focuses on selling latest Mobiles, Books, Cameras, Apparels, Jewellery and Send Home Furnishings Products to India at guaranteed lowest price.


Send Gifts to India - Infibeam.com is an exciting new online destination and community that focuses on selling latest Mobiles, Books, Cameras, Apparels, Jewellery and Send Home Decor Products to India at guaranteed lowest price.

LDS Art ( Variations: mormon art, Jesus painting, 1ds paintings).

Art is an interesting topic that covers some of the best paintings including 1ds paintings, Jesus painting, and mormon art and at the same time encompassing some of the real masters, that has been done over different generations by some of the renowned artists and in different cultures. Christian paintings and 1ds paintings are best known paintings since a long time, and have managed to create the love of art in number of peoples minds. Religious paintings have also managed to show some of the best works of modern times artists. This form of art has also managed to bring society and religion closer to each other.

There are a number of people who feel that west has simply moved away from the liking of religious arts and Jesus painting and has become much sterile. Others feel that they can respect this form of art as it has provided the basic foundation for most art lovers. There are a number of modern artists who have managed to show their talent making use of this form of art especially 1ds art and mormon art. Some of the best religious art and Jesus painting have managed to make use of some of the most famous scenes from biblical times.

There are also other religions who have flourished in this form of art even though they have been making use of different forms of art. Western renaissance art is closely related to religious art forms and displays works that reflects emotions and symbols and is very much similar to abstract forms of art. This form can be seen reflected in a number of LDS Art art, Jesus painting and mormon art styles. Some of the best religious paintings and Jesus painting still remains very much popular amongst older generation of art enthusiasts, but have literally struggled to be popular amongst various young generation art lovers so they can fit the modern décor of your homes.

There are a number of people who feel that these tradition styles of Jesus painting certainly does not match the modern décor of the modern homes. It is expected that the future forms of LDS Art and mormon art can in fact be more closer to abstract forms of art that is more colorful and still rests on the traditional biblical themes. These forms of art is expected to move the love of art between the two worlds. It certainly does have the power to take over everyday world along with Christian myths. There are also a number of 1ds art lovers who like converting some of the traditional forms of Jesus painting into abstract forms that is in fact more colorful and energetic as compared to the traditional form.

There are also a number of modern artists who have managed to convert some of the best biblical themes into modern art form as art and religion has managed to have a much deeper impact on the minds of modern art lovers. Some of the best Jesus painting, mormon art and 1ds art have also dominated conscience of human beings in a number of ways.


if you are looking for best quality LDS Art and Jesus painting you can always log on to http://www.ldsartshop.com for best deals.

» Category Sponsors Get Your Link Here - Limited Time Bargain at only $11/month! Home » Home-and-family » Pregnancy » Pregnancy Powerfoods Pil

The best way to stay within a healthy weight range during your pregnancy and to provide the optimal resting place for your little princess-to-be (or prince, of course), is to eat the right foods. Sure you can follow a list of "Do Not Eat" foods, but that's just so...negative. It's better to stay positive and to focus instead of foods that are good for you, powerfoods that will fill you up and provide you with the nutrients you need to keep you and your baby super healthy.

For a pregnancy that won't have you craving diet pills or running to your online drugstore the very moment your little one pops out for other diet pills, eat these foods:

• Beans - Beans are a great source of non-animal protein and contain iron, folic acid, calcium, zinc. Good beans include chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and lentils, but if you're eating canned, make sure you rinse off the beans, otherwise you'll be loading up on too much sodium.
• Beef - When you consume protein you're directly feeding your baby food for its brain development. Lean cuts of meat will provide prime B vitamins, as well as niacin and zinc.
• Berries - Some carbs are great for you and for the baby, especially when you're talking about antioxidant-rich fruits which protect cells from free-radicals which can cause cellular damage.
• Milk - There's a reason why this is baby's first food—milk is packed with protein, calcium, and vitamins A, B, and D. Basically it's a recipe for growth and development.
• Salmon - Another great protein, salmon also provides the brain- and vision-enhancing nutrients found in omega-3 fatty acids.
• Sweet potatoes - Vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, carotenoids, and fiber—six nutrients that you and your baby need for a healthy future.


This article was written by Dr. Karen Benton, an OBGYN and nutritionist who specializes in pregnancy and weight loss.

Benefits of a Leather Sofa

Are you thinking about buying a leather sofa? There are many good reasons to eventually add one of these to your home. Before you buy, it is important to know the benefits of a leather sofa as well as what your other options are.

Here are three details to keep in mind:

1. Comfort. When you buy a leather sofa you are getting a lot in terms of comfort - more so than with many other options. For most buyers, a comfortable sofa is exactly what they are looking for.

2. Durability. It goes without saying that you want your furniture to last a very long time. When you buy a leather sofa this is exactly what you are going to get. As long as you take proper care of your sofa it should last for many years to come. After all, who wants to buy a new sofa every so often? This is nothing more than a waste of money.

3. Color selection to match your current décor. You will find leather sofas in a variety of colors ranging from light to dark and everything in between. This is the number one benefit for many buyers because it means that they will not have to change the entire look and feel of their room.

These are three of the biggest benefits of buying a leather sofa. If you have been in the market for one of these, now may be the time to buy. They are comfortable, durable, and come in a variety of styles and colors. What more could you ask for?


Buy Leather Sofas, Suites and Furniture from English Sofas. We have many leather sofa styles available including classic leather chesterfields, Italian leather suites, modern and traditional sofas. Find your ideal sofa Now

Stacey Solomon: A Working Mum

Stacey Solomon is fast becoming the most respected working mum in the UK. Dedicated to supporting her young son, Zachary, the X Factor singing sensation is quickly winning the hearts of the public with her bubbly nature and angelic voice.

All the girls in the competition bar Stacey have rapidly dwindled, leaving her to be the only female vocalist competing for the X Factor crown. Stacey clearly has the likeability factor which goes a long way in the X Factor, if you're not liked; you're out on your ear, as proved by the consecutive eliminations of Rachel Adedeji and Lucie Jones.

Week in, week out, Stacey delivers a top performance, proving her to be a consistent singer with a voice that you'd never expect to have such a thick Dagenham accent! On stage, Stacey shines and its all for her son Zachary:

‘Single motherhood is tough, but I'm determined to be the one that provides for my son,' she said.

‘I would love to win this for [Zachary]. It would mean everything. I'd be able to get him into a good school and get him all the things he needs.'

Stacey's work ethic as a single Mum is something to be admired, she's finally getting her big break and her impending singing career will require her to juggle an exciting new lifestyle and a foray into the music world with raising a young son. Despite her ditsy nature, it is clear that Stacey is under no illusions that success after the X Factor is not guaranteed, saying: ‘there's always Asda'.

With her feet firmly on the ground, Stacey continued to hold down part time jobs right until she passed her first X Factor audition as well as attending a performing arts course at Havering College and raising her young son, so she already knows a thing or two about juggling a family and a career. She's currently seeing her son once a week while she lives in the X Factor house which is proving to be hard, but Stacey knows the X Factor could be her launchpad to providing a better life for Zachary.

Working mums like Stacey Solomon are exemplary women who are to be admired for their dedication to supporting their children.


WorkingMums is committed to ensuring that women are able to find flexible yet challenging work. Providing women with access to potential employers and giving Mums the possibility to work from home or begin a flexible part time job, WorkingMums gives women the chance to combine parenthood with and enjoying working from home.

Know more about Pregnancy

Women always have the desire to get pregnant and it their most beautiful aspect of life. But hardly any women knows more about prenancy and sometimes they are over burden with real concept of preganancy. Lots of women in america is not known with the actual process of the pregnancy along with its side effects. Women and girls should have the knowledge that it is such a process through which offspring is delivery happens and it occurs due tothe combination of both fetus and embryo in the female body. Lots of reports throw the messages that if prenant women is carrying twins in the womb then she is going to have more gestations. Women and wards must have some informations about the new medical terms used for pregnancy so that no one can mislead them. Now a days lots of clinic cheating the couples and the wards due to lack of knowledge. For this one can see programmes running on televisions and reading newspaper or could share their problems withthe near and dear ones.

There are many other forms of pregnancy such as obstetrics like surgical work required in case of risks pregnancy. In the same way midwifery meaning not requiring surgical treatment as supports pregnant women. Women should know that pregnancy foundation happens in the women after 38 weeks just after her last menstrual period. Lots of organizations like taking care of women health specificallyand informing them about the dos and donts of it. So one should know that the best timing is of 37 weeks and 42 weeks for having the child. In ancient time gravid was the word used for pregnancy but today it is not popular in medical field. In the same way gravida is the word used for pregnant women that time but now generally not in use. During pregnancy women should know what to eat and how to take care of oneself for having a healthy baby. One should know that once the arrival of pregnancy not only the women , wards of the family too needs mental preparation of welcoming the new born in their homes. So the women should be prepared mentally and physically for this and is well prepared for holding thepregnancy process as it is concerned to its life and death. So in this way another word of pregnancy known as embryo is related to development of offspring above the timings of 8 weeks after going through conception. And the other word of pregnancy is fetus which is related to the showing of the two months old baby in the women's womb.

Now a days huge amount of work is related to creating awareness in illetrate women residing in remote areas and villages. Poor people espcially the women should know that what precaution and diet during pregnancy one should have? Actually pregnancy takes place in women when the female gamete combines with male gamete called as spermatozoon. Especially the women should have the knowledge that the fusion of male and female gametes occurs due to sexual intercourse. Mostly illeterate folks of indian society start thinking some divine happening harassing the women alot and in lots of cases personally and socially more.


To read about grossesse and other information, visit the vitamines site.

Simple tips for making more of your living space

Not many of us live in as big a home as we would like, so maximising the use of available space becomes incredibly important. From finding innovative storage solutions to the use of space-saving furniture, there are a number of steps home owners can take to ensure that their homes are efficiently set out while maintaining a stylish aesthetic.

Each house is obviously different - there may be a particular problem room to tackle, for example - but in truth there are areas all over each home that can be optimised to ensure that it's being used to its full potential.

Master bedroom
Whether you choose a traditional bed frame of a divan set for a bedroom, there are space-saving opportunities to be had. With frames, be sure to pick one that has sufficient clearance to allow storage boxes to be slotted beneath. These can be incredibly effective at reducing clutter; you'd be surprised just how many will fit under an average sized bed. On the other hand, you obviously can't fit storage boxes under a divan - but you can buy numerous sets with storage draws built into the unit itself.

Spare/kids' bedroom
Storage chests and trunks are perfect for keeping mess to a minimum in bedrooms - and the best thing about them is that they come in a variety of styles and price points to suit each budget. At the top end, a solid wood trunk can often look magnificent in the right room, while on the more affordable side of things, bright plastic storage chests are ideal for keeping children's toys tidy. Bunk beds are also a classic space saving tip for two children sharing the same room.

Lounge
If your house doesn't have the required number of bedrooms for you to have a dedicated guest room, a sofa bed will help you kill two birds with one stone. And while sofa beds have traditionally been nothing to write home about style wise, they now come in a wide range of contemporary styles to fit a variety of tastes.

Kitchen
For all but the largest of families, bulky fridge freezers can take up an unnecessary amount of space. Compact, under-counter units will often offer more than enough shelf space for groceries while freeing up some much needed space in the kitchen. Clever features such as roll-out shelves can also help to maximise usable space, but there are even simpler things you can do to increase efficiency; for example, if you're short on cupboard space, store clean baking tins in your oven.


Sarah Maple also writes about other types of furniture for the home including a wide range of dining tables for the living area.

Dog Grooming Basics

Neglected dogs with a tangled, dirty coat and long nails do not look appealing to anyone, and are living proof that regular dog grooming has many benefits, including helping keep a dog stay healthy.

Basic dog grooming includes bathing, brushing, nail trimming and ear cleaning. These have to be performed at regular intervals, with the time frame regulated by the dog’s breed, hair type and if the pet spends a lot of time outdoors. Most dogs enjoy being brushed and daily sessions will help maintain a healthy coat, while strengthening the bond between the pet and its master.

Canines usually dislike having their paws handled and their nails trimmed because it represents pain. Dog owners are often uncomfortable with the process for fear of hurting their dogs, which occasionally happens if the nails are trimmed too short. Under those circumstances it is better to bring the dog to a grooming salon, or to a veterinary clinic, and have the nails trimmed by a professional.

Learning how to bath your dog properly may take a few turns. Not all dogs like the water, and the owner may not appreciate the dripping-wet furry friend running through the house, once the tub is draining. Always use special soap-free dog shampoo, unless your pet has a skin or coat condition. In that case, the veterinarian may recommend a specific or medically enhanced shampoo.

Dirty dog ears can be a haven for bacteria and yeast and should be cleaned with every bath routine. While some dogs can go their entire lives without ear problems, other pooches can have a chronic ear disease and may require multiple cleanings a day.

Dogs with continuously growing hair may need regular haircuts, a job best left to professional groomers. Basic dental care consists of brushing your canine’s teeth with specially formulated dog toothpaste, and tartar build-up can be prevented by giving your dog occasionally a good raw, marrow bone, or knuckle bone to chew on. If you want to put your mind completely at ease, take your four-legged friend yearly to the veterinarian's office for a professional cleaning, as that is another great way to get teeth checked, scaled and polished.


CroSci is a non-government organisation which fosters science, technology and education development through a network of free online resources.

Tips For Heating And Air Conditioning The Home

These days everyone is concerned with how to save costs and energy in the home. Heating and air conditioning a home can be quite costly and energy draining. There are some important tips that can create a better use of energy and a better flow of money in your home.

Cutting back on the energy used through air conditioning and heating can take some effort on the whole family`s part. It takes an understanding of how things work and what techniques make for a better home. Learning tricks and applying them can not only educate you on healthier ways to save energy, but can also provide a lasting impression on any kids that live in the home. Hopefully a new generation will emerge thinking that energy saving tips is the norm and do not know any different.

The first way to ensure a well efficient home is to have an annual heating and air conditioner inspection. It only makes sense to have these two very important operating machines within the home, working at their best. Yearly maintenance and service can keep your systems working and operating smoothly creating a healthier home.

Remember that changing filters is important or cleaning reusable ones. Your furnace will run better and cleaner with new filters. Dirty filters can provide poor air quality in the home and make your furnace work harder.

It also makes sense to install an energy star qualified programmable thermostat to automate HVAC systems in the home. You can optimize the HVAC operation in your home 24/7 based on your daily schedule. And this programming can be override at any time if changes in the schedule occur. This thermostat makes perfect sense, so that you`re not heating rooms that are not being used, or that your air conditioner is not at its highest while you`re at work.

Controlling the amount of light that comes through the home is another great way to save on energy. In the summer or during months where the sun is at its strongest and brightest, it is a good idea to keep drapes closed or drawn to keep the heat out. The heat that can be generated from a window can actually make your air conditioner have to keep running and worker longer and harder. Some things you can do, is close the drapes, or use solar films or solar screens on the window panes. You can also put awnings on the outside of the windows to steer the sun away from the windows and provide shade. You can also think about adding some vegetation to the outside of your house, such as bushes and trees. The shade from the trees and leaves can actually help to keep your home cooler.

The use of fans is also an important part of energy efficient planning. Using fans can save on air conditioning usage. When there is a breeze outside, simply put the fan in a window and feel the breeze come through, that way your conditioner won`t even turn on. Also, turning your air conditioner a few degrees higher and putting on a fan will actually get the same cooling results for less energy used.

It is crucial to plug all leaks leaving the house. In the winter time, those pesky drafts can also drain out heat, making your furnace have to work double time.


Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

What to Look For When Considering an Outdoor Playground For Your Kids

Outdoor playgrounds and playhouses should be properly evaluated before purchase. This will be the place where your children and probably some of the neighbors as well, will be spending a lot of their time. You will want to make sure the set has a solid construction. Will it rust, will it break or bend - is it heavy enough - is it plastic - is it metal?

Safety is probably the biggest concern when purchasing outdoor playgrounds and playhouses. Here are some safety issues to consider:

1. Falling from heights
2. Hitting a hard surface
3. Getting caught or pinched on something
4. Whether the surface becomes hot
5. Whether the material splinters
6. If the set could tip over
7. What type of ground cover to put under the playground
8. If there are sharp edges, guard rails, any openings to get a child's head caught in, or any ropes to pose a choking hazard.

Another issue to consider is the age appropriateness of the playgrounds or playhouses. This would take into consideration of the weight of children playing on it, whether it has swings for infants, if that is something you need. You need to think about your child's maturity level and whether the playhouse or outdoor playground is challenging enough to allow your child's creativity and imagination to work. Is it age appropriate for their level of physical coordination?

You might want to consider where the outdoor playground or playhouse is manufactured. If it is in the US, will you get better service after the sale? You need to check out the warranty on the equipment and whether it will be the investment that will last while your child grows up. Are replacement parts readily available if necessary? Is your local weather going to be a factor in the life of the equipment?

Consumers need to consider price and what their budget is for the project of outdoor playgrounds or playhouses. Will it add to the value of their property or will it detract from the aesthetic value of the home? You will want to purchase equipment that will look appropriate for your style house and neighborhood. In other words, if you live in an upscale neighborhood, you shouldn't consider a faded out or rusty looking used outdoor playground. You would probably be better off getting an all wood set or a more modern plastic set.

Another idea to consider about outdoor playgrounds and playhouses is whether you might need to relocate in the future. If you do, how easy would it be to take the playground equipment apart and move it to your new location? Have you permanently anchored it? Does it come apart in sections or is it all one piece?

There are many things to consider when purchasing outdoor playground equipment and playhouses. These are just a few major issues to look consider.


Vickie Lexom, super mom extraordinaire - according to her family, loves to throw a party. While planning the latest birthday party, she decided to include the gifts in the decoration and fun. Outdoor toys from Little Tikes helped her to pull her summer themed birthday party together in no time. From bounce houses to water slides, Little Tikes had everything on her list.

Helpful Information For Finding A Chair Lift

Wheelchair lifts are very important equipment, which are used to move a wheelchair its occupant up and down stars. There are some wheelchair lifts that are used in vans to help the disabled person move into the driver's seat.

The wheelchair lift can be operated either by electricity or hydraulics. In cases there is an electrical power failure, this device can be operate manually. Two of its primary functions are for retracting platform or as fold-up lifting equipment.

The Wheelchair lifts are guaranteed safe because they are equipped with a non-slip platform, pressure switches and safety barriers. Even a used wheelchair lift is safe provided that all its components are intact. Before you buy a wheelchair lift, it is important that you know which type fits your needs.

There are three types of chair lifts on the market. These are the vertical platform wheelchair lift, the inclined platform wheelchair lift and the portable wheelchair lift.

The vertical platform wheelchair lift is best for commercial application. It is designed for a particular area, although many homeowners are also using this type of lift because they can use it as a home elevator. It can be run by electric power or hydraulic.

There are several types of vertical lifts. You can choose a shaft type or enclosed type. The enclosed type features four walls and a platform, which provides protection to you from bad weather when you are outside.

The inclined platform wheelchair lifts are designed for indoor and outdoor use. If you are flexible with your schedule and enjoy several activities, then, this is the right type of chair lift. You can also consider buying an inclined platform, used wheelchair lift.

Many people use an inclined platform wheelchair lift for going to different places, such as department stores, schools, hospitals, offices, churches and restaurant with ease. It is particularly useful in climbing stairs.

If you are a type of person who loves outdoor and always on the go, you need the portable wheelchair lift. It is sometimes referred to as the mobile lift; the portable chair lift is easy to bring anywhere including the untypical areas, such as outdoor bleachers and vertically-raised platforms.

A type of portable wheelchair lift is the portable vertical wheelchair lift. It is flexible in its function—as a vertical wheelchair lift or portable wheelchair lift.

Wheelchair lifts are especially helpful in lifting people on the wheelchair in going up a flight of stairs. They are also used in wheelchair accessible vans and other types of vehicles.

This benefit is really convenience as there is no need for you to step out of your wheelchair to get into a car. If you are able to use your two hands, you will just need to pull up your wheelchair to the platform of the lift and be raised down or up.

The platform lift can even be used in climbing truck cabs to operate heavy equipment. Wheelchair lifts are made of a solid and folding platform, making them long lasting.

The electric wheelchair lifts are easier to maintain than the hydraulics. The electric one can be customized with automatic door openers and telephone jacks.


Looking for the right wheelchair lift? Go to http://www.silvercross.com . We have a lot of information on chair lifts. Do want to find a used chair lift? We are an information source to help you find the right lift. Visit us at Electric wheel chair lift to get the latest information on wheelchair lifts.

Harvesting Rain Water in Tanks

Water is the most essential need of all living beings. Because of its importance people have been trying to save water for their household, business and agriculture purposes over the years. Rainwater harvesting in water tanks has taken dimensions that have gone beyond anyone's imagination because of its economical, water saving and environment friendly qualities. The importance of installing rainwater tanks is high for residents of the properties in Melbourne, because government restrictions are made on water. Because of these restrictions, there are rebates available for the purchase of tanks and tanks come in all shapes, sizes and volumes. With the availability of water tanks, people are able to rely on them for all purposes including gardening, swimming pools, washing, domestic uses etc. Because of the increasing importance of water tanks, companies have come forward with innovative solutions to improve their product to suit everyone.

The tanks come in various compact designs to suit even the inner houses of the city. Where rain water harvesting is a must and space constrictions prevent from setting up a big water tank, you can go for a tank that is specially suited to fit small spaces. Oval water tanks, rectangular tanks and other configurations have evolved to suit the needs of the person having very little space to install a bigger one.

Choosing rain water tanks Melbourne is very simple. There are thousands of tanks available in the market and the one you chose depends on the type of tank system you need. Before setting out to buy a water tank, decide on what features you want in your tank and how much water you and the members in your family are going to utilize. The type of tank you should buy also depends on the number of people in your household, the nature of rain in your area, the total area of roof draining into your tank, whether you need to get a pump and whether you need to purify the water for drinking purposes. Above all, see if there are any harmful materials on the roof which will mix with the water and make it poisonous. Once you take these factors into consideration and consider the size of your property, decide on the water tank.

The main types of water tanks available are Concrete Water Tanks (strong enough for underground installation), Poly Water Tank, (cheapest of all), Fiber Glass Water Tanks (durable and corrosion resistant), Modular Water Tanks (can be configured to any size block), Metal Water Tanks (made with corrosion resistant features), Underground Water Tanks (space saving and ideal for small homes) and Bladder Water Tanks (also built underground and below the deck). The brochures on these water tanks are available online. Go through each of these and take into account the above mentioned factors and pick the one you need.

There are water tanks of various price ranges available in the market. If you are planning to buy a rain water tank online, you just have to fill out a form mentioning the shape, volume, diameter, height and length of the one you have in mind. You can also choose your own category. From these specifications you can zero in on the one needed, select and buy.


Solar Flow specialises in solar hot water and rain water tanks Melbourne. Solar flow not only install rainwater tanks and solar hot water systems, they also provide consultation to ensure that you purchase the correct rain water tank or solar hot water system to meet your needs.

Rain Water Tanks: We have enough rain in Melbourne to catch and save!

There are enough rainfall days in Melbourne to make efficient use of, and save water that otherwise may have been wasted. Taking advantage of a few available water storage methods that are available for very little cost in respect to future water bills and the environment is something a lot of people are turning to.

If you are on a water meter that you are being billed for, then you can already appreciate the importance of conserving water, and making efficient use of your supply. You could improve your water conservation methods by quite a lot if you implement one green method of water capture and supply.

How do I save more water than I already do?

Rain water tanks have been available for quite some time, but have recently become more popular because the cost of installation and the product has gone down. These product do what they say which is store rain water within a large tank.

These rain water tank storage systems can easily be installed in your loft or your rooftop, and even in your garden or yard. Some have been known to be attached to the side of property and are not just for use on the family home. Rain water storage systems can be used commercially on offices, farms, garden centers and almost every other business or industry that uses a water supply.

If you do take advantage of rain water tanks Melbourne and have one installed, then you will quickly begin to realize the obvious benefits if you use water supplied on a unit based meter. Not only are you saving money, but you will be doing your bit for water conservation.

Why would I choose a rain water tank if I am not paying for water on a meter?

The answer is an emotive one, which you should think about seriously.

Water is particularly rationed during dry seasons or droughts, which have been happening often in recent years in Australia so it makes sense to save as much water possible.

If we had a perfect world where it rained in equal measure to sunshine, then water conservation would probably not be on the top of a lot of agendas. But the simple fact of the matter is that whether you believe in global warming or not, water sources from reservoirs and other facilities just simply dwindle in recent years due to dry weather patterns.

Australia is currently suffering from yearly droughts, which is not just limited to the drier parts of the country. It affects all of us, so if more people helped relieve the pressure on water supplies, then water availability would be greatly increased in future years.

Water restrictions are already enforced in many parts of Australia, so it makes perfect sense to gather and store rain water, which is a free source when it does arrive via the sky.

Making the move is not hard, all you have to do is find a reliable company who fits rain water storage tanks, or purchase and fit your own if you are handy - definitely something worth thinking about.


Solar Flow specialises in solar hot water and rain water tanks Melbourne. Solar flow not only install rainwater tanks and solar hot water systems, they also provide consultation to ensure that you purchase the correct rain water tank or solar hot water system to meet your needs.

Digital Switchover: It's Here!

It seemed to be coming for an age, but D-Day is finally upon us. ‘D', of course, stands for digital, and by the end of this month, Wales will have completed the switchover to become the UK's first digital nation. If you live in Cardiff, Newport or south east Wales, you will have already waved goodbye to tired old analogue this week, and the final stages of the switchover will be completed on 31 March, when the country's Wenvoe transmitter is turned off for good.

What do I need to do?

So, with the digital revolution drawing near for many, it's important to ensure your TV is ready. While that might sound scary, fret not. It's very simple to prepare yourself and your set - just follow our guide to the switchover and enjoy your new-found status as a digital citizen.

Viewers who are already on Freeview may well (like I did) come home, baffled to find all their BBC TV channels missing. This is simply down to these stations moving frequencies and is very easily fixed - just retune your Freeview TV or box and you'll be sorted.

Why should I want digital?

The older among us might be forgiven for sharing a wistful moment as analogue is consigned to the history books. All-in-all, though, it won't take long to appreciate why Digital TV is so much better for everyone.

The wider benefit of the switchover is that digital TV uses less broadcasting space - allowing for more streamlined services such as wireless broadband, High Definition (HD) TV and the possibility for more local TV stations.

As for you, well, apart from a load more channels (including some offered on an optional pay-per-view basis), viewers can access on-screen TV listings, interactive features as well as audio description and subtitles for the visual and hearing impaired.

Looking for more?

If you're a sports freak, love a night in with a movie, or want to be able to easily record your favourite programmes, you might want to pay for a Digital TV package. With a whole host of providers out there, such as Sky, Virgin Media and BT Vision, all offering different varieties of channels, there's nothing if not choice.

Most providers offer a bundling service which can also see you significantly cut your broadband and landline phone bills. There are plenty of options out there, so if this does interest you, make sure you have a think about how much you'll realistically need.

Do you, for example, prefer to download films? If so, a bundle with high download limits could allow you to cut out the TV movies package on offer. Equally, some firms offer access to on-demand services such as BBC iPlayer via television - which could, if you're a big watcher, drastically reduce the download limits and speeds that you need on broadband.

Once you've considered all this and have an idea of what you want, head over to our TV, Broadband and Phone page and allow us to help you compare the best deals available at no extra cost.

Carbon monoxide: a most unwelcome guest

The Carbon Monoxide Be Alarmed! Campaign have estimated that as many as 81% of households in the UK don't have an audible CO alarm. So quite a lot, then.

And the trouble with carbon monoxide is... well, there are lots of troubling things about carbon monoxide. It has no odour, no taste, and it's invisible to the naked eye. Plus it can't be easily self-diagnosed, as there are a wide range of potential symptoms associated with CO poisoning.

And it can be fatal. Some victims of carbon monoxide poisoning claim that survival is even worse.
Any poorly-fitted or ill-maintained fuel-burning appliances can potentially leak CO, as can unswept chimney flues.
So really, it's well worth investing the £15 odd that it costs to install a European Standard CO detector with an audible alarm.

Our article The Silent Killer: Confused.com Warns of the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide is a really worthwhile read. It's got some tips on how to spot if you have a CO leak, symptoms to look for, and landlord's responsibilities to be aware of - for landlords and tenants alike.

Safety checklist

• Keep your boiler in good working order, or ensure it's kept serviced.
• Think about upgrading your old gas appliances. If you're a tenant in a property, then your landlord should service the appliances that they provide on an annual basis.
• If you're planning to use old-fashioned portable heaters, get them checked by an expert before use.
• Keep your home well ventilated.
• If you have a working chimney, make sure it's swept annually by a qualified engineer or chimney sweep.
• You can never have too much education where safety is concerned. If you're worried about CO in your home, or you have any friends or relatives who you feel are unaware of the risk, it's worth visiting the CO Awareness website. The site is full of information and prevention tips that could prove vital.

Planning on getting engaged? Check you're covered!

As Valentine's Day approaches perhaps you're planning to shower your loved one with indulgent presents. Some romantic types might even be preparing to pop the question, and a sparkly engagement ring usually helps engender the desired response.

But, without dampening the flames of passion, there are practical considerations to be aware of when splashing out on expensive jewellery.

Imagine if the ring was stolen, either before you have the chance to ask for your beloved's hand in marriage, or worse, after she's accepted.

With the average engagement ring costing £1,800, according to wedding website confetti.co.uk, and with many men still subscribing to the ‘one month's salary' rule of thumb, you'd want to know that you could at least afford to replace it.

But can you be sure your home contents insurance would cover it?

Get it listed

Most policies demand that you specify high value items separately and this can apply to anything over £1,000. Call your insurance provider to check. They might be able to increase your cover there and then, but it's likely your premium will increase. If so, shop around for a better deal.

If the ring is particularly expensive it may not be covered even under ‘high value items' on your home contents policy. The limits differ enormously between providers, but £2,000 is typical.

If you have really splashed out, you might have to arrange separate insurance. Your jeweller may be able to help but the cover could be very expensive, so always check with other specialist insurers. It is worth comparing what's on offer from standard insurers too - Hiscox for example covers high value items up to £15,000 and AXA covers single items up to £12,000.

Home and away

Assuming the ring is going to be worn and not kept in a drawer you will probably need to insure it away from home too. This means you will have to list it on the ‘personal possessions' section of your home insurance policy, which covers all items taken out of the property, such as your camera.

Many policies offer a standard level of personal possessions cover, which you may need to increase. Again, there will be limits and your premium could rise, so be prepared to shop around.

If you're planning to get down on one knee on holiday don't assume the ring will be covered on your travel insurance - chances are it won't. Travel policies usually have relatively low limits for single items so try your home contents provider before you travel.

Don't under-insure

Even if you don't need to list the ring as a separate item, you should still make sure you are not under-insured on your home contents.

If you are, you could fall foul of some providers' averaging rules which will leave you out of pocket. For example, if you have contents cover for £30,000 but your contents are really worth £40,000 you might only get any claim paid back in the same proportion - 75%.

So when you purchase new items, be it a piece of jewellery or anything else, it's a good idea to check you have sufficient total cover, or get into the habit of checking annually. Some providers get around the problem of under-insurance by offering unlimited cover, though it is always worth checking if cheaper home contents deals are available.

Always keep your receipts and if you are uncertain what a ring is worth - perhaps if it's antique - get it professionally valued as soon as possible. It's also a good idea to photograph it for your records.

Remember, the same rules apply to any expensive items you buy, not just jewellery. If you are treating your partner this Valentine 's Day, and want the path of true love to run smooth, check you are covered.