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Kadence Buchanan -'s Articles Display Category|Title|Newest|Oldest Understanding The Importance Of International Business International business is all business transactions-private and governmental-that involve two or more countries. Why should one be interested in studying international business? The simplest answer is that international business comprises a large and growing portion of the world's total business. Today, almost all companies, large or small, are affected by global events and competition because most sell output to and/or secure suppliers from foreign countries and/or compete against products and services that come from abroad. More companies that engage in some form of international business are involved in exporting and importing than in any other type of business transaction. Many of the international business experts argue that exporting is a logical process with a natural structure, which can be viewed primarily as a method of understanding the target country's environment, using the appropriate marketing mix, developing a marketing plan based upon the use of the mix, implementing a plan through a strategy and finally, using a control method to ensure the strategy is adhered to. This exporting process is reviewed and evaluated regularly and modifications are made to the use of the mix, to take account of market changes impacting upon competitiveness. This view seems to suggest that much of the international business theory related to enterprises, which are internationally based and have global ambitions, does often change depending on the special requirements of each country. The New Billionaires For the twelfth straight year, Bill Gates continues to be the richest man in the world with a net worth of $50 billion, according to the authoritative Forbes magazine, the business world's bible of wealth and fortune. Microsoft's founding father may be less active in the corporate world these days, but he still sits comfortably at the top of the hill as the inspiration and subject of envy of all would-be billionaires. Based on a recent report released by Forbes, becoming a billionaire these days is not as hard as it used to be. The publication reveals that there are now a record 793 billionaires around the world, compared to 691 in 2005, with an average net worth of $3.3 billion. Combined, these 793 men and women have a net worth of $2.6 trillion. The Publishing Business Publishing is a fascinating business and the process that goes into the making of books and newspapers is an interesting one. These days, with the world of digital information and the internet upon us, the scope of publishing now also includes websites, blogs and the like. From the business perspective, publishing isn't just printing literature or information but also the development, marketing, distribution and even promotion of the printed works. It is not as simple as it may seem. Was Apprentice A Cultural Outcome Of Post-modernism Among many things, Donald Trump is a successful businessman and an extremely wealthy individual. Donald Trump is perceived by the mass public as a true corporate King. The question is who are all these people that competed so fiercely against each other during the hour that the Apprentice show was broadcasted and why did they strive to prove their skills so as to secure their position in his empire? One might support that they are the products of America's powerful media networks, the gladiators of our postmodern reality. But are these reality shows we tend to watch ritually, the mirroring of our contemporary culture, or are they the outcome of today's spectators' confusion regarding the prevailing notions of modernity, revolution and self-development? To be a citizen of the modern world, is equivalent to remain open to change and evolution, to be able to explore and create, accept or reject, all those forces and trends that shape the global scene and the mere self at the same time. This ongoing change, the development of human history, has been classified according to scholars as the act of relating modernization (the socio-economic process) with modernism (the cultural vision), through modernity (the historical experience). But this powerful process, although once considered linear, has evolved over time to the point that it can now be conceived as "curved," since modernism has experienced a major decline during the 21st century. This realization can be partly explained by the fact that social, political, or economic revolutions have ended, while the upcoming reformations are not fostered by the bourgeois engagement, but mainly by the continuous technological progress limited to specific time fragments which make any kind of revolution seeming obsolete. Choosing A Web Based Photo Storage Service As digital cameras replace film, more and more users are turning to web based photo storage services to manage their photo archives. There are a dizzying array of sites, all offering different services at different prices. Choosing a storage service can be a confusing process, particularly when you are choosing a company to entrust with your precious family photos. Here are some things to look for when you're choosing a photo storage service. First, take a look at the interface. How easy or difficult is it to upload photos to the site? Most of the major photo storage sites offer the ability to download software that will let you upload batches of photos, but some sites still rely on web interfaces that are slower and more clumsy. Using The Internet For Recreational Purposes Since the introduction of the Internet to our daily lives, people have considered it to be a vast source of information, as it managed to connect million of computers around the world, from servers belonging to governments, colleges, schools, libraries, museums, science laboratories, leisure centers, sports clubs, and thousands of other organizations. This extremely useful network, just a click away, delivers to all those interested and having a suitable Internet access, the advantages of sharing, exchanging, retrieving and uploading information of almost any sort. From researching for a college or work project, to selecting the travel destination of your dreams, the Internet can be considered a tool that has become indispensable now to most "advanced" economies of the world. Frankly, I am not familiar with another communication medium, so pervasive in nature and vast in scope to have done so much in such as short time after it has been introduced to the public; only television can perhaps enter the same arena, but yet again TV it is not a two way type of communication. Millions of people today are using the Internet to keep up with their favorite team's score, to schedule a leisure activity, to communicate with friends residing in another continent, to check the latest trends, to read their favorite newspaper columnist or to write on their blog. But although the Internet can be a very useful tool, for a variety of individuals, as it serves different needs, one cannot find everything in there; not yet at least. For example, even the more progressive among universities libraries do not have every book of their possession available in an electronic form. Sad as it may be, many authors and publishers are still supporting that the negative effects of such a possibility would have a tremendous effect on their sales. Some Internet websites offer books in a digital form, usually available for one only to read and not to download, but again this is a niche part of the plethora of books available at your local bookstore shelves. So, if people are not using the Internet mainly to read books, what other recreational purposes does it serve? Safe Online Surfing If you believe that adults can suffer from identity theft or be mislead by online criminals, imagine what children can experience in case their online surfing time is not properly guided. In fact, parents should know that when children are online, it is just like they are out in public. Thus, educating kids and monitoring their online surfing time can save parents from the anguish of having to deal with an uncomfortable situation later. Exposed to a variety of stimuli, children today are able to surf and visit websites, portals, enter chat rooms or participate in online games. Since technology has brought a tremendous shift in children's recreational time, kids should be taught that when they are talking with someone in a chat room or an instant message session, they are actually interacting with strangers unless they know in person the other party from the "real" world, like their school class or sports team. The Continuing Development Of Css As A Web Standard Cascading style sheets were formally introduced by the W3C in 1997 and in the nine years since have made gradual progress to becoming a web standard. Although the W3C mandates style sheets instead of HTML formatting for internal styles, many web designers have been slow to adopt CSS. Graphic designers, especially, have been slow to accept CSS since it does not allow the complex designs made possible by the use of nested tables without concentrated testing and workarounds. That is because CSS is not universally cross-browser compatible. The first release of CSS in 1997 was notorious for breaking on a variety of browsers. The second, and current, release provides more stability but still causes unexpected results on older browsers. Instant Messaging Might Carry Viruses Even if you have never used it, you are probably familiar with the new emerging form of instant communication known as instant messaging, abbreviated as IM. Much resembling the email success, the difference in instant messaging is that the two or more parties exchanging information can do it almost instantly without any waiting period in-between messages. But, as all other computer generated communication systems have been affected by the dangerous viruses out there, so do now instant messenger users have to protect themselves against malicious code that can be easily transferred and downloading directly to their computer. Various popular programs, like MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Messenger, among many others, allow people to communicate in real time by exchanging written messages, sound or images. Unfortunately, neither this type of communication can be considered anymore sd virus-free. Hackers, virus writers and spyware coders are today able to develop their malicious content and release it with greater speed through the use of such instant messaging online boards. When unaware people open the files supposedly send by the other party, their computers become infected with a possibly highly dangerous virus. Victims of such an unfortunate event reported their computers slowing down or that they even completely stopped responding. Others did not detect that something went wrong, as nothing appeared to change, but later found dangerous spyware installed in their computer, which was tracking down the information they entered and was transmitting it to unknown receivers. Talking Computers Just a few decades ago, the possibility of creating talking computers was considered strictly in the realm of science fiction. But today, talking desktop computers are so commonplace that they hardly elicit any response from modern and sophisticated consumers. It's really pretty simple, as any of the computer school-trained friends and acquaintances we have are wont to tell us. Computers talk simply because they are running software that converts text to speech, thereby allowing the computer to talk out loud through speakers or a headset. In short, it has speech recognition capability. Buying A Notebook For College Every year, before schools and college institutions begin their classes, students from around the country visit department stores and major electronics chains in an effort to get all those necessities that will allow them to complete successfully their studies. So, if you have recently been accepted to college and you are not exactly sure which your computing needs will be, buying a notebook computer is not a luxury purchase, but actually a necessity. In fact, anyone who has to cover frequent travel concerns, from college students to frequent business travelers, should possess a laptop, given the fact that it provides a mobile and light-weight computing experience for computer users around the world. Recent research indicates that laptops are in fact used extensively as people need to own computer systems that are as mobile as they are. Buying an effective machine that can also be easy to carry around has increased considerably the laptop sales over the last decade, considering the lower manufacturer and assembly costs. Deals between hardware developers and software engineers have resulted in improved notebook systems that incorporate the ability of them being transferred easily from one place to another, as well as being able to compute much more than the main software functions, like reading and composing emails, operating spreadsheets, or using word processing applications. In fact, whether one needs to take work from one office location to another or do some work while onboard, today's laptops can accomplish almost any task. An Understanding Of Moore’s Law It's plain to see that the computing speed found in the personal computers of today has been steadily picking up steam since the market began. Many wonder when our technology will begin to taper off, but according to a man named Gordon Moore, we're only beginning to tap the potential of what we can do with our computer systems. Gordon Moore was a co-founder of the popular Intel brand. Aside from this substantial title, Moore is most commonly known due to his assertion of what became known as Moore's law. In the April, 1965 issue of Electronics Magazine, Moore put forth his beliefs about semiconductors: Choosing A Graphics Card To the uninformed consumer, buying a new graphics card can be a daunting task. There are literally hundreds of different aspects to consider when buying a new card, and we've composed this article to help you find the graphics card that best suits your needs and your budget. - The first major thing to consider when purchasing a card is the type of chip that you want. The main two companies that market graphics card chips are Nvidia and ATI, and pretty much every graphics card available features a chip from one of these two manufacturers. The chip of the card is of utmost importance; different graphic cards with the same type of chip often feature similar performance levels. How To Buy A Laptop With an extensive variety of laptops, or notebooks, available on the market today, it is extremely difficult for some people to conclude on purchasing the one that is most convenient for their needs. Different computer features offer potential laptop users a vast world of technology based ideas to accomplish a given task. From copying a CD-Rom data to writing your own code, laptops can be used as desktops, adding effectiveness and efficiency to their small easy-to-carry size. Given that you are not a computer expert, but you do know some of your desktop computer's main functions and components, the following simple steps can lead you closer to a laptop deal that you will not regret two weeks after the purchase. Staying In Touch While Abroad From the times of Graham Bell's research around 1870, people have invented new and exciting ways of improving one of the first forms of communication, the telegraph. Its successor, the telephone invention, has gone a long way managing to penetrate people's lives and directing future technological innovations in a way not ever imagined by its founder. In fact, the telecom industry today constitutes one of the most diverse and promising high-tech markets around the globe. Developing new ways to interact with others is a major concern in most cultures and the telecommunication products or service introduced will continue to have a tremendous impact to communication norms and peoples' interaction. Choosing to connect with someone over a telephone fixed or mobile line, by purchasing a calling card, or logging on to a remote server to chat over an instant messaging service, are two examples of the most popular methods people use to stay in touch. Especially when one travels, successfully communicating with others is an issue that has generated billions of dollars to the telecom industry. One of the most popular products people use to attain their intercommunication goal is telephone cards. Fun Robots For Less Than $30 Did you know that there are a host of robots that you can purchase in the market today that are loads of fun to have around the house? The great news is that they are not that expensive. The following are some of the more popular robots available for less than $30. You will be amazed at what they can do. The first of our cheap yet chintzy robots is called the Idog and is promoted as a robotic pooch. It looks pretty odd, actually. One reviewer said it resembles "a collision between a bag of marshmallows and a cell phone, with vague canine overtones." The cool thing about this dog is that you feed it with music and it enthusiastically shows its delight through a series of movements and blinking lights. The robot canine can wiggle its ears, sway its head and flash its eyes in tune to the music. Manufacturers say the dog will actually develop a "personality" in accordance to the music you feed it. Computers That Talk As a kid growing up, I was fascinated with science fiction, especially those movies and TV shows that dealt with the future and portrayed how life on earth would probably be several decades down the road. I liked the idea of robot-servants who talked and followed our orders and of aerial vehicles that were the main means of transportation and that sent us speeding through the sky on our way to work. I was always fascinated with talking computers as well. Now, over three decades have passed since I was a kid in front of the TV set and, boy, did those science fiction movies get it all wrong. There are no robots in every household nor are there cars that fly through the sky. At least they got it right in one regard – talking computers. These days, talking desktop computers are so commonplace that they hardly elicit any reaction at all from jaded consumers. Getting A Good Workout At Home No matter what any pill-marketing advertisements may tell you, the heart of weight loss is getting regular exercise. While some people don't like to go to the gym, either due to embarrassment or the effort involved in driving elsewhere just to exercise, there are plenty of exercises that you can do in your own house to help you keep fit and in shape. With that in mind, here are some exercises that you can perform in the comforts of your own home. Jumping rope - while most of us forgot about jumping rope the second that we got out of grade school, it is truly a great workout. Studies have shown that a mere five minutes of jumping rope is equivalent, calorie-burning-wise, to jogging for a full mile! What's more is that you can jump rope in your house and it costs very little to get your own rope. Just be sure that when you are jumping rope that you keep it high-intensity, spinning the rope quick enough to generate some real movement of the body. Burn Calories With Everyday Activities When you think about exercise, do you automatically imagine yourself on a treadmill in a gym? Or doing laps in a swimming pool? If so, you might be surprised to know just how many calories you can burn doing everyday activities. Housework is one chore that everyone has to do at some point. Rather than dread it, proceed briskly through your chores and you can have an excellent workout. A 150 lb person can spend as much as 140 calories by mopping the floor for a half hour. Vacuuming for 30 minutes spends about the same number of calories. Take off another 75 calories by ironing for a half hour. The Epidemic Of Obesity One of the most serious problems dieticians have to encounter is that of obesity. According to the American Obesity Association (AOA), social structure, general and regional trends, socioeconomic transitions, as well as modernization and urbanization are the primary causes that led to the recent increase in obesity rates. The prevalence of overweight people is reported worldwide, both in developing and developed countries. Recent changes in consumption, culture, economic development and lifestyle have increased the problem of obesity, both in children and adults. Thus, it is of vital importance for people all around the globe to understand the risks associated with being obese and direct their efforts in reducing this alarming trend that is spreading. The USA obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions and the numbers are socking. As recent statistical data indicate, 58 million people are overweight, 40 million obese and 3 million morbidly obese. These numbers are further supported by the fact that 8 out of 10 people over 25 years of age are overweight. Moreover, 78 percent of Americans do not meet the basic activity level recommendations. Even more alarming are the results that indicate a 76 percent increase since 1990 in Type II diabetes in adults belonging to the 30 to 40 age group. Massage Therapy - If You Haven't Tried It.. Nows The Time One of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences you can have is that of receiving or giving a massage. During our busy daily schedules we are constantly adding pressure and stress as we do not find the time to perform activities that would release all this extra tension. Massage therapy has gained over the years worldwide funs that enjoy its invigorating character which manages to relax the body and mind as well as loosen tight, achy muscles and joints. But if you cannot visit a certified massage therapist due to the costs involved, or because these type of services are not usually covered by your health insurance plan, then you should try receiving or giving a body massage at the comfort of your own house. But before performing such an act, it is important for you to know the basics of this relaxing and soothing therapy. Massage is the practice of applying structured pressure, tension, motion or vibration, either manually or with the aid of mechanical equipment, to the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons, joints and lymphatic vessels. The ultimate objective of massage therapy is one's beneficial response. Whether it is performed to heal an injury, relieve stress, or improve the condition of muscles by increasing blood circulation, the "art" of massage has been studied since ancient years and associated with a variety of therapeutic outcomes. Most importantly, because everyone can appreciate a massage, this technique has gained tremendous popularity among different cultures. In fact, anyone can become a massager as long as they keep themselves up-to-date on current massage practices and are very careful when applying pressure to the muscles and joints of those willing to experience the positive effects linked with massage therapy. Burn Calories With Aerobics If you are tired of feeling tired, you should begin focusing not only to the calories you consume, but rather on building your body's shape and training your strength . By focusing on strengthening your muscles, you are building a body machine that is capable of lifting easier, standing for a longer period of time, run quicker and further, and perform in general better. But, most importantly by investing on your physical state, you are transforming your calorie burning machine -your body- to that better enhanced version you always dreamt of having; the best part is that this is still you and not a movie character. Thus, if you wish to burn more calories while increasing your strength and ability to function better, but you would like to avoid registering for the aerobics class your gym offers, you can now perform another type of aerobic exercise that you will repeat with a smile on your face. No, I am not joking. Aerobic exercises are in fact exercises that offer your body the much needed oxygen to operate and for your muscles to burn more calories. So, instead of trying to put on those tight pants you so much dislike, you can sweat up and exercise while doing some of your house errands. Everyday activities can provide you with all the aerobic benefits you so much wish for without having to suffer by looking yourself into the mirror while wearing those ugly exercise Lycra uniforms. Are You Physically Fit It can be tough to tell sometimes whether or not you are physically in shape. To that end, there are some tests that you can perform to ensure that your body is working in its top condition. In this article, we'll be discussing some of these tests, and explaining what they mean about your health. The Body Mass Index is one of the most commonly used methods of gauging a persons level of physical fitness. Commonly referred to as a BMI, it is the standard method used by medical professionals when it comes to diagnosing whether a person's weight is healthy, overweight, or obese. The Body Mass Index operates on a basic formula: My Portion Is Small But I Am Gaining Weight Obesity has become the number one issue in contemporary US nutrition magazines as it has been increasing across ages and educational backgrounds in a very fast rate. One of the associated causes of this problem is the big portion sizes provided in restaurants all over the US. According to researchers, people have been found to eat more if their plate's portion is larger than usual; and the fact is that the more one eats the more weight he or she will gain if the amount of exercise conducted is kept constant. Since the human stomach needs approximately twenty minutes before signaling to the brain that is full and we should stop eating, people continue eating the food in their plate just because it happens to be there. If restaurants continue to increase their portions so as to increase their demand, people will continue consuming more and more calories and the essence of eating a "normal" portion will soon be in the past. If one considers that the usual 12 ounce soda cup has recently reached the 20 ounce size, it is not difficult to understand why bigger food portions have directly influenced people's understanding on what should be considered normal or reasonable and what not. From the bread slices to the French-fries one orders at a local take away, increased portions have led consumers to demand to receive more for the price they pay. If one is served the older portions he or she will immediately compare it to the new increased size a restaurant now serves and this will seem tremendously small to fulfill anyone's hunger. In fact, if you serve a five-year old the portion of ice-cream he or she should be served you will probably have to deal with their whining as the smaller scoop size will seem small and inappropriate to cover their need. The Aging Journey Lately, while watching a reality television show, I was amazed on how the aging anxieties people share are portrayed through their broadcasted actions. From botox injections to cosmetic surgery, women and men are battling against the fact that they are not getting any younger as time progresses. During a later dinner festivity with a group of friends, I expressed my amazement on how popular these shows are and tried to comprehend why people experience this aging journey as something one should avoid or at least lessen its negative implications. But, in my point of view, the greatest battle is not the one a terrified individual gives with his or her bodily changes. Attaining a specific spiritual stage to consciously cope with this challenging aging process is the most important step one must take. A person should not feel guilty for being conscious of the fact that as years go by the once present physical capabilities gradually reduce. It is only natural that the older version of one's body is not capable to function and perform the same as it once did. But, from understanding the changes age brings to the table to performing all sorts of unnecessary and frequently dangerous actions to prevent the face and body people carry every day from altering, a huge difference exists. It is only advisable that people should try to maintain an active and fit self through exercising, eating properly and avoiding dangerous practices. At the same time, in order to stay younger looking and keep healthy, experts support that it is imperative for people to study this aging process and invest time and effort to focus on those parameters that will enable them to continue feeling able to perform and be mentally active. Social psychologists and a variety of researchers have illustrated through their studies' findings that maintaining an active and fit mind is equally important to maintain the body figure into shape. From the Alzheimer's disease to depression, older people who have not been exposed to the right spiritual stimuli are prone to feel worthless and incapable of functioning during this challenging aging journey. Thus, it is crucial for their mental health to express and share their concerns, study the aging process and understand the outcomes of their vulnerability. In order for one to safely embark the aging journey, avoiding wrinkles or hair loss is not enough. Get The Smile You Want Without The Pain You Detest With the abundance of beautiful images portraying a perfect looking smile, people today have been trained to focus on the looks of a mouth, as it smiles and moves, focusing on the shape of the lips, the condition of the teeth and the smoothness of the skin. As icons of fashion models and actresses illustrate their flawless porcelain-looking teeth, smooth skin, and full lips, people have been visiting plastic surgeons, beauty experts, and dermatologists, to request their assistance in reproducing the smile of their favorite star. Consequently, this increasing demand has introduced the development of many treatments in plastic surgery, dermatology and permanent makeup to smooth the skin and enhance the size and shape of a person's lips. Unfortunately, the desired outcomes of these procedures can often take as long as six to eight weeks, with multiple visits to the surgeon. Recently, a revolutionary new method has been introduced, to those interested in redesigning their smile, called the non-surgical smile lift. This procedure can lead to the same results as a plastic surgery one, but it accomplishes the requested outcome in just one to two visits. Since it is non-invasive, no cutting of the skin is necessary and patients are able to go back to their normal routine the day following the procedure. Keeping Fit For Little To No Cash Do you want to have a more firm physique, but lack the money or simply don't want to attend a fitness center ? Well, there's good news. There are plenty of exercises that you can do around the house to keep yourself in tip top shape. One important basic guideline for keeping in shape is to walk as often as you possibly can. Simply walking around the house while you're on the phone is one easy way to help add some work-out into your life. When in the office or at school, take the stairs as opposed to the elevator. Climbing stairs is a very aerobic activity that can really pay off when done regularly. Sit-ups and push-ups can be conveniently done while facing downtime at home; a commercial break from TV provides ample opportunity for you to get a set of these exercises done. Jumping jacks are an oft-overlooked method of keeping in shape that requires no equipment as well. If you'd like to build muscle, you can make simple weights out of empty milk gallons. These weights can be used in a host of different exercises that can help to build muscle. Another thing to consider is the possibility of a pull-up bar in the household. Helping to keep your arms and chest strong, any overhead pipe or ledge that is secure enough to hold your weight can be used for pull-ups. Drink More Chamomile Perhaps you recall chamomile from the times you were sick and your parent, friend, or partner, gave you a hot cup of this therapeutic drink to ease your suffering stomach. Chamomile in fact is known for centuries, as Romans used it daily while English have added it to their alternative "tea-breaks" to give them a positive spin. If you have not tried it during a cold winter night or you have not offered it in one of your gatherings, it is probably time to learn some things about this amazing infusion. Chamomile is actually a flower that comes from a herb named "Chamomilla." Different areas around the globe cultivate chamomile and it is found in abundance in North America, temperate Asia and throughout the European continent. As the chamomile seeds need open soil to survive, it often grows near roads, around landfills and in cultivated fields as a weed. But, although everyone has heard of its existence and most of us have used for some reason or another, few actually know why chamomile has healing powers which can aid the human organism in regaining its health's balance. Take Care Of Your Precious Feet Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, was the first to admit that "When feet hurt, we hurt all over." But whether or not you have experienced any type of physical discomfort associated with your feet, you have certainty witnessed people suffering from sore feet and constantly complaining about the swelling or the pain they had to endure. In fact, taking care of your feet and wearing the appropriate shoes in relation to your activities can keep your feet healthy and leave your friend's ears at rest. Although some changes in the feet are normal with aging, other changes may indicate serious disorders. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recognizes the importance of taking good care of your feet and suggests that all should invest time and effort in feet grooming and careful shoe-buying. As it is estimated that more than 70 percent of all people in the United States will have foot problems at some point during their lifetime, it is of extreme importance to prevent foot pain, disorders, and other foot problems, by performing some simple foot-care practices. Since foot pain is not considered as being a normal feeling, preventing foot pain by exercising and paying attention to the signs they give, can help us keep them healthy and strong for years. Dream Away One of the most interesting fields, constantly recorded and extensively studied, is the field of dreams. This is due to the fact that almost all cultures have assigned different meanings to a variety of dreams and records of diverse civilizations have at some point attempted to influence the masses by interpreting this unconscious level of the mind. Today, many people are still devoting their lives in examining the field of dreams. Through the use of advanced technological tools, modern scientists and researchers have invented new methods to assist them in comprehending how and if these unconscious instances of our minds play an important role in the development and understanding of our conscious selves. 3 Fitness Sins And How To Reduce Their Consequences If you were to describe yourself today, you would say that you are a mature adult, who watches his diet, does not abuse his body, lives healthy and tries to stay fit. But would this same description be used if you were asked now to describe yourself when you were a teenager? In case you remember that you used to drink and eat whatever and whenever, stayed under the sun without protecting your skin for hours, or smoked a lot, then you should be aware of the outcomes your reckless behavior might have today to your "new and improved" self. Thus, if you are curious whether or not your past "sins" have destroyed any chance you have to live longer and enjoy a healthier lifestyle, you should read this article and see what you can do to rectify the mistakes of your past. Have you been performing any express weight-loss diets? If the answer is yes, then you probably remember that as soon as you stopped, you managed to gain back the lost weight and added a few extra pounds on top. There is no use in starving your body by putting your organism through these extreme types of diets. Instead of helping yourself become fit, you actually destroy your metabolism and loose muscle tissue rather than that unwanted fat. If you do need to loose weight, follow a balanced diet and ask for an expert's help. By consuming daily 15 percent of proteins, 30 percent of fats and 55 percent of carbohydrates, you provide your body with all the necessary ingredients to continue working smoothly and function normally. What Is Your Fitness Personality Establishing an exercise routine is something most Americans know they need to do. However, many are unable to follow through on the routines they plan. Part of the reason for this is that people often plan activities that don't suit their personalities, physical condition, circumstances and location. Carefully analyzing these things before you begin a fitness routine can contribute to your ability to stick with it over the long run. Ask yourself whether you have a lot of self-discipline, or whether you require some outside motivation to stay on task. If you're self-disciplined, running, walking or swimming laps may be a sufficient and rewarding routine. However, if you're a very social person, inviting a companion to join you as you exercise may be beneficial. If you're the type of person who is stimulated by learning new things, aerobics, pilates or yoga classes may be more suitable. However, do not count on money as a motivating factor. Many people have expensive gym memberships that they never use, a waste of money and of health benefits. Do You Experience Sleeping Problems You must remember when being a child that due to the excitement you felt before a planned trip, it was impossible for you to sleep. Unfortunately, your sleeping problems are not today the outcome of an expected and desired journey. Problems at work or in the house keep your mind occupied and your body restless. Although you know how important it is for you to sleep during nighttime, you are convinced that you are incapable of entering the stage of dreams, especially when the thought that you must sleep and you cannot crosses your mind. Surpassing your present worries by simply counting sheep may help some but not you. You better come up with a better plan before visiting a doctor's office. First, take a deep breath and try to understand that sleep is your body's time to heal. A healthy body and mind can help you overcome all those persistent problems you have to face during the day. Stop putting on a fight and realize that bed time is your chance to reboot your body's batteries and revive your mind. Try to relax and always remember that this is a goal you can attain all by yourself. Changing You And Still Be You It is not considered a sign anymore to admit that there is at least one feature you would change if you were not afraid or if you had the necessary budget available. The "problem" of a weak chin or a funny nose to ears that stick out and breasts that are too small, can lead people from all around the world to visit their local or foreign cosmetic surgeons' offices and ask their professional opinion in redesigning their features in accordance to their ideal representation of themselves. The good news today is that cosmetic surgery of the face involves far more than just the basic garden variety facelift. With the vast variety of modern cosmetic surgery methods, most surgeries can be done as a day case under a twilight anesthetic and the results in most cases are in most cases more than pleasing. As cosmetic surgeries are quickly gaining popularity as an appropriate and rewarding lifestyle choice, many people are coming to realize that they need not be radical. Thus, it is of vital importance to speak with the surgeon of your choice and to ask as many questions as possible. Fighting your anxiety and fears from the very beginning is crucial for you to experience an easier and safer procedure when time comes. One needs to know that while some procedures are more drastic and invasive, others simply involve consistent maintenance. Thus, before one ventures into the realm of cosmetic enhancements, it's important to get first good impartial advice and ask for experts' recommendations, like from highly qualified physicians and surgeons. Alzheimer And Home Nursing Having had the experience of loosing my grandmother due to the Alzheimer's disease (AD) I have been really reluctant to speak about my beloved grandmother's condition for a long time with anyone else except her personal home nurse. This woman appeared to my child eyes as a representation of an angel, since she was able to take care of my grandmother who has always been taking care of me. Her love and devotion to her profession, made me consider her as the next Maria Teresa that one day I would proudly admit to have met. Today, after conducting some research on the subject of nursing, I understood that a home nurse taking care of Alzheimer's disease patient is a very difficult issue and it can be a huge burden. Especially if the nursing is offered by a close family member, this act of caring and love can become too hard for one to bear and can be too time consuming even for those we would love to take care of, like our parents. Thus, researching and finding a nursing home for those we love but sadly suffer from AD has to be a conscious decision. Preparing for such a crucial stage in one's life is advised by experts, who support that when one feels that there is not yet a need to do anything-grandparents or parents are still young enough-then it is time to start planning ahead in order to avoid a crisis situation later. Even if you may never need a nursing home, it is wise to act in a proactive manner just in case something happens. As many can attest, having to make a decision during a crisis situation can be an extremely difficult, stressful and painful process for everyone involved. Breast Reduction While women usually talk about performing a breast enlargement procedure some of the "lucky" ones decide to perform a breast reduction in order to gain some of the lost image and functionality by reshaping their size. In most cases, age deformations, disfigurement caused by accidents, or diseases, are the reasons why women decide to perform a breast reduction cosmetic surgery operation. Determined by her genes as well as by her weight and hormones, the size of a woman's breasts varies with age, height and frame. In fact, while some women develop particularly large breasts from early adolescence, others develop them later in life, during the menopause or following the use of HRT. In many cases, women with large breasts experience a physical and psychological discomfort. Thus, since women can feel very self-conscious and can become depressed about the size of their breasts, many of them resort to the solutions provided through contemporary cosmetic surgery practices like Reduction mammoplasty; generally known as breast reduction. Body And Water If the last time you entered your house feeling tired and stressed you immediately decided to take a shower or enjoy a long relaxing bath, you are familiar with the positive outcomes of using water in order to increase the well-being of your body and mind. Indulging yourself in simple pleasures associated with the use of water is known as hydrotherapy. Health resorts, like medical and sports centers or hotel and city spas, offer to today's stressed working individuals the opportunity to get rid of fatigue and anxiety by performing a variety of treatments based on water. Whether or not you are able to afford such specialized services, you should know that water is the cheapest and probably the safest way, apart from sleeping, to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind. Known from the ancient years for its amazing results, water use has progressed tremendously and its various applications are considered today the focal points of experiencing a healthy lifestyle. A Stuffed Nose = Possible Allergy For years, I used to wake up every morning with a stuffed-up nose. I used to think I had the type of body constitution that was naturally susceptible to colds. But I wondered why, despite all my precautions to keep warm before bedtime, I would still wake up with a stuffed-up nose in the morning. I always asked myself, I don't feel like I have a cold but why is my nose stuffy? I finally discovered the reason why about a year and a half ago. It was an allergy. Apparently, having a stuffed-up nose when you wake up in the morning is a sure sign of an allergy. So it wasn't an all-year-round cold after all. I was surprised. I always thought that allergies only affected the skin, but nothing could be further from the truth. Ways To Keep Fit With the high fat content and all the unhealthy ingredients in the American diet, it's important to take steps to ensure that you can keep in shape. In this article, we'll discuss some basic steps that you can take in your life to help you to stay fit. - Watch what you eat. Fatty meats such as beef, pork, and ham should be consumed in small portions if at all, and you should opt for low-fat dairy products to keep your fat consumption to a minimum. Skin Care Begins While We’re Young The skin care industry is a virtual goldmine. With more women and even men growing more aware of the need to care for their skin, the skin care industry seems poised to get even bigger in the decades to come. Already, the industry has shown a segmentation of various products that cater to specific market niches. There are cleansers, moisturizers and other skin care products for women as well as for men, and these are further divided by skin type or skin color as well as by age and lifestyle. Stem Cell Breakthrough We've all known about the potential that is offered by the use of stem cells when it comes to treating illness and disease due to their unique ability to transform into almost any type of human cell. The science has faced much controversy, however, due to the fact that stem cells are most often obtained through harvesting them from abortions. That has been the major roadblock in stem cell research - as of the writing of this article, President Bush has performed his first veto in order to halt stem cell research. New findings may soon negate the need for stem cells from abortions - scientists have recently used stem cells from the fat tissues of adults! This exciting breakthrough was discovered by the David Geffen School of Medicine, the Henry Samueli School of Engineering, and the University of California Los Angeles. The researchers took stem cells from fat tissue found in adults, and transformed them into smooth muscle cells! Smooth muscle cells are needed throughout the body in areas such as the intestinal tract and blood vessels. The very act of turning the stem cells into smooth muscle cells gives doctors hope that soon, we'll be able to take those cells and use them to help repair and regenerate organs that may be damaged in the body. Success Is Partly Attributed To Whiter Teeth Last time you opened the television to watch your favorite show you probably spent some time thinking how and why the successful people appearing on your screen managed to keep such a beautiful smile. Well, the truth is that most, if not all, who were not born with a bright white smile, had to pay a multiple expensive visits to their dentist in order to gain a whiter smile that looks better on the television screen or a photograph. If you are not an actor or a person who has to base his or her living on the way he or she looks, but you still want to be able to smile fearlessly to the crowds, then you should be aware that there is no short-cut to a brighter, whiter smile. Sorry to be the messenger of bad news, but this is the truth. If your wish every time you wash your face is to have a whiter, attention-grabbing, perfect "Hollywood" smile, then you should know that you certainly not alone. The teeth whitening products have come over the years to be a very serious business, as only in the U.S. an estimated ten million of people spend more than 1.7 billion dollars a year on tooth whitening products and services. Although years of coffee, wine, soda and other unsightly stains can be removed quickly, safely, and with minimal discomfort with the use of tooth whitening cosmetic services or products, one should be particularly careful of the method he or she selects and has to know the enemy before attempting to fight it. Nursing Did you know that there is a branch of nursing that is concerned particularly for people of all ages who are suffering from mental illness or mental distress? This branch of nursing is known as psychiatric nursing or mental health nursing. It is this branch of nursing that pays attention to such mental ailments as psychosis, depression and dementia. Psychiatric or mental health nurses are specifically trained to support other mental health professionals with their problems with patients. There are key differences between the scope of work of psychiatric mental health nurses and other branches of nursing. The Health Benefits Of Green Tea The tea category that has lately increased its popularity in the Western consumer market is Green tea. As the rest three of the main four tea varieties (white, oolong and black teas), Green tea comes from the leaves of the plant "Camellia Sinensis" after the process of minimal oxidation. Extremely liked for its taste and color in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East, Green tea has become in recent times the focal point of research for its tremendous health benefits and has earned the attention of the general public. According to Chinese legend, tea was born by an accident. It was due to a sudden wind that some tea leaves fell inside the Chinese Emperor's kettle while water was boiling. When he decided to taste the unique liquid that was been formed, he was so pleased with the outcome that he introduced it to his people and explored the various processes that would enhance its taste and coloring. But although many people believe Green tea to be the less oxidized form of tea, the truth is that White teas are the ones less processed from all tea categories. But as trade developed and Chinese products were exchanged as commodities which meant that they had to travel greater distances intact, the Chinese developed a process to store tea for longer periods of time. During the Tang Dynasty, wild tea was gathered and then steamed on a bamboo tray, which helped grinding the tea leaves into fine pulp called "tea mud." Then tea mud was pressed and left to harden, later dried in the sun and baked to prevent it from rotting. Although these stages of tea process are not similar to the ones used to produce Green tea today, they remained popular over different Chinese Dynasties, playing a significant role in the developing culture of East Asia and transcended through time as a symbol of power and status. This is probably attributed to the fact that it was directly related to the royal times of the great Chinese Emperors. Lice One of the less serious but more irritating and embarrassing health problems to have is a lice infestation. Just thinking about them running around your head makes you want to start itching and scratching and, if you have lice, you know that once you’ve started on this itching and scratching, you’ll want to keep on doing it. They are a major turn-off and definitely not good for the health of your scalp. Lice seem like such small critters that you may thing they are easy to get rid of, but think again. Sometimes, we may try all kinds of shampoos or even try with our hands to rid ourselves of them, but it just won’t work. No matter how hard we try, sometimes they just won’t budge. And besides that, they seem to breed incessantly so that there are more of them every day. Celebrities And Plastic Surgery A lot of people are tempted to undergo plastic surgery but are afraid of what it could do to them if things go wrong. Perhaps taking a good look at the celebrities who have failed at their attempts at plastic surgery can show these people that they should be very afraid indeed. Here's a short list of celebrities who have undergone horrible plastic suregry, based on various published reports in publications and on the internet. 1. Michael Jackson yes, he tops the list of worst plastic surgery cases. Following a series of surgical procedures, Jackson probably now ranks as one of the scariest celebrities on the planet. He used to be a cute black child but now he resembles a pale ghost. You don't have to say a lot about Jackson and this topic because practically everyone has seen the dire results. Americans Have Never Had It So Good American families have never earned more income than they do now, according to a longitudinal study by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics which was released on June 30 this year. The study also said that American families have never spent less on necessities or enjoyed a higher standard of living than they do right now. This leads to one inescapable conclusion: American families have never had it so good. The Bureau labeled its report as "100 Years of U.S. Consumer Spending: Data for the Nation, New York City, and Boston," and it marks the first time that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has examined an entire century of data instead of just a year.. Watching Over Money You open it, close it, and reopen it at least twice a day. One of your most important storage devices, your wallet, has evolved over the years to an important financial tool and a personal journal. Storing receipts, bills, paper money, coins, credit or debit cards, your driver's license and even your local supermarket membership card, your wallet is perhaps the most important piece in your pocket or purse. But keeping score of your week's spending and managing to stay under your budget's limit, is something that needs more precise effort than frequently checking the amount of cash you have left inside your wallet's compartments. Special tools, such as software applications, most of them stored in the memory of an electronic device like a personal computer or a blackberry, are extensively used for similar purposes since they assist contemporary busy individuals handle their finances, apart from their daily schedules. But these types of technologies cannot work without the necessary feedback from their user, meaning that the data needed to configure the spending limits of a person have to be entered into the system-or software program-from the individual himself or online through their choice of financial institution -if the necessary permission is given and the application allows such information to be stored automatically into the system. Five Ways Towards A Balanced Life 1 - Force yourself to separate work and personal life: Social psychologists support that your ability to do a good job while at work depends on whether or not you have a home life that refreshes and restores you. If you cannot stop thinking about the projects you have to complete after leaving the office, try to create a mental filing cabinet. It would act as your actual project cabinet since you will allow yourself to sit down, open it and deal with your work worries. Then force yourself to mentally close the cabinet and do something else. You can try this on Fridays before leaving the office or each night at a certain time. The most important thing is to lock the cabinet before attempting to direct your attention to something less stressful. 2 - Avoid multitasking except while being at the office: A rather usual bad tactic today's working professionals suffer from is subconsciously taking the office habits -especially that of multitasking- home with them. It is not rare that people find themselves washing dishes or cleaning their drawers while phoning a friend or checking their mails. Living everyday in the overdrive has resulted in multitasking when one ought to relax. Although some consider this as a normal routine, our bodies do not. In order to balance work, play, and rest, try to write down five ways work blends into your free time. Then select one to focus on. If for example you tend to check your e-mails every hour while at home, cut back initially by half and then more until you get it down to once a night. By transforming mindless habits into conscious choices, you will limit your body's stress and gain control over your free time during the day or night. The Online Art Scene If you appreciate art, try searching for online art galleries on the Internet and you will be amazed at the rich and varied offerings that are available to you. The parade of art is more than just a display of great artwork. There are auction sites, listing of important art events, informative sites that narrate the history of the great artists of all time. And, of course, there's gallery after gallery of timeless and awe-inspiring paintings. A typical art website contains thousands of art pieces, while the more popular among these sites boast of stirring masterpieces in the hundreds of thousands. Meanwhile, other sites display paintings by subject matter, whether landscape, still life, figurative, impressionist or abstract. There are websites dedicated to showcasing the works of Pablo Picasso , Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh , Edgar Degas and the other great masters. Others focus on discovering the outstanding artists of today and are a God-send to young and aspiring artists everywhere because it gives them more opportunities to get that elusive first break. Which Is Your Type Of Art Form Art in Latin means "skill" or "craft" and it is generally accepted to be "the product or process of the effective application of a body of knowledge, most often using a set of skills, which from concept to creation adheres to the "creative impulse" of the maker." As centuries of art study reveal, art has taken many forms and has touched upon many disciplines. From the creation of a painting to the design of a video game, art is now a much more generic term used to describe many of today's human creations. Whether or not you consider yourself to be an artist or have an artistic nature as people often claim, it is interesting to discover that your skills and abilities can help you develop products or processes that could be characterized as a type of art form. Have you ever taken a picture, created a film, painted an image, performed in front of an audience -your mirror does not count- or even found a new way to use that old pair of jeans you have kept inside your closet? If the answer to these or similar questions is yes, then you are "officially" informed that you can consider yourself as a creator or better even, an artist! Even if this statement is not one hundred percent true, you got the idea. Contemporary Art In Contemporary Households In my point of view, contemporary art is absolutely present in contemporary households and can be recognized almost in every aspect of human life, since it has penetrated the way people communicate with each other more than ever before. Almost all-contemporary art forms have become the means through which personal interaction is described or the vehicle though which a specific message is accurately transmitted. Furthermore, increased attendance on art exhibitions, or substantial high levels of sales of various art forms, suggest that contemporary art is both publicly appreciated and highly understood. Human creativity, along with the need of expressiveness, can be present to any contemporary creation that critics would define as an artistic attempt. As Picasso, the great Hispanic painter, has once pointed out, "art is something that makes people move towards a certain direction in life, or even conceptualize things from a different perspective, which they would have never consider before, if an artful creation had not revealed its mere existence." Barbie The Queen Of Dolls It all started when Ruth Handler noticed her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls and imagining them in grown up roles. At the time, the dolls in the market were all baby dolls and the need for a doll role-model that would inspire little girls to think how they wanted to be when they grew up emerged. Ruth Handler took her idea to the executives at the Mattel Company who at the beginning refused to produce this female adult doll thinking that it would be a very expensive product with little market appeal. After a trip to Europe and a model doll ready to its wardrobe, Mattel Company decided to debuted Barbie in 1959. Since then, the Barbie Doll's popularity has increased and today, with over one billion of her lookalikes sold, the product line is one of the most successful in the history of the toy industry and, arguably, the icon of female beauty and the American dream. According to Mattel, every two Barbies are sold every second worldwide. The Omen Is Creepy But Not Classic The Omen is a film that was released on, of all dates, June 6th of 2006. This was a major promotional opportunity, due to the fact that the date in numerical format was 06/06/06. A remake, the original Omen was created in 1976 and directed by Richard Donner. These films were based off of a novel and the new movie was directed by John Moore. The film focuses on the life of a young boy named Damien who may or may not be the son of the devil. With heavy religious overtones, this film plays on our sense of fear by presenting a quiet, evil, and calculating young boy. The main conflict found within the movie is the disbelief of the boy's father that his son could be the son of the devil. It is a moral dilemma faced by the man, played by Liev Schriber and his wife, played by Julia Styles, who truly gives a performance that you can sympathize with. Toys For All Toys are not only for kids. Adults need the relaxation and the memories beloved toys can bring back to their memories. I still have in my room the Rubik's Cube which I managed only once to solve and numerous times I thought of taking off its colored rectangular stickers and placing each color on every side. I never actually did it because I was afraid of the consequences if I destroyed my fathers favorite toy. When I understood that solving the cube requires some planning and problem-solving skills, I was determined to succeed and I still remember the joyful screaming when I managed to "solve" its mystery; probably by accident. Since then, I have been catching myself thinking of my favorite old toys, like Lego and Playmobil, not very girly I know, and recapturing the times I was playing in our then common room with my brother. Toys are used in play by children, adults and pets. The difference a toy has from a game is that toy play does not have clearly defined goals; that is if you do not play with my brother. Today, huge toy chains, like "Toy-R-Us," carry a vast assortment of different toys for any age and background, covering the needs of children and parents. But while parents spend a small fortune on acquiring the latest model of their son's favorite car toy, the young boy will continue to play with the old one and although he will at the beginning be extremely happy with his new possession, the old car that misses a wheel and a door will never leave its bed. Why Is Saurons Ring Still Important Since "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy became a huge blockbuster hit, sales of epic fantasy stories, or also known as high fantasy stories, have tremendously risen. People with disperse backgrounds and interests, who have left the world of fairy tales to move to the real one a long time ago, found themselves visiting their local bookstores or ordering online the masterpieces of J.R.R. Tolkien, among other epic fantasy writers. Those who visualized how Frodo looked like prior to the release of the first of the trilogy films were annoyed with the hysteric reaction of the vast public. For them, epics or high fantasy stories are part of a literature world that one has to be induced and explore in detail and should not be seen as an opportunity to buy another trendy book to place on a coffee table. Whether you consider yourself to be an epic fantasy story expert or amateur, it would be interesting to know what epic fantasy stories are and be able to answer one of those "Trivial" game questions with confidence. Although the definition of Epic Fantasy is still a subject of debate between fans, critics, and scholars, it is rather challenging for a researcher to come up with a single definition that includes all the necessary meanings the words epic and fantasy convey. One of the most descriptive definitions found, stated that "Epic Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy and very similar to high-fantasy where a seemingly average person undergoes many trials and ordeals which develop he or she into a hero capable of feats needed to thwart challenges of an epic scale. The story takes place in an imaginative world and often the setting is medieval in nature, complete with swords, castles, strange creatures and a magical system." What one can understand from the above definition is that the epic story's hero is not born as such, but life's events and misfortunes mold him or her to one, as the obstacles are surpassed and he or she contributes to the solution of at least one major problem. Playmobil And Childhood Stories Why medieval castles seemed so familiar in the history class for me and most of my classmates? Why some of us have a déjà vu when we watch films like the "Pirates of the Caribbean"? We have spent so much time assembling the Playmobil version of the castle, or making stories about pirates, knights, sheriffs and Native Americans as children and playing with the Playmobil spaceship, that sometimes we think that we actually have lived in all those places. For everyone who was a child in the 1980s and later Playmobil is not just the name of a toy, it is a legend. This legendary story of "Playmobil" started in the 1971, when Horst Brandstätter the owner of toy manufacturer "geobra Brandstätter", asked the -so called- "father of Playmobil", Hans Beck, then a cabinetmaker to develop figures for children. Beck spent three years developing what became Playmobil. His aim was to create a simple and flexible toy and as it turns out he could not be more successful. Playmobil, a 7.5 cm toy, with hands, which are capable of gripping and holding objects and a facial design based on children's drawings (big smile, no nose), was first presented at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg in 1974. The first figures were of Native Americans, construction workers and knights, while the 1973 oil crisis made it possible for Playmobil to be considered a viable product. Rising oil prices made plastics extremely expensive and larger plastic toys virtually unaffordable. Playmobil began to be sold worldwide in 1975 and had an unprecedented success. The Misinterpreted Code Dan Brouwn's mystery/detective novel "The DaVinci Code," published in 2003, has sold more than 40 million copies and its narrative was made into a script for the needs of the recently released Columbia Pictures film carrying the same title. This worldwide bestseller has been translated into 44 languages and is currently the sixth biggest selling book of all time. Can you imagine which one holds the first place on that bestseller list? Well, it is the Bible. By examining Christianity and traveling through history, Brown's book invites the reader to reconsider what is firmly believed for centuries now in relation to Jesus Christ's deeds and life choices. Offering a conspiracy theory, which is headed by the organization of Opus Dei belonging to the Catholic Church to cover up the "true" story of Jesus, the plot of the novel has helped generate popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. Teddy The Bear Even if you did not own "Teddy" as a kid, you most certainly had at least one stuffed animal that you carried around or described your day to when you got back home. Today, if you walk across a window shopping area and your eye catches "Teddy" looking at you from behind the glass, you will probably feel the inclination to get inside the store and touch its fur. Perhaps you will even buy the staffed animal, even if you have no kid to give it to, since some teddy bears have become expensive collector's items. The teddy bear made its entrance in late 1902, appearing in the same year in two different countries: Germany and the United States. According to the story, while President Theodore Roosevelt was at Mississippi to help settle a boarder dispute between that state and Louisiana, his hosts wanting to please this avid hunter took him bear hunting. But since the hunting was poor, when they finally managed to capture a bear, the President's hosts invited him to shoot the poor animal. Roosevelt's refusal to shoot the unprotected animal, was illustrated by Clifford Berrymnan's in one of his cartoons, titled "Drawing the Line in Mississippi." After it's publication in the Washington Post on November 16, 1902, a number of people were inspired by the image and Morris and Rose Michtom from Brooklyn, NY, decided to make a stuffed animal, a bear, in honor of the president's actions. They named the bear "Teddy's bear," denoting the close relationship between President Roosevelt and the saved animal. Their sweet, innocent small stuffed bear became an instant hit and the Michtoms founded the first teddy bear manufacturing company in the United States, named Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. Clerks II Garners, clerks film, arts, entertainment Cinematography is one of the man's efforts to portray to others, through the use of techniques that combine motion pictures and text, the world and the messages it transfers as these are understood by the artist. With the term cinematography, one today describes the discipline of making lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema use. Based on two Greek words, cinematography etymologically means "writing in the movement" and was introduced as a new technique to record images of people and objects as they moved and project them on to a type of screen. Combined with sculpture, painting, dance, architecture, music, and literature, cinematography is today considered to be the seventh art. It is very difficult for a researcher to find and pinpoint the one individual that could be named the "father" of cinematography, accepting that the word symbolizes a technique used for motion pictures' creation. But, it is apparent that man has experimented, very early in human history, with different methods that would allow him to record the movement of images. Very closely related to still photography, which has been a catalyst to the development of cinematography since the mid 19th Century, the technique that would allow images to be recorded while in motion has been extensively studied. One of the first attempts to analyze the element of movement with the help of photographic machinery was made by the British photographer Edward Muybridge in 1878. After successfully developing a new method of producing consecutive photographic images, he recorded the movement of a running horse. Through the motion pictures he produced, he managed to prove that there are instances when a horse is running that none of its feet touch the ground. Around the same period, the French physicist Etienne Mare managed to capture, also by using photographic machinery that could record 12 images per second, the movements of a flying bird. Clerks Ii Garners Decent Respect Clerks II is a film that was directed by the comedic mastermind Kevin Smith. Responsible for creating a host of irresponsible adolescent comedies over the past decade, Smith has shown his remarkable sense of humor to the world time and time again with his realistic yet kooky characters. Clerks II is no exception to the rule. Picking up where the original Clerks film left off, the film focuses on Randall and Dante, the employees of the Quik Stop convenience store and main characters in the first film. Little has changed in their lives, save the fact that they are a decade older; and now, they've found themselves working the same sort of irresponsible job, this time at a fast food restaurant known as "Mooby's". The film pays homage to Smith's legacy of recurring characters throughout the film; fans of his work will notice the guest appearances of several Smith mainstays. The film also adds a few elements on the last one: where Clerks I was shot completely in black and white, giving it a hip art-house feel, Clerks II is completely in color. And fans of Jay and Silent Bob, the notorious wisecracking drug dealers of the films, will be excited to know that the characters are back and in top form. All of the elements that pleased fans of the first film are here, with the characters killing time and lamenting over the woes of pop culture like they never left the convenience store. Top Toys Of 2006 We've just passed the midway point of 2006. A survey of leading department stores shows that children age 12 years old and below have diverse tastes and preferences when it comes to their favorite toys. The following are among those that have been frequently mentioned. 1. Garfield and Friends (Volume 5) Coming Across Applied Arts Unsurprisingly, since I am a fun of interior design, when I recently received an IKEA catalogue by mail I did not loose any time before scanning its colorful pages to check all the new styles in contemporary décor and the reasonably priced furniture produced by the Swedish giant. It was at that point in time when I realized that most of the designers portrayed in that catalogue's issue were in fact representatives of applied arts. Interestingly enough, my online search revealed that most of the designers I liked were in fact involved in one or more art professions. From architects to interior decorators, these people applied their design and aesthetics to objects of function and everyday use, generating what is today known as applied arts. The distinction between applied and fine arts is that the latter serve as intellectual simulation to the viewer, while the former incorporate design and creative ideas to objects of utility, such as a vase, a plate, a chair, or a garden table. According to experts, the fields of industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design, decorative art and functional art are considered applied arts. In the creative context, architecture and photography also fall in the category of applied arts. Art On The Internet Thanks to the dawn of the internet, art in America has experienced a renaissance of sorts, with new, talented and important young and aspiring artists making a name for themselves every month and with the long-suffering art galleries finally getting a taste of commercial success. The internet has made it easier for art connoisseurs and dealers to peruse an endless number of new paintings and check out the latest masterpieces that are on sale without traveling half-way across the globe like they used to. Today, an art collector can attend as many as three or four art auctions a day without leaving the comfort of his bedroom. In the past, he would have to criss-cross America and Europe for a week or two before he could attend as many art auctions. Vincent Van Gogh The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh has produced some of the world’s most popular, most beloved and most expensive paintings. Despite his great success, he was also known as a tortured, lonely artist who many felt was mad or at least on the verge of insanity. It is a testament to his immense talent that today, a century after he has died, the world still remembers Vincent Van Gogh. Of course, we have to acknowledge the fact that not everyone who remembers Van Gogh does so entirely because of his art. People also remember Van Gogh because of the story that has been immortalized in songs about how he cut off his ear and committed suicide because his genius was not recognized during his time. But the history books reveal that this may not exactly be the case. While it is true that Van Gogh had bouts of madness, it is also true that he his work was greatly praised by his fellow artists and radical art critics just before his death. It seems that the story has intertwined both myth and reality. The Battle Between Click And Brick Universities The role of contemporary universities is currently experiencing tremendous change due to the advancements in technology. Today, it is not just a matter of sound administrative decisions made by institutions, but rather a global realization that e-learning is a dynamically growing industry. Undergraduate and graduate students demand their universities to provide them with the latest technological tools available, so as to increase their efficiency ratios, elevate the quality of their studies, and acquire the needed business skills, which will later help them find the job of their dreams. For-profit or non-profit universities, among other things, produce professionals and need to serve their academic "customers" what they desire if they mean to stay in business. But, are all postsecondary institutions supposed to offer their curriculums through e-learning and what is the outcome of these technological "services" for the academic community? According to different scholars, as the industrial economy gave its place to what is known today as the "knowledge economy," the academic world was bound to be impacted. A number of alterations in the university's form, the consistency of its faculty, the demographics of its participants, the financial resources available, along with the political and social changes that have emerged, caused higher educational institutions to reconstruct their model and redesign their identity. Continuing incorporating these changes and fostering technological innovations has become a major challenge for academic institutions; who wish to keep up with the global pace, or even lead the future course of action. Internet usage and what has come to be known as the educational model of e-learning have created the grounds upon which various stakeholders argue in favor or against the proliferation of a vast variety of technology-based educational tools. Choosing An Online Degree Program College degrees have long been available by correspondence but with the growth of the internet, students can now pursue college degrees online. There are hundreds of schools offering online programs for everything from Masters Degrees in Business Administration to advanced degrees in the fine arts. Because of the large number of schools offering online programs, it can be difficult to know what to look for in a quality program. There are two basic types of institutions offering online degrees: Colleges and universities with physical campuses and online-only institutions. Online-only institutions do offer single courses, but tend to focus on degree programs. Colleges and universities with physical campuses offer both complete degree programs and single courses, which are often taken by on-campus students as well as online-only students. Do Interdisciplinary Studies Promote Collaboration Between Professionals All academic disciplines share a common and primary commitment to serving the society and working toward the ideal of education for all. Although each discipline has its own focus, the scope of collaboration and exchange existing among university students is today acknowledged by professors, organizations, and the society in general, as a prerequisite practice in a person's educational effort and as the necessary step one has to take before pursuing any type of career. Collaboration emanates from the understanding and appreciation of the roles and contributions each student brings to the overall academic experience. This article argues that the professional socialization an individual will have to demonstrate at some point in life is a direct outcome of this individual's ability to be engaged in a flourishing academic relationship with others inside or outside a class. Being able to work with a variety of people so as to attain a common goal is the first step for someone to demonstrate and advance the qualities and skills that will later be used in the development of a career. The success of a soon-to-be professional is linked with the educational and practical experiences this person receives while in school. Thus, it is rather logical for a researcher to assume that the greater the discrepancy in students' backgrounds is and the more diverse the disciplines one studies are the more productive the academic exchange will be. Contemporary interdisciplinary programs offer the advantages of both. Harvard University Harvard University is the oldest and, arguably, the most prestigious university in the United States. In 2005, the Times Higher Education Supplement and the Academic Ranking of World Universities both ranked Harvard University first among the universities of the world. In addition, the US News and World Report rankings placed Harvard at the top of the list in a tie with Princeton. Moreover, with a financial endowment of $25.5 billion in 2005, Harvard is considered the wealthiest university in the United States and in the world. Located at Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard was founded in 1663, incorporated as "The President and Fellows of Harvard College." It was named Harvard College in 1639 after John Harvard, a young clergyman and the institution's first principal donor. John Harvard, a product of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, left in his will several hundred pounds and a few hundred books to the college, which formed the foundation of its college library collection. On record, the first known official reference to Harvard as a "university" rather than a college was in 1780 in the Massachusetts Constitution. Astronomy And Kids During the clear night sky and as long as the city lights are not close or bright enough to interfere with your naked eye vision, it is always a good idea to grab a blanket and some candles and head to your house's roof or the nearest hill. Admiring the stars is not an exclusive activity kids are only allowed to perform, but it can be something you can share with them while introducing them to the unknown world of the universe. If your child has already looked up gazing the moon and the stars and has asked you all sort of questions regarding their characteristics, their special stories and the interpretation of their slow movements, you should invest some time during a Saturday night to take your kids to the countryside and show them the stars while they awe and wonder on how these "pins" are stuck on the dark sky and why they are not visible during the day. Introducing your child to the marvels above their heads can be a tremendously educative experience your kids will love to repeat as soon as possible. Even your back yard is an ideal place to begin the learning journey that can last a lifetime. But parents support that most of the times getting started is the hardest part of this process. The Misplaced Academic Values Based on endless discussions upon the usefulness of University degrees, it seems obvious that undergraduate and especially graduate students around the globe constantly wonder what the outcome of their efforts will be. Since perceptions and goals differ, so does the interpretation of the word outcome, especially when the complex issue of knowledge and academic performance is evaluated. Inside the realm of a University's environment, the outcome for most students is the actual value of their academic performance, the product of their intellectual exchange. Monetary or spiritual, the discussed value is usually interpreted as a product ready to be consumed by the private or public sector after the completion of the academic effort by the subject. But, is this interpretation a misconception, or the only outcome of contemporary Universities? Are students misusing the term or have they misplaced some of the values that used to govern the intellectual world? In fact, making more money Hand reaching a desired social status are the main reasons that drive prospective students to pursue a degree. Future gains are considered to be the basic motivation that urges people to strive for superior academic performance. Moreover, the fierce competitive environment of every discipline forces the individual to identify new ways of excelling and increasing his/her bargaining power before facing an interested employer. This capitalistic notion of today's reality has forced institutions to recognize the power of monetary gains and has made the academic world a microcosm of this obvious shift in values. Under this social transformation and having to deal with these strong socioeconomic forces, Universities are challenged to survive as intellectual entities. In this altered environment, the academic changes that many scholars have identified have transformed modern Universities into corporate agents. The Problem Of Illiteracy In general terms, illiteracy is an inability to use language -- an inability to read, write, listen and speak. Today, it is usually taken to mean being unable to read and write at a level adequate for written communication or at a level that will allow an individual to function at certain levels of society. In the simplest of terms, illiteracy is the opposite of literacy. In some societies, the standards for what constitute literacy are different from others. For example, some cultures believe that only people with skills such as computers skills and basic numeracy may be considered literate. This takes into account the fact that there are people who can add and subtract, but can't read letters as well as people who can learn to use a computer to a limited extent but may still not be able to read text. One example is Scotland, which defines literacy as: "The ability to read and write and use numeracy, to handle information, to express ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, as family members, workers, citizens and lifelong learners." That's probably as specific as you can get in defininng what literacy is all about. Do Contemporary Universities Suffer From A Type Of Cancer Biologists and medical practitioners have proven through extensive scientific research and testing that every living organism renews its cells as it gradually matures. If we accept Proust's metaphor that "a nation is a huge organized accumulation of individuals," then when cultural norms change so does the nation as a whole entity. Based on this assumption, a nation, a country, or generally any type of society, can be characterized by its critics as "sick" if its constituent cells change their previous status with unknown consequences. Under this realm, the crisis contemporary universities have been experiencing must be the outcome of the detected changes in people's values, norms, priorities and ideology. Thus, as the individual cells change their role, critics have denoted a new type of "sickness" in the academic environment, a new type of "cancer," which according to scholars like Miller and Miyoshi, has to be treated adequately before it completely destroys the institutions' primary educational purpose. Like a human organism is constructed by smaller portions of matter, the contemporary university is an accumulation of students, professors, administrators and many more stakeholders, like corporations. These groups share the grounds of an institution and strive to accomplish various goals. In the past, although different views existed and dissensus was present, the unity of the overall institution was not jeopardized. Unfortunately today, due to the socioeconomic changes fostered by the capitalistic hegemony, contradictory interests have divided the various university groups threatening unity under the broad academic umbrella. But is there something wrong with corporate intervention and why has it managed to create a crisis of this magnitude? Do universities suffer from "cancer"? Ivy League Education For many parents, especially those who reside in the northeastern United States as well as other places, the pinnacle of education is found in Ivy League schools. Their cherished dream and life-long ambition is to send their sons and daughters to these schools, believing that the higher standards of education and social connections available there will likely set up their offspring for life. They are impressed no end by the Ivy League, with its connotations of academic excellence and its reputation for social elitism, and with good reason. The term Ivy League can trace its roots to 1935, but the term really gained national attention starting in 1954 with the formation of the NCAA Division I athletic conference. With the dearth of professional sports at the time, people became rabid supporters of their favorite college teams and the Ivy League schools were no exception. Today, the term Ivy League is no longer associated wholly with athletics but with educational philosophy as exhibited by the country's oldest schools. The Protectionism Delusion Economists through years of study and practice have concluded that through free trade, based on the principal of comparative advantage, the world economy can achieve a more efficient allocation of resources and a higher level of material well-being. On the other hand, protectionism measures-barriers to free trade-lessen or eliminate gains from specialization. Trying to satisfy diverse wants, nations shift resources from efficient (low cost) to inefficient (high cost) uses. This is the reason why, instead of promoting competition, governments turn up to face monopolies that harm the economy and do not fulfill the consumers' needs. Furthermore, the costs of protectionism are hidden because trade barriers are embedded in the prices of goods. Thus, either due to misunderstandings of the gains of trade or due to political considerations, governments may impose trade barriers, with consequences such as higher prices, which can not be realized by the public at the beginning. Man Builds Inventing Machine John Koza has made a serious breakthrough when it comes to the computing power of today and our hopes for it in the future. Studying computers since his high school tutelage in the 1950s, Koza was a man who yearned to make advancements in the world around him. As a clear example of his ingenuity, he was unable to afford a computer while in high school, since the mainframes of the time took up entire rooms and cost far more than the modern day computer. To that end, John assembled bits and pieces from the gadgets around him, and with parts from old pinball machines and jukeboxes, he found himself with a computer that could accurately compute what day of the week a certain date would fall on. Open A Beer And Enjoy Have you ever thought how many of our senses cooperate when we decide to consume a cooling bottle of beer? Well, just consider that we touch the cold bottle from the fridge or over the bar counter, we listen to the carbon dioxide that is released while the beer's foam develops, we see the amber color of the beer poured into our glass, we smell the aromatic substances that come from the snatch block and of course we taste the distinct bitter beer taste that is associated with the contained acids and wooden taste of tannins. Enjoying a beer over a hot summer day watching our favorite sports game and cooking barbeque is one of the traditions Americans have become famous worldwide for. Blond or dark, beer is drunk cool or hot, depending on the liking, the traditions and a country's culture. Beer fanatics know well that the secret in drinking and enjoying the genuine beer taste at its best is to consume it fresh; that way the beer's aromatic substances are not yet destroyed and its carbon dioxide has not yet escaped. Sugar Substitutes - What You Need To Know A sugar substitute, or artificial sweetener, is a food additive which duplicates the effect of sugar or corn syrup in taste, but offers less food energy (calories). The latest dietary habits have introduced certain sweet, non-caloric substances, whose use has spread in the last few years. These sugar substitutes are considered as ideal by many people in order to control diverse metabolic disorders originated or aggravated by the ingestion of sugar, such as diabetes, obesity and arteriosclerosis. Moreover, the advantages of these substances are enormous, since they can replace sugar and quick re-absorption polysaccharides, making food more tempting without the extra calories of sugar. The reason why the food and beverage industry is increasingly replacing sugar, or corn syrup, with artificial sweeteners in a range of products traditionally containing sugar, is actually rather simple. Although the profit margins on artificial sweeteners are extremely low for manufacturers, they still cost the food industry just a fraction of the cost of sugar and corn syrup-which once was introduced by the industry as a low-cost alternative to sugar. In the UK, for example, it is now almost impossible to find any non-cola soft drinks in supermarkets which are not sweetened with artificial sweeteners, and a variety of side foods, like ketchups, mustards and mayonnaise are artificially sweetened. The Historic Roots Of Pizza Pizza is an oven-baked flat usually circular bread, covered with tomato sauce and cheese with optional toppings. All the basic ingredients of a healthy nutritional plan are used in this world-famous culinary product. From dining out to ordering in, pizza has evolved to one of the most loved food categories in the U.S. and around the globe. The roots of modern pizza come from the ancient Greek colony of Naples in Magna Graecia, which is the part of southern Italy. As early as the 3rd century BC, Marcus Porcius Cato, the first historian of Rome, mentions that people in that area used to eat a flat round dough dressed with olive oil, herbs, cheese and honey. Even in the city of Pompeii, archaeologists have excavated shops that resemble modern pizzerias. Since the tomato was not yet known in Europe, the ingredients of the ancient pizza were somewhat different, but the concept remained the same. During the 16th century, when tomato was transferred from the Americas to Europe, the poor area around Naples begun adding this plant to their yeast-based flat bread covering it with mozzarella cheese. Soon, pizza gained tremendous popularity among the Italian people and in 1897 the first pizza was produced for the U.S. public by Antonio Totonno Pero who worked as an employee at Gennaro Lombardi's small grocery store in New York City's Little Italy. Garlic Fights More Than Vampires Closely related to onion, shallot, and leek, garlic has been known for more than 5,000 years for its special smell, taste and healing powers. Throughout all of recorded history, people have been using garlic for a variety of purposes; either culinary or medical. It come as a surprise to some, but apart from its legendary powers to "scare vampires away," garlic has been considered for centuries a natural health improver that originates from a simple perennial plant. Due to its numerous components, garlic has been found to lower blood pressure and thus reduce the incidents of strokes, prevent hypertension, improve the human immune system, prevent heart disease -by enhancing the elastic properties of aorta in the elderly-increase the body's strength and energy levels, lower cholesterol levels and fight cancer-due to its high diallyl sulphide concentration. In short, garlic is one of the best natural healing herbs and culinary ingredients currently available. Pairing Cheese And Wine After taking my degree from the wine classes I have been following for a whole semester I do not consider myself to be an expert in wine consumption, but an amateur who likes to taste the unexpected. Our professor, a 35-years wine producer, was an extremely knowledgeable individual who managed to introduce a class of fourteen people to the proper wine drinking and the differences one should be aware of when tasting a new bottle of wine and tasting cheese. From the very first lesson, he served as wine and cheeses so as to familiarize us with the pairing of two ingredients that go so well together. In fact, as he supported, any season is appropriate for a cheese and wine party, particularly at this time of year where the need for a fast yet festive food and wine pairing is in order. But I was wondering which type of cheese should I serve with which wine? If you have had the painful experience of attending the pairings of the uninformed and well intended, you know that boxed wine does not lend itself to a satisfying experience, even with those American cheese slices. In the chemical additive competition, it would be hard to determine, in fact, which one of these produced that post-party headache. But wine and cheese go together for more reasons than meet the eye. First of all, both are products of fermentation-wine is fermented grape juice and cheese is made from fermented milk. Second, both can express "terroir," or the taste of the place from which they come-wine expresses the roots of grapevines, while cheese the milk of animals. If one adds their shared ease of preparation, wine and cheese indeed go hand in hand -one hand holding the wine glass and the other the piece of cheese to accompany it. Help The Planet While You Eat Eating healthy and at the same time contributing in sustainable development, is not a notion that cannot be succeeded with today's vast choices of food consumption. Actually, the people's need to grab something to eat, enjoy every bite and at the same time help the planet, has evolved over the last decade into a multimillion dollar business, as U.S. grocery chains, like that of Whole Food Markets, are offering organically cultivated and fresh products at considerably lower cost than before. "Green" convenience foods, which promote themselves as environmentally friendly, are now well-priced and their assortment of fresh or canned products are extremely tasty. Ready to cook pizzas, pesto sauce in glass containers, a variety of handmade pasta and chili, and apple pies are just an example of the choices a consumer has to taste the unexpected thrill of being environmentally conscious and stay within the household grocery budget. These kinds of stores have introduced another type of culinary experience and some carry their own brands that are well-prepared and approved by the FDA. Meals created with the use of organic ingredients that come in recycled packaging, offer to customers the opportunity of spending their income on foods that not only are healthier and tastier, but also environmentally friendly. The 10 Fullest Foods Let's begin by stating that there are no "good" or "bad" foods. No food exist that can make you thinner or fatter because you simply decided to try it. But what is true is that there are certain types of foods that have to be consumed in larger quantities due to their low concentration of fat and because they are rich of nutritional substances, in comparison to those that contain higher percentage of fats and low percentage of nutritional substances. The foods included in the following list were selected based on their nutrition levels and the amount of vitamins and minerals they contain. Some Facts On Bread During a recent trip to San Francisco I came across the most famous sourdough bread made in the U.S.; the San Francisco Sourdough. This bread has remained in production for nearly 150 years and combined with an amazing soup that is placed inside the bread, it constitutes today one of the most popular dishes of the West U.S. Coast. In general, bread has been around for centuries. Experts believe that its origins started nearly 12,000 years ago. As one of the oldest prepared foods, bread is dating back to the Neolithic era. The first breads produced were probably cooked versions of a grain-paste, made from ground cereal grains and water and shaped into loaves that were laid on heated stones or baked by covering with hot ash. Descendants of these early breads are still commonly made from various grains worldwide, with the Mexican tortilla, Indian chapati, Chinese poa ping, Scots oatcake, North American johnnycake, and Ethiopian injera all being examples. However, the earliest documentation traces bread to the Middle East, where Egyptians cultivated grains. They baked flat breads, which are still eaten today, for many centuries until the discovery of fermentation at least three thousand years ago. Southern Us Cuisine If you've never tasted Southern food , then you don't know what you're missing. But truth be told, chances are you already have enjoyed Southern food but just didn't know it. There's a distinct cuisine in the Southern United States that is best represented by Soul food, Creole, Cajun, Tex-Mex and Floribbean. Naturally, this food was heavily influenced by the cuisine of many groups that have inhabited the area throughout history, including African-American, Native American, British, Irish, French and Spanish cuisine. Food Is Innocent Any organism needs to be fed in order to grow and survive. Just like any animal, humans need food in order to receive the necessary energy with which they will grow and continue to function properly. But food has lately been blamed as the cause of obesity, and has been accused to be linked to a number of diseases and eating abnormalities. Fortunately for human beings, these accusations are far away from the truth. In fact, what mistakenly people consider to be the enemy is not. Food is not to be blamed because none of the food substances have a negative outcome if people do not oversize their food portions or eat without any control. Thus it is important to understand what food is and what can we do to balance our eating habits, without loosing in taste or variety. Food is any substance, usually comprised primarily of carbohydrates, fats and proteins that are consumed by all animals-including humans-for nutrition or pleasure. It is also widely known that almost all foods come from plants or animals-except water, salt, baking soda, fungi, and processes foods-and humans as omnivorous animals are able to consume everything. After developing agriculture and becoming hunters, humans managed to add to their dietary habits different tastes that came from mixing and matching a variety of ingredients to improve the final culinary result. But recently, the once healthy portions of food people used to eat have dramatically increased and due to lack of time and focus people are now battling with their dietary habits against diseases and various types of illnesses. Do Aphrodisiac Foods Exist Many of us have heard that sea-food excite the human senses or that walnuts and honey are the best aphrodisiac. But do certain types of food affect the human erotic impulse? Can specific food categories be the cause of the increase or decrease of male or female libido? Is there any scientific evidence that suggests some types of foods can help the sex life of today's individuals, or all these are just a legend that goes back to the ancient times? Although a balanced diet is considered today to be the best aphrodisiac, this article can help you spice up your life and answer some of your questions on the subject of aphrodisiac food materials. - What is the role our brain plays? Food On Tv For some time now I have been watching an Emmy-winning television personality and author who hosts at least four different programs on U.S. cable television's Food Network. Rachael Domenica Ray, has become one of my favorite culinary experts as her energetic personality and her smile have been enough to keep me in front of the TV screen to watch her teach simple recipes that she claims can be prepared in thirty minutes or less. Being an amateur cook myself, I was pleased to discover that she shared the same view that I have in relation to food measuring. As she emphasized, "it takes away from the creative, hands-on process of cooking." Her "eyeball it" expression has stayed with me every time I am about to experiment with something new and taste my efforts. Even though she has been heavily criticized for her appearance, her voice, her gestures and her energetic manner, I declare to be one of her funs, at least in relation to her recipes. Choosing The Right Meat To a person that does not commonly purchase meat, the deli counter can be a very intimidating place to be. There are so many selections to choose from when you are trying to find red meat, and many people don't know where to look when it comes to purchasing good cuts of meat. In this article, we'll discuss some of the common features of steaks to look for when purchasing beef so that you can know how to choose the right cuts for you and your family. First off, you need to understand the USDA's grading system when it comes to steak. There are three grades of beef sold under the USDA guidelines - Prime, Choice, and Select. Prime is the most expensive cut of beef, and it is usually from younger cows and features extensive marbling. Marbling is an aspect of beef that is important to understand. When small levels of fat permeate through the meat, causing it to have a ‘marbled' appearance like the stone of the same name, the beef is often very tender and consequently highly desired. It can be tough to find Prime USDA beef outside of restaurants, with only specialty butchers usually carrying the meat. The next step down in the quality of beef is Choice. Choice beef is the most commonly found grade in the marketplace, and while it has less marbling than Prime beef, it still tends to be desirable. Select is the lowest grade of beef, featuring limited marbling throughout the beef, usually resulting in tough meat that isn't very juicy. Make Eating Healthy Foods Fun Children everywhere in the world have an on-going love affair with junk food such as hamburgers, pizza, candy, soda and salty foods like potato chips and french fries. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a single child who has these same strong feeling for the healthy food that they need such as grains, vegetables, fruits and foods reach in nutrients such as meat, beans, fish and nuts. Fortunately, there is one tied and tested strategy to make kids eat the kind of healthy food that some of them may not want -- that's by making it fun. Delicious Cocktails To Please Your Guests When having a dinner party, a large aspect of its success is determined by the cocktails that you make available. You can really turn your party into a night to remember if you can expose your guests to some delicious drinks that they'll never forget. In this article, we'll relay some cocktail recipes that can surprise and impress your guests. A commonly-used twist on a classic drink is known as the "Purple Haze". Based off of the Long Island Iced Tea recipe, the drink gets its name from the famous Jimi Hendrix song since it is purple in color. While the drink shares many of the same ingredients as a Long Island, it features a distinct taste that provides a good dose of alcohol while still tasting delicious. To make a Purple Haze, you're going to need the basic liquors that go into a Long Island - tequila, rum, vodka, and gin. In addition, you're going to need the secret ingredient that gives the Purple Haze it's color - Chambord, which is a raspberry-flavored cordial. You'll also need a lemon-lime flavored soda and sweet and sour mix. Put Pasta Back On The Table Pasta has existed since the days of the Roman Empire and remains one of the most versatile cooking ingredients, as no storage room or cupboard should be without it. It can be combined with meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, or even a simple herb sauce to create a mouthwatering and nutritious meal within minutes. Most pasta is made from durum wheat flour and contains protein and carbohydrates. It is a good source of slow-release energy and has the additional advantage of being value for money. Drinking Tea The second most consumed beverage behind water is tea. Interestingly enough the 3,200,000 tones of tea produced worldwide come from only one plant species, named "camellia sinensis." But how a plant becomes a beverage? Tea is made by steeping processed leaves, buds, or twigs of the tea bush in hot water for a few minutes, a great variety of tea tastes, aromas and colors can excite even the more skeptical drinker. If you do like tea drinking, but simply never had the opportunity to learn more about it beyond the fact that you enjoy it, you should know that there are thousands of kinds of tea offered on today's market. Shades in flavor derive from the region of cultivation and the method of processing the tea leaves. It is the processing techniques that produce the four simple tea categories are considered the art of tea making. In its most basic form, processing is the taking of the raw green leaves and deciding whether or not, and how much oxidation (or fermentation) should take place before drying them out. Oxidation is the reaction of the enzymes contained in tea leaves when they are broken, bruised or crushed. The first category is that of black tea. Black tea is nothing more than the leaves of the camellia sinensis after being exposed to 8-24 hours of open air. After the leaves are picked up they are spread out to let the water they contain evaporate. You have probably witnessed it happening to a flower that is left without being watered. The foliage curls up and begins to dry. After this part of the process, the tea leaves are balled into rolls that encourage oxidization. When fully oxidized, the leaves turn into a rich black color. Tea producers then put the tea leaves into the final drying period before sorting and packaging them. The Chocolate Fantasy Chocolate is produced from the beans of the cacao tree, which originated in South America, and now grows in Africa, the West Indies, the tropical parts of America, and the Far West. Used as the main ingredient in numerous recipes, chocolate constitutes one of the most loved materials known in today's food world. Children and adults both appreciate chocolate's unique aroma, taste, color and texture and prefer it in comparison to other foods. The cacao beans, from which chocolate is produced, are large pods -once harvested, both the pulp from the pods and the bean are allowed to ferment in the sun. The pulp evaporates and the bean develops its chocolaty flavor. Later, the outer skin is removed and the beans are left in the sun for a little longer or roasted. Finally they are shelled and the kennels are used for making cocoa and chocolate. Health Food Does your kid often eat junk food? Chances are, the answer to that one is a resounding yes because, as all parents know, children everywhere in the world absolutely love junk food such as hamburgers, pizza, candy, soda and salty foods like potato chips and french fries. Like most parents, you probably want to wean your child away from junk food (or at least lessen his intake of it) and reinforce his diet with healthy food such as grains, vegetables, fruits and nutrient-rich foods such as meat, beans, fish and nuts. Here are some tips to help you achieve just that. The basic strategy is to make eating healthy food fun for the kids. You probably can even think of more ways to use this strategy when feeding your child. The Iron Chef Do you remember that old television series about cooking called “Iron Chef” which ran from 1993 to 2002? Since over 300 episodes of that show have been aired (and are still actually in syndication today), I’m pretty sure that anyone remotely interested in the culinary arts will remember that show. So, who was your favorite chef on that landmark cooking program? Chances are, you will select Chen Kenichi, better known as Iron Chef Chinese. Kenichi was the only Iron Chef to be on the show from start to finish. In addition, Chen won the Iron Chef competition 67 times and is now widely regarded as one of the great chefs of the world. Born on January 5, 1956, Chen is actually the son of another great chef, Chen Kenmin, who is known in Japan as the father of Sichuan cuisine. The Kitchen Hot Spot If you belong to those lucky people who have had the privilege of enjoying a warm breakfast or the happy voices of the family crowd gathered around the kitchen table, it is most likely that this cooking spot in your family's house brings back a lot of happy memories every time you enter its premises. Like many of you, my family kitchen has been the focal point of my life from childhood to adulthood. Although I cannot always recall with confidence, whether or not a conversation took place in any other room inside my family's house, I am usually able to remember the one that took place inside the kitchen. My cultural background evolves around food. When people in my home country decide to spend some quality time together, they usually do it around food. Asking a visitor if he is hungry the moment he enters our house is not considered rude or inconsiderate. On the contrary, this is a question one asks in order to make sure that the other feels welcomed. It is actually impolite not to ask if your guest needs to drink or to eat anything even before they are sited in the living-room couch. Although this practice made me wonder while I was a kid why people popped the "million-dollar" question after the guest has been comfortably seated, I realized as the years went by that there is a big difference between asking someone if he or she want to eat or drink anything from inviting that person to enter the sanctuary of the kitchen. The process of opening the door of the kitchen and letting the other person explore its content is saved to be offered to those who have successfully passed the line between "I like you" and "I love you." Even though my father, in particular, was the one that usually left the fridge door open to everyone's sight, the understanding that this was an act of goodwill was more than obvious. Those who managed to stay in the kitchen room more often became clearer to me as I grew up that were the people my parents really cared for and wanted to share their lives with. The Time When Children Decide To Spend Really Counts A variety of authors have written over the years what should be the amount of allowance a child is provided with or if a allowance should be provided at the first place. Different people follow different practices and the issue here is not what is better, but rather what parents consider to work best for their kids. The amount of money a child receives as a reward or a weekly stipend is not the only thing important. What I consider to be extremely important is the way kids learn to spend the money they receive for whatever reason since the responsibility lessons these practices provide will shape the children's character and will direct their actions for the rest of their lives. I remember one sunny day, while sitting on a bench in my home city's park and reading a book, that I was given the opportunity to become a witness of a rather unusual, at least for my experiences, event. As I was near a children's playground I was able to hear parents talking to their children and them screaming their answers, laughing and playing with friends. At some point, a lady came and sat next to me, holding a kid's bike. A few minutes later, I watched her son approach and asking her if she wanted anything. That made me stop reading and I raised my head to observe the child better. The boy was not more than ten years old and seemed a very pleasant and happy kid. He was looking at his mother, who was in her early forties, while pointing at an ice-cream selling machine a few meters down the road. I listened to her as she replied that the ice-cream would not be a good idea for neither of them at this point, since he was still playing football with his friends and he has been sweating. An ice-cream or anything really cold would probably harm his throat and he would not be able to speak later. The boy heard the reply and as this was not what he expected to hear, he decided to put on an unhappy face and beg for the ice-cream. His mother did not back up from her original decision and argued that since he is a big boy now, he could make his own decisions. But, since she was still his mother, she would not jeopardize his health by giving him money to buy something that could later trouble him. The boy then decided to follow another strategy and responded that he was going to buy as many ice-creams as he wanted with the money his dad has given him earlier during the week, as a reward for his school performance. The mother agreed that if this was where he wanted to spend his money on, she was not going to stop him. She just added at the end, as the kid was looking at her with a suspicious face since he could not understand why his mother agreed with his plan, that "in case you do buy the ice-creams you want now, instead waiting for an hour to eat the one we have at home, you will decrease the amount you have been saving in order to buy that special basket you want so much for your bike. But if this is what you want, I will not stop you." Gifts They Will Remember If your kid's birthday is approaching fast and you are searching the market for an idea that will excite your child and be memorable, you should better read the following ideas and avoid spending a fortune on an item that might be disregarded as soon as the packaging is off the box. - Books: Books on history, geography, literature, or those discussing hobbies and crafts can be an excellent present for any age. The musical or squeaky books can be given to smaller ones, preschoolers can receive short stories with coloring pages, older children will be happy to read an adventure and mystery story, and young teenagers are always interesting in examining something trendy or seeing the world-even through the pages of a book. Select the right book according to your child's interest and introduce them from an early age to the amazing world of books. Keep Family Traditions Alive Each family , big or small, loud or quiet, has its own traditions that are followed more or less unchanged for a long period of time. Keeping these family traditions alive is not only the responsibility of the parents, but also the grandparents, the uncles and aunts, the family friends and in most cases, the responsibility of children. Whether you consider a family tradition to be the annual family vacations to that special place you visit every year, the Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas presents and birthday parties, the fact remains that families come closer and share the memories of past rituals performed to honor everyone. When children are still young, so too are parents, family traditions seem to be more sentimental and involve a lot of playing around. As kids get older and parents as well, families try to keep their traditions alive by reaching mutual agreements among the family members. The son that wants to go to a football match and escape the tradition of having to sit down, like every other Sunday, with his whole ten-member family for dinner, can cause some trouble when allowed not to be present often. Keeping the tradition is thus not only the responsibility of the parents in a family, as people seem to believe, but also that of children who will at some point create their own traditions and strive to keep them alive in their own families. Understanding the importance of spending those precious moments with your parents or with your children, will lead you to cherish the instances you had a chance to speak through your actions. [1] [2] [3] [4]

SIGN UP FOR FREE   Sign Up for a free account or learn more. Submit Articles Member Login Top Authors Most Popular Articles Submission Guidelines Ezine Notifications Article RSS Feeds About Us Link to Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Service   Most Recent Articles Understanding The Importance Of International Business International business is all business transactions-private and governmental-that involve two or more countries. Why should one be interested in studying international business? The simplest answer is that international business comprises a large and growing portion of the world's total business. Today, almost all companies, large or small, are affected by global events and competition because most sell output to and/or secure suppliers from foreign countries and/or compete against products and services that come from abroad. More companies that engage in some form of international business are involved in exporting and importing than in any other type of business transaction. Many of the international business experts argue that exporting is a logical process with a natural structure, which can be viewed primarily as a method of understanding the target country's environment, using the appropriate marketing mix, developing a marketing plan based upon the use of the mix, implementing a plan through a strategy and finally, using a control method to ensure the strategy is adhered to. This exporting process is reviewed and evaluated regularly and modifications are made to the use of the mix, to take account of market changes impacting upon competitiveness. This view seems to suggest that much of the international business theory related to enterprises, which are internationally based and have global ambitions, does often change depending on the special requirements of each country. The New Billionaires For the twelfth straight year, Bill Gates continues to be the richest man in the world with a net worth of $50 billion, according to the authoritative Forbes magazine, the business world's bible of wealth and fortune. Microsoft's founding father may be less active in the corporate world these days, but he still sits comfortably at the top of the hill as the inspiration and subject of envy of all would-be billionaires. Based on a recent report released by Forbes, becoming a billionaire these days is not as hard as it used to be. The publication reveals that there are now a record 793 billionaires around the world, compared to 691 in 2005, with an average net worth of $3.3 billion. Combined, these 793 men and women have a net worth of $2.6 trillion. The Publishing Business Publishing is a fascinating business and the process that goes into the making of books and newspapers is an interesting one. These days, with the world of digital information and the internet upon us, the scope of publishing now also includes websites, blogs and the like. From the business perspective, publishing isn't just printing literature or information but also the development, marketing, distribution and even promotion of the printed works. It is not as simple as it may seem. Was Apprentice A Cultural Outcome Of Post-modernism Among many things, Donald Trump is a successful businessman and an extremely wealthy individual. Donald Trump is perceived by the mass public as a true corporate King. The question is who are all these people that competed so fiercely against each other during the hour that the Apprentice show was broadcasted and why did they strive to prove their skills so as to secure their position in his empire? One might support that they are the products of America's powerful media networks, the gladiators of our postmodern reality. But are these reality shows we tend to watch ritually, the mirroring of our contemporary culture, or are they the outcome of today's spectators' confusion regarding the prevailing notions of modernity, revolution and self-development? To be a citizen of the modern world, is equivalent to remain open to change and evolution, to be able to explore and create, accept or reject, all those forces and trends that shape the global scene and the mere self at the same time. This ongoing change, the development of human history, has been classified according to scholars as the act of relating modernization (the socio-economic process) with modernism (the cultural vision), through modernity (the historical experience). But this powerful process, although once considered linear, has evolved over time to the point that it can now be conceived as "curved," since modernism has experienced a major decline during the 21st century. This realization can be partly explained by the fact that social, political, or economic revolutions have ended, while the upcoming reformations are not fostered by the bourgeois engagement, but mainly by the continuous technological progress limited to specific time fragments which make any kind of revolution seeming obsolete. Choosing A Web Based Photo Storage Service As digital cameras replace film, more and more users are turning to web based photo storage services to manage their photo archives. There are a dizzying array of sites, all offering different services at different prices. Choosing a storage service can be a confusing process, particularly when you are choosing a company to entrust with your precious family photos. Here are some things to look for when you're choosing a photo storage service. First, take a look at the interface. How easy or difficult is it to upload photos to the site? Most of the major photo storage sites offer the ability to download software that will let you upload batches of photos, but some sites still rely on web interfaces that are slower and more clumsy. Using The Internet For Recreational Purposes Since the introduction of the Internet to our daily lives, people have considered it to be a vast source of information, as it managed to connect million of computers around the world, from servers belonging to governments, colleges, schools, libraries, museums, science laboratories, leisure centers, sports clubs, and thousands of other organizations. This extremely useful network, just a click away, delivers to all those interested and having a suitable Internet access, the advantages of sharing, exchanging, retrieving and uploading information of almost any sort. From researching for a college or work project, to selecting the travel destination of your dreams, the Internet can be considered a tool that has become indispensable now to most "advanced" economies of the world. Frankly, I am not familiar with another communication medium, so pervasive in nature and vast in scope to have done so much in such as short time after it has been introduced to the public; only television can perhaps enter the same arena, but yet again TV it is not a two way type of communication. Millions of people today are using the Internet to keep up with their favorite team's score, to schedule a leisure activity, to communicate with friends residing in another continent, to check the latest trends, to read their favorite newspaper columnist or to write on their blog. But although the Internet can be a very useful tool, for a variety of individuals, as it serves different needs, one cannot find everything in there; not yet at least. For example, even the more progressive among universities libraries do not have every book of their possession available in an electronic form. Sad as it may be, many authors and publishers are still supporting that the negative effects of such a possibility would have a tremendous effect on their sales. Some Internet websites offer books in a digital form, usually available for one only to read and not to download, but again this is a niche part of the plethora of books available at your local bookstore shelves. So, if people are not using the Internet mainly to read books, what other recreational purposes does it serve? Safe Online Surfing If you believe that adults can suffer from identity theft or be mislead by online criminals, imagine what children can experience in case their online surfing time is not properly guided. In fact, parents should know that when children are online, it is just like they are out in public. Thus, educating kids and monitoring their online surfing time can save parents from the anguish of having to deal with an uncomfortable situation later. Exposed to a variety of stimuli, children today are able to surf and visit websites, portals, enter chat rooms or participate in online games. Since technology has brought a tremendous shift in children's recreational time, kids should be taught that when they are talking with someone in a chat room or an instant message session, they are actually interacting with strangers unless they know in person the other party from the "real" world, like their school class or sports team. The Continuing Development Of Css As A Web Standard Cascading style sheets were formally introduced by the W3C in 1997 and in the nine years since have made gradual progress to becoming a web standard. Although the W3C mandates style sheets instead of HTML formatting for internal styles, many web designers have been slow to adopt CSS. Graphic designers, especially, have been slow to accept CSS since it does not allow the complex designs made possible by the use of nested tables without concentrated testing and workarounds. That is because CSS is not universally cross-browser compatible. The first release of CSS in 1997 was notorious for breaking on a variety of browsers. The second, and current, release provides more stability but still causes unexpected results on older browsers. Instant Messaging Might Carry Viruses Even if you have never used it, you are probably familiar with the new emerging form of instant communication known as instant messaging, abbreviated as IM. Much resembling the email success, the difference in instant messaging is that the two or more parties exchanging information can do it almost instantly without any waiting period in-between messages. But, as all other computer generated communication systems have been affected by the dangerous viruses out there, so do now instant messenger users have to protect themselves against malicious code that can be easily transferred and downloading directly to their computer. Various popular programs, like MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Messenger, among many others, allow people to communicate in real time by exchanging written messages, sound or images. Unfortunately, neither this type of communication can be considered anymore sd virus-free. Hackers, virus writers and spyware coders are today able to develop their malicious content and release it with greater speed through the use of such instant messaging online boards. When unaware people open the files supposedly send by the other party, their computers become infected with a possibly highly dangerous virus. Victims of such an unfortunate event reported their computers slowing down or that they even completely stopped responding. Others did not detect that something went wrong, as nothing appeared to change, but later found dangerous spyware installed in their computer, which was tracking down the information they entered and was transmitting it to unknown receivers. Talking Computers Just a few decades ago, the possibility of creating talking computers was considered strictly in the realm of science fiction. But today, talking desktop computers are so commonplace that they hardly elicit any response from modern and sophisticated consumers. It's really pretty simple, as any of the computer school-trained friends and acquaintances we have are wont to tell us. Computers talk simply because they are running software that converts text to speech, thereby allowing the computer to talk out loud through speakers or a headset. In short, it has speech recognition capability. Buying A Notebook For College Every year, before schools and college institutions begin their classes, students from around the country visit department stores and major electronics chains in an effort to get all those necessities that will allow them to complete successfully their studies. So, if you have recently been accepted to college and you are not exactly sure which your computing needs will be, buying a notebook computer is not a luxury purchase, but actually a necessity. In fact, anyone who has to cover frequent travel concerns, from college students to frequent business travelers, should possess a laptop, given the fact that it provides a mobile and light-weight computing experience for computer users around the world. Recent research indicates that laptops are in fact used extensively as people need to own computer systems that are as mobile as they are. Buying an effective machine that can also be easy to carry around has increased considerably the laptop sales over the last decade, considering the lower manufacturer and assembly costs. Deals between hardware developers and software engineers have resulted in improved notebook systems that incorporate the ability of them being transferred easily from one place to another, as well as being able to compute much more than the main software functions, like reading and composing emails, operating spreadsheets, or using word processing applications. In fact, whether one needs to take work from one office location to another or do some work while onboard, today's laptops can accomplish almost any task. An Understanding Of Moore’s Law It's plain to see that the computing speed found in the personal computers of today has been steadily picking up steam since the market began. Many wonder when our technology will begin to taper off, but according to a man named Gordon Moore, we're only beginning to tap the potential of what we can do with our computer systems. Gordon Moore was a co-founder of the popular Intel brand. Aside from this substantial title, Moore is most commonly known due to his assertion of what became known as Moore's law. In the April, 1965 issue of Electronics Magazine, Moore put forth his beliefs about semiconductors: Choosing A Graphics Card To the uninformed consumer, buying a new graphics card can be a daunting task. There are literally hundreds of different aspects to consider when buying a new card, and we've composed this article to help you find the graphics card that best suits your needs and your budget. - The first major thing to consider when purchasing a card is the type of chip that you want. The main two companies that market graphics card chips are Nvidia and ATI, and pretty much every graphics card available features a chip from one of these two manufacturers. The chip of the card is of utmost importance; different graphic cards with the same type of chip often feature similar performance levels. How To Buy A Laptop With an extensive variety of laptops, or notebooks, available on the market today, it is extremely difficult for some people to conclude on purchasing the one that is most convenient for their needs. Different computer features offer potential laptop users a vast world of technology based ideas to accomplish a given task. From copying a CD-Rom data to writing your own code, laptops can be used as desktops, adding effectiveness and efficiency to their small easy-to-carry size. Given that you are not a computer expert, but you do know some of your desktop computer's main functions and components, the following simple steps can lead you closer to a laptop deal that you will not regret two weeks after the purchase. Staying In Touch While Abroad From the times of Graham Bell's research around 1870, people have invented new and exciting ways of improving one of the first forms of communication, the telegraph. Its successor, the telephone invention, has gone a long way managing to penetrate people's lives and directing future technological innovations in a way not ever imagined by its founder. In fact, the telecom industry today constitutes one of the most diverse and promising high-tech markets around the globe. Developing new ways to interact with others is a major concern in most cultures and the telecommunication products or service introduced will continue to have a tremendous impact to communication norms and peoples' interaction. Choosing to connect with someone over a telephone fixed or mobile line, by purchasing a calling card, or logging on to a remote server to chat over an instant messaging service, are two examples of the most popular methods people use to stay in touch. Especially when one travels, successfully communicating with others is an issue that has generated billions of dollars to the telecom industry. One of the most popular products people use to attain their intercommunication goal is telephone cards. Fun Robots For Less Than $30 Did you know that there are a host of robots that you can purchase in the market today that are loads of fun to have around the house? The great news is that they are not that expensive. The following are some of the more popular robots available for less than $30. You will be amazed at what they can do. The first of our cheap yet chintzy robots is called the Idog and is promoted as a robotic pooch. It looks pretty odd, actually. One reviewer said it resembles "a collision between a bag of marshmallows and a cell phone, with vague canine overtones." The cool thing about this dog is that you feed it with music and it enthusiastically shows its delight through a series of movements and blinking lights. The robot canine can wiggle its ears, sway its head and flash its eyes in tune to the music. Manufacturers say the dog will actually develop a "personality" in accordance to the music you feed it. Computers That Talk As a kid growing up, I was fascinated with science fiction, especially those movies and TV shows that dealt with the future and portrayed how life on earth would probably be several decades down the road. I liked the idea of robot-servants who talked and followed our orders and of aerial vehicles that were the main means of transportation and that sent us speeding through the sky on our way to work. I was always fascinated with talking computers as well. Now, over three decades have passed since I was a kid in front of the TV set and, boy, did those science fiction movies get it all wrong. There are no robots in every household nor are there cars that fly through the sky. At least they got it right in one regard – talking computers. These days, talking desktop computers are so commonplace that they hardly elicit any reaction at all from jaded consumers. Getting A Good Workout At Home No matter what any pill-marketing advertisements may tell you, the heart of weight loss is getting regular exercise. While some people don't like to go to the gym, either due to embarrassment or the effort involved in driving elsewhere just to exercise, there are plenty of exercises that you can do in your own house to help you keep fit and in shape. With that in mind, here are some exercises that you can perform in the comforts of your own home. Jumping rope - while most of us forgot about jumping rope the second that we got out of grade school, it is truly a great workout. Studies have shown that a mere five minutes of jumping rope is equivalent, calorie-burning-wise, to jogging for a full mile! What's more is that you can jump rope in your house and it costs very little to get your own rope. Just be sure that when you are jumping rope that you keep it high-intensity, spinning the rope quick enough to generate some real movement of the body. Burn Calories With Everyday Activities When you think about exercise, do you automatically imagine yourself on a treadmill in a gym? Or doing laps in a swimming pool? If so, you might be surprised to know just how many calories you can burn doing everyday activities. Housework is one chore that everyone has to do at some point. Rather than dread it, proceed briskly through your chores and you can have an excellent workout. A 150 lb person can spend as much as 140 calories by mopping the floor for a half hour. Vacuuming for 30 minutes spends about the same number of calories. Take off another 75 calories by ironing for a half hour. The Epidemic Of Obesity One of the most serious problems dieticians have to encounter is that of obesity. According to the American Obesity Association (AOA), social structure, general and regional trends, socioeconomic transitions, as well as modernization and urbanization are the primary causes that led to the recent increase in obesity rates. The prevalence of overweight people is reported worldwide, both in developing and developed countries. Recent changes in consumption, culture, economic development and lifestyle have increased the problem of obesity, both in children and adults. Thus, it is of vital importance for people all around the globe to understand the risks associated with being obese and direct their efforts in reducing this alarming trend that is spreading. The USA obesity rates have reached epidemic proportions and the numbers are socking. As recent statistical data indicate, 58 million people are overweight, 40 million obese and 3 million morbidly obese. These numbers are further supported by the fact that 8 out of 10 people over 25 years of age are overweight. Moreover, 78 percent of Americans do not meet the basic activity level recommendations. Even more alarming are the results that indicate a 76 percent increase since 1990 in Type II diabetes in adults belonging to the 30 to 40 age group. Massage Therapy - If You Haven't Tried It.. Nows The Time One of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences you can have is that of receiving or giving a massage. During our busy daily schedules we are constantly adding pressure and stress as we do not find the time to perform activities that would release all this extra tension. Massage therapy has gained over the years worldwide funs that enjoy its invigorating character which manages to relax the body and mind as well as loosen tight, achy muscles and joints. But if you cannot visit a certified massage therapist due to the costs involved, or because these type of services are not usually covered by your health insurance plan, then you should try receiving or giving a body massage at the comfort of your own house. But before performing such an act, it is important for you to know the basics of this relaxing and soothing therapy. Massage is the practice of applying structured pressure, tension, motion or vibration, either manually or with the aid of mechanical equipment, to the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons, joints and lymphatic vessels. The ultimate objective of massage therapy is one's beneficial response. Whether it is performed to heal an injury, relieve stress, or improve the condition of muscles by increasing blood circulation, the "art" of massage has been studied since ancient years and associated with a variety of therapeutic outcomes. Most importantly, because everyone can appreciate a massage, this technique has gained tremendous popularity among different cultures. In fact, anyone can become a massager as long as they keep themselves up-to-date on current massage practices and are very careful when applying pressure to the muscles and joints of those willing to experience the positive effects linked with massage therapy. Burn Calories With Aerobics If you are tired of feeling tired, you should begin focusing not only to the calories you consume, but rather on building your body's shape and training your strength . By focusing on strengthening your muscles, you are building a body machine that is capable of lifting easier, standing for a longer period of time, run quicker and further, and perform in general better. But, most importantly by investing on your physical state, you are transforming your calorie burning machine -your body- to that better enhanced version you always dreamt of having; the best part is that this is still you and not a movie character. Thus, if you wish to burn more calories while increasing your strength and ability to function better, but you would like to avoid registering for the aerobics class your gym offers, you can now perform another type of aerobic exercise that you will repeat with a smile on your face. No, I am not joking. Aerobic exercises are in fact exercises that offer your body the much needed oxygen to operate and for your muscles to burn more calories. So, instead of trying to put on those tight pants you so much dislike, you can sweat up and exercise while doing some of your house errands. Everyday activities can provide you with all the aerobic benefits you so much wish for without having to suffer by looking yourself into the mirror while wearing those ugly exercise Lycra uniforms. Are You Physically Fit It can be tough to tell sometimes whether or not you are physically in shape. To that end, there are some tests that you can perform to ensure that your body is working in its top condition. In this article, we'll be discussing some of these tests, and explaining what they mean about your health. The Body Mass Index is one of the most commonly used methods of gauging a persons level of physical fitness. Commonly referred to as a BMI, it is the standard method used by medical professionals when it comes to diagnosing whether a person's weight is healthy, overweight, or obese. The Body Mass Index operates on a basic formula: My Portion Is Small But I Am Gaining Weight Obesity has become the number one issue in contemporary US nutrition magazines as it has been increasing across ages and educational backgrounds in a very fast rate. One of the associated causes of this problem is the big portion sizes provided in restaurants all over the US. According to researchers, people have been found to eat more if their plate's portion is larger than usual; and the fact is that the more one eats the more weight he or she will gain if the amount of exercise conducted is kept constant. Since the human stomach needs approximately twenty minutes before signaling to the brain that is full and we should stop eating, people continue eating the food in their plate just because it happens to be there. If restaurants continue to increase their portions so as to increase their demand, people will continue consuming more and more calories and the essence of eating a "normal" portion will soon be in the past. If one considers that the usual 12 ounce soda cup has recently reached the 20 ounce size, it is not difficult to understand why bigger food portions have directly influenced people's understanding on what should be considered normal or reasonable and what not. From the bread slices to the French-fries one orders at a local take away, increased portions have led consumers to demand to receive more for the price they pay. If one is served the older portions he or she will immediately compare it to the new increased size a restaurant now serves and this will seem tremendously small to fulfill anyone's hunger. In fact, if you serve a five-year old the portion of ice-cream he or she should be served you will probably have to deal with their whining as the smaller scoop size will seem small and inappropriate to cover their need. The Aging Journey Lately, while watching a reality television show, I was amazed on how the aging anxieties people share are portrayed through their broadcasted actions. From botox injections to cosmetic surgery, women and men are battling against the fact that they are not getting any younger as time progresses. During a later dinner festivity with a group of friends, I expressed my amazement on how popular these shows are and tried to comprehend why people experience this aging journey as something one should avoid or at least lessen its negative implications. But, in my point of view, the greatest battle is not the one a terrified individual gives with his or her bodily changes. Attaining a specific spiritual stage to consciously cope with this challenging aging process is the most important step one must take. A person should not feel guilty for being conscious of the fact that as years go by the once present physical capabilities gradually reduce. It is only natural that the older version of one's body is not capable to function and perform the same as it once did. But, from understanding the changes age brings to the table to performing all sorts of unnecessary and frequently dangerous actions to prevent the face and body people carry every day from altering, a huge difference exists. It is only advisable that people should try to maintain an active and fit self through exercising, eating properly and avoiding dangerous practices. At the same time, in order to stay younger looking and keep healthy, experts support that it is imperative for people to study this aging process and invest time and effort to focus on those parameters that will enable them to continue feeling able to perform and be mentally active. Social psychologists and a variety of researchers have illustrated through their studies' findings that maintaining an active and fit mind is equally important to maintain the body figure into shape. From the Alzheimer's disease to depression, older people who have not been exposed to the right spiritual stimuli are prone to feel worthless and incapable of functioning during this challenging aging journey. Thus, it is crucial for their mental health to express and share their concerns, study the aging process and understand the outcomes of their vulnerability. In order for one to safely embark the aging journey, avoiding wrinkles or hair loss is not enough. Get The Smile You Want Without The Pain You Detest With the abundance of beautiful images portraying a perfect looking smile, people today have been trained to focus on the looks of a mouth, as it smiles and moves, focusing on the shape of the lips, the condition of the teeth and the smoothness of the skin. As icons of fashion models and actresses illustrate their flawless porcelain-looking teeth, smooth skin, and full lips, people have been visiting plastic surgeons, beauty experts, and dermatologists, to request their assistance in reproducing the smile of their favorite star. Consequently, this increasing demand has introduced the development of many treatments in plastic surgery, dermatology and permanent makeup to smooth the skin and enhance the size and shape of a person's lips. Unfortunately, the desired outcomes of these procedures can often take as long as six to eight weeks, with multiple visits to the surgeon. Recently, a revolutionary new method has been introduced, to those interested in redesigning their smile, called the non-surgical smile lift. This procedure can lead to the same results as a plastic surgery one, but it accomplishes the requested outcome in just one to two visits. Since it is non-invasive, no cutting of the skin is necessary and patients are able to go back to their normal routine the day following the procedure. Keeping Fit For Little To No Cash Do you want to have a more firm physique, but lack the money or simply don't want to attend a fitness center ? Well, there's good news. There are plenty of exercises that you can do around the house to keep yourself in tip top shape. One important basic guideline for keeping in shape is to walk as often as you possibly can. Simply walking around the house while you're on the phone is one easy way to help add some work-out into your life. When in the office or at school, take the stairs as opposed to the elevator. Climbing stairs is a very aerobic activity that can really pay off when done regularly. Sit-ups and push-ups can be conveniently done while facing downtime at home; a commercial break from TV provides ample opportunity for you to get a set of these exercises done. Jumping jacks are an oft-overlooked method of keeping in shape that requires no equipment as well. If you'd like to build muscle, you can make simple weights out of empty milk gallons. These weights can be used in a host of different exercises that can help to build muscle. Another thing to consider is the possibility of a pull-up bar in the household. Helping to keep your arms and chest strong, any overhead pipe or ledge that is secure enough to hold your weight can be used for pull-ups. Drink More Chamomile Perhaps you recall chamomile from the times you were sick and your parent, friend, or partner, gave you a hot cup of this therapeutic drink to ease your suffering stomach. Chamomile in fact is known for centuries, as Romans used it daily while English have added it to their alternative "tea-breaks" to give them a positive spin. If you have not tried it during a cold winter night or you have not offered it in one of your gatherings, it is probably time to learn some things about this amazing infusion. Chamomile is actually a flower that comes from a herb named "Chamomilla." Different areas around the globe cultivate chamomile and it is found in abundance in North America, temperate Asia and throughout the European continent. As the chamomile seeds need open soil to survive, it often grows near roads, around landfills and in cultivated fields as a weed. But, although everyone has heard of its existence and most of us have used for some reason or another, few actually know why chamomile has healing powers which can aid the human organism in regaining its health's balance. Take Care Of Your Precious Feet Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, was the first to admit that "When feet hurt, we hurt all over." But whether or not you have experienced any type of physical discomfort associated with your feet, you have certainty witnessed people suffering from sore feet and constantly complaining about the swelling or the pain they had to endure. In fact, taking care of your feet and wearing the appropriate shoes in relation to your activities can keep your feet healthy and leave your friend's ears at rest. Although some changes in the feet are normal with aging, other changes may indicate serious disorders. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recognizes the importance of taking good care of your feet and suggests that all should invest time and effort in feet grooming and careful shoe-buying. As it is estimated that more than 70 percent of all people in the United States will have foot problems at some point during their lifetime, it is of extreme importance to prevent foot pain, disorders, and other foot problems, by performing some simple foot-care practices. Since foot pain is not considered as being a normal feeling, preventing foot pain by exercising and paying attention to the signs they give, can help us keep them healthy and strong for years. Dream Away One of the most interesting fields, constantly recorded and extensively studied, is the field of dreams. This is due to the fact that almost all cultures have assigned different meanings to a variety of dreams and records of diverse civilizations have at some point attempted to influence the masses by interpreting this unconscious level of the mind. Today, many people are still devoting their lives in examining the field of dreams. Through the use of advanced technological tools, modern scientists and researchers have invented new methods to assist them in comprehending how and if these unconscious instances of our minds play an important role in the development and understanding of our conscious selves. 3 Fitness Sins And How To Reduce Their Consequences If you were to describe yourself today, you would say that you are a mature adult, who watches his diet, does not abuse his body, lives healthy and tries to stay fit. But would this same description be used if you were asked now to describe yourself when you were a teenager? In case you remember that you used to drink and eat whatever and whenever, stayed under the sun without protecting your skin for hours, or smoked a lot, then you should be aware of the outcomes your reckless behavior might have today to your "new and improved" self. Thus, if you are curious whether or not your past "sins" have destroyed any chance you have to live longer and enjoy a healthier lifestyle, you should read this article and see what you can do to rectify the mistakes of your past. Have you been performing any express weight-loss diets? If the answer is yes, then you probably remember that as soon as you stopped, you managed to gain back the lost weight and added a few extra pounds on top. There is no use in starving your body by putting your organism through these extreme types of diets. Instead of helping yourself become fit, you actually destroy your metabolism and loose muscle tissue rather than that unwanted fat. If you do need to loose weight, follow a balanced diet and ask for an expert's help. By consuming daily 15 percent of proteins, 30 percent of fats and 55 percent of carbohydrates, you provide your body with all the necessary ingredients to continue working smoothly and function normally. What Is Your Fitness Personality Establishing an exercise routine is something most Americans know they need to do. However, many are unable to follow through on the routines they plan. Part of the reason for this is that people often plan activities that don't suit their personalities, physical condition, circumstances and location. Carefully analyzing these things before you begin a fitness routine can contribute to your ability to stick with it over the long run. Ask yourself whether you have a lot of self-discipline, or whether you require some outside motivation to stay on task. If you're self-disciplined, running, walking or swimming laps may be a sufficient and rewarding routine. However, if you're a very social person, inviting a companion to join you as you exercise may be beneficial. If you're the type of person who is stimulated by learning new things, aerobics, pilates or yoga classes may be more suitable. However, do not count on money as a motivating factor. Many people have expensive gym memberships that they never use, a waste of money and of health benefits. Do You Experience Sleeping Problems You must remember when being a child that due to the excitement you felt before a planned trip, it was impossible for you to sleep. Unfortunately, your sleeping problems are not today the outcome of an expected and desired journey. Problems at work or in the house keep your mind occupied and your body restless. Although you know how important it is for you to sleep during nighttime, you are convinced that you are incapable of entering the stage of dreams, especially when the thought that you must sleep and you cannot crosses your mind. Surpassing your present worries by simply counting sheep may help some but not you. You better come up with a better plan before visiting a doctor's office. First, take a deep breath and try to understand that sleep is your body's time to heal. A healthy body and mind can help you overcome all those persistent problems you have to face during the day. Stop putting on a fight and realize that bed time is your chance to reboot your body's batteries and revive your mind. Try to relax and always remember that this is a goal you can attain all by yourself. Changing You And Still Be You It is not considered a sign anymore to admit that there is at least one feature you would change if you were not afraid or if you had the necessary budget available. The "problem" of a weak chin or a funny nose to ears that stick out and breasts that are too small, can lead people from all around the world to visit their local or foreign cosmetic surgeons' offices and ask their professional opinion in redesigning their features in accordance to their ideal representation of themselves. The good news today is that cosmetic surgery of the face involves far more than just the basic garden variety facelift. With the vast variety of modern cosmetic surgery methods, most surgeries can be done as a day case under a twilight anesthetic and the results in most cases are in most cases more than pleasing. As cosmetic surgeries are quickly gaining popularity as an appropriate and rewarding lifestyle choice, many people are coming to realize that they need not be radical. Thus, it is of vital importance to speak with the surgeon of your choice and to ask as many questions as possible. Fighting your anxiety and fears from the very beginning is crucial for you to experience an easier and safer procedure when time comes. One needs to know that while some procedures are more drastic and invasive, others simply involve consistent maintenance. Thus, before one ventures into the realm of cosmetic enhancements, it's important to get first good impartial advice and ask for experts' recommendations, like from highly qualified physicians and surgeons. Alzheimer And Home Nursing Having had the experience of loosing my grandmother due to the Alzheimer's disease (AD) I have been really reluctant to speak about my beloved grandmother's condition for a long time with anyone else except her personal home nurse. This woman appeared to my child eyes as a representation of an angel, since she was able to take care of my grandmother who has always been taking care of me. Her love and devotion to her profession, made me consider her as the next Maria Teresa that one day I would proudly admit to have met. Today, after conducting some research on the subject of nursing, I understood that a home nurse taking care of Alzheimer's disease patient is a very difficult issue and it can be a huge burden. Especially if the nursing is offered by a close family member, this act of caring and love can become too hard for one to bear and can be too time consuming even for those we would love to take care of, like our parents. Thus, researching and finding a nursing home for those we love but sadly suffer from AD has to be a conscious decision. Preparing for such a crucial stage in one's life is advised by experts, who support that when one feels that there is not yet a need to do anything-grandparents or parents are still young enough-then it is time to start planning ahead in order to avoid a crisis situation later. Even if you may never need a nursing home, it is wise to act in a proactive manner just in case something happens. As many can attest, having to make a decision during a crisis situation can be an extremely difficult, stressful and painful process for everyone involved. Breast Reduction While women usually talk about performing a breast enlargement procedure some of the "lucky" ones decide to perform a breast reduction in order to gain some of the lost image and functionality by reshaping their size. In most cases, age deformations, disfigurement caused by accidents, or diseases, are the reasons why women decide to perform a breast reduction cosmetic surgery operation. Determined by her genes as well as by her weight and hormones, the size of a woman's breasts varies with age, height and frame. In fact, while some women develop particularly large breasts from early adolescence, others develop them later in life, during the menopause or following the use of HRT. In many cases, women with large breasts experience a physical and psychological discomfort. Thus, since women can feel very self-conscious and can become depressed about the size of their breasts, many of them resort to the solutions provided through contemporary cosmetic surgery practices like Reduction mammoplasty; generally known as breast reduction. Body And Water If the last time you entered your house feeling tired and stressed you immediately decided to take a shower or enjoy a long relaxing bath, you are familiar with the positive outcomes of using water in order to increase the well-being of your body and mind. Indulging yourself in simple pleasures associated with the use of water is known as hydrotherapy. Health resorts, like medical and sports centers or hotel and city spas, offer to today's stressed working individuals the opportunity to get rid of fatigue and anxiety by performing a variety of treatments based on water. Whether or not you are able to afford such specialized services, you should know that water is the cheapest and probably the safest way, apart from sleeping, to relax and rejuvenate your body and mind. Known from the ancient years for its amazing results, water use has progressed tremendously and its various applications are considered today the focal points of experiencing a healthy lifestyle. A Stuffed Nose = Possible Allergy For years, I used to wake up every morning with a stuffed-up nose. I used to think I had the type of body constitution that was naturally susceptible to colds. But I wondered why, despite all my precautions to keep warm before bedtime, I would still wake up with a stuffed-up nose in the morning. I always asked myself, I don't feel like I have a cold but why is my nose stuffy? I finally discovered the reason why about a year and a half ago. It was an allergy. Apparently, having a stuffed-up nose when you wake up in the morning is a sure sign of an allergy. So it wasn't an all-year-round cold after all. I was surprised. I always thought that allergies only affected the skin, but nothing could be further from the truth. Ways To Keep Fit With the high fat content and all the unhealthy ingredients in the American diet, it's important to take steps to ensure that you can keep in shape. In this article, we'll discuss some basic steps that you can take in your life to help you to stay fit. - Watch what you eat. Fatty meats such as beef, pork, and ham should be consumed in small portions if at all, and you should opt for low-fat dairy products to keep your fat consumption to a minimum. Skin Care Begins While We’re Young The skin care industry is a virtual goldmine. With more women and even men growing more aware of the need to care for their skin, the skin care industry seems poised to get even bigger in the decades to come. Already, the industry has shown a segmentation of various products that cater to specific market niches. There are cleansers, moisturizers and other skin care products for women as well as for men, and these are further divided by skin type or skin color as well as by age and lifestyle. Stem Cell Breakthrough We've all known about the potential that is offered by the use of stem cells when it comes to treating illness and disease due to their unique ability to transform into almost any type of human cell. The science has faced much controversy, however, due to the fact that stem cells are most often obtained through harvesting them from abortions. That has been the major roadblock in stem cell research - as of the writing of this article, President Bush has performed his first veto in order to halt stem cell research. New findings may soon negate the need for stem cells from abortions - scientists have recently used stem cells from the fat tissues of adults! This exciting breakthrough was discovered by the David Geffen School of Medicine, the Henry Samueli School of Engineering, and the University of California Los Angeles. The researchers took stem cells from fat tissue found in adults, and transformed them into smooth muscle cells! Smooth muscle cells are needed throughout the body in areas such as the intestinal tract and blood vessels. The very act of turning the stem cells into smooth muscle cells gives doctors hope that soon, we'll be able to take those cells and use them to help repair and regenerate organs that may be damaged in the body. Success Is Partly Attributed To Whiter Teeth Last time you opened the television to watch your favorite show you probably spent some time thinking how and why the successful people appearing on your screen managed to keep such a beautiful smile. Well, the truth is that most, if not all, who were not born with a bright white smile, had to pay a multiple expensive visits to their dentist in order to gain a whiter smile that looks better on the television screen or a photograph. If you are not an actor or a person who has to base his or her living on the way he or she looks, but you still want to be able to smile fearlessly to the crowds, then you should be aware that there is no short-cut to a brighter, whiter smile. Sorry to be the messenger of bad news, but this is the truth. If your wish every time you wash your face is to have a whiter, attention-grabbing, perfect "Hollywood" smile, then you should know that you certainly not alone. The teeth whitening products have come over the years to be a very serious business, as only in the U.S. an estimated ten million of people spend more than 1.7 billion dollars a year on tooth whitening products and services. Although years of coffee, wine, soda and other unsightly stains can be removed quickly, safely, and with minimal discomfort with the use of tooth whitening cosmetic services or products, one should be particularly careful of the method he or she selects and has to know the enemy before attempting to fight it. Nursing Did you know that there is a branch of nursing that is concerned particularly for people of all ages who are suffering from mental illness or mental distress? This branch of nursing is known as psychiatric nursing or mental health nursing. It is this branch of nursing that pays attention to such mental ailments as psychosis, depression and dementia. Psychiatric or mental health nurses are specifically trained to support other mental health professionals with their problems with patients. There are key differences between the scope of work of psychiatric mental health nurses and other branches of nursing. The Health Benefits Of Green Tea The tea category that has lately increased its popularity in the Western consumer market is Green tea. As the rest three of the main four tea varieties (white, oolong and black teas), Green tea comes from the leaves of the plant "Camellia Sinensis" after the process of minimal oxidation. Extremely liked for its taste and color in mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East, Green tea has become in recent times the focal point of research for its tremendous health benefits and has earned the attention of the general public. According to Chinese legend, tea was born by an accident. It was due to a sudden wind that some tea leaves fell inside the Chinese Emperor's kettle while water was boiling. When he decided to taste the unique liquid that was been formed, he was so pleased with the outcome that he introduced it to his people and explored the various processes that would enhance its taste and coloring. But although many people believe Green tea to be the less oxidized form of tea, the truth is that White teas are the ones less processed from all tea categories. But as trade developed and Chinese products were exchanged as commodities which meant that they had to travel greater distances intact, the Chinese developed a process to store tea for longer periods of time. During the Tang Dynasty, wild tea was gathered and then steamed on a bamboo tray, which helped grinding the tea leaves into fine pulp called "tea mud." Then tea mud was pressed and left to harden, later dried in the sun and baked to prevent it from rotting. Although these stages of tea process are not similar to the ones used to produce Green tea today, they remained popular over different Chinese Dynasties, playing a significant role in the developing culture of East Asia and transcended through time as a symbol of power and status. This is probably attributed to the fact that it was directly related to the royal times of the great Chinese Emperors. Lice One of the less serious but more irritating and embarrassing health problems to have is a lice infestation. Just thinking about them running around your head makes you want to start itching and scratching and, if you have lice, you know that once you’ve started on this itching and scratching, you’ll want to keep on doing it. They are a major turn-off and definitely not good for the health of your scalp. Lice seem like such small critters that you may thing they are easy to get rid of, but think again. Sometimes, we may try all kinds of shampoos or even try with our hands to rid ourselves of them, but it just won’t work. No matter how hard we try, sometimes they just won’t budge. And besides that, they seem to breed incessantly so that there are more of them every day. Celebrities And Plastic Surgery A lot of people are tempted to undergo plastic surgery but are afraid of what it could do to them if things go wrong. Perhaps taking a good look at the celebrities who have failed at their attempts at plastic surgery can show these people that they should be very afraid indeed. Here's a short list of celebrities who have undergone horrible plastic suregry, based on various published reports in publications and on the internet. 1. Michael Jackson yes, he tops the list of worst plastic surgery cases. Following a series of surgical procedures, Jackson probably now ranks as one of the scariest celebrities on the planet. He used to be a cute black child but now he resembles a pale ghost. You don't have to say a lot about Jackson and this topic because practically everyone has seen the dire results. Americans Have Never Had It So Good American families have never earned more income than they do now, according to a longitudinal study by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics which was released on June 30 this year. The study also said that American families have never spent less on necessities or enjoyed a higher standard of living than they do right now. This leads to one inescapable conclusion: American families have never had it so good. The Bureau labeled its report as "100 Years of U.S. Consumer Spending: Data for the Nation, New York City, and Boston," and it marks the first time that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has examined an entire century of data instead of just a year.. Watching Over Money You open it, close it, and reopen it at least twice a day. One of your most important storage devices, your wallet, has evolved over the years to an important financial tool and a personal journal. Storing receipts, bills, paper money, coins, credit or debit cards, your driver's license and even your local supermarket membership card, your wallet is perhaps the most important piece in your pocket or purse. But keeping score of your week's spending and managing to stay under your budget's limit, is something that needs more precise effort than frequently checking the amount of cash you have left inside your wallet's compartments. Special tools, such as software applications, most of them stored in the memory of an electronic device like a personal computer or a blackberry, are extensively used for similar purposes since they assist contemporary busy individuals handle their finances, apart from their daily schedules. But these types of technologies cannot work without the necessary feedback from their user, meaning that the data needed to configure the spending limits of a person have to be entered into the system-or software program-from the individual himself or online through their choice of financial institution -if the necessary permission is given and the application allows such information to be stored automatically into the system. Five Ways Towards A Balanced Life 1 - Force yourself to separate work and personal life: Social psychologists support that your ability to do a good job while at work depends on whether or not you have a home life that refreshes and restores you. If you cannot stop thinking about the projects you have to complete after leaving the office, try to create a mental filing cabinet. It would act as your actual project cabinet since you will allow yourself to sit down, open it and deal with your work worries. Then force yourself to mentally close the cabinet and do something else. You can try this on Fridays before leaving the office or each night at a certain time. The most important thing is to lock the cabinet before attempting to direct your attention to something less stressful. 2 - Avoid multitasking except while being at the office: A rather usual bad tactic today's working professionals suffer from is subconsciously taking the office habits -especially that of multitasking- home with them. It is not rare that people find themselves washing dishes or cleaning their drawers while phoning a friend or checking their mails. Living everyday in the overdrive has resulted in multitasking when one ought to relax. Although some consider this as a normal routine, our bodies do not. In order to balance work, play, and rest, try to write down five ways work blends into your free time. Then select one to focus on. If for example you tend to check your e-mails every hour while at home, cut back initially by half and then more until you get it down to once a night. By transforming mindless habits into conscious choices, you will limit your body's stress and gain control over your free time during the day or night. The Online Art Scene If you appreciate art, try searching for online art galleries on the Internet and you will be amazed at the rich and varied offerings that are available to you. The parade of art is more than just a display of great artwork. There are auction sites, listing of important art events, informative sites that narrate the history of the great artists of all time. And, of course, there's gallery after gallery of timeless and awe-inspiring paintings. A typical art website contains thousands of art pieces, while the more popular among these sites boast of stirring masterpieces in the hundreds of thousands. Meanwhile, other sites display paintings by subject matter, whether landscape, still life, figurative, impressionist or abstract. There are websites dedicated to showcasing the works of Pablo Picasso , Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh , Edgar Degas and the other great masters. Others focus on discovering the outstanding artists of today and are a God-send to young and aspiring artists everywhere because it gives them more opportunities to get that elusive first break. Which Is Your Type Of Art Form Art in Latin means "skill" or "craft" and it is generally accepted to be "the product or process of the effective application of a body of knowledge, most often using a set of skills, which from concept to creation adheres to the "creative impulse" of the maker." As centuries of art study reveal, art has taken many forms and has touched upon many disciplines. From the creation of a painting to the design of a video game, art is now a much more generic term used to describe many of today's human creations. Whether or not you consider yourself to be an artist or have an artistic nature as people often claim, it is interesting to discover that your skills and abilities can help you develop products or processes that could be characterized as a type of art form. Have you ever taken a picture, created a film, painted an image, performed in front of an audience -your mirror does not count- or even found a new way to use that old pair of jeans you have kept inside your closet? If the answer to these or similar questions is yes, then you are "officially" informed that you can consider yourself as a creator or better even, an artist! Even if this statement is not one hundred percent true, you got the idea. Contemporary Art In Contemporary Households In my point of view, contemporary art is absolutely present in contemporary households and can be recognized almost in every aspect of human life, since it has penetrated the way people communicate with each other more than ever before. Almost all-contemporary art forms have become the means through which personal interaction is described or the vehicle though which a specific message is accurately transmitted. Furthermore, increased attendance on art exhibitions, or substantial high levels of sales of various art forms, suggest that contemporary art is both publicly appreciated and highly understood. Human creativity, along with the need of expressiveness, can be present to any contemporary creation that critics would define as an artistic attempt. As Picasso, the great Hispanic painter, has once pointed out, "art is something that makes people move towards a certain direction in life, or even conceptualize things from a different perspective, which they would have never consider before, if an artful creation had not revealed its mere existence." Barbie The Queen Of Dolls It all started when Ruth Handler noticed her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls and imagining them in grown up roles. At the time, the dolls in the market were all baby dolls and the need for a doll role-model that would inspire little girls to think how they wanted to be when they grew up emerged. Ruth Handler took her idea to the executives at the Mattel Company who at the beginning refused to produce this female adult doll thinking that it would be a very expensive product with little market appeal. After a trip to Europe and a model doll ready to its wardrobe, Mattel Company decided to debuted Barbie in 1959. Since then, the Barbie Doll's popularity has increased and today, with over one billion of her lookalikes sold, the product line is one of the most successful in the history of the toy industry and, arguably, the icon of female beauty and the American dream. According to Mattel, every two Barbies are sold every second worldwide. The Omen Is Creepy But Not Classic The Omen is a film that was released on, of all dates, June 6th of 2006. This was a major promotional opportunity, due to the fact that the date in numerical format was 06/06/06. A remake, the original Omen was created in 1976 and directed by Richard Donner. These films were based off of a novel and the new movie was directed by John Moore. The film focuses on the life of a young boy named Damien who may or may not be the son of the devil. With heavy religious overtones, this film plays on our sense of fear by presenting a quiet, evil, and calculating young boy. The main conflict found within the movie is the disbelief of the boy's father that his son could be the son of the devil. It is a moral dilemma faced by the man, played by Liev Schriber and his wife, played by Julia Styles, who truly gives a performance that you can sympathize with. Toys For All Toys are not only for kids. Adults need the relaxation and the memories beloved toys can bring back to their memories. I still have in my room the Rubik's Cube which I managed only once to solve and numerous times I thought of taking off its colored rectangular stickers and placing each color on every side. I never actually did it because I was afraid of the consequences if I destroyed my fathers favorite toy. When I understood that solving the cube requires some planning and problem-solving skills, I was determined to succeed and I still remember the joyful screaming when I managed to "solve" its mystery; probably by accident. Since then, I have been catching myself thinking of my favorite old toys, like Lego and Playmobil, not very girly I know, and recapturing the times I was playing in our then common room with my brother. Toys are used in play by children, adults and pets. The difference a toy has from a game is that toy play does not have clearly defined goals; that is if you do not play with my brother. Today, huge toy chains, like "Toy-R-Us," carry a vast assortment of different toys for any age and background, covering the needs of children and parents. But while parents spend a small fortune on acquiring the latest model of their son's favorite car toy, the young boy will continue to play with the old one and although he will at the beginning be extremely happy with his new possession, the old car that misses a wheel and a door will never leave its bed. Why Is Saurons Ring Still Important Since "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy became a huge blockbuster hit, sales of epic fantasy stories, or also known as high fantasy stories, have tremendously risen. People with disperse backgrounds and interests, who have left the world of fairy tales to move to the real one a long time ago, found themselves visiting their local bookstores or ordering online the masterpieces of J.R.R. Tolkien, among other epic fantasy writers. Those who visualized how Frodo looked like prior to the release of the first of the trilogy films were annoyed with the hysteric reaction of the vast public. For them, epics or high fantasy stories are part of a literature world that one has to be induced and explore in detail and should not be seen as an opportunity to buy another trendy book to place on a coffee table. Whether you consider yourself to be an epic fantasy story expert or amateur, it would be interesting to know what epic fantasy stories are and be able to answer one of those "Trivial" game questions with confidence. Although the definition of Epic Fantasy is still a subject of debate between fans, critics, and scholars, it is rather challenging for a researcher to come up with a single definition that includes all the necessary meanings the words epic and fantasy convey. One of the most descriptive definitions found, stated that "Epic Fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy and very similar to high-fantasy where a seemingly average person undergoes many trials and ordeals which develop he or she into a hero capable of feats needed to thwart challenges of an epic scale. The story takes place in an imaginative world and often the setting is medieval in nature, complete with swords, castles, strange creatures and a magical system." What one can understand from the above definition is that the epic story's hero is not born as such, but life's events and misfortunes mold him or her to one, as the obstacles are surpassed and he or she contributes to the solution of at least one major problem. Playmobil And Childhood Stories Why medieval castles seemed so familiar in the history class for me and most of my classmates? Why some of us have a déjà vu when we watch films like the "Pirates of the Caribbean"? We have spent so much time assembling the Playmobil version of the castle, or making stories about pirates, knights, sheriffs and Native Americans as children and playing with the Playmobil spaceship, that sometimes we think that we actually have lived in all those places. For everyone who was a child in the 1980s and later Playmobil is not just the name of a toy, it is a legend. This legendary story of "Playmobil" started in the 1971, when Horst Brandstätter the owner of toy manufacturer "geobra Brandstätter", asked the -so called- "father of Playmobil", Hans Beck, then a cabinetmaker to develop figures for children. Beck spent three years developing what became Playmobil. His aim was to create a simple and flexible toy and as it turns out he could not be more successful. Playmobil, a 7.5 cm toy, with hands, which are capable of gripping and holding objects and a facial design based on children's drawings (big smile, no nose), was first presented at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg in 1974. The first figures were of Native Americans, construction workers and knights, while the 1973 oil crisis made it possible for Playmobil to be considered a viable product. Rising oil prices made plastics extremely expensive and larger plastic toys virtually unaffordable. Playmobil began to be sold worldwide in 1975 and had an unprecedented success. The Misinterpreted Code Dan Brouwn's mystery/detective novel "The DaVinci Code," published in 2003, has sold more than 40 million copies and its narrative was made into a script for the needs of the recently released Columbia Pictures film carrying the same title. This worldwide bestseller has been translated into 44 languages and is currently the sixth biggest selling book of all time. Can you imagine which one holds the first place on that bestseller list? Well, it is the Bible. By examining Christianity and traveling through history, Brown's book invites the reader to reconsider what is firmly believed for centuries now in relation to Jesus Christ's deeds and life choices. Offering a conspiracy theory, which is headed by the organization of Opus Dei belonging to the Catholic Church to cover up the "true" story of Jesus, the plot of the novel has helped generate popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. Teddy The Bear Even if you did not own "Teddy" as a kid, you most certainly had at least one stuffed animal that you carried around or described your day to when you got back home. Today, if you walk across a window shopping area and your eye catches "Teddy" looking at you from behind the glass, you will probably feel the inclination to get inside the store and touch its fur. Perhaps you will even buy the staffed animal, even if you have no kid to give it to, since some teddy bears have become expensive collector's items. The teddy bear made its entrance in late 1902, appearing in the same year in two different countries: Germany and the United States. According to the story, while President Theodore Roosevelt was at Mississippi to help settle a boarder dispute between that state and Louisiana, his hosts wanting to please this avid hunter took him bear hunting. But since the hunting was poor, when they finally managed to capture a bear, the President's hosts invited him to shoot the poor animal. Roosevelt's refusal to shoot the unprotected animal, was illustrated by Clifford Berrymnan's in one of his cartoons, titled "Drawing the Line in Mississippi." After it's publication in the Washington Post on November 16, 1902, a number of people were inspired by the image and Morris and Rose Michtom from Brooklyn, NY, decided to make a stuffed animal, a bear, in honor of the president's actions. They named the bear "Teddy's bear," denoting the close relationship between President Roosevelt and the saved animal. Their sweet, innocent small stuffed bear became an instant hit and the Michtoms founded the first teddy bear manufacturing company in the United States, named Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. Clerks II Garners, clerks film, arts, entertainment Cinematography is one of the man's efforts to portray to others, through the use of techniques that combine motion pictures and text, the world and the messages it transfers as these are understood by the artist. With the term cinematography, one today describes the discipline of making lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema use. Based on two Greek words, cinematography etymologically means "writing in the movement" and was introduced as a new technique to record images of people and objects as they moved and project them on to a type of screen. Combined with sculpture, painting, dance, architecture, music, and literature, cinematography is today considered to be the seventh art. It is very difficult for a researcher to find and pinpoint the one individual that could be named the "father" of cinematography, accepting that the word symbolizes a technique used for motion pictures' creation. But, it is apparent that man has experimented, very early in human history, with different methods that would allow him to record the movement of images. Very closely related to still photography, which has been a catalyst to the development of cinematography since the mid 19th Century, the technique that would allow images to be recorded while in motion has been extensively studied. One of the first attempts to analyze the element of movement with the help of photographic machinery was made by the British photographer Edward Muybridge in 1878. After successfully developing a new method of producing consecutive photographic images, he recorded the movement of a running horse. Through the motion pictures he produced, he managed to prove that there are instances when a horse is running that none of its feet touch the ground. Around the same period, the French physicist Etienne Mare managed to capture, also by using photographic machinery that could record 12 images per second, the movements of a flying bird. Clerks Ii Garners Decent Respect Clerks II is a film that was directed by the comedic mastermind Kevin Smith. Responsible for creating a host of irresponsible adolescent comedies over the past decade, Smith has shown his remarkable sense of humor to the world time and time again with his realistic yet kooky characters. Clerks II is no exception to the rule. Picking up where the original Clerks film left off, the film focuses on Randall and Dante, the employees of the Quik Stop convenience store and main characters in the first film. Little has changed in their lives, save the fact that they are a decade older; and now, they've found themselves working the same sort of irresponsible job, this time at a fast food restaurant known as "Mooby's". The film pays homage to Smith's legacy of recurring characters throughout the film; fans of his work will notice the guest appearances of several Smith mainstays. The film also adds a few elements on the last one: where Clerks I was shot completely in black and white, giving it a hip art-house feel, Clerks II is completely in color. And fans of Jay and Silent Bob, the notorious wisecracking drug dealers of the films, will be excited to know that the characters are back and in top form. All of the elements that pleased fans of the first film are here, with the characters killing time and lamenting over the woes of pop culture like they never left the convenience store. Top Toys Of 2006 We've just passed the midway point of 2006. A survey of leading department stores shows that children age 12 years old and below have diverse tastes and preferences when it comes to their favorite toys. The following are among those that have been frequently mentioned. 1. Garfield and Friends (Volume 5) Coming Across Applied Arts Unsurprisingly, since I am a fun of interior design, when I recently received an IKEA catalogue by mail I did not loose any time before scanning its colorful pages to check all the new styles in contemporary décor and the reasonably priced furniture produced by the Swedish giant. It was at that point in time when I realized that most of the designers portrayed in that catalogue's issue were in fact representatives of applied arts. Interestingly enough, my online search revealed that most of the designers I liked were in fact involved in one or more art professions. From architects to interior decorators, these people applied their design and aesthetics to objects of function and everyday use, generating what is today known as applied arts. The distinction between applied and fine arts is that the latter serve as intellectual simulation to the viewer, while the former incorporate design and creative ideas to objects of utility, such as a vase, a plate, a chair, or a garden table. According to experts, the fields of industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design, decorative art and functional art are considered applied arts. In the creative context, architecture and photography also fall in the category of applied arts. Art On The Internet Thanks to the dawn of the internet, art in America has experienced a renaissance of sorts, with new, talented and important young and aspiring artists making a name for themselves every month and with the long-suffering art galleries finally getting a taste of commercial success. The internet has made it easier for art connoisseurs and dealers to peruse an endless number of new paintings and check out the latest masterpieces that are on sale without traveling half-way across the globe like they used to. Today, an art collector can attend as many as three or four art auctions a day without leaving the comfort of his bedroom. In the past, he would have to criss-cross America and Europe for a week or two before he could attend as many art auctions. Vincent Van Gogh The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh has produced some of the world’s most popular, most beloved and most expensive paintings. Despite his great success, he was also known as a tortured, lonely artist who many felt was mad or at least on the verge of insanity. It is a testament to his immense talent that today, a century after he has died, the world still remembers Vincent Van Gogh. Of course, we have to acknowledge the fact that not everyone who remembers Van Gogh does so entirely because of his art. People also remember Van Gogh because of the story that has been immortalized in songs about how he cut off his ear and committed suicide because his genius was not recognized during his time. But the history books reveal that this may not exactly be the case. While it is true that Van Gogh had bouts of madness, it is also true that he his work was greatly praised by his fellow artists and radical art critics just before his death. It seems that the story has intertwined both myth and reality. The Battle Between Click And Brick Universities The role of contemporary universities is currently experiencing tremendous change due to the advancements in technology. Today, it is not just a matter of sound administrative decisions made by institutions, but rather a global realization that e-learning is a dynamically growing industry. Undergraduate and graduate students demand their universities to provide them with the latest technological tools available, so as to increase their efficiency ratios, elevate the quality of their studies, and acquire the needed business skills, which will later help them find the job of their dreams. For-profit or non-profit universities, among other things, produce professionals and need to serve their academic "customers" what they desire if they mean to stay in business. But, are all postsecondary institutions supposed to offer their curriculums through e-learning and what is the outcome of these technological "services" for the academic community? According to different scholars, as the industrial economy gave its place to what is known today as the "knowledge economy," the academic world was bound to be impacted. A number of alterations in the university's form, the consistency of its faculty, the demographics of its participants, the financial resources available, along with the political and social changes that have emerged, caused higher educational institutions to reconstruct their model and redesign their identity. Continuing incorporating these changes and fostering technological innovations has become a major challenge for academic institutions; who wish to keep up with the global pace, or even lead the future course of action. Internet usage and what has come to be known as the educational model of e-learning have created the grounds upon which various stakeholders argue in favor or against the proliferation of a vast variety of technology-based educational tools. Choosing An Online Degree Program College degrees have long been available by correspondence but with the growth of the internet, students can now pursue college degrees online. There are hundreds of schools offering online programs for everything from Masters Degrees in Business Administration to advanced degrees in the fine arts. Because of the large number of schools offering online programs, it can be difficult to know what to look for in a quality program. There are two basic types of institutions offering online degrees: Colleges and universities with physical campuses and online-only institutions. Online-only institutions do offer single courses, but tend to focus on degree programs. Colleges and universities with physical campuses offer both complete degree programs and single courses, which are often taken by on-campus students as well as online-only students. Do Interdisciplinary Studies Promote Collaboration Between Professionals All academic disciplines share a common and primary commitment to serving the society and working toward the ideal of education for all. Although each discipline has its own focus, the scope of collaboration and exchange existing among university students is today acknowledged by professors, organizations, and the society in general, as a prerequisite practice in a person's educational effort and as the necessary step one has to take before pursuing any type of career. Collaboration emanates from the understanding and appreciation of the roles and contributions each student brings to the overall academic experience. This article argues that the professional socialization an individual will have to demonstrate at some point in life is a direct outcome of this individual's ability to be engaged in a flourishing academic relationship with others inside or outside a class. Being able to work with a variety of people so as to attain a common goal is the first step for someone to demonstrate and advance the qualities and skills that will later be used in the development of a career. The success of a soon-to-be professional is linked with the educational and practical experiences this person receives while in school. Thus, it is rather logical for a researcher to assume that the greater the discrepancy in students' backgrounds is and the more diverse the disciplines one studies are the more productive the academic exchange will be. Contemporary interdisciplinary programs offer the advantages of both. Harvard University Harvard University is the oldest and, arguably, the most prestigious university in the United States. In 2005, the Times Higher Education Supplement and the Academic Ranking of World Universities both ranked Harvard University first among the universities of the world. In addition, the US News and World Report rankings placed Harvard at the top of the list in a tie with Princeton. Moreover, with a financial endowment of $25.5 billion in 2005, Harvard is considered the wealthiest university in the United States and in the world. Located at Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard was founded in 1663, incorporated as "The President and Fellows of Harvard College." It was named Harvard College in 1639 after John Harvard, a young clergyman and the institution's first principal donor. John Harvard, a product of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, left in his will several hundred pounds and a few hundred books to the college, which formed the foundation of its college library collection. On record, the first known official reference to Harvard as a "university" rather than a college was in 1780 in the Massachusetts Constitution. Astronomy And Kids During the clear night sky and as long as the city lights are not close or bright enough to interfere with your naked eye vision, it is always a good idea to grab a blanket and some candles and head to your house's roof or the nearest hill. Admiring the stars is not an exclusive activity kids are only allowed to perform, but it can be something you can share with them while introducing them to the unknown world of the universe. If your child has already looked up gazing the moon and the stars and has asked you all sort of questions regarding their characteristics, their special stories and the interpretation of their slow movements, you should invest some time during a Saturday night to take your kids to the countryside and show them the stars while they awe and wonder on how these "pins" are stuck on the dark sky and why they are not visible during the day. Introducing your child to the marvels above their heads can be a tremendously educative experience your kids will love to repeat as soon as possible. Even your back yard is an ideal place to begin the learning journey that can last a lifetime. But parents support that most of the times getting started is the hardest part of this process. The Misplaced Academic Values Based on endless discussions upon the usefulness of University degrees, it seems obvious that undergraduate and especially graduate students around the globe constantly wonder what the outcome of their efforts will be. Since perceptions and goals differ, so does the interpretation of the word outcome, especially when the complex issue of knowledge and academic performance is evaluated. Inside the realm of a University's environment, the outcome for most students is the actual value of their academic performance, the product of their intellectual exchange. Monetary or spiritual, the discussed value is usually interpreted as a product ready to be consumed by the private or public sector after the completion of the academic effort by the subject. But, is this interpretation a misconception, or the only outcome of contemporary Universities? Are students misusing the term or have they misplaced some of the values that used to govern the intellectual world? In fact, making more money Hand reaching a desired social status are the main reasons that drive prospective students to pursue a degree. Future gains are considered to be the basic motivation that urges people to strive for superior academic performance. Moreover, the fierce competitive environment of every discipline forces the individual to identify new ways of excelling and increasing his/her bargaining power before facing an interested employer. This capitalistic notion of today's reality has forced institutions to recognize the power of monetary gains and has made the academic world a microcosm of this obvious shift in values. Under this social transformation and having to deal with these strong socioeconomic forces, Universities are challenged to survive as intellectual entities. In this altered environment, the academic changes that many scholars have identified have transformed modern Universities into corporate agents. The Problem Of Illiteracy In general terms, illiteracy is an inability to use language -- an inability to read, write, listen and speak. Today, it is usually taken to mean being unable to read and write at a level adequate for written communication or at a level that will allow an individual to function at certain levels of society. In the simplest of terms, illiteracy is the opposite of literacy. In some societies, the standards for what constitute literacy are different from others. For example, some cultures believe that only people with skills such as computers skills and basic numeracy may be considered literate. This takes into account the fact that there are people who can add and subtract, but can't read letters as well as people who can learn to use a computer to a limited extent but may still not be able to read text. One example is Scotland, which defines literacy as: "The ability to read and write and use numeracy, to handle information, to express ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, as family members, workers, citizens and lifelong learners." That's probably as specific as you can get in defininng what literacy is all about. Do Contemporary Universities Suffer From A Type Of Cancer Biologists and medical practitioners have proven through extensive scientific research and testing that every living organism renews its cells as it gradually matures. If we accept Proust's metaphor that "a nation is a huge organized accumulation of individuals," then when cultural norms change so does the nation as a whole entity. Based on this assumption, a nation, a country, or generally any type of society, can be characterized by its critics as "sick" if its constituent cells change their previous status with unknown consequences. Under this realm, the crisis contemporary universities have been experiencing must be the outcome of the detected changes in people's values, norms, priorities and ideology. Thus, as the individual cells change their role, critics have denoted a new type of "sickness" in the academic environment, a new type of "cancer," which according to scholars like Miller and Miyoshi, has to be treated adequately before it completely destroys the institutions' primary educational purpose. Like a human organism is constructed by smaller portions of matter, the contemporary university is an accumulation of students, professors, administrators and many more stakeholders, like corporations. These groups share the grounds of an institution and strive to accomplish various goals. In the past, although different views existed and dissensus was present, the unity of the overall institution was not jeopardized. Unfortunately today, due to the socioeconomic changes fostered by the capitalistic hegemony, contradictory interests have divided the various university groups threatening unity under the broad academic umbrella. But is there something wrong with corporate intervention and why has it managed to create a crisis of this magnitude? Do universities suffer from "cancer"? Ivy League Education For many parents, especially those who reside in the northeastern United States as well as other places, the pinnacle of education is found in Ivy League schools. Their cherished dream and life-long ambition is to send their sons and daughters to these schools, believing that the higher standards of education and social connections available there will likely set up their offspring for life. They are impressed no end by the Ivy League, with its connotations of academic excellence and its reputation for social elitism, and with good reason. The term Ivy League can trace its roots to 1935, but the term really gained national attention starting in 1954 with the formation of the NCAA Division I athletic conference. With the dearth of professional sports at the time, people became rabid supporters of their favorite college teams and the Ivy League schools were no exception. Today, the term Ivy League is no longer associated wholly with athletics but with educational philosophy as exhibited by the country's oldest schools. The Protectionism Delusion Economists through years of study and practice have concluded that through free trade, based on the principal of comparative advantage, the world economy can achieve a more efficient allocation of resources and a higher level of material well-being. On the other hand, protectionism measures-barriers to free trade-lessen or eliminate gains from specialization. Trying to satisfy diverse wants, nations shift resources from efficient (low cost) to inefficient (high cost) uses. This is the reason why, instead of promoting competition, governments turn up to face monopolies that harm the economy and do not fulfill the consumers' needs. Furthermore, the costs of protectionism are hidden because trade barriers are embedded in the prices of goods. Thus, either due to misunderstandings of the gains of trade or due to political considerations, governments may impose trade barriers, with consequences such as higher prices, which can not be realized by the public at the beginning. Man Builds Inventing Machine John Koza has made a serious breakthrough when it comes to the computing power of today and our hopes for it in the future. Studying computers since his high school tutelage in the 1950s, Koza was a man who yearned to make advancements in the world around him. As a clear example of his ingenuity, he was unable to afford a computer while in high school, since the mainframes of the time took up entire rooms and cost far more than the modern day computer. To that end, John assembled bits and pieces from the gadgets around him, and with parts from old pinball machines and jukeboxes, he found himself with a computer that could accurately compute what day of the week a certain date would fall on. Open A Beer And Enjoy Have you ever thought how many of our senses cooperate when we decide to consume a cooling bottle of beer? Well, just consider that we touch the cold bottle from the fridge or over the bar counter, we listen to the carbon dioxide that is released while the beer's foam develops, we see the amber color of the beer poured into our glass, we smell the aromatic substances that come from the snatch block and of course we taste the distinct bitter beer taste that is associated with the contained acids and wooden taste of tannins. Enjoying a beer over a hot summer day watching our favorite sports game and cooking barbeque is one of the traditions Americans have become famous worldwide for. Blond or dark, beer is drunk cool or hot, depending on the liking, the traditions and a country's culture. Beer fanatics know well that the secret in drinking and enjoying the genuine beer taste at its best is to consume it fresh; that way the beer's aromatic substances are not yet destroyed and its carbon dioxide has not yet escaped. Sugar Substitutes - What You Need To Know A sugar substitute, or artificial sweetener, is a food additive which duplicates the effect of sugar or corn syrup in taste, but offers less food energy (calories). The latest dietary habits have introduced certain sweet, non-caloric substances, whose use has spread in the last few years. These sugar substitutes are considered as ideal by many people in order to control diverse metabolic disorders originated or aggravated by the ingestion of sugar, such as diabetes, obesity and arteriosclerosis. Moreover, the advantages of these substances are enormous, since they can replace sugar and quick re-absorption polysaccharides, making food more tempting without the extra calories of sugar. The reason why the food and beverage industry is increasingly replacing sugar, or corn syrup, with artificial sweeteners in a range of products traditionally containing sugar, is actually rather simple. Although the profit margins on artificial sweeteners are extremely low for manufacturers, they still cost the food industry just a fraction of the cost of sugar and corn syrup-which once was introduced by the industry as a low-cost alternative to sugar. In the UK, for example, it is now almost impossible to find any non-cola soft drinks in supermarkets which are not sweetened with artificial sweeteners, and a variety of side foods, like ketchups, mustards and mayonnaise are artificially sweetened. The Historic Roots Of Pizza Pizza is an oven-baked flat usually circular bread, covered with tomato sauce and cheese with optional toppings. All the basic ingredients of a healthy nutritional plan are used in this world-famous culinary product. From dining out to ordering in, pizza has evolved to one of the most loved food categories in the U.S. and around the globe. The roots of modern pizza come from the ancient Greek colony of Naples in Magna Graecia, which is the part of southern Italy. As early as the 3rd century BC, Marcus Porcius Cato, the first historian of Rome, mentions that people in that area used to eat a flat round dough dressed with olive oil, herbs, cheese and honey. Even in the city of Pompeii, archaeologists have excavated shops that resemble modern pizzerias. Since the tomato was not yet known in Europe, the ingredients of the ancient pizza were somewhat different, but the concept remained the same. During the 16th century, when tomato was transferred from the Americas to Europe, the poor area around Naples begun adding this plant to their yeast-based flat bread covering it with mozzarella cheese. Soon, pizza gained tremendous popularity among the Italian people and in 1897 the first pizza was produced for the U.S. public by Antonio Totonno Pero who worked as an employee at Gennaro Lombardi's small grocery store in New York City's Little Italy. Garlic Fights More Than Vampires Closely related to onion, shallot, and leek, garlic has been known for more than 5,000 years for its special smell, taste and healing powers. Throughout all of recorded history, people have been using garlic for a variety of purposes; either culinary or medical. It come as a surprise to some, but apart from its legendary powers to "scare vampires away," garlic has been considered for centuries a natural health improver that originates from a simple perennial plant. Due to its numerous components, garlic has been found to lower blood pressure and thus reduce the incidents of strokes, prevent hypertension, improve the human immune system, prevent heart disease -by enhancing the elastic properties of aorta in the elderly-increase the body's strength and energy levels, lower cholesterol levels and fight cancer-due to its high diallyl sulphide concentration. In short, garlic is one of the best natural healing herbs and culinary ingredients currently available. Pairing Cheese And Wine After taking my degree from the wine classes I have been following for a whole semester I do not consider myself to be an expert in wine consumption, but an amateur who likes to taste the unexpected. Our professor, a 35-years wine producer, was an extremely knowledgeable individual who managed to introduce a class of fourteen people to the proper wine drinking and the differences one should be aware of when tasting a new bottle of wine and tasting cheese. From the very first lesson, he served as wine and cheeses so as to familiarize us with the pairing of two ingredients that go so well together. In fact, as he supported, any season is appropriate for a cheese and wine party, particularly at this time of year where the need for a fast yet festive food and wine pairing is in order. But I was wondering which type of cheese should I serve with which wine? If you have had the painful experience of attending the pairings of the uninformed and well intended, you know that boxed wine does not lend itself to a satisfying experience, even with those American cheese slices. In the chemical additive competition, it would be hard to determine, in fact, which one of these produced that post-party headache. But wine and cheese go together for more reasons than meet the eye. First of all, both are products of fermentation-wine is fermented grape juice and cheese is made from fermented milk. Second, both can express "terroir," or the taste of the place from which they come-wine expresses the roots of grapevines, while cheese the milk of animals. If one adds their shared ease of preparation, wine and cheese indeed go hand in hand -one hand holding the wine glass and the other the piece of cheese to accompany it. Help The Planet While You Eat Eating healthy and at the same time contributing in sustainable development, is not a notion that cannot be succeeded with today's vast choices of food consumption. Actually, the people's need to grab something to eat, enjoy every bite and at the same time help the planet, has evolved over the last decade into a multimillion dollar business, as U.S. grocery chains, like that of Whole Food Markets, are offering organically cultivated and fresh products at considerably lower cost than before. "Green" convenience foods, which promote themselves as environmentally friendly, are now well-priced and their assortment of fresh or canned products are extremely tasty. Ready to cook pizzas, pesto sauce in glass containers, a variety of handmade pasta and chili, and apple pies are just an example of the choices a consumer has to taste the unexpected thrill of being environmentally conscious and stay within the household grocery budget. These kinds of stores have introduced another type of culinary experience and some carry their own brands that are well-prepared and approved by the FDA. Meals created with the use of organic ingredients that come in recycled packaging, offer to customers the opportunity of spending their income on foods that not only are healthier and tastier, but also environmentally friendly. The 10 Fullest Foods Let's begin by stating that there are no "good" or "bad" foods. No food exist that can make you thinner or fatter because you simply decided to try it. But what is true is that there are certain types of foods that have to be consumed in larger quantities due to their low concentration of fat and because they are rich of nutritional substances, in comparison to those that contain higher percentage of fats and low percentage of nutritional substances. The foods included in the following list were selected based on their nutrition levels and the amount of vitamins and minerals they contain. Some Facts On Bread During a recent trip to San Francisco I came across the most famous sourdough bread made in the U.S.; the San Francisco Sourdough. This bread has remained in production for nearly 150 years and combined with an amazing soup that is placed inside the bread, it constitutes today one of the most popular dishes of the West U.S. Coast. In general, bread has been around for centuries. Experts believe that its origins started nearly 12,000 years ago. As one of the oldest prepared foods, bread is dating back to the Neolithic era. The first breads produced were probably cooked versions of a grain-paste, made from ground cereal grains and water and shaped into loaves that were laid on heated stones or baked by covering with hot ash. Descendants of these early breads are still commonly made from various grains worldwide, with the Mexican tortilla, Indian chapati, Chinese poa ping, Scots oatcake, North American johnnycake, and Ethiopian injera all being examples. However, the earliest documentation traces bread to the Middle East, where Egyptians cultivated grains. They baked flat breads, which are still eaten today, for many centuries until the discovery of fermentation at least three thousand years ago. Southern Us Cuisine If you've never tasted Southern food , then you don't know what you're missing. But truth be told, chances are you already have enjoyed Southern food but just didn't know it. There's a distinct cuisine in the Southern United States that is best represented by Soul food, Creole, Cajun, Tex-Mex and Floribbean. Naturally, this food was heavily influenced by the cuisine of many groups that have inhabited the area throughout history, including African-American, Native American, British, Irish, French and Spanish cuisine. Food Is Innocent Any organism needs to be fed in order to grow and survive. Just like any animal, humans need food in order to receive the necessary energy with which they will grow and continue to function properly. But food has lately been blamed as the cause of obesity, and has been accused to be linked to a number of diseases and eating abnormalities. Fortunately for human beings, these accusations are far away from the truth. In fact, what mistakenly people consider to be the enemy is not. Food is not to be blamed because none of the food substances have a negative outcome if people do not oversize their food portions or eat without any control. Thus it is important to understand what food is and what can we do to balance our eating habits, without loosing in taste or variety. Food is any substance, usually comprised primarily of carbohydrates, fats and proteins that are consumed by all animals-including humans-for nutrition or pleasure. It is also widely known that almost all foods come from plants or animals-except water, salt, baking soda, fungi, and processes foods-and humans as omnivorous animals are able to consume everything. After developing agriculture and becoming hunters, humans managed to add to their dietary habits different tastes that came from mixing and matching a variety of ingredients to improve the final culinary result. But recently, the once healthy portions of food people used to eat have dramatically increased and due to lack of time and focus people are now battling with their dietary habits against diseases and various types of illnesses. Do Aphrodisiac Foods Exist Many of us have heard that sea-food excite the human senses or that walnuts and honey are the best aphrodisiac. But do certain types of food affect the human erotic impulse? Can specific food categories be the cause of the increase or decrease of male or female libido? Is there any scientific evidence that suggests some types of foods can help the sex life of today's individuals, or all these are just a legend that goes back to the ancient times? Although a balanced diet is considered today to be the best aphrodisiac, this article can help you spice up your life and answer some of your questions on the subject of aphrodisiac food materials. - What is the role our brain plays? Food On Tv For some time now I have been watching an Emmy-winning television personality and author who hosts at least four different programs on U.S. cable television's Food Network. Rachael Domenica Ray, has become one of my favorite culinary experts as her energetic personality and her smile have been enough to keep me in front of the TV screen to watch her teach simple recipes that she claims can be prepared in thirty minutes or less. Being an amateur cook myself, I was pleased to discover that she shared the same view that I have in relation to food measuring. As she emphasized, "it takes away from the creative, hands-on process of cooking." Her "eyeball it" expression has stayed with me every time I am about to experiment with something new and taste my efforts. Even though she has been heavily criticized for her appearance, her voice, her gestures and her energetic manner, I declare to be one of her funs, at least in relation to her recipes. Choosing The Right Meat To a person that does not commonly purchase meat, the deli counter can be a very intimidating place to be. There are so many selections to choose from when you are trying to find red meat, and many people don't know where to look when it comes to purchasing good cuts of meat. In this article, we'll discuss some of the common features of steaks to look for when purchasing beef so that you can know how to choose the right cuts for you and your family. First off, you need to understand the USDA's grading system when it comes to steak. There are three grades of beef sold under the USDA guidelines - Prime, Choice, and Select. Prime is the most expensive cut of beef, and it is usually from younger cows and features extensive marbling. Marbling is an aspect of beef that is important to understand. When small levels of fat permeate through the meat, causing it to have a ‘marbled' appearance like the stone of the same name, the beef is often very tender and consequently highly desired. It can be tough to find Prime USDA beef outside of restaurants, with only specialty butchers usually carrying the meat. The next step down in the quality of beef is Choice. Choice beef is the most commonly found grade in the marketplace, and while it has less marbling than Prime beef, it still tends to be desirable. Select is the lowest grade of beef, featuring limited marbling throughout the beef, usually resulting in tough meat that isn't very juicy. Make Eating Healthy Foods Fun Children everywhere in the world have an on-going love affair with junk food such as hamburgers, pizza, candy, soda and salty foods like potato chips and french fries. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a single child who has these same strong feeling for the healthy food that they need such as grains, vegetables, fruits and foods reach in nutrients such as meat, beans, fish and nuts. Fortunately, there is one tied and tested strategy to make kids eat the kind of healthy food that some of them may not want -- that's by making it fun. Delicious Cocktails To Please Your Guests When having a dinner party, a large aspect of its success is determined by the cocktails that you make available. You can really turn your party into a night to remember if you can expose your guests to some delicious drinks that they'll never forget. In this article, we'll relay some cocktail recipes that can surprise and impress your guests. A commonly-used twist on a classic drink is known as the "Purple Haze". Based off of the Long Island Iced Tea recipe, the drink gets its name from the famous Jimi Hendrix song since it is purple in color. While the drink shares many of the same ingredients as a Long Island, it features a distinct taste that provides a good dose of alcohol while still tasting delicious. To make a Purple Haze, you're going to need the basic liquors that go into a Long Island - tequila, rum, vodka, and gin. In addition, you're going to need the secret ingredient that gives the Purple Haze it's color - Chambord, which is a raspberry-flavored cordial. You'll also need a lemon-lime flavored soda and sweet and sour mix. Put Pasta Back On The Table Pasta has existed since the days of the Roman Empire and remains one of the most versatile cooking ingredients, as no storage room or cupboard should be without it. It can be combined with meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, or even a simple herb sauce to create a mouthwatering and nutritious meal within minutes. Most pasta is made from durum wheat flour and contains protein and carbohydrates. It is a good source of slow-release energy and has the additional advantage of being value for money. Drinking Tea The second most consumed beverage behind water is tea. Interestingly enough the 3,200,000 tones of tea produced worldwide come from only one plant species, named "camellia sinensis." But how a plant becomes a beverage? Tea is made by steeping processed leaves, buds, or twigs of the tea bush in hot water for a few minutes, a great variety of tea tastes, aromas and colors can excite even the more skeptical drinker. If you do like tea drinking, but simply never had the opportunity to learn more about it beyond the fact that you enjoy it, you should know that there are thousands of kinds of tea offered on today's market. Shades in flavor derive from the region of cultivation and the method of processing the tea leaves. It is the processing techniques that produce the four simple tea categories are considered the art of tea making. In its most basic form, processing is the taking of the raw green leaves and deciding whether or not, and how much oxidation (or fermentation) should take place before drying them out. Oxidation is the reaction of the enzymes contained in tea leaves when they are broken, bruised or crushed. The first category is that of black tea. Black tea is nothing more than the leaves of the camellia sinensis after being exposed to 8-24 hours of open air. After the leaves are picked up they are spread out to let the water they contain evaporate. You have probably witnessed it happening to a flower that is left without being watered. The foliage curls up and begins to dry. After this part of the process, the tea leaves are balled into rolls that encourage oxidization. When fully oxidized, the leaves turn into a rich black color. Tea producers then put the tea leaves into the final drying period before sorting and packaging them. The Chocolate Fantasy Chocolate is produced from the beans of the cacao tree, which originated in South America, and now grows in Africa, the West Indies, the tropical parts of America, and the Far West. Used as the main ingredient in numerous recipes, chocolate constitutes one of the most loved materials known in today's food world. Children and adults both appreciate chocolate's unique aroma, taste, color and texture and prefer it in comparison to other foods. The cacao beans, from which chocolate is produced, are large pods -once harvested, both the pulp from the pods and the bean are allowed to ferment in the sun. The pulp evaporates and the bean develops its chocolaty flavor. Later, the outer skin is removed and the beans are left in the sun for a little longer or roasted. Finally they are shelled and the kennels are used for making cocoa and chocolate. Health Food Does your kid often eat junk food? Chances are, the answer to that one is a resounding yes because, as all parents know, children everywhere in the world absolutely love junk food such as hamburgers, pizza, candy, soda and salty foods like potato chips and french fries. Like most parents, you probably want to wean your child away from junk food (or at least lessen his intake of it) and reinforce his diet with healthy food such as grains, vegetables, fruits and nutrient-rich foods such as meat, beans, fish and nuts. Here are some tips to help you achieve just that. The basic strategy is to make eating healthy food fun for the kids. You probably can even think of more ways to use this strategy when feeding your child. The Iron Chef Do you remember that old television series about cooking called “Iron Chef” which ran from 1993 to 2002? Since over 300 episodes of that show have been aired (and are still actually in syndication today), I’m pretty sure that anyone remotely interested in the culinary arts will remember that show. So, who was your favorite chef on that landmark cooking program? Chances are, you will select Chen Kenichi, better known as Iron Chef Chinese. Kenichi was the only Iron Chef to be on the show from start to finish. In addition, Chen won the Iron Chef competition 67 times and is now widely regarded as one of the great chefs of the world. Born on January 5, 1956, Chen is actually the son of another great chef, Chen Kenmin, who is known in Japan as the father of Sichuan cuisine. The Kitchen Hot Spot If you belong to those lucky people who have had the privilege of enjoying a warm breakfast or the happy voices of the family crowd gathered around the kitchen table, it is most likely that this cooking spot in your family's house brings back a lot of happy memories every time you enter its premises. Like many of you, my family kitchen has been the focal point of my life from childhood to adulthood. Although I cannot always recall with confidence, whether or not a conversation took place in any other room inside my family's house, I am usually able to remember the one that took place inside the kitchen. My cultural background evolves around food. When people in my home country decide to spend some quality time together, they usually do it around food. Asking a visitor if he is hungry the moment he enters our house is not considered rude or inconsiderate. On the contrary, this is a question one asks in order to make sure that the other feels welcomed. It is actually impolite not to ask if your guest needs to drink or to eat anything even before they are sited in the living-room couch. Although this practice made me wonder while I was a kid why people popped the "million-dollar" question after the guest has been comfortably seated, I realized as the years went by that there is a big difference between asking someone if he or she want to eat or drink anything from inviting that person to enter the sanctuary of the kitchen. The process of opening the door of the kitchen and letting the other person explore its content is saved to be offered to those who have successfully passed the line between "I like you" and "I love you." Even though my father, in particular, was the one that usually left the fridge door open to everyone's sight, the understanding that this was an act of goodwill was more than obvious. Those who managed to stay in the kitchen room more often became clearer to me as I grew up that were the people my parents really cared for and wanted to share their lives with. The Time When Children Decide To Spend Really Counts A variety of authors have written over the years what should be the amount of allowance a child is provided with or if a allowance should be provided at the first place. Different people follow different practices and the issue here is not what is better, but rather what parents consider to work best for their kids. The amount of money a child receives as a reward or a weekly stipend is not the only thing important. What I consider to be extremely important is the way kids learn to spend the money they receive for whatever reason since the responsibility lessons these practices provide will shape the children's character and will direct their actions for the rest of their lives. I remember one sunny day, while sitting on a bench in my home city's park and reading a book, that I was given the opportunity to become a witness of a rather unusual, at least for my experiences, event. As I was near a children's playground I was able to hear parents talking to their children and them screaming their answers, laughing and playing with friends. At some point, a lady came and sat next to me, holding a kid's bike. A few minutes later, I watched her son approach and asking her if she wanted anything. That made me stop reading and I raised my head to observe the child better. The boy was not more than ten years old and seemed a very pleasant and happy kid. He was looking at his mother, who was in her early forties, while pointing at an ice-cream selling machine a few meters down the road. I listened to her as she replied that the ice-cream would not be a good idea for neither of them at this point, since he was still playing football with his friends and he has been sweating. An ice-cream or anything really cold would probably harm his throat and he would not be able to speak later. The boy heard the reply and as this was not what he expected to hear, he decided to put on an unhappy face and beg for the ice-cream. His mother did not back up from her original decision and argued that since he is a big boy now, he could make his own decisions. But, since she was still his mother, she would not jeopardize his health by giving him money to buy something that could later trouble him. The boy then decided to follow another strategy and responded that he was going to buy as many ice-creams as he wanted with the money his dad has given him earlier during the week, as a reward for his school performance. The mother agreed that if this was where he wanted to spend his money on, she was not going to stop him. She just added at the end, as the kid was looking at her with a suspicious face since he could not understand why his mother agreed with his plan, that "in case you do buy the ice-creams you want now, instead waiting for an hour to eat the one we have at home, you will decrease the amount you have been saving in order to buy that special basket you want so much for your bike. But if this is what you want, I will not stop you." Gifts They Will Remember If your kid's birthday is approaching fast and you are searching the market for an idea that will excite your child and be memorable, you should better read the following ideas and avoid spending a fortune on an item that might be disregarded as soon as the packaging is off the box. - Books: Books on history, geography, literature, or those discussing hobbies and crafts can be an excellent present for any age. The musical or squeaky books can be given to smaller ones, preschoolers can receive short stories with coloring pages, older children will be happy to read an adventure and mystery story, and young teenagers are always interesting in examining something trendy or seeing the world-even through the pages of a book. Select the right book according to your child's interest and introduce them from an early age to the amazing world of books. Keep Family Traditions Alive Each family , big or small, loud or quiet, has its own traditions that are followed more or less unchanged for a long period of time. Keeping these family traditions alive is not only the responsibility of the parents, but also the grandparents, the uncles and aunts, the family friends and in most cases, the responsibility of children. Whether you consider a family tradition to be the annual family vacations to that special place you visit every year, the Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas presents and birthday parties, the fact remains that families come closer and share the memories of past rituals performed to honor everyone. When children are still young, so too are parents, family traditions seem to be more sentimental and involve a lot of playing around. As kids get older and parents as well, families try to keep their traditions alive by reaching mutual agreements among the family members. The son that wants to go to a football match and escape the tradition of having to sit down, like every other Sunday, with his whole ten-member family for dinner, can cause some trouble when allowed not to be present often. Keeping the tradition is thus not only the responsibility of the parents in a family, as people seem to believe, but also that of children who will at some point create their own traditions and strive to keep them alive in their own families. Understanding the importance of spending those precious moments with your parents or with your children, will lead you to cherish the instances you had a chance to speak through your actions.

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