Understanding How Eyes Work

Every day you look at objects, people, colours, words, numbers which all help you to understand the world. You might not often think about how your eyes work but they are an essential part of how we carry out our daily activities.

The eyes work like small round machines constantly working to help us see things. They are made up of little parts which work together and send messages to the brain. Light bounces off objects into our eyes to allow us to see them. 

What’s what?

The bits you can see: An eye is made up of several different parts. The parts you can see are the pupil (the black dot in the centre), the iris (the coloured area surrounding the pupil) and the sclera (the white area around the iris). These parts are all enclosed by your eyelids which are rimmed with eyelashes to filter out any nasty dirt or grime before it harms your eyes. In the corner of your eyes are your tear ducts. These are in charge of releasing tears to keep your eyes clean and to cry when you’re feeling sad!

The pupil acts as a little shutter to decide how much light enters your eye. If it is a very bright day, your pupils will contract (get smaller) to allow less light in. In darkness, your pupil will dilate (get bigger) to get as much light into your eye as possible. [Handy tip: Try looking at your cat’s eyes in daylight and then again when it gets dark to see how they change!]

The bits you can’t see: Over the front of your eye is a clear layer called a cornea. This layer is completely clear to allow light to pass through and reach the back of your eye where it can be sent to the brain to be processed.

At the back of your eye, there is a delicate layer called a retina (about the size of a postage stamp) which is made up of tiny cells. These cells are called rods and cones. The cone cells are found in the centre of the retina and help us to see things sharply and clearly. Rod cells are around the edge of the retina and help us to see things moving and in dim light. For example, imagine looking at a car parked outside your house. The cone cells help you to clearly see the shape of the car, the colours and windows etc. Next, imagine the car moving down the road at night. This is when the rod cells start to work. They help you to see the car in motion in the darkness.

These cells collect light signals and send them to the optic nerve, almost like a relay race. The optic nerve receives the signals and sends them to the brain to be processed and allow us to understand what we see.

Interesting facts you might not know:
1.    When an image is projected on the back of your retina, it is upside down! The optic nerve sends the signals to the brain where it is turned the right way up.
2.    All babies are born with blue eyes- ask your parents! This is because other colours such as brown and green take longer to develop. By the time you’re 6 months old, your eyes will have reached their final colour.
3.    You blink around 12 times a minute! You won’t even notice you do it but blinking helps to keep your eyes clean and moist to protect them from dust and dirt. 

It’s useful to understand how eyes work because they are an essential part of how we function every day.

Featured images:

•  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=eyes&ex=2#ai:MP900423034|mt:2|

Victoria is a blogger for glasses frames website, DirectSight.

5 Great Anti-Aging Tips That Don't Come From A Bottle~!!

Image by vmiramontes

Growing old gracefully is an idea that seems to have disappeared within the last few years. With the rise of plastic surgery and increase in sun bed users; it is easy to see how this theory has become lost in a world of leathery skin and stretched out faces.

1) Drink Water
The first tip for anti-aging is: never underestimate the power of water! Drinking eight glasses of water a day is proven to flush waste out of our systems and rehydrate the skin. Sixty four ounces is the minimum required daily, yet most people barely reach four. Another fact that goes hand in hand with drinking water in helping you look better; is sleep. Between six to eight hours is the average amount of sleep that an adult needs to function well, and look fresher as a result.

2) Exercise
Exercise is a simple yet effective anti-ageing tip that can cost absolutely nothing! Firstly, it reduces your risk of obesity, which in turn reduces your risk of heart disease and some cancers amongst other ailments.  It also is brilliant in reducing stress levels and improving circulation, which will make your skin look instantly healthier and more glowing.

3) Stop Smoking
The second leading cause of premature wrinkles is cigarette smoking. Smoking over a long period of time also leads to yellowing skin and rotting teeth. However, the leading cause of wrinkles is over-exposure to UV rays, with sunbeds being a leading cause of cancer. Sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 helps protect your skin from the rays that would make it appear old and leathery.

4) Eat a Balanced Diet
An important part of keeping your skin looking healthy by natural means is your diet. Oily fish are proven to help your skin as they act as an anti-inflammatory, and are also proven to lower the risk of heart disease. The high water content in vegetables will also help your skin glow.

5) Cut Down On Makeup
Something that may prove to be a serious problem to many women- but that would definitely help you stay looking young- would be to ditch the slap! Most foundations clog your skin, making you more prone to spots, as well as settling into wrinkles, making them appear more noticeable. Also using too many moisturizers to clean your face can actually do the complete opposite! Using a simple combination of warm water and soap can clean your skin more efficiently than all of those bottled cleansers.

Using all of these tips are bound to make you feel and appear younger. However, if all else fails, a sure-fire way to maintain healthy skin is to slip on a pair of dolce and gabbana glasses. Protect your eyes from the sun, and look great whilst doing it!

Do you have any tips and tricks for growing old gracefully? Share them in the comments below!

Charlotte di Placido is a self-confessed beauty addict who admits to spending the majority of her wage on products- and writing about those products for Valley Optics

An Environment for Bullies~!!

An Environment for Bullies

It has become evident, now more than ever, that one of the biggest deterrent to a child learning, is the very real problem of bullying. Children cannot learn when their focus is on survival and not an upcoming spelling test. In fact, any schoolwork pales in comparison to the threat a child feels every day when he walks into the cafeteria for lunch.

The Scope of the Problem
Recent statistics reveal that nearly 3 million students every year are bullied by roughly 2 million students playing the role as bully. In fact 1 in 7 students, from the time they enter school to when they graduate some 12 years later is either a bully or has been victimized by one. Strong evidence suggest that the most common motivation behind school shootings are revenge from being bullied. A staggering 87% of school shooting and other forms of violence is believed to be because of some form of bullying! In fact murderers are twice as likely as their victims to have been bullied, and finally, an estimated 280 thousand students all across the US are bullied each and every month. You cannot draw a more direct line from bullying to the problems children’s face in the school educational system.

The New Problem of Bullying
Back when many of us were children, the problem of bullying thankfully stopped once we were safely home from school. People do not write bullying letters or throw bricks with notes attached through their victim’s bedroom windows. Unfortunately our children today are vulnerable to bullies in a much different way. Bullies now have access to our children through the internet; a practice known as cyber bullying . Children today have access to each other through various social media platforms like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus, and Skype. Children also use basic webcams as well. While the prevalence of cell phones has also made our children more vulnerable to bullies, it seems that bullying pretty much skipped over that form of bullying in preference to online forms of bullying often called cyber stalking. Thanks to the advances of technology in our world today bullies have access to their victims 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can now attack their victims whenever and wherever and school administrators, teachers, parents, and police have been at a loss when it comes to preventing this enormous scourge on our society. If children cannot successfully regroup back home and get away from their tormentors, what can they do? Only 1 in 4 teachers see bullying as a real problem and therefore only report bullying a paltry 4% of the time even though a staggering 90% of children grades 4^th through 8^th grade report being bullied! Children and guns do not mix, especially when you throw bullying into the mix. Some studies even report as high as 75% of all school violence is due to bullying.

Forms of Bullying
Not everyone recognizes bullying when it is happening, and part of that is due to the fact that even though it is still very serious, not all bullying is so obvious and sticking another child’s head in the trash can in the hall. There are 4 types of bullying.

• 
  Verbal: This can be making threats, calling names, or anything designed to make another person feel intimidated and afraid.
• 
  Physical: This can be as mild as a shove in the hall or a swirly to violence with weapons or just fists. It’s the most obvious but not always the most serious form of abuse a child can be made to endure.
• 
  Social: This can be as seemingly benign as leaving someone out of games or other group activities or deliberately ignored. It can also be in the form of spreading nasty rumors about the victim. This is a very common form of bullying and can be severely damaging to the victims.
• 
  Cyber: This is using technology like chat rooms, instant messaging, instagrams, emails, and pictures to humiliate, coerce, and embarrass fellow students.

Prevention Starts in the Home
If you expect to be able to bully proof your child, you’re going to have to start before he/she begins school. The more you can do at home to create a strong independent child the better. The more you can do to build up his self-esteem the harder it will be for some bully to tear him down again. Keeping the lines of communication open between yourself and your child is important. The better a child feels about himself the less likely he will allow a bully to make him feel bad about himself. Enrolling you child in self-defense classes is a great idea. Do your research so you can find a school that shares some of your beliefs and views on handling school bullies. Any karate school you send your child too should not just teach the physical moves; that is but a part of the whole picture. Your child should be taught, and modeled respect for others and themselves. If they respect their minds and bodies the less likely they will allow others to disrespect themselves. While you cannot stop all bullying, you can lessen the damage it can do to your child.

If your child complains to you about bullying it’s important that you believe him. You can doubt all you want in your mind, but your child should only see you the protector that believes in him. Find out what is happening to your child and what he/she expects you to do about it. You may find that your child wants to handle things on his own and just wants your support. You might also find that you need to step in and exert your parental control and make sure the bullying STOPS immediately. Above all, listen to your child.

The Pain Ends Here
If you discover your child is one of the millions of victims of bullying it’s important that you send a strong message to your child. You must believe and act immediately. You can say you love and support your children all you want but you have to show it. The moment you find out, you need to make a plan of action. Many children do not want their parent’s overt involvement in their help. They do not want a knight in shining armor to swoop in and rescue them. Most kid’s school reputation could not take that much of a hit. Ask your child if he has an idea of what he would like you to do, then read between the lines. You know your child best and what he says may not exactly be what he wants. Trust your gut instinct and act on it.

Lindsay Holland is a professional blogger that provides parents and guardians with information and reviews for after school care programs and day cares. She writes for The Learning Experience, a leading after school program in Merrimack and child care center in Merrimack NH.

5 Unusual Liquors from Around the World

Throughout human history, alcohol has had a variety of different functions. Historically, alcohol was a revered product that was used in religious ceremonies and used for its medicinal and antiseptic properties. Today, alcohol is still used in traditional religious ceremonies but is a common drink for social functions and to unwind during a long day. Alcohol is also a complement to gourmet food to enhance its taste.

Alcohol is prevalent in almost every culture in the world. And these cultural varieties have contributed to some of the strangest alcoholic beverages. Here is a look at five strange liquors from around the globe:

5. Baby Mouse Wine – Yes, you read right, that is baby mouse wine. Baby mouse wine is believed to have medicinal properties in Korean culture. This wine is made by drowning three-day old mice in rice moonshine. The brew is then allowed to ferment for up to one year before consumption. According to local belief, baby mouse wine is a cure-all for illnesses that involve the liver and the lungs. 

4. White Gold and Platinum Tequila – In 2006, tequila manufacturer Tequila Ley sold a single bottle of white gold and platinum tequila to a private collector in Mexico City. The price tag for this unusual bottle of tequila is a cool $225,000. The white gold and platinum tequila claimed the Guinness World Book of Records for most expensive alcoholic beverage. This tequila is made from six year-aged 100 percent agave liquid. For individuals who can’t plunk down the $225,000, Tequila Ley also offers the gold and platinum bottle for $150,000 and the silver and gold bottle for a mere $25,000. 

3. Bacon Vodka – We love vodka and we love bacon. But the two combined together makes for an unusual alcoholic beverage. Seattle-based company Black Rock Spirits came out with this porcine liquor which they call Bakon Vodka. Surprisingly, Bakon Vodka is quite good. This vodka captures the salty and peppery bacon profile while maintaining the crispness of a classic vodka. It seems Bakon Vodka would be interesting in a Bloody Mary. 

2. Pulque – This alcoholic beverage is one of the oldest in history. This ancient Aztec drink is made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant giving at a milky viscous consistency. In Mesoamerica, this was considered a sacred drink that was exclusive to only certain classes of people. Today, it is a secular drink that is enjoyed by most Mexicans. 

1. Yogurito – The Yogurito is truly a global drink. It is made in the Netherlands and bottled in France but it is marketed for Japanese tastes. This strange alcoholic beverage tastes, smells and looks like yogurt but is not made from yogurt. This sweet and thick beverage is either drunk alone or mixed with other tropical fruits such as mango or pineapple.

Guest post by ezCater.com. The easiest, most reliable way to find and order Portland catering.

Is Latin Really a Dead Language?

It’s the common protest you’ll hear from children who have to take Latin class but just aren’t interested: “It’s a dead language! Why do I have to learn it if nobody speaks it?” That sounds like an argument that’s logical enough. But why has “dead language” become synonymous with “Latin?” And if Latin really is a dead language, why does anyone bother to teach or learn it at all?

Perhaps scholars and classical literature and history buffs aren’t so foolish after all. It’s true that people don’t speak Latin to converse on an everyday basis anymore, but does that really mean that it’s dead? It doesn’t. When you look more closely, Latin is far from dead, and it’s even coming back to life more than it has in decades. There must be good reasons for this, but what are they?

Historical Significance
Kids learn a lot of things in history class that are no longer relevant or significant, and sometimes they protest against that, too. But history isn’t considered to be dead; instead it’s intended to give important insight into the past so that the present and future can benefit from history’s lessons. Latin has great historical significance. It was the language of the Romans, and it was the language that was used to communicate so many things that matter today – like democracy. It was an important part of the history of modern civilization, so why shouldn’t we learn about it?

Modern Language
Most modern languages, like the romance languages of French, Italian, and Spanish, have their roots in Latin, as does English. We may not speak Latin today, but we wouldn’t be speaking the languages we do know without it. You can find Latin roots in so many words, and so learning Latin can help you better understand your own language. Knowledge of Latin really opens up the English language in a new way, and it can also help improve SAT scores. Latin grammatical concepts help you understand and improve your English grammar, too. People who learn Latin will no doubt improve in their native tongue as well.

The Classics
One of the most popular reasons that people learn Latin is so they can read lots of classic literature in its original form. Important authors and philosophers wrote in Latin, like Virgil, Cicero, St. Augustine, and Francis Bacon. When these works are translated into English or other modern languages, a lot is lost. Oftentimes meanings cannot be accurately conveyed, and the beauty of the prose is no longer present, which is one of the best things about them in the first place. 

Life After Death
People who are interested in history and classical literature learn Latin and use it regularly. If it is used so often, how can it be dead? Many more schools are offering Latin classes, and there has been a renewed interest in the language from people who want to challenge themselves and broaden their intellect. People continue to teach, learn, and use Latin, and it has many benefits, so it is far from dead.

Martin Olsson is a swedish-born linguistics expert who is an instructor of accent classes. He likes to discuss the origin of language and how language of the past can help shape current linguistic patterns.

Photo Credit: Txalteredart

How to Play Guitar in One Day ~ No Kidding

A beginner simply needs a good basic guitar preferably new. Music shops have experts who can show you the different types, make sure the neck of the guitar fits your hand, and the body lies across yours warmly and snugly. Making a relationship with a person in a music shop gives you some one to go to if you need a guitar buddy, someplace to hang out or you have gotten good enough to play with the best of the best. A music store offers those side services in a community plus they know the musicians in the area.

Here is a simple lesson to check if you are willing to learn and practice on this marvelous instrument. Be warned it will make you fall in love with it. You will play for every person you encounter because it will sound so good. You will see yourself as a talented guitar player.

Positioning the Guitar
You can play many simple songs with two chords. Today we will learn what I call “Baby C” and “Baby G7”. All you need is your first finger right after your thumb on your left hand. Then we must get you into the position. For beginners it is best to ease in by sitting down. So find a good seat so that your knees are slightly elevated above your hips. A wooden kitchen chair works fine. Place the guitar’s neck in your left hand, and its curve just below its sound hole on your right thigh. You may need to rock a bit to get your body in a relaxed position. Having a strap on the guitar that goes around the neck helps maintain a position for a very long time.

Where to Put Your Finger
Looking down the neck of the guitar you will see bars. On the guitar head are pegs called keys that tune your guitar. For the moment let’s leave those alone. After the head there is a space and then a fret bar. The guitar has six strings. Number six is the big old low noted E near your head. Number one is the tiny sweet high note E. For this exercise we will need strings 1, 2, 3. The 3 silver tiny ones that when plucked make melodic high notes.

Baby C and G7
In fret one right beside that first golden or silver bar place the tip of your first finger on string 2 and press firmly like when you are going to kiss your loved one, and you are bringing them close. Guitars like to be caressed like that. Strum only the bottom 3 strings. For the time being ignore the top 3 strings. Use a pick or use your fingers both work. Simply practice stroking down in a steady rhythm like your heart beat. This is “Baby C”.

Now simply roll your first finger down to string number one. Again only strum strings 1, 2, 3 and leave all those low strings alone. Now we are ready to practice switching back and forth, back and forth. Strum “Baby C” for four strokes and then roll down, and strum “Baby G7” for four strokes. Practice alternating the two for a while. Go slowly. We will speed up the rhythm later on. Then practice stroking two “Baby C’s”, and two “Baby G7’s”. Now we are ready for a song. Below is a link to a beginner’s book with simple songs for C and G7. Slash marks tell you what word to stroke on. With a little practice you will be playing 5 or 6 songs in a day. Enjoy.

Beginner Songs
http://www.susancanthony.com/resources/guitar/guitar.html

This post has been provided by Long & McQuade Canada's largest music store chain. Visit us online or in store for the latest drums, guitars, pianos and more. We also offer guitar lessons for all levels.

Online Marketing ~ Making the Web Work For You~!!

Online marketing is generally referred to the marketing of products and/or services via the internet.  It brings together the technical and the creative perspectives, including design, sales, advertising and development while delivering media along many different stages of customer interactions.

There are many various types of internet marketing:

1.  Affiliate Marketing:  This system rewards one or more associates for each customer/visitor brought forth by one's own marketing capabilities.
2.  Social Media Marketing:  Gaining traffic and/or attention via websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, just to name a few.
3.  Search Engine Marketing:  This system seeks to promote websites by increasing their visibility in the search engine result pages via the use of paid placements or inclusions and contextual advertising.
4.  Email Marketing:  This technique involves marketing a message to a large group of people using electronic mail services.
5.  Inbound Marketing:  Sharing information in order to convert prospective customers into repeat buyers using creative and informative measures.
6.  Video Marketing:  Creating commercials or infommercials in order to engage the viewer into buying or considering the information being presented.
7.  Referral Marketing:  Usually word~of~mouth advertising but enticing potential customers through referrals.
8.  Search Engine Optimization:  Using "natural" or "un~paid" search results to track and improve the visibility of a web page in search engines.
9.  Display Advertising:  Third~party website/bogs help drive traffic to a company via the use of web banners and/or banner ads.

As internet marketing is relatively cheap, it is easy for companies to reach wider audiences for just a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising campaigns.  As well, via online marketing, business see a quicker turn~around in consumer sales as they are directed to the product/service in real time.  

Internet marketers are able to track statistics and analytics easily and inexpensively given companies a better advantage of knowing what works and where areas are needed to be worked on.  Marketing campaigns can be measured, traced, and tested through the use of ad servers using pay per impressions, pay per click and pay per play/action type features.  This makes your messages and offers more appealing to the audience you are targeting.

Internet marketing can be a daunting task.  The PR numbers alone can be staggering to achieve without time, dedication and a whole lot of tenacity.  You need to ask yourself what it is you are trying to sell and how you want to make that possible.

Using a online marketing firm could be a viable solution to the task of promoting yourself and your wares and a basic marketing package can be affordable if you are serious about making your name and/or your brand known.  

**  This is a sponsored post for OrangeSoda, however, all the points and views are my own~!!  **

E~Mail Marketing: Mad Mimi Newsletter Templates~!!

Email marketing uses a mass~market appeal in delivering messages to a group of people using electronic mail.  Every single email sent to a potential or existing customer could be considered email marketing whether you are sending general ideas, ads, business requests or to solicit sales/donations.  Emails are used to build a customer relations that are based on loyalty and trust.  

Online resources such as Mad Mimi Newsletter Templates are used to serve the busy individual who has the data they wish to share but doesn't have the time to set up a proper email.  They allow users to not only create their newsletter on site, but also able to send and track HTML email newsletters/campaigns.  They offer simple and affordable solutions to your everyday mass~marketing needs.

In the blogging world, emails and its marketing value go hand~in~hand as blogging moms & dads pour their hearts into their worlds and share via emails their daily newsletters sharing with their public their thoughts, reviews and news.  Email marketing gives the viewer the opportunity to stay abreast of their favourite blogs current updates while maintaining a loyalty amongst readers worldwide.

Email marketing can be extremely important for companies for several reasons:

1.  Companies want an "exact return on investment" which can be tracked and has proven to be successful and is second only to search engines as most effective online marketing tactic.
2.  Email subscribers can opt to receive advertisers newsletters based on subjects that interest them.
3.  Over half of internet users check or send email on a daily basis.
4.  Digital marketers find email a popular and effective way to get their message out to the masses.

Marketing via email removes the financial stress of postal deliveries as well as gives you real time data in order to better manage your marketing campaigns.  If you are computer savvy and whipping up an email newsletter isn't a worry then kudos to you, however, if your like the rest of us and need a place to go that can easily manage and track all the data for you, then I suggest you shop around to find a online Email Marketing site to better serve you and your business marketing needs.

  **  This is a sponsored post for Mad Mimi, however, all points and views are my own.  **

Signs of Elder Abuse

Identifying signs of elder abuse is sometimes trickier than it may seem. Elder abuse comes in all shapes and forms. In additional to physical abuse, withholding essential care is considered elder abuse as is not providing adequate nutritional intake to an elderly person in someone’s care. Financial abuse is also considered a form of elder abuse.

To determine whether an elderly person is being abused, you must consider not only the physical manifestations of abuse but pay attention to non verbal cues as well. A physical exam of any bruises, abrasions or cuts and their explanation can give you clues to what abuse is happening. Is the caregiver constantly at the elderly person’s side? Does the caregiver answer for the elderly person? Do the explanations match up to the kinds of marks displayed? Does the elderly person seem to be of appropriate weight? Ask them what they had for breakfast this morning or dinner last night. In some instances, a social worker could be of assistance to help provide meals on wheels, food stamps or other elder assistance. Large bedsores are also an indicator of poor or negligent care. Pressure ulcers, or bed sores, are avoidable but require vigilance by turning and repositioning someone frequently if they are unable to do it themselves. If you feel that an elderly person is being physically abused, contact your state department of children and families to file a report. An agent will then be dispatch to perform an investigation.

When assessing for elder abuse, attention to non verbal cues is important. How does he or she interact with their caregiver? Is the caregiver constantly hovering over them? Does he or she flinch at sudden movement of the caregiver? If so, make note of this. Although not a determining factor, flinching, along with deferring answers to questions regarding home life could be indicators of abuse.

Financial abuse is as important a factor as physical abuse. If a family member is continually borrowing money to finance their own lifestyle, not leaving enough money to provide necessities such as food or medications constitutes financial abuse. This is found a lot when adult grandchildren take up residence with their grandparents. In addition to the financial abuse, theft of necessary medications is also a consideration. Theft of narcotic pain medications occurs frequently and with doctors becoming stricter with prescribing and refilling narcotics, having pain medication available when needed is just as important as blood pressure medication or insulin.

Caring for the elderly can become a consuming ordeal. What starts as good intentions can deteriorate over time with what is called caregiver fatigue. Caregiver fatigue occurs when a caregiver is overwhelmed with the level of care and attention an elderly person needs. This develops more severe over time with incidents of verbal abuse, refusal to provide care and ultimately, physical abuse. Most times, just as in incidents of domestic abuse, an abuser regains control of themselves and resolves to “do better next time”, with multiple apologies thrown in for good measure. Over time, the incidents occur more frequently and ultimately result in outbursts of physical abuse. In some instances, the caregiver has no other source of income or place to live therefore it is important for them to keep the elderly person in the home instead of placing them in a skilled nursing facility.

Depending on the state you reside in will depend on who is legally obligated to report abuse. All healthcare workers, whether in or out of a facility have a legal obligation to report elderly abuse. In some states, members of the clergy have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse. People who report abuse in good faith are protected from prosecution if their report turns out to be untrue. However, failure to report carries a fine and jail time in some states. If you have a suspicion that an elderly person is being abuse, report it to your state department of children and families.

Pete Wise is a Content Marketer. If you or a loved one has been involved in elder abuse and neglect, you should also seek an elder abuse attorney to represent you. An elder abuse lawyer can help walk you through what legal options are available and which course of action should be taken. If you liked the article, check out his site for Denver SEO: PeteWiseSEO.com

Top Inspirational Quotes From Influential People

“A well-cultivated mind is, so to speak, made up of all the minds of preceding ages.” - Bernard de Bovier de Fontenelle

In times of sorrow, grief, or stress, it’s not uncommon – or unhealthy – to be found in dire need of quotes reminding us of what life has to offer. Words of inspiration from esteemed men of the past like Martin Luther King Jr. and strong women like Helen Keller offer opportunities to pick ourselves off the ground and back on our feet, giving us a much-needed jumpstart to persevere and march forward when the going gets rough.

Resources like Hark.com exist all across the Web to provide a variety of inspirational quotes, making those profound words that much simpler to seek out and take in. All the same, we’ve put together a short-list below of the most inspirational quotes that have come straight from the mouths of some of the most influential people ever to grace the world.

• “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain.

Our lives are very much defined by the choices we make, but what is better to be realized, is that choices perceived to be “bad” can never topple the disappointing decision to do nothing at all. Twain, a man of deep contemplation and reflection, hammers this point succinctly.

• “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” - Wayne Gretzky

Nothing is more detrimental to the human spirit than a tendency to dwell on the past. Moving forward means not looking back, and exploring new territories, new options, and new additions to your lifestyle. Gretzky, who is considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time, began his journey forward at the ripe age of six years old, honing his early-age hockey skills in his backyard to later become an esteemed athlete, Olympian, entrepreneur and humanitarian worldwide.

• “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” – Helen Keller

The power of the quote is especially striking coming from the perspective of Keller, who faced the seemingly insurmountable odds of blindness and deafness by becoming a cherished writer and lecturer on politics and the value of life. This perhaps best embodies the unique ability of an individual to make changes and navigate life’s rocky terrains, even in the face of adversity.

• “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King spent a lifetime taking the higher ground on the issue of civil rights, serving as the antithesis of the Black Panther movement by protesting peacefully and inspiring millions through words rather than threats of violence. King hits home a crucial point that fire really shouldn’t be fought with fire, but water.

Author bio: this guest post is from Hark.com - an online platform for sound clips and quotes by famous people such as Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, Barack Obama and more.

DIY Projects Using Construction Pallets

Not everyone is cut out to handle a do-it-yourself project.  While many homes are equipped with table saws and sanders, it is not a staple in all homes.  DIY projects are great because they are inexpensive and create unique looking furniture.  There is a simpler solution to make your own decorations without having to go out and buy heavy machinery or learn how to use equipment without injuring yourself.  Pallets that are used to haul food, materials, and other products can be taken apart and can serve a completely different service.

Tables
A very easy way to make an end table out of pallets is to stack them together and place a top on it.  Plywood or Plexiglas will work well for a study top.  Another way to is lay them out side by side to elongate the table.  Legs can be nailed to the table top buy taking apart other pallets.  It is probably a good idea to sand down the pallets to keep people from getting splinters.

Wallpaper
A lot of rooms will have an accent wall that is a little more colorful.  Rather than coming up with an elaborate paint job, pallets planks can be taken apart and nailed to the wall.  They can be stained to any color to match the surrounding painted walls.  Instead of staining it, paint can be applied over the wood and sanded down.  This will make it look like the outside of an old warn out house. 

Shelves
Pallets can be cut to form a shelf.  Since pallets already form a container it is easy to go from pallet to a set of shelves.  The first step is to cut it to the size you want it.  The back should be the side that has less space between planks.  More space in the front will give the selves a rustic look.  After they are nailed to the wall, they can be filled with books, pictures, and other forms of art.

Pallet Projects
Do-it-yourself projects using pallets are relatively simple.  Construction mats have a unique look to them and create a fun and different center piece in any home no matter if it is rustic or modern.  Even people that are not good at DIY projects will be able to handle using pallets.  Plus the great thing about this material is that it is relatively cheap and can be recycled.  That way if you screw up, you will not be out very much money. 

Garnett Wood Products is the leading provider in mat construction and manufactures a variety of crane mats, pipeline skids, and other specialty wood products.  Garnett Wood can deliver its poducts all over the US.

The 5 Most Powerful Militaries in the World

cc licensed flickr photo shared by DVIDSHUB

Military prowess can be difficult to measure. Some forces are stronger in certain areas of national defense than others. All of the premier fighting forces in the world have nuclear capability to destroy the earth many times over, which no one really wants. The truth about contemporary military might is that it is generally measured by air superiority and quick-strike ability. Absolute numbers are not necessarily the best barometer, but a barometer nonetheless.

NATO
No discussion of military might is complete without discussion of NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO is a combination of national forces that are affiliated by virtue of inclusion in the United Nations. It is largely comprised of nations with nominal military strength and the United States. NATO has operated as the security force of the United Nations and has been augmented with the recent passing of the National Defense Authorization Act in the United States. The US President is now compelled to provide some sort of assistance from the US military if the United Nations calls for help. This could include the full military arsenal of all parties in the event of a global emergency and the combination would greatly enhance capabilities while setting distinct groups of allies.

United States of America
Easily considered the most elite fighting force in world history, the United States military is comprised of four divisions that work in conjunction and serve as subsets of the Army and Navy. The Marines are a subset of the Navy and effectively served as the infantry division of United States sea power. The Air Force is the most advanced technically of all branches and works primarily in conjunction with United Sates ground forces as cover and support. The United States Coast Guard is also part of the Navy alignment, but the Coast Guard is primarily concerned with national defense and support in coastal areas. The US military consists of 1.5 million active duty soldiers and the same number of active reservists, with another 4.2 million of military age. United States air superiority is recognized across the world, though there are a few other military forces on the international scale that would be formidable.

Russia
The Russian military was not disbanded during the re-structuring of the Russian economy from communism to a capitalistic model. Much of the same arsenal is still operational, not to mention the continuing maintenance and enhancement of its national military defense. Russia's current military ranking shows a total active force of 1.2 million soldiers with an active reserve of 750K and nearly 50 million fit to serve. Russia is not a member of NATO and often opposes United Nations decisions to implement sanctions and military intervention as a member of the National Security Council, as does China.

Republic of China
China is the leading national population center on the globe and has manpower options that the United States does not enjoy. Technology is America's claim of power. Though China is also advanced technologically, they have a much larger fighting force and over 600 million men fit for duty, though China is determined to maintain a volunteer force until absolutely necessary. China has an active military of 2.3 million soldiers with another 800K reservists, but the true measure of the Chinese military strength may be the number of available men fit for service and of draft or enlistment age in the event of conscription. The military has historically been a very politically advantageous occupation in China and is considered a source of national pride.

India
Many people do not realize that the Indian military is more prominent that often advanced. Indian troop levels include 1.3 million active duty with 1.7 million active reservists. India has been largely incorporated into the British Commonwealth for centuries, though they are an independent nation today. The economies are still connected and Indian has contributed to many international peace-keeping forces. India, like China, is also a population center and the number of possible military forces could make the nation competitive with any other nation.

Kevin Price is a career soldier and guest author at Military Degree Programs, a site with guides to the best military degrees.

Why Natural Fibres are Best

It's amazing that after all of the technological achievements we've seen over the past Century, we still rely on natural fibres for our clothing. Part of this is the abundance of natural fibres which makes them cost effective, but even with our modern technology, there are certain properties of natural fibres which we struggle to replicate with man-made synthetics.

What Makes Wool Amazing?

Wool is one of those natural fibres which successive generations have relied upon for warmth and comfort for Millenia. Natural wool has a host of properties which make it ideal for clothing manufacture, such as wool's ability to absorb moisture, regulate body heat and act as a superb insulator from cold weather.

Wool is actually even more amazing than that... each fibre has a natural 'crimp', which leads to clothing which traps air - great for really cold conditions as this is the basis for many modern fibre designs. A layer of still air is a fabulous insulator, which is why this is designed into modern insulated layers for mountain climbing, ski jackets etc.

The Humble Cotton Tree

Cotton starts life as a protective bundle or boll around seeds of the cotton plant (genus Cossypium). As these bundles are made from almost pure cellulose they make a great insulator and have a wealth of properties which really lend the cotton from these plants to clothing production.

Cotton is used in clothing by first spinning the cotton bolls into threads by teasing out the fibres from the boll and creating a continuous thread. This creates soft, flexible threads which can be woven into cloth using a manual or automated weaving machine.

The material produced exhibits some fantastic properties such as sweat absorbtion and cooling whilst allowing the wearer a degree of insulation, which makes cotton a favourite for manufacturers of children's clothing such as Scotch and Soda with their Scotch Shrunk range as this type of natural fibre lends itself to the types of activities children generally take part in.

What About Hemp?

Hemp is another natural fibre which has been used for clothing for many millenia and is again gathering popularity amongst environmentally aware people as it uses less water for growing than cotton and offers many benefits over other natural fibres, including the fact that hemp absorbs more water than cotton, is a more efficient insulator and also acts as a UV barrier so is great to wear out in the sun.

Hemp is actually made from the Marijuana plant 'Cannabis Sativa' so it's production is closely regulated, however this fibre has such a wealth of benefits that it's hard to ignore as a serious player in the natural fibre arena, such as offering the ability to produce hypo-allergenic clothing which exhibits a strange ability to fight off bacteria, requires very little in the way of water to grow and will grow very nicely without any pesticides or fertilizers... infact growing hemp naturally fertilises the soil for other plants.

It's clear that natural fibres, far from being a throwback to the past, will always be with us as they offer the sorts of benefits which man-made fibres cannot.

I Dream Elephants offers a great range of cotton and wool clothing from fashion designer Scotch and Soda with the Scotch Shrunk range of clothing for boys and Scotch R'belle range for girls.

Grab a Brazil Nut for a Healthy Heart

Nuts are known to benefit the human body in more than one way. A diet is said to be incomplete without the inclusion of nuts in the same. These nuts however are very high in calorific value and thus should be substituted with other high calorie contents. If this substitution is not properly executed, it could cause damage to the body. But when this balance is closely maintained, the presence of nuts in the diet can be highly advantageous. This is because they are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, all of which work in coordination with each other to improve overall health of the individual.

One such nut is the Brazil nut which has been known to reduce the chances of the heart disease. The study in this section remains incomplete and research is still being carried out to confirm the benefits, as well as the limitations of this nut. Some of the benefits of the nut have been successfully established, all of which help to complement the heart and make a person feel healthier in spite of a heart disease. Since heart disease is a global killer, the need for such remedies is extreme. The Brazil nut is known to have large amounts of copper, magnesium, selenium, niacin, and fibre. All these work together to bring the body back to its original condition and make the heart stronger.

• Copper: After many research studies and arguments, the uses of copper have been closely understood by scientists. Copper plays an important role in reducing the effects of coronary blockage and subsequent heart disease. The first findings stated that animals with heart diseases had less copper in their heart after their death. However the years of research helps to understand whether this copper deficiency was a cause of an effect. Copper has been known as a main component in heart health because there are a number of proteins, which are closely dependent on copper. It affects the physiological factor in the protein without which it would be impossible for protein synthesis to occur. This would put pressure on the body due to lack of nutrition, blood supply and energy, thus making the heart work more till it finally gives up.
• Niacin: This is a component of vitamin B which is widely used by the body to convert carbohydrates to energy. Without this nutrient, it is not possible for the body to withdraw energy from the carbohydrates in our diet. If these carbohydrates are not digested, they store themselves in the body as fats, and may also accumulate around the arteries of the heart, thus causing blockage and eventually disease of the heart. It can also help to increase HDL – the “good” cholesterol – in the body, while decrease the LDL as well. These changes in cholesterol level gradually decrease the risk of heart disease and death from the same.
• Fibre:Fibre is a kind of carbohydrate which cannot be digested by the body. It simply passes through the body system and is excreted. However the advantage is that it is highly water soluble. When it is passing through the body, it mixes with body digestion and excretion fluids, thus carrying foods and digestives with it. These water soluble fibers also carry LDL with them out of the body and bring the heart back to its original health. It has been established that every 10-gram increase in fibre content in the diet can help to reduce heart disease up to 27%.
• Magnesium: Magnesium helps to coordinate activities between the heart and nervous system by efficiently coordinating the two and maintaining steady rhythm. It also helps decrease the muscle spasm in the chest and heart, thus reducing angina. It relaxes blood vessels and allows blood to flow freely which reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
• Selenium: Selenium can effectively counter react with the effects of “bad” fatty acids called CHD and also modify other fatty acids in the diet which otherwise would cause blockage and weight gain. This effectively reduces the risks of heart diseases by reducing pressure on the heart and allowing enhanced health benefits.

All these benefits are coupled together to protect the heart from diseases when one consumes Brazil nuts with that motive. But it is crucial to keep a check on the amount of Brazil nuts being consumed because they would also inject calories and fats into the blood stream, which is not counter balanced with the other components of the diet, could simply prove to be counterproductive.

The post is shared by Jefferey Morgan, he is a registered dietician who is deeply involved in his field. He is of view point that what we eat has profound impact on our health. Visit his site to gain insights on bulk nuts and bulk almonds.

History of Shields

Types of shields

Used for thousands of years from all corners of the globe, shields have been a means of protection from attack by either stopping projectiles such as rocks arrows or bullets or by redirecting or slowing down a blunt hit from a sword, club mace or axe. Over time, shields became much more than a means of protection, and represented an allegiance or a social status. Although not as utilized as much in the modern world, shields still serve many cultural and practical purposes and hold major unnoticed roles in our day to day lives.

Early Shields

The oldest forms of shields were sometimes made of metal, but were usual constructed out of wood or animal hides. They often served not only in combat, but also as a means of shelter. Shields reached their height of importance during the early European Middle Ages, as shields were made out of small round sheets of metal. This immediate method of protection when linked together formed a wall of protection, and gave way to early forms of battlefield tactics.

Middle Age Shields

Over time, the simple small and circular shield was replaced by the kite shield, which led to the heater shield style which is often the prevailing image we have of middle aged shields. These shields were more durable and quite often these shields served as symbolic purposes, as they would hold the family crest or another symbolic image across the shield. The decline of the use of shields came with the entrance of gunpowder propelled objects. Although quite simple, and only capable of shooting one shot at a time, early rifles could pierce both shields and armor rendering them useless.

Modern Shields

Modern shields used today are professionally constructed and are usually intended for two purposes in the law enforcement industry. Riot control shields are made from metal and polymers, and offer protection from low velocity but heavy objects such as rocks, bottles and bricks. They are also an effective means for blocking or pushing back large crowds of people. The second purpose of the modern shield is for bullet protection purposes. These shields are much heavier and less mobile, and are made out of advanced synthetics that make them bulletproof or bullet resistant.

Non-Combat Shields

Excluding combat shields from the picture, shields are built and maintained to shield us from heat and harmful radiation. Nuclear power plants would not be able to exist with advanced shields to prevent harmful radioactive waves from entering our bodies. The same goes for lead shields used every day in dentists' offices and medical centers to reduce the long term damage X-rays have on the human body.

Citations:

• Image via Taifighta

This article was contributed by Pro-Tec Equipment, manufacturers and distributors of trench shields and other trench shoring products.

How to Get Rid of The World’s Most Common Pest

Due to their vast numbers, and proclivity to make large colonies near human dwellings, Ants present one of the greatest challenges for those who own a home or business when it comes to pest control.

Ants are not only incredibly numerous in virtually any region of the country, but there are also a large number of different species of Ants, each with their own behavioral characteristics and specific methods of control and elimination.

Determining the Right Control Method
The primary factor in categorizing Ants and deciding on a method of removal is what sort of food the particular species of Ants tend to seek out. Ants can generally be divided into several separate groups, two of which are sugar-seeking and protein-seeking.


These two groups are certainly not adequate to categorize all of the varieties of ants one might encounter, however they are sufficient to cover virtually all ants that attempt to make a home inside houses or businesses.


Other Ants, such as Fire Ants, are definitely a nuisance and can even present a danger to individuals who are sensitive or allergic to their bites, however they are unlikely to invade a house and therefore their eradication is best handled through other methods.


Getting Rid Of Them
When one wants to get rid of ants, it is imperative to find out what sort of food is attracting them or what sort of bait might be appropriate to kill them. The easiest type of ant to deal with when using baits is the sugar or sweet seeking variety of ant. Bait or other toxins that have been treated or mixed with sugar or any other sweet substance can rather easily attract them.


Ants that seek out proteins such as meat or similar substances are slightly harder to eliminate using baits. Some effective baits can still be formulated and used, however they usually must be used in conjunction with spray or other topical pesticide to ensure complete removal of the infestation.


Once the type of Ant responsible for the infestation has been identified, eradication is only a matter of making the home unattractive to them in combination with placing the appropriate insecticide or bait around the area in which their congregating. This dual approach will be the most efficient way to get rid of ants.


After the Ants that have invaded the house are removed, the key to preventing future infestations is to keep food out of open areas where ants could once again find it, and to apply any number of barrier products to the exterior of the home to kill any ants that attempt to re-infest the house.

The next time you see Ants running around your house don't pay for expensive pest control services, just do it yourself and save money. There are plenty of resources on the web to teach you how to do your own pest control. 

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BOOK REVIEW: Resumés For Children by Donna Kristine Manley

Resumés For Children:  17 Years Old and Under...Yes, Really!  A Guide to Giving a Child That Edge to Succeed!

Author:  Donna Kristine Manley
Paperback:  99 pages
Publisher:  Christiana Press (July 2006)
Language:  English

Resumés for Children is a must have for every household with children.

This book allows parents and other nurturers of children to:

Boost your child's self-esteem
Create a road map for your child to become a successful well-rounded individual
Bring out the positives in your child
Create an open environment for bonding
Learn your child's interests
Teach your child to be resourceful

A collection of children's sample resumés, cover letters, references and more.

Resumés for Children is a nice reference book to have in order to process a proper resumé.  I feel that even adults could benefit from such a book by either researching the different types or refreshing their own skills.

There are many different styles of resumés to choose from for almost every situation.  There is a huge section at the back of the book where you can make your own notes and jot down thoughts as you begin to build your portfolio.  As well, you will find a section on "Pearls of Wisdom" that will give you some extra added tips while you are beginning this journey in your life.

I would give Resumés for Children a three out of five stars.  While I enjoyed the book and think it would be a wonderful addition to your reference section, I just felt that the reader could've been given more tips and tricks.  Maybe a section in the book where kids could go to pick up books or go online to learn more.  I felt that half of the book dedicated to blank pages wasn't a necessary additive.  I would've liked to have seen the children add their thoughts via quotes and such to further enhance the books overall approach to teaching children how to build a resumé.  

While I feel more could've been added, I do believe this would make for a great addition to any home/school library.


**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **