Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall
There is growing concern about the safety of tap water, and it is understandable when you consider the chemicals used to disinfect municipal water and the microbial organisms that can survive such sanitation measures.
Here is a partial list of some of the common chemicals and life forms that may be present in tap water and how to test for them. Bear in mind that government regulations are not designed to keep all harmful microbes or chemicals out of water, but to keep these elements at acceptable levels. For some people, any amount of certain chemicals, no matter how low, is too much.
* Nitrite and Nitrate - These inorganic chemicals can be fatal if ingested by infants under six months of age. Babies who drink tap water containing too much nitrite or nitrate have trouble breathing, turn blue, and will even die without immediate treatment. Pesticide run-off and sewage (usually from leaking septic tanks) are the sources of these chemicals.
* Arsenic - This well-known poison is a favorite among storytellers and moviemakers, but its presence in tap water is very real. Ingestion of small amounts causes skin and circulatory problems, and the American Cancer Society lists arsenic compounds as a known human carcinogen. It gets into the water supply via industrial run-off and erosion.
* Chlorine - You probably are familiar with the smell of this chemical. It is added to tap water as a disinfectant, and can cause anemia in young children and problems with the nervous system. Some sources suggest that chlorine exposure increases the risk of cancer.
* Fluoride - Important for the health of teeth and gums, but ingesting too much fluoride can cause bone weakness and, ironically, discolored or mottled teeth in children.
* Bacteria - Bacteria such as Giardia lamblia can be found in tap water. This particular bacteria is associated with digestive upset and illness. Legionella is the bacteria responsible for Legionnaire's Disease, which is a kind of pneumonia. It occurs naturally in water, but tends to multiply in certain conditions, such as those found in heating systems.
* Viruses - These microscopic organisms can also make their way into tap water, namely viruses that cause digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.
This is a very small sample of the dozens of chemicals that may occur naturally, are due to industrial run-off or unsanitary practices, or are deliberately added to water for anti-microbial purposes. If you are concerned, you can test a sample of your own tap water. There are two main ways you can do this.
Kits - Hardware stores generally carry water-testing kits that can cost less than $10. The more chemicals and substances the kit tests for, the more expensive the kit (generally). You can also order a kit online, or from your local health department or environmental protection agency.
Professional Laboratory - You can also send a sample of your tap water to a professional laboratory that will analyze the water for you. Check with your local health department to find out where to send your water sample. They will also let you know how much it costs. The prices range widely, from $35 to over $150.
About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Dangers of "Potbellies"
Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall
Fat is fat, right? It doesn't matter where it is on your body, does it? Actually, it does. While being overweight is not healthy in any form, excess weight around the middle has specific dangers.
"Pear-shaped" individuals, or those who tend to carry weight on their hips and thighs, are not at the same risk as "apple-shaped" people. The fat on hips and thighs does not cover major internal organs, and in fact, fat cells in these key areas are essential for estrogen balance in post-menopausal women (the fat cells in the lower body convert "male" hormones into estrogen). But belly fat not only covers major organs; it can work its way between and among them, affecting their function and health.
Here is where the different kinds of fat make a difference. Subcutaneous fat is found directly beneath the skin, and feels soft and, for lack of a better word, squishy. The more dangerous type of fat lies deeper, feels firmer, and is called visceral fat. It is visceral fat in the belly that is the most dangerous.
Visceral fat lies beneath the abdominal muscles, so it isn't responsible for covering up your abs. What it does do is lie close to and around the major abdominal organs such as the liver, pancreas, stomach, intestines, and spleen.
While the only way to measure the exact amount of this fat that you have is to get an MRI scan on your abdomen, you can rest assured that a trim waistline is not carrying much visceral fat. And if you have a large "potbelly," it's safe to assume you are probably harboring at least some visceral fat, possibly dangerous levels.
So what is so dangerous about this deeper fat? It seems that the greater the prevalence of visceral fat, the higher the risk of heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
Type II diabetes is the type that comes on in adulthood. Visceral fat surrounds the abdominal organs, and the insulin-producing pancreas is vulnerable to the effects of this invasive fat.
Belly fat that is deep in the abdominal cavity can restrict the movement of the diaphragm, the sheet of muscle in the midriff that helps the lungs to function. Pressure on the diaphragm increases at night when the person is lying down, causing breathing difficulties that, when chronic, is called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is associated with higher risk of heart attack.
Heart disease risk is increased for those persons with potbellies. There is evidence that visceral fat stimulates the production of cytokines in the body. Cytokines, also components of allergic responses, cause inflammation. Inflammation has an effect on the arteries, contributing to circulatory problems such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com
The Affiliate Mini Mall
Fat is fat, right? It doesn't matter where it is on your body, does it? Actually, it does. While being overweight is not healthy in any form, excess weight around the middle has specific dangers.
"Pear-shaped" individuals, or those who tend to carry weight on their hips and thighs, are not at the same risk as "apple-shaped" people. The fat on hips and thighs does not cover major internal organs, and in fact, fat cells in these key areas are essential for estrogen balance in post-menopausal women (the fat cells in the lower body convert "male" hormones into estrogen). But belly fat not only covers major organs; it can work its way between and among them, affecting their function and health.
Here is where the different kinds of fat make a difference. Subcutaneous fat is found directly beneath the skin, and feels soft and, for lack of a better word, squishy. The more dangerous type of fat lies deeper, feels firmer, and is called visceral fat. It is visceral fat in the belly that is the most dangerous.
Visceral fat lies beneath the abdominal muscles, so it isn't responsible for covering up your abs. What it does do is lie close to and around the major abdominal organs such as the liver, pancreas, stomach, intestines, and spleen.
While the only way to measure the exact amount of this fat that you have is to get an MRI scan on your abdomen, you can rest assured that a trim waistline is not carrying much visceral fat. And if you have a large "potbelly," it's safe to assume you are probably harboring at least some visceral fat, possibly dangerous levels.
So what is so dangerous about this deeper fat? It seems that the greater the prevalence of visceral fat, the higher the risk of heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
Type II diabetes is the type that comes on in adulthood. Visceral fat surrounds the abdominal organs, and the insulin-producing pancreas is vulnerable to the effects of this invasive fat.
Belly fat that is deep in the abdominal cavity can restrict the movement of the diaphragm, the sheet of muscle in the midriff that helps the lungs to function. Pressure on the diaphragm increases at night when the person is lying down, causing breathing difficulties that, when chronic, is called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is associated with higher risk of heart attack.
Heart disease risk is increased for those persons with potbellies. There is evidence that visceral fat stimulates the production of cytokines in the body. Cytokines, also components of allergic responses, cause inflammation. Inflammation has an effect on the arteries, contributing to circulatory problems such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com
Sunday, April 11, 2010
How to Make Great Recycled Mother’s Day Gifts
Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall
Your mother probably taught you not to waste. You can show her that you listened and present her with a home-made Mother's Day gift made from recycled materials. Here are some ideas for recycled gifts you can make yourself.
Glass jars and bottles
There are all kinds of possibilities for gifts made from used glass. Consider investing in some glass paint; when baked in the oven, your painted design becomes permanent. Or, spray paint the glass first and use regular acrylic craft paints over the spray-painted surface.
Glass bottles and jars can be made into flower vases, candle holders, and pretty much anything for which you need a decorative holder. Using decoupage medium or white glue thinned with a little water, you can make a stained glass effect by pasting colored tissue paper pieces onto a clear glass piece. This is an especially pretty effect for a candle holder.
Metal cans
Once again using decoupage medium, you can paste pictures from old magazines, books, or newspapers onto any metal can destined for the trash. You can spray paint the can first if you like. Beads, buttons, dried flowers, and other items can be glued to the side of the can with a glue gun. Decorated metal cans may be made into utensil crocks, pencil and pen holders, or even flower vases.
Plastic bottles and jugs
Some moms enjoy feeding birds. Cut a hole into the side of a plastic bottle at least 3 inches from the bottom (2 inches if using a small bottle). Decorate as you like using spray paint, decorative paints, stickers, etc. Using wire or string, tie a loop to the bottle's neck for a hanger. Fill the bottom with birdseed. Plastic bottles can also be painted and made into vases or candle holders (the threaded top fits most dinner candles very well).
Cardboard boxes
Do you have a lot of little boxes left over from holidays or birthdays? Gather them up and make a jewelry box or organizer. Use a large, shallow box for the base. Into the base, set the lids and bottoms of various smaller boxes, filling the base as closely as possible. Glue the small boxes down inside the base and spray paint the whole thing for a uniform effect.
Paper towel or toilet paper tubes
You can make a desk organizer with these ubiquitous tubes. Cut both paper towel and toilet paper into varying heights. Paint each tube or cover with contact paper, fabric, etc. Set them all up in an arrangement with the tallest tubes in the back or the middle and the shortest ones on the outside. Then glue them together in your desired design.
Set the arrangement onto a piece of cardboard and trace the outline of the bottom of the tubes onto the cardboard. Cut out the piece of cardboard and glue the tube organizer onto it. Mom can use this for pens, pencils, paper clips, and so forth.
Go rummage in your recycling bin and let your creativity flow.
About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com
The Affiliate Mini Mall
Your mother probably taught you not to waste. You can show her that you listened and present her with a home-made Mother's Day gift made from recycled materials. Here are some ideas for recycled gifts you can make yourself.
Glass jars and bottles
There are all kinds of possibilities for gifts made from used glass. Consider investing in some glass paint; when baked in the oven, your painted design becomes permanent. Or, spray paint the glass first and use regular acrylic craft paints over the spray-painted surface.
Glass bottles and jars can be made into flower vases, candle holders, and pretty much anything for which you need a decorative holder. Using decoupage medium or white glue thinned with a little water, you can make a stained glass effect by pasting colored tissue paper pieces onto a clear glass piece. This is an especially pretty effect for a candle holder.
Metal cans
Once again using decoupage medium, you can paste pictures from old magazines, books, or newspapers onto any metal can destined for the trash. You can spray paint the can first if you like. Beads, buttons, dried flowers, and other items can be glued to the side of the can with a glue gun. Decorated metal cans may be made into utensil crocks, pencil and pen holders, or even flower vases.
Plastic bottles and jugs
Some moms enjoy feeding birds. Cut a hole into the side of a plastic bottle at least 3 inches from the bottom (2 inches if using a small bottle). Decorate as you like using spray paint, decorative paints, stickers, etc. Using wire or string, tie a loop to the bottle's neck for a hanger. Fill the bottom with birdseed. Plastic bottles can also be painted and made into vases or candle holders (the threaded top fits most dinner candles very well).
Cardboard boxes
Do you have a lot of little boxes left over from holidays or birthdays? Gather them up and make a jewelry box or organizer. Use a large, shallow box for the base. Into the base, set the lids and bottoms of various smaller boxes, filling the base as closely as possible. Glue the small boxes down inside the base and spray paint the whole thing for a uniform effect.
Paper towel or toilet paper tubes
You can make a desk organizer with these ubiquitous tubes. Cut both paper towel and toilet paper into varying heights. Paint each tube or cover with contact paper, fabric, etc. Set them all up in an arrangement with the tallest tubes in the back or the middle and the shortest ones on the outside. Then glue them together in your desired design.
Set the arrangement onto a piece of cardboard and trace the outline of the bottom of the tubes onto the cardboard. Cut out the piece of cardboard and glue the tube organizer onto it. Mom can use this for pens, pencils, paper clips, and so forth.
Go rummage in your recycling bin and let your creativity flow.
About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Composting is Key to Organic Gardening
Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall
Compost is a great tool for any gardener. It helps your garden hold just the right amount of water, makes it the right texture for plant growth, and provides it with beneficial natural organisms. While you can buy this type of product at the store, it’s cheaper to make it yourself. You also get the added benefit of knowing that you’re not just throwing your yard waste away; it’s actually doing something beneficial.
Before getting started on your compost pile, you should know what to put in it. To get good compost you need carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and water. Grass clippings from your yard provide carbon, and nitrogen comes from leaves in the fall. To make sure your pile gets water, build it somewhere where it will be rained on; just be sure it’s not completely soaked with water. Lastly, you can add oxygen simply by mixing the pile. If you can’t provide enough nitrogen or carbon to your compost pile, you can always add a little fertilizer. The type will depend on what nutrient you’re lacking.
There are two different types of compost piles you can make; the first is a cool pile. To make a cool pile, simply throw your clippings and leaves in the bin as they come and stir the ingredients occasionally. This is a good option if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to composting, but it takes about a year to get useable compost. You shouldn’t add diseased plants or weeds to this mixture because they can be harmful.
If you need your compost sooner than a year, you should try making a hot compost pile. Unlike cool piles, you need to have a significant amount of yard waste available to start a hot pile; at least 3 feet by 3 feet. This mixture will require mixing much more often. You can mix it anywhere from once every two weeks to once every couple of days. The more you mix, the faster you get compost. This type of pile will kill weed seeds and diseases because it reaches much higher temperatures (about 160°), but may also kill beneficial bacteria.
When your compost pile no longer resembles what you put into it, it’s ready to be used. Just mix into your soil for strong, healthy plants.
About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com
The Affiliate Mini Mall
Compost is a great tool for any gardener. It helps your garden hold just the right amount of water, makes it the right texture for plant growth, and provides it with beneficial natural organisms. While you can buy this type of product at the store, it’s cheaper to make it yourself. You also get the added benefit of knowing that you’re not just throwing your yard waste away; it’s actually doing something beneficial.
Before getting started on your compost pile, you should know what to put in it. To get good compost you need carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and water. Grass clippings from your yard provide carbon, and nitrogen comes from leaves in the fall. To make sure your pile gets water, build it somewhere where it will be rained on; just be sure it’s not completely soaked with water. Lastly, you can add oxygen simply by mixing the pile. If you can’t provide enough nitrogen or carbon to your compost pile, you can always add a little fertilizer. The type will depend on what nutrient you’re lacking.
There are two different types of compost piles you can make; the first is a cool pile. To make a cool pile, simply throw your clippings and leaves in the bin as they come and stir the ingredients occasionally. This is a good option if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to composting, but it takes about a year to get useable compost. You shouldn’t add diseased plants or weeds to this mixture because they can be harmful.
If you need your compost sooner than a year, you should try making a hot compost pile. Unlike cool piles, you need to have a significant amount of yard waste available to start a hot pile; at least 3 feet by 3 feet. This mixture will require mixing much more often. You can mix it anywhere from once every two weeks to once every couple of days. The more you mix, the faster you get compost. This type of pile will kill weed seeds and diseases because it reaches much higher temperatures (about 160°), but may also kill beneficial bacteria.
When your compost pile no longer resembles what you put into it, it’s ready to be used. Just mix into your soil for strong, healthy plants.
About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.affiliateminimall.com
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