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Winter stir crazy

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It’s winter here in Toronto and I’m starting to go a little stir crazy. I think I always do come winter since I’m stuck inside due to my illness (Crohns).

I guess I really can’t complain too much this year. We barely have any snow and we’ve spent most of the winter snowless. We don’t tend to get a lot of snow here in Toronto, but we have much less than usual this year! So yes, I could get out more often if I wanted too .. but it’s still kind of cold.

I think I’m going to pull out my old ellipticals that’s stored in one of our spare bedrooms and start trying to use it daily. At least I’ll be getting a little exercise and it will help take away the winter blahs.

Do you work out indoors during the winter – whether you really need to or not?

Green Tea Health Benefits

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If everyone knew of all the health benefits of green tea, the sales of green tea would spike immediately. The health benefits of green tea are important and substantial so people should consider making a cup of green tea every day a habit. According to legends, tea was discovered by a Chinese emperor about 5,000 years ago. This Chinese emperor was boiling water to the belief that it can become more potable and safer to drink. When suddenly a large gust of wind took over and blew the leaves into the water that’s boiling. By the combination of water and leaves, a brown mixture was fashioned. Reluctantly, the emperor discovered the mixture making a very fragrant aroma. The moment he tasted it, he described it to be agreeable. From that moment on, green tea was born. No matter how accurate this legend is, what’s important is that green tea have become one of the most popular drink in China.)


(More recently, the health benefits of green tea have been established by studies done by medical professionals and companies who produce green tea products. These studies do show that the health benefits of green tea can add to the longevity of those who drink this product.

Antioxidants in green tea are one of the main reasons why people are being enticed by it. By reducing incidences of increased cholesterol level in out body, it therefore reduces the body to experience hypertension and cardiac diseases. Studies also show that green tea can help minimize thrombosis formation which is also an associated factor to heart disease. When thrombosis goes into blood circulation, there will come a time when the thrombus will block the way of the blood that is supposed to go to the heart and this will compromise the heart with blood supply. Preventing thrombus formation is one very important effect of green tea.

Some say it’s impossible for green tea to affect bone diseases but the tea have proved them wrong because reports have it that green tea can prevent arthritis. Not only can green tea prevent arthritis from occurring but also eliminate the painful symptoms being contributed by the problem too. According to research on the
health benefits of green tea, it has a component that has the ability to reduce inflammation. Research also suggests that antioxidants have the capacity to delay any arthritic process that might occur and minimizing irritable symptoms as well.

Because liver is another agent responsible for metabolism, it is greatly affected by green tea. There is strong correlation of bonds between liver function and antioxidants. When the liver does it job, it filters the body from toxins and washes it away through excretion.

Toxins are referred to harmful substances that we gather through daily living like digested food, breathed air, consumed water, alcohol intake and even remnants of cigarette smoking. What green tea provides the body is stimulating and strengthening the immune system making the liver more capable of filtering every single substance that can be dangerous to the body.

Guide to Picking the Best Water Filter

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Deciding which system works as the best water filter in a home will largely be a matter of opinion. However, when making the decision, knowing what to expect from a water filter can help to make tht decision more educated. The type of water filter one chooses will also depend on the type of problems one is having with the water and the quality of water he is willing and able to pay for.

There are different options when it comes to water filters. Some inexpensive ones simply remove some of the heavier particles that are suspended in the water.  This is important but may be inadequate. The best water filters (and often the more expensive units) are designed to remove the smallest microbes. Using reverse osmosis technology, filtering out bacteria as small as .01 microns is not uncommon.

Hidden in a water supply are often found more than mere sediment. Water could also contain harmful bacteria. The best water filter systems will not only remove sediment but also this invisible enemy.

Naturally, the more a filter system promises, the more it will cost. But cost should not necessarily be the bottom line. Microbes can affect the taste, odor, and appearance of the water, as well as its safety. The best water filters provide the safest water. So to choose what is the right system, it is best that all sources of water used for drinking or cooking be tested. City water must meet a minimum standard for particulates. But well water also needs to be checked.

For many people simply having a water filter through which water is run before drinking can provide comfort in believing their water is free of contaminants. For others getting the best water filter money can buy will be a necessity. In cases where the well or water supply is heavily contaminated with bacteria, even the best water filter may not be able to handle the dangerous microbes in the drinking water.

The best water filters use a combination of filtering and bacteria removing technology. An adequate filter removes contaminants of .4 microns or more. Units that also kill bacteria usually use electricity as well. Water containing excessive iron may also have a sulfur smell. Filtering alone may not remove this odor from the water.

Water softeners remove minerals in water that make it work poorly in cleaning. But softened water passing through a water filter may extend the life of the filter cartridge itself. What is the best water filter system? The answer to that can only be determined when the water is evaluated, and the minimum acceptable levels of contaminants is established.

Berkey Water Filters are the best line of activated charcoal filters we are aware of. Check out the Travel Berkey Water Filter or another model. One amazing feature is that each set of filters they ship with can be re-cleaned to purify up to 6,000 gallons of drinking water.

Canine Training Tips

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Learning about dog training is the first step you take prior to actually training your dog. There are plenty of sources you can go to, but at times it just results in information overload.

Dog training isn’t really all that hard. An important thing to recall is that most dogs just want to make their owner happy. The issue is communication. Obviously there is a language barrier, and you need to get your pet to figure out what you want.

Canine training can be summed up with just a few tips. Lets take a look at some of the methods that I have used in order to train my dog, making both he and I happier.

Try to avoid the negatives that often come with training. Hitting or striking your dog, either by hand or with an object will only teach the dog to fear you. A stern verbal NO, is OK, but do not go any further physically, or you risk alienating your dog. Focusing on praise and rewards when your dog acts as he should is the better way to go.

Praising your dog will reinforce the correct behavior. Loving or petting your dog for acting positive behaviors is of course nice, but experience has shown better results happen when food treats are distributed at the time the behaviors observed. When you really think about it, food motivates humans, so to it works with our four legged friends.

Body movement can also influence your pet’s behavior. Many canines can actually can actually sense and read your body language before any verbal communication is given. A technique that works well in doing this is to match a verbal command with a particular movement of either the hand, arm, or even leg.

Refusing to give up is the final key to successful dog training. Sure at times it is frustrating. It would certainly be easier to give up, go sit on the couch and watch your Direct TV, but you need to be consistent in your training. Nobodys dog is going to train himself, and training always takes longer than you would like. It is so important to keep this in mind when things are difficult with your dog. Things won’t always fall into place, so don’t give up at the first sign of trouble.

Training your dog can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. Keeping these brief tips in mind will help you keep on track in your natural dog training efforts.

A small pond would be a great feature in our garden

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My husband has always wanted to put a pond in our back yard garden.

When we first moved in to our house we landscaped the front and back yards and we now have a lovely rose garden. Well … it’s not all roses, it’s a good mix of roses, flowering plants and greenery. It’s quite beautiful.

The only major thing that’s possibly missing from our little back yard oasis is a pond or fountain. I think I can make some room for a pond fountain somewhere near the patio where we can enjoy it.

I think I’m going to do a little research as to how to put in a pond and what we’ll need .. you know, things like pond pumps a liner and maybe some pond plants and surprise my husband with my new knowledge. Then, maybe in April or early May we’ll start putting in a pond. It will have to be a small one, but I know he’ll love it.

Have you ever built your own pond or installed a garden fountain? Tips?

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