How to Cure Acid Reflux Naturally and Drug-free

The symptoms of acid reflux disease, with its ensuing burning pains, dyspepsia, bloating, coughing, breathing problems and sleeping difficulties have become nearly epidemic in the United States. Between overeating, consuming high fat junk foods and going to chili cook offs on weekends, troublesome heartburn-related problems are stopping people in their tracks, and making many look for relief where ever it can be found.
Drugs and pharmaceuticals are available around every corner and at even the smallest retail outlets. But drugs and antacids are not a cure and can be suppressive, offering only temporary relief. As antacids and proton pump inhibitors wear off, severe rebound of reflux symptoms often occur leading to deeper disease states as time goes on. Fortunately for the majority of sufferers of painful acid indigestion, there are a variety of natural, drug-free treatments and lifestyle changes that bring both temporary and long term relief.

How to Recognize Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms

Hot chili causes acid reflux and GERD-stockexchange.com

Acid reflux symptoms, more commonly known as heartburn, can occur in anyone at any age, but are more prevalent in the elderly, overweight and people who experience high stress in their jobs or lifestyle. A painful and often dangerous condition if left untreated, severe heartburn can develop into a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD occurs when stomach acids regularly back up into the esophagus, primarily due to a weakened lower esophageal sphincter, causing damage to the lining of the esophagus. As stomach acids continue to erode the delicate esophageal cells, ongoing damage from reflux may lead to cancer and ...

Certain common signs of GERD appear first as warnings and should be heeded. Identify early signs of GERD to prevent serious esophageal damage.

How to Plan an Acid Reflux Diet Menu

 An acid reflux diet has been shown to reduce the burning pain, belching, bloating and chest discomfort typical of heartburn and acid reflux. Some people find relief by using occasional antacids, but long term relief from painful gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is best found by planning a menu and following a GERD diet, including all the foods you can eat safely and healthfully. GERD may develop in people who persist in eating foods that create digestive tract damage eventually contributing to ongoing erosion of the esophagus with the potential of developing Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal cancer. Eliminating those foods that are harmful may help reduce and control acid reflux symptoms.

Design an easy-to-follow acid refluxdiet menu to reduce painful heartburn symptoms FAST!

Creating Prosperity with Successful Money Management

"Practice successful Money Management? ...during these times? Right! And what about if I receive a windfall? How do I practice money management if I have just gotten an inheritance, a bonus or a large tax refund?? I just want to spend it!"


Successful money management in times of lack or when you are flush requires discipline and an unexpected monetary windfall can be a highly dangerous situation. More individuals and companies mismanage their affairs in these circumstances than at any other time. Especially when times are so tight as we have seen lately, it's easier than ever to forget good money management. Here's what you can do to hold on to that influx of money...

Five Tips for Wearing Womens Fragrance During Summer

Wearing womens fragrance has its own set of rules and is and art to do well. So many perfumes are heavy and cloying and when worn in the heat of summer can become even more so, not only for the woman wearing it but for others in the room. Women’s fragrance can be worn year long but there are a few things to remember when doing so in the summertime when body temperatures rise more easily than during cooler months. Follow these five tips for wearing and enjoying womens fragrance during the summer.
TIP! Choose lighter scents of womens fragrance during warm months. Citrus, light florals or fruity scents are not only more desirable scents during hot months, but can also be used as a splash when your really feeling wilted and need a quick pick-me-up from the heat. Lighter, airy scents of women's fragrances are more easily accepted by the public as well.

TIP! Less is better! No matter what scent of women's fragrance you choose, use less than you would ordinarily. The scent will still remain and the heat will add to your body’s ability to radiate the delicious women's fragrance but you won’t have the heaviness of too much perfume that so many find objectionable.

TIP! Apply differently than you would ordinarily. Instead of spraying fragrance directly on your skin, spray straight up into the air and stand beneath the cloud of perfume which will fall lightly in an all-over pattern on your body. Womens fragrance applied in this manner covers a wide portion of your body lightly leaving a lovely aura of scent wherever you go.

TIP! Spray or apply woman’s fragrance lightly to your clothes instead of your body. Fabric holds the scent longer and you can use less. Put a light touch of fragrance in your hair for a nice touch of scent which also will hold the luscious aroma longer than on your skin.

TIP! Place an old fashioned cloth hanky in your purse with a small spray of woman’s fragrance on it to keep your purse or tote bag smelling fresh. If you’re warm and use your hanky to wipe your brow, each time you will have the delightful scent of your favorite perfume to brighten your day and make you feel more feminine.

Do you like wearing perfume duing warm weather?

Pay for Ebay Items Directly from the Paypal Website

Checking out through eBay for purchases won can be time consuming and full of glitches, so going directly to Paypal to complete a sale is an easier and more streamlined method that not only saves time but still affords a buyer the purchase protection that comes with paying for items with Paypal. Although some folks balk at using Paypal as a payment method, it does have its benefits if one knows how to take advantage of the various features that a Paypal account offers, like paying directly for your eBay purchases without having to go to eBay to do so.

Finding a Professional Pest Control Company to Kill Cockroaches

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Finding a professional pest control company to kill cockroaches and other unwanted insects can save you time and effort as compared to using do-it-yourself products which are sometimes ineffective and often toxic to humans and pets. Instead of taking the time and wasting money on ‘iffy’ products with unknown efficacy, hire a professional pest control company to do the job thoroughly and keep your home cockroach free over time. Pest exterminators have developed numerous products for a variety of extermination needs so speak in detail to the company you hire about your needs and find out what they suggest for your given problem. Follow these guidelines for finding the best professional pest exterminator for your needs...

How to Provide Homeopathic Pet Care for Rescue Animals

Offering shelter and pet care to lost, injured or feral animals is often accompanied by confusion on the part of the rescuer as to how to help animals adjust to human interaction and unknown environments. Although the information presented here can be used as an adjunct to pet care for any kind of rescue animal, this article will focus on rescue cats and dogs.

Using homeopathic medicine for pet care in all animals has proven to be extremely effective and gentle. Rescue cats and dogs accept treatment readily and the changes in their natures and temperaments are often profound. It’s especially helpful to use homeopathic pet care on young animals to treat them for fear and shock and other common, non-life-threatening conditions when first rescued.

The suggestions offered for homeopathic pet care are not meant to be a substitute for good veterinary medical care for rescue cats and dogs, rather adjunct therapies to assist the animal to settle in after being captured. The information offered in this article is for educational and informational purposes only.

1. The first remedy to give is Arnica when helping a newly rescued cat or dog adjust to receiving pet care. Arnica also known as Arnica Montana is primarily used for injuries, bruises, bleeding and trauma on all levels. Bringing a cat or dog in who may have been abandoned, injured, half starved, overheated or half frozen comprises various aspects of shock and trauma. Give Arnica several times over the first two days along with other pet care provided depending on the severity of symptoms. See my accompanying article on how to dose animals with homeopathic remedies.

2. Also administer several doses of Aconite for fear. Any animal rescued will be fearful of new circumstances and if feral will surely be terrified of humans. Once captured, pet care for these animals should initially be aimed at reducing fear, shock, treating minor injuries and helping the cat or dog adjust to its new surroundings. Aconite should be part of a solid pet care plan and can also be given several times a day in the first few days to help the rescue cat or dog feel safer and more comfortable.

If a rescued animal is severely injured give low potencies of Arnica and Aconite alternating every 5-10 minutes and take the cat or dog to a veterinary hospital for treatment. The homeopathic remedies administered during early stages of pet care will help the animal recover more readily from the injury and endure surgery if necessary.

3. Remove fleas and ticks and check for ear mites if the cat or dog can be handled. Flea removal is always a challenge in any pet care routine and I’ve offered some suggestions in my articles on natural flea and tick control. See below for resources. If unsure how to remove ticks, leave this for someone more experienced or a vet.

If the animal is a rescue kitten or puppy, fleas may be able to be removed with tweezers especially from the head and face where it is more difficult to use a flea comb. For any cat or dog that will let itself be handled, pull a fine tooth flea comb through the fur repeatedly. Have a bowl of soapy water mixed with a little alcohol or vinegar near by and as fleas are pulled from the coat place the comb, fur and all, quickly into the water to drown them.

4. Administer homeopathic Pulex during pet care treatments to help reduce allergic reactions to flea bites and strengthen the cat or dog’s system against experiencing any onslaught of fleas.

5. Use homeopathic Belladonna in your pet care regime if a rescue cat or dog tries to bite or snaps while being handled. Repeat remedy several times for a day or two to remove the inclination to bite. Homeopathic Belladonna helps to remove side effects and stop biting in an animal who has been given a rabies vaccine during a catch and release pet care program or an abandoned cat or dog who was vaccinated. If an animal is actually showing active rabies symptoms do not attempt to handle and if accidentally bitten by what appears to be a rabid animal, seek medical help immediately.

Belladonna can also be included in pet care after an animal has been adopted and vaccinated by a vet. To reduce any possible side effects from the vaccine give Belladonna three times a day for three days starting one week after receiving the vaccine. See resource section for my article on how to recognize side effects and symptoms of rabies in pets.

6. Administer homeopathic remedies during pet care in one of several ways. If the rescue cat or dog will let you handle it, mix the remedy as I have described in my article on dosing pets with homeopathic remedies and place directly into the mouth with a dropper or syringe or dribble a little on it’s front paws. If the rescue animal won’t allow itself to be handled put a few drops of remedy directly into the water bowl or on a small amount of food at first and after the cat eats it, give additional food. Stay present to be sure the remedy is ingested.

See my article on How to Administer Homeopathic Remedies to Animals for specific directions for dosing your animals with remedies.

Tips

• Homeopathic remedies for pet care and treatment of rescue animals can be found at local health stores or online through reputable homeopathic pharmacies. See resources below for recommendations

Warning

• Do not attempt to handle or administer any pet care to any animal that appears to have rabies. Contact animal control for proper pet care provisions. If bitten by an animal that is exhibiting rabies symptoms get medical help immediately.

What you need

• Homeopathic remedy kit for veterinary pet care
• Individual homeopathic remedies:
• Arnica
• Aconite
• Pulex
• Belladonna

How to Administer Homeopathic Remedies to Animals

When used cautiously and knowledgeably , homeopathic remedies can be an excellent way to treat rescue animals and your pets at home. Generally homeopathic remedies will not create side effects or unnecessary problems if given in the correct potency and dose. The potency is the strength of the remedy and the dose is quantity, both often being confused with one another. In most cases what is most important in avoiding side effects is the size of the dose. When given correctly, homeopathic remedies will gently and rapidly resolve many ailments both mental and physical and do it without aggravations and side effects.

This article will teach you how to care for rescue animals and your own pets at home using homeopathic remedies. Here we will focus on the proper dose and method for administering the remedies. The following suggestions for using homeopathic remedies are for educational purposes.

Most homeopathic remedies are available at local health food stores or online homeopathic pharmacies and come in solid forms called globules, pillules or tablets.

1. Purchase the correct homeopathic remedy for the situation at hand. A homeopathic practitioner or homeopathic reference book will indicate which remedy and what potency to use for various ailments.

2. Fill a 1 ounce glass dropper bottle approximately half full of distilled or high quality bottled water.

3. Dissolve one larger globule or tablet in the water. If using tablets crush first with a spoon between two pieces of wax paper or in a plastic baggie and shake into the water. Do not touch the dry remedy with your hands. Shake the solid remedy into the cap of its container and then place in the water. If you have the poppy seed sized pillules place 3-5 in the water. Use tweezers to transfer dry remedy if necessary. Wait for remedy to dissolve completely.

4. If you need to preserve the homeopathic remedy for future use for more than one day, add some high volume alcohol like Vodka, Everclear or Brandy. The amount will be about ¼ of the glass dropper bottle volume, about ¼ ounce.

5. Cover the homeopathic remedy and keep in a cool, dark cabinet that doesn’t contain any substance with strong odors. Do not refrigerate. This stock remedy is called the medicinal solution.

6. To administer homeopathic remedies to animals, add to a glass about 2-3 ounces of water. This is called a dilution cup. Add 3-5 drops of the homeopathic remedy you made earlier from medicinal solution bottle. Stir lightly. This will remove the taste of alcohol and reduce the size of the dose mitigating aggravations. In an extremely sensitive animal, extra dilution cups may be added on the advice of your practitioner.

7. Using an eyedropper or syringe remove a small quantity of the diluted homeopathic remedy from the glass and dribble a few drops onto your pet’s lips or into his mouth. Do not touch the dropper to the animal’s lips or mouth due to avoid contaminating the remedy.

8. If you are unable to give the homeopathic remedy directly to the animal, place the dose on top of a small portion of food and wait to be sure the animal ingests it.

9. Repeat remedy as required under the supervision of a homeopathic practitioner or other well informed source.

10. If repetition is necessary, before doing so, hold the medicinal dilution bottle in one and firmly slap the bottom of the bottle while giving it a good shake on the palm of the other hand about 5 times. Then follow the steps above to make another repetition. Do this action called succussing in between each dose to slightly alter the potency of the homeopathic remedy making it more effective.

Tips

• If no dropper bottle is available you may mix the dry remedy in a glass cup with 2-3 ounces of water and if preserving, add about ½ ounce of alcohol. Cover and store in a cool, dry cupboard for a few days as long as needed. Administer the same way as mentioned above. For repetitions, stir the medicinal solution mixture in the glass vigorously about 20 times before diluting into the second cup and before giving the dose.
• Buy one or more homeopathic remedy first aid books on veterinary care and general homeopathy to learn more about the remedies and how to use them.
  

Warnings

• Less is best in homeopathy. Do not repeat doses of homeopathic remedies indiscriminately. If you do not have a homeopathic practitioner refer to the suggestions below in the resource section for finding one.
• In a serious, life threatening emergency homeopathic remedies may be used to stabilize an animal, but seek veterinary care immediately.

See my article on general methods for providing homeopathic pet care for rescue animals. The suggestions offered for homeopathic pet care are not meant to be a substitute for good veterinary medical care for rescue cats and dogs, rather adjunct therapies to assist the animal to settle in after being captured. The information offered in this article is for educational and informational purposes only.

How to Air the House With Pet Odor Control for Zero Odor

The offensive smell of pet urine, especially of cats, over time, can infuse itself into floors, carpets and walls and linger to such an extent that zero odor from litter boxes becomes nothing more than a dream on the part of the owner and pet odor control becomes a necessity to enable occupants to remain in the house. There are many products on the market for pet odor control but none of them are perfect and rarely can zero odor from the effects of old cat urine be obtained. I'm going to focus on some tricks on how to apply different methods of airing out the house to remove what remains of your pet urine odor problem.

1. Keep litter boxes scrupulously clean to maintain zero odor. Use clumping litter and scoop often. Top up litter daily and empty the boxes at least once every two weeks for the best pet odor control. Clean by soaking in bleach and water and replace with new litter. Remember to clean the outside of the boxes.

2. Air boxes out in the sun for several hours after soaking to remove bleach odor completely and before adding fresh litter. Cats object to various smells so odor control that maintains zero odor is best and encourages them to use the box instead of the floor.

3. Designate an area in the house for the litter. If possible, remove carpet and wood floors in litter area and replace with ceramic tile which is easier to keep clean and has zero odor after proper pet odor control measures have been put into place. Always use cleaners that are safe for pets.
4. If using a separate room for cat litter boxes, place a large fan in the window to vent the room air. If there are two windows in the room open one slightly and place the fan facing out in the other open window. When the fan is turned on it will pull air from the second open window to air out the room and provide pet odor control not only for the room but for the entire area of the house.

5. If using the above method with window fans, close the air and heating vents in the room so as not too lose too much energy while airing out the room.

6. Create cross circulation for pet odor control by using decorative screen doors on rooms where free air circulation is a problem. Decorate door frames to compliment those rooms where they are installed. Use heavy gauge metal screen to deter cats from tearing it when scratching.

7. Add doors made from wood or plastic lattice on rooms where screen doors might not be appropriate to help allow air to circulate and clear nasty pet odors. Have kids help paint and decorate lattice doors to suit décor of each room where they are placed. With properly placed ventilation, zero odor remains from litter boxes and other pet areas.

8. Install pet doors in interior doors to allow pets to get into rooms for litter box use when it's not realistic to use lattice or screen doors. In this manner pet odor control can be maintained and isolated to the room in question without involving the rest of the house. Pet doors are available at most hardware stores.

9. Replace litter boxes at least once a year with brand new boxes. Most plastic will absorb the smell of cat urine over time in spite of continued cleanings and being able to keep them clean enough to have zero odor will become more and more challenging over time.

10. Never use citrus scents or other strong perfume scents for pet odor control around or in litter boxes. Cats don't like these kinds of scents and it will discourage them from using the boxes and force them to find other places in the house to urinate making pet odor control much more difficult to manage.

Tips

• It may seem like common sense but clean up pet urine accidents as soon as possible to avoid having the scent permeate whatever surface it gets on.
• There are many odor control products for pet odor control that promise zero odor on the market. Choose one that has no scent of it's own as most animals don't like scented products.
• Pet odor control is an ongoing challenge if you have animals. If considering a new pet, realize that there may be years of managing this problem ahead of you. Commitments made to pets to care for them for their lives should be kept and challenges in care must be taken into account before bringing a new animal home.

Do you have any special hints or tips to share about how you manage unpleasant pet odors? How about cleaning products you use that help reduce pet odor?

Learn to Use Gutter Guards and Clean Gutters

Installing gutter guards on your house or building helps cut down on the time it takes to clean gutters and the risks involved being up on a roof. An onerous and time consuming chore, cleaning gutters can be hazardous on some buildings and many people are unable to manage this chore easily. Once clean, it is a simple job to have gutter guards placed on all gutters around the house, preventing leaves and other debris from clogging them in the future. If you must get on the roof to clean gutters here's how to do it safely.

1. Wear appropriate clothing. Old clothes you don't care about and running shoes or other rubber soled shoes with good grips are best.

2. Prepare to clean gutters twice a year to keep them free of leaves and debris if you don't install gutter guards. Full gutters can pool water, overflow, rot or rust, and even pull free and fall.

3. Start at the bottom the down spout and scoop out debris with a trowel. Put debris in a plastic garbage bag to minimize mess. It is best to do this when the leaves and debris are slightly damp because they are easier to remove than when dry, dusty and encrusted or sopping wet and dripping with water.

4. Place a high step ladder firmly on a flat surface and wear eye protection and heavy gloves to prevent cutting yourself on screws, nails or sharp edges. When climbing onto the roof to clean gutters, be sure you have firm footing on ladder and roof shingles.

5. Using a high pressure spray nozzle, hose out length of gutter working towards the down spout. Avoid spraying mud and water on the house if possible. If plastic gutter guards have been installed there may be small bits of debris collected underneath. Angle spray under gutter guards to remove residue.

6. For stubborn spots, use a plumbers snake to break out any blockages if water and debris do not wash down the drain spout easily. Then continue with the hose.

7. Collect garbage and soggy leaves in the garbage bag and gently hose off any mess on the house or patio.

8. If you decide to install gutter guards, consider using ones made from micromesh screen. If installed properly they do not allow small leaves to enter gutters at all, eliminating the need to clean gutters.

9. Get several estimates from experienced companies and check references carefully. The micro-mesh gutter guards must be installed in the same plane as the roof for optimal effect. This means the gutters have to be lowered on the house. Lowering the gutters is not an easy job and one that is best performed by a professional.

10. When having the gutter guards installed, discuss in advance with the professional and be sure to confirm that the wind seal on the existing shingles is not broken when the gutters are lowered so the gutter guards can be put in place.

11. Check the warranty on your roof and gutters to be sure installing gutter guards will not void the terms in any way. Once high quality micro-mesh gutter guards have been installed, cleaning gutters will be a thing of the past.

12. Use a tall ladder that reaches all the way to the edge of the roof for safety climbing on and off when cleaning gutters. When installing gutter guards be sure to have a written contract from the professional and ask about the warranty.

Do you have gutter guards on your house? I'd love to hear about it and how they have helped save you time and money on cleaning the gutters or maintaining your home.

How to Make Emergency Lighting Glow Sticks with Mountain Dew

Whether during a winter storm or a climbing expedition, it is always good to have an emergency lighting source available. There is nothing scarier than being caught in the middle of a black out and finding your flash light does not work as your knock your shins on the furniture or trip over the dog. Simple emergency lighting similar to glow sticks, can be made quickly and easily from three common products found on grocery shelves and easily stored for long periods of time in your pantry. As an aside, I am not sure why this emergency lighting works only with Mountain Dew soda, but these glow sticks made are very effective and worth remembering in a black out.

• Open a small bottle of Mountain Dew soda and pour equal parts into several empty small soda or water bottles to start setting up emergency lighting glow sticks. There should be approximately ¼ to ½ inches of soda in each bottle. This is the equivalent of about one ounce of soda.
• Mix with the soda, three capfuls of common hydrogen peroxide found in pharmacies and on grocery store shelves. Mix this amount with soda in each of the bottles to which you have previously added the soda.
• Add to each emergency lighting bottle, a pinch of baking soda. A pinch is approximately 1/8 to ¼ teaspoon.
• Cover bottles with a cap and shake well. Voila! The chemical reaction formed by mixing the three ingredients will create a nice glow and turn your soda bottles into emergency lighting that will scare away the demons during the black out.

Tips

This recipe is for small sized soda bottles. If using the large bottles, experiment with the amount of ingredients necessary to emit enough emergency lighting that will be helpful.

Keep empty soda bottles in a box in your garage or basement so you have plenty for emergency lighting when the need arises.

Warning

Do not let young children make this mixture and be sure no one drinks it. Although none of these ingredients or emergency lighting are dangerous by themselves, the mixture is not meant for internal consumption.

What you need

• Small bottles of Mountain Dew Soda
• Small empty soda bottles
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Measuring spoons

Have you tried this cool experiment? Please let me know your results.

Make Gazing Balls with Mosaic Art Supplies

A wide variety of mosaic art supplies and glass mosaic tiles can be used to create beautiful personalized outdoor ornaments and gazing balls. When flower blossoms have fallen and trees have lost leaves, sparkling gazing balls can keep a winter garden lively and fresh throughout the season. Mosaic art supplies, found in hobby shops and online, can be artfully used to create table tops, stepping stones, chair seats, wall decor as well as decorative gazing balls. Use glass mosaic tiles in original designs to bring light and color during any season to an indoor or outdoor decorative space. Follow the steps below to create a glass mosaic gazing ball.

Step 1.  If using a custom design for the gazing ball rather than an overall pattern, draw it out first on paper to scale.

Step 2.  Buy precut, tumbled glass mosaic tiles from a place that sells a wide variety of mosaic art supplies or make them yourself. To make your own mosaic tiles, place decorative glass or ceramic pieces in a paper bag and gently hit with a hammer to break into smaller pieces ranging from ½” -1” in size.

Step 3.  Place glass mosaic tiles onto the paper stencil to be sure they fit in a pleasing pattern. Choose a variety of colors and textures from the mosaic art supplies center where you can mix and match to find a look that is pleasing to the eye.

Step 4.  Mix putty per directions on the package in a disposable loaf pan with a plastic spoon for easy clean-up.

Step 5.  Fill holes of the bowling ball halfway with crumpled aluminum foil, then top with the putty mixture. Smooth putty across opening as much as possible and allow to dry for several days. Then sand smooth.

Step 6.  Transfer the pattern from the paper to the gazing ball with a sharpie marker or tracing paper. The glass mosaic tiles and grout will cover the pattern so it does not have to be perfect.

Step 7.  Apply a bit of glue to the back of mosaic tile pieces and attach to the ball in the area you have designated. Do a small section at a time. Leave a 1/8" space between the glass tiles for grout. Use the bamboo skewer stick or a mosaic tool as a guide in between tiles to be sure the grout lines are even.

Step 8.  Let the glass tiles set for half an hour and then move to decorate the next area repeating application process until the visible area of the gazing ball is covered with glass mosaic tiles. Allow to set for a minimum of 30 minutes and then turn the gazing ball over and complete the design on the other side. Use the stand to support the gazing ball as you are working.

Step 9.  Once all glass tiles have been applied, allow 36 hours to for glue to fully dry and set.

Step 10.  Mix grout with waterto the consistency of peanut butter in another disposable pan. Grout may be tinted from a wide range of colors available at the same store where mosaic art supplies are purchased.

Step 11.  Using the medium stiff brush apply grout to the surface of the entire gazing ball a section at a time. Make sure there are no air bubbles. Grout should cover every nick and cranny on the ball and if it gets on the glass mosaic tiles, it can be removed at the end of the process.

Step 12.  Let grout dry until it flakes off easily. Depending on the time of year and the weather it can take up to several days for the grout to dry completely. Keep the ball under a covered area if outdoors, while drying. Once grout is thoroughly dry, polish the gazing ball with the Scotch-Brite pad to remove grout from glass tiles to bring out their color and shine.

Step 13.  Allow ball to dry 24-36 hours before applying sealant. Purchase sealant from the mosaic art supplies center and apply as directed. Allow to dry thoroughly. If the gazing ball is placed outside, reapply sealant at least every six months.

Tip
Buy a sturdy stand for your mosaic gazing ball in either heavy metal or cement to display in the garden.

Warning

• If using home made glass mosaic tiles, be very careful as edges are extremely sharp. Mosaic art supplies stores sell tumbled tiles whose edges are smoothed and safer to use.

Things You'll Need

• Bowling ball
• Durham’s Rock Hard Water Putty
• Mosaic art supplies and tools
• Glass mosaic tiles
• Weld Bond or E6000 glue
• Grout plus color tint if desired
• Medium Stuff Brush
• Scotch-Brite scrubbin pad

This is such a fun project and makes a great gift idea. Have you ever made a gazing ball with mosaic tiles?

Learn to Buy and Use Home Blood Pressure Monitors

Checking blood pressure regularly with home blood pressure monitors is important for people who are on medication or alternative treatments who want to be proactive in helping to manage their health care. The American Heart Association recommends people with high blood pressure include using home blood pressure monitors in daily routines to be certain medications and other treatments are working, giving the patient the chance to alert health care practitioners to potential problems.

Using a home blood pressure monitor can help patients be aware of early diagnoses for other related diseases involving high blood pressure, motivates people to self-track their treatment and stay proactively involved in personal care, cuts health costs from frequent doctor visits, and gives a birds-eye-view if a person’s blood pressure differs in an environment other than a doctor’s office.

Speak with your health care practitioner or doctor to find out if using a home blood pressure monitor is the right choice for you. If so, here are some guidelines for purchasing and using one.

• Investigate which kind of home blood pressure monitor is best for your situation. There are different types of home blood pressure monitors. The traditional cuff that wraps around the arm and blood pressure is measured by listening with a stethoscope is cumbersome and requires the participation of a second person for measuring. Wrist cuffs which are attached to a free standing meter are available and can be easily wrapped around the wrist by the individual. Buttons on the meter can be pushed to measure blood pressure. One hand operation is usually the norm. These are reasonably priced and convenient for people who can take their own blood pressure.

-Be sure wrist sizes are adequate. Check to see if the display is easily readable and a large enough for you to see.

-After buying a new home blood pressure monitor, take it to the doctor or practitioner’s office to compare the accuracy of its measurement to readings from his blood pressure cuff. Be sure the new machine is validated which means it can be relied on for accuracy and those results can be consistently repeated.

-Contact the Dabl Educational Trust and the British Hypertension Society for a list of tested home blood pressure monitors that have been shown to be accurate in repeated uses. These are excellent resources for meters if you don’t have one already.

-Shop around for prices. Many online stores offer lower prices than might be found in local pharmacies. There is a wide range to choose from.

-Avoid public blood pressure machines often found in many larger pharmacies. These machines may not be properly maintained and may measure blood pressure inaccurately and are not recommended.

-Proper use of a home blood pressure monitor is easy but may take a few practice sessions to master. Take the machine to the doctor or practitioner to be sure it is properly calibrated and for her to demonstrate the proper use and fit for accurate readings.

-Measure blood pressure two or three times daily, the first being in the morning before medication has been taken. Always take blood pressure in the left arm. Write down the readings in a log or journal. Many home blood pressure monitors also give readings for pulse rate. Add that to the journal entries.

-When taking a blood pressure reading sit calmly for a few minutes before starting. Make sure legs are uncrossed and feet are flat on the floor. Access to a table, chair arm or other support is important so the arm can be held comfortably at heart level when the blood pressure measurement is taken.

-Wrap the cuff around the portion of the arm where it is meant to be and on bare skin. The cuff should fit firmly when in place before starting the reading. Avoid talking or any movement while taking the reading. Take a second reading several minutes after the first to confirm the accuracy of the monitor.

-Contact the doctor if readings vary greatly from one another. Blood pressure measurements vary slightly throughout the day and readings can be slightly higher in the mornings. Ask what level a normal reading is for your condition and what level would trigger an immediate call to the doctor. Write these at the beginning of the log in case you forget.

Tips
Always have home blood pressure monitors checked by a practitioner for calibration when new. Continue to have the machine rechecked several times a year to ensure its accuracy.

Warning
When taking measurements with a home blood pressure monitor, call the doctor or healthcare practitioner if unusual readings occur regularly.
The information offered here is for educational purposes and is not meant to take the place of medical advice.

Do you own a blood pressure monitor? Questions or concerns about buying a home blood pressure monitor?

How to Maintain Privacy and Security on Halloween

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For those who prefer not to participate in Halloween festivities, achieving privacy and security during the boisterous holiday has become somewhat of an obsession. Because Halloween is so widely celebrated across the country, the many who choose to “opt out” of those celebrations are left having to often create elaborate schemes to avoid being bothered which can sometimes affect the privacy and security of family members and pets. If you’d like to be left alone on Halloween to enjoy your privacy and security, read below for some ideas that will help with safety issues and bring you peace of mind.

1. Do not leave your home unattended during Halloween especially if you have a house in a neighborhood that is highly populated with revelers or lots of teenagers. To maintain privacy and security, have a friend or family member spend time at your house with you that evening. Single women, do not stay home alone on Halloween.

Pull all drapes and blinds earlier in the day to prevent people outside from seeing in to the house. Although you want to leave someone in the house for safety, the impression to give is that no one is home so you won’t be bothered, protecting your privacy.

2. Keep all lights off outside the house when darkness falls to assure privacy and security during busiest hours later that evening. Often people who go door to door look for houses that are well lit as a signal that there is someone home. Do keep lights on in the back of the house but you may want to turn them off in the front room near the door to give the impression no one is home.

3. Park the car in the garage or at a friend’s house so passersby don’t get the idea that someone is home. You will not have to worry about having your car vandalized if there are people going around the neighborhood throwing eggs or committing other harassing actions.

4. Watch a movie or play music softly to muffle outside noise but keep the volume low so anyone that comes to the door will not realize someone is home. Maintaining privacy and security can be accomplished with a little creativity.

5. If possible, spend the evening in the back part of the house off the road and away from the door so you can continue to do whatever activities you enjoy without being disturbed by Halloween revelers.

6. Do not put anything outside the door that might indicate you are available to answer the door on Halloween night. This includes pumpkins or other “autumnal” displays. Save them for after Halloween.

7.Keep all pets inside even if they are indoor-outdoor pets, especially cats. Cats are notoriously targeted during Halloween for a script of horrors perpetrated on them. So keep them in and keep them safe.

8. If you experience any kind of disturbance that might indicate your house or property is being vandalized or at attempted break-in, call police immediately. Don’t try to handle things yourself.

9. Resist the urge to get upset or aggravated if someone does ring the doorbell. Sit quietly and continue what you are doing and wait for the caller to leave. Oftentimes, if you’re in a busy neighborhood the word will be passed around that no one is home at your house and you’ll be passed over by partiers and able to assure yourself of privacy and security throughout the night.

Tip
Turn on a porch light and place a bowl half filled with candy outside the front door with a sign telling kids to take one and leave some for the next person. This will satisfy visitors as well as keep them from disturbing you assuring continued privacy and security. Sometimes older kids get annoyed when they can’t have their way and this method keeps them mollified and goes a long way toward preventing vandalism to your property. Refill the bowl periodically.

Not everyone enjoys celebrating Halloween. How do you like to spend your time on Halloween if you are not going to particpiate in the festivities?

How to Care for Cat with Aids and Leukemia in a Multiple Cat Household

Here's an excellent article by Susan Golis from eHow on how to responsbily help your Feline Aids or Feline Leukemia stricken cat and protect the other cats in your household.


I rescued an abandoned Siamese cat three months ago. He was thin but very active. I kept him in my office away from my other cats. Sam needed to go to the veterinarian's office to have a physical and to get his shots. Sam had the Elisa blood test and the veterinarian told us he tested positive for feline FIV Aids and FeLV, or Feline Leukemia Virus.

The veterinarian recommended that we put Sam down. He had no symptoms of either disease, other than being skinny. I took Sam for a second opinion and contrary to the advice I was given I choose to keep Sam, however I needed to make some major household changes. Here are some tips on how to care for a cat with aids and leukemia in a multiple cat household.

Read the full article HERE!

Ultimate Anti-Aging Treatment Discovered …the Elixir of Life!

Is it a cream? Is it a mud bath? Is it dermabraision or collagen, Botox or milk baths? Anti-aging enthusiasts have searched for the fountain of youth since the beginning of time never seeing the answer to their eternal quest right in front of their noses. Enthusiasts of eternal youth and anti-aging have know about the elixir of eternal youth forever and yes, the secret is crystal clear, thirst quenching water that keeps wrinkles at bay, waistlines whittled, backsides taut and spines straight and limber.

Water, the great rejuvenator for anti-aging, plumps cells, hydrates spinal for flexible movement, keeps brains bright and alert and smoothes the skin of wrinkles and worry lines. No more crepe-like dry skin on arms, less uric acid deposits in the joints causing painful gouty arthritis. Cellulite disappears from lumpy thighs, nails grow strong and hair glistens with health.


It’s not a myth. Human bodies are predominantly water. Being thirsty is evidence of being dehydrated. As cells shrink from dehydration, free radicals form racing around the body wrecking havoc, making organs and systems more vulnerable to disease and injury. Toxins form and are transmitted throughout the blood to organs, joints, skin and brain where they are left as deposits causing disharmony and disease all which contribute to aging.

Drink some water every day. As a matter of fact, drink a lot of water, at least ½ ounce for every pound of body weight. Drinking healthy clean water is the insider’s secret to anti-aging. Adding fresh lemon juice or a splash of fruit juice boosts flavor and adds variety. Brew light herbal green teas with fresh water for relaxation and their anti-cancer properties. Drink water between meals so as not to dilute the fire of digestive juices. Enjoy sparkling waters instead of alcohol after work and always have a bottle of water tucked in the car, at the office and when exercise demands the most from an overheated body.


Water is life’s little elixir, providing anti-aging benefits for the body and mind, revitalizing slumped energy and sagging spirits. It adds years to our lives and is readily available almost everywhere.

High Desert Rose, Criss Cross Promotions Shop of the Day!

Criss Cross Promotions is a group of like-minded individuals with online shops who have joined together to help one another promote our stores in a friendly and supportive manner. Our mission at Criss Cross Promotions is to offer group exposure to the featured shop of the day and to notify our customers about the wonderful merchandise available to them in a variety of venues through the co-op process.

By utilizing this cooperative form of promotions, member stores are able to reduce advertising costs, and offer our customers more reasonable pricing on our merchandise. I hope you enjoy these little birds eye view vingnettes into the various members' stores.

Today's featured shop is High Desert Rose on Etsy. Karen has a large, eclectic colleciton of vintage goods that will make your mouth water and your eyes roll with glee. Looking through her shop was like walking down memory lane and I loved almost everything I saw.

This gorgeous lipstick caddy is part of a fabulous dresser set. It reminds me of when I was a little girl, sitting on the edge of the bed and watching my mother at her dressing table with a similar dresser set putting on her makeup and primping in the mirror.


Karen also has lots of marvelous vintage jewelry in her shop. This loooong, bodacious Goldeette Milk Glass chain necklace is stylish today with our current fashions and quite the statement piece. Wear it with anything...wear it with everything and turn heads wherever you go!

And take a look at this fabulous She Dragon white and gold figurine. I used to collect dragons when I was younger and seeing this took me back once again to some of the happiest days of my youth, reminding me that fantasy is still alive and well even in challenging times.

Karen not only has an interesting shop full of a wide range of lovely items, but she's also a great writer. Have a read at her blog where she talks about everything under the sun and writes with great expression and interest. www.idigoldstuffothergiltypleasures.blogspot.com

She can also be found on twitter here http://twitter.com/HDRoseVintage and on facebook at High Desert Rose

How to Drink More Water for Maximum Health Benefits

If you're like most people, you need to learn how to drink more water to maintain your overall health. Unless you're an athlete, unnaturally thirsty or have learned the tricks to staying health already, you may be depriving yourself of the most valuable and prolific substance on the planet. When you drink more water than you ordinarily do, you keep your body hydrated, reduce the incidence of back pain, joint pain and headaches and aid your body's entire elimination system. You'll have more stamina, be able to stay cooler during the heat of the summer and your skin will glow when you drink more. Water is the answer to so many of our needs. Here are some tips to help you drink more water.

Read full article HERE.

How to Use a Viral Marketing Campaign to Promote Business

Running a business on the internet is becoming more and more popular every day and promoting your business through a viral marketing campaign online is an extremely effective and inexpensive way to reach potential customers and clients. So what is ‘viral marketing’? In a nut shell, viral marketing incorporates using advertising techniques that utilize a variety of social networks that help get the word out and to increase people’s awareness of a particular company or brand.

Some folks can dance circles around me when discussing the topic of creating a viral marketing campaign, but I am going to give you some easy ideas on the basics on how to use viral marketing for those that may be challenged by this concept. (Like I was! )

1. 
   Sign up for a page on Facebook. One of the best ways to use viral marketing is to promote a business through word of mouth from friend to friend and that’s what Facebook is all about. People talking to people about other people and what they are doing, making friends and meeting other people through your friends. Sounds like a party doesn’t it? Well in a way it is… a virtual party. You will have to use your real name to sign up for your personal page, but Facebook provides the option of making your personal site private and viewable only to those people to whom you welcome to your page. There is also an option to set up a FAN Page on Facebook and here is where you can put it in your business name and do promotions through a viral marketing campaign.
   
2. 
   Sign up for a Twitter account. I know to some it seems inane and why would anyone want to talk about or read about how people micro-manage their lives? Well there are other uses for Twitter and promoting your business through a viral marketing campaign is one of them. In one or two short sentences of 140 characters you can tell your followers about your products, any sales you are having, talk to them and ask questions, find out what they like or dislike, teach techniques, and much more. Because of the way people follow other people on Twitter, the viral marketing aspect of what you tell folks is spread far and wide between other Twitter users.
   
3. 
   Start a blog! The term ‘blog’ is shorthand for web log, a kind of virtual, online journal or data list. Blogs take all forms from simple journals to complex website pages and are an excellent way to communicate through viral marketing to existing and potential new customers. On your blog you are the master of your own ship, calling the shots, writing about whatever you choose and creating whatever image you like. You can link your blog articles to other social sites you belong to referring people back and forth between them to create a nice web which can be found by various search engines. For instance, write an article on your blog and feature it on your Facebook and Twitter accounts including links to the full article in the blog. You've just started a viral marketing campaign!
   
4. 
   Join social bookmarking sites like Digg and Stumbleupon to enhance your viral marketing efforts to promote your business. Here you can add articles to your account that you have written on your blog as well as articles others have written that are of interest. Link together various bits of information that help pass the word along about your business and use the viral marketing aspect of the internet to increase traffic to your blog or website.
   
5. 
   Set up a website for your business and be sure to link it to your blog and other social networking and bookmarking sites to take advantage of the viral marketing aspects available. Blog about your website, advertise it on Twitter and Facebook including links for people to click to get them to your site.
   
   Although you can hire a web designer to set up a website for you, it can be expensive and you have little artistic control and even less technical savvy when it comes to running your own site. There are a variety of companies available online that have preset website templates and bandwidth where you can open an account inexpensively and in a week or less, set up your own site, learning all the steps so you can be in control always.
   
6. 
   There are other social sites besides the ones mentioned here but this is a good start. Once learned, viral marketing techniques will reward you with a feeling of empowerment and new tools to further promote your business in this new way using the internet to your benefit through viral marketing and advertising. And best of all, most of it is free and only asks that you donate some of your time for success.
   

TIPS:

• 
  
  There is a learning curve to using social networking and social bookmarking sites for a viral marketing campaign your business. Allow yourself plenty of time and be patient with yourself while you are learning the ropes on each of the sites.
• 
  
  Using Facebook, Twitter and other social sites can become addicting! Learn to budget your time when using them.