What is a personal alarm?
A personal alarm is a self defense device, that when activated, emits a extremely loud, high pitched, ear piercing alert.
Are all personal alarms the same?
No, most alarms are electronic and operate on batteries. Many have flashlights or strobe lights and some double as a travel alarm protecting doors of hotel rooms and motor homes. They are activated by pushing a button or removing a pin from the device and will continue to operate until the pin is re-inserted. The other type are small canisters, pressurized with an inert gas. When the button is depressed, gas escapes through the nozzle which causes a shrieking blast. This type will only continue to operate as long as the button is being depressed and there is pressurized gas remaining in the canister.
How can a personal alarm help me?
The theory is that an attacker is looking for an ' easy mark ' that will be submissive to their advances. If confronted with this sonic blast, they will become startled and disoriented. They will also become concerned about the attention they will soon be receiving and break off the attack.
How effective are personal alarms?
For the most part, personal alarms are very effective, but they are not without disadvantages. They are a passive device in that they don't actually disable the assailant. Also, the attacker may go after the alarm, in an attempt silence it and possibly injure the victim. If obtained, the device could also be disabled. Remember, for the alarm to work, it must have fresh batteries and be close at hand!
With these disadvantages, are personal alarms worthwhile ?
Without a doubt. If you use it and the attacker retreats, then the alarm has done it's job. Many people opt for passive personal alarms as their first line of defense, while maintaining a more controlling pepper spray, or stun gun as their second. The combination of both really strengthens your self defense plan.
What other uses do personal alarms have?
Personal Alarms are perfect devices for seniors and the disabled. Attaching one to a wheelchair for instance could only increase their odds of being heard in an emergency. Individuals who are uncomfortable using a defense spray or stun gun will also find value in personal alarms. During an catastrophic event such as an earthquake ; hurricane ; or avalanche, a personal alarm may prove invaluable. As mentioned above, they may also double as a travel alarm, used on doors. College students also, will find value in personal alarms by protecting their dorms while they sleep ; and protecting themselves at other times.
How loud are personal alarms?
Most personal alarms operate at an impressive 120 to 135 decibels. The list below can give you an idea how loud that is :
weakest sound heard 0 dB
normal conversation at 3-5 ft 60-70 dB
city traffic inside car 85 dB
train whistle at 500 ft. 90 dB
subway train at 200 ft. 95 dB
regular sustained exposure may cause permanent damage 90-95 dB
power mower 107 dB
power saw 110 dB
Pain begins 125 dB
air powered riveter at 4 ft. 125 dB
jet engine at 100 ft. 140 dB
loudest sound that can happen 194 dB
Are personal alarms heavy and bulky?
No, on the contrary, in recent years, as technology has improved, the weight and size of these units have decreased, while observing an increase in performance while maintaining a respectable price. Many alarms are small enough to be used as key chains. Some use a wrist strap connected to the activation pin. Others have a clip for your belt and some are even shaped like a pen and clip to your shirt pocket.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Self Defense and Stun Guns
Stun Master stun guns have been on the market for over 10 years. These personal protection devices have a proven track record, and are some of the most popular and reliable self defense devices in the world! I carried one of these devices while on assignment to some pretty hairy areas of the globe, and always felt more confident and secure knowing I was not totally defenseless. You must realize that there simply are places and situations where it is not wise to be without some type of protection. I found this especially true overseas, where lawlessness can often be the norm rather than the exception. Even in the U.S. there are many unsafe areas and environments. Carry a self defense device like the Stun Master series, might make the difference between life and death.
Folks, I am no “James Bond” believe me, so preparing for a deadly encounter with a thug is not always the foremost thing on my mind. I have always been too busy with my work in forensic entomology to give much thought or time to planning for some kind of assailant. Most of us are in situations where we are very busy with work or family to have extra time. The simplest thing for me, and perhaps you, was to educate myself about some different kinds of personal defense. I found that, with some reading, I could make myself more aware of dangerous situations, and prepare as best I could for my response to these potential threats. I researched different types of deterrents and defense weapons, and finally decided on a stun gun. These non-lethal personal defense weapons are safe to use, compact, and most importantly effective. The effectiveness of any self defense plan is the most crucial aspect of any decision to select a weapon. It is also vitally important for the user to be comfortable with whatever weapon he/she chooses. The Stun Master weapons were a perfect fit for my situation, as they are inexpensive, easy to use, and compact.
Every one of us has been in a situation where we felt threatened or out of control. Being armed with knowledge, preparedness, and a means to diffuse these situations is so crucial for every person. Stun guns are non-lethal weapons that disable an attacker without doing permanent harm. Any self defense class will teach you that evasion is the best defense. That is what a weapon like the Stun Master can do for you! Any attacker can be put on their knees with one jolt from these powerful devices. The assailant will remain helpless to do harm for 10 minutes, while you are free to make your escape and cal the authorities. It is your safety we are talking about, so do the homework and feel free to ask us any questions. Please surf our site and gather information about Stun Guns and other defense solutions. You will find the one that suits you best, and we will help in any way we can. If you need time to decide, it may be a good idea to bookmark this site so that you will have access when you need it.
Stun guns use high voltage and low amperage to temporarily disable an attacker for several minutes. The stun gun does not rely on pain for results. The energy stored in the gun is dumped into the attacker’s muscles causing them to do a great deal of work rapidly. This rapid work cycle instantly depletes the attacker’s blood sugar by converting it to lactic acid. In short, he is unable to produce energy for his muscles, and his body is unable to function properly. The stun gun also interrupts the tiny neurological impulses that control and direct voluntary muscle movement. When the attacker’s neuromuscular system is overwhelmed and controlled by the stun gun he loses his balance. Should the attacker be touching you, the current will NOT pass to your body! Look at some of these amazing gadgets at: http://www.ento-guard.com/
Folks, I am no “James Bond” believe me, so preparing for a deadly encounter with a thug is not always the foremost thing on my mind. I have always been too busy with my work in forensic entomology to give much thought or time to planning for some kind of assailant. Most of us are in situations where we are very busy with work or family to have extra time. The simplest thing for me, and perhaps you, was to educate myself about some different kinds of personal defense. I found that, with some reading, I could make myself more aware of dangerous situations, and prepare as best I could for my response to these potential threats. I researched different types of deterrents and defense weapons, and finally decided on a stun gun. These non-lethal personal defense weapons are safe to use, compact, and most importantly effective. The effectiveness of any self defense plan is the most crucial aspect of any decision to select a weapon. It is also vitally important for the user to be comfortable with whatever weapon he/she chooses. The Stun Master weapons were a perfect fit for my situation, as they are inexpensive, easy to use, and compact.
Every one of us has been in a situation where we felt threatened or out of control. Being armed with knowledge, preparedness, and a means to diffuse these situations is so crucial for every person. Stun guns are non-lethal weapons that disable an attacker without doing permanent harm. Any self defense class will teach you that evasion is the best defense. That is what a weapon like the Stun Master can do for you! Any attacker can be put on their knees with one jolt from these powerful devices. The assailant will remain helpless to do harm for 10 minutes, while you are free to make your escape and cal the authorities. It is your safety we are talking about, so do the homework and feel free to ask us any questions. Please surf our site and gather information about Stun Guns and other defense solutions. You will find the one that suits you best, and we will help in any way we can. If you need time to decide, it may be a good idea to bookmark this site so that you will have access when you need it.
Stun guns use high voltage and low amperage to temporarily disable an attacker for several minutes. The stun gun does not rely on pain for results. The energy stored in the gun is dumped into the attacker’s muscles causing them to do a great deal of work rapidly. This rapid work cycle instantly depletes the attacker’s blood sugar by converting it to lactic acid. In short, he is unable to produce energy for his muscles, and his body is unable to function properly. The stun gun also interrupts the tiny neurological impulses that control and direct voluntary muscle movement. When the attacker’s neuromuscular system is overwhelmed and controlled by the stun gun he loses his balance. Should the attacker be touching you, the current will NOT pass to your body! Look at some of these amazing gadgets at: http://www.ento-guard.com/
Making it Easy to Compare Cellular Plans
If you are planning to buy a brand new cell phone, there is a good chance that you will be surprised at the number of different service providers available in the today’s market.
Several years ago, only Motorola and Sprint were available to the public. Nowadays, there are many different service providers that are offering a lot of different deals. It can be overwhelming for the everyday shopper. In order to make a good decision, a buyer would need a convenient method to compare cellular plans.
I used to think that the only way to compare cellular plans would be to visit every cell phone sales booth or to transact with other authorized dealers personally. This method takes up a lot of time and I would usually stop after examining the merchandise of a couple of stores. I am well aware of the advantages of comparison shopping, but I don’t want to consume several days on the activity.
I chose to go home and find out if it is possible to compare cellular plans on the World-Wide-Web. I have no idea why I didn’t think of this idea before. After all, people can do pretty much everything on cyberspace these days, and my task wasn’t exactly an unusual one. As I had hoped, it was quite simple and easy to compare cellular plans on the Internet.
I discovered that it would be a lot simpler to go directly to a couple of different consumer-oriented sites instead of visiting each individual service provider’s website. These consumer-oriented sites enabled me to compare cellular plans from different providers all on the same page. This format makes it convenient to see which deal were the best and which deals were too damaging to my budget. After I found a suitable plan from the comparison chart, all I need to do was visit the nearest shop and order what I need.
I was able to save money on my service contract because I took time to compare cellular plans before paying for a phone. I was only required to pay for the features that I would actually use and did not get locked into a long-term deal. I was really satisfied with the cell phone plan that I was able to get. Before you buy a new cell phone or sign with a new provider, I advise you to compare cellular plans first. Doing so will give you the satisfaction of getting the best deal possible.
Several years ago, only Motorola and Sprint were available to the public. Nowadays, there are many different service providers that are offering a lot of different deals. It can be overwhelming for the everyday shopper. In order to make a good decision, a buyer would need a convenient method to compare cellular plans.
I used to think that the only way to compare cellular plans would be to visit every cell phone sales booth or to transact with other authorized dealers personally. This method takes up a lot of time and I would usually stop after examining the merchandise of a couple of stores. I am well aware of the advantages of comparison shopping, but I don’t want to consume several days on the activity.
I chose to go home and find out if it is possible to compare cellular plans on the World-Wide-Web. I have no idea why I didn’t think of this idea before. After all, people can do pretty much everything on cyberspace these days, and my task wasn’t exactly an unusual one. As I had hoped, it was quite simple and easy to compare cellular plans on the Internet.
I discovered that it would be a lot simpler to go directly to a couple of different consumer-oriented sites instead of visiting each individual service provider’s website. These consumer-oriented sites enabled me to compare cellular plans from different providers all on the same page. This format makes it convenient to see which deal were the best and which deals were too damaging to my budget. After I found a suitable plan from the comparison chart, all I need to do was visit the nearest shop and order what I need.
I was able to save money on my service contract because I took time to compare cellular plans before paying for a phone. I was only required to pay for the features that I would actually use and did not get locked into a long-term deal. I was really satisfied with the cell phone plan that I was able to get. Before you buy a new cell phone or sign with a new provider, I advise you to compare cellular plans first. Doing so will give you the satisfaction of getting the best deal possible.
Webcam Basics
Instead of just communicating over the internet with text and emoticons, people are beginning to realize just how easy and fun it is to send video clips through cyberspace. Webcam setups range from simple to complex, and increasing the complexity is only a matter of adding functionality through software, custom code and/or equipment connections.
A simple Webcam setup consists of a Digital Camera attached to your computer, usually through the USB port. The camera part of the Webcam setup is just a digital camera -- nothing out of the ordinary so far. The "Webcam" functions of the camera originate from the software. Webcam software takes a frame from the digital camera at a preset interval (for example, the software might grab a still image from the camera once every 30 seconds) and transfers it to another location for viewing.
If you're interested in using your Webcam for streaming video, you'll want a Webcam system with a high frame rate. The frame rate indicates the number of pictures the software can grab and transfer in one second. For streaming video, you need a minimum rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps), and 30 fps is optimal. To achieve high frame rates, you must necessarily have a high-speed internet connection.
Once it captures a frame, the software broadcasts the image over your Internet connection. There are several broadcast methods. Using the most common method, the software turns that image into a JPEG (compressed) file and uploads it to a web server using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). You can easily place a JPEG image onto any web page in this manner and post your webcam images on the internet.
If you don't have your own Web server or web site, you can also use your web cam to send a video email. First, launch the software that comes with the camera. Depending on the model, the process of e-mailing and recording your video messages may vary. Press Start or Record to begin the video message. Click Stop and then preview the video. You can then click E-mail or Send, which automatically opens your default e-mail program.
When sending a video e-mail, the longer the video message recorded, the bigger the attachment will be, so make sure the recipient's computer can handle the size. The recipient of the e-mail does not need special software to see your video message; they simply choose to open the attachment and the mini movie will play.
Another increasingly popular way to use your web cam is a chat session with webcams in "real time" with instant messaging (IM) programs. During an IM chat, there will be an option to start the webcam right on the screen, or under the Options or Tools menu. In Windows Messenger, for example, the words Start Camera are on the right-hand side of the screen. It is also possible to adjust the volume, window size, and video resolution with IM options. The person on the other end also needs a webcam to visually chat.
Adjust your camera's focus, point it toward your face, and most importantly, look right into the "eye" of the webcam so your friends on the other end see more than just your forehead. Keep in mind that some webcams require an additional microphone to record audio.
Don't expect terrific video quality. It's often possible to adjust the video resolution by toying with the webcam's software settings, but the higher the quality, the choppier the video frame rates will be. Webcams can also be used for remote security monitoring, but beware of hackers who could intercept your video feed and then spy on YOU. Make full use of passwords and encryption.
Brian Lee
http://www.WorldCameraVideo.com
The World's Best Brands of digital cameras, camcorders, webcams, security cameras, camera phones, photo printers, and accessories. Get yours now.
A simple Webcam setup consists of a Digital Camera attached to your computer, usually through the USB port. The camera part of the Webcam setup is just a digital camera -- nothing out of the ordinary so far. The "Webcam" functions of the camera originate from the software. Webcam software takes a frame from the digital camera at a preset interval (for example, the software might grab a still image from the camera once every 30 seconds) and transfers it to another location for viewing.
If you're interested in using your Webcam for streaming video, you'll want a Webcam system with a high frame rate. The frame rate indicates the number of pictures the software can grab and transfer in one second. For streaming video, you need a minimum rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps), and 30 fps is optimal. To achieve high frame rates, you must necessarily have a high-speed internet connection.
Once it captures a frame, the software broadcasts the image over your Internet connection. There are several broadcast methods. Using the most common method, the software turns that image into a JPEG (compressed) file and uploads it to a web server using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). You can easily place a JPEG image onto any web page in this manner and post your webcam images on the internet.
If you don't have your own Web server or web site, you can also use your web cam to send a video email. First, launch the software that comes with the camera. Depending on the model, the process of e-mailing and recording your video messages may vary. Press Start or Record to begin the video message. Click Stop and then preview the video. You can then click E-mail or Send, which automatically opens your default e-mail program.
When sending a video e-mail, the longer the video message recorded, the bigger the attachment will be, so make sure the recipient's computer can handle the size. The recipient of the e-mail does not need special software to see your video message; they simply choose to open the attachment and the mini movie will play.
Another increasingly popular way to use your web cam is a chat session with webcams in "real time" with instant messaging (IM) programs. During an IM chat, there will be an option to start the webcam right on the screen, or under the Options or Tools menu. In Windows Messenger, for example, the words Start Camera are on the right-hand side of the screen. It is also possible to adjust the volume, window size, and video resolution with IM options. The person on the other end also needs a webcam to visually chat.
Adjust your camera's focus, point it toward your face, and most importantly, look right into the "eye" of the webcam so your friends on the other end see more than just your forehead. Keep in mind that some webcams require an additional microphone to record audio.
Don't expect terrific video quality. It's often possible to adjust the video resolution by toying with the webcam's software settings, but the higher the quality, the choppier the video frame rates will be. Webcams can also be used for remote security monitoring, but beware of hackers who could intercept your video feed and then spy on YOU. Make full use of passwords and encryption.
Brian Lee
http://www.WorldCameraVideo.com
The World's Best Brands of digital cameras, camcorders, webcams, security cameras, camera phones, photo printers, and accessories. Get yours now.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Minute 10+10 Rainbow Chopped Salad for Weight Loss
You’ll get a kick out of this – watching me in my own arena, sweating bullets.
You see, my big sister, Wendy (okay, not really bigger anymore, but older – once a big sister, always a big sister to a little sister), and I were recently visiting our parents.
We both eat the same crazy way – like rabbits. So we get the stuff out for our first, second, and main course – a huge, hunkin’ salad for two – and she says to me, “Okay, Leslie, I want to see you do what you claim. Make this salad in 10 minutes.”
The challenge was on, and I was the one on the hot seat. (Big sisters are such a pain sometimes and forever bossy!)
How could I refuse? I looked at the clock and jumped into the game.
I started washing the Romaine and butter lettuce. Oh dear, where was my mother’s salad spinner. Stop the clock. Search for the spinner. I finally find it tucked away, out of reach, and lo and behold, it is a baby one. Oh, no, I’d be all day a spinnin’ those green leaves.
Start the clock. Wash, wash, wash, spin, spin, spin, and spin some more. Okay, whew, the minutes are ticking away, but the lettuce is washed and spun dry.
Next: chop the lettuce. Wait a sec. Stop the clock! I can’t find a knife with a large enough blade to quickly chop vegetables and, oh, yeah, I had forgotten – my mother doesn’t like sharp knives. Greeeeat – my only choice of weapon is a dull, kindergarten knife.
I take a deep breath. Start the clock….oh, no, is this the only cutting board my mom has – it’s too small – okay, Leslie, quit moaning (and big sister, QUIT gloating) and get to chopping - chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop.
Finally…the greens are washed, spun dry, and chopped. Now to find a large enough trough for the green bounty. Oh, dear. The frantic hunt through the cupboards is on – where, oh, where is there a bowl big enough for this gigantic salad for two. Stop the clock!
“Moooooooommmmmmyyyyyy, where is your largest bowl?”
And yes, at that point, my mother’s name went from a middle-aged woman’s “Mom” to a whiney little girl’s “Mommy.”
My mommy comes to my rescue. I smile sweetly. Glare at my sister with that big “I told you so” grin on her face. I grit my teeth on my tongue to prevent spillage of words. Start the clock.
Now to wash and chop the raw vegetables to add to the greens – darn this knife – chop, chop, chop, chop, and chop some more. Okay, whew, I throw the veggies into the lettuce to make my signature salad with 10 different vegetables, including the two kinds of lettuce and sprouts.
Voila! Done. Oh, no, I’m not – I have to find a lemon and some kind of vinegar for the dressing. Don’t bother stopping the clock – 10 minutes is long gone.
At least 45 minutes from start to finish, my smirking big sister and ever-so-humbled me sit down to a feast – we feast our bodies with the best food and feast our spirits with each other’s love, companionship, and the fun of keeping little sister in her proper place.
Okay, I totally get it. Now I know why so many of you complain about how long it takes to make a salad. Wash your greens and veggies ahead of time and keep them together in the refrigerator. Make sure you have the right tools and they are strategically located.
The recipe and instructions below were birthed from two sources: sheer exasperation and my sister’s strong “suggestion” to write down what I do to make my 10+10 signature salad.
I pass the challenge on to you. After you have practiced with all the right tools, see if you can make a 10+10 salad in 10 minutes? I promise, cross my heart, when I am home, I can and do every day.
Let me know how you do. And I would love your suggestions, helpful hints, and additions that you have incorporated into your own healthy salad-making.
Happy creating and happy eating to make your body a happy body!
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Minute 10+10 Rainbow Chopped Salad
Ingredients (Dr. Leslie’s favorites—choose 10 favorite vegetables to build your own salad)
• Lettuce (2 lettuces=2 different vegetables for “10” count): 2 kinds equivalent to 1 head (Romaine, green-leafy or red-leafy, bib, and/or butter—NOT iceberg)
• Spinach: couple of handfuls
• Sprouts (3 different sprouts=3 vegetables): alfalfa, mung bean, or mixed bean
• Red vegetables: 1 tomato, ½ red bell pepper, ¼ cup radishes, ¼ cup red onion
• Green vegetables: ½ cucumber, ½ cup green cabbage
• Purple vegetable: ½ cup purple cabbage
• White vegetable: ¼ cup cauliflower
• 1 avocado (yes! actually a fruit!)
• Other options: broccoli, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, green or orange pepper, snap peas, yellow onions
II. The “Must” Tools
• Large salad spinner—10¼” in diameter (Note: no holes in the bottom)
• Large cutting board—20¾” x 15”
• Chef’s knife (sharp) with 8” blade
• Boning knife (sharp) with straight, narrow 6” blade
• Peeler
• Large bowl (the largest of the 4 stacked Pyrex glass bowls)
• Two oversized spoons or fork and spoon for tossing
III. Directions
1. Take all ingredients out of refrigerator and wash. If possible, wash vegetables for 2 salads ahead of time so they are ready to go.
2. Using salad spinner, spin the lettuce and spinach until very dry
3. Finely chop lettuce and spinach—it’s easier to chew—and fill up a bowl large enough to contain a salad that will fill you up. (It takes time to learn how much salad is the right amount for you.)
4. Finely chop vegetables and place on top of large bed of lettuce and spinach.
5. Squeeze ½ a lemon over salad, along with a couple of shakes of balsamic vinegar (or any vinegar of choice).
6. Mix salad until the avocado coats the lettuce and vegetables very well. The salad will shrink down about 1/3.
IV. Helpful hints
Wash all green-leafy vegetables ahead of time so they are ready to go when you are ready to eat a salad.
Spin lettuce and spinach as dry as possible—they store better—and store in air-tight container.
Store all vegetables in the same area or same bag in your refrigerator so they are very accessible.
Chop green-leafy vegetables and other vegetables very finely to make chewing easier.
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Second Secret
Salad Dressing
I. Ingredients
1 huge green-leafy salad with 10 different vegetables
½ of a fresh lemon or lime
Organic balsamic vinegar (or any favorite vinegar)
(BONUS: Almost no calories in dressing and extra nutrients from the lemon or lime)
II. Directions
1. Cut one lemon or lime in half and use fingers to squeeze the juice out of the lemon or lime onto the salad.
2. Give the bottle of balsamic vinegar a few shakes over the salad for desired amount.
3. Mix very well. If an avocado has been added to the salad, the avocado coats the salad, giving it a wonderful flavor and texture.
4. Stick fork into the vegetables, insert vegetables into mouth, bite down, and chew!
5. Stop eating when your brain tells you to stop. Throw the rest away. It is more of a waste to eat more food than you need than it is to feed the garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are cheaper and easier to replace than your body—a little different perspective than the “lick-your-plate” mentality that most of us were raised with.
After eating a large salad for lunch, you will get hungry in a couple of hours because raw vegetables digest quickly. That’s what’s supposed to happen—good food goes in, moves through you relatively quickly, the nutrients become a part of you, and the waste comes out. Very simple and normal process.
After eating a large salad for lunch, I get hungry within about 2½ hours. Very easy solution to hunger…EAT!
Simple rule: eat when hungry; stop eating when your brain tells you that you are satisfied.
Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a motivational health speaker, writer and lifestyle coach. Visit Dr. Leslie at Http://DrLeslieVanRomer.com for practical direction, hope and inspiration.
You see, my big sister, Wendy (okay, not really bigger anymore, but older – once a big sister, always a big sister to a little sister), and I were recently visiting our parents.
We both eat the same crazy way – like rabbits. So we get the stuff out for our first, second, and main course – a huge, hunkin’ salad for two – and she says to me, “Okay, Leslie, I want to see you do what you claim. Make this salad in 10 minutes.”
The challenge was on, and I was the one on the hot seat. (Big sisters are such a pain sometimes and forever bossy!)
How could I refuse? I looked at the clock and jumped into the game.
I started washing the Romaine and butter lettuce. Oh dear, where was my mother’s salad spinner. Stop the clock. Search for the spinner. I finally find it tucked away, out of reach, and lo and behold, it is a baby one. Oh, no, I’d be all day a spinnin’ those green leaves.
Start the clock. Wash, wash, wash, spin, spin, spin, and spin some more. Okay, whew, the minutes are ticking away, but the lettuce is washed and spun dry.
Next: chop the lettuce. Wait a sec. Stop the clock! I can’t find a knife with a large enough blade to quickly chop vegetables and, oh, yeah, I had forgotten – my mother doesn’t like sharp knives. Greeeeat – my only choice of weapon is a dull, kindergarten knife.
I take a deep breath. Start the clock….oh, no, is this the only cutting board my mom has – it’s too small – okay, Leslie, quit moaning (and big sister, QUIT gloating) and get to chopping - chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop.
Finally…the greens are washed, spun dry, and chopped. Now to find a large enough trough for the green bounty. Oh, dear. The frantic hunt through the cupboards is on – where, oh, where is there a bowl big enough for this gigantic salad for two. Stop the clock!
“Moooooooommmmmmyyyyyy, where is your largest bowl?”
And yes, at that point, my mother’s name went from a middle-aged woman’s “Mom” to a whiney little girl’s “Mommy.”
My mommy comes to my rescue. I smile sweetly. Glare at my sister with that big “I told you so” grin on her face. I grit my teeth on my tongue to prevent spillage of words. Start the clock.
Now to wash and chop the raw vegetables to add to the greens – darn this knife – chop, chop, chop, chop, and chop some more. Okay, whew, I throw the veggies into the lettuce to make my signature salad with 10 different vegetables, including the two kinds of lettuce and sprouts.
Voila! Done. Oh, no, I’m not – I have to find a lemon and some kind of vinegar for the dressing. Don’t bother stopping the clock – 10 minutes is long gone.
At least 45 minutes from start to finish, my smirking big sister and ever-so-humbled me sit down to a feast – we feast our bodies with the best food and feast our spirits with each other’s love, companionship, and the fun of keeping little sister in her proper place.
Okay, I totally get it. Now I know why so many of you complain about how long it takes to make a salad. Wash your greens and veggies ahead of time and keep them together in the refrigerator. Make sure you have the right tools and they are strategically located.
The recipe and instructions below were birthed from two sources: sheer exasperation and my sister’s strong “suggestion” to write down what I do to make my 10+10 signature salad.
I pass the challenge on to you. After you have practiced with all the right tools, see if you can make a 10+10 salad in 10 minutes? I promise, cross my heart, when I am home, I can and do every day.
Let me know how you do. And I would love your suggestions, helpful hints, and additions that you have incorporated into your own healthy salad-making.
Happy creating and happy eating to make your body a happy body!
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Minute 10+10 Rainbow Chopped Salad
Ingredients (Dr. Leslie’s favorites—choose 10 favorite vegetables to build your own salad)
• Lettuce (2 lettuces=2 different vegetables for “10” count): 2 kinds equivalent to 1 head (Romaine, green-leafy or red-leafy, bib, and/or butter—NOT iceberg)
• Spinach: couple of handfuls
• Sprouts (3 different sprouts=3 vegetables): alfalfa, mung bean, or mixed bean
• Red vegetables: 1 tomato, ½ red bell pepper, ¼ cup radishes, ¼ cup red onion
• Green vegetables: ½ cucumber, ½ cup green cabbage
• Purple vegetable: ½ cup purple cabbage
• White vegetable: ¼ cup cauliflower
• 1 avocado (yes! actually a fruit!)
• Other options: broccoli, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, green or orange pepper, snap peas, yellow onions
II. The “Must” Tools
• Large salad spinner—10¼” in diameter (Note: no holes in the bottom)
• Large cutting board—20¾” x 15”
• Chef’s knife (sharp) with 8” blade
• Boning knife (sharp) with straight, narrow 6” blade
• Peeler
• Large bowl (the largest of the 4 stacked Pyrex glass bowls)
• Two oversized spoons or fork and spoon for tossing
III. Directions
1. Take all ingredients out of refrigerator and wash. If possible, wash vegetables for 2 salads ahead of time so they are ready to go.
2. Using salad spinner, spin the lettuce and spinach until very dry
3. Finely chop lettuce and spinach—it’s easier to chew—and fill up a bowl large enough to contain a salad that will fill you up. (It takes time to learn how much salad is the right amount for you.)
4. Finely chop vegetables and place on top of large bed of lettuce and spinach.
5. Squeeze ½ a lemon over salad, along with a couple of shakes of balsamic vinegar (or any vinegar of choice).
6. Mix salad until the avocado coats the lettuce and vegetables very well. The salad will shrink down about 1/3.
IV. Helpful hints
Wash all green-leafy vegetables ahead of time so they are ready to go when you are ready to eat a salad.
Spin lettuce and spinach as dry as possible—they store better—and store in air-tight container.
Store all vegetables in the same area or same bag in your refrigerator so they are very accessible.
Chop green-leafy vegetables and other vegetables very finely to make chewing easier.
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Second Secret
Salad Dressing
I. Ingredients
1 huge green-leafy salad with 10 different vegetables
½ of a fresh lemon or lime
Organic balsamic vinegar (or any favorite vinegar)
(BONUS: Almost no calories in dressing and extra nutrients from the lemon or lime)
II. Directions
1. Cut one lemon or lime in half and use fingers to squeeze the juice out of the lemon or lime onto the salad.
2. Give the bottle of balsamic vinegar a few shakes over the salad for desired amount.
3. Mix very well. If an avocado has been added to the salad, the avocado coats the salad, giving it a wonderful flavor and texture.
4. Stick fork into the vegetables, insert vegetables into mouth, bite down, and chew!
5. Stop eating when your brain tells you to stop. Throw the rest away. It is more of a waste to eat more food than you need than it is to feed the garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are cheaper and easier to replace than your body—a little different perspective than the “lick-your-plate” mentality that most of us were raised with.
After eating a large salad for lunch, you will get hungry in a couple of hours because raw vegetables digest quickly. That’s what’s supposed to happen—good food goes in, moves through you relatively quickly, the nutrients become a part of you, and the waste comes out. Very simple and normal process.
After eating a large salad for lunch, I get hungry within about 2½ hours. Very easy solution to hunger…EAT!
Simple rule: eat when hungry; stop eating when your brain tells you that you are satisfied.
Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a motivational health speaker, writer and lifestyle coach. Visit Dr. Leslie at Http://DrLeslieVanRomer.com for practical direction, hope and inspiration.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Mommy Burnout - 6 Ways To Lose It
Feeling burnout as a Mom is very common. It does not mean that you are failing as a Mom.
It’s mostly due to the isolation that a lot of Moms face in our culture, as well as the overscheduling and overwork that a lot of us deal with.
Here are 6 things you can do to prevent burnout and treat it if it comes up.
• Find your tribe
Find a support group of like minded Moms. There are neighbors, people you worship with, family, Moms at storytime, the park, or anywhere else Moms hang out. It’s extremely important for Moms to have a social network. Talk about your feelings with someone who won’t judge you, and return the favor. Spend time with good friends, and don’t forget to nurture your relationship with your spouse.
• Set boundaries
Setting good boundaries isn’t just about limits with your kids. Boundaries are something that protect you from being overburdened with other people’s responsibilities. Learn to say no to things that don’t honor your values, and don’t overextend yourself.
• Lose the guilt
Don’t feel like you’re a bad Mom because you feel burnout from time to time. In fact, you are probably a very conscientious Mom who is neglecting her own needs! Be as forgiving and empathic with yourself as you are with your kids, and remember, when you take care of your own needs, you’re in better shape to care for your family. It’s kind of like when the flight attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first in case of emergency!
• Take care of your body
Eating poorly leads to fatigue and stress. Nurture your body with healthy foods and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which only deplete you.
Exercise is also very important because it helps you deal with stress and floods your body with endorphins, the “feel good hormones”. Don’t make excuses! Get moving for 20 minutes a day. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do.
Exercise is also good for the kids because it helps them discharge excess energy that they may have from being inside too much.
Spending some time every day in the sun is also a good idea. Sunlight improves mood and helps you sleep better.
• Take a break
Nurture yourself every single day in small ways. Take a hot bath by yourself. Go outside for a few minutes and breathe deeply. Say your prayers, journal, pursue a hobby that you love.
Even if all you can do are 5 minute increments, take the time!
• Focus on what’s truly important
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself that the most important things on your to do list are your children, not the dishes or the dusty blinds. Put everything aside for 15 minutes and just play with your kids. Have fun, laugh together, spend time in nature together, and enjoy life.
The rest can wait. Kids have a way of growing up despite us. And keep hugging those babies!
It’s mostly due to the isolation that a lot of Moms face in our culture, as well as the overscheduling and overwork that a lot of us deal with.
Here are 6 things you can do to prevent burnout and treat it if it comes up.
• Find your tribe
Find a support group of like minded Moms. There are neighbors, people you worship with, family, Moms at storytime, the park, or anywhere else Moms hang out. It’s extremely important for Moms to have a social network. Talk about your feelings with someone who won’t judge you, and return the favor. Spend time with good friends, and don’t forget to nurture your relationship with your spouse.
• Set boundaries
Setting good boundaries isn’t just about limits with your kids. Boundaries are something that protect you from being overburdened with other people’s responsibilities. Learn to say no to things that don’t honor your values, and don’t overextend yourself.
• Lose the guilt
Don’t feel like you’re a bad Mom because you feel burnout from time to time. In fact, you are probably a very conscientious Mom who is neglecting her own needs! Be as forgiving and empathic with yourself as you are with your kids, and remember, when you take care of your own needs, you’re in better shape to care for your family. It’s kind of like when the flight attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first in case of emergency!
• Take care of your body
Eating poorly leads to fatigue and stress. Nurture your body with healthy foods and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which only deplete you.
Exercise is also very important because it helps you deal with stress and floods your body with endorphins, the “feel good hormones”. Don’t make excuses! Get moving for 20 minutes a day. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do.
Exercise is also good for the kids because it helps them discharge excess energy that they may have from being inside too much.
Spending some time every day in the sun is also a good idea. Sunlight improves mood and helps you sleep better.
• Take a break
Nurture yourself every single day in small ways. Take a hot bath by yourself. Go outside for a few minutes and breathe deeply. Say your prayers, journal, pursue a hobby that you love.
Even if all you can do are 5 minute increments, take the time!
• Focus on what’s truly important
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself that the most important things on your to do list are your children, not the dishes or the dusty blinds. Put everything aside for 15 minutes and just play with your kids. Have fun, laugh together, spend time in nature together, and enjoy life.
The rest can wait. Kids have a way of growing up despite us. And keep hugging those babies!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
The Mechanics of Deception Cryptography
Secret communication is nothing new. Books on the history of cryptography reveal that hidden messages date to as far back as there are records. After millennia of efforts to conceal messages, one might think that every imaginable cryptographic technique was tried long ago and is now widely known. "Not so," according to Morten St. George, author of a book on cryptic thinking.
St. George maintains that forty-two of the Nostradamus prophecies employ a unique type of cryptography that until now has never been identified, catalogued, or reused. Moreover, St. George claims that it may be the most powerful form of cryptography ever devised. Surprisingly, however, its techniques are extremely simple; it employs no complex mathematical codes or anything like that. As St. George puts it: "Its enormous strength lies in deception. If you don't know that cryptographic techniques are being employed, if you don't suspect that there is a hidden communication underneath, then you look no further than what's on the surface and the real meaning forever evades you." St. George calls it "deception cryptography."
To illustrate deception cryptography and its techniques, I will return to the "historical secrets" of an earlier article to show how those secrets were uncovered. In case an acknowledgment box for this article doesn't appear in all places, I am inserting here an opportunity to thank Morten St. George for this follow-up interview, for technical assistance, and for permission to derive material from his cryptic thinking book. Note that the book's analysis often spans many pages and in a paragraph or two I can only hope to point to the key elements.
*** Napoleon Bonaparte was murdered on his island of captivity by poison in the wine, instigated by a woman enraged over the defeat of his army in 1813.
St. George informs me that countless Nostradamians have meticulously examined each and every stanza looking for tie-ins with Napoleon, and in the end they believe they found dozens of stanzas that apply to Napoleon. St. George observes that there are only two stanzas that really do apply to Napoleon, and to his knowledge, no Nostradamian has ever found either one of them.
The stanza that deals with Napoleon's death is numbered VIII-13. There, the road to Napoleon lies in the first few words of the third verse: "Army to a thousand years." You need a number for adding a thousand years, but internally this stanza has no numbers. You are therefore forced to resort to the stanza number, VIII-13, or 813, producing the year 1813. The army of 1813 was one of the most famous in all of history, Napoleon's Grandee Armee. In 1813, in the aftermath of its retreat from Russia, that great army wholly disintegrated. In the last verse, the poison drink (inferred from elsewhere to be wine) kills two people. The second person was Napoleon's bodyguard.
Often, the prophecies affirm a theme elsewhere. In VIII-13, the affirmation lies in the second verse that invokes Greek mythology, a classic myth of betrayal, referring to the hero Bellerophon by name. Bellerophon was the name of the English ship that took Napoleon into captivity.
*** President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a group of conspirators led by his vice-president, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Officially accused by the Warren Commission, Lee Harvey Oswald was completely innocent since the bullets that killed Kennedy were fired from a rooftop, not from an open window.
St. George derives this from the stanza numbered VI-37. "From a rooftop, evil ruin... Innocent of the act, after his death, he shall be accused." Then comes the all-critical final verse, beginning "The guilty one hidden." According to St. George, "hidden" is a magical word in the prophecies. You have to take it literally. The name of the guilty one is hidden in the French words that follow: "taillis" to the "bruyne." Symbolic of the death of a Roman Catholic (Kennedy) would be the Latin cross, so that's what you have to create. Put "taillis" directly on top of "bruyne." For the left side of the cross, bring down the three letters "B", "A", and "I". For the right side of the cross, bring down the three letters "N", "E", and "S". That spells out "Baines." Now looking at the middle of the cross, up on top, we see the letters "LY". Four letters have to be invented to complete the central shaft on the bottom end. The guilty one: LYndon BAINES.
*** The JFK conspirators were also behind the assassination of Kennedy's brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, several years later.
The answer here lies in stanza VI-11. This stanza begins by talking about a family with seven children, retroactively clarifying that the children at that time consisted of four sisters and three brothers, of which the oldest two will be surprised by death. The last two verses read: to kill the two brothers (an instance of grammatical deception) they shall be seduced; the conspirators shall pass away in their sleep. It's clear: these conspirators killed both Kennedy brothers, and since the conspirators died of natural causes, we can infer that they got away with it.
In The Mechanics of Deception Cryptography - Part II, I plan to show how deception cryptography ingeniously conveys information about the assassination of Martin Luther King, the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, and other secrets. At this point, I took a break from the technical stuff to ask Morten St. George if he can foresee future events in the prophecies.
Unfortunately, St. George answered in the negative. He says that beyond the inherent obscurity of deception cryptography, future events are rarely envisioned, and if you can't envision it, you can't predict it, no matter how clear or unclear the wording might be. St. George gave me a couple of examples, "Can you envision before the event that a phrase like "dead alive like a stump" could be alluding to Ronald Reagan's brain-dead Press Secretary? But after the event you can see it. Or can you envision before the event that a phrase like "from the sky shall come a great king of terror" could be alluding to hijacked airplanes on a terror mission? Only after the event it makes sense."
St. George continued: "For sure, anyone can use the prophecies to make predictions but that doesn't mean they will come true. I have a good one for you, a natural disaster beyond human manipulation: Earthquake Strikes in December 2006. It could be an earthquake in the North Atlantic, with tidal wave reaching London, or it could be an earthquake that hits the Greek city of Corinth. Mind you, the stanzas in question were already spectacularly successful for past events, and normally there would be no expectation of a second application. But here there is. I see a danger of failure, not of prophecy, but of one of the fundamental ciphers of deception cryptography. The prophecies do not fail."
Deception cryptography clearly has its weaknesses, and also a few unusual strengths, on which I plan to expand next time.
St. George maintains that forty-two of the Nostradamus prophecies employ a unique type of cryptography that until now has never been identified, catalogued, or reused. Moreover, St. George claims that it may be the most powerful form of cryptography ever devised. Surprisingly, however, its techniques are extremely simple; it employs no complex mathematical codes or anything like that. As St. George puts it: "Its enormous strength lies in deception. If you don't know that cryptographic techniques are being employed, if you don't suspect that there is a hidden communication underneath, then you look no further than what's on the surface and the real meaning forever evades you." St. George calls it "deception cryptography."
To illustrate deception cryptography and its techniques, I will return to the "historical secrets" of an earlier article to show how those secrets were uncovered. In case an acknowledgment box for this article doesn't appear in all places, I am inserting here an opportunity to thank Morten St. George for this follow-up interview, for technical assistance, and for permission to derive material from his cryptic thinking book. Note that the book's analysis often spans many pages and in a paragraph or two I can only hope to point to the key elements.
*** Napoleon Bonaparte was murdered on his island of captivity by poison in the wine, instigated by a woman enraged over the defeat of his army in 1813.
St. George informs me that countless Nostradamians have meticulously examined each and every stanza looking for tie-ins with Napoleon, and in the end they believe they found dozens of stanzas that apply to Napoleon. St. George observes that there are only two stanzas that really do apply to Napoleon, and to his knowledge, no Nostradamian has ever found either one of them.
The stanza that deals with Napoleon's death is numbered VIII-13. There, the road to Napoleon lies in the first few words of the third verse: "Army to a thousand years." You need a number for adding a thousand years, but internally this stanza has no numbers. You are therefore forced to resort to the stanza number, VIII-13, or 813, producing the year 1813. The army of 1813 was one of the most famous in all of history, Napoleon's Grandee Armee. In 1813, in the aftermath of its retreat from Russia, that great army wholly disintegrated. In the last verse, the poison drink (inferred from elsewhere to be wine) kills two people. The second person was Napoleon's bodyguard.
Often, the prophecies affirm a theme elsewhere. In VIII-13, the affirmation lies in the second verse that invokes Greek mythology, a classic myth of betrayal, referring to the hero Bellerophon by name. Bellerophon was the name of the English ship that took Napoleon into captivity.
*** President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a group of conspirators led by his vice-president, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Officially accused by the Warren Commission, Lee Harvey Oswald was completely innocent since the bullets that killed Kennedy were fired from a rooftop, not from an open window.
St. George derives this from the stanza numbered VI-37. "From a rooftop, evil ruin... Innocent of the act, after his death, he shall be accused." Then comes the all-critical final verse, beginning "The guilty one hidden." According to St. George, "hidden" is a magical word in the prophecies. You have to take it literally. The name of the guilty one is hidden in the French words that follow: "taillis" to the "bruyne." Symbolic of the death of a Roman Catholic (Kennedy) would be the Latin cross, so that's what you have to create. Put "taillis" directly on top of "bruyne." For the left side of the cross, bring down the three letters "B", "A", and "I". For the right side of the cross, bring down the three letters "N", "E", and "S". That spells out "Baines." Now looking at the middle of the cross, up on top, we see the letters "LY". Four letters have to be invented to complete the central shaft on the bottom end. The guilty one: LYndon BAINES.
*** The JFK conspirators were also behind the assassination of Kennedy's brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, several years later.
The answer here lies in stanza VI-11. This stanza begins by talking about a family with seven children, retroactively clarifying that the children at that time consisted of four sisters and three brothers, of which the oldest two will be surprised by death. The last two verses read: to kill the two brothers (an instance of grammatical deception) they shall be seduced; the conspirators shall pass away in their sleep. It's clear: these conspirators killed both Kennedy brothers, and since the conspirators died of natural causes, we can infer that they got away with it.
In The Mechanics of Deception Cryptography - Part II, I plan to show how deception cryptography ingeniously conveys information about the assassination of Martin Luther King, the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, and other secrets. At this point, I took a break from the technical stuff to ask Morten St. George if he can foresee future events in the prophecies.
Unfortunately, St. George answered in the negative. He says that beyond the inherent obscurity of deception cryptography, future events are rarely envisioned, and if you can't envision it, you can't predict it, no matter how clear or unclear the wording might be. St. George gave me a couple of examples, "Can you envision before the event that a phrase like "dead alive like a stump" could be alluding to Ronald Reagan's brain-dead Press Secretary? But after the event you can see it. Or can you envision before the event that a phrase like "from the sky shall come a great king of terror" could be alluding to hijacked airplanes on a terror mission? Only after the event it makes sense."
St. George continued: "For sure, anyone can use the prophecies to make predictions but that doesn't mean they will come true. I have a good one for you, a natural disaster beyond human manipulation: Earthquake Strikes in December 2006. It could be an earthquake in the North Atlantic, with tidal wave reaching London, or it could be an earthquake that hits the Greek city of Corinth. Mind you, the stanzas in question were already spectacularly successful for past events, and normally there would be no expectation of a second application. But here there is. I see a danger of failure, not of prophecy, but of one of the fundamental ciphers of deception cryptography. The prophecies do not fail."
Deception cryptography clearly has its weaknesses, and also a few unusual strengths, on which I plan to expand next time.
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