Reading Pillows - Luxury and Comfort For Your Home
By Simon Macdonald
Reading pillows have been around for many years now. The very first of these pillows were little more than a rolled pillow that lent a little support to your back or neck but left the rest of your back out of alignment resulting in an aching back after only a short time using them.
Over the years reading pillows have changed dramatically both in style and in substance. Today's pillows can be anything from a simple wedge that is wide at the bottom and narrower at the top to what looks and feels like the complete back of an armchair.
Some of the newest and most innovative of these pillows comes with ultra lightweight frames that can both support an adults weight and conform to their body shape. They have sturdy full length armrests with pockets to keep remote controls or magazines neat and safe. Many newer models even have headrests like in car seats.
Adds Luxury and Comfort to Bedroom Decor
Reading pillows come in assorted fabrics and colors as well, matching any bedroom decor. In fact, reading pillows have become a prominent feature in bedroom decor. It is easy to understand why.
Bedrooms provide a type of privacy and comfort that can't be found anywhere else in the house. People are spending more time in their bedrooms than ever before, and want to relax in style and comfort.
They can instantly turn a bed into a lounge. Making a relaxing place to stretch your legs, watch television or read. Even the smallest bedroom can be converted from simply a place to sleep to a place of comfortable living by this simple addition. Not only do these pillows enhance comfort but they add a look of luxury to your entire bedroom decor.
While they can add a sense of luxury to an adult bedroom, child size versions of these pillows can turn your child's room into a comfortable and charming haven where they can study, read, watch television, listen to music or visit with friends.
Trendy designs and bright colors are great for teenagers, while younger children can have their favorite characters on them like all the Disney princesses, or the incredible hulk.
Health Benefits
Aesthetics is not the only reason for the increase in demand for these pillows in today's world. These pillows actually help people to live healthier less painful lives.
A good quality reading pillow can improve your posture and prevent back pain. They are extremely helpful in relieving the pain caused by arthritis and chronic back pain.
Nursing mothers find that they can nurse their infant in the comfort of their own bed without any back or neck strain.
People with permanent or temporary respiratory problems such as nasal congestion, bronchitis, lung disorders and congestive heart failure find they can sleep longer and feel more rested when their body is comfortably elevated.
They can even relieve some of the symptoms of acid reflux and limit snoring.
Portability
Reading Pillows are portable making them easy to take with you so that you can enjoy the same luxury and comfort when you travel that you enjoy at home.
Simon Macdonald writes about Pillows at http://www.yespillows.com.
Ways to Help Decide Which Refrigerator is Right
By Gregory Prather
There are many models and sizes of refrigerators. The one you choose will depend on your needs and the size of your kitchen. Some types of refrigerators include counter depth, compact, French door and commercial refrigerator freezers.
What makes a counter depth refrigerator different is that the depth is 25 to 27 inches, where as the other refrigerator has a depth of 30 to 32 inches. Regular full sized refrigerators will usually stick out somewhat when compared to the depth of the cabinets. With counter depth refrigerators, they fit closer to the counters and cabinets giving a more seamless look to your kitchen. They are often taller and wider than traditional refrigerators to have the same capacity.
The Magic Chef compact refrigerator has a specific purpose and is not meant to be a substitute for a traditional refrigerator. Compact refrigerators come in 1.7 cubic feet to 6 cubic feet sizes. Since they are so small, they are great for dorms and offices. Your snacks and drinks will stay cold in this refrigerator. Considering the size they might have several shelves. The compact Magic Chef refrigerator can only hold 1 ice cube tray in its tiny freezer. Larger compact refrigerators may even offer a full freezer.
French door refrigerators are the newest design in refrigerators, offering side-by-side doors with a freezer drawer below. Generally French door refrigerators require a larger 36 inch opening. Besides being wider, they hold less and are more expensive than traditional refrigerators. The majority of models have doors which dispense both ice and water, as well as a door alarm. Interior temperature can be controlled from the door as well. There are smaller models that are cheaper. One of the features of french door refrigerator is that they have shelves which can extend up to the entire width of the refrigerator. The doors are equipped with shelves deep enough for a gallon of milk. You can even get them in counter depth models.
Regular consumers are not expected to use commercial refrigerator freezers. Typically you can find these on display in stores. Commercial freezers have solid or see through doors that may operate on a hinge or by sliding. There are lots of different kinds of doors. You can operate these at both chilled and frozen temperatures. They can either have a remote condensing unit or a self-contained condensing unit. Using a remote condensing unit keeps the parts that cool the refrigerator at a distance from the appliance itself. A self-contained condensing until has all of the components to cool it contained as part of the refrigerator itself.
Finding a perfect refrigerator is second to none. Prior to purchasing bottom freezer refrigerators , visit http://www.refrigeratorkitchen.com/.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregory_Prather
Ways to Decrease Your Chance of Getting the H1N1 Swine Flu
By Debbie Carroll
Everyone is concerned about the H1N1 swine flu and what they can do to decrease the risk of contacting it. The California Dental Hygienists' Association issued a list of simple ways to prevent catching and spreading of the Swine Flu. Primary transmission of the swine flu is through the respiratory system.
Daphne Von Essen. California Dental Hygienists' Association president said "The primary infection control goal is to prevent transmission of disease - that begins with the mouth." She shared the people should avoid sharing toothbrushes or even keeping them in close proximity in the bathroom as they may become a transmission source.
"This is especially true if a family member contracts the flu," said Von Essen. "We recommend people throw out their old toothbrushes and get new ones if they are either sick or getting over the flu."
Secondly they recommend that individuals observe proper respiratory hygiene etiquette. Cough directly in to a tissue, shirt sleeve or elbow rather that the hand. This decreases transmission of the swine flu through further contact with the hands. If you do cough or sneeze into your cupped hand, wash them immediately. Good hand washing on a regular basis will definitely decrease the spread of other infections as well
Dental hygienists, assistants and dentists become the first line of defense when patients visit the dental office. The association recommends the following infection control measures during patient assessment:
1. Having patients with respiratory illness in an isolated room or asking them to return at another time.
2. Use a disposable mask on the infected patient both during treatment and in other office areas.
3. All personnel assessing a patient with respiratory illness should wear disposable surgical face mask, gloves, gown, and eye protection (e.g., goggles)
5. Good hand washing by personnel and patients.
6. Routine cleaning and disinfection strategies used during influenza seasons can be applied to the environmental management of swine influenza.
With proper education of dentists and dental hygienists, as well as informing the public about ways to decrease the spread of swine flu, you will be less likely to exposed to the swine flu at the dentist office.
Copyright 2009
Debbi Carroll, RN is a Dental and Health Benefits Consultant with AmeriPlan. AmeriPlans offers up to 80% off on all dental and healthcare needs with non insurance alternative programs. To learn more about their services visit http://www.dentalplanswork.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Carroll
Family Sayings and Unique Idioms
By Gini Cunningham
Every family or group of friends has special sayings or idioms that have significance that cannot be explained in a few words. Rather they require digging back into history to retrieve the event or person that started the word play. My husband and I raised hogs for several years and the words, "Fred! Okie! Pigs!" were shouted as warning to get our two dogs on the move and our pigs out of the garden or field. Though no more pigs mingle around our grounds, these three words reverberate with importance anytime we want our children to jump up and get something done on the double. A laugh added to the command produces amazing results.
As former hay farmers another great saying when someone felt discouraged and wanted to quit a job or abandon a task was the order, "Forage on!" I often used this phrase with my eighth grade students, some of whom understood the entanglement of forge and hay while others looked at me in puzzlement that their English teacher knew so little about vocabulary. A third group just followed the directions and continued a difficult task, never realizing my misuse of the word forage.
My mom had two wonderful sayings. When I felt angry at the world and confused by the mischance that had fallen upon me, I enjoyed slipping into a griping mode. The wisdom of Mom recognized that complaining solved nothing as she replied to my mutterings, "Fill up your love bucket." She wanted me to get over it and get on, dealing with perceived or real adversity with a positive outlook and mind frame. It worked every time.
Another famous maternal statement was, "Happiness comes from within." Again it was delivered to me when I was operating in negative style, bemoaning annoyances brought on by friends or bosses or grumbling about aggravating circumstances of my life. Although it was rarely easy to admit that Mom was always right, she was. I generate my own happiness. It is I who overcomes sadness and poor attitude by finding and doing things that bring me pleasure and contentment. It is not money, a job, or friends that transport me to an optimistic viewpoint but how I deal with each of these in my life.
I shared the power of family sayings with a friend. She grimaced and then paused before sharing a saying that her father had nailed on her. As a young bride of eighteen she and her groom were about to move hundreds of miles away to launch a lifetime together without parents or anyone familiar to call on for support. Droplets welled in her eyes and sobs were throttled in her throat as she bid her farewell. Not really expecting loving words of departure from her dad, she yearned for them just the same. He looked her squarely in the eye and said, "Dry your tears, Sister. I broke your dinner plate long ago." Then he turned and shuffled back into the house.
What do you suppose were the multiple intents and meanings of that collection of words? She had heard them before, and she heard them again down the line, but that pronouncement on a day that she needed to believe that she'd be missed, set her out on a road of an ever-widening desire for independence from those whom she loved and could hurt her so profoundly.
What are some well-known expressions from your childhood and youth? How have they carried over into your present life and how are you sending them into the future? A few words, shared among others can have an amazing impact on confidence and self-understanding.
A note card activity can help you examine family sayings and other bits of wisdom plus allow you to share with others. Jot each saying on a separate card, add the name of the originator, if s/he is known, and then write about a few occasions when the saying was used, how listeners reacted, and how the saying has changed over time. You are adding to or building memories for others and completing some analysis of word intent as well. These quirky words and phrases are special to your family and have a meaning that reverberates far beyond the actual words. There is rich history in family sayings and jotting them on note cards is an easy way to record and preserve generations of family witticisms. There may be some sayings to ignore or to toss, but each one reveals a glimmer of how you became you and how your family has evolved.
Educational consultant; free lance writer; life coach; professional development presenter
http://www.energizedlearning.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gini_Cunningham
Organize Your Home in 15 Minutes a Day in Two Weeks Or Less
By Yana Berlin
For the last few years Thursday's have been my favorite day.
Every time I walk through my front door to find my house immaculately clean I find myself automatically distressed, content and happy.
Now, don't get me wrong, my house is usually clean. However, we have so much "family traffic" that unless you have someone cleaning up through out the day every day, it's impossible to have it always looking spotless.
We usually have at least 10 people at our dinner table, and at least that many teenagers in and out of the house on a daily basis. With access to a cleaning lady only once a week, this system is imperative in up keeping a clean and vibrant household.
That's where my "Get Organized System" comes in.
Follow these simple steps only 15 minutes a day to have your house organized in 20 days or less. No one plans to fail, we just fail to plan.
1.Make a plan of what needs to be done for the next 14 days.
Write down what supplies you will need such as boxes, containers, trash bags.
2. Start with the highest trafficking area such as your kitchen counter.
Most of the stuff on the counters gets there because we are too lazy to put it in the proper place to begin with.
For the next 15 minutes examine your counters and see if anything can be put away or tossed, such as junk mail, or stuff you no longer need. Don't save it,
TRASH IT.
If you can make your counters clutter free, every time you walk into the kitchen you'll have a feeling of accomplishment.
If your counters are clean, skip to the next day.
3. The Hidden Drawer.
We all have them and they are usually filled with mostly junk that we haven't used and need to toss.
For the next 15 minutes go through each drawer and after you are done tossing all the junk, arrange everything neatly.
Continue to the next drawer until every drawer in your kitchen has been done.
This is a great exercise to do with your teenage kids. I remember once I had three of them doing different drawers, and we were actually done with all of them in half in a hour.
4. Don't forget the cupboards.
Your cabinets need order too.
It's always a good idea to keep your shelves organized by a certain product.
For instance you should have shelves separately for:
Canned goods.
Pasta and Rice.
Cereals and Breakfast Products
Oils and Spices
Keep in mind that you need to organize your shelves in the order
you use them. Place the most frequently used items in the most conveniently used shelf.
5.Now it's time for your Fridge Door.
I love my kids too, but enough with their projects, notes, and all kinds of phone numbers plastered all over the fridge door.
Strip everything from your fridge door and watch your kitchen shine.
This is also a good time to check your freezer and throw away old frozen meats, poultry, etc.
Inside the fridge you should have everything that you will use. Get rid of anything that has been there for over two or three weeks that haven't been used.
6.Your Medicine Cabinet requires attention.
I keep my meds in the kitchen; so I'm attributing this task to go along with my kitchen chores. If your med. cabinet is in your bathroom, skip to the day that we are focusing on the bathroom cabinets.
Going over your medicine requires attention. Check all of the expiration dates on each bottle, and toss the ones that expired.
Check to see that your first aid kit is in tack and make sure you have enough band aids, Neosporin and sun screen on your shelf.
7.Laundry Room.
I'm not sure why, but my kids just love to throw things in the laundry room and shut the door.
Laundry Room is your next destination.
Buy different color bins that stack on top of each other and can be easily pulled out. Store things neatly inside them, such as detergents, rags, and soaps.
Pretty bins and neatly stored items make your laundry room a place you actually want to visit.
8.Your Front Entry.
When my children were small, they would come through the door and throw their back packs all over the front entrance, immediately making the house look like a mess.
It took me a while to find out how I can prevent this from happening, the following method works really well.
Make your child feel special, assign a color to each family member
Buy Nice Looking Bins to place by the door. That way when they get back from school everything going inside their bin.
At this point I would recommend buying everything for that child that has to do with school in the same color. If you find a green notebook laying around the kitchen table, you no longer have to ask everyone who's it is. It can now go back to that green bin by the door.
The best thing about these bins is that they are light, and can be picked up and moved out of site during a dinner party or if you are expecting guests.
9.The Bathroom's.
This drill has to be applied in every bathroom of your home.
Go through drawers and toss everything that's old and spoiled, or not going to be used.
Wiping shelves with baby wipes always makes my cabinets smell fresh.
Your make up drawer needs your attention. Many make up products such lipstick, mascara and liquid foundation go bad quickly and need to be changed frequently to maintain healthy skin.
10. Bills, Holliday Cards and & Reminders.
With on line banking available by every bank, it has never been easier to pay your bills and keep track of everything that's going on with your finances. If you haven't done so already set up your on line banking account today.
Buy an expandable filing folder from Staples with dividers for every month. (This is where you keep your paid bills, so when the tax season comes around all the bills are sorted by month and are very easily tracked) Buy another folder, and every time you get a bill in the mail, it goes inside that folder.
Every month on the 1st and the 15th, pay all the bills from the bill folder, and file them in the other folder under the appropriate month. Simple enough, right?
Birthday's, Anniversaries and Special Occasions. Let's Face it, everyone likes to feel special-it's part of our human nature! Why not develop a personal system that remembers birthdays, family and friends wedding anniversaries and a schedule that sends
I have a special folder that is dedicated to all of the warranties for appliances in our home. Within that folder is a calendar that outlines annual check ups, filter replacements, batteries, etc. It also has all of the phone numbers of the people I use to service my appliances, plumbing and repairs.
11. Now you are ready for every room in your home.
Remember it should only take you 15 minutes a day to access and re-organize. If it cannot be done in fifteen minutes break it up in a few days.
Don't go to the next room until the room that you initially started is done.
Trash/Charity/Other
I would imagine that by now you have a pile of "stuff" that you don't know what to do with. This is the time you separate this "stuff" into three piles. Give away to charity, to someone you know can use this, or simply trash the pile. Package accordingly and MOVE IT OUT, remember to always have MOVEMENT; you need to clean it up and take it out.
12. Bedrooms.
Time to declutter your bedside tables and everything that's on top of them. Are you really reading these three books at the same time?
Do you really need two bottles of lotion on your bedside table?
Choose only what's necessary and put the rest away in the appropriate cabinet, drawer in your bathroom, or hide it in the lower shelf in your nightstand.
Remember not to clutter.
13. Closets.
Begin with your closet, and do not get overwhelmed.
One area of the closet at a time. Start with the shirts, progress to pants, then jackets, etc.
Set aside clothes that you haven't worn in two or more years, because chances are that you are not going to wear them. And about these jeans...if you haven't been able to get into them for the last 5 years, give them away or throw them out. If you happen to loose that weight again, you will reward yourself with a new, in style pair. You deserve it.
If you are planning to have more kids and would like to store kids clothing, make a box with a label on it describing for example, Girls Clothes ages 7 to 8. That way when you need to locate a box you don't have to go through all of them.
14. Family Room.
The coffee table is not a storage space for your old magazines. Leave one or two on the table, and take the rest to your car to read while your kids are playing soccer, or while you are waiting for an appointment. After you read a magazine, discard appropriately.
This whole process should not take more than two weeks, but should organize your house and put you in a better mood.
This is also a great way to engage your children to help you with keeping the house neat. If you follow this method several times a year, you'll never have to blush again by opening a messy drawer.
Yana Berlin is the founder and CEO of http://www.fabulously40.com , devoted to the celebration of all things, primarily women and the challenges and joys they face juggling their careers, children, relationships, and life's other issues. Fabulously40.com is a social network for women that catalyzes its members to celebrate and embrace their life. Since launching the site Mrs. Berlin has been connecting, and supporting women all over the world.
2008 (c) This article can only be reproduced in it's entirety when the link to http://www.fabulously40.com is live at all times.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yana_Berlin
COOKING & RECIPES
CHICKEN CASSOULET
1 1/2 c. dry navy beans
1 whole med. sized chicken breast,cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetable cooking spray
4 oz. turkey Polish kielbasa, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 lg. celery stalk, sliced
3 lg. carrots, sliced
1/4 c. parsley, chopped
1/4 c. dry white wine
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. seasoning salt (optional)
4 c. water
Rinse and sort beans. Cover with 6 cups water and boil 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse spray. Dutch oven with vegetable cooking spray; add chicken, sausage, garlic, onion and celery. Saute until lightly brown. Add beans, carrots, remaining ingredients and 4 cups water. Simmer about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Check seasonings. I sometimes add chicken bouillon. Makes 10 cups. Very low calories. About 3 g fat and 35 mg cholesterol. 260 calories.
COOKING & RECIPES
Cooking & Recipes
ORIENTAL CHICKEN WINGS
6 chicken wings
1 sm. clove garlic
1 scallion
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 tbsp. honey
2 tsp. rice-wine vinegar
1/2 tsp.g rated ginger
1/2 tsp. oriental sesame oil
Pinch of cayenne
1 tsp. sesame seeds
1 tbsp. chopped fresh coriander or parsley
Remove wing tips and cut wings in half at the joint. Mince garlic and scallion. Combine soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, oil and cayenne in a microwave safe dish. Add wings and turn to coat. Marinate at least 30 minutes, turning twice. Put larger wings at the edge of the dish. Cover with plastic and vent. Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
Rotate plate and cook 5 minutes longer. Transfer wings to a serving plate. Return marinade to oven and cook, partially covered on high for 2 minutes. Pour marinade over wings and turn to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, scallion and coriander. 12 pieces.
Cooking & Recipes
COOKING RECIPES
CHICKEN ROYALE
4 sm. boneless chicken breasts
1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt, if desired
1/4 tsp. paprika
Pepper
--STUFFING--
4 c. soft breadcrumbs
2 tbsp. onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. thyme
Pepper
4 tbsp. melted butter
1/2 c. water
Mix all stuffing ingredients together. Stuff each breast secure with picks, skewers or thread. Put flour, salt, paprika and pepper in paper or plastic bag. Shake each piece of chicken to coat. Slather breasts with melted butter. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, turning once. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with mushroom sauce.
COOKING RECIPES
Home Imrovement
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