Today's Read...

(PRWEB) September 27, 2006 -- There's one water source that many people are forgetting about when aiming to improve the water quality in their homes: the refrigerator.

But disciplined replacement at scheduled intervals will ensure clear, crisp, safe drinking water and extend the life of the refrigerator.


With scientists finding more and more contaminants in fresh water sources, it's no wonder people are going to great measures to filter their drinking water. But even though many refrigerators with water and ice dispensers already contain a water filter, upkeep is necessary for good water quality.

The life of refrigerator water filters is dependent upon the volume of contaminants in the water as well as the amount of use of the filter. Well water is more likely to contain contaminants not found in publicly treated water and may need more frequent filter changes. As a rule of thumb, the filter should be changed as specified by the manufacturer or at least every six months.

"To ensure clean drinking water and ice from the refrigerator's dispensing system, the filter must be changed every six months," said Ray Scardigno, president of FiltersFast.com, a leading retailer of water filters. "Refrigerator water filters are designed to purify a certain volume of water, and once they have dispensed that amount, they lose effectiveness."

Those who neglect changing their refrigerator's water filter may be in for a disturbing surprise. Poor filtration can allow chemical contaminants - from household cleaners, solvents, petroleum products and pesticides - to pass right through the refrigerator's water and ice system. Metal contaminants, such as lead and mercury, can pass through as well.

Furthermore, Environmental Protection Agency regulations currently don't require certain parasites to be removed from municipalities' water supplies.

Knowing this would make anyone with a refrigerator water and ice dispenser cringe. But what should you do if your refrigerator doesn't have a filtration system in the water and ice dispensing unit? Scardigno recommends purchasing an inline water filter that is easy to install and designed to fit most refrigerators.

"Most of us never think about our refrigerator water filters unless the water gets cloudy, starts tasting funny, someone gets sick or the refrigerator's lines or mechanical devices stop working properly," Scardigno said. "But disciplined replacement at scheduled intervals will ensure clear, crisp, safe drinking water and extend the life of the refrigerator."

For more information on refrigerator water filters, visit Filters Fast or call (866) 438-3458.







Fair Trade Autumn Harvest Blend

Tags: Autumn Harvest---Coffee tips---Green Mountain Coffee---Gourmet coffee---espresso---

Today's Read...

Frutarom Signs Agreement for Exclusive Global License to Produce and Market a Unique Plant Extract to Reduce and Stabilize Glucose Levels in Blood of Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Patients



HAIFA, Israel, September 20, PRNewswire) Frutarom has signed an exclusive global licensing agreement with D-Herb, of the NGT technological incubator in Nazareth, Israel, to produce and globally market a unique herbal extract, for the reduction and stabilization of glucose levels in the blood of diabetes and pre-diabetes patients. Frutarom intends to market and sell this unique extract, whose activity is supported by clinical trials that yielded excellent results, to the nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, functional food and health food industries, as part of its unique natural product portfolio.

Type II Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions and will continue to escalate due to a rise in obesity and an ageing population.

The number of diabetics in the world is estimated at 190 million, of which 20 million are in the USA. Forty percent (40%) of American diabetics use nutraceutical products in addition to conventional drug treatment. The American Diabetes Association estimates that an additional 41 million Americans suffer from pre-diabetes and recommends the use of nutraceuticals and food additives to reduce glucose levels in order to help prevent or postpone the onset of the disease. The US market for anti- diabetes natural products is estimated at US$ 50 million and last year grew 30%. This unique extract is the only clinically proven, natural product that reduces HbA1c levels in diabetes Type 2 patients (the most reliable test when measuring diabetes).

Read more of this article here...

For more information, visit www.frutarom.com.

Today's Read.... Try Juicing!

Power Juicer - Kid Downs 4 Cups of Cubed Carrots in 60 Seconds and Thrives



(PRWEB) September 18, 2006 -- All over the world, from Singapore to Scotland to South-Africa, dusty power juicers are shyly emerging from their hibernation in cupboards to make themselves comfortable on kitchen counters. Vegetable-starved consumers are queuing to buy power juicers, ranging from the semi-commercial Breville Juicer, or the well-known Jack Lalanne Juicer, to the omnivorous Omega Juicer. All because juicing is dressed up in such a jazzy vibe by Rika Susan at her juicy new site.

Many parents are smiling broadly as finicky kids now eagerly gulp down glass after glass of nutrient-rich juice, containing everything from antioxidant-rich berries, to previously detested broccoli. In these homes bulk-bought fresh vegetable and fruit baskets are emptying at a gratifying rate with the competent action of a power juicer (If they knew about it, this would cause the folks at the World Health Organization to nod approvingly, while they count more than the 5-9 portions of fresh goodies recommended per day!).

Whether you are a novice as far as the health benefit of juicing vegetables is concerned, or an old-hand raw food fundi or organic produce devotee, you will find fun, juiceful articles and book reviews at www.Best-Juicing.com. This juicing community has one goal in mind, and that is to demystify the power juicer, so that juicing becomes enjoyable and accessible to everyone.

Enjoy a juicy insider look at the benefit of juicing, and tons of free helpful juicing tips and techniques. With a power juicer in the kitchen, munching through piles of greens and cups of cubed carrots, get ready to effortlessly throw glasses of richly flavored juice down receptive gullets.

By juicing produce, you are able to give your precious family direct access to every vitamin, enzyme, and mineral their bodies need. This can almost be equaled to nature's intravenous feeding - and best of all, a power juicer's punch comes without a needle stick!

According to Best-Juicing.com, when fresh fruit and vegetables disappear down the feed chute of a juice extractor during its daily feeding frenzy, it becomes pre-digested food in a manner of speaking, releasing all the vital micro-nutrients from their hiding places in the fibrous cells of the produce.

When you drink fresh juice, your body can assimilate these vital nutrients with virtually no effort. What is more, while only a fraction of the nutrients in raw food can be accessed by the body during the normal eating process, juicing with a power juicer makes a far higher percentage of these micro elements available to your body. In some cases the uptake of nutrients can be up to and astonishing 90% higher!

As the informative articles at Best-Juicing.com explain, juicing and healthy, natural weight loss also make excellent partners. Vegetable juice is a fat-free, low-calorie snack, with appetite-suppressant and blood sugar stabilizing properties.

Juicing with a juice machine also plays a role in the management of many ailments, from arthritis to high blood pressure. If heart health and a healthy cholesterol level is on your agenda, make sure you have access to a power juicer, and join the buzz at Best-Juicing.com. You'll be shown step-by-step how to incorporate your power juicer into a new family healthstyle.

About Rika Susan and Best-Juicing.com: Rika Susan is a freelance writer, focusing mainly on health and nutrition articles. She is also the author of the free Fuel For Fit Fat-Burning Families Secrets Series, available to subscribers at Best-Juicing.com.

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For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes visit the Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read...Just What is Organic Food?

Organic Food: What Is It
by Jakob Culver

J. I. Rodale is a pioneer in the field of “organic food”, he first gave information about this topic in a magazine called Organic Gardening, in 1942. In that magazine he explained the importance of maintaining soil fertility and stability by putting organic matter -- animal manure or compost -- back into the soil rather than relying on the "inorganic," or synthetic, fertilizers that were then widely seen as the modern way to go.

He changed the whole concept by changing the fertilizers, and from them, the farming methods, rather than the food, that were organic, and the concern was primarily with the soil, not with issues like biodiversity or animal welfare.

As time passed the meaning of "organic farming" soon parted company from Rodale's original narrow distinction between fertilizers. Varying definitions spun out of control as different associations of "organic farmers" tried to set standards in accordance with their own values. Some wanted to stick with a narrow definition in terms of what you could and could not put on the soil, the crops, or the animals. Others wanted to include an entire way of life, including healthy living, an equitable form of distribution, concern for wildlife, and so on.

So when there was so much of difference in the perception of organic food then the organizations of organic farmers around the world organized the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements which settled on this definition:

Organic agriculture is an agricultural system that promotes environmentally, socially, and economically sound production of food, fiber, timber, etc. In this system, soil fertility is seen as the key to successful production. Working with the natural properties of plants, animals, and the landscape, organic farmers aim to optimize quality in all aspects of agriculture and the environment.

As there were no specific standards defined so it created all the more confusion among the consumers as they were often unsure what the various "organic" labels used by different associations and producers really meant

Because of this much of confusion the U.S. Congress in 1990 decided to clear up the confusion by authorizing the Department of Agriculture to establish legally enforceable "USDA Organic" standards and a certification scheme so that the consumers would e ensured that their food really had been produced in accordance with the standards.

That led, in 2002, to a set of standards that most people in organic farming considered a reasonable compromise among the various views of what organic farming is all about.

So it was then formally announced that the crops must be grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, and most synthetic pesticides and all herbicides are also banned, although biological and botanical methods of control can be used.

For maintaining the soil fertility, animal and plant waste (but not sewage sludge, which can contain toxic heavy metals) has to be used, crop rotation, and growing "cover crops" like clover between other crops. (Cover crops are plowed into the soil to restore nitrogen and organic matter.)

Animals intended for usage as meats, eggs, or milk must eat organic grains or other organic food and must not be given growth hormones or antibiotics. (Sick or injured animals may be treated with antibiotics, but then their meat, milk, or eggs cannot be sold as organic.)

Moe importantly the organically raised animals must have access to the outdoors, including access to pasture for ruminants. Neither plants nor animals can be the product of genetic engineering, and organic food cannot be irradiated.

So now using the label "organic" to distinguish one tomato from another doesn’t ask for much of the efforts.

Find more information about food and nutrition by visiting our resource portal about healthy eating and nutrition.

Article Source: Ezinearticles.com


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For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes visit the Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read... Good News for Vanilla Buyers!

Arizona Vanilla Company Now Offers Organic Pure Ground Vanilla

Mesa, AZ (PRWEB) September 13, 2006 -- Patty Elsberry, the owner of Arizona Vanilla Company, LLC, a minority/women owned, dynamic online retailer and distributor of high-end specialty seasonings, announces that Arizona Vanilla is finally able to offer an organic pure ground vanilla.

Vanilla Beans

“Pure ground vanilla is not vanilla powder,” explains Patty Elsberry, Managing Director of Arizona Vanilla Company. “Pure ground vanilla is 100 percent vanilla beans that have been ground into a fine powder, with NO additives of any kind. This leaves the natural flavor and aroma of the vanilla bean intact, but in a form that is easier to use.” Pure ground vanilla is a great substitute for vanilla beans in many dishes. It goes great in vinaigrettes, marinades, drinks, crème brulee, or anything else that uses vanilla beans. Ms. Elsberry explains that she likes to use ground vanilla in conjunction with vanilla extract to heighten the already great vanilla flavor of vanilla extract.

“Having our ground vanilla organic will open a lot of doors for Arizona Vanilla,” Ms. Elsberry goes on to explain. “We are constantly trying to improve and upgrade our product offers to allow our customers the best selection of our great products. We look forward to great new things for our customers in the future, and having our ground vanilla organic is one small step in that direction.”

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Arizona Vanilla Company is a rapidly growing online distributor of bulk and processed vanilla products including the Madagascar, Mexican, Tahitian and Bourbon vanilla varieties. Arizona Vanilla Company works directly with vanilla growers to ensure the highest quality and freshest products are delivered to their wholesale and retail customers. The company also offers a select variety of specialty seasonings and products. For more information on the Arizona Vanilla Company and their products, visit them online.

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Single Cup Brewer




For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes visit the Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read... Don't Eat Your Spinach!

Vegetables: Health Food or Killers
by Susanne Myers



With the recent outbreak of e-coli traced back to bagged spinach of all things, the FDA now suggests consumers thoroughly wash all bagged produce (including salad) before consuming it to avoid the extreme diarrhea e-coli bacterial can cause.

The e-coli bacteria can be found in any raw or undercooked foods. Most often outbreaks are linked to undercooked meat, or unsafe handling of raw meat, particularly ground beef. What was up until now less well known is that e-coli can also be found on fresh produce like fruits and vegetables.

E-coli bacteria cause severe diarrhea often with bloody stool and can cause kidney failure and possible death. The old and the young are particularly prone to extreme cases of the infection. If you suspect you have been infected with e-coli, contact your physician right away.

E-coli naturally occurs in the intestines of animals like cows and chickens. As these animals are slaughtered and processed, traces of the bacteria can come into contact with the meat. Ground beef seems to be especially prone to getting contaminated. To kill any e-coli (or other bacteria for that matter) that may have “snuck in”, cook all meat to an internal temperature of at least 160 F.

So, how does this same bacteria get into our salad, veggies and fruit? Manure is often used as a natural fertilizer and gets’ stuck on the outside of the vegetables and fruits as they grow and are harvested. Produce is cleaned off before it’s bagged and shipped to you, but that doesn’t necessarily mean all the bacteria are gone.

In particular vegetables including salad that are bagged provide a perfect growing environment for the e-coli bacteria. The bag ensures that there is always some moisture around the produce that allows the e-coli to multiply.

The recent outbreak of e-coli in bagged spinach along with previous outbreaks in bagged salad mixes and even containers of strawberries makes you wonder if we should just avoid all prepackaged and bagged produce. Fortunately we don’t have to go that far, but we should get in the habit of properly preparing those foods.

Salad and vegetables mixes in bags are often pre-washed and sold as “ready to serve”. Take a few minutes and rinse them with warm water, followed by a splash of cold water to avoid cooking the spinach or salad. Use plenty of warm water on hardier vegetables such as tomatoes or carrots and don’t forget to wash fruit with plenty of water as well, especially strawberries. Strawberries grow very low to the ground and are often fertilized with manure or are grown on soil that was previously fertilized that way. Since the berries grow practically directly on top of the soil, it is easy for the e-coli to catch a ride on the fruit directly into your home.

Washing raw fruit and vegetables with plenty of warm water should get rid of most of the bacteria, making it safe to eat. Make it a habit to wash your produce whether the packaging indicates it’s pre-washed or not. It will only take a few minutes and could prevent you from getting sick in the long run.

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Susanne Myers is the co-publisher of the Healthy Menu Mailer, a weekly recipe and menu mailer that’s all about eating healthy. Join her for a free 7-day sneak peak here.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

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Paul Newman's Blend Coffee



For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes, visit the Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read - Bingo!

Online Bingo Gets its Own MySpace



London, UK (PRWEB) September 15, 2006 -- www.BingoFaces.com, an online community for bingo players allowing enthusiasts to make friends and interact, has launched this month. Bingo players from around the world are already using the free community site and many have taken to it like a duck to water.

"There are community sites and portals for everything you can imagine, so we thought, why can't bingo have one," said site manager, Dan Smyth "We're delighted and shocked at the response from the bingo community, they've taken to it quicker than we ever imagined."

Members at Bingo Faces are dispelling the myth that bingo players aren't internet savvy. They're all making friends, creating profiles, chatting in the forum, sharing photos, private messaging, creating buddy lists and much more.

"Bingo has always had a social focus, and it always will. We felt online bingo sites were too faceless and the focus has always on the gambling. We've created an environment where meeting like minded people and making friends comes first."

BingoFaces.com is fast becoming a massive hit with bingo players around the world and already has more than 1,000 members. With the level of interest so far, BingoFaces.com is expected to be a huge success.

For more information see www.bingofaces.com


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Paul Newman's French Roast Coffee




For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes visit the Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read...Men Are Not From Mars

by Suzanne Lieurance


Unknown Planet Where Men Come From

Men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Or so they say. But sometimes, I think my husband is from Uranus. Not that he's dumb or anything. Far from it. But his behavior certainly baffles me. It's just so far out there! Take last night. I was baking cookies when I suddenly noticed the time.

"Yikes! Can you take these cookies out of the oven for me when they're done?” I asked him. “I was supposed to be at an online workshop 10 minutes ago!"

"Sure...no problem," he said.

And I went dashing off to the computer to log on.

I left the cooling racks out for the cookies, along with a plastic storage bag to put the cookies in once they had cooled. It wouldn't take a brain surgeon or a rocket scientist to finish with this job. I was confident he could handle it.

Now here's where Uranus comes in. When my workshop was over I went back downstairs to see if my husband had remembered the cookies. He remembered them all right. He even baked the rest of the batter that was left in a bowl in the refrigerator. But the cooling racks and the plastic storage bag were setting on the counter, while the cookies were all stacked on top of each other on two plates, covered with aluminum foil.

Now my husband is the type of guy who plays chess to relax. He worked Rubic's Cube in about 10 minutes when it first came out years ago, and his favorite library book at the moment is called Conquering Calculus. So wouldn't you think he could figure out that hot, gooey cookies, oozing with melting chocolate chips, would stick together if they were piled on a plate, straight from the oven? Apparently not. Instead of several dozen chocolate chip cookies, we now have two (count 'em, two) chocolate chip cookie MOUNTAINS, firmly cemented to two of our good dinner plates.

When I saw the cookie mountains last night I didn't say anything.

My husband eyed me nervously. "What'd I do wrong now?" he asked.

"Did I say you did something wrong?" I answered.

"You didn't have to," he said. "You've got that look."

And he was right.

I had the look.

The one that says, "Women may be from Venus, but I swear, men are from Uranus!"

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Single Cup Brewer



For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes visit the Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read - Coffee: Quality is Important

by David McFarlane



A quality cup of coffee can depend on many factors, such as:

The time since the coffee beans were ground;

The time since the beans were roasted;

How clean the brewing equipment is;

The quality of the coffee bean being used;

The quality of the water being used.

Some Interesting Facts About Coffee

The quality of the coffee bean is the most important of these factors, if you are going to buy "good" coffee. The very best bean will taste bad if any one of the other listed characteristics are out of place. Not all coffee beans are equal, but the other points listed above will even the field.

A lesser coffee that has been freshly roasted and ground is many times better than coffee that has been roasted and ground then left to get stale - no matter how good it was when it was fresh.

A can of coffee found in the supermarket often contains large amounts of robusta, low quality Arabica beans and past crop (old) beans. To make matters worse, there is no way for the major coffee companies that roast and ship all over the country to get you truly fresh coffee.

Once you have coffee that has been freshly roasted and ground, good water and brewing equipment free of oil residues from the last brew and the quality of the coffee beans makes a huge difference.

How To Tell Coffee Quality

Please note that a coffee can bought in the supermarket often contains a blend of Arabica and robusta beans, while most coffee houses sell only Arabica beans. Arabica beans are normally rich in flavor - while robusta beans have more caffeine, less flavor and are cheaper to make.

There is an exception to every rule, and the exception here is that some very good espresso coffees will have small amounts of the highest quality robusta beans available on the market. This should not, however, be taken as a guarantee that a coffee house will have any better coffee than the diner down the street.

If any of the previously discussed items, such as cleanliness or freshness, are not in order then even the very best coffee can be made to taste bad.

When you buy coffee, whether it be in a coffee house or in a supermarket, you want to get 100% Arabica - except for espresso blends, which may be a combination of both. Whether good quality robusta can improve the flavor of espresso is up for debate.

For absolute freshness when buying in a coffee house, it is better to buy popular blends that move fast - while buying in a supermarket, vacuum packaged containers with an expiration date are your best bet although all canned coffee will be stale to some extent.

It should be noted that in order to be able to vacuum pack coffee, industrial coffee producers actually let the coffee sit for a while before it is packed. As soon as coffee is roasted it starts to release CO2, in a process called outgassing. This can actually help to protect the bean from going stale. Unfortunately for the people vacuum packing coffee or putting coffee in tins, this also will inflate the bags. This outgassing is the reason that you may very well see one-way valves on coffee bags. These valves allow the CO2 to escape, while keeping oxygen from entering the bag.

Chances are fairly high that you will not get truly fresh coffee in a supermarket. This is an absolute fact if it is pre-ground. In a coffee house, look for a shop that roasts in-house and ask what was roasted that day. If the person behind the counter does not know, ask to talk to someone who does know. If no one knows, simply go somewhere else.

Additionally, it should be noted that coffee is at its very best after a few hours rest. This is one of those places where an expert in the field of coffee can advise you. As a general rule of thumb, most coffees are improved with a rest time of about 12 to 24 hours. Some coffees, particularly those that are musty or earth coffees, actually mellow for the first two to three days - making a much longer rest better.

A final point to remember is that for best results, grind your own coffee. Buying fresh and then having it ground completely defeats the purpose. Ground coffee only lasts a few hours or one day at the very most.


David McFarlane is a proud contributing author and writes articles on coffee. Visit David's website.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

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Paul Newman's Sampler



For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes visit Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read - An Interesting New Book to Read on the 5th Anniversary of the 9-11 Attacks

Who Were 'The Real Villains' of 9-11? America & Iraq: Seduced by Fear, A New Book by Author Dr. Amaal V.E. Tokars

Today's Read...

Myrtle Beach, SC (PRWEB) September 11, 2006 -- Grapevine Publishing is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Amaal V.E. Tokars book, America & Iraq: Seduced by Fear available Spring 2007. In her book, Tokars states: "As the world prepares to enter one of its most serious wars in history, it is most crucial for American citizens to be able to obtain information and understand issues. It is through Textual Imagery, information and communication filtered to us second by second, that most American people shape their beliefs and opinions simply by virtue of what they have read, heard or have been shown."

The author, Dr. Amaal Tokars takes you on a journey before 9-11 and after, demonstrating why the average citizen should have been prepared for war and how the notion of our freedom has been relegated to a diminished voice. Dr. Tokars stresses that without true understanding and knowledge of other cultures and current events, we remain static and forego any possibility of the freedoms that our forefathers fought so intensely for. She carefully documents why a civilized human society cannot afford to think in tribal terms and how that type of thinking will only lead to mistrust and, in due course, to completely unjustifiable disasters such as what tragically happened on 9-11.

Dr. Tokars guides readers toward the process of becoming an Organic Citizenry by learning how to discern truth with clarity and discover where to go to acquire the facts, renewing our authentic voice and true freedom. Dr. Tokars challenges her readers to be Organic Citizens, to commit themselves to decipher and challenge all Textual Imagery -- to think, question, act, and participate. Dr. Tokars gives us an intriguing analysis and a challenge to live our lives as more responsible citizens of the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Amaal Tokars holds a PHD in Education and Anthropology. She has spent her professional career working in the diverse arena of human services and is the author of the upcoming book: America & Iraq: Seduced by Fear. She has committed much time and research to topics related to leadership and policy. Her interests range from adult education, community development, crisis intervention, crisis response, and cultural competence. Dr. Tokars is Canadian, Iraqi, and a citizen of the United States. She resides in the Chicago area with her family. It is her hope that her work will promote dialogue on the meaning of citizenship in a global society. She hopes that all citizens will be valued as having a voice in the shaping of their lived history.


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Single Cup Brewer




For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes visit the Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read...Learn to Write Winning Query Letters & Book Proposals!

Have you ever wanted to write for publication?

If so, then join me this Tuesday night, September 12th, at 5:00 (Pacific time) at University Of Masters for my course Freelance Writing: How to Jumpstart Your Career.

My special guest for this teleclass will be Your Book Writing Coach, Diane Eble.

Visit Diane's website, Wordstoprofit.com to find out more about her coaching program.



The class is only available for University Of Masters members. The cost is only $19.95 per month and members have access to ALL University Of Masters classes, not just this one. Plus, all the classes are recorded and downloadable so members can listen to the classes at their own convenience.

To find out more about this class, plus all University Of Masters courses:



I hope to talk to you Tuesday night.

Note: If you plan to listen to the recorded class at a later time, yet you have some questions you would like to ask Diane and have them answered during the teleclass, email them to me and I'll be sure to ask them on Tuesday night.

Happy writing!

Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer's Coach

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For Heavenly Gourmet Mixes visit Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Paul Newman's Sampler

Today's Read - Once Upon a Squirrel

Once Upon a Squirrel...or Hobbies for Retirement
by Heather Diodati

I knew my husband would have enough hobbies when he retired last February at the tender age of 51. At least I though he would until last summer when he discovered squirrels in our then-robust garden. Much to his disgust our beloved cucumbers were being munched upon, when our backs were turned, by the colonies of squirrels invading our turf.

Off to the Internet he went to search for a humane rodent trap. Many clicks and e-mails later, voila! He turned up a site which was more than willing to ship the much-needed trap within the week.

Waiting impatiently for his new toy, my husband watched with dismay as cucumber after cucumber was disassembled by the voracious squirrels that happily paid us a visit. Finally the package arrived! The family watched with amusement as Dad unwrapped his new acquisition, hardly holding back his excitement. "Quick! Get me some peanuts!" he yelped to anyone within hearing range. Armed with trap and peanuts in hand out he went into the garden to deposit his prize.

Glancing out the window now and again, we'd see one squirrel after another crawl down the fence cautiously to inspect the new addition to the garden. No luck. A few times the trap was tripped and the peanuts were missing; then other times it was tripped with the peanuts still intact. "That's it!" my husband cried. "We need a squirrel-cam!" The family looked at each other and groaned. Oh no, another toy for Dad! But one morning as Dad and I were in bed, we heard a very audible and metallic "clunk!" We both uttered, "Uh Oh!" and jumped up to run to the window. Sure enough, there it was, our first prisoner! My husband jumped up and down in sheer glee - I had to stop him from racing down the stairs in his birthday suit.

I never saw him dress so fast. He was out the door like a bullet to gather up the trap with the growling squirrel. He searched in the garage for something with a long handle to release the squirrel after transporting it far enough away from our neighborhood, deposited the trap and an old broom handle in the trunk of our car, jumped into the front seat and roared away with his prize.

Now 33 squirrels later, it is now November and the peanut-laden trap is still in the barren garden awaiting its next victim. The family quizzes Dad, wondering why we still need a trap in the garden. Dad exclaims, "Well, now the squirrels are ruining my lawn by digging holes for their peanuts!" But we all know differently, Dad has a new hobby!

(Ed.Note: none of the squirrels were harmed in any way - they were all transported safely to a nearby forest to resume their squirrel-ish ways!)

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Heather creates unique personalized cartoons for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations. Fun & personalized with any name or message. Cartoons to fit any occasion, hobby, occupation or personality! Choose one of her designs and request personal changes such as hair color, glasses or even a moustache, or order a total custom personalized cartoon! Everyone loves a gift that's truly unique. Give them something they'll always remember! Free - Personalized gift with any purchase, and be sure to sign up for our free ezine, On A Whim, for your free time management gift. www.whimsies-online.com

Article Source: ezinearticles.com


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Single Cup Brewer

Today's Read - A Contest Worth Entering!

If you'd like to visit Barcelona, Spain, AND learn Spanish while you're there, then you'll enjoy Today's Read...



Win a Spanish Language Course at New School in Barcelona

(PRWEB) September 8, 2006 -- To celebrate its opening, Spanish language school, Camino Barcelona, is running a competition to win a Spanish course at this school, located in Barcelona.

Camino Barcelona is located in the centre of Barcelona, in a beautifully preserved 19th century building, with its own private garden. Camino Barcelona offers the chance to learn Spanish in a fantastic environment with naturally-lit, spacious classrooms, and relax between lessons in the school café, garden or on the school sun terraces. The school Internet café has WiFi access and all classrooms have state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. The building is air-conditioned throughout.

To enter the competition, visit the Camino Barcelona website.



The winner will be offered the choice of a one or two week course with self catering accommodation or staying with a host family.

Spanish courses are available for all levels and are taught by fully qualified native tutors in groups of, on average, seven students. This allows for a high level of personal tuition for each student. With courses ranging from one week to nine months, they are suitable for anyone looking to learn or improve their Spanish, whether to increase their job opportunities, relocate to Spain, or simply because they want to learn Spanish.

Intensive courses of 20 lessons per week and super-intensive courses of 25 lessons per week are offered, as well as DELE examination preparation courses and Christmas courses that combine learning the language with Christmas visits and excursions.

Courses at Camino Barcelona offer students a real chance to immerse themselves in the culture of the Catalan region. Evenings of tapas, salsa and cava tasting are on the menu, as are excursions to the many museums, parks and famous buildings offered by the city. Popular sites include Gaudi's La Pedrera and the Casa Batlló, both of which are just 5 minutes walking distance of the school.

Students are offered a choice of accommodation – they can stay with host families, in private studio apartments, in a student residence and in shared apartments. All accommodation is carefully selected by the school and is centrally located.

Visit the school image gallery to view the school and its facilities.

For further information you can visit the school's website or telephone: (00 34) 93 467 8585.

It is also possible to book through the school’s UK agent.


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For heavenly gourmet mixes visit Three Angels Gourmet Co.

Today's Read... Organic Coffee

Discovering Organic Coffee
by D. Silva

Many people have turned to organic fruits and vegetables (and even meats) in recent years, striving to live healthier, longer lives. You may be one of these people. But did you know that organic coffee is now available, too? If you can't find it at your local health food store, then you can definitely find it online.

How Organic Coffee Differs From Traditional Coffee

The coffee plant has traditionally been grown in the company of shade trees and other food and cash crops. This approach made for healthier soil and prevented water contamination. Unfortunately, many coffee growers have abandoned this approach in favor of larger crops and hence larger profits. However, synthetic pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers have become necessary to maintain these crops, and along with them the taste of the coffee has suffered, the soil has suffered, and no one knows the potential impact they may have on the future health of the coffee consumer.

In addition, the loss of the shade trees has had a direct impact on migratory song birds. While an obvious connection may not immediately come to mind, the relationship has actually been symbiotic. These birds used the shade trees as their habitat as they migrated, and as a result they provided a natural defense against many of the bugs and pests that can ruin a coffee crop. Without them, pesticides must be used to do the job.

Unlike the large, commercial coffee plantations, organic coffees are generally grown on small farms with plenty of shade cover. There are plenty of migratory birds to control insects, and pesticides are unnecessary. In fact, the United States requires that organic coffees be grown on shaded land and be completely chemical free for three consecutive years.

Tips For A Great Cup of Organic Coffee

Whole beans should be used within a week of purchase in order to enjoy the full flavor of the coffee.

Avoid vacuum-packed coffee, even organic vaccum-packed coffee. The process of vacuum packing cannot be done immediately after roasting. The coffee must sit for nearly a week before it can be vacuum-packed. This degrades much of the flavor.

Coffee beans should be stored in an airtight container, not on the shelf in the paper bag you brought them home with from the store. And in order to enjoy the full flavor of the coffee, you should grind only the amount you intend to use just before brewing.

Whole coffee beans that will be stored longer than a week should be placed in an airtight glass container that's kept in the freezer.

As with any coffee blend, organic or not, grind the beans according to the brewing method you intend to use. Keep in mind that if you grind your beans too fine your coffee may end up bitter and muddy; if you don't grind them enough, your coffee may end up flavorless.

Often overlooked, many people consider the most important step toward a good cup of coffee to be the proportion of water to coffee. Experts recommend 2 tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water.

In Conclusion

While you will pay more for organic coffee, just as you'll generally pay more for organic fruits and vegetables, choosing organic coffee promotes the environment, the health of the coffee grower, and your health, too. Just as important for coffee drinkers everywhere: organic coffee tastes as good if not better than non-organic coffee.

D. Silva is the webmaster for Coffee Pleasures, a website about coffee, coffee flavors, coffee makers, and more.

Article Source: ezinearticles.com


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