The Art of Coziness

 
Its winter, which means the weather outside is frightful but that doesn't mean your home can’t be cozy and delightful. A cozy home should hug you when you walk in the front door, with warmth and comfort surrounding you from every side.
Cozy isn’t just an adjective it's an attitude. The people of Denmark have mastered this attitude with the word “Hygge”. It’s a concept that evokes coziness particularly when relaxing with good friends or loved ones enjoying good food. A true moment of hygge would be sitting together with family on a rainy night while dinner is cooking and the fire is blazing. I think we should take a tip from the Danish, after all Denmark is the happiest country on earth. At least according to US nations it was # 1 in the 2013 world happiness report.
Here is my definition of a true moment of Hygge. With the alarm blaring and the sun peeking through the window shade, your groggy body reluctantly rises out of its slumber ready for another work day. Then you realize that it's Saturday, glorious Saturday, and you feel just how warm and cozy you are all snuggled up in your comfortable bed, knowing that if you want to you can lay there all day. That, my friends, is the ultimate in Hygge. I'm convinced that if I had a crappy bed, I would not feel the same way. A good bed will support your spine and keep your body in alignment. And if you're striving for good sleep, your bed had better be a good one to sleep in. Now, I don't think I need to tell you how beneficial sleep is; I just know that a good night's sleep in a cozy bed helps me to wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to start the day. Part of this good night’s sleep comes from a sense of overwhelming calm and relaxation that a cozy home brings. Cozy happens when we slow down…when we drop into the gorgeous stillness of a moment. I think of evenings spent with family and friends, baking cookies, drinking hot chocolate, and enjoying the warmth of the great indoors. Those warm feelings come largely from being around the people you love – but there are a bunch of things you can do to achieve an indoor space that emits coziness from every room. I am envisioning big cozy comforters, oh so soft and huggable down pillows, and fluffy living quarters to warm up in! So, sit back, relax, and let the cozification begin!
Mix It Up
An important thing to keep in mind when shopping for furniture is this: "Don't buy all your furniture from one store” The reason behind this is that you don’t want your home to look like a furniture store. To get away from the store-front look, try fitting together pieces from different styles. Try not to worry about what matches, but rather what goes. Mismatched pieces create visual texture, which will make any space more inviting and cozier. An old leather chair, a worn wood table, a fluffy throw, a patterned rug, are all items with lots of texture, which are interesting to touch and hold, and add warmth to a room. Try creating a nook in the corner of your room. Throw down a small area rug and add a big, soft, and comfy chair for lazy afternoons of cozy bliss. Lay area rugs in social places as well. Scatter cozy accent pillows and cushions all around. Lay out blankets that resemble your favorite sweaters. Do you have a favorite sweater that is no longer wearable? If so, you can create your own throw pillows. It’s super cheap and super easy. Just follow these directions. Temperatures usually drop at night during the winter, which causes heating costs to soar. Counter these costs by setting your heater a few degrees cooler at night. The temperature when you sleep should be around 62 to 72°. A mild drop in body temperature will induce sleep. You will sleep better a little bit cooler and you'll stay extra cozy during the night. Add a heavy quilt to the end of your bed in case you get too cold. Soft textures like cashmere and velvet, will add a cozy element to any room. If you have wood floors, throw a shag rug by your bed to treat your feet in the winter.
Set the Mood
Every color has a mood. Cooler colors make a space feel larger and airier. Warm colors do the opposite - they make a space feel smaller and cozier. There is no doubt about it; warm colors are cozy, radiant and uplifting. Warm colors are found on one side of the color wheel including various hues of red, orange, yellow and yellow-green.  Warm colors make small rooms appear larger and large rooms more intimate. Every color, even whites and blacks, can have cool or warm undertones. Some interior decorations in wood, accents of warm colors or a brick stone feature wall can add warmth to a cold design. Plants and flowers will also liven up any home. Stunning ochre, gold, burnt orange and Bordeaux all make great feature or accent colors when warming up a space. Bright yellow and dark purple create a warm and cozy atmosphere, as do shades of red, orange, and gold. These deep, resonant hues are richer than their primary, energetic versions because they are influenced by brown. A brown undertone turns yellow into amber and red into russet. It cozies up other hues as well, such as teal, eggplant, and aspen green.
Never Underestimate the Power of good Lighting.

One of the most important factors in how a room looks is something most people usually don't even think about: light. A fireplace can warm up and illuminate your home. They make any home or living space for that matter more welcoming and cozy. You can achieve the perfect glow in your home. Bulbs of all varieties have distinctive hues, it is important to pay attention to the choices available. To get a light bulb that will help create a cozy mood, pay attention to what it says on the packaging. Instead, look for a softer bulb to provide a warmer glow." The main goal here is to prevent that spotlight type of illumination that is ever so present in your local department store dressing room. A woman’s worst friend is a high watt spotlight revealing every minor imperfection. Creating a cozy atmosphere depends on more than just the bulb selection. Using indirect light is a good way to set a mood. Indirect lighting has no glare, which means it is a softer, subtler light. The light from chandeliers or sconces also can be soft light. If you choose chandeliers or sconces that use candelabra bulbs that resemble candles, that provides an almost instantly warm look. Take a tip from me; everyone goes to target to purchase that floor lamp with a three way bulb to lighten up there living quarters. A little effort and ingenuity goes a long way. Using this thought process my husband and I decided to take a stab at something different. We heard about the benefits of track lighting and witnessed its effects first hand while dining at a friend’s house. You might be thinking, “I don’t know how to install track lighting.” Well think again, we live in the era of YouTube. If it’s been invented then YouTube will have a tutorial on it. So I looked up the product on YouTube and sure enough, How to install Hampton Bay track lighting. A few hours later, we had track lighting in our living room. Candles create a mood and also can be flattering. One of the reasons restaurants put candles on the table is because it creates a soft atmosphere and helps us look better. Candle light is calming, soothing, warm, and inviting. I like to use vanilla bean or fresh linen candles before going to bed. I just love the way the light fills the room from a candle.
Keep it real
Let your home reflect who you are by keeping it practical, keeping it real, and keeping it you. Add some personal items to your home. The family photo album, your grandma’s vase… these things will make your house feel like a home because they will remind you of the people and things you love. Your home should feel like a place where you truly belong. And that's the whole idea of coziness. Try buying a recycled piece of furniture. The thing about vintage furniture is that it bears the traces of life on its surfaces. A cozy home is a home that’s lived in; a home that shows you’ve been there. I love the idea of adding unexpected details somewhere, like a vintage sofa. Neatness and order should also be maintained but it doesn’t need to be perfect. Perfect homes aren’t relaxing and they often make people feel uncomfortable. Just remember that a mess can ruin any sense of a cozy home so keep the clutter out of the rooms and maintain a clean and tidy look. Be sure to clean every day. You will form a good habit and the added bonus is that you will only need a couple of minutes to clean the house before guests arrive... A simple welcome from you and your family is all that is necessary. Offer your home favorably, and greet your guests knowing they are there for you, not to inspect your home. They just want a relaxing visit with you.
Bake! Bake! Bake!
Baking is the perfect way to give your home a cozy feel in the winter. For me, smells play huge role in creating my cozy space. Cooking creates a cozy atmosphere. The smell of fresh baked bread, hot cocoa, apple cider, and fresh-baked cookies garner the feeling of cozy within me. The actual activity brings warmth to the heart and soul. Just like a great cookie recipe has a handful of delicious ingredients that mix together in such perfection that a masterpiece of flavor bursts in your mouth, a family has a handful of special ingredients that bring it to life.
Holiday Family Cookie Recipe
21/4 cups of crazy Aunt Effie
1 teaspoon of your happily retired Father
A pinch of your overly educated slacker brother
2 sticks of Grandma Rose, whose pungent aroma lingers in the house for days
¾ a cup granulated smiles
¾ a cup brown Uncle Rico, who must be adopted as he bears no resemblance to any member in the entire family.
1 teaspoon Aunt Ruth, whose ugly Christmas sweater has survived so many holidays it has now come full circle as it graces the pages of Nordstrom’s Holiday Catalogue. Ironically it was once a source of laughter among cousins, but is now back in style.
2 large yawns as your cousin tells her yearly sob story about relationships past and why men suck.
2 cups of treasured memories
1 bottle of champagne
Directions:
Pre-set the dining room table
Combine Aunt Effie, Your retired father, and your slacker brother at one end of the dining room table.
At the other end add Grandma Rose, granulated smiles, and two large yawns.
Slowly introduce some treasured memories and 1 bottle of champagne and mingle together until the table is nice and toasted.
Make it snuggle-able
There's often a difference between furniture that is pretty to look at, and furniture that is comfy to sit on. When purchasing furniture, ask yourself if you can you picture yourself curled up in it with a good book. Do you get a feeling of weight lifting off your shoulders? If that is not the case, perhaps you should keep searching. In a perfect world, furniture should be both comfy and stylish. But if coziness is what you are after, a tiny compromise in beauty may prove to be a good idea in the long run. Always remember, no matter how beautiful your furniture is, it should be comfortable to sit or sleep on. Opt for soft upholstered furniture in pastel and warm colors. Puffy cushions and throw pillows can soften firm furniture while floral tablecloths and ceramic tableware can add a cozy touch to your modern dinner room or kitchen.
Cozify Yourself before Bed
Turn on a space heater in the bedroom right before you go to bed, then shut the door to warm up the room. Turn it off before going to sleep as the electricity will sap your energy and you won’t awake refreshed. Be sure that you turn off your phone as well; you don't need anybody waking you up if it's an emergency they will find you. Clean your pillows on a regular basis and replace them every one to two years. Old ones can be turned into leisure guest pillows. One way I like to stay cozy at night is to take a shower before bed. This will keep your skin clean, warm, and soft. The shower will remove allergens that have hitched a ride during the day. Following the shower, dry brush your skin to loosen up the lymphatic system to prepare your body for sleep.
Create Your Perfect Sleeping Environment
Your bedroom is the most private room in the house and it should be the most personal. The perfect bed will beckon you to get under the covers, close your eyes, and drift off to dreamland. You should do all you can to make sure your bed is totally fit for snuggling up inside. You may think this perfect sleeping environment is unattainable but that's just not true. You too can create your own version of the comfiest, coziest place of all. Position your bed in the corner of your room. The small space created by the intersecting walls will allow you to feel safe and warm. Make your bed every day it will begin to feel like you're in a hotel but it’s free and you are the only guest. Throw lots of different-textured blankets on top of your comforter and top off your bed with every pillow you can find. Add throw pillows in different colors, textures, and shapes. It may seem frivolous to some, but, indulgent bedding has always been one of my weak spots. There's absolutely nothing like crawling into a luxuriously dressed bed after a long day of work and wrapping yourself in heavenly comfort. Soft sheets are worth their weight in gold. It will cure all that ails you. So go ahead and write yourself a prescription for cozy, you deserve it!
If you build it Sleep Will Come
This is my idea of the perfect bed:

All Season natural down comforter

The Venice Bedding set

Linen Duvet Set

Striped Cashmere Throw

Betta Believe It

Betta splendens, also known as Siamese fighting fish are part of the gourami family. They got their name because people used to bet on them during betta fights. This is also why they are called fighting fish.  There on the smaller side only reaching about 3 inches in length an half an inch wide. They are naturally brown and green but have been selectively bred to produce a beautifully hued fish. In vibrant colors like yellow, purple, blue, and red just to name a few. Betas breathe air through a primitive lung called the labyrinth organ. Bettas are freshwater fish and live in warm waters with a temperature of about 76 to 83°. Bettas are very aggressive and shouldn't live with other bettas, although there are exceptions, similarly with Mr. Sprinkles and his Luna.  Bettas are a great choice for a first pet, because they are easy to take care of and are extremely fun.
The video above is of my two betta fish. My husband and I purchased the male first, his name is Mr. sprinkles. He is the red and white one with a long tail. His sidekick Luna,  is the blue-and-white female beta. After we purchased Mr. sprinkles we thought he might be lonely so we decided to get him a tank mate. Enter stage right, Luna. Upon introduction we were unaware of the bettas urge to be violent towards other bettas, especially females. We considered removing her or putting up a divider, but it has been months and they get along great. From what I have heard this is quite unusual. Our betta Mr. sprinkles also loves it when we pet him. I have never known a fish to have such emotional qualities. Maybe this is normal? Do you have a betta?  If so, what is his or her temperment like?  I would love to hear from you. 

Friday Fitness Study Guide

 

Visualize Yourself Kicking Butt

A study in The Journal of Conditioning Research found that visualizing yourself kicking ass before a workout or race can drastically enhance your performance.   Runners who visualized themselves sprinting superfast up to 2 minutes before a race ran faster than those who did not. Timing is everything though, the effect disappeared if it was done more than 3 minutes before running. This is probably because having more time between dreaming and doing causes you to loose the physiological momentum you have built.

Take it Outside

According to a study published in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, It requires less effort to move  on a treadmill versus walking or running outdoors at the same speed. Researchers tracked how much energy people burned walking outside and on a treadmill, and found that choosing a 3 percent slope on the treadmill best matches the energy requirements of walking on flat ground outdoors.

RISE and Shine

RISE is the new it word in exercising.  It stands for resistance, intervals, stretching, and endurance. According to a study in The Journal of Physiology, mixing these four exercises will maximize fat burning.  Individuals in the study consumed a diet of high protein meals and they exercised using RISE or they ate a normal diet along with an exercise regime of sprinting and weight training.  The individuals who used RISE lost more weight than the individuals who sprinted and lifted weights. Different activities trigger different metabolic pathways that work together to burn off fat more efficiently, says study author Paul Arciero, PhD.

Warm it Up

The next time you warm up before a workout try incorporating squatting and whole body vibrations into your warm-up. By doing this you can boost your sprint power by 6%, says a study in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. Problem is: You may not have a whole-body vibrating machine. Instead, follow this three-step program proven by researchers at Bloomsburg University to boost your golf stroke speed by up to 24 percent: Take 2 minutes to do aerobic exercises like walking lunges, stretch for another 3 minutes, and then take practice swings for another 2 minutes.

Cool it Down

Take your next cool down to the next level. According to a review published in The Cochrane Library, cold water immersion (CWI) can reduce muscle soreness between 15 to 20 percent in the 24 to 96 hours after an intense workout session. Researchers compared the effects of CWI to passive recovery (basically doing nothing), active recovery (slowly jogging for several minutes), and compression (from socks and other tight clothing). The study found that ice baths were about as effective as active recovery or compression.

Are you As Strong as a Teenager?

According to German researchers, the average 25-year-old is only as fit as a 15-year-old kid. Researcher tested the running speed and chin-up strength of 8,000 German students, and compared their numbers to people in their 20s. The results: Both the average kid and 25-year-old could hold a chin-up for 40 seconds and complete a 1,000-meter run in 270 seconds. Your move: Hammer out intervals three times a week to burn three times as many calories compared to a moderate-pace run that’s twice as long, according to researchers at the University of New South Wales.

Boost Your Vertical Jump

Need to add a few inches to your vertical jump? Try squatting deeper. According to a study in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, bringing your squats below parallel when you’re squatting is the best way to improve your vertical jump. Before you start deep squatting, take a look at your heels: If they lift off the ground as you go low, use box squats to build mobility and strength before dropping to the floor.

Bring a Friend for Motivation

Having trouble staying motivated? Grab a training partner. Hitting the gym with a buddy can double the length of your workout, say researchers at Michigan State University. Even better: Join a team. Participants who rode together on the same team exercised for 2 minutes longer than their counterparts who rode with a single partner.

Get a Mouth Guard

According to a study in the Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, mouth guards can improve your performance on upper and lower body power exercises. Researchers found that people who used a mouth guard could jump higher on a vertical jump test than those who didn't have anything in their mouths. The researchers concluded that clenching your teeth can increase blood flow to the areas of the brain associated with motor control and timing.

Motivational Monday: Learning to Let Go

Picture Courtesy of Google Images

Learn to let go. Most of us want to be in control of every little peace of our lives, from how we look, to how others perceive us. Trying to mold the world to your will can drain your happiness, cause unneeded stress, and even alienate the people around you. If you find yourself faced with this dilemma the best thing you can do is surrender. Let go of the control and start to bring joy and fun back into your life.

Wish Them Well!

You need positive energy to attract success into your life, so stop comparing yourself to your coworkers or friends.  Constant comparisons with your friends or coworkers can hinder your own triumphs. Instead of harboring ill feelings toward that coworker you think stole your promotion, or your friend who is happily married while you are single and having a little bad luck in the romance department, wish them well. I know this can be hard, heck it can be downright impossible at times. If your situation falls into the later, just fake it.  Even if you don’t really want to wish them well, just saying the words will create a positive energy you need to attract success into your life.

Don’t Force It!

Sometimes, no amount of  brainstorming or analyzing can further your cause.  When this happens, don’t force it. Forcing things only leads to distress. Instead of fuming or ruminating when you hit a bump in the road, sit back, take a deep breath, and assess the situation at hand while feeling calm and collected. Begin to ask yourself what can be done to further your cause and how else can you address the situation at hand. Listen to your inner voice and follow those gut feelings as they may help you tune into a solution that has previously been beyond your reach.

Don’t Hold Back!

Sometimes we tend to see crying as a weakness so we hold back the tears.  Or we are afraid to open up the floodgates by allowing ourselves to have a good cry so we hold back the tears. Whatever the reason, don’t hold back anymore. Tears are healthy and healing.  Tears are your body's way of releasing stress, sadness, grief, and anxiety.  Letting go of pent up emotional and physical tension will help you to resolve and avoid being consumed by whatever pain you may be feeling.

Take a Time Out!

Life is hectic and most of us feel as though we don’t have time for anything else.  When life is this busy, your body needs a time out now and then to recharge and renew both energy and enthusiasm. Try a mediation exercise during this time out. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and focus on a relaxing image for three minutes.  Carry this image with you throughout the day to bring feelings of peace to help you relax throughout the day.

Date night

Date night by allis-alley featuring pink handbags

J TOMSON sleeveless top
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Kenzo a line skirt
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Gianvito Rossi high heel shoes
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Givenchy pink handbag
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Blue Nile freshwater pearl earrings
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Michael kors jewelry
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Wildlife Wednesday: The Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta Splendens

Mr. Sprinkles (My Betta Splendens)

Mr. Sprinkles (My Betta Splendens)

Mr. Sprinkles (My Betta Splendens)

The Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta Splendens was  discovered in Southeast Asia and became domesticated in the 1800’s in Thailand where they were bred for competitive fighting. The betta was named after an ancient clan of warriors, called the "Bettah."  The fish were given a combatant name after the fighting fish became popular in the mid-1800s.  In fact, the sport became so popular in Thailand that the former King of Siam had it regulated and taxed!  The biggest and bravest Betta was declared the winner, even if it was more torn up at the end of a fight.
At the end of the 19^th century, Betta fish had found homes in Betta aquariums in Europe and eventually the United States. The evolution of Betta fish continued, with breeders introducing new fish with brilliantly colored bodies and long, flowing fins. Each new Betta Splendens was given a new name.
Bettas are  native to slow moving and stagnant, overgrown waters , the betta became accustomed to frequent storm flooding and devastating droughts.  The cyclic, drastic changes in its environment helped the fish to adapt - becoming a true labyrinth fish.  Betta splendens have an accessory breathing organ called the labyrinth organ that allows them to survive in waters with low oxygen content, by breathing air from the surface, allowing a betta to sustain itself in stagnant, oxygen-deficient water.  Although bettas can tolerate small spaces and poor water quality, they do best in small aquariums (at least two gallons) with regular water changes. 
Bettas have several different tail shapes, the "veil tail."  the "half-moon," "double tail," "short-finned fighting-style tail" and "crown tail." Bettas normally live 2 - 3 years, but have been known to hit the teenage years. The betta is known as "plakad" in its native Thailand and has often been referred to as "The Jewel of the Orient."
Bettas upturned mouths give them the ability to feed on the water's surface.  A good diet consists of dried bloodworms, brine shrimp or daphnia.  The Betta food or pellets that can be purchased at most pet stores are best because they contain a mixture of all three foods, in addition to vitamins and minerals. 
Most fish are schooling fish, but Bettas are not and they will fight with each other.Bettas like to swim alone and they hide in sea caves or plant forests to feel safe.
Each time you clean your Bettas tank be sure you only replace a third of the water in the tank with fresh water.  This enables the Betta to adjust to the temperature and pH of clean water – without messing up the biological balance of the betta’s environment.  This should be done about every three or four days for small bowls or tanks. Bettas prefer slightly acidic water (pH 6.5 to 7) and warm water. The optimal water temperature for a Betta is 76-82 degrees F.   Cold water can suppress the immune system and cause illness.An important rule of thumb when cleaning your Bettas habitat is to never use soap, hot water will work just fine.  To prevent the buildup of ammonia and bacteria use a small turkey baster to siphon debris from the bottom of the tank.
Siamese fighting fish are bubble breeders, which means the males build bubble nests at the surface of the water. During courtship , the male wraps himself around the female in a tight embrace during which he fertilizes eggs released by the female. He then gathers up the eggs in his mouth as they sink and blows them into the nest. This nuptial egg release repeats until the female has no more eggs. The male then tends the eggs until they hatch about 36 hours later.
This species is threatened by habitat degradation. Habitats across most of its range have been converted into intensive farmland, developed, or polluted, especially in central Thailand which is its centre of population. Genetic erosion from escaped farmed stock into wild habitats is a secondary threat.
Currently its exact extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are poorly known, but is locally uncommon in its suitable habitats. The species is considered vulnerable due to a perceived population decline of at least 30% across its range, and a declining area and extent of occurrence.
Captive breeding from wild populations is strongly recommended.

Cheese and Crackers: Bringing Back The Afternoon Snack

LOOSE THE POOCH

Load up on H2O to loose the pooch.  If you don’t take in enough water, your body retains fluids, which can make you look heavier. H2O flushes out your digestive track, relieving constipation and reducing the belly bulge aka the pooch. So how much is enough? 8 to 9 cups daily, more if you are physically active.

  Snack on fennel seeds to relax your digestive muscles. Relaxing the muscles in your digestive track can help relieve bloating

FRESHEN UP

BuzzNet Tags: banana,cherries,fennel seeds,gun show,h2o,jump rope,melatonin,processed foods,push up,snacks,stroke

Prepackages foods and most restaurant meals are loaded with sugar and sodium, both of which cause water retention.  Highly processed foods along with refined carbohydrates are digested faster than other foods, causing you to become hungry a lot sooner.  These foods arte not only high in sugar and sodium, but they aren’t very satisfying either. Skip the sweet and salty processed foods and snack on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains,and lean meats. You will stay satisfied longer and your body will thank you by performing at its best.

SNACKS THAT PACK A PUNCH

Whole wheat crackers and cheese are a great combo.  With 80% carbohydrates and 20% protein, this is the perfect balanced snack to keep you satisfied till your next meal.

Eat a kiwi to sleep better.  Kiwis are packed with serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter that is known to help improve your quality of sleep by promoting REM.

Drink your cherries.Cherry juice will help you sleep longer and sounder because of the high levels of melatonin that help to regulate your body clock.

Go bananas. Just 1 banana has nearly 10% of your daily dose of magnesium, a calming mineral. The peel is even better for you than the banana, but who would actually bite into the peel? Try this instead: cut off the stem and seep the peel in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes then toss the peel and drink the water.

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART

People who get 10 to 24% of their calories from added sugar are 30% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who consumed less. Eating a diet high in sugar causes inflammation, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. In a recent study of stroke victims, it was proven that vitamin C has an effect on preventing strokes. Each stroke victim in the study was found to be deficient in vitamin C. Bell peppers, mangos, oranges, etc.…fruit's and veggies high in vitamin C are also great for immunity, and protect you from a stroke. Vitamin C helps the body build collagen, a substance that is the key to blood vessel health. Be sure to get enough vitamin C from your diet. ne cup of broccoli contains 78mg of vitamin C, one cup of oranges has 63mg of vitamin C, and one cup of red bell peppers is packed with 118mg of vitamin C.

JUMP AROUND

Jumping rope is one of the best exercises you can do for your body because it engages the whole body. Try 3 sets of 50/75/100 jumps and change your foot movement with each set. Do one set with high knees, one set with side steps, and one step with jumping jacks.

THE GUN SHOW

Your biceps are the biggest muscle in your arm,making them the first muscle people notice.  A push up is the single best toner for your biceps. Be sure to shoot your elbows straight back and not out as you lower to achieve the most tricep activation.  If you need to go to your knees please do so.  Full range on your knees is better than half on your toes.

LET LIGHTING BE YOUR FRIEND

If you are indoors then turn on just one floor lamp and one table lamp.  You want the light to come across the body at an angle.  This creates natural curve enhancing shadows.

Wildlife Wednesday: The Beauty of Nature: Strange and Exotic Animals That Call This World Home

We have all been there, you are surfing the web until a picture catches your eye and makes you do a double take.  You have spotted a rare and unusual animal that you never knew existed.  For a moment you are certain this is the work of a Photoshop master that is until you Wikipedia it. Do not adjust your screen settings the pictures you are about to see are real. These beautiful and exotic animals live among us.

THE BUSH VIPER

The Bush Viper, scientifically known as Atheris squamiger comes from the family Viperidae. It is a venomous, rough-scaled, arboreal snake. The male bush viper can grow to be 16 to 22 inches in length, smaller than the female who can grow 20 to 28 inches in length. The bush viper can be found in the forests from Nigeria to western Kenya, as well as from northwestern Tanzania southward to northwestern Angola. The bush viper is most often found in rainforests, but can also be found in open woodlands, along water courses and in the vegetation bordering trails. The bush viper can live anywhere from 12 to 20 years. The bush viper can move quickly when needed, but it is generally inactive to the point of lethargy. They will find a quiet elevated perch in their terrarium, coil, and may remain, barely moving, for several days. But, if disturbed, they can and will bite.

THE PANDA ANT

Their name derives from the uncanny resemblance to a panda in its markings. The name while seemingly fitting is actually all wrong.  Obviously it is not a panda and believe it or not, it isn’t an ant either. The Panda Ant is actually a variety of wingless wasp! They were first discovered in 1938. They are only known to exist of the coast of Chile. Their sting is exceptionally powerful for their size. They have been seen to bring down animals as large as cows with only a few dozen stings. The Panda Ant displays extreme sexual dimorphism. The difference in both appearance and behavior is so pronounced, the two sexes are often mistaken for entirely separate species! The male is several times larger than the female. He can grow to a length of approximately 0.3 in (mm). The males are winged, and the females are wingless. The males are nocturnal, while the females are active during the day. The Panda Ant lives off of nectar. After mating, the female seeks the nest of a ground dwelling insect, such as a bee or wasp. There she deposits her eggs. When they hatch, they will feed upon the larva present.

THE SEA ROBIN

The Sea Robin scientifically known as a Gurnard or scorpaeniform fish comes from the family Triglidae. They get their name from their large pectoral fins, which, when swimming, open and close like a bird's wings in flight. They can grow to be a foot or two in length. They live in the ocean at depths to 200 m (660 ft). They have a solid skull, and many species possess armored plates on their bodies. Another distinctive feature is the presence of a drumming muscle that makes sounds by beating against the swim bladder. When caught, they make a croaking noise similar to a frog. Sea robins have six spiny flexible legs that were once part of the pectoral fin. Over time, the spines separated themselves from the rest of the fin, developing into feeler-like forelegs. The pectoral fins have been thought to let the fish walk on the bottom, but are really used to stir up food.^]The animals float upside down at the surface of the sea, keeping afloat by swallowing air which is stored in their stomachs. Their diet is mainly made up of hydrozoans including the Portuguese Man o’ War - they even eat the stings. As well as getting nourishment from the stings, they use them for their own defense.

THE WHITE ZEBRA

Zoe is one of the rarest zebras in existence. She is what is called a Golden Zebra, although some refer to her as a “white” zebra. Zoe is the only Golden Zebra known to be in captivity at this time. Zoe was born on the Island of Molokai, Hawaii in 1998 and shortly after her and her mother, Oreo, was moved to the Three Ring Ranch, which is an animal sanctuary on the Big Island of Hawaii. Her unusual color is due to her having "amelanosis". She is not an albino. She has striking gold stripes and blue eyes. In horses, there is a similar condition called "Lethal White Foal Syndrome" which is associated with the occurrence of other serious birth defects. Although this color variation occasionally occurs in wild herds, the animals would likely survive only a few days at best. This is probably because zebras use their stripes as camouflage to blend in with the rest of herd. This then allows the herd, to confuse predators with the changing patterns formed by the movement of a large group. Animals that stand out from the herd are easy targets for predators. In nature, having a color variation that makes you stand out is not a good thing! As of now, the only health problems they are aware of is the fact that she has poor night vision. As she ages she may incur some complications due to the amelanism such has kidney problems. There have only been reports of two other Golden Zebra’s in captivity. The first was in Germany approximately 100 years ago! The second was in a zoo in Tokyo in the 1970’s. Zoe is the only Golden Zebra known to exist in captivity today.

THE CAMEL SPIDER

Camel spiders became the talk of the internet during the Iraq war of 2003, when rumors spread online about their bloodthirsty nature. For many years, Middle Eastern rumors have painted camel spiders as large, venomous predators, as fast as a running human, with a voracious appetite for large mammals. None of this is true, these creatures do not actually eat camels' stomachs or sleeping soldiers, and they are not gigantic. The camel spider's history of misinformation begins with a misidentification. Camel spiders are not even spiders. Like spiders, they are members of the class Arachnida, but they are actually solpugids. Camel spiders, also called wind scorpions and Egyptian giant solpugids (SAHL-pyoo-jids), are only about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. True, they are fast, but only compared to other arachnids. Their top speed is estimated at 10 miles (16 kilometers) per hour. Camel spiders are not deadly to humans (though their bite is painful), but they are vicious predators that can visit death upon insects, rodents, lizards, and small birds. They have powerful jaws that are one-third of their body length and used to seize their victims and turn them to pulp with a chopping or sawing motion. Camel spiders are not venomous, but they do utilize digestive fluids to liquefy their victims' flesh, making it easy to suck the remains into their stomachs.

THE AYE-AYE

 Aye-ayes are rare animals who are actually related to chimpanzees, apes, and humans, that can only be found on the island of Madagascar. The aye-aye’s head and body length can reach up to 440 mm and their tail length up to 600 mm. The aye-aye typically weighs around 2-3 kg. The highly distinctive aye-aye is the world’s largest nocturnal primate. It has a thick coat of coarse black or brown hair flecked with white from longer guard hairs, and a long bushy tail which more than doubles the length of the body. The species has a number of extreme morphological adaptations to its unusual feeding habits, making it one of the most bizarre-looking animals on the planet. It has huge, leathery bat-like ears and prominent yellowish-orange eyes. The fingers are long and narrow and tipped with curved claw-like nails. The third finger on each hand is skeletal in appearance. It is extremely long and thin, and is primarily used for extracting insect larvae from holes in trees. The aye-aye is nocturnal and spends its days sleeping in a nest of twigs and leaves. The nest can take up to 24 hours to build and are often located high up in the crowns of tall trees. As they move from place to place individuals either build new nests or make use of those constructed by other aye-ayes. Male aye-ayes have large overlapping ranges of around 100 to 200 ha, which usually contain several females. The home ranges of females are smaller and do not overlap. Individuals mark their ranges with urine and scent from glands in their necks, cheeks and rumps. Breeding is thought to occur throughout the year, with females advertising their readiness to mate through distinctive calls. They are thought to give birth to a single young every two to three years. Although regarded as a generally solitary species, males and female aye-ayes have been observed foraging together outside of breeding periods.
Aye-ayes fill the niche occupied by woodpeckers and squirrels in other parts of the world (neither of these occur in Madagascar). They can locate grubs living in cavities under tree-bark by tapping their thin middle fingers on the branch and listening to the reverberations through the wood. Once a promising cavity has been found the aye-aye cocks forward its large ears and listens for the sound of grubs burrowing beneath the bark. If a grub is heard the aye-aye will rip open the cavity with its teeth and hook out the grub with its middle finger. Aye-ayes also eat fruit, nuts, nectar, seeds and fungi. Many people native to Madagascar consider the aye-aye to be bad luck. For this reason they were once killed on sight, leading to this animal becoming critically endangered. Luckily, today they are protected by law.

THE YETI CRAB

Discovered in the early 21st century (2005), the peculiar looking crustacean known as the yeti crab gets its name from the layer of "furry" setae that covers most of its body. Given the scientific name "Kiwa hirsuta" and sometimes called a “furry lobster”, the yeti crab was originally discovered in the Pacific Ocean near the Antarctic Ridge about 900 miles off the coast of Easter Island. Since then another species has been discovered and named “Kiwa puravida”. Yeti crabs live on  the ocean floor and stay near hydrothermal vents, and due to their entire lives being spent on the ocean floor, they never develop the ability to see. They are large creatures with an average length of around 6 inches (15 centimeters), and are found at depths as deep as 7200 feet (2200 meters). The arms are actually covered in bacteria, which lives in the setae and is most likely a food source for the crab. Yeti crabs are also believed to feed off mussels, shrimp or algae. Their hair is possibly a means of sensing their surroundings. Not much else is known about the yeti crab, but it is believed to be a distant relative of the common hermit crab.

Work Sited:

Wikipedia.com
Nationalgeographic.com 
All Pictures courtesy of Google Images

Debunking 31 of The Most Popular Myths

MYTH #1:

It's a little unknown fact  that there is an increased probability of death from an infant snake bite. As the tall tale goes, infant snakes can't control how much venom they release into their pray. Whereas adult snakes have learned how much venom to release in order to kill their prey.

FACT #1:

Snakes do not have the ability to control how much venom they release. Here's a fun fact for you; snakes are not immune to their own venom.

MYTH #2:

Dogs sweat through their tongues.

FACT #2:

Dogs pant with their tongues but do not actually sweat through them.,but panting is not the same as sweating. Dogs only have a few sweat glands located on their feet. They do keep cool by panting and breathing, however, using the moist lining of their lungs as an evaporative surface.

MYTH #3:

A mother bird will abandon her babies if you touch them.

FACT #3:

A mother bird will not abandon her young if you touch them.

MYTH #4:

Cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis.

FACT #4:

Cracking your knuckles will not cause arthritis. It could however lower your grip strength over time.

MYTH #5:

You loose most of your body heat through your head.

FACT #5:

You actually loose the same amount of body heat everywhere but your head is most likely not covered.

MYTH #6:

 Restroom doors are dangerously infected.

FACT #6:

According to a study by the University of Arizona, door handles have the least bacteria in the room. This is because door handles are to dry and hard for bacteria to survive.

MYTH #7:

Fish are stupid.

FACT #7:

According to the institute of technology in Israel; fish are smart and can actually be trained to do things.  

MYTH #8:

Nails and hair continue to grow after death.

FACT #8:

Not true. After you die your skin recedes from the body making fingernails and hair appear longer.

MYTH #9:

 Gum stays in the body for 7 years after you swallow it.

FACT #9:

Scientific American debunked this myth when gastroenterologist, David Milov of Nemours Children's Clinic in Florida stated that no colonoscopy has ever revealed abnormally old pieces of gum in the gastric system.

MYTH #10:

Throwing a Penny off the Empire State Building could kill someone.

FACT #10:

A penny only weighs a gram and it would meet air resistance so it may hurt a bit but it couldn't kill you.

 MYTH #11t:

The 5 second rule. You have 5 seconds to pick up food off the floor and eat it before it becomes infected with bacteria.

FACT #11:

This is not true.  It only takes  a fourth of a second for your food to become infected with bacteria.

MYTH #12:

Children will get a sugar rush from consuming too much sugar.

FACT #12:

This is untrue.  According to Yale Scientific,sugar doesn't really make kids hyper.

MYTH #13:

The color orange was named after the fruit and not the other way around.

FACT #13:

Before the late 15th century, the color orange was just lumped in with red.

MYTH #14:

Penguins mate for life.

FACT #14:

Some stay monogamous throughout a mating season, but not many stay monogamous for their entire life.

MYTH #15:

The forbidden fruit that Eve ate in Eden is an apple.

FACT #15:

The bible never says that the fruit is an apple.  It most likely stemmed from a play on the Latin word "evil" which sounds similar to "apple".

MYTH #16:

Napoleon Bonaparte was short.

FACT #16:

At 5'7 he was actually taller than the average man of his time. His nickname was "Le petite corporal" which means the little corporal.  This term of affection was likely the cause of the belief that he was short.

MYTH #17:

The earth revolves around the sun

FACT #17:

The center of mass in the solar system is called the Barycenter. Usually it is contained within the mass of the sun but not always. When it is outside the mass of the sun, the earth is just orbiting around empty space.

MYTH #18:

Mars is a red planet.

FACT #18:

Mars is actually a butterscotch color.

MYTH #19:

Goldfish have a 3 second memory.

FACT #19:

This is not true.  Goldfish can actually remember things for months.

MYTH #20:

Lightening cannot strike twice in the same spot.

FACT #20:

This is a false statement.  In fact, the empire state building is struck up to 100 times a year.

MYTH #21:

Shaving your hair makes it grow back thicker.

FACT #21:

It does not grow back thicker.  If it happens to feel coarser it is probably just because the ends are more blunt after a fresh shave.

MYTH #22:

Coffee is made from beans.

FACT #22:

Coffee is actually made from seeds. The seeds come from coffee cherries off the coffee tree. People just refer to them as coffee beans rather than coffee seeds.

MYTH #23:

Microwave radiation causes cancer.

FACT #23:

Only a few kinds of radiation can cause cancer and microwave is not one of them.

MYTH #24:

420 is the police code for marijuana use.

FACT #24:

420 is not the police code for marijuana use.

MYTH #25:

George Washington had wooden teeth.

FACT #25:

His dentures were actually made out of hippo ivory, gold, lead, and human teeth.

MYTH #26:

A flashback is the result of leftover drugs in your body.

FACT #27:

Flashbacks are a physiological l response not the result of leftover drugs stored in the fat cells of the body.

MYTH #28:

Carrots improve vision.

FACT #28:

This was WWII propaganda. The British army claimed its soldiers had great night vision from eating carrots. When they were actually just diverting from the fact that the fighter pilots had radar in their aircraft's to make detection easy.

MYTH #29:

If you touch a toad it will give you warts.

FACT #29:

Toads do not have actual warts, it is just their skin.

MYTH #30:

Swimming too soon after eating will cause cramps.

FACT #30:

This is just overprotective parenting.  You might get a little sick to your stomach if you exert yourself too much, but it has nothing to do with the water.

MYTH #31:

Wet hair will cause you to catch cold.

FACT #31:

Numerous studies have debunked this myth, and proven that exposure to viruses causes you to catch cold, not wet hair.

MYTH #32:

Watching TV too close will cause poor vision.

FACT #32:

It may cause eyestrain but will not do permanent damage to your vision.