Make Life A Game The Mary Poppins Principle

September 3rd, 2009

What would childhood be without games? We can broaden this question to life in general. What would life be without games?

Games are the one essential in life which we should strive to maintain, no matter how old we are and no matter how worn out we might be. I am not talking about sports, here, though some possess a “game” quality. I am talking about the act of having fun while doing certain activities.

Much like Mary Poppins. Remember that, just after she made herself hired and went to the children’s nursery, she decided that they should tidy up the room? The children were upset and she said that they would make a game of the activity.

“This is a game, isn’t it, Mary Poppins?” was Jane’s concerned question, in which she replied that you have to have an element of fun in everything you do. As a consequence, the activity, instead of being perceived as an ordeal or a chore, is then perceived as a collaborative game; it becomes enjoyable.

So, what did Mary Poppins do? She started a song (music is very important), added some magic in the activity, and pronto! The children were engaged and while doing the chore, everyone was super happy. What a game tidying up the nursery had become!

Now, granted, most of us can’t do magic, even if our lives depended on it (I could use some magic for house cleaning, trully); but the idea still remains. We sure can add the quality of fun in everything we do (house cleaning included).

So how can we make our daily activities enjoyable? Here are some examples:

1. Cleaning: Put on some music; dance and sing along. Desi Arnaz once put the newspaper in front of the vacuum cleaner so that he could enjoy the news while vacuuming the house; you could read a book, as Renee Zellweger did, in Bridget Jones;

2. Folding laundry: Watch you favorite movie or speak on the phone with your favorite person;

3. Cooking: Do what Cate Blanchet did in the film “Bandits,” but don’t overdo it or you will have a lot of cleaning to do after dinner is ready and you might regret that bit of fun;

4. Commuting: listen to a great comic relief on CD;

5. Homework: Listen to some Mozart while you are at it. You have heard of the Mozart Effect, I am sure.

6. Work: Take breaks every hour or so, take a deep breath, do a little stretching, read some jokes on the Internet, play with one of those magnet puzzles;

7. Errands: Make up a treasure hunt game and follow it whenever you need to go;

8. Dishes: “The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes. ~ Agatha Christie.” You can also plan your next vacations. Enough said.

9. Buying food: Pretend you are a spy. Look for hints of a bad guy in every aisle of the supermarket. Make sure no one is spying at you and hide when you spot a spy. Any person can be a counter spy.

10. Mowing the lawn: Do what Steve Martin did in “My Blue Heaven”: Dress up and read a book while you mow the lawn. People will think you are nuts. You will feel great!

So here are just some simple ideas on how you can use the Mary Poppins Principle to have more fun in life. What else can you think about? Go overboard, exaggerate, feel silly. But most important of all, feel good!

© Maria Moratto 2005

About the author

Dr. Maria Moratto holds 5 degrees and is a life coach. She promotes coaching, seminars and courses in developing the perfect life’s blueprint, which includes attracting abundance and loving relationships, time management, stress management, diversity, goal setting, career search and change, values clarification, leisure, self-improvement, college life, communication and learning styles, spirituality, natural health and lifestyle.

She is also writing two books: one on successful relationships and the other on attracting the perfect lifestyle; both coming soon. Visit her website at http://www.rx4bliss.com and sign up for a no-cost e-zine that is short, informative, and fun.

Go to her blog at: http://www.rx4bliss.blogspot.com for great discussions on these topics. You may reprint this article in its entirety as long as you add this source box. She would also appreciate an email to: drmoratto@rx4bliss.com Please, rate this article if you found it useful.

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Who Wins the Barbeque Showdown Gas vs. Charcoal Grills

August 21st, 2009

The debate over which grill is better–gas or charcoal–may not induce as many passionate and polarized opinions as a political campaign, but for outdoor cooking enthusiasts it comes pretty close. Die-hard grilling aficionados swear by the flavor and process of cooking with charcoal grills. But with the majority of new grill purchases being gas models, there are obviously fans in that camp, too.

So which grill wins the debate? Let’s look at the arguments for both. The case for gas or charcoal seems to be divided along three main points:

  • Convenience
  • Cost
  • Taste

The Convenience Argument

The clear winner in this category is the gas grill. Most models feature push-button ignitions, a consistent, steady heat source that’s ready to go within minutes, excellent temperature control, and easy cleanup.

But convenience isn’t necessarily a deciding factor for all grill shoppers. Charcoal enthusiasts say it’s the ritual–piling up the charcoal, lighting it, tending the fire, and manually adjusting cooking temperatures by moving food from hotter spots to cooler ones–that makes outdoor cooking worth the effort. They feel that trading the process of the backyard barbeque for the push-button convenience of a gas grill is missing the point.

The Cost Argument

If cost is the most important deciding factor for you, you’ll likely want to look at charcoal grills. They cost considerably less than gas, with basic models ranging from about $30 to $100. If you add features like additional burners and side tables, you can count on something like a $300 to $400 range.

Most gas grills–excluding portable and table-top models–are on the expensive side, ranging anywhere from $300 to $1500, and more for higher end models such as built-ins and smoker/grill combinations.

The Taste Argument

Though some barbeque fans swear they can’t tell the difference between food cooked on gas grills and food cooked on charcoal, the charcoal purists insist otherwise. According to them, the flavor that is infused from the smoke of charcoal briquettes or wood coals is what distinguishes an outdoor feast from a standard kitchen meal.

In an effort to address the taste issue, some gas grill manufacturers have built models that add ceramic flavor bars. These bars catch grease drippings and vaporize them into smoke that infuses more flavor into what’s being cooked.

So who’s the winner in this category? The jury is still out on this argument, and it probably always will be. Taste is such an individual decision; you may just have to try both grills and see for yourself.

For Those Who Still Can’t Decide . . .

As you can see, there are pros and cons to owning a gas grill, just as there are advantages and disadvantages to owning a charcoal model.

Still aren’t sure which one is right for you? Do what many families have done in recent years–buy both! If you truly enjoy outdoor cooking, it makes sense to own two models that you use for different purposes. For example, you can use the gas grill for cooking quick barbeque meals during the week, and break out the charcoal grill for when you want to take your time on the weekend.

There are a couple of options available to you if you want to own both a gas and a charcoal grill. There’s the obvious one: buy both grills. But if your budget is tight, or you’re limited on patio space, check out a combination gas/charcoal model. These grills convert from gas to charcoal and back again with just a little preparation and effort.

So what will it be–gas, charcoal, or both? In the end, the decision comes down to your lifestyle and what features work best for you and your family.

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About the Author

Vanessa Kirkland is a freelance writer and outdoor cooking enthusiast whose articles offer consumer tips and advice for online purchasers of gas grills, charcoal grills, and other barbeque accessories.

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Measuring Your Shadow

August 8th, 2009

Have you ever shined a flashlight against a surface in the dark. If you point the flashlight straight toward a wall, for instance, you’d see a small circle of light. But if you slant the flashlight upward, the circle gets larger.

In the same way, sunlight is more concentrated in one area when it hits the earth directly, and when the sunlight hits the earth at a slant, the sunlight spreads out, making it less intense.

In the following activity, ultraviolet will be referred to as sunlight.

Purpose of this activity

To learn about the angle of the sun to the earth and how it affects you.

What you will do

Observe and measure your own shadow. Choose a weekend to perform this activity when you’ll be able to return to the same location throughout the day. If you’re a child wishing to complete this activity and you need help, ask a parent or older brother or sister to assist you.

What you’ll need

Measuring tape, notebook, pencil or pen, and chalk.

Procedure:

  1. Begin this experiment around 8 or 9 a.m. on a sunny day.

  2. Stand in the same place, your back to the sun.

  3. Draw a circle around your shoes with the chalk.

  4. Observe your shadow. Is it long or short?

  5. Draw another circle around the head of the shadow.

  6. Measure the distance from one circle to the next.

  7. Write the time of day and the distance in your notebook.

  8. Continue to do this every one or two hours until around 4 or 5 in the afternoon.

  9. Record in your notebook what you observed about your shadow. For instance, did it get longer or shorter throughout the day or did it increase and then decrease in size? When was your shadow the longest? Shortest? Did it change direction?

What’s happening

You observed the sun’s movement as you were watching your shadow. When your shadow is long earlier and later in the day, the sunlight is less intense and at a lower angle. When sunlight is more intense between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon, but particularly an hour before and after noon, try to stay in the shade and wear sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat with a wide brim and clothing that covers you.

Source

Ahrens, Donald C. (1991). Meteorology Today, 4th Ed. St Paul: West Publishing Company, 79-93.

About The Author

Diana Clarke was a teacher in Silicon Valley and wrote articles for the San Jose Mercury News, Bay Area Parent Magazine and other Silicon Valley newspapers.

http://www.yourskinandsun.com; dianaclarke2001@yahoo.com

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Jewish New Year Dinner Ideas

July 26th, 2009

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, which is celebrated for two days in either the month of September or the month of October, depending on the year. They are the first two days found on the Jewish calendar.

When Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, it can be both a joyful time and a solemn time. When Jewish persons go to synagogue during this time, they are often praying for forgiveness for their sins of the past year. This theme is stressed greatly just 10 days later, on Yom Kippur.

Dinners during Rosh Hashanah are almost always joyful. The foods offered focus on the sweet, in hopes that those consuming the food will have a sweet New Year. Fruits, sweet vegetables and honey abound in Jewish dishes for Rosh Hashanah. Even their main dishes on these days contain many of these items. Many believe that these menu items were created for the kids who are celebrating.

Happiness = Honey
Custom on Rosh Hashanah sprinkles honey into the mix liberally. You can find many traditional recipes with honey, like honey cakes. However, honey is also used during the main courses of the meal. Honey can often be found as a dip during this celebration, with items like apples and challah being dipped to start off the meal.

Honey holds a deep meaning to Jews, as in the bible Israel is described as the “Land of Milk and Honey”. This, of course, meant it was a prosperous land. Honey symbolizes the good life, even today.

Wealth = Carrots
You will find carrots in the meals served for Rosh Hashanah since they represent prosperity. If you look at a bowl of carrot slices, they resemble a bowl full of gold coins. Recipes exist that use carrots as a garnish, as a main entrée and as a side dish for the Rosh Hashanah meal.

Other vegetables you will often seen used are the sweet potato and summer squash. Again, this is due to their sweet taste. Many times these vegetables are sweetened even more with a honey glaze.

Sweet Future = Fruits
Apples dipped in honey are a common tradition during the Rosh Hashanah feasts. However, other fruits are often served during the meal. Fruit can appear anywhere, even in the main dish. Many fruits are served cooked, and fruits like prunes can even be cooked into a stew!

Nicola always enjoys celebrating Rosh Hashanah. Visit her Jewish High Holy Days site for Rosh Hashanah gift ideas, tips and news, information and views at http://Jewish-High-Holy-Days.your-holiday.info

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-Holiday.info

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Innovative Homework Activities

July 21st, 2009

Think about incorporating a variety of homework activities into your lesson plans. To come up with some great homework activities, think of things that will extend their comprehension of things you are studying in class. Also, be sure to think of activities that will incorporate your students’ home environment.

Here are some innovative homework activity ideas:

Homework activities using the World Wide Web:

The internet is an important part of daily life these days. Think about incorporating it into your students’ homework. Here are some homework activities that use the World Wide Web:

· Create a classroom page or group and have your students post their homework assignments on it. Also, have your students post a comment or question once a week or answer or respond to another student’s comment or question.
· Have your students check online newspapers for stories that relate to whatever lesson you are teaching.
· Have your students make and update their own web pages

Outdoor homework activities:

· Have your students help the environment by picking up litter in their neighborhoods.
· Have your students gather different types of leaves, rocks, insects, etc. and bring them to class. Have them guess what they are, and then have guides in your classroom to figure out what they actually are.
· Make a flower press to add plants to every week. You can then take the pressed plants and add them to a craft project.
· Have your students take binoculars out and look at the stars and observe them every night for 15 minutes. What do they notice changing?
· Give your students a magnifying glass to study the world of their backyard or a park up close. Have them write about what they see.

Indoor homework activities:

· Have your students think of ways that they can conserve electricity or water at home.
· Give your students safe, at-home science experiments. For instance, have them put two ice cubes in separate cups and add salt to one of the ice cubes and see what happens. Or have them mix corn starch and water and see what they get.
· Have your students use household objects to create musical instruments.
· Have your students turn on TV for just 10 seconds, write down as much as they heard and saw, and then have them turn that information into a story.

Other homework activities ideas:

· Give each of your students a chance to come up with their own homework activities (within certain restrictions) to assign the other students.
· Create a scavenger hunt for your students to follow throughout the week.
· Divide your students into groups and have them work together as a team to come up with inventions.
· Have your students call or e-mail representatives of your states with ideas or questions, etc.
· Have your students write to a company to learn more or to express a problem, etc. – teach your kids how they can elicit change in their own environments.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on teaching ideas, please visit Teaching Supplies.

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Ping Pong

July 13th, 2009

It’s hard to go out with a girl who is better at a sport than you are. Unlike most girls who grew up playing with dolls or dressing up in their mother’s clothes and shoes, my girlfriend Cindy’s favorite recreation is ping pong. She had been playing the game since she was five years old and is now a member of her school’s ping pong team. Yes, she’s that good.

I also know a thing or two about ping pong and actually considered myself quite handy at the game. That is, until I started playing against Cindy. She humiliates me at ping pong quite regularly, as a matter of fact. And because of this, I have become an ardent student of the game. I even know the history of ping pong.

Ping pong, which is also known as table tennis, actually has its origins in merry old England where it was a popular after-dinner recreation for the upper class Victorians during the 1880s. The game started as a table imitation of tennis, particularly in an indoor environment and, in the beginning, normal household objects were used as equipment in the game. For instance, a row of books would serve as the net, the rounded top of a champagne cork or some string would serve as the ball and the paddle would simply be the lid of a cigar box.

However, the game became popular and a number of enterprising manufacturers began to sell ping pong equipment commercially. For paddles. they used pieces of parchment paper that were secured around a frame which produced a sound like “ping pong” which is how the game came to be known by that name.

In 1901, an English enthusiast of the game named James Gibb produced the next major innovation when he discovered novelty celluloid balls while vacationing in the United States. He quickly adopted these balls to the game.

By 1903, E.C. Goode had invented the modern version of the racket by combining a sheet of pimpled rubber to a wooden blade. By 1901, ping pong tournaments were sprouting up everywhere and by 1902, the first unofficial world championship of ping pong was staged.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Recreation, Cooking, and Travel

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Celebrating with Sand An Alternative to the Unity Candle

June 30th, 2009

On your special day, when you are celebrating the combining of your lives together, you may want a special ritual to symbolize your new unity. Many couples opt for the Unity Candle, which has become very common in recent years.

But here is another idea, which would be perfect for a garden, park, or beach wedding: Have a sand ceremony.

The ceremony is very simple, and very beautiful. Get three nicely shaped clear glass bowls or vases. Buy either black and white sand or two other complementary colors, perhaps those you are using in your wedding. (Colored sand is readily available at craft stores, garden shops, and stores which sell aquariums.) Set the bowls or vases side by side. The groom then pours one color of sand into one of the vessels, while the bride pours the other color into another one. Then, together, they pour sand into the center bowl, creating a beautiful design. The side bowls or vases can then be filled with flowers or topped with colored stones and become part of the reception decoration, while the center container becomes a wonderful keepsake for the bride and groom.

For ceremonies in which either the bride or groom or both have children, the children can also be given bowls of colored sand, which they may add to the center vessel along with that of the bride and groom.

I hope this lovely, inexpensive ceremony can add an extra touch of sweetness to your day.

Rhetta Akamatsu is a wedding planner, independent travel agent, and freelance writer in Marietta, GA. She is the owner of Rose and Star Wedding Planning. Please visit the Rose and Star website at http://www.roseandstar.com for more information, articles, and advice.

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Decorating Your Garden with Wrought Iron

June 17th, 2009

Home decorating outdoors has never been easier with the help of wrought iron. If you are looking for the perfect garden décor, consider wrought iron. An entire garden can be accessorized solely with wrought iron items including, garden gates and fences, arbors, plant stands and benches.

No garden has a better feel to it than one that is enclosed by a wrought iron fence. This type of fencing gives your garden a simple yet elegant look. What better way to enter your garden than with a complimentary wrought iron gate that has the beautiful curves and designs that are exclusive to wrought iron material. Or, give your garden an inviting look by leaving it without a gate and using a wrought iron arbor instead, providing a beautiful entrance with flowering vine plants.

Smaller accessories for a garden that compliment your wrought iron enclosure and entrance are a must. A wrought iron garden bench located in the midst of your garden provides a comfortable place for relaxing and watching nature around you. Wrought iron plant stands positioned at just the right places in your garden make it possible to raise the height of smaller potted plants to add visual interest.

So if you are looking for garden décor that is simple yet elegant, consider wrought iron. Using wrought iron throughout your garden is an easy way to unify the area and make it more visually interesting.

Get started home decorating with Wrought Iron today. Wrought Iron Depot can help you find the perfect wrought iron for your indoor or outdoor living area including information about wrought iron furniture, wrought iron railing, wrought iron chandelier, wrought iron home decor. Get the facts and info at http://www.wrought-iron-depot.com.

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The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon Goes Ahead

June 4th, 2009

The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon appeared to be in jeopordy last month when Jerry underwent heart surgery. However, the popular entertainer and charity worker has recovered from the operation and is back working on the telethon event on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon is as much a part of the Labor Day Weekend as the beach and a barbeque. For over 40 years, Jerry Lewis has gone on television along with other celebrities and appealed to the audiences to make pledges for the children who are victims of muscular dystrophy. Shortly after the telethon began in 1966, everyone referred to them as “Jerry’s Kids,” and in the months preceding the telethon, many stores still have the cans out for everyone to help “Jerry’s Kids.”

What began as a 16-hour appeal that raised $1 million in its first year is now an old day event that raised $60 million in 2004. Neither Mr. Lewis nor any of the other volunteers, celebrities included, receive any money for their tireless efforts. It is unknown why Mr. Lewis is such an advocate for the Muscular Dystrophy Association because he has never spoken about it other than to say the kids are what matters. In addition, today the efforts are also presented across the Internet where even more people can participate in this once a year fund raising effort.

For over four decades, people all across the nation have pledged millions off dollars to aid in research and programs for the victims of muscular dystrophy. With the inclusion of the Internet into the fund raising efforts during the Labor Day weekend, one can only imagine how much farther these efforts will reach. Instead of a national effort, the Internet makes it possible for an international appeal to reach people all over the world who want to make pledges to the worthwhile organization.

For anyone who is home or close to a television set on Labor Day weekend, it is certainly worth the time to take a few minutes to tune in and see the efforts that are being made in this direction. Make it a part of your Labor Day weekend just as it has become an icon of everyone in the world. One cannot help but be impressed with the work that is done by all of the volunteers.

Nicola always enjoys celebrating Labor Day and the end of summer. Visit her Labor Day 2006 site for Labor Day party tips and news, information and views at http://labor-day.your-holiday.info

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-Holiday.info

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Taking The Sting Out Of Bug Bites

May 31st, 2009

(NC)-In most cases insect bites are harmless and if left alone, the irritation will subside within 48 hours.

However, for some people, particularly children, scratching bites may lead to a highly contagious bacterial skin infection called impetigo. Left unchecked, impetigo can spread to other parts of the body and even from person to person.

As a family physician, I recommend the following tips to ensure you and your family maximize your summer fun and avoid this irritating skin disease:

  • Apply an effective insect repellent as directed. As an alternative to chemical-based repellents, I recommend citronella-based products such as Natrapel®, particularly for young children.

  • Avoid scratching. To calm the itching, traditional products such as calamine lotion may be useful. I also recommend my patients use AfterBite®, a product designed to neutralize the allergens that cause the itch.

  • Keep fingernails short and clean. The bacteria streptococcal, which causes impetigo, hides under fingernails and enters the body when scratching the bite. Children are more vulnerable to this disease because streptococcal is often found in sand piles where kids play.

  • Recognize the symptoms. Impetigo is characterized by a red bump on the skin where yellow pus accumulates and dries, leaving a scab that can be itchy.

  • Protect the infection. Impetigo spreads easily through direct body contact, sharing towels, bedding and clothes. Although it is not a serious disease, it needs immediate attention to stop it from spreading.

  • Seek treatment. The best way to avoid impetigo is to treat a bug bite as soon as possible. Should impetigo develop, oral antibiotics and antibiotic creams may be required as prescribed by your doctor.

    Dr. Brian Aw is a general practitioner, specializing in travel medicine.

    For tips on bug bite prevention and product information visit: www.tendercorp.com/canada.

    Editors: These articles are for use in Ontario only

    About The Author

    News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

    News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

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