Page 204 – Green Prophet

Can Students Discard Printed Books in the Future?

Technology

Bhok Thompson

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January 13, 2019

Can Students Discard Printed Books in the Future?

As the ecological footprint of countries and individuals continue to grow, we can only expect very little improvement in handling paper waste. Thus, a debate on the future of books brings to the fore, two critical standpoints. On one end is technology, and on the other, researchers who think that as time progresses, paper, in spite of its diminishing value, will remain relevant and precious to our reading culture.

However, if you weigh into the speed at which technology is changing our world, prospecting that print copy is here to stay even in the age of artificial intelligence is something that any futuristic individual would dismiss with the contempt it deserves.

This post explores the future of books in the life of a student, and here are some important questions you should ask before you proceed further:

Are electronic copies replacing print?
Can we confidently prospect that in the next 100 years; books will be bygones in the education sphere?
If books will be no more sooner than we can predict, how will students read for exams and write essays?
Are EBooks replacing paperbacks?
Should books cease to exist; will students need physical libraries as study places in their respective learning institutions or digital/e-libraries would be more convenient anytime, anywhere?

The truth is that exploring the future of books would be incomplete without reviewing the ecological impacts of paper on our planet. Thus, in answering the above questions, this post will also help you take a deeper dive into electronic print and how it is shaping up in readiness for a future that we are already experiencing.

Electronic vs. Print: Now and in the future

A walk down the memory lane reveals interesting and real hard facts about books and writing. At the onset, not much was said of 19^th or 20^th Century publishing industry, albeit, the future always looked promising. Today, parchments, scrolls, stone and clay tablets are only regarded as valuable historical artifacts that remind us of how far we have come, and how the future of reading and paper writing is shaping up right before our eyes.

Electronic mail, despite being a game-changer in publishing, many thought would drive the last nail onto the culture of hard copies. But, for decades now, since the advent of emails, postal services still exist. It, therefore, means that in as much as technology is changing the way people send and receive messages, posting letters and books to doorstep addresses is still here to stay, but only in the foreseeable future.

When it comes to doing assignments at school, including hiring help online from a dependable and reputed write paper for me, electronic copies are more popular than print ones. Upon completing assignments, students submit soft copies which teachers can choose to read using word processors like Microsoft or print them out. However, archiving tools brought about by technology such as cloud storage means that the value we have all along pegged on physical libraries is beginning to diminish in the face of these cutting-edge developments.

Top Factors You Consider Before You Hire A Resume Writer

Cities

Bhok Thompson

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January 13, 2019

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Top Factors You Consider Before You Hire A Resume Writer

You want a job in renewable energies or something in the sustainable/eco space. It is a common thing that executives that have entered into the vetting the resume writers have their process of separating facts and fictions. However, they also understand the various price points that are both overwhelming and confusing.

So, if you want to find an intense match of professional resume writers near me, consider the following:

Understanding The Price Points

When you check from the internet, you will see some resume writers charging from $100 to $3,000, but for the sweet spot in the market, it is much higher. The writers generally have hard-earned certificates as the writing industry accolades and awards. Moreover, most of them have positive feedback from the clients and can be heard from major media as they have perfected their craft within the working years.

In some industries like career services, there are no regulations, and therefore, a better resume will be your insurance policy. So, the best is the one that has a good track record from the clients. When you want to hire, check the one that is transparent and visible online and has involvement with top career industry.

Understanding Your Potential ROI

When you hire a professional resume writer, it his role to help you achieve various career goals that include leveling your title up, increase total compensation package, make work-life balance adjustments, align yourself with better corporate.

So, you have to consider the value of such benefits in transition. Besides, also decide whether you need performance management or emotional preservation aspect from the resume writer.

Professional Resumes Writer’s Samples

Before you decide to hire a resume writer, check for visual attractiveness and then pay attention to the content’s construction. The samples will show you any sense of the executive that can satisfy you completely. Check whether the documents look balanced or are they written in the industry title or focuses on a historical narrative where the executive has worked.

The Personality Of The Writer

The person you want to hire or firm must have your trust and faith. Moreover, he should be qualified and prepared to elaborate to you the reason he does things in his specific way.

On the other hand, a professional resume writer needs to explain his strategy and the way it will support you to enhance your candidacy in the current market. When you have a good writer, you have a great partner that can help you in succeeding in retrospect ways.

Extra Perks From The Resume Writer

If you want to hire a professional resume writer, you will need to know whether there are other services that the writer offers and can provide you. The services may include ongoing support, private coaching, and information about the level of your job, supporting details like testimonials, executive biographies, and endorsements.

Moreover, the other sign to know about a resume writer is them having constant supporting documents and resources useful and can help you to accelerate your success. After you have learned about the ways to consider before you hire a professional resume writer, it’s time you start vetting.

* consultation:

Consider, it is an investment of your career. It’s Important to well-judge the person whom you hiring before the decision to endow the task. Experience level also affects the prices though. All-inclusive, a resume writing is an assumption, questionnaire, and an interview with the client. For quality writing, you should read informative articles on general blogs like the General Queen, Forbes e.t.c. Magnificent resume writers use all strategy of writing skills Including, formatting, page design, and strong English grammar too.

Buying a New or a Used Car: Which is a better option?

Transportation

Bhok Thompson

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January 11, 2019

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Some of us dream of buying our own car someday – hopefully something electric or hybrid. A car not only makes travel easier but can also be handy in emergency situations. Moreover, a car with exceptional features gives the owner a sense of pride and prestige. With many makes and models of various car brands being launched every year, choosing an ideal car can be difficult. Also, you need to make a big decision – to buy a new or a used car. Let’s take a look at the benefits of both options to help you make the right choice.

Advantages of Buying a New Car

A Brand New Vehicle

When you buy a new car, you are assured that it hasn’t been used before. The car has the specifications, speed, mileage, and everything else you want. Since it is a brand new vehicle, you won’t find any scratches, dents, or damages. Most importantly, you can be assured that the car hasn’t been in an accident.

Better Financing Options

Banks and other financial institutions offer better loan schemes for new cars. Some firms will pay you cash for your car too. This is because the resale value of a new car is much higher than that of a used car. When a borrower takes a car loan, the car will be used as the collateral for the loan. If the borrower is unable to pay off the loan, then the bank can sell the car to recover the margin of finance. Today, most banks offer loans with lower interest rates and up to 90% margin of finance if you are buying a new car. You only get up to 80% to 85% margin of finance for second-hand cars.

Better Car Insurance Rates

Opting for a new car means opting for better insurance rates. There are various types of car insurance policies available today. There are policies that cover damage or theft of the vehicle, policies that cover injury or damage to another car or person while driving, and policies that cover medical costs in case of injuries. New car owners usually get better insurance rates and a wide range of policies to choose from.

Much Safer on the Road

New cars are equipped with better safety features when compared to second-hand cars. The makes and models that are manufactured today have all the latest safety systems installed, including airbags, cruise control, brake assistance, etc.

Latest Technology

From keyless entry to smartphone integration, automobile manufacturers have been implementing the latest technologies in their models and upgraded versions. They have also been focusing on bringing out models that offer low emission rates, excellent mileage, and better security features. When you buy a new car, you can make use of the best of technology.

Equipped With Warranty

A new car comes with a full warranty. You can make use of this warranty to get your car up and running to its maximum potential within the warranty period. Since the car is new, it will require fewer repairs in the initial years. So you can focus more on car maintenance.

A Range of Makes and Models

When you want to buy a car, you have a plethora of options before you. Even those who have a limited budget will find a range of cars available that are suitable for them. You can study the specifications each car offers and make a choice from the unlimited options you have.

Advantages of Buying a Used Car

Lower Price

Second-hand cars come at much more affordable rates than new cars. If you are willing to spend, say $18,000, on a car, you get both high-end used cars and new regular cars within that range. You can make the most of the opportunity and buy the high-end car instead of opting for a regular one. You could also secure more savings with a used car. Instead of spending a lot on a new car, you can spend less on a second-hand one and save the surplus amount as savings or for personal use.

Lower Depreciation Rate

No matter how new a model is, the value of the car depreciates as soon as you buy it from the dealer. If you plan to sell the vehicle someday, you won’t get anywhere close to the original price or the original price you have paid for. The depreciation rate of a new car is higher than that of an old one. When you buy a used car, you won’t bother about the depreciation rate.

No Hidden Charges and Fewer Customisation Costs

When you buy a new vehicle, the manufacturer could include shipping charges and other hidden fees in the final price. When you opt for a used car, you don’t have to pay any hidden charges. Also, you will save up on customisation costs.

Inspected by professionals

Today most dealers ensure the second-hand cars are in good condition before selling them. When you buy a used car from a reputable car dealer, you can be assured that the car has been inspected properly for issues. All the issues are fixed by technicians and the cars are also refurbished.

The Verdict

Both new cars and used cars offer great benefits. You can consider the following while making a decision:

Your budget – If you are financially stable and want to invest in a car, buying a new car is a good option. You can make use of the excellent loan facilities offered by various banks. However, if you have a limited budget, you can either wait for some time to increase your finances to buy a new vehicle or opt for a second-hand one.
Why you need the car – Understand your priorities before buying the vehicle. If you have other important financial commitments, then prioritise those before buying a car. If you still need a car, you can buy a second-hand one.
Your credit score – If you have a good credit score, you can get a car loan approved easily. On the other hand, if you have a poor credit score, buying a new vehicle at that time could be a bad idea. You could work towards improving your rating and then opt for a new car. But if you urgently need a car, you can buy a used car at an affordable price.

Conclusion

Find an ideal car as per your preference and lifestyle requirements. You can choose a car that offers great reliability, lower fuel emissions, great comfort, and one that is equipped with the latest security and safety features. Most prominent banks offer loan schemes at great interest rates. You can visit comparison websites before making a decision and choose one that suits your requirements the best.

Malaria prevention when travelling to the Middle East

Health

Karin Kloosterman

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January 11, 2019

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Malaria prevention when travelling to the Middle East

Marigolds have a compound inside them that can keep malaria-carrying mosquitos at bay.

About a hundred years ago, large swamps of areas in the Middle East were teaming with malaria –– including Israel. The British of course enjoyed their gin and tonic, with ingredients in the tonic staving off the disease caused by a parasite carried by mosquitoes.

Malaria is not a great disease to get and its symptoms can remain dormant until the effects have set in. In humans, malaria can cause respiratory distress, kidney and liver failure, and can lead to heart problems. Some early symptoms include muscle weakness.

So you are travelling to the Middle East or maybe further East and you want to know if you need to take an anti-malarial? I travelled to India last year and after consulting a doctor who heads a transmissible disease clinic at a Tel Aviv hospital, he advised me to not take anti-malarials. This advice comes from his own experience and as a frequent traveller himself, he knew where we were going in India, to Goa, was not a common place for malaria. My parents, on the other hand, getting advice from Canadian doctors, further away and perhaps more conservative, told them to take the drugs, which also have side-effects.

If you are travelling to the Middle East or North Africa, the risk of malaria is quite low, except perhaps in some areas of Saudi Arabia (links to PDF). According to the report, published in 2016, “There have been no reports of malaria in Iraq since 2009. The Asir region of Saudi Arabia is endemic for malaria, although in 2014, 46 imported cases were detected in Saudi kingdom…during late 2011 over 600 patients were detected as malaria positive in Abu Dabi, UAE, most of which came from Pakistan, India and Sudan. Malaria cases have sharply decreased in Syria from 2000 to 2010, and nearly no cases have reported in 2012. There has been continued presence of imported malaria in Jordan, mainly from East Africa (Sudan and Eritrea) and South East Asia.

So the main worry for malaria seems to be coming from places where an abundance of foreign workers are bringing it with them.

If you opt to get the vaccine, and wish to buy it on your own for a lower cost than the local pharmacy and you want the new oral dose then try The Independent Pharmacy. You need to start taking the medication in advance to your travels and may still need vaccinations that require an injection until the new anti-malarial vaccines on the market.

Children will need extra care and consideration when travelling to foreign countries, and besides malarial, other diseases and viruses can be carried by mosquitoes. While we opted to not vaccinate for malaria in Goa, India, we made sure that the kids were constantly taken indoors when the sun was setting and we applied natural mosquito repellent on them as well, at all times after dark when they were out.

We also made sure that we rented a house with screens on the windows. If you are concerned about that, pack along a light-weight mosquito net or plan to buy one at your destination country. Mosquitos are not only a nuisance when going to sleep, they can carry some nasty diseases with them as well. Protecting yourself with netting can also keep other bugs at bay, like kissing bugs.

Getting Ready For End Times On A Real-Life Noah’s Ark

Miriam Kresh

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January 10, 2019

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Getting Ready For End Times On A Real-Life Noah’s Ark

It takes grit to pursue a dream, and for Dutch carpenter Johan Huibers, a literal dream drove him to recreate Noah’s Ark. Convinced that he’d received a sign from God after a nightmare in which epic storms flooded Holland, the devout Christian determined to teach the world about coming end times, using as an evangelical tool a copy of the Biblical boat in which Noah, his family, and the animals survived the Great Flood. Read Karin’s post about how the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo is considered “a genetic Ark.”

“It’s meant to educate, a reminder that our world is changing, will continue to change, as we see now because of global warming, rising sea levels, fires,” Huibers said in an interview on the TODAY show. He added, “This much-loved story, with its animals and message of salvation, easily attracts people. Everyone has some notion of it. And if you can show how the Ark must have looked, it brings the whole Bible closer.

“I believe we are living in the end of times,” he concluded. “We’re not conscious of it. People never are.”

Huibers first built a smaller model of the Ark, completed in 2007. He had done most of the work alone, with some help from volunteers and his son. Its size, half of the Biblical Ark’s, was calculated to allow it to pass through the Dutch locks and canals. The boat visited 21 Dutch towns and received 600,000 visitors over 3.5 years. When Huibers felt impelled to construct a full-sized Ark according to the Biblical specifications, he sold the first model to an artist. It came to a sad end when it slipped its moorings during a storm and crashed into a Norwegian patrol boat.

It took four years, seven workers and $5 million in donations to build the second Ark., which opened to the public in 2012. At 30 meters wide, 23 meters high and 135 meters long, this 3,000-ton boat has ten times the capacity of the first model, holding more than 5000 people. Huibers built it by the specifications laid out in the book of Genesis: “three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.”

Inside are five decks with stalls and pens for real animals (there was a small petting zoo inside the Ark at one point) and life-sized model animals, as well as storage spaces and rooms for Noah’s family. The interior has a large amphitheater where visitors can watch a video and browse through displays. There is also a conference room and a café.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors have already climbed through the Ark, the majority being school children. It’s currently anchored in the port of Dordrecht, but is closed over a local bureaucratic wrangle and safety concerns. Huibers protests that the ship is safe and insured, and that its fire extinguishing equipment is at a higher standard that the law demands. In addition, the Ark has an anchor that qualifies it as as a building.

“This is a copy of God’s ship. It only makes sense to take it to God’s land,” he says. “I love the land, I love the country, I love the people. They don’t obey,” he says humorously, “They do what they want, they drive like mad, shove while waiting in line and don’t listen to anyone. Just like me.”

Plans for sailing to Israel or anywhere else have been put on hold until donations to the tune of $1.3 million come in, to cover renting tugboats. Because the Ark doesn’t have an engine, of course.

Photos via:

Wikimedia Commons

Wikipedia

Ark of Noah Foundation

Reasons to get your eyes tested

Bhok Thompson

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January 9, 2019

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It is a common saying that “eyes are the window to your soul”. Even, in reality, they act as an exceptional window to our general wellbeing. In case you’re somebody who don’t wear glasses or contact lens, you presumably think that you don’t have to get your eyes checked until you face some problem. But a regular customary eye checkup can examine for something beyond your capacity to read the letters from a long distance.

The significance of yearly eye tests goes well past merely ensuring you don’t have a blurry vision. Regular eye tests are vital because your eyes don’t generally hurt when something isn’t right. A visual sight test is a crucial check for your wellbeing that can get early indications of eye conditions before you even come to know of any symptoms. Many of those symptoms can be treated if diagnosed early.

Here are five reasons why eye tests are essential and why you ought to have yearly eye tests to protect your wellbeing and health.

Early detection of diseases

A sight test will comprise of a general checkup that can get early indications of an eye illness before you can realize. It can lead to the detection of other diseases as well since some diseases or medical conditions can have an impact on the eyes, for example, diabetes, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. A sight recommends you to get glasses for the first time or change your present glasses. You could also opt for contact lens for better comfort level, in such cases, you can check for Solotica contact lenses, they have a wide range of collections including Colored contact lens and Anesthesia contact lens.

Detect a layer on the top of the eyes

A layer on the top of the eyes is called Arcus senilis. The layer can be in white, gray, or blue. It might likewise show up as a white ring before the fringe of the iris. In most people who are above 40, its just a sign of aging and not related to any particular disease. As indicated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it tends to be an indication of elevated cholesterol in individuals under age 40.

Detect level of eyesight

Eye specialists suggest that several people ought to get their eyes checked every two years. For some people based on specific medical condition, they may suggest increasing the visit for NHS sight test. Some of the cases are, if you are young and wear glasses or have diabetes or above 40 years or have a family ancestry of glaucoma. A sight test will distinguish what your dimension of vision is and whether you require glasses to address your sight-related issues.

Sign of Allergies

Intermittent redness of the eyes might be an indication of sensitivities, eye weakness, over-utilization of contact lens, or some eye infection like conjunctivitis. Persistent redness especially when accompanied with different side effects like pain, double vision or pain during eye movement might be an indication of an autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis

Detect other serious health problems

Amid an extensive eye test, your eye specialist can watch and assess the well-being and state of the veins in your retina, which are a decent indicator of the condition of veins all through your body. Medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia are apparent by changes in the presence of the retinal blood supply and veins. Yearly eye tests are particularly essential for anybody with diabetes or who may be in risk for the illness.

How transitioning to sustainable practices can benefit your business

Business

Bhok Thompson

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January 8, 2019

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It is becoming imperative for businesses in the Middle East to adopt and implement sustainable practices. But why? Well, consumers are manifesting growing interest for eco-friendly companies. They buy from brands based on their social and environmental impact. Who can blame them? We need clean air, natural resources, and, most importantly, a non-toxic environment. Environmental protection represents the main concern for the future of humanity and businesses have no choice but to rethink the way that they are doing things. Being green is the main demand of customers.

What is interesting to note is the fact that the Middle East is not a stranger to green initiatives. A great many business leaders are adopting and implementing environmentally-friendly solutions, switching to clean energy sources and getting rid of hard copy documents. Investing in alternative solutions is paramount for the transcontinental region on Western Asia, as the rich oil reserves that people have been counting on for so long will run out in the following years. What does being environmentally mean, anyway? It signifies being au courant with the impact that the business has on the environment. It is a good thing that so many companies are investing in energy-saving technologies and greening their businesses.

Unfortunately, there are still many organizations that do not have the slightest interest in reducing, reusing, or recycling. What is stopping them from making the right decisions? Chances are that these companies do not understand that transitioning to sustainable practices can represent a benefit. What about you? Are you one of those companies that has a hard time comprehending that sustainability is an important factor that can make or break your business? If the answer happens to be yes, please continue reading to find out what the benefits of going green are. For your information, keeping customers happy is only one benefit.

Lowering utility bills in the business

The power sector in the Middle East is more than capable of meeting the region’s demands in terms of technical success. You do not need to take a close look at the numbers to understand that firms rely heavily on electricity. Loss of power is equivalent to financial risk and loss of life, sometimes. Executives like you are required to plan for electricity, in addition to gas, water, Internet, and basic office supplies. The ongoing monthly costs of keeping an organization open can and will into your budget. So, what are you to do? Going green is one idea. Environmentally-friendly technology will help you significantly lower your overall power usage. Take into account the number of printers, computers, phones, and other types of electronic devices at the office. Figure out how much energy they consume and do away with them, if necessary. There are better alternatives.

Protecting employees and customers

There is nothing more important than protecting the most important resources that you have got – in other words, the employees. Imagine the following scenario: you run a business in the food industry. The members of your team have to work with numerous chemicals. Chemicals are the building blocks of anything, so it should not really come as a surprise that they are utilized in food processing. If you want to be a market leader, protect your employees by switching to green chemistry. Green chemistry is great for business and there is no denying this fact. It is possible to take action while it is not too late and you need to take advantage of this.

Foresighted businesses are positively responding to the demand for safe working conditions. The thing about green chemistry is that it eliminates the need for hazardous chemical reagents, solvents, and products. It is basically a philosophy that applies to all areas of chemistry, and not to a single discipline. If you would like to get the facts about green chemistry, do some online research. You will find the answers that you are looking for in a jiffy. Getting back on topic, sustainable chemistry is necessary for protecting employees and consumers. Did you really forget about the customers? They are the ones that end up consuming the goods that you produce. Green chemistry research is already well-established in the Middle East, so it should not be a problem to get your hands on pertinent information.

Receiving green leadership awards

It is tempting to think that awards mean nothing for the company. They have no value at all and it is not worth the effort to win them. Wrong. Awards are very important and your organization should make an effort to win them. When you receive awards after awards, you become trustworthy. Basically, you get a stamp of approval. Clients, for their part, will take you more seriously and they will not even want to dig deep into your firm’s background. Keep in mind that climate change is gaining more and more attention and all eyes are on the companies that contribute to making things better. If you want others to trust you, you have to start winning some awards.

What can you do to become more environmentally-friendly? Here are a few suggestions: eliminate plastic bottles, deploy green cleaning products, print only the essentials, invest in desk lamps, etc. There are so many things that you can do to make the world a better place. There are various awards recognizing the efforts in the area of protecting the environment. Have you ever heard about the Zayed Future Energy Prize? It is an award that gives thanks to outstanding minds, whether small or large corporations. You will want to win such a prize one day. And you can, but you have to be willing to make an effort.

Final thoughts

The bottom line is that transitioning to sustainable practices is good for any business. It cannot hurt, anyway. If you want to make your customers proud of you, you will do the right thing and make your business greener, now or later. If you play your cards right, you will enjoy all the benefits in the world, that is for sure.

New Year, New You: How to Use Fermentation to Improve Your Health in 2019

Bhok Thompson

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January 8, 2019

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New Year, New You: How to Use Fermentation to Improve Your Health in 2019

It’s the newest It food, but for over 10,000 years, humans have been using the fermentation process to make food for themselves. Producing beverages like beer and wine to more substantial and nutritious foodstuffs like bread, cheese and yogurt, fermentation is a chemical process by which microorganisms (in the absence of oxygen) break down nutrients into alcohol and acids. Converting these nutrients — often carbohydrates — into simpler substances allows the body to absorb and use them more easily.

The benefits of fermentation are many, from aiding digestion and increasing nutrient bioavailability to preserving food for longer storage. (And you just thought that beer was good for upping your comedic value!) Indeed, fermented food products can bestow a bevy of health advantages, but that doesn’t mean they all are created equally. Take a look at a few important facts about fermentation if you want the best health results in 2019:

Pick Products that Contain “Live Cultures”

Typically, fermented products from a supermarket are processed at a high level of heat, killing the beneficial bacteria their fermented processing promises. And even if they haven’t been, they often contain excessive amounts of sugar and sodium, negating their nutritional value. Read labels carefully and purchase only those products that contain “live cultures” with limited salt and sugars. Usually these products are stored in the refrigerated section along the periphery of your local grocery store and not in jars and cans on interior store shelves.

Better Yet, Make Your Own

Fermenting your own vegetables or making your own yogurt or brewing your own beer isn’t that hard and provides a significant nutritional advantage over buying items that have been produced for the masses using artificial preservatives and added ingredients for flavor. Check out this site for direction on where and how to start fermenting your own food.

image-sourdough-cheese-bread — Sour dough bread

Listen to Your Body

We turn to experts everyday to find the best information on all number of topics — a business immigration lawyer when we want to work abroad; a licensed contractor when we want to build a house; a PR professional when we want to spin a possible issue. Likewise, when beginning a fermented diet, it’s important that we listen to the best resource available. Our own bodies are the best authorities on what works and doesn’t work for us. Because the research is so new, there is no magic amount of fermented foods to eat each day to guarantee healthy results. Instead, follow your body’s lead. Fermented food products can cause gas and bloating, but even just one serving a day of fermented food can improve gut health. Thus, start small, see how your body reacts and adjust your consumption accordingly!

A look at what CBD could do for you

Bhok Thompson

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January 3, 2019

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It’s safe to say that cannabidiol (CBD) has a more wide-ranging potential than typical strains of psychoactive cannabis. On its own, CBD is non-intoxicating and causes no mind-altering effects, which explains why so many people seem prepared to experiment with it. Indeed, most of the CBD products that you find on sale are actually made using industrial hemp extracts, rather than cannabis extracts – hemp has very low levels of THC, is not psychoactive and is therefore less restricted.

But is CBD just a passing fad, or does it have properties that could soon become a staple in our daily lives?

Different products for different ailments

Perhaps the most interesting thing about CBD is how its effects change depending on how it is consumed. For instance, taken in vape oil or e-liquid form, CBD becomes active after just a couple of minutes, and quickly begins exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, analgesic effects and more, benefits which generally last for two to three hours. The speediness of vaping is particularly useful for people who suffer from sudden bouts of pain, that cannot afford to wait for relief.

However, when taken in edible or capsule form, you can be waiting for an hour or more before you experience any therapeutic relief. The positive with these products, however, is that the CBD is released more slowly into the body, meaning the effects can last all day or night. The relaxing and sedative properties of CBD have unsurprisingly made it a popular alternative sleeping remedy.

But CBD doesn’t even need to be taken into the body for it to have a positive effect, as the emergence of infused balms and creams have shown. The combined antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal qualities of the cannabinoid may be valuable for treating skin infections, both bacterial and fungal. These products work because of the presence of the endocannabinoid system in the peripheral nervous system, and therefore the skin.

This system contains endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors. Activation of the CB1 receptor can help to relieve pain, hence the popularity of pain creams from companies like Green Roads CBD. Meanwhile, activation of the CB2 receptor works to reduce and regulate inflammation, which may be the key to treating arthritis and the skin condition acne.

Using CBD for general wellness

The jury is still out on many of CBD’s claimed medical properties, and until comprehensive clinical trials are conducted in placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized settings, little can be said for definite. That’s just the process that any new drug must go through before it can be medically approved. Indeed, for epilepsy this is already happening, with the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent approval of the CBD-rich oral spray Epidiolex.

However, companies aren’t selling CBD as a medicine, but as a health supplement, and there are a number of ways that CBD can be used to enhance general wellbeing and make life a little easier. Visit website.

By making more of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA available in the brain, CBD is perfect for helping you to stay mentally relaxed in challenging situations. Perhaps you’re starting a new job and are nervous about making a good impression, or maybe you struggle with anxiety and find social scenarios overwhelming. With CBD helping to stop the overthinking, and also combat high levels of stress, you can stay cool, calm and collected and always present the best version of yourself to others.

Want to know how to smoke? See direct vapor review and coupons

CBD can also help to smooth out any irregularities in your endocannabinoid system by boosting ‘endocannabinoid tone’. An optimal endocannabinoid system is essential for good immune system health, balanced mood and appetite, strong bone health, beneficial sleep patterns, controlled pain perception and more. To enhance endocannabinoid tone, endocannabinoid degradation must be slowed, and CBD is able to do this by inhibiting the FAAH enzyme’s breakdown of anandamide.

Enhance your workout with CBD

Strength training can be great for our mental health, not just because it helps us to bulk up and become stronger, but because of the release of antidepressant chemicals into the brain. However, to maximize our efforts in the gym, it’s vital that our stress levels, and concentrations of the hormone cortisol, are kept as low as possible. In contrast, higher levels of testosterone facilitate increased muscle growth.

Taking a CBD oil tincture, such as those sold by CBDistillery, helps to quickly reduce cortisol. The reductive effect that CBD has on cortisol was first shown in the 1990s.

Iceland’s new prime minister is 41-year-old environmentalist

Bhok Thompson

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January 2, 2019

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Iceland’s new prime minister is 41-year-old environmentalist

iceland Prime minister Katrin Jakobsdottir — Iceland’s new Prime Minister is green.

Iceland, made progressive or well at least famous by Bjork, has made some monumental strides by electing Katrin Jakobsdottir, the 41-year-old chairwoman of the Left-Green Movement, as Prime Minister. She is well liked and while a former education minister she is also an avid environmentalist.

Iceland, this is the country that slows down speed racers with 3D sidewalks.

In her role she has pledged to help Iceland become carbon neutral by 2040. She will be the fourth PM in two short years, but she might have the trust that the country’s citizens seek right now after a series of scandals.

She is the party leader who can best unite voters from the left and right,” said Eva H. Onnudottir, a political scientist at the University of Iceland, according to the New York Times. “Because this coalition includes parties from the left to the right, their work will be more about managing the system instead of making ‘revolutionary’ changes.”

Get suing for your environment

Karin Kloosterman

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January 2, 2019

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A landmark law was just passed in Israel this year. The Israeli Parliament, known as the Knesset just passed a new law on January 1, that allows both public and non-profit organizations to file a civil suit against any person or organization that damages the environment in general. The law was put into effect after a disaster in 2017 when a fertilizer plant spilled toxic materials into a Dead Sea stream, according to Haaretz.

Until now the only civil suits that could be filed in Israel were ones that caused harm to people. Civil suits can now be filed if the environmental damage is to plants, animals or even just landscapes.

What prompted lobbyists and lawmakers to go ahead with this new law was a disaster in 2017 when the Ashalim Stream in the Judaean Desert and close to the Dead Sea was polluted when a pool at the Rotem Amfert fertilizer plant collapsed. It was called a toxic sludge deluge. High levels of toxic materials including acids seeped into the riverbed, now closed indefinitely to hikers and tourists.

Some animals, like the ibex below, died immediately.

Because, technically, no people were hurt that day, the public was not legally allowed to file a suit against the plant. The area was a popular hiking spot, so people were essentially cut off from nature.

The bill to change the law was initiated by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Israel’s leading environment nonprofit, and was sponsored by Deputy Knesset Speaker Tali Ploskov (Kulanu), MK Yael Cohen Paran (Zionist Union), Nurit Koren (Likud) and Dov Khenin (Joint List). Some people, if you are an environment lover, you might wish to support.

The Dead Sea area in general is facing massive threats due to human greed and oversight. Very little water if any actually flows into the Dead Sea to replenish its natural balance causing it to shrink in size year after year. It’s an eyesore and a shame. One of the bigger blights and disasters to the Sea is the whole south section destroyed by a fertilizer company, the Dead Sea Works, previously known as the Palestine Potash Company.

As you can see below, the actual Dead Sea is severed now in two pieces, the lower region is now evaporation ponds for chemical extraction. How in the world a private company, owned by Israel Chemicals, can operate like this in today’s day and age is beyond me. Today Israel Chemicals is owned by Israel Corporation (52.3%), Institutional investors and public offering (33.6% and the rest (13.6% owned by Canadian company Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (Wikipedia).

The Israel Corporation, if we dig into the details is in majority holdings by the Ofer Family Group which owns, according to them, 52%.

If you want to be educated on how in the world the Israel Government sells its natural resources to a few wealthy families, watch the movie The Shakshuka System. Posted below for your convenience, with English subtitles.

Blame Roundup For Celiac And Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

Food
Health

Miriam Kresh

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January 1, 2019

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Blame Roundup For Celiac And Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

The gluten intolerance and celiac disease epidemic that’s spreading worldwide is related to herbicide residues on foods we eat, according to a study published published in the Interdisciplinary Toxicology journal in 2013.

The researchers are Anthony Samsel,an independent scientist who has worked as a consultant to the EPA on arsenic pollution and to the U.S. Coast Guard on chemical hazard response, and Stephanie Seneff, senior research scientist at MIT. They analyzed close to 300 studies on the relationship between glysophate, the active ingredient in the widely-used herbicide Roundup, and gluten intolerance/celiac disease. The scientists conclude that glyphosate residues in our food are responsible for this epidemic, which already affects 5% of the USA population.

In the 1980s, Scottish farmers discovered that spraying Roundup on their wheat and barley crops 7-14 days before harvest guaranteed their crops would dry evenly before starting the harvesting operation. This is known as dessicating the grain. The practice spread to major grain-growing areas in the US and Canada where a damp climate may hinder harvest. Now the list of common foods dessicated with Roundup includes wheat, oats, barley, many kinds of beans, lentils, corn, rye, flax, triticale, buckwheat, peas, sunflower seeds, canola, sugar beets, millet and potatoes. Drenched with the herbicide, those foods inevitably have dry Roundup residues on them. Most of our food is contaminated – yes, even animals and poultry, since the Roundup residues in their feed pass on to us.

No one paid attention to Samsel and Seneff’s study at the time it was published except for Mother Earth News and The Healthy Home Economist. But in 2015, glyphosate was recognized as “probably carcinogenic” by the World Health Organization. And in August 2018, Monsanto, Roundup’s manufacturer, was ordered to pay $289 million to a California groundsworker who was diagnosed with terminal non-Hodgkin lymphoma after having mixed and sprayed hundreds of gallons of the weed killer as part of his duties. Suddenly, glyphosate is on everyone’s lips.

But glyphosate has literally been on our lips since the 1990s, when spraying Roundup on crops became almost universal. The authors of the study note that the numbers of patients diagnosed with gluten intolerance/celiac disease has risen together with the agricultural use of glyphosate.

Comparing gluten antibodies in frozen immune serum obtained between 1948-1954 to those of the modern population, researchers found that celiac disease has quadrupled.

According to the Samsel and Seneff the symptoms of glyphosate exposure closely resemble the symptoms of gluten intolerance/celiac.

“Celiac disease is associated with imbalances in gut bacteria that can be fully explained by the known effects of glyphosate on gut bacteria,” they write. Also, deficiencies in enzymes, metals, and amino acids that characterize celiac disease are proved to appear with exposure to glyphosate.

“Celiac disease patients also have a known increased risk for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which has also been implicated in glyphosate exposure,” they warn. “The incidence of non-Hodgkins lymphoma has increased rapidly in most Western countries over the last few decades. Statistics from the American Cancer Society show an 80% increase since the early 1970’s, when glyphosate was first introduced on the market.”

They wind up with a dire warning about the effect of Roundup residues on our families.

“Reproductive issues associated with celiac disease, such as infertility, miscarriages, and birth defects, can also be explained by glyphosate.”

So it doesn’t seem that gluten is the big culprit for celiac symptoms; it’s Roundup. Some farmers admit to feeling uneasy about spraying crops with Roundup, but it doesn’t look like agro-business is going to mandate stopping its use any time soon. Apart from dessicating the crops for an easier, ample harvest, Roundup kills weeds off. Without it, farmers will have to go back to plowing the land and digging weeds out by hand, which is they fear will set agriculture back by decades. Many also fear losing part of their crops to damp. Roundup is also widely used in managing fruit orchards and grape vines; even in managing forestry.

The solution: go organic. It’s the only way, these days.

Top Essential and Exciting New Year Gifts to Surprise Your Kids

Lifestyle

Bhok Thompson

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December 26, 2018

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Top Essential and Exciting New Year Gifts to Surprise Your Kids

Kids are always close to the hearts of their parents. They give from toddlers to teenage different happy moments with their cute activities in the family. Parents also want to be a part of their memorable events. All the parents try to give the best lifestyle to their loving kids. They never forget to celebrate kid’s memorable occasions. If you want to give some unique gifts for your kids, then you have to check their requirements. There may be different essential needs of your kids that you want to fulfill in life.

Here are some essential items that you can dedicate to your kids in this new year.

Gift Play Items:

Kids love to spend their time playing and eating. You can give some unique indoor and outdoor games for your kids. Try to buy the games that help their mental and physical growth. Childhood is the best time to learn new things at home. You can dedicate some intelligent gifts to surprise your kids in this new year. The other idea is to buy some toy instruments to give the best items to play. Toys can be one of the perfect online new year gifts for your little ones. They will be happy to get such useful toys and games for playing at home.

Assorted Chocolates Hamper:

For your kids, you can show your heartfelt feelings in different ways. Most of the kids like to eat their favorite chocolates. You can dedicate a hamper of some delightful chocolates to surprise your little ones. The other idea is to surprise them with assorted chocolates, which comes in the shape of toys, bells, and cartoons, etc. Kids will love to eat such designer chocolates on this memorable occasion. You can attach candies or lollipops to give them some pleasuring moments of the day.

Arts and Crafts Set for Kids:

Childhood is the best time when you can guide your kids for choosing their passions. Another gifting idea is to dedicate the arts and crafts set for your lovely kids. It can be the best time pass and learning material for them at home. You can add all the items that they can use easily without your help. A complete kit of arts and crafts set is perfect for school going kids. It will help them to show their creativity by making some decor items.

Prepare a Photo Cake:

Kids also love to watch cartoons and their favorite superhero movies. You can even personalize a delicious cake for your little ones in this new year. The best way is to select their favorite character’s photo to make unique online new year cakes. You can also select one of the best pictures of your kids to prepare a presentable cake. Try to garnish the cake by adding their favorite flavors and candies. It will be the best dessert to give them delightful moments of the celebration. Capture the cake cutting ceremony moments to create some beautiful memories of the day.

A trip to the Amusement Park:

A new year celebration for your kids can be unforgettable if you take them to visit a nearby amusement park. You can make this day special by going to the adventure park. It can be another essential gift to make them feel happy on this day. Your kids will have enough time to enjoy their favorite games and rides at the famous amusement park. They can also have tasty snacks in a lovely place. It will be the best idea to give them some happy hours to enjoy this new year. Your kids will always remember such a great fun idea on this day.
Above gifts will be surely perfect to make their new year celebration unforgettable. Your kids will be happy to receive all of these essential gifts from your side.

Farting cows directly linked to global warming

Maurice Picow

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December 25, 2018

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Farting cows directly linked to global warming

Global warming and climate change weather patterns which may be causing monster hurricanes and typhoons are more than ever being brought to our attention as the dire results continue to wreck havoc the world over. This year’s COP24 Climate Change Conference ,being held in Katowice Poland, is bringing countries together again to try to find solutions to rising temperatures and severe weather patterns being caused by continuous dependence on fossil fuels and other human-caused factors.

One under-looked cause, now being considered as no less critical than fossil fuels, is beef and dairy cow farming; especially in affluent countries like Australia, the UK and the USA. Increasing fondness for beef in the USA, for example, is raising levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) in the atmosphere as high as the use of fossil fuels. This increase is being caused largely by a very important natural phenomena: cows fart.

The unique food digestion process of a cow’s 4 chambered ruminant stomach actually ferments the cellular plant material it eats creating methane and other gas, including nitrogen and carbon dioxide. These gases are released from both the animal’s mouth during digestion when it chews its”cud”; and afterwards expelled in even larger amounts from the large intestine and anus, causing the flatulence or farts. In a way, you might consider this process as similar to a biogas manufacturing process. So much of this natural biogas is created during the digestion process that scientists now say that the amount involved to create just 225 grams of beef releases as much biogas into the air as the exhaust from 55 cars! The released biogas is now considered to be a definite contributor to the “greenhouse effect” that causes global warming.

A recent program produced on CNN points this out more dramatically by illustrating the cattle farming industry in the American state of Texas, which has the distinction of being the USA’s top beef producing state. The program showed how cattle are raised there in giant feed lots and idolized by a college football team with its Big Bevo mascot: a giant longhorn steer. This particular species of cattle was once the State of Texas’ prime beef producing animal; and idolized as a colorful part of the Old West when massive herds of cattle were driven hundreds of miles overland to livestock markets in Kansas. There, they would then be shipped by rail to meat processing centers in Chicago and other locations.

According to the CNN featured program, cattle emit 10 times more greenhouse gases than other food mammals like pigs and chickens.

American fondness for beef remains high, however. Reducing the greenhouse gases emitted by cattle is now considered to be a primary objective to keeping the level of global warming within the 1.5 degrees C goal of the COP 24 conference. If the global temperature levels
exceed this threshold, catastrophic consequences to the earth’s environment will occur. Alternatives to naturally grown beef are currently being developed by scientists like Dr. Mark Post, one of the first innovators of laboratory produced “macro meat”. Dr. Post says that producing synthetic meat from stem cells may one day be commercially feasible and will be able to help satisfy people’s desire for beef, while dramatically reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses now being emitted by cattle.

It’s not just beef producing cattle that are causing the greenhouse gas problem, however. large dairy cattle herds also emit the same greenhouse gases as beef cattle. With this in mind, the only plausible solution will be less production of dairy products from cow’s milk, which will be much harder for most people to accept, myself included.

More articles on global warming and climate change:

Champagne production threatened in climate change

We need courage, not hope, to face climate change

Are monster hurricanes and typhoon fueled by global warming?

Photo of beef cattle feedlot by Farmers Weekly; Photo of Big Bevo longhorn University of Texas

Sustainable plastics that emerge from the sea

Bhok Thompson

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December 25, 2018

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A new Tel Aviv University study describes a process to make bioplastic polymers that don’t require land or fresh water — resources that are scarce in much of the world. The polymer is derived from microorganisms that feed on seaweed. It is biodegradable, produces zero toxic waste and recycles into organic waste.

The invention was the fruit of a multidisciplinary collaboration between Dr. Alexander Golberg of TAU’s Porter School of Environmental and Earth Sciences and Prof. Michael Gozin of TAU’s School of Chemistry. Their research was recently published in the journal Bioresource Technology.

According to the United Nations, plastic accounts for up to 90 percent of all the pollutants in our oceans, yet there are few comparable, environmentally friendly alternatives to the material.

“Plastics take hundreds of years to decay. So bottles, packaging and bags create plastic ‘continents’ in the oceans, endanger animals and pollute the environment,” says Dr. Golberg. “Plastic is also produced from petroleum products, which has an industrial process that releases chemical contaminants as a byproduct.

“A partial solution to the plastic epidemic is bioplastics, which don’t use petroleum and degrade quickly. But bioplastics also have an environmental price: To grow the plants or the bacteria to make the plastic requires fertile soil and fresh water, which many countries, including Israel, don’t have.

“Our new process produces ‘plastic’ from marine microorganisms that completely recycle into organic waste.”

The researchers harnessed microorganisms that feed on seaweed to produce a bioplastic polymer called polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). “Our raw material was multicellular seaweed, cultivated in the sea,” Dr. Golberg says. “These algae were eaten by single-celled microorganisms, which also grow in very salty water and produce a polymer that can be used to make bioplastic.

“There are already factories that produce this type of bioplastic in commercial quantities, but they use plants that require agricultural land and fresh water. The process we propose will enable countries with a shortage of fresh water, such as Israel, China and India, to switch from petroleum-derived plastics to biodegradable plastics.”

According to Dr. Golberg, the new study could revolutionize the world’s efforts to clean the oceans, without affecting arable land and without using fresh water. “Plastic from fossil sources is one of the most polluting factors in the oceans,” he says. “We have proved it is possible to produce bioplastic completely based on marine resources in a process that is friendly both to the environment and to its residents.

“We are now conducting basic research to find the best bacteria and algae that would be most suitable for producing polymers for bioplastics with different properties,” he concludes.

The research was partially funded by the TAU-Triangle Regional R&D Center in Kfar Kara under the academic auspices of Tel Aviv University, and by the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructures.

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