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Drink like an Egyptian with this cold hibiscus tea brew

Bhok Thompson
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0
Drink like an Egyptian with this cold hibiscus tea brew

hibiscus tea, also known as red tea, red sorrel, Jamaica sorrel, rosella, soborodo (Zobo drink), Karkadi, roselle, and sour teaEgyptians aren’t as well known for their food as let’s say the Turks, or the Lebanese, and now modern Israel, but if there is one singular thing I love about Egypt, it’s their tea. I first tasted Egyptian tea in Sinai, where it’s known as Karkadey tea, and the Israelis translate this to hibiscus.

But the tea is made from flowers from the family Hibiscus sabdariffa. The flowers aren’t the same as the large hibiscus plants you see in cities. But it’s resembling more of a rose hip, after the summer flower fades and a small bulb is left behind.

Hibiscus tea, also known as red tea, red sorrel, Jamaica sorrel, rosella, soborodo (Zobo drink), Karkadi, roselle, and sour tea, however you call it is good –– hot or cold.

It’s worth getting ahold of some of the hibiscus flowers that look a lot like rose hips (now is a good time to forage for rose hips).

ibiscus tea, also known as red tea, red sorrel, Jamaica sorrel, rosella, soborodo (Zobo drink), Karkadi, roselle, and sour tea

Bud like most great traditional products, when they come to the US they are over sweetened. So if you can’t get to a Middle Eastern market and want to make some iced or hot hibiscus tea, we’ve got your back. It’s great for birthday parties or any kind of party. And if you want real flowers to accompany you, try Roses Only. The flavors from the deep magenta flowers, come out dark red, potent and delicious. Full of antioxidants and lowering blood sugar, take care of your diet at the same time.

Egyptian Hibiscus Flower Ice-Tea
This recipe is straightforward and a good tea that will impress your guests. They will ask for refills if you get it right.

INGREDIENTS

    • 1 cup of hibiscus flowers
    • 2 cups of water
    • 2 Tbs of honey, maple syrup or your favorite sweetener
    • ½ green apple, red will also do
    • 2 inches of fresh ginger, that’s going to spicey!
    • 1 cup of boiling water
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Soak your hibiscus flowers in water and sweetener overnight or for at least 4 hrs.
  2. Drain the hibiscus, and discard the dried flowers.
  3. Add ginger to boiled water, and keep it covered for 15 minutes as it steeps.
  4. Remove cover from the pot and add green apples.
  5. In each cup, add ¼ cup of ginger/apple mix.
  6. Add the concentrated hibiscus, and then lots of ice and mix them all together.
  7. Serve immediately and keep leftovers in the refrigerator.

Yum!

Cut spending, making these life events more eco and efficient

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Cut spending, making these life events more eco and efficient

money united arab emirates puzzle, art, UAE

Are you facing a major life event? Are you interested in the many things you can do to keep your finances in order during this time? Are you concerned about the impact that this event could have on your credit score? There are many major life events that have the potential to change your financial situation forever. Adding to this, if you don’t take the right approach, it could also have a negative impact on your credit score. With this in mind, it’s time to review five major life events during which you should attempt to cut spending. By taking this approach, your finances will remain in order and you won’t have to worry about damaging your credit score.

1. Wedding

Many people believe that having a dream wedding means spending as much money as they can get their hands on (even if it means running up a high credit card bill). This doesn’t have to hold true. There are many ways to plan the wedding of your dreams (and a simple green wedding in nature!), all without going overboard in regards to how much you spend. Don’t let your wedding spending get out of control. You know your budget and you need to stick with it from start to finish.

2. A Baby

Let’s face it, there is nothing more exciting than bringing a baby into the world. Of course, this can also be a big expense. If you’re going to make things work from a financial perspective it’s imperative that you keep a close watch on your spending. The cost of diapers, formula, healthcare, and other expenses can quickly add up. Try reusables, nursing and making your own baby food.

3. Moving

There may come a point when you need to pick up and move to a new city, state, or country. Some people do this while they are still in college, such as for an internship, while others are faced with a move later in life. As excited as you may be about your big move, don’t get too far ahead of yourself. You need to be careful that you don’t bite off more than you can chew from a financial perspective. Moving isn’t cheap, so it’s imperative that you plan in advance. Or get your friends to help instead of paying for costly movers.

4. New Job

Starting a new job has a way of improving your outlook on the future. This is particularly true if you didn’t enjoy your last job. Regardless of how much money you will be making, here’s something to remember: You need to get your feet wet before you let your new job have too much of an impact on your finances. For example, just because you are making more money doesn’t mean you should run out and spend, spend, spend. You need to keep a level head during this time, as you don’t want to risk making a costly financial mistake. Making a move to a job that involves less commuting time, is the most efficient and eco way to go. Leaving you more time for gardening and the simple things in life.

5. Divorce

While you hope you never have to go through this major life change, it’s possible that it could come into play at some point in the future. Divorce will most definitely impact your finances, so you need to plan in advance for anything that could happen. Many people before you have let their divorce ruin their finances. As a result, they had to spend a lot of time to fix credit once they were on their own. You don’t want to let this happen to you. The second you know you are going through with the divorce process is the second you should turn your attention to your finances. This means many things, including keeping a close eye on your credit report and credit score. We don’t know of any eco-divorce. Help us out if you have any ideas.

Conclusion

There are many major events that you will face at some point in your life. Some of these are fun and exciting, while others can be quite disappointing. Even when you have a lot going on in your life, you should never overlook the impact an event is having on your finances. If you let a major life event drag down your credit score, you’ll have a lot of catching up to do in the future.

Have you faced one of these major life events in the past? How did you make your way through it without overspending and/or damaging your credit score? Share your personal strategy and tips in the comment section below.

Creating lifestyle changes for human and environment sustainability

Bhok Thompson
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1
Creating lifestyle changes for human and environment sustainability

floating home

The environment is only half of what sustainability really is. Sustainability is marketed as an action that you do towards the environment. While it is easy to understand, it forgets the key player in this cycle.

There is a need to make drastic changes on how we care about the environment, thus the policies governing the environment. Sustainability is Human, Social, Environmental and Economic. The human factor in sustainability includes the care for the health of the human body. We need to further understand this before moving on to other pillars.

Human Sustainability

How else can you take care of the environment when you are not conscious of what you put in your body? The protection of the environment is a part of human health care. It is a push and pull process, so to speak. When we patronize packaged goods or foods that are grown with the help of pesticides, that means you are harming your body and you encourage the harm of the environment because of the pesticides.

To help in overall sustainability, humans need to make drastic changes on themselves before anything else. Here are some steps you can take to ease your way into a sustainable being.

  1. We know exercise is a key factor in keeping a healthy body but neglect it just the same. When we exercise, there are biological things that happen to our body. For one, it removes toxins, keeps blood and oxygen flowing, muscles working, etc. Without exercise, the organs that need the stimulation deteriorate.
  2. Healthy Snacking. Do not underestimate the power of snacking. A candy bar or two; Cheetos once in a while; cheesecake with coffee during break, these are all the temptations that make human sustainability a sham. Start by identifying a healthy snacks list. Good healthy snacks in essence, are healthy homemade snacks. Contrary to popular belief, snacks aren’t just sweets. They can be a combination of farm produce such as fruits, vegetables, and ethically manufactured snack favorites such as snack bars. For so long, we have been combating problems on diabetes, unstable blood pressure, sugar dependence and so on. Good healthy snacks can just be the key to solving this.
  3. Eat less meat. Most of us are meat lovers and rarely eat vegetables and fruits, so this step takes a lot of commitment. What we need to understand about meat is that it undergoes through processes that requires a lot of energy. It uses fossil fuels, gallons of water, animal feed, grazing land, and a lot more. If the demand for meat dwindles even for a bit, think about the energy and resources we save.
  4. Go zero waste. Going zero waste is almost impossible especially when you’re used to seeing single-use plastic at home, groceries, malls. You don’t want to add to that. When you start eating right, fill up kids’ tummies with good healthy snacks, such as fresh fruits and vegetables from your local farmer, you reduce the waste you need to throw away because you can actually use the peelings as organic fertilizers for any kind of plant.

Commitment to Sustainability

The desert in the Middle East might not be the best picture of a thriving planet but it has its own role in sustainability just as we humans have a responsibility to it. The only way to create a big impact on sustainability efforts is to ensure that implementers understand the whole cycle—that it starts with being a healthy promoter and enactor.

 

Nissan’s Leaf to upstage Tesla!

Maurice Picow
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0
Nissan’s Leaf to upstage Tesla!

Nissan-leaf-tesla

Despite Nissan and Tesla EV cars not having a presence yet in the Middle East, both companies appear to be making concerted efforts to produce more affordable electric cars with longer driving ranges. These efforts have come about despite low oil prices which have made high fuel consuming vehicles more popular again; regardless of  the increasing effects of global warming and climate change.

Nissan, whose increasingly popular Leaf EV debuted in December, 2010, has a new model, the Leaf 2 ,that made its 2018 model debut on September 6 ( above photo). This newly designed model is touted as having an improved battery pack and an increased driving range of 150 miles (240 km) as compared to the earlier Leaf model with around 107 miles (172 km). Tesla Motors, which first entered the EV car market in 2008 with high priced sport models, is now putting its efforts into producing a more affordable family car, the Model 3 which debuted in July, 2017.

The Model 3 (photo) has a much higher driving range than the Leaf, with claims of 220 miles (354 km) on a full battery charge. It also is much more attractive than the original Leaf model, which many say is rather “boxy” in appearance. This is one reason why Nissan is promoting the new Leaf model as the “Tesla Model 3 killer”, with completely redesigned styling to make it more appealing to buyers looking for style as well as being environmentally friendly.

nissan leaf tesla electric car, sexy models 2017, best reviewed automobile

New Leaf purchasers in North America can expect to begin receiving delivery near the end of 2017; while purchasers in Europe can expect to begin receiving their cars in early 2018.

For the most part, however, wannabe buyers in the Middle East will continue to be “Leafless”. This goes for Tesla’s Model 3 as well. The previous concerted effort towards introducing fully electric cars into the Mid East came with the now defunct Better Place company, whose Renault Fluence EV model and network of “battery swapping’ stations ended its tenure in Israel in early 2013, after selling less than 1,000 cars. Some of these models can still be seen on the roads there, however; giving an indication that their owners are “not stranded yet”. A new book by Brian Blum details the horror of being a car owner in such a situation.

Read more on electric cars in the Middle East:

Driverless Tesla electric car will test run on Israel’s Better Place grid

Better Place car owners: Not stranded yet

The Middle East will remain “leafelss” as Nissan puts electric efforts elsewhere

 

How to Make a Green/Eco-Friendly Garage

Bhok Thompson
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2
How to Make a Green/Eco-Friendly Garage

dilapidated garage

Most people in the Middle East do not own a garage. It’s an American or Canadian thing. And over there the garage has historically been the most under appreciated room in the home. But after a revival kick-started by makeover shows and an increased value placed upon them by prospective buyers, garages are now a major focal point. One of the ways to make your home the hottest property on the block is to renovate your garage, and one of the best ways to do that is to make it green. It’s a way to make a new guest room, a tiny home AirBnB, a couchsurfing space (or stay in a cave!) or a home office.

Stay in Petra, in an underground cave with this Bedouin

Eco-friendly garages can increase the value of your home while decreasing your carbon footprint; they can make your space more livable while also doing your bit for the environment. And thanks to these straightforward tips, this process has never been easier.

Change Lighting

Most modern American homes now have energy saving lightbulbs fitted. It’s becoming the standard, and so it should, because these lights are just as good and they cost as much as 75% less! The problem is, even new homes that have made the switch have yet to convert the garage, where it’s common to have a number of different light fixtures.

Some 12% of all of the energy used in your home is through your lighting. That adds up over the course of a year and when you consider that your garage is a big open space and requires a lot of light, it takes up a large percentage of that 12%. So, make the switch to LED and CFB bulbs. They are cheap to buy and they will also save you a lot of money on your energy bills every year.

This is especially helpful if you use your garage as a workroom, a playroom or anything else that requires you to spend a lot of time in there. Because obviously the more time you spend in there, the more the lights are on and the more money you stand to save. Workrooms can also benefit from lower voltage wall lights that light up your working space and nothing else.

Get Rid of Toxic Chemicals 

The garage is a haven of toxicity. We keep all kind of poisons in there under the guise of paints, cleaning fluids and more. Things like anti-freeze can kill small animals and children in very small doses; paints contain an array of toxic chemicals; and cleaning products can cause harm even when they are breathed in. The garage is often used as a dump for all of these, somewhere to get them out of the way, but they can still cause harm and they still serve to create a toxic environment.

Either keep them safe and out of sight, or look to swap them for organic, natural products. There are cleaning products that work just as well, but don’t contain any toxic ingredients, and there are paints that contain very little VOC, which is one of the main harmful chemicals.

There is a natural alternative for most of the harmful substances that the average American stores in their garage, so be sure you look into these.

Insulate the Garage Door

A lot of the heat in your home is lost through your garage door. When it comes to energy, we’re a very wasteful nation on the whole, and this is one of the areas where we take things to the extreme. But it’s also something that is very easily remedied.

Garage Door insulation kits can be bought cheaply online, with retailers like GarageDoorNation supplying the US with the tools they need to turn their old, metal, heat-sapping garage door into an energy-efficient one. It’s not just about heat either. On those blisteringly hot summer days when you turn the AC all the way up, that garage door is responsible for allowing a lot of heat into your home and letting all of that cooling air out.

Insulate the Walls

Don’t just insulate your door, give the walls the same treatment. With a little insulation you can turn cold, unforgiving walls into something that holds the heat in the winter and allows for the spread of cool air in the summer. You can do as little or as much as you like, knowing that the better the job and the bigger the spend, the more money you will save in the long term.

You should also wrap pipes, protect ductwork and do all you can to prevent energy loss through the ceiling. Besides resolving energy loss issues, you have storage possibilities on the ceiling you can utilize. The websites associated with matters like ToolsDiary may help to learn in-depth knowledge regarding this.

ᐧFix Cracks

Even the smallest crack can cause a significant loss of energy from your home and the garage is where you will find the most cracks and holes in the average American home. These are in the walls, the door and even the floor. A quick inspection and a little filler is all you need to fix these, but doing so will help to lock more energy into your garage and, by definition, your home.

A few cents in filler could save upwards of $50 every year!

Conserve Water 

The average American wastes as much as 40 swimming pools of water every year. That’s a lot of water, and a signify amount of that goes on washing cars and watering the lawn. But you don’t need to waste freshwater on these simple jobs and can do just as good of a job with rain water collected in a barrel.

By setting up a simple funnel system to the roof of your garage you can catch all of this water in a large barrel, conserving it to use on your yard and your car. You won’t need to worry about water conservation during droughts and you can also help to reduce your household’s water usage.

Conclusion

Once your garage is 100% eco-friendly, then you can look forward to reduced energy bills and to a safer environment for your children and pets. You will need to spend a little time and effort in the beginning, but the increased value in your home, as well as the reduced bills and the extra peace of mind, will make it all worthwhile.

Glamping in Jordan but like you are on Mars

Karin Kloosterman
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Glamping in Jordan but like you are on Mars

You know us. We are dreaming of Mars daily. But for most of us, getting there will only be a dream. But you can live out the fantasy close to where the film The Martian was shot –– by staying in Freedomes owned by the SunCity Camp in Jordan. The glamping site offers one of 20 geodesic domes for glamor camping. Find similar experiences in Abu Dhabi at Pura’s glamping sites.

Freedomes is a company that offers a relatively inexpensive DIY backyard dome kits. But the company also constructed the domed habitat for astronaut Mark Watney in The Martian’s set.

The Freedomes camp is situated around gorgeous sandstone and granite rock formations, allowing you to feel like you have travelled to another planet. Each dome offers a private bathroom and large window for a viewing Wadi Rum.

What is Wadi Rum known for?

Wadi Rum Desert is famed for its link to T.E. Lawrence the original “Lawrence of Arabia”. Along with Prince Feisal bin Al-Hussein, he made his base here during the Arab Revolt of 1917-1918. At the center of Wadi Rum village is the Desert Police fort.

There are about 5,000 Bedouins who call Wadi Rum home. They call it Valley of the Moon. If you are hankering for more exploration, the camp can set you up with local Bedouin tour guides for more in-depth exploration of the region. Try SunCity’s restaurant if you want a taste of local lamb.

The cost for travelling to and staying on Mars will set you back a few billion likely. So SunCity offers an affordable alternative – at $159 to $318 a night.

I’ve had a lot of experience in domes. Check out my greenhouse from my roof last winter.

Havie upcycles army gear into hipster handbags

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Havie upcycles army gear into hipster handbags

havie handmade products bags in tel aviv Jaffa, Israel

A brown leather wrap kit for your bike’s crossbar. An apron that lets every other bartender in the business to take your tips. A weekender bag made from upcycled army tents, weathered by the desert. With a stamp, Made in Tel Aviv. Meet Archie and Denis, brothers in life and in business. They are the Tel Aviv brand Havie.

I stumbled across them on one of my early evening walks around the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Jaffa, around the hipster neighborhood of Noga Theatre in Jaffa. At street level I spotted a couple of young and attractive men working away on sewing machines, with surfboards and vintage items stacked in the backdrop. Of course, I had to go in! and there I met the brothers, from the Ukraine, who are giving all their skills to raise a new boutique brand of hand-made called Havie, which to them means “to have”. I just adore handmade goods, especially when they use upcycled materials. But not as a reason to use the materials, but in finding a method to give the old a dignified and even better than previous existence.

“We are building our brand on a foundation that celebrates quality, craftsmanship, and tradition at every stage from raw material to finished product. Our goals are simple; to envision, design, and create in-house and by hand, beautiful pieces,” is their statement.

With backgrounds in finance, then design and inspired by the military and being authentic, the brand was created in the mornings and evenings during day jobs and now all their products are sewn, cut and stitched by hand in their Tel Aviv studio. Some on their sewing machine they call Monika.

havie handmade products bags in tel aviv Jaffa, Israel“We love how our brand is growing and evolving. To us, our goods express everything we value. We are well aware that the way we work is not the most efficient, and certainly not very cost effective, but we are sure that we have sacrificed nothing of our vision.”

havie handmade products bags in tel aviv Jaffa, Israelhavie handmade products bags in tel aviv Jaffa, Israelhavie handmade products bags in tel aviv Jaffa, Israelhavie handmade products bags in tel aviv Jaffa, Israel

Sourcing raw materials is one of the challenges and joy. The brothers look for old army gear, uniforms, tents and duffel bags –- all which then get upcycled into new products you can love.

Maybe you’ll find someone’s initials handwritten on an old army tent or you’ll decipher a hidden message scribbled down on some canvas 50 years ago. Maybe it’s in Hebrew, Arabic or English – left by British soldiers back in the day? All of the Holy Land is a code waiting to be deciphered. Havie makes us think of the lives and the adventures that these objects in their first incarnation went through.

“We’re not saving lives here, we’re just making bags, but sometimes when a new style is created we have a moment when we feel like we’re saving our own. We want to applaud everyone else who’s working to do the same, because quite simply – it’s hard!”

::Havie website

Lebanese organize plastics cleanup to save the sea

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Lebanese organize plastics cleanup to save the sea

It seems like every year there is some sort of garbage crisis in Lebanon, where landfill sites from cities spill into the Mediterranean Sea. A new movement, called #BalaPlastic mains to take aim at plastic, but to help fight against the problem of waste in general. While it seems like baby steps, look to any household garbage now in the Middle East. Bottles and bottles and plastic bags upon plastic bags. #BalaPlastic’s aim is to convince people to shy away from single-use plastic products like water bottles, cups, cutlery, and straws.

In Lebanon, only an estimated 10% of its garbage gets recycled. Alternatives?
Don’t buy bottled water. Make more real food, and eat less frozen, packaged junk. Bring your own bags to the store. Shop at a local greengrocer who doesn’t wrap veggies and fruit in easy to consume plastic coverings.

Actions that give local Lebanese hope are Greenpeace’s ship the Rainbow Warrior, which is travelling the Mediterranean Sea to countries like Greece, Italy and Spain to raise awareness on single use plastic. This plastic junk is impacting the future we all share. This report shows how terrible it all is. Thankfully organizations like Recycle Lebanon  organize beach cleanups. See the gorgeous image taken from their last one in August from the Raouche Dalieh beach.

The group plans on growing bigger to is to make this the biggest ever beach clean up in Lebanon, with lots of NGOs, groups and individuals participating in cleaning up the beach and sorting out the plastic. Stay on top of what’s happening with plastics and Lebanon via Recycle Lebanon.

How to get pregnant naturally

Bhok Thompson
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0
How to get pregnant naturally

Bumble Bee Baby SHoes

A handsome couple built a life together. The mortgage loan was approved for the beautiful four-bedroom home sitting across from a small park abutted by a pond. Together, the couple spend time decorating the house and yard. Initially, after moving into the place, the plan was to have children within the year, as the baby’s room has been decorated. That was almost three years ago, and still the marriage has not borne children. Not quite at the point of panicking or pointing fingers, both husband and wife are anxious about not being prolific. However, they are anxious to the point of actually considering artificial methods of conception. This scenario is a common one that many who want children face. However, before trying artificial insemination, couples can try to get pregnant naturally.

omg big bum baby

Getting pregnant naturally is a better option for a few reasons. For one, natural conception is not as costly and can be done by simply tracking the woman’s biological cycle during the month. Other interventions like artificial insemination or surrogate parenthood can be extremely expensive for young couples who crave being parents. Some couples prefer to get pregnant through natural methods because of religious or moral beliefs that run contrary to artificial methods of conceiving. Additionally, artificial methods of conceiving might conflict with health issues of the mother. People choose natural methods of conception for a myriad of reasons.

Increase Happiness

Couples desiring to conceive naturally can take a three-pronged approach to conceiving, which involves monitoring the woman’s monthly cycle, monitoring her nutrition, and getting moderate exercise.

Knowing when

Monitoring the woman’s monthly cycle is to guarantee sexual intercourse takes place during ovulation. The most common methods of doing this is through the fertility awareness method or the natural family planning (NPF) methods. These methods require the mother monitor her cycle for a month from the beginning of the cycle until the end. Most monthly cycles are anywhere between 28 and 32 days. The most opportune time for conception is between days 11-21 of the entire cycle.

A second way to determine the best time for conception is to pay close attention to cervical mucus discharge. As it becomes closer to the time of ovulation, this mucus becomes slippery, wetter, and more stretchy. Women can also check their basal body temperature with a thermometer to determine the best time to have sex, as it is higher after ovulation.

"organic baby set design"

Age is another factor to consider, as fertility declines rapidly from the age of 36. If you have any concerns about your fertility then then the first step in pregnancy planning for you should be to get a fertility test.

Nutrition

Women who are trying to conceive should eat foods high in folate. Research has shown pregnant women who eat foods rich in folate reduce the incidence of neural tube birth defects in their children, and it is especially important during the period directly following conception, when women often are not even aware that they have become pregnant.

Women want to take in anywhere between 400 mcg and 800 mcg of folate a day. Foods rich in folate include dark green, leafy vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, citrus fruits, beans, peas and lentils, avocado, okra, seeds and nuts, cauliflower, beets, corn, celery, carrots, and squash. Women should also eat complex carbohydrates such as grains and fruits; protein; fatty acids like mackerel, salmon, seeds and nuts; and whole milk. Vitamins B6, C, and E benefit both men and women, and the element zinc enhances fertility. Check out some here.

Foods to avoid include: caffeine which has a negative effect on fertility, processed foods that contain preservatives and hormones, red meat, and soy which has been connected to low sperm count.

Exercise

Moderate exercise like yoga can help strengthen the body, in addition to helping to regulate the woman’s monthly cycle.

Women can prepare by beginning to monitor their own monthly cycle in addition to watching their diet and moderately exercising. Other factors that can help a woman conceive naturally include getting adequate, quality sleep and using progesterone creams during the latter part of ovulation (days 16-28) to help balance hormonal levels which are key to conception.

Conceiving can be frustrating, especially when waiting for months to conceive. Before considering alternative methods of conception, couples can monitor the woman’s cycle to determine the best time to have intercourse, and then ultimately conceive. Of course, this requires patience and planning, but in the end, the pregnancy and the impending birth of the child will help to complete a life built together.

How to make a healthcare organization more environmentally friendly

Bhok Thompson
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0
How to make a healthcare organization more environmentally friendly

http://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Woman-in-Middle-Eastern-hospital.jpg
Do you want to do your bit for the environment by making your healthcare organization more environmentally friendly? Hospitals, dental practices, healthcare businesses, and a wide range of other healthcare-related organizations have been guilty of wasting huge amounts of natural resources over the years, but this is a trend that is starting to change. Below are some of the ways you can begin to make your healthcare organization a more environmentally friendly place to work in.

Use Less Natural Resources to Improve Your Skills and the Skills of Your Healthcare Employees

Most healthcare organizations are progressive and want their employees to keep learning new things. However, the traditional methods of learning can affect the environment in many different ways. For instance, healthcare students have to travel to and from the college or university they are attending, which leads to more gas consumption and emissions. They also use more natural resources, such as paper.

However, there is a greener solution to this problem. A wide range of reputable colleges and universities, such as George Washington University offer online healthcare courses like their healthcare MBA program. This healthcare MBA online course can be completed from any location and the digital nature of these courses means there is very little need for books, manuals, and other paper-based items.

Use Less Water

Millions of gallons of water are wasted every year in healthcare buildings and businesses throughout the country. A large percentage of this water could be saved and put to better use if the leading figures in these organizations take the appropriate action. Examples of ways you can conserve more water in a healthcare organization include adding more efficient cleaning facilities such as showers, toilets that use less water, and regular maintenance of any features that hold or supply water.

Paper Disposal and Paperless Offices

Huge quantities of paper and cardboard products are used in modern healthcare organizations. Much of this paper is not really needed and is also wasted. A clear policy on how to dispose of paper in a more appropriate manner needs to be introduced in every healthcare organization. Some healthcare leaders are going one step further by creating paperless offices where it’s practical to do so.

Buy Products That Are Produced Locally

Unfortunately, many healthcare organizations ignore local businesses and don’t purchase items, such as food from these local providers. This means the supplies that are delivered to many healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, have to be shipped in from other states, countries, and continents.

The further these items are shipped, the more adverse effects this process has on the environment. Where possible, you should look for local alternatives, even if the products you buy are a little more expensive.

The health of our planet should be just as much a priority for healthcare leaders as the health of their patients. It’s not too late to make the necessary changes listed above, which can make a huge difference as more healthcare organizations adopt them.

How business leaders can help the environment by enrolling in an online business course

Bhok Thompson
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0

More business leaders than ever are realizing that they can have a huge influence on our environment. The way the leading figures in any business act often mirrors the way their business and their employees act too. How you study and complete a business-related course such as an MBA will allow you to do your bit for the environment. The following are some of the ways a business leader can help the environment by studying for an online business course.

There is Less Travel Involved When You Take an Online Course

When you enroll in an advanced business course, such as an online MBA degree, it’s possible to complete this course without ever attending a class or a lecture in person. Courses like a masters in business administration online program take many months to complete, which means you avoid spending hundreds of hours driving to and from your college or university in your car, which reduces emissions that can affect the environment.

You Use Less Paper, Cardboard, and Other Physical Items

The digital nature of online courses means there is less need for paper while you study. Most of the books, guides, and other learning materials used in an online course are usually produced in video, audio or digital text format, which means there’s no need to have any physical items that could be using up many natural resources.

You Produce Less Waste

When a student attends a traditional college or university, they need to buy food, drink, and other items each day. Many of these items come in packaging that then needs to be discarded, which can increase the amount of waste a student produces while they are studying. However, when you study for an online business qualification, this aspect of your life should not change too much and you should not be creating and discarding as much waste as you would if you were in a traditional college setting.

You Can Combine Your Studies with Work and Home Life

If you decide to study online at home or at work, the amount of electricity, light, heat, and water you use should not increase too much. This is not the case if you decide to take a traditional course, where more resources and energy will be consumed.

You Set a Good Example for Others in Your Organization

As a leading figure in your organization, you need to be the one who sets a good example for everyone else in your organization. If you have had a good experience studying for an online business qualification and you think others could benefit, you should encourage your employees to do the same thing. This encouragement can lead to even more people helping the planet by using fewer resources while they study.

There are many good financial reasons why business leaders should take an online business course. However, this method of studying and developing your business skills can also help the environment in each of the ways mentioned above.

New U.S. Climate Change Study is a drastic warning. Will President Trump listen now?

Maurice Picow
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New U.S. Climate Change Study is a drastic warning. Will President Trump listen now?

polar bear sinking dying from global warming

Following US president Donald Trump’s announcement that his country will pull out of the Paris climate change agreement, scientists and governments the world over have been wondering if agreed goals of reduced world temperatures are now attainable. This apprehension is particularly high in the Middle East, where summertime temperatures in countries like Iraq now surpass 50 degrees Celsius; and crazy heat domes in the Arabian Gulf region will mean no one can live there by 2100.

An August 7 New York Times article referred to a recent scientific report,  warning that global temperatures have been rising steadily since the 1980’s; and that Americans are “feeling the effects of climate change right now” .The report, compiled by scientists from 13 federal agencies appears to be contrary to opinions stated by both President Trump and members of his cabinet, including the Environment Secretary, Scott Pruitt. Pruitt, formerly the Oklahoma Attorney General, is himself an advocate of fossil fuels as a major energy source. A draft of the report, says that “evidence for a changing climate abounds, from the top of the atmosphere to the depths of the oceans”.

The report, which was endorsed by some of America’s top scientific entities, including the National Academy of Science, notes that even a small increase in global temperatures will make a big difference in global climate. A difference in global temperatures of between 1.5 and 2 degress Celcius can result in more intense heat waves, more violent storms; and further destruction of coral reefs (vital to preservation of ocean marine life).

While the report said that linking prolonged droughts in parts of the USA are still difficult to link to human influence, it did indicate that “more then half the global temperature increase since 1951 can be linked to human causes. This “human influence” may now be what is causing such phenomenoms as the above mentioned “crazy heat domes” in the Middle East.

Scientists who were involved in compiling data for the report are now afraid that the Trump Administration may either try to alter the findings of the report or keep them under wraps altogether. This is especially true when issues of national security seem to be now drawing most of the attention in the White House. If the report is not taken seriously by President Trump and his cabinet, it will only be a matter of time before issues of climate change will become those of national security as well.

More articles on climate change and its impact worldwide

Are UN sponsored climate change goals attainable?

Will U.S. leaving Paris climate change agreement adversely affect the Middle East?

The sixth mass global extinction has arrived

Could ‘fridge selfies’ shame us into less food waste?

Bhok Thompson
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Could ‘fridge selfies’ shame us into less food waste?

food wasteNew tech hitting the British market next month could be a game-changer in the behaviors behind Western food waste. FridgeCam is a wireless camera from UK smart kitchen company Smarter that you stick inside your fridge.  It takes in-fridge snapshots every time you close the door, allowing users to check their food stock in real time. The system can help households slash food waste by nipping overpurchasing and encouraging timely use of what’s already been bought.

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Groomless bride incites all the (Saudi) single ladies!

Faisal O'Keefe
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Groomless bride incites all the (Saudi) single ladies!

Esraa Al-HaganPressure on women to marry young is not unique to the Middle East, but in this region, once a woman turns 25 she is commonly considered past her sell-by date. A Saudi woman defied peer pressure by publicly celebrating her singleness, and – with her story spiraling on social media – her online exposure may just get her hitched.

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The Crawford Hotel in Denver is the bees knees

Karin Kloosterman
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The Crawford Hotel in Denver is the bees knees
Denver Union Station, July 9, 2014. Photo by Ellen Jaskol

I had 4 days in Denver for work mainly, but some fun too, and I wanted to experience the pulse of the city. I strive for authentic experiences in every new city I visit and while AirBnB can be a great option to meet locals, sometimes you want your privacy and not risk the unknowns by staying at another’s private house. What is it that makes any city magical? What are its people made from? Some of these things you can only feel.

It was my first time in Denver after being in Aspen for a week and I wanted to get to the pulse of the city. I found that The Crawford Hotel built out of the city’s old Union Station is the best way to stay in a hotel, yet feel part of the city.

A short half hour train ride from the airport, The Crawford is in the center of it all. But it’s in no way typical, presenting itself as a boutique hotel, with rare corners, unique art and staircases, and people all around you. Because let’s face it, how many times have you been in a hotel in any-city and feel that you are anywhere and nowhere? Not The Crawford.

Get off the train at the end of the line to Denver and in 20 steps you are walking through the front door of the old station. Walk to the left, past a cafe and old tables and benches, and you reach the “lobby” a small outpost that modestly shields the staff from the bustle of a revived old train station, now a cultural hub connecting people from all walks of life, locals and tourists, to local beer, local coffee and local merchandise.

I was drawn to a few things. First was the beehive that the hotel keeps on the roof. It says something about management, about their values, that they would invest time in keeping bees. The hotel gave us a personal tour, along with showing us the inside of the roof and the large clock, and we loved every second of it.

John-Mark, the operations director for the hotel told me that “bees are vegan lovers who love to cuddle in the winter,” and that getting stung is a “cosmic inevitability” when you work with them. I felt at home in body and spirit.

I also really loved that the lobby of the hotel is a meeting space for all kinds of people. Newcomers like me, city folk coming to grab a bite at a favorite and long-lined diner (order reservation a day in advance at least); we met rich folk, homeless folk, and in general just a good healthy vibe. Hearts connected. But it’s not too busy, not too quiet.

I also appreciated all the small things in the loft room I stayed in: the coffee machine, the chocolate, the slippers and robe brought out at night, and all the shampoos and creams in the shower and bathroom. Everything smelled fresh, not synthetic, unique but not wild, natural and refreshing.

When it comes to getting around, the hotel offers an electric car shuttle within a 2-mile radius, but anything I wanted to do, like dine at Kimbal Musk’s The Kitchen restaurant, was just a short and happy walk away. With great weather outside, street music and festivals hitting the city when I was there, like the Little People of America, Denver has a feeling of a new city becoming something great, still defining itself. The Crawford fits perfectly into this impression or vision, offering you a sweet taste and gateway into that newness.

The hotel declares: “Our luxury Denver hotel accommodations are designed to give guests everything they need and nothing they don’t.”

I agree!

::The Crawford

 

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