journey to life

Orlando, Florida tourist district

2008-10-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

The Sports Dominator is Central Florida's premier sporting goods headquarters. It features a vast product selection from all major sports categories. It is located just right in the road in tourist district next to Ripley's believe it or not building.

The Orlando Odditorium appears to be sinking into one of Florida's infamous sinkholes. For over 40 years, Robert Ripley-- the modern Marco Polo and the real-life Indiana Jones-- traveled the world collecting the unbelievable, the inexplicable, the one-of-a-kind. All of it amazing and much of it extremely amusing. His collection is housed in over 27 museums in 10 countries. Each museum’s collection is 90% unique and different. As Ripley’s ghost says ..."Come in... look around... and see if you Believe It or Not!

Upside down building

2008-10-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

Orlando, Florida - Wonderworks

Additional Attraction was built in Orlando, Florida, on International Drive. It was the [Wonderworks] an upside down building. The building is created to look like a building uprooted by a tornado and planted upside down in the middle of the block. It's apparently going to be a walk-through with Guiness/Ripley style illusions and whatnot.

The Orlando Wonder Works was built in 1998 to look like an upside-down building, complete with inverted palm trees. The story goes that a top-secret laboratory, located in the Bermuda Triangle, was carried by a tornado to this spot. It was built to appear to have landed on a 1930s brick warehouse. Wonder Works' interactive exhibits combine science with thrills and entertainment. The inside of the building is built to look upside-down as well.

Idea to lose weight

2008-09-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hello guys problem of losing weight? Here's the solution things to follow it's simple to think but I hope it's simple to do. Everybody can do it.

10 Ways to Lose Weight Without Dieting

Sure, you can lose weight quickly. There are plenty of fad diets that work to shed pounds rapidly -- while leaving you feeling hungry and deprived. But what good is losing weight only to regain it? To keep pounds off permanently, it's best to lose weight slowly. And many experts say you can do that without going on a "diet." Instead, the key is making simple tweaks to your lifestyle.

One pound of fat -- is equal to 3,500 calories. By shaving 500 calories a day through dietary and exercise modifications, you can lose about a pound a week. If you only need to maintain your current weight, shaving 100 calories a day is enough to avoid the extra 1-2 pounds most adults gain each year.

Adopt one or more of these simple, painless strategies to help lose weight without going on a "diet":

Eat Breakfast Every Day. One habit that's common to many people who have lost weight and kept it off is eating breakfast every day. "Many people think skipping breakfast is a great way to cut calories, but they usually end up eating more throughout the day, says Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author of The Pocket Idiot's Guide to the New Food Pyramids. "Studies show people who eat breakfast have lower BMIs than breakfast-skippers and perform better, whether at school or in the boardroom." Try a bowl of whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and low-fat dairy for a quick and nutritious start to your day.
Close the Kitchen at Night. Establish a time when you will stop eating so you won't give in to the late-night munchies or mindless snacking while watching television. "Have a cup of tea, suck on a piece of hard candy or enjoy a small bowl of light ice cream or frozen yogurt if you want something sweet after dinner, but then brush your teeth so you will be less likely to eat or drink anything else," suggests Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, WebMD's "Recipe Doctor" and the author of Comfort Food Makeovers.
Choose Liquid Calories Wisely. Sweetened drinks pile on the calories, but don't reduce hunger like solid foods do. Satisfy your thirst with water, sparkling water with citrus, skim or low-fat milk, or small portions of 100% fruit juice. Try a glass of nutritious and low-calorie vegetable juice to hold you over if you get hungry between meals. Be careful of alcohol calories, which add up quickly. If you tend to drink a glass or two of wine or a cocktail on most days, limiting alcohol to the weekends can be a huge calorie saver.
Eat More Produce. Eating lots of low-calorie, high-volume fruits and vegetables crowds out other foods that are higher in fat and calories. Move the meat off the center of your plate and pile on the vegetables. Or try starting lunch or dinner with a vegetable salad or bowl of broth-based soup, suggests Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Volumetrics Eating Plan. The U.S. government's 2005 Dietary Guidelines suggest that adults get 7-13 cups of produce daily. Ward says that's not really so difficult: "Stock your kitchen with plenty of fruits and vegetables and at every meal and snack, include a few servings," she says. "Your diet will be enriched with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, fiber, and if you fill up on super-nutritious produce, you won't be reaching for the cookie jar."
Go for the Grain. By substituting whole grains for refined grains like white bread, cakes, cookies, and pretzels, you add much-needed fiber and will fill up faster so you're more likely to eat a reasonable portion. Choose whole-wheat breads and pastas, brown rice, bran flakes, popcorn, and whole-rye crackers.
Control Your Environments. Another simple strategy to help cut calories is to control your environment -- everything from stocking your kitchen with lots of healthy options to choosing the right restaurants. That means avoiding the temptation by staying away from all-you-can-eat restaurants. And when it comes to parties, "eat a healthy snack before so you won't be starving, and be selective when you fill your plate at the buffet," suggests Ward. Before going back for more food, wait at least 15 minutes and have a big glass of water.
Trim Portions. If you did nothing else but reduce your portions by 10%-20%, you would lose weight. Most of the portions served both in restaurants and at home are bigger than you need. Pull out the measuring cups to get a handle on your usual portion sizes, and work on paring them down. Get instant portion control by using small bowls, plates, and cups, says Brian Wansink, PhD, author of Mindless Eating. You won't feel deprived because the food will look plentiful on dainty dishware.
Add More Steps. Get yourself a pedometer and gradually add more steps until you reach 10,000 per day. Throughout the day, do whatever you can to be more active -- pace while you talk on the phone, take the dog out for an extra walk, and march in place during television commercials. Having a pedometer serves as a constant motivator and reminder.
Have Protein at Every Meal and Snack. Adding a source of lean or low-fat protein to each meal and snack will help keep you feeling full longer so you're less likely to overeat. Try low-fat yogurt, small portion of nuts, peanut butter, eggs, beans, or lean meats. Experts also recommend eating small, frequent meals and snacks (every 3-4 hours), to keep your blood sugar levels steady and to avoid overindulging.
Switch to Lighter Alternatives. Whenever you can, use the low-fat versions of salad dressings, mayonnaise, dairy products, and other products. "You can trim calories effortlessly if you use low-fat and lighter products, and if the product is mixed in with other ingredients, no one will ever notice," says Magee. More smart substitutions: Use salsa or hummus as a dip; spread sandwiches with mustard instead of mayo; eat plain roasted sweet potatoes instead of loaded white potatoes; use skim milk instead of cream in your coffee; hold the cheese on sandwiches; and use a little vinaigrette on your salad instead of piling on the creamy dressing.

Hoover Dam

2008-09-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hoover Dam, also sometimes known as Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada. When completed in 1935, it was both the world's largest electric-power generating station and the world's largest concrete structure. It was surpassed in both these respects by the Grand Coulee Dam in 1945. It is currently the world's 35th-largest hydroelectric generating station.^[3]

This dam, located 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, is named after Herbert Hoover, who played an instrumental role in its construction, first as the Secretary of Commerce and then later as the President of the United States. Construction began in 1931 and was completed in 1935, more than two years ahead of schedule. The dam and the power plant are operated by the Bureau of Reclamation of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, Hoover Dam was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.^[1]^[4]

Lake Mead is the reservoir created behind the dam, named after Elwood Mead, who oversaw the construction of the dam.

Hoover Tour Information

The Bureau of Reclamation has conducted tours through the Hoover Dam and powerplant since 1937. Today, close to 1,000,000 visitors a year take the tour and millions more drive across the dam.

Location:
The dam is located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas on US Highway 93 at the Nevada-Arizona border. Click here for maps and driving/parking instructions, and directions on where to go after you get here.

9 Fat-Burning Eating Tips

2008-09-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

Tired of doing exercise? Try these few foods that could help you on your journey to rid yourself of excess flab.

LEAN PROTEIN
To put it simply, protein takes a lot of effort for the body to break down and digest. A lot more than, say, fat. So while your body is working hard to process that protein, you're burning calories. HG tip -- eat fish! Chances are you're not getting enough of it. Not only is fish a fabulous source of lean protein, BUT many types are full of those Omega-3 fatty acids you're always hearing about. Beans are also a wonderful source of protein. And it's no secret how we feel about our friend the soybean.

WHOLE GRAINS
Belly fat is not particularly cute on anyone (except maybe babies), so it's exciting news that whole grains can do a number on that stubborn flab around your midsection. One of the easiest ways to get whole grains into your diet? Oatmeal in the morning. Quaker's Simple Harvest Multigrain Hot Cereal is really good and just full of grains.

GRAPEFRUIT
Ever since you were a kid popping Flintstones Chewables, you've known that Vitamin C is good for you -- and that certainly hasn't changed. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant AND has been shown in studies to help burn fat. So, if you're looking for a snack, how's about a nice, juicy grapefruit? The theory is that grapefruit helps to lower insulin levels, which keeps you from being hungry all the time!

GREEN TEA
Green tea is EVERYWHERE. It's been classified as a "superfood" as it's been linked to reduced rates of heart disease and cancer. And now it helps us lose weight too? Green tea has been shown to raise our metabolism, which is key in our battle with the bad stuff. Researchers also suspect that substances called polyphenols combined with caffeine are responsible for its fat-burning properties.

SPICY FOODS
You know how when you eat spicy foods, you sometimes start to sweat a little (ew)? That's because it's given a little kick to your heart rate. These little kicks will result in a temporary increase in your metabolism, which will help you burn fat a little easier for a bit. A quick hit with cayenne, red pepper flakes, or whatever hot sauce you fancy should do the trick and get your blood pumping. And these spices are practically calorie-free.

LIGHT DAIRY
Hey, dairy queens! Good news! It turns out that people who eat low-fat or fat-free dairy lose MORE weight than people who don't. Sure we mentioned protein before, but it bears bringing up again since the magical combo of calcium and protein seems to work wonders. We're WAY into yogurt, so we suggest picking up some Fage Total 0% Greek Yogurt and mixing in your favorite fruits, sugar-free preserves... or whatever! Also, light string cheese is a GREAT little snack, with only around 50-60 calories and 2.5g fat a pop. Not bad for hard cheese.

WATER
Experts say it's important to drink lots of water if you're trying to burn fat Your body can't work effectively if it's dehydrated -- not only will you FEEL like you don't have any energy, but also your body really won't have what it needs to function and burn off fat. Keep that machine humming -- drink around 8 glasses of water a day!

CINNAMON
Sure this stuff tastes good -- that's why it's found in SO many things. But those chefs might not know that their sprinkling of cinnamon is helping the body process sugar more effectively and lower blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can lead to the body storing more fat, so maybe put together a little shaker of cinnamon and Splenda to sprinkle on your favorite foods! Then whip up some fat-burning cinnamon toast by using your new concoction on whole-wheat bread!

APPLES
An apple a day isn't going to keep the gym away, but it'll probably make your diet plan more effective. Word on the street is that the pectin contained in apples limits how much fat your cells can absorb. (SWEET!) Plus it's a naturally soluble fiber, which is always good. So next time you feel all snacky, grab whichever apple looks best to you

Las Vegas at Night

2008-09-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Castle like hotel "Excalibur"

The Main Strip the City was shining..

Copy from the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Twilight at Las Vegas the lights were starting to glow.

Ato ni Bay

2008-09-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

A sports hero, singer, actor, a frustrated politician never failed his dream to be one of those popular sports titled in line at the Mandalay bay hotel and Casino. The Filipino pride..

2008-09-03T05:02:00.000-07:00

Stratosphere viewing from the North Strip of Las Vegas..

2008-08-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

One attraction in Disneyworld is Epcot Park during the day.. there's one ride inside it's telling you the world and it's reality but and it's funny too.

The globe up Epcot..

2008-08-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

Disneyworld Parade
Magic kingdom Disneyworld

Site Seeing Time

2008-07-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

Going down with the elevator

Back View From the top

Side View at the Top (Viewing Area)

Upside down Pyramid to the city View

Closer view

Upside Down Pyramid
At The Pier

It's been always nice to sometimes go out and see things that have not seen before.

Dinner at Chinese Buffet

2008-07-29T04:37:00.000-07:00

Dessert
Third Barch (Pechay nalang love it)
Second Batch
First Batch

Went out for dinner for a weekend treat (tired of cooking)

Lutong Bahay

2008-07-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

Chicken Curry was a little bit oily but it's good with the Sriracha sauce.

Curry Chicken (also referred to as Chicken Curry) is a common delicacy in South Asia, East Asia, as well as in the Caribbean. The main ingredients in this dish are chicken and curry. The curry powder along with an array of other spices including, masala powder, saffron, ginger and so on (depending on cookery style), are mixed to form a sauce to blend in with the chicken.

2008-07-24T04:56:00.000-07:00

Adding edges to ice skates was invented by the Dutch in the 13th or 14th century. These ice skates were made of steel, with sharpened edges on the bottom to aid movement. The construction of modern ice skates has stayed largely the same. The only other major change in ice skate design came soon after. Around the same time period as steel edges were added to ice skates, another Dutchman, a table maker’s apprentice, experimented with the height to width ratio of the metal blade of the ice skates, producing a design that remains almost unaltered to this day. The user of the skates no longer needed to use sticks for propulsion, and movement on skates was now given more freedom and stability.

It's a beautiful day — the sun is shining, the birds are chirping. What could be more perfect than a bike ride? Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents happen. Every year, about 300,000 kids go to the emergency department because of bike injuries.

Wearing bright clothes and putting reflectors on your bike also can help you stay safe. It helps other people on the road see you. And if they see you, that means they're less likely to run into you.
You'll also want to make sure that nothing will get caught in your bike chain, such as loose pant legs, backpack straps, or shoelaces. Wear the right shoes — sneakers — when you bike. Sandals, flip-flops, shoes with heels, and cleats won't help you grip the pedals. And never go riding barefoot! Riding gloves may help you grip the handlebars — and make you look like a professional!

Crystal Structure

2008-06-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

The process of forming a crystaline struture from a fluid or from materials dissolved in the fluid is often referred to as crystalization. In the ancient example referenced by the root meaning of the word crystal, water being cooled undergoes a phase change from liquid to solid beginning with small ice crystals that grow until they fuse, forming a polycrystalline structure. The physical properties of the ice depend on the size and arrangement of the individual crystals, or grains, and the same may be said of metals solidifying from a molten state.

Which crystal structure the fluid will form depends on the chemistry of the fluid, the conditions under which it is being solidified, and also on the ambient pressure. While the cooling process usually results in the generation of a crystalline material, under certain conditions, the fluid may be frozen in a noncrystalline state. In most cases, this involves cooling the fluid so rapidly that atoms cannot travel to their lattice sites before they lose mobility. A noncrystalline material, which has no long-range order, is called an amorphous, vitreous, or glassy material. It is also often referred to as an amorphous solid, although there are distinct differences between solids and glasses: most notably, the process of forming a glass does not release the latent heat of fusion. For this reason, many scientists consider glassy materials to be viscous liquids rather than solids.

Eat Breakfast for your Health

2008-06-13T03:53:00.000-07:00

Eating a good breakfast will help you lose weight, decrease your risk for serious illness, and improve your concentration.

It keeps you slim: Breakfast eaters are less likely to be overweight than breakfast skippers, and successful dieters are also more likely to be breakfast eaters.

It keeps you healthy: Eating breakfast may reduce your risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, and it strengthens your immune system so you're more resistant to common ailments like colds and the flu.

It keeps you sharp: Memory and concentration get a boost from breakfast. A study on children found that kids who eat breakfast score higher on tests and are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity. It should help you at the office, too.

In the time you spend each morning calibrating your hair gel, you could be doing something more important, with a much better payoff: eating breakfast. Mom was right (and it's okay to admit it): Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is the perfect meal of the day.

Adds Color?

2008-06-11T04:03:00.000-07:00

It was my plan this week to go to the Red Cross office here to donate blood. So I went yesterday, but the lady there asked me what was my purpose of donating it seems that i looked scared when she said that it will take 5 minutes for it to be done. I told her I just want to donate and maybe it is a way to at least loose weight. She laughed and said that it might even make me fat it can boost appetite eating as to some people's experience. I started to doubt whether I will continue with it or not. She picked up sealed needle and cotton with alcohol and rubbed it at the tip of my ring finger. I closed my eyes I knew in few seconds she would hit it then I felt a little pain. She squeezed my finger and a little amount of blood dropped on the container that test my hemoglobin. I did not know what it contains it in. I dont know if I was lucky that the blood did not sink it means that i was not capable of donating blood because my hemoglobin was low. She smiled saying that i was not capable for the mean time maybe she thought that I would not lay and wait for 5 minutes having needle in my arm for the bag of blood that I have to donate. Frankly speaking "Yes" I am scared but I felt sorry too that I could not donate this time. I'm still not sure next time I wish I would be more brave and make sure that my hemoglobin is high. I need a lot of sleep and advised to eat those green and leafy vegetables that are rich in iron to add color to our blood. I would say sleep is really important for our health. I got a quote today that says:

Studies show that people who sleep between 6.5 hours and 7.5 hours a night, as they report, live the longest. And people who sleep 8 hours or more, or less than 6.5 hours, they don't live quite as long. There is just as much risk associated with sleeping too long as with sleeping too short. The big surprise is that long sleep seems to start at 8 hours. Sleeping 8.5 hours might really be a little worse than sleeping five

The recommended daily requirements should sound familiar: eight hours of sleep a night for adults and at least an hour more for adolescents. Yet 71% of American adults and 85% of teens do not get the suggested amount, to the detriment of body and mind. "Sleep is sort of like food," says Robert Stickgold, a cognitive neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School. But, he adds, there's one important difference: "You can be quite starved and still alive, and I think we appreciate how horrible that must be. But many of us live on the edge of sleep starvation and just accept it."

What most people don't realize is that the purpose of sleep may be more to rest the mind than to rest the body. Indeed, most of the benefits of eight hours' sleep seem to accrue to the brain: sleep helps consolidate memory, improve judgment, promote learning and concentration, boost mood, speed reaction time and sharpen problem solving and accuracy. According to Sonia Ancoli-Israel, a psychologist at the University of California at San Diego who has done extensive studies in the aging population, lack of sleep may even mimic the symptoms of dementia. In recent preliminary findings, she was able to improve cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's simply by treating their underlying sleep disorder. "The need for sleep does not change a lot with age," says Ancoli-Israel, but often because of disruptive illnesses and the medications used to treat them.

May Help You Lose Weight

Researchers have also found that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to be overweight or obese. It is thought that the lack of sleep impacts the balance of hormones in the body that affect appetite. The hormones ghrelin and leptin, important for the regulation of appetite, have been found to be disrupted by lack of sleep. So if you are interested in controlling or losing weight, don't forget to pay attention to getting a good night's sleep.

Fix-it foods: Top foods to eat when you overeat

2008-06-08T01:03:00.000-07:00

We’re all guilty of overindulging sometimes—an extra helping of potatoes here, a wedge of key lime pie there. But loading up on calories forces your body into overdrive as it tries to deconstruct the damage.
“Just metabolizing food—especially fatty and carbohydrate-rich fare—causes the body to produce free radicals, which attack cells and can promote the development of chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes and cancer,” says Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., research chemist and nutritionist with the USDA at Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center.
The more you consume, the more free radicals you produce. In fact, that’s one theory why caloric restriction—a practice of cutting calories by 25 to 30 percent—may protect against some disease. But recent research suggests that there are two ways to reduce free radicals: eating fewer calories and consuming more nutrient-rich fare, such as the following. (We suggest you do both.)

1. Drink wine.

Antioxidants in red wine, called polyphenols, may reduce the negative impact of high-fat foods, according to a study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in January.

2. Drizzle vinegar.

Having a tablespoon of vinegar with your meal, perhaps drizzled on your salad, may temper the spike in blood sugar (a.k.a. glucose) that occurs after eating a big, carbohydrate-rich meal.

3. Eat fruit.

If you’ve indulged in a decadent meal, consider fruit for dessert.

Tinolang native Chicken

2008-06-04T02:10:00.000-07:00

Hhhmmm... this comes in mind today when i was starving food that i wanted to eat. I haven't eaten this Filipino dish many months ago coz i wanted the native chicken and not the dressed chicken that we can always buy in the market. The taste is really different i want it perfect.

Th Ingredients on how to make this recipe is:

INGREDIENTS:

1 kilo chicken, cut in serving pieces
1 unripe papaya, quartered (or 2 sayote or 3 potatoes, quartered)
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 thumb-size ginger root, cut into strips
2 tablespoon fish sauce (patis)
4-5 cups of water (rice water - 2nd washing)
1 cup sili leaves (or malunggay or spinach leaves)
Salt and pepper to taste or chicken bullion cubes

COOKING PROCEDURE:

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
Sauté ginger and garlic until fragrant.
Add onions. Stir-fry until softened and translucent.
Add chicken cuts. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until chicken turns white.
Season with patis (fish sauce). Cook for another 3 minutes.
Pour in water (or rice water). Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer until chicken is half-done.
Add in sayote (or papaya or potatoes). Continue simmering until chicken and vegetable are tender.
Season with pepper and salt according to your taste (you can use chicken bullion cubes).
Then add sili leaves or malunggay or spinach.
Cover and let simmer for about 3 minutes or until the sili/malunggay leaves or spinach are cooked.
Remove from heat.

Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot. Enjoy eating!

Sex and the City - Girl Flick Movie

2008-06-01T02:54:00.000-07:00

Sex and the City: The Movie^[1] (marketed as Sex and the City) is the romantic comedy feature film adaptation of the HBO comedy series Sex and the City (itself based on the book Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell) about four female friends living in New York City. The series often portrayed frank discussions about romance and sexuality.

Hi Girls... I watched this movie last day and from the very start to the end I kept my eyes opened and ears to listen every the dialogs casts will say. It was very nice and entertaining movie for me. I will just give you link for the summary of the story so that you will have an idea watching it. Enjoy watching..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_and_the_City:_The_Movie

Asia's biggest colorless diamond sold for $6.2 mln

2008-05-29T02:19:00.000-07:00

HONG KONG - A 101.27-carat diamond the size of a squash ball and the largest colorless stone to be auctioned in Asia, has fetched $6.2 million at a Christie's sale in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

The gem, which is internally flawless but rated VVS1 (very very slightly imperfect 1st degree) for clarity was sold after patchy bidding for HK$48.5 million including the buyer's premium, a relatively low per-carat price and at the low-end of its pre-sale estimate.
The diamond is the largest colorless diamond to appear at auction in 18 years and one of only three colorless diamonds of over 100-carats ever to be auctioned, Christie's said. It was also the biggest colorless diamond ever to be sold in Asia.

The diamond is the largest colorless diamond to appear at auction in 18 years and one of only three colorless diamonds of over 100-carats ever to be auctioned, Christie's said. It was also the biggest colorless diamond ever to be sold in Asia.
While rare polished diamonds achieved all-time highs per carat at sales in Geneva late last year, a much-hyped 72.22 carat "D" flawless white diamond failed to sell at a Sotheby's Hong Kong auction in April, suggesting demand for top stones may be waning due to a weakening world economy.
The 101-carat "shield-shape" stone was cut from a 460-carat hunk of rough crystal and mounted on a tiara, rather than a necklace or pendant given its extraordinary thickness.
Naming rights for the gem will be granted to the new owner, whom Christie's would only reveal as a private buyer.

Eat right, Stay well

2008-05-27T03:24:00.000-07:00

Vitamin D deficiency can cause weakened bones and lead to osteoporosis. Recent research has now linked a vitamin D deficiency to breast-cancer progression. Think about your diet and your average daily time in the sun, and then talk with your doctor about whether you might need a supplement.

With all the recent news about vitamin D's protective powers, you may be thinking you have to start taking a supplement immediately. But here are a few things to consider before you jump on the supplement bandwagon.

Multivitamins and most calcium tablets usually contain a healthy dose of vitamin D. So if you're currently taking other vitamin supplements, check their labels to see how much vitamin D you're already getting. Both children and adults, by the way, should ingest no more than 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day.

The reason we need more vitamin D as we get older is that, as the body ages, the skin is less able to make vitamin D from the sun, and also the kidneys become less able to convert vitamin D to a form the body can use. You can get your vitamin D from sunlight, food, and supplements. Many people can produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D by getting out in the sun twice each week, without sunscreen, for 5 to 30 minutes each time, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

What's really going on when you Sleep and it's benefit?

2008-05-24T00:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever watched someone sleep and wondered what he or she was dreaming? The person’s outward appearance would never give it away: slow breathing, eyes occasionally fluttering, but mostly the very picture of peace and stillness. But, appearances can be deceiving. When people sleep, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. The notion of sleep as the body’s ultimate “down time” has some truth to it, but sleep is also an active process, in which the brain can be remarkably active, even if the body

Why Do We Sleep?

The function of sleep is not entirely clear, but researchers believe that REM sleep is important for solidifying memories, and perhaps for even more critical functions. Rodents completely deprived of REM sleep die after a few weeks. Non-REM sleep, meanwhile, seems to be important in providing a sense of restored energy and ability to concentrate during the day. A number of theories about sleep attempt to explain its role or roles: a restorative for the mind and body in preparation for the day ahead; or a way of reducing energy consumption, to save energy for activities occurring during the day. Some scientists believe that sleep is evolution’s way of improving survival by preventing animals from preying on each other 24 hours a day.

Too little sleep or poor-quality sleep can cause a number of problems, including difficulty with short-term memory, concentration, depression, anxiety, irritability, poor energy and reduced libido. In short, quality of life at work and at home may suffer terribly due to insufficient or poor sleep. All of these problems may resolve when sleep duration increases or sleep quality improves.

One problem related to sleep deprivation deserves particular emphasis: Automobile and truck accidents attributed to sleepy drivers account for thousands of deaths each year.

Although the impact is uncertain in humans, sleep-deprived rodents have reduced immune function and higher susceptibility to infection.

The Bottom Line

The importance of sleep is self-evident, yet much remains unknown or uncertain about how we sleep, why we sleep and how to improve sleep. One thing is certain, however: Sleep is not a passive process or a complete “shut down” of the body – many stages of sleep are as active for the mind as being awake. So, the next time you see someone sleeping, keep in mind that though the body may look quiet and peaceful, there is much more to the story.

2008-05-24T00:06:00.000-07:00

Indiana Jones returns May 22 in the long-anticipated film "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Indy, of course, is not just a globetrotting adventurer but also an archaeologist.

This time Indy battles menacing Russians who are after crystal skulls that have the ability to control people's minds. Yet while the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail may be mythical, crystal skulls are quite real.

The mythology

There are many skulls in the world carved out of quartz, of varying sizes and designs, though not all of them are steeped in myth and romance. There are only a handful of the largest, life-size skulls in existence, and they have inspired awe for generations.

They are said to be hundreds of years old, and possibly of Mayan or Aztec origin.

The skulls are indeed a sight to behold; I examined a glowing, clear skull in the Smithsonian for about 20 minutes, trying to tease out its secrets. Beyond the artistry of carved crystal, many believe the skulls have special abilities, such as aiding psychic abilities, healing the sick-or even power over death.

Truth

I watched this movie online and as usual it was totally entertaining just like before. Full of actions and adventures and I like it very much. I recommend it for you to see bloggers.

2008-05-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Flamingo Large pink and red wading bird, related to and similar to the heron, a stork, and spoonbill but with a longer neck, its feet are webbed, and a unique down bent bill.

Flamingos live in a tropical climate, although at times colonies have been observed high in the Andes. The American flamingo is now rarely seen in Florida nesting chiefly in the West Indies. Its plumage eight vermilion with black marks on the wings; a common South Asian and African flamingo is scarlet with black wing feathers.

When eating the flamingo scoops it's a large bill backward, shallow water in marshes and lagoons. When closed, the serrated and aquatic plants, shellfish, which the bird feeds. The nest is a cone of mud 1 to 2 ft. high and about 1 ft. across with a depression on top. The mates take turns incubating the one or two eggs, sitting astride the nest with their legs folded flat on either side.

McDonald's cooking fries in trans-fat-free oi

2008-05-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO - McDonald's french fries are now trans-fat-free in all its restaurants in the United States and Canada, the fast-food restaurant chain said Thursday.

oil out of worries it would compromise the taste of its trademark fries. It has been under increasing pressure from consumer advocates and some public officials to make the change.

The new oil is canola-based and includes corn and soy oils.

CEO Jim Skinner told shareholders at the annual meeting at its headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill., that the new oil has been in use in U.S. restaurants for a few months now for french fries, hash browns, chicken, filet of fish and biscuits.

He said McDonald's is on schedule to convert to the new oil by year's end for its remaining baked items, pies and cookies.

Skinner said the company decided not to advertise the changes.

McDonald's Corp. has nearly 14,000 restaurants in the United States.

Its shares fell 32 cents to $58.46 in late morning trading.

14-Day Low Calorie Diet

2008-05-23T01:24:00.000-07:00

14-Day Low Calorie Booster Diet: Summary

14-day eating plan to boost fat loss, or lose those last few pounds
Provides six meals/snacks a day to help your metabolism to run as fast as possible
Choose from 2 alternative menu-plans:
(1) easy quick-cook meals; or (2) fast-food/convenience meals
Calorie values given for EVERY FOOD ITEM
Full list of food substitutions for picky eaters
Full snack list
Full shopping list
Full list of fast food options

Different diets may come and go, but at the end of the day, successful weight management always comes back to calories. If you take in more energy (calories) than you spend, you will gain weight; eat less and you'll lose. The trick is to find meals that will satisfy your hunger, daily nutrient needs and, last but not least, your desire for great-tasting food.

Delightful Shrimp Picture

Greek Shrimp

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons minced garlic
3/4 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
3/4 pounds large shrimp , peeled
2 ounces feta cheese, cut into 1/2" cubes

Heat the oil in a 10-12" skillet over medium heat.

Add the garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it colors.

Add the tomatoes, wine, one half of the parsley, the oregano, salt and pepper.

Cook, stirring, until the sauce is the thickness of a light puree.

Add the shrimp and continue to cook until they turn pink, about 5 minutes.

Add the feta and stir very gently, trying to keep the delicate cheese from crumbling and falling apart.

Garnish with the remaining parsely and serve.

My Low Calorie Diet will definitely help you to lose weight. But don't forget, eating the right food is only part of the answer. The other part is being motivated to stick to your diet. This is why support is such a vital feature of my weight loss program.

Some facts about Roses

2008-05-21T03:58:00.000-07:00

The rose is the favorite flower of 85% of Americans.

Rose hips contain more Vitamin C than any other fruit or vegetable.

Shakespeare referred to roses over fifty times in his works.

The oldest rose in the world has flourished for over 1,000 years on the wall of Hildeshiem Cathedral in Germany.

It is a fact also that I love them.

Roses, especially the fragrant ones, turn a hum-drum garden into a place of exquisite beauty. If you enjoy the fragrance of roses drifting on an evening breeze, you will want to learn all you can about growing them. It’s easy and roses come in almost every color of the rainbow, so it’s simple to find roses that will fit into your garden’s theme and color scheme.

My perfume

2008-05-20T05:04:00.001-07:00

Seduce the senses with an intriguing orange flower note with fresh ginger accents and the caress of honey-sandalwood accord creating an unforgettable and captivating new encounter. A woman's mysterious code of seduction revealed.

My dream face powder

2008-05-20T04:58:00.000-07:00

This bronzer contains Skinvigorating™ ingredients like vitamins A and E, which act as antioxidants to fight free radical damage and mineral pigments that are known for their soothing and softening properties. Plus, it's phthalate-, and mineral oil-free. Dermatologist-tested.

attending cousin's wedding

2008-05-16T03:27:00.000-07:00

it's me practicing to smile

2008-05-16T03:19:00.000-07:00

hello

2008-05-13T03:41:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, Im just new to this blogging hobby and I find it interesting now. Just knew it with friends talking about it and I just did not mind because I thought it would be difficult for me who is not really fun of posting things in the computer. I should have to explore and know more things and get some ideas here.

hello

2008-05-11T02:36:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone, im just new to this blogging hobby and i find interesting now. Just knew with friends talking about it and I just did not mind because i thought it would be difficult for me who is not really fun of posting things in the computer.