K9 CPR - Useful Tips to keep handy!

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Beneficial Vegetables and Spices for Hypertension

A number of common vegetables and spices have beneficial effects in controlling hypertension. Incorporate these into your cooking. Alternately, you can make a tea or a vegetable soup.

Celery (Apium graveolens). Oriental Medicine practitioners have long used celery for lowering high blood pressure. There are some experimental evidence that shows that celery is useful for this. In one animal study, laboratory animals injected with celery extract showed lowered blood pressure. Eating as few as four celery stalks was found to be beneficial in lowering blood pressure in human beings.

Garlic (Allium sativum). Garlic is a wonder drug for heart. It has beneficial effects in all cardiovascular system including blood pressure. In a study, when people with high blood pressure were given one clove of garlic a day for 12 weeks, their diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced. Eating quantities as small as one clove of garlic a day was found to have beneficial effects on managing hypertension. Use garlic in your cooking, salad, soup, pickles, etc. It is very versatile.

Onion (Allium cepa). Onions are useful in hypertension. What is best is the onion essential oil. Two to three tablespoons of onion essential oil a day was found to lower the systolic levels by an average of 25 points and the diastolic levels by 15 points in hypertension subjects. This should not be surprising because onion is a cousin of garlic.

Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum). Tomatoes are high in gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), a compound that can help bring down blood pressure.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea). This vegetable contains several active ingredients that reduce blood pressure.

Carrot (Daucus carota). Carrots also contain several compounds that lower blood pressure.

Saffron (Crocus sativus). Saffron contains a chemical called crocetin that lowers the blood pressure. You can use saffron in your cooking. (It is a very popular spice in Arabic cooking.) You can also make a tea with it. Many Indians add a pinch of saffron in the brewed tea to give a heavenly flavor. Unfortunately, it is very expensive.

Assorted spices
Spices such as fennel, oregano, black pepper, basil and tarragon have active ingredients that is beneficial in hypertension. Use them in your cooking.

Natural Reduction of High Blood Pressure

People with uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) are at a greater risk for heart attack and stroke.

50 million Americans have high blood pressure. This condition left untreated can lead to serious health threats -- heart attack, stroke, kidney failure. Yes, you can lower your blood pressure nicely by restricting your sodium (salt) intake. Sodium causes your body to absorb more water, and extra water in your arteries means more water pressure, plain and simple. And yes, most Americans eat twice the salt they need. So, we strongly endorse salt restriction as one way to drop your blood pressure quickly (along with cutting your weight, and your tobacco and alcohol use). Another way to reduce blood pressure is to increase cardiovascular exercise - that is, exercise that increases the pulse and respiratory rate for 25 to 30 minutes or more 3 to 4 times per week -- or even better, daily.

Heavy use of nonaspirin pain relievers does increase risk for high blood pressure. In one groundbreaking study, women who took nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen; 22 times a month or more were 86% more likely to have high blood pressure than those who did not take NSAIDs. Those taking acetaminophen were twice as likely to be hypertensive. Aspirin did not increase the risk. If you are at risk for high blood pressure or already have the condition, ask your doctor which pain reliever is appropriate for you.

A daily regimen of aspirin seems to decrease the risk of heart related ailments. Nighttime is the best time to take a daily aspirin to protect your heart. In a recent study, people with mild hypertension who waited until bedtime to take an aspirin tablet lowered their systolic blood pressure by an average of 7 points after 3 months. Those who did not take aspirin or who took aspirin in the morning showed no change in blood pressure.

There are some other natural treatments:

Apple Juice	Drinking as little as 12 ounces a day of apple juice reduced oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol by 20%, compared to 9% in people who ate two whole apples a day. LDL cholesterol oxidation triggers the formation of plaque on coronary artery walls.
Calcium	Many hypertensives have a lower daily calcium intake than individuals with a healthy blood pressure. Studies are ongoing. Sources: Nuts, salmon, sardines, low fat dairy products, watercress, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens. 1,200 mg daily would be good -- take with about 400 IU of Vitamin D to help with absorption.
Cayenne (Capsicum)	Capsicum, also known as cayenne, contains capsaicin – the compound that produces the "hot" in hot peppers. Cayenne peppers have been used for centuries as a folk medicine for stimulating circulation, aiding digestion and relieving pain (topically). Contemporary uses have placed cayenne extracts as thermogenic aids to help increase metabolism. Reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, which can lead to hypertension.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)	This is a nutrient that shows promise for hypertensives and that naturally occurs in our bodies. One study investigated 26 hypertensives who took 50mg of CoQ10 twice a day for 10 weeks. At the end of the study, systolic blood pressure had dropped from an average of 165 to 147, and diastolic blood pressure dropped from 98 to 86. It is widely recommended to repair heart damage and to boost the function of the heart, as well as in preventative use to safeguard against heart attacks and valve damage.
Fish Oil (Omega 3 Fatty Acids)	Fish Oil seem to offer numerous benefits for lowering blood pressure and reducing risk of heart disease. (read more)
Folic Acid (Folate)	Folate (a B vitamin) helps lower blood levels of amino acid homocysteine. A high level of homosysteine (above 10) is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. A study of more than 9,000 Americans shows that people with the highest dietary intake of folate -- 400 micrograms (mcg) a day, have an 86% lower risk for heart attack and a 79% lower risk for stroke than those with the lowest intake (100 mcg).
Garlic	Garlic helps reduce cholesterol as well as blood pressure. In a 1993 study, people with high blood pressure consumed one clove of garlic, a day for 12 weeks. At the conclusion of the study, they demonstrated significantly lower diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you already take a blood thinner, a lot of garlic could be dangerous.
Hawthorn	300 mg 3 times daily. This herb dilates arteries and improves coronary blood flow reducing blood pressure. Can widen blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries. Some of the flavonoids in Hawthorn help prevent the narrowing of blood vessels. It also is a mild diuretic that reduces blood volume. Most patients who take hawthorn have a drop in blood pressure of 10 to 15 points over 8 weeks. Once blood pressure is down, you may be able to reduce the dosage to stop taking the herb altogether. Recently, hawthorn has been used mostly as a cardiotonic (to “strengthen” the heart muscle and promote more forceful contractions).
Kava Kava	A root from a pepper plant used by Pacific islanders (e.g. Fiji, Hawaii) for centuries as a ceremonial intoxicant to help people relax and socialize. More recent uses suggest a role for kava in relieving anxiety and tension. This remarkable ability to promote relaxation without loss in mental sharpness makes it a perfect herbal supplement for today's too-busy-to-relax lifestyle. And it's safe! Used for thousands of years by the people of the South Pacific islands who have the reputation of being the happiest, friendliest people in the world. Best of all, Kava-Kava is free of the side effects and addictive properties common to anti-anxiety drugs.
Kudzu	Contains a chemical (puerarin) that has decreased blood pressure by 15 percent in lab animals (*2). In addition, puerarin has many times the antioxidant activity of vitamin E, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Magnesium 320 mg Women 420 mg Men	250 mg twice daily. Taken daily, helps to relax artery walls and increase blood flow. Also reduce fatigue and promotes weight loss by helping the body to convert food into energy. Sources: green vegetables, nuts (especially almonds, cashews and pecans), rice, bananas, potatoes, wheat germ, kidney and lima beans, peas soy products, molasses, oats, bran and fish.
Oat bran	Oat bran or oat meal is a natural cholesterol lowering "medication."
Onions	These are also recommended for hypertensives. In one study, two to three tablespoons of onion essential oil a day lowered blood pressure in 67 percent of people with moderately high blood pressure. Their systolic levels fell an average of 25 points and their diastolic readings fell 15 points. Onion essential oil is not available, but you can promote healthy blood pressure by adding more onions to your diet.
Orange Juice	Drinking a glass of any type of orange juice twice a day significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. It improves blood vessel function, a measure of elasticity of the blood vessels.
Potassium	Supplementation of this may be especially beneficial for hypertensives over the age of 65. "The elderly often do not fully respond to blood pressure - lowering drugs, which makes the use of potassium supplementation an exciting possibility." Source: Bananas, oranges, tangerines, beans, dried peas, potatoes and others.
Saffron	Contains a blood-pressure-lowering chemical called crocetin. Some researchers speculate that the low rate of heart disease in Spain is due to the Spaniards' high consumption of saffron.
Vitamin C	Supplementation has exerted a modest blood-pressure-lowering effect in people with mild hypertension. One way vitamin C may support healthy blood pressure is by promoting the excretion of lead, which is linked to hypertension. Vitamin C also has shown that it reduces cholesterol (2,000 mg a day).
Valerian	Valerian has been used as a medicinal anti-anxiety herb and sleep aid since the days of the Romans. The dried roots of the plant are used in teas, tinctures and in capsule/tablet forms. Promotes higher levels of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) in the body. GABA helps regulate blood pressure. In addition, valerian has sedative activity, which has a beneficial impact on blood pressure.
Chinese physicians have long used celery to dependably reduce blood pressure. Scientists have discovered exactly why it works so well. Celery contains a unique oil that relaxes the muscles that regulate blood pressure, improving flow, and lowering pressure. Just 4 stalks a day (or some celery juice) does the trick. Deep breathing -- People who practice deep breathing for 15 minutes daily -- inhaling through the nose for about 4 seconds ... holding it momentarily ... then exhaling through the mouth for four seconds may reduce their blood pressure. Your Blood Pressure Measurement Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and the amount of blood pumped and the size and flexibility of the arteries. The top number, which is called the systolic pressure, shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart is forcing blood through them. The bottom number, called the diastolic pressure, shows the pressure in your arteries when your heart relaxes. The top number can be anywhere from 90 to 240 and the bottom number can be anywhere from 60 to 140. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury, which is written down as: mmHg Blood pressure is continually changing depending on activity, temperature, diet, emotional state, posture, physical state, and medication use. Blood pressure typically is checked while the patient is seated. For the most accurate reading, blood pressure should be tested in both arms, preferably while the patient is lying down. If blood pressure differs by 15% or more, between arms, there may be blockages in the large blood vessels. Category Systolic Diastolic High - stage 2 160 and up 100 and up High - Stage 1 140 -159 90 - 99 Pre-hypertension 121 -139 81 - 89 Normal Less than 120 Less than 80 Pulse pressure may predict heart disease more accurately than systolic and diastolic readings. Pulse pressure is the numerical difference between systolic and diastolic pressure. Some researchers believe that pulse pressure is even more important than systolic pressure in determining long-term health risks. A pulse pressure below 50 indicates that the arteries are elastic and healthy. But when arteries are stiff and inelastic, systolic pressure rises and diastolic pressure falls. This increases pulse pressure to 60 or greater. For more information: Blood Pressure Association

Wellness Cat Products - Aug 2010 Online Specials!

Wellness Indoor Health Dry Cat 11 lbs - RRP S$99.00
** This week's promotion - S$74.90 - While stocks last!
(Eligible for FREE ISLANDWIDE DELIVERY).

Wellness Assorted Flavours Canned Cat Food 5.5oz - RRP S$3.75
** This week's promotion - S$2.80/can - while stocks last! Minimum order of 24 cans.
(Eligible for FREE ISLANDWIDE DELIVERY).

What To Eat To Get Thick Hair

Finally, people have come to realize that there is actually a direct relationship between food and hair. After all, just like the rest of the body, the hair needs the right amount of nutrients to remain beautiful, strong, and thick. Here is a list for those who want to know what to eat to get thick hair:

Green Leafy Vegetables
We are talking about broccolis and spinach. These types of vegetables are enriched with a lot of antioxidants as well as vitamins C and A, which can help produce natural oil for the hair. When you have enough sebum on your scalp, you do not need to make use of any type of conditioner.

Salmon
You can actually just opt for other kinds of freshwater fish such as tuna and mackerel. These fish species are some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which take care not only the heart but also the scalp. The essential acids prevent the scalp from drying and the hair brittle (brittle hair is prone to breakage).

Nuts
Instead of junk food, snack on different nuts, such as hazelnut and macadamia nut. Aside from omega-3 fatty acids, they also contain zinc, which stops the hair from falling off the roots.

Oats and Cereals
Now here's a good reason why you need to take your breakfast especially oats and cereals. Most of them contain several kinds of vitamins and minerals such as iron, B complex, and zinc. Furthermore, they help improve the condition of hair follicles, which tend to be in a bad state at early hours of the morning.

Poultry
Do you know that keratin makes up of most of your hair? Keratin, on the other hand, is a type of protein. Hence, if you want to get thick hair, you need to increase or maintain your protein intake.

Eat chicken or red meat. Between the two, though, opt for the former since it contains less fat. Remove the skin to avoid taking in cholesterol.

Food - Allergies : Maize/Corn

Maize contains lipid transfer protein, an indigestible protein that survives cooking. This protein has been linked to a rare and understudied allergy to maize in humans. The allergic reaction can cause skin rash, swelling or itching of mucous membranes, diarrhea, vomiting, asthma and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. It is unclear how common this allergy is in the general population.

Corn Relish

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole kernel corn
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell peppers
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 6 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons white corn syrup

Method:

1. In a medium saucepan, mix together the corn, green bell peppers, onion, sweet pickle relish, celery seed, salt, dry mustard, vinegar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
2. Transfer the mixture to sterile jars and refrigerate until serving.
   

Mataha (beans and maize with potatoes)
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

½ 1b (250g) dried red beans

1lb (500g) dried maize

salt to taste

8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

10 pumpkin leaves, coarsely chopped (or spinach leaves if preferred)

Method:

1. Clean and wash beans and maize then soak them overnight in clean water.
2. In the morning add salt to taste and bring them to the boil.
3. Cover and boil gently for 20 minutes then add chopped potatoes.
4. Cover again and boil gently together for a further 10 minutes.
5. Add pumpkin or spinach leaves.
6. Remove from the heat and place the lidded cooking pot in a Cooking Basket for 1 ½ to 2 hours or until soft.
7. Drain if necessary and then mash the beans, maize, potatoes and leaves all together until dense and firm.
8. Add more salt to taste if needed.
   

Beauty & Fashion - Warehouse Sale in Aug 2010.

Travel - Holidaymakers Facing Airport Strikes in UK

Holidaymakers Facing Airport Strikes

Holidaymakers planning a trip away could face disruption if Unite members
at BAA airports vote for strike action.

Results are expected early this afternoon from Unite members who include
firefighters, security staff and ground staff at airports around the
country.

BAA owns six airports in Britain, including Heathrow and Stansted and, if
the strike action goes ahead, it is expected that thousands of travellers
will be affected.

Unite argues that its members accepted a pay freeze in 2009 but are not
happy with a 2010 pay offer of 1%, plus another 0.5% conditional on
changes to an agreement on sickness rules.

Staff are also angry at missing out on a conditional bonus from BAA, even
though the company narrowly missed its target.

"BAA's measly pay offer is nothing short of confrontational," Unite's
Brendan Gold and Brian Boyd said earlier.

"Last year, staff accepted a pay freeze, their generosity helped the
company, BAA has returned the favour with no bonus and a 1% pay offer when
inflation is currently 5%.

"Unite and BAA have been in talks for months and we are prepared to
continue talking.

"A negotiated agreement can be reached if the company is prepared to be
fairer and more realistic."

Pets - Dogs : Rottweilers 101

If you train and socialise your Rottweiler properly it will be a much loved member of the family giving you much companionship and security.

Rottweilers are very loyal, devoted, warm and intelligent creatures.

As a general fact they are dogs that do not bark unnecessarily and they are proven to be good watch dogs and warn when something isn’t right.

When a Rottweiler is matured, fit and healthy, it is a very calm dog that will love nothing more than to sleep or chew on a bone.

However, there is a downside to Rottweilers. The life expectancy of a Rottweiler is 8-10 years and they do not mature until the age of 2 years old.

Rottweiler health is a concern as they do have a poor immune system, more so as puppies. Puppy Rottweilers should be vaccinated to help them develop proper immunity to fight against common viruses that the average Rottweiler faces in life.

They are also at risk of hip dysplasia, tearing cruciate ligaments and heart problems as well as cancer.

It is so important to give them lots of proper training and socialising when they are puppies. If you fail to do this they can become unconsciously dangerous as adult dogs.

They play hard and can easily injure someone inadvertently. They also herd young children and other animals, bump, or nip them while doing so without meaning harm.

Rottweiler puppies are generally mouthy and you must teach them that this is wrong – more so as then tend to have temper tantrums.

Ensure that your Rottweiler is exercised frequently and will need some form of work (obedience, agility, herding, etc). If they become bored or improperly housed they can be destructive.

Feeding your Rottweiler is so important as this can be the most common reason for illness. Rottweiler puppies require a lot of very good, quality food. Sometimes a young male Rottweiler can eat as much as 8 – 10 cups of high, quality food per day – that’s an impressive 2 – 2 1/2 lbs!

When shedding they leave black “mouse balls” everywhere.

DIYs - Tripod Laptop Stand

Firstly, find a nut that fits the camera tripod base.

Secondly, the counter-top sunk - drill a hole into the middle of a piece of wood so that the tripod screw could bite into it from bottom.

Finally, strap it down with some velcro straps!

Food - Pubs, Clubs and More!

HOOKERS BAR & GRILL

Serangoon Road's answer to Bt Timah's famous Barbar Black Sheep!

While you are there, say Hi to its owner, Jeff and tell him that Jeanette sent you!

Where it's located : 120 Desker Road
(see map attached).

Open daily for lunch till midnight.

Free Belgian Beer Tasting Every Alternate Saturday.

Where? : Wala Wala @ Holland Village Singapore.
Time? : 7pm to 9pm.

Happy Hour Prices... All 1 for 1!!!

Food - Receipes : Thai Fish Cakes

Thai fish cakes are made from soft meat fish, green beans and starch and cooked by deep frying. They are served as a side dish with a spicy dipping or pouring sauce. Any soft meat fish will do and it's a great way to use often ignored smaller and cheaper fish.
To remove the meat of the fish: remove the head, slice it down the belly, and remove any entrails. Pull out the backbone, in soft fish this will also remove the bones. Then remove the top and bottom fins. Finally hold the fish by the skin and scrape off the meat from the skin with a flat bladed knife.

Ingredients for 2 People :

150 gms Fish Meat
2-3 Tablespoons Thai Red Curry Paste
100 gms Long Green Bean
1 Tablespoon Cassava or Potato Starch
Oil for frying

Ingredients for Sauce :

20 gms Cucumber
10 gms Peanut
2 Big Red Chillis
3 Tablespoons Sweet Chicken Sauce
(A sweet sauce normally used for chicken, it does not contain chicken!)

Preparation :
Fish Cakes
1. Pre heat a deap fat fryer to 150 degrees celsius (Medium).
2. Add the fish meat, red curry paste, cassava starch, to a blender and blend it.
3. Cut the green beans into very short pieces and mix into the mixture.
4. Take a spoonful of mixture and form it into flat round 'cookie' shaped fish cakes.
5. Drop the fish cakes into the hot oil, when the fish cake is cooked it will float back to the surface.
6. Remove from the oil onto kitchen paper to dry out the excess oil.

Preparation :
Dipping Sauce
1. Chop the cucumber and chilles, and mixed with sweet chicken sauce.
2. Pound the peanuts in a mortar into smaller pieces.
3. Top the sauce off with the peanuts.
4. Serve as a side dish, or you can pour it over the fish cakes as we've done in the top photograph.

Technology - Photography : High-tech cameras catch lightning's fury

Lightning chasers can now fully capture flashes that the human eye sees as flickers.

Food - Peanut Butter Sandwich a good reason to 'Crash a Car'!

DENVER - A black bear attracted by the smell of a peanut butter sandwich managed to open the door of a car, climb in and got stuck, knocking the gear stick into neutral and sending the car rolling down a slope into trees.

The blare of the car horn alerted the members of the Story family who realized 17-year-old Ben's Toyota was no longer parked in the driveway of their home in Larksspur near Denver.

When they went to explore they discovered the car and trapped culprit at the bottom of the hill -- a giant bear with teeth bared and claws tearing through the car's interior.

The bear was trapped inside the car for two hours before police were able to release the animal who ran off into nearby woods.

Ben and his sister Becky said the bear was likely lured into the car by a certain scintillating scent.

"There was a peanut butter sandwich in the back seat," Ben told reporters, adding that his car was ruined.

Health - Sleep : How much do we need?

WASHINGTON (AFP) - – People who sleep more or fewer than seven hours a day, including naps, are increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, a study published Sunday shows.

Sleeping fewer than five hours a day, including naps, more than doubles the risk of being diagnosed with angina, coronary heart disease, heart attack or stroke, the study conducted by researchers at West Virginia University's (WVU) faculty of medicine and published in the journal "Sleep" says.

And sleeping more than seven hours also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, it says.

Study participants who said they slept nine hours or longer a day were one-and-a-half times more likely than seven-hour sleepers to develop cardiovascular disease, the study found.

The most at-risk group was adults under 60 years of age who slept five hours or fewer a night. They increased their risk of developing cardiovascular disease more than threefold compared to people who sleep seven hours.

Women who skimped on sleep, getting five hours or fewer a day, including naps, were more than two-and-a-half times as likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

Short sleep duration was associated with angina, while both sleeping too little and sleeping too much were associated with heart attack and stroke, the study says.

A separate study, also published in "Sleep", showed that an occasional long lie-in can be beneficial for those who can't avoid getting too little sleep.

In that study, David Dinges, who heads the sleep and chronobiology unit at the University of Pennsylvania school of medicine, found that 142 adults whose sleep was severely restricted for five days -- as it is for many people during the work week -- had slower reaction times and more trouble focusing.

But after a night of recovery sleep, the sleep-deprived study participants' alertness improved significantly, and the greatest improvements were seen in those who were allowed to spend 10 hours in bed after a week with just four hours' sleep a night.

"An additional hour or two of sleep in the morning after a period of chronic partial sleep loss has genuine benefits for continued recovery of behavioral alertness," Dinges said.

In the study about sleep and cardiovascular disease, researchers led by Anoop Shankar, associate professor at WVU's department of community medicine, analyzed data gathered in a national US study in 2005 on more than 30,000 adults.

The results were adjusted for age, sex, race, whether the person smoked or drank, whether they were fat or slim, and whether they were active or a couch potato.

And even when study participants with diabetes, high blood pressure or depression were excluded from the analysis, the strong association between too much or too little sleep and cardiovascular disease remained.

The authors of the WVU study were unable to determine the causal relationship between how long a person sleeps and cardiovascular disease.

But they pointed out that sleep duration affects endocrine and metabolic functions, and sleep deprivation can lead to impaired glucose tolerance, reduced insulin sensitivity and elevated blood pressure, all of which increase the risk of hardening the arteries.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that most adults get about seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Shankar suggested that doctors screen for changes in sleep duration when assessing patients' risk for cardiovascluar disease, and that public health initiatives consider including a focus on improving sleep quality and quantity.

"Sleep" is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.

Food - Receipes : Homemade Apple Butter : A Treat for any age!

Ingredients:-
5 pounds (2.26 kilos) apples, cored and cut into 8 wedges.
1/2 cup (~120 mil) apple cider or natural apple juice.
1/4 to 1/2 cup (~60 – 120 mil) maple syrup.
4 whole cinnamon sticks.

Spices for Apple Butter:-
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Preparation:

PART 1 –>
Preheat the oven to 350° F/175° C.

In the large roasting pan, toss the apples with the cider and maple syrup, then lay the cinnamon sticks around in the apples. Roast until the apples are very soft and mash easily, 30 to 45 minutes.

Remove the cinnamon sticks. If you left the peels on, mash the apples slightly with a potato masher, then run them through the food mill. Use the fine blade for apple butter and the coarse blade for apple sauce. If you peeled the apples before roasting, then process the cooked apples in a food processor. Applesauce is finished, just set aside to cool, then put into containers and refrigerate or freeze. You can also keep a cup or two of applesauce and turn the rest of the mixture into apple butter, just make sure that the mixture is finely ground so that you get that nice, smooth texture for which apple butter is famous.

PART 2 –>
Reduce oven temperature to 300° F/150° C. Stir the milled apples with any remaining liquid from the roasting pan and the ground cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Add more maple syrup if desired.

Spread the mixture into the roasting pan, making sure to spread evenly throughout the pan. Cook in the oven for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, depending on how much you started with. Stir every 30 minutes, working the edges into the middle. Test for doneness by dropping a spoonful onto a plate. If no liquid is released, then the apple butter is ready.

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Spoon into containers and refrigerate or freeze.

Notes:-
Apple Butter will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or several months in the freezer.
Variations:-
Other spices to use: star anise, ground ginger, ground cardamom.

Technology - Self-cleaning windows using Nanotechnology

Singapore, Aug 3, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - A*STAR's new 'Industrial Consortium On Nanoimprint', or 'ICON', encourages companies to adopt versatile, industry-ready nanoimprinting technology that allows new chemical and additive-free products for the market.

ICON is a multi-agency effort with support from Singapore's leading trade and industry development bodies - Economic Development Board (EDB), International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and SPRING Singapore. -

Walls that are as colourful as a butterfly's wing, new non-slip materials,adhesives that do not leave sticky residues, waterproof and anti-bacterial surfaces for everyday use? What's more amazing is that these can be produced without using chemicals or potentially harmful, eco-unfriendly coatings but merely by carefully engineering the surface or 'skin' of materials using a unique method called nanoimprint technology, or NIT.

IMRE (Institute of Materials Research and Engineering) scientists have used the method, which involves making uniform, nanometer-sized structures to create a specifically patterned surface that produces a unique property. These often mimic natural surfaces, for example the structures found on lotus leaves so that the new materials are imbued with its waterproofing properties.

Since its introduction as a high-resolution nanopatterning technique in the 1990s, NIT has been proven to produce nanometer-sized structures of greater complexity using fewer processing steps, while minimising wastage of materials. It has since evolved from being a potential next-generation lithography technology for the semiconductor industry to a platform process technology that is applicable to a wide range of industries.

Over the past few years, IMRE has seen requests from the industryto explore NIT for diverse applications triple in number. Responding to this need and because of the vast opportunities that NIT has to offer industries in applications such as optical components, biomedical devices, consumer products and even construction materials, A*STAR's IMRE and Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), together with EDB, IE and SPRING, have launched the 'Industrial Consortium On Nanoimprint' (ICON).

ICON will be launched with 2 industry projects that demonstrate the versatility of nanopatterning - anti-reflection surfaces and anti-bacterial surfaces. These joint projects are the first two to be launched during the initial 3-year phase. The projects will begin in collaboration with ICON's first group of members, namely Singapore's DSO National Laboratories and Solves Innovative Technology Pte Ltd, Nypro, Inc. (US), Innox Co., Ltd. (Japan), NTT-Advanced Technology Corporation (Japan) and Youngchang Chemical Co., Ltd. (South Korea).

ICON's project on anti-reflection surfaces aims to develop structures that have additional surface functional properties, such as self-cleaning, using novel nanoimprint processes developed in IMRE. The anti-bacterial surfaces project aims to use NIT to create a chemical-free, eco-friendly alternative to existing technologies that prevent bacterial attachment to surfaces. The project also aims to create a database of different surfaces to study how they affect bacterial attachment as there is currently no available design rule on effective anti-bacterial surface topography.

"The goal of ICON is to open up NIT's many benefits to industries and to get them to adopt this versatile technique into some of their existing processes", said Dr Low Hong Yee, Headof IMRE's Patterning and Fabrication Group which is driving the consortium.

"ICON is a proactive way for research institutes like IMRE to give back to our stakeholders - industry and ultimately the community", said Prof Andy Hor, Executive Director of IMRE. "We are confident in the potential of nanoimprint technology and are equally confident that industry will see results in their bottom lines by leveraging on this technology!"

Echoing these views, Prof Low Teck Seng, A*STAR's DeputyManaging Director (Research), and Executive Director, Science and Engineering Research Council said, "A*STAR is keenly aware of our vast technological capabilities and the need for transferring these technologies to industry, which ultimately benefits the public at large. Industry consortia are but one of the many avenues A*STAR uses to shorten the route, and timeframe, that our research takes to reach your homes."

"Nanotechnology is increasingly pervasive and Nanoimprinting is an areathat Singapore is well suited to develop due to our strengths in precision engineering and electronics," said Mr Bernard Nee, Executive Director of EDB's New Technology Group. "We are excited about the potential of this public-private partnership which will not only benefit our Singapore industries but also enable us to push new frontiers in display, bioelectronics and solar energy. Such collaborations will be increasingly important in the next phase of our growth."

"Our involvement in ICONgives Nypro the opportunity to leverage advanced research and technology development initiatives in close proximity to the manufacturing plants capable of commercialising the outcome. This model creates an iterative working dynamic connecting marketdemands and product needs to the research designed to enhance future products. A higher probability of success and faster time to market can be achieved working in this environment," commented Mr Michael McGee, Director of Technology from Nypro Inc., a leading global solutions provider in the field of manufactured precision plastic products which recorded sales of approximately $1.1 billion in the last financial year.

"We were sold on the benefits of nanoimprint technology from the start and having a platform like ICON that helps put that technology into practice was all the convincing we needed to join the consortium," said Mr Tatsuo Shirahama, President of Innox Co Ltd, Japan, which specialises in the design, development, productionand sale of functional nanostructured films for light management and other applications. Innox is confident that NIT can enhance the anti-reflection properties of the company's current display industry-related plastic films by bringing down the optical reflectance to just 0.1%.

"R&D may be seen as unaffordable for most SMEs but in order to stay ahead of others, innovation and R&D are key. ICON is an excellent platform for SMEs to tap on the available resources in A*STAR and jumpstart R&D ata nominal cost," explained Mr Koh Teng Hwee, Managing Director of Solves Innovative Technology, a local company that worked with IMRE to build the first made-in-Singapore tool for advanced manufacturing of nano-sized structures. The production-gradetool is faster and more accurate with features such as double-sided imprinting to reduce processing time, a customised dosing system, and imprinting in vacuum to prevent air bubbles, for precision patterning.

The members of ICON will not only gain first-hand access to the advanced nanoimprint developments in A*STAR but will be able to work on joint, shared cost projects to develop new products and applications resulting in potentially huge savings in R&D costs and resources. Training of their manpower in nanoimprint techniques and tools as well as the prospect of networking with companies that cover the entire spectrum of nanopatterning services are sweeteners for membership.


About the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)

Established in September 1997, IMRE has built strong capabilities in materials analysis, characterisation, materials growth, patterning, fabrication, synthesis and integration. IMRE is an institute of talented researchers equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as the SERC Nanofabrication and Characterisation Facility to conduct world-class materials science research. Leveraging on these capabilities, R&D programmes have been established in collaboration with industry partners. These include research on organic solar cells, nanocomposites, flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), solid-state lighting, nanoimprinting, microfluidics and next generation atomic scale interconnect technology. For more information aboutIMRE, please visit www.imre.a-star.edu.sg


About the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC)

As a national research institute supported by A*STAR through SERC, the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) was established in April1998 to provide leadership in high performance computing as a strategic resource for scientific inquiry. IHPC seeks to power discoveries through advanced methodologies, techniques and new tools in modelling, simulation and visualisation. Its researchfocus are in the realm of complex-coupled systems, mechanics and fluid dynamics, large-scale systems, scientific computing and software development, digital modelling, adaptive and collaborative computing, data mining and analyses, computational electronics and electromagnetics and computational material and chemistry. For more information on IHPC, please visit www.ihpc.a-star.edu.sg

About Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences, and physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and nine consortia & centre, which are located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis, as well as their immediate vicinity. A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the universities, hospitals, research centres, and with other local and international partners. For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

Source: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

Health - Focus on These 5 Body Parts, and Save Money

Wise Bread, On Tuesday 27 July 2010, 21:44 SGT

Many of us are willing to spend plenty of time and money to maintain a youthful appearance. The face gets the most attention, but there are other areas we shouldn't neglect that also show telltale signs of aging. Pay extra attention to these body parts now, and you'll spend less improving their appearance later.

[Slideshow: 20 Things You Should Never Buy Used]

Neck: The neck consistently gets overlooked, even though it reveals aging prominently. (Nora Ephron, after all, wrote an entire book on that premise - I feel Bad About My Neck.) It's also extremely difficult to hide -- try pulling off a turtleneck or scarf in the middle of summer. It may seem wasteful to use pricey face cream on your neck, but it will be well worth it. The neck will reveal aging that makeup and facials can't hide. When applying various face creams, masks, and treatments, always include the neck and upper chest area.

Hands: The hands, particularly the back of them, take a lot of damage from the sun. They're always exposed, and usually forgotten about -- do you reapply sunblock after you wash your hands? The hands will often show age spots first, since most of us are careful to protect our face with sunscreen or shade. Apply hand lotion that contains anti-aging antioxidants and sunblock to combat sun damage. (Did you know lotion with sunscreen protection is often 50% cheaper than regular sunscreen?) Even better, when you're applying the age-defying face lotion to your neck and chest, dab a little on the back of your hands, too.

Hair: We do a lot to our hair. Blow drying, hot ironing, and regular styling stress and damage it. Having regular treatments to condition and strengthen your hair will prevent permanent damage that can result in hair loss, the most difficult condition on this list to treat and hide. (See also: How to replace your toxic shampoos with baking soda and vinegar).

Feet: If you're fond of wearing strappy sandals (or just flip flops), take care to treat your feet if you want to keep wearing them. The sun does just as much damage to your toes as it does the other parts of the body. If you don't use sunblock, your toes will look like shriveled raisins before long. Also, wearing sandals will cause your heels to become dry and cracked. Would you want to slip on sandals with feet like that?

Elbows: Elbows take a lot of daily stress. We rest on them when pondering a problem. We use them to push open doors when our hands are full. But it's not something we consider when fighting age spots and wrinkles. The skin around the elbows, already loose, will begin to sag and make the back of your arm look older.

[See 5 Things You Should Never Put in a Dishwasher.]

Don't worry, you don't need to spend a fortune on skin care products. You can protect yourself with beauty products you can make at home, or use beauty secrets that cost almost nothing. As long as you pay more attention to these important body parts, they will look fabulous for years to come -- and you won't go broke in the process.

Lynn Truong is the co-founder and Daily Deals Editor of Wise Bread, a blog dedicated to helping readers live large on a small budget. Wise Bread's book, 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget, debuted as the #1 Money Management book on Amazon.com.

© Copyright 2010 U.S.News & World Report, L.P

Travel - Gator Feeding Frenzy?

A fisherman records hundreds of reptiles engaging in a very unusual behaviour in a swamp at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in USA.

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a 395,080 acre (1,598 km²) National Wildlife RefugeCharlton, Ware, and Clinch Counties of Georgia, and Baker County in Florida, United States. The refuge is administered from offices in Folkston, Georgia. The refuge was established in 1937 to protect a majority of the 438,000 acre (1,772 km²) Okefenokee Swamp. The name "Okefenokee" is a Native American word meaning "trembling earth."

A wildfire which began with a lightning strike near the center of the Refuge on May 5, 2007 eventually merged with another wildfire which had begun near Waycross, Georgia on April 16 due to a tree falling on a power line. By May 28, more than 580,000 acres (2,300 km²) had burned in the region, or more than 900 square miles (2300 km²).

Nearly 400,000 people visit the refuge each year, making it the 16th most visited refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It is the largest in acreage of any that is not located in a western state. In 1999, the economic impact of tourism in Charlton, Ware, and Clinch Counties in Georgia exceeded $67 million. The refuge has a staff of 16 with a fiscal year 2005 budget of $1,451,000.Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge also administers the Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge.