Learning to Sew - Where Do You Start? [Broadway show entertainment]
Sewing is an enjoyable and useful skill you can use for the rest of your life, not to mention the countless hours of entertainment and relaxation it will bring you. Just think of all the things you can make once you learn how to sew... clothing, accessories, home decor, costumes, baby items and the list goes on. There is no limit to your creativity once you know how to sew.
For a beginner, the first thing you need is a sewing machine. Quite often you will be able to find a family member or friend who will let you use his or her sewing machine. Borrowing a sewing machine is highly recommended for anyone just learning to sew because purchasing one, even an inexpensive model, is costly. Until you know whether or not you like to sew, this is your best option. However, if you are sure you're ready to make the purchase, here are a few tips. [Broadway show entertainment]
1. Decide how much money you want to spend. Sewing machine prices range from less than $100 to thousands of dollars. Once you know your budget, you will be able to narrow your choices.
2. Research brands and features on the internet. A quick search for 'sewing machines' will bring up hundreds of places to purchase with pricing, features, brands, etc. This should give you an idea of what's available.
3. Make a list of the types of sewing you will be doing and from that decide which features your sewing machine will need. Also make a list of the features you would like to have if you can afford them in your budget.
4. Now go out to your local dealers and actually sew. This will show you how the machine feels and will help you decide how you want 'your' machine to feel.
5. Ask the dealer a lot of questions. For example, are there a lot of repair orders for this model, can it be repaired locally, are parts available locally? [Broadway show entertainment]
After you have a sewing machine to use, you will need to purchase basic tools for your first project. This part is really fun. Go to your local fabric store and look through the pattern books. There you will find and be able to purchase a pattern that will give you instructions. The pattern not only shows you how to sew the item, but will also tell you how much fabric to buy, what notions (accessories) you will need and how to lay out the pattern so you can cut out your fabric. Using a pattern for your first project, and maybe even for every project you'll ever make, is highly recommended.
You'll also need some basic tools. For your first project it's easiest to purchase a Beginner's Sewing Kit. It will include items such as pins, hand sewing needles, scissors, a pincushion, marking chalk and a seam ripper. A kit should range in price anywhere from $7.00 to $15.00 depending on what's included.
Lastly, you'll need to learn the basics of sewing. This can be self-taught, but if you take a class you will learn much quicker. Often the seamstresses who teach these classes will show you shortcuts for certain techniques that you won't learn in a book. Most cities and towns have a place where you can take classes. If you don't know where to look, check the internet or ask your local fabric store.
If you decide to teach yourself, be patient. There is a lot to learn and there will be much trial and error. Look for teaching aids like books, DVDs, internet websites, etc. One good place to start is www.sewing.org. This website is very comprehensive and offers a plethora of free tutorials.
Okay, now you're set...have fun learning the wonderful skill of sewing and go create some beautiful items that only you will own.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Little Known Facts About Changes In Our Diet
Little Known Facts About Changes In Our Diet [show entertainment broadway]
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an understatement! Pick up any magazine, tune-in or turn-on any source of advertising and you're bombarded with the latest diet schemes and food fads. More often than not, they are endorsed by some familiar Hollywood celebrity, or promoted using some other cleaver technique.
It's no mystery that the weight-loss industry has built a thriving empire. In America, for example, we spend about 35 billion dollars every year on an assortment of weight loss products and plans. In addition, we spend another 79 billion dollars for medication, hospitalization, and doctors to treat obesity-related problems. Even with this, the obesity epidemic continues to spread. Sadly, we have become the heaviest generation in our Nation's history. [show entertainment broadway]
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that we have some very good reasons to be concerned about our weight-gain. Americans, for example are packing-on the pounds faster than ever before and weight-related medical problems are taking center stage. Diseases like heart disease, diabetes and yes...even certain forms of cancer have all been linked to obesity.
Here are a few of the surprising statistics about our weight:
- A whopping 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. That's up approximately 8 percent from overweight estimates obtained in a 1988 report.
- The percent of children who are overweight is also continuing to increase. Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent or almost 9 million are overweight. That's triple what the rate was in 1980!
[show entertainment broadway]
- Nearly one-third of all adults are now classified as obese. At present, 31 percent of adults 20 years of age and over or nearly 59 million people have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, compared with 23 percent in 1994.
(The BMI is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. For adults, a BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI of 25.0 - 29.9 is overweight and 30.0 or above, is considered obese.)
Modern life both at home and at work has come to revolve around moving from one "seated" position to another: whether it's television, computers, remote controls, or automobiles, we seem to be broadening the scope of our inactive endeavors.
At times, life seems to have gotten almost too easy! For entertainment, we can now just sit-down, dial-up our favorite TV program or DVD movie and enjoy hours of uninterrupted entertainment...
And all those simple calorie burning activities that were once a normal part of our daily routine not so long ago? Long gone! You know the ones I'm talking about...activities like climbing stairs instead of using escalators and elevators. Or, pushing a lawn mower instead of riding around on a garden tractor. And what about that daily walk to school? Now, our kids complain when the school bus happens to be a few minutes late getting to the bus stop!
Along with the convenience of our affluent lifestyle and reduction in energy expenditure, have come changes in our diet. We are now consuming more calorie rich and nutrient deficient foods than ever before.
Here are a few examples of what we were eating in the 1970's compared to our diet today (information is taken from a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey):
- We are currently eating more grain products, but almost all of them are refined grains (white bread, etc.). Grain consumption has jumped 45 percent since the 1970s, from 138 pounds of grains per person per year to 200 pounds! Only 2 percent of the wheat flour is consumed as whole wheat.
- Our consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased, but only because the U.S.D.A. includes French fries and potato chips as a vegetable. Potato products account for almost a third of our "produce" choices.
- We're drinking less milk, but we've more than doubled our cheese intake. Cheese now outranks meat as the number one source of saturated fat in our diets.
- We've cut back on red meat, but have more than made up for the loss by increasing our intake of chicken (battered and fried), so that overall, we're eating 13 pounds more meat today than we did back in the 1970s.
- We're drinking three times more carbonated soft drinks than milk, compared to the 1970's, when milk consumption was twice that of pop.
- We use 25 percent less butter, but pour twice as much vegetable oil on our food and salads, so our total added fat intake has increased 32 percent.
- Sugar consumption has been another cause of our expanding waistlines. Sugar intake is simply off the charts. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, people are consuming roughly twice the amount of sugar they need each day, about 20 teaspoons on a 2000 calorie/day diet. The added sugar is found mostly in junk foods, such as pop, cake, and cookies.
- In 1978, the government found that sugars constituted only 11 percent of the average person's calories. Now, this number has ballooned to 16 percent for the average American adult and as much as 20 percent for American teenagers.
The days of the wholesome family dinners so near and dear to our hearts, where we all sat around the kitchen table to discuss events of the day, are now a part of our sentimental past. They have been replaced by our cravings for take-out and fast-food. We have gradually come to accept that it's "OK" to sacrifice healthy foods for the sake of convenience and that larger serving portions mean better value.
And, since I have been throwing-out statistics, here's one more: Americans are consuming about 300 more calories each day than we did twenty years ago. We should actually be eating less because of our decreased activity level, but instead are doing the opposite!
Decide TODAY that healthy eating and exercise habits will become a permanent part of your life!
Begin to explore your values and thoughts and other areas of your life where change may be required, and then take action. Begin slowly, but deliberately to make improvements in the areas you identify. And remember, it has taken a very long time to develop your habits, and it will take some time to undo them…so be patient!
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an understatement! Pick up any magazine, tune-in or turn-on any source of advertising and you're bombarded with the latest diet schemes and food fads. More often than not, they are endorsed by some familiar Hollywood celebrity, or promoted using some other cleaver technique.
It's no mystery that the weight-loss industry has built a thriving empire. In America, for example, we spend about 35 billion dollars every year on an assortment of weight loss products and plans. In addition, we spend another 79 billion dollars for medication, hospitalization, and doctors to treat obesity-related problems. Even with this, the obesity epidemic continues to spread. Sadly, we have become the heaviest generation in our Nation's history. [show entertainment broadway]
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that we have some very good reasons to be concerned about our weight-gain. Americans, for example are packing-on the pounds faster than ever before and weight-related medical problems are taking center stage. Diseases like heart disease, diabetes and yes...even certain forms of cancer have all been linked to obesity.
Here are a few of the surprising statistics about our weight:
- A whopping 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. That's up approximately 8 percent from overweight estimates obtained in a 1988 report.
- The percent of children who are overweight is also continuing to increase. Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent or almost 9 million are overweight. That's triple what the rate was in 1980!
[show entertainment broadway]
- Nearly one-third of all adults are now classified as obese. At present, 31 percent of adults 20 years of age and over or nearly 59 million people have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, compared with 23 percent in 1994.
(The BMI is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. For adults, a BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI of 25.0 - 29.9 is overweight and 30.0 or above, is considered obese.)
Modern life both at home and at work has come to revolve around moving from one "seated" position to another: whether it's television, computers, remote controls, or automobiles, we seem to be broadening the scope of our inactive endeavors.
At times, life seems to have gotten almost too easy! For entertainment, we can now just sit-down, dial-up our favorite TV program or DVD movie and enjoy hours of uninterrupted entertainment...
And all those simple calorie burning activities that were once a normal part of our daily routine not so long ago? Long gone! You know the ones I'm talking about...activities like climbing stairs instead of using escalators and elevators. Or, pushing a lawn mower instead of riding around on a garden tractor. And what about that daily walk to school? Now, our kids complain when the school bus happens to be a few minutes late getting to the bus stop!
Along with the convenience of our affluent lifestyle and reduction in energy expenditure, have come changes in our diet. We are now consuming more calorie rich and nutrient deficient foods than ever before.
Here are a few examples of what we were eating in the 1970's compared to our diet today (information is taken from a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey):
- We are currently eating more grain products, but almost all of them are refined grains (white bread, etc.). Grain consumption has jumped 45 percent since the 1970s, from 138 pounds of grains per person per year to 200 pounds! Only 2 percent of the wheat flour is consumed as whole wheat.
- Our consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased, but only because the U.S.D.A. includes French fries and potato chips as a vegetable. Potato products account for almost a third of our "produce" choices.
- We're drinking less milk, but we've more than doubled our cheese intake. Cheese now outranks meat as the number one source of saturated fat in our diets.
- We've cut back on red meat, but have more than made up for the loss by increasing our intake of chicken (battered and fried), so that overall, we're eating 13 pounds more meat today than we did back in the 1970s.
- We're drinking three times more carbonated soft drinks than milk, compared to the 1970's, when milk consumption was twice that of pop.
- We use 25 percent less butter, but pour twice as much vegetable oil on our food and salads, so our total added fat intake has increased 32 percent.
- Sugar consumption has been another cause of our expanding waistlines. Sugar intake is simply off the charts. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, people are consuming roughly twice the amount of sugar they need each day, about 20 teaspoons on a 2000 calorie/day diet. The added sugar is found mostly in junk foods, such as pop, cake, and cookies.
- In 1978, the government found that sugars constituted only 11 percent of the average person's calories. Now, this number has ballooned to 16 percent for the average American adult and as much as 20 percent for American teenagers.
The days of the wholesome family dinners so near and dear to our hearts, where we all sat around the kitchen table to discuss events of the day, are now a part of our sentimental past. They have been replaced by our cravings for take-out and fast-food. We have gradually come to accept that it's "OK" to sacrifice healthy foods for the sake of convenience and that larger serving portions mean better value.
And, since I have been throwing-out statistics, here's one more: Americans are consuming about 300 more calories each day than we did twenty years ago. We should actually be eating less because of our decreased activity level, but instead are doing the opposite!
Decide TODAY that healthy eating and exercise habits will become a permanent part of your life!
Begin to explore your values and thoughts and other areas of your life where change may be required, and then take action. Begin slowly, but deliberately to make improvements in the areas you identify. And remember, it has taken a very long time to develop your habits, and it will take some time to undo them…so be patient!
Online Entertainment Picking Up
Online Entertainment Picking Up [entertainment online show] mark by 2006, and music by 2007. With such tremendous growth forecasts, online entertainment vendors should get all geared up for stiflingly competitive times ahead. Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com[entertainment online show] Samuel Hary, a shopping expert with www.ukonlinemarket.co.uk, is your advisor when it comes to choosing the best online deals.
| |
| We strive to provide only quality articles, so if there is a specific topic related to entertainment that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time. And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our entertainment book website.
|
M-express – Open 24 Hours
M-express – Open 24 Hours [broadway entertainment show] as Art Philippine Magazine, Auto and Cycle Philippine Magazine, Business and Finance Philippine Magazine, Children Philippine Magazine, Cooking and Food Philippine Magazine, Entertainment Philippine Magazine, Fashion Philippine Magazine, Health and Fitness Philippine Magazine, Home and Gardening Philippine Magazine, Lifestyle Philippine Magazine, Men’s Philippine Magazine, Photography Philippine Magazine, Sports Philippine Magazine, Teens Philippine Magazine, Women’s Philippine Magazine.M-Express Philippine Magazine online store is the first ever door-to-door magazine delivery service in the country. M-Express Philippine magazine online store is the convenient way to order magazines anytime and anywhere you are in the Philippines. With M-Express Philippine magazine online store, you can place subscriptions or order per title allowing you the flexibility to control your budget.For more information regarding M-Express Philippine magazine online store then visit www.m-express.com.ph . | |
| We strive to provide only quality articles, so if there is a specific topic related to entertainment that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time.[broadway entertainment show] And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our entertainment magazine website. |
Friday, December 21, 2007
Online Entertainment Picking Up
Online Entertainment Picking Up [entertainment online show] mark by 2006, and music by 2007. With such tremendous growth forecasts, online entertainment vendors should get all geared up for stiflingly competitive times ahead. Article Source: http://www.ArticleJoe.com Samuel Hary, a shopping expert with www.ukonlinemarket.co.uk, is your advisor when it comes to choosing the best online deals.
| |
| We strive to provide only quality articles, so if there is a specific topic related to entertainment that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time.[entertainment online show] And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our adult entertainment website.
|
M-express – Open 24 Hours
M-express – Open 24 Hours [entertainment broadway shows] as Art Philippine Magazine, Auto and Cycle Philippine Magazine, Business and Finance Philippine Magazine, Children Philippine Magazine, Cooking and Food Philippine Magazine, Entertainment Philippine Magazine, Fashion Philippine Magazine, Health and Fitness Philippine Magazine, Home and Gardening Philippine Magazine, Lifestyle Philippine Magazine, Men’s Philippine Magazine, Photography Philippine Magazine, Sports Philippine Magazine, Teens Philippine Magazine, Women’s Philippine Magazine.M-Express Philippine Magazine online store is the first ever door-to-door magazine delivery service in the country. M-Express Philippine magazine online store is the convenient way to order magazines anytime and anywhere you are in the Philippines. With M-Express Philippine magazine online store, you can place subscriptions or order per title allowing you the flexibility to control your budget.For more information regarding M-Express Philippine magazine online store then visit www.m-express.com.ph . | |
| We strive to provide only quality articles, so if there is a specific topic related to entertainment that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time.[entertainment broadway shows] And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our entertainment website. |
Monday, December 10, 2007
Choosing a Nanny Over Daycare
Choosing a Nanny Over Daycare [show daycare choosing]
In a society where it is common for both parents to work parents must take great care when deciding who, and under what circumstances, their children will be cared for. Often families can no longer rely on relatives or friends to provide care for their children and so they must decide: should we send our child to daycare or hire a nanny?
For individuals who want to maintain an environment as similar as possible to the traditional care provided at home the idea of sending their child to a center for care can be unappealing. Why might parents consider hiring a nanny instead?
HEALTH
In a report by BBC News it was indicated that daycare centers can become breeding grounds for antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria - superbugs - that can cause repeated respiratory infections.
Daycare centers have been linked to high rates of respiratory infections - mix that with the use of antibiotics to counteract these infections and the lack of hygiene common to young children and you have an ideal environment for creating resistant bacteria. [show daycare choosing]
Children in daycare are also more likely to develop ear infections and suffer from bouts of diarrhea. While proper cleaning of toys and common areas can improve the spread of infections the constant interactions of young children will still lead to a spreading of infection.
Children raised in their home, or the home of a nanny, will have less exposure to these common ailments.
FLEXIBILITY
Parents may be required to pay a premium for after hours care at their daycare. Many daycares simply cannot provide for extended hours and parents must make other arrangements for childcare if they are working late or their shift overlaps the daycare hours available.
Hiring a nanny can be more suitable for parents who leave early or arrive home late and do not want their child to be shuffled from one caregiver to another. A nanny can also take care of a child who is ill whereas daycares often, for the health of other children, refuse care to children who are sick.
Every parent dislikes leaving their sick child in someone else's care but many do not have the luxury of taking days off for colds, chicken pox or other non-serious illness. Having a nanny permits parents to continue working while knowing their child is being cared for in the comfort of home.
PERSONAL ATTENTION
While licensed daycares must maintain a balanced ratio of caregivers to children, hiring a nanny ensures that your child will have the personal attention they need.
This is especially true of babies and preschoolers who require extra care and attention. Hiring a nanny also allows the parent to make their own decisions on the food, activities and entertainment they want for their children rather than accommodating the daycare program established. [show daycare choosing]
For parents who desire the special service that nannies can provide it is well worth the time required to review the cost and available services in your area.
by Shannon Emmanuel
In a society where it is common for both parents to work parents must take great care when deciding who, and under what circumstances, their children will be cared for. Often families can no longer rely on relatives or friends to provide care for their children and so they must decide: should we send our child to daycare or hire a nanny?
For individuals who want to maintain an environment as similar as possible to the traditional care provided at home the idea of sending their child to a center for care can be unappealing. Why might parents consider hiring a nanny instead?
HEALTH
In a report by BBC News it was indicated that daycare centers can become breeding grounds for antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria - superbugs - that can cause repeated respiratory infections.
Daycare centers have been linked to high rates of respiratory infections - mix that with the use of antibiotics to counteract these infections and the lack of hygiene common to young children and you have an ideal environment for creating resistant bacteria. [show daycare choosing]
Children in daycare are also more likely to develop ear infections and suffer from bouts of diarrhea. While proper cleaning of toys and common areas can improve the spread of infections the constant interactions of young children will still lead to a spreading of infection.
Children raised in their home, or the home of a nanny, will have less exposure to these common ailments.
FLEXIBILITY
Parents may be required to pay a premium for after hours care at their daycare. Many daycares simply cannot provide for extended hours and parents must make other arrangements for childcare if they are working late or their shift overlaps the daycare hours available.
Hiring a nanny can be more suitable for parents who leave early or arrive home late and do not want their child to be shuffled from one caregiver to another. A nanny can also take care of a child who is ill whereas daycares often, for the health of other children, refuse care to children who are sick.
Every parent dislikes leaving their sick child in someone else's care but many do not have the luxury of taking days off for colds, chicken pox or other non-serious illness. Having a nanny permits parents to continue working while knowing their child is being cared for in the comfort of home.
PERSONAL ATTENTION
While licensed daycares must maintain a balanced ratio of caregivers to children, hiring a nanny ensures that your child will have the personal attention they need.
This is especially true of babies and preschoolers who require extra care and attention. Hiring a nanny also allows the parent to make their own decisions on the food, activities and entertainment they want for their children rather than accommodating the daycare program established. [show daycare choosing]
For parents who desire the special service that nannies can provide it is well worth the time required to review the cost and available services in your area.
by Shannon Emmanuel
Little Known Facts About Changes In Our Diet
Little Known Facts About Changes In Our Diet [broadway show entertainment]
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an understatement! Pick up any magazine, tune-in or turn-on any source of advertising and you're bombarded with the latest diet schemes and food fads. More often than not, they are endorsed by some familiar Hollywood celebrity, or promoted using some other cleaver technique.
It's no mystery that the weight-loss industry has built a thriving empire. In America, for example, we spend about 35 billion dollars every year on an assortment of weight loss products and plans. In addition, we spend another 79 billion dollars for medication, hospitalization, and doctors to treat obesity-related problems. Even with this, the obesity epidemic continues to spread. Sadly, we have become the heaviest generation in our Nation's history.
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that we have some very good reasons to be concerned about our weight-gain. Americans, for example are packing-on the pounds faster than ever before and weight-related medical problems are taking center stage. Diseases like heart disease, diabetes and yes...even certain forms of cancer have all been linked to obesity.
Here are a few of the surprising statistics about our weight:
- A whopping 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. That's up approximately 8 percent from overweight estimates obtained in a 1988 report. [broadway show entertainment]
- The percent of children who are overweight is also continuing to increase. Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent or almost 9 million are overweight. That's triple what the rate was in 1980!
- Nearly one-third of all adults are now classified as obese. At present, 31 percent of adults 20 years of age and over or nearly 59 million people have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, compared with 23 percent in 1994.
(The BMI is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. For adults, a BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI of 25.0 - 29.9 is overweight and 30.0 or above, is considered obese.)
Modern life both at home and at work has come to revolve around moving from one "seated" position to another: whether it's television, computers, remote controls, or automobiles, we seem to be broadening the scope of our inactive endeavors.
At times, life seems to have gotten almost too easy! For entertainment, we can now just sit-down, dial-up our favorite TV program or DVD movie and enjoy hours of uninterrupted entertainment...
And all those simple calorie burning activities that were once a normal part of our daily routine not so long ago? Long gone! You know the ones I'm talking about...activities like climbing stairs instead of using escalators and elevators. Or, pushing a lawn mower instead of riding around on a garden tractor. And what about that daily walk to school? Now, our kids complain when the school bus happens to be a few minutes late getting to the bus stop!
Along with the convenience of our affluent lifestyle and reduction in energy expenditure, have come changes in our diet. We are now consuming more calorie rich and nutrient deficient foods than ever before. [broadway show entertainment]
Here are a few examples of what we were eating in the 1970's compared to our diet today (information is taken from a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey):
- We are currently eating more grain products, but almost all of them are refined grains (white bread, etc.). Grain consumption has jumped 45 percent since the 1970s, from 138 pounds of grains per person per year to 200 pounds! Only 2 percent of the wheat flour is consumed as whole wheat.
- Our consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased, but only because the U.S.D.A. includes French fries and potato chips as a vegetable. Potato products account for almost a third of our "produce" choices.
- We're drinking less milk, but we've more than doubled our cheese intake. Cheese now outranks meat as the number one source of saturated fat in our diets.
- We've cut back on red meat, but have more than made up for the loss by increasing our intake of chicken (battered and fried), so that overall, we're eating 13 pounds more meat today than we did back in the 1970s.
- We're drinking three times more carbonated soft drinks than milk, compared to the 1970's, when milk consumption was twice that of pop.
- We use 25 percent less butter, but pour twice as much vegetable oil on our food and salads, so our total added fat intake has increased 32 percent.
- Sugar consumption has been another cause of our expanding waistlines. Sugar intake is simply off the charts. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, people are consuming roughly twice the amount of sugar they need each day, about 20 teaspoons on a 2000 calorie/day diet. The added sugar is found mostly in junk foods, such as pop, cake, and cookies.
- In 1978, the government found that sugars constituted only 11 percent of the average person's calories. Now, this number has ballooned to 16 percent for the average American adult and as much as 20 percent for American teenagers.
The days of the wholesome family dinners so near and dear to our hearts, where we all sat around the kitchen table to discuss events of the day, are now a part of our sentimental past. They have been replaced by our cravings for take-out and fast-food. We have gradually come to accept that it's "OK" to sacrifice healthy foods for the sake of convenience and that larger serving portions mean better value.
And, since I have been throwing-out statistics, here's one more: Americans are consuming about 300 more calories each day than we did twenty years ago. We should actually be eating less because of our decreased activity level, but instead are doing the opposite!
Decide TODAY that healthy eating and exercise habits will become a permanent part of your life!
Begin to explore your values and thoughts and other areas of your life where change may be required, and then take action. Begin slowly, but deliberately to make improvements in the areas you identify. And remember, it has taken a very long time to develop your habits, and it will take some time to undo them…so be patient!
by William Winters
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an understatement! Pick up any magazine, tune-in or turn-on any source of advertising and you're bombarded with the latest diet schemes and food fads. More often than not, they are endorsed by some familiar Hollywood celebrity, or promoted using some other cleaver technique.
It's no mystery that the weight-loss industry has built a thriving empire. In America, for example, we spend about 35 billion dollars every year on an assortment of weight loss products and plans. In addition, we spend another 79 billion dollars for medication, hospitalization, and doctors to treat obesity-related problems. Even with this, the obesity epidemic continues to spread. Sadly, we have become the heaviest generation in our Nation's history.
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that we have some very good reasons to be concerned about our weight-gain. Americans, for example are packing-on the pounds faster than ever before and weight-related medical problems are taking center stage. Diseases like heart disease, diabetes and yes...even certain forms of cancer have all been linked to obesity.
Here are a few of the surprising statistics about our weight:
- A whopping 64 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. That's up approximately 8 percent from overweight estimates obtained in a 1988 report. [broadway show entertainment]
- The percent of children who are overweight is also continuing to increase. Among children and teens ages 6-19, 15 percent or almost 9 million are overweight. That's triple what the rate was in 1980!
- Nearly one-third of all adults are now classified as obese. At present, 31 percent of adults 20 years of age and over or nearly 59 million people have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, compared with 23 percent in 1994.
(The BMI is a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. For adults, a BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI of 25.0 - 29.9 is overweight and 30.0 or above, is considered obese.)
Modern life both at home and at work has come to revolve around moving from one "seated" position to another: whether it's television, computers, remote controls, or automobiles, we seem to be broadening the scope of our inactive endeavors.
At times, life seems to have gotten almost too easy! For entertainment, we can now just sit-down, dial-up our favorite TV program or DVD movie and enjoy hours of uninterrupted entertainment...
And all those simple calorie burning activities that were once a normal part of our daily routine not so long ago? Long gone! You know the ones I'm talking about...activities like climbing stairs instead of using escalators and elevators. Or, pushing a lawn mower instead of riding around on a garden tractor. And what about that daily walk to school? Now, our kids complain when the school bus happens to be a few minutes late getting to the bus stop!
Along with the convenience of our affluent lifestyle and reduction in energy expenditure, have come changes in our diet. We are now consuming more calorie rich and nutrient deficient foods than ever before. [broadway show entertainment]
Here are a few examples of what we were eating in the 1970's compared to our diet today (information is taken from a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey):
- We are currently eating more grain products, but almost all of them are refined grains (white bread, etc.). Grain consumption has jumped 45 percent since the 1970s, from 138 pounds of grains per person per year to 200 pounds! Only 2 percent of the wheat flour is consumed as whole wheat.
- Our consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased, but only because the U.S.D.A. includes French fries and potato chips as a vegetable. Potato products account for almost a third of our "produce" choices.
- We're drinking less milk, but we've more than doubled our cheese intake. Cheese now outranks meat as the number one source of saturated fat in our diets.
- We've cut back on red meat, but have more than made up for the loss by increasing our intake of chicken (battered and fried), so that overall, we're eating 13 pounds more meat today than we did back in the 1970s.
- We're drinking three times more carbonated soft drinks than milk, compared to the 1970's, when milk consumption was twice that of pop.
- We use 25 percent less butter, but pour twice as much vegetable oil on our food and salads, so our total added fat intake has increased 32 percent.
- Sugar consumption has been another cause of our expanding waistlines. Sugar intake is simply off the charts. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, people are consuming roughly twice the amount of sugar they need each day, about 20 teaspoons on a 2000 calorie/day diet. The added sugar is found mostly in junk foods, such as pop, cake, and cookies.
- In 1978, the government found that sugars constituted only 11 percent of the average person's calories. Now, this number has ballooned to 16 percent for the average American adult and as much as 20 percent for American teenagers.
The days of the wholesome family dinners so near and dear to our hearts, where we all sat around the kitchen table to discuss events of the day, are now a part of our sentimental past. They have been replaced by our cravings for take-out and fast-food. We have gradually come to accept that it's "OK" to sacrifice healthy foods for the sake of convenience and that larger serving portions mean better value.
And, since I have been throwing-out statistics, here's one more: Americans are consuming about 300 more calories each day than we did twenty years ago. We should actually be eating less because of our decreased activity level, but instead are doing the opposite!
Decide TODAY that healthy eating and exercise habits will become a permanent part of your life!
Begin to explore your values and thoughts and other areas of your life where change may be required, and then take action. Begin slowly, but deliberately to make improvements in the areas you identify. And remember, it has taken a very long time to develop your habits, and it will take some time to undo them…so be patient!
by William Winters
If You Need a Great Fundraiser Consider an Auction
If You Need a Great Fundraiser Consider an Auction [broadway show entertainment]
Raising a large amount of money in a relatively short amount of time can be easily accomplished with an auction. With a good plan, plenty of reliable volunteers and a great chairperson, your fundraising goals quickly become a reality. And by the way, a great cause doesn't hurt either!
First, you should decide exactly how much you intend to raise. This will help you determine where and how to hold your auction. If you're in the $20,000+ range, you probably will want to go with a full dinner party type auction. If this is your first time attempting an auction, you will be better served concentrating your efforts on the actual auction without having to plan a dinner party too! Once you're successful with that, move on to a bigger and better auction.
Once you decide what type of auction to hold, you need to determine where you'll have your auction. Should you rent the big ballroom at the local hotel or will the school or church activity room do? If you plan on having a fancy event, make sure to shop around for the best deal - many hotels will give you a better price if you're raising money for a charity. [broadway show entertainment]
Along with your setting, you might want to pick a theme for the event. This isn't necessary, but can make it more fun and help you bring in more money - which is the main reason to have a fundraiser! You might want to consider having some sort of entertainment either before or after your actual auction too to add value if you plan on charging admission to help your bottom line (which you should do).
Hiring a professional auctioneer is a must. This one piece of advice will make reading this article worth your time! It may seem like a good idea to save the $100-$200 you'll spend on a professional, but generally, they're worth every penny! The best way to find an auctioneer is to get a recommendation from someone who's seen them work a room. That's what will make the difference in your bottom line - if they can get the crowd excited and motivated to bid.
Another decision you'll need to make is whether you'll do a live or silent auction or both. It really depends upon the type of people you'll have at your event and the kinds of items you'll be auctioning off as to which is better for your situation. Sometimes it's hard to tell which will bring in more money - you'll need to make an educated guess based upon your experience and knowledge of the type of people who'll be at your event.
The volunteers you have soliciting items to auction off are very important too. Some people are extremely hesitant to ask for donations. It's best to find something else for them to do - don't worry, you'll have plenty of other things for them to help with! You'll find that even with only a couple of really well connected sales types you'll end up with more valuable items to auction than with a dozen volunteers who only bring in a couple of items. Your best bet is to find out if any of your volunteers have any sales experience - or you might want to consider recruiting anyone you know who is great at sales. [broadway show entertainment]
A couple of other musts: you must set a minimum value on the items your volunteers collect. If the stuff is only worth a buck or two, it won't be very profitable for your auction. The best items will be of high value (obviously). Most businesses will be able to donate items worth much more than their cost like jewelers and travel agents.
by Amy Blain
Raising a large amount of money in a relatively short amount of time can be easily accomplished with an auction. With a good plan, plenty of reliable volunteers and a great chairperson, your fundraising goals quickly become a reality. And by the way, a great cause doesn't hurt either!
First, you should decide exactly how much you intend to raise. This will help you determine where and how to hold your auction. If you're in the $20,000+ range, you probably will want to go with a full dinner party type auction. If this is your first time attempting an auction, you will be better served concentrating your efforts on the actual auction without having to plan a dinner party too! Once you're successful with that, move on to a bigger and better auction.
Once you decide what type of auction to hold, you need to determine where you'll have your auction. Should you rent the big ballroom at the local hotel or will the school or church activity room do? If you plan on having a fancy event, make sure to shop around for the best deal - many hotels will give you a better price if you're raising money for a charity. [broadway show entertainment]
Along with your setting, you might want to pick a theme for the event. This isn't necessary, but can make it more fun and help you bring in more money - which is the main reason to have a fundraiser! You might want to consider having some sort of entertainment either before or after your actual auction too to add value if you plan on charging admission to help your bottom line (which you should do).
Hiring a professional auctioneer is a must. This one piece of advice will make reading this article worth your time! It may seem like a good idea to save the $100-$200 you'll spend on a professional, but generally, they're worth every penny! The best way to find an auctioneer is to get a recommendation from someone who's seen them work a room. That's what will make the difference in your bottom line - if they can get the crowd excited and motivated to bid.
Another decision you'll need to make is whether you'll do a live or silent auction or both. It really depends upon the type of people you'll have at your event and the kinds of items you'll be auctioning off as to which is better for your situation. Sometimes it's hard to tell which will bring in more money - you'll need to make an educated guess based upon your experience and knowledge of the type of people who'll be at your event.
The volunteers you have soliciting items to auction off are very important too. Some people are extremely hesitant to ask for donations. It's best to find something else for them to do - don't worry, you'll have plenty of other things for them to help with! You'll find that even with only a couple of really well connected sales types you'll end up with more valuable items to auction than with a dozen volunteers who only bring in a couple of items. Your best bet is to find out if any of your volunteers have any sales experience - or you might want to consider recruiting anyone you know who is great at sales. [broadway show entertainment]
A couple of other musts: you must set a minimum value on the items your volunteers collect. If the stuff is only worth a buck or two, it won't be very profitable for your auction. The best items will be of high value (obviously). Most businesses will be able to donate items worth much more than their cost like jewelers and travel agents.
by Amy Blain
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
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