Travel Blog

Yesterday we wrote a post about the decline of our societies morals and how concerned we are about were our society is headed. Today we hear about a sad situation. This hi-lights both the decline of our society and also that there are still some really good people in our society.

This story is about Jeremy Henwood, a San Diego policeman. Who moments before he is killed siting in his cruiser after buying some cookies for a 13 year old kid at a local San Diego McDonald’s store. This is both illustrative of how there are some good people in this world. Unfortunately some bad people as well. It appears that the gunman was looking to commit suicide by getting shot by the police. He apparently left a suicide note. It appears his intention was to be killed by the police because he did not have the guts to do it himself.  More on this story will come out as to the details.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of Mr. Henwood, who also completed tours of duty in the middle east as well. He survived unscathed only to be gunned down in his home town. It is just not fair. But at least he had the opportunity to bring a message to the world prior to his death.
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Does anyone else notice this or is it just me? Our Moral climate is declining at an alarming rate. There is the headlines about what is happening in Britain were young people as young as 11 years old and teenagers are out looting stores, burning cars and buildings and causing mayhem.  Why aren’t these people home with their parents? Were are their parents ? and don’t they know they are doing something illegal? These are the headline grabbing stories , but this is just a symptom of something much more worrisome.  This is what we want to talk about in this post.

Have you notice a distinct lack of politeness in the past few years? People just do not respect each other and they definitely do not care about other people.

Moral Climate

Here is a  list of what we observe about our moral climate that is changing for the worst:

• Please and thank you are hardly every used
• Holding doors open for people
• Cutting people off in traffic
• Allowing cars to merge in traffic
• Kids out way beyond the time they should be
• Failing to help people in need
• Graffiti everywhere
• More gangs than there used to me
• People just being plain rude
• Cutting in line
• Road rage
• and on and on

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As of this update, in Dec 2012, the US has still not dealt with the Fiscal Cliff. Can you believe that the Republicans do not want to raise taxes on people making less than a million dollars a year! This is ridiculous.  Should the rich pay more tax? President Obama wants to limit this to $250,000 income a year which is still a huge amount of money. These people just do not live in the real world as far as we are concerned. Read on to see what Warren Buffet thinks about this problem. His comments are a few months old, but he still believes it.

Just read an article were Warren Buffet is quoted to say to congress, “Don’t coddle Me”. He is apparently saying that the rich should pay their share of taxes to the US government.  The recent discussion in the US about the deficit limits and getting approval to increase the limit has sparked a great deal of discussion and action. The markets reacted negatively to Standard and Poors downgrade of the US government rating, the politicians in the us could not pass this approval without serious disagreement which took the decision down to the wire. Apparently the Tea Party people wanted cuts in the budget, while protecting the rich from increased taxes.

Should the Rich Pay More Tax – Canada Too

Well, it is not just a US government problem. The same thing occurs in Canada as well as other countries were the rich pay a disproportionate low share of the overall taxes. The Governments and politicians are made up of very rich people and why would they vote themselves to pay more tax. It is just not going to happen in any country. Todate, no politician has had the guts to do anything about it either since they get a lot of their funding to win elections from other very rich people. Why would you alienate those supporters by increasing taxes?

We think that the rich should pay more, like Warren Buffet does, however the reality is that the middle class is going to continue paying the greatest amount of taxes, while  the very rich escape paying their share of taxes.
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Finally someone has caused some small amount of justice to be implemented in this case. For those of you who have not followed this case, Casey Anthony was found not guilty of murdering her daughter, Caley! Most people think she is guilty, however all of the evidence appeared to be circumstantial.

She was found guilty in a previous trial of fraud involving stealing money from a friends bank account. For that she is to serve a 1 year probation in Orlando. Judge Perry ruled that this is to begin this month and that she did not serve probation while in Jail!. All of this is a good thing since she certainly was guilty of lying and causing a great deal of anguish for many people, including her parents.

Casey Anthony & Probation

But I am not writing about Casey in this post. Instead I want to write about how ridiculous the entire case is and how ridiculous it is for CNN and other major news channels to spend so much time following this case when there are many other children who are missing and need help. Sure it was a really different case, sure she is an excellent lier and she did lead everyone on a wild goose chase. But why do we need to spend so much time on this one case on air when there are thousands of other children and parents who really need help? She should receive the death penalty and not be out on probation for passing bad checks or found not guilty for murdering her child.
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Belfast, Ireland Guide, Including Belfast Hotels

Belfast is nestled in a valley. It is the capital of Northern Ireland. Hence Belfast, is a vibrant and lively Celtic city.  Situated on the River Lagan, the pedestrian-friendly city enjoys a focal point in Donegal Square. For example the architecturally stunning City Hall dominates the skyline. Elsewhere Victorian and Edwardian architecture can be enjoyed by visitors on foot. Hence this is truly a beautiful historic city to visit.

Places of interest:

Belfast’s glorious seafaring history and place at the forefront of the industrial revolution is evident in the largest shipyard in Great Britain. For example the city’s name is derived from the Irish “beal feirste” which means “at the mouth of the sandpit”. Nightlife, arts, festivals, dining and shopping are all in abundance in the city. As a result the sea front in particular is now friendly to pedestrians. In addition visitors can enjoy the best of Irish culture in street musicians and theater against the backdrop of the Irish Sea.

Belfast Castle

Standing 120 meters above sea level, Belfast Castle offers breathtaking and panoramic views of the city, bay and surrounding areas. Belfast Castle was the ancestral home of the Chichester, later Donegall, family. They were descendants of Arthur Chichester who owned the land that was to become the city in the 1600s.

Ulster Museum, set over 8000 square meters of grounds, is likely to take up a full day. For example it is extensive and fascinating with its archaeology, ethnography, art, history and natural sciences exhibits. Also the collections portray and celebrate the history, culture, artistic, scientific and industrial achievements. In short, the story of the Irish people from their ancient roots up until modern day. In addition the museum houses both permanent and temporary collections.

For stunning hiberno-romanesque architecture, the Belfast Cathedral is worth a visit. For example the exciting, interactive and interpretive St. Patrick Center tells the story of Ireland’s patron saint, in his own words.

The Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park and City of Belfast International Rose Garden are in the southern outskirts of Belfast. They feature an International Rose Exhibition, as well as gardens, walks, a children’s playground and live music concerts.  It boasts a collection of over 20,000 volumes of Irish literature and an enviable Robert Burns collection.

Belfast, Ireland – Things to do:

Belfast will never leave tourists wondering how to entertain themselves! Plenty of things to do and see exist in Belfast.

• The world class Belfast Zoo features plenty of don’t-miss attractions, including the monkey park, reptile house and children’s playground.
• Walking Tours of Belfast include The Old Town, Titanic Trail and the City Centre Walk.
• The oldest covered market in Ireland is St George’s Market. For example they offer a range of fish and specialty foods that are unrivaled in Europe.
• Harland and Wolfe. Its famous cranes, Samson and Goliath, can be seen from all over the city.
• At the The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum a fascinating insight into the history and the daily lives of Ulster people can be found.
• The Home Front Heritage Center features collections that portray the Belfast experience of the Second World War. Hence it is also home to the museum of the Royal Ulster Rifles.
• W5 is a world renowned innovative and interactive center of science and technology exploration. For example they have activities, exhibits and demonstrations to expand and intrigue minds of all ages.

Belfast, Ireland – Food & Drink:

If it is excellent food the tourist seeks, they won’t have to look far in Belfast.

• Traditional pub fare in a historical atmosphere is to be found at Belfast’s most famous pub. For example the Crown Liquor Saloon is in the heart of the historical district.
• Altos was rated number one by Yahoo travel for stylish and contemporary cuisine. For example they serve cutting-edge Mediterranean food and featuring an extensive wine list and specialty coffee choices.
• The Gypsy Queen Vegetarian Restaurant is on of Europe’s premier vegetarian dining destinations.
• For the cuisine enthusiast, Deane’s Restaurant is a high end, luxurious dining experience. For example theyfeature dishes created by one of Ireland’s top chefs.
• Live music pubs are a staple of Belfast nightlife. For example these include the Duke of York, Morrisons and at the docks, Pat’s Bar Princes.

Belfast Hotels & Accommodation:

As befitting a major European destination, a full range of accommodation options are available in Belfast. For example visitors can chose from cozy, family run bed and breakfast establishments. Also a variety of self catering options and luxury five star hotels to suit every taste, set of requirements and budget.

• Ravenhill Guest House
• The Crescent Townhouse
• Europa Hotel
• The Malone Lodge Hotel
• Tara Lodge
• The Park Avenue Hotel
• The Stormont Hotel
• The Chimney Corner Hotel
• Culloden Hotel
• Days Hotel
• Jurys Inn Belfast
• Ramada Belfast
• Parkview Lodge
• Ten Square

Entertainment

Nightlife is one of Belfast’s main attractions, with revelers enjoying everything from world class dance clubs to traditional pubs. For example it comprises The Potthouse Bar & Grill, Sugar Nighclub, which plays Top 40, House and classic Disco, and the Soap Bar guestroom. The Fly and The Grill Room and Bar are also notable

Belfast nightspots.

The Movie House Cinema on the Golden Mile offers the latest cinema releases. This includes the art house and independent films. In addition Ireland’s only 3D and 2D large format cinema, the SheridanIMAX is located on Queen’s Quay. As well fantastic shopping is available in the city center Donegall Place. In addition the Waterfront Concert Hall hosts concerts and music tours from all over the world.

Belfast enjoys an enviable position at the forefront of Hibernian culture, scenery and history. The city has an ideal and unique combination of Celtic culture and British industrial influence.  Belfast is an ideal seaside destination for family friendly events, educational and historical attractions. Nightlife that is second to none throughout Europe. In common with much of the British Isles, Belfast experiences a temperate and often wet climate.

For more posts about Ireland including Belfast and Dublin, click here.

Writing about interesting news items of interest  is something I have wanted to do for some time. That is write about current events and news that is sweeping the world and even some that are local as well. Many items are picked up by the main line news media and they jump to conclusions and avoid contrary views. They Work it to death until some other story comes a long and then they move on to that. CNN and HLN are particularly bad for this style of news items.

This site will be following the news and posting articles that summarize the issue and provide our own views of what is going on. Sometimes we will agree with the talking heads of the big news reporting agencies and sometimes we will not. This is our right to free speech and to our own opinion.

We will not engage any kind of hate mongering, anything that would be considered in bad taste and no discrimination. If we do by accident tell us about it. We also will not tolerate any comments that engage in this sort of thing either. Some people might say this is blocking free speech and I suppose it is, however we own this blog and we are not lowering ourselves to this kind of communication.

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This post is being made by the administrator to illustrate how posts can be added to the web site. This is  for Pablo’s Stories by sending an email to a specific email address. Posting like this is known as auto posting.  This address should be kept private and is not included in the text of this message since it would end up being posted on the web site for all readers. We would get far too many posts on the web site that had nothing to do with this topic or our content. There are just too many spam messages and comments so we do not leave an email in this post and will send it to you separately.

Auto Posting by Email

To make a post to your web site, all you need to do is send an email with the title in the subject line and add text in the body as you would normally do to send an email. You can even attach pictures to the email and they will be posted at the bottom of the post on your web site. It is pretty easy to send emails like this. I have done this several times to test the feature and it works fine.

Note, anything in the body of the email will be posted on your blog. So for example if you have an auto signature added to all email messages, this will be posted along with anything else. To avoid this simply add  :end at the end of your message. Do this at the point that you do not want anything beyond posted to your blog. The auto signature can also be deleted prior to sending the email.

Now you can make a post to your web site, while lounging by the pool. Use your iPod to compose the message. Once it is ready to go, just send it to the address I will give you and your post is live on the web. Of course you can sign on to your web site at a later date if you want to make any changes to your post at a later date. It is that easy. Hope you find this helpful.

Evaluate the Post before Publishing

We suggest that users go on the site once and a while to review their posts. Cean up any grammar and spelling issues and  enhance the quality of the posts. We also find that with a second or third reading there are small changes along with additional comments that many people like to make. It is well worth the time to update and make these improvements for your readers.

You can also use your PC to send an email with or without pictures attached. With Smart phones able to take pictures and add text now. This is really the best way to keep your blog active and current. We really like this approach to blogging. We will use this auto posting idea on several other blogs that we have. One thing to remember is that you need to keep it clean. Nothing you would not want your mother to see or read. Pretty simple really but we want to have good quality sites. We do not want to fun afoul of Googles policies either. They are very strict on this matter. They will cut a site off from their index if you do not meet their guidelines

Let me know if you have any questions.

Administrator

The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino is a great place to spend a day. We traveled from Ottawa to Cornwall and then crossed into the US at the Cornwall crossing. For one of the few times, there were no lines up into the US, and later on when we returned as well. It is a great day when you do not have to spend 30 minutes or longer waiting with your car idling until you get through customs to go to the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino.

At any rate, the day went really well since almost after the first half hour of gambling, I won $400 and although I really did not win anything after that, it is a nice way to start the day. Before we started gambling, I had breakfast at Sticks restaurant in the casino for $5.95 which included 2 eggs, bacon, home fries, toast, and coffee. A good deal especially when I used my slot card and only had to pay $2.00!

Akwesasne Mohawk Casino – Keno

After having breakfast, I played Keno for a while and this is where I won $400. What a nice feeling to arrive at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and then win within the first 30 minutes. It takes all of the pressure off and lets you enjoy yourself for the rest of the day. I came home with $220 ahead, so all in all a good day. By the way, we also had a draft beer which is only a dollar! Compared to many bars this is a steel!

We also went to the buffet, which was half-price for seniors. It was really busy, but when your buffet for two people only costs $10, it is always a good deal. My wife does not care for the long lines and crowds, but I do not mind especially when the buffet is so good. They really do a nice job with their buffet.

We also stopped for gas and this is a really good deal as well. Not only is the gas much cheaper than it is in Canada, but they also give you a bridge pass so that you do not need to pay the $3.25 toll when you go back to Canada. You must purchase at least $30 worth of gas to get the pass, but then who doesn’t need $30 these days with the price of gas even in the US? I think I saved about $20 in gas and also the bridge pass as well.

All in all a great day to go to the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino! Comments are welcome about your trips to the casino. For more updated posts about this casino, click here.

Ottawa , Ontario , Canada is having a really fantastic summer. Lots of warm weather ideal for swimming and boating and other outdoor sports. We spent one day this summer on the Ottawa river with friends of ours on their boat, traveling along the river and taking in the wonderful scenery.

Their boat is docked at the Rock cliff boat house just down the hill from the Governor Generals estate. We parked our car in the parking lot after driving down the precarious gravel road with one 180 degree switch back. Nothing to worry about there are lots of barriers to prevent you from coasting into the river! But you definitely need to be careful since it is pretty much a one lane road.

Ottawa River Boating

Our friends had the boat gassed and ready for us. We departed for a leisurely ride up the river. We passed the prime minister’s home, the french embassy, the mint and of course the parliament buildings. If you have never had the chance to view all of these sites from the river, it is well worth it. You see all of these historic places from a different angle.

Next we headed back down the river to the mouth of the Gatineau river. It empties into the Ottawa river just across from the Governor Generals residence. There is a water way that takes you into the Lac Lemay casino off of the Gatineau River, which we followed.

Lac lemay Casino

This is a beautiful canal that leads you into the lake that almost surrounds the casino. We docked at the boat area of the casino and headed in side for a drink and a little gambling. We were a bit concerned about our attire, since we were dressed for being on a boat, however there was no problem. I think they were glad to take our money.

We had to leave before it got dark. Our host was a bit nervous about traveling on the water at night. We ended up at their place for a barbecue, cards and a swim in our pool later that night. A really great day and evening!

If you have been on the Ottawa river or have comments about your travels to the casino, feel free to leave comments. Enjoy the pictures of the Ottawa river.

For more posts about the Ottawa area, click here.

A  checklist is essential as part of your preparation for camping if your camp experience is to be enjoyed with your family or just a group of friends. Each year, many families go camping and summer camp brings new adventures, new friends, new skills and new experiences. The single most important thing that will ensure the success of your camping experience is be prepared. Weather can change, food can get spoiled or you can have an accident. If you are prepared, then you are ready for just about any eventuality.

It’s the responsibility of every good parent or guardian to see that the family  has everything they need. That doesn’t mean that you have to pack all of their bags far from it. There are several reasons for your kids to prepare themselves.

• They need to know what to pack so that nothing is forgotten.
• Know how to pack so nothing is damaged or soiled.
• They needs to learn to pack so everything is logically placed and can be found quickly and easily.
• They need to learn how to prepare so that when they are old enough to take their own families they will know how to prepare for a great camping experience

The easiest way to know what to bring to camp is to create a  camping checklist. A laminated checklist can be used to pack  bags at home and to take with you to make sure it all comes back.

Camping Checklists

Are unsure what needs to be on the camp checklist. For example it’s always a good idea to ask a veteran camper what to bring along. Be systematic about your approach to creating your list. We have created a list here. However give some thought about the camp you are going to and how what additional things you may need at your camp site.

• Large backpack for main items
• Small backpack for day trips

Clothing:

• Underclothes
• Socks – if you have thick hiking socks include these or consider wearing two pairs on a long hike.
• Shorts
• Jeans
• Lightweight jacket, preferably a pack away type,
• Sweat shirt or sweat suit in case the evenings turn cool,
• Athletic/training shoes
• Hiking boots
• Sandals
• Rain gear
• Swimwear – two pairs if you are doing water activities.
• Towels – minimum of three

Hygiene:

• Ziploc of washing powder or tablet soap for laundry
• 15 ft nylon rope for clothes line
• Laundry bag for dirty clothes
• Toilet paper
• Disinfectant spray freshens tents and deters spiders
• Mothballs deter little critters
• Toiletries bag including: Soap, Shampoo, Face cloth,
• Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant.

Medical/Health:

• Prescription medicines
• Non-prescription medicines (Headache pills, anti-acid, anti-itch creams, insect repellant and high SPF sunscreen)
• Personal first aid kit

Night time:

• Sleeping bag or blankets
• Pillow
• Ground sheet
• Flashlight
• Spare batteries and bulbs

Mealtime:

• Water bottle or canteen
• Mess tins
• Utensils – knife, fork, spoon
• Tin cup

Activity time:

• Paper and pencils
• Other activity paraphernalia – check with your patrol or troop leaders
• Money for activity materials

Optional:

• Money for  – souvenirs, snacks etc. (keep separate from activity money)
• Compass
• Watch – preferably analog to use as compass
• Sunglasses
• Long sleeved shirt
• Camera
• Spare film or spare memory card & batteries
• Clear plastic bag for camera – for taking water photos
• Prayer book or bible
• Sketch book and pencils
• Pocket knife – choose one that has several useful tools.
• Waxed/water resistant string for emergency boot laces and a variety of other uses

Choose a backpack that is comfortable on the shoulders and has good lumbar support. The higher it sits up the back, the less strain there will be on the lower back. For example if you have a frame style backpack, so much the better. They are usually adjustable and most have sectional or removable packs. In addition the more side pockets that you have the easier it is to find without having to dig through the main pack.

Understand the terrain, weather, season and length of time that you will be at  camp.

You might think that this is an odd title for a diet web site, however there is a link to diet as anyone with allergies knows well.  Hotels have begun to figure this out. They are trying to tap into this particular market. Hope you get something out of this. If you can stay somewhere that focuses on providing clean allergy free rooms to their guests, isn’t that a great concept. The hotels attracting allergy sufferers will do well with many other customers too. Everyone likes a super clean room.

Many people with allergies automatically ask the following questions when they are reserving a hotel room or checking into one.

• Non smoking rooms
• Rooms that are non smoking and have not been smoked in
• Hypo allergenic pillows
• Non feather pillows
• No deodorizers
• Rooms cleaned with non perfumed products
• Specific menus that cater to people who have food allergies

Diet and Travelling

We all know that if you are on a diet and traveling it is hard enough to stay on diet and put up with rooms that are triggering an allergic response.

As a result many hotels are catering more and more to people with allergies and making sure that rooms are cleaned properly, that they do not smell of smoke and in fact are going for hypoallergenic rooms. This is a great trend, however some hotels are charging more for this new wellness program to ensure that customers have rooms that need their special needs.

As you travel and try to avoid situations that cause allergic reactions there is a tendency to stay in your room more, particularly if it is a clean non smelling room. As a result you order in and eat your meal in your room with no chance of exercise at all after eating your meal. Chances are you have also been traveling all day as well and did not get much exercise this way either. One night in a hotel like this is ok, however if you are staying for a week in hotels this lack of activity can be a recipe for gaining a great deal of weight.

Hotels Attracting Allergy Sufferers – Avoid Bad Rooms While Traveling

Having traveled a great deal ourselves we have yet to encounter one of these hotels that are offering allergy free rooms. Either they are not available in the hotels we use or they are not advertised very well. If you are interested in this type of service we encourage you to ask at the time of making a reservation.

We are finding that more and more hotels are going non-smoking all together. Or at the very least have non smoking floors. This is really fantastic for the customers, the people who work there and of course the hotel as well. They are able to reduce their costs by not having to clean up after a smoker has been in the room.

Still there are some people who will smoke in a room anyway. We encountered this on our last stay at a major hotel. The hotel was very good , providing us with a different room to stay in almost immediately. They were also going to place an ionizer in the room to clean out the smoke smell. I believe the previous guest is going to receive a hefty cleaning fee, which they should.

Plan Your Trip for Exercise, Diet and Allergy Issues

Most of us focus on planning a trip and focus on the best deal. Or a place close to our vacation plans or business meetings. More and more people are taking issues such as diet into account. Also the ability to exercise at the hotel. The availability of non allergic rooms that are cleared of any smoke smells and lack the smell of strong cleaners etc that are known to cause allergic reactions to many people.

Take the time to plan your trip with these requirements in mind. Ensure that you have a much more successful trip regardless of whether it is for business or pleasure.

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This is a new post to test the posting by email feature available in WordPress.  Seems to work well once you understand and read all of the details associated with this function. I have only tried posting by email a couple of times from my smart phone and it was really easy. My new smart phone has an app on it to record and convert my voice to text.

All I do is make a recording, copy and paste it over to an email and send it. the new post is automatically created in WordPress and posted. Later I need to go back and update the post by adding tags and categories and maybe clean up the wording a bit.

Posting by email – Instructions

You must send the message in plain text which is supported by Firefox, however not sure about safari, or android. I also want to include attachments such as pictures. How do I do that?

The above picture is of a pool in Palm Springs California where we stay for the winter. This is one of my favorite pictures and where we spend a great deal of time.

We both love it there and that is why we decided to include it in this post about posting by email. I plan to soon start taking pictures and sending them by email as well to post on the blog as well as we travel about the country.

Smart phones are really great and one of the best inventions ever made. These phones are really more computers than anything else and they can perform as much as most computers do if not more.

I just recently purchased my smart phone an iPhone 5 and I must say I am super impressed with it. Wish I had made the move some time ago. It is one of the best purchases I have made in a while.

For more general travel information, click here.

We visited the East Side Marios – Orleans restaurant on Friday, July 22 for dinner and did not like the experience at all. Service at the bar was fine, we were served almost immediately and with a smile so no problem there.

East Sides Table Service

Once we got to our table, it went downhill. We decided to sit outside which was quieter, but on cheap chairs and tables. We order a Cesar salad, two garden salads and a hearty vegetable soup. The salads had very little dressing on them, my wife’s salad had yellow spots ( the way lettuce gets when it is starting to go bad, she could not finish it).

The soup had very little vegetables in it and this was supposed to be a hearty vegetable soup which suggests lots of vegetables! . It consisted of pasta noodles and tomato sauce and not much else.

Our main courses took a long time coming. This was not a big issue since we were with another couple and we enjoyed their company. It almost seemed as if they wanted us to order another round of drinks which we were not interested.

Main Course

I had seafood linguine, which was very dry as if it had been sitting for a while under a heat lamp. The seafood was ok. My wife had another pasta dish which was tasteless and dry. We did not mention this to the waitress, since we were so annoyed and it was already getting late. I am not sure that we will be going back. Our friends had a breaded chicken dish, which was overcooked and very dry as well.

They also had a plate of nacho’s which were burned and not a lot of cheese or sauce on them. I almost forgot to mention the mushroom cheese appetizer that our friends also had. This comes with cheese melted over them. The cheese was over done and had that look as if it was also kept under a heat lamp for too long.

Not sure if the cook or the waitress is to blame in this situation. It either was not cooked right or sat too long while the waitress was doing other things. Either way it was not good and we were not satisfied.

Let them Know

I paid by Visa, the waitress gave me the visa slip, but did not give me the final bill slip and I forgot to ask for it. The waitress service was as good as she could do, but if the food is not ready and not good, then that is out of her control.

I sent in a complaint to the restaurant via their website and they did reply indicating that they are still getting the kinks out of their service. They just opened a few weeks ago and I guess there are still problems. The manager offered us a gift certificate, however I have yet to see anything from them.

My advice is to not waste your money and avoid East Side Marios – Orleans.

ps. the decor inside is very nice and much better than the old restaurant in Orleans, Ontario

For more information about Ottawa, Ontario, the Nations Capital, click here.

Well, it’s official, there is a study out now that concludes: Sitting all day is bad for you. This includes the people who sit in offices all day long, sit in the car or bus going to and home from work and sitting in front of the TV at night until bedtime! We all do it, and even our kids are sitting more than they ever did. They are too busy playing video games instead of being outside playing with their friends and playing sports. We see this as an ever-increasing epidemic of overweight people in our society, and many do not realize that this inactivity literally can kill you.  There are many reasons for this, and we will explore a few of them in this post. Read on and let us know what you think of our comments.  We enjoy hearing from readers. Why is this so?

• You burn fewer calories, so you get fat
• You do not use your muscles, so they get weak
• You do not exercise your heart, so it gets weak
• Your blood does not circulate as well, so all kinds of bad things happen
• Your lung capacity decreases, so you cannot exert yourself as much

We did not need a bunch of  “inactivity researchers” to figure this out since it is pretty apparent when you compare active people to someone who sits much of the day, but now a study has been completed that proves it. Are we lazy or just get into a rut that causes us to avoid exertion?

Sitting can Kill You – Why is This So?

Basically, energy into your body is either burned off in exercise or converted to fat. People who sit all day will convert more food to fat than those people who are active, even if it just means going for a walk.

If you eat the same amount as someone who is active, the person who is inactive will gain weight! If you eat more calories than what you burn off even by sitting, you will also gain weight!  Also your overall health is going to decline.

In the study, neither group exercised or participated in exercise programs. The active group did not sit. They walked, they stood, and they took stairs instead of the elevator etc., while the other group sat all of the time and avoided any chance of exerting themselves. These people took the elevator, the escalator, even parked their car as close as they could to the entrance to the office or the mall.

They both ate the same amount of food. The inactive people gained weight, while the active folks did not or at least not as much! Being idle doesn’t just make you fat. It makes you sick, too. The conditioning of the active people certainly did not put them in the status of being fit, but they could withstand more exertion for a longer period than those who were inactive.

Sitting can Kill You – What happens when you Sit:

• Electrical activity in the muscles drops
• Leg muscles begin to atrophy
• Your calorie-burning rate immediately plunges
• Insulin effectiveness drops within a single day
• The risk of being obese increases
• Cholesterol increases, which could cause heart attacks

Over a lifetime, sitting really can kill you:

• Men who sit 6 hours a day are 20% more likely to die than men who sit 3 hours a day

• Women who sit 6 hours a day are 40% more likely to die

Another bummer: You can’t counter the harmful effects of sitting by exercising once in a while. You have to stop sitting.  Or at least start moving around more. Once muscles atrophy (get weak and reduce in size), it takes a long time to rebuild them with exercise and activity. The only way to avoid this occurring it to stay active!

So get off your ass!

Go for a walk regularly, go to the gym a minimum of 3 times a week, walk around the block, park your car a long way from the entrance and walk. Find ways that will help you become more active.

Comments are welcome; our readers will appreciate any constructive comments you have about what sitting can do to you.

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We recently visited St Louis Bar and Grill for a beer and something to eat on a beautiful sunny afternoon in the summer. This restaurant is located in Ottawa on Elgin st. The address is 399 Elgin st just north of Gladstone, beside the Second Cup coffee shop. They have a really nice patio, with umbrellas and even small shade trees. You can sit close to the sidewalk or back a little way for a little privacy from the traffic on the street.  This is a really great place to hang out on a beautiful day!

St Louis Bar and Grill – Our Meal

We had a beer each. It was really cold and served just the way we like it in a nice cold glass. We had wanted to share a pitcher. However that particular special ended at the end of June.

We also ordered a plate of ribs, which is apparently their specialty. We were really disappointed in the order and mentioned this to the waitress. The ribs were tough. You really had to fight to remove the meat from the bones. It was almost as if the ribs had been over cooked or warmed up from the day before. Either way the ribs at St Louis Bar and Grill were not good.

To her credit, the waitress mentioned our concern to the restaurant manager who came out to talk with us. She expressed a lot of surprise at our concern and even wanted to test cutting the ribs herself, rather than take our word for it.

As soon as she tried cutting the meat herself she saw exactly what we were talking about and immediately offered to get us a new rack of ribs. She asked us if we wanted to keep the sides, which we declined since they were not going cold. No problem, we received a whole new plate with ribs and sides as well.

Service Level

We were pleasantly surprised with the service and although initially disappointed with the ribs were quite pleased with the quality once our original place was replaced. In addition, the manager offered us another round of drinks on the house or desert. We chose the desert which was a caramel ice cream brownie combination. Excellent!

Although we were not totally happy with the meal, the restaurant recovered very nicely and we were very pleased with the ribs on the second plate. This is a great place to try out and don’t hesitate to let the manager know if your meal is not up to standard.

Comments on this post and restaurant are welcome. for more posts about Ottawa and things to do here, click here.

For millions of families who may be deciding not to travel this year due to the high price of gasoline and increasing fees at camp sites there are other alternatives to entertain the kids and do something that is unique. That is camping in the backyard or camping at a friend’s place in the country. Many people do this every year and enjoy the outdoor experience with out spending a lot of money. In this post we will talk about some of the things you can do to make your outdoor camping in your backyard enjoyable. Here are a few issues that you need to be aware of should your teenage kids come to you with this camping proposal!

Camping in the Backyard with the Family

This can be an exciting thing to do for many young families, especially if you want to get your kids used to camping, but not be too far away from home and comfort. A lot of families will set up tents, camping gear etc and sleep in the tent. They may even have a campfire if you have the yard for it, or they may just barbecue supper on the family barbecue. The exciting part for the kids will be sleeping outside and listening to all of the night sounds that they may not hear if they were in their bedrooms. Camping in the backyard can be fun.

If you have a large yard, setting up camp at the back of the yard well away from the house really works well with the young kids, especially once it gets dark. This is a long way to go if they need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Flashlights and some of the more modern lanterns are a good thing to have especially for the younger crowd. Plan to have books, snacks and extra pillows to keep everyone comfortable.

After you have done this a few times, your kids will be ready to actually go camping in the forest at a park. The older kids may not find this so interesting and will try  it once perhaps, and then want to do the real thing. A friend of ours probably wishes he had done this. He packed his kids up early and came home because the kids just were not settling down, it was raining and he could not take it anymore.

Be Considerate of the Neighbors

If you live in suburbia and plan to set up a camp site on a warm summer night in the back yard, you will need to be considerate about the neighbors. If you have nice neighbors they may put up with a lot of noise for one night but not several nights. Lights out and sleep time by 11pm is a good rule to follow for everyone.

If you live on a larger lot, this may not be much of an issue, however many smaller yards end up being pretty close to the neighbors so you want to give this a lot of thought.

Also think about wildlife. If you are close to parks or rural areas, there is a good chance that the local wildlife could visit during the night. Take the appropriate precautions if this is a concern in your area.

Teenagers and Camping in Your Backyard

This is a potentially big issue to avoid if you can. The teens may be interested in camping in the backyard, and they definitely will not want their parents anywhere around. This is a potentially troublesome situation, since when you are asleep you can be sure that the teens will not be.

They may decide to go for a walk in the middle of the night and disappear from your yard in which case you have no idea were they are. They also may be visited by some of their friends which leads to all kinds of other issues.

If you decide to allow a camping night for your teens, lay down some ground rules. Let them know you will be doing bed checks at various times during the night. Whether you actually do these checks, does not matter as long as they think you might be checking up on them. This will be enough to deter most of them from any nocturnal excursions during the night.

Comments are welcome, especially on ideas that you have used regarding camping in your backyard.

Vacation at all-inclusive resorts, business meals, holiday parties, gourmet meals, and celebratory dinners can easily take you a long way off your diet plan. This will ramp up the calories, salt and fat that you intake. When you are busy going to these events your exercise plan tends to suffer as well. You are not burning off the calories either.  Everyone of us will blow his or her calorie budget every now and then. When you have fallen off your diet plan like this, don’t worry, just get back to the routine as quickly as possible. If you panic and give up, your going to gain weight again. Now is the time to refocus and start again with your diet plan.

Should we worry about this temporary situation? Is this diversion from your plan temporary or is it a symptom of a longer term trend? What should you do next and how do you get back on track with your plan to lose weight or to maintain the weight you want to be at when you have fallen off your diet plan?

Here are a few answers that we have picked up from around the internet on various web sites from experts and none experts. Decide what works for you and get back to your plan!

Fallen Off Your Diet Plan – Relax (For a Moment)

Considering that you need to  eat 3,500 calories to gain one pound of body fat,  it’s unlikely that a single overindulgence will show up on the scale. This is the good news, one meal is not going to ruin you if you eat sensibly and exercise regularly the rest of the time and get back to your routine, experts say.

Also if this occurs once and awhile, and the rest of the time you adhere to your plans, you probably will be ok. If you are over indulging often, there is a great danger that you will start to gain weight unless you really turn up the exercise routine.

Even a week at an all-inclusive resort can be managed if you get right back to your regular plan when you return. It may take a week or two before you will be back to your regular weight, but then this is within your expectations. Again get back to your routine as quickly as you can.

With the size of most restaurant meals most people cannot help but overeat somewhere between 500 and 1,500 calories every single day and if they do not work this off through exercise, they are going to gain weight for sure.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up, Get Right Back to Your Plan

If you do fall off of your plan for whatever reason, don’t get discouraged. Every one does this from time to time. The important thing is to recognize that you only fell off the plan for a day or a week while you were away, and you are going to get right back on your plan. Watch the portion size on everything and try to reduce your portions to the point that you are eating fewer calories than you need.

Plan Your Diet Over the Course of Several Days

Most people eat more sensibly during the week and take in more calories on the weekend. During the week it is easier to be more disciplined and you do not have the distractions  you may have on weekends when we tend to go out with friends or visit with family.

If you eat more calories than you should at a party on a weeknight, consider that one of your “weekend” days and compensate for it accordingly on the weekend. Plan your calorie intake over a week so that your average meets your goal. There is more flexibility this way and it is much easier to cope with every day life if you can average things over a week.

Resume Sensible Eating as Soon as Possible

If you over eat one day cut back the next day over several meals. If you skip meals you may find that you are hungrier and more likely to fall off your diet again. Eat smaller portions until you have compensated for the over indulgence.

If you have been on a vacation, it may take a while week to get back after you have fallen off your diet plan after you return. Be patient and eat properly for the week following until you are back on target.

• Cut back throughout the day with a series of small meals packed with fiber-rich fruits and vegetables:
• Wait until you’re hungry. Then have a light breakfast such as a bowl of low-fat yogurt and berries.
• Mid-morning snack: A piece of fruit and an ounce of low-fat cheese
• Lunch: A big salad with lean protein such as fish or chicken, or a whole-wheat pita pocket with lettuce and tuna or turkey
• Afternoon snack: A cup of vegetable soup and an orange
• Dinner: A piece of fish and plenty of vegetables
• Skip the Scale

Most foods contain salt and some foods have salt artificially added to help preserve the food. This extra salt helps the body to retain fluid and can contribute to perceived weight gain.  It may take a few days for the body to rid itself of this excess salt and the corresponding fluid weight.

Pick a day once a week to weigh yourself. The worst day is probably Sunday evening after you have enjoyed the weekend festivities.  Friday morning may be a good day to do your once a week weigh in, when you are at your lowest weight for the week if you have been sticking to your plan.

Continue with Your Normal Exercise Routine

Over compensating for the extra calories by over-exercising will leave you burned out or worse, perhaps even dehydrated. This is the wrong approach when you have fallen off your diet plan.

You could strain a muscle, you could hurt a joint and muscle soreness may set in. Injuries will just slow you down or cause you to stop exercising contributing to your frustration and possibly more over eating. Stick with the plan and exercise more minutes rather than going faster, lifting more weights or stressing your body more than normal.

Track What You Eat for Every Meal and Snack

Setting a caloric goal for the day and recording what you eat keeps you conscious of what you’re eating, in terms of calories as well as salt intake, and other essential minerals and vitamins.

Track your calorie intake carefully. Every time your hand heads towards your mouth, more calories are adding up. Still you need to make sure that you are also eating sufficient calories for your body type and activity levels. Track your calories and stick to your plan when yo have fallen off your diet plan.

Comments are welcome.

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Whether you are on a short trip or returning after being away from home for several months or even longer there is a return home checklist. These are things that we all need to pay attention to in addition to the checklist of items when we leave.  If you go through the list, chances are that your trip will be uneventful and successful. Which is exactly what we all want.

Not every item will apply to your specific situation. Review the list and apply those that make sense for you, your family and business associates. Consider the situation you find yourself in. Everyone wants to make sure that nothing important is forgotten and that your home etc is looked after while you are gone. A good checklist will help to make sure that everything is thought of.

Return Home Checklist

When you are returning home there are additional checklists that you should follow to prepare for your trip. Review the  pre-departure checklist. As well as the following list of items to ensure that you have everything that you need for your trip.

• Airline reservations
• Airline tickets
• Meeting with the bank regarding account closing and money transfer if you have been away for some time and established accounts etc
• Inform schools and teachers of the children’s departure and  obtain all official school documents, with teachers evaluations of each child
• Arrange for moving of personal effects to your own country
• Keep track of relocation expenses and make photocopies of important documents to be brought with you
• Notify the post office of a change of address and send a notice of discontinuation to all services including electricity and telephone
• Pay all outstanding bills prior to leaving
• Make a list of all other personal matters that you need to look after prior to departure for your own country.

Be Prepared

If you go through this list and the pre-departure list we prepared on the previous post you will be in good shape to travel. With all of the heighten security these days especially if you are traveling by plane, it is important to be over prepared. Make your trip easier and to avoid any potential delays while you satisfy the authorities.

We tend to go on driving trips and must cross the border at various locations. We never know what questions the customs agents are going to ask. So we always have all of our documents in order. Reservations, receipts and whatever we think that we need to have to establish that we are visiting. Also not doing anything that would be construed to be illegal.

I recently heard one rumor that you need to show that you are not only a resident of your home country. But that you are actually planning to return to your home country.  Hard to imagine when we are spending money in the host country. Which contributes to their economy etc, but that is the way it is these days with increased security!

As always if you have additional items that should be added to this list, please leave appropriate comments. We will add them! For more trip planning ideas, click here.

The subject of newlywed camping may seem like an unlikely subject for a blog post, however it is actually a common thing to do for many newly weds. This is a great way to get to know one another and experience the great outdoors together.  Camping also does not cost a lot. It allows people to get away and relax with nature without spending a ton of money. The reason that we thought that we would write about this subject is that this is something that my daughter and her new husband have been doing for two years now and it seems to be working for them, so I thought I would write about what I have observed as a father.

Having a Large Tent

The first thing is that you really must have a large enough tent to keep all of your stuff inside it, except for the food of course. You do not want any nocturnal visitors in the middle of the night. Having a large enough tent gives space for everyone and allows you to enjoy the entire experience without being so confined that you feel you need to get up as soon as you wake up.

They also have all of the gear they need in terms of sleeping bags for summer time use. Cooler for their food and of course utensils. They prefer to have a regular fire to cook things instead of one of those Coleman stoves that many people have. They are fair weather campers, so if it is going to rain they either do not go or they head home pretty quickly. If they camped in the rain, I guess a Coleman stove would be a good asset to also have as well.

Camping With Friends

It is getting tough for them to go camping with friends. There were several couples that went with them, each with their own tents and gear, however it is now time to have babies and camping with a new baby can be a bit difficult. I think that when the baby is a year old they are going to try camping one night to see how it goes. None of the other couples have gone camping yet with their kids.

Once the kids get older, I am sure they will be camping a lot, since this is such a fun pass time for the entire family.

Visiting the Camp Site

We have visited them several times at their camp sites. They usually only camp an hour away so it is a nice drive for us and we can still get home to our nice comfy beds for the night.

They have not progressed beyond hot dogs and hamburg for meals, toast and cereal for breakfast. I guess they will get there as they become more experienced campers. I hope so since I really do not want to always have hot dogs or hamburg when we visit.

Well that is all I have, I know they have fun and they will be camping some more in the near future as soon as their baby is old enough. If you have had experiences with camping with a new born, please add your comments. I know that I will be interested as will our readers.

We saw this post a few weeks ago and thought that it might be of interest to our readers, who are planning to travel to Mexico or are looking to stretch their dollars further – Retiree’s Solution to a  Pension Cut

This was sent to me by email and I think it is a great idea for many people dealing with a Pension Cut.

While it might not be everyone’s ideal solution, one Nortel retiree has found a creative way to maintain a dignified retirement despite the impending reduction in his Nortel pension. He and his wife have moved to Mexico, who previously worked as a HW engineer in the Data Networks Division at Nortel, investigated the cost of living, medical coverage, and lifestyle advantages and has recently bought a house in Ensenada which is only about 70 miles south of San Diego, California.

There is a sizable Canadian and American expat population in and around Ensenada, San Felipe, La Paz and a reportedly largely Canadian community in Todos Santos, all on the Baja peninsula. He and his wife were able to get retirement visas for Mexico based on his Nortel pension. As residents of Mexico, they are also eligible for free medical care, which in major centers can be very good.

He still has to pay the Canadian non-resident’s tax on his Nortel pension but this tax depends on the total dollar value of your income and can be very little or even zero on small pensions. Mexico, on the other hand, charges no income taxes on foreign income. Land taxes are very low compared to Canada and the USA. In his case, these are less than $100 CD. Utility bills as well are low, providing your use is moderate (i.e. the electrical charges are 3 tier system and the bottom 2 tiers are very reasonable). He finds it easy to stay in the lowest tiers and pays less than $10 CD per month.

Sample of Monthly Utility Costs in Mexico

• Utility Pesos CDN_$
• Electricity 120 10
• Tap Water 60 5
• Propane 300 25
• Telephone_plus_Internet 420 35
• Total 900 75

The cost of living in Mexico lets him achieve a comfortable standard of living for much less cost than if he had stayed in Canada. Expats that have lived in Ensenada for some time tell Wayne that a family of two can get by on as little as $600 Canadian per month plus whatever you pay in rent or mortgage, although $1000 per month provides a more comfortable living. Rent and house prices are much lower as well.

However, to qualify for a retirement visa (FM3) you have to demonstrate that you have a per person reliable income equal to or greater than 200 times the Mexican minimum wage or about $1000 CD monthly. There is a reduction for spouses and a reduction for owning your home in Mexico. Showing bank statements with regular deposits was enough for him and his wife to qualify for FM3 visas.

You can check here http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/pagina_principal/en.html for the requirements (and to practice your Spanish). There are businesses and individuals that help you with the paperwork, but the Snyders chose to do this for themselves. The Mexican officials are very cooperative and helpful. And you get more practice with your Spanish this way. Some expats choose to stay with just a tourist visa which is available for just a $10 at any port of entry.

There are ways to supplement your pension and still enjoy retirement. He knows expats that work in the USA but live in Mexico. Some manage businesses through the internet. Others work periodically in the USA then return to Mexico. He knows an electrician that schedules all his work in California for 1 week every 2 months this provides for his family. Another travels to Wisconsin twice a year and works for a month each time and this gives him enough for him and his wife.

In the major cities and in tourist areas Spanish isn’t essential but learning it will add to your ease of living and enjoyment.
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If you have allergies or asthma, then this post will be interesting to you. I have had allergies for years and now it has transitioned into asthma. I am doing a lot more investigating these days to find out what I can do to minimize the effects of these two conditions. Most important trying to figure out how I can avoid asthma triggers  for adults that might cause an attack. If you can avoid the triggers you will have far fewer attacks and a better life.

One post I read recently listed the top 10 things that can cause triggers for asthma as well as allergies.  Note that for other people the triggers could take on a different order or there may be others that cause these attacks.

We all have a few tricks to avoid triggers, like not running inside when pollen counts are sky-high or keeping the windows closed and blasting the AC. There are other factors that can make symptoms worse, which can be avoided.

Asthma Triggers for Adults

Here is the list of the top ten things in my order of priority for me to avoid asthma triggers for adults.

1. Friends who smoke. Cigarettes—with their numerous toxic chemicals and irritants—are nasty for everyone, but as an allergy sufferer, I am really sensitive to cigarette smoke and especially stale smoke on a persons clothes. In fact I often lose my breath and cannot take a breath when I am around someone who smokes a lot.
2. Showering in the AM only. If I have been outside working or relaxing, I always take a shower before going to bed. In fact I undress in the laundry room so that pollen is not carried into our bedroom.  A shower washes any pollen on my skin or hair down the drain. My clothes get washed before they get to the rest of the house to minimize the spreading pollen throughout the house.
3. An extra glass of wine or beer with dinner. I can tolerate about two drinks before I start to have a runny nose. Hops in beer are especially bad since the alcohol has not only relaxed by bodies defense, I am also allergic to the hops in the beer. I try to stick with light beer and low alcohol beer. There are also beers that are made from rice and other non hop products.  It is an awful thing to be allergic to hops, but I still manage to drink a few beers in the summer time.

Watch Your Medication

1. Skipping medication in the evening. Some times I forget to take my medication before going to bed. Night time is the worst. The body is relaxed, the histamine is reacting with my body and presto I have a runny nose or worse. Symptoms such as sneezing, weepy eyes, and runny nose peak for me at night, while for others they peak in the morning,
2. Air freshener, deodorizers, hair spray – These things have all triggered loss of breath, asthma attacks and runny nose. I try to avoid them like the plague! Hotels routinely use deodorizers to freshen a room, particularly if someone smoked in the room. This is a disaster for me.

More Potential Triggers

1. Stressful work deadlines. A sleep deficit and then stress which often makes your sleep deficit worse can worsen both allergy symptoms and asthma attacks. Having an asthma attack is a very stressful event.
2. Waiting too long to take meds. Waiting too long can mean a far worse asthma attack. It has personally happened to me and I now know the danger of waiting too long. Medications that block histamines work best before you’re even exposed to allergens. Start medication a couple of weeks before the season commences or before you’ll be around allergens .
3. A not-hot-enough washing machine. If you find yourself sniffling in bed, crank your washing machine to the hottest setting. this is a new one to me and I have never associated this issue with my allergies.

Environmental Triggers

1. Houseplants that make you sneeze. Your innocent orchid could bring tears to your eyes.  If a plant gives off a strong smell, it may be the one that is causing you to have a problem with your allergies
2. Water workouts in an indoor pool. Chlorine-filled lap lanes can wreak havoc on your system. Some people are allergic to chlorine. Protect your eyes and take a shower after your swim to remove all possible chlorine effects. Try to swim in outdoor pools, where the gas is more readily dispersed. Instead of indoor ones, and avoid swimming in chlorinated pools daily.

Let us know if this list of asthma triggers for adults helps anyone. Leave a comment if you have other items that impact you that should be added to the list.

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Anyone who is traveling to another country or even across country should also have pre-departure checklists. As a result it should specifically be focused on traveling to the host country for your trip. Particularly if you’re planning to stay for some time. Hence the following checklist will help you. Regardless of whether you’re going for one week or for several months or even longer.

Pre-Departure Checklists

Obviously if you are staying for a long time you will need to decide what you do with homes, bank accounts, taxes etc. and if just going for a week’s vacation many items will not apply.

• Passports for all family members, valid for a minimum of six months
• Visas for entry to the host country and work permits if needed
• Airline and hotel reservations
• Airline tickets including return reservations
• Marriage certificate and birth certificates for all family members, especially for children
• For divorced persons with children: legal authorization from the other parent. Also from a Canadian court to take the children out of the country
• Medical examinations completed and proof of vaccinations
• Dental examinations
• Medical prescriptions, blood group information. Especially vaccination certificates
• Photocopy of eyeglass prescriptions
• Veterinary examination and vaccination for pets if applicable
• Meeting a lawyer or Notary to update wills
• Meeting an accountant to get financial and tax counsel
• Meet  a bank officer regarding financial needs, including travelers checks,  credit card limits and money transfers

More Items to Consider

• Advise your credit card company that you will be traveling to another country to avoid it being shut down prematurely
• Placing important documents in a safety deposit box
• Informing schools and teachers of the children’s departure and obtaining all official school documents, with teachers evaluations of each child
• Making any necessary arrangements regarding your house, apartment or car( sale, sublease, insurance, etc.)
• Confirming furniture storage and insurance
• Moving personal effects to the host country
• Keep track of relocation expenses. Also make photocopies of important documents to be brought with you
• Informing health insurance authorities of your departure and taking care of additional insurance coverage if needed
• Notify the post office of a change of address. In addition send notice of discontinuation to all services including electricity, telephone, heating company, and banks
• Obtaining an international drivers license
• Dispose of your car or put your car in storage
• For independent consultants obtaining GST, PST, HST registration
• Make a list of other personal matters to look after
• Advise all of your friends and family of your new address and telephone numbers
• Documentation that shows closer ties to your home country

Use Those that are Applicable

This may seem like a long list. However if you take the time to work through them, there will much less chance that you will have any issues arise when you are away from your home. Better to be able to relax and not worry, instead of wondering if everything is ok or dealing with and issue that comes up while you are traveling or dealing with business issues.

If you have has experience in this area and would like us to add additional items to the checklist, or provide advise to our readers please leave us a comment. We will review them and update this post with those comments that apply.

For more trip planning ideas, click here.

There are three components that contribute the most weight when it comes to back packing and hiking. They are the “big three;” the backpack, shelter and sleeping bag and that is assuming that you have managed your clothing down to the minimum.  Select an ultralight sleeping bag because an ultralight backpacking adds the least weight and believe me you will understand after you have carried a heavy sleeping bag around for several hours.. The days of five-pound summer bags are gone – at least for those of us who prefer to go light when hiking, camping or backpacking around the country.

One Pound Ultralight Sleeping Bags

There are many one-pound ultralight sleeping bags on the market now. One we looked at actually weighs 19 ounces with the stuff sack, however stuff sacks aren’t always necessary. You can be stuff the sleeping bag directly into your pack or put it  in a half-ounce bread bag. Down sleeping bags will keep you warm down to below freezing – warmer, in fact, than many four-pound bags.

Ultra light sleeping bags appear fragile, however if you baby it they will last for many years. They can be used from sea-level to 16,000 feet, in all types of weather, usually camping under a tarp. The zipper goes only half-way down, to save weight, and it’s a mummy bag, were even some of the larger guys will still feel comfortable in them.

Summer Bags vs. Winter Bags

Sleeping bags weighing around a pound are summer bags, rated down to 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A quick check of the newest bags out there, though, shows that even one or two of the 0 degree bags are under three pounds now. These are down filled bags, of course, as down is still the lightest insulation for its weight. If you are allergic to feathers, you may want to consider synthetic filled bags to avoid sneezing all night and waking up with runny eyes.

Another big advantage of any down sleeping bag is it’s compressibility. Nothing packs smaller than down. However, a good synthetic bag is probably better than down if you are regularly getting it wet.

Synthetic Sleeping Bags

Several synthetic-fill sleeping bags now come close to down in their warmth-to-weight ratio. At least one summer bag, using Polar guard fill, weighs an even 16 ounces. That’s amazingly light for a synthetic bag. Again if you are allergic to feathers, definitely go with a synthetic ultra light bag.

Using Ultralight Sleeping Bags

Ultralight sleeping bags generally aren’t tough. The lighter the bag, the more fragile, but treat them gently, and they work fine. They will last  for many years, in snow and rain, if you baby these things, and they can last a long time.

Add your comments about specific bags or other thoughts you may have on sleeping bags in general. Spam comments will be auto deleted.

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need? We have noticed especially with our friends that the older they get the less sleep they seem to need. We are not sure if they just cannot get to sleep or they need less than otherspeople. I remember my mother saying that she spent a lot of sleepless nights as she got older. She always looked really tired too. Now my wife and I are starting to experience the same thing. If we get have a good night, we are so amazed and thankful! Is this what we have to look forward too as we get older. How much do You Need is a constant issue for us now that we are older. But even young people need to be concerned about getting enough rest.

One night my wife went to the casino around 1 AM with our neighbors. That’s right one o’clock in the morning. She thought the place would be empty. Was she ever wrong? It was filled with seniors!

Not everyone requires the same amount of sleep to get by, however, the rule of thumb seems to be an average of 7 hours a night. If you are not getting this much rest then you may become sleep deprived which can cause all kinds of problems. If you can awaken feeling refreshed without an alarm clock, then you are probably doing ok.

How Much Sleep do You Need

Some people need more rest than others. This need is based on genes, age, sex, and previous sleep amount, among other things. It also varies across the life cycle.

Sleep Deprivation and Health

Sleep loss increases the risk of high blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, and diseases associated with these risk factors, such as diabetes and heart disease. It can also impair the performance and mood.

The effects of sleep loss build-up without us even being aware of it  and results in decreased performance, poor mood, and health problems.

Sleep deprivation, too, can have deadly consequences such as falling asleep while driving and many deadly accidents occur every year.

Determining Your Sleep Needs

There are a number of ways to test if you are getting sufficient rest. You may already know the answer, but here are a few ways to test your assumptions:

• Do you need an alarm clock to wake?
• Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier. Do you still need an alarm clock? If you do, push your bedtime up another 15 minutes.
• Do you need caffeine to stay awake, if yes you are probably not getting enough rest?
• Do you have  issues such as sleep apnea that are affecting your rest? Sleep apnea is marked by intermittent pauses in breathing while in bed.
• Do awake refreshed
• Do you always feel tired
• Do you fall asleep on the couch after supper

There are many ways to tell if you are getting enough good quality sleep and if you think that you are not, you may want to consider changing your lifestyle to enhance your sleeping patterns. You may also want to check with a doctor if you feel that there are some other underlying reasons for not getting sufficient sleep. How much sleep do you need?

What Works for People

Not everything works for everybody, since we are different. You might want to try some of these to see if they help you”

• Get into a routine before going to bed
• Read for a while in bed, only boring stuff
• Turn the TV off and don’t watch TV in bed
• Your bed room should be a place of tranquility
• Avoid caffeine  from lunchtime on
• Stay away from any stimulants
• Take a shower or bath before going to bed
• Don’t watch exciting shows just before you go to bed

If you know of other ideas, that work for you, please leave your comments. Our readers will appreciate any help they can get to help them sleep more and better. Start by figuring out how much sleep do you need and go from there.

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It is that time of year when families are planing their summer vacation. Many people are considering short trips with their cars to a camping site or perhaps to one of the theme parks across the country. Getting your vehicle ready for summer vacation is one of the things you need to consider before going on that driving trip. With gas prices high in the spring, and going higher just in time for summer vacation, many people are considering just how far they will go.

Regardless of whether you are planning a long trip by car or just a short one to see the family or visit a campsite, it is always a good idea to have your car checked before you go. If you already hear some noise that does not sound normal, get it checked out before you leave. No one wants a break down on the highway with a load of luggage and the family.

Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Summer Vacation

In addition the obvious, the following items are worthwhile having your mechanic look at to ensure that you will have no problems while traveling:

• Oil Change
• Check anti freeze
• Check transmission oil level
• Confirm brake fluid levels
• Check power steering fluid level
• Check windshield washer fluid level
• Assess your tires for inflation and unusual wear
• Check that all of your lights are operating properly

Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Summer Vacation

Check for Low Fluids

Low fluids can cause problems that range from irritation to serious issues with your car. Always have these checked on a regular basis, and especially when you are about to go on a long trip.

Look for uneven Tire Wear

Improper tire wear is an indication that your cars alignment may be out or your tires need to be balanced. Failure to deal with this issue will cause your tires to wear out quickly and also may even cause an uncomfortable ride due to the vibration.

Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is also important. Better gas mileage and safer driving are the main benefits of making sure that your tires are properly inflated.

Check the Lights

Check all of the lights as well including brake lights and turning lights. A faulty light may cause you to be in an unsafe situation if someone does not see your car at night or fails to see that you are turning or stopping due to a light not working. Some police forces will also stop you for lights that are not working properly. Usually they just give you a warning and not a ticket.

Get an Oil Change

New clean oil will not only make sure that your engine runs more smoothly, it will also deliver better gas mileage and emit less pollution. My car once failed an emission test much to be disappointment. The attendant suggested that I get the oil changed and that I make sure that I had clean fuel in the engine. I followed his suggestions and my car passed with flying colors next time it was tested for emissions.

If you are going on a long trip, always make sure you have fresh oil in the engine to generate better gas mileage and less pollution! For more tips about travelling by vehicle, click here.

At the mention of the word ‘camping’,  children and even adults get excited and chomp at the bit to be off? For an urbanite, camping with the kids affords a change from the restrictions imposed by city life, it is chance to meet new friends and do something different from every day life. The out of doors fills you with a sense of freedom under the open skies and our imaginations take us back to the time of cowboys and Indians. Camping with the kids is all about doing without creature comforts and doesn’t seem to matter when adventure beckons. It is exciting for the kids and the adults as well!

Camping With the Kids – Keeping the Children Busy

The common worry is how to keep the children occupied. Can you get them away from their favorite TV channel or computer game? Children are adaptable and you will find that they bring a great deal of enjoyment to the outing with the right activities. With a little ingenuity, you can make it an experience they’ll never forget.

Children can never resist water. It doesn’t matter if the body of water is a small stream or a large lake, as long as you can find a convenient spot to paddle or swim in. They can spend hours splashing about, reveling in every minute of it. The pleasant change from the artificial pools of the city and the novelty of the natural surroundings add to their sense of excitement.

Always, check if the water is safe and always have an adult monitoring them while they are in the water. Don’t ever let the children swim without supervision, and if they must dive, make sure it is safe to do so first.

Camping With the Kids – Activities

Go For a Bike Ride or take a Hike

You can’t ask for a better way to take in the scenery than from a bike. Walking could be tough going and hot work as well. Another approach is to hit the bike trail with a map. Take stock of your bearings and ride together. Always take some water with you and even some snacks to make a little picnic out of your excursion. You don’t want anyone getting lost! Explore the surroundings in a leisurely manner.

Learn About the local Animals and Fauna

Prepare yourself by reading up on the fauna and flora of the region. Campsites usually have pamphlets on the birds and animals you are likely to spot. Have fun looking for them. Make a game of it. Set up a little competition with each other and total up the number of animals each one has seen. A prize at the end always helps to add to the interest. Compare the nocturnal fauna to the ones you’ve observed during the day. See that the children don’t get carried away and get too close to the animals.

Play Games

When you play games, don’t get so noisy as to disturb the quiet that the animals are used to and try not to disturb other campsites. Treat yourself to outdoor games. Find a clearing, without obstructions, (you don’t want accidents to spoil your holiday). Play good old tag or run races. Tug-of-war is another great idea.

The children’s love of going in search of things can be exploited with the game of scavenger hunt. This physical activity is a great way to help the kids get exercise. Instruct them to avoid plants like the sumac, oak and poison ivy, whose prickles are harmful.

Teach the Kids How to Navigate

An activity that can be included with the scavenger hunt is navigation. Show them how a compass works and give them a few tips on map reading as you go through the forest. It will stimulate their spirit of adventure.

Build a Campfire

Round off an exciting day with a campfire. This is entertainment and togetherness time! In the campfire’s warmth, sing and narrate stories. Some may have some eerie ones to narrate as well. Word games and riddles are fun too while toasting marshmallows and chomping on goodies like hot dogs.

Watch the Stars

Teach the children basic astronomy. There’s nothing more awe inspiring than to lie on the grass and gaze at the stars dotting that vast expanse of sky. Point out the planets and constellations you are familiar with. Wish on a shooting star and admire the grand firmament.

Be Prepared for the Weather

Don’t let a sudden downpour dispirit you. Weather is unpredictable in some places more than in others. Take it in your stride and use the rain to your advantage. Take the opportunity of doing what you’ve always wanted to do—play in the rain. However, if there’s thunder and lightning, it’s better to stay indoors and away from metal poles and large trees..

Relax and Unwind

Above all, unwind. Give yourself up to nature. Enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings. How often do you get the opportunity? Feel the tension of the city leave you. Everyone should leave their cell phones, iPhones, smart phones and computers at home. Enjoy quality time with your family and the friends you’ve come with.

These are just a few suggestions of how to keep you and the children occupied when out camping. The possibilities are endless. With a little imagination, you can come up with many more ideas. Go out and have stupendous fun!

Send us your ideas for camping enjoyment by leaving a comment!

Aspirin Cuts Death Rate From Several Common Cancers. This is a re-post from WebMD, since it is so important a finding. An Aspirin a Day – Cancer Reduction. We felt that baby boomers should be aware of this possible cancer reduction.

The more it is available the bigger the chance that more people will see it. We want to help people and spread the word so that many people are helped in this manner. Full attribution goes to WebMD. An Aspirin a Day – Cancer Reduction is something we all need to think about in addition to controlling heart attacks and also high blood pressure.

Low Doses of Aspirin Reduce Death Rates From a Range of Cancers, New Research Shows

An Aspirin a Day – Cancer Reduction

By Peter Russell – WebMD Health News – Reviewed by Roger Henderson, MD

Dec. 6, 2010 — Taking aspirin over a long period of time can substantially cut the risk of dying from a variety of cancers. This according to a study showing that the benefit is independent of dose, gender, or smoking.

It also found that the protective effect increases with age.

The study is by Peter Rothwell, MD, PhD, FRCP, of John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, England, and colleagues. It has been published online by the journal the Lancet.

A previous study by the same authors showed that low doses of aspirin (75-300 milligrams) reduced the number of cases of colorectal cancer by a quarter. Deaths caused by the disease reduced by more than a third. The latest study confirms the earlier results. It concludes that similar effects can be shown for other types of cancers.

A Visual Guide to Lung Cancer – New Aspirin-Cancer Findings

The study looked at eight trials examining the effects of a daily dose of aspirin on preventing heart attacks involving 25,570 patients. 674 of whom died from cancer. They showed a 21% reduction in the number of deaths caused by cancer among those who had taken aspirin, compared with people who had not.

The investigation also showed that the benefits of taking aspirin increased over time. After five years, death rates were shown to fall by 34% for all cancers and by 54% for gastrointestinal cancers.

Participants were also followed up after 20 years, by which point 1,634 of the original participants had died as a direct result of cancer. This 20-year follow-up established that the risk of cancer death remained 20% lower among those who had been allocated aspirin. Than those in the control group for all solid cancers, including lung, prostate, brain, bladder, and kidney cancers, and by 35% for gastrointestinal cancers.

The fall in the risk of death broke down according to individual types of cancer:

• Esophageal cancer (60%)
• Colorectal cancer (40%)
• Lung cancer (30%)
• Prostate cancer (10%)

Reductions in pancreatic, stomach, and brain cancers were difficult to quantify because of smaller numbers of deaths, the authors say.

Protective Effect Increases Over Time

The protective effect of taking low doses of aspirin varied according to the type of cancer and how long aspirin had been taken, the authors found. For instance, it only became apparent after about five years for esophageal, pancreatic, brain, and lung cancer; about 10 years for stomach and colorectal cancer; and about 15 years for prostate cancer.

Should Middle-Aged People Take Aspirin?

Previous research has linked aspirin with reductions in heart attacks and strokes, but doctors have been wary when recommending whether people should take daily doses of aspirin because of the risk of gastric bleeding. Rothwell says, “The size of the effect on cancer I think is such that it does more or less drown out those sorts of risks.”

However, he says the authors of the study do not make recommendations on taking aspirin based on this study.

Peter Elwood, MD, DSc, FRCP, an expert on aspirin from Cardiff University who was not involved in the study, says that doctors are often reluctant to recommend aspirin because “the risk of causing a bleed by what the doctor prescribes is going to be uppermost in a doctor’s mind.” A patient might interpret the risk differently, he says.

Rothwell and his colleagues say that more research is required, in particular for the effect on breast cancer and other cancers affecting women as well as the effect on patients beyond the 20-year period. The results of further trials are expected to be published in 2011.

‘Promising Results’

Ed Yong, head of health information and evidence at Cancer Research UK, says in an emailed statement. These promising results build on a large body of evidence suggesting that aspirin could reduce the risk of developing or dying from many different types of cancer. Earlier studies suggested that you only get benefits from taking high doses of aspirin. This new study tells us that even small doses reduce the risk of dying from cancer provided it is taken for at least five years.

“In addition to the effect on cancer death, aspirin can affect our health in other ways. For example reducing the risk of stroke but increasing the chances of bleeding from the gut. We await trial results expected next year to learn more about these different effects. In the mean time, An Aspirin a Day – Cancer Reduction is the way to go for most adults.

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Aspen Colorado is just as well known for stupendous Aspen Colorado  camping as well as Aspen, Colorad0 is much more than just a skier’s paradise—there are many wonderful spots for camping. The  beauty of the mountains and forest  give it its well-deserved reputation and will delight even the most season camper.

People come from all over the world to ski in Aspen and then return in the summer to get a taste of this exciting and unique camping experience. With the mountain scenery, the camp sites and the hiking trails,  you’ll never get enough of Aspen Colorado.

When Do The Aspen Colorado Camping Grounds Open

Some campgrounds in Aspen, Colorado are beginning to open their gates for people in the early spring. Check with local camp authorities for specific dates.

Among them is the Aspen-Basalt Campground, an especially beautiful place that can offer much in the way of natural scenery to the visitor. It’s an Aspen, Colorado landmark that’s well-known as a great place for almost any kind of outdoor enthusiast or camper. People often speak of its fantastic offerings to all types of nature lovers. It has something for everyone, both young children as well as more seasoned individuals.

Aspen Basalt Camp Grounds

The Aspen-Basalt camping grounds are located in the Colorado Rockies. You’ll be within easy reach—200 feet—of the Roaring Fork River. It has its own private waterfront area, and you can take advantage of the great fishing opportunities that the River offers.

You’ll also not be far from some other big attractions in the area. Near the Aspen-Basalt campground, almost right next door, is the Cedar Brook Lake. You can also find the Elk Mountain towers nearby. Besides these attractions, there’s the Toner Creek stream, something you’ll probably see during your stay at the campground.

RV Facilities

It’s interesting to note that the Aspen-Basalt Campground, a famous campsite in Aspen, Colorado,provides excellent sites for RVs. You’ll get sites that are level and come with shade, and most of them are pull-throughs.

And another thing to keep in mind is that the campground has 50 amp service at 43 of their RV sites. They also have space for slide-outs, and they measure at least 45 ft. in length. This makes them a very comfortable campsite, the best in Aspen, Colorado.

Camp Ground Amenities

In the Aspen-Basalt Campground you can also find excellent quality restrooms, as well as a heated pool that’s open during the summer, a game room, a spa, payphones, a grocery store, a place to do laundry, and all sorts of other amenities.

This is what you should expect from this incredible Aspen, Colorado campground. Don’t forget either that you’ll be right beside some fishing as it’s located right in front of the Roaring Fork River.

If you prefer, there’s also the Frying Pan River, renowned for its big brown trout and rainbow trout. This river starts in Basalt and flows in from the Ruedi Reservoir, yet another place to enjoy great fishing.

Hiking at the Basalt Aspen Colorado Camp Ground

During your thrilling Aspen, Colorado camping trip, you’ll can also  take advantage of the cycling and hiking opportunities at Maroon Bell Peaks, a short distance  from the camping ground.

Check this camp site out for a wonderful get away for you and the family.

Many travelers may know about the Hampton Inns 100% Guarantee customer satisfaction guarantee, but have you ever taken advantage of it. We have taken advantage of the guarantee several times for legitimate reasons, and in fact it was the hotel who made the offer to us on one of the occasions!

Hampton Inn Atlantic City

The first time we used the Hampton Inns 100% Guarantee was near Atlantic city. We checked in, found our room to be fine and then took off for the casinos in nearby Atlantic city. We got back around 11pm and got ready for bed. since it was a warm evening, we decided to turn on the air conditioning, only to find that it was not working. In fact the coils where freezing up with ice on the outside which is a sure sign that the system is low on Freon or whatever they use these days. By the time we realized this, it was around 1 am and too late to really do anything about it so we just endured the heat and went to sleep.

The next morning I mentioned it to the manager that the AC was not working and about the coils. I mentioned that he needed to get this fixed because the coils were icing up causing condensation in the room and that it could also damage the unit itself. He thanked me for this information and without asking, pointed to the Hampton Inns 100% Guarantee and told me there would be no charge for the room for that night. Since we were staying two nights, he moved us to another better room.

Hampton Inn – St Louis West

This is another situation were the Hampton inn did not meet our expectations. As we travel throughout the US, we have come to expect that every hotel will have laundry facilities and wireless internet throughout the hotel. We checked into the Hampton Inn – St Louis – West under these assumptions. I asked for change for the laundry after having checked in. I was informed that there was no laundry on site. After mentioning that we were not satisfied, due to no laundry, no wireless and that we were not satisfied.

The manager offered us 100% back on our room cost. However I indicated that in this case in my opinion 100% was not fair. We agreed on a 50% rate reduction for the cost of the room. I think  that it is important to be fair in these situations with the hotel.

We also found out that hot chocolate chip cookies were also not provided.  To make matters worse we were told about the Drury Inn next door which was the same price, but also offers hot evening bar food as well.

Hampton Inn – Tucson

This last situation was really the fault of another guest. Apparently contrary to hotel rules, the previous guest smoked in his room and we were checked into this room without it having been properly cleaned. Note that the Hampton Inns, are all supposed to be non-smoking.

The hotel manager agreed to move us and reduce our room rate as well. It was a very attractive rate, although we had to change rooms.

Hampton Inns 100% Guarantee

The Hampton inn chain stands behind their service guarantee. Although you must mention the issues you have to the hotel manager and request a discount to your room rate.

Their breakfast is average, with some hot and cold items on the menu with coffee, tea and juices.

All in all a great chain to stay at all over the country with competitive rates for most places. For more information about hotels we have stayed at, click here.

Do you have a big goal with a deadline: for example,  lose 70 pounds by your wedding day or by your birthday! Perhaps we are Not as Healthy as we Think and losing weight might be more difficult than we think.

Many people will use all kinds of tricks and ideas to help them lose weight and to draw attention to their issue so they can get support for losing weight. What it really takes is for people who want to lose weight is to  move around more. They need to get out for a walk, play a sport, cycle etc.

Run down a  staircase or beat back tempting treats, the real issues that most people already know that success hinges on accountability. We have to recognize that inactivity on couch potato days, is just going to mean increased weight. This contributes to being not as healthy as we think we are.

We all have those days when we think about our younger days when we were a lot more active as a young athletes playing hockey, baseball, karate and football. We could eat anything we wanted because were going to burn it off with the energy we expended running around. Do we still run around like that? The answer is NO and this is one of the reasons we are not as healthy as we think we are.

So What Happens, Why do we Gain Weight

Many people get  caught up working, and get lazy at the end of the day, and before you know it, your pants don’t fit anymore. Writing a blog about losing weight is one way to be accountable and to think about everything you put in your mouth along with the consequences. It also forces us to think about the exercise component and how we must increase the activity level.

Recognized Your Weight Problem –  Don’t Delude Yourself

Most of us don’t even realize that we are overweight. We have been that way for so long we have forgotten what it feels like to be at the right weight. Over two-thirds of the Canadian population is overweight and we suspect even more of the US population.

We have about 20 per cent of the Canadians being what you would clinically obese.

Time warp

Polls indicate that seventy-seven per cent of those polled said they live a generally healthy lifestyle. Again, their answers on the specifics of diet, exercise and sleep don’t bear that out.

When people were asked why they aren’t healthier, lack of time was the main reason given:

• Not enough time to make healthy meals: 37 per cent.
• Insufficient time to get vigorous exercise regularly: 42 per cent.
• Not enough time to sleep: 36 per cent.

Nearly 60 per cent of both adults and youth surveyed said they are tired most of the time, and nearly 40 per cent of adults reported feeling stressed most of the time.

Part of the problem is that few consumers  look at what actually drives poor eating habits and our sedentary nature.

It is Easy to be Inactive

People feel they lack the time and skills to prepare healthy meals, while research shows insufficient sleep and stress actually change our metabolism and lead to cravings and changes in how the body stores energy.

Another source of the problem is how society makes it easy to be inactive. We chose cars over walking. Video games over outdoor play in a society that is biologically and sociologically “wired” to embrace convenience. We’re biologically trained for survival with little expenditure of effort, and our culture of labour-saving devices encourages mindless eating at otherwise idle moments.

We are spending more and more time in front of TV or computer screens, instead of moving about. The bottom line is that if you want to lose weight, you first have to recognize that you are over weight and need to lose weight to improve your health. Consumers then must manage the combination of food intake with the amount of energy expended through physical activity. If you eat, and do not move around in some significant way, you are going to probably gain weight!

Comments are appreciated by our readers. We are looking for comments that will help our readers with this serious issue of avoiding gaining weight and how we can lose weight. Not as healthy as we think we are is a serious issue for many people.

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