Here’s a question: Since when are high-fat foods good for your health? Since there were almonds, that’s when. And because a lot of products now have almonds, they’re quick to let you know that almonds can lower bad cholesterol levels. But that can mislead you into thinking that simply eating these snacks would lower your LDL cholesterol levels and help reduce the risk of having a heart disease. Not that it’s totally wrong, but it can set you up for disappointment. Almonds really do have cholesterol-lowering effects. But that’s as long as we eat almonds raw - not roasted. And this is where a lot of people go wrong. Read the rest…

Goji berries, a relatively unknown fruit is gaining popularity, all over the world. This berry is said to have wonderful properties, which can benefit people suffering from different ailments. This tender red berry has its home in the Himalayas, from where it is procured, dried and packed, and shipped to different places. Since, these berries are said to have beneficial properties, which help in maintaining our health, so more and more people are starting to show interest in them. Read the rest…

People indulge in various activities to unwind after a hard day’s work. Some prefer to play poker in casinos or at card rooms. People who wish to play poker have to be proficient in their game, need to learn the rules and be alert. The most important items needed for playing poker are poker chips and playing cards. Casino chips come in various shapes and design, and they are made from different materials like clay, plastic and composite. Read the rest…

An eagle in flight- is there anything as powerful and lovely in nature? If you look at these lovely silver eagle earrings I think you’ll agree the person who made them really captured both their beauty and their power. Which is amazing when you thing how small a pair of earrings is in relation to the real thing. When I examine them closely they even manage to look regal. Good job, artist, whoever you are! Read the rest…

Everyone enjoys a romantic picnic. Nothing expresses true love like a quiet afternoon in a grassy area with great food and a beautiful scene. Besides finding the perfect spot, packing the right foods is also a tricky task. Most couples take a normal picnic meal; sandwiches, drinks, snacks, a blanket, and a basket. Instead of going along with the pack, there is a newer, more romantic method to picnicking. This is all started with a Wine and Cheese Picnic Cooler.

Romantic picnics with wine and high quality cheese spring more excitement than just a normal picnic meal; it is the adult picnic. This cooler carries both the wine and cheese in a chilled, insulated polyester bag. On the outside it includes a hardwood cutting board, cheese knife, and bottle opener with their own individual spots. So relax the next time you and your loved one want to go on a picnic, as you have everything you will need aside from the wine and cheese in this lightweight, convenient cooler. You can find this picnic cooler and many other personalized gift ideas at Eye Candy Gift.

Clothes make a man. And that first impression takes you a long way. So you have to do all you can to look perfect. And what better way to start, than by making sure that you wash your clothes properly? It’s all in the water. The cleaner, the better. But ground water, and even chemically treated water, contains minerals, salts and other substances that degrade the quality of your clothes over time. That’s why you need a filtration system. Because it’s not just enough that you drink clean water . Give it to your clothes too. Read the rest…

Most businessmen are portrayed as hard working, suit wearing friends who often take a lunch break together and like to stick in a game of golf on the weekends. While not entirely accurate, one thing is true; a game of golf is cherished in the workplace. Instead of dragging in a golf bag that is unstylish and cramping up your office space to sneak in some practice puts; there is another option. A classy and stylish addition to any workspace; the Executive Putter Stand.

This putter stand is made from premium hardwood with a delicate mahogany finish. While not extremely large and noticeable, it does hold up to four putters and six balls. Not only does it hold your gear, it also has a regulation sized opening so that you can practice your putting. So for the next time you are at your company golf game and miss a putt, think of your old putter in the corner with a plastic cup as the hole. Enhance your game and your office atmosphere with the executive putter stand.  Find this and many more executive golf gifts at TheGolfCollection.com

Each year around this time, I buy five or six large pumpkins and turn them into pumpkin soup. Since it’s after Halloween, I can get these yummy large veggies very cheap. Here is my favorite pumpkin soup recipe. It is fast and easy to make and freezes well. I make up one pot for us to eat right away and another to freeze until Christmas. Makes for a nice lunch or first course of our big Christmas meal. Any leftovers are refrozen in portion sized containers and use for lunches over the coming weeks and months. Read the rest…

Morning rituals. We all have them. Some people have their coffee and newspaper. Others are busy filling lunch-boxes and getting the kids out the door. Others still are up a half hour early to work out. Making exercise a part of your morning ritual is a sure fire way of fitting more exercise into your busy life. That extra half hour of time just to yourself, before the day gets going, may be the best and most important half hour of your day. Your morning exercise ritual might be meditation or Yoga-based. All you would need is a mat and a quiet setting. Maybe you feel like more of a punched up workout. Strength training with free weights or an upbeat workout DVD might be more your style. Are you a runner? Read the rest…

For years I had been using my grandmother’s old hand mixer in my kitchen. It was not very powerful, but it was better than using a whisk for the thicker mixers or for batters that need more whipping done. But given it’s age and it’s small motor, it’s a pretty comical kitchen tool in this modern age. Well after many years of service my little mixer finally quit on me. Who could blame it? I asked it to do far more than it was built for!  So the time had come for me to finally buy my own mixer. After a lot of research I decided what I really needed was a versatile stand mixer and after reading reviews, I decided to purchase the DeLonghi Stand Mixer. Read the rest…

What are Knock Off sunglasses?  Well there are many different terms that are used when speaking about sunglasses.  Some of these definitions are used to mean the same thing and others are just down right confusing.  I have come to realize that you need to really pay attention when purchasing items to make sure that you are buying a legitimate product. Read the rest…

If you’re looking for an all around outstanding bonsai, then think very seriously about a Chinese Elm bonsai tree–also known as Ulmus parvifolia.  I refer to it in the title as a dual bonsai and that’s exactly true.  It’s one of the few bonsai that can be grown as an indoor or outdoor tree. As an indoor bonsai, or for that matter an outdoor tree grown in warmer –climates the Chinese elm is an evergreen or semi evergreen tree that will lose only  a few of it’s leaves in the winter.  This is caused by the shortening daylight hours and not the temperature change. In colder temperatures, it acts like a deciduous tree and looses its leaves in the winter.  But that’s ok because a highlight of the outdoor bonsai enthusiasts year is that first day of spring when you see the buds swelling and know your tree is waking up for another year. Read the rest…

That wasn’t a typo I did write par-b-que purposefully.  It is summer (or at least feeling like it now that Memorial Day has come and gone) and it’s time to get grilling in the backyard.  Nothing says summer than a nicely grilled set of burgers with maybe some grilled corn on the cob.  But grilling can take a bit of effort and requires the right utensils.  Enter the Par-B-Que a great golf grilling set that’s perfect for the guy who loves to golf as much as he loves to grill.  This three piece set comes with removable heads so they can be cleaned.

With rain forecast for much of the US over this Memorial Day weekend, many families are wondering what to do for fun.  With fuel prices now sky high, many families had planned on stying closer to home - often just partying in their backyards - for fun.

The planned BBQ and grilling may need to be moved indoors now.  And with less to do, the backyard may not be quite the focus as we had previously forecast for this holiday.  Movie theaters may be the happy beneficiaries of the inclement weather.

Its graduation time and one of life’s most memorable occasions nears.

The class of 1988 still remembers that momentous occasion and one day the class of 2008 will be celebrating their 20th year reunion!  Sometimes you have the opportunity to celebrate multiple graduations and reunion years at the same event.

Throwing and outdoor or backyard party works very well for these occations.  Graduate paper party goods are the best way to decorate for this hybrid party: part formal, part informal.

For instance, there are often early morning commencement ceremonies that are followed by a series of party hopping type activities.

If graduation day is during the warm months which it usually but not always is, then the foods and refreshments should be in keeping with refrigeration limitations.

As the weather now starts to warm, it’s time to start planning our outdoor parties.  Before we get to themes and events and what food will be served we need to consider our yard set up.  If we need to make some improvements on the landscaping to faciliate our entertaining then spring is the time to do it.  A new tree for shade, some lovely foilage from shrubs and plants and splashes of color from easy to maintain flowers like daylillies can really make the backyard be a special place.

Also review your outdoor kitchen facilities.  A really good grill with basic counter space will go a long way to make feeding your guests easy.  An outdoor cabinet can house all sorts of things you’ll need while grilling and some grills have gas cooktops as well.  This can extend the range of food you’ll be able to serve your guests.

A little planning now and  you’ll have a lot of fun with your parties later.

Amusement Rentals
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join us for a round table discussion of safety and issues affecting Inflatables and the rental industry!

  We have arranged for coffee, sweet rolls, bagels, etc. from 9 AM to 12 Noon. Look on the Convention Center walls for more information. We look forward to talking with you.

 Dress is casual, get your tickets at various inflatable vendor booths.
Ask for  party tickets, all are welcome.