The LuxMob Info Tags

Pumpkin is one of South Africa’s favourite vegetables. Most restaurants serve pumpkin and spinach as vegetable side dishes with main meals and all mothers buy it for their families. There are many ways in which you can serve the great varieties of pumpkin available like butternut squash, herbert squash, “boer” pumpkin or red pumpkin, to mention just a few.

Not all types of pumpkin are in season and therefor available all through the year, so you have to use the one that is in season at a certain time. The most common and quickest way to prepare pumpkin is to boil it in a little bit of water, season lightly with salt and add some cinnamon. Otherwise you can mix the pumpkin with flour, salt and egg and bake “pampoenkoekies” in a little bit of oil, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve warm.

Another favourite recipe from times gone by, a truly traditional South African recipe, is “pampoenmoes”. You can either bake this in the oven or boil it in a little bit of water in a saucepan. This is a recipe worth trying:

Ingredients:
8 slices of white bread
Butter
Apricot jam
2 cups of pumpkin (1 butternut squash should do. Slice very thinly)
Salt
Sugar
Cinnamon

Method:
1. Butter the bread on both sides and spread apricot jam on the side facing up. Place one layer in an oven proof glass dish, jam facing up.

2. Cut the pumpkin thinly, season lightly with salt and place on top of the bread.
3. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the pumpkin.
4. Repeat this until all the pumpkin and bread is used up, finishing with a layer of pumpkin. Dot a few extra clots of butter on the top.

5. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour in a pre-heated oven of 180C

Serve the pumpkin hot with vegetables and maybe a lovely chicken dish, maybe a pie? This is a great dish to try and impress your friends with. It is very easy to make, so try it and see what happens!

About the Author: Lizel loves baking and is the author of Simply South African, a recipe book with traditional South African recipes. To get your hands on this book and read more about South Africa, visit http://www.recipesfromsouthafrica.com.

You probably think Mary-Kate and Ashley are so famous stars that you don’t have anything in common. But you have even more in common than you could ever suppose!

“We do the same things as many other teens”, says Mary-Kate. “We go to school, go shopping, meet friends, and have a rest.”

“Our friends and teacher communicate with us as with ordinary teens”, agreed Ashley.

Girls go for a walk, wait for new films’ release and enjoy listening to music. They learn to play the piano but refuse to play football. They sometimes have failures at school and with boys. They like N’Sync’s songs and go at concerts with friends.

Mary-Kate and Ashley were born on June 13, 1986 (Ashley is 2 minutes older). They grew at the suburb of Los-Angeles with their brother Trent; he is 2 years older and their sister Elizabeth. She is 3 years younger. Their parents are divorced and children had to divide for some time to be sometimes with mother and sometimes with father. Their father Dave is a broker. Their mother Jarnette performs with ballets in Los-Angeles.

“Trent is a typical elder brother”, said Kate. “He helps us with homework, likes to be our observer and looks after us. But he teases us all the time! He draws very well and goes for sport. He plays football, baseball and basketball. And he also likes computer games very much”.

“Lizzie is our younger sister. She does everything by herself and so she is very independent. She likes to act plays at school. And she began to learn actor’s skill professionally”.

Besides Mary-Kate and Ashley have small sister and brother from the second marriage of their father with Mackenzie Olsen. Tailor is 2 and a half years old and Jake is one and a half year old.

“It’s great when there are small children because you can play with them”, says Ashley. “We always help our father to look after children”
They have their own fashion line, but what styles do they prefer?

“None”, says Mary-Kate. “I like eclecticism when everything is mixed.” And Ashley says “I wear not only the latest fashion. Sometimes I put on things that were in vogue 2 years ago. The main thing is that my clothes should suit my mood at that moment”.

They are often asked about their similarities and differences. How do people distinguish them?

“It’s very simple”, says Mary-Kate. “I have a little mole on my right cheek and Ashley has the same but on her chin. I’m a lefthander and Ashley is normal.”

The whole twins’ life…

1986

June, 13. Hello the world! Mary-Kate and Ashley were born in Los-Angeles in the family of loved parents Jarnie and Dave Olsen.

1987

February. 7-month old Mary-Kate and Ashley went to the first interview to get the role of Michelle Tanner in the serial “Full House”.
September. “Full House” is started to shoot in Los-Angeles. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen started to act the role of Michelle Tanner in the serial that soon should have appeared on ABC channel. Interesting fact; Mary-Kate played funny scenes and Ashley played more serious.

1992

June. Mary-Kate and Ashley played in their first movie “To Grandmother’s House We Go”.

Interesting fact; While the film was shooting in Canada Mary-Kate has gone a horse-riding for the first time and became a fan of this sport.
September. Ashley lost her first milk-tooth and four month later Mary-Kate lost her too.

1993

April. Mary-Kate and Ashley released their first music video “Our first video”.

November. An investigation agency “Olsen and Olsen” was opened! Mary-Kate and Ashley played private detectives and laid bare the truth as “The Trench coat Twins” in new serial “The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley”. At the time the first series of their book was published.

1994

September. “You are invited on Mary-Kate and Ashley…” This serial began from “Party with lodging for the night”.

December. Mary-Kate and Ashley celebrate Christmas on cruise abroad on a military ship and shoot the video “The Case of the Mystery Cruise”.

1995

June. Caribbean cruise abroad on submarine with friends and fans.

July. Mary-Kate and Ashley play with dolphins and even met gangsters while playing in video “The Case Of The Sea World Adventure”.

October. In the space! Almost. Mary-Kate and Ashley at NASA space camp with their father and elder brother Trent to perform in video “The Case of the U.S Space Camp Mission”. They are in the space simulator and meet an astronaut.

October. Mary-Kate and Ashley lost their front teeth in Florida together.

December. Mary-Kate got her first pony and called him “CD”.

1996

April. Mary-Kate and Ashley act in their first movie, that was shown in cinema “Both I and My Shadow”. Also appeared Kirsty Elli and Steve Guttenberg.
July. Hawaii holidays! Mary-Kate and Ashley study surfing. Mary-Kate and Ashley got the reward Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice for their roles in the film “Both I and My Shadow”.

1997

February. Learn how to ski! Mary-Kate and Ashley go to Weil, Colorado and act in video “Christmas party”.

Spring. Queens of cosmetics! Mary-Kate and Ashley start experimenting with lipstick, tone and mascara.

November. Mary-Kate and Ashley take part in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New-York. They are having a ride on Jell-O’s platform.

1998

August. Entertainments on cruise to Florida, holidays on Magic Disney ship with their family, friends and fans.

September. New serial “Two Of A Kind” started on ABC channel. Interesting fact; girls played characters who had names Mary-Kate and Ashley, but their surname was Berk.

1999

September. Mary-Kate and Ashley went to eighth form and joined cheer-leaders.

October. Internet! Mary-Kate and Ashley open their own site mary-kateandashley.com

June. Mary-Kate and Ashley made their first journey to Europe and play in a new film “The passport to Paris”. Interesting fact; They have kissed guys on the screen for the first time.

2000

May. Toys! Dolls Mary-Kate and Ashley Mattel. They are a real hit!

April. Mary-Kate and Ashley go to Australia and play in a new film “Our lips are sealed!”

October. A month in Great Britain, shooting the film “Winning London”

September, 25 Mary-Kate and Ashley visited their first big concert in Los-Angeles and saw Counting Crows.

2001

January. Fashion! Mary-Kate and Ashley put on sale their own fashion line Wal-Mart.

June. New serial “Twins”. Premiere on Fox Family channel.

August. Hollywood Reporter Magazine called Mary-Kate and Ashley “Most Powerful Young Women in Hollywood”.

October. Mary-Kate and Ashley got a permission to education with California Department of Motor Vehicles.

October. Animation! “Mary-Kate and Ashley in action!”

November. Mary-Kate and Ashley on the Caribbean Islands. They performed in the movie “Holiday in the Sun”

Summer. Start dancing.

2002

February. Mary-Kate and Ashley ski in Deep Valley, Utah while acting in the film “Getting there”

Summer. The end of academic year in high school! They prepare to entering a college.

April. Italy! Mary-Kate and Ashley travel in Italy and act in a new film “When in Rome”, which was released at the end of the year.

June. Mary-Kate and Ashley devote much time to ending the high school.

June, 13 Sweet 16!

8:00 Mary-Kate and Ashley had an exam to got the best gifts - driving licenses. They spent all day with friends and family.

September. A new video is shooting probably on holidays in Pacific Ocean!

What’s next? Many Mary-Kate and Ashley’s adventures.

Visit our Olsen Twins FunClib! Articles, blog, photos, screensaver… all about Mary-Kate and Ashley!

Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it
possible for cats to live longer, healthier lives than ever
before. The quality of your cat’s health is the result of a
partnership between you and your veterinarian. You must be
confident that the vet you have chosen will take good care of
your cats.

When you first get your cat, be sure to have your veterinarian
examine her within 10 days. In addition to getting baseline
weights and measurements on her, your vet will want to check her
blood and stools for illness and parasites. If you have never
had a cat before, the first visit is a good time to get a
demonstration in cleaning your pet’s ears and clipping her
toenails properly.

A proper diet and sufficient exercise are key factors in keeping
your cat healthy. You must make sure the food you give your cat
is of good quality to provide her with the correct amounts of
nutrients to keep her systems running. If you are confused by
the variety of brands of cat food available, ask your
veterinarian for some help. Don’t be embarrassed to tell him how
much you are able/willing to spend for pet food. There are some
excellent brands that are not very expensive, and some expensive
brands that are not very good.

Exercise not only keeps your cat’s weight under control, it
strengthens her muscles and enhances her immune system. Some
cats are naturally active. Others need anywhere from a little to
a lot of encouragement from you to get moving. Set aside some
dedicated playtime each day with your cat, and she’ll be more
inclined to get physical.

Yearly “well-cat” appointments with your veterinarian help track
your cat’s health. A thorough going-over under the vet’s expert
eye can catch early skin or eye conditions and other physical
changes that you might not notice on a day-to-day basis. Blood
and stool samples allows your vet to diagnose and treat disease
and parasites before they reach a critical state.

The yearly vet visit is also a good time to mention any “strange
habits” your cat may have developed over the last year. Often,
these have simple explanations, but some behaviors, such as
licking paint or eating strange substances can indicate a
medical condition.

One of the most important aspects of the yearly vet visit is
updating your cat’s vaccinations. Even if you keep your cat
strictly indoors, it is important to have her vaccinated against
diseases such as rabies, panleukopenia, calcivirus, Chlamydia
and feline leukemia virus. If your cat were to get out of the
house and wander, she has protection against some of the
diseases that cost less fortunate cats their lives.

How Do You Find a Veterinarian?

* Get recommendations from other cat owners in your area. * Ask
cat groomers or emergency clinics for recommendations. *
Neighbors or your local pet supply store may be able to make
suggestions. * If you’ve just moved to the area, ask your former
veterinarian if he/she could recommend a veterinarian in your
new hometown

The process for selecting a veterinarian is very much like
choosing your own personal physician. You want to find a doctor
that you feel comfortable talking with, someone who encourages
all of your questions and supports you in all the health care
choices you make on your cat’s behalf.

WHAT IS A SIMPLE?

A “simple” is one herb used at a time. A “simpler” is an herbalist who generally uses herbs one at a time, rather than in combinations.

WHY USE SIMPLES?

Most herbalists I have met - whether from China or Japan, Eastern or Western Europe, Australia or North America - use herbs in combinations. Simplers, like myself, don’t. Why?

Because I believe that herbal medicine is people’s medicine, I seek to make herbal medicine simple: as simple as one herb at a time. Because people worry about interactions between the drugs they take and herbs, I keep it simple: with simples, interactions are simple to observe, and simpler to avoid. Because empowerment in healthcare is difficult, I want to offer others easy, safe herbal remedies: and what could be easier, or safer, than a simple?

SIMPLES MAKE ME THINK

When I was just getting started with herbs, one thing that confounded me was the many choices I had when I began to match symptoms to the herbs that relieved them. If someone had a cough should I use garden sage or wild cherry bark or pine sap or mullein or coltsfoot (to name only a few of the many choices)? One way out of this dilemma was to use them all. I made many cough syrups that contained every anti-cough herb that I could collect. And they all worked.

As I got more sophisticated in my herbal usage, and especially after I completed a course on homeopathy, I began to see that each herb had a specific personality, a specific way of acting. I realized I couldn’t notice the individual actions of the herbs when they were combined.

It felt daring at first to use just one herb. Would wild cherry bark tincture all by itself be enough to quell that child’s cough? Yes! Would mullein infusion alone really reduce a person’s asthmatic and allergic reactions? Yes! Would sage soaked in honey for six weeks ease a sore throat? Yes! Each herb that I tried as a simple was successful. They all worked, not just together, but by themselves.

The more I used individual herbs the more I came to know them as individuals. The more I used simples, the simpler and more successful my remedies became. The more I used one herb at a time, the more I learned about how that herb worked, and didn’t work.

SIMPLES ARE INTIMATE

When we use one herb at a time, we come to know that herb, we become intimate with that herb. Just as we become intimate with each other by spending time one-on-one, tte–tte, simply together, we become closer to the herbs when we use them as simples.

Becoming intimate with an herb or a person helps us build trust. How reliable is the effect of this herb? When? How? Where does it fail? Using simples helps us build a web of green allies that we trust deeply. Simples help us feel more powerful. They help abate our fears, simply, safely.

SIMPLES ARE SUBTLE

Using one herb at a time gives us unparalleled opportunities to observe and make use of the subtle differences that are at the heart of herbal medicine. When we use simples we are more likely to notice the many variables that affect each herb: including where it grows, the years’ weather, how we harvest it, our preparation, and the dosage.1 The many variables within one plant insure that our simple remedy nonetheless touches many aspects of a person and heals deeply.

One apprentice tinctured motherwort flowering tops weekly through its blooming period. She reported that the tinctures made from the younger flower stalks had a stronger effect on the uterus; while those made from the older flower stalks, when the plant was going to seed, had a stronger effect on the heart.

SIMPLES GIVE ME POWER

Using one herb at a time helps me feel more certain that my remedy has an active value, not just a placebo value. Using one plant at a time, and local ones at that, reassures me that my herbal medicine cannot be legislated away. Using one plant at a time allows me to build trust in my remedies. Using one plant at a time is a subversive act, a reclaiming of simple healthcare.

Combinations erode my power, activate my “victim persona”, and lead me to believe that herbal medicine is best left to the experts.

FROM COMPLEX TO SIMPLE

Take the challenge! Use simples instead of complex formulae. Let’s rework some herbal remedies and get a sense of how simple it can be.

The anti-cancer formula Essiac contains Arctium lappa (burdock), Rheum palmatum (rhubarb), Ulmus fulva (slippery elm), and Rumex acetosella (sheep sorrel). Rhubarb root has no possible use against cancer; it is a purgative whose repeated use can “aggravate constipation”. Slippery elm bark also has no possible anti-cancer properties and has no doubt been added to counter some of the detrimental effects of the rhubarb. Sheep sorrel juice is so caustic that it has been used to burn off skin cancers, but it would likely do more harm to the kidneys than to any cancer if ingested regularly. Leaving us with a great anti-cancer simple: burdock root. One that I have found superbly effective in reversing dysplasias and pre-cancerous conditions.

A John Lust formula for relief of coughs2 contains Agropyron repens (witch grass), Pimpinella anisum (aniseed), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Inula helenium (elecampane root), Pulmonaria officinalis (lungwort), Thymus species (thyme herb), (murillo bark)3, Chondrus crispus (irish moss), Lobelia inflata (lobelia herb). Witch grass has little or no effect on coughs; it is an emollient diuretic whose dismissal from this group would leave no hole. Anise seeds are also not known to have an anti-pertussive effect; although they do taste good, we can do without them. Lobelia can bring more oxygen to the blood, but is certainly not an herb I would ever add to a cough mixture, so I will leave it out here. Licorice is a demulcent expectorant that can be most helpful for those with a dry cough; however, I do use it for a variety of reasons, among them its exotic origins and its cloyingly sweet taste. Lungwort is, as its name implies, a pectoral, but its effect is rather mild, and its place in the Boraginaceae family gives me pause. How much pyrrolizidine alkaloid might it contain? Thyme, and its more common anti-cough cousin garden sage, contains essential oils that could both quiet a cough and counter infection in the throat. A strong tea or a tincture of either could be our simple. Irish moss is, a specific to soothe coughs and a nutritive in addition, would also make an excellent simple. But it is elecampane that I would crown. It is not only a specific to curb coughing, it counters infection well, and tonifies lung tissues. Several small doses of a tincture of elecampane root should quiet a cough in a few hours.

Simples are fun. Give them a try.

Footnotes:

1. Among the many variables, I have especially noticed that the tinctures that I make with fresh plants are many times more effective than tinctures made from dried plants. My elders tell me that preparations of common plants growing in uncommon places will be stronger as well. Many herbalists are aware of certain areas of their land that nurture plants that are particularly potent medicines.
2. John Lust. The Herb Book. 1974. Bantam.
3. Note that this formula, as is frequently the case, contains an “exotic” herb which Mr. Lust does not include in the 500+ herbs in his book, nor does he give us a botanical name for the plant, leaving us literally unable to prepare his formula as presented.

Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081

Visit Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com and www.ashtreepublishing.com

For permission to reprint this article, contact us at: susunweed@herbshealing.com

Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings, and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges conventional medical approaches with humor, insight, and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.

Susun is one of America’s best-known authorities on herbal medicine and natural approaches to women’s health. Her four best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists and well-known physicians and are used and cherished by millions of women around the world. Learn more at www.susunweed.com

Effective listening is every bit as important as effective speaking, and generally much more difficult. Although numerous barriers to effective listening can make the practice difficult, there are several habits one can adopt that will lead to a higher level of listening proficiency.

Listening is the most important part of the communication process. However, listening skills do not come naturally to most people; they require willingness, practice, and patience to develop.

There are many reasons individuals fail to listen successfully. These include:

1. Interrupting

2. Judging

3. Faking Attention

4. Becoming Emotional

5. Tuning Out

6. Jumping to Conclusions

7. Becoming distracted.

Interrupting is a problem for many reasons. First, it is aggressive behavior and will most likely bring a negative response from the speaker being interrupted. Second, it is difficult to listen and speak at the same time. When the listener is interrupting, he or she is certainly not listening fully.

Faking attention (often associated with tuning out) can be offensive and is usually hard to hide. This is hurtful and sends the message to the speaker that the listener doesn’t really care about what the speaker is saying. If an individual cannot listen actively in the present moment, it is best to let that be known and suggest that the communication process be put off until a point when there are no distractions.

Becoming emotional can hinder one’s ability to listen. It is important that the receiver be aware of his or her emotions. If the sender is sending a message that is offensive, it is important to acknowledge that fact and be aware of the fact that something is threatening a breakdown in the process. When a receiver is angered, it is easy for him or her to miss the most important part of the sender’s message.

To avoid jumping to conclusions, it may be helpful for the listener to wait until the speaker is finished before responding. It can also be helpful to ask questions throughout the conversation to clarify issues, or to let the speaker know that he or she is communicating in a way that suggests a certain thing, which may not be what they are intending to say.

It is easy to become distracted while trying to communicate. Often one has many tasks to do or there is a lot of other activity taking place while someone is trying to communicate. This can be a problem because it leads to miscommunication, faking attention, and tuning out all togetherall of which threaten future communication.

Although the reasons for listening breakdowns are numerous, there are many ways to improve listening skills. These are:

1. Provide clues that you are actively involved

2. Concentrate

3. Refrain from formulating an immediate response

4. Try to prepare beforehand

5. Be prepared to accept revisions

6. Be sure the environment is conducive to listening.

Clues that one is actively listening can go a long way. It is important to the speaker to feel like the listener cares about what the speaker is saying. This is because it tends to send a message about whether or not the listener cares about the speaker in general. When people don’t feel like you care about them, they don’t trust you and the communication process quickly breaks down. Therefore, it sis important to use verbal and non-verbal clues that you are listening, including eye contact, gestures, and acknowledging statements.

Concentration requires willingness and practice. Practicing active listening helps with concentration but there are other elements that contribute to your ability to concentrate on what someone is saying. When you’re involved in an exchange of information, you can’t be multi-tasking. It’s important to position yourself in a way that maintains eye contact while allowing you to watch for body language and other non-verbal forms of communication.

It is important to refrain from formulating an immediate response. You won’t be able to fully concentrate on forming a genuine understanding of what the speaker is trying to say if you are too busy thinking about what you are going to say in response to them whenever it is your turn to talk. Instead, it is important to approach the communication as a dialogue. Dialogues help us to learn what others have to say by forcing us to think about their message and to acknowledge what we have heard rather than just responding with our own opinions.

Preparation can have a huge impact on the outcome of a dialogue or any form of communication. To prepare for an interaction where effective listening will be important, it is essential to keep in mind the purpose of the exchange. What decisions need to be made and how the collaboration between sender and receiver relates are important factors to keep in mind. It is also helpful to approach the situation with the attitude of really caring about and wanting to know the truth. The dialogue should be viewed as an opportunity to uncover the truth and make progress, rather than as a challenge or conflict.

A willingness to accept revisions will keep the communication process running smoothly. Often people are so busy trying to defend their positions that they fail to really stop and think whether they could be improved upon or viewed in a different way. This is what is often referred to as “spending 90 seconds expressing an opinion and 900 seconds blindly defending it.”

Choosing the right environment is important because it will help the listener focus and avoid distractions. Although there is no set environment which is best for all communication, in general it is best to avoid areas where there are high levels of activity, loud noises, an uncomfortable temperature, poor air flow, etc.

Implementing these techniques takes willingness and patience. The effort is worthwhile however, as the long-term benefit of improved communication skills will greatly increase one’s chances of success in the business world. Effective listening is the most important part of the communication process. It is probably the most difficult to master also. There are many barriers to effective listening, but practicing listening techniques will help one overcome these barriers and become a good listener.

Justin Elza is the owner of J. Allan Writing and Design Studios, a full-service creative firm that helps clients save time and money while developing consistency in all their written, visual, and web-based marketing communications. From business cards to billboards, memos to manuscripts, J. Allan Studios is your creative, professional partner!

Baby furniture can be made up of many different pieces and often makes an ideal baby shower gift. With an endless variety of choices to choose from such as cribs and dressers or toy boxes and rocking chairs you can be sure to find that timeless shower gift.

Furniture goes in phases

A baby has furniture needs that older children and adults do not and happily there are many pieces of nursery and baby furniture to select from. One of the first pieces to look for when selecting furniture for a nursery is a baby crib. Depending on style, exuberance or functionality, this key staple in kids bedroom furniture can often set the tone for the rest of the room.

After cribs, a baby dresser is a much needed item in any nursery. This highly useful piece of children’s furniture provides much needed storage for all of baby’s things. In addition, the dresser has the potential of being a creative and fun part of any kids bedroom furniture set when painted in a bright color or theme. Nursery furniture can also include items such as changing tables, mattresses, toy boxes, rockers and bassinets.

Bringing make believe into your child’s world.

Children’s furniture can also help you add that whimsical touch of fantasy. Many designers and manufacturers of nursery furniture produce complete lines of childrens furniture in fun and colorful themes. Animals, cars, butterflies or fairies are all designs used to decorate lamps, bookcases, wall art and clothes stands for your little prince or princess.

Whatever your taste or budget you can find that classic piece of baby nursery furniture to give as a memorable gift.

Looking for baby bedding, baby gift baskets, baby furniture, baby shower invitations, baby strollers, Robeez shoes, baby shower games or themes, please visit http://www.baby-shower-4u.com



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