Cool and Small Wonder Camera s
We've got your summer crap camcorders right here -- three new RCA Small Wonder cams to make your Flips flop. Check them out:
- Small Wonder My Life, EZ200 (black) - 1.5-inch flip-out display, micro SDHC with 1GB micro SD that does up to 30 / 60 minutes in high quality and web quality modes, $89 and due this summer
- Small Wonder Pocket, EZ205 (white) - 1.5-inch flip-out display, micro SDHC slot with 1GB micro SD that does up to 30 / 120 minutes in high quality and web quality modes, $100 and due this summer
- Small Wonder Traveler, EZ210 (green) - 2.4-inch QVGA display, SDHC with 2GB SD card that does up to 60 / 240 minutes in high quality and web quality modes, $150 and due this summer
Pen That gives Shock
April 1st might be done and over with, but that doesn't mean you'll have to put up a sour demeanor for the rest of the year. With this Shocking Pen, you can definitely get a few laughs in as you see curious colleagues pick up a pen that doesn't belong to them only to receive a shock of their life!
The victim will then pick up the pen, and, without even a nub of conscious motion, their thumb will immediately migrate to depress the top of the pen in hopes of discovering a fine new writing instrument. Instead, as they depress, they will complete a circuit that creates a small magnetic field, which then simulates an alternating current and provides relatively high voltage to the depression point on the thumb. It all happens in a split second, as will the screech and instant profanity, but the office memories will last a lifetime…
It would be cooler if this pen actually contained some ink to write, but nevertheless it is the perfect "welcoming" trick for any new person to the office. $5.99 for some quick laughs (at other people's expense) sounds like a pretty good bargain.
Working Smart In Adobe Photoshop CS2 (2006)
How This Book Is Organized
Working smart isn't just about shortcuts. It involves looking at your entire workflow holistically, paying attention to everything from the hardware you use to your day-to-day work habits. This book is divided into four major parts, and each part addresses a different aspect of working smart:
Part I: Making Photoshop Your Own. Photoshop makes higher demands of your computer hardware than most other programs do, and raw CPU power is not the only factor that affects Photoshop performance. It pays to make sure that all of your computer's subsystems CPU, RAM, and hard diskare configured for maximum Photoshop performance. The rest of this section helps you fit Photoshop to the requirements of your work by shaping your Photoshop workspace, developing efficient work habits, and creating presets for the tool configurations you use most often. If you lead a workgroup, you can create tutorials of your production standards and integrate the tutorials into the Help menu of Photoshop itself.
Part II: Saving Time While You Work. This part of the book focuses on specific tasks throughout an image-processing workflow, from opening files to printing. The book isn't big enough for me to cover every last detail of every workflow, but in this section I target some of the areas that can make a large difference in your productivity, such as selecting, using layers, and using transparency.
Part III: Processing Images Automatically. If you know what steps you require to process your images, and you know what settings you require for those steps, it seems natural that you should be able to make the computer remember all that for you. Photoshop gives you the power to do exactly that, by letting you condense and compress multiple-step sequences into a single step through actions (which are like macros), droplets, scripts, variables, and task-specific automation features such as the Image Processor.
Part IV: Making Photoshop a Great Team Player. Photoshop is often not the end of the line for an image. Images frequently move on to Web site programs, video-editing programs, or page-layout programs for print. This part provides workflow tips for using Photoshop documents with other programs, especially the Adobe Creative Suite.
Photoshop is both wide and deep. Many Photoshop books attempt to cover all areas of Photoshop in some detail. Other books focus on specific areas of Photoshop, such as compositing or color correction. This book doesn't fall squarely into either of those categories; instead, in this book I look at one aspect of the Photoshop work flow efficiency and how it works across the entire program. I hope you find this book to be successful in that way.
NYT: 'Can the Cellphone Help End Global Poverty?'
The New York Times' Sara Corbett wrote a fascinating piece exploring the transformative potential of cell phones in a recent Sunday Magazine profile of a Nokia "human-behavior researcher" who wanders less-developed countries looking for design insights.
Today, there are more than 3.3 billion mobile-phone subscriptions worldwide, which mean that there are at least three billion people who don't own cellphones, the bulk of them to be found in Africa and
The article goes on to talk about the economic advantage of cellphone owners, its representation of "bottom-up economic development" and the potential of mobile-phone banking to revolutionize the industry. It's well worth a read.
Cloning : Good or for Bad?
What is Cloning?
Is cloning an organism the same as cloning a gene?
You've heard about cloning animals - sheep, mice, even house pets - in the news. From time to time, you may have also heard about researchers cloning, or identifying, genes that are responsible for various medical conditions or traits.
What is the difference?
Cloning an animal, or any other organism, refers to making an exact genetic copy of that organism. The techniques used to clone organisms are described on this page.
Cloning a gene means isolating an exact copy of a single gene from the entire genome of an organism. Usually this involves copying the DNA sequence of that gene into a smaller, more accessible piece of DNA, such as a plasmid. This makes it easier to study the function of the individual gene in the laboratory.
Nine Indian-Americans awarded for contribution to business
Nine prominent Indian-Americans, two of them women, are among 50 people of Asian origin, who have been honored by the Asian American Business Development Centre for their contribution to the field of business.
Neeta Bhasin, president and CEO of ASB Communications and Sarbari Gupta of Eloectrosoft Services Inc, were the two women among the nine Indian-American recipients of the awards, which were dominated by Chinese businesses.
Besides being a business woman, Bhasin is also a prominent TV personality, a very familiar face for the South Asian audience in
Bhasin, who has hosted a live show on a channel devoted to the South Asian diaspora, says her passion for business, and community related issues led her to work towards building bridges between the diverse groups of society.
Sarbari Gupta, the founder of Eloectrosoft Services Inc, has led the successful charge of the company since it was established in 2001.
Other Indians among the awardees were Ambuj Goel, general manager IBM, Sunil Garg of
Besides, vice-president of I-flex solutions R Ravishankar; Dr Shan Nair, who co-founded Nair and Company and Kamalpreet S Virdi, executive president of the Aequor Technologies were also awarded for their achievements.
The annual awards recognize entrepreneurs, business professionals and corporate executives who contribute to the general economy of the
Chinese business persons bagged as many as 18 of the total titles, the maximum number received by any of the Asian-American ethnic group.
HOW TO: Extend your cellphones signal?
A lot of technology goes into making your cell phone work. So you would think that we would be more understanding of dropped calls and garbled conversations. Nope. Nothing gets geeks into seething tech frenzy like poor cell phone reception... and it doesn't help that we couldn't resist the glossy black smoothness of the iPhone and AT&T sucks for cell phone service.
Well quit staring at your one-bar-worth of signal strength and pick up this handy Cell phone Signal Extender for your home or office. Simply mount the included antenna near a window and run the coax cable to the base booster unit. You get 2500 square feet of prime signal area (enough to cover 2-3 rooms on two different floors). We went from 1 bar... to 5 at our headquarters and made our iPhone very happy in the process.
Important Note:
You will need to have some signal (at least one bar), for the Cell phone Signal Extender to work. You can't extend what's not there... right?
A Flexible Concept Nokia 888 Communicator
As fast as race of concept phone is moving fast towards the future increasing as fast the all leading companies are trying to make their best concept phone that will rise their demand and the popularity all over the world. So one of these leading companies Nokia Has Made a new concept phone named as Nokia 888 Communicator. And I am deadly sure that definitely it will be make its place in the heart of all mobile lovers. The phone, which uses liquid batteries, speech recognition, flexible touch screen and touch-sensitive body cover, is designed by Tamer Nakisci and won the Nokia Design Award. This Flexible Phone Has dozen functions, including an alarm clock, PDA, GPS, phone, push email receiver, digital wallet Etc
Different Ways Of Knowing
We human beings have many ways of knowing what we need to know in order to get through our lives. One way of knowing things is to engage in a course of study in an academic environment. Another way of knowing things is simply to go through the experiences that come our way, making a conscious effort to learn from them. A third way in which people gain knowledge is through the vehicle of intuition, a gift some have more than others, but which can be developed in anyone. No one way of knowing things is better than another way, and they can all be useful at different points in our lives.
Most of us naturally gravitate toward one way of knowing over others, and this tends to be clear early in our lives. For the most part, we live in a culture that values a logical, mental approach to knowing things, so those with intuitive gifts may have been shamed, undervalued, or misunderstood in our ways. Many of us are working our way out of this incorrect value judgment, recognizing that our intuition, far from being wrong or untrustworthy, is a great gift. For those of us who conduct our learning in the thick of our life experiences, we may also have to make an extra effort to remind ourselves that our particular intelligence—often called common sense--while not always officially rewarded, has its own special genius.
Even though, in a given time or place, certain types of intelligence tend to be valued more than others, no way of knowing is inherently better than another. Once we understand this, we can value our own intelligence, as well as the different intelligences of the people we encounter. Sometimes, just understanding that we are coming at the same issue in different ways helps us to avoid an unnecessary conflict. When we value all ways of knowing equally, we benefit not only from what we have learned, and how we have learned it, but from all the other forms of intelligence we are open to honoring.
RJ: Lekha Washington
She is also a sculptor, having held her first solo exhibition at the age of 18.
She played a leading role in the English film Framed directed by independent director Chetan Shah.
Lekha is currently the host of IPL 2008 cricket tournament with co-commentator Ajay Jadeja which telecasts on Set Max India. She is also shooting for Tamil movie Jayamkondaan opposite south superstar Vinay Rai which is scheduled to be released on June 14.
Struggling To Maintain A Healthy Heart
- Stop smoking. Nourish yourself with a handful of sunflower seeds and a cup of nettle or oatstraw infusion daily for 4 to 6 weeks before quitting. Sunflower seeds reduce the body’s craving for nicotine by filling the nicotine receptor sites. The infusions strengthen blood vessels and nerves and cushion the impact of withdrawal.
- Touch and be touched. Many scientific studies have shown that people who were touched lovingly every day had significantly fewer heart problems than the control group.
- Eat seaweeds. They have been shown to stabilize blood pressure, regulate levels of triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterols, they dissolve fatty build-ups in the blood vessels, they can restore cardiac efficiency and prolong the life of the heart muscle, and they encourage a steady heartbeat.
- Eat foods rich in beta-carotenes: it can cut your risk of a stroke by 40 percent. Foods rich in beta-carotenes are orange, green, yellow and red. They include carrots, cabbage, winter squash, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, apricots, and seaweed.
- Eat garlic. Study after study has confirmed garlic’s abilities to lower blood pressure, reduce phospholipids and cholesterol, strengthen heart action, increase immune response, reduce platelet clumping and clotting (thus reducing strokes) and stabilize blood sugar levels. Eat garlic raw or lightly cooked, several cloves a day.
- Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids. Fresh pressed oils of wheat germ or flax seed are especially nourishing.
- Drink lemon balm tea. It is so strengthening to the heart that there’s an old saying about it: Those who drink lemon balm tea daily will live forever. You can also steep a handful of fresh leaves in a glass of white wine for an hour or so and drink it with dinner. Or make lemon balm vinegar to use on your salads.
- Move! Go for a walk, jump rope, swim, or do leg lifts and arm raises from your bed or wheelchair: however you can do it, do it! Regular exercise is key.
- Avoid restrictive diets. Frequent dieting, fasting, binging and purging imbalance your electrolyte levels, causing weakening of the heart muscle and damage to the heart.
- Eat as much as you want of: whole grains, vegetables, beans, greens, fruits, fish, seeds, and yogurt. Go easy on: nuts, cheese, and milk
Mininova, The World’s Largest Torrent Site, Facing A Lawsuit
Have you heard of Mininova? It's only the 52nd largest site in the world according to Alexa, and the largest Bit Torrent tracker around. Dutch anti-piracy body BREIN estimates their traffic (Google translation from Dutch) at over 30 million unique visitors per month and a total of 5 billion downloads. Their earnings, according to BREIN, count in the hundreds of thousands of euros per month.
And yet, the Dutch-based site has eluded legal action until now. Partly, it is because of their takedown policy; if a copyright owner asks them to remove a torrent from their database, they will comply.
This is not enough, according to BREIN, because over 90% of files tracked on Mininova are illegal; Mininova should start filtering their search results, or they'll face legal action. Sound familiar? Yup, it's pretty much the same thing media giants have been asking You Tube to do. So, although many associate Mininova with warez and illegal files, this is essentially the same issue; and if Mininova loses this one, it'll be bad news for You Tube and others, too.
Trailer - The X-Files: I Want to Believe
The first trailer for X-Files: I Want to Believe has hit the interweb and it's as full of all the ambiguity and befuddledness that Mulder and Scully are used to giving their confused audiences. What's the film about? We don't really know. But we do know that Billy Connolly seems to have a bigger part than whatever creature/alien/mutant/itinerant
What we do know is that it's great to see two of Television's greatest characters back in duffel-coats and pointing flashlights at shadows. And the stand-alone plot will make for a nice breather from the bloated beast that the show's ongoing alien conspiracy eventually became.
Rumors suggest that 'I Want to Believe' is about werewolves, but what do we think? Judging from the trailer, the big bad could be Frosty the Snowman or Jack Frost, but our money's on the Anti-Santy. Most say that the existence of the Anti-Santy is an urban myth, but I bet Fox Mulder knows better.
Click below and get excited at hearing THAT theme tune again.
One final thought; how bad is that title? It sounds like a mantra for some self-help class. Does anyone out there think it's good? Let us know below. We would have gone with The X-Files: I Want to See Aliens or The X-Files 2: Spooky Shit. Or The X-Files: What Have We Been Doing For the Last 10 Years?
Waterfall In New York
iPhone Killer: Nokia Tube
Nokia TubeAfter every other cell-phone manufacturer going 'touch', it's Nokia's turn. The Finnish maker has taken its sweet time and finally the dirt over its rendition has surfaced on Symbian-freak.
Its current code-name being 'Tube', this will be Nokia's first touch-enabled Series 60 device. The phone is expected to be placed in the high-end segment and will include support for various connectivity options like HSPDA, WLAN, and uPnP. It will also feature GPS and the geo-tagging feature.
The screen is expected to measure around 3 to 3.5 inches. The source claims that the onboard camera will be "much better" than the iPhone, but not as good as the Nseries camera-phones. Though the input mode will not support multi-touch (like the iPhone); the device can be operated with a finger as well as a stylus, and will also include the haptic feedback system.
What is Hardware Conflict
For example, a printer usually connects internally on IRQ 7. The keyboard usually uses IRQ 1 and the floppy disk drive IRQ 6. Each device will try to hog a single IRQ for itself.
If there are a lot of devices, or if they are not installed properly, two of them may end up sharing the same IRQ number. When the user tries to use both devices at the same time, a crash can happen. The way to check if your computer has a hardware conflict is through the following route:
* Start-Settings-Control Panel-System-Device Manager.
Often if a device has a problem a yellow '!' appears next to its description in the Device Manager. Highlight Computer (in the Device Manager) and press Properties to see the IRQ numbers used by your computer. If the IRQ number appears twice, two devices may be using it.
Sometimes a device might share an IRQ with something described as 'IRQ holder for PCI steering'. This can be ignored. The best way to fix this problem is to remove the problem device and reinstall it.
Sometimes you may have to find more recent drivers on the internet to make the device function properly. A good resource is www.driverguide.com. If the device is a soundcard, or a modem, it can often be fixed by moving it to a different slot on the motherboard (be careful about opening your computer, as you may void the warranty).
When working inside a computer you should switch it off, unplug the mains lead and touch an unpainted metal surface to discharge any static electricity.
To be fair to Mcft, the problem with IRQ numbers is not of its making. It is a legacy problem going back to the first PC designs using the IBM 8086 chip. Initially there were only eight IRQs. Today there are 16 IRQs in a PC. It is easy to run out of them. There are plans to increase the number of IRQs in future designs.
ASUS-Lamborghini Launch The ZX1 PDA Phone
ASUS and Lamborghini, together, launched the ASUS-Lamborghini ZX1 PDA phone that runs on Windows Mobile. It made its world wide debut at CeBIT earlier this year and it's finally made its way to our shores. The back panel is covered with extremely lightweight but strong carbon fiber that is twice as tough as aluminum and five times stronger than steel. With it, a high grade stainless steel casement is used to protect the camera compartment.
This PDA phone is equipped with wireless 802.11b+g, Bluetooth v2.0+EDR, USB2.0, 3.5G and even GPS. A 2.8" touch screen, a 9-way navigational key and a unique racing user interface that can be modified to the user's mode of operation whether it be business or lifestyle - complete with engine noises - provide finesse to the phone.
Edward Wang, Business Head, Mobile Communication Business, ASUS (India) said, "ASUS ZX1 is the first co-branded PDA phone from ASUS and is targeted at a very niche segment, for people who have a penchant for style. PDA phones are increasingly becoming fashion gadgets and the ASUS ZX1 gives the user the ultimate ownership experience. We wanted the end user to feel as engaging an experience as driving a Lamborghini car and you'll find elements of style and design seamlessly incorporated in the ZX1 at every level. Manufacturers are releasing many such co-branded products but we chose Lamborghini as our co-branding partner in the PDA phone segment as we share the same position in PDA phones as Lamborghini does in the automobile industry."
The ASUS-Lamborghini ZX1 PDA phone will be available for Rs. 50,000.
China drivers fined for slow-drive on scenic bridge
China opened the world's longest cross-sea bridge last week aiming to cut travel time between two major ports, but hundreds of drivers have been fined already for, unexpectedly, driving too slow to enjoy the view.
The 22.4 mile structure spans
But since its opening on May 1, police have fined more than 300 drivers, most for driving too slowly or illegal parking on the emergency lanes while enjoying the ocean view and taking photos, local media reported on Monday.
"I just wanted to drive a bit slowly and enjoy the sea breeze. Is that wrong?"
Long lines of cars carrying whole families eager to see the bridge and sea vista have caused serious traffic problems and led to a series of accidents, the news portal said.
Some drivers busted for illegal parking even posed in front of police cameras, hoping to turn police snapshots into souvenirs, it said.
"Traffic jams should be impossible under normal circumstances given the capacity of the bridge," the news portal said.
The $1.7-billion bridge's much publicized "sightseeing platforms" in the middle of the span will not be ready for tourists for another two years, local media have reported.
Philips' new 'Xenium 800' touchscreen phone leaks out
If you had a creeping suspicion that the iPhone-esque phone market wasn't crowded enough yet -- you're right. Apparently, Philips is about to throw its hat in the ring with a device called the Xenium X800. The familiar looking unit will sport WiFi, a WQVGA "e2e" (or "edge to edge") touch screen, and appears to be running a proprietary OS which looks considerably better than most phones in this class. Sure, it's heavily knocking off Sony's XMB and that new Blackberry OS 4.6, but there are worse offenses that could be made. No word on more detailed specs, but you'll know more when we do. In the meantime, take a look at a few more pictures after the break.
Tips for Saving Money in College
College can be an expensive endeavor, even with scholarships and other kinds of financial aid. It's difficult enough balancing a class schedule -- the thought of balancing a check book, on the other hand, can strike fear into the hearts of even the most studious mathematicians. Everything from textbooks, food, transportation, supplies and entertainment -- these will all cost you money. There's no getting around it. However, there are easy ways to save. Here are several ways to avoid the constant panic of going broke:
Buy Textbooks From Used Bookstores
New textbooks from university bookstores can be very expensive. Brand new editions of chemistry books, for instance, can cost as much as $300, and that's not including any lab material. However, you can cut costs on reading materials and not starve. Look around for used bookstores. Most college campuses should have several -- the prices are heavily discounted, and book conditions are usually good. If you have enough time before classes start, check out the Internet for your books. Even with shipping charges, prices can turn out to be cheaper from online bookstores. And don't forget -- some of your friends might have taken a course in the past. Ask around and see if you can borrow from someone.
Instead of driving to class and spending money on gas, parking passes and possible tickets, look into a local bus or subway system. If the system is run by your university, you'll probably be able to ride for free with a student ID. If a transportation system doesn't exist (or the existing one isn't safe or reliable), try to work out class schedules with friends and carpool. If you're close enough, walk or bike to class and get some much-needed exercise.
Campus meal plans vary depending on the university -- food quality, how often you eat, how much you eat, and location can all factor in. A meal plan can be a good deal, however, so do a little research and see if it's worth it. Grab a brochure; ask meal plan veterans; anything to get a little taste. Some universities offer off-campus meal plans, too. These usually involve deals with food chains, so make sure the plan is appealing to you. If you decide to skip out on a meal plan, it's possible to eat enough and eat healthy on your own budget. Cut out coupons, buy in bulk and sign up for a shopper's discount card. Be creative and plan dinners with roommates and friends instead of going to more expensive restaurants.
Banks usually cater to college students by offering free checking and savings accounts, allowing you to avoid fees on withdrawals, fund transfers or the minimum amount allowed in the account. Make sure online banking is an option, as this makes it easier to follow your activity. Keep track of your account -- overdrafting will only cost you more in fees. So, do what it takes to stay out of the red as much as possible.
ATMs attract a lot of attention on campus, but it's possible
to avoid unnecessary fees with a free checking and savings account.
Get Organized
It might seem like a hassle, but saving receipts of everything you purchase -- from small items such as a candy bar or a CD, to big-ticket items like a new computer -- is a great way to monitor your spending habits. Try it out for a month. When your thirty days are up, add up all of your expenses and see where your money went. You'd be surprised at how easy it is to cut back on unnecessary spending.
Everyone needs to unwind after studying, and college campuses typically offer all sorts of opportunities -- movie theaters, bars, cafes, arts centers, parks, downtown shopping centers, et cetera. Ask if any of these places offer student discounts. You can also think of alternative ways to have a good time. If you make the right choices and use a bit of creativity, you can have fun and save money at the same time. Plan a picnic in the park; make dinner for a date instead of going to a fancy restaurant; go for a bike ride around town; play Frisbee golf on campus. Any of these activities cost a fraction of the typical college experience and can be more fun.
go outside and get some free fresh air.
Find a Job
If you can fit it into your busy class schedule, a part-time job is a great way to bring in some extra income and give you some more flexibility with your spending. Waiting tables or delivering food can bring in great tips, and college-town restaurants are almost always looking for new help. A great way to earn some money and get some studying done is to work at your university's library. It's not a very demanding job and is usually quiet, so you can read for class and get paid at the same time.
Get the Right Cell Phone Plan
It's difficult to get by without a cell phone today, but with a little research you can find an affordable plan that fits your needs. If they're up for it, join a family cell phone plan with your parents. It's usually much cheaper for everyone involved than having separate plans. If you're on your own, check out websites that offer side-by-side comparison charts of different cell phone plans. You should also avoid text messaging. Before you know it, you could rack up hundreds of dollars worth of texts when you could have communicated the same information for much less. Remember, phone companies charge both the sender and receiver of text messages, so let you friends know if you don't want them texting you five times every class. Send out e-mails or use free networking Web sites like MySpace or Facebook.
If you're not living in the dorms, split the rent with a few roommates. When thinking about appliances, see if your apartment complex provides a refrigerator, a washer and dryer, a microwave, and other handy accessories. If your parents or friends have any old appliances lying around, ask them if they'd be willing to part with them. Electricity, water and heating bills can be costly, so do your best to conserve -- turn off lights when you're not in the room, use as little water as possible by taking fast showers and use the A/C and heat sparingly.
If you're applying for college right now or thinking about transferring to another school, it doesn't hurt to do some research on various types of financial aid provided by the school. Aside from the obvious chunk of cash you'll save in the long run, several scholarships offer all sorts of perks and benefits -- semester stipends, group trips, special access to useful resources, et cetera. If you're already enrolled but haven't received any aid, keep trying! If your grades are good and you show you mean business, many scholarship programs give you the opportunity to apply each semester.
Romantic Kissing Spots in America
What makes a place romantic enough to inspire a long, passionate kiss? The answer differs for all couples, but one universal answer seems to apply: Being together in beauty -- whether in a natural setting or a creation of the human imagination -- can certainly help affections flow freely.
1.
Hot passions won't cool off at these secluded
2.
If the town of
3.
Reach the height of romance on this high and mighty scenic loop in south central
4.
A sun-kissed beach certainly qualifies as a smooching spot, but if lovers want more drama,
5. Na
Heaven and Earth merge at this exquisite state park, located on the untamed northern side of
6.
Take to the sky to smooch! Nighttime is prime time to whirl around, snuggled together on a swinging seat, and view
7.
Bring a flashlight, hold hands, and venture deep into the woods to cast your eyes upon a romantically rare and unforgettable moonbow. A moonbow is a lunar rainbow that occurs at night, and
8.
Howl at the moon and snuggle under the stars for a bit of rugged romance in this remote part of the state. For a taste of civilization, hop into the car and drive along
9. Ruins of
Hauntingly romantic and oh-so-southern, the largest antebellum mansion in
10.
No spooks out here, just simple solitude, a slice of history, and a charming general store.
11.
Spark the romantic kindling in this tiny, fiery desert state park, located an hour from
12.
Grab a small jug of
13.
When it comes to wooing your beloved,
14.
Moonlight has never before exerted such an attraction for lovers. When the moon's out in full force, these gypsum sand formations -- the largest in the world -- glow. Stroll hand-in-hand under the brilliant
15.
Straddling the U.S.-Canadian border,
16. The
Love makes the world go 'round, so keep on spinning by kissing aboard one of the carousel's ornate animals. This indoor merry-go-round keeps hearts and hands toasty in the winter, and when things heat up in the summer, an airy breeze cools lovers as they twirl into the sunset.
17. McConnell's
Back in horse-and-buggy days, a young fella could steal plenty of kisses as he and his sweetie rode underneath a long covered bridge, hence the nickname "kissing bridges."
18.
Amidst the library stacks, there's romance and history . . . but not just in the books. Edgar Allan Poe spent hours hidden away in this 1838-era building reading poems to his love, Sarah Whitman. Choose your favorite love poem and tuck back into the stacks together for some riveting recitation of passionate passages.
19.
It's not
20. McDonald Observatory,
Like everything else in
21.
Raise a toast to the state motto -- "Virginia Is for Lovers" -- at this vineyard and winery nestled in the foothills of the
22. American Camp,
Duck out of sight into secluded, sheltered coves or hide together in the tall grass. No one will see you, except for perhaps one of the rabbits. American Camp at the windswept southern end of
Item to remove and add for healthy diet
More unhealthy items to limit or eliminate from our diets:
- Beverages that contain high fructose corn syrup
- Packaged salty, fried snacks
- Other packaged snacks that contain trans fats or high fructose corn syrup
- Deep fried or breaded, battered foods
- Creamy sauces or soups
- Processed foods like hotdogs, luncheon meats, or high-fat frozen foods
- Sugar-laden foods like packaged cookies, cakes and breakfast cereals
Healthy things to add to our diets:
- Fresh or frozen vegetables and salads
- Lean meats
- Water and other unsweetened beverages like green tea
- Homemade low fat, low sugar treats
- Fresh fruit
- Monounsaturated fats like olive oil, canola oil, nuts and seeds
- Whole grain breads, brown rice, and other sources of fiber
A diet doesn't have to be rigid, it doesn't have to cost a lot of money and it doesn't have to be on The New York Times Bestseller List. It just has to be something that we can follow everyday. Good choices that fit our preferences and our lifestyles. In other words, an everyday diet that we can follow for life.
HOW THEY GOT THEIR NAMES
Nap to improve memory and learning
Writing things down, on paper or on-screen, is the best way to make sure you remember important info and tasks, but sometimes you've got to rely on your plain old brain to keep essential data sorted and handy. Whether it's a client's name, a password or combination you want stored only in your head, or answers for an upcoming test, there are plenty of techniques and tools to help you lock in important stuff and pull it out when needed. After the jump, we round up some memorable memory-boosting hacks.
