How To Boost Your Metabolism
If you want to learn how to boost your metabolism you must first understand that the idea of just eating super foods is not the only way to burn fat and boost metabolism. The fact of the matter is that a single-food diet is not good for the body and it really won't help boost your metabolism. There is, however, a certain level of truth in the notion that grapefruit, celery and other super foods can help with weight loss and metabolic rate boosting.
While medical science has failed to substantiate the grapefruit or celery diets, it has known for a very long time that these foods are good inclusions in a healthy diet. They also tend to be rather low in calories. Celery is even quite high in fiber, which can help reinforce the body to burn more calories during it’s digestion.
So, what does this mean to you if you're looking to boost your metabolism? It's fairly simple. Celery and grapefruit alone won't really help you kick start your calorie-burning machine, but it would be smart to include them in an overall program.
Before you rush out and buy every grapefruit at your local grocery store, stop, breathe and put an emphasis on that "overall program." The best way to really tweak your metabolism is to consider your health all the time. To really make it work as you'd like, or closer to it, you need to:
Eat smarter - While it's impossible to change your metabolism, it is feasible to massage it a bit. This can be achieved by eating smarter. Consider more frequent, smaller portions throughout the day. Little meals every four to six hours can really help here. By all means include grapefruit, celery and other super foods, but don't forget that "healthy" means healthy balance.
Move - This four-letter word goes a long way when metabolic boosting is desired. To really kick-start your metabolism, you have to move. Get up, exercise, clean the house, garden, play with the kids – just do something! The more you move, the harder your metabolism has to work.
Build muscle - The more muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn on a daily basis. Building lean muscle mass is key to boosting metabolism. This doesn't mean you need to make yourself look like a weight lifter, but toning and shaping up can very much help you along toward your goal.
Boosting your metabolism with "super foods" is possible, but not in the way many diet plans tout. Eating nothing but a certain fruit, vegetable or meat will end up hurting you in the long run. Consider a smarter path by looking at the overall, big picture. There is something to super foods, but they alone will not provide the permanent results you desire when looking for the best ways on how to boost your metabolism.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Children About Diversity
In many communities across America the complaint is the same; "I want to help my children learn about other races, religions and cultures, but my community isn't very integrated & my circle of friends is not diverse, what do I do?" It's true that although we are a country of diverse backgrounds, most people tend to seek out groups of friends of the same race, religion and/or ethnicity. It is easier to find common ground and the language barrier is not present when spending time with others who share in our culture. However, parents would like their children to be accepting and tolerant of other cultures even though they may not be exposed to them on a regular basis, what's a parent to do?
Enter the wonderful world of children's television programming. With the choices our children now have, you can expose your children to multiple cultures, languages and traditions all in the same afternoon. A new study released recently from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that high-quality educational programming can have a positive effect on young children. These programs assist in the acquisition of general knowledge and improve cognitive learning among children ages six and younger. The report also states that educational programming which emphasizes cultural and racial diversity can improve children's attitudes to those subjects. So, the television now becomes the ultimate cultural teacher & not the "boob tube" that parents once thought it to be. The one possible drawback to this seemingly perfect answer? There must be culturally diverse and age-appropriate shows for children to view & learn from. Luckily for us parents searching, children's programmers have responded. There are any number of shows on television today featuring characters of different races, with disabilities and even those that speak different languages. Three child-oriented stations are leading the pack with their high-quality, diverse and educational television programs.
PBS, the trailblazer in this category features Sesame Street, which has taught generations of children around the world their ABCs and how to count. Much more than that, since the inception of the show 35 year ago, there have been racially diverse characters & characters with disabilities & they all work together to promote the overall the message of acceptance and togetherness. Even today, there are strong female characters, multi-lingual characters that teach "words of the day," & they have featured adopted families, non-traditional families & characters in wheelchairs all enjoying their time on 123 Sesame Street.
Nickelodeon has been the big winner in viewer share and profit with their introduction of Dora the Explorer and it's spin off, Go Diego Go. These educational cartoons feature multi-lingual, Hispanic characters that teach about animals, letters, numbers, counting and Hispanic traditions. The real innovation with these programs is that they also focus on teaching Spanish to non-native speakers. The repetition and interactive nature of the 30 minute shows make learning fun and also get children up off of the couch to participate in the actions that Dora, Diego and their friends instruct.
Nick is also launching a series in February with an Asian-American leading lady. The show, "Ni Hao, Kai Lan," was created by a first generation Chinese American. It targets 2- to 5-year-olds and follows bilingual five-year-old Kai-Lan as she learns about her inter-generational Chinese-American family. The curriculum focuses on social and emotional lessons, multicultural values, cause-and-effect thinking, and basic Mandarin Chinese language skills.
Finally, we have NOGGIN TV and the show, Little Bill, the everyday adventures of an African-American boy. The show is based on Bill Cosby's popular book series and is developed through research and in consultation with educational experts. The show is designed to help kids celebrate their everyday experiences and the people who share them. Little Bill shows kids that what they do makes a difference in the world. By dealing with conflicts encountered in everyday life, the program encourages children to value the love of their family, to increase self-esteem, and to develop social skills.
These programs are just the first in a long line of diverse and unique shows that will help our children to see that different is just different and we are no better or worse for not looking, speaking or dressing like "everyone else." Congratulations to PBS, Nickelodeon and Noggin TV for being innovators and addressing the need that we as parents have for teaching from the comfort of our own homes.
Nothing replaces the human interaction and relationships that are important to helping children understand cultural differences; it is still important to try to get involved and meet other families that are different from us. In some circumstances however, that proves extremely difficult and given the choice between not exposing them to these differences at all, or spending an hour watching any of the children's programs that were created to teach and enrich their experiences, I'm picking up the remote control.
Enter the wonderful world of children's television programming. With the choices our children now have, you can expose your children to multiple cultures, languages and traditions all in the same afternoon. A new study released recently from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that high-quality educational programming can have a positive effect on young children. These programs assist in the acquisition of general knowledge and improve cognitive learning among children ages six and younger. The report also states that educational programming which emphasizes cultural and racial diversity can improve children's attitudes to those subjects. So, the television now becomes the ultimate cultural teacher & not the "boob tube" that parents once thought it to be. The one possible drawback to this seemingly perfect answer? There must be culturally diverse and age-appropriate shows for children to view & learn from. Luckily for us parents searching, children's programmers have responded. There are any number of shows on television today featuring characters of different races, with disabilities and even those that speak different languages. Three child-oriented stations are leading the pack with their high-quality, diverse and educational television programs.
PBS, the trailblazer in this category features Sesame Street, which has taught generations of children around the world their ABCs and how to count. Much more than that, since the inception of the show 35 year ago, there have been racially diverse characters & characters with disabilities & they all work together to promote the overall the message of acceptance and togetherness. Even today, there are strong female characters, multi-lingual characters that teach "words of the day," & they have featured adopted families, non-traditional families & characters in wheelchairs all enjoying their time on 123 Sesame Street.
Nickelodeon has been the big winner in viewer share and profit with their introduction of Dora the Explorer and it's spin off, Go Diego Go. These educational cartoons feature multi-lingual, Hispanic characters that teach about animals, letters, numbers, counting and Hispanic traditions. The real innovation with these programs is that they also focus on teaching Spanish to non-native speakers. The repetition and interactive nature of the 30 minute shows make learning fun and also get children up off of the couch to participate in the actions that Dora, Diego and their friends instruct.
Nick is also launching a series in February with an Asian-American leading lady. The show, "Ni Hao, Kai Lan," was created by a first generation Chinese American. It targets 2- to 5-year-olds and follows bilingual five-year-old Kai-Lan as she learns about her inter-generational Chinese-American family. The curriculum focuses on social and emotional lessons, multicultural values, cause-and-effect thinking, and basic Mandarin Chinese language skills.
Finally, we have NOGGIN TV and the show, Little Bill, the everyday adventures of an African-American boy. The show is based on Bill Cosby's popular book series and is developed through research and in consultation with educational experts. The show is designed to help kids celebrate their everyday experiences and the people who share them. Little Bill shows kids that what they do makes a difference in the world. By dealing with conflicts encountered in everyday life, the program encourages children to value the love of their family, to increase self-esteem, and to develop social skills.
These programs are just the first in a long line of diverse and unique shows that will help our children to see that different is just different and we are no better or worse for not looking, speaking or dressing like "everyone else." Congratulations to PBS, Nickelodeon and Noggin TV for being innovators and addressing the need that we as parents have for teaching from the comfort of our own homes.
Nothing replaces the human interaction and relationships that are important to helping children understand cultural differences; it is still important to try to get involved and meet other families that are different from us. In some circumstances however, that proves extremely difficult and given the choice between not exposing them to these differences at all, or spending an hour watching any of the children's programs that were created to teach and enrich their experiences, I'm picking up the remote control.
Baby Shower Party Items
Planning a baby shower is fun and exciting. Whether you are planning a shower for yourself or a friend or family member, you'll want to make it interesting and lots of fun for all of your guests.
Decorations and gifts are a big consideration for your event. You want to have a theme for your party, but you want everything to be memorable and distinctive. You're in luck, because it's easy to find unique baby shower party items!
In your search for unique party items, you'll probably have a theme in mind. Do you want a jungle theme? How about a fire station theme? You can even have an abstract art theme! There are lots of unique party items to make your shower a one-of-a-kind event.
Where You Can Find Unique Baby Shower Party Items
An internet search is the best place to start looking for unique items. There are plenty of websites devoted to baby shower decorations, gifts, and party favors. These sites are the perfect place to find unique items because they can cater to offbeat or unusual requests better than a retail store.
Unique party items can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. If you would like to have an Alice in Wonderland tea party themed baby shower, for example, you can go all-out with costumes and role playing. Alternatively, you can just have pictures on the walls and a centerpiece of a large, fold-out paper tea cup.
You can even use unique items for a more conventional theme. Noah's Ark is a very popular theme, but that doesn't mean that you need to have the same decorations and party favors as everyone else!
You can use unique items to spice up that conventional party theme. Make a splash with large ark animal piatas, funny paper animal hats, or even foam animal masks for your guests!
Some other great ideas are party favors or snacks. Instead of the same old candles and bags of sweets for party favors, try giving personalized picture frames or engraved pens. These party favors can lend a more grown-up and sophisticated element to your baby shower party.
Snacks for your great event don't have to be boring, either! Try making plain sugar cookies in a shape that relates to your theme and letting guests decorate their own with frosting and candies. This can be a great game as well as a snack!
Unique baby shower party items can make your party more fun and interesting. You can experiment with fun and unconventional themes for your party, and make it a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Decorations and gifts are a big consideration for your event. You want to have a theme for your party, but you want everything to be memorable and distinctive. You're in luck, because it's easy to find unique baby shower party items!
In your search for unique party items, you'll probably have a theme in mind. Do you want a jungle theme? How about a fire station theme? You can even have an abstract art theme! There are lots of unique party items to make your shower a one-of-a-kind event.
Where You Can Find Unique Baby Shower Party Items
An internet search is the best place to start looking for unique items. There are plenty of websites devoted to baby shower decorations, gifts, and party favors. These sites are the perfect place to find unique items because they can cater to offbeat or unusual requests better than a retail store.
Unique party items can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. If you would like to have an Alice in Wonderland tea party themed baby shower, for example, you can go all-out with costumes and role playing. Alternatively, you can just have pictures on the walls and a centerpiece of a large, fold-out paper tea cup.
You can even use unique items for a more conventional theme. Noah's Ark is a very popular theme, but that doesn't mean that you need to have the same decorations and party favors as everyone else!
You can use unique items to spice up that conventional party theme. Make a splash with large ark animal piatas, funny paper animal hats, or even foam animal masks for your guests!
Some other great ideas are party favors or snacks. Instead of the same old candles and bags of sweets for party favors, try giving personalized picture frames or engraved pens. These party favors can lend a more grown-up and sophisticated element to your baby shower party.
Snacks for your great event don't have to be boring, either! Try making plain sugar cookies in a shape that relates to your theme and letting guests decorate their own with frosting and candies. This can be a great game as well as a snack!
Unique baby shower party items can make your party more fun and interesting. You can experiment with fun and unconventional themes for your party, and make it a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Diet Pills That Work
Some weight loss that are achieved by weight loss pills can give a permanent effect, if the person adopts a healthy and well-balanced eating pattern and exercise regularly after stopping the medication. Some pills may give instant results, while some may require some time before the difference shows.
Phentermine is the most popular and commonly used weight-reducing drug. Obese patients in America use it and it has helped many of them to lose up to 15-20% of their actual weight in a short period of time.
There are a number of varieties of Phentermine Diet Pills in the market. Among them are Adipex and Ionamine. They are popular and mostly recommended by doctors.
These drugs help to suppress your appetite and it works best if one also practices a healthy diet plan and does regular work outs. There are side effects to these drugs, but these effects only lasts for a short period of time, and gradually decreases as the medicine familiarize with your body. Phentermine is used by obese patients who have 30% more weight than standard weight. It is advisable for patients of diabetes and blood pressure to consult the doctor before using these drugs.
Weight loss drugs have become one of the best solutions for obesity. You should always remember that starving was not at all a solution to overweight. It could not only deteriorate your health, but would also cause you to consume more food! Instead, you should take all the ingredients in sufficient proportions for a healthy maintenance of all body functions.
Overweight cases have been found due to excess eating. As such, Phentermine group of oral Diet Pills will help in reducing the appetite so that you will not be interested to take excess food. Your body absorbs all the nutrition from your food, but the excess quantity is accumulated as fat in your body. If the process continues for a long period of time, it will eventually make you overweight!
If these diet pills are used as prescribed by the doctor, these drugs would be very much effective and they would act as a successful kick-starter for one's weight loss program and can yield amazing results in a few weeks.
At the same time, you should follow closely an extensive weight loss program, which consists of controlled diet program along with other regular exercises supplemented by the diet pills, in order to maintain the weight loss achieved through the drug, Phentermine.
Phentermine is the most popular and commonly used weight-reducing drug. Obese patients in America use it and it has helped many of them to lose up to 15-20% of their actual weight in a short period of time.
There are a number of varieties of Phentermine Diet Pills in the market. Among them are Adipex and Ionamine. They are popular and mostly recommended by doctors.
These drugs help to suppress your appetite and it works best if one also practices a healthy diet plan and does regular work outs. There are side effects to these drugs, but these effects only lasts for a short period of time, and gradually decreases as the medicine familiarize with your body. Phentermine is used by obese patients who have 30% more weight than standard weight. It is advisable for patients of diabetes and blood pressure to consult the doctor before using these drugs.
Weight loss drugs have become one of the best solutions for obesity. You should always remember that starving was not at all a solution to overweight. It could not only deteriorate your health, but would also cause you to consume more food! Instead, you should take all the ingredients in sufficient proportions for a healthy maintenance of all body functions.
Overweight cases have been found due to excess eating. As such, Phentermine group of oral Diet Pills will help in reducing the appetite so that you will not be interested to take excess food. Your body absorbs all the nutrition from your food, but the excess quantity is accumulated as fat in your body. If the process continues for a long period of time, it will eventually make you overweight!
If these diet pills are used as prescribed by the doctor, these drugs would be very much effective and they would act as a successful kick-starter for one's weight loss program and can yield amazing results in a few weeks.
At the same time, you should follow closely an extensive weight loss program, which consists of controlled diet program along with other regular exercises supplemented by the diet pills, in order to maintain the weight loss achieved through the drug, Phentermine.
Elimination Diet
When nutrition researcher Jeffrey S. Bland, Ph.D., needed volunteers to follow an elimination diet-that is, to avoid certain foods with the goal of improving health-he found 106 willing participants in the Seattle area. The group consisted of 92 women and 14 men, ranging in age from 28 to 55. All were considered healthy, meaning that physical examinations and mainstream medical tests had turned up nothing out of the ordinary.
Yet these people didn't feel well. They reported an array of vague, chronic symptoms: fatigue, muscle aches, joint pains, digestive upsets, headaches, sleep disturbances, and lapses in memory and concentration that several described as brain fog.
Mainstream physicians are not wellequipped to help people with such complaints. When standard exams and tests find nothing abnormal enough to qualify as disease, most conventionally trained doctors are at a loss. They may admit as much. Or they may decide that patients with vague, chronic symptoms are hypochondriacs. Or they may suggest that these people see psychiatrists. Meanwhile, the patients bounce from one doctor to the next, looking for answers and getting increasingly frustrated with the healthcare system.
But the group from Seattle was lucky enough to capture the attention of Dr. Bland, founder and chief executive officer of HealthComm International in Gig Harbor, Washington. First, he had the group members complete a questionnaire in which they rated the severity of their symptoms. Then he administered six tests, including one that measures the liver's ability to remove potentially harmful substances from the blood and another that measures the "leakage" of certain molecules from the digestive tract. These tests are seldom used in mainstream medicine, but they are considered standard by naturopathic physicians, who are more nutrition-oriented.
Next, all 106 study participants began an elimination diet. They gave up dairy products, beef, pork, veal, alcohol, caffeine, and foods containing gluten, the protein that gives bread products their spongy elasticity. They were allowed to eat rice and corn but not wheat, oats, rye, or barley. In addition, 84 of the participants took a multivitamin/mineral supplement.
After 10 weeks, Dr. Bland had the entire group fill out the symptom questionnaire a second time. Those on the diet-only regimen recorded a 22 percent improvement in symptoms. That figure jumped to 52 percent among those on the diet-plus-supplement regimen. These people also showed significant improvement on three of the six tests of digestive and liver function.
Confusion over Food Allergies
Some people benefit from an elimination diet because they have food allergies. In a true allergy, exposure to an offending substance-called an allergen-triggers a quick, predictable response. In hay fever, for example, exposure to pollen kicks in a massive release of histamine, a compound that in turn produces nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.
According to the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, an estimated 2 percent of adults and 5 percent of children experience this type of reaction to foods. In a true food allergy, eating even a morsel of an offending food-peanuts, for example-quickly produces symptoms. Your tongue will likely swell or itch, and you'll get a rash on your skin. You may also develop a headache, stomach cramps, extreme flatulence, and diarrhea. In rare cases, an allergic reaction may result in anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which blood pressure drops, the throat swells shut, and breathing becomes difficult.
But the vast majority of people who experience problems when they eat certain foods don't have true food allergies. Jonathan Brostoff, M.D., director of the allergy clinic at Middlesex Hospital in London, estimates that up to 10 percent of the general population has food intolerances, in which vague symptoms usually develop gradually and unpredictably.
Food Intolerance?
Eliminate the Possibilities
If you suspect that you have a food intolerance, you may benefit from an elimination diet. But before you try one on your own, Anne Simons, M.D., suggests pursuing a blended-medicine approach. Start with a visit to your primary-care physician to rule out other potential health problems-for example, an ulcer or colitis. Then consult an allergist or immunologist, who can test you for allergies. If you don't have any, you can follow an elimination diet to help pinpoint the source of your symptoms. Your doctor or practitioner can guide you through the steps.
Yet these people didn't feel well. They reported an array of vague, chronic symptoms: fatigue, muscle aches, joint pains, digestive upsets, headaches, sleep disturbances, and lapses in memory and concentration that several described as brain fog.
Mainstream physicians are not wellequipped to help people with such complaints. When standard exams and tests find nothing abnormal enough to qualify as disease, most conventionally trained doctors are at a loss. They may admit as much. Or they may decide that patients with vague, chronic symptoms are hypochondriacs. Or they may suggest that these people see psychiatrists. Meanwhile, the patients bounce from one doctor to the next, looking for answers and getting increasingly frustrated with the healthcare system.
But the group from Seattle was lucky enough to capture the attention of Dr. Bland, founder and chief executive officer of HealthComm International in Gig Harbor, Washington. First, he had the group members complete a questionnaire in which they rated the severity of their symptoms. Then he administered six tests, including one that measures the liver's ability to remove potentially harmful substances from the blood and another that measures the "leakage" of certain molecules from the digestive tract. These tests are seldom used in mainstream medicine, but they are considered standard by naturopathic physicians, who are more nutrition-oriented.
Next, all 106 study participants began an elimination diet. They gave up dairy products, beef, pork, veal, alcohol, caffeine, and foods containing gluten, the protein that gives bread products their spongy elasticity. They were allowed to eat rice and corn but not wheat, oats, rye, or barley. In addition, 84 of the participants took a multivitamin/mineral supplement.
After 10 weeks, Dr. Bland had the entire group fill out the symptom questionnaire a second time. Those on the diet-only regimen recorded a 22 percent improvement in symptoms. That figure jumped to 52 percent among those on the diet-plus-supplement regimen. These people also showed significant improvement on three of the six tests of digestive and liver function.
Confusion over Food Allergies
Some people benefit from an elimination diet because they have food allergies. In a true allergy, exposure to an offending substance-called an allergen-triggers a quick, predictable response. In hay fever, for example, exposure to pollen kicks in a massive release of histamine, a compound that in turn produces nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.
According to the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology, an estimated 2 percent of adults and 5 percent of children experience this type of reaction to foods. In a true food allergy, eating even a morsel of an offending food-peanuts, for example-quickly produces symptoms. Your tongue will likely swell or itch, and you'll get a rash on your skin. You may also develop a headache, stomach cramps, extreme flatulence, and diarrhea. In rare cases, an allergic reaction may result in anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition in which blood pressure drops, the throat swells shut, and breathing becomes difficult.
But the vast majority of people who experience problems when they eat certain foods don't have true food allergies. Jonathan Brostoff, M.D., director of the allergy clinic at Middlesex Hospital in London, estimates that up to 10 percent of the general population has food intolerances, in which vague symptoms usually develop gradually and unpredictably.
Food Intolerance?
Eliminate the Possibilities
If you suspect that you have a food intolerance, you may benefit from an elimination diet. But before you try one on your own, Anne Simons, M.D., suggests pursuing a blended-medicine approach. Start with a visit to your primary-care physician to rule out other potential health problems-for example, an ulcer or colitis. Then consult an allergist or immunologist, who can test you for allergies. If you don't have any, you can follow an elimination diet to help pinpoint the source of your symptoms. Your doctor or practitioner can guide you through the steps.
Comfort Outside
For busy folks who don't have the time or the know-how to transform their outdoor space into a cozy garden room, outdoor structures like gazebos are a dream-come-true. Homeowners are turning to gazebos to transform their backyards into stylish outdoor living spaces, complete with indoor comforts. Chet Beiler, owner of Amish Country Gazebos (www.amishgazebos.com), the nation's leading retailer of custom-crafted gazebos, agrees. "People today want a covered retreat that adds distinction to their outdoor living areas," says Beiler. "They are looking for a focal point for their landscape, a way to upgrade their current deck, a special spot next to the pool to get away from the hot summer sun." Gazebos have been a backyard staple for centuries. From ancient times, Egyptian and Roman gardens were a focal point of entertainment and leisurely activities. Today, these architecturally and aesthetically pleasing outdoor escapes are an extension of your living space -- providing enjoyment and cool breezes on sultry summer days, a serene retreat, a relaxing nook to cuddle with a favorite book, and a charming yet functional room for entertaining. Beiler says the first thing to consider before installing a gazebo is space and scale. "The larger your outdoor area, the bigger the gazebo you should install," he says. "Decide if you want your gazebo to be a focal point in a corner of the yard, a poolside bungalow, or a great room with kitchen and dining areas. That will help you determine the best shape and size to suit your needs." These current gazebo trends help you achieve the look and function to fit your needs:
EYE-CATCHING When it comes to landscape design, a gazebo is the finishing touch as an accent or backdrop in any landscape. Select a spot that draws the eye to the gazebo and creates a focal point of interest.
When selecting a gazebo, try to keep a unifying theme such as the same color or style that is consistent with your home's architectural design. Continue this theme by matching the roofing tiles with your home's or consider using materials or a "motif" that connects the gazebo to the house: wrought iron ornamentation, a shell or pineapple motif, the use of slate, or native stone. POOLSIDE PARADISE Escape from the hot summer sun is just one of the many reasons people install gazebos. Poolside, they provide ample shade, a place for relaxing with the family, or to entertain friends. Add some curtains that can be pulled for privacy and you have an instant 'changing room.' Add a splash of color with gorgeous floral and plant arrangements, and your pool is transformed, rivaling the best resorts, in your mini "tropical paradise."
DECK OR PATIO ENHANCEMENTS Adding a gazebo to an existing deck or patio is a great way to expand your living space without breaking your budget. Today's new outdoor rooms are being used in traditional ways for living space or for dining and cooking, complete with kitchens, ceiling fans and mood lighting.
Today's gazebos are great for multi-tasking spaces; serving as offices or recreation rooms by day- and intimate dining rooms at night. Trendy homeowners are wiring their gazebos for computers or flat screen televisions, or adding mega grills for entertaining.
THE GREAT ROOM The biggest trend in outdoor living is living large outdoors -- literally. Outdoor rooms are clearly reflecting our indoor trends, with gazebos leading the way as the new "great room." Homeowners are installing very large gazebos, such as 40-foot rectangular options, which offer enough living space for a kitchen with a grill and refrigerator, a table for eight, and a few oversized chairs. It's the ultimate outdoor room with all the indoor comfort and style today's homeowners demand.
To create your perfect gazebo, visit www.amishgazebos.com where you'll find design ideas to build a virtual prototype. Select from an array of beautiful and functional designs and extra features. You can either build it yourself or have Amish Country Gazebos' experienced craftsmen install it for you.
These gazebos are hand crafted by Amish carpenters and are available in either wood or maintenance-free vinyl. Starting at $1,695 they are a priceless investment with a life-time guarantee!
Order online or call (800) 700-1777 for a free 40-page idea book filled with photos of dozens of home gazebos in real backyards, design tips and a complete collection of gazebo styles and accents.
EYE-CATCHING When it comes to landscape design, a gazebo is the finishing touch as an accent or backdrop in any landscape. Select a spot that draws the eye to the gazebo and creates a focal point of interest.
When selecting a gazebo, try to keep a unifying theme such as the same color or style that is consistent with your home's architectural design. Continue this theme by matching the roofing tiles with your home's or consider using materials or a "motif" that connects the gazebo to the house: wrought iron ornamentation, a shell or pineapple motif, the use of slate, or native stone. POOLSIDE PARADISE Escape from the hot summer sun is just one of the many reasons people install gazebos. Poolside, they provide ample shade, a place for relaxing with the family, or to entertain friends. Add some curtains that can be pulled for privacy and you have an instant 'changing room.' Add a splash of color with gorgeous floral and plant arrangements, and your pool is transformed, rivaling the best resorts, in your mini "tropical paradise."
DECK OR PATIO ENHANCEMENTS Adding a gazebo to an existing deck or patio is a great way to expand your living space without breaking your budget. Today's new outdoor rooms are being used in traditional ways for living space or for dining and cooking, complete with kitchens, ceiling fans and mood lighting.
Today's gazebos are great for multi-tasking spaces; serving as offices or recreation rooms by day- and intimate dining rooms at night. Trendy homeowners are wiring their gazebos for computers or flat screen televisions, or adding mega grills for entertaining.
THE GREAT ROOM The biggest trend in outdoor living is living large outdoors -- literally. Outdoor rooms are clearly reflecting our indoor trends, with gazebos leading the way as the new "great room." Homeowners are installing very large gazebos, such as 40-foot rectangular options, which offer enough living space for a kitchen with a grill and refrigerator, a table for eight, and a few oversized chairs. It's the ultimate outdoor room with all the indoor comfort and style today's homeowners demand.
To create your perfect gazebo, visit www.amishgazebos.com where you'll find design ideas to build a virtual prototype. Select from an array of beautiful and functional designs and extra features. You can either build it yourself or have Amish Country Gazebos' experienced craftsmen install it for you.
These gazebos are hand crafted by Amish carpenters and are available in either wood or maintenance-free vinyl. Starting at $1,695 they are a priceless investment with a life-time guarantee!
Order online or call (800) 700-1777 for a free 40-page idea book filled with photos of dozens of home gazebos in real backyards, design tips and a complete collection of gazebo styles and accents.
Try Landscaping with Rocks
You have made a great hobby out of landscaping your yard, but lately you have been bored with the same old materials that you have been using year after year. You would like to try something different, so you should consider landscaping with rocks!
About Landscaping with Rocks
Some people might jeer at the thought of landscaping with rocks, since rocks are usually the things that people want to get rid of in their yards. However, rocks can also make for beautiful landscaping materials as well.
For example, if you are the kind of person who likes to walk at the beach, you have probably noticed how unique and smooth the rocks are. These same rocks can really be great to use when it comes for ideas as to how you can landscape with rocks.
Begin at your front yard. Think about the places that would benefit the most from landscaping with rocks. Whether it is from the beach or not, make sure that the rocks are large enough so that they cannot be displaced by people or weather factors.
The front yards of people vary widely, but two of the most popular front yard places that people choose to landscape with rocks are as borders for the front walkway, as well as borders for the trees. If you have both of these things in your front yard, these are two excellent places to start.
When it comes to landscaping with rocks in the backyard, you can continue to use the rocks as borders for trees or bushes. You can also use them to liven up any gardens that you have. The great thing about rocks is that they can be very versatile in gardens.
For example, if you have a flower garden, you can use smaller pebble rocks to indicate various paths in the garden. Pebble rocks are often used as ground covering, much in the way that mulch is used, because it can stop weeds from growing.
Pebble rocks, however, do have a downside to them. Unlike larger rocks that can remain stationary, the pebble rocks can “travel” during inclement weather, and also when people walk on them. Thus, if you become hesitant about using pebble rocks for these reasons, you can always look into getting flagstones instead.
For more information on landscaping with rocks, be sure to go to your local bookstore, because there are a variety of books in the home and gardening section. You can also search the internet for websites on the topic. You are sure to find interesting information with the proper research.
About Landscaping with Rocks
Some people might jeer at the thought of landscaping with rocks, since rocks are usually the things that people want to get rid of in their yards. However, rocks can also make for beautiful landscaping materials as well.
For example, if you are the kind of person who likes to walk at the beach, you have probably noticed how unique and smooth the rocks are. These same rocks can really be great to use when it comes for ideas as to how you can landscape with rocks.
Begin at your front yard. Think about the places that would benefit the most from landscaping with rocks. Whether it is from the beach or not, make sure that the rocks are large enough so that they cannot be displaced by people or weather factors.
The front yards of people vary widely, but two of the most popular front yard places that people choose to landscape with rocks are as borders for the front walkway, as well as borders for the trees. If you have both of these things in your front yard, these are two excellent places to start.
When it comes to landscaping with rocks in the backyard, you can continue to use the rocks as borders for trees or bushes. You can also use them to liven up any gardens that you have. The great thing about rocks is that they can be very versatile in gardens.
For example, if you have a flower garden, you can use smaller pebble rocks to indicate various paths in the garden. Pebble rocks are often used as ground covering, much in the way that mulch is used, because it can stop weeds from growing.
Pebble rocks, however, do have a downside to them. Unlike larger rocks that can remain stationary, the pebble rocks can “travel” during inclement weather, and also when people walk on them. Thus, if you become hesitant about using pebble rocks for these reasons, you can always look into getting flagstones instead.
For more information on landscaping with rocks, be sure to go to your local bookstore, because there are a variety of books in the home and gardening section. You can also search the internet for websites on the topic. You are sure to find interesting information with the proper research.
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