Outdoor Cooking Is a Fun Exciting and Safe Summer Tradition for the Whole Family: Let's Get Grilling

When the mercury in the thermometer starts rising, the urge to cook outdoors rises right along with it. Summertime is chock full of celebrations that practically demand a grill session. It is truly one of life's greatest pleasures to gather in the backyard with friends and family to share a meal in the gorgeous sunny weather.

Propane

Propane is a type of petroleum gas that can be compressed into a liquid state for easy transport. Anybody can easily purchase a tank of compressed propane at any of a number of locations -most gas stations and supermarkets sell them, and many even participate in exchange programs (return an empty bottle and pay a fee to take a filled bottle). Once the bottle is home, it's relatively simple to connect the bottle to a propane grill and get cooking.

Propane grills are specially designed to route the gas into easily-controlled flames, and can be purchased anywhere that large outdoor equipment is sold. They come in a range of sizes, suitable for small families or large gatherings.

A propane grill is exceptionally easy to control - it's very similar to a natural gas range or stovetop inside a home. Propane grilling is an excellent substitute for indoor cooking for those days when it's just too nice to stay inside. We know people who use a propane grill exclusively during the summer in order to avoid heating their home.

Charcoal

Charcoal is a product of burning wood until all the other elements have burned away and what is left is a chunk of pure carbon. There are several different kinds available now, including natural chunk, easy-light, and traditional briquettes. It was originally marketed by Henry Ford (a byproduct from his production line) as Kingsford Charcoal but is now available in many different brands as well. Like propane, charcoal is sold in a wide variety of stores and is easy to transport.

Charcoal grills are simpler (and generally cheaper) than propane versions since they do not require tubing or burners. They are, at their root, a metal tub with legs and a lid. Charcoal maybe harder to get a flame going, but accessories such as chimney starters or even lighter fluid make that job easier. Charcoal grills are also available in many sizes. They can also be modified with accessories like smoker boxes for smoking meats.

Charcoal flames are not as easily controlled - they cannot be simply turned off like a propane flame. Many people prefer this method, though, for the inimitable flavor that the charcoal gives to the food it cooks. Another benefit to charcoal is the ability to add smoking chips to the fire to add additional flavor - mesquite wood is a very popular choice for this.

Recipes

Some people may be thinking, "Okay, I've had a couple barbeques and I'm bored of plain old hamburgers and hot dogs. What else can I do with this?" Well, my friend, the possibilities are endless! Just about any type of meat does marvelous on the grill, from pork ribs to tender beef steaks. If meat isn't what you're looking for, try a grilled pizza! All kinds of vegetables (and even fruits!) taste excellent with this method of cooking. A simple internet search for "grill recipes" will yield a wealth of suggestions and keep anybody grilling for years to come.

Safety

There are some safety concerns to be addressed. We are talking about open flames here, and precautions should always be taken. Before grilling, make sure that everyone is aware of how to turn off the propane connection (if there is one), and have a reliable fire extinguisher within reach of the grill at all times. Be sure that any children or pets in the area are either kept completely out of reach of the grill or, in the case of older children, adequately warned that the grill is hot. Be aware of the fumes as well - both of these methods can release gasses that are unsafe to breathe. Unburnt propane gas can be especially dangerous, so if you suspect a leak, call for service right away. Never leave the grill unattended, even for a moment. Be sure that the surface underneath the grill is fire safe - dry grass or untreated wood are very bad surfaces. Invest in a fireproof mat, move to a different location, or have a professional install a patio of brick or treated wood that you can enjoy all year round. Last of all, make extra sure that everyone has FUN!

Green Tea's Effectiveness in Fighting Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer is one of our country's most frightening diseases. One million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and about 300 people will die from it each and every day. Scientists continue scrambling for understanding into what causes cancer, so that we can prevent it. In addition, work is ongoing to find effective ways of treating this disease.

In recent years, there have been quite a few studies on green tea and its cancer preventing characteristics. These studies are fueled by examination of Asian cultures, where green tea is part of everyday life, and where the incidences of heart disease, stroke and cancer are far lower than here in the US. Asian cultures have understood for many years that green tea is effective in slowing down the aging process and preventing and treating disease.

All tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant; white tea, green tea and black tea all come from this same source. The differences are a result of how the tea is processed. Green and white tea is not fermented during processing, but black tea is fermented. This fermentation process chemically changes the natural anti-oxidants that tea contains.

While even after fermentation, tea is quite healthy; it is the anti-oxidants in their most natural form that seem to have the best anti-aging and disease fighting qualities. In particular, the catechins EGCG is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants you can consume.

Anti-oxidants are important to us because they combat free radicals that are naturally created by our body during the digestion process. These free radicals must be eliminated or they will damage our cells and our DNA. A deficiency in anti-oxidants allows these free radicals to rule, causing us to age more quickly and develop diseases like cancer and heart disease.

So, a diet rich in anti-oxidants has been shown effective in preventing cancer and heart disease, lowering cholesterol and reducing your risk of having a stroke. Doctors recommend that we eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables for their anti-oxidant effects; however, we are now learning that one of the best ways to get your daily dose of anti-oxidants is through drinking green tea.

As great as this news is for the prospects of preventing cancer, there is even more exciting news. There is evidence to suggest that not only might green tea prevent cancer, but might also be an effective treatment for cancer. Recent studies have shown that tea - green and black - appear to slow the progression of cancer cells.

This particular study was done on prostate and pancreatic cancer cells. The cells were treated in vitro with extracts from green and black tea. The cells were exposed to tea extracts for a period of 24 hours. The growth of the cancer cells was inhibited by as much as 90% during the period of exposure to the tea.

In addition to these exciting results, this study also suggested that green and black tea may inhibit the expression of the gene known as MDR-1. MDR-1 stands for multi-drug resistant gene. This gene expresses a drug resistant substance into the tumor cells that diminishes the effect that treatment has on the cells.

This study found that during the 24 hour period when the cells were exposed to the tea extracts, the amount of MDR-1 expressed by the cancer cells was decreased. This leads us to the conclusion that using green tea in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments may increase the effectiveness of the cancer drugs. There have been other studies, as well, that have indicated that cancer drugs are more effective when they are administered along with green tea.

Of course, as with many other findings, more research is needed before we fully understand the benefits that might be gained from using tea to prevent and treat cancer. Most importantly, many of these studies that have only been conducted on mice or in test tubes need human trials. Only then will we truly understand how lab findings might translate into real treatment and prevention options.

One thing's for sure, though; there is no downside to incorporating tea into your diet. Green tea, in particular, is refreshing, healthy and filled with anti-oxidants. It is a healthier alternative to that morning cup of coffee, because it has a high anti-oxidant level and because it is significantly lower in caffeine than coffee.

Green tea is a wonderful way to help prevent aging and disease. Adding green tea to your diet is a simple and effective way to improve your health and chances of living to a ripe old age. As the research evolves, there's no doubt that we'll gain greater insight into exactly how green tea works and how we can best use its power. But, in the meantime, you can be assured that drinking green tea every day is a healthy habit.

Discover How Online College Classes Work

It's no secret that more and more people are looking to the internet for a convenient way to further their education. Online classes are a great way to obtain an accredited college degree from home and continue to work a full time job. Many times a student can attend classes from their computer and schedule those classes around their job. Some schools allow the student to login to a class at their convenience. Imagine taking a class from the comfort of your own home and not having to deal with parking problems, child care, lunch, or transportation expenses.

You can also get an online degree from top, accredited online colleges and online schools that may not be available in your local area. An online education is also a great option for non-traditional students, the handicapped, people in remote areas, and people with a full-time job or a schedule that doesn't allow for a traditional education.

Distance education can be delivered in several ways. We will examine two of the many ways education can be delivered via the internet.

One of the most common is through live media. In this type of online classroom, students typically login to a chat room type environment that allows not only for text chat but also live audio chat, similar to many of the popular "instant messaging" programs that are widely used today. The lecture can be heard through the computer speakers or through a set of headphones. The students communicate with the teacher and other students by text chat or simply by talking into a PC microphone. The teacher can also allow students to view him/her in a smaller window on the monitor via a webcam. The lecture can also be recorded and posted to the school website to allow students to listen to the lecture and review the material at a later time according to their schedule, and as many times as necessary.

This type of online class makes it necessary to be at the computer at a scheduled time each day.

One advantage to this type of online college classroom environment is the student receives live instruction with structured classes. It is well known that students working within in a structured setting have a higher probability of success of finishing their degree. An obvious disadvantage would be lack of scheduling flexibility.

Another variation of the online classroom setting involves text messages such as email and message boards. Each class may share a group mailbox or a message board system, which becomes the "electronic classroom". The instructor generally posts lectures on the topic of study, posts the assignments, and provides discussion questions related to the topic. The student can view lectures, notes from the instructor and other students, and assigned projects. The student can also post messages or questions to the instructor and other students.

One advantage of this system is 24 hour access to course materials and the ability to work at one's own pace without regard to scheduling. A disadvantage would be lack of direct contact with the instructor.

In both scenarios students are expected to logon to the class site a certain number of days per week. Students also can contact the instructor via e-mail to ask questions or receive answers. When assignments are due, students send them to the instructor online or by email, where they are graded and returned. Students may also have access to their individual performance reports by logging in to a website where that information is posted. Test may also be taken online. Typically, online classes last five to six weeks.

Although the degree of difficulty is the same for the online classroom as in a traditional setting, the internet has broken down many barriers and is providing educational opportunities for people worldwide that were not previously thought possible.

How Long Should My Honda Civic Hybrid Battery Last?

Battery warranty and disposal for your Civic Hybrid.

Introduced in 2002 as a 2003 model, the Honda Civic Hybrid is one of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road, getting 40 miles to the gallon around town, 45 miles to the gallon on the highway. Like every Honda hybrid, the Civic Hybrid's battery is covered by an extended warranty.

Lengthy Warranty

Honda offers an 8-year, 100,000 mile battery warranty on the Honda Civic Hybrid battery pack in most states. In some states, including California, New Jersey and Vermont, that warranty is extended to 10 years of 150,000 miles. Only your Honda dealer or other authorized repair specialist should perform work on the battery system. Review your warranty to find out what restrictions apply or visit automobiles.honda.com/civic-hybrid/warranty.aspx for that information.

No exact battery lifespan has been determined for you hybrid battery pack, but Honda expects the Honda Civic Hybrid battery pack to last for the life of your vehicle. Toyota, which has been building the Prius longer, says that some of its cars have now passed 300,000 miles on the odometer with the same battery. Both the Civic and the Prius utilize similar nickel-cadmium battery technology.

Battery Recycling

When your hybrid battery wears out, disposal isn't much of a problem either. Honda says that it gets treated as hazardous waste and is sent to a recycling plant for proper disposal. Parts of the battery can be used again and the chemicals inside neutralized. Contact your Honda dealer to make sure that the battery disposal is handled by them instead of something you'll be forced to handle.

With an extended warranty plan in place and disposal not an issue, buying a Honda Civic Hybrid is less of a risky proposition than what some imagine it to be. That's good news for people who want an efficient and environmentally-friendly car to drive.

Reducing TV Watching

Socrates believed that knowledge and morality were one. In other words immoral behavior is due to a lack of knowledge or understanding. If you're aware of all the facts of a matter -- the real facts, not the assumed ones -- you could expect to behave morally and rationally. To Socrates immoral behavior was caused by ignorance.

You can get a lot of mileage out of Socrates' idea, whether you fully agree with it or not. Sometimes if you simply assemble all the facts in one place, that's enough to give you clarity.

Bert at Open Loops made a post about reducing TV watching. If you feel that TV viewing might be hurting you, a good place to start is to get the facts. Find out exactly how much TV you're watching and what you're getting in return for that investment. When you see a whole month's worth of your investment in one place, it's easier to decide if your investment is a sound one.

Take a TV Fast

Go without watching TV for 30 days, and use this time to gather data on your viewing habits.

If you have a digital video recorder like TiVo, use your DVR to record all the shows you would have normally watched -- not just the shows you intend to watch in advance, but your best guess as to all the shows you would have actually watched if you weren't on the fast. If this project would max out your DVR's hard drive, then you really ought to leave your cave on occasion.

At the end of the 30 days, review your recorded listings and see what you learn. Add up all the time you would have spent watching each TV show. Get clear on what value you could have expected from those shows and what else you might have done with your time. Most likely, you'll realize that some shows aren't worth your time. Their entertainment or educational value is too low for how much time they take to watch. Once you see this information in front of you, consciously decide what you'll continue to watch and why.

In her book Brain Building in Just 12 Weeks, Marilyn vos Savant (the woman who holds the Guinness record for the highest IQ) suggests that TV reduces your capacity for rational thought. One reason is that TV oversimplifies reality. You're presented with subjects in a matter of minutes where everything is nicely wrapped up at the end. Reality is reduced to labels like good or bad, funny or serious, smart or dumb. This harms clear thinking by conditioning you to expect that most problems have a simple, clear solution (and if not, then it will be an overly dramatic solution). But real people and events defy labels. Real life weaves a much richer tapestry than TV, and too much TV viewing can make it hard to see and appreciate that tapestry for what it is. TV skews your map of reality.

As you go through the fasting period, think about alternate ways to invest your TV time. If you weren't watching TV, what else could you do? Be creative. What could you do for your health, relationships, family, work, education, etc?

Question why you watch all the TV you do. Is it simply a habit? Do you watch TV by default because you haven't consciously allocated that time to anything else? If TV is your default filler behavior when you have nothing else to do, switch to a different default behavior like reading or talking to actual human beings or hobbies like music or drawing.

If you watch TV when you're too tired to do anything else, then go to sleep or simply lie down. If you need to rest, then rest.

What would happen if you increased your TV viewing? If you're getting such a good value out of it, then why not do even more of it?

How to Find Those Cheap Flights

Flights by themselves can be very reasonable dependent upon where you are going and when you want to fly.

There are numerous cheap flights to be had at certain times of the year but you have to do your homework and hunt around for them. At the moment, the airlines are suffering as much as anyone from the credit crunch and are eager to get as many advance bookings as possible. If you know when you want to fly next year, then look around now as prices increase in the run-up to the traditional holiday seasons.

Choose the airport that you can travel from. Sometimes smaller airports such as East Midlands and Bristol can offer better and cheaper deals. Also check the airlines. Do you mind flying with a little known airline of do you want to pay the prices of some of the larger airlines? Do you need an in-flight meal which adds to the price?

Do you need to fly direct? Often taking a longer route is cheaper although tiring. And check out the times of the flight. Some routes are cheaper than others at unsociable hours. There are numerous sites online that can offer cheap flights and most of them have information on hundreds of airlines that they have access to. Check them out constantly if you are looking to fly at a moment's notice. Many cheap deals are snapped up as soon as they go online. Sign up to airline's newsletters as they can offer deals before they go public.

Higher fuel prices and lower demand have bumped up prices for the majority of big airlines and the smaller ones are struggling. If you do want a good deal, always take out insurance to avoid being stranded abroad and having to pay on top for a different flight home. Also check to make sure that the airline is registered with the appropriate authorities in case of trouble.

Long Term Care Insurance - Other Great Ways To Pay A Lot Less

Long term care insurance is very important. However, it's also very expensive. The cost is one reason many people argue about the wisdom in getting. But with the following tips you should be able to get yours without spending too much. Here we go...

1. Like for every other insurance policy out there, you'll get better rates if your employer offers long term care benefits through a group policy. This option saves you in that your employer might likely bear part of the cost. Furthermore, insurance companies usually offer groups some discounts in order to attract more members of such organizations to buy their policy through them.

Look for any opportunity out there for a group long term care policy. It will save you a lot. However, make sure it's been offered by a company that's been around for sometime and is financially stable enough to last for a long time to come. This is important because it may a few decades before you file a claim.

2. Some life insurance policies or annuities allow you to add long term care benefits as a rider. Check if yours allows this. If you've yet to buy any of these then it will make sense to ensure you only buy a life insurance policy or annuity that either has long term care as part of it or allows you to add it as a rider.

Why does this result in savings? It's simply because it's cheaper for an insurer to combine both in a one policy than to offer both as individual policies.

3. Just as a higher deductible will reduce your rate for other insurance policies, a longer waiting period will help you pay a lot less as long term care insurance premium.

If two people of exactly the same profile choose exactly the same with the only difference being the waiting period, the person with the longer waiting period will get a lower rate. For example, let's say the first person chooses a 30-day waiting period and gets a premium of $3,000. If the second person chooses a 90-day waiting period he/she would pay about $2,100 or 30% less.

But as you take advantage of this opportunity to save, remember that you'd have to make plans to take care of your long term care expenses for the chosen waiting period.

While you do your best to take advantage of the above three tips don't forget to get and compare long term care insurance quotes from five or more quotes sites. It will save you a lot. And, as you do this make sure you don't only look at price also consider the details of the policy and the rating of the insurers in question.

Estate Planning & Living Trust Information

There is often confusion, that estate planning is something only rich people or people in their later years need to take care of. This is a real problem because almost everyone but the very poor needs Estate Planning. Wherever you live in the United States, and if you own anything worth over $30,000, including personal things worth nothing to anyone, but you or your family, you will be subject to probate, left to the state to decide who will get, what ever there is. Property, Investments or even a photo album. Put some times aside and do some planning and save yourself a lot of grief and a ton of money in court costs and taxes.

Deciding on who gets what, is the function of estate planning. The most important part is having legal documents, that are acceptable in you state. There should be a step by step outline, expressing your wishes after you are deceased. If you do not have an estate plan, it will be left up to the state. Every state had different rules and trust me, they will not necessary be in your best interest. The state laws will apply, and your assets, will be divided to your wife and other family members according to state law. Guide your own destiny and do not leave it to the state and leave your family in a state of confusion. Have an estate-planning document in place.

People are becoming more educated but a great many have no provisions for when they die. There is neither a living trust nor a will in place. For the most part we are consumed with our everyday duties. This is an area we don't like to think about and contemplating our demise is our least favorite subject. But sad as it is a great many people die at an earlier age they expected with out a living trust or a will. The sooner you take care of it, the sooner you can move on, and forget about. Protect your family and whomever you care about and do not put them through the grief that will cause if you have no such document.

So what will be my choices for a living trust and estate planning?

Traditionally, estate planning has involved creating a will. This is the legal document that decides who gets what after you die. Who will be the administration of your estate that will be there to make the decisions you no longer can? Or you can leave it up to probate court.

This procedure can be relatively quick if there are not a lot of financial resources and could be over in a manor of months but if there is real wealth could take years.

Once you have a will, and as long as you have your wits. You can makes changes as many times as you wish. Depending on whom is in favor at the time.

8 Tips to Open Water Swimming

So you're ready to get out there and do some open water swimming to prepare for your next triathlon? Before you go dipping into your local body of water, keep these tips in mind:

1. Never swim alone. For safety purposes, always swim with a group or bring along a friend. Given the unknown elements, a dangerous situation may arise such as fog, currents, boats, etc. where you will be in much better shape with others around.

2. Adjust to cold water. If the water you are training in is cold, below 66 degrees fahrenheit, be prepared. Wetsuits are necessary. Wearing a swim cap and earplugs can help keep your head warm. Get in the water slowly and only get in for 5-20 minutes the first time out, gradually increasing your time in the water with each swim.

4. Upon exit of your cold water swim, drink warm fluids, take off your wetsuit, and dress warmly.

3. On sunny days, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before getting in (especially for those with light skin!).

4. Be careful of the fog. It is easy to get lost in foggy weather and lose sight of the shore.

5. Watch the seaweed. If you are ocean swimming and come across seaweed, stay high in the water and do not kick. The seaweed can wrap around you if your legs are kicking.

6. Never swim in a lightning storm.

7. Open water swimming can cause chaffing. Use petroleum jelly if this is a problem.

8. Goggle color. Use dark lenses on sunny days, blue lenses on cloudy days.

Open water swimming can be challenging, but for many it is FUN and a nice change from "following the black line" at the bottom of the pool. Enjoy, and remember, "when in doubt, get out."