Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Eating healthy with the aero herb garden by Maria Marcotte
Several years ago I got myself onto a health food kick. Through a series of personal tragedies (both my best friend and my father died of heart disease) and some frank talks with my father in law, I decided it was time to grow up and give myself a chance to grow old and feeble and die, boringly, in my 80s.
First on the list was improving my eating habits. My father, god bless him, had never been the healthiest eater. Whether it was chicken wings or ribs or steak, if you could grill it, he'd eat it. It's not like he avoided fruits and vegetables, but in general his favorite stuff was something that he could conceivably have hunted.
My best friend was almost pure carnivore, turning his nose up at anything that was grown (with the notable exception of the potato). His diet, his smoking habit and an unknown defect his one of the valves on his heart combined to due him in at the all-too-young age of twenty eight.
So I set myself on a quest to avoid their fate. Part of it, for me, was quitting smoking. I did this by cordoning off blocs of my life, and bit by bit limiting the time when I could have a cigarette. First it was "no smoking during the day", then "no smoking during the work week", then "no smoking unless you're drinking," and finally "you're not buying cigarettes anymore." Within the span of a year I'd quit.
After that, it was onto my diet. I'd developed a bit of a green thumb - something I'd inherited from my father, ironically - and wanted to put that to good use. As I was and still am pressed for space (living in New York City has lots of perks, but room isn't one of them), the aero herb garden was a natural fit for my new and improved lifestyle.
The aero herb garden has been a big help for me now, several years after the tragedies I endured. Not only has the process of gardening given me a new, fulfilling hobby (seriously, gardening can actually be a lot of fun), but the aero herb garden has given me a steady supply of fresh vegetables and herbs that make any bland meal into a spectacular culinary delight.
And it's paying off. I've droppped twenty five pounds in the last two years, thanks largely to my aero herb garden, and my cholesterol is down around 170 for the first time since I was a teenager. Yes, quitting smoking was the big step. But eating tons of fresh veggies and herbs is nearly as important.
First on the list was improving my eating habits. My father, god bless him, had never been the healthiest eater. Whether it was chicken wings or ribs or steak, if you could grill it, he'd eat it. It's not like he avoided fruits and vegetables, but in general his favorite stuff was something that he could conceivably have hunted.
My best friend was almost pure carnivore, turning his nose up at anything that was grown (with the notable exception of the potato). His diet, his smoking habit and an unknown defect his one of the valves on his heart combined to due him in at the all-too-young age of twenty eight.
So I set myself on a quest to avoid their fate. Part of it, for me, was quitting smoking. I did this by cordoning off blocs of my life, and bit by bit limiting the time when I could have a cigarette. First it was "no smoking during the day", then "no smoking during the work week", then "no smoking unless you're drinking," and finally "you're not buying cigarettes anymore." Within the span of a year I'd quit.
After that, it was onto my diet. I'd developed a bit of a green thumb - something I'd inherited from my father, ironically - and wanted to put that to good use. As I was and still am pressed for space (living in New York City has lots of perks, but room isn't one of them), the aero herb garden was a natural fit for my new and improved lifestyle.
The aero herb garden has been a big help for me now, several years after the tragedies I endured. Not only has the process of gardening given me a new, fulfilling hobby (seriously, gardening can actually be a lot of fun), but the aero herb garden has given me a steady supply of fresh vegetables and herbs that make any bland meal into a spectacular culinary delight.
And it's paying off. I've droppped twenty five pounds in the last two years, thanks largely to my aero herb garden, and my cholesterol is down around 170 for the first time since I was a teenager. Yes, quitting smoking was the big step. But eating tons of fresh veggies and herbs is nearly as important.
High School Teachers - Our Main Hope in Fighting Adolescent Depression by Maria Marcotte
As acronyms go, this one is a little snarky, a little sad: Headsss. Teachers around the country, not to mention social workers, all who deal with adolescents, and are responsible for them in a professional capacity, are taught to pay attention to this little number. It is about how those that need to care for an adolescent in a certain capacity, need to always learn to ask the children in their care, questions that touch a number of areas, all covered by the letters of the acronym. The first, H, of course, is the most important - it stands for Home, for everything that happens there. The E stands, variably, for education and employment that the teenager engages in. The A reminds the caretaker to ask about the activities that interest and involve the child, and the D, about trouble with drugs if there be any. In the end, the three S's stand for safety, sex life, and sadly, suicidal thoughts. Of course, only a few teachers in our educational system usually have the time for such unusually involved questions; but a psychiatrist would surely be required to ask these in any standard case of adolescent depression, or other problems.
A teacher is our first line of defense. A lot of the time, probing questions to a young teenager will be met with an anxious exhortation: "If I tell you, how can I be sure that you won't tell anyone else?" It might be a judgment call with some, but most teachers would say that over the long run, to simply tell the truth helps establish more trust, openness and productivity in any session. Sometimes, a teacher has to ask the parent to provide the child with a bit of privacy, to help the child say it all. And the ground rule, the child has to know, will be that unless the secret shared is something deeply dangerous to the child's life, it won't leave the room.
Once all the formalities are out of the way, most caring teachers essentially begin any kind of questioning with a kind of screening for depression; adolescent depression is shockingly high in the rate at which it occurs. Most young people, are so caught up in their visions of their own resilience and strength, that they will all flat out deny that they need any help for being sad or depressed. However, when the teacher words it differently, using the vernacular of the young, they almost always get better results. A word that seems to work with young people these days, is "Stress". It may not mean to them exactly what it says in the dictionary, but it brings results.
Adolescent depression does not really look like adult depression. A lot of the kids who commit suicide are not depressed in the same way adults are. We may fail to recognize it because it may come through as recklessness - a wish to do whatever comes to their mind at the moment, or anger, or disappointment, or sometimes even as vengefulness. When teachers get these signs from their young students, they need to make their assessment right and see if there is suicide on the horizon. If it is, they can follow the protocol, and create a safety plan with the child whether or not they openly admit to suicidal thoughts. Teachers today are the bulwarks who have been protecting our children. This may not sound very hopeful, considering how poorly paid and overworked they are. But there you have it.
A teacher is our first line of defense. A lot of the time, probing questions to a young teenager will be met with an anxious exhortation: "If I tell you, how can I be sure that you won't tell anyone else?" It might be a judgment call with some, but most teachers would say that over the long run, to simply tell the truth helps establish more trust, openness and productivity in any session. Sometimes, a teacher has to ask the parent to provide the child with a bit of privacy, to help the child say it all. And the ground rule, the child has to know, will be that unless the secret shared is something deeply dangerous to the child's life, it won't leave the room.
Once all the formalities are out of the way, most caring teachers essentially begin any kind of questioning with a kind of screening for depression; adolescent depression is shockingly high in the rate at which it occurs. Most young people, are so caught up in their visions of their own resilience and strength, that they will all flat out deny that they need any help for being sad or depressed. However, when the teacher words it differently, using the vernacular of the young, they almost always get better results. A word that seems to work with young people these days, is "Stress". It may not mean to them exactly what it says in the dictionary, but it brings results.
Adolescent depression does not really look like adult depression. A lot of the kids who commit suicide are not depressed in the same way adults are. We may fail to recognize it because it may come through as recklessness - a wish to do whatever comes to their mind at the moment, or anger, or disappointment, or sometimes even as vengefulness. When teachers get these signs from their young students, they need to make their assessment right and see if there is suicide on the horizon. If it is, they can follow the protocol, and create a safety plan with the child whether or not they openly admit to suicidal thoughts. Teachers today are the bulwarks who have been protecting our children. This may not sound very hopeful, considering how poorly paid and overworked they are. But there you have it.
Rest Easier with an Acid Reflux Wedge Pillow Maria Marcotte
Anyone who suffers from acid reflux (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) undoubtedly experiences a bit of dread at the first onset of symptoms. These vary from person to person, but typically manifest in the form of heartburn, regurgitation, or general stomach discomfort. The symptoms usually signal beginnings of a sleepless night as you try to keep your stomach contents settled. That's not the most enjoyable way to spend an evening, which is why I recommend using an acid reflux wedge pillow instead of a standard bed pillow.
An acid reflux wedge is a long, hard pillow that keeps your torso elevated through the night. This elevation helps lessen the effects of GERD by keeping internal fluids out of your esophagus while you sleep. The result is often a much more restful night, which allows you to wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed in the morning. While an acid reflux wedge won't cure GERD, it can help ease some of the symptoms, so it's definitely worth checking out.
Experts recommend that an acid reflux wedge be at least thirty inches long and six inches high in order to work properly. The pillows should extend all the way down to your lower back, so it might be necessary to take some measurements before buying one. Moreover, since these wedges are generally harder than traditional bed pillows, most folks choose to lay their regular pillow on top of the acid reflux wedge to make things more comfortable. In other words, don't throw out your old pillow just yet!
If these special wedges don't help control nighttime GERD symptoms, other lifestyle changes may be in order. For example, try eating smaller, lighter meals in the evening instead of heavy dinners that will cause you problems throughout the night. Avoid foods that are known to exacerbate GERD symptoms, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, fried foods, caffeine, and chocolate. In addition, you might want to try adding an over-the-counter antacid to your daily routine to see if that helps. If nothing alleviates your pain, it's time to make an appointment with your physician.
But as I said, acid reflux wedge pillows have worked wonders for lots of people, so it can't hurt to try one for yourself. They're available in some department stores, but you'll definitely have a wider range of products and prices to choose from if you shop online. Just remember to verify all measurements and review the web retailer's return policy before submitting your order to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.
If persistent GERD symptoms are preventing you from getting any rest, an acid reflux wedge could be the answer you've been looking for. These pillows can cost anywhere from $40 to $100, which is a relatively small price to pay in exchange for sound sleep!
An acid reflux wedge is a long, hard pillow that keeps your torso elevated through the night. This elevation helps lessen the effects of GERD by keeping internal fluids out of your esophagus while you sleep. The result is often a much more restful night, which allows you to wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed in the morning. While an acid reflux wedge won't cure GERD, it can help ease some of the symptoms, so it's definitely worth checking out.
Experts recommend that an acid reflux wedge be at least thirty inches long and six inches high in order to work properly. The pillows should extend all the way down to your lower back, so it might be necessary to take some measurements before buying one. Moreover, since these wedges are generally harder than traditional bed pillows, most folks choose to lay their regular pillow on top of the acid reflux wedge to make things more comfortable. In other words, don't throw out your old pillow just yet!
If these special wedges don't help control nighttime GERD symptoms, other lifestyle changes may be in order. For example, try eating smaller, lighter meals in the evening instead of heavy dinners that will cause you problems throughout the night. Avoid foods that are known to exacerbate GERD symptoms, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, fried foods, caffeine, and chocolate. In addition, you might want to try adding an over-the-counter antacid to your daily routine to see if that helps. If nothing alleviates your pain, it's time to make an appointment with your physician.
But as I said, acid reflux wedge pillows have worked wonders for lots of people, so it can't hurt to try one for yourself. They're available in some department stores, but you'll definitely have a wider range of products and prices to choose from if you shop online. Just remember to verify all measurements and review the web retailer's return policy before submitting your order to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.
If persistent GERD symptoms are preventing you from getting any rest, an acid reflux wedge could be the answer you've been looking for. These pillows can cost anywhere from $40 to $100, which is a relatively small price to pay in exchange for sound sleep!
80s Pop Music: The Beginning of Modern Rock by Maria Marcotte
Modern Rock or Alternative Rock as we know it now began in the 80s with many bands that were considered one-hit wonders or had very short careers. After the implosion of disco music in the late 1970s, music fans were confused and had no one music style that they could call their own. Straight rock music was in a period of big hair bands that played arenas like AC/DC and Judas Priest. This music did not appeal to many people who wanted more melodic pop and rock as opposed to heavy metal music.
One of the first bands to emerge in the 1980s was Tears for Fears. This pop rock duo became instantly famous for their soaring pop melodies like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” a song which is still played today all over the world. They followed up this mammoth hit with “Shout” and “Mad World” and then sort of slipped away from the limelight a few years later.
The Pet Shop Boys cashed in on the 80s pop music phenomenon with their huge worldwide hit “East End Boys”. Also in the same mode was Modern English with “Melt With You”, a really dancy number that is played all over the world to this day. The Simple Minds dominated 80s pop music with their gigantic hit “Don’t You Forget About Me”.
Most music experts agree that Modern Rock or Alternative Rock as we know it today began with bands like Frankie Goes to Hollywood and their catchy dance hit “Relax” or Level 42 (another one hit wonder) with “Something About You”. The Fixx had many great songs during the 80s and started it with “Stand of Fall” and “Red Skies at Night”. Wang Chung gave us “Everybody Wang Chung Tonight” and “To Live and Die in L.A.” while Duran Duran rocked arenas around the world with hits like “Save a Prayer” and “Rio”.
The late 80s pop music scene brought us Squeeze and their big hit “Tempted” as well as U2, who kept rocking with “With or Without You”, “Pride (In the Name of Love)” and many other huge hits. Prince continued rocking with “Raspberry Beret” while the Human League brought us “Don’t You Want Me (Baby)”. Another one hit wonder, Til Tuesday came out with the moody “Voices Carry”, a favorite of Modern Rock FM radio.
One of the best real bands to emerge from 80s pop music was Midnight Oil. These Aussies carried through into the early 90s with their big hit “Beds are Burning” and later “Blue Sky Mining”, among others. Another critically acclaimed singer/songwriter of 80s pop music (and rock) was Peter Gabriel of Journey fame with his hit “In Your Eyes”.
All in all, 80s pop music was fantastic for people who really loved original, melodic songs and spawned a whole new generation of musicians and a style of music that we continue to listen to until this very day. In fact, today’s Alternative Rock musicians owe their musical lives to the pop and rock bands of the 80s who were not afraid to be different and independent. Maria Marcotte
One of the first bands to emerge in the 1980s was Tears for Fears. This pop rock duo became instantly famous for their soaring pop melodies like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” a song which is still played today all over the world. They followed up this mammoth hit with “Shout” and “Mad World” and then sort of slipped away from the limelight a few years later.
The Pet Shop Boys cashed in on the 80s pop music phenomenon with their huge worldwide hit “East End Boys”. Also in the same mode was Modern English with “Melt With You”, a really dancy number that is played all over the world to this day. The Simple Minds dominated 80s pop music with their gigantic hit “Don’t You Forget About Me”.
Most music experts agree that Modern Rock or Alternative Rock as we know it today began with bands like Frankie Goes to Hollywood and their catchy dance hit “Relax” or Level 42 (another one hit wonder) with “Something About You”. The Fixx had many great songs during the 80s and started it with “Stand of Fall” and “Red Skies at Night”. Wang Chung gave us “Everybody Wang Chung Tonight” and “To Live and Die in L.A.” while Duran Duran rocked arenas around the world with hits like “Save a Prayer” and “Rio”.
The late 80s pop music scene brought us Squeeze and their big hit “Tempted” as well as U2, who kept rocking with “With or Without You”, “Pride (In the Name of Love)” and many other huge hits. Prince continued rocking with “Raspberry Beret” while the Human League brought us “Don’t You Want Me (Baby)”. Another one hit wonder, Til Tuesday came out with the moody “Voices Carry”, a favorite of Modern Rock FM radio.
One of the best real bands to emerge from 80s pop music was Midnight Oil. These Aussies carried through into the early 90s with their big hit “Beds are Burning” and later “Blue Sky Mining”, among others. Another critically acclaimed singer/songwriter of 80s pop music (and rock) was Peter Gabriel of Journey fame with his hit “In Your Eyes”.
All in all, 80s pop music was fantastic for people who really loved original, melodic songs and spawned a whole new generation of musicians and a style of music that we continue to listen to until this very day. In fact, today’s Alternative Rock musicians owe their musical lives to the pop and rock bands of the 80s who were not afraid to be different and independent. Maria Marcotte
Why a 5 Year Adjustable Rate Mortgage Could be Right for You by Maria Marcotte
A 5 year adjustable rate mortgage may be able to give you the low payment you are seeking. Home buyers are eager these days to purchase homes that are either discounted or have reduced in value due to the housing crisis. To do so they are looking at different types of mortgage products than the conventional ones such as 30 year or 15 year fixed rate mortgage loans. Among these alternative mortgage products home buyers will find the 5 year adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loan or the 7 year ARM. These types of loans are attractive for several reasons.
With a 7 year or 5 year adjustable rate mortgage, the borrower pays the monthly payment at the prevailing interest rate which is fixed and will not change for the first 7 or 5 years, whichever he chooses. The longer the fixed term, the higher the rate usually. Payments for this fixed period are usually not amortized and are interest only, which means that the entire payment goes towards interest and none of it goes towards reducing the principal balance amount.
This is attractive in that it helps to lower the monthly payment. For borrowers and home buyers on a fixed income or salary, this helps them to afford a more expensive home or rental property than would have been the case if their payment was based on a 30 year fixed rate, which is fully amortized.
Also if the borrower knows ahead of time that he is going to sell the property within the next few years, why should they pay the higher interest and monthly payment of a 30 year fixed rate? It does not make sense and an ARM could be just the thing for them.
When considering a borrower’s request for financing, banks and lending institutions look at a borrower’s ability to repay the loan. The main thing that they look at is earnings and a borrower’s salary or, if they are self-employed, the borrower’s income tax returns and profit and loss statements as prepared by a CPA. Usually the debt to income ratio (DTI) that the bank will accept should be no greater than 45%. This means that if a borrower has a monthly income of $10,000 for example, then his combined debt, including his housing payment (loan, taxes, insurance, etc.) cannot exceed $4500 in order to qualify for the loan. This is difficult and may require some cutting back by the borrower. Credit cards may need to get paid off, or auto loans in order to qualify
Banks and lenders are very stringent about this requirement and will not make allowances. This is one of the reasons why a 5 year adjustable rate mortgage can be an attractive alternative for many home buyers. Because their monthly payment will be interest only, it will naturally be less than the same loan amount at a fully amortized payment. This could be just the ticket for qualifying.
The downside is that a 5 year adjustable rate mortgage will not stay fixed forever and eventually, after 5 years, will become an adjustable rate. Since we cannot say for certain what rates will be like in 5 years, this is a big gamble and not one that many home buyers will be willing to make.
With a 7 year or 5 year adjustable rate mortgage, the borrower pays the monthly payment at the prevailing interest rate which is fixed and will not change for the first 7 or 5 years, whichever he chooses. The longer the fixed term, the higher the rate usually. Payments for this fixed period are usually not amortized and are interest only, which means that the entire payment goes towards interest and none of it goes towards reducing the principal balance amount.
This is attractive in that it helps to lower the monthly payment. For borrowers and home buyers on a fixed income or salary, this helps them to afford a more expensive home or rental property than would have been the case if their payment was based on a 30 year fixed rate, which is fully amortized.
Also if the borrower knows ahead of time that he is going to sell the property within the next few years, why should they pay the higher interest and monthly payment of a 30 year fixed rate? It does not make sense and an ARM could be just the thing for them.
When considering a borrower’s request for financing, banks and lending institutions look at a borrower’s ability to repay the loan. The main thing that they look at is earnings and a borrower’s salary or, if they are self-employed, the borrower’s income tax returns and profit and loss statements as prepared by a CPA. Usually the debt to income ratio (DTI) that the bank will accept should be no greater than 45%. This means that if a borrower has a monthly income of $10,000 for example, then his combined debt, including his housing payment (loan, taxes, insurance, etc.) cannot exceed $4500 in order to qualify for the loan. This is difficult and may require some cutting back by the borrower. Credit cards may need to get paid off, or auto loans in order to qualify
Banks and lenders are very stringent about this requirement and will not make allowances. This is one of the reasons why a 5 year adjustable rate mortgage can be an attractive alternative for many home buyers. Because their monthly payment will be interest only, it will naturally be less than the same loan amount at a fully amortized payment. This could be just the ticket for qualifying.
The downside is that a 5 year adjustable rate mortgage will not stay fixed forever and eventually, after 5 years, will become an adjustable rate. Since we cannot say for certain what rates will be like in 5 years, this is a big gamble and not one that many home buyers will be willing to make.
Things You Need to Know about a 2nd Mortgage by Maria Marcotte
When people think of a 2nd mortgage they usually think of a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), but there are many types of 2nd mortgage products that are offered by lenders.
When purchasing a home, borrowers with good credit, steady, long-term employment and provable income can usually qualify for a first mortgage such as a 30 year fixed rate mortgage loan from a reputable bank or lender. Most lenders, however, will not lend more than 80% of the purchase price and unless the borrower has sufficient funds for a down payment, this can cause a problem and eventually not allow the borrower to purchase the home or property they desire.
Banks and lending institutions offer fixed rate 2nd mortgage products to borrowers with excellent credit ratings to help them to bridge the gap between first mortgage amount and the purchase price. This is sometimes referred to as “gap” lending. Most banks, however, do not allow the total loan-to-value ration (LTV) to be more than 90% or 95%, which means that the borrower will have to come up with at least 5% to 10% of their own money to complete the transaction. This is usually known as the down payment. Banks are extremely tight at the present moment with money lending and regulations are strictly enforced. Lending institutions are requiring borrowers to prove the source of their down payment money and they usually require “seasoning” which means that the money has to have been sitting in the borrower’s account for a certain number of months, sometimes up to a year or more, depending on the lender.
Many times when the bank does not wish to give the borrower a 2nd mortgage, a motivated seller will provide his own 2nd mortgage. This is known in the industry as a “seller carry-back” and is a 2nd mortgage loan that the seller makes directly to the borrower. The seller will register a legal lien based on the signed 2nd mortgage documents and the borrower will make monthly payments directly to the seller. If the borrower defaults on their payments, the seller will have certain legal rights to foreclose, just like a lending institution of bank.
The most common type of 2nd mortgage is, of course, the Home Equity Line of Credit. This HELOC product is offered by most banks and is usually offered to homeowners with excellent credit histories and sufficient equity in their properties. LTV ratios are usually low, less than 70% allowed, but rates can be very attractive. Most of these 2nd mortgage HELOCS are for 10 year terms, with interest only payments and a balloon payment due at the end of the 10 years. Borrowers make payments only on the portion of the HELOC actually used. In the past banks would provide HELOC customers with a checkbook, but these days it is usually a debit card. Homeowners can then use this money to make repairs, remodel, or pay off credit cards.
The preceding has been a summary of available 2nd mortgage products. Please check with your bank or lending institution for more options.
When purchasing a home, borrowers with good credit, steady, long-term employment and provable income can usually qualify for a first mortgage such as a 30 year fixed rate mortgage loan from a reputable bank or lender. Most lenders, however, will not lend more than 80% of the purchase price and unless the borrower has sufficient funds for a down payment, this can cause a problem and eventually not allow the borrower to purchase the home or property they desire.
Banks and lending institutions offer fixed rate 2nd mortgage products to borrowers with excellent credit ratings to help them to bridge the gap between first mortgage amount and the purchase price. This is sometimes referred to as “gap” lending. Most banks, however, do not allow the total loan-to-value ration (LTV) to be more than 90% or 95%, which means that the borrower will have to come up with at least 5% to 10% of their own money to complete the transaction. This is usually known as the down payment. Banks are extremely tight at the present moment with money lending and regulations are strictly enforced. Lending institutions are requiring borrowers to prove the source of their down payment money and they usually require “seasoning” which means that the money has to have been sitting in the borrower’s account for a certain number of months, sometimes up to a year or more, depending on the lender.
Many times when the bank does not wish to give the borrower a 2nd mortgage, a motivated seller will provide his own 2nd mortgage. This is known in the industry as a “seller carry-back” and is a 2nd mortgage loan that the seller makes directly to the borrower. The seller will register a legal lien based on the signed 2nd mortgage documents and the borrower will make monthly payments directly to the seller. If the borrower defaults on their payments, the seller will have certain legal rights to foreclose, just like a lending institution of bank.
The most common type of 2nd mortgage is, of course, the Home Equity Line of Credit. This HELOC product is offered by most banks and is usually offered to homeowners with excellent credit histories and sufficient equity in their properties. LTV ratios are usually low, less than 70% allowed, but rates can be very attractive. Most of these 2nd mortgage HELOCS are for 10 year terms, with interest only payments and a balloon payment due at the end of the 10 years. Borrowers make payments only on the portion of the HELOC actually used. In the past banks would provide HELOC customers with a checkbook, but these days it is usually a debit card. Homeowners can then use this money to make repairs, remodel, or pay off credit cards.
The preceding has been a summary of available 2nd mortgage products. Please check with your bank or lending institution for more options.
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