Literary buffs

May find this of interest. This would have made my undergrad lit classes SO much easier. Nice way to overview/brush up/discover some of the literary standouts of history.

Literary buffs

May find this of interest.

Biographical sketch of Michelle Obama

This is a very likeable article about Michelle Obama's journey through her own marriage, learning flexibility, negotiation and letting go. This is the first time where I've actually been interested in learning more about her life after hearing from her. (I know she's a remarkably strong individual, and I admire her passion for social change. I happen to strongly disagree with her social views/lobbying, and this has turned me off to her before now.)

Catholics supporting Mormons in Prop 8

I think some of the blog posts on this video link are well-reasoned. The video's not bad either (one prominent Catholic's support for the Mormon cause and contribution to defending the family).

Perry Mason, Utah Supreme Court style

OK, it's true. It was Perry Mason that first made me interested in the law. I felt so clever when I was right there with Perry. Giving him tips that he should be seeing.

So this link to the Utah Supreme Court Audio Archives is just what I need to get my legal fix, especially now that I don't work in the law building anymore. I was listening to a Cafe Rio case the other night. Not the drama, mystery and intruige that Perry always created, but at least I get multitask (iron, sweep, cook and surf) while having my brain stimulated. Loving this!

Blast from the past

Remember this grade school classic chant?

Feel Like a Fraud? Maybe you should

New York Times post about a psychological phenomenon that happens to most of us at one time or another. Mine came with my first big "career job." Interesting theories on imposterism.

Proud Voter

This is one proud voter. He's proud that he voted for Barack Obama. He's so of Barack that he voted for him a couple of times. Wait, what?

"Heavenly Couture" aka Cheap Couture

Heavenly Couture claims home in Bev Hills, CA, and their appeal is simple: all pieces of clothing sell for $17.95 or less. This site really has a wide range of options for under that price. Think velour sweatsuits, dresses, tops, skirts, even denim (including more micros than you care to see).

They have some good layering pieces: below are samples of what you can get 3/$15. Shipping is free for orders over $75.

Be warned that the tags on their site handler include the following labels (used to direct traffic in search engines): junior clothing, cheap clothing, women's clothing, dresses, discount clothing, teen fashion, and trendy junior clothing.

Going with that in mind, you may find a few things that are worth a few bucks. Don't forget to check out their their "Midnight Daily Specials" for $9.99.

GET CHECKED!

I ran across an article that reminded me that I've been wanting to look into Utah's sex registry online database. I put in my home address from when I lived in Utah County. There were 32 offenders within a two mile radius of my address!
Now, I know that this does not mean these are bad people or necessarily dangerous people. I have known (professionally) a few good people who were registered. But it is important to be informed. There are many facts about the offenders, including picture, address on a map (in relation to the address you've inputted), type of offense, victims of the offense, type of car, and more.

This is a resource that every woman or parent should be aware of, just to know about, at minimum.

How did Bush fail in the Middle East?

This journalist/scholar argues one main reason: he didn't listen to his gut.

Here's a bit of modern-day heresy: President Bush actually has some rather sound instincts about the Muslim world. He has visited mosques more often than any of his predecessors, and he frequently talks of winning Muslim hearts and minds. So why are those hearts and minds so estranged today? What went wrong?...The problem is that Bush has relied on ill-informed advisers and out-of-touch experts. By substituting their false expertise for his own sensible intuitions, he has failed to understand the Muslim world -- which means he has failed to understand the arena in which the first post-9/11 presidency will be judged. Instead of seriously explaining Muslim societies that are profoundly split in complex ways, Bush's aides have offered a fatally flawed stereotype of Islam as monolithic and violent.

This article elucidates three main categories within Islam, and not appreciating these differences had a critical, and dangerous impact on the "solutions" and policy the U.S. has formed under Bush's presidency:

But you're more likely to see media images of bearded young men wearing skullcaps and yelling "God is great" and "Death to the Great Satan" than you are to see scholars at work. The angry activists are now on the ascendancy, according to our study. The reasons for their rise are complex: the incompetence and corruption of modernist Muslim leaders from Egypt to Pakistan to Southeast Asia; the widening gap between a crooked elite and the rest of the population; the absence of decent schools, economic opportunities and social welfare programs; and the failure of modernist leaders to douse burning regional conflicts such as Chechnya, Kashmir and Palestine.

What did these researchers (who toured the Middle east and Asia to perform these studies) find that may be so surprising to the American population, then?

Americans who think that all Muslims hate the United States may be surprised to hear that many Muslims believe they have it precisely backward. Our questionnaires showed that Muslims worldwide viewed Islamophobia in the West as the No. 1 threat they faced. Many Muslims told us that the Western media depict them as terrorists or likens them to Nazis. Such widespread perceptions let literalist clerics argue that Islam must defend itself against a rapacious West -- something the mystics and modernists were incapable of doing.

I appreciate how this author still sees solutions in this mess. For this reason I am SO HAPPY the elections are over, and the gameplans are beginning to be formed where SOMETHING will actually happen after two years of stump speeches. And I like Bush! I'm praying for you, Obama!

Windex fixes everything! Home remedies for ...

OK, maybe not. But I came across a really fun rural blog. By rural, I mean someone living in the middle of Idaho. And it's crazy-homey. Gotta love these remedies! (I have not edited content, so consider it all .)

Did You Know That?
Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost
immediately -- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional
"pain relievers."

Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with
mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids
peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from about of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in =
cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a
massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore Throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take
tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two
tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms.
Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly
-- even though the product has never been advertised for this use.

Eliminate puffiness under your eyes..... All you need is a dab of
preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the eyes. The
haemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor, relieving the swelling
instantly.

Honey remedy for skin blemishes... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey
and place a band-aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin,
sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine therapy for toenail fungus... Get rid of unsightly toenail
fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful
antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from
loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to
the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Coca-Cola cure for rust... Forget those expensive rust removers. Just
saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The
phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer... If menacing bees, wasps,
hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the
insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground
instantly.

Smart splinter remover... just pour a drop of Elmers Glue all over the
splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter
sticks to the dried glue.

Hunt's tomato paste boil cure... cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste
as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the
boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few
drops of Listerine... a powerful antiseptic.

Heinz vinegar to heal bruises... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and
apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and
speeds up the healing process.

Kills fleas instantly. Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few
drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well
to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.

Rainy day cure for dog odour... Next time your dog comes in from the
rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet,
instantly
making your dog smell springtime fresh.

Eliminate ear mites... All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in
your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily
for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and
accelerates healing.

Vaseline cure for hair balls..... To prevent troublesome hair balls,
apply a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat's nose. The cat
will
lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its stomach so it can pass
easily through the digestive system.


Quaker Oats for fast pain relief.... It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix
2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the
microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands
for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

Coupon clipper

Haven't done it yet, but hear it's a good site for printing grocery coupons and finding local grocery sales.

Increasing blog traffic

Seth Godin is a whiz. Mildy put.

This short list details how to be a really likable blogger. I've work to do.

Poor bride into the pool before "I do's" are finished

Video.

Some amazing deals to be found

I'm talking shoes here. Nine West and Steve Madden is what I've been eyeing. But plenty for men and women. Going for under $50 with free shipping.

Adding scriptures/reference materials to iPhone

Here.

Doctrinal issue: difference between agency and freedom

Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave this address a few years ago. It clarifyies one of the most basic misnomer doctrines "free agency." I find its application to same sex attraction particularly riveting.

This is beautiful design!

This is the most beautiful and ingenious popup book I've ever seen.

Great Case study site -- business

This site has some very interesting case studies that almost made me want to change masters programs!

Great site for buying used wedding dresses!!!

http://www.oncewed.com/

Cookies galore

http://clumbsycookie.blogspot.com/

http://thecookieblog.wordpress.com/2008/10/

http://www.cookies-in-motion.com/index.html
Some good suggestions on good cookie making.

Funky eastern religion stuff

Great cultural project stuff:

http://www.rigpa.org/Sogyal_Rinpoche_audio.html

If I were crafty

I might visit this site.

And this.

Online baby clothing botique

http://www.babystyle.com/

"Check it out"

Random collections of goodness:

http://www.yourheartout.com/

Botique site

Very, very cute clothing!

Style rating: A-

Layers Clothing

http://layersclothing.com

Shabby Apple clothing

http://www.shabbyapple.com/c-19-sale.aspx

I am addicted to food blogs

Another goodie:

(http://casserolesnotincluded.blogspot.com/)

Online shopping/botique-ish

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/Default.aspx

This site has some deals, though generally not fantastic prices. Some real zinger fashion pieces. Coats, accessories are particularly interesting.

Boutique rating: B-

Design blog -- Intellectual and ideas

http://designobserver.com/

Discussing the ideas and issues of designers. Interesting articles and features on random items intersecting design.

Design blog/boutique

Things to buy, crafty things to make, fun for inspiration

http://www.janieandjack.com/index.jsp

Darling online clothing boutique for kids

http://www.janieandjack.com/index.jsp

Somewhat superficial article on perceptions of aging

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/bigger-picture/articlewow.aspx?cp-documentid=10246839

This speaks to my summer in many ways

The adjustments of leaving my work and moving to Germany:

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/bigger-picture/articlewow.aspx?cp-documentid=9621490&page=2

Healthy breakfast ideas

I sometimes get stuck in the yogurt or cereal rut. Here are a few ideas to bake it up:

• Prepare a casserole the night before. Pop it in the microwave when you wake up and it will be ready to go when you are.
  
• Incorporate complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat toast and bagels. Spread peanut butter and raisins on top of either for added flavor.
  
• Bake bran muffins early in the week, then grab one or two each morning. Or check out a local bakery for healthy varieties.
  
• Make waffles Sunday morning and freeze the leftovers. You can pop ‘em in the toaster for a homemade breakfast. Also, grocery stores sell frozen whole grain selections.
  
• Have you ever tried a tortilla for breakfast? Wrap up cold turkey and cheese, grab an apple and you’re on your way.
  
• Don’t forget cold cereal. We’re not talking about those covered with sugar, but the healthy variety. Items such as Wheaties and Cheerios are always good choices.
  
• Whole-egg or egg white omelets with fresh or frozen veggies (carrots, broccoli, celery, peppers, onions and even black beans make great additions).
  
• Make a shake or a smoothie. Blend fruit and yogurt and then drink it in the car. A side option is a small bag of finger foods, such as a mixture of granola and grapes.

Not really explored this yet, but looks interesting

http://goodexperience.com/

random interesting articles on this blog, with a job board and pet projects on the side of the page

Corporate branding

This is an interesting blog set on how a corporate brand can be defined.

How to get rid of bad behavior: Positive Reenforcement

This scholar believes the best way to get rid of bad behavior isn't "tough love," but focusing on postive behavior and reenforcing it.

One exerpt:

Q. How long will it usually take for a child to change his behavior?

A. There's no exact time frame, but I tell parents to work on one behavior faithfully for a few days to master the method. Once you get the behavior to happen five times and you enthusiastically praise it five times, you'll probably begin to notice some progress. It'll keep improving after that. And while you're focusing on that one issue, handle other misbehavior the same way you normally would. After the first problem is gone and you're comfortable with the program, you should be able to work on two or three different behaviors at a time.

Q. But how can you praise your child when he keeps having tantrums?

A. Help him "practice" the behavior you want to encourage by making it sort of a game. You can start out by saying, "Okay, we're going to play a new game today. It's all pretend, but if you listen and do what I say, then you'll get a check on this chart today. Okay, ready, Matt? Remember, we're just playing a game. Matt, please put your shoes on." If he cooperates, praise him the same as you would if you weren't pretending: "Wow, I can't believe you put your shoes on when I asked you to! Are you sure you haven't played this game before? Let me give you a hug!" Because it's a game, your child will get excited about following your directions, and after some more practice sessions, he'll be much more likely to cooperate when it's not pretend. Research shows that this type of praise works for kids at any age. Parents often start off being very skeptical, insisting their child would never fall for a game like this. I just tell them to try it for a week. After a few days, I usually get a phone call telling me how amazed they are.

Business idea

http://www.taraci.com/catalog/faqs.php

Viral videos are always intresting

http://www.viralvideochart.com/

Leftovers whiz

This site asks you to input ingredients, puts together dishes. Yet to try...

Politically minded

http://www.politifact.com
Fact check the candidates to see who's flopped, telling lies, truths, etc. Liberal slant?

http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html
Asks you your political opinions, then aligns you with a Presidential Candidate.

Turns out I should checkout the Constitution party, according to my stance on key issues. Interesting...
http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_results.php

Input: Ingredients -- Output: Recipes

http://allrecipes.com/Search/Ingredients.aspx

Stream news stories, lectures, etc

A way I can keep my head from turning from mush without being in an office or class room.

Christ slideshow

Beautiful stills to music.

usercheck

This site is pretty cool: at the click of a button it checks the most popular sites on the internet for your desired username's availability. It reminds me where I do/not have my very unique username (that I always use) registered.

Blogging/Web design

http://www.dailyblogtips.com/killer-domains-my-first-ebook-is-available-now/

Idea/design blog

Really is a swiss miss

Yummy home design

Fresh, clean.

Great weight loss tips

Health monitoring via food tracker with great visual tools to keep you motivated

Here are some great fitness tips

Great photography

Award-winning photographer's site of best pics.

Luxxxxx Living!

So, I've been a fan of the timeshare since my diaper days hanging out in San Diego.

The shared real estate has come a long way. This site details what time shares for the rich and famous look like. A few highlights:

• $425K deposit
• $38K/year dues
• Unlimited access to
  

But be advised, as these are terms of the contract:
In addition to unlimited use of the LUSSO properties, Annual Dues cover the following:

• Pre-arrival grocery shopping service
• Personal concierge services
• Daily house keeping
• Use of resort and/or hotel amenities, where the Club is able to secure these
• Use of luxury vehicles
• Round trip airport transfers up to $300
  (A maximum of four per year to metro destinations, unlimited for all other destinations.)

Annual Dues do not cover items of a more "consumable" nature such as food and beverages, personal chefs and spa treatments. These features, and many more, can be arranged for you by your personal concierge at only a pass-through cost to you.



http://www.lussocollection.com/page/rd07faq.jsp
http://www.akresidenceclub.com/#villavis
http://quintess.com/

For the rest of us, it's worth looking at their properties as we plan our vacations, getting ideas of great areas and destinations. Yummy!

Love this interior site: minimalist and modern, but not drastic and stark

In most cases, at least.

See here.

I've heard this is a very competitive new travel website.

We'll have to look into it.

What to read when everyone is ticking you off

So I'm not a huge fan of searching out self-help (it usually finds its way to you), but I thought this website that found its way to me (a friend posted a link) was pragmatic enough.

I should read this on those "bad days."

I love food blogs

I'm convinced that there is no need to purchase cookbooks any more. With the world's biggest kitchen at our fingertips (a.k.a. the internet), the possibilities are literally without end. The most important factor, as I see it, is finding those sources where I can rely on the consistency of very good recipes. This is an impossible feat, of course, since one man's culinary treasure is another's culinary compost. However, I think this is part of the fun: finding places that are such havens of potential culinary delight.

Whether one searches online recipe sites, like cooks.com, or searches blogs, via technorati.com or google's blogsearch (my favorite), she is bound to find some interesting finds.

Now, the only dilemma is how to get a more convenient computer setup in my kitchen!

Here's a link to a great cookie recipe.

The new and improved Mormon.org

Great new platform on mormon.org. In addition to being focused around "we all have questions" media campaign, the church has finally added the "chat now" option to the site. This means missionaries in the MTC and members around the world can help out in answering questions. Way to embrace technology!

Liberal democrat scholar defends marriage between a man and a woman

David Blankenhorn is a very highly respected family scholar on both ends of the political spectrum. He weighs in on Proposition 8:

For me, what we are encouraged or permitted to say, or not say, to one another about what our society owes its children is crucially important in the debate over initiatives like California's Proposition 8, which would reinstate marriage's customary man-woman form. Do you think that every child deserves his mother and father, with adoption available for those children whose natural parents cannot care for them? Do you suspect that fathers and mothers are different from one another? Do you imagine that biological ties matter to children? How many parents per child is best? Do you think that "two" is a better answer than one, three, four or whatever? If you do, be careful. In making the case for same-sex marriage, more than a few grown-ups will be quite willing to question your integrity and goodwill. Children, of course, are rarely consulted.

How many of us are well-prepared to clearly enunciate our beliefs on this issue? I, for one, need to be better informed, with a more developed and supported position that I can actually defend.

BYU Jerusalem Center

Almost 10 years ago, I studied for a semester at the BYU Jerusalem Center. It really was one of those "chance of a lifetime" experiences, and this article is a great editorial by a young BYU-Hawaii student of the highlights of her stay. Anyone who studied there, or would like a taste of what it is like, will enjoy her colorful description of her experience. It was a walk down memory lane for me.

One of my favorite memories was attending the small branch in Galilee. Four or five of students had been asked to travel with the District President to this branch nearly 5 hours away by car. The president was responsible for all of the branches in the region, and this one was something special, considering its location. We arose early to begin our driving trek across Israel, and I felt immediately of the sacred opportunity to be able to experience this small branch in what might have been might be considered "the home branch of the Savior."

It was indeed a special experience. The ward at that time was composed of Palestinian and Jewish LDS members alike, something quite remarkable in the politically tense region. We students shared our talks, performed a musical number, and met and mingled with the very few members. I specifically remember a mother with four or so small children in attendance. She was a Jewish Mormon, and she was following along in her Hebrew Bible, containing both the Old and New Testaments, interestingly enough. She spoke of the wonderful day that would arrive someday when she would read with her children or grandchildren out of the Hebrew translation of the Book of Mormon.

I wonder where she is now, and by how many members are in that Branch. I've heard rumors of a chapel house to be built. Has the membership there grown?

All of the students took a stop on our travel to Jordan to visit a small branch in Jordan as well. I was surprised to know there was a branch there. I am so grateful to be currently living in a place where I so urgently feel the need to contribute to the ward and strengthen the members as they strengthen me. I'm ashamed it took moving out of Provo to feel this way again.

An intelligent analysis and commentary on the effect of news blogging on the direction of journlism

The problem is that the free information economy of HuffPost is actually very costly when it comes to reliable knowledge about the world. As professional journalists are replaced by opinionated celebrities competing for recognition in the attention economy, how will an Arianna Huffington, blogging from her home in Brentwood, LA, know what's happening in Tehran or Washington? As newspapers shut down their foreign desks—something that is already happening—how will we Huffington readers know whether to trust the accuracy of her work?

Site for free stuff -- to give and receive

Here's another version of Craigslist. For only free stuff.

Pure Religion

I think it is brilliant that the LDS Church often puts out press releases on doctrinal issues, or on spiritual principles. Such a release was posted today, speaking of one of a great New Testament doctrine taught by James, Pure Religion:

Many Latter-day Saints feel this desire to reach out to the downtrodden — James’ widows and fatherless — and find that the two elements of his pure religion exist in a symbiotic relationship. Learning Christ’s teachings and reading about the way He conducted Himself motivates individuals to look for ways to engage with others the way He did. And serving those in need functions as a refining process — humbling the server, bringing her or him closer to Christ and His example....
... This relationship between personal discipleship and communal responsibility is not only brought to life in the experiences of those providing assistance to the poor and the needy. Within the Mormon paradigm, the recipients of charitable service require temporal assistance first and foremost. Once they receive that initial urgent support, they can then be encouraged and helped to acquire skills and confidence to become self-reliant. This then allows them, over time, to not only provide for their own needs and those of their family, but also to become providers of support and hope to yet others. Pure religion, then, is the marriage of inward-looking, soul-searching self-improvement to outward-looking, soul-lifting efforts to improve the situation of others.

In the wider picture, these releases are -- in truth -- newsworthy.

1001 practical uses for vinegar (other than to stink up your house)

Basically let the vinegar lovefest continue.

Top honeymoon destinations

So, Jer and I haven't had our "honeymoon" yet. We decided to wait a few months to have a full-blown, formal honeymoon, even though our three-day honeymoon was planned and executed with brilliance.

I found this link. These beaches make me want to escape this rainy cold spell we're in right now!

Regardless of where we go, being with Jeremy all day long is basically a trick on a stick. He makes me laugh and smile and sometimes talk too much.

Inside China: a picture blog

This page I bumped into accidentally. Although the writing is in Chinese characters, the pictures are fascinating. Apparently it's someone who is collecting beautiful, tragic, common, exciting and typical scenes of China, both in the spotlight and out. It covers what the Olympics looked like outside the stadium for the common observer; it covers rural villages, and even the earthquake if you go back to the older posts.

Honesty, even when it hurts:

It's part of why we love little children so much.

Classic example.

A tasty treat

Jer and I found this little gem tonight while watching "sit and fit." Enjoy!

Interesting take on Chinese mentality

This blog posting is a long read, and not for the faint of heart. I'm not sure how accurate the opinion is of Chinese history. However, there are some insights into the Chinese psyche --about 2/3 the way into the article -- that rang true to my experience. I can't help but wonder if the Chinese would find this article offensive. I dare you to read it and see if you agree or not.

McCain gets a style lesson

I'll admit: there is something incredible about a well-groomed man in a great suit (I'm a sucker for dark pinstripes or tan).

I smiled when I read this article (click to view), and think it would help men the nation over to draw some universal principles from what she's advising McCain.

Image isn't everything, it's just the first place from which people draw their conclusions. We can make ourselves much less or more attractive just by wearing the right colors. Don't believe it, read this article. Are we oblivious to what we're communicating?

Things are getting scary

The California voters get to weigh in soon on the ballet when they can vote for or against Proposition 8 in November. Working at the World Family Policy Center for the last two years, I've learned that one of the key steps in advancing gay and lesbian rights comes in the legislative battle -- one court case at a time -- establishing precedent for further rights to come down the line.

NPR published the following article outlining some examples of why this debate is incredibly heated on both sides. For the often unbalanced news coverage NPR often spins (left-ward), this article is "just the facts."

When Gay Rights and Religious Liberties Clash (click to view)

It's an insightful and easy read to understand the implications of the pending Proposition. We need to all be informed and form our own opinions!

Unloading begins here --

So, I love this list. Right now the German supermarkets are full of fresh fruits from the region: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria. We've been through berries, pears, nectarines, peaches and are now into plums. I can't get enough.

This page talks about the benefits of eating seasonally. One interesting note was a study detailing how locally-grown seasonal foods often harmonize with our nutritional needs:

For example, the beta carotene in the orange pigment of pumpkins and other squash will help bolster your immune system just in time to help ward off winter colds. And the oils of nuts—fats in their purest form—will provide nutrient-rich calories that help keep you warm as the temperature drops.

This page details what to be looking for as Fall arrives, and a simple way to prepare the produce. It is print-worthy: take it to the produce section or local farmer's market and get outside of your apples, pears, tomatoes and zucchini. My tastebuds have already thanked me this Summer!

A new way to organize the internal space of my www discoveries

So, everyday I come across websites that I want to remember, come back to, or share with somebody else. There are plenty of options to keep them organized, like Digg or "Favorites," but I have hundreds of bookmarks and they usually never get revisited.

For the past while, I've been saving them as drafts in my gmail inbox, but that is rapidly unsuccessful, since I now have dozens of drafts. Annoying.

Solution I thought of this morning? Blog! This way I have a short and permanent place to keep things organized. I know I could use Twitter, but I'm not convinced I want to go that route yet.

So here goes my first:

Paolo Nutini
Great UK artist that we know but we don't know. He's been around for a looong time. Why isn't he more of a household name yet? Maybe cause I don't live in the UK.

This link is one of his more well-known songs, Daydream.

Here's a cute one (click to view) that makes me smile.

Cheers to a new blog/organizing system!