Random Musings of a Curious Mind

Happy Halloween!

BOO! Happy Halloween!

For weeks now, I have been threatening to drag out the Halloween decorations. (We finally got permission from management to put things in the window, a few days ago.) But, here I sit, the morning of the big day, with not a thing out.

Maybe I'll run to the store in a little bit and see what goodies I can find. Nothing wrong with adding new decorations every year. Right? Not to mention, we have zero candy for the little ghosts and goblins. We, actually, can't have it in the house.

With three candy junkies living here, there is no way we'd have anything left by Halloween evening if we bought it even a few days before the magical night. But, because we are connoisseurs, the kids who knock at our door are assured of getting 'the good stuff'. We never buy what we wouldn't eat.

So, Happy Halloween to all. Watch out for those little ballerinas and cowboys when you're out tonight.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Getting in Shape

I've been trying to find some sort of home exercise equipment, that I can afford and that we can store in our little bit of space. My first thought was a treadmill. So many are small enough to fold and stuff under the bed these days.

Today, I learned about something else - smaller and (to me) very interesting. It's called a dip machine or dip bar or dip station. And it helps focus on upper-body strength. Which, happily, also helps with a less-than-trim waistline.

To start with, it's small. I wouldn't have to worry about where I was going to put it when I wasn't using it. It will fit just about anywhere. Then, much to my surprise, the machine supports a number of different exercises. This is important to me, since my entire body needs work. And I really don't want to have to buy a different piece of equipment for each section of my body.

I need one thing that helps me with a fairly thorough workout. It's out there, I just know it is.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Okay, Who Turned Out the Lights!?

You know, it seems like just yesterday that I could sit here - working away on the computer - and see what I was doing, well into the evening. What happened?! Oh, yeah. Winter!

No, technically, it's not winter, yet. But this dark-at-five-pm is really annoying!

Just now, for example, I was plugging away at about a hundred online searches, trying to come up with some information I need for a product review. Suddenly, without warning, the whole room was dark! Not just getting-hard-to-see dim, but turn-on-the-lights-or-trip-over-the-furniture dark!

It doesn't help that I know it's only going to get worse until the winter solstice - December 21! That's a full 53 days from now! Fifty-three days of the days getting shorter!

Alright, the earliest sunset actually occurs about 2 weeks before the shortest day. But, that's still 39 days of less and less daylight! Egads!

Where did I put those SAD bulbs?

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Christmas Wish List

Okay, right after world peace and an end to world hunger and global warming, I know what I want for Christmas!

I'm still shopping for a new laptop and really, really don't like sharing the desktop. But, there's always something else that crops up. Hopefully, next month will be better. In the meantime . . .

We saw the coolest computer set-up on one of the shopping channels. It comes with a 25-inch touch-screen monitor that doubles as a TV tuner! Once I heard that, the rest of the goodies kind of disappeared into the ether.

Can you imagine!? I'm still drooling!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Life Insurance

We don't, currently, have life insurance. It's not that we're irresponsible or, at least, not overly irresponsible. Our situation - 2 smokers, 1 with serious health issues - does not lend itself to affordable premiums.

Knowing that we need some kind of protection - we're not getting any younger or any healthier - I look at life insurance quotes every few months. By my way of thinking, a large portion of our society is aging and developing long-term health issues. It is in the best interest of insurance companies to change how they view coverage and, most importantly, who qualifies for that coverage.

Apparently, I'm not completely alone in that thinking. One of the sites I review periodically mentions High Risk Life Insurance and Smokers Life Insurance. Of course, these are types of Term Life policies. Not my first choice.

By definition, Term Life offers coverage at a fixed rate for a specific Term. So, what you're doing, when you buy a Term Life policy, is guessing how long you will live. If, as Mark is doing, you outlive that expectancy, your policy expires.

Then, you either have no coverage or you buy another policy. But, now you're older and your health may be worse than it was when you bought the original policy. Translation? Not a good situation.

I've, personally, always preferred Whole Life. It's a policy for your Whole Life and, in most cases, builds a cash value over the life of the policy. If worse comes to worse, as they say, it's possible to cash-in the policy at a future date. (Not wise, but sometimes necessary.)

Naturally, Whole Life is not inexpensive. So, there you go! The insurance dilemma that us old folks face.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

If You're Sick, Stay Home

Don't get me wrong. I understand that people need to work, make a living, and support their families. But - and this is BIG - during flu season, (heck, during any season) if you are SICK and you are CONTAGIOUS -- keep your behind at home and in bed!

Just got back from a quick run to the store. Needed a couple of things - mostly bad-for-you munchies and stuff for sandwiches. A typical run - grab stuff, chat with the cashier for a minute, and head home. Nothing unusual - except for the last comment from the cashier.

My mentioning that Mark (who does most of the cooking) wasn't feeling well, so we were just having sandwiches, elicited a similar health-related statement from her:

"I have the flu!"

Again, I understand that people need to make a living, but she had her (germy) hands all over everything I bought! All over everything that we were going to have to touch to make a quick dinner! I stormed home, in a rage!

You may think I'm paranoid, but with Mark's suppressed immune system - we do not take chances! I ended up wiping down everything I bought and I'm still worried that one of us is going to get sick. It doesn't have to be Mark that gets a cold or the flu to put him at risk. If Frankie or I come down with something, eventually so will he.

So, to all of you who have a fever or know you're actually sick -- STAY HOME! We don't want your germs!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Latest FDA Recall Notices - 10/19/09-10/25/09

Following are the FDA recalls / notices / alerts listed for the week ending October 26, 2009:

• Plum Organics Voluntarily Recalls Select Batch of Apple & Carrot Portable Pouches Due to Potential Health Risk
• Domega International Co. Ltd Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in White Lotus Seed Paste Moon Cake (2 Yolks)
• American Regent Voluntarily Recalls All Lots of Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection, USP 30 mg/mL; 1mL and 2mL Single Dose Vials
• Nutkao Urgent Food Recall Due to Undeclared Peanuts in "Kroger Hazelnut Spread"
• Agro Foods Inc.Recalling "Agro Sun Dried Fruits and Nuts Tropical Mix" Due to Undeclared Sulfites
• Unilever Issues Allergy Alert on Wheat in a Limited Number of Tubs of Breyers® Ice Cream

Please visit the above links for additional information on lots, codes, packaging, product IDs, and returns.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Weight Loss Supplement for Men

I was re-reviewing some weight loss information and was surprised to find a couple of new products. One, in particular, caught my eye. It's supposed to be for men only, as it contains testosterone boosters. Hmmmmm?! Is that a good thing?

Naturally, I had to do some investigation into the wisdom of boosting hormones indiscriminately. And, naturally, this turned out to be potentially risky. But, not necessarily bad.

There's a good chance that taking a supplement with these hormone boosters won't actually do much for testosterone levels. The ingredients aren't testosterone; they simply claim to stimulate hormone production. A claim, by the way, that hasn't actually been proven in clinical studies. (Although, there was mention of a 'stimulant' effect in lab animals.)

Since testosterone is, as one source explained, the original anabolic steroid, the side-effects of increasing production are remarkably similar. They include irrational behavior, sudden rage, 'shrinkage' of certain body parts, and anxiety. Combined with the caffeine boost in some of these supplements, not a good idea.

As always - questionable choice, questionable value. Not to mention, one of the review sites claimed a lifetime moneyback guarantee that, in fact, doesn't exist. The primary site for the product states, quite clearly, that they are the best so they don't give refunds. Rather interesting attitude.

Been sampling their own supplement, perhaps?!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Grand Canyon Posters

Don't forget to stop by and check out my latest Zazzle creation - oooh I love that word - a set of posters that feature some of my favorite Grand Canyon Pictures. I chose a dark green border to accent, but not overwhelm the view. The view is ... everything!

With a collection of five coordinated, but unique images, they make a wonderful addition to any room - as a set, in smaller groupings, or just one, perfectly placed image.

The first two I created, titled "Grand Canyon Poster 001" and "Grand Canyon Poster 002" (brilliant, aren't I?) are slightly different views of the same location. By changing the camera angle and position, just a bit, the images appear to come from different locations. Yet, they complement each other beautifully.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

RedHeart 'Fiesta' Yarn Colors

Every so often, I review all the yarn pages on the website for changes. Colors come and go randomly. Usually without warning.

This month, the change was a bit more dramatic. It seems that Coats and Clark, the manufacturers of the RedHeart line of yarns, revised part of their website. All of the 'Fiesta' color swatches we had posted were moved.

If you haven't checked our chart of available colors lately, please drop by and take a peek. Three colors were retired. But four new colors were created. (The two darker ones - Harvest and Coffee - are great options for Fall projects.)

Great fun!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Order Fulfillment

One critical part of running a retail / product-based business is order fulfillment. In my case, that's been pretty straightforward: customers order, I crochet. After the crocheting is done, I wrap the afghan / scarf / hat in pretty paper and add care instructions, tied up with a ribbon made from matching yarn. This goes in a box and out the door.

No muss. No fuss. But, could it be better? Probably.

Recently, I've been thinking about something called branding. Ensuring that the packaging, for instance, leaves no doubt that this is a JMark Afghans, etc. product. This is where, I think, there could be room for improvement.

The care instructions are printed, individually, on the back of a business card. So far so good. However, the wrapping paper isn't unique and the mailing labels could be from any business.

Guess it's time to put my marketing hat on and get to work.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Flu Prevention Tips

Yesterday, I received an email from a friend that was filled with good, common-sense information. The advice is valuable during any cold and flu season - not just against H1N1. With Mark's compromised immune system, we are probably more careful than most. But it's always a good idea to protect yourself and your family from those pesky, dangerous germs.

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

1. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine. *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive, and powerful preventative method.

2. Blow the nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

3. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

4. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

I would also add:

• Wash your hands frequently. Regular soap and warm water are usually sufficient. (Overuse of antibacterial soap can actually create more problems than it cures.)
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow. Those germs won't transfer with a handshake.
• Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes. These are primary points-of-entry for cold and flu germs.
• Frequently wipe down commonly touched items - mouse, keyboard, TV remote, refrigerator, door knobs, telephone, etc. - with a damp cloth and mild bleach water.

There's no need to be crazy about it, but a little common sense can go a long way.


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Enough is Enough, is Too Much

I have been avoiding the Heene story. My first thought, seeing the breaking news story, was "Yeah, right!" And, with that thought, we changed channels. Who'd have thought we'd still be hearing about this disfunctional family? Certainly not me.

The more I hear and read about this man's desperate need for media attention, the more I wonder why everyone doesn't just shut up about him. It's obvious that he'll do anything - including encouraging his children to lie - to get his face on TV. By continuing to pay attention, he wins and receives the message that it's okay.

Frankly, I worry for the kids. It doesn't appear that they have even one responsible parent. How sad!

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

So Sadly True

Every Sunday night / Monday morning, I read News of the Weird. For those of you who have missed this column, it's a compilation of really odd and/or stupid news stories compiled during the previous week. Some will make you laugh. Some will make you shake your head. But, some will make you want to strangle someone.

For example, in Can't Possibly Be True for the most recent week:

Child "Protection" Caseworkers: In November 2008, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services returned an infant to her mother's care two weeks after the woman had, according to police, left her in a toilet bowl. (Three months later, following further investigation, the woman was charged with attempted murder, and the baby was taken away.) [Belleville News-Democrat, 9-17-09]

National Women's Law Center found that the laws of eight states permit insurance companies to deny health coverage to a battered spouse (as a "pre-existing condition," since batterers tend to be recidivists), according to a September report by Kaiser Health News. [MSNBC, 10-7-09]

Texas child agency caseworkers assigned a low priority (non-"immediate" risk) after a home visit in May in Arlington revealed that a violent, long-troubled mother routinely left three children, ages 6, 5 and 1, home alone all day while she was at work. In September, the 1-year-old was found dead. [Dallas Morning News, 10-2-09]

It never ceases to amaze me that people, with no clue whatsoever, are put in positions of authority over the lives of others. Heaven help us all!


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Latest FDA Recall Notices - 10/12/09-10/18/09

Following are the FDA recalls / notices / alerts listed for the week ending October 19, 2009:

• Fisher/Rex Sandwiches Recalls Sandwiches Because of Possible Health Risk
• Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC Issues Limited Voluntary Recall of Country Acres® Home Grown Turkey & Quail Starter
• TGF Production LLC Issues An Alert on Uneviscerated Herring Salted
• Hannaford Supermarkets Announces Removal of Frozen "Taste of Inspirations" Vegetable Spring Rolls

Please visit the above links for additional information on lots, codes, packaging, product IDs, and returns.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

New Mugs from JMark Afghans at Zazzle

Just a quick reminder: JMark Afghans has designed a new series of Grand Canyon Mugs through Zazzle.com. Please stop by and see all of our "Grand" products.

Grand Canyon Mug 001:
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal." ~~ George Will

Grand Canyon Mug 002:
"You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths." ~ John Wesley Powell

Grand Canyon Mug 003:
"The Grand Canyon is carven deep by the master hand; it is the gulf of silence, widened in the desert; it is all time inscribing the naked rock; it is the book of earth." ~ Donald Culross Peattie

Grand Canyon Mug 004:
"To stand upon the edge of this stupendous gorge, as it receives its earliest greeting from the god of day, is to enjoy in a moment compensation for long years of ordinary uneventful life." ~ John Stoddard, 1898

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

KettleWorx Exercise Package

Have you ever heard of the exercise program called KettleWorx? I hadn't until today. And, truth be told, if it wasn't for the incredible body that jumped off the page at me, I probably wouldn't have taken a second look. But, what can I say? I'm human and not (quite) blind.

Apparently, using a five-pound weight (included in the package) called a Kettlebell, the system requires a committment of just 20 minutes a day, three times a week, to get in shape. The DVDs include core, cardio, and resistance training; as well as a body sculpting collection, fast abs, and fat burning discs. Completing the package is a 42-day diet guide.

It's an interesting, although not new, concept. One hour a week isn't that much time, especially spread out over three days. If nothing else, the risk of overdoing and dampening enthusiasm would be reduced. And adding in the important factor of proper diet makes a lot of sense.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

All Fat Burner Reviews are NOT Created Equal

One of the things that upsets me, greatly, are websites that offer reviews and evaluations of fat burner pills that are, in fact, no more than a collection of links to product sites.

If you really start looking at what's out there, the similarities are incredible. By looking at more than one or two sites a day, you begin to see a pattern: the same products, in the same order, linking to the same information. Nothing new, nothing honest, and nothing reputible. (Sorry. Got a little perturbed!)

This morning, I found something a bit different. Refreshingly different, as a matter of fact. Apparent honesty in a product evaluation!

As someone who has looked at a great number of weight loss / fat burner supplements and sites, I am fairly familiar with what usually constitutes the Top 10 Products on the average webpage. I am also familiar with the hype surrounding these miracle weight-loss pills. Which is why I was so pleasantly surprised to see some thought behind the reviews.

While the top 10 weren't all that different on this site, the information was. One product, which contains a lot of stimulants, was given a rather honest safety rating. The evaluation noted that, due to possible problems with the levels of caffeine in this product, customers might be better served by a different product.

It's not earth-shattering. But it is a little more reality than I expected to find.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Get a Treadmill and Run Indoors

As part of my never-ending, self-deluding fantasy of getting more exercise, I have (this week) been considering the benefits of having a treadmill. While I do get out almost every day, I don't walk very far and I don't exactly break a sweat. Well, except for the days when the temps hit 110 in the shade. Then, there's the air quality.

In an earlier post, I described the incredibly polluted environment that surrounds us. This makes outdoor exercise a bit more risky, to say the least. So, running (okay, walking somewhat quickly) indoors is much more practical. Especially for Mark, who is under strict orders to stay out of the sun - at all times.

My first concern, naturally, was the cost. Home exercise equipment always seemed to be way beyond my reach, on those few occasions where I actually considered committing to regular exercise. That problem was solved on one of the first sites I visited.

In fact, I was shocked by how low the monthly payments could be. With that stumbling block out of the way, I started looking at features. My head is still spinning!

The options are seemingly endless. There are units with music systems; units with fans (the kind that blow, not the kind that cheer), and units with a dozen or more built-in workouts. But the most fun? The interactive programs that - get this - let you race against your Facebook friends!

Hardly seems like exercise with all of that.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Controllable Halloween Decorations for Celiac Disease

It is with great joy that I share an email I received today:

This dear man spends hours every year on his amazing decorations, to entertain the WorldWideWeb and support this cause that means so much to him and his family. The display is truly interactive - you can, by clicking on different items, turn them off and on or even inflate or deflate some of the characters! It's a whole lotta fun!

Yes, it is that time of year, and back for 2009 are the Controllable Halloween Decorations for Celiac Disease:
http://www.komar.org/cgi-bin/halloween_webcam

Once again, three live webcams and X10 technology allows web surfers to not only view the action, but also *control* it. Heck, you can even inflate/deflate the giant Frankenstein, Pumpkins, Grim Reapers, Skull, SpongeBob SquarePants, Headless Horseman, Homer Simpson, and more - D'OH! ;-)

On a more serious note, this is the fifth year that I'm working with the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research to raise awareness & funds -
http://www.celiaccenter.org/news_xmas.asp
My two sons have this condition, so it's personal for me.

The website continues to be completely free and totally fun, especially for kids. If folks are so inclined, you can make an optional donation directly to the Center for Celiac Research. Almost $40,000 has been raised with holiday lights - go figure! So surf on by, tell your friends, blog about it, spread the word, etc.

Please stop by and show your support - not to mention, play with the decorations and enjoy the show!


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Air Filtering Products

As my regular readers know, Mark was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 and ended up having surgery that removed three-quarters of his left lung. After 2 years, he continues to be cancer-free and we couldn't be happier. Naturally, we also try to keep the air in our home as clean as possible. When you have (basically) one lung, it's far more difficult to process the air you breathe and pollutants accumulate far more quickly.

What makes this situation even more challenging is that we live in the middle of some serious pollution generators:

• the 6-lane street that runs past our bedroom window is a major north-south thoroughfare,
• the 6-lane street that runs a half block south of our complex is a major east-west thoroughfare,
• and we're less than half a mile from a major north-south freeway.

We are surrounded! Therefore, although our apartment is only four rooms, we own three air filters.

I'm so accustomed to clean air now that I don't really notice it until they're turned off for cleaning. The units we bought have permanent filters, so we never have to buy new ones. We just pop the filters out every couple of weeks (or when we notice that the air flow is reduced), scrub them in warm soapy water, let them dry, and pop them back in.

It is truly amazing how much better the room feels with the filters running; not to mention the improved smell.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Fat Burners

There is no lack of best fat burner offers on the market. Sadly, as the media focuses on national obesity and the urgent need to encourage weight loss, more and more products appear with claims that aren't closely reviewed or monitored. At best, many products are simply ineffective. At worst, the ingredients or the combination thereof may be dangerous.

One of the basic functions of many fat burner / weight loss products is thermogenesis - thermo: heat, genesis: generate or create. Simply put, thermogenesis is the natural bodily process whereby the body generates heat and burns calories. Stimulating this process, in theory, would increase metabolism and burn more calories. Sounds good, right?

Now, imagine that the latest and greatest fat burning product has several ingredients that work to increase the body's metabolism. The promise is that heightened calorie burning equals heightened weight loss. Quite possibly true. But, the (unmentioned) other half of the thermogenesis equation is production or generation of heat.

This means that combining a number of ingredients that are designed to stimulate metabolism can also increase the generation of body heat or raise internal body temperature. If you spend time out in the sun, or participate in strenuous sports or exercise programs, this elevated internal temperature could seriously reduce the time it takes to succomb to heatstroke. A potentially deadly situation.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Latest FDA Recall Notices - 10/05/09-10/11/09

Following are the FDA recalls / notices / alerts listed for the week ending October 12, 2009:

• FDA News Release: FDA Takes Enforcement Action against Ready-to-Eat Sandwich Manufacturer

Please visit the above link(s) for additional information.


Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Holiday Photo Cards

Every year, about this time, I start thinking about the holidays. It's all Mark's fault! He's a holiday junkie and starts getting excited for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas by the end of September. Once the weather starts to cool, at the beginning of October, everything goes into holiday mania mode.

I am not quite as exuberant about this time of year, other than an appreciation for the cooler weather. In fact, I haven't managed to get Christmas cards out in the mail for many, many years. The best I can manage is a holiday newsletter-type mailing. But even that doesn't make it out every year.

Apathy notwithstanding, every year I shop for Christmas cards. I especially love photo holiday cards - the ones where you put a picture of the family (or the furry kids) in the little cutout. There are so many adorable options out there that I end up spending hours just exploring.

Some do the printing for you, which is nice. All you have to do is pick your favorite, upload a picture, and order. Couldn't be simpler. Or, you can order the cards and do your own photo printing. Still, super easy.

Maybe this year I'll have to put on my Santa hat and get into the spirit of the season.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

P&G Coupon Savings

One great way to save money at the store is by using coupons. Personally, I hate clipping coupons and, inevitably, most of them expire long before I remember to use them. If you're like me, I have a solution! (Okay, Proctor & Gamble has a solution.)

P&G Everyday Solutions takes coupon savings to a whole new level. Simply add your shopper discount card (Safeway's "Club Card", Fry's "Shoppers Card", etc.) information to your profile, select the coupons for your favorite products, and upload them to your card. That's it! You're ready to shop.

Load up your shopping cart with all the goodies you need and never worry about coupons again. When you swipe your shopper discount card at checkout, your savings is automatically deducted from the total and prints out on your receipt. If that weren't enough, P&G Everyday Solutions will even send you an email, with links to the latest and greatest savings available.

What could be easier?

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Weight Loss Diet

Hunting for information on an effective weight loss diet, I was unhappy to find nothing of the sort on one website. Despite the name.

We are in diet-change mode at our house - again. This means that Mark and I are trying to rethink and retrain our cooking habits. It isn't the first time we have had to make dramatic changes, but it has been a nightmare. Most of our favorite foods are now off the menu and we frantically need new ideas.

During the last year or so before Mark's liver transplant his diet was literally life-or-death choices. Every day, we counted the protein grams and sodium milligrams in every single item that hit a plate or bowl. But carbs and sugar were never an issue. Mark could have all the fruit and candy and pasta and goodies he wanted - as long as they were low sodium, low potassium, and minimal protein. All in all, it was a fairly simple transition.

Now, with diabetes sitting at our table for every meal and snack, we are forced (again) to relearn how to cook. Carbs and sugar, no matter how careful we are, are literally everywhere! Fruits, for the most part, are a no-no. Potatoes, pasta, bread, crackers - all of the foods that we used to serve to keep Mark from feeling starved - now shoot his sugar levels through the roof, no matter how we try to limit them. With meat prices, it's not like we can afford three (or more) high-protein meals every day. It is so frustrating!

So, racking my brain for ideas, I thought that perhaps a weight-loss diet program would be a starting point, since obviously eliminating sugars and other empty calories are a primary part of any low-cal diet. Guess, I'll have to keep looking.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Plasma TVs

If you've ever coveted or even just shopped for plasma TVs, you have probably experienced the same sticker shock that Mark and I went through. Well, no more.

As is true of all technology, if you wait long enough, the prices do eventually come down. Of course, it takes some shopping time to find the best deals, but they are out there and they are worth hunting down. I know that I would never have imagined getting a 42-inch plasma HDTV for under $1,000.00.

Even better, the technology tends to improve over time. Apparently, there were resolution problems in the early plasmas that have been improved in newer models. Things like shadow images and odd skintones made playing games and simple movie-watching less than enjoyable. Makes me glad we didn't jump on the plasma TV bandwagon at the beginning.

Now, we can get a much better viewing experience for much less.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Orlando Vacations Online

This is the time of year when places like southern Florida and Arizona become livable again. Temperatures and humidity come down some, while the sun continues to shine. It's time to think about Orlando vacations.

Package deals, especially for families, are really the way to go. Many resort offers include park tickets or at least give a tremendous discount. At most, kids under 18 stay free. One I found even has washers and dryers in the multi-bedroom villas.

If you really need to get away, why not get more for your money?

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Latest FDA Recall Notices - 09/28/09-10/04/09

Following are the FDA recalls / notices / alerts listed for the week ending October 05, 2009:

• Texas Dept of State Health Services Consumers Warned Not to Eat Certain Imported Dried Plums
• Information for Consumers: What You Should Know about Changes to Heparin
• Affy Tapple, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Classic Candy Flavors two pack Caramel Apples

Please visit the above links for additional information on lots, codes, packaging, product IDs, and returns.

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Grand Canyon Mugs

JMark Afghans, etc. is proud to offer a our new series of Grand Canyon Mugs through Zazzle.com. Each mug has a one-of-a-kind picture of this amazing natural wonder and a related quotation.

Grand Canyon Mug 001:
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal." ~~ George Will

Grand Canyon Mug 002:
"You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths." ~ John Wesley Powell

Grand Canyon Mug 003:
"The Grand Canyon is carven deep by the master hand; it is the gulf of silence, widened in the desert; it is all time inscribing the naked rock; it is the book of earth." ~ Donald Culross Peattie

Grand Canyon Mug 004:
"To stand upon the edge of this stupendous gorge, as it receives its earliest greeting from the god of day, is to enjoy in a moment compensation for long years of ordinary uneventful life." ~ John Stoddard, 1898

Be sure to stop by JMark Afghans

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules