Tips for First Time Home Buyers

Your perfect home

Congratulations! You are a first time home buyer. Buying a house for the first time, can be the most wonderful experience in the world, but with a first time home purchase, there are important things to take into consideration.

Your perfect home

Remember that a perfect home is an ideal that may or may not prove to be realistic for you and your family, with respect to your actual expectations. Sometimes, the home that you did not think was perfect, is more suitable than you may realize.

List your needs and desires

Before you go house hunting, list your needs and desires in that order. You will be glad that you did. Presenting them to your realtor, if you choose to go house hunting with a real estate agent, can save you time and energy. You may prefer to purchase a house directly from an owner, in order to avoid extra real estate fees.

Determine your preferred location

An ideal location may not exist, but you probably have a good idea where you would like to live. What city would you like to live in or close to? Why? Is this appropriate for your employment and your life style? Is it suitable with respect to schools or high schools? Is it close to places where you like to go, like churches, clubs, recreation centers and shopping centers? You do not want to be locked into hours of commuting. Consider the cost of gasoline. Are there buses in the area? Is there a hospital within reasonable distance? How about a fire station? What about parks and swimming pools?

Choose your neighborhood, carefully

The neighborhood you choose to live in can affect your entire life, as well as that of your family. Spend time in the neighborhood you have chosen. Speak with your potential neighbors and see if there are problems or concerns, in the area. Find out if it is good location for a young family, if you have small children. Is it an area of old homes, with only elderly people? Do you know anyone in the area? Is there a family that can assist you in the future, if necessary? What do they say about the area? Would they recommend it to you? If not, why not? Is it a safe place to live, work and play?

Find a suitable house

Once you have found a house that you feel is appropriate for you and your family, there are a number of important things to take into consideration. Learn  why it is on the market. Examine it thoroughly for possible structural defects or hidden problems. Ask to have a market evaluation done or have a building inspector assess the house for you. Take into consideration extra costs for repairs, landscaping and maintenance. You may be able to have the market value reduced, if you are going to need extra for repairs or damages. Find out if there are any potential hazards in the area of your new home or in your home.

Arrange a mortgage

Arranging a mortgage for the first time can appear to be difficult. Consider a number of different options. Talk to your bank manager, realtor or finance company to find out what mortgage rates are available. What is appropriate for your income level? You may be able to assume the previous owner's mortgage. Look at both short term and long term options. Once you have filled out the paperwork, the mortgage has to be approved. You cannot obtain ownership until everything has been finalized. Remember that you may have to make a down payment on the house. Your bank or finance company may charge a fee for the mortgage assessment also. Legal fees will be required.

Take possession of your home

Find out when you will be able to take possession of your new home. Ask, "When do I get the keys?" Remember that dates can be important, if someone else is planning to move into the place where you currently reside. You do not want to place everything that you own in storage, while you wait to take possession. This can be an unnecessary hardship for you and your family. It can also be frustrating and time consuming.

Determine the taxes

When you take ownership of a house, you will be expected to pay the taxes, on an annual basis. Find out what your taxes will be per annum and if payments can be made in installments. Learn when the taxes are due and where they have to be paid. Are there taxes that are long overdue on this property?

Have the heat connected

How is your new house going to be heated? If it is heated by natural gas, you  need to contact the gas company. Find out what the cost for heating has been, in the past couple of years. Most previous owners disclose that information to you. The realtor may be able to give you that information, as well. Ask what company has been servicing your area, with respect to natural gas. You may be required to make an initial deposit before the natural gas is turned on for you. This may or may not include the cost for needed repairs. Find out if there is a service plan that you can purchase.

Make certain that you have hydro

Ask the previous owner or your realtor, about the hydro rates for your new area. Having your hydro turned on by the time you move in is important, so speak with the local hydro-electric company. They may require a deposit, before your hydro is connected. If you have electric heating, take that into consideration. Find out how often this is billed, so that you can plan your budget accordingly.

Arrange to have your water running

Having your water running before you move in is important. Find out which company provides service for your house. Discuss the rates with them and your payment options. Ask about any water restrictions.

Connect your telephone

Making certain that your telephone is working by the time you move in is a good idea, although with the advent of cell phones, it may not be necessary. Find out which telephone company you need to contact re connection and what options are available. See if your cell phone will work in the area you are moving into or if there are changes that will need to be made for you. Discuss your payment options.

Find out about garbage disposal

When you move into a new home, you will need to know when your garbage is picked up or if you are expected to dispose of it at a local landfill site. Your previous owner or your new neighbors should be able to give you guidelines. Find out who to contact, so that you know what to expect. Ask about re-cycling.

Arrange appropriate postal service

When you move, it is important that you and your family receive your mail, as you normally would. Discuss your move with your previous post office and arrange for a change of address, before you move. You will have to pay a fee for this. Find out when and how mail is delivered in the area that you are moving into. If necessary, take out a temporary post office box.

Make arrangements for moving

Plan your moving day well to avoid complications. Make certain that you have a reliable moving company. You do not want to see them disappear with your belongings on moving day, so make certain that they have appropriate references. Check them out. You should be able to obtain an estimate from them, with respect to costs. They may require payment up front or upon arrival at your new home. If you are relying on family and friends, make certain that you have worked out the details ahead of time, with them.

Check all of your locks

Many times, when people are moving, others may have access to your home. Make certain that you have good locks on your doors and windows, before you move in, just in case. You can have your locks re-keyed, if necessary, at a reasonable cost.

Inquire about insurance coverage

Your current, home insurance policy may or may not cover you in your new home, so check with your insurance agent and make certain you have adequate coverage.

There are dozens of other things to take into consideration, but begin with this list and you will enjoy moving day. It should be a wonderful experience to move into your home when you are a first time buyer, whether it is a new home or just new for you and your family.

A Guide to Writing Resource Papers

How to write an excellent resource paper

So you are writing a resource paper! Great! 

Regardless of the level of education that you are at, you will always have to write resource papers, while you pursue your academic career. But, where do you begin?

Here is a guide to follow when writing resource papers.

Find a unique topic:

Finding an appropriate topic to write a resource paper on, is as important as the actual resource paper that you write. Before you start the research on any topic, make certain you have one approved by your teacher, tutor or professor.

Find out what the requirements are, how long the paper should be and the accepted format. 

Make certain that you know when it is due, so that you submit it on time.

Be certain that the topic that you choose is of interest to you, as you will find it more enjoyable to work on. Look for something that will be of benefit to you, in your academic career.

Start doing basic research to make certain that you have enough information to write the resource paper. Ascertain whether the research information is correct.

Check several sources. Your teacher, tutor or professor may suggest some appropriate titles, books, web sites or other references and provide you with a general outline. Read it carefully.

Prepare a thesis statement:

A thesis statement is going to be your basic argument, point of view or the perspective that you take, when you write your paper. Many times, it is a good idea to discuss this first, because most thesis statements are too broad in scope.

In other words, if you are making a thesis statement, confine it to something that is specific. For example, if you are writing a resource paper on Oriental flowers, stick to one or two, specific flowers, rather than trying to write about all of the Oriental flowers, in the world. You might enjoy comparing two different flowers. 

Prepare a brief outline:

Writing an outline for your resource paper first, is a good idea, although it is not absolutely necessary. The outline will help you to organize your thoughts. It is also something that you may be able to use later as a contents page, inside your cover, so that whoever is marking your paper, knows exactly where you are heading at all times, when he or she is reading it.

Keep your outline simple and put everything down point form. These may become titles later.

Begin with an introduction:

Your introduction should be well focused with respect to what you are attempting to do or want to state in your resource paper. You may begin with your thesis statement or it can be placed somewhere else. Use point form to organize the introduction and then, elaborate on the individual points briefly.

Don't disclose all of your research information immediately, because the reader will not need to go through the rest of your paper, if you do. If anything, use your introduction to entice him or her to read the rest of the paper.

The body of your resource paper:

The next section of your resource paper will be the body of the paper. In this part of your research paper, you need to expand upon the ideas that you developed in your introduction and thesis. You may prefer to outline this in point form first and work with these points, in a logical order. This will constitute the major part of your paper.

Make certain that each paragraph is pertinent to the topic, if possible. Try not to wander into areas that are off topic or those that may take you away from your thesis. Don't argue against your own argument. In other words, support your thesis.

The conclusion of your resource paper:

The third part of your resource paper will be your conclusion. Here, you want to bring all of your thoughts and ideas together, in a logical manner. You will be summarizing your key points, but do so in a way that is not repetitious or re-stating what you previously stated.

End notes and footnotes:

As you are gathering information for your resource paper, it is a good idea to keep a record of the resource material that you plan to include in your paper. Sometimes, depending upon what your topic is, there may be a specific format for both end notes and footnotes. Before actually writing the paper itself, find out the required format.

When you are preparing your end notes and footnotes, document them well, as to source. Using 3x5" recipe cards will help you to stay organized. Remember to number your end notes and footnotes.

Your footnotes will normally be placed at the end of your paper.

Common knowledge versus plagiarism:

We live in a world that has a lot of knowledge available to anyone willing and able to do the research. It can be a fine line between what is considered to be common knowledge and what is referred to as plagiarism.

Make certain that when you are quoting someone else's work, that they receive the appropriate credit for it. If you are claiming the credit for the work that someone else has done, that is plagiarism. Remember that some schools, colleges or universities are strict in this respect.

Grammar and sentence structure:

Use appropriate grammar and sentence structure. Remember that what you consider funny or cute, may not be regarded that way by the person who reads or marks your work. It may cause your paper to be rejected.

Use the spell check on your computer. Organize your information well with respect to paragraphing. 

Emphasize key points where possible. Read and re-read your resource paper and correct any errors. Use headings and lists, if they are allowed. Make certain that your pages are numbered correctly.

Design a cover page:

Many times research papers will be received well, because of a good presentation format, which includes an appropriate, cover page. Create it in such a way that it is attractive and easy to read.

Make certain that you have your name, class and identification number on your resource paper, so that whoever is going to read your paper will be able to identify you as the author or writer of the paper, immediately.

It is also a good idea to put your teacher's, tutor's or professor's name on your paper too, just in case it is lost or misplaced.

Include a dedication:

If it is appropriate and you wish to do so, write a dedication. For example, you might dedicate your resource paper to a great uncle or aunt, teacher or professor, parent or friend who inspired you to pursue your academic career by following in his or her footsteps.

In lieu of this, you may prefer to use a good quotation from am appropriate source. Make certain that you document the source.

Use reliable resource material:

While you might think that your best friend's blog is a reliable resource, your resource paper may be rejected because you were asked to use encyclopedias, legitimate and reliable web sites and specific texts.

Use primary sources rather than someone else's interpretation of the material. Sometimes a dictionary or an encyclopedia is a good place to start on a topic. 

Printing out your resource paper:

Once you have your resource paper ready to be printed out, take a serious look at how you are going to print it out. Make certain that your teacher, tutor or professor is going to be able to read it easily.

If the font size is too small or too large, it may be difficult to read. You may or may not be allowed to print it out in color, so find that out ahead of time. Use a font type that is easy to read, rather than one that you think is funny.

Print your resource paper on good quality paper and make certain that you have clean and clear copies.

Be careful if you are using stapes or paper clips, as resource papers submitted like this, tend to fall apart. 

You may be asked to submit your paper without any staples or paper clips, in a large envelope or in another format that includes some kind of binding. This can be done relatively inexpensively at a printing shop.

Use heavy paper for your cover page or a plastic page over your cover page to prevent wear and tear.

If you are allowed to submit pictures, do so, but make certain that they are appropriate and well printed.

Following these basic guideline should help you to get started on your resource paper project. Good luck and expect to receive an excellent mark!

The Advantages of buying a House That is for Sale by the Owner

House for sale by owner advantages

Congratulations! You have found a house offered for sale, by the owner.  That is wonderful, as purchasing a house directly from the person who owns it, does have definite advantages, including the following:

You will not be obligated to pay real estate fees. You may also save time and energy, as there is no third party involvement. You will not have to wait for a realtor to show you the house, at his or her leisure. You can view it by working out a time that is appropriate for you and the owner and his or her family.

A house you purchase from its owner is likely one that is lived in. It will have been maintained and likely be in good condition. It will feel like a home, when you view it for the first time, if there are people living there. Imagine walking into a home, as they are making bread. The aroma is fantastic. Seeing how they have furnished or decorated it, may give you some ideas.

If there are major repairs needed, the owner may alert you to problems that require immediate attention. He or she may offer to do repairs for you, without additional cost, before you move in. For example, if there is a leak in the roof, the owner may be willing to fix it to make the sale. The price of a house that needs repairs may be reduced by the owner, as well.

The owner will have the details about the house and the property. You need this information to purchase the house. Many times, a realtor is not able to answer your questions and has to go to the owner for the answers. Speaking with the owner directly can save you time and frustration.

The owner may have a copy of the floor plan and a survey on the property. This will save you the cost of having another survey done. You will know the location of your property lines, which is important if you want to put build a fence, in the future.

You will be able to ask the owner questions you have about the neighborhood and learn why they have enjoyed living there. You will be able to tell a lot about the area, by how they respond to your inquiry.

You may be able to obtain a reduction in price or in the initial down payment directly from the owner, because he or she does not have to pay real estate fees either. It may be possible to assume the current mortgage, rather than having to consult a bank, finance company or mortgage lender.

Any information you require for your own family may be obtained directly from the previous owners. This might include things you need to know like the location of schools, churches, hospitals, recreation centers and parks. The owner will tell you where to have your gas, hydro, cable, telephone and Internet connected, as well. 

When you are working out the financial details of the sale, the owner may include some of the existing large appliances or furniture, if his or her move is to an apartment or a smaller place. You may be able to avoid  spending money on additional purchases.

The owner will be able to show you different features on the house, that you may not find out about otherwise, until after the house has been sold to you. These could include landscaping information, wiring, plumbing, water, sewer or or septic fields.

You will be able to work out the details for the move into your new home, directly with the previous owner. This can save a lot of confusion.

There is many additional advantages to buying a house for sale by the owner. The best one is the reality that if the previous owner likes you and your family, he or she may become a life long friend, who will be there for you.

Ways to Manage Laptop Use in the Classroom

Laptop computer management in the classroom

With the introduction of laptop computers to high schools, there are a number of ways to manage laptop use in the classroom.

Include laptop directives on the course outline

Advise students immediately, as to whether laptop computers are compulsory for the class, as there may be students who need to purchase them. Laptop computers may be appropriate for use in a classroom, depending upon the kind of class it is, so the course outline should include specific directives and information about their usage. For example, while they may be appropriate for a creative writing class, they may not be appropriate for a course when there are other activities, like a woodworking class where machinery is used or a science class, in which there are experiments.

Availability of Internet connections or the necessity for batteries:

The course outline should specify whether Internet connections will be available for each laptop computer or if the students are expected to operate their laptop computers on batteries. The students should be advised to take extra batteries to each class. Purchasing a battery charger may be a good investment.

When only the teacher, tutor or professor has a laptop computer:

If the teacher is the only one who has a laptop computer, the appropriate files may be projected onto a wall. This may eliminate the need for students to have laptop computers. Every student may not be able to afford to purchase one, as there is cost involved. Second hand laptop computers may be available.

Specific classroom instructions:

Advise the students when they will be able to use their laptop computers in class. For example, an outline may be used by the teacher, but it is not necessary for the students to use their laptops, when there is a hard copy of the outline handed out. It may be preferable for them to listen instead, particularly if there is an important lecture. Classroom laptop computer etiquette is important.

For those students who have desktop computers at home:

While many students do not have laptop computers, they may have access to desk top computers, at home. If so, they may be able to access web site addresses at a later time. Make certain that the specific addresses (URLs) are included in handouts distributed to the students. You may be able to post these on a blackboard or bulletin board.

Responsibility for laptop computers:

Laptop computers can be damaged easily and are expensive to replace or to repair. Make certain that students understand that when they bring laptop computers to a class, they bear the responsibility for them, as well as for damages or repairs. It may be possible to obtain laptop computer insurance coverage on home insurance policies.

Classroom expectations and co-operation:

Using laptops in class, requires co-operation on the part of the teacher, as well as the students. The teacher may have to monitor students using laptop computers. It may not always be easy keep a class working together, when the students do not co-operate or are not able to work with the computers properly.

Students may be inclined to surf the Internet, rather than participate in the class, which can cause disruptions. Others may not know how to use the computer properly or how to type very well. If there are slow learners, they may have to be taught separately or obtain assistance from someone in the class.

Downloading other devices:

The usage of other devices like printers and scanners is part of a classroom project. Make certain that students are aware of how to use these properly. They may need to download files, different programs or multimedia devices from the computer, at times.

Take advantage of student mentors:

If you have a class with a number of students who excel in computer skills, you may have them mentor other students. If possible, have students work together in groups, but at their own pace.

Assignments and tests:

When administering assignments and tests, make certain that each student has access to the appropriate files, as some students may have difficulty finding the files or opening them, depending on the laptop computer that they are using. If possible, have the assignments completed in the classroom or make other arrangements, as necessary. Make certain that any tests handed in, have proper identification, by name and student number.

Technical support:

Advise the students where they can obtain technical support or training. Most students will know where to go for help, but if there is technical support available at the school, it can save time and money for the students.

Use appropriate websites and blogs:

Use appropriate websites for your class and additional sites for advances learners. When students have finished their assignments or tests, have them work on blogs that may be used at a later date. That way all of the class will be working on the same kind of a project, rather than waiting for the others or working on something that is not appropriate for the class.

These are a few ways that a teacher can manage laptop use in the classroom, but there are other ways, too. Be open to suggestions.

Using Laptops to Enhance the Classroom Environment

Enhance your classroom environment

Using laptops to enhance the classroom environment requires the understanding of what the word enhance means with respect to education in the classroom and how this pertains to our era.

The word enhance, from the word enhaucer, dates back to the thirteenth century. It is in the contexts of 

raise, to add or contribute to, improve, increase or intensify. (1)

The use of laptop computers in the classroom is an excellent option for educators to pursue, in spite of the reality that there are numerous arguments to the contrary by those who are opposed to their usage. (Unfortunately, not everyone is in favor of allowing the use of any computers, desktop or laptop in classroom settings.)

Examine the question of how using laptops can enhance the classroom environment.

The use of laptops can raise academic awareness, in many areas of education.

For example, in a history class, the teacher and students can go to a search engine and find information about any era in history. They will have access to biographies or autobiographies for an English class.

In an art class, all of the work by a particular artist can be projected onto a wall, as the laptop computer can be used as a projector. All of the students are able to view this information and participate in the class together. A single laptop computer can be used to teach many students, at the same time.

The use of laptops can add or contribute to the realm of research.

For example, there are new research papers that are currently available on the Internet. This research may or may not be available in book form yet. By using search engines, a teacher and his or her students may be able to compile that information. They can use it to write papers or transfer it directly into a Word document. The students can be taught how to do endnotes and footnotes, as well as how to credit the sources. They may be able to publish their research findings directly in an e-book, on a web site or create a CD. By doing a project like this, they may be able to make enough money to purchase laptops for everyone.

Remote areas may have access to information that they may be unable to obtain otherwise.

For example, heath care teaching may not be available in certain parts of the country or the world, other than by a laptop computer in a classroom setting.

The use of laptops can help teachers and students to improve or develop new skills.

For example, teachers and students can use laptop computers to improve reading, writing, typing and graphic skills. Teachers and students will be able to develop their own individual web sites or blogs. They may have access to a computer thesaurus, dictionary or calculator that might not be available to them otherwise.

The use of laptops can increase the amount of knowledge available, from a global perspective.

For example, rather than listen to a lecture on a space program, the student will be able to access a web site that shows actual events in progress, rather than relying on information published in book format, at a later date. 

The use of laptops can intensify learning, as the students gain added insight and interest with respect to projects that they inquire into or research.

For example, a student interested in pursuing the topic of global warming can broaden his or her scope to include the effects of global warming, on the Arctic environment. Other students may be able to participate in a world hunger project.

The laptop computer is an excellent teaching, learning and research tool. As the teacher teaches, he or she is always learning also.

Like anything that is new, there will be objections to the use of laptop computers in classrooms. Many of these arguments have to do the lack of knowledge about laptop computers.

Computer training requirements may be an issue for both teachers and students. Others may argue against the cost factor, which is relatively high. There is cost in setting up a proper networking system that will accommodate all of the students. At this time, many students will not have laptop computers, even though they do have desktop computers, in their homes.

There is the reality that many people are afraid of computers. There may be issues of availability and reliability. Many people are fearful of education, books and other devices like typewriters, calculators and printers.

Proper management of the use of laptop computers in the classroom is a major concern. Laptop etiquette has to be taught, by educators. Teachers or designated assistants need to learn how to monitor laptop computer usage. There may be technical issues that have to be resolved as laptop computers, like desktop computers, can have problems.

It is not as if transition to computers in the classroom is easy, but the use of laptop computers in the classroom will grow in the future, regardless of needless apprehension on the part of a minority of people.

Why not enhance your classroom environment by using laptop computers?

(1) Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA, 1983

How to Get Excited About Weight Loss

Success is always a reason to celebrate: Get excited about weight loss

Congratulations! You are on a weight loss program, weighing yourself every day and you have finally succeeded in losing weight. That is fantastic!

Making the decision to lose weight is never an easy one. Many people strive for weight loss and find that no matter what they attempt to do to lose weight, those excess pounds come back on and so, achieving any degree of success in weight loss is a reason to celebrate.

Success is always a reason to celebrate.

"But how can I celebrate and not gain my weight back?"

Weight loss in itself is not sufficient, as what needs to go hand in hand with weight loss is weight management. Weight management techniques allow room for celebration, but celebration in a way that the excess pounds do not return. It is only common sense. Why waste time doing something, only to have to do it all over again? That would appear to be an exercise in futility.

The anticipation of a celebration is a reason to get excited. But, this kind of a celebration must operate on the basic principle of ‘reward yourself rightly, when you achieve success’. It is not a reward and punishment kind of a celebration.

Rewards can consist of many things like the following:

I will buy a new outfit for myself, when I have lost 10 pounds.

Buying a sharp, new outfit will make you feel good and look smart.

I will spend the evening at my favorite place, with a supportive friend, when I have lost 20 pounds.

Looking good and feeling smart, will be an excellent incentive for an evening out. Wearing that new outfit will make you feel good enough so that you probably will not over indulge, because you know that if you do, that outfit will not fit you much longer. You will be encouraged to eat and drink in a way that maintains your weight helps you to drop more pounds. Having a supportive friend will give you encouragement. You might find that you have a weight loss and management buddy for life.

I will go for a trip or a vacation, some place I have always wanted to go, when I have lost 30 pounds. I 

may go by myself or with someone who I know is going to be proud of me and happy for me.

Getting beyond that first time out as a reward, gives you added incentive to continue. You know that if you can do this one night out successfully, you can do a trip or vacation successfully, also. It is always a challenge to try something like this alone, but if that seems too difficult, why not take someone else along?

It is up to you to decide what appropriate rewards will be, as no one can determine your rewards for you. If you designate the rewards, you are going to be more inclined to obtain them, than if someone else takes that responsibility for you. None of your rewards need to be food or drink rewards, although you might want to include them at times.

"But, what if I don't succeed?"

Here are things you can do, if you are not succeeding.

Have a physical examination:

There is the possibility of not succeeding when you are attempting to lose weight. If you are doing all of the things you know you should, in order to lose weight and nothing is happening, consider going to your doctor for a complete physical. Discuss the problem with him or her. There may be medical concerns that need to be addressed. Find out what your ideal weight should be. It may be of benefit to you to keep track of everything you are eating and take that with you when you see your physician.

Increase your exercise

Increasing your exercise can be a major factor in weight loss and weight management. Even if you do reduce caloric intake, but do not have exercise on a regular basis, your weight may not drop or it may drop slowly. You may need to change the kind of exercise that you are doing. Have you ever engaged in dance exercise? That is fun.

Increase your fluids

Increase the amount of water you are drinking. Water is important for weight loss and management. Normally, a person should drink about eight glasses of water per day. Some people retain a lot of the water that they drink and thus, it is a good idea to keep a record of your fluid intake and output, to see if you are retaining liquid. You may need to include foods in your diet that will help you get rid of fluid. Two of these are cucumber slices and celery sticks.

Get back on track

Not succeeding is not a reason to celebrate. It is a reason to get back on track and needs to be taken seriously. Instead of giving up and reverting to old behavior patterns, immediately get back to the weight loss or weight management program you started. Do not get discouraged.

Double check your portion size

Take a serious look at what you are eating and how large your portion size is, when you eat. Most people tend to overload their plates, so instead of using a large plate, use a smaller plate. Gradually cut back further on your portion size. Find out how large a suitable portion for a person of your height and weight should be and let that be the amount that you consume at one sitting. Find a smaller cup too, like a teacup instead of a huge mug.

Don't clean your plate!

Most of us have been taught to clean our plates. Guess what. You are on a weight loss and management program, of your own volition. You do not have to clean your plate. If you eat until you feel full and then, stop eating, you will more than likely find that you gain better control of your weight. You might want to eat more, but your body is telling you that you do not need to eat any more, so listen to your body. Stop eating when your body tells you that it is full. Save the rest for later.

Find rewards that excite you!

More about rewards. When you make a list of possible rewards, find ones that excite you. For example, buy some tickets to a concert, make a long distance call to someone you love or get a book that you have wanted to read forever and a day, from the library. How about sending your self some flowers or meeting someone new? Maybe buy a brand new scale with the money that you save.

Find specific rewards that encourage you to be more physically active, because if you increase your activity level, you will lose more weight. Try out a new bicycle or invest in some new runners. How about buying smaller designer jeans or a brand new, jogging suit? Purchase a different bathing suit, one that is more flattering to your new figure than your old bathing suit? Getting a dog to walk everyday, might be beneficial to you, in more ways than one.

Making a new dress that is one size smaller will help you to think positively. Try doing other things that help you to look more attractive, like getting a new hairdo, having a facial, going to a health spa, joining a gym or visiting a tanning salon. 

Don't burden yourself with guilt.

Guilt and punishment are not on the agenda for weight loss and management. If you carry guilt around with you, it will only weigh you down, so give it all to God and don't take it back. There is no need to punish yourself, even though you might feel that is what you deserve. Punishment only brings on more pain.

Find more appropriate rewards

With respect to appropriate rewards, don't reward yourself with sweets or high caloric foods, because they are going to increase the problem and not cause it to disappear. If you need to have something sweet, have one candy instead of a whole bag of candy or one chocolate, instead of the whole box. Do the same thing with cookies and cake. Eat one cookie, instead of a dozen or one small portion of cake, instead of a huge piece. Have ice cream, but watch the portion size. Find lower calorie ice cream or frozen yogurt. It is good,

Buy only healthy snacks!

Buy the kinds of snacks that do not cause you to gain weight. Things like fruit, popcorn, nuts, crackers and cheese and veggies make great snacks. When you eat these, make sure that you chew them well. Enjoy every single bite.

In time, you may learn not to put anything in your cupboard for snacks, that is not healthy food. If you absolutely have to have a snack, make a point of walking a mile to the store to get it. By the time you get back home, you will have walked two miles. Treat yourself daily to fresh air and exercise. You will be glad that you did. Be good to yourself.

While there are dozens of other ways that you can reward yourself for your mini-successes, the ultimate goal is to succeed. That is something to get excited about. What will you do to celebrate that? 

Determine your reward and then go for it.

How to Plant Blueberries

You can grow your own blueberries

Anyone who has picked blueberries in the northern Ontario wilderness knows how exciting that can be, but for most people it involves traveling some distance, as well as finding and picking the berries.

Is there an easier way to get blueberries than going out to pick them? Yes, there is and that is why more and more people are choosing to grow their own blueberries.

Ideally, if a person can imitate the natural habitat of the blueberries, when they attempt to grow them, the plants will thrive. That is not always possible. Many people climb mountains and hike miles into the wilderness to find blueberries. Others will go to re-forestation sites, where the trees have been logged or into areas that have been burned and re-planted, in the past. Most people don't have back yards like that, although there are exceptions.

For an amateur grower, blueberries plants can be started from their own seeds, but it is easier to purchase blueberry plants. Some people will take plants directly from the wilderness and transplant them. Others buy plants from garden centers.

Blueberries are from the family Vaccinium, with approximately four hundred and fifty different plants known throughout the world. The blueberry plants are native to North America, where they have been referred to as "star berries" by the natives, because of the five-pointed star in the calyx. Legend has it that the Great Spirit sent star berries to relieve the hunger pangs of children, during times of severe famine. (1)

Three of the more common varieties that can be cultivated successfully include the following:

Northern Highbush (V. corybosum): These blueberries normally grow wild in the northern areas.

Southern Rabbiteye (V. ashei): These blueberries are grown in the southern USA. The calyx resembles the eye of a rabbit.

Lowbush, or Wild blueberries (V. angustifolium ): These are found growing as far north as the Arctic, in North America. (2)

When growing blueberry plants, cross pollination is important. Obtaining two or three different types of blueberry plants is a good idea. Maintaining a soil PH of approximately 5.0 is vital for their survival.

In the wilderness, some kinds of blueberries thrive in areas that are sunny, while others do well growing close to other trees and bushes. Both the bushes and the blueberries tend to grow larger in the shade, but the sweetest berries are found in direct sunlight.

If you look closely at their natural habitat in northern Ontario, you will see that there is natural compost that forms on the forest bed. It consists of old tree trunks and branches, needles from pine or spruce trees and leaves, along with various kinds of moss that grow around outcroppings of rocks. Some varieties of blueberries do well in the rocky areas, while others do much better in the shaded areas. It depends upon the kind of blueberry.

If you take a close look at the place where you intend to plant your blueberries, in conjunction with the kind of plants that you purchase, you will find that placing each kind of plant in its own natural habitat will help it to grow better.

Different kinds of blueberry plants will grow to different heights. The ones that grow well in the sunny, rocky areas stay relatively short, reaching a height of one to two feet. You can plant these close together, but over time the small plants will spread, so allow room for additional plants to grow in the future. They will seed themselves every year, if all of the berries are not picked and the proper growth conditions are maintained.

If you are looking at planting rows of blueberry plants that are easier to pick, you need to find a variety that grows into bushes. You will be able to locate these in the wilderness areas close to the trees and in the low lying areas. 

In Northern Ontario wilderness, they normally reach about two to three feet in height. Blueberry bushes will grow to a height of about 4-8 feet when cultivated, in more southern areas. These blueberries need to be planted, several feet apart. It will take several years for them to reach maturity, once planted.

Natural wilderness compost and animal fertilizer feed the blueberry plants in the wild, but it not possible to duplicate that in your home environment. You do not need to do that either, as using compost and organic fertilizer will suffice. Normally, when cultivated, blueberries are not fertilized in the first year, as it may cause damage to the root systems.

If you are planting blueberries for the first time, plant them in the spring, so that they have a chance to root well over the summer. They need three to four months to grow. Make certain that they are planted fairly deep, so that they survive through the winter. Using peat moss, compost and organic fertilizer around the plants is a good idea, particularly if the soil is heavy. They will grow in sandy loam soil.

Remember to water the plants well for the first while, but make certain that they have adequate drainage, so  that there is no root rot.

Blueberries can be picked and put directly into the freezer in containers, once they are cleaned. They can be juiced, dried or canned. They have a high nutritional value because of the elevated levels of vitamin C and vitamin E. They also have a high antioxidant level, so health wise, it will be  worth the effort it takes to grow them.

The next time that you pick blueberries, you may be able to do so in your own back yard!

(1) http://www.blueberry.org/blueberries.htm

(2) Ibid.