Author Charles Dickens' classic, A Tale of Two Cities, begins this way: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness ... ."

You have those who believe the Obama administration and the president when they lie and say that the economy is doing great, even though actual economic growth is nearly zero, and a record number of Americans are out of the workforce.

But then you have those Americans who have been hard-hit by the Great Recession that supposedly ended some years ago, who are chronically unemployed or underemployed, reeling under higher costs for practically everything (especially their healthcare, which wasn't supposed to happen after Obamacare became law). They know what kind of economy we really have. And they know that the GMO folks are exactly right to be worried about a crash.

Alaska

As we know, the population in the world grows, the strain on habitats and ecologies increases and the demand for food rises, so the food we consume has a bad impact on the global environment. The problems around food supply, production, and consumption are very complex, but there are a few considerations that could help to reduce the environmental effect of what you eat. Meanwhile, this also gives a healthy lifestyle. You can follow some tips below:

– If you eat meat, decrease the number of meals having meat you eat weekly.

– If you eat fish, select sustainably-sourced species as well as fishing methods.

– It is advisable to choose seasonal, local produce.

– Try avoiding fish contaminated with mercury

– Try avoiding food with unnecessary packaging, because this just leads to unnecessary, additional rubbish for your bin.

– You also should look for fair-trade, sustainable, environmentally-friendly food because this helps the economy.

2. Save Water

Another way to lower the environmental effect of your lifestyle is saving water around your home. Reducing energy usage can help you to save plenty of money. Follow some simple tips to save water below:

–  Making sure no leaks exist in the plumbing system – including taps, pipes, toilet cisterns – helps to prevent unnecessary water wastage.

–  When you brush your teeth, turn off the tap.

–  Take short showers

– Boil only as much water as needed

– Use short cycles to wash clothes

How to Wear a Classic White Shirt

 

Knowing how to wear a classic white shirt can help you have a more minimal wardrobe. I’m all about classic styles. While we all want a closet full of clothes, it’s important to know how to wear the basics and accessorize to make the most of your outfit.  With a little planning, you can make a classic white shirt look either casual or dressy which will help you create a range of styles from a few favorite pieces. I’ve been working on creating a capsule wardrobe and classic shirts are going to play a big part.

For a casual look when I run errands or meet friends for coffee, I add a lightweight jacket or sweater to the outfit for extra warmth.  I often use contrasting colors to bring out the white in the shirt.

To me, casual means jeans and a nice pair of jeans goes great with a classic white shirt.  You can always add in a belt for a little extra style.  A necklace or bracelet will probably be hidden if you’re wearing a hoodie but if you’re not adding a layer on top of your classic white shirt, you can always dress it up with some casual jewelry.

A white shirt works just as well in a dressy outfit as it does in a casual outfit.  Replace the jeans with a nice pair of black slacks.  Leave the hoodie at home and try wearing an undershirt below the shirt for added warmth and style. I love the way layers look.  You can contrast the black slacks and white shirt with a gray undershirt or if you’d rather, you can choose a white or black undershirt and let it blend in. Now is the perfect time to add in some bling! 

If you’re off on a night on the town, add in something bold and vibrant with lots of color. If you are off on a night on the town, add in something bold and vibrant with lots of color. If your are wearing your classic white t shirt to work, you may want to think quiet and understated like a chain or tennis bracelet or even a watch depending on your style.

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101 Dalmatians

 

When was the last time you took a cold shower? Chances are it was not by choice, but you were forced by circumstances. Well, taking cold showers will soon become a choice once you discover the amazing benefits. In fact, I’ve been taking cold showers for over a year.

Some athletes even take ice baths to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness. But it’s worth noting that drastic temperature shocks can be harmful to people with heart conditions. That said, regularly cold showers won’t do you any harm. Here are  benefits of cold showers.

1. You’ll become emotionally stronger

You’ll be able to deal with stress better when you take cold showers. Research shows that cold showers cause oxidative stress in the nervous system. So being exposed to cold showers frequently will eventually harden you and make you calmer.

2. Your willpower will increase

It takes willpower to turn off the heat and take a cold shower. The willpower will benefit you in other aspects of life like exercise, work, and fighting cravings.

3. You’ll burn more fat

Research shows that exposer to cold temperatures increases metabolism of brown fat, and can help you lose up to 9 pounds a year.

4. You’ll recover faster

For years athletes have been using ice baths to recovery faster after workouts. Take a cold shower after an intense workout or a long run.

5. They’ll put you in better mood

Cold showers will get rid of the cranky feeling you have in the morning. It’ll increase your heart rate and improve flow of blood to the brain.

6. Your skin will become more attractive

Unlike hot showers which cause skin dryness, cold showers tighten the skin and get rid of acne.

Big Boy Picture At Frisch's In Louisville

Phew! It was good to get that off my chest! I feel like a loner in a world of fall lovers (my husband being the most militant of all), but the fact is, I don't  like it.  Don't get me wrong, fall is a beautiful time of year.  But, because Winter is right around the corner it sort of takes the fun out of it.

Maybe it's because I grew up in the Ohio Valley where fall means the sun is about to hide behind a thick blanket of cloud cover for 6 months, or maybe it's because the hope of spring sowing has faded to the reality of the harvest (anyone else feel shell-shocked like they've been through war with the pests this year?!), but it could be as simple as I love warmth and going outdoors and feeling it without 10 restrictive layers of clothes.

David's Painting Of A Water Mill

What will the outcomes of this coming election make our world look like? What will it be like when they are trying to live as Christians in a culture so determined to dismantle our Biblical values? Have I taught them enough? Equipped them for the battles they’ll face? Will they withstand the pressures and policy changes and political shifts?

I’m not even sure I understand all the complicated political realities, but I do know when I watch the news or read discussions about the upcoming election, I don’t get a good feeling.

What I thought we’d have to navigate one day, seems to be a reality this day.

And it can leave this simple mom’s heart feeling afraid.

Do you ever feel this way? We crave safety and certainty and simplicity to raise our families, serve God, and live out our Christian beliefs in both private and public. But so many things feel threatening to those desires.

How do we navigate both our fears and our faith?

There’s a wonderful truth I turn to time and again when I get afraid. It’s in 2 Kings chapter 6 verse 16, “‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’”

We Miss The Mark Of Love When We Judge Others

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Which standard are we using to judge? When it comes to us being judge, what measure would we like to be used? This is how we are to determine what standards we are to use when we must evaluate what we see.
We want mercy and grace! Followers of Jesus who have been radically changed by grace and mercy should be the first to extend radical grace and mercy. Recipients of forgiveness should always be the dispensers of forgiveness. Those who received much should always be the people who give much.
Evaluation of self is what enables us to properly evaluate the attitudes and actions of others.