A Green Christmas

Christmas is not usually what one thinks of when thinking Green. This year let's green up our holidays. There are many ways we can reduce our energy consumption and reduce waste during this time of year.

1. Switch from traditional Christmas lights to L.E.D. Lights. They will reduce your energy consumption greatly, the average string of 50 lights uses 300 watts of energy, the same 50 set of LED lights only uses 4 watts of energy and last up to 100,000 hours.

Talk about savings! Not only are we saving a huge amount of energy, we are also keeping precious dollars in our bank accounts.

2. Put all your lights on timers. By putting all your lights on timers (inside and out), you will save energy by controlling the amount of hours your lights are on.

I don't know about you, but I've fallen asleep with the lights on many times!

3. Decorate using nature. Try decorating your home using natural items. Pinecones and fresh greens make a beautiful centerpiece for a table or swag for the mantle. Adding pinecones or holly berries to your Christmas tree will give it an elegant, natural touch. White Pine Roping is made from the trimming of the trees and is a great way to decorate the outside. It can also be mulched or composted after the season is over.

4. Try buying gifts that will actually get used for more than a week or two. Books, movies, actual toys like soccer balls or roller skates, toys that use kid power. Buying all that plastic crap that the kids see on TV is just like throwing money down the drain, and polluting our environment. Buy them art supplies that will foster their creativity or a musical instrument. Earthopoly [http://www.greennationgardens.com/Earthopoly-Eco-Friendly-Board-Game-p/eg-earthopoly.htm] is a fun board game that teaches about the environment and sustainability and it is 100% green! We are so caught up in giving our kids what the marketing companies tell us will make them happy. The toy of the month is not going to make them happy. It may satisfy them for a week or two, but not more than that.

Help them to find their passion, something they will love and grow with.

5. Don't waste food. The holidays are the biggest eating time of the year. We cook more, we bake like crazy, we basically overindulge. This means that much food gets wasted. Make sure any and all food scraps go into the compost, not the trash can! Freeze or share what you cannot eat yourselves. If you have an abundance of leftovers, take it to your local homeless shelter, a shut in neighbor, or maybe invite someone less fortunate to share your meal. Cookies, cakes and pies given to a shelter or nursing home would be greatly appreciated.

6. When setting your holiday table, go ahead and use the good china! If you have them, cloth napkins are the way to go. It makes the table look beautiful, sophisticated and it saves waste from entering our landfills. Paper napkins, plastic ware and plastic or paper plates is a huge tax on our landfills and they take a lot of energy and trees to make. If you are going to use paper napkins and plates, please do not throw them into the trashcan! Paper napkins and paper plates can be easily composted with your kitchen scraps. This will make clean up a breeze.

6. Use eco friendly wrappings. Use recycled gift bags, Comics, decorate brown paper bags for wrapping paper. At the very least do not throw your wrapping paper into the trash! Wrapping paper can be recycled just like any other paper.

7. Make lists and condense your shopping trips as much as possible, or better yet, do your shopping online. This will save lots of $$ on fuel and also keep your life simpler and less aggravating.

These are easy tips anyone can implement to Green up your Christmas.

How to Handle Dog Growling

Under normal circumstances, dogs will only be aggressive when they feel threatened or in danger. They will only attack after having displayed progressively more explicit warning gestures several times.

Often, dogs will growl to let their owners know what they want. Dogs will probably do it again once they discover that growling works for them. It is hardly unexpected that dog growling is a common problem because some people misguidedly think that this is an indication that their dog will protect them. It is more likely that the dog will take care of himself and his possessions.

Some legal definitions classify a growling dog as dangerous so there may be a requirement for him to be restricted. This may involve placing your dog in a crate, in a separate room or restricting him to your back yard.

If your dog growls and he ends up getting what he wants, he will rapidly come to the conclusion that this is a very useful tool to get his own way. Comprehending your dog's needs is a huge help in putting an end to this behavior.

The following are a few reasons for dog growling:

He is protecting his meal. A dog may practice resource or food guarding to protect his food from a perceived threat (namely you!). It is important that children be taught not to interrupt or tease dogs while they are eating. This also applies to adults; dogs need to understand that people provide them with food and don't remove it. When their is no risk of the dog growling, food should be added to the dog's dish.
He's hungry. This is an excellent opportunity to teach a dog how to convey his needs. In order for the food dish to be placed in front of the dog, he would need to behave correctly.
He needs to go potty. Some dog owners are happy that their pooch asks to be let outside to eliminate, though this is an unrealistic expectation for an old or sick dog or a puppy. So a dog doesn't have to worry about getting his owner's attention to let him outside, it is much better if regular outings for elimination are scheduled.
As with food guarding, dogs may also protect their toys. Growling is often the first signal from the dog that he will bite if his warning is ignored. In this situation, the best thing to do is completely remove the toy from the dog and only let him have it when he is in his crate.
He has stolen an object and wants to keep it for himself. Never chase your dog if he has taken something that belongs to you. Instead, you should make sure that he receives good obedience training where he will learn the joys of retrieving and will come to you on command.
Sometimes dog growling is an indication of his fear of being groomed or clipped. Considerable skill is necessary to groom some dogs and you should not try it yourself without the appropriate training.
Dogs will also growl to protect themselves from abuse and suffering. An example might be that a child has constantly tormented the dog under the fence or hit him when his owner wasn't looking, so the dog would growl when he came in contact with a child. Sadly, the dog will usually be blamed for growling in this instance.
When a dog growls and his owner jumps backwards, this can be great sport for the dog. He must not be permitted to become accustomed to this behavior as he is likely to show aggression when his owner doesn't jump if he growls. It is important to nip this behavior in the bud from the get go.

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Simple Effective Ways to Make Teething Babies Feel Better

You, as an adult feel horrible when your wisdom tooth is appearing. Think about how bad your baby is feeling when all his teeth are starting to grow! They pass through severe pain and unbearable itching. To make this period an easier one, you need to know few tricks which will alleviate their pain and will make the itching sensation disappear.

The first thing you have to know is that your presence matters for your baby when he is in pain. Taking the teething baby in your arms, holding and swinging him will bring comfort and will partially sooth him. Yet, patience and a loving attitude are not enough to keep the pain away. This is why your baby will probably continue to cry even after you have taken him into your arms. At this moment you will have to try new means to calm him.

The best way to do that is to give him something to chew. You can buy a specially designed toy, which is softer than other toys and made of a non-toxic plastic, which babies can safely chew. Usually, these toys contain a liquid inside and can be kept in the fridge for few minute. The cold toy will sooth the pain and the itching, and your baby will be happy again. If you do not find such a toy, you can try with a new piece of cloth. Use a natural fabric, moisture it with a little cold water and give it to your baby to chew it. It will have the same effects as the toy.

Another way in which you can relieve your teething baby's pain is by gently massaging his jaws with a specially designed, calming gel. The pain will disappear in a matter of minutes and your baby will be able to resume its activity. There are some gels which may cause sleep, so make sure you only apply them before your baby goes to sleep.

At meal time, try to feed your baby only with cold food, such as yogurt or fruit puree, depending on what ingredients you have introduced in his diet. This will also calm your newborn's gums and will make him less irritated. However, make sure you only give him food he has previously eaten and got used with. As you know, teething babies may have diarrhea and if you give them new types of food you risk aggravating this problem.

Teething babies are quite sensitive and go through a difficult period. This is why you will have to be patient and supporting as you are the only person your baby can rely on. Help him and relieve his pain as much as possible, by following the tricks listed above.

Crate Training A Puppy Or Adult Dog

Many people, who unfortunately misunderstand the concept of good crate training, believe that crating a dog for any length of time is cruel and they refuse to even consider it. In fact, a crate really is a wonderful tool when used correctly. Crate training can be fun for the puppy if you make it a POSITIVE experience. I firmly believe it to be the fastest and easiest way to potty train a puppy or even an adult, previously untrained dog.

The majority of new pet owners misconstrue the purpose of a dog crate. It is NOT used to punish a puppy; the puppy should deem the crate to be his safe haven. Once you recognize this fact, you will be able to utilize the puppy's den to your advantage and build up a proper potty training plan.

When you have a new puppy or dog, you will use a crate to limit his admission to the entire house until he learns all the house rules. A crate is also a secure way of transporting your dog in the car, as well as an opportunity to take him places where it may not be appropriate for him to run without restraint.

Giving the pup special "treats" is a perfect way to introduce him to his crate. The only time the puppy receives these special treats is when he is in the crate; the treats become associated with the crate. Thus, when introduced and used correctly, your dog will think of his crate as his safe haven and he will be happy to spend time there when required. Basically, you need to think like a dog for this to work: normally, a dog never chooses a busy part of the house for his hideaway. He usually selects a dark corner off by himself where he feels sheltered and safe; maybe under a table or chair or between furniture where he is able to see anyone approaching. So, use this concept to your advantage, now that you understand the dog's purpose for the crate is that it becomes his "den" you can move forward. Remember though, repetition is essential. Your puppy will not understand what you want unless you repeatedly show him exactly what is required of him.

A dog will never make his den dirty. If a dog is correctly trained to love his den, his instinct will be to keep it clean. This is the foremost reason why a crate works in potty training. A dog should always be at ease and safe in his crate and above all he always desires to have a clean environment. A crate must be a positive place where your dog can find security and pleasure. An attractive crate makes for a welcoming den - a comfy blanket, tasty treats, and a favorite toy help to make the pup comfortable. Also very important, the crate needs to be in a place where your dog will not feel as if he is part of the family and not isolated.

Always feed the pup/dog's regular meals somewhere close to his crate. This will also create a pleasant association with the crate. Some trainers recommend actually feeding meals inside the crate; this too is fine, but my personal preference is to keep food dishes outside. An exception to this could be with a adult dog who initially views the crate negatively; placing meals inside the crate will be a great encouragement to him accepting it. After the dog is eating his regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, begin moving the dishes outside.

To sum up: using a crate correctly, establishes restrictions for your dog when you are away from the house and unable to keep an eye on his behavior. A crate is also a safe area for your dog to be if you're having company and you have a less than social dog. Another surprising advantage: dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks, often find refuge in their familiar crate/den.

Normally a puppy follows a very definite "potty pattern": when he wakes up in the morning; immediately after meal; when he wakes up from a nap; after he has been playing, or after it has been a while since he last went potty. At each of these strategic points, take the puppy outside to take care of his business. A puppy can not hold it a long time so you must be trained to anticipate his likely needs. Look at it this way, you need to understand that the better trained you become, the better trained your puppy will be.

The last two dogs I have crate trained personally were a six week old female Dalmatian puppy and an adult rescued (badly abused) female Dalmatian. I began the baby in a comfortable, plastic travel crate, while the adult dog was put in a much larger, fold down wire crate. Both crates were situated in the kitchen/dining room which is the most occupied area of the house.

With both dogs, the following schedule was set up and followed faithfully:

Early Morning: Puppy/dog woke up in her crate; I immediately took the puppy/dog outside to the part of the yard we had designated as her "potty area". Right from the start I began repeating "Quickly, quickly, quickly", so that she would straight away associate the command with going to potty. Immediately she obliged, I praised her bother verbally and with lots of pats. We then returned to the house and the puppy was given breakfast and the adult dog was given a biscuit. After breakfast we both went back outside for the puppy to go potty while the adult dog went for a walk. Both dogs were then allowed to play safely for a while in the house, then back outside, potty, praise, return into the house, and naptime in the crate.

Afternoon: Puppy/dog woke up again; time to go outside. I immediately began repeating "Quickly, quickly, quickly", and pretty soon both animals obliged almost instantly and they were rewarded with lots of praise. Back into the house for lunch. Puppy/dog ate lunch the again went outside with me and went potty; lots of praise, then back into the house for playtime. The puppy indulged in lots of activity, while the adult dog socialized with us and explored the house. I allowed this for a given amount of time, then back outside to potty, then back into the crate for naptime.

Evening: Puppy/dog woke up and straight away went outside. Verbally encouraged, then praised, they both quickly went potty and knowing that they had done what was required of them, straight away looked to go back into the house for dinner. Dinner was eaten - back outside. Family social hour - back outside.

This routine WORKS. I will tell you with absolute honesty that in both instances, I didn't have to clean up a single "accident" with either animal.

At bed time, both animals had a last trip outside then were snuggled up for the night in their crate. When the puppy was very young, I set the alarm and took her outside once during the night. This nocturnal trip depends upon the age of the puppy and some babies may need to go out more than once during the night initially. This improves with age. Remember whenever he or she wakes you up in the middle of the night that your dog is reacting to your training and is actually doing the right thing by asking. Please be patient.

If you work, don't expect the puppy to wait 10 to 12 hours while you are gone. Make arrangements to go home for lunch, or have a neighbor or friend come over and follow the same routine of potty, praise, and play. As a puppy gets older and can hold it longer, the crate becomes less necessary. Just make sure that if you allow your dog freedom, he is still limited in a safe area. Check for electrical cords and unsafe "chewy" items. Better safe than sorry.

Remember, as your dog gets accustomed to his crate routine and enjoys the security of having his own space, never leave a puppy crated for longer than three or four hours at a time or an adult dog for longer than eight hours. If you crate your dog at night, you should make sure he has plenty of uncrated time during the day.

Even when the pup or dog is no longer confined to the crate, they continue see it as their "den", their refuge, and I keep it available to them with the entrance door propped open. Whenever they choose to go into the crate, make sure they are left alone; especially make children respect it as the pup or dog's private place. Dogs love their crates, when they remain available to them they prefer to use them, cuddled into their favorite blanket.

Crates are also a very useful tool to employ as a puppy becomes older and is going through the stage where it is losing its puppy teeth and chewing on everything. Then, it's a good idea to crate him whenever you are away from the house.

Proper crate training of a puppy shapes the puppy's behavior positively using his animal instincts to your advantage. Surely, this is much better than accidents on your floor. Remember above all else to be tolerant and consistent in your training. Love your puppy and give him lots of praise when he does it correctly. Dogs love praise; they thrive on it and positive reinforcement works every time.

Remember though, crate is NOT a magical solution. If not used correctly, a dog will feel trapped and frustrated. As an example, if your dog is crated all day while you're at work and then crated again all night, he's definitely spending far too much time in much too small a space. Also remember that puppies under six months of age should never stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a stretch. They can't control their functions for longer periods.

If your dog whines or cries when crated at night, it may be difficult to decide whether he's whining to be let out of the crate, or whether he needs to be taken outside to eliminate. Try to ignore the whining for a few minutes. If your dog is just testing you, he will probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse and will definitely destroy the dog's confidence in your training. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he's learnt to associate with going outside to eliminate. If he responds and becomes excited, take him outside. This should be a trip with a purpose, not play time. If you're certain that your dog doesn't need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore him until he stops whining. Don't give in, otherwise you will just teach your dog to whine loud and long to get what he wants. If you've progressed slowly but surely through the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you will be less likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again.

You need to be certain the crate is the correct size for the pup/dog. If it is too big, the pup may try to use part of it as a bathroom and this is something you definitely need to avoid. The crate needs to be big enough to allow the dog to stand up and lie down comfortably. If you know your dog is going to grow into a big dog, then consider getting a divider so you will have the proper size crate in the beginning and it can grow along with the dog!

Location is also immensely important. You must be able to hear the pup. If the pup is whining, he probably needs to go potty and should be taken out. Remember the routine outlined above. The crate should be in a room where there is activity.

Crates may be plastic (often referred to as flight kennels) or collapsible, metal pens. They come in different sizes and can be purchased at most pet supply stores as well as online. All have pros and cons, including cost, ventilation, clean-up, etc.

Help, My Dog is Vomiting

Vomiting in dogs is a very common occurrence and can arise from a wide variety of causes, from simple gastritis to complex diseases of other body systems. Not only is it very distressing for both the dog and owner, it also provides a challenge for the veterinarian. This article explains the multiple causes of vomiting in dogs, including adverse food reactions, and the range of treatment options available.

What is vomiting?

Vomiting is the expulsion of food, fluid or debris from the stomach or small intestine due to coordinated movements of the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and nervous systems. It is important to differentiate this from regurgitation, which is a passive process rather than a coordinated effort like vomiting.

Regurgitation is a sign of disease in the esophagus, such as obstructions (foreign bodies such as a stick, bone or toy, or a stricture), esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) or megaesophagus (dilatation of the esophagus due to weakening of the smooth muscle). The main difference between regurgitation and vomiting is that regurgitation is effortless, while vomiting is accompanied by strong abdominal contractions.

How can I tell vomiting and regurgitation apart?

Sometimes this is not easy to do. Generally speaking, if it happens immediately after eating it is more likely to be regurgitation (though vomiting can still occur then). If the content of the material expelled appears to be completely undigested food, this also supports regurgitation. If the presence of bile can be confirmed though, it is more likely to be vomiting.

Causes of vomiting

The most common causes of vomiting are dietary related, either through dietary indiscretion (e.g. overeating, eating overly rich or spoiled food) which causes acute (sudden) vomiting, or adverse food reactions (food allergies) which can cause chronic (long term and intermittent) vomiting.

However, there are a huge number of other causes arising from either the gastrointestinal system itself (stomach and small intestine) or secondary to disease elsewhere in the body (e.g. liver or kidney disease). Within the stomach, possible causes include:

1. Gastritis (inflammatory disease)

2. Stomach ulceration

3. Stomach cancer

4. Obstruction (foreign bodies, telescoping of intestine)

5. Hiatal hernia (part stomach herniating through the diaphragm)

Possible causes within the intestine include:

1. Infectious diseases (e.g. parvovirus)

2. Worms

3. Inflammatory bowel disease

4. Intestinal cancer

Secondary causes of vomiting that are due to disease elsewhere in the body include:

1. Pancreatitis (infection or inflammation of the pancreas)

2. Peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity)

3. Hepatitis (liver inflammation)

4. Kidney failure

5. Pyometra (infection of the uterus)

6. Hormonal deficiencies or excesses (e.g. Addisons disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Septicemia, Calcium imbalance)

Other potential causes that do not fit into the above categories are drug reactions (e.g. digoxin, chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs) and neurological disorders.

Treatment of vomiting

Vomiting is a symptom, not a disease in itself. Whether or not treatment is appropriate depends upon the individual circumstances. If the dog is only vomiting occasionally, is bright and otherwise normal on examination, treatment is probably not necessary. Some dogs with sensitive digestive systems will vomit once or twice a month regardless of any treatment, and if they are otherwise well this should be ignored.

For acute vomiting cases, the first step should always be to starve the dog for 24 hours (while keeping plenty of water available ad lib). After the period of starvation, the dog should be offered small portions of a very bland food, such as chicken and boiled rice, for a few days. Meals should be fed as smaller portions several times a day, rather than one larger meal.

Though treating the symptom itself will often improve patient demeanor and comfort, it is no replacement for making a correct diagnosis of the underlying cause, and certain drugs can be harmful if given blindly (for example, giving metoclopromide to a dog with a gastric or intestinal obstruction). Certainly cases of acute and severe vomiting require immediate treatment, as dogs can become rapidly dehydrated, develop electrolyte imbalances and aspiration pneumonia otherwise.

Managing the vomiting dog

There are 2 goals when dealing with a vomiting dog:

1. Identify the underlying cause

2. Stop the vomiting in a safe and effective manner

In many cases, anti emetic therapy (the technical term for vomiting is emesis, and therefore drugs used to treat it are called anti emetics) is instigated immediately while the cause is being established.

A veterinarian will start by taking a full history, focusing especially on normal diet, recent medication, vaccination status and the description of the symptoms. He or she must first make sure that the dog is genuinely vomiting and not regurgitating, which has a completely different set of underlying causes. It is also important to get a graphic description of the material expelled, and whether it contained bile, fresh blood or what appears to be coffee granules (partly digested blood).

The next step is a full clinical examination, including carefully feeling the abdomen, taking the dogs rectal temperature and assessing the hydration status. Once this is completed, a veterinarian will have a slightly narrowed down list of differential diagnoses in mind. If the dog is not dehydrated, bright in demeanor, and both vital parameters and feeling the abdomen were normal, the veterinarian will often (and rightly so) make a presumptive diagnosis of gastritis, or gastroenteritis if diarrhea is present too, and prescribe antibiotics to combat the likely bacterial infection. The owner is then likely to be sent home with instructions to starve the dog for 24hrs and give bland food for a few days, alongside the antibiotics. The owner is instructed to monitor the dog closely, and return immediately if there are any signs of deterioration, or 2 to 3 days later for a routine check up.

If there are any findings in the clinical history or the physical examination that trigger concern, then further tests are necessary. The first of these is usually blood tests for hematology and biochemistry profiles. Urine and feces may also be analysed, the latter for either nasty bacteria or parasites. Additional laboratory tests may be required in certain circumstances, such as bile acid stimulation testing if liver dysfunction is suspected, or an ACTH stimulation test to look for adrenal disease.

The next stage of the work up involves imaging. The most useful is abdominal radiography (xrays), but ultrasonography and endoscopy can also be very important. Radiography and endoscopy both have to be carried out under general anesthesia, while ultrasonography can be performed conscious. If the imaging does not reveal the underlying cause then biopsies may be taken, either endoscopically guided or via exploratory surgery. Histopathology of these samples (studying the tissue microscopically) can give vital clues as to the cause, particularly by differentiating between inflammation and cancer.

The final diagnostic option is the therapeutic trial. If the dog gets better on the medication prescribed, then it must have been a certain type of disease that responds to that drug. By this rationale, wormers, antibiotics or an exclusion diet trial may be chosen.

Drugs used in the treatment of vomiting

1. Stomach protectants and antacids

These medications are useful when stomach ulceration is suspected. Examples include sucralfate (acts like a band aid over the ulcer), H2 antagonists (reduce acid production) and omeprazole (also reduces acidity).

2. Metoclopromide

This drug blocks a neurotransmitter in the brain called dopamine, which prevents activation of the vomiting centre in the brain (known as the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone). It is only partially effective in doing this though, and has the additional effect of increasing forward motility of the gut. This means it must never be given to dogs that might have a stomach or intestinal obstruction. It can also cause mental changes such as hyperactivity and disorientation.

3. Phenothiazines (e.g. Acepromazine, ACP)

These are effective at blocking the dopamine receptors mentioned above, in addition to other receptors involved in the vomiting reflex. They are usually used when metoclopromide has failed, but also have undesirable side effects such as low blood pressure and sedation.

4. Antihistamines

Histamine receptors are also present in the Chemoreceptor Trigger Zone, the part of the brain that controls the vomiting reflex. Antihistamines are effective in blocking vomiting that is due to motion sickness, but are little use against other causes.

5. Domperidone

Domperidone has a similar action to metoclopromide in that it blocks dopamine receptors and secondarily blocks serotonin receptors, but it does not have the promotility effects of metoclopromide. However, side effects include vulval enlargement and possible effects on fertility.

6. Maropitant

This is a new drug that is a Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist. It can be given orally or by injection, and is extremely effective at stopping vomiting by working both on the vomiting centre in the brain and on the stomach itself. It is deemed so effective at stopping vomiting that veterinarians must be careful to properly investigate potentially dangerous underlying causes, that could be masked fatally by this drug.

Train Travel to Hungary

Train travel on the Royal Hungarian Express - where imperial indulgence meets communist chic.

The Magyar motto jól enni, jól inni, jól élni means eat well, drink well, live well. Hungary's communist heads of state clearly did, as they moved around the country in private trains, on one hand encouraging the workers to exceed their quotas whilst occasionally entertaining Western royalty and presidents. The private company MAV Nostalgia have restored nearly 50 of these vintage train carriages and locomotives for tourist train trips.

My first train journey was on the Royal Hungarian Express. This had been chartered for three days by the UK tour operator, Great Railway Journeys, as one of the highlights of a fortnight's Central European itinerary, which also included city hotel overnights and excursions.

I joined some British holidaymakers at Budapest's Nyugati station, which had been built by Eiffel. They had already visited Prague and Berlin. In keeping with the spirit of the Hungarian motto, we drank champagne in the wonderful over-the-top royal waiting room, designed for Emperor and King Franz Joseph and his wife Queen Elisabeth. Heathrow was never like this!

Steam locomotive 424.247 was waiting for us at the end of the platform, quietly working up a head of steam for the journey to Balaton, the Hungarian costa and Europe's largest freshwater lake. The train is one of only three of its kind left-- the 424 locomotives are probably the best known and certainly the most successful of Hungary's steam trains. Not surprisingly, it always attracts an admiring crowd. It was hard not to give a royal wave as we pulled out of the station blowing a 100-decibel whistle, which scattered the pigeons high over Budapest.

Once on the move we scampered about like children and explored the rest of the train. It was made up of several carriages of various designs and vintage. The restaurant car and the bar came with wooden panelling, and pristine tablecloths and fresh flowers adorned the tabletops. It was fitting that the interior had not been modernised. The masses of velvet and velour, once the height of communist chic, had been retained, though there were a few necessary modern day additions, such as power points and showers.

Individual compartments for two, contained bunk beds, a washbasin and hanging space. They are made up into sitting rooms during the day, however if you want to dress up in your party clothes for dinner you would have to banish your partner to the corridor or bar. Taking a shower involved walking along the corridor with your wash bag and towel. Only the three swanky presidential cabins had en suites.
The hub of the train was the bar, where the singer and pianist, Apollo, belted out soulful Frank Sinatra numbers and tickled the ivories. At 11am on the first day most of the passengers were enjoying the complimentary wine and beer.

Our lunch consisted of peppers stuffed with cheese, goulash and sour cherry strüdel, with a choice of six Hungarian wines. The main components of Magyar cuisine are goose fat, sausages, speck, cream and rich pancakes. Luckily, there was an excursion to Lake Heviz after lunch for a swim in its warm thermal spa. We worked off even more calories that night, dancing in the bar -- A terrific camaraderie developed among the passengers and staff.

The managing director of MAV Nostalgia made it his business to get the women dancing; whilst he chef, Zsuzsanna, worked her charms on the men.

During the first day we were allowed in shifts to ride the footplate with the elite of the country's train drivers. We were duly awarded a certificate for this. It was like being cast into a Dante's inferno - hot smelly blasts from the oil-fired boiler left me with the view that riding the footplate, was definitely for rail aficionados.

The drivers, all with full moustaches, remained jolly throughout the invasion of their space. For many of the passengers (notably the males) the ride was the highlight of the day.

Like all prima donnas, 424.247 had her temperamental moments and we had to stop en route several times for minor engineering repairs.

On our second day we had a new locomotive, the shiny red American designed diesel electric M61 to haul us south to Kecskemét, Szeged and the Great Hungarian Plain, the Puszta. This train, whilst less romantic was considerably more reliable.

Back in Budapest the favourite excursion was to the Children's Railway. On other excursions we rode on the toy town narrow-gauge Szilvasvarad railway through beautiful forests and took a coach trip to the Aggtelek caves, which had the largest stalactite system in Europe.

At Lajosmizse we were met with horse-drawn carriages to drive round the Puszta. Here Europe's first cowboys, the csikos, give us an impressive demonstration of horsemanship.

Afterwards we enjoyed the Hungarian spirit by drinking litres of wine, consuming a vast traditional meal and afterwards joining in the folk dancing.

At the end of the evening we stumbled out of the horse-drawn carriages to gather around a bonfire, which had been lit by the side of the track. Then, lights blazing as if to welcome us back, our home on wheels pulled up inch-perfect alongside.

It brought tears to my eyes.

The price starts at £2,290 per person, which includes first-class travel on daytime trains, including meals and drinks on Eurostar, 11 nights' dinner, B&B hotel accommodation, the three-day trip on the Royal Hungarian Express with meals and drinks and excursions, as well as Vienna to Cologne in two-berth sleepers.

My mcdonalds Milkshake Brings All The Boys and Girls To Da Yahhhd

Hahahaha, pun. xd lol Anyway, this is before service when Pastor Mike challenged one boy and one girl to chug down, without puking it up, a mcdonalds full happy meal (burgers, fries, sodas, etc) blended together in a blender! Haha, it was reeeaaaally gross. But it was worth the risk I suppose xd lol It was fun to watch, I was on the floor by the way, which explains the weird camera angle.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1tkr4x9VWg&hl=en

Fun with the dsi

so this is like pt.2 to the "mcdonalds happy meal" recording on my birthday party the first one is on facebook



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxziFJoAyAM&hl=en

Having fun with mcdonald's toys.

Send messages for song requests, or go buy yourself a happy meal.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl5pHquscVU&hl=en

The Forty Mile an Hour Couch Potato and Other Greyhound Myths

It is a mystery why greyhounds seem to foster so many misconceptions, but new ones seem to crop up with the frequency of urban myths. Some time back a letter to the editor appeared in our local paper with an attack on the character of greyhound dogs and on the training and practice of dog racing brought about by his pet cat being killed by a greyhound that was running at large. This angry rant spawned a second that spouted further inaccuracies on the nature of greyhounds and their training.

I don't think either person wrote their letters with any deliberate malice. Often friends ask me if the dogs are mistreated or killed when they are done racing. Animal rights groups have been spreading misleading information about the greyhound industry and greyhound owners have for the most part chose to ignore them rather than lend them validity by answering them. This in my opinion has been a gross misjudgment. Kind and well meaning individuals give money to animal rights groups by the millions and they use these fat coffers to further many causes including banning greyhound racing. By not countering these accusations as they come along the greyhound people have appeared to be hiding a dirty secret.

HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumble had a story about greyhound racing in 2004 that also emphasized misconceptions and his reporter Bernard Goldberg did his very best in this segment to forward the animal activist's cause. The story talked of the cruelty of keeping greyhounds in small cages all day except when brought out to run. Yet, don't all good dog trainers suggest that we keep our pet dogs crated during the day when we are gone and for feeding and sleeping? Pet dogs spend far longer hours in a crate than do racing greyhounds as they are generally in the crate while the owner is at work. Greyhounds are let out to stretch and potty several times a day and every greyhound person I have ever met is fanatical about turn out times. Many a night out has been cut short to run back to the kennel for nine o'clock turn out. Keep that in mind next time you stop for happy hour after work rather than going right home for Fido's walk. The suggestion that greyhounds are kept imprisoned all the time in small crates is completely false. Greyhound crates are large enough for the biggest dogs to move around and rest comfortably in.

It might surprise most folks to know that one of the big adjustments a greyhound must make when he starts his life as a pet is loneliness that manifests itself sometimes in separation anxiety behaviors. Greyhounds start their life as pups with their mother and siblings being attended to all day long by their human caretakers. Then they are weaned and spend the next year of their lives growing and playing with their siblings in large paddocks attended to all day long by their human caretakers. At a year the pups come out from the paddock to the kennel and spend the whole day being trained, groomed, medicated and touched and handled all day long broken up by naps and recesses with all the other dogs in the kennel several times a day. This carries on when they move on after high school to the racetrack. When the dog leaves the track for a pet home he often finds himself left alone all day while his owner is at work after being accustomed to having humans around him talking, grooming or petting him all the time. Many people mistakenly think it wise to start with only one greyhound as they don't want to bite off too much, so he is also often in a home where he is the only dog after spending his entire existence with a large pack of friends. Dogs are naturally social anyway and that is why they make great pets. While I don't advocate letting the dogs take over your life or taking on more than you can properly support - often two greyhounds are easier to keep and happier than one.

In the Real Sports piece the guy with the darkened face stated that dogs were killed all the time when they didn't make it on the track. He also said that the dogs are just running machines out there to turn a buck and that is how greyhound people viewed them. I have to be careful how I write here as this one angers me. As in any animal business there are dirt bags trying to turn a fast buck that don't care about the welfare of the animals, hence the guy's darkened face. These guys are now by far the minority not the rule and they don't last very long in the business. To put it frankly - there is a huge amount of back breaking, dirty, hard work, long hours and heartbreak in the greyhound business and not a whole lot of money to be made. The day at the kennel starts at six AM and ends with final turnout at ten PM. In his wrap up reporter Bernard Goldberg stated to Bryant that all greyhound owners were breeding hundreds of pups in the hopes of producing one $200,000.00 stakes winner. While this tidbit might have sounded clever to the reporters own ears, to a person who has been around the greyhound business for many years it is laughable. No one would put in years and years of hard work towards a goal like that as it only happens once in a lifetime if you are very, very lucky. The simple fact is - most people who are in the greyhound business are in it because they love greyhounds. They love them as little puppies and they love the old mother or stud dog with the salty muzzle. This is evidenced by the fact that many greyhound farms have several pets running around the property and living in the house as pets.

I have often heard that greyhounds are fed poor quality slop with dangerous raw meat rendered from dead animals that is often starting to rot and that is why their teeth go bad. The "slop" that greyhounds are fed, is a mixture of quality red meat, meal and supplements with exact balance of carbohydrates, protein and vitamins, designed not only to keep them lean, as fatties in the animal world tend to be as slow, and unhealthy as in the human, but also to maintain healthy muscle with plenty of energy for the sprint. Greyhounds are the ultimate canine athletes, and so, need the nutrition to support their systems. The food they are fed costs 2 to 3 times what a pet dog eats. Greyhound racing is highly competitive; in fact I often liken it to breaking into Hollywood as an actor. It would make very little sense to invest thousands in breeding stock, facilities, equipment and time to save a few bucks on feed. The down side is that like canned dog food, the food greyhounds get, tends to stick to their teeth and cause tooth decay. The proof of the quality of the greyhound diet is that they tend to have a much longer lifespan than other dogs of their size.

Greyhounds are not neurotic and it is highly unlikely that an adopted greyhound was ever physically abused. Greyhounds are very sensitive dogs and abusive handling will always ruin them. They also seem to have an amazing memory and mistakes made in handling them although usually forgiven are rarely forgotten. An abusive trainer's dogs would all fail and he or she would be immediately out of business. Abusive kennel help would find themselves booted immediately from the premises, probably with a good thumping from the trainer for good measure. When an adopted dog shows neurotic behavior it is generally due to issues mentioned above. Although they are called the Forty Mile an Hour Couch Potato, like all dogs they need to get out and see the world. It is absolutely imperative that dogs get out for daily walks in the neighborhood. This is their whole world and they love to investigate it. A greyhound's metabolism is like a Cheetah's. They lie around and relax to conserve energy for that explosive sprint. A couple times a week to the dog park for a good off leash run is plenty - be careful to watch for the little fluffy ones and muzzle please just in case one comes in after you have let your Ferrari go. Greyhounds are perfectly capable of learning to recall, one just must be careful to never allow him off leash in open parks where he could run into traffic. This as far as I'm concerned is true for all dogs.

Yes it is true that over the centuries greyhounds have been raised and trained for human greed and pleasure. Name one domesticated animal that hasn't. I for one am very glad that greyhounds are here and the racing industry has made them, possibly by accident the healthiest breed of dog when it comes to genetic disease. Hip displasia in greyhounds is in the opinion of every racing breeder and trainer I have ever asked, (these guys have all known and handled literally thousands of dogs) all but unknown and in the AKC show lines, according to the OFA database is still only at two percent. When tenths of a second separate the fantastic from the failures great bone structure is a must. Since generally only great racers are used for breeding, things like bad hearts, elbows and hips have never been perpetuated in the bloodlines. Deep narrow chests seen in show greyhounds that contribute to the tendency to bloat must not be productive for running as you do not find that conformation in a racer. The bone cancer that seems to plague all large hound breeds it is generally believed comes from previous injury to the bone often undetected during growth.

There are some greyhound owners out there still breeding too many dogs. Taking a chance that an average female bred to a great sire will pop out a winner. These dinosaurs are being weeded out of the business by economic pressures. If only the best females are bred to the best males the results will be fewer and better dogs and that means fewer dogs that need to be petted out. The shotgun method of producing hundreds of puppies to get a few good ones is no longer feasible. Very few healthy adoptable greyhounds are euthanized now and we work toward the day very soon when that number drops to zero. Owners, breeders and trainers will be held accountable for the welfare of these wonderful animals in their care.

Everyone who is given the great gift to know and love a greyhound knows there is nothing out there like them. The day may come when the racetracks close down and the flow of adoption dogs slows to a stop. Then the thousands of people who have come to love the greyhound will have to buy their greyhounds as puppies and the price will be high and the demand huge. The puppy mills of Missouri and Oklahoma will smell the easy money and then the mothers and fathers of greyhound pups will no longer live in comfortable kennels with big roomy paddocks to romp in and caretakers armed daily with pooper scoopers, nail clippers, soft brushes, Milkbones and hugs but will be imprisoned in filthy cramped cages with their own urine burning their unprotected elbows and haunches. Then the pups will end up in cramped pet store cages waiting for someone to come along and buy them with no background check, no mentoring and not as a carefully thought out family member but out of sympathy when looking into those deep soulful eyes. Then the folks at PETA, HSUS, GREY2K and the others can pat themselves on the back and know that they have done their good deed.

Helpful Hints For Helping Your Kids Do Chores

Establishing structure around chores is very important because:

Helps Parents - With our busy lives, having a basic structure helps us with the running of our households, and lowers our overall stress. It also helps us feel like we aren't in this all alone, that we are part of a team rather than a Servant or Slave Driver.
Helps Home Environment - these types of routines help lower the overall stress of the home, creates an environment of safety and security rather than chaos, and makes room for fun and relating time rather than always putting out fires.
Helps Children - These practices help children prepare for life in two major ways:

By developing Life Skills. Kids need to learn how to handle money, do household chores, and negotiate for what they desire, as well as persevere on difficult tasks even when they don't want to.
By developing their Character. A person's character largely determines how they will function in life, both in work and interpersonal relationships. Most of the problems people have in life result from character weaknesses. A major part of successful parenting is the process of helping children develop their character in hopes that their future will go well.




Always keep in mind the big picture:

Remember:

Kids don't know how to do anything at first and this is normal. They need to have the freedom to fail, and learn from their failures.
Children need instruction without shame
Instruction says," You did a great job sweeping the floor. The job will completely do when the broom is put away." Shame says, "What's wrong with you? Don't you even care enough to finish the job? Put that broom away, NOW!" Instruction comments on the action, shame assassinates a person's character.
Our job is to help them develop these life skills by being their Coach not their Drill Sergeant. Being a coach involves teaching them skills (or seeing to it that they learn from someone else if we are not able); encouraging them for their progress; and providing logical consequences to teach them when they do not follow through.
The "tips" offered in this article are not meant to be ways to control your children to do what you want but rather provide you ways to gently teach your children in order to build their character and life skills.
If your overall relationship with your child is not emotionally close and safe, you will have many, many more problems in all these areas. When children's emotional needs are not being met, they will try to let us know that they are in distress through their misbehavior. Whenever your child refuses to do his/her chores, keep in mind he/she might be resisting because of a valid emotional struggle.
Combining instruction with love and grace can build the relationship with your child, build your child's self-confidence, and develop his/her character. Teaching these skills is not something we as parents just have to do...it is what healthy parenting is all about!




Tips for Chores

Remember:

This is a long learning process. We need to see it this way rather than as success / failure.
Kids model what we do, not what we say. Do they see us keeping up with our chores? Do they see us have a happy attitude about it? Do they see us express satisfaction at how good it feels to get them done? Do they see us do a good job? Do they see us do what we need to do first (with a GOOD attitude) before the fun stuff?
It is NORMAL for kids to not want to do chores. They need to be able to not like them, and still do them. This is a major reality of adulthood that many adults have not even mastered yet. Give them the freedom to struggle with not wanting to, but still doing them. "I know you don't want to do your chores before you go to Emily's. I know just how that feels. That is still what will need to happen, and I will be happy to drive you over when they are completed."






Guidelines that up the chances of success:

Do not pass judgment or criticize the performance of your child as he/she is trying to learn to do a chore. Comment on the positives, "Wow, you folded all those clothes!" rather than pointing out the parts that aren't quite right, "You put the clothes in the wrong piles." Being critical while they are still learning can be very discouraging and will kill their spirit of wanting to help and learn.
Preschoolers begin "chores" by imitating us - doing what we are doing. They rarely decrease our workload, and this is normal. We want to focus on encouraging their desire to help, and complimenting them for their efforts. With time, they will master the skills.
Five to Six year-olds can be given simple tasks such as cleaning up messes they make, help clean their rooms, making their beds (not strict standards), set the table, etc.
Seven to Eleven year-olds can unload the dishwasher, empty the trash, fold laundry, sweep, dust, scrub the sinks, make their lunches, etc.
Teenagers can add mowing the lawn, vacuuming, cleaning the whole bathroom, mopping, washing windows, weeding, doing their laundry, etc




Getting Started

If you would like to begin this with your kids, or renegotiate it here are some ideas:

Frame it as each of us "doing our fair share" as opposed to "helping" mom and dad. They need to see these chores as a normal part of contributing to the household.
Make a list of all the chores that need to be done to run the household. Include everything like working to earn money, paying the bills, driving family members to school and errands, going grocery shopping, etc. Write down everything you do for a week. Post on refrigerator, and ask others to add to the list of things they would like you to do for them. A few days later, have a family meeting to decide how to divide up the chores. Give your kids choices.
You'll need to decide what works for you as far as daily chores versus weekly chores. Make it clear by when these chores need to be done. Examples of this might be "by Saturday at 4:00pm", "before I drive you to your friends house", or "before your next meal", etc. Give a reasonable time period.
Put a list on the refrigerator with each person's chores listed, and when these need to be completed
We invite resistance when we don't give choices about chores, or when we demand they do then RIGHT NOW!
If they do not do their chores, you can ask them if they would like to do them or pay out of their allowance to have another family member do them for them. If they have no money, you can either deduct the amount from next week's allowance, or repossess a toy to pay to have the chore done by someone else.
The attitude in which we dole out the consequences is very important. Consequences need to be applied without anger. Remember, we are not punishing them, we are lovingly instructing them about consequences and responsibility. If we share consequences with anger, their focus comes off of themselves and their actions, and refocuses on us and how unfair we are. "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." ~2 Thes 3:10









Realize that resistance and/or non-compliance on the part of your child or teen may be the result of struggles on the inside.

If your child is going through a hard time, or a time of transition in some way, he/she will express this pain in a variety of ways - some of which could be:

Difficulty concentrating
Resistance to do anything else that is draining (school, homework, chores, etc) since he/she is already tapped out.
Anger, sadness, acting out which will make doing homework and chores hard. A child's inner world (feelings, worries, etc) needs to be paid close attention to, otherwise your child will be suffering silently, while acting out his/her pain through his/her actions.



Before focusing exclusively on your child's problematic behaviors (including not doing chores), try asking yourself some questions:

What stresses, losses, and/or changes is my child going through in his/her life? How serious (scale of 1 to 10) do I think it is, and how serious would my child say it is?
Is there any chance that my child is trying to get attention from me (even negative attention) by resistance to doing homework, chores, following house rules?
Am I gently consistent with my discipline, so that my child knows clear school and home expectations as well as consequences for non-compliance?
How much one-on-one nurturing time does my child get? How much being listened to without interruption does he/she get?
Would I be willing to work at consistency in discipline, encouragement, and affection? What would I be willing to commit to? It is crucial that a child's emotional needs be met before he/she will be in the best shape to tackle school and household duties. If lacking, start here.









Encouragement for Today

It's not too late to learn.
Set small goals.
Helping your kids develop life skills and a strong character is a huge gift to them
The way you interact with your children in these areas can build and deepen your relationship with them.
Ask God for help. You don't have to do this alone.
Ask friends for help. Check in with one another to see how you are both doing. Share your successes and your frustrations.

A Very Un-Happy Meal

A Happy-Meal unexpectedly turns up at the door step and the unwanted toy inside wants revenge!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyDwh1GRpxY&hl=en

Tips on How to Lose Weight Fast - Lose Belly Flab With Secret Exercises and Diet Tricks

Here are some "CHEATING" tips on how to lose weight fast. Lose belly flab fast and efficiently with a few secret exercises and diet tricks.

Basically, I'm going to show you how to cheat weight loss so you can lose weight without going on some SEVERE diet and without having to go to the gym for an hour a day.

Tips on How to Lose Weight Fast

1. A big breakfast is a MUST

Your biggest meal of the day should be your breakfast. In fact, it should be the ONLY big meal you eat. Listen, you may not even feel hungry when you wake up.

Well, that's because you trained your body over the years to not feel hungry when you wake up. If you were to start eating a big breakfast in the morning, in 3-7 days you'll start waking up hungry.

Trust me, do it and see for yourself. Don't use the "I'm not hungry" excuse.

You need a big breakfast so you don't play "CALORIE CATCH-UP" for the remainder of the day. When you don't get enough calories early, you OVER-compensate later. NOT GOOD!

2. Do a cardio version of squats... the Hindu Squat

This is a 3-5 minute CALORIE-BURNER exercise. It works incredibly fast at melting off pounds of fat from your mid-section.

What you do is squat obviously... but you do it as fast as you can while maintaining good form. I forgot to mention, this is a bodyweight squat... no weights involved.

So do as many squats as you can in 3 minutes. Your goal... 50.

After you can do that, move up to doing 100 in 5 minutes... this is where you really start to see the fat from your body disappear fast. Be sure to do this exercise every day... come on, it's only 3 or 5 minutes of your time.

3. Eat 3 or more apples a day

You can save the yawning... yes it's quite a BORING tip. But I want you to get the best weight loss results possible. For that, eat 3 apples a day and you'll lose an extra 2 pounds a month.

The great thing is, you'll be able to lose those 2 pounds like clockwork for 3-4 months until it stops working.

4. Hula Hoop

This kids toy is fast becoming really popular with women across the world because of the efficient way it targets your stomach and hips... slimming and toning them fast. If you can spare 10 minutes a day to do this, that'd be great. Even if you do it 1-2 minutes at a time.

If you try these tips on how to lose weight fast, I can almost assure you that you'll lose belly flab within 10-12 days.

7 Questions to Ask When Choosing Dog Food for Your Pooch

When it comes to choosing dog food for your dog, it can be a difficult decision. There are so many different dog food brands, flavors, sizes, and shapes of dog food out there that making a choice can be tough. If you are picking out food for your dog, you want to make sure that you get them the best possible food. They should get food that will help keep them healthy, fit, and happy. So, when you are choosing the food for your dog, you'll have to consider dietary needs, the brands available, your own preferences, and perhaps the cost of the food. However, before you make a final decision, the following are several questions to ask.

Question #1 - What Size is Your Dog? - First of all, you are going to need to ask yourself about the size of your dog. Do you have a very large dog, a medium dog, or perhaps a small or toy dog? The size of your dog is definitely going to influence the type of food that you buy. When you go looking for food, look for dog food that is specific to the size of your dog. Small dogs won't be able to get their mouths around the food made for large dogs, and large dogs are going to need something more substantial than food designed for smaller dogs.

Question #2 - Does Your Dog Have Allergies? - You should also ask yourself whether your dog has any allergies when you are choosing dog food as well. If there are certain ingredients that your dog is allergic to, you will have to be cautious when making your choice. Make sure that there are no ingredients contained in the dog food that may cause an allergic reaction with your pooch.

Question #3 - What's Your Dogs Age? - The age of your dog is another important consideration when you are picking out food for your dog. Is your dog an older dog, a young adult dog, or a small puppy? There are different foods available depending on the age of your dog. You can find puppy food for young puppies, adult dog food for adult dogs, and there is senior dog food available for the dogs that are getting older. A dogs needs are different as they age, so you'll need to get the right dog foods for their age.

Question #4 - Are there Any Health Concerns to Consider? - Any health concerns that your dog may have can influence the type of dog food you purchase for your dog as well. Does your dog need some dog supplements in the food to help with health problems like eye problems, hip dysplasia, or even other joint problems? Also, some ingredients may not be easily digested by dogs that have health issues, so keep this in mind as well.

Question #5 - How Active is the Dog - You should also ask yourself about the activity level of your dog too. Is your dog very active or is your dog more on the sedentary side? There are dog foods available that are specifically for dogs that are very active. However, you won't want to give this kind of dog food to a dog that is not as active.

Question #6 - Is There Real Meat in the Food? - Another question to ask is whether or not there is any real meat in the food that you choose. The meat should be in the first couple ingredients, and good meat includes fish, lamb, chicken, and duck. If there is no meat, there should at least be "meal" listed in the first couple ingredients.

Question #7 - Is the Food Made by a Quality Company? - The quality of the company that makes the food is definitely important as well. You want to be sure that the food comes from a company that you can trust and that will provide your dog with the nutritious food that is needed. Take the time to check into the company and their history before you choose food from that company.

So, before you choose any kind of food for your dog, be sure to ask all of these questions. If you are sure to ask each of these questions before you choose the dog food, you'll be sure to get the type of food that your dog enjoys. Also, you'll get food that is quality and healthy for your dog as well.

Mechelen Tourist Information

General summary of city:

Mechelen is very nearby Brussels, another popular city in Belgium. Mechelen possesses a rich history that can be understood and enjoyed by its existing architecture--Mechelen is a city full of historical cathedrals, towers, parks and site seeing opportunities. Lakenhalle and St. Rombouts Cathedral are noted World Heritage Sites and the museums in Mechelen are sure to please the cultural enthusiast.

Mechelen has been the former home of many famous inhabitants. Famous individuals once heralding from this remarkable city include Michiel van Coxcie and Bernard van Orley, well-known Renaissance painters; Margarete of Austria the daughter of Maximillian I; and Rembert Dodoens, a famous Rennaissance physician. Additionally, the famous composer, Philippe de Monte is also a native of Mechelen.

Mechelen is accessible by car, coach, train, plane or boat. It is a city that provides fine vacationing opportunities year round, travellers can feel comfortable visiting the city any time of year. Peak tourist times are summer and autumn, so for travellers desiring fewer crowds while site seeing, the winter months are more suitable to visit Mechelen. When visiting Mechelen it is important to be prepared for all sorts of weather conditions, rain or shine, as the weather can change within an instant.

Places of interest:

The Grote Market Square in Mechelen is situated right in the heart of the city, and much of its surrounding architecture are remnants from the medieval era. The St. Rumbold's Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Tower are all from the fifteenth century, while the monument of Margaret of Austria is dated to the sixteenth century. A number of cafes are easily accessible in the Grote Market Square, and on Saturdays, travelers can enjoy a day of shopping in the outdoor market.

The St Rumbold's Tower and Cathedral in Mechelen is also a popular tourist spot. The Tower is an astounding 97 metres tall and site seers have the opportunity to walk up the tower's 500+ steps to the top of the building. Once at the top of the St Rumbold's Tower, site seers will be spellbound by the breath-taking view of Mechelen city.

When travelers finally tire of exploring Mechelen, they can stop over at De Nekker Park for a relaxing getaway from the overwhelming site seeing opportunities all through Mechelen. Travellers can relax at lakeside and watch others engage in myriad watersport offerings. Or, if they prefer, tourists can partake in some of the watersport offerings themselves--scuba diving, wind surfing, and sailing can be enjoyed at De Nekker Park.

Things to do:

A popular attraction in Mechelen is the Plankendael Park and Zoo at 582 Leuvensesteenweg. The Plankendael Park the Zoo is both a zoo and petting farm, offering children the opportunity to enjoy seeing and touching some of the animals on exhibit. Further, when the children tire of viewing the animals, a playground is available for them to access and to work off some of that extra energy they keep bottled up inside! At the Plankendael Park, parents can also take their children on an adventure trail, and the cost of admission is more than reasonable: admission for adults is 11 Euro; for children ages 3 to 11, 7.3 Euro; and children ages 3 and under get free entry into the park. The Plankendael Zoo is open every day, from 9 am to 5:00 pm.

Travellers looking to entertain their children will find excellent entertainment at the Toy Museum in Mechelen. Everything from antique toy trains, cars, teddy bears, and other toys dating from the sixteenth century can be viewed at the Toy Museum. In contrast, if travelers are looking for a more sophisticated exploration of culture, they may find the Tapestry Museum the perfect site to visit. Tapestry weavings are on display at the museum, and the city of Mechelen has been and remains famous for its tapestries, ever since the medieval era.

Food & Drink:

The Gasthof Kwaadmechelen at Sluisstraat, 2 offers fine Belgian cuisine, and is open every day except Saturdays and Sundays. Public parking is available to travellers choosing to dine at the Gasthof Kwaadmechelen and the restaurant accepts both MasterCard and Visa. Alternatively, the Theatrium Mechelen at Onder den Toren, 9 provides both French and Belgian dining opportunities, is handicapped accessible; offers meal pricing at an a la carte rate; and also accepts a variety of credit cards for payment.

T
he Atlas, at 4 Nauwstraat offers universal cuisine to its guests, allowing them to find something to satiate their appetites. Wines and beers are available at most cafes, bistros and restaurants throughout Belgium and Belgium is especially famous for its variety of beer. Travellers can enjoy mussels, chips, Belgian waffles for breakfast and for dessert they can partake and indulge in the finest Belgian chocolate treats imaginable.

Travellers may also choose to visit the Hanekeef, Mechelen's oldest existing pub. Or, after a day enjoying the medieval harbour, tourists can stop in at any one of the numerous cafes strewn all around the Grote Market.

Hotels & Accommodation:

Hotel Egmont
Best Western Gulden Anker
Carolus

Entertainment:

Mechelen houses many things to see and do. Places like the Technopolis offer entertainment that the entire family can enjoy. The Technopolis is a science centre with interactive displays and exhibits pertaining to aircrafts, rockets, and more. Dining is never far from any attraction, and after a long day of site seeing, travellers can partake in all the Belgium has to offer in the way of food. Soupe a la biere, payiesvlees, flamiche, tomate aux crevettes, waterzooi, anguille au vert, carbonnades flamandes, boudin rouge, boudin blanc, potato puree, apple compote or lapin a la flamande are some of the local favourites. Speculoos are a favourite breakfast in Belgium and an excellent way to start the day before shopping in the market square.

Opportunities to shop are in abundance in the historic city of Mechelen. Fine Belgium chocolates, Belgian cuisine, cafes and bistros are easily accessible from the city square. Travellers can walk from booth to booth, purchasing food, housewares, clothing and souvenirs when they shop all day at the outdoor market. In the end, the city of Mechelen offers tourists everything they need to make their vacation complete--fine dining, excellent attractions, gorgeous and friendly accommodations--there truly is nothing more that a traveller can ask for!

Life Lessons From Our Pets

I have always believed that animals come into our lives to teach us. First and foremost, they teach us about unconditional love. But they also teach us to stretch and grow, to reach beyond our self-imposed limits, and to expand our consciousness. They take us to places we did not think were possible for us to go. I've been fortunate to have a number of these animals in my life.

There was my soul mate kitty, Feebee, who was instrumental in guiding me from an unsatisfactory corporate job to a fulfilling career in the veterinary profession. For the first time in my life, I discovered what loving what you do for a living feels like.

There was my office cat Virginia, who made my dream of a fulfilling career complete. Whenever I had visualized my perfect job, that dream had always included a cat sleeping in a sunny spot on my desk. One of Virginia's favorite sleeping places was the spot right next to my computer on my desk at the animal hospital, in front of a sunny window.

There was Buckley, who changed my life in ways I never could have imagined by helping me discover my true passion. Her lessons were profound enough to inspire an entire book.

And there is Amber, who I share my life with now. Her gentle, wise presence brings love and affection into my life every day, and she inspired The Conscious Cat, a website dedicated to sharing information about health, happiness and conscious living for pets and their people.

I've found that there are three main lessons that all animals teach us, if only we are willing to listen.

1. The teach us to live in the moment. Our pets don't spend time analyzing the past, and they don't worry about the future. They are fully focused on whatever it is they are doing in the present moment, whether it's enjoying a meal, playing with a favorite toy, or napping in the sunny spot on the rug.

2. They help us to slow down. We get so caught up in the business of our daily lives, and we rarely take enough time to relax. Spending time with our pets is the best stress relief I know of. Research has shown that simply petting a dog or cat can lower your blood pressure.

3. They help us connect with our spiritual core. As humans, we have an innate need to get in touch with something greater than ourselves. For some people, this connection comes through religion, for others, it comes from being in nature. For me, it has always come from being around animals.

Listen to the animals in your life - you might be surprised at the lessons they have to teach you.

Hip Hop Abs Reviewed - Is The Hip Hop Abs Program For You?

Lets quickly take a look at what Hip Hop Abs is:

The Hip Hop Abs Program is an abdominal toning system, which features an instructor by the name of "Shaun T." Hip Hop Abs is focused around dance moves which target your mid section. Apparently the secret to Hip Hop Abs is the revolutionary "absolute engagement(TM)" technique. This allows you to tilt, tuck, and tighten your way to a six-pack abs without having to do a single sit-up or crunch. This is great, but doing dance moves to target your mid section won't help you in the long run if your goal is too see your abs and lose some weight along the way. The focuses for any program relies on nutrition and the right times you do cardio.

I have been reviewing many products for my clients. I must say the product can work but requires some good effort. If you haven't worked out before no matter what program you try, it will help some what. The fact is that all the exercise in the world isn't going to get you into the best shape of your life, nor will it get you a six pack. That's where many people go wrong; you need to incorporate good eating habits with any program. The fact is that the program does come with some nutritional help but I feel it isn't enough to really give you an understanding how important it really is. I have had another client ask me about another program called the truth about six pack abs. I had a chance to look at it and I have been very pleased with it.

The program covers many exercise that target the mid section, and it illustrates them with easy to follow pictures. Most of the workouts can be performed at home just like Hip Hop Abs but the advantage "the truth about six pack abs" program has is the element of nutrition and cardio timing. Being a nutritional expert and personal trainer I found the nutritional aspect very informative. You won't find low carb diets you read in most nutritional books. The meal plans are very balanced and they are much geared towards your health. So not only will you look great you will feel great too.

This is something people never recognize. They think health is how good you look on the outside but it's actually how healthy you look on the inside. I always stress the fact that nutrition is 90% of any fitness and weight loss program. And the fitness program is usually 10% of your efforts. So now that we established this, how well do you think you can do on your weight loss journey if you have all the right nutritional info? A heck of a lot better than you probably did in the past. Why do you think we fail when we try to get into shape? Well for most people it's a lack of knowledge in the area of fitness and health and that's why people come see me.

Cardio is important too and Hip hop abs does count as some form of cardio, but the right type of cardio and when you do it is what's going to burn the fat off. Many people do cardio and in most cases they have been doing it all wrong. Haven't you noticed the same people doing cardio at the gym have been the same weight for who knows how many years? Obviously it's not working for them! Well In: the truth about six pack abs" program it teaches you what type of cardio to implement and of course what forms of cardio work. It illustrates what cardio you need to do and the most important part is when, which is the most important part of your weight loss success.

Doing 100's of crunches or tummy tucks, tilts, is not going to help you lose weight. Yeah you might see your abs, but faintly. You won't see your abs if it's surrounded by fat, which is what you need to lose before you can actually see them. If you want to see your abs you really need to know when to implement your cardio and you need to know how and what to eat. That is the sole reason why so many other plans fail and why people end up so frustrated with themselves and their attempts. I'll be the first to congratulate you for your efforts but some programs simply don't work. Not only that they don't give the right instructions for weight loss. What we need is the right knowledge on weight loss, not more misleading fitness programs.

So who will benefit from the truth about six pack abs? Well it's been designed for anyone who wants to lose weight and flatten their tummy. The program is created to accommodate both male and female, which means there are two different programs available. Many of my clients are following the program and have had great results with it. Hey I'm not saying Hip Hop Abs isn't going to work, but it definitely wont if you don't know what to eat, or when you should be doing your cardio.

Here's my Review;

The truth about abs program and its bonuses is well worth the price of $39.95, and is much cheaper than Hip Hop Abs which retails for 4 payments of 19.95 plus shipping 12.95. So you are looking at over $90, plus you need to wait until the program arrives in the mail, about 2 weeks or so. And let's face it how long can our motivation last for until the program decides to show up at the door.

The truth about six pack abs can be downloaded immediately from the vendor's website. What this means to you is that you can apply the program almost immediately. If you upgraded to the deluxe version you get the popular Eating Right Made Simple e-book for half price. This nutrition guide is the ideal companion to "the truth about six pack abs" program, and is the real secret to the program.

"The truth about six pack abs" is not like most books. It is 117 pages of rock solid material that if followed will definitely provide a means to your Six-Pack dreams and weight loss dreams.You need to make the commitment to read the material, and of course take action. And there's no need to perform workouts daily, 2-3 times a week for 30-45 minutes will show very good results. Just decide you want to change and do what is required by the program and you will surely see results.

The program comes with an 8 week money-back-guarantee. If you are not happy you can get a refund without any questions asked. So it's risk-free to give it a try. I have not yet met anyone who has returned the program. If you are serious about getting in the best shape of your life, like all of my clients have I recommend this program. This program will save you time, money and best of all frustration. I personally guarantee this program works; it's worked for many of my clients and they are very excited about their new transformation. You will be too when you follow the truth about six pack abs program.

1994 Happy Meal Stacie Commercial

This is a commercial fot Happy Meal Stacie doll Stacie is a little sister of Barbie The dolls are: Stacie, Todd, Janet & Whitney from 1994 Thanks to Retrojunk.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HbG2DteF-M&hl=en

mcdonalds Spot 2010

Mc Donalds Kinowerbung Kinonews 2009



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m88G3P0xDaA&hl=en

HAPPY MEAL LEGO Racers intro!

Here's a look at mcdonald's brand new Happy Meal promotion! Featuring LEGO Racers for the Boys and American Girl Activity Books for the Girls! www.happymeal.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbrGutHZ2qE&hl=en

Inappropriate McDonalds toys? Everybody Loves d ** k?

Kids meal...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1kfwyw9D_I&hl=en

Crate Training - Good For You and Your Dog

What is better than a room with a great view? Being a den animal, that is how your dog views his crate. A safe place to hang out and view surroundings. It's comfortable and secure. It's also great to keep your valuables intact until you get home from the mall.

While not a solution to all problems. Extensive crating can lead of feelings of frustration and loneliness. Your dog is trapped with no alternative. Primarily a crate may be used for house training your pooch. They do not like to eliminate in their dens. It also limits access to the rest of your home. Transporting your dog in a crate while driving is safer for both you and them.

There are different types of crates available. The traveling type are usually plastic and similar to what you would see in an airport. Fabric crates are collapsible and easy to transport. These are frequently seen at dog shows and on camping trips. Metal crates/pens are also available in collapsible forms. Be sure you get the right size for your dog. They should be able to sit, stand, lie down and turn in the crate. Some feel it is important to remove their collar before placing in the crate to prevent them from getting hung up on the metal cage. This is especially important during initial training.

Crate training can take a few weeks or a few days depending on the dog. If you consistently associate the crate with a pleasant activity it will be a lot easier to complete the training.

First introductions are important. Associate the crate with something good such as placement. If it is placed in a room frequented by your family, it is a lot less like isolation. Place a soft towel, blanket or commercial dog bed in the crate for comfort. Leave the door open so your dog has easy access. Some will allow their curiosity to rule and get right in. Others may be very hesitant.

If your dog is among the latter, make it a special occasion. Be happy, talk nicely, leave the door open and have a handful of treats. Gradually drop a few treats outside the crate. Slowly drop some on the inside and over a period of time drop them further into the crate. Don't force him to enter. That just creates anxiety. This process should continue until your dog walks all the way in calmly. A favorite toy may also work.

Give your dog a meal inside the crate. Again this should be done by increments. Once your dog is comfortable eating in the back corner with the door closed, it will be safe to leave him for a short period of time. Whining is not a sign for you to open the door and let him out. He is seeking attention in a negative way and you should wait for the whining to stop before opening the door. All are association techniques.

Fat Happy Meal Toys at mcdonalds

Kids are getting fat, and now mcdonalds is giving out toys you can't even play with! Kidz Bop! FAIL! Shows will be on Mondays and Thursdays now! Walrus Videos! www.youtube.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywqiyKVRVaA&hl=en

Understanding Black Labrador Puppies

When I write of a "well-rounded" black Labrador puppy, you may immediately picture a round, roly-poly black puppy. That is not what we normally mean by the term, of course.

Understanding black Labrador puppies begins by grasping the fact that a well-rounded black Labrador puppy is one that has learned to get along with other dogs and with family members (including other pets). It is a puppy that has bonded with his "pack" and fits in well. It has been socialized - but how do you socialize a black Labrador puppy?

Socializing the Black Labrador Puppy

All dogs are social creatures, but few are as social as a black Labrador puppy. A black Labrador puppy loves attention, and wants to get it from everyone and everything. A black Labrador puppy does not want to share, however, and must learn that every member of the "pack" shares. He must learn how to respond to both human and animal members of his new pack.

Understanding black Labrador puppies involves 7 simple steps that help puppies become well-rounded.

1. Puppy Pats

Your black Labrador puppy needs to be patted, touched, and caressed. Most people do this instinctively from the time they get the puppy. Children, especially, touch the puppy in every possible place they can. The more children there are, the more puppy pats your black Labrador puppy will receive. Even if yours is a gun dog, and children are not playing with it, it still needs puppy pats. Let it feel your hand on its ears, its nose, and its paw pads. Get your black Labrador puppy accustomed to being touched and patted. It will help him fit into his new life. While you're at it, teach children how to treat the puppy.

2. Puppy Playtime

It is important that you and your black Labrador puppy have several playtimes each day. If possible, give him at least one in the morning and one in the evening, as this will establish a pattern for future exercise times. Teach your black Labrador puppy that you are his friend. Play fetch. Take a toy away, teaching the importance of sharing. Do not let him take it back in an aggressive manner. Hide a toy and let him hunt it.

3. Puppy Rolling Game

Every black Labrador puppy needs to be involved in frequent bouts of the puppy rolling game. This game shows the puppy that his position in your pack is one of submission. When playing with your black Labrador puppy, roll him on his side now and then. Hold him there as you silently count to 10. When you reach 10, remove your hand and let the puppy get up. If he struggles while you're holding him, do not let go. You must not let your black Labrador puppy overpower you, or he will believe he is the pack's dominant member.

4. Share-a-Puppy

A big part of understanding black Labrador puppies is recognizing that they need a wide circle of acquaintances. When you get your pup, note his age in a notebook. Subtract it from 24 weeks. If your puppy is 8 weeks old, you would subtract 24 - 8 = 16. In those weeks (whatever number you wrote), you need to share your puppy with at least 100 new people. If you wrote 16 weeks, set a goal of having your puppy meet 6-7 new people each week. Keep track so you know it is happening. Simply have strangers hold your black Labrador puppy, and touch it. Hand it back and forth carefully so it does not fall.

5. Share-a-Meal

A black Labrador puppy can quickly learn to be protective of his food dish. If left to natural instincts, he may become hostile when others come near his bowl. To avoid this, share a meal by sitting or standing close to the bowl when the pup is eating. Have other family members do the same. Teach your black Labrador puppy that his food is safe even when someone is very near.

6. Puppy Home School

From the time you get your black Labrador puppy, teach him every day. He is old enough to learn basic commands such as come; down; drop it; leave it; and sit. Avoid yelling at the puppy or punishing it. There are good Labrador training courses available on the Internet. Order one and use it faithfully.

7. Puppy Support Group

Please understand that a black Labrador puppy needs the constant support of everyone in his home. Life is full of exciting things, as well as frightening things. When a garbage truck comes banging down the street, he will tuck his little tail between his legs and run for cover. What do you do. You - and everyone else present - act as though nothing happened. Your black Labrador puppy will notice that he is the only one running. He will soon decide that, if no one else is afraid, the sound of garbage trucks is not important.

Understanding black Labrador puppies is an ongoing process, but these 7 steps will give you a good start.

I mod a mcdonalds Mini Nerf Table-top Cannon --power boost--.

I buy a Happy Meal Nerf toy; but it doesn't shoot far at all :-( I set out to change that :-) Note: after removing the screws, splitting the unit in half is pretty difficult. Wear gloves and saw the bottom, then stick in something to pry it apart.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q8Z1JYHZKM&hl=en

mcdonalds's Japan Happy Set Bee cine toy Japanese TVCM

mcdonald's Japan version of the happy meal called the Happy set with toys from the bee movie



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2vDgnhb2HA&hl=en

Have Your Dream Prom On A Budget

Between the gown, the hair style, the shoes, dinner and the limo rental, prom costs can really add up! If you can't drop hundreds of dollars on one night, don't despair! There are plenty of ways to enjoy prom night without breaking the bank.

The Dress

You don't need to spend $500 on a custom gown to look fabulous. Here are a few tips for dressing up on a budget:

*Shop consignment stores in your area. These shops carry used clothing that's still in great condition, but priced substantially below retail value. Locate stores in your area and call ahead to see if they carry teen gowns, since some shops specialize in women's business attire or children's clothing. To find a really great deal, visit consignment stores in wealthier communities - they always have the best selection.

*Borrow a dress from a friend. Buying a new dress for every formal dance isn't just expensive - it can be wasteful! After all, what good does it do you to have five fancy gowns sitting in your closet, collecting dust? Raid your friend's closets to see if you can swap - no one's going to remember what everyone else wore three years ago. Or, if you want to set yourself apart, see if your friend will let you add sequins, beads, rhinestones, ribbon or new fabric trim to update the dress.

The Dinner

You don't need to have filet mignon to have a great prom night. Check out these tips for having a great, inexpensive prom dinner:

*Try lunch instead. If you're heart is set on the nicest restaurant in town, do a prom day luncheon instead. The food will be just as good - but for lower prices. Plus, you can use all your extra time between lunch and the dance to do something fun - like going to the movies or doing manicures and pedicures at home with your friends.

*Split an entree with a friend. Nice restaurants will often serve steaks as large as 18-20 ounces - definitely enough for two people to share. Splitting the meal won't just save you money, though. You won't be weighed down with all that food, so you'll be able to shake it all night long.

The Shoes

A fancy pair of heels can set you back well over $100, on top of all the money you've already spent on your dress and prom night activities. But is it really worth it?

*If you're wearing a long gown, consider going with decorated ballet flats instead of heels. After all, no one's going to see your feet! You'll save money and you'll be more comfortable as you dance the night away.

*If you've chosen a short dress and need nice shoes that people will see, check out discount shoe stores and keep your eye out for sales. Or wear an old pair of shoes from your closet or a friend's. Be realistic - are you going to wear the shoes the whole night or will you take them off to dance? If you plan to lose the shoes as soon as you walk in, don't blow your budget on that pair of Louboutin heels.

Prom night is supposed to be a magical night - but you won't enjoy it if you're stressed about how much money you've spent! Planning a prom on a budget doesn't have to mean scaling back your dreams or settling for less. You can have the night of your dreams - and still leave some money in your wallet - by taking the time to find low cost alternatives like these.