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Advice On How To Deal With Severe Back Pain

If you want natural healing of your back pain then Traditional Chinese Medicine Northern Beaches is the only answer. What more is there that you desire other than fantastic tips for taking care of your back pain? There is not much else, if you are currently suffering. Back pain can stop you from living your life and this article will provide tips on how you can deal with the pain you are having now and prevent it from reoccurring in the future.

Maintain proper posture in order to prevent back pain. It is important to stand, sit and walk properly so that your muscles and ligaments do not pull your vertebrae out of alignment and cause pain. Your head, neck and spine should be aligned properly at all times to help prevent any pain.

To get temporary relief from back pain, consider both ice and heat for at-home treatment. Ice is most effective in reducing pain from a recent injury as it helps to reduce inflammation. Meanwhile, heat is more effective at penetrating deeply to soothe more serious injuries related to chronic back pain.

If you want to avoid back pain, don’t ever lift a box unless you know roughly how much it weighs. You could be in for a very heavy and painful surprise. Don’t rely only on the picture on the box, or what is written on the box to determine what is inside.

Lifting objects that are far from you is usually a result of laziness and/or impatience. Many individuals try to find the easiest and quickest way possible to do things. Arrange things so that they are easier to access and focus on doing things right so that you are satisfied with the results.

Being overweight is especially hindering to your back as the extra pounds cause strain on your lower back. A good diet needs to be implemented and a healthy weight in order to protect your back from physical harm due to obesity or extra weight. Live healthy, and keep your back healthy.

You should be diligent about lifting things correctly, even when you are lifting or nursing your children. Many parents injure their backs when rough housing with their children. Likewise, many new mothers strain their backs while nursing. Pain from these injuries is easily avoided by lifting your children from your knees and by holding them closer to your body.

Use good posture, even if your back hurts. Slouching down or leaning to the side may seem to relieve the pain in the short term, but it can make things worse over time. Using good posture when you are symptom-free can obviously also prevent back pain from occurring in the first place.

Clean out your purse, backpack or briefcase on a regular basis. Depending on the size and how often you use the item, you may need to clean it out weekly. It is easy to accumulate unnecessary items over time. The less weight you carry, the more healthy your back will be.

Going to a chiropractor can be a generally scary experience if you are not familiar. However, it is also a very eye opening and relieving experience as well. However, you should not go to just any chiropractor. Go to a well-respected one, and make sure that who touches your back is highly qualified and not messing it up further.

Remove the source of your back pain. This is one of the most critical things you must do if you are suffering from back pain. Although it seems simple on the surface it may involve more than you realize. The first thing you need to do is take a look at what you are doing when you get back pain.

Be sure that you do not wear a heavy backpack and watch how you have it positioned on your back. Having too much in your backpack can cause strain in your back, which can cause pain. Also, if you have it too high or too low, you risk straining your back.

Back Pain Relief

Start exercising. By exercising, you strengthen muscles in your upper and lower back, which allow them to handle the stress you put on those muscles. Learning to stretch those muscles will alleviate pain as well. Find an exercise program that matches your abilities, and you should notice back pain relief.

If dry heat is not producing the desired back pain relief, try applying moist heat to your back. Some people find that the moisture can help the heat penetrate into the aching muscles more, thus providing more effective pain relief. A steamed towel or moist heat pack can serve that purpose.

Try swimming and water exercise. Water can be a great place to exercise, because it relieves pressure on muscle groups including the back. Low-impact water aerobics as well as regular swimming can give you back pain relief while allowing you to strengthen your back muscles at the same time.

Join a support group or online forum for those who suffer with back pain. This will provide support for your own pain, but more than that you can get ideas for back pain relief from those in the group. You can also distract yourself from your pain by providing advice to others.

Back Pain Remedies

One of the best back pain remedies you can find is a simple hot shower. By standing in the shower and allowing hot water to flow over your back, your muscles will begin to relax. Even for something like a slipped disc, a hot shower will work wonders. Just be careful not to slip and cause more damage.

See if your natural or holistic food stores have any pain remedies. There are too many to list, and different stores will offer treatments. When you go to the store, ask an employee there if they know what is best to treat back pain.

In conclusion, you want to know the best advice possible for your back because it is stopping you from getting out there and living your life to the fullest. Start today and use the tips and tricks that have been provided in order to try to prevent future pain and ease the current pain.

I have explored and researched all the available avenues of pain relief for the back. I would like to share the tips I have on successfully subduing such agony and I enjoy blogging on these crucial topics. If you want to read more, take a look at our website howtorelievebackpainfast.com [http://howtorelievebackpainfast.com/], where we supply all types of details intended for ease lower-back strain. You will find a ton of material that will be very helpful. – My site

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Tattoo Removal Options

Though lasers are helpful, efficient, and effective when it comes to tattoo removal, there are a bunch of misconceptions about it. As we enter the second decade of the 21st Century we can look back at all the technological, social and medical advancements made in the last 10 years. For those who suffer from tattoo regret one area of advancement that they can thank medical science and ingenuity for is new and improved ways to lower the cost of tattoo removal.

Tattoos have been around since man first learned how to control and use fire to improve the human condition on Earth, but it wasn’t until the last century that forms of tattoo removal began to make great strides in effectiveness without leaving severe scar tissue. Prior to the late 20th Century, to endure a tattoo removal procedure a person had to endure a process that could be painful and only partially effective. As tattoos became the fashion in the 1990’s more time, effort and money was devoted to finding new methods and refining and improving the methods that were already in existence.

Along with an increase in the popularity of tattoos there developed an increase in what is now referred to as tattoo regret. This added pressure to find an easy, effective and affordable method of tattoo removal grew the the size of the tattoo removal industry and with that an increase in research and development spending to find the perfect tattoo removal product. Most of the products were of the home tattoo removal variety. Some, like TCA, worked well to little fanfare, while others promised the moon and delivered little to nothing as a tattoo removal agent, but were, and are still highly promoted as painless, convenient and hassle free cream removal systems.

Below is a short list of items that, subjective though they may be, can be a root cause of tattoo regret.

  • Does a misshapen tattoo remove its artistic value?
  • Does a misspelled word in a tattoo remove its meaning?
  • Does the use of the wrong color on a tattoo remove its beauty?
  • Does a miss-located tattoo remove or lessen a persons value on the job market?
  • Will a poorly executed design of a tattoo remove the desire of the wearer to keep it?
  • Finally, should the artist who makes a mistake on a tattoo remove the mistake for free?

These are questions, that for the most part, can only be answered in the mind of the person living with the mistake permanently lodged beneath their skin.

Laser, RST and Other Methods

Laser removal, which was first developed in the 1980’s, was at first very crude, painful, not very effective and almost certainly left a scar on top of unremovable tattoo pigment. Today, laser removal is a very much improved yet still imperfect tattoo remover. Modern Laser technology has still not been able to come up with a solution to conquer and remove light pigmented tattoos. The problem stems from the fact that laser light, indeed any form of light, has a tendency to be reflected by light colored objects, including tattoo pigments, and to be absorbed by dark colored objects, also including tattoo pigments. As this article is being written lasers still are most successful at removing black and dark blue tattoo ink.

Hopefully, some day, using lasers for tattoo removal at a price everyone can afford will be a reality. Until that time those looking for a product that will remove all tattoo colors will have to rely on excision, dermabrasion, regenerative skin treatment (RST), salabrasion or TCA. Of these sure ways to remove all tattoo pigment, excision and RST are the most expensive and excision can leave scar tissue at the site of the surgically removed tattoo.

Physician performed dermabrasion will definitely remove a tattoo, but requires one or more office visits, pain and probably a scar. The tattoo removal cost using this method is quite expensive since it is considered an optional procedure by insurance companies and not covered by any insurance policy. Salabrasion is a home tattoo removal procedure, but not for those with low pain thresholds since it involves sanding the skin above the tattoo until the ink is removed. It involves creating a wound and then rubbing salt into it until all skin above the tattoo has been removed and the pigment is sanded away. Not a good option.

That leaves a previously unmentioned method, tattoo removal cream, and TCA tattoo removal. The cream removal method was not included because these products have never been proven effective for complete tattoo removal and the Mayo Clinic has said they are ineffective. That leaves TCA.

TCA tattoo remover is known to be an effective way to remove tattoo ink. Two medical studies have proven the method a reliable one and it is also used to remove various types of skin blemishes including acne scars, warts, age spots and is used by Cosmetic Surgeons and exclusive Health Spas to perform facial peels to remove fine lines and wrinkles.

When the cost of tattoo removal is a factor, TCA is one of the most cost effective products available. A tattoo removal using other methods can run into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but with TCA an average size tattoo can be removed for less than $40.00. Just read and follow instructions for a successful tattoo elimination.

Glen Wilson has over 20 years experience in the tattoo industry, both as an artist and shop owner and in recent years has become an expert in the many forms of tattoo removal. He currently serves as a consultant to http://www.Nuviderm.com and knows from personal experience that Nuviderm is one of the best at home tattoo removal products on the market.

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20 Amazing Pet Charities – Local & Global

Do you love animals and are looking for a way to ‘give back’ to those in need?

It doesn’t matter where you are, there are a number of amazing charities that help animals on local and global levels. Here are 20 best charities to donate to that have inspired us:

Morris Animal Foundation

MAF provides funding and support for animal cancer research. 60% of Golden Retrievers die of cancer and thanks to MAF, the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is currently underway. This unique study is monitoring the health of 3,000 Goldens for life; hoping to learn more about how cancer develops and how it can be treated or prevented.

World Vets

World Vets is the animal version of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders). They provide disaster relief support for pets, livestock and the people who live with them. Their main focus is education, spay/neuter, rabies vaccination, livestock and animal husbandry, and civil-military humanitarian aid.

People’s Animal Welfare Society Canada

Established in 1972, PAWS Canada has a strict no-kill policy and does not give up on animals that have special needs. They recognize that cats with life-long diseases such as FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus or “feline AIDS”) or FeLV (Feline Leukemia virus) can live long, healthy lives. These cats are not euthanized and instead are adopted or fostered into appropriate homes.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The RSPCA is the oldest animal welfare charity in the UK. It provides funding, education and support to local rescue groups. Donors can choose to help on a local or global level through the RSPCA. They also coordinate volunteers and foster families for rescued pets of all species.

Colorado Reptile Humane Society

Sadly, reptiles need rescues too. This unique humane society provides medical care and appropriate housing for pet snakes, turtles, lizards and even a few amphibians. They also provide education for reptile enthusiasts and are deeply involved in conservation efforts for our scaly friends.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

Guide dogs are instrumental in providing mobility assistance for blind or partially sighted individuals. This UK-based association provides guide dogs at little to no cost for those in need. They also ensure that the dog is cared for throughout his or her life – offering financial assistance for necessities like dog food and veterinary care.

Action Aid for Animals

This UK-based animal charity benefits strays in both Croatia and the UK. They are currently raising money for a new Animal Ambulance – a mobile unit used to provide medical care to strays in Croatia. Their charitable focus is on vaccination, spay/neuter and rescue. They also transport adoptable dogs from Croatia to their new homes in the UK.

Greek Animal Rescue

Greek Animal Rescue has been busier than ever, owing in part to the recent Eurozone Debt Crisis. Austerity measures have hit hard and many animal shelters have lost funding. Thanks to this organization, Greek homeless pets are continuing to receive support and a lucky few are re-homed throughout the EU.

Homeward Bound Project of Mississippi

In 2007, three veterinary students noticed that animal shelters had a high kill rate in the Southern US, while in the Northeast rescues had space available for adoptions. They then created a network that identifies and transports adoptable dogs and cats from the rural South to rescues in the Northeast. As of July 2015, they have rescued over 3,700 pets!

Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many cats lost their homes and were not reunited with their families. Cedar Hill Animal Sanctuary stepped up to help these cats by providing long-term medical care, food, housing and enrichment. They also rescue and care for big cats, horses, dogs and birds.

Help Animals India

This US-based charity provides support and funding for efficient and effective animal protection charities in India. Their main projects include providing for spay/neuter programs, rabies vaccination, and maintenance of animal shelter facilities. Hundreds of thousands of dogs have been vaccinated and sterilized thanks to this charity.

Second Chance Horse Rescue

Operating in Western Australia, Second Chance tackles the large financial and physical commitment of running a successful equine rescue. It has rescued over a hundred horses in the last decade and provides long-term veterinary care, housing and adoptions for unwanted and abused horses of all ages.

Alley Cat Allies

Cat lovers have many reasons to adore this next charity. Based in Maryland, USA, their Trap-Neuter-Release sterilization program provides vaccination, veterinary care and population control for feral cats. Alley Cat Allies also advocates for all felines and their humane treatment across the US.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

The ASPCA is the American version of the RSPCA, rescuing abused animals and advocating for stronger animal welfare and cruelty laws. They also provide excellent educational materials for the public, including their Animal Poison Control hotline and free website.

The Irish Blue Cross

The Blue Cross in Ireland was established in 1945 and works to promote the welfare of pets through low or no-cost spay/neuter and vaccination programs. A Blue Cross-sponsored horse ambulance is on stand-by at every racing event and many large horse shows in Ireland.

PetSmart Charities

American ‘big-box’ pet store Petsmart gives back through this large charity. Every year they find homes for over 400,000 pets! They also provide grants for local shelters and spay/neuter programs throughout the US.

Dogs on Deployment

Military members often have trouble finding someone to care for their pet while they are on deployment or on long-term training assignments. Dogs on Deployment is a network of volunteers and businesses who foster military pets, giving them a loving home and medical care while their parent is away.

Search Dog Foundation

This California-based non-profit pairs rescued dogs with firefighters or search and rescue teams across the US, at no cost to the taxpayer. They work to identify canine candidates and train them for service.

Christian Veterinary Mission

This faith-based organization in the US and Canada employs veterinarians and support staff for mission trips around the globe. These veterinary teams provide medical care and emergency relief services for multiple species, from dogs and cats to donkeys and yaks.

The Donkey Sanctuary

For 45 years the Donkey Sanctuary has supported rescue and the welfare of donkeys and mules in the UK and abroad. They also sponsor a successful foster care program as well as a donkey-assisted therapy program for people in need.

These and many other worthy organizations are waiting for your help. No matter what type of animal you love, there is a charity out there who shares your sentiment. Take the time to research and share the blessings that you have with those who cannot help themselves. It will make you feel good inside and many donations are tax-deductible to boot!

Holly and Hugo is an e-learning company which features courses for animal lovers and those planning to work with animals in the future.
Our courses have been created just for you, and since all study is completed online you can learn anywhere and at your own pace.

Check out the courses in more detail at http://www.hollyandhugo.com, choose which ones suit you best, and begin building an exciting new career today!

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Count the Cost Or Compost Part Two

A simple way to help the environment is to put our waste into trash can and rubbish removal Northern Beaches Sydney will collect it.

Introduction

The simple act of composting our own biodegradable domestic waste could save our councils from massive fines and passing these penalties on to us, their council tax payers. In the first part of this article we examined the costs of landfill and the potential penalties our councils might face if they do not meet their biodegradable municipal waste targets. This article examines the proportions of the various types of rubbish that makes up the content of our bin and suggests ways we can cut down on this waste and save money.

Saving fuel

A major cost of collecting our rubbish is comprised of fuel, where the price is escalating rapidly. If we can reduce the amounts that we leave at our kerbside for our councils to collect, then bin lorries will take less trips back to the depot thus saving fuel.

Dealing with what is in our rubbish

The Government agency Defra has published details of the make up of a typical dustbin in England. More than half the contents of our waste is made up of biodegradable material which we could compost. Halving the weight of our kerbside collection would dramatically reduce our councils escalating fuel costs and so help keep our council tax down. In addition, the cost of sending this to landfill is getting prohibitive because of the landfill tax and the scarcity of suitable landfill sites.

Garden waste and cardboard

The Defra figures show that 20% of our household waste is comprised of garden waste. Many councils collect this green waste, but if you have the space in your garden, it makes sense to compost it as this type of waste is bulky and heavy and so is expensive in fuel for your council to transport.

A further 18% of our waste is comprised of paper and cardboard. Most councils recycle this but cardboard is excellent to add to a conventional compost bin, especially if it is shredded or in smaller pieces. By layering and mixing your material such as grass and hedge clippings with cardboard, you will introduce air into your heap and this provides the best environment for the microbes that you need to compost your waste most efficiently. Within two weeks to one month, the bulk of your heap will have reduced, so to keep the process going at maximum efficiency, turn or mix your compost every month with a garden fork.

Kitchen waste costs us £10 billion per year!

Defra figures show that 17% of our waste is comprised of kitchen waste. Some councils have a kitchen waste scheme where they process the material in to compost. The Governments Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) says that the average household throws away £410 worth of perfectly good food a year through buying more than we need or letting food go out of date or simply not realising what we have in our pantry. For a household with children the figure increases to£610. I imagine you can find a better way of using this money other than throwing it away!

We need to be more careful about how much food we buy and cook and how we keep our food fresh. Unfortunately, our supermarkets make this extremely difficult because many fruits and vegetables are packed rather than sold loose, so you have to buy large quantities whether you want to or not. We need to start complaining to our supermarkets about their packaging policies as this is keeping the price of food unnecessarily high and leads to needless waste at a time where there is a shortage of cheap food. If you have access to a local grocer or butcher in your area you will find you usually end up paying for what you need and so spend less. Although the price per pound might seem dearer, the actual cost is often less because you waste less and the quality is often better.

Inevitably there is some kitchen waste when preparing fresh food because of offcuts and we can often over estimate how much we can eat! Kitchen waste contains a high water content so it is expensive to transport. By investing in a suitable composter, you will dramatically reduce the waste you leave for kerbside collection. Furthermore after as little as two days in the composter, your kitchen waste bulk can reduce by up to one third. It is amazing how much the bulk of the material shrinks in the composter. If you live on your own or there are just two of you in your household, why not share the cost of a composter between households? By processing around 50% of your existing household waste, you will be in a great position when councils start to charge for compostable waste collection. I believe it is only a question of time before it happens.

Don’t loose sight of the fact that you will be producing compost which will become an increasingly valuable resource as the cost of fuel ramps up the cost at the garden centre. Compost is an important soil conditioner which improves the growing conditions for healthy plants thus improving our environment.

The author promotes composting through his website which encourages the recycling of kitchen and garden waste. For more details of a vermin proof composter designed to handle kitchen waste refer to

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What Is The Role Of A Residential Electrician In Electrical Inspection

Electrician Brisbane Southside is not there for you only during emergency they also reachable if you want them to assist you with new installations, renovations, smoke alarms, office fit outs, air conditioning and provide safety and energy saving advice. With the passage of time, homebuyers have become quite smart and they know which inspections to carry out before they purchase a property. We strongly support this decision because at the end of the day you are investing you hard earned money. You have every right to know what is the actual condition of the property. We all know that a real estate agent will never highlight the drawbacks of a property. If they did so, majority of the properties would never get sold. Hence, as an informed buyer, we need to find out as much information as possible about a property.

As experts, we strongly recommend that you carry out two types of inspections once you have shortlisted the property that you would like to own. One is the building and pest inspection and the other is electrical inspection. Building and pest inspection has become quite common nowadays as many buyers are opting for it. But as far as electrical inspection is concerned, many homebuyers are still lagging behind. Many are not aware and many feel that it is not a mandatory thing to do. But, we think completely otherwise. We believe that electrical inspection is a must and should be carried out at any cost.

For electrical inspection you can hire the services of any inspection company. They have two types of electricians working for them. One is the corporate electrician that looks after corporate affairs i.e. electrical problems in corporate offices and the other one is residential electrician Sydney. They will carry out the inspection at your home. They are skilled professionals with several years of experience. When you hire their service, they will visit your home on the appointed day, carry out checks throughout the house to make sure that everything is all right.

At the end of the inspection they will hand you over a detailed report that highlights all the areas that need immediate electrical attention. Right from loose wires, to power fluctuation, to not working switches and other electrical safety features – you will find the detailed list mentioned. Go through this list before you come to any conclusion. When you know what are the areas that have to be dealt with, ask the residential electrician Sydney to do the needful. Ask them to repair and replace everything so that as far as the safety and security of the individuals and the property is concerned, everything should be updated. After all, we are talking about electrical mishaps that might happen if things are neglected. And we all know how serious it can be. So, please do not take any chance with it. Get all the necessary wires replaced, loose ends connected, old switches replaced and the circuit board thoroughly checked before you move in.

We will also suggest that you share the information regarding electrical inspection to your friends and loved ones as well. Encourage them to go for this inspection. After all every life matters and this is a very easy thing to do.

6 FAQs on Car Window Tinting You Need to Know

Cars for most people are undoubtedly one of their biggest assets, and they will want to do everything in their power to make sure that it keeps on shining and running smoothly for as long as possible. Now, here we won’t be talking about the engines or go in the technicalities of a paint protection Adelaide. We will be discussing about how you can make your car’s exterior more visually appealing. Now window tints are something which isn’t anything new, but its popularity has certainly grown in the last decade or so. If you have never gone for professional car tinting in Cranbourne, you will certainly have doubts regarding its effectiveness.

Let’s clear all these doubts once in for all, right? Some of the questions which people keep on asking about window tinting are:-Why should I go for tinting? Yes, you might think that it’s all about aesthetics and visual appeal, but the reality is quite different. Tinting has several other benefits like:-

  • Protection from UV radiation
  • Prevents the car interior from overheating
  • Protects your privacy from onlookers
  • Energy savings

Can I go for tinting myself? Is hiring professionals necessary? Let’s get something very clear; tinting doesn’t just mean painting your car’s windows with a dark colour. There are several aspects that you will have to consider. Also, tinting cars require certain skills which obviously you don’t possess. If you try to go the DIY way, you might end up damaging your windows altogether. Precisely for this reason, it’s best to hire trained professionals who have been doing such jobs for a long time. Will it take long to install the tints? Well, this will primarily depend on the car itself. Naturally, a bigger car with large windows will require more time to install the tint compared to a smaller car. Even so, it shouldn’t take more than 2-3 hours to finish the job. Can I clean the windows immediately after the tinting? No, you need to refrain from doing so for at least a couple of days. You see, the tints will require some time to get dry, and you can’t possibly try to clean them before that. You can wipe down the windows lightly, but it’s imperative that you don’t use strong chemical cleaners. I am seeing water pockets in the windows after tinting. Is it normal? There’s nothing to worry about this because, during the installation process, water is squeezed out from between the window and film, but this process still has its limits. Although 80% of the water is removed, the remaining amount still remains. This can create a hazy or cloudy appearance on the windows. You just have to let the film dry, and everything will be fine. How much will it cost? That’s up to the professionals you are hiring which is why you need to be very careful about this. Without skimping on quality, make sure that you look out for professionals who offer cheap car window tinting in Berwick. Make sure that you make an informed decision in this respect. So these are some questions which you might have asked about window tinting.

Finding The Perfect Corporate Venues And Function Centres in Australia

Organising an event be it an annual corporate celebration or private dinner party is never an easy task. What adds to the stress in preparation aside from time and effort is making it successful by leaving a memorable impression on the guests. Planning for a special event needs careful preparation from beginning to end. One of the key steps you have to consider is choosing the perfect corporate venues, a decision that can make or break the event. Unfortunately this is also one of the most challenging tasks to take care of. Thanks to Choice Venues, finding corporate venues and function centres has never been this easy and hassle-free. With versatile wedding reception venues Melbourne to choose from, events at Brighton Savoy have the potential to be whatever you hoped and dreamed for.

You now have a partner in your event preparation. With Choice Venues you can book for any function, corporate event or seminar Australia-wide. They know you have a lot on your plate, that’s why they’ll take this task off your checklist and they will do all of it for free! They have a large list of venues and relationships with function centres in Sydney, Melbourne, and everywhere else in Australia. But what’s great about their venue finder is that you only review the options which suit your event’s needs.

Choice Venues Makes Finding Function Centres & Corporate Venues Fast & Easy

If you’re wondering how they will ease your burden of finding and booking the perfect function centre, here is how they take care of the work for you:

* They form an event brief to send to potential venues.
* They contact potential venues to check availability and request quotes.
* They formulate a venue analysis which compares your options at a glance.
* They negotiate the best available rates.
* They arrange for the chosen venue to contact you once you are ready to book.

All you have to do is accomplish the other tasks in your list while you wait for Choice Venues to send the venue options to review at a glance. This easy and fast venue finder service allows you to save time, effort and money.

Choose the Venue with Complete Corporate Facilities

Once you receive the venue analysis you compare which venue is best for the event you’re planning. Take note of the different inclusions, facilities and amenities that the venues have because this will help you select the right one. Here are some basic points you should remember when you compare your options:

* Guest capacity – the venue’s maximum capacity or restrictions on the number of guests.
* Room setup and layout – the venue’s rules or limitations on the use and arrangement of tables and chairs, stage, decorations, linens, centrepieces, and lights.
* Food and beverage services and options – the venue’s meal serving styles, such as buffet or plated meals, snacks tables and drinks bar, coffee and tea service.
* Accessibility – the venue’s parking areas, shuttle services, available public transportation, and venue availability for preparation before and during the conference.
* Audio-visual equipment – the venue’s available AV and sounds systems, designated systems operator, overhead projectors and other multi-media equipment.

Choice Venues is the perfect solution for your function centres and corporate venues needs. With their reliable, fast and free service, you’re sure to find the perfect venue in no time.

Get Fit with Pilates DVDs

You may have friends or family members who have purchased expensive gym memberships to take advantage of being able to do Pilates exercises.  The weight loss and firming/shaping advantages of performing Pilates exercises are unquestioned.  So what is keeping you from taking advantage of the programs available to get fit with Pilates?  There could be several reasons. Treat yourself with beauty salon Northern Beaches to an extensive therapy list that will leave you refreshed and wanting more.

Gym memberships are expensive.  What is worse is to have a gym membership only to learn that Pilates instruction costs extra to be led by a qualified instructor.  Adding cost upon cost to achieve your objective is rarely a wise path to take. 

There is also the matter of convenience.  It is a known fact that one of the main hindrances to exercise programs done at the gym is getting you to the gym.  Even if the gym is right down the street, many times it is too much trouble to get there.  Not going to the gym is a money drain that you do not need in these economic times.

Performance anxiety in a group setting hinders some people from taking advantage of Pilates courses.  No one wants to have to be judged by their peers while trying to improve themselves.  Comparisons are hard to avoid in group settings.

Pilates DVDs can help you get fit without all the downsides just discussed.  There are no gym memberships to buy.  You will not have to pay extra for professional personal instruction.  There will be no groups that you have to find yourself in the midst of to be examined and watch.  Better still, you will not have to exercise on someone else’s time schedule.

Pilates DVDs allow you to exercise in the comfort and privacy of your own home. The Pilates DVDs give you time to master all the exercises you need to increase your fitness level.  What seems complicated in real time can be slowed down and reviewed as many times as necessary to make sure you have the right technique to achieve the results that you want. Finally, you can exercise when you want on your own time and schedule. You choose which exercises to emphasize. Pilates DVDs give you control over your fitness plan. Click here for Pilates DVD.

Electric Powered Vehicles: Hype or the Future?

It’s election year, so why wouldn’t politicians jump on an easy target to benefit their agendas? Lets face it, life revolves around the all mighty dollar and, in too many cases, greed and power. We as consumers need to peel away the BS and discover for ourselves if electric powered vehicles could make sense for our future as individuals, and the country as a whole. Just like many of you, we had a lot of unanswered questions and really didn’t know what to believe. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when alternatives to oil will become absolutely critical. Electrician Brisbane Southside efficiently replace all electrical lines in your home after having some issues.

In this article, we will begin to uncover the truth about electric powered vehicles. What does it actually cost to own and operate an electric powered vehicle? Are there potential cost savings to owning one? Is it truly environmentally friendly? How easy are they to live with? Even if you currently have no interest in owning an electric vehicle right now, this is something you should become aware of.

To start with, we’ll briefly explain the four categories electric vehicles (EVs) typically fall into:

Hybrid Electric

A hybrid electric vehicle uses a battery-powered electric motor to supplement its traditional gas powered engine. The addition of the electric motor helps to reduce idling and enables the vehicle to operate with zero emissions at low speeds, typically below 40 miles per hour. At higher speeds, the gas powered engine drives the vehicle.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

A plug-in hybrid vehicle is similar to a standard hybrid in that it combines an electric motor with a traditional gas powered engine. The difference is that it uses a larger battery which can be recharged by plugging the vehicle into an electrical outlet. As a result of this larger battery, the vehicle receives more power from electricity therefore increasing fuel economy.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

These vehicles run solely on electricity and have no gas engines, therefore they produce zero tailpipe emissions. As a result of running exclusively on a battery, it is necessary to remain within the vehicle’s range until the next available charge.

Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (ER-EVs)

Extended-range electric vehicles have both an electric motor and a gas powered generator. The electric motor directly propels the vehicle for the first 25 to 50 miles. After that, the on-board gasoline “generator” provides electricity to the motor. (The gas engine does not actually provide power to the wheels directly, instead it charges the battery which powers the electric motor.) This eliminates the need to drive within a limited range as it can continue to run on gasoline.

Our first EV test vehicle was a Chevy Volt, therefore will make a few references about our experiences with it in this article.

Available Incentives to Help Purchase an EV

The cost to design and build EVs are higher for manufacturers since it is still new technology and they do not have the benefit of economies of scale. In order to help entice consumers to make an EV purchase, the Federal Government and many state governments offer incentives. At the time this article was published, the Federal Government incentive for purchasing a new EV ranged from a $2,500 to $7,500 tax credit, depending on the type of EV and your filing status. There are also talks of increasing the Federal tax credit maximum amount to $10,000 and/or providing the credit at the time of purchase versus having to wait until you file your taxes as currently is the case.

A vehicle that has a potential tax credit is often marketed as having a flat tax credit amount, of course advertised as the maximum in the range. In reality, it’s only worth that amount if your total Federal tax bill is as much or more for that fiscal year. In the case of the Volt which is eligible for up to a $7,500 tax credit, if you owe $6,000 in Federal income tax the year you purchase the car you’d receive a $6,000 benefit. The remaining difference can not be applied against the following year’s taxes. If you opt to lease an EV car which qualifies for the incentive, the monetary credit stays with the leasing company who is the actual owner of the vehicle. Don’t worry though, in most cases the tax credit has been factored into the cost of the lease so you are still gaining the benefit.

Many states also offer additional incentives from tax credits, such as Colorado’s credit of up to $6,000, to other forms of incentives such as the state of California offering the sought-after car-pool lane access to EV owners. Knowing the potential incentives available to you can dramatically influence your purchasing decision.

Government Subsidies

It’s interesting to hear how many people are so against the government subsidizing EVs. Yet, we don’t hear much about how oil production is among the most heavily subsidized businesses in the U.S., despite being a hugely profitable industry. The International Energy Agency estimates that in 2009, governments worldwide spent $300 billion subsidizing fossil fuels. In 2010, that number grew to a staggering $409 billion. The U.S. alone averages approximately $4 billion per year in subsidies to the oil industry. Why doesn’t this receive more attention? The reason is simple. “For the last decade, the oil industry has been one of the most powerful lobbying constituencies in Washington. It has spent nearly a billion dollars on federal lobbying since 1998.” (1) What motivation would there be for affected political leaders to impart a change?

Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

Level 1 – Most EVs purchased will come standard with a Level 1 charging station which you can simply plug into a standard 110 volt AC house outlet, just as you would a cell phone charger or coffee maker. This type of charger is also often referred to as an “over-night charging station” because of the amount of time it takes to fully charge a depleted battery. Keep in mind the bigger the battery, the more juice required when fully depleted. Using a level 1 charger, a Plug-in Hybrid may only take approximately 3 hours to fully charge, an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle 10 – 12 hours, whereas a Battery Electric Vehicle is approximately 17 hours from a depleted battery.

Level 2 – This type of charging station uses between a 208 through 240 volt AC outlet depending upon the station you purchase. It is important to look at the specific EV voltage the vehicle will accept in order to mate it with the appropriate charging station. If it will accept a 220 volt power supply, that is the same outlet typically used to run a clothes dryer. The benefit of a Level 2 charging station is the significant reduction of time to charge an EV. As an example, a Chevy Volt can be fully charged from a depleted battery in about 4 hours. The approximate one-time expense for the equipment and installation is typically between $1,500 – $2,000.

Level 3 – This is often called a “fast charge” station and uses a 480 volt DC power supply. The drawback is that these will not typically be available in residential areas because it’s beyond the capabilities of existing transformers. This charging station will be seen most often in commercial areas. For EVs that are capable of using this type of charging station, it can charge a depleted battery in approximately 30 minutes.

To determine what level charging station is best for you, give some thought to when you would most likely be charging the battery and how much of a charge will be needed. If it’ll be exclusively overnight, a Level 1 charging station might be just fine. Even now in it’s relative infancy, you can buy a level 2 charging station from Best Buy, Lowes, Home Depot, Amazon and many other Big Box Outlets.

Where people can recharge their EV doesn’t stop at home. Several cities are also beginning to install charging stations with many others conducting research on the viability of moving forward with the project. The city of Chicago has already begun installations of a massive project which promises to include 280 charging stations in the city and surrounding region within a year. Of these stations, there will be a total of 73 level three stations. California just recently announced that a minimum of 200 level 3 charging stations will be installed and in addition to creating the infrastructure for 10,000 plug-in units. Even with Hawaii having the highest electricity costs, they are adding over 200 public charging stations. This trend is continuing to grow contrary to reports of the EV demise. Imagine being at work, plugging in at no or little extra cost and having no fuel bill?

To find public charging stations in your area may take some time unless you’re lucky. We were not able to find a single website that listed all charging stations in our area (Connecticut) and recommend you take the time to search multiple sites when you do your research. Like most technologies, this will evolve and potentially grow with time. Remember when the home computer was such a novelty?

Electricity’s Not Free, So What Does it Actually Cost?

While driving an EV will reduce or potentially eliminate the need for purchasing gasoline, it still costs money to charge the battery. The factors that will impact the cost are how much power is required to charge your EV’s battery, and what your electric provider’s fees are. To give you a rough idea, using the U.S. average electric rates it costs approximately $1.50 to charge a fully depleted Chevy Volt battery. Living in CT where energy rates are towards the most expensive in the U.S., it still only cost us about $1.80 to fully charge a depleted Volt battery. Keep in mind that if you don’t fully drain the battery, it won’t require a full charge.

When evaluating electricity pricing, below are a few items we suggest you look into.

• Does your electric provider have a flat charge or a tiered rate structure based on the amount of electricity used?

• Do they utilize “smart grids” where your rate varies depending on consumption in the area (typically at night) results in a discounted price?

• Do they offer an EV owner discount?

• Are you able to change suppliers and if so, are there any that offer lower rates?

When looking at costs, be aware that there are additional fees other than just the electricity supply service charge. In our case there are also a delivery service charges representing a Generation service charge, Transmission charge, Distribution charge, CTA charge, FMCC delivery charge, and a combined public benefit charge. Enough different charges?

Saving the Planet! But Is Electricity Really Green?

A selling point many people make about transitioning to electric powered vehicles is how environmentally friendly they are. While it’s true that EVs reduce tailpipe emissions or depending on the type of EV, even eliminate them completely, there’s more to it. To really determine if an EV will truly be Green where you’ll be using it most, take a look at how your electricity is being produced.

Most of the U.S.’s electricity is produced domestically and is often times delivered from a mix of power plants including coal, nuclear, natural gas, petroleum, and renewable sources. The type of power plants vary by region, therefore it’s important to examine these vehicles on a regional basis in order to better understand their environmental impact.

The time of day the EV will be recharged also plays a role on how Green the electricity is. The generation mix at the time of charging is different based on the time of day, time of year, geographic region, and load patterns. Sharp summer peaks are caused by air conditioning demand, although such peaks typically occur in the afternoon. Overnight when businesses are closed, demand is at its lowest. As a result of this, the power plants that are most expensive to operate and easiest to power down such as old coal and natural gas, get turned off. Other plants that have less expensive operating costs and are harder to turn off such as wind, hydroelectric and nuclear, are kept running.

Even if you live in an area where the production of electricity is not typically produced using clean methods, you might have the option to change it to a clean source. Regardless of where you live, this is worth looking into. While we have not yet purchased an EV, it did spur us to look into the different alternative energy sources. Our current supplier charges 8.25 cents per kW and uses a mix of various energy sources including coal. Our state allows us the option to use another supplier, and we found a 100% renewable energy source (primarily wind in our case) that has a rate of 7.99 cents per kW. Yes, that same company also offers coal produced electricity at a lower rate of 7.39 cents per kW, but the switch to clean energy still provides a savings.

According to electric vehicle manufacturers and other sources we saw, the impact of producing the lithium-ion battery is less than or equal to the impact of producing a similar gas car. More than 95% of the battery materials can be recycled or reused with minimal environmental impact. The minerals used in these types of batteries are expensive, so it’s not hard to imagine companies being especially motivated to find methods of reusing them.

Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil

Every President dating back to Nixon has stated the need to formulate methods to control our energy future and reduce dependence on foreign oil. The U.S. has around 2.5% of the world’s oil reserves but uses about 20%. While those statistics vary depending upon the source, it’s clear that we are heavily dependent upon foreign sources of oil. Approximately 70% of America’s daily oil consumption is currently used in transportation, therefore this is a major area that deserves attention. As other countries continue to increase their oil reserve demand, gas prices will continue to rise. In 2010, China alone added approximately 10 million cars to the road. President Obama’s All In energy policy (one that Bush advocated and that McCain supported as well) attempts to reduce our dependency on oil. This is not a left or right political issue nor is it something that can be solved over night. It is however, an issue that we need to address together as a nation. This is yet another benefit of electric vehicles and reasoning of why government (Federal and state) is providing incentives.

Summary

We recognize this article only touches upon the vast information available on this topic. What we hope is that it will spur some additional thought about EVs, and maybe even just related environmental concerns in general. Why not go test drive one yourself?

Reference: (1) NY Times

Driving isn’t just about getting from point A to point B – it’s about the experience a vehicle imparts along that journey. As automotive enthusiasts, we won’t sacrifice everything we love in a vehicle for function. Yet sometimes our practical side demands we drive cars that can haul kids, luggage, a boat, or maybe just our golf clubs.

We review vehicles from sports cars to tow vehicles and complete our testing on real roads, with real kids, real luggage or even real trailered loads. We focus on what each vehicle is designed to do, then judge whether it delivers on those claims and describe the emotional experience of driving the car.

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Wise Funeral Planning

One of the finest things that you can ever provide for your family is to make and spend for your own funeral arrangements. International Funerals is the leading funeral directors Sydney, and has facilities that quickly allow you to do this.

There are several significant benefits to doing so, not the least of them being that your family members do not suffer the concern of spending for the funeral. Nevertheless, maybe more notably, they do not need to cope with making the arrangements at a time of shock, loss, and despair.

Dealing with the death of a liked one is always painful, especially if the death has actually been an unexpected one. Having to deal with funeral plans can make matters 10 times worse, and the if there is the concern of ways to pay for it.

How Can I organize My Own Funeral?

International Funerals will look after every last information for you. Make a consultation to come into our office, and we will sit down with you and discuss your strategies. Among the big benefits is that you can see to it that your funeral is precisely as you want it to be. You can have a specific piece of music played. You can have the flowers that you want. You can set up for burial, or you can be cremated. You can even be buried at sea, if you want.

The ceremony can be spiritual, or non-religious. You can select the celebrant and the funeral home of your choosing. You can choose who participates in, and even exclude an individual if that is your wish. You can set up for the vehicles to collect family members and buddies. You may want to choose a horse-drawn hearse, which is an idea that appeals to a great deal of people.

In other words, Global Funeral services will see that your funeral takes place in EXACTLY the manner that you want. Everything is then written down on an agreement, and we both keep a copy. You can then spend for your funeral at today’s costs. Disallowing any external action, such as a modification in federal government tax, for instance, there will be no additional charge of any description. Hence, your household will never have to fret about paying for your funeral.

What Happens To The Money?

The cash is invested by a Friendly Society, or Trustee Business. Global Funeral services cannot touch a penny of it up until we have actually carried out your funeral in accordance with your wishes. Just then is the cash released to them.

Can I Pay By Installments?

Yes. We can set up for you to spend for your funeral by installments that match your conditions.

What Takes place If I Should Pass away Abroad?

International Funeral services will make all the arrangements to repatriate your body. Different nations have different regulations, however we will set up for the right kind of coffin and offer with all the bureaucratic documents and files that are required. We will make all the needed embassy and consulate arrangements, cater for the flight house, set up airport clearances and move to our premises. In addition, we will gather any travel luggage and personal belongings.

We can likewise set up for viewing in a private chapel, and blessings or routines for any religious denomination.

A death abroad can bring much more despair to a family till the deceased is returned house. As the leading funeral homes in Sydney, we deal with cops, the Department of Foreign Affairs, international embassies and consulates, and insurance companies, to see that the body is returned to Australian soil as quickly as possible.

What Sort Of funeral Can I Have?

Your funeral service can be anything that you desire it to be. International Funerals will organize for flowers if you have actually requested them, co-operate with clergy, household, churches, and crematoria, arrange for pall-bearers and hearses. We will organize transportation for friends and family, both to the service, and on to the crematorium or burial website.

If you have not currently done so, we will source an appropriate burial site if need be. We will arrange for ashes to be spread at sea, or anywhere else that you wish.

We will deal with any printing of the order of service, and arrange for catering if you have requested it. We will deal with masons in regard of headstones, and we offer a selection of urns to match your tastes.

In other words, when you pre-arrange your funeral with Global Funeral services we will see to everything right down to the last detail, so that your family and buddies can pay their last tribute to honour your life with no worries whatsoever.