#they’re just!! finding ways to skimp on substance

[j-esbian]

the way that SO many people have been conditioned (on purpose by clothing companies, let’s be clear) to think “cheap” fabric is always uncomfortable. and if it’s thin? that just means it’s soft :)

[leonawriter]

I like angst fic. I really do - or rather, I like hurt/comfort fic. I enjoy seeing characters get hurt both emotionally and physically for the pure satisfaction of seeing them piece themselves back together and grow from the experience, growing closer to their friends in the process.

But... the thing is, when there are entire prompt sets and archive tags with the idea of ‘Hurt![character]’, and ‘[character]!angst’, it starts to get kind of... I get wary.

And when I give reading some of them a go, it gets tiring.

The reason behind this is that I enjoy when the angst, the pain, comes naturally from the story you’ve come up with. 

Sometimes a story can read organically even from a prompt that goes “must include these listed elements”, but the thing I’m wary of (and weary of) is the sense that some fics, after a certain while, read more like the...

I can anticipate that there’s going to be the set-up, I can often see them putting the characters into position, something happens - often with no real foreshadowing, so it makes it seem very out of the blue - and then everyone’s stressing out, and then things are fixed somehow.

But it often doesn’t feel... like there’s any real meaning behind the conflict. It might be ‘random stranger shouts generic insults at protagonist/hurls something at them’ or ‘random stranger who is drunk starts a fight’. Nameless thugs. Two-dimensional villains that you don’t have to think too much about, because this isn’t about them, it’s about the fact that protagonist is hurt.

Except, I want there to be more substance to the issues at hand. I want there to be more reason behind why the protagonist doesn’t have something that’d heal them if that’s available other than ‘we forgot last time we were at the shops’ - or at the very least make that make sense. I want the villain to feel like a person, like they’re not just doing something randomly, because they have their own thoughts, their own reasons. If they’re drunk, have they had a bad day? If they’re yelling insults and curses, is there something about them that makes them feel like that?

And when everything’s said and done, I want a little more than ‘and then the situation is fixed and everyone’s okay now.’ My personal favourite - even if I’m not quoting it word for word in the fic - is “I might not be okay right now, but I will be.” It shows how the event, which in most hurt/comfort or similar fics is some flavour of trauma, affects the person on a life-changing scale, even in small ways. Show them improving. Maybe not getting there all the way, but having hope.

To me, that’s how it should be. 

A setting of the scene, an incident (whether on purpose or not, whether others are involved or not), a rescue of some sort (whether they rescue themself and make it to their friends, or if their friends (or an erstwhile enemy) find them first, and then a sort of dawn of hope for the future, possibly with a realisation of something that makes them glad to have come out of the situation in one piece (more or less).

If you skimp out on some aspects, it can work (if, for example, you’re only following one character and they sometimes black out, or forget things), but be careful that this doesn't make any one of those parts formulaic and boring (the biggest thing here is to put your heart into writing it, poke the characters for natural reactions). And please don’t skimp on the ending.

[banshee-cheekbones]

Kiss prompts: 6 + 14 + any combination of Malia/Kira/Lydia, all or just two, and maybe in a hotel? Whatever your fancy 😊

6 = collarbone kiss and 14 = inner thigh kiss.

I ended up going with Malia/Lydia, and this does indeed take place in a hotel! here’s some established relationship, set sometime in the future. 

rated M for non-explicit sexual content under the cut.

 ~1700 words. on ao3 here.

Arches

By the time the absurdly slow elevator finally comes to a stop on the tenth floor of the hotel, Lydia is seriously thinking about simply yanking off her heels and going barefoot for the rest of the day, professionalism be damned.

The shoes weren’t cheap, nor were the gel insoles she slipped inside them earlier in the day, but being on her feet for seven hours straight has apparently won out over price. As the elevator creaks open, she curls her toes tightly in an attempt to work through some of the tension and ache that’s set into her arches.

Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t do much to help.

Their room is three doors down the hall, and she pulls her key card out as she walks, heels sinking an inch into the neutrally patterned carpet. Once the door unlocks with a click, she pushes it open, and she’s out of her shoes before the door settles back against the frame. She sighs contently as her feet sink into the thick carpet.

She has to put her shoes back in two hours, when it’s time for her to return to the hotel’s conference room and present her latest research findings to a room full of people who are nominally her colleagues, but she’s going to enjoy every minute that she doesn’t have them on.

The curtains covering the balcony doors have been pulled aside, bathing the room in crystal-clear, late afternoon sunlight, and there’s a gentle breeze stirring the sheets hanging over the edge of the bed. Malia is stretched out sideways on the mattress, one arm cushioned under her head, the other dangling freely over the edge. There’s three towels underneath her, keeping the bed dry. She’s in her swimsuit, long tanned legs protruding from gaudily colored board shorts, the ties of her halter top a little crooked, and Lydia can smell the chlorine on her. Surprisingly, it’s a comforting smell, particularly when contrasted against the too-strong coffee and permanent markers she’s spent most of the day wrinkling her nose against.

“You look comfortable,” she says, confirming that the mattress is dry before she sits down on the edge. Malia hums in agreement and slowly blinks her eyes open, pushes a few strands of honey-blonde hair, crunchy from the chlorine, away from her face.

“I was gonna nap by the pool, but there were too many kids there.” Her nose wrinkles up, and Lydia laughs a little as she reaches out to absently run her fingers along Malia’s stomach. Malia hums again and reaches down to tangle their fingers together. “How’s the conference going?”

“Exactly as I expected. There’s some great research happening, but most of it is getting ignored in favor of the flashy stuff. Style over substance. Also, my feet really hurt, and I have to present in two hours.”

Malia raises an eyebrow and sits up. One of the towels remains stuck to her back and leaves creases behind in her skin when she swats it to the floor. “Want a massage?”

“Honestly, that sounds amazing,” Lydia replies. She almost flops back onto the mattress, but she catches herself on her elbows before her back can hit the damp towels. Malia slides off the edge of the bed and frowns down at it for a few moments before she sweeps all the towels to the floor and pulls the blanket up to the disheveled pillows.

“I’ll get new sheets after,” Malia answers with a wave of her hand before Lydia can even bring the topic up. With a nod, Lydia gratefully collapses the rest of the way down, feet hanging over the edge of the mattress, and sighs contently. After spending so much of the day standing up, being horizontal, even if it’s ultimately only for a little while, feels absolutely amazing.

“Do you want a pillow?” she asks, raising her head and glancing down at where Malia has dropped to her knees at the foot of the bed. Malia shakes her head and takes one of Lydia’s feet in her hands.

“I’m fine.” She presses both of her thumbs firmly into Lydia’s arch, and Lydia groans as she drops her head back.

Aside from the sounds from poolside drifting through the open balcony door and the occasional content sighs Lydia doesn’t bother trying to hold back, the room falls quiet for quite some time. Malia works thoroughly and carefully, doesn’t push too hard in the sensitive spots or skimp out on the areas that need the extra pressure. When she’s finished with one foot, she gently pulls Lydia a little closer, and Lydia lets her foot dangle over Malia’s shoulder, carefully brushes her heel back and forth over the bare skin of Malia’s back.

“Thank you,” Lydia says when Malia starts to wind down with her second foot. Malia makes a quiet sound of acknowledgement before she gently pulls Lydia’s other foot over her shoulder and slides her hands up the backs of Lydia’s calves.

“How much longer until you have to go downstairs?” she asks, turning her head to press a kiss to the inside of Lydia’s knee. Lydia cranes her head to look back at the clock on the nightstand beside the bed.

“About an hour.” She slides forward a little further, until the insides of her knees are resting firmly on Malia’s shoulders, and her heels are brushing against the middle of Malia’s back. She props herself up on her elbows so that she can see the glint in Malia’s eyes, a glint she knows all too well. “You look like you have an idea.”

Malia shrugs and curls her fingers into the hem of Lydia’s pencil skirt. “Maybe. Will you have enough time to get ready again?”

Lydia laughs and slides her legs apart as far as the restrictive fabric of her skirt will permit. “I think you greatly underestimate how good you are at certain things.”

Malia grins up at her, all sharp teeth (the human kind, thankfully), and when the sun catches her eyes, they flash bright electric blue. In one swift movement, she pushes Lydia’s skirt up to her waist. She isn’t rough with it, but it’s definitely going to be rumpled enough that Lydia might have to get creative when it comes to putting herself back together.

But that’s an issue to be dealt with in the near future.

Malia starts pressing a trail of kisses along the inside of her thigh, alternates between firm and gentle, feather-light and near-bruising. When the breeze kicks it up a notch, it brushes along the trail of saliva Malia has left behind, and Lydia shudders. She can’t quite reach Malia’s head, so she settles for anchoring her fingers into the blanket as she lets her legs fall open wider. When Malia’s tongue drags along the seam where her hip meets her thigh, she gasps and digs her heels into Malia’s back.

Malia doesn’t leave her waiting for long. She presses a single kiss to Lydia’s clit through the satin of her underwear before she hooks her fingers into the waistband and momentarily shifts Lydia’s legs off her shoulders so that she can tug them off. Once they’re on the floor, she cages herself in with Lydia’s legs again, pulls her hips down nearly to the edge of the mattress and glances up, eyes as blue as a chip of ice.

“Okay?” Technically, it’s an unnecessary question; if Lydia was anything other than one hundred percent sure, Malia would be able to smell it on her, would be able to hear the off-kilter rhythm of her heart. But she still asks, every single time, and every single time makes Lydia love her just that much more.

“Yes,” Lydia answers, dropping her head back against the mattress and moaning when Malia’s warm breath brushes over where she’s aching for some contact. “Please.”

With that, Malia leans in and flicks the point of her tongue against Lydia’s clit, and Lydia’s back arches off the bed as she twists her fingers in the blanket.

Malia doesn’t rush, doesn’t go too fast or add her fingers into the mix too early, but it’s still only a matter of a few minutes before Lydia’s thighs are quivering, before her breath is coming fast from her lungs. She’s so close that she can practically taste it on her tongue, but she just needs a little more to push her over the edge.

Moments later, like Malia has read her mind (or, more realistically, like she somehow noticed a change in Lydia’s scent and extrapolated from there), she circles her tongue a little faster and slides the tip of her ring finger in beside her index and middle, and Lydia comes with a bitten-off moan, hips pressing up against Malia’s mouth.

Malia gently works her through the aftershocks, licks against her until Lydia is too sensitive for even that light touch. When Malia withdraws her fingers, she carefully licks them clean before she slides Lydia’s legs off her shoulders. They feel boneless, and Lydia lets them thump back against the mattress while she tries to catch her breath.

Once her mind has cleared a little, she tilts her head back and glances at the clock. It might be cutting it a bit close, but she wants to return the favor, once she’s sufficiently recovered.

Before she can bring up the idea, Malia presses a kiss to the inside of her knee and shakes her head.

“Don’t worry about me.” She slides up onto the mattress and cranes over to press a kiss to Lydia’s collarbone. “I can wait.”

“Okay.” Lydia drops her hand to the base of Malia’s spine and smooths her thumb over the warm skin there. Her chest still feels a little tight, and it’s going to take a few moments for her legs to be able to support her weight, so she doesn’t make any effort to move. Instead, she asks, “Do you want to go present my research for me so I can stay here and nap?”

Malia snorts. “Not unless you want to lose tenure.” She cranes down and presses a kiss to Lydia’s cheek before she brushes some of Lydia’s hair away from her face. “But if you let me know what you want for dinner, I can make sure room service is here when you get back.”

Lydia grins and leans up for a lingering kiss, one she can taste herself on.

“Sounds like a deal.”

[officecleaningcontractskthr-blog]

Will house cleaning cost Ever Die?

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[delightfullychilled]

Mixing Cocktails: 7 Common Mistakes To Avoid

If it is drinking time it's drinking period. Of training course the issue with drinking period is that a lot of drinks that get excited about this time are actually not good for you personally. Whether or not your somebody who's on a strict diet program or also stricter routines these five drinks are actually the worst of the most severe.

Mixing cocktail beverages is not at all hard -- just pour elements together, stir, and sip. Nevertheless, there are essential details that can not be overlooked for a cocktail drink to flavor like something you'll enjoy. They are not hard but they're essential.

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1. Not really Observing Proper Proportions

Do not believe stronger is way better. Cocktail drinks aren't said to be strong. So, be sure you observe appropriate proportions to produce a well-balanced drink.

2. Skimping On Ice Understand that ice is essential when blending cocktails. It generally does not just cool the beverage down to a good temperature, but also dilutes the drink to correct ratio.

3. Dealing with All Ingredients Equal In relation to muddling, not absolutely all ingredients will be the same. You need to muddle harder substances like citrus a little even more vigorously than sensitive ingredients such as for example fresh herbs.

4. Forgetting The Garnish

Garnish isn't simply about aesthetics. In addition, it adds a specific completing flavour profile to the cocktail. Before you place a garnish of fresh herbs on your own cocktail, rub them in the middle of your palms release an oils. If you are using citrus peel, squeeze it jointly over the cocktail, skin aspect down, before you add it to the rim of the cup.

5. Ruining A Cocktail With Poor Ice

Yes, there is normally such thing as poor ice! If ice has been around the freezer for too much time, it can begin to undertake the preferences and smells of the freezer. These could make their way in to the cocktail's flavour, spoiling it. Use new ice to be able to have got better cocktails.

6. Skipping The Bitters

A few dashes of bitters could possibly be just finished . it requires to create your cocktail go from OK to awesome. They add complexity to your cocktail, that you won't get normally. However, remember never to overdo it. Just a few drops can move quite a distance.

7. Forgetting to see The Ice

If you are shaking a cocktail beverage, you should think about the ice cubes to know whenever your drink is prepared. Even edges on the ice implies that you reach the perfect dilution, which is just about 25%.

[larabalais]

The Benefits of Good SEO Training Courses

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[topicprinter]

Hi r/Entrepreneur, I originally wrote this article on Medium here, I figured I'd post it here too as it's got strong entrepreneurial themes and my heart was in the place of business as well as personal when I was writing it. I hope it helps you out!There is only a single core property separating all of your achievements and conquered goals from the ones you’ve put off, haven’t gotten to, or otherwise haven’t yet achieved. That core property is Action.Action, in my experience, is a prerequisite for the achievement of any goal. I think the term “good things come to people who wait” may be applicable in certain contexts, but for the purposes of achieving goals, I like to torch it from my literary toolkit.I’ve found that actions we take towards a goal can be lacking in substance a fair amount of the time. You feel like you’re doing things that will take you towards your goal, but for some reason, those ‘actions’ aren’t yielding results.This reflection lead me on a journey to deconstruct my current and previous goals so I could uncover what makes an action truly effective. I found that truly productive actions have certain characteristics rooted in them, and to my luck, I could categorize these in a way that somewhat made sense. So without further adieu…Here are the 4 characteristics of action that I’ve found, that make audacious and even frightening goals, very much achievable.PracticalityThe practicality characteristic of an action is legitimately the only thing that differentiates an action leading you to your goal, from inaction that’s impacting your potential.Theory is knowledge about the thing, practice is actually doing the thing. You’re not going to learn how to swim by reading a book about swimming. You won’t make a dime while reading a book about business, you won’t hit your fitness goals while watching videos about dieting. Each action you perform needs to have its roots in practicality if you want to inch closer to your goal.This is not to say that educating yourself is what’s holding you back, quite the contrary. However, if in the end your studies aren’t leading you to practice, or they’re literally the reason for your lack of proper action, you’re not educating yourself, you’re procrastinating. Get out of that cycle and make sure each action you take is practical.Optimising the layout of your website is practical.Calling several manufacturers to find a good fit for your design is practical.Going to the gym is practical.Just simply ask yourself the question —* Is what I’m doing tangibly and actively bringing me closer to my goal?*You won’t be able to answer ‘Yes’ to that question, if the action you’re taking isn’t rooted in practicality.ConsistencyHere’s a Turkish proverb that I adore.Drop by drop, it becomes a lake.By default, as human beings, we expect an action to give us an immediate reaction. I’m presuming at some point during history, a caveman slapped another, just to see the immediate satisfaction of angering his friend. Modern life has dug that default expectation a little deeper and gives us exactly what we want — everything, immediately, all the time.I want food? I can order it now and it’ll show up at my door. Do I want to talk to a friend? I’ve got a list of 500 a tap away. Do I want a date? Let me swipe and type my way to some social interaction. So when we start a business, make content online, try to progress in any way — our default doesn’t change. And we all know too well that this causes feelings of agitation, frustration and helplessness.The consistency pillar of action is exactly for that reason. If your action is practical, like going to the gym, that’s legitimately commendable. Want to supercharge that very practical thing you’re doing? Make it consistent and don’t expect immediate results.Consistency is difficult. There’s no other way to put it. Getting discouraged is a very real problem when our monkey mind is waiting for that immediate banana. Having a disciplined approach to consistency will always pay out dividends. Sitting down and writing, coding, working out, designing in a consistent manner for long enough, will allow you to turn it into a habit.And that satisfaction of a grueling thing becoming a habit… It’s like having a burrito that never ends. The light at the end of the tunnel stops becoming this elusive thing. You don’t even care about the light anymore, riding your kickass train through tunnels becomes just another thing you do. And you love it.Hot Awareness Tip #1 — Your phone is one of the super-villains when it comes to seeking immediate satisfaction. This almost always carries over into other facets of life. Manage it well. (I know you know, I wanted to remind you anyway)MeasurabilityIf you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.This quote from Peter Drucker, a famous management consultant, sums up the reason why companies fail. Companies that don’t emphasize data, that aren’t curious about the cause effect relationship between actions taken and results, that don’t reflect on outcomes — never actually scale. And almost certainly fail.I mentioned earlier that not seeing results immediately after an action discourages us. That’s true, but often times, we are actually gaining results. We’re just not seeing them. Because we’re not looking for them.You’re a small business using a sales model. You’re practical, you go out and try to make sales, you get on the phone, you do it all. You’re consistent, you do this every day. Progression is slow but you’re definitely feeling something. You’re improving, for sure. But you’re not recording anything. You’re winging the operation. This isn’t the worst thing because you’re out there doing the work, but what if you were to measure things? What if you managed things well? How would that affect you and the operation?I’ll tell you,You’d have a feedback loop to make educated decisions based on what’s working and what’s not.You’d feel less discouraged, or even encouraged by your now quantifiable results, decreasing the negative affects of delayed gratification.You’d be able to confirm 100% that what you’re doing is tangible and not theory.You might not be seeing changes to your body after doing 3 weeks of strength training, but you’ve gone up 10kgs on the bench press and you’ve doubled your initial squat. Things are happening.You feel like you’re writing style hasn’t improved, but you’re getting more comments and reads on your work. Things are happening.You haven’t made a single sale yet, but people are spending double the time on your site and making it to the end of the checkout. Things are happening.QualitySimply put, don’t half-ass things.You’re taking an action that’s practical. If it’s practical, just do it and do it enthusiastically. Commit to quality.If you’re consistent, but consistently doing something half halfheartedly, you’ll get halfhearted results. Commit to quality.If you’re measuring your efforts with the assumption that you’re putting in 100% effort, but you’re not, you’ll always end up with numbers that don’t make sense. This will only discourage you further. Commit to quality.The quality of an action makes all the difference when the other characteristics are met. Don’t skimp out on it, continually try to improve it, and you’ll always be moving in the right direction.Thanks for reading! If you want a little something extra once in a while, go here, or follow me on Reddit :)u/safkan04 signing out.

[zenruption]

Take Your Business Website to the Next Level

Add to Flipboard Magazine.

by Lina Martinez

Your website is the online representation of your business- it’s the first thing that most customers will ever see of your business and so it needs to make the right impression. Lazily done, amateur or spammy looking sites can hugely deter people and if yours is any of those things you could be putting off potential customers before they’ve even got a foot in the door. Building a website is a huge task, it takes a lot of know how and skill and so is always something that’s worth investing in and paying a professional for. They can ensure they’re ticking all of the following boxes.

From this site

Fast and Reliable

First and foremost, your website should be both fast and reliable. It doesn't matter how good everything else is, consumers are impatient and we live in an age of instant gratification. Research into website loading speeds has shown that it takes just three seconds for a potential customer to click away from a site if it’s not loading or is loading incorrectly- and it could put them off so badly that they’d never come back. With so much competition in business, it’s so easy for your customer to go and shop with someone else if your store doesn’t meet their standards so you don’t want to be putting people off before they’ve even had chance to see what you’re about. Page errors look spammy and unprofessional, and anything that’s making your site glitch or slow down should be addressed as matter of urgency.

Easy to Understand

Good navigation with menu bars and sub menus that are organised and make sense are crucial. Some business owners make the mistake of choosing style over substance, but an unpredictable website will be a hindrance and will simply put people off. You need a search bar so it’s easy to find information that’s not shown on the main page, and a site that flows well. An experienced web designer will be able to achieve this, don’t try and skimp here and save costs as you will pay for it with reduced profits.

Beautiful Imagery

The text is important on your website, its whole purpose is to give people more information about your business, products or services. But stunning images are what will grab their attention and make them want to find out more. Hire a professional photographer to take images for your website, avoid generic and boring stock images, or amateur pictures which will do nothing but bring down the look of your site. While great images of your stock are important if you’re selling products, don’t overlook the images on your main site too to go alongside your text and information.

Clear Contact Details

Having contact details on your site is so important. Those who have never shopped with you before might want to verify your details to ensure you’re not a scam, and also to make sure they can easily get in contact with you if something happens to go wrong with their transaction. You need a physical address, a business phone number and a professional email address (so for example, ‘support@yourbusinessname.com’ instead of ‘yourbusiness name@gmail.com’ or any other regular email provider. Make sure your contact details are clear to see on your main page, you could have a ‘contact’ tab in your menu bar with information about how to get in touch. Features like live chat and social media chat are also useful and can put people’s mind at ease when shopping with you for the first time.

A Blog

The benefits of blogging for business have been very well established, if you’re still not on board then it’s time to make a change. Blog sites like Wordpress can easily be integrated into your website- as with contact details you could have a ‘blog’ tab in your menu bar of your home page. A blog can help to drive more traffic to your site, because every time you write a post it’s another indexed page that’s being added to your site. More pages means more opportunity to show up in search engines, and therefore more organic traffic. In general, websites are be quite static with their pages and information so a blog can give you lots of new pages which search engines spiders can crawl. As long as the information is well written and unique, it will help to rank your site higher in search engine listings. Another benefit are that blog posts are also very share-friendly across social media meaning this is cheap and quick way to spread the word about your business to lots of potential customers.

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[jakehglover]

More Trouble for Organic Products

By Dr. Mercola

Carrageenan, a food additive extracted from red seaweed, is commonly added as a thickening agent to processed foods, particularly dairy products, certain deli meats and other prepared foods. Since it comes from seaweed, many people assume carrageenan is natural — perhaps even healthy — and along with conventional foods this additive is often found in “natural” and organic products.

The problem is that carrageenan is not nutritious, nor is it natural or certified organic. It’s a processed additive extracted from seaweed using alkali, and research suggests it’s highly inflammatory, triggering an immune reaction that may cause inflammation in your gastrointestinal system and related problems.1 As such, organic watchdog groups such as The Cornucopia Institute have called for it to be removed from the U.S. list of approved organic ingredients.

In December 2016, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) expert advisory board, voted to do just that. After hearing evidence on the potential health risks and the availability of alternative ingredients, NOSB voted to remove carrageenan from the organic ingredients list. Unfortunately, the vote is technically only a recommendation, and while the USDA has historically almost always sided with their expert panel, in April 2018 they did just the opposite.

USDA Overrules NOSB Advice, Keeps Carrageenan in Organics

The USDA decided to reapprove carrageenan for organic foods, saying in a statement in the Federal Register:2

“AMS [USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service] has reviewed NOSB's sunset review document and decided to renew all 17 substances, including carrageenan. AMS found sufficient evidence in public comments to the NOSB that carrageenan continues to be necessary for handling agricultural products because of the unavailability of wholly natural substitutes …

Carrageenan has specific uses in an array of agricultural products, and public comments reported that potential substitutes do not adequately replicate the functions of carrageenan across the broad scope of use.”

Yet, as noted by Mark A. Kastel, senior farm policy analyst at the Cornucopia Institute, the decision flies in the face of the very reason NOSB was created. “This is the latest instance of the …  administration siding with powerful agribusiness interests. They are running roughshod over the will of Congress that established the NOSB as a buffer to insulate organic regulations from corrupt corporate lobbyists.”3 Also noteworthy, the USDA not only ignored NOSB’s vote but also made their decision with no opportunity for public comment.

It’s only the second time in nearly 30 years that the USDA has gone against NOSB’s advice on whether or not to remove an ingredient from the organic list. The other time, which also occurred recently, involved conventionally produced dairy whey protein concentrate. Charlotte Vallaeys, senior policy analyst with advocacy group Consumers Union, told Food Business News that the move could have serious repercussions to the organic label:4

“Today’s decision by the USDA represents a troubling precedent that undermines the integrity of the organic label … Current law requires the USDA to base the National List of allowable ingredients for organic food on the recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board, which are developed after extensive public engagement and stakeholder input. The USDA’s decision to ignore the NOSB’s recommendation raises serious concerns about the future of the organic label.”

Carrageenan Health Risks Revealed

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies degraded carrageenan as a possible human carcinogen. Degraded carrageenan, which is processed with acid instead of alkali (as the food-grade carrageenan is) is so inflammatory that it’s used in laboratory studies to induce inflammation in animals in order to test anti-inflammatory agents. While food-grade carrageenan is a different product, there’s concern that stomach acid could essentially turn food-grade carrageenan into potentially carcinogenic degraded carrageenan once inside the body.5

Further, exposure to even undegraded (i.e., food-grade) carrageenan has been linked with an increased occurrence of intestinal ulcerations and potentially cancer growths.6 In a 2016 report by the Cornucopia Institute, the health risks of carrageenan were further revealed, with a slew of studies raising serious concerns over carrageenan’s inflammatory properties. According to the report:7

“The unique chemical structure of carrageenan triggers an innate immune response in the body, recognizing it as a dangerous invader. This immune response leads to inflammation. For individuals who consume carrageenan on a regular or daily basis, the inflammation will be prolonged and constant, a serious health concern as a precursor to more serious diseases.

In fact, the medical community has long recognized that inflammation is associated with over 100 human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and arteriosclerosis. Inflammation is also linked to cancer.

Many individuals experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms (ranging from mild “belly bloat,” to irritable bowel syndrome, to severe inflammatory bowel disease) have noticed that eliminating carrageenan from the diet leads to profound improvements in their gastrointestinal health.

Researchers are exploring other ways in which carrageenan is harmful. Scientists have recently found that contact with carrageenan reduces the activity of certain beneficial enzymes in human cells. And, a recent study exposing mice to carrageenan in drinking water showed impaired insulin action and profound glucose intolerance — precursors to diabetes.”

Why Do Food Manufacturers Use Carrageenan?

Food manufacturers have a great incentive to add carrageenan to their products, as it’s an economical way to replace fat in foods. It’s also used as a stabilizing agent that helps prevent foods from separating so they can be consumed without first shaking or stirring them. Alternatives do exist, including guar gum and locust bean gum, as well as simply advising consumers to “shake well” before consuming.

“[T]he simplest alternative to carrageenan in products such as chocolate milk is to have the consumer shake the product right before use,” Cornucopia noted.8 In response to consumer demand, some organic food companies have already removed carrageenan from their products, but many others have not.

Additionally, many conventional food products contain this additive. You may find carrageenan in the following foods, according to The Cornucopia report, so be sure to read the ingredients list carefully (when used as a processing agent, carrageenan may be present in a food but not listed on the label, so contact the manufacturer to be sure):9

Dairy products, including whipping cream, chocolate milk, ice cream, sour cream, cottage cheese and squeeazble yogurt (typically marketed to children)

Dairy alternatives, including soy milk, almond milk, hemp milk, coconut milk, soy desserts and soy pudding

Meats, including sliced turkey and prepared chicken

Nutritional protein drinks and bars

Prepared foods, such as canned soup, broth, microwaveable dinners and frozen pizza

Supplements, including chewable vitamins

Canned pet food

Watering Down Organic

When you see “organic” on a label, it’s necessary to do your due diligence to ensure the product is truly produced with the highest organic standards, as a number of factors can potentially “water down” the integrity of the label. For instance, the Organic Trade Association and the hydroponic lobby, led by the Coalition for Sustainable Organics, are seeking to rewrite organic rules to include hydroponics, which are plants grown in a liquid medium without soil.

However, USDA organic regulations require that your crop rotation plan maintains or improves soil organic matter. Since hydroponics do not involve the use of soil, they do not qualify for organic certification, yet hydroponic operators have been certified organic by USDA-accredited certification agencies, which is deceitful to the public. In November 2017, NOSB rejected the proposal to ban hydroponics and aquaponics in organic production, even though these growing methods do not involve soil.

Many organic pioneers are threatening to opt out of USDA organic certification as a result, and if stewardship of nutrient-rich soil is eliminated as a basic requirement of organics, an alternative add-on label may be developed. It’s important to be aware that hydroponics also use chemicals, which organic producers are barred from using. Worse, commercial hydroponic growers will rarely reveal the fertilizers they use.

Further, keep in mind that while growing food indoors does reduce the need for pesticides, it does not automatically mean hydroponic vegetables are pesticide-free. In addition, at least one study found hydroponically grown vegetables had lower levels of carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein than conventional vegetables.10

Organic dairy is another area where not all organic brands are created equal. While some are offering truly superior milk that comes from grass fed cows raised on pasture, others are passing off industrially produced milk as organic — and pocketing the increased profits while small family farms struggle to survive. In short, cows produce more milk, faster, when they’re fed grain in the barn, as opposed to grazing on grass on pasture.

Industrialized organic dairies are capitalizing on this by skimping on grazing time, raising thousands of cows in veritable CAFOs, yet still gaining the USDA organic label that suggests a superior product. As organic standards continue to be devalued, it’s now more important than ever to seek transparency from the food companies you support and choose those adhering to true organic standards.

How to Avoid Carrageenan and Choose Real Versus ‘Fake’ Organics

As for meat and dairy, I encourage you to look for the American Grassfed Association (AGA) logo, as it ensures the animals were born and raised on American family farms, fed only grass and forage from weaning until harvest, and raised on pasture without confinement to feedlots.11 You can further protect your family by consulting Cornucopia's organic dairy scorecard, which separates organic high-integrity dairy brands from what they call the "factory farm imposters."

The Cornucopia Institute's "Scrambled Eggs" report and organic egg scorecard are also important resources, which rank 136 egg producers according to 28 organic criteria. In the case of carrageenan, your best bet to avoid this additive in your food is to read ingredient labels diligently — and choose whole, nonprocessed foods as much as possible. The Cornucopia Institute has also created a shopping guide to avoiding organic foods with carrageenan, which can help you choose wisely.

from HealthyLife via Jake Glover on Inoreader https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/04/17/carrageenan-food-additives.aspx

[sherristockman]

More Trouble for Organic Products Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola Carrageenan, a food additive extracted from red seaweed, is commonly added as a thickening agent to processed foods, particularly dairy products, certain deli meats and other prepared foods. Since it comes from seaweed, many people assume carrageenan is natural — perhaps even healthy — and along with conventional foods this additive is often found in “natural” and organic products. The problem is that carrageenan is not nutritious, nor is it natural or certified organic. It’s a processed additive extracted from seaweed using alkali, and research suggests it’s highly inflammatory, triggering an immune reaction that may cause inflammation in your gastrointestinal system and related problems.1 As such, organic watchdog groups such as The Cornucopia Institute have called for it to be removed from the U.S. list of approved organic ingredients. In December 2016, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) expert advisory board, voted to do just that. After hearing evidence on the potential health risks and the availability of alternative ingredients, NOSB voted to remove carrageenan from the organic ingredients list. Unfortunately, the vote is technically only a recommendation, and while the USDA has historically almost always sided with their expert panel, in April 2018 they did just the opposite. USDA Overrules NOSB Advice, Keeps Carrageenan in Organics The USDA decided to reapprove carrageenan for organic foods, saying in a statement in the Federal Register:2 “AMS [USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service] has reviewed NOSB's sunset review document and decided to renew all 17 substances, including carrageenan. AMS found sufficient evidence in public comments to the NOSB that carrageenan continues to be necessary for handling agricultural products because of the unavailability of wholly natural substitutes … Carrageenan has specific uses in an array of agricultural products, and public comments reported that potential substitutes do not adequately replicate the functions of carrageenan across the broad scope of use.” Yet, as noted by Mark A. Kastel, senior farm policy analyst at the Cornucopia Institute, the decision flies in the face of the very reason NOSB was created. “This is the latest instance of the … administration siding with powerful agribusiness interests. They are running roughshod over the will of Congress that established the NOSB as a buffer to insulate organic regulations from corrupt corporate lobbyists.”3 Also noteworthy, the USDA not only ignored NOSB’s vote but also made their decision with no opportunity for public comment. It’s only the second time in nearly 30 years that the USDA has gone against NOSB’s advice on whether or not to remove an ingredient from the organic list. The other time, which also occurred recently, involved conventionally produced dairy whey protein concentrate. Charlotte Vallaeys, senior policy analyst with advocacy group Consumers Union, told Food Business News that the move could have serious repercussions to the organic label:4 “Today’s decision by the USDA represents a troubling precedent that undermines the integrity of the organic label … Current law requires the USDA to base the National List of allowable ingredients for organic food on the recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board, which are developed after extensive public engagement and stakeholder input. The USDA’s decision to ignore the NOSB’s recommendation raises serious concerns about the future of the organic label.” Carrageenan Health Risks Revealed The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies degraded carrageenan as a possible human carcinogen. Degraded carrageenan, which is processed with acid instead of alkali (as the food-grade carrageenan is) is so inflammatory that it’s used in laboratory studies to induce inflammation in animals in order to test anti-inflammatory agents. While food-grade carrageenan is a different product, there’s concern that stomach acid could essentially turn food-grade carrageenan into potentially carcinogenic degraded carrageenan once inside the body.5 Further, exposure to even undegraded (i.e., food-grade) carrageenan has been linked with an increased occurrence of intestinal ulcerations and potentially cancer growths.6 In a 2016 report by the Cornucopia Institute, the health risks of carrageenan were further revealed, with a slew of studies raising serious concerns over carrageenan’s inflammatory properties. According to the report:7 “The unique chemical structure of carrageenan triggers an innate immune response in the body, recognizing it as a dangerous invader. This immune response leads to inflammation. For individuals who consume carrageenan on a regular or daily basis, the inflammation will be prolonged and constant, a serious health concern as a precursor to more serious diseases. In fact, the medical community has long recognized that inflammation is associated with over 100 human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and arteriosclerosis. Inflammation is also linked to cancer. Many individuals experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms (ranging from mild “belly bloat,” to irritable bowel syndrome, to severe inflammatory bowel disease) have noticed that eliminating carrageenan from the diet leads to profound improvements in their gastrointestinal health. Researchers are exploring other ways in which carrageenan is harmful. Scientists have recently found that contact with carrageenan reduces the activity of certain beneficial enzymes in human cells. And, a recent study exposing mice to carrageenan in drinking water showed impaired insulin action and profound glucose intolerance — precursors to diabetes.” Why Do Food Manufacturers Use Carrageenan? Food manufacturers have a great incentive to add carrageenan to their products, as it’s an economical way to replace fat in foods. It’s also used as a stabilizing agent that helps prevent foods from separating so they can be consumed without first shaking or stirring them. Alternatives do exist, including guar gum and locust bean gum, as well as simply advising consumers to “shake well” before consuming. “[T]he simplest alternative to carrageenan in products such as chocolate milk is to have the consumer shake the product right before use,” Cornucopia noted.8 In response to consumer demand, some organic food companies have already removed carrageenan from their products, but many others have not. Additionally, many conventional food products contain this additive. You may find carrageenan in the following foods, according to The Cornucopia report, so be sure to read the ingredients list carefully (when used as a processing agent, carrageenan may be present in a food but not listed on the label, so contact the manufacturer to be sure):9 Dairy products, including whipping cream, chocolate milk, ice cream, sour cream, cottage cheese and squeeazble yogurt (typically marketed to children) Dairy alternatives, including soy milk, almond milk, hemp milk, coconut milk, soy desserts and soy pudding Meats, including sliced turkey and prepared chicken Nutritional protein drinks and bars Prepared foods, such as canned soup, broth, microwaveable dinners and frozen pizza Supplements, including chewable vitamins Canned pet food Watering Down Organic When you see “organic” on a label, it’s necessary to do your due diligence to ensure the product is truly produced with the highest organic standards, as a number of factors can potentially “water down” the integrity of the label. For instance, the Organic Trade Association and the hydroponic lobby, led by the Coalition for Sustainable Organics, are seeking to rewrite organic rules to include hydroponics, which are plants grown in a liquid medium without soil. However, USDA organic regulations require that your crop rotation plan maintains or improves soil organic matter. Since hydroponics do not involve the use of soil, they do not qualify for organic certification, yet hydroponic operators have been certified organic by USDA-accredited certification agencies, which is deceitful to the public. In November 2017, NOSB rejected the proposal to ban hydroponics and aquaponics in organic production, even though these growing methods do not involve soil. Many organic pioneers are threatening to opt out of USDA organic certification as a result, and if stewardship of nutrient-rich soil is eliminated as a basic requirement of organics, an alternative add-on label may be developed. It’s important to be aware that hydroponics also use chemicals, which organic producers are barred from using. Worse, commercial hydroponic growers will rarely reveal the fertilizers they use. Further, keep in mind that while growing food indoors does reduce the need for pesticides, it does not automatically mean hydroponic vegetables are pesticide-free. In addition, at least one study found hydroponically grown vegetables had lower levels of carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein than conventional vegetables.10 Organic dairy is another area where not all organic brands are created equal. While some are offering truly superior milk that comes from grass fed cows raised on pasture, others are passing off industrially produced milk as organic — and pocketing the increased profits while small family farms struggle to survive. In short, cows produce more milk, faster, when they’re fed grain in the barn, as opposed to grazing on grass on pasture. Industrialized organic dairies are capitalizing on this by skimping on grazing time, raising thousands of cows in veritable CAFOs, yet still gaining the USDA organic label that suggests a superior product. As organic standards continue to be devalued, it’s now more important than ever to seek transparency from the food companies you support and choose those adhering to true organic standards. How to Avoid Carrageenan and Choose Real Versus ‘Fake’ Organics As for meat and dairy, I encourage you to look for the American Grassfed Association (AGA) logo, as it ensures the animals were born and raised on American family farms, fed only grass and forage from weaning until harvest, and raised on pasture without confinement to feedlots.11 You can further protect your family by consulting Cornucopia's organic dairy scorecard, which separates organic high-integrity dairy brands from what they call the "factory farm imposters." The Cornucopia Institute's "Scrambled Eggs" report and organic egg scorecard are also important resources, which rank 136 egg producers according to 28 organic criteria. In the case of carrageenan, your best bet to avoid this additive in your food is to read ingredient labels diligently — and choose whole, nonprocessed foods as much as possible. The Cornucopia Institute has also created a shopping guide to avoiding organic foods with carrageenan, which can help you choose wisely.

[timothykhinkle]

Common mistakes that "Do It Yourself" painters make

Are there times that you felt as if that painting job was too easy that you had to do it yourself but in the end everything went south contrary to what you expected? It’s easier than you might think to make mistakes when painting cabinets, repainting furniture or putting the last coat on any DIY project, and you’re not alone. Short of seeking quotes from cabinet-painting contractors, there are several ways you can make sure your paint job is the best it can be. Here are the top four easy-to-fix mistakes we most commonly see: Skimping on preparation. People go wrong in many ways. However, the most overlooked thing that many people fail to adhere to is the preparation of the surface. This is a crucial part that many people forget to address all the time. This can cost you dearly in the end. Paint will only stick to a good surface. That means it’s clean. There’s no grease, no sticky substances and no residue of any kind. If you’re repainting kitchen cabinets, for example, there could be any number of substances on there just from being in the kitchen. ​ Yes, it takes time, and a lot of DIYers will skip the prep to save the time on the front end. Unfortunately, those DIYers typically end up spending more time at the end of the project when they have to repaint. Do the prep work now and it will save you heartache in the end. I promise. Using cheap paint. Cheap is expensive! All paint is not created equal. Typically, one paint costs more than another for good reason. Still, one of the benefits of a DIY project is saving money, so it’s tempting to buy the cheapest possible paint. I’m here to tell you this is not an area you want to pinch pennies. Paint has a shelf life. Using cheap paint or paint that’s been sitting in the garage for a while will not be as effective as using quality, fresh paint. I’ve never been shy about my affinity for General Finishes paint, which costs a little more but is well worth it. Also, make sure to use the right paint that adheres to wood surfaces. Generic wall paint is easy to find in the store but is usually not the right choice when painting wood furniture, repainting kitchen cupboards or whatever your project may be. Painting in extreme temperatures. Weather matter a lot when you are painting. Don’t paint when it’s too hot or too cold. Use this simple rule: if the temperature is making you miserable, it’s also making your paint miserable. If you’re out in the garage painting bathroom cabinets in 140-degree heat, your paint is not flowing well. Likewise, if you’re painting old furniture in below-freezing temperatures, your paint is not flowing well. Work on your projects within reasonable temperatures and you’ll get better results. Being in Arizona ourselves, we are definitely well acquainted with this challenge, but know it is critical to getting a quality, durable finish. Overworking paint. In professional cabinet painting, this is almost a non-issue, but for DIYers, it’s extremely easy to get caught up in overworking the paint. When there’s a drip on the surface, the natural tendency is to keep brushing until the drip is gone, rather than walk away and sanding it later. While you do see immediate results in that the drip goes away, too much brushing and overworking of the paint can lead to an inconsistent surface, detracting from the aesthetics of the project. These are four of the most common mistakes we see from DIYers, and thankfully they’re also four of the easiest to avoid making, once you’re aware they exist. Do your prep work, stock up on the right product and take care to do the job right, and you’ll be painting like a pro in no time.  These simple mistakes can make or break your painting duty. Take great caution when you are about to start painting. Prepare beforehand and have all the necessary equipment in place. This will help you in the end. In addition to that, go over a few guides on how to paint all by yourself. Do research mostly from the internet, I would recommend YouTube because there are so many tutorials over there and these will give you a grip of what you will do. With all this in mind, I am sure you will have great outcome. If you wish to inquire anything, Contact Orange County Best Painters and you will get help in whichever way possible. We are here to listen and provide a reliable solution to all your painting needs.

[kareemsharrington]

Common mistakes that “Do It Yourself” painters make

Are there times that you felt as if that painting job was too easy that you had to do it yourself but in the end everything went south contrary to what you expected?

It’s easier than you might think to make mistakes when painting cabinets, repainting furniture or putting the last coat on any DIY project, and you’re not alone.

Short of seeking quotes from cabinet-painting contractors, there are several ways you can make sure your paint job is the best it can be. Here are the top four easy-to-fix mistakes we most commonly see:

Skimping on preparation. People go wrong in many ways. However, the most overlooked thing that many people fail to adhere to is the preparation of the surface. This is a crucial part that many people forget to address all the time. This can cost you dearly in the end.

Paint will only stick to a good surface. That means it’s clean. There’s no grease, no sticky substances and no residue of any kind. If you’re repainting kitchen cabinets, for example, there could be any number of substances on there just from being in the kitchen. ​ Yes, it takes time, and a lot of DIYers will skip the prep to save the time on the front end. Unfortunately, those DIYers typically end up spending more time at the end of the project when they have to repaint. Do the prep work now and it will save you heartache in the end. I promise.

Using cheap paint.

Cheap is expensive! All paint is not created equal. Typically, one paint costs more than another for good reason. Still, one of the benefits of a DIY project is saving money, so it’s tempting to buy the cheapest possible paint. I’m here to tell you this is not an area you want to pinch pennies.

Paint has a shelf life. Using cheap paint or paint that’s been sitting in the garage for a while will not be as effective as using quality, fresh paint. I’ve never been shy about my affinity for General Finishes paint, which costs a little more but is well worth it.

Also, make sure to use the right paint that adheres to wood surfaces. Generic wall paint is easy to find in the store but is usually not the right choice when painting wood furniture, repainting kitchen cupboards or whatever your project may be.

Painting in extreme temperatures.

Weather matter a lot when you are painting. Don’t paint when it’s too hot or too cold. Use this simple rule: if the temperature is making you miserable, it’s also making your paint miserable. If you’re out in the garage painting bathroom cabinets in 140-degree heat, your paint is not flowing well. Likewise, if you’re painting old furniture in below-freezing temperatures, your paint is not flowing well.

Work on your projects within reasonable temperatures and you’ll get better results. Being in Arizona ourselves, we are definitely well acquainted with this challenge, but know it is critical to getting a quality, durable finish.

Overworking paint.

In professional cabinet painting, this is almost a non-issue, but for DIYers, it’s extremely easy to get caught up in overworking the paint. When there’s a drip on the surface, the natural tendency is to keep brushing until the drip is gone, rather than walk away and sanding it later.

While you do see immediate results in that the drip goes away, too much brushing and overworking of the paint can lead to an inconsistent surface, detracting from the aesthetics of the project.

These are four of the most common mistakes we see from DIYers, and thankfully they’re also four of the easiest to avoid making, once you’re aware they exist. Do your prep work, stock up on the right product and take care to do the job right, and you’ll be painting like a pro in no time. 

These simple mistakes can make or break your painting duty. Take great caution when you are about to start painting. Prepare beforehand and have all the necessary equipment in place. This will help you in the end. In addition to that, go over a few guides on how to paint all by yourself.

Do research mostly from the internet, I would recommend YouTube because there are so many tutorials over there and these will give you a grip of what you will do. With all this in mind, I am sure you will have great outcome.

If you wish to inquire anything, Contact Orange County Best Painters and you will get help in whichever way possible. We are here to listen and provide a reliable solution to all your painting needs.

[orangecountybestpainters]

Common mistakes that "Do It Yourself" painters make

Are there times that you felt as if that painting job was too easy that you had to do it yourself but in the end everything went south contrary to what you expected? It’s easier than you might think to make mistakes when painting cabinets, repainting furniture or putting the last coat on any DIY project, and you’re not alone. Short of seeking quotes from cabinet-painting contractors, there are several ways you can make sure your paint job is the best it can be. Here are the top four easy-to-fix mistakes we most commonly see: Skimping on preparation. People go wrong in many ways. However, the most overlooked thing that many people fail to adhere to is the preparation of the surface. This is a crucial part that many people forget to address all the time. This can cost you dearly in the end. Paint will only stick to a good surface. That means it’s clean. There’s no grease, no sticky substances and no residue of any kind. If you’re repainting kitchen cabinets, for example, there could be any number of substances on there just from being in the kitchen. ​ Yes, it takes time, and a lot of DIYers will skip the prep to save the time on the front end. Unfortunately, those DIYers typically end up spending more time at the end of the project when they have to repaint. Do the prep work now and it will save you heartache in the end. I promise. Using cheap paint. Cheap is expensive! All paint is not created equal. Typically, one paint costs more than another for good reason. Still, one of the benefits of a DIY project is saving money, so it’s tempting to buy the cheapest possible paint. I’m here to tell you this is not an area you want to pinch pennies. Paint has a shelf life. Using cheap paint or paint that’s been sitting in the garage for a while will not be as effective as using quality, fresh paint. I’ve never been shy about my affinity for General Finishes paint, which costs a little more but is well worth it. Also, make sure to use the right paint that adheres to wood surfaces. Generic wall paint is easy to find in the store but is usually not the right choice when painting wood furniture, repainting kitchen cupboards or whatever your project may be. Painting in extreme temperatures. Weather matter a lot when you are painting. Don’t paint when it’s too hot or too cold. Use this simple rule: if the temperature is making you miserable, it’s also making your paint miserable. If you’re out in the garage painting bathroom cabinets in 140-degree heat, your paint is not flowing well. Likewise, if you’re painting old furniture in below-freezing temperatures, your paint is not flowing well. Work on your projects within reasonable temperatures and you’ll get better results. Being in Arizona ourselves, we are definitely well acquainted with this challenge, but know it is critical to getting a quality, durable finish. Overworking paint. In professional cabinet painting, this is almost a non-issue, but for DIYers, it’s extremely easy to get caught up in overworking the paint. When there’s a drip on the surface, the natural tendency is to keep brushing until the drip is gone, rather than walk away and sanding it later. While you do see immediate results in that the drip goes away, too much brushing and overworking of the paint can lead to an inconsistent surface, detracting from the aesthetics of the project. These are four of the most common mistakes we see from DIYers, and thankfully they’re also four of the easiest to avoid making, once you’re aware they exist. Do your prep work, stock up on the right product and take care to do the job right, and you’ll be painting like a pro in no time.  These simple mistakes can make or break your painting duty. Take great caution when you are about to start painting. Prepare beforehand and have all the necessary equipment in place. This will help you in the end. In addition to that, go over a few guides on how to paint all by yourself. Do research mostly from the internet, I would recommend YouTube because there are so many tutorials over there and these will give you a grip of what you will do. With all this in mind, I am sure you will have great outcome. If you wish to inquire anything, Contact Orange County Best Painters and you will get help in whichever way possible. We are here to listen and provide a reliable solution to all your painting needs.

[orangecountybestpainter]

Common mistakes that "Do It Yourself" painters make

Are there times that you felt as if that painting job was too easy that you had to do it yourself but in the end everything went south contrary to what you expected? It’s easier than you might think to make mistakes when painting cabinets, repainting furniture or putting the last coat on any DIY project, and you’re not alone. Short of seeking quotes from cabinet-painting contractors, there are several ways you can make sure your paint job is the best it can be. Here are the top four easy-to-fix mistakes we most commonly see: Skimping on preparation. People go wrong in many ways. However, the most overlooked thing that many people fail to adhere to is the preparation of the surface. This is a crucial part that many people forget to address all the time. This can cost you dearly in the end. Paint will only stick to a good surface. That means it’s clean. There’s no grease, no sticky substances and no residue of any kind. If you’re repainting kitchen cabinets, for example, there could be any number of substances on there just from being in the kitchen. ​ Yes, it takes time, and a lot of DIYers will skip the prep to save the time on the front end. Unfortunately, those DIYers typically end up spending more time at the end of the project when they have to repaint. Do the prep work now and it will save you heartache in the end. I promise. Using cheap paint. Cheap is expensive! All paint is not created equal. Typically, one paint costs more than another for good reason. Still, one of the benefits of a DIY project is saving money, so it’s tempting to buy the cheapest possible paint. I’m here to tell you this is not an area you want to pinch pennies. Paint has a shelf life. Using cheap paint or paint that’s been sitting in the garage for a while will not be as effective as using quality, fresh paint. I’ve never been shy about my affinity for General Finishes paint, which costs a little more but is well worth it. Also, make sure to use the right paint that adheres to wood surfaces. Generic wall paint is easy to find in the store but is usually not the right choice when painting wood furniture, repainting kitchen cupboards or whatever your project may be. Painting in extreme temperatures. Weather matter a lot when you are painting. Don’t paint when it’s too hot or too cold. Use this simple rule: if the temperature is making you miserable, it’s also making your paint miserable. If you’re out in the garage painting bathroom cabinets in 140-degree heat, your paint is not flowing well. Likewise, if you’re painting old furniture in below-freezing temperatures, your paint is not flowing well. Work on your projects within reasonable temperatures and you’ll get better results. Being in Arizona ourselves, we are definitely well acquainted with this challenge, but know it is critical to getting a quality, durable finish. Overworking paint. In professional cabinet painting, this is almost a non-issue, but for DIYers, it’s extremely easy to get caught up in overworking the paint. When there’s a drip on the surface, the natural tendency is to keep brushing until the drip is gone, rather than walk away and sanding it later. While you do see immediate results in that the drip goes away, too much brushing and overworking of the paint can lead to an inconsistent surface, detracting from the aesthetics of the project. These are four of the most common mistakes we see from DIYers, and thankfully they’re also four of the easiest to avoid making, once you’re aware they exist. Do your prep work, stock up on the right product and take care to do the job right, and you’ll be painting like a pro in no time.  These simple mistakes can make or break your painting duty. Take great caution when you are about to start painting. Prepare beforehand and have all the necessary equipment in place. This will help you in the end. In addition to that, go over a few guides on how to paint all by yourself. Do research mostly from the internet, I would recommend YouTube because there are so many tutorials over there and these will give you a grip of what you will do. With all this in mind, I am sure you will have great outcome. If you wish to inquire anything, Contact Orange County Best Painters and you will get help in whichever way possible. We are here to listen and provide a reliable solution to all your painting needs.

[ladonnadelpadrone-blog]

Garcinia cambogia lean plus does it really work?

Garcinia cambogia extract is the most confirmed and renowned natural fats-burner on the planet. However, finding the suitable model with the suitable blend might be challenging. For more information on garcinia cambogia lean plus go to http://garciniacambogiaaustraliareview.com/lean-garcinia-plus/.

How does Lean Garcinia Plus, a relatively new entry to the sector, stack up? Not like most home brands, this formulation originated abroad. Developed in Europe, it captured tremendous recognition earlier than heading stateside, where its superior blend will compete against a number of of the garcinia drugs already right here. Lean Garcinia Plus is a distinctly different product than we normally see. This is because it avoids the fillers, additives and diluted formulas that are all too common among present variations.

Garcinia cambogia lean plus;

This fruit, which is also referred to as tamarind, has been used for hundreds of years in conventional dishes assist suppress the appetite. The fruit rind contains a potent fats-burning compound known as Hydroxycitric Acid or HCA that works to rid your physique of any further fat. Medical studies show that people are capable of lose 2 to three instances extra weight by adding Garcinia Cambogia to their diet. This key compound targets your fat pockets and works to burn them off while stopping consumed carbohydrates from changing into extra fat. HCA naturally suppresses the urge for food permitting you to higher control your hunger cravings. Garcinia Cambogia also can assist improve your mood by increasing the serotonin ranges in your mind. No more emotional consuming!

Nonetheless, most capsules labeled Garcinia possible do embody Garcinia, Hendrickson said. And because previous research have proven that Garcinia causes a serotonin enhance, it is fairly possible that this additionally occurred within the case mentioned within the study, the researchers said.

In a nutshell, avoid web sites touting Garcinia Cambogia and apple cider vinegar eating regimen. Keep away from free trials in any respect cost. Whether or not or not it is able to all those things, there may be some strong analysis to back up apple cider vinegar as a wholesome elixir, as long as you utilize it accurately. IT has Calcuim=50g, Chromium=200mcg, Potassium=50g and Garcinia Cambogia Extract HCA 60%=1000g, 2 capsules every meal (meaning 2 caps 3x a day) or solely 2 capsules a day. it was a bit complicated sorry.

The manufacturer does not checklist any physical handle or mailing deal with. It also does not checklist where the complement is manufactured - whether it's manufactured in a registered facility in America or if it's created in some growing country.

One promising profit: It appears to assist regulate blood sugar. A research printed in Diabetes Care looked at women and men with type 2 diabetes. The researchers discovered that when the members downed two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before mattress with a snack (one ounce of cheese), that they had lower blood sugar ranges the subsequent morning, compared to once they ate the same bedtime snack paired with two tablespoons of water.

You possibly can order garcinia cambogia lean plus any merchandise and Vibrant Naturals Garcinia Ultra Lean, Pure Garcinia Cambogia Extract, sixty five% HCA, 3000 mg per day, a hundred and eighty Capsules, Premium Urge for food Suppressant & Weight Loss Formula with Potassium, Chromium and Calcium, Made in USA at the Greatest Worth Online with Secure Transaction Here We are the only internet that give Vibrant Naturals Garcinia Ultra Lean, Pure Garcinia Cambogia Extract, 65% HCA, 3000 mg per day, one hundred eighty Capsules, Premium Appetite Suppressant & Weight Loss Formulation with Potassium, Chromium and Calcium, Made in USA with finest price and buyer's sincere evaluations. Seize it fast earlier than it is gone!

The key to this system is an optimal 60 p.c dose of HCA, the main active property within garcinia cambogia extract. Because it is costly to use HCA in larger quantities, many garcinia dietary supplements skimp on it. Sadly, which means many such products could have a lesser impact, which shall be slower to develop. Due to its premium composition, Lean Garcinia Plus works faster and more reliably. It doesn't require you to take 4 capsules a day to get any results. And because it avoids synthetic components, it bypasses the chance of hostile results. These reasons mix to make this a special product that stands out.

Specialists in plant compounds turned aware of the outstanding qualities of HCA in the late Sixties, after they discovered that this compound can scale back the physique's production of fats from carbohydrates. Through the regular metabolism of a meal, carbohydrate calories that are not used instantly for power or stored as glycogen are transformed into fat within the liver. HCA works by inhibiting the enzyme (citrate liase) which converts these energy into fats. As a result, the physique will burn existing fats shops, thus aiding in weight reduction.

There is no such thing as a extra details about the producer obtainable online. We do not know where the corporate relies, where the formulation is manufactured, or whether or not or not the ingredients are sourced from a growing country - or in the event that they're made in a factory within the west.

We make no ridiculous claims and we don't sell over hyped products. In reality, we make no declare at all about what the product might or may not do. As a substitute, after we create a product we focus solely on delivering the absolute best model of the supplement we can. We take a look at the competitors round us, not to copy them, but to make an ever higher product. We take popular products and put extra of the energetic ingredients in each pill while still ensuring they are protected. You will find that a lot of our elements are included in as much as 2-5 instances the quantity than their comparable competitor products… offering excellent value for cash and the best possible probability of achieving the results you need from your dietary supplements.

However the makers of Lean Garcinia Plus take the advantages a step further, claiming that their complement can also have an effect on different parts of the physique, together with improving levels of cholesterol, reducing triglycerides and LDL, and raising HDL.” The substances contained in the supplement additionally make it easier for your physique to make use of glucose”, the sugar that your physique makes use of for vitality.

Though the Garcinia Lean XTreme web site has been around for a while, the supplement seems to have only have just lately been marketed (normally through affiliate websites ) just lately. Due to this, no on-line buyer opinions have been out there at the time of our analysis.

We pleasure ourselves on providing you with the best quality merchandise for optimum results and maximum worth. In brief, apple cider vinegar could have some advantages with regards to weight loss, however it's definitely not a magical fix. Folks with big masses of fats may require bigger portions of Garcinia than folks with few fats. In different phrases, you want extra HCA to fast-observe your weight loss success. Apples: Candy or tart, apples are satisfying eaten uncooked or baked right into a delicious dish. Simply make sure you eat the skin; it comprises heart-wholesome flavonoids.

They are called DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS” for a reason as a result of the complement what you should already be doing. Which is to focus on healthy eating and an exercise program. Rutabaga: A cross between a turnip and a cabbage, rutabagas are a well-liked Swedish dish. To utilize their earthy taste, add them to casseroles, puree them with turnips and carrots to make a candy soup or roast them with ginger, honey or lemon. There's however no particular formula for determining exactly what you must consume at a selected weight degree. What makes Garcinia Ultra Lean well worth the high value? Let's learn how it really works.

Made in America, kindly avoid brands made in China or different international locations that do not have clear Garcinia manufacturing pointers. Pears: The sweet and juicy taste makes this fruit a crowd-pleaser. Cooking can actually carry out their fabulous flavor, so try them baked or poached. If you wish to return your Garcinia products for refund, please refer to the next record for tackle and telephone number. I will update this part periodically. you didnt reply the query. It says TWO TABLETS A DAY…not earlier than every meal. solely two per day….when do you are taking them….

So, let me let you know about my Lean Garcinia Plus trial experience. First, you must pay for shipping, which is round $5. Then, you get two weeks with the product to determine if you wish to maintain it. And, I found another trial that works with this one to make me lose much more weight. Trim Colon Cleanse bounce started my weight loss and made me lose around ten kilos off the bat.

Typically, manufacturers closely promote the fact that a complement is made in America. Without this data listed anywhere on Garcinia Ultra Lean's packaging or gross sales page, we're led to assume it's made outside of the country in an unregistered facility.

There isn't any components label on Garcinia Ultra Lean, so we don't know if that is the only ingredient (however it's the only ingredient mentioned by the manufacturer). That is a bit worrying, as a result of we have seen some supplements that can promote high levels of Garcinia cambogia, solely to fill their method up with caffeine and other stimulants.

The idea behind Lean Plus Garcinia is that as a way to achieve efficient and healthy weight administration, your physique needs to be working all day lengthy. When metabolism plummets, we experience feelings of lethargy. Our system creates extra fat, and those cells have a tendency to move directly to the midsection. This explains the rationale behind excessive positive aspects in the gut, thighs and waist. While these are very common points that many individuals face, especially as they age, you can combat back. Lean Plus Garcinia can assist.