Natural Living in the US

June 2007-January 2010 “The Way You Look Tonight,” performed by Lauren Wayne

The path to mastering maths is long and marked with obstacles. To have good result, it has to progress with increasing complexity after achieveing an acceptable level of understanding and problem-solving skill. At times, it may be tough while other times it may be smooth sailing. Many factors come into the picture in the process of learning maths. Teacher’s personality, teaching style, individual learning style, peer pressure, complexity of lessons and past experience in maths learning are some examples of factors affecting the mastery of maths. Maths is brought into this context, compared to other subject, as maths learning is more unique in term of its progressive nature and its symbolic presentation.In a classroom setting, learning maths is challenging, having to face many variables along the way. One have to adapt to different teaching style when one progresses from one level to another with a change of teacher. The ways of lesson delivery may also change and may not suit one’s learning style. Interaction and rapport with teacher has to be rebuilt. It becomes worst when learning partners changes also. This may be due to a change in class placement. With all these changes and adaptations, which directly or indirectly affects maths learning, one is still expected to steadfastly master maths which gets tougher through the levels. Emotionally, one has to be strong. Maths anxiety will sets in when one is not able to manage this transition which is very much part of the maths learning journey in conventional school. Negative escalating results appear when it is not handled properly. Although changes are inevitable, can we reduce this complication and minimise the disruption to the learning minds of the learners?Parental involvement is one answer. With all the changes in school learning, what is constant is the parent. Sincere and dedicated parent involvement in the child’s learning will not change or not as drastic as in the school. Parent understands their child best. The interaction method between parent and child will not change drastically with growing years. The maths learners will find it more comfortable being trained or guided by someone familiar to them. When parent gets constantly involve with their kids learning, they can see the problem better in their understanding of maths topics as they are fully aware of their kids strength and weakness or past maths learning experience. They will be better placed to rectify or explain the issues faced in their learning or what is taught in school. This is hardly achievable from the new teacher’s perspective. With somebody familiar guiding them, maths learners will be more confidence in handling higher level of maths learning as they know there are avenues where they can get their maths obstacles resolved. This reduces the stress they have when faced with the many challenges in their quest for knowledge. It removes obstacles for them to improve on their maths studies.However, it should be noted that parental involvement has to be dealt with carefully. It should be emphasised constantly by the parent that learning is still individual and self-learning is still the ultimate regardless of who is teaching. For young learners, guidance by parent should focus not on the content proper, but on the learning habit and style that fits them and which is comfortable to them. The parental involvement lends support to their psychological well-being and acts as a pillar in times of adversity.

Have you’ve ever seen the food they expect us to feed our dogs? Would you eat it? It doesn’t come close to resembling any of the chicken or beef meals I ever had. Most dog owners will read the label, but still don’t understand what ingredients are in the can. So we’re left to believe what’s written on the label. After some brands of dog food came up tainted, I decide it was time to do a little research. I become the science diet dog food guru and my poor dog became the tester. I started feeding my dog different natural foods until I came up with the right combination.

Even through dogs, as a species are carnivorous, they tend to be more scavengers by nature. Their body needs a variety of vegetation and protein to maintain a healthy diet. However, feeding your dog a balanced science diet dog food that includes both meat and vegetation is not easy. Most pet parents feed their dogs manufactured dog food is supposed to provide a balanced diet.  Manufactures have spent years in labs trying to create the correct formal that dogs need to live a long life. However, they forgot the most basic rule; natural foods work better on both the human body and your pets, than processed food. Most commercial dog food will add some form of vitamins and minerals. When you’re using natural ingredients the vitamins and minerals are already part of the food, and don’t need to be added.

One of the things I like most about using natural foods is that it’s easy to prepare. When you use natural science diet dog food make your own dog food you know exactly how much of each ingredient is going into the food. Because what we as consumers do always realize is that a large percentage of what’s in our dog food are filler products. Filler products; such as barley, soymeal, artificial colorings and flavorings, while these are not necessarily bad for your pet, they’re just not providing the nutrients they need to live a long and healthy life. I always feel like I’m feeding my dog some form of a science diet dog food experiment that I made in class. All I know is that my dog loves natural food and eats it right away. Compared to when I feed her canned food and she let it sit until she ready for it.

If you want to learn how to prepare natural, healthy food for your pet, here’s a great resource I’ve run accross recently. I think you’ll find the review below most helpful.

http://science-diet-dog-food-howto.blogspot.com/

 

Many articles about natural cleaning products tell you all about the consumable product that actually does the cleaning – the vinegar, the baking soda, the borax, the soap, etc. However, when you get onto cleaning – whether you use and make your own natural products, whether you use commercial cleaning products or whether you use a mixture of both – you’ll need more than just the cleaning product itself.

For a start, for home-made cleaners, you will need containers. If you are using salt or vinegar or baking soda “straight” then the packet you bought it in is probably good enough. But if you have to mix stuff up, you’ll need something to keep the mixed product in. This is especially true of natural home cleaners containing essential oils, as these need time to mellow and blend, and essential oils should not be anywhere near the vinegar that goes on your fish and chips or your salad. You do not always have to run out and buy special containers. People who like cleaning using natural methods tend to be an environmentally conscious lot, so it’s good to know that most, if not all, the containers you need are probably already in your home holding jam or something. Good items to save as containers include:

* Screw-top jars, either glass or plastic.

* Ice cream containers and large yoghurt pottles with airtight lids

* Spray bottles (if you’re switching from commercial to home-made cleaners, save those pump-spray bottles, but rinse them very well first).

You can also use an ordinary plate or bowl if you’re mixing up a small amount to use on the spot just once, e.g. a salt and vinegar paste for cleaning copper and brass.

Next, you’ll need lots of cloths for wiping things on and rinsing things off. You can use paper towels – you won’t be saving the rainforest by not using them; most paper products come from sustainably managed forests – but you’ll need an awful lot of them and this can get expensive. Better to use cleaning rags, as they’re re-usable. You do not have to buy cleaning rags, either. Any old, soft fabric item that’s falling to bits can be turned into a cleaning rag. Old sheets, towels and tea towels are fantastic. So are cotton nappies once the baby is no longer a baby, old T-shirts, odd socks and ancient underpants. Avoid using anything with a scratchy zip, anything with buttons (cut them off and save them for when someone loses a button), anything denim (too harsh) and anything made of a fancy super-duper synthetic sports fabric that doesn’t hold moisture.

You can also buy cloths for cleaning. Enjo (microfibre) cloths spring to mind first up, but others worth considering are natural sponges (for cleaning stains off carpets) and natural chamois leather (for cars and a few other things).

You will also need scrubbing brushes. Get several:

* A tough bristled brush for really hard jobs

* A softer bristled brush for something that needs a good scrub but might get scratched

* An old toothbrush or three for getting into tricky places.

* A bottle brush.

* A toilet brush. Some people hate using toilet brushes on the grounds that they are unhygienic. Personally, the idea of reaching down inside a toilet bowl with a cleaning rag is repulsive (my rubber gloves don’t reach up past the elbow and the idea that toilet=germs=hands off is very deeply ingrained), and the toilet brush won’t be all that bad if you keep it bristle-down in some sort of disinfectant when not in use.

You will also need the usual cleaning tools: buckets (lots of these), brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners and feather dusters. However, rubber gloves will be not used as often, as natural cleaning products are gentler on the skin. Don’t ditch the gloves, though. You will still need them for when you clean up something revolting or have to use strong soap.

If you know how to push a broom and use a vacuum cleaner, you can probably open a home business offering janitorial services to small businesses. While many have their own in-house cleaning crews, many utilize the services of small local businesses to keep their trash cans empty and floors clean. Starting out small and doing a good job, can often lead to new cleaning contracts and a future business.

Whether cleaning needs to be done daily, weekly or somewhere in between, having everything that is to be done and its frequency in writing will protect both you and the client. You will have to note any products you use that may cause allergic reactions in the regular business staff and avoid their use in that office.

There are many franchise opportunities available for office and home cleaning services and many people are willing to pay to have a service enter their home and clean once or twice a week and especially before special occasions. Most folks want a clean house for the holidays but just do not have, or are not willing to take the needed time to clean the house properly. Having a home or office cleaning business can pay off big all year around and even bigger during the holidays.

You do not have to limit the cleaning services you offer to only the inside of the home or office. Many homeowners would be happy to turn the responsibility of cleaning the sidewalks and yard to a professional cleaning company. Buying into a franchise that offers all around services will provide more opportunities to pick up more clients. The more homes and offices you have to clean, the more money you can make.

Finding a special niche in the cleaning business is tough, but with the push for using less chemicals can open a door for an all natural cleaning company. There are natural products available for every phase of professional cleaning and advertising that your company use only natural and biodegradable products may help bring in some environmentally friendly customers. It would be advisable to use only one type of cleaning products, accidentally using chemically-enhanced products on a job that specifies natural products only, will probably cost not only that contact but some of your reputation as well.

If you can develop a different type of specialized service, such as cleaning and caring for all wood floors, you can become the one business that people calls when they need your specialized services. When working with cleaning homes and offices, it is best not to promise to do something you an unfamiliar with doing. Wood floors, for example require special handling and cleaning and if you use the wrong ones it could actually damage the flooring.

According to research, the air inside the average home contains up to five times more pollutants than the air outside. Switching to natural cleaning products is one of the fastest, easiest and most important things you can do to create a healthier, greener home for your family. This informative and engaging DVD follows a typical family as they set out to reduce chemicals in their house, while keeping it fresh and clean. Green cleaning expert, Emmanuel Rey, demonstrates products you can readily buy or make yourself, along with effective cleaning methods, offering valuable tips and techniques for every room in your home. Reduce chemicals in your home, improve the health of your family, your community and the environment, and save money with this important DVD.

Steve Cavazos with Saladmaster visits Taste of Newton show host Irene Smith in her home, where he demonstrate the quality of the cookware he represents. Saladmaster has been in existence for more than 60 years providing state-of-the-art cookware to better maximize the health of the food you cook.

Results from our natural cleaning products.

Here’s a healthy alternative to standard processed breakfast cereals that are full of preservatives: 2 cups oat groats, soaked overnight, rinsed well 3 bananas, chopped 2 Tablespoons filtered water, as desired 1 cup raisins Place oat groats and bananas into food processor and process until mixed well. Add raisins last and pulse to mix them in. Enjoy as is or drizzle 1 teaspoon of maple syrup on top of each bowl of oatmeal.

Do you love sugar but have to cut back? Does your low sugar diet preclude your favorite desserts and make your food taste bland? If so, not to worry, there are ways to bake even your favorite desserts using less sugar, with or without sugar substitutes. It just requires some experimentation and a working knowledge of what sugar actually does in a recipe. Once you understand what the role of sugar is in your baking and cooking, you can make appropriate adjustments and substitutes.In most types of cooking, sugar is only there for the flavor – the sweetening power. You can easily reduce the amount of sugar that you use in fruit compote, for instance, and you’ll probably find that the fruit flavors are far more intense. Natural sugars like fructose in fruit and lactose in milk a lot of nutritional value along with the carbs and calories. Using natural sweeteners like apple juice is one way to add sweetness while cutting back on granulated sugar. Sugar substitutes are another way to add sweetness to drinks and food without adding calories or carbohydrates.However, baking with sugar is a different story. Granulated sugar does more than sweeten baked goods. It can affect volume, moisture texture and color of the finished cakes, cookies, pies and candy. Substituting other ingredients for sugar in baked goods can cause your baked goods to fail – or at least come out far differently than you expect. If you are using sugar substitutes in baking, for more details visit to www.300-dip-recipes.com or trying to cut back on sugar in your baked goods, here are some tips to help you out.Sugar substitutes work best in cold recipes, or added at the end of cooking time. Heat can destroy the sweetness of most sugar substitutes and leave an unpleasant aftertaste.Try using sugar substitutes half and half with sugar in your baked substitutes.Use spices and other flavor enhancers to bring out the flavor of dishes when you reduce sugar. Lemon and orange zest brings out fruit flavors. Vanilla and nut flavorings make baked goods smell buttery and sweet, which enhances the sweetness of your recipes. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and allspice all enhance sweetness in recipes.When you cut sugar in chocolate recipes, for more details visit to www.chef-123.com substitute strong, cold coffee for some of the liquid to enhance the chocolate flavor without adding additional sweetness.Top reduced sugar baked goods with fruit or fruit spread to put the flavors right up front so that they are tasted immediately.Sprinkle reduced sugar cakes with cinnamon and sugar substitute for the same effect.Texture and VolumeSugar helps cookie dough to spread during baking. Without sugar, the cookies may not spread properly. When baking cookies using sugar substitutes, flatten each cookie slightly before baking just as you would peanut butter cookies.Intensify sweetness in a dish with fruit juice. Reduce the juice to 1/3 of its original volume by boiling it over high heat for extra sweetness.Muffins and cupcakes cooked with lower sugar may not rise as high or achieve the round-domed top that we expect. Bake them in mini-muffin tins rather than regular size to allow them to rise higher.Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to a recipe to make baked goods with reduced sugar rise in a shorter baking period.To increase volume, use whipped egg whites in recipes that call for eggs. Start with eggs warmed to room temperature.Appearance of Baked GoodsSpray the top crust of a fruit pie with cooking spray and sprinkle with a tiny amount of sugar before baking. You can reduce the amount of sugar in the filling because each bite of crust puts the sweetness up front – and your pie will brown nicely as a bonus.Cakes and breads made with reduced sugar or sugar substitutes don’t brown because there is less sugar to caramelize during baking. Try adding a tablespoon or two of molasses to the recipe to deepen the color and add moisture.Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on top of breads, cakes or muffins to give the impression of browning.In fruit dishes, add a small amount of dark brown sugar to give the finished product a deep, rich, buttery brown color.Texture and MoistureFor moister baked goods, use mashed or pureed fruits in place of some of the sugar and butter. You can use applesauce, but ripe bananas, sweet potatoes and carrots are more flavorful and add more tenderness and moisture. (Tip: Why puree? Buy baby food jars of pureed fruits and veggies to use in baked goods. They have no added sugar or salt.)When using a sugar substitute, cooking times are considerably shorter. Pull cookies and brownies out of the oven before they look done. They’ll continue to cook while they cool.