By Accounting for Profits January 09, 2012
Thanks for the connection on Merchant Circle. Here's wishing you continued success in your business venture. Giving 5 stars and other "compliments" to your great MC site for your kindness. If you should need an accountant, part time CFO, part time controller, or just have accounting and bookkeeping questions, please give us a call. Thanks, Jesse www.AccountingForProfits.Net ...read more
By PiperCub at Citysearch November 04, 2011
My partner and I chose Ed as our midwife immediately after finding out we were expecting. I received all my prenatal care from Ed and his apprentice, Krissy Haglund. From the very moment upon meeting both Ed and Krissy, I knew, without a doubt, that choosing them was the very best decision I could have made for myself and my growing baby. \t\n\t\nEd and Krissy spent, at least, an hour with me each prenatal visit. They answered every single question (and there were lots!) I had and always gave me honest and concise answers. I never felt like a patient with them. \t\n\t\nAs my "due date" approached, and then came and went, Ed and Krissy were always just a phone call away. They helped calm my nerves and helped me though the waiting game. \t\n\t\nLabor set in two weeks after my due date. My partner and I arrived at the birthing center at 8 am on a Friday morning. We spent that morning walking the neighborhoods surrounding the clinic and laughing a lot with Ed and his team. As labor progressed, I was so entirely grateful to have Krissy by my side. Her humor was refreshing and she kept my spirits high. \t\n\t\nI was able to labor the way I wanted to and never felt pressured to "hurry" the process along. My partner and I were left alone at times, allowing us some privacy. It was a very special and intimate experience for us both. I spent the most difficult parts of my labor in the birthing tub surrounded by candles in a dark room with music playing softly. It was not hectic, it was not stressful. I was able to be one with my baby and embrace my labor for what it was.\t\n\t\nUnfortunately, after 24 (plus) hours of laboring and not progressing, Ed made the decision for me to transfer to the hospital. My daughter was born via c-section -- something I had never planned for. Ed and his team waited for us while in the OR. They were there while I nursed my daughter for the first time. It was, despite the unexpected outcome, the best time of my life.\t\n\t\nI can't say enough about how honored I am to have had Ed and Krissy be a part of this journey. They have continued to provide outstanding care for myself and family. ...read more
By CSMobileUser6 at Citysearch March 01, 2011
Roberto decastreo was my doc. ...read more
Using essential oils in the kitchen will not only spice up your cooking… it’s also incredibly fun and an easy way to add flavor and flair to your recipes! But there are a few key things you should always keep in mind. We’ve just released a new eBook, Top 10 Culinary Essential Oils (follow this link or click the image at the bottom of this blog post to download your free copy!), so to celebrate, here is a sneak peak at some of my quick tips for cooking with essential oils: Tip 1 – Use Certified Organic essential oils When cooking with essential oils, I like to live by the same principle I use for choosing produce: use only Certified Organic, or at the very least, pesticide-free essential oils. Once you’ve determined that your oils are of the highest quality and suitable for internal use, you can rest easy knowing there are no hidden chemicals and additives lurking in your culinary masterpiece. Tip 2 – Start small and add to taste Start with a very small amount of essential oil, and then continue to add drops until you’ve reached the desired taste. Remember, it’s always easier to add more, and it can be difficult to adjust your recipe if you add too much. When adding culinary essential oils, don’t hold the bottle directly over the pot or pan you’re cooking with. Instead, add your essential oils to a measuring spoon held over a cup (so you don’t lose any oil if you over pour). Tip 3 – Use appropriate measurements for baking All bakers know that baking is both an art and a science. You have to get the measurements just right or you could wind up spoiling your dish. For most of my baking recipes, I start with 1-2 drops of essential oil(s) and then taste. Again, use the trick of adding your essential oils into a measuring spoon over a cup so you don’t accidentally add too much to your mix. Tip 4 – Add essential oils toward the end of cooking When it makes sense for the recipe, I find that I achieve the best (and tastiest) results when I add my essential oils toward the end. This helps keep the oil and delicate flavors—from essential oils such as lemon Citrus limonum (Risso)—from evaporating away! I love to add a drop of lemon to my fish dishes! Tip 5 – Experiment and have fun! Now I have to admit, I am not the biggest fan of cooking. That’s one reason I love the versatility of essential oils: when I use them in the kitchen, they add a splash of pizzazz to quick and easy recipes. Make cooking with essential oils a family activity! Have the kids gather and add the oils or even taste test your recipe with essential oils while you’re cooking. (But remember: always keep essential oils out of the reach of children.) Experiment with different types of culinary essential oils. You never know: maybe you’ll discover some new essential oils or find a new, unique recipe for a long-time favorite (did you know that basil Ocimum basilicum (L.) is great to mix with strawberries in dessert recipes?). Get cookin’! ...read more
By Apothecary Shoppe September 11, 2014
Ah, summertime! It’s that time of year to relax out on the porch, sip some lavender iced-tea, and watch the sun slowly dip behind the tree line. But if there’s one thing that can snap you straight out of that soothing summer bliss, it’s mosquitos and other creepy crawlies found around your home! If you’ve read my first blog on tips for green cleaning with essential oils, you know I strongly discourage the use of chemical cleaners and pesticides. But living with colonies of unwanted critters is not exactly how I like to spend my summers. So how can you repel insects naturally while sticking to your green cleaning principles? As with all my green cleaning solutions, I use the natural insecticidal powers of essential oils. Here are ten fabulous essential oils that naturally repel insects: 1. Lavender Lavandula angustifolia (Mill.) When you think of lavender, relaxation and restful sleep are usually the first things that come to mind. But along with its lovely floral aroma and soothing qualities, lavender is also effective at battling the bugs. Lavender pillows and sachets are wonderful in linen cupboards and chests of drawers and will keep away moths and other insects while leaving a fresh scent. Lavender oil can be sprayed from an atomizer or left in a saucer to help keep away ants and insects, and to disinfect the air.[1] 2. Basil Ocimum basilicum (L.) Not just a zesty addition to your tomato sauce, basil essential oil is ideal for summer pest control, especially if you live in a wet climate with lots of lakes and ponds. One study showed O. basilicum exhibiting both mosquito repellent and larvicidal activity.[2] Basil is an uplifting oil, so add some to an atomizer and spray outside for a natural mosquito repellent and a well-deserved mood boost! Additionally, if you suffer from indoor allergies on those rainy, summer days, a 2014 study also concluded that practical dust mite control can be achieved with basil oil.[3] Yet another reason to clean green with versatile essential oils! 3. Thyme Thymus vulgaris (L.) I think all of us can agree that the common housefly is one of the most aggravating creatures on the planet. If you’ve ever lived on a farm, these pests are even more of a headache! Lucky for us, thyme has been found to be a highly effective insecticide against houseflies.[4] A 2005 study also found thyme to be an excellent mosquito repellent as well.[5] Win, win! 4. Pine Pinus sylvestris (L.) If you love camping but despise using Deet or other chemical bug sprays, pine is your perfect companion. A natural repellent against mosquitos, pine will also keep you smelling fresh as the forest! 5. Vetiver Vetiveria zizanioides (Nash) In Java, Indonesia, sustainable vetiver essential oil production has produced a viable vetiver craft industry with items such as aromatic mats, baskets, candles, and soaps—all being produced from the spent root. The added benefit is vetiver acts as a natural mosquito deterrent in the house. Diffusing a few drops of this oil will help repel the mosquitos and also create a spicy, Balinese ambience for summer. 6. Bergamot Citrus aurantium (L.) var. bergamia Is there anything more “summery” than citrus? Bergamot is one of my favorite oils to use for green cleaning, and it’s also the perfect addition to your natural insect repellent spray as it adds a mood boosting, fruity lift. It’s important to note that bergamot is very phototoxic, so you should not use it outside as a topical insect repellent, but rather an aromatic insect repellent spray. If the bugs happen to make a meal out of you on those long summer evenings, bergamot is a wonderful oil for topical use on insect bites or stings (just keep out of the sun)! 7. Peppermint Mentha ×piperita (L.) If you would rather a fresh and minty clean aroma in your bug spray than that icky chemical smell, peppermint is the perfect choice. Peppermint is a natural insecticide that kills as well as repels mosquitos. In one study, M. ×piperita showed repellent action when applied to exposed body parts. It also displayed significant larvicidal and mosquito repellant action: Larvae of Culex quinuefasciatus were completely killed 24 hours after exposure (in water) to 3 ml of M. ×piperita per square meter of water.[6] Peppermint is also useful on insect stings and bites! Here's a great recipe: Insect Stings and Bites Tea tree Australia Melaleuca alternifolia: 10 drops Peppermint Mentha piperita: 10 drops Apply to the area undiluted as often as needed. 8. Tea Tree Australia Melaleuca alternifolia (Cheel) Will the wonders of Australian tea tree oil ever cease? Tea tree is not only a green cleaning powerhouse, but it is also an antiparasitic, capable of destroying or suppressing the growth of parasites such as fleas, leeches, lice, and ticks. Use diffusion or direct topical application. Like bergamot, if those nasty critters do make a meal out of you, Australian tea tree can help beat the irritation from bites or stings. 9. Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus (Labill.) A standard in any natural green cleaning kit, your eucalyptus essential oil can also be used as an insecticide. In a 2010 study,[7] three species of eucalyptus (E. staigeriana, E. citriodora, and E. globulus) were tested for use with the blood-sucking sandfly, lutzomyia Lutzomyia longipalpis. Researchers found the eucalyptus essential oils were more effective against L. longipalpis than other natural products. 10. Lemon eucalyptus Eucalyptus citriodora (Hook.) As mentioned above, lemon eucalyptus E. citriodora can also be used as a natural insecticide—especially for those who love that citrusy smell for summer! It was also discovered that the distillate or hydrosol was very effective against mosquitoes and not as volatile as the essential oil. This could be a great essential oil mosquito repellent option for use around children and pets, since the hydrosol still provides very high protection from a broad range of insects over several hours.[8] I was lucky enough to visit an essential oil lab run by the Ethiopian government when I visited the country in 2006. They were doing a lot of work with lemon eucalyptus essential oil as an insect repellant—critical in parts of the world where malaria is running rife! E. citriodora is an excellent resource as the tree grows quickly and has a fairly high yield of essential oil. Now that you have your oils ready to arm yourself against the bites and stings of summer, here is my favorite natural insect repellent recipe for keeping those bugs at bay. Happy summer! Natural Insect Repellant Spray Lavender Lavandula angustifolia oil: 15 drops Lemon eucalyptus Eucalyptus citriodora oil: 10 drops Tea tree Australia Melaleuca alternifolia oil: 10 drops Lime Citrus aurantifolia oil: 6 drops Bergamot Citrus aurantium var. bergamia oil: 6 drops Distilled water: 2 ounces Vinegar from your kitchen: 2 ounces (I prefer white vinegar, but apple cider works too! Leave the balsamic for the Caprese salad!) Blend all the ingredients and put into a spray bottle. Shake well before using. Note: Both bergamot and lime are photosensitive oils. This is an aromatic blend meant to be diffused into the air around you and is not intended for topical or internal use. How will you naturally beat the bugs this summer? Share your ideas in the comments! ------------ Disclosure of Material Connection: I am the CIO of American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine. [1] Note: Lavandin Lavandula intermedia (Emeric ex Loisel.) can be substituted, as it is also a useful insect repellent. However, it’s important to note that L. intermedia and L. angustifolia have different therapeutic effects. Lavender is known for its calming and sedating qualities while lavandin can have stimulating effects. Read more about the differences here: Top 5 Ways to Check Quality of Essential Oils [2] Chokechaijaroenporn, O., Bunyapraphatsara, N., & Kongchuensin, S. (1994). Mosquito repellant activities of Ocimum volatile oils. Phytomed 135-139. [3] Perumalsamy H, Kim JY, Kim JR, Hwang KN, Ahn YJ. (2014). Toxicity of basil oil constituents and related compounds and the efficacy of spray formulations to Dermatophagoides farinae (Acari: Pyroglyphidae). J Med Entomol. 650-657. [4]Gora J., Lakota S., Kurowska A., Kalemba D., Raszka A., Kula J. 1993. The Possibilities of Essential Oils Utilization for the Limitation of Some Insect Populations or their Repellency. Programme Abstracts, 24th Int Symp Essent Oils. [5]Park B.S., Choi W.S., Kim J.H., Kim K.H., Lee S.E. 2005. Monoterpenes from thyme (Thymus vulgaris) as potential mosquito repellents. J Am Mosq Control Assoc- Mar;21(1):80-3. [6]Ansari M.A., Vasudevan P., Tandon M., Razdan R.K. 2000. Larvicidal and mosquito repellent action of pepper- mint (Mentha piperita) oil. Bioresource Technol 71:267-271. [7] Maciel, M.V., Morais, S.M., Bevilaqua, C.M., Silva, R.A., Barros, R.S., et al. (2010). Chemical composition of Eucalyptus spp. essential oils and their insecticidal effects on Lutzomyia longipalpis. Vet Parasitol, 167(1):1-7. Epub 2009 Oct 9. [8] Maia, M.F. & Moore, S. J. (2011). Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing. Malaria Journal 10(1):S11. Retrieved from http://www.malariajournal.com/content/10/S1/S11 ...read more
By Apothecary Shoppe September 11, 2014
Catch the sleep- thief before it affects your health Not enough people are getting a decent night’s sleep, which can seriously affect your health, and weightloss goals. Sleep is essential for our health and well-being. A good night’s sleep keeps us feeling fresh and active throughout the day. Being deprived of sleep makes us irritable in nature, increases fatigue, decreases our efficiency at work and home, and is the beginning of various physical, as well as mental problems. Various studies have proved the disadvantages and health hazards of sleep disorders and bad sleeping habits. According to studies conducted by various research institutes, watching television before going to sleep is probably one of the biggest obstacles to a full night’s sleep.Watching TV before going to bed definitely interferes with proper sleeping habits and does not allow you to fulfill the required 7-8 hours ofsound sleep. Forcing yourself to stay up to watch the end of a program when you could be sleeping actually robs you of precious sleeping hours, and you wake up in the morning feeling tired and sleepy. Watching television replaces sleep time and you sleep for fewer hours than required by your body to function properly. Sleep is essential for children as well as for adults. In fact in pre-schoolers it is said that a minimum of 11-13 hours of sound sleep at night is essential to prepare them for the next day. Children also get addicted to TV and instead of going to sleep, it has been seen that they force themselves to stay. This results in cranky and irritable behavior, a stressed and worn-out attitude, decreased concentration and memory, and such children are more prone to illness. There are different stages of sleep and some of them are necessary to perform certain biological functions. People tend to doze off first and then slowly move to a stage known as REM or (rapid eye movement). REM sleep is the stage where everyone dreams, and it is also the time when the body performs most of the mental functions. REM sleep is the most valuable time for the body, since body repairs itself during REM sleep and helps in the regeneration of tissues. Due to our busy lives, there are not enough hours in the day to take time out for a short nap. So it becomes mandatory for people getting less and less sleep to compensate for it at night. Lack of sleep leads to hormonal imbalances and a dysfunction in the normal immune system, resulting in the body losing its ability to fight disease. Lack of sleep also increases risk of obesity and depression and is a contributing factor in chronic diseases. Insufficient sleep is also linked to long-term health problems, including high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Regular viewing of television at bedtime becomes a habit for most people and is one that is hard to break. This habit can ultimately lead to insomnia. In such conditions natural sleep aids are a good option. Valerian root extract is a natural herb that has been used for centuries to treat sleep disorders and affects the production of GABA, which is a neurotransmitter found in our body. The melatonin hormone available in our body is another effective and natural remedy to treat insomnia, and has been found to have no significant side effects. Chamomile, which is used in capsule, liquid and in the form of a tea, is also an excellent sleep inducer. Lavender oil has proved to be a great sleep inducer for many, and is even advised to be taken along with a warm bath before going to bed. Insomnia affects more than 64 million people in the US alone. Without enough sleep, we put our health at risk and can experience symptoms of depression, changes in brain chemistry, increases in cardiovascular disease and increased weight gain. Whether you want to bulk up or lose weight, dietary supplements will help you reach your goals faster, safer and with better results. We review only superior market brands to ensure you’re getting the weight loss management and high performance nutrition advice you need. These brands are backed by scientific research and have shown proven results. ...read more
By Javita Coffee May 20, 2013
There are often times in many women’s lives when they need to dress nicely but don’t want to spend a lot of money. Whether a woman is shopping for clothes to wear to a new job, or for something to wear to a wedding, there are ways to find beautiful outfits to wear within anyone's budget, n... ...read more
Finding comfortable and stylish plus size clothing can be difficult. Many stores have a limited selection of plus size clothing, or may only have a few sizes. Knowing how to shop for clothing that looks well on your body type is the first step in finding the right styles. ...read more
