Health & Lifestyle December 19, 2018

10 Ways To Use Baking Soda

Baking Soda or Soda Bicarbonate is a well known staple in every household. We all use in 2 basic ways:

Baking
Keeping Fridge and Freezer Odor Free

Many of you know that Baking Soda can be used in many other ways, but how many of you actually use it?

Baking Soda can be used as a great alternative to many household products that contain chemicals. Not only it will save you some hard earn cash, but it will give you an opportunity to do your little bit to help the environment at the same time….that’s what I call a WIN-WIN situation.

Use Baking Soda to deodorize Fluffy’s Litter Box – just sprinkle some Soda on top of fresh Kitty Litter (no need to buy the more expensive litter with deodorizers).

If the old garbage can is stinking up your kitchen wash it out with Baking Soda.

The recipe calls for Baking Powder, but you are out. Sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar , 1 part of Cornstarch and 1 part of Baking Soda.

You have guests coming over for dinner, but your silverware is looking shabby. Put some Baking Soda onto a damp cloth and polish it. Then just rinse and dry.

To freshen your breath and clean your mouth just add 1/2 teaspoon of Baking Soda into 1/2 glass of water and gargle.

Switch your bathroom cleaner for some Baking Soda. Sprinkle bit on a damp sponge to wipe your tiles, sink, tub and even shower doors. Rinse.

To eliminate odor from sneakers, boots, stinky slippers and shoes just sprinkle some Baking Soda inside.

Make a paste from Baking Soda and water to relieve discomfort from insect bites, Poison Ivy and rash.

If your dishwasher is starting to get that funky smell just sprinkle some Baking Soda on the bottom and leave the door ajar a bit.

You burned the dinner and now there is a thick layer of burned food on the bottom of your pan. Just cover the bottom with a layer of Baking Soda, add enough water just to moisten it and let sit overnight. Scrub with easy in the morning.

No Comments

Destinations December 18, 2018

How to Meet Men on Vacation

The obvious method of meeting men is to go where they congregate, however, the truth is that meeting single men while away from home poses some special problems. For starters, you often don’t know the area and it can be difficult to guess where men prefer to spend their time. Still, there are lots of places to go and many things you can do to increase your chances of meeting men while on vacation.

Step 1

Do your homework. Before you leave home, search online for popular spots in the area you will be visiting. These may include sport stadiums, bars and cafes, outdoor ventures and even gyms. Some destinations are especially good for single women, from adult-only resorts to hot places like Jamaica or Florida.

Step 2

Pamper yourself and look your best. There’s no better time to go all out with fashion and pampering than while you’re on vacation. Bring along a cute dress and heels for a quick drink at the bar and put on the fancy earrings you’ve been saving for that special occasion. Since you won’t be rushing back and forth to work or ruining your makeup in the heat of the day, looking your best be easier than usual.

Step 3

Spend some time at the bar. It’s an easy place to meet men because most of the people in there are traveling, so it’s easy to break the ice with a simple chatter about travel. Eye contact and a smile work fine, but here, more than anywhere, don’t be afraid to start a quick conversation. Solo travelers usually welcome the interaction and you can always escape to your room if you get bored or the sparks are not flying.

Step 4

Look for packaged singles vacations. These are perfect if you are shy or unsure on how to start a connection. Many local groups and organizations, such as Sierra Club, offer outings that last anywhere between a day and a couple of weeks, where you can meet others who are also single and looking. Or you can book a complete holiday through a packager such as Club Med, which offer stylish trips to both national and international destinations.

Step 5

Choose a vacation with lots of team-oriented adventure. An outdoor activity, such as white water rafting or cycling, can work. So can volunteering vacations, taking a singles cruise or spending a weekend at an isolated ski resort. Again, do your research beforehand so you know what age group and type visit the place, and avoid those that seem to cater mostly to couples or families.

No Comments

Destinations December 17, 2018

Camping at the Pocono Mountains

Camping in the Pocono Mountains is a fun and inexpensive way to vacation. The Poconos contains large tracks of undeveloped or state preserved land, seemingly made for hiking. The Appalachian Trail runs through the mountains. Lucky campers may see some of the rarer wildlife like the Bald Eagle or Peregrine Falcon. Birders particularly love the area as many different species thrive during the summer months.

Weather

Each year, the weather varies. January and February often have cold spells hitting the single digits. Regular rainfall usually occurs in spring and late fall to early winter. July and August the temperature often reaches the high eighties with occasional days of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bugs

Mosquitoes and ticks are horrible from late spring into summer. They continue to be annoying well into fall.

Uninvited Guests

The Pocono Mountains are home to black bears. Like any location with a large bear population, take precautions with where you place your food.

Snakes

The poisonous Northern copperhead and eastern timber rattlesnake live in the Pocono Mountains. The poisonous eastern massasauga rattlesnake is less common, but no less deadly. Each of the poisonous snakes possess an indentation on each side of the head.

Setting up Camp
Plenty of state lands are available to hikers. More traditional campgrounds like Cranberry Run Campground exists for minimal cost complete with recreation area, restrooms and a pool. Cranberry Run Campground sits on 65 acres of mostly undeveloped land.

Cranberry Run Campground
P. O. Box 309
Analomink, Pennsylvania 18320
(570) 421-3811
cranbrun@ptd.net
poconocamping.com/

No Comments

News December 16, 2018

Barack Obama Is What We Get When We Don’t Pay Attention

I knew I wouldn’t be voting for Barack Obama when I heard his exchange with Joseph Wurzelbacher when he said:

My attitude is that if the economy’s good for folks from the bottom up, it’s gonna be good for everybody. I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.

It was at that instant that I knew Obama was bad news but, because of his “storybook” rise he would be elected president.

To quote Joesph Biden:

I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.

Many white Americans would vote for Obama because they wanted to send a message – either to themselves, their parents, or “society” that they were not racist. And John McCain was an inferior candidate to go up against the trendy, young, hip, bi-racial Obama.

As someone told me at the time, McCain was a typewriter while Obama was an iPhone.

But because of a variety of forces, Obama was elected however Americans didn’t really look beyond the flashy marketing to see what they were actually getting.

We saw a variety of SJWs (Social Justice Warriors) put into position of power. Everybody from the wacky Van Jones to the scary Eric Holder. And we had a press that just frothed over the chance to love Obama.

But the outcome was different.

The outcome of today’s elections should be no surprise… except that they are not a more resounded refutation of Obama and his party. Perhaps, as Rush Limbaugh suggested, rejection of the Tea Party by the GOP is why. Perhaps voters feel neither side has any solutions. Perhaps the candidates aren’t overly stimulating. Or maybe people are simply worn out.

the outcome of today will matter, a little, in the short term… the outcome two years from now will really be what counts.

Will the GOP use the time wisely or just piss it away?

No Comments

Health & Lifestyle December 15, 2018

Best Bait for Saltwater Fishing

What is the secret to landing a monster grouper, or battling a spirited marlin? It’s all in the bait. Most saltwater fish prefer natural baits to artificial lures, so it is important to know what certain species eat. Bait common to a fish’s environment leads to more consistent striking action and angling enjoyment.

Live Shrimp

Live shrimp is considered by many the best overall saltwater bait. Few saltwater fish species can resist the temptation of lively, fresh shrimp. It is the natural diet of nearly every type of near-shore saltwater game fish. When rigging a live shrimp on a hook, avoid piercing the dark vital organ behind the head. This will ensure the shrimp remains alive longer.

Live Crabs

Several saltwater fish prefer small live crabs. Tasty sheepshead and sea trout love to feed on fiddler crabs found around bridge pylons and docks. A great thing about this bait is the ease of finding and catching them, eliminating the need to buy bait. Hook crabs through the rear of their shells to allow natural movement in the water.

Fresh Clams

Clams are a great bait when surf fishing for species like pompano or whiting. Around seawalls, flounder and halibut will also hit clams consistently. The ideal size for a bait clam is 4 to 5 inches. To rig a line with clam, remove the “meat” from inside the clam shell and run the hook through it to the first bait-holder barb. The point of the hook should remain buried in the meat. A 5-inch clam provides enough bait for up to three hooks.

Small Bait Fish

Larger offshore game fish, such as tarpon and dolphin, are enticed by a variety of small bait fish. Pin fish, pig fish and finger mullet are the most popular choices for saltwater fishermen. Properly rigged bait fish are lively and spark attention from aggressive feeders. Run a hook through the mouth, allowing the fish to move naturally through the water.

Cut Bait

Cut bait is simply fish that’s been cut up into smaller pieces. It is flexible and is effective for surf, near-shore and offshore fishing. Large saltwater species in deeper waters, such as grouper and red snapper, are especially fond of cut bait. Prepare cut bait by cutting of the head and tail. Discard the tail, but keep the head. Cut the body into horizontal and vertical strips for rigging on the hook. Keep the hook transparent when rigging the bait.

No Comments

Tech December 14, 2018

How to Charge an iPod Nano Without a Computer

While traveling, you might want to bring your iPod Nano with you. If you use your computer at home to charge your iPod, you may need an alternate charging method when you’re away. Adapters, easily purchased at an electronics store, give you two other options.

Things You’ll Need:

12 volt or USB power adapter iPod USB cable
12 volt or USB power adapter
iPod USB cable

Step 1

Decide whether you want to charge your iPod Nano in your vehicle or your hotel room. If you will be driving a lot on your trip, charging the iPod in the vehicle is convenient.

Step 2

Use a 12-volt power adapter made for iPods to charge your device in the vehicle. Some of these also offer the option to play your iPod’s music through your vehicle’s speakers.

Step 3

Plug the adapter into your vehicle’s 12-volt power outlet. Plug the other end into your iPod. Your Nano will charge while you drive.

Step 4

Purchase a USB power adapter made for the iPod if you wish to charge your device in your hotel room.

Step 5

Plug the adapter into the wall. The USB cable that came with your iPod then plugs into the adapter. The other end of the USB cable connects to the Nano as usual. The Nano will start charging.

No Comments

Destinations December 12, 2018

About Atlantis, Paradise Island

Located in the Central Bahamas and only 30 miles away from the Nassau International Airport, Atlantis on Paradise Island is one of the Caribbean’s most popular resort locations.

Hotels
Atlantis contains six different hotel choices from which to choose, the Royal Towers, Coral Towers, beach Towers, the Cove Atlantis and the Harbor Side Resort. From the luxury of The Cove to the family-friendly atmosphere of the Harbor-side resort, Atlantis has an option for all tourists.

Features
The Atlantis property includes 11 pools, 19 restaurants and 7 lounges including a kid’s lounge. Also available to all guests is 24-hour room service, a continental breakfast and baby-sitting services.

Weather
The highest average temperature for Atlantis is around 90 degrees in July and August. Rainfall is highest from June through October.

Activities
Guests on Atlantis have an abundance of activities from which to choose including Atlantis Golf, the Atlantis Theater and Atlantis Speedway, swimming with the Dolphins at the Dolphin Cay, and letting go at the complementary water park, Aqua-venture.

Gaming
Atlantis offers multiple casino options including poolside gaming at The Cove and table gaming at the Sea-glass Lounge. In addition, the resort offers 24-hour gaming at the Atlantis Casino, the largest in the Caribbean according to nassauparadiseisland.com.

No Comments

Business December 10, 2018

Even More Proof Of The Major Disconnect Between Brands And Consumers When It Comes To Social Media

Back in December I shared results of a survey which revealed, among many other things, that marketers don’t get it. They don’t get why consumers want to engage and follow their brands in the social media space. Here’s even more proof that brand managers and all marketers are failing to realize the real reason people interact with their brands via social media.

As anyone who’s known me for five minutes or less knows that I am a huge fan of pop culture and I love to tie in pop culture references with the world of social media, advertising and marketing, hence my column for Marketing Profs not long ago May the Force Be With You: Movie Quotes & Social Media. It’s obviously meant to take a lighthearted approach and look at social media and relate it to something most of us know and love – movies.

Taking creative license, I’ll play the part of Col. Jessup and brand managers and marketers will play the part of Kaffee in the classic courtroom scene from the film A Few Good Men.

Steve: You want answers?
Marketers: I think I’m entitled to know the real reason people follow and like us in social media.
Steve: You want answers?
Marketers: I want the truth!
Steve: You can’t handle the truth! Mr. Brand Manager and Ms. Product Marketer we live in a world where consumers don’t give a damn about your content that you’re sharing on your Facebook Wall or whatever it is your Tweeting about. What they care about is getting something in return for their loyalty, they care about coupons and promotions and exclusive offers… in other words social currency. They want to be rewarded for their loyalty.

I am of course simplifying this as the content you share on Facebook and Twitter, etc. does have value and needs to be engaging and interesting and relevant to your audience.

But… as I wrote in the post re: the aforementioned survey from the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council and Lithium, there is a disconnect between what a marketer thinks and what a consumer really wants. 65% of consumers say they engage with brands in social media for games, promotions, contests and exclusive offers BUT only 33% of marketers surveyed thought that was the reason as more marketers (57%) were under the impression that it was the content they were generating that was the reason for consumers liking them.

More Proof Of The Major Disconnect Between Brands And Consumers When It Comes To Social Media
Yet another study, this one conducted by Chief Marketer, revealed the same disconnect:

Do you see it?

59% of marketers in this survey think content is the key to engagement and way down in Part 2 at 39% you’ll see the real reason consumers want to engage and follow: coupons, promotions, exclusive offers, etc. And even further down the list are coupons and discounts that can either be shared with their fellow consumers or available via a geo-location service such as Four Square.

Brand managers, product marketers and marketers of all shapes and sizes, consumers are people and people are people which means they want something in return for their time, for their loyalty; they want something of value in exchange oh-so-valuable Like and Follow.

So the question to ask is what are you going to do about this?

What Mr. Brand Manager and Ms. Product Marketer are you going to do with this information?

What kind of “social currency” are your offering your customers and prospects?

How are you engaging them in the social media space?

No Comments

« Previous 1 … 26 27 28