Science Horizons

How can you not love summer? For me it is the best season of the entire year. There are just so many things you can do in the summer. You can enjoy the outdoors, whether it is out of town or in your back yard, you can have lovely bar-b-ques on the back deck, or go for walks around the city without fear of frost bite or slipping on ice.

I recently had someone ask me what it was about summer that I loved so much. They asked what my top three favorite things about summer time would be. Well, I couldn’t decide right away, because there are just so many things that you can do in summer that you can’t do in the winter, and I love everyone of them. I wanted to make sure that if I came up with a list of top three summer things, it would really be my favorite things.

I took about a week to decide on my final list of excellent summer time things. After narrowing down the endless list of awesome things, I finally decided on: 1) spending time gardening in one of my many gardens (house and cottage, front and back yards), 2) spending time riding my seadoo at our lake cottage, and 3) having gourmet meals that I cook with my Big Green Egg.

I love to cook and consider cooking to be a hobby. I didn’t really love to BBQ until approximately 5 years ago when we started to BBQ on a Big Green Egg. The BGE is a charcoal smoker BBQ based an ancient Japanese method of cooking. The BGE is a large ceramic BBQ that has a huge range of temperatures and great temperature control. It can quickly cook the perfect steak at 700 degrees or slow roast ribs at 200 degrees all afternoon. A summer time BBQ is much more fun if you have a Big Green Egg.

I love the water and love to be on or in the water as much as possible. I have always had a love of personal watercraft such as windsurfers and canoes. My most recent personal watercraft passion involves Seadoos. I love to pull off the Seadoo cover early in the morning and get out on the lake. I don’t love the roar of anything motorized. I just love to putt around the lake and take in the sounds of the morning.

I love growing things and I love flowers. The time I spend in my garden just flies by. I get excited about new plants popping their heads through the soil. Over the years I have tried to plant perennials that will bloom at different points during the summer. The timing of the different flowers is not yet perfect but it is a work in progress. I add some annuals every year to brighten the colour and every fall I add some spring time bulbs to the mix.

I pondered my list of the top three things I love about summer time for a while. However, once the list was finalized I was certain that it encapsulated perfectly my love of summer. It includes three different activities that collectively mean summer time to me. So whether I have a spatula in my hand or I am pulling off Seadoo covers, or I am holding a garden spade, I am bound to have a smile on my face.

Jane A Moore Gardening big green egg, Boating, Gardening, Hobbies, seadoo covers, summer, Summer time, summer time activities

There are many baby boomers the world over that are trying to figure out their retirement plans. Choosing an affordable tropical retirement destination is actually a reality for many soon to be retirees. Nicaragua should be on your list of possibilities, as the benefits are far to numerous to ignore.

The cost of living in Nicaragua is probably one of the biggest benefits for many of the current ex pat residents. Food costs are extremely low compared to typical first world markets. Seasonal produce, fruits and vegetables, dairy, poultry and beef can all be obtained from local markets, as well as well stocked modern grocery stores. Basic food costs are typically a half to a third of the price in the US.

Every part of Nicaragua has something different to offer a retired couple looking for authentic Central American culture. Everywhere in Nicaragua you will find the same slowed down pace of life. You will have time to enjoy a beautiful ocean sunset, wander through Colonial towns, go for a walk on the beach, enjoy a book in a hammock, or visit with locals and other expatriats.

Planning for the weather becomes much less of an issue when you live in Central America. The weather is warm all year round, and there are just two distinct seasons – the warm dry season, and the warm wet season. The other notable weather pattern are the almost year round offshore winds, which help to keep the heat in the dryer hotter coastal towns at bay. If you prefer a more temperate climate, you may want to consider the central and northern mountains, where the cooler wetter climate at altitude creates the perfect environment for world class coffee farms.

It has only been quite recently that the already value priced Nicaragua became even more attractive, as world economic conditions led to a slow down in almost every real estate market. Nicaragua had recently enjoyed a mini real estate boom, but still managed to remain relatively inexpensive compared to other Central American investment and retirement locations. Now with the economic slowdown, a number of previously unavailable opportunities are presenting themselves. For example, a North American style vacation home with ocean views can be found for under $200,000, whereas the equivalent property may sell for two to three times that amount in Costa Rica.

You owe it to yourself to consider Nicaragua as a viable retirement destination. The land of lakes and volcanoes is sure to capture your heart. You will be able to enjoy a retirement lifestyle that exceeds dreams for less money than you would think. Do some research into Nicaragua real estate and see for yourself.

Jane A Moore Destinations central america, central america real estate, Destinations, international real estate, nicaragua, nicaragua real estate, nicaragua realty, real estate, real;estate, vacation homes, vacation property

This season’s patio furniture covers are dazzling. There is no doubt that next year’s designs will be equally as colourful. Don’t be surprised. Fashion trends tend to respond to the current economic atmosphere. In times of economic hardship, colours tend to be brighter and patterns tend to be more cheerful. Whether it is in clothes or patio furniture covers or other household items, the trend this year is to be bright and colourful.

Although, I will be happy to see the end of the recession I don’t mind its impact on fashion. I love vibrant and cheerful designs so I love this season’s offerings. I have seen bright red, blue and yellow daisy designs that bring to mind the flowing peasant skirts and dresses of the 1960s. I have seen wide pink and purple stripes that remind me of the fashions of the 1970s. This year the colour choices and pattern choices are spirit lifting. Designers know what people are looking for and this year it is fun, fun, fun.

If you like colour you will not be disappointed this year. However, colour and pattern design are only a small part of choosing patio set covers. There are some underlying aspects that remain the same from year to year. The aspects that change very slowly or that seem resistant to change relate to the day to day functionality of the patio furniture covers. These aspects relate to the overall durability of the covers, the ease of removing the covers, the style of fastening the covers, the quality of the covers, and the general ability of the covers to protect patio furniture from the elements.

I am often asked about what I look for when buying outdoor furniture covers for me or my clients. The answer is twofold. The first thing I look for is the type of fabric used in the manufacture of the covers. A few decades ago, furniture covers tended to be of a very poor quality with a layer of plastic bonded to a cotton lining. The sun and rain destroyed these covers quickly and quickly the covers looked shabby. The covers that are available today are made from newer more durable and advanced man-made fabrics. These fabrics are both breathable and water resistant. The combination of these factors protects the furniture from the rain and dew and at the same time allows mildew producing moisture to escape.

The next thing I closely examine is the durability of the cover. This is very important to me. I look at the cover seams. I want to make sure that all of the seams are double or even triple stitched. I am very cautious if I see any lose threads. Lose threads are a good indicator of poor quality. I also pay close attention to the manner of fastening the covers. The better quality outdoor furniture covers fasten with good quality zippers. Completely zip and unzip all of the zippers. Ensure all of the zippers are in proper working order.

When buying outdoor furniture covers you should keep a few things in mind. Colour and pattern are important but these aspects are only a part of what should be seriously considered. The functionality of the covers is very important too. Are they easily removed? Are they easily washed? Is the fabric protective and durable? A proper consideration of all of these factors will allow you to purchase the best patio furniture covers for your family.

Jane A Moore Gardening backyard, furniture, garden, garden furniture, Gardening, Home, home and garden, house and home, outdoor decor, outdoor design, outdoor furniture, patio furniture, patio furniture covers

Rachel Ray acai berry recipes are hard to find. After searching off and on for a number of days I gave up searching but I hadn’t given up hope. I decided to experiment in my own kitchen. Often some of my favorite recipes are those I’ve stumbled across when I’ve had to switch one ingredient for another in a pinch.

My most popular dish at home is a baked chicken breast with a spicy citrus marinade, so I thought perhaps I could invent a chicken dish with acai berry juice substituted in for one of the citrus juices I normally use. As long as I kept my marinade time the same as usual (at least 6 hours in the refrigerator), I thought I couldn’t go wrong trying out a citrus acai marinade.

I generally butterfly chicken breasts so I can reduce cooking time, lessening the chance that I will overcook and dry them out. I should also note that this citrus recipe works best if you bar-b-q or cook your chicken on an open grill. I use a pyrex dish to add all the ingredients to marinate the chicken. I would normally add the juice of 2 oranges, but for this recipe I’m adding juice from one orange, 1/2 cup of acai berry juice, juice of one lime, 4-8 cloves of garlic, 1/2 t white pepper, 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil, and a little ground sea salt. Well, after it I marinated overnight, and bar-b-q’ed the pollo, the consensus was that although the acai version was tasty, the original recipe was still the best marinade. Well, perhaps that’s for the best, acai berry is pretty expensive to have most of it burn off or drip down onto the coals.

So my next recipe was a variation on another favorite of mine, and I hoped it would turn out better than the chicken experiment. In fact it did meet with very positive reviews. This is my own version of acai berry frozen yogurt. Mix acai berry juice with a non-flavored low fat yogurt. Then set a strainer and cheese cloth in a bowl, pour through the yogurt, put it in the fridge and let it drain through the yogurt for a day. Once the yogurt has drained, you are left with a cream cheese like mixture, which in fact is quite good as a spread or dip at this point.

I pealed the acai/yogurt mixture off the cheese cloth and into some Tupperware. I then froze the mixture for 8 hours. It was delicious! It was tangy from the yogurt and had the rich berry taste of acai. The amount of freezing depends on how you like to have your frozen yogurt. I prefer it softer rather than harder and therefore 8 hours worked well for me.

Last but not least, I wanted to make a recipe for the tried and true fruit smoothie, except make it an acai berry special. In a blender add ice, a frozen banana (this makes the smoothy extra creamy by allowing you to add less ice), some plain yogurt, and 3/4 cup of acai juice. If you want to make a great all around breakfast smoothie, add some wheat germ to get a bit of extra fibre and protein.

So as you can see, it’s not all that hard to find some interesting dishes to make with acai, so you can get the health benefits from this very popular new super food. As you can see, I was able to make a breakfast (the smoothie), snack and main dish all using acai berry. Maybe I should write in to Rachel Ray and see if she has any actual recipe ideas. Until then, I’ll just keep experimenting.

Jane A Moore Nutrition acai berry, diet, food, Health, health supplements, Nutrition, Recipes, Supplements, Weight Loss

Just about every backyard could have a wonderful evening ambiance just by adding outdoor party lights. Choose to add a lot for a big party statement, or just a few for a romantic touch, any backyard party will be enhanced with a well designed lighting scheme. Not only does your outdoor lighting add to your enjoyment of your outdoor space, they also increase the security of your home as well.

If you are planning to outfit your backyard with outdoor party lights, you don’t need to spend a lot. Think outside the box and you can often find many other types of lighting that cheaply and effectively create the look you are after. For example, Christmas lights in the right color scheme are easy to find and can often be obtained after Christmas very inexpensively. For special occasions, bringing indoor lighting outside can also be effective, but this is weather dependent and should not be permanent.

There are so many options available when you are planning your outdoor party. You may want to decorate your backyard with permanent lighting which will be available for any impromptu occasion; or you could choose to go all out and find special lighting options which will complete a special one- time party theme. Regardless of the permanency of the lighting, you should try to keep the entire outdoor space you are lighting in mind – a cohesive plan will often be a lot more effective than an impulse buy decorating approach.

If you are planning your outdoor party lights for a special occasion, consider the guests you will have at your party. Will this be a family event with seniors and children; if so then more lighting will be required to ensure the safety of those with poor night vision, and to reassure children who may be afraid of the dark. You will also want to make sure to address specific areas where more light is required, such as food and drink areas, or live entertainment.

A romantic ambiance can very easily be achieved in your backyard by adding natural lighting such as candles, lanterns, or torches. Adding spotlights behind shrubs, or Christmas lights at the far end of your yard will light the area with an indirect subdued effect, perfect for a softly lit intimate event. The addition of one or two well placed lighting focal points will be all you need to complete the romantic feel.

In the event you hold your party in an area near water, like at a cottage, a very nice effect is to direct two spot lights at intersecting angles out on to the water. The two intersecting beams can make a dramatic effect and also provide an element of safety. When dealing with lights near water be extra careful with any necessary extension cords. The lights and the cords should also be kept at least 10 feet back from the edge of the water.

If you take a bit of time to look for examples of lighting schemes, and take your time shopping for a good assortment of lights, you will no doubt end up the envy of all your friends, and they too will want to explore the possibilities available with outdoor party lights for creating memorable evening experiences.

Jane A Moore Gardening backyard, decor, decorating, entertaining, exterior lighting, garden, garden decor, garden lighting, Gardening, Home, home and garden, house, lighting, lights, outdoor lighting

Are you considering getting a new dog bed? If so, there are a number of things you should consider. These days dog beds are available in a multitude of styles but there are some common considerations amongst all the different types

1. Where will you be putting the dog bed? What areas are your dog’s favorite places to snooze. You might want to buy a bed that matches the d?cor in those areas. You don’t want to have to hide the dog bed every time you have guests. This would also be confusing to the dog. If your dog sleeps in a number of different places you might want a more than one dog bed.

2. You definitely need to be picky about choosing a dog bed with a good cover. The cover should be durable and washable. The best covers are also removable. If you are considering buying a cover that is not removable then you should be set to steam clean the bed every 12 months. It may even be possible to bring it to a dry cleaner. Regular carpet cleaners will happily also clean the dog bed and likely will not charge extra.

3. Dog beds come in a number of different shapes. There are nest beds, foam mattress beds and human-type furniture dog beds. Nest beds also good for colder climates since your dog can snuggle down inside the bed. A conventional and longer dog mattress might be the right choice if your dog stretches out when he sleeps. Dogs that sleep both ways (and generally speaking most do) might do best with a human-type furniture dog beds like a fainting couch dog bed. These beds are also conversation pieces although older dogs with mobility problems may have difficulty climbing up onto a furniture type bed.

4. Bed filling or stuffing: The basic dog bed filler choices are either solid foam or chunks of foam. Inexpensive dog beds often use a cheaper quality foam that can flatten out within several months. You will need to replace cheaper beds more often. It might be worthwhile to pay a little more for a better quality bed that will last several years. However, if you like to change things up go ahead and buy a cheap dog bed knowing that you will need to replace it. If you buy a bed with “high-loft foam pieces” then those won’t flatten out and harden over time. Another nice feature is “baffled chambers” that will keep the stuffing evenly distributed. A bed that is “baffled” into quarters will keep the stuffing from being pushed to outside edges as your dog snuggles in. Good quality solid foam mattresses can handle heavier dogs. If your dog is older or has hip problems, you may want to speak to your vet about the possibility of an orthopedic foam dog bed.

5. What size dog bed do you need? Although listed last in this article the first criteria to consider in choosing a bed is size. You can determine the proper size by taking a few measurements of your dog. Measure your dog standing up; from base of her tail to the tip of her nose and from floor to shoulders. Add 4-6 inches to each measurement and these numbers will give you an approximate length and width for your dog bed. Also measure your dog in her favorite sleeping position. The right size bed will match or be slightly larger than your measurements. Don’t buy a bed that is too small as it won’t be used.

Make an informed decision when choosing a dog bed. When your dog gets a good night’s sleep, you do too.

Jane A Moore Pets and Animals Animals, dog beds, dogs, Home, pet accessories, pet beds, Pets, Pets and Animals