Not to rain on your parade, but if you don't know what you are doing mushroom hunting can be really dangerous (as in death dangerous).
If you want to go mushroom hunting go with an experienced hunter until you fully understand what to look for and what to avoid. Don't just grab a guidebook or a print off a webpage and go hunting.
It should be emphasized that we should not panic. As far as I've heard so far we've got one (1) confirmed fatality from the swine flu here in the USA. By comparison the standard old influenza virus kills over 36,000 people in the US annually. So lets not all let the media scare us to death over this swine flu.
Still, its better to be prepared for a disaster/emergency than to not be prepared. I think everything on this list is good preparation to do for most any kind of disaster that might occur. Most of it is good preparation for a flood, blizzard, prolonged power outage, etc.
These sell for up to $60 a pound in Seattle, but that's because Seattle is populated with yippies (yuppy hippies). They are amazingly delicious, but I can NEVER get the sand out of them. They seem to grow really well in areas that have burned the year before (we have lots of forest fires out here), and the ash really sticks to them.
I keep telling myself every year that I'm going to go morel-hunting, but I never have. Maybe this year?
Great tips! Also, be sure to keep your vehicle with at least a half a tank of gas at all times (for any kind of emergency, including natural disasters)
It would be great if the contact lens solution companies would have a recycling program. I would think if the cases are sterile they could be reused. I would pay extra for a solution that offered such a program.
There is new research on natural insulin foods, so to speak, which help to lower blood sugar. Cinnamon has been found to lower blood sugar, after consistent intake over a 6 week period. Chamomile tea also has a significant and measurable effect on blood sugar, although you have to drink at least 5 cups a day. The link is http://www.collectivewizdom.com/FoodsThatKeepBloodSugarSteady
This flu scare is just that, a scare. People around the world are going to such extreme measures to prevent the rapid spread of this disease that hasn't really spread yet. http://www.newsy.com/videos/swine_flu_precaution_or_paranoia/ has video of a lot of different opinions. I think by far Egypt had the most extreme reaction.
I *was* looking to buy some moon sand for a sensory experience at a special education festival, now I'm thinking of making it. The question that got me to this site remains, though. I've got the use of a classroom sand table. How much sand or moon sand do I need for that? Someone said the stuff is so light you don't need a ton. I'm clueless!
Solo versus group efforts are also part of a continuum, just like all the rest. Everybody has their own optimal point. (Or, more likely, everyone has different optimal points over the course of their life. Plus, most people probably benefit from shifts--working with a group for a time and then working alone for a time.)
I've actually been working on doing this exact thing for some time now. I've learned a lot about what the kinds of things that make me happy. I've been trying increasingly focus my life around these kinds of experiences. I will admit to struggling with incorporating my findings into my everyday career.
One of the points you hit head on was about being optimally challenged. If you get into this zone you are much more likely to experience flow rather than boredom or frustration.
One point I don't agree with was the comment about being a part of a team. Some people really function well as members of a team and some are better off as independent agents. The trick is figuring out how you work best.
If you are trying to do this I would also recommend reading a book by Martin Seligman called Authentic Happiness which outlines 24 different character strengths. The idea being that if you can shift your life towards your biggest character strengths that you'll be happier.
Good idea. Everybody talks about learning from the mistakes of others and how few people do it. Learning from other's successes is just as useful and perhaps even rarer.
Reverse engineering other people's success is a way to get something that you haven't had yet. Study the habits of someone who is doing what you want to do. It's a lot faster than trying to reinvent the wheel.
I agree. Like a baseball pitcher who tries to repeat his motion to be consistent, repeating your actions from a more successful or happier time in your life can make you more successful and/or happy. Why stay in the negative when you can reach back for something that has been proven to work? Nice post.
why are we supporting the Japanese market during our failing economy? Educate me please! My V6 mustang with higher mileage than my Toyota's first engine, or second, or third still runs better than the Toyota did when I sold it. Hondas and Toyotas aren't bad cars, they just arent any better than GM or Fords. Don't beleive it, read it. Look up the Malibu vs the Camry or the Fusion vs the Camry or the Accord.
I'm so honored to be included in the swine flu free zone roundup. Ironically I just canceled my flight to Mexico City. So, hopefully I will be flu free. :)
Don't make assumptions of fault... quite a few financially upstanding citizens were felled by the perfect storm of real estate greed.
For example: we relocated and bought a very modest house that we could afford 3 years ago. After saving for years, we put 20% down, and have a payment that we can still afford. However, values in our area have plummeted nearly 60%. Our only fault was not being able to predict the future.
I always keep a stocked pantry because I buy in bulk,
but I did go to the store today to get a few items I would
*not* want to be without in the event we needed to stay home
for a couple of weeks:
*coffee*. absolutely essential to my well-being. I do have
chocolate-covered espresso beans as a backup in the event of power outage
;-)
cat food/ litter
diapers. I also have cloth diapers. Which I would use would depend on whether we had power/water.
toilet paper
And I do have about 6 jugs of water in the basement at all times.
I feel we could be quite comfortable at home for a couple of weeks, especially since we could spend time gardening in the back yard. After all, you don't have to stay *inside*. You just have to stay away from other people.
This is all great advice for any emergency, not just this particular one. I wrote a post about emergency preparedness today too, and I'd add that you should have an evacuation plan if necessary and make sure you include pets, because if you have furry creatures you are responsible for, that can complicate an evacuation. Of course, that backup plan isn't really necessary for swine flu, but it is always good to be prepared for everything.
Being prepared for everything is one thing that comes easier when you have a grocery/food stockpile. With my couponing and such, we have a few months worth of food, toiletries, drinks, canned goods, etc. in our house on a regular basis... not only am I prepared for an emergency, but I don't have to go out and buy all these things at full price when something like the swine flu epidemic comes out.
Not to rain on your parade, but if you don't know what you are doing mushroom hunting can be really dangerous (as in death dangerous).
If you want to go mushroom hunting go with an experienced hunter until you fully understand what to look for and what to avoid. Don't just grab a guidebook or a print off a webpage and go hunting.
No gourmet food is worth dying over.
It should be emphasized that we should not panic. As far as I've heard so far we've got one (1) confirmed fatality from the swine flu here in the USA. By comparison the standard old influenza virus kills over 36,000 people in the US annually. So lets not all let the media scare us to death over this swine flu.
Still, its better to be prepared for a disaster/emergency than to not be prepared. I think everything on this list is good preparation to do for most any kind of disaster that might occur. Most of it is good preparation for a flood, blizzard, prolonged power outage, etc.
These sell for up to $60 a pound in Seattle, but that's because Seattle is populated with yippies (yuppy hippies). They are amazingly delicious, but I can NEVER get the sand out of them. They seem to grow really well in areas that have burned the year before (we have lots of forest fires out here), and the ash really sticks to them.
I keep telling myself every year that I'm going to go morel-hunting, but I never have. Maybe this year?
Great tips! Also, be sure to keep your vehicle with at least a half a tank of gas at all times (for any kind of emergency, including natural disasters)
It would be great if the contact lens solution companies would have a recycling program. I would think if the cases are sterile they could be reused. I would pay extra for a solution that offered such a program.
There is new research on natural insulin foods, so to speak, which help to lower blood sugar. Cinnamon has been found to lower blood sugar, after consistent intake over a 6 week period. Chamomile tea also has a significant and measurable effect on blood sugar, although you have to drink at least 5 cups a day. The link is http://www.collectivewizdom.com/FoodsThatKeepBloodSugarSteady
This flu scare is just that, a scare. People around the world are going to such extreme measures to prevent the rapid spread of this disease that hasn't really spread yet. http://www.newsy.com/videos/swine_flu_precaution_or_paranoia/ has video of a lot of different opinions. I think by far Egypt had the most extreme reaction.
Some of the things sound so cold hearted lol...
But despite that a great analysis =)
I just hope we don't liken it to the black death heh
I *was* looking to buy some moon sand for a sensory experience at a special education festival, now I'm thinking of making it. The question that got me to this site remains, though. I've got the use of a classroom sand table. How much sand or moon sand do I need for that? Someone said the stuff is so light you don't need a ton. I'm clueless!
I've tweeted this article-much to weigh here, particularly for those of us who have been "blessed" with unemployment!
Great Article Phillip, I agree. Your readers will also benefit from "A Tale of Today" at financialtales.com
Thanks for linking to Cathy's post!
@Save Buy Live:
Solo versus group efforts are also part of a continuum, just like all the rest. Everybody has their own optimal point. (Or, more likely, everyone has different optimal points over the course of their life. Plus, most people probably benefit from shifts--working with a group for a time and then working alone for a time.)
Thanks for the suggestion about Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. It looks interesting. I'll check it out.
I've actually been working on doing this exact thing for some time now. I've learned a lot about what the kinds of things that make me happy. I've been trying increasingly focus my life around these kinds of experiences. I will admit to struggling with incorporating my findings into my everyday career.
One of the points you hit head on was about being optimally challenged. If you get into this zone you are much more likely to experience flow rather than boredom or frustration.
One point I don't agree with was the comment about being a part of a team. Some people really function well as members of a team and some are better off as independent agents. The trick is figuring out how you work best.
If you are trying to do this I would also recommend reading a book by Martin Seligman called Authentic Happiness which outlines 24 different character strengths. The idea being that if you can shift your life towards your biggest character strengths that you'll be happier.
@Dwight:
Good idea. Everybody talks about learning from the mistakes of others and how few people do it. Learning from other's successes is just as useful and perhaps even rarer.
Reverse engineering other people's success is a way to get something that you haven't had yet. Study the habits of someone who is doing what you want to do. It's a lot faster than trying to reinvent the wheel.
..is noticeable from behind the retailers desk. My fellow shopkeepers and I trade secrets on how to persuade different ethnic groups to buy.
Some wallets open faster than others...but the slow wallets pack the most stuffing.
I agree. Like a baseball pitcher who tries to repeat his motion to be consistent, repeating your actions from a more successful or happier time in your life can make you more successful and/or happy. Why stay in the negative when you can reach back for something that has been proven to work? Nice post.
Totally agree with you. As we get older, it's time that becomes more and more valuable and should treat it accordingly.
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You've got some real good links on this page, keep it up.
why are we supporting the Japanese market during our failing economy? Educate me please! My V6 mustang with higher mileage than my Toyota's first engine, or second, or third still runs better than the Toyota did when I sold it. Hondas and Toyotas aren't bad cars, they just arent any better than GM or Fords. Don't beleive it, read it. Look up the Malibu vs the Camry or the Fusion vs the Camry or the Accord.
I'm so honored to be included in the swine flu free zone roundup. Ironically I just canceled my flight to Mexico City. So, hopefully I will be flu free. :)
Don't make assumptions of fault... quite a few financially upstanding citizens were felled by the perfect storm of real estate greed.
For example: we relocated and bought a very modest house that we could afford 3 years ago. After saving for years, we put 20% down, and have a payment that we can still afford. However, values in our area have plummeted nearly 60%. Our only fault was not being able to predict the future.
I always keep a stocked pantry because I buy in bulk,
but I did go to the store today to get a few items I would
*not* want to be without in the event we needed to stay home
for a couple of weeks:
*coffee*. absolutely essential to my well-being. I do have
chocolate-covered espresso beans as a backup in the event of power outage
;-)
cat food/ litter
diapers. I also have cloth diapers. Which I would use would depend on whether we had power/water.
toilet paper
And I do have about 6 jugs of water in the basement at all times.
I feel we could be quite comfortable at home for a couple of weeks, especially since we could spend time gardening in the back yard. After all, you don't have to stay *inside*. You just have to stay away from other people.
This is all great advice for any emergency, not just this particular one. I wrote a post about emergency preparedness today too, and I'd add that you should have an evacuation plan if necessary and make sure you include pets, because if you have furry creatures you are responsible for, that can complicate an evacuation. Of course, that backup plan isn't really necessary for swine flu, but it is always good to be prepared for everything.
Being prepared for everything is one thing that comes easier when you have a grocery/food stockpile. With my couponing and such, we have a few months worth of food, toiletries, drinks, canned goods, etc. in our house on a regular basis... not only am I prepared for an emergency, but I don't have to go out and buy all these things at full price when something like the swine flu epidemic comes out.