When looking for an engagement ring that takes a step away from tradition many people don’t havea clue where to start their search. Gold and white gold might be the most popular choice but they are also seem a little boring to many of us, which explains the rise in popularity of titanium rings, which was not long ago seen as a choice for mens jewelry rather than women’s rings. The days when titanium rings look industrial and unladylike are gone, and you will now find the very finest jewelry designers using this precious metal to its full effect. If you are looking for a unique engagement ring you could do a lot worse than select one of these.

The titanium made to made rings is actually three times stronger and much lighter than steel. This means that not only are you gtetting a ring that looks fantastic, but it is so strong that it will look great for a lifetime, and will be ultra comfortable to wear. One of the problems with gold is that is is quite soft and has a tendency to scratch easily, as you can imagine this is not going to be a problem with titanium engagement rings. No matter what type of work you do on a daily basis, you will find dents and scraps are not a problem.

Another great thing about titanium jewleyr that many people aren’t awware of is the fact that this is a hypoallergenic metal, meaning even if you have sensitive skin you shold have no problems with itching, or developing a rash when wearing it. Its definitely something ot keep in mind if this is a concern for you, and a good enough reason to choose this metal all on its own.

Couple these advantages with the fact that titanium is completely resistand to rust or heat, adn you have the perfect material with which to create a ring that must last a lifetime, as your relationship hopefully will as well.

Gazebos with sides have a very wide range of possible uses for all kinds of customers. As a result, these devices have seen increasing sales figures for many years. Although most of us associate gazebos with the summertime as they can offer effective shade from the sun, they are just as useful during the winter months when we need protection from wind, rain and the cold. Most gazebos come with detachable side panels allowing them to be used all year round.

A pop up gazebo with sides can be a great addition to any outdoor event. Whether you are hosting a small garden arty or barbecue for a few close friends or family members, or a much larger charity event or festival, a gazebo can offer effective shelter in any weather.

Removable side panels also give you the choice of configuring a group of gazebos in any way you like. They can be placed next to each other to form custom structures, the walls being added or taken away to determine the shape of the structure along with the number and size of the rooms. Pop up gazebos with sides are just as easy to assemble as those without. Their unique design makes them almost able to assemble themselves. The sides are then easily added once the structure is assembled.

These products can be bought at low prices from many different retailers. Home and garden stores will have a wide range of them on offer. Buying at the seasonal sales such as at the end of summer can also be a great way to get yourself a bargain where even a large pop up gazebo may be quite cheap. The best way to buy low priced gazebos is to use the internet. Online retailers will have many more gazebos for sale than high street stores, and usually at lower prices. Just be sure to check different websites to get the best deal.

If you are looking at laser hair removal you might have heard the term IPL (or Intense Pulsed Light) bandied about quite a bit. IPL laser hair removal does not use an actual laser but it is a very similar process with similar results.

A laser machine gives out a strong beam of light in a single wavelength whereas in IPL laser hair removal you are treated with light of varying wavelengths. With IPL the wrong wavelengths are filtered out so that the right wavelength reaches you to treat your unwanted hair.

Both systems aim to destroy hair follicles with heat. The super-strong light causes the melanin in hair to heat up at a rapid rate while the surrounding skin stays relatively cool. This is why it is easier to treat fair skin and dark hair than any other type of coloring. If the hair is not heated enough the follicle is not destroyed and if the skin is heated too much it is damaged so a fine balance has to be achieved.

With IPL the light comes in flashes (or pulses) allowing the skin to cool more easily between flashes and this means that more hair can be treated more quickly without damaging the skin.

Because of the variations in light in an IPL system some machines can be calibrated to treat darker skin and fairer hair although any hair without melanin can not be treated by this method. Blond, white, gray and red hair is very difficult indeed. Even dying the hair does not work as it is the root of the hair below the skin surface which needs to be treated to destroy the follicle and when you dye your hair only the part above the surface is affected. The hair on the surface would burn up better leaving all the roots in place ready to grow again.

If you have skin and hair coloring which is not ideal for IPL treatment get some advice from a specialist laser hair removal center and one which will spell out your chances of success rather than just try to sign you up for treatment.

Vintage keys are a hot collector’s item right now, and have been for a long time.  There’s a bit of mystery any time you get a key that’s much older than you and you have no idea where it came from, or what it is to.  For that reason, people have been collecting and cherishing them.  Some people just toss them in an old box and enjoy their collection, while others will make them into jewelry or other fashion accessories, and some times people will install vintage door knobs in their home and stick the ornate key in there.

In this post I want to share some tips on how to find these old keys both online and in your city.

Shopping for old keys in your area will usually involve driving from one antique store to the next.  This can be a lot of fun, but it takes a long time to cover that much ground.  Most antique stores won’t have these keys predominantly displayed, so you may have to ask the clerk for some assistance.  They will keep them behind the counter because they are a popular item for thieves.  Prices are going to vary a ton from one shop to the next, so set a tight budget for the max you want to spend on keys.

Online is a different story.  You can find hundreds of different keys with a simple eBay search.  They will have every shape, size, and price you can imagine.  Here, you’ll also be able to buy entire lots of keys.  If you need to come up on a lot of keys at once, this is the best way to do it.  The prices seem to be much more stable on eBay and lower than antique stores, but keep in mind that you’re going to have to pay shipping prices.

Collecting vintage keys is a great hobby, and with some simple searching around you can build up your collection rather quickly.  Keep in mind that there are lot of keys out there so you can be picky and get exactly what you want.

Each year many people purchase and install uPVC windows and doors.  Unfortunately however, in some cases people have made wrong choices with regard to the types of uPVC windows and doors they have selected and this has resulted in them not being entirely satisfied with the end result.  In this article we will outline the most common mistakes that people can make and will outline how to avoid them.

1.    They do not consider properly the insulation properties of uPVC windows and doors.

Quality uPVC windows and doors have very beneficial insulation properties that will help improve the insulation of your home and thereby cut down on your fuel bills.  However not all uPVC windows have the same ‘R-value’ which is the measurement of the ability of the windows to resist heat loss.  Consider carefully the different ‘R-values’ of the windows you are considering purchasing and select a window with a high ‘R-value’.

2.    They do not select the correct style of window for their home.

uPVC windows and doors come in many styles and it is important that you select a style that is complimentary to your property.  You want windows and doors that look well and possibly add value to your residence if you decide to put it on the market.  More importantly people have changed the style of their windows and doors when they decided to install uPVC windows and doors and have subsequently discovered that there were planning restrictions with regard to altering the façade of their residence.  This can cause considerable embarrassment and financial pain if it happens.

3.    People have made the wrong glazing choice for their uPVC windows and doors.

There are many different types of glazing available for uPVC windows and doors.  You can get glazing that will assist in blocking out noise pollution, the sun’s rays and even assist in making your property very secure.  If you make the wrong selection for the start and end up having to alter or replace the glazing of your new uPVC windows and doors at a later date, it will cost you more money.

A key part of the planning involving a successful wedding day celebration certainly is the consideration of the wide variety of choices when it comes to wedding cakes. The various choices available all have their own personal qualities to recommend them and it should be kept in mind that usually these gourmet wedding cakes are a focal point of the celebration vis-à-vis bringing the guests together for a final salute as well as a premier picture-taking opportunity. Let us look at some considerations to ponder.

Traditionally, one of the most popular choices when people consider any toppings for wedding cakes has been initials. These initial wedding cake toppers are available in a huge selection of font sizes and custom colors to suit any taste required. Most times the initials represent the first letter of both the bride’s and the groom’s first names normally centered on the first initial of their married last name. There are careful considerations regarding the final choice of size, style and color not being overly ostentatious to detract from the overall total presentation of the gourmet wedding cake. Usually the baker can best recommend and guide people through the favorable choices.

Others for personal reasons may choose the path of the monogram wedding cake topper. Oftentimes if there is a special significance involved for the bride and groom that justifies it and lends a unique specialness to it, these monogram wedding cake toppers can make a significant statement. There are numerous experienced and talented artists and designers who work with the creators of these gourmet wedding cakes who will assist the principals involved in achieving exactly what they want. This can lend a little extra special meaning to the occasion and you can review all this at a wedding cakes site.

In any event, the bride and groom should give the entire business of wedding cakes and their designs sufficient thought and time to be properly managed, as it truly is the most vivid memory taken and kept from the occasion.

There is no doubt that when it comes to decorating a room an interior designer will be able to come up with some idea that gives the ‘wow!’ factor and yet does not cost a fortune.  In this article we report back on what a group of interior designers told us about wool area rugs and how they can be purchased and used to brighten up a home.

Most of us, when we go about decorating a room in our house, will paint up and decorate the room and then go about finding furnishing and carpets to suit the décor.  However a designer will as often select a single piece such as a wool area rug and decorate the room using the rug as a focal point.  You can get beautiful rugs in all sorts of designs and colours and you should experiment by using one of them as the theme for your next decorating project, designers tell us.

They told us also that wool area rugs never become unfashionable.  A certain style of rug may become a bit dated, but it is easy to change it, and designers would recommend not getting rid of the rug you take up.  Try is somewhere else in the home, or put it into storage for a while.  It may come back into fashion sooner than you think.

Wool area rugs are inexpensive in comparison to other floor coverings, designers say.  This means that you can get quality, hard wearing rugs that will last a long time in a home, without breaking the bank. This is important if you are trying to decorate on some sort of budget, which most homeowners are.

Most of the interior designers we spoke to did a lot of their searching for wool area rugs online.  ‘You have a great selection to choose from and even if you do get one from a local store, it is great to go online to make price comparisons’, they said.

So many people choose to have summer weddings that most of the venues are booked solid and the ideas for decorations are starting to wear thin.  Why not have an autumn wedding instead?  The weather is cool, the venues generally have spots open, and the decoration and theme ideas are beautiful and endless.  Here are some tips to get you started.

Nature brings out a beautiful set of colors in the fall and is the best place to look for ideas for your fall wedding supplies.  Since a classic association with autumn is the turning of the leaves, you could collect dried fallen leaves from the ground and press them between heavy books and pieces of paper.  (It is best to do this early in the fall, when the leaves are fresh.)

Bare branches make beautiful centerpieces, especially when painted or ornamented with beads, origami, or little charms.  A bundle of small decorated branches can even become the bride’s bouquet.  And don’t forget pinecones!  Easy to paint and string up, pinecones come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes and are easy to collect.  Some stores even carry bags of pinecones if you do not have evergreen trees in your area.

Fall vegetables, such as squash and pumpkins, make for gorgeous fall wedding reception supplies.  You can paint these inexpensive vegetables or leave them their natural hues, depending on your color schemes.  You can even carve jack-o-lanterns for a Halloween-themed wedding!  Fall vegetables come in a wide range of sizes, so shop at local farmers markets and grocery stores to get a nice selection.

Candles add warmth and light to a fall wedding.  Pick candles in fall colors, like orange, red, brown, and yellow, for the center of each reception table.  Or line the aisle with small scented candles — pumpkin, holiday spice, or refreshing outdoor scents are all available.

There are many things that can keep you comfortable in your home, but one thing that you should have is some large cushions. A large cushion can make a huge difference when it comes to relaxing. These are also great for support for your joints and back as well. This should be an important thing for you and it’s a good idea to keep your guests comfortable as well. Not only can it help you in this area, but it great for decoration as well.

The first thing to look at is where in your home needs comfort. You can start in your living room, bedroom, or even outside as well. You just apply these on top of the furniture you have now so that it creates a nice addition to your furniture pieces. Another thing that you should do is pick colors that will go with your color scheme.

Something else that you need to look at is the type of fabric you want for your large cushion cover. You should pick fabrics that will match what you will be using them for. If you put them outside, then you want something that is more sturdy and can handle high temperatures as well. If you have them inside, then you can consider more stylish types of fabric like velvet, silk, or even suede.

There are tons of ways you can find these for your home, but the best solution to find the best deals is by browsing through websites online. You can choose from many shapes, sizes, and colors so there’s one for almost any type of home or style. Just be sure to pick cushions that will go with the colors of the room.

Other than that, having these cushions throughout your house can make a beautiful decor addition and something to enjoy and relax on through your day.

If you are thinking of buying a dog cage, I am sure you have probably found it quite confusing. The reason for this is that there are so many available, from the small, decorative, cute models, that look more like a piece of furniture, to the larger, heavier duty travel dog cages.

You will probably find one of the most popular and cheaper types are the wire cages. These are easy to service and are often used for crate training and traveling. One slight disadvantage is that they do not really provide a quiet retreat for your dog as they are open on all sides. This can be easily solved by placing a blanket over the cage.

One of the more popular choice amongst pet owners is the soft dog cage. They look cute and are often in bright colors, so pet lovers adore them. However, they are not ideal if your dog likes to chew things or if he is going to grow much bigger. If your dog is not a chewer, you will find them quite durable.

The wicker dog cage is one of my favorites which will quite easily complement living room furniture. If you are looking for something that will be mostly used indoors, these are a good choice. As with the soft cages, the wicker types are mostly suitable for the smaller dog.

For transporting dogs in vehicles, one of the most popular types used is the plastic dog cage. They have vents at the sides and top and a door at the front. They cost a bit more than the other types, so if you are going to invest your money it is worthwhile getting one that is airline carrier approved. I find this type of cage better fro traveling in cars than the wire type.

When considering what type of cage is most suitable it is important to also consider the size of your dog and his habits. If he is large and a chewer, I would recommend a hard plastic dog cage, especially if he is going to be spending a lot of time in the cage.

Whichever type of cage you decide to buy, it is important to remember that this is your dog’s new home. He should see this as somewhere that provides him with security and somewhere quiet to rest.

One of the most basic items in everyone’s home is the simple wall clock. Just about every home has one and it is pretty essential. Clocks simply keep us on schedule, whether it be for an important meeting, or when to pick up our child from school. However today wall clocks are much more than a time telling device. Wall clocks are often times used as decorative pieces that bring life to any room. Photos and paintings are the old stand by’s when it comes to decorating, but wall clocks really add a new dimension. Many of them can be considered pieces of art.

When choosing a wall clock as a home decorating piece, it’s wise to find a quality manufacturer. You can find cheap wall clocks from discount stores but you can guess what the quality will most likely be. A rule of thumb is to look for a manufacturer that has a wide selection to choose from. The more they have, the better chance of you finding one that fits your own personality and style.

A great place to look for wall clocks in online. There are so many places that sell wall clocks that you shouldn’t have any problem at all finding the exact one to fit your needs. Most of these online stores have everything categorized, so if you’re looking for a kitchen wall clock it should be easy to find. Another benefit of shopping online is that you can tell the quality of a clock from the user reviews posted on their web site.

Amazon does a great job of this and the user reviews are pretty thorough. It’s a pretty safe bet if you go with reputable manufacturers like Seiko, Bulova, and Henry Miller. These companies have been around for a long time and have been producing quality clocks for many years.

That blessed day is near when you and your mate will get together in holy matrimony to wed. You might be picturing you and your honey riding horseback through water streams with him wearing a cowboy hat and you wearing one of the Western-style wedding gowns.

Perhaps you picture yourself riding off into the sunset with dreams of sharing love forever. If you enjoy that Western effect, you might consider the latest western wedding invitations that take you into that country Western era into a time that men and women dressed like old fashion lovers, yet still had that elegant style. Some of the top choices are the Country Chic – Mocha designs. This design adds the trend setting and meets up with the western charm to bring in that country chic. If you are looking for a fashionable flourishing grain of wheatgrass accents and décor then this is a great Western wedding invitation to consider.

Wedding Western invitations available online provide you with options in style, culture, effects, and design. You can choose from a nice range of picture wedding invitations and Western theme wedding invitations including the Out on the range designs, which puts you and your loved one in the moment as the two of you can picture yourself admiring and taking delight in the sunset along the countryside. You can celebrate those special moments in a scenic invite.

When shopping for pictures wedding invitations, or Western theme wedding invites look at various images online to get an idea of the styles and designs that is available to you. Bargains are offered online as well, so do not forget to shop around and look for special sales to save you money.

If you are planning a Country Western wedding, in the wedding accessories you will find about anything you want. There is a range of Gingham theme wedding invites, cake top Western invites, frontier picture wedding invitations and more.

You can saddle up those horses and ride with your new love through the bridal collections of Western wedding invitations to a distant land into the past.

The cake toppers include the Western styles, which make the cake look unique. Instead of hitting the trails empty handed, put a Western boy and girl kissing as a topper on your wedding cake. Your guest may also enjoy the smoking guitarists from the country arena. If you like country and western music, check out the line of guitar players.

Each Western theme wedding invitations has its own unique style. So look for that flare that leaves you and your loved one feeling good as you ride into the sunset on the back of your horses into the Designed with Love designs. Paint a picture for your guests by adding these invites to your wedding. In the scene, your loved one and you will ride through the country grass on horseback with a religious logo overhead of you.

If you live in a wet climate which is constantly plaguing your home with too much moisture, you might want to consider purchasing a Goldstar dehumidifier to help your home stay dry. By keeping humidity low in your home, you will  have a more comfortable environment for you and your family to live in. In addition to excess moisture causing discomfort, it can also cause a breeding ground for mold and other bacteria, so you will really need to get a dehumidifier if you want to make your home safe.

Goldstar dehumidifiers are designed to efficiently regulate the amount of moisture in your home, and they are a great economical choice because they will not cost you an arm and a leg to purchase or to operate. They are best in places where you know stay damp, such as basements, garages, or an area where your family usually congregates, such as the living room. Compact dehumidifiers can turn any damp spot into a storage area.   Many people believe that cleaning areas with mold build up with bleach is enough, but the simple truth is only treats the symptom, not the problem. Mold is able to grow in your home because the conditions are right for its cultivation. If you get rid of the condition, you will not have to worry about mold growing in your home.

There are a wide variety of Goldstar models available on the market, with some more quiet than others. However, they all work to quickly and efficiently reduce the moisture content of your home, which means you will not have to worry about the onset of mold growing in your home. Goldstar is a trusted brand of humidifier which has been used in American homes for several years now, helping many people combat the effects of a moist atmosphere.

The whole key to alcohol detoxification is to make it safe, and of course to convince yourself or others to actually go through with it.  There are a couple of issues regarding alcohol detox that should be addressed before you get into a dangerous situation, so let’s take a quick look.

First of all, you should understand that there is inherent medical risk in the detox process from alcohol.  This is not necessarily true of other drugs, and in fact is basically only going to be the case with alcohol and certain pills, such as tranquilizers and some other unique breeds out there.  If in doubt, check with a doctor or a medical professional, as this stuff is nothing to mess around with.  Therefore, my highest recommendation in any case is for a person who is going through withdrawal to be in a medical facility while doing so.  This is especially true if they have been abusing alcohol in combination with any anxiety medications.  The reason for this is that this particular combination of drugs is incredibly risky to withdrawal from, and so it should always be done in a medically supervised setting.  Most drug rehab and alcohol treatment centers will have the medical staffing and training necessary to deal with this type of situation.

Second of all, you should probably only try to detox yourself at home if you do not have any physical withdrawal symptoms when you go without alcohol for a long period.  This can be easily measured when you go for about a day or two without taking in any alcohol.  If you start to shake visibly or get severe headaches or start hallucinating, then obviously you will want to get help if you ever get serious about quitting drinking.  The fact is that the only people who can get away with detoxing at home are the ones who are not really showing any signs of physical withdrawal.  Remember that alcohol withdrawal can be life threatening so this is nothing to mess around with.

We would all like to live in the lap of luxury with fine things in our homes and we usually want it all now! But that is not always possible. If you would like your bed to look like a million dollars by dressing it in luxury bedding you may find that it is a bit beyond your reach to buy everything you need in one go.

You can often get luxury bedding at a discount if you look carefully in sales and at designer outlets but even then it will set you back a lot of money.

But why give up on your dream of beautiful bed when you can purchase in stages? There is never any need to go into debt to achieve the luxury look. Here is a plan of how to go about creating a great bed piece by piece.

1. Start Plain

Buy good quality plain white or cream bedding initially. Don’t go for the cheapest white set you can find. Look for middle of the range bedding. This could be a department store own brand which is generally good quality and will feel smooth and comfortable to the skin rather than rough and scratchy.

2. Add Accessories

As soon as you can afford it, add some luxury cushions and a throw which will lift the look of your bed considerably.

3. Comforter or Duvet Set

Save up enough money so that you can eventually buy a luxury comforter or designer duvet set which works well with your neutral sheets and accessories. You can still save money by being careful where you buy these but don’t go for the ends of ranges in case you decide you want to add other items later from the same range.

4. Replace Your Sheets

As a last stage replace your perfectly serviceable sheets and pillow cases with luxury bed linen (if you even care by this stage). This may mean replacing polyester cotton with pure high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets or it may mean buying designer sheets and pillow shams in a color to match your comforter or duvet set.

We all want to spoil our kids by sending them off to school with a delicious lunch pack. But what’s more, packing a lunch that is not only tasty, but also healthy and nutritious, will give your kid the energy needed to make the most out of the school day.

Using Whole-Grains
Sandwiches are a popular option in lunch packs. If made right they can, indeed, be both tasty and healthy. The healthiest option is to choose whole-grain bread. If you want to keep things varied, you can also occasionally choose whole-grain pita or wraps.

Healthy Toppings
Whether you choose sandwiches, pitas, or wraps, aim for healthy and protein rich toppings or fillings. Delicious examples include tuna with light mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomatoes, or sliced turkey with light mayonnaise, mustard, and a slice of low fat cheese.

Compliment the Sandwich
Don’t send your kids to school with nothing but sandwiches, instead think of what healthy snacks you can compliment the sandwich with. Are you in possession of the best apple pie recipe in existence? Well, I guess the choice has already been made for you!

Other ideas include fruits, cheese sticks, fruit salad, nuts, flavored low fat yoghurt, or baby carrots with a side of vegetable dip.

Thinking Outside of the Sandwich
A lunch pack doesn’t have to contain a sandwich. Try to vary what you pack for your kid. An easy option is to get a hold of an insulated jar, and heat up the leftovers from last night meal. I’m sure your child would be thrilled to enjoy lasagna with salad and bread at lunch time, don’t you think so?

Kids lunch foods do not have to be boring. With minimal effort, a bit of creativity, and the right equipment, your kids can enjoy a healthy and tasty lunch every day. They will get the most out of school and they will love you, even more, for it!

One thing that drives me crazy when I am trying to work at my desk is computer wires running all over the surface of my desk and getting in the way while I work. That is why I think it is extremely important to have an executive computer desk and not just a regular desk. A computer desk has several features that are designed to keep wires and computer paraphernalia out of site. A computer desk with hidden wires is a lifesaver when it comes to desk organization. Whether you have a traditional ornately carved wooden executive desk or a simple executive desk with hutch, computer features are essential to keeping your work are clean.

Some of the great computer features available include holes in the corner of the desktop that you can insert the wires from your monitor, keyboard, and mouse into. These holes make it possible to get all the necessary wires to the tower without running wires along the top of your desktop or down the sides of the outside of the desk. The holes keep wires out of site. Another feature is a shelf built in to the desk underneath where your feet go. The shelf is a convenient place to keep your tower and the holes usually lead directly to where the tower is located so you do not even have wires in the way of your feet.

An alternative to a shelf that might limit your legroom is for the compartments on one side of the desk to be a cabinet for the computer tower to be stored in. Instead of drawers on both sides, there are only drawers on one side. The other side has a front that might look like drawers but it actually opens up to a cabinet, which is the perfect size for a computer tower.

When you start training a havanese puppy, one of the first training items is more than likely going to be potty training. Especially if your new puppy is going to be an inside dog, this will be the most important.

Havanese puppies are just like other types of puppies in the fact that you need to start potty training as soon as possible to get the best results. This will ensure that your carpet doesn’t get completely ruined or that you spend the entire first several years of the puppies life trying to get them potty trained. The early you start and more consistent you are, the more successful this training will be.

Potty training can be down outside or in. Obviously if it will be inside, you will need to master the use of puppy pads and have a location that you can put these down out of the way. If you choose to potty train your havanese puppy to go outside you will want to consider the area you have around your house. Will this be a yard, an easy access area near an apartment, a backyard. You want to consider all options to see what will also be best for the new puppy.

Once the area is chosen, you can then start the training and carrying it out consistently. Many people begin my crate training their new puppy. It will need to sleep in it’s kennel at night and possibly stay in their during the day while you are at work. First thing in the morning and immediately when you get home you will want to make this a routine activity so that the puppy will always know to expect the same thing.

Whenever your puppy goes to the bathroom in the designated training area, it is important that it is rewarded with a treat and often a playful and encouraging attitude toward it’s achievement.

Potty training can seem like a very long process, but before you know it, you will see the end in sight, as going to the bathroom in the correct place will become a natural instinct for the puppy.

About 25 years ago, I had a tattoo removed from my fore arm using a less than stellar technique. The tattoo in question was something I did at a very young age and as the years passed, started to look ever more ridiculous to my aging adult brain. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the beauty of a Harley, or long to go on long rides in the sunset with my leather jacket and mustache blowing in the wind. But do I really need to have the logo of a motorcycle company embedded into my skin to remind me of such things? I think not!

Oh – but this is where the story gets complicated.

Having no money, a condition I’ve lived with oh I don’t know – my whole life – I knew I had to find a way to remove the tattoo without spending a lot of dough. This meant using some perhaps shady products to remove the tattoo. And so that’s exactly what I did.

My friend had a Mother who worked in a beauty salon who had access to this chemical called TCA. Now using TCA for tattoos was something that a lot of people had heard rumors of. Keep in mind, this was 25 years ago. There was no internet! So researching random tidbits of knowledge was very hard. So anyhow, I went with what I heard about and that meant applying TCA cream to my tattoo. Oh, it worked, but it also burnt me pretty badly. My tattoo is gone but in its place is a nasty scar.

I’ve since learned that I used the wrong solution of TCA, or rather, a TCA lotion with the wrong proportions. In other words, it was way too strong for using on a tattoo, but what did I know? If you’re in a similar position now, lucky for you, with the internet at your fingertips, it’s possible research a million different products at once. One site I’ve found for doing exactly that is the Tattoo Removal Creams Guide, a free review site of different OTC tattoo removal products, including TCA, but also things like Tattoo Be Gone and the ever popular Wrecking Balm.

Back 25 years ago, we didn’t know better. But what’s your excuse? Take the time to research it, and you’ll be happy when you find a good method for removing a tattoo that won’t leave a scar in its place!

Citrus fruits are some of the healthy foods we can eat (or drink!). They are loaded with antioxidants such as bio-flavonoids.

Breakfast Juice Recipe #1 – Breakfast Blend
2 oranges
1 red grapefruit

Breakfast Juice Recipe #2 – Citrus Juice
2 tangelos
1 orange
2 pears (with skins on)

Juicing Citrus Fruit
The highest amount of the antioxidant bio-flavonoids in citrus fruits are located in the skin and the white membranes rather than in the flesh (although the flesh still contains some). To take advantage of this fact, I always juice the white membranes at the center of citrus fruits and I also juice some of the peel. I avoid using the outer colored side of the peel as this will produce a very sour tasting  juice.  However, I do scrape off some of the white inside of the peel. This is less sour and the most bio-flavonoid dense part of the citrus fruits.

Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits
The specific bio-flavonoids in citrus fruits are called hesperidin, naringenin and tangeritin. They have been found to have effective anti-inflammatory properties that may help asthma symptoms. An asthma attack is usually the result of the immune system overreacting to an allergen. White blood cells are sent into motion delivering inflammatory agents such as histamines to the lungs to ‘fend off the invaders’. The air sacs in the lungs become restricted by the inflammation and produce the wheezing and shortness of breath that we see in an asthma attack. These bio-flavonoids found in citrus fruits have inhibiting effects upon the production of histamines and other inflammatory agents associated with asthma and can help with the symptoms. More research is going on at present into this health benefit.

The benefits of juicing citrus fruits include vitamin C. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants for protecting us from heart disease. As an antioxidant, vitamin C protects LDL “bad” cholesterol from becoming oxidized by free radical damage. Such damage to LDL cholesterol cells is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis – a condition that is the number one contributor to heart disease.

In health
George Simons