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Fun Facts About Beer

January 20 by

We all know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and that a glass of red wine is good for the heart, but what about a nice cold beer?

While beer is high in calories, it is high in B vitamins too! A Dutch study showed that beer drinkers had higher levels of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. Moderate beer drinking has also been shown to decrease your risk of stroke and kidney disease, while at the same time decreasing the risk of dementia.

Most women are likely to make the switch from beer to wines or hard liquors because drinking too much beer leads to the well known weight gain phenomenon called the “beer belly.” However, when it comes to quality calories, beer isn’t as empty as it seems. The key is to drink in moderation. Instead of focusing on light beers with no flavor, try to find out what styles of beers you most enjoy. Sipping a well made, great tasting beer will give you many more benefits that quickly tossing back something with a few less calories.

Last but not least, beer had very high levels of silicon, which can help increase bone density.

Cheers!

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All You Need to Know About Berber

January 19 by

If you’ve ever seen the comedy “Get Him to the Greek,” you may know a song from the feature film called “Furry Walls.” Although set in a very silly context, this song talks about the comfort of carpeted, furry walls.

From the moment I saw the movie and heard the song, it always made me think of Beber carpeting. So I decided to share some “Jeopardy” worthy info with you, my dear readers.

Early Berber carpets came from the northern part of Africa where the Beber people spent hours creating hand spun wool. They used this wool to create all types of textiles and clothing items, including the Berber carpet.

Modern Beber, now made world wide, still features that thick, wool fluff feeling—although now offered in both synthetic and natural fibers. When laid across the floors in your home, because of its thick loop design, it offers extreme comfort, durability and long life.

Beber carpeting, made of either synthetic or natural wool materials, adds that super comfortable, furry feeling to your home (whether it covers the floors or walls). When you step into Beber carpet, you feel the soft caress and gentle support of its hand-looped fibers.

So if you want that furry, super comfortable feel in your home, consider the coziest of all carpet styles, Beber. If you’re lucky you may even get, as the song says, your “furry walls to kiss you goodnight.”

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The Origins of Natural Dyes

January 15 by

Ever wonder where that beautiful red in your rug comes from? If your rug is colored with natural dyes then it could likely come from small insects called Cochineal or Kermes. Natural dyes are often used in hand area rugs because of their bright, lasting colors and the beautiful variation in colors that makes a rug unique.

Although rugs and other fabrics have been dyed brilliant colors for thousands of years, synthetic dyes have only been developed in the past 200 years. Before the 19th Century, almost all dyes were derived from plants, animals or minerals. Here’s a list of the most common sources for natural dyes.

Red – Cochineal and Kermes (insects), madder, redwood bark and Brazil wood (plants), cinnabar and lead oxide (mineral).

Orange – Henna (plant)

Yellow – saffron, safflower, tummeric weld and many other plant sources, ocher (mineral)

Green – a mix of blue and yellow dyes, or malachite (mineral)

Blue – Woad (plant), lapis lazuli and asurite (mineral)

Purple – Although purple can come from mixing red and blue dyes, the Royal Purple that is famous in royalty comes from the secretions of a sea snail. Since this purple is exceptionally rare and expensive it was saved for the highest classes.

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Lots of Latkes

December 21 by

Whether you’re going to a Hannukah party, or eating at home with the family, it’s time to start eating the delicious potato pancakes known as latkes.

This yummy holiday treat is easy to make and delicious for everyone!

Start off by grating about 2 or 3 potatoes and one onion. It’s important to let as much moisture out of the mix as possible. Most recipes say to let the mix drain for half an hour, but I recommend a few hours at least.

Next add 3 eggs, beaten, two tablespoons matzo meal or flour, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat about ½ cup of oil in a deep frying pan. Drop in large spoonfuls of the mixture, flattening them into pancakes. Cook the latkes about three minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

Place the latkes on paper towels to help remove excess oil. Latkes are traditionally served with apple sauce or sour cream.

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Holiday Stress Management Tips

December 20 by

’Tis the season of joy, laughter, family, friends and tons of holiday stress! With so much to do it’s easy to lose the spirit of the holidays. Make this a stress free holiday season with five minutes and a few simple strategies.

When we’re stressed our breathing becomes shallow, and increases anxiety. Taking a few deep, long breaths is a quick way to reduce holiday stress by making us feel instantly calmer.

Exercise gets rid of negative emotions and releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel good chemical. To take advantage of this great stress buster just do a few jumping jacks or take a walk with a friend.

Music is a great mood enhancer, and can help take your mind off your ever growing to do list. No matter what you’re doing, putting on your favorite music and sing your way to a stress free holiday.

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