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There is Southern Cooking and then there is SOUTHERN COOKING! You can follow a recipe and still come out with a dish that does not resemble what the recipe intended. The reason is technique and the little secrets that are not included in the recipe.

Technique is as important as the ingredients and proper technique helps you avoid the following common mistakes made by novice cooks. You can find many free Southern recipes on the internet, but few web sites provide the additional information needed to to be a real Southern cook. So when you find a site that does, bookmark it and stick with it for your Southern recipes. (See Resource Box below for recommendation).

7 Biggest Mistakes:

1. Failure to Properly Preheat Oven When Baking.

Have you ever made cornbread that came out soft and crumbly without a crust? Or biscuits that did not rise and have a gray color? It was probably due to the fact that your oven was not properly preheated. When baking, the crust is set in the first 10 minutes. So, if you want a nice, golden crust on your cornbread, be sure to get the oven up to 400 degrees before you put the cornbread in.

Ovens vary in how long it takes to reach a given temperature. Some ovens will reach 400 degrees in 4-5 minutes. Some will take as long as 15 minutes. A good practice is to get a thermometer (any food thermometer that goes up to 425 degrees will work) and time how long it takes your oven to reach 250, 350, 400 and 425 degrees. Write it down and keep it handy if you can not remember. Then always allow the alloted time to reach the desired temperature before beginning your baking.

2. Undercooked Vegetables

Keep in mind we are talking about Southern cooking. Not Chinese or West Coast casseroles. Many vegetables, Southern Style, are cooked considerably longer than most people tend to cook them. Specifically, green beans are cooked until soft and dark green in color. They are not crunchy and bright green. Okra and green tomatoes, are cooked until some burned edges appear and are very crunchy. As a general rule boiled vegetables are cooked until very tender and fried foods are cooked until crunchy (this goes for cornbread, fried chicken and pork chops, too).

3. Failure to Use Cast Iron

I have never researched all the reasons why, but Southern cooking is best cooked in cast iron cook-ware. The cast iron holds and transfers heat unlike any other type metal. Food just does not cook the same in aluminum or steel. Especially cornbread. Besides, it is the traditional way to cook Southern.

Older cast iron tends to have problems with rust and food sticking, but the newer cook-ware comes already cured (seasoned) so it is not as much a problem. However, it is not difficult to cure your cast iron if you have an older style. You can get complete, free instructions in the web referrals below.

4. Failure to Use Onions and Bacon

Onions and bacon (or bacon grease) are used extensively in Southern cooking. Some cooks, however, stray away form cooking real Southern because they (or family members) do not like onions and/or concerns about the fat content in bacon.

They do this because they fail to understand the reason for using bacon and onions. They are NOT in the recipe so that you taste onions or bacon. They are there only to provide subtle flavor. A unique Southern flavor. If you do not like onions, use only a small amount and remove the onion from the dish before serving (put onion in cheesecloth while cooking and it is easy to remove). If you are concerned about the calorie content of bacon, do not use whole bacon. Just add 1/2 tsp of grease from previously cooked bacon. And, accept the fact that Southern cooking is not inherently low fat. It is meant to be flavorful and robust. So, use that bacon and onion for real Southern dishes.

5. Overworking Dough

Southern breads are meant to be light and fluffy. Even cornbread should not be heavy and solid. Many Southern cooks never learn how to make good biscuits. And homemade Southern Biscuits are the trademark of good Southern cooks.

Three errors cause bad biscuits (and other breads). First, do not overwork the dough. Biscuit dough should only be kneaded three times. No more. Just enough to shape it for cutting out the biscuits.

Second, when cutting the dough, do not push down and twist the biscuit cutter. Push straight down and straight back up. Twisting compacts the edges of the dough and causes uneven cooking.

Third, remember the previous mistake above…preheat your oven. A cold oven can result in flat, hard biscuits.

6. Yellow Cornmeal and Sugar in cornbread

Everyone has their own preference, but, please do not use yellow cornmeal in cornbread. It may be mental, but it just does not taste the same as white cornmeal. Besides it looks funny. And, NEVER, NEVER put sugar in cornbread if you want authentic Southern cornbread. Cornbread is bread to accompany a meal. It is not dessert. It is not cake! It is BREAD. So, if you like sweet cornbread…go ahead and use your sugar…but, do not call it Southern Cornbread!

7. Failure to Use buttermilk

All good Southern cooks use buttermilk in everything except desserts. Regular milk does not add the flavor that buttermilk does. Especially in any dish with cornmeal (cornbread, hush puppies, tamale pie, etc.). If you do not have buttermilk, you can make a reasonable substitute by stirring 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in a cup of regular milk. Allow to sit for a minute before use.

These are some of the most common mistakes (or lack of Southern cooking technique) made in Southern cooking. You can ignore all of them and make eatable food, but it will not be traditional Southern. Even some good Southern cooks fail to comply with all the above, but they have probably developed a variation of these same techniques.

So, get in that kitchen, fire up the stove and make your family a real Southern dinner tonight.

Ken Miller is a free lance writer and webmaster for http://www.olsouthrecipes.com, Southern Recipes – Southern Cooking, where you can find FREE recipes for the most popular, authentic Southern dishes like fried chicken, fried okra, biscuits and gravy, cornbread and many more.

Home childcare is an excellent choice if you prefer a less businesslike approach to childcare. You will find that there are fewer children on site, and that children are in a home with a family or individual rather than in a business. Home daycare centers are state licensed, and can provide care for children of all ages.

What to Look for In a Home Childcare Center

It is important to note that home childcare centers will have varying regulations from state to state. You will always want to check your providers license, and ask questions if you have any. Many parents find it comforting to attend childcare with their child for a couple of hours on the first day, which will help the child adjust more readily and give parents a chance to see what kind of environment is provided in the home. You may want to ask whether or not there is an assistant, as well, who can care for your children if the main caretaker is ill.

There are also different rules set by providers, such as whether you need to send snacks or meals, or whether these are included in your weekly fees. Often providers include one meal, such as lunch, as well as a snack in their fees. You will need to pack all of the essentials for your child, however, such as diapers, bottles, and formula as needed.

Meal times are very important to consider. If you are responsible for breakfast, for instance, make sure that you have time to give your child the meal before dropping her off. This will ensure she is happy and ready to play until snack time or lunch. You may want to ask if you can send an extra snack if you have a toddler who likes to graze in between regular meals and snacks. Home providers are often willing to work with parents to find a routine that works well for both the child and the caregiver.

Communicating With Your Home Childcare Provider

Your child will spend a significant amount of time with the caretaker, so good communication is a must. Make sure that you are comfortable enough with the house rules at the provider’s home to enforce them, which will also help smooth the transition from home to childcare. You may also want to note that sick children are usually not allowed to attend. This protects both the other children and the caretaker from illnesses.

Even though a home childcare center is a good choice, there are certain rules that still apply. Don’t be afraid to interview several childcare providers in order to find the one that you are comfortable with. Once you have found a reliable caretaker, you and your child can benefit from a warm, caring environment until they are ready for school. One of the greatest benefits of choosing a home base provider is that there is often plenty of room for flexibility, so that you know your child is having their needs met.

Know more about home childcare and child daycare centers. Please visit us at ChildCareAndPreschool.Com

If you are a coach or part of a nonprofit kids group that wears uniforms then you know that it is important to get quality uniforms for a very low price. If your team has 12 to 15 games during the season let’s say for soccer or Little League, then your game shirts and uniforms will be worn perhaps 16 times including team pictures.

This also means that they will probably be washed at least 15 times in the wash machine. Uniforms go through a lot of the abuse on the field and in the wash. This is why you need strong uniforms. You also need lightweight material for better performance of your athletes, but with all that said; you also need to save money. This makes picking out uniforms very difficult when you are on a budget and sometimes it means you might need an extra car wash fundraiser or some were candy sales to make up the difference.

Now let’s talk about silk screening on team sport uniforms. When putting silk screens on uniforms you must be very careful not to make the logos to large because it can cause the shirts to stick together or get too hot. Also, as the athlete moves around the logo cannot be read if it is too big.

Many nylons type shirts will not be able to have silk screening because it will melt the shirt. These are all serious considerations to ask your uniform vendor about before spending the extra money on quality sportswear for your athletes. Please consider all this in 2006

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

We hear all the time that the nature of a sale has become more complicated, has longer sales cycles, and that we have more complex product and service delivery expectations.

We also hear that prospects have changed from a single-point contact to multiple decision-makers within companies. We have adjusted our sales team-training curriculum. Then we hear that, the skill of closing the sale has been replaced by the ability to build relationships and move the sale forward, and that the complexity in many sales situations are not accomplished well by a single salesperson and typically require the skills of a sales team. Simply stated, selling has become a team sport.

I guess, according to some experts, that we are part of the collective, and – resistance is futile.

We must work in collaboration. In this not hotly debated topic, the old “find a need and fill it” is lost as simple-minded. The over the top individual effort wasted – In my business world, selling to small business

Chief Executive Officers and/or Presidents, all the above would need to be modified to include the peak performer’s individual effort. Oh yes, a team effort is needed – always. It invariably has been needed. None of us operate in a vacuum. And yes, there are complex sales that require more team input, but when I hear that, the skill of closing the sale has been replaced by the ability to build relationships, I get concerned.

I get that political correctness has stepped in everywhere, but this is what my grandma would call balderdash – trivial nonsense. It also could look like the abandonment of personal, individual responsibility.

Perhaps, I am being too sensitive and what is meant to be said is that “…value-added relationships have become more important to the achievement of a sale and should be part of the tool kit for sales consultants…”, and that “…always involve your engineers, IT people, manufacturing, human resources, any service delivery people, as needed.

So, are sales an individual effort or a team sport? It is an individual effort that is spearheaded by a sales consultant, and can draft any and all resources to accomplish the goal of – a sale. It is the sales consultant that is responsible for:

1. Overview

2. Commonality of Issues

3. Rapid Recall System

4. Gathering of Data

5. Custom Presentation Addressing Pain

6. The Cost Box

7. Handling Objections

8. The Close

9. Timeline/Client Calendar

10. Referrals

Salvatore “Sal” Piccerelli is an award winning salesman, sales manager, and sales trainer. He is a lifetime student of sales and sales psychology and has a passion for helping sales professionals reach the top of their game. You can learn more about sales team training in Sal’s new book, Modern Sales Training Tips, where Sal lays out the sales system he developed that has helped hundreds of sales professionals to increase sales, closing ratios, and personal income. You can find more on Sal and Modern Sales Training Tips on his website http://www.modernsalestrainingtips.com

These days’ pet supplies can cost you a fortune, which is not necessarily a concern for most when it comes to pampering their pets. However, it essential that the products, you purchase for your little pals, turn out to be the healthier option and provide the apt nutrition required. Some pet products tend to be tagged at exorbitant rates, but these products may not be enjoyed by your pets, or would not meet their basic nutritional needs. It has been seen that most people buy these supplies from online stores, or jut pick up something which they liked at the supermarket. However, it should be kept in mind that your pets have diverse requirements for nutrition, flavor, and health. You may opt for the latest pet product based on the television ad, but you need to keep in mind that what’s on the television is not real and should not be taken at face value other than the oddball television news.

Before you start storing your ladder with heaps of pet supplies, it is better for you to consult your vet. The vet is the best person to guide you about what would be a healthier choice for your pet. For example, there are separate ranges of supplies available for small and big dogs. These products are normally based on the dog’s capacity to chew food, how much they can digest, and also the amount, which is required by their bodies. Hence you should consult the vet on these issues, and thus purchase products, which meet the above requirements. Remember that your cat would not enjoy the taste of the biscuits, which were bought for your dog. So, if you’re planning on getting your dog to snack on kitty snacks, you’re bound to be disappointed. And if somehow you do manage to feed kitty food to your dog, better be prepped to receive some nasty morning surprises on your carpet.

The other factor you’ll need to keep in mind is that you’ll need to purchase pet supplies your dog or cat enjoys snacking on. It is not advisable to buy a new product in bulk because your pet may not like eating the same. Often pet owners buy huge quantities of these products on discounts or online sales, but the end result, hungry pets and a cartload of useless pet supplies residing on your kitchen counter. Also, there are chances that your pet could be allergic to certain kinds of pet foods. Hence, you should try and make them taste certain products and wait to see if there are any reactions. If you are planning to purchase new pet food products, it is better to get it in small quantities, check to see if your dog or cat takes to it and then if needed, buy more. The normal dog / cat food items ranges from the usual low priced products to the high end products, selecting the right sort can take some time, but some of the pet food products are not healthy for your pet, so do consult your vet prior to purchase.

Not all forms of pet supplies are appropriate to meet the nutritional requirements of your pets. Think about it, would you enjoy eating canned or processed foods the entire day? Then how do you expect your pet to do the same? It should be kept in mind that your pet supplies should be used once a day on a regular basis. You could use more only if the vet has asked you to do the same or if you are unable to make them regular or freshly cooked meals. Always check for the expiry dates of the pet supplies since there are chances that discounted products have crossed the required date. Remember, that discounted products tend be closer to the cut off date, so if you’re getting supplies at a discount, take care to read the expiry date on every product. The supplies for your pet include products like biscuits, chewing bones, tuna cans, milk based products, ready or processed forms of meats, and various other related options. You can either use them straight from the pack, or heat them before serving your pets. Make sure that you read all the mentioned specifications on the product so that you can feed your pet with healthy food options instead of the usual “come as you are”. Most of the pet products these days are more of “hype” than providing the usual value added nutrition for your pet. There are quite a few brands out there so sorting out through the lot can take a while. It is not only advisable but rather essential that you get an idea of what’s good for your pet by consulting your veterinarian. You’re not going to get this info off the television. Or you can opt to go online, read the reviews and make an informed decision all on your own.

There are some more wonderful resources out there like this site about Pet Supplies. Alternatively, for more information on other topics such look for sites like this one on bird supplies.

Downloading unlimited movies sounds far-fetched if it were in the past. Today, it is a reality. More are downloading movies online and burning them on VCD/DVD to watch at their own leisure time. Teens and young adults, the more tech-savvy generation have been downloading music files for a couple of years, and are doing likewise with online movies. Even the older folks are playing catch-up, picking up IT skills and learning the basics in downloading movie files online. So unless you have been living under the rock for ages, there is a likelihood that you may have come across some of these sites. We are going to look at what’s the beauty of downloading movies online and what you are missing out if you are not doing so now.

Did you know that we are working longer hours than our parents in those days? A young adult probably would be busy building his/her career for the most part of the week. Leisure time for recreation is sacrificed, and sadly, some of us don’t even have much time to date a partner. At the end of the day, most of us are so dead-beat tired that we just want to shut in quietly to catch some rest. Weekends are precious. Going to the movies sounds like a great idea, but to be able to watch movies from the comfort of our homes, sitting in the couch and munching on some chips is even more tempting.

We had the option of going to a VCD/DVD rental shop to rent the movies or dropping by at the shopping mall to grab a few VCDs/DVDs. Now, there is a third convenient option without leaving our homes, that is, to download movies from the internet. Online movie download sites grants us immediate access to movies “hot from the oven” and ready for viewing. This beats putting on clothes and traveling out.

The ease of downloading unlimited movies makes it an attractive source of movies. The download sites provide you with the necessary software to download movies at break-neck speeds. There is no messy hardware to install, and all you ever need is a computer and a broadband internet connection. Simply log in and start downloading all your favorite movies.

Internet security is critical to the success of these sites. If downloading movies online would expose our computers to countless of merciless attacks by viruses, spyware and adware, everyone would think twice about plugging into these resources. Movie download sites have overcome these issues that are common with downloading movies online from unprotected sites.

Being able to choose from huge selections – millions of movies is another plus point. You are allowed to download unlimited movies at anytime you wish without any limit or restriction. Moreover, these movie libraries are always updated to ensure that the latest movie releases are available. This aspect alone makes it a strong competitor to movie rental shops. How often do you get to rent new movies which are still screening or just finished screening in the cinema theatres?

One major differentiating factor between using such sites to download unlimited movies, renting/buying VCD/DVDs and watching movies at cinemas is cost. Take out your calculator and work out the cost of renting or buying movies, or cinema tickets as compared to paying for a life-time membership at these movies download sites. Which gives you the most value for money? The answer is right before you – unlimited movie downloads sites. Check out my blog and read the latest review on unlimited movie download sites and pick up some useful tips on downloading movies online.

This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.

Davion is a successful webmaster, author and a movie lover. Read a review of the best unlimited movie downloads sites that offer the latest TV shows, newly-released movies and more at unlimited–moviedownloads.blogspot.com

Anyone who plans to acquire snow skiing gear in the near future should consider the following paragraphs. After all, the advantages of quality gear can have a huge impact on your overall enjoyment level, and may keep you safer in the process!

This article was written as a resource for those who are seeking information on various snow skiing gear items and how they can benefit from them. After reading this article, everyone should have a better understanding of what to look for in snow skiing gear.

Skis and Bindings Are Essential Pieces Of Snow Skiing Gear

It’s not an exaggeration to say that there are thousands of possible ski/binding combinations available on the market. The staggering number of options make it essential that you seek out qualified help when making a purchasing decision. A well-qualified expert in a reputable retail establishment can make sure you end up with the gear that will protect your body while allowing you to have fun while skiing.

Boots Are Also Important Snow Skiing Gear

Anyone who has experienced the thrill of skiing understands the importance of well-fitted boots. These marvels of technology will help to reduce the tremendous pressure that skiing places on your ankles. In addition they should be designed such that the capture and retain your natural body heat so that your toes stay toasty warm.

A quality boot will include a hard outer shell for maximum protection. The buckles should offer excellent tension control for an improved fit, and the liner should be replaceable so that they can be washed, and replaced when they lose their effectiveness.

Don’t Forget The Poles:

Of all the snow skiing gear that we’ve discussed in this article, ski poles should be easiest purchasing decision to make. After all there are not nearly as many choices and options available for your typical pole, so the choice is quite as bewildering as buying skis. But make no mistake, they still play a critical role in your skiing experience. They, more than any other piece of your snow skiing gear will help you to prevent falls by providing critical balance assistance.

We think there is nothing better than a day on the slopes. Millions of people agree with us, as proven by the number of skiers who take part in the sport. Unfortunately there are many participants that find themselves in the hospital, having suffered an injury that (most likely) could have been avoided with the use of better gear. It is our goal to help you avoid a similar fate.

More can be found on this subject by clicking here: Snow Skiing Gear. Anthony Cudjo has a website dedicated to aficionados of skiing, snowboarding, and all other forms of outdoor recreation. You’ll find information to improve your performance, and help you avoid injury in the process!

In today’s economy, dining out can still be accomplished with the right choices and research beforehand. Paramount to dining experience is choosing a place that appeals to both your sense of taste, and sense of atmosphere. A good establishment will work hard to both feed you well, as well as your comfort and ease levels. Great service, combined with great food and a great atmosphere are all equally important in deciding on what restaurant to dine out at. Your money is valuable, and hard earned, and should be spent in a place that will return the investment well.

When choosing a restaurant for dining out, many things are to be considered. In a good establishment, someone will be readily available to greet and seat you quickly. Your seating needs and requests should be fulfilled considerately. Extremely important to a good Dining Out experience is an establishment with knowledgeable and friendly servers. Specials and deals should be pointed out by the servers, and any questions that the guest has should be accurately answered. The server should be attentive to a guest’s needs, and never let the guest have to vie for the notice of the server.

Another piece of information that must be considered before dining out at a specific place is the actual establishment itself. Any health inspections must have been passed, and the place should be noted to be clean overall. The guest bathrooms should be readily available, clean, and well lit as well. If music is played, it should fit the theme or decor of the place, and not be so loud as to extinguish conversation.

Last, but perhaps the most important, research food quality and prices before dining out. Although individual’s tastes can differ greatly, checking reviews of specific places is a great way to scope the quality of the food. Seek reviewers with similar tastes as yours by finding reviews you would have given an establishment you have previously visited. And never forget to check the prices of courses at specific places! In this day and age, many places have their menu listed online, and this can be a great way to plan out a meal before leaving your own home to dine out. Though all of these great tips for dining out seem tedious, they are much less time consuming than going to an unfamiliar establishment that you end up greatly disliking. These tips can save you both your money, and time!

For Singapore dining guide, visit JP Pepperdine now.

Feel free to publish this article on your website, or send it to your friends, as long as you keep the resource box and the content of the article intact.

Public speaking presents such a challenge for many people. In the Book of Lists, public speaking anxiety and making a presentation constitute the number one fear; the fear of dying is number two. Like the old saying goes, “People would rather be in the grave than make a presentation.” You see people sweat, shake, and quiver while they are speaking. Sometimes, employees bypass promotions, and business owners bypass business opportunities rather than give a presentation. I saw a manager who was on the corporate fast track quickly become derailed because she couldn’t complete her presentation in front of senior management.

So what do great speakers do to prepare themselves to be great presenters? They prepare their minds to give a great presentation. That’s right; it all starts in your mind. How can you develop a great speaker’s mindset and start giving outstanding presentations? The following are five secrets for powerful public speaking:

1. Believe It So That You Can Achieve It

I am approached by people who say, “I can’t speak in public,” “I am a bad speaker,” or “I could never speak in public.” Without hearing them speak, I say, “You’re right.” Because once you make those negative statements, they become self-fulfilling prophesies. When you say, “I am a bad speaker,” your subconscious mind is thinking, “Well, he or she said it, so it must be true; so I will act like a bad speaker.” Positive speaking attitude (PSA) is one of the first things I work on during my presentation coachings. Replace the negative speaking attitude with a PSA to master your self talk and improve your presentation skills. Instead of saying, “I am a bad speaker,” say the following:

* “I am improving my public speaking abilities everyday in everyway.”

* “Every opportunity to make a presentation is an opportunity for success.”

* “I am a good public speaker today; and, with continued practice, I will be a better public speaker tomorrow.”

* “I am mastering my presentation skills everyday!”

When you make these positive affirmations, your subconscious mind hears it and says, “Yeah, I am improving,” or “Let me speak because it is an opportunity for success,” or “I am mastering my speaking skills.”

Manage your self talk for a PSA. You will feel a new confident attitude concerning public speaking.

2. Think About What You Want to Accomplish

I will ask the question, “What do you want to accomplish with your presentation?” Many times I will be on the receiving end of a blank stare or the student might say, “I just want them to listen to me.”

Take time to think about what you want to accomplish by giving your presentation. Is it that you want to entertain the audience, do you want to persuade them on an important issue, or maybe you want the audience to take action after hearing your presentation. Going into your presentation knowing what you want to accomplish creates focus and is a big confidence builder.

3. Visualize Success

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at an association conference with over five thousand people in the audience. Joy, my wife, was sitting in the audience with our friend Jim who came to hear me speak for the first time. As I was about to speak, Jim leaned over and asked Joy if I was nervous speaking in front of such a large group of people. Without blinking an eye, Joy said, “He was born for this day. He saw this day coming when he first started speaking.”

I visualized that day long before it happened. Whenever I give a presentation, I take time to visualize a successful presentation and positive outcome. The more details I include in my visualizations, the more vivid and real it becomes for me. The night before the presentation I will find a quiet place at home or, if I am on the road, a hotel room, and meditate to start the visualization process. I will visualize my drive to the event, greeting the host and audience, and how my powerful presentation will sound and look on that day. I will also visualize the audience’s positive response to the presentation.

Take time to visualize the details of giving a great presentation. Like the old saying goes, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” If you visualize you are a great speaker, you will take the steps and create opportunities for yourself to become a great speaker.

Visualize that the audience wants to hear your message and they want you to do well. Remember, it’s their time also and they want to receive value out of your speech.

4. Own the Room

Whenever I speak, I “own the room.” I mentally tell myself that for the next thirty minutes, hour, etc., I own the room. The corporation, association, or government may own the building or venue I am speaking in, but during the time I am speaking, I am the owner of the room and the audience will be my guests, my friends. That way I am always in control to give an outstanding presentation.

Think of your speaking area as your house, your home, your castle. When you invite friends into your home, aren’t you in control and want to provide a safe, entertaining environment for your guests? The same is true for your speaking audience; you want to provide a safe, entertaining, and enriching experience for them.

I always say, “Giving presentations is not about me, it’s about you (the audience).” What I mean is that if I am constantly thinking about how I sound, look, and feel while I speak, I am not thinking about what I can share with my audience. Concentrate on the value you will give to your audience members and you will never go wrong.

5. Eat the Elephant

Many times I hear the following:

“I could never speak in front of a group of people, but one-on-one I am fine.”

Well, I ask, “How do you eat the elephant?” Break the elephant into smaller pieces. It is the same when you “digest” the audience. Don’t think of the audience as a whole, think of the audience as individuals ready to hear your message. Concentrate on thinking of your audience as individuals, and your message will come across that way to the individual audience members.

Follow these five secrets for creating a positive mindset for confident public speaking. Overcoming your public speaking anxiety will improve your presentation skills and create new opportunities for you through public speaking.

Ed Sykes is a professional speaker, author, and coach in the areas of presentation skills, leadership, motivation, stress management, customer service, and team building. You can e-mail him at mailto:esykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call him at (757) 427-7032. Go to his web site, http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the newsletter, OnPoint, and receive the free ebook, “Empowerment and Stress Secrets for the Busy Professional.”

Here are the consensus bowl picks from the SportGamble.us staff.

Tue., Dec. 14

New Orleans Bowl

North Texas vs Southern Mississippi

SG’s Pick: North Texas

If the So. Miss defense can stop Jamario Thomas from adding to his gaudy stats they should be able to keep this one close.

7:30 pm

Tue., Dec. 21

Champs Sports Bowl

Georgia Tech vs Syracuse

SG’s Pick: Georgia Tech

7:45 pm

Wed., Dec. 22

GMAC Bowl

Memphis vs Bowling Green

SG’s Pick: Bowling Green

I want to pick Memphis to win this battle, but the Falcon’s scoring offense, 4th in the nation, will simply outscore Memphis regardless of how well they play.

8:00 pm

Thur., Dec. 23

PlainsCapital Fort Worth Bowl

Cincinnati vs Marshall

SG’s Pick: Marshall

Marshall has shown up to play in big games this year. I consider a bowl game a “big” game, wouldn’t you?

6:30 pm

Las Vegas Bowl

Wyoming vs UCLA

SG’s Pick: UCLA

UCLA should burn Wyoming with it’s passing and running game. Although, Wyoming is playing in it’s first bowl game in 11 years…that’s certainly motivating.

9:45 pm

Fri., Dec. 24

Hawaii Bowl

UAB vs Hawaii

SG’s Pick: Hawaii

NCAA’s all time passing leader should have a hay-day against this no show UAB defense

7:00 pm

Mon., Dec. 27

MPC Computers Bowl

Fresno State vs 18 Virginia

SG’s Pick: Virginia

Fresno State failed to play with the big dogs this season and Virginia is on the horizon to become one.

2:00 pm

Motor City Bowl

Toledo vs Connecticut

SG’s Pick: Toledo

Connecticut has a football team? Well, that’s what we would have said last season but they have a QB that can rip the secondary. You probably haven’t heard of him but the NFL scouts know him very well. Connecticut has a chance if they grasp the mindset they had when meeting Pittsburgh earlier in the year.

5:30 pm

Tue., Dec. 28

Independence Bowl

Iowa State vs Miami (Ohio)

SG’s Pick: Iowa State

Iowa State’s explosive offense will give Miami all they want…plus some.

6:30 pm

Insight Bowl

Oregon State vs Notre Dame

SG’s Pick: Notre Dame

Notre Dame is going to fight its heart out in defense of Tyrone Willingham. Oh, did we mention they’re a pretty good football team anyway?

9:45 pm

Wed., Dec. 29

Houston Bowl

Texas-El Paso vs Colorado

SG’s Pick: Texas-El Paso

Jordan Carson (name sound familiar?) will finally have his chance to showcase his talent on national television. Colorado is still wondering what happened in the Big 12 championship…

4:30 pm

Alamo Bowl

24 Ohio State vs Oklahoma State

SG’s Pick: Ohio State

Oklahoma State is no stranger to big games. Unfortunately, they haven’t learned how to win them.

8:00 pm

Thur., Dec. 30

Continental Tire Bowl

25 Boston College vs North Carolina

SG’s Pick: Boston College

North Carolina has a lack of “big game” experience while Boston College has the “secret to success” for winning bowl games, they’ve won 4 straight.

1:00 pm

Emerald Bowl

New Mexico vs Navy

SG’s Pick: Navy

Did we say Navy? That’s right! These guys finally learned how to play football.

4:30 pm

Holiday Bowl

4 California vs 23 Texas Tech

SG’s Pick: California

Cal will punish Texas Tech for being pushed out of the BCS picture.

8:00 pm

Silicon Valley Bowl

Troy vs Northern Illinois

SG’s Pick: Northern Illinois

Troy has never been to a bowl game and they’re not ready to win one either. N. Illinois has a ground attack that will out-muscle this Troy defense.

11:00 pm

Fri., Dec. 31

Music City Bowl

Alabama vs Minnesota

SG’s Pick: Alabama

This isn’t because we like the SEC. Minnesota isn’t playing at home…

12:00 pm

Sun Bowl

Purdue vs 21 Arizona State

SG’s Pick: Purdue

Arizona State is coming with their 2nd string QB that Purdue’s young, yet darn good, defense should contain. Expect Purdue to light up the score board in this one!

2:00 pm

Liberty Bowl

10 Boise State vs 7 Louisville

SG’s Pick: Louisville

This may be bowl game of the year. If you like fast attack offenses and aggressive scoring, this game is for you! Vegas will be exploding with “total points” bets on this one.

3:30 pm

14 Miami (FLA.) vs 20 Florida

Peach Bowl

SG’s Pick: Florida

If Chris Leak (Gators) isn’t the best QB in the land he will be. When the Gators are operating on all cylinders I would pick them to beat anyone in the country. Keep an eye on this one because it should be a money maker!

7:30 pm

Sat., Jan. 1

Cotton Bowl

15 Tennessee vs 22 Texas A&M

SG’s Pick: Tennessee

The Vols simply ran out of time in the SEC championship. I suspect they will pick up where they left off. Neither team “should” be here so it will definitely be one of the better games to watch.

11:00 am

Outback Bowl

16 Wisconsin va 8 Georgia

SG’s Pick: Georgia

Wisconsin can play offense buy GA’s fast defense will stop the run and force Wisconsin to throw resulting in too many mistakes to overcome. Georgia wins.

11:00 am

Gator Bowl

17 Florida State va West Virginia

SG’s Pick: Florida State

Florida State has put the lost to Florida behind them. Bowden’s ability to dominate bowl games has a “W” written all over it.

12:30 pm

Capital One Bowl

11 Iowa vs 12 LSU

SG’s Pick: LSU (restrictions apply…)

LSU is young but managed to fight their way to a good bowl game this year. If LSU’s defense can keep the score close they can pull this one off.

1:00 pm

Rose Bowl

13 Michigan vs 6 Texas

SG’s Pick: Texas

If Mack can persuade his players they’re as good as he did the nations coaches Texas will overcome a solid Michigan team.

4:30 pm

Fiesta Bowl

5 Utah vs 19 Pittsburgh

SG’s Pick: Utah

Pittsburgh slipped through the back door to win the Big East but I’m afraid Utah will show Pitt what it’s like to play with the Big Boys.

8:30 pm

Mon., Jan. 3

Sugar Bowl

3 Auburn vs 9 Virginia Tech

SG’s Pick: Auburn

Auburn should be playing for the national title. Look for Auburn to win big for the slight possibility of sharing the title.

8:00 pm

Tue., Jan. 4

Orange Bowl

1 Southern California vs 2 Oklahoma

SG’s Pick: Oklahoma

This one should come down to the last quarter. Oklahoma should prevail with stamina.

8:00 pm

SportGamble.us [http://SportGamble.us] is a community-oriented sports and sports gambling portal featuring news articles, high quality resources, spreads, message boards, blogs, and more.

It is often observed that many people’s top ranking fear is not death but having to speak in public. The joke is that these people would rather be lying in the casket at the funeral than giving the eulogy. Public speaking for people who suffer from panic attacks or general anxiety often becomes a major source of worry weeks or even months before the speaking event is to occur.

These speaking engagements do not necessarily have to be the traditional “on a podium” events but can be as simple as an office meeting where the individual is expected to express an opinion or give verbal feedback. The fear of public speaking and panic attacks in this case centers on having an attack while speaking. The individual fears being incapacitated by the anxiety and hence unable to complete what he or she is saying. The person imagines fleeing the spotlight and having to make all kinds of excuses later for their undignified departure out the office window….

This differs slightly from the majority of people who fear public speaking because their fear tends to revolve around going blank while speaking or feeling uncomfortable under the spotlight of their peers. The jitters or nerves of speaking in public are of course a problem for this group as well, but they are unfamiliar with that debilitating threat which is the panic attack, as they most likely have not experienced one before.

Public Speaking and Panic AttacksSo how should a person with an anxiety issue tackle public speaking? Stage one is accepting that all these bizarre and quite frankly unnerving sensations are not going to go away overnight. In fact, you are not even going to concern yourself with getting rid of them for your next talk. When they arrive during a speech/meeting, you are going to approach them in a new manner. What we need to do is build your confidence back to where it used to be before any of these sensations ever occurred. This time you will approach it in a unique, empowering manner, allowing you to feel your confidence again. It is said that most of the top speakers are riddled with anxiety before speaking, but they somehow use this nervousness to enhance their speech. I am going to show you exactly how to do this, although I know that right now if you suffer from public speaking and panic attacks you may find it difficult to believe you can ever overcome it.

My first point is this and it is important. The average healthy person can experience an extreme array of anxiety and very uncomfortable sensations while giving a speech and is in no danger of ever losing control, or even appearing slightly anxious to the audience. No matter how tough it gets, you will always finish your piece, even if at the outset it feels very uncomfortable to go on. You will not become incapacitated in any way.

The real breakthrough for if you suffer from public speaking and panic attacks happens when you fully believe that you are not in danger and that the sensations will pass.

“I realize you (the anxiety) hold no threat over me.”

What keeps a panic attack coming again and again is the fear of the fear–the fear that the next one will really knock your socks off and you feel you were lucky to have made it past the last one unscathed. As they were so unnerving and scary, it is your confidence that has been damaged by previous anxiety episodes. Once you fully understand you are not under any threat, then you can have a new response to the anxiety as it arises while speaking.

Defeating public speaking and panic attacks…

There is always a turning point when a person moves from general anxiety into a panic attack, and that happens with public speaking when you think to yourself:

“I won’t be able to handle this in front of these people.”

That split second of self-doubt leads to a rush of adrenaline, and the extreme anxiety arrives in a wave like format. If, however, when you feel the initial anxiety and you react with confidence that this is not a threat to you, you will move out of the anxiety rapidly. Using this new approach is a powerful ally because it means it is okay to feel scared and feel the anxiety when speaking-that is fine; you are going to feel it and move with and through the sensations in your body and out the other side. Because he or she is feeling very anxious, often before the talk has begun, that person may feel they have already let themselves down. Now, you can relax on that point. It is perfectly natural to feel the anxiety. Take for example the worst of the sensations you have ever experienced in this situation–be it general unease to loss of breath. You will have an initial automatic reaction that says:

“Danger-I’m going to have an episode of anxiety here and I really can’t afford that to happen.”

At this point most people react to that idea and confirm it must be true because of all of the unusual feelings they are experiencing. This is where your thinking can lead you down a train of thought that creates a cycle of anxiety that produces a negative impact on your overall presenting skills.

So let that initial “oh dear, not now” thought pass by, and follow it up immediately with the attitude of:

“There you are-I’ve been wondering when you would arrive. I’ve been expecting you to show up–by the way, I am not in the least threatened by any of the strange sensations you are creating–I am completely safe here.”

Public Speaking and Panic AttacksThe key to controlling your fear of public speaking and panic attacks is that instead of pushing the emotional energy and excitement down into your stomach, you are moving out through it. Your body is in a slightly excited state, exactly as it should be while giving a speech, so release that energy in your self-expression. Push it out through your presentation not down into your stomach. You push it out by expressing yourself more forcefully. In this way you turn the anxiety to your advantage by using it to deliver a speech where you come across more alive, energetic and in the present moment. When you notice the anxiety drop as it does when you willingly move into it. Fire a quick thought off when you get a momentary break (as I am sure you have between pieces), asking it for “more.” You want more of its intense feelings as you are interested in them and are absolutely not threatened by them.

It seems like a lot of things to be thinking about while talking to a group of people, but it is not really. You’d be amazed how many different non-related thoughts you can have while speaking. This approach is about adopting a new attitude of confidence to what you might have deemed a serious threat up until now. This tactic will truly help you with fear of public speaking and panic attacks you have associated with them.

If your predominant fear of the speaking engagement is driven by a feeling of being trapped, then I would suggest factoring in some mental releases that can be prepared before the event. For example, some meetings/speeches allow for you to turn the attention back to the room to get feedback etc. from the group.

If possible, you might want to prepare such opportunities in your own mind before the engagements. This is not to say you have to ever use them, but people in this situation often remark that just having small opportunities where attention can be diverted for the briefest of moments can make the task seem less daunting. It my even be something as simple as having people introduce themselves or opening the floor to questions. I realize these diversions are not always possible and depend on the situation, but anything you can factor in that makes you feel less trapped or under the spotlight is worth the effort and can help alleviate fear of public speaking and panic attacks.

I hope you have found this public speaking and panic attacks page helpful. Please give it some careful consideration and you will realize it contains the truth.

http://www.panic-and-anxiety-attacks.com/public-speaking-and-panic-attacks.html

This article is copywritten material. Any requests for reprinting this article must be made to Joe Barry McDonagh

Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here:

http://www.panic-and-anxiety-attacks.com/

If you’re like me, When you crank up that BBQ grill for the season it’s all about cooking perfect steak. I love all kinds of foods cooked on an outside bbq grill, but none says summer quite like that sweet smell of steak on the grill. For me, the results are always predictable and always pretty close to perfect. This is because I use the same process every time and I start with the end result in mind. So that’s my first tip: cooking perfect steak starts with identifying what that means to you and then learning about the basic cooking method so that you can navigate to that desired point. You’ll have to decide on the definition of perfection for yourself – that’s the fun part. But the next few paragraphs should help with the second part – learning the process and the basic cooking method that helps get you to your perfection.

It All Starts BEFORE Cooking Tenderloin!

For most carnivores, the beginning of the process towards steak nirvana is when you actually start cooking tenderloin. Unfortunately, this approach leaves out one of my best secrets for cooking perfect steak: start with the whole tenderloin. There are so many advantages to buying a whole tenderloin and breaking it down yourself. You can definitely save some money learning how to do this, and it is a lot easier than you think. When you buy the whole tenderloin, the first thing you have to do before cooking tenderloin is to remove the “chain”. The chain is the side muscle; it contains a lot of the fat and is great for use later in stews, chilis or even my favorite treat: Tenderloin Philly cheese steak. But that’s a whole other way for cooking tenderloin and beyond the scope of this article! Once you’ve removed the chain, you must remove the thick top end of the tenderloin – “the head”. This, too can be set aside and used later. What you are left with is a long tenderloin from which to cut your steaks. The most important thing to remember is to try to cut the steaks of consistent size by weight. Consistent size equals consistent cooking, which equals reliable cooking! Use a scale and aim for a consistent size somewhere between 3 and 5 oz per steak, depending on who you’re cooking for.

Do you Really Know How to Grill Beef?

If you believe most people, grilling takes no skill at all. It’s so much easier than cooking and anyone can do this with little advance planning or common knowledge. Right? This is actually one of my favorite cooking myths! Knowing correctly how to grill beef (or anything else) is essential to outdoor cooking success. Grilling is direct source conductive heat. Cooking is to grilling as driving is to flying a rocket ship. Everything happens quickly and intensely with grilling and that includes mistakes. So, let’s begin with the simple process:

1. First, get the grill as hot as possible. Keep the lid down while heating the grill, but open when cooking. This is another common grilling mistake. If you close the lid while cooking, the method you are applying is similar to that of oven cooking. Why bother doing it outside on the grill?
2. Brush the steak with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can use any other kind of seasoning or rub here, but I find that the true steak flavor comes from a good cut of meat and you don’t need anything else. You might have a different opinion so season as you see fit.
3. Place the steak on the hot grill “show side” down – meaning the side you’d want to display on the plate goes down on the grill first.
4. Now observe for signs of done-ness. When the steak is 75% done on one side, flip it over and cook the rest of the way.

Knowing how to grill beef is a simple process, but most people still go into it blindly. By following the steps, you will always be working towards cooking the perfect steak, rather than just cooking a steak until it has reached a safe to eat temperature and texture. The fine line of difference between acceptable and perfection make all of the difference, and with perfection so reliably reachable, why not aim high?

How Long Should the Meat Cook? Until It’s Done!

So, here we are. We always arrive at the same question. In travel, it’s: are we there yet?; and in cooking, it’s: how long should the meat cook?. Well, I have one answer to all of the how long questions: until it’s done. Yes, it really is that simple. Let the meat cook until it’s done. And now we get into the more interesting question: how do I know when it’s done? I often say that cooking is a journey – so you are a tourist, an observer on that journey. As you observe what happens to the steak during the cooking process, you will notice some predictable things happen. First, at 165 degrees, proteins coagulate. What you will see when this happens is that the steak will stiffen and shrink. You will see the sides of the tenderloin start to get brownish gray. At 320 degrees, the sugars caramelize. If you lift a side of the steak up slightly and look underneath, you will see the formation of grill marks to indicate this is happening. You will also begin to smell that nice, sweet, smell – telling you that you are cooking perfect steak and all is happening as it should. When the steak is 50-75% cooked on one side, it reaches what is termed in French culinary as “a point”. You will observe the juices start to bubble up to the red top. This indicates it is time to flip the steak, allowing it to finish its cooking on the other side. The last observation you will make to determine done-ness is the most quantitative because you will use a thermometer. Don’t cut open your steak to peer into the middle! Don’t stab at it with a fork! Both of these activities will release all of the juiciness you just worked so hard to achieve!  125-135 degrees is rare; 145-150 is medium and 160-165 is well done. So pick your temperature and remove the steak from the grill. But before serving it, let it rest for 5-10 minutes so that the juices can redistribute and run off onto the non-serving plate.

Just by understanding these simple facts about grilling, cooking perfect steak is almost a guaranteed result. Go ahead and get your own whole tenderloin today and get ready for some great outdoor eating!

Chef Todd Mohr is a classically trained chef, entrepreneur, cooking educator and founder of Web Cooking Classes. Learn his #1 Chef Secret now for FREE in this video that will show you how you can cook better everyday at home. The secret is simple, but it will change the way you think about cooking forever.

Taking care of a freshwater fish tank is no small chore. It requires monitoring of the water and making sure the fish are getting the nutrients, nitrogen and oxygen they need to survive. The fish are beautiful to look at and relaxing to watch but to get the freshwater fish tank to look as clean and natural as some do can take some care.

It is a mistake to think that freshwater fish tanks require constant cleaning, removal of fish and water control. The best performing freshwater fish tank will actually require very little maintenance. The reason is the owner has mastered the proper filtering and nutrient processing that makes for continually healthy tank.

One of the best and possibly most obvious ways to keep the water clean in your freshwater fish tank is to install a filter. The filter will remove unwanted fish waste and keep the water free from other particles. Most filters are either gravel systems or simply attach to the side of the fish tank.

The freshwater fish tank filter will be combined with chemical and biological filtration systems. The chemical filtration system works with the proteins, pH and chemicals in the water. Biological filtration uses and encourages helpful bacterial growth to scrub the water clean for your fish. This will help prevent high levels of nitrogenous waste which are a threat to the fish’s health.

Freshwater fish tank also should have continuous water circulation. This will keep the nutrients moving instead of settling to the bottom which can encourage algae growth. Water directors are available to circulate the water through the fish tank.

To discourage algae from growing in the bottom of the tank or on other objects, you can place a few snails or other creatures in the freshwater fish tank. You have to ensure that you do not let too many snails to overpopulate but having them in the tank can help keep the algae growth down.

Most freshwater fish tank owners place aquatic plants in the aquarium. Some plants can help filter the particles floating in the water and they detoxify the tank’s environment by using the nitrates for making plant proteins. However, all the death and decay of these plants or their parts produce nitrogenous waste in the aquarium.

Despite these best efforts you will still have to clean out the freshwater fish tank form time to time. It is usually best to only change a quarter to a half of the water at a time. Any more than that and you risk stressing your fish.

A freshwater fish tank can be a wonderful addition to your house giving the owner a low maintenance pet that is both interesting and relaxing to observe. Maintenance of the tank does not have to be a chore as long as preventive measures are taken before problems occur.

Chris has been taking care of fish tanks for most of his adult life. He enjoys tropical fish and has maintained more fish tanks than he could count. Interested in finding out more about Fish Tanks? Click here to visit our website.

Now I know what you are telling yourself…..I would really like to camp, it looks fun but I have no idea how to camp, what to bring or what to expect. There are a few things that you really have to determine before you can figure out what you need to do to get ready for your camping trip.  Answering the following basic questions will guide you to finding your footing.

1.  What type of camping have you decided to do?  Did you want to RV camp?  Camper/Trailer camp?  Tent camp?  Backpack/Hike camp?  Canoe/kayak camp? 

Determining the type of camping you want to do can aid you in what sort of equipment and expertise is needed.  For example, you would need a vastly different sort of equipment for RV camping versus hiking camping.

Camping descriptions:

RV Camping (or recreational vehicle camping) is most like living at home because you bring a furnished vehicle that you basically live in with you.  You can make your RV just as comfy as you like.  Everything that you need from home can most likely be brought with you in your RV.  All you really need to think about are what foods and personal items you would like to stock it with.  This type of camping is generally for the people who do not like to “rough it” but also might like to be social since many times RV are parked fairly near each other or in similar sections.  Though there are some normal maintenance items with RVs, you basically park them and live in them.

Camper or Trailer camping is just a step more rugged than RV camping.  Many times campers or trailers do not have showers or toilets, unlike most RVs.  Depending on the camper or trailer, a refrigerator may not be included either.  Generally, camper or trailer camping is more for people who do not like to sleep on the ground or worry about severe weather but still want to get out there.

Tent camping is generally more for people who would like to “rough it.”  Tent camping requires you to think about all of your basic needs ahead of time (food, hygiene, restroom requirements, shelter, seeing at night, warmth).  There are actually varying levels of tent camping as well.  Some people like to bring a tent and shop for all of their needs while others like to camp in more remote areas away from people.  Packing for a tent camping trip can be time consuming because you have to think of everything you might need.

Backpacking or Hiking camping is a bit more for the experienced campers.  Think about it…everything you think you are going to need you have to be able to strap to your back and carry it for quite a distance.  You have to be able to pack well and pack light!

Canoe/kayak camping is much like hiking camping in regards to packing but you have to add another element.  You have to make sure that everything is waterproof.  Canoe/kayak camping would be for the more experienced camper and of course, for people who know how to canoe and/or kayak. 

Recommendations for camping situations:

RV Camping – Shop around and do research before you decide on an RV for purchase.  Talk to people who already own them and ask them what they like and don’t like about their particular model.  Go to RV dealerships and walk through a bunch of them.  Maybe, go as far as renting an RV on a small trip to see what you do or don’t like about RV camping.

Camper/Trailer Camping – Because there might not be amenities like a refrigerator, more setup and forethought is required.  You most likely will have to purchase a cooler or two to keep your food and beverages chilled.  Also, you may have to think about generators if you would like to run electrical items.  Though you might have beds in the camper you may have to put bedding in.

Tent Camping – Think about the type of tent camping you’d like to do.  Does my tent have to be lightweight?  Waterproof?  Wind sturdy?  What size tent do I need (family size or just for me)?  What terrain will I be camping on?  A good camping tent can make all the difference on your trip.

Backpacking/Hiking Camping – Look for lightweight supplies, as you have to carry them all.  Equipment research into lighter weight sturdy hiking backpacks is a good idea.  Always check ahead of time if the area you wish to hike and camp allows people to do so.  Pay attention to “no trespassing” signs and heed them.  Check your weather!  You need to know what equipment to pack for the weather.  It is also recommended that you camp with a buddy.  In case something should happen, there should be someone who can go get help.

Canoe/kayak Camping – It might be advisable to take some canoe or kayak lessons (and swimming lessons) before attempting a camping trip in this way.  Perhaps you may wish to rent a canoe or kayak to make sure you like the activity before diving in.

2.  Where have you decided to go camping?  Are you going to be camping in the Desert?  Beach?  Forest/woods? 

This is a very important question to answer in order to figure out your main needs.  You’d prepare very differently for desert camping than you would for camping in the forest.

In Desert camping temperatures can have extreme ranges from the heat of the day to the cold of the night.  The biggest threats (most of the year) in the desert are the sun and dehydration.  It is very important to protect yourself with sunscreen and drink plenty of water.  Due to the dry air you are not aware of how much you are perspiring because it evaporates so quickly off your skin.

Beach camping is very nice but you should prepare for it.  Due to the nature of sand it is difficult to weigh things down with normal tent stakes.  There are tent stakes that are much longer for this specific purpose.  You also must be prepared for the possibility that sand could get into everything.  Depending on how deep in the sand you’d like to go you should think about the vehicle you are using to get there.  Again, with the nature of sand it may be difficult to dig yourself back out.  You may wish to bring a shovel or random piece of wood.

Forest/woods are usually great for shelter from rainstorms and sun.  They are also great for hammocks but you have to be aware of biting insects and certain itchy plants.  Bug spray would be a huge recommendation for camping in the woods.

3.  When or what time of the year are you going camping?

Figuring out what type of weather you are going to have to deal with while camping is key.  Personally, I think this is the most important information required to plan a proper camping trip.  Of course if you have an RV, this information probably doesn’t help you because you aren’t exposed to the elements.

Colder weather camping obviously requires warmer clothes but you may wish to consider a warmer camping sleeping bag regardless of what method of shelter you are using.

Wetter weather camping means that your terrain may be more difficult to deal with.  If you are tent camping, it would be recommended to lay a tarp under your tent, look for slightly higher ground to pitch your tent and always use your rain flys.

In hotter weather always make sure to keep yourself hydrated.  If you bring your water with you, bring lots.  If you are hiking camping, you may wish to consider a water treatment or a camping water filter.

Congratulations on taking your first step toward camping by answering these preliminary questions.  You are now on your way to planning for a camping trip tailored more to your specific needs and desires.

Below is a list of general items to take camping.  Please take from it what works best for you and your situation.  Note: Personal items should be included at your discretion.

Things to take camping:

FIRST AID/SURVIVAL KIT

• Prescribed medications
• Snake bite kit
• Calamine lotion
• Insect repellent
• Distilled water
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls or cotton swabs
• Bandages
• Moleskin (for sore feet)
• Tweezers
• Needles
• Feminine products
• Scissors
• Thermometer
• Individually wrapped gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic
• Clean old towel or part of bed sheet folded up
• Steristrips (to hold cuts together)
• Aspirin
• Motion sickness medicine
• Pepto Bismol
• Aromatic ammonia
• Glucose packs (for diabetics)
• Water purifying tablets or filtration kit
• Razor blades
• Waterproof matches & container
• Whistle
• Solid knife
• Hydrogen peroxide

BASICS

• Tent (tarp, stakes, rain fly)
• Sleeping bag (sleeping pad for under or air mattress)
• Pillow
• Small hatchet
• Flash lights (& good extra batteries)
• Camping lanterns (with fuel or good extra batteries)
• Disposable butane lighter
• Compass
• Maps
• Hammock
• Cooler (& ice)
• Water (and/or water filter or water purification tablets)
• Clothing (weather appropriate)
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Good walking shoes
• Personal toiletries
• Pocket knife
• Canteen (or hydration pack)
• Firewood (bring or buy at campsite)
• Backpack (and/or day pack)
• Camping
• Games (cards, frisbee, small portable games)
• Camera (& good batteries)
• S’mores fixings (large marshmallows, graham crackers & Hershey’s® chocolate)

COOKING?

• Obviously food (canned & packaged usually do well)
• Stove (& fuel or charcoal) or a grill or dutch oven
• Pot & pan (and cooking utensils if planning to cook)
• Cups & plates & eating utensils
• Re-sealable plastic bags
• Plastic containers
• Paper towel or napkins
• Note:  If there are bear boxes where you camp…..use them!

THINGS OFTEN FORGOTTEN

• Can opener
• Wine bottle opener
• Utensils
• Towels
• Soap (dish soap & bar soap)

IN CASE…

• Flares
• Folding shovel
• Tea bags
• Broth cubes
• Poncho
• Candles
• Rope or cord (12′ to 24′)
• Signal mirror
• MREs (military term for “meals ready to eat”)
• Suturing kit (for extreme cases)
• Fish kit (& 15′ of 10 lbs. line & sinkers & 35mm film container & fish hooks)
• Water filter or water purification tablets
• Lifejackets (camping near water)
• Baking soda (for toothpaste, insect bites, antacid, odors, etc.)

Lori Denil
Serious Sporting Goods Camping
http://www.SeriousSportingGoodsCamping.com
Your Camping & Hiking Equipment Source!

When you are interested in pursuing a career in fashion design, you should explore what some of the principles of fashion design are, before you can truly understand the depth of this occupation. With the principles of fashion design mastered, you may be on your way to creating designs that surpass even the brilliant minds of Calvin Klein, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Versace, as well as Dolce & Gabbana.

Fashion designers, who have mastered the principles of fashion design, go on to create the trends that we see displayed at fashion shows, and featured in magazines, such as InStyle and Vogue. The designs could be as serious as the times or as sexy as they want to be. The principles of fashion design do evolve with the changing tastes of society. Sometimes it is up to fashion designers to give consumers a little nudge in the right direction, as far as seasonal colors, trends and style go. More than often, fashion designers must pay attention to the changing desires on the streets. Many times designers are able to draw from the public when searching for ideas to use with respect to the current principles of fashion design.

The principles of fashion design come into play when a designer sits down to create a sketch of their latest creation. The principles always state that every creation starts with a sketch. A special desire to create a certain type of garment may exist, or maybe the idea surfaced from outside contact involving street trends. Inspiration comes in many different ways, with designers drawing from the past, movies, magazines, as well as current events.

When the sketch becomes a visual on a computer screen, numerous principles of fashion design are incorporated. Design software creates a graphic, which patternmakers and tailors can follow in order to develop a sample. This is when a designer can see their ideas and creations in the flesh. This will then give them a chance to alter things that do not materialize in the way that they expected. If the designer is successful in incorporating the principles of fashion design with this experience, they may produce a sample suitable for acceptance into a clothing line.

A successful designer should know how to perform a variety of tasks in order to prosper in the business. Designers should know how to sketch their ideas; create patterns; choose relevant fabrics, materials and colors; work with other designers; be able to communicate with other production employees; as well as attend fashion shows and be aware of the latest fashion trends.

When deciding upon a career in fashion design, as individual should know that in order to master the principles of fashion design, they should possess additional skills that would make life easier for a designer. Some of the skills needed to truly make an impression in the business is reading, writing, math skills; the ability to speak and listen; knowledge of computers; good problem-solving and decision-making skills; as well as a positive attitude. Keeping these principles and skills of fashion design in mind allows the chance of success to greatly increase.

For more womens fashion articles, and a FREE Fashion Magazine featuring the latest fashion trends for women, please visit our web site: http://www.net-planet.org

Gourmet cooking schools are the high class educational centers focusing on imparting in-depth knowledge of not just history of the cooking techniques, but gives cultural and regional preferences and specialty learning info to all students besides ensuring that there is adequate personal interaction between teachers and taught. The highly qualified chefs and master-chefs, with a dedication to creating fine dining experiences the basis of all knowledge imparted to students enrolled herein, besides focusing on teaching in a customized format not available.

Most of these gourmet cooking schools are located in the metro cities in a nation and the top chefs, everyone knows, come from France! Earlier, cookery students keen to avail this highly specialized knowledge and base for continental cuisine styles and forms had to enroll in top cooking schools in France in order to understand and imbibe the finer nuances of French gourmand cooking; however, with technology and developments such as the internet and cooking shows on Television, this gap has bridged. Besides, many of the French chefs have opened training institutes in the heart of the United States along with setting up schools in other parts of the western world for those who love this artful cuisine.

Of course, the course fees don’t come cheap, but the top gourmet cooking schools do ensure quality training and comprehensive knowledge about all aspects about buying food, preparing and presenting it for varied occasions and people.

Knowledge you will gain at best gourmet cooking schools:

Some gourmet cooking schools focus on teaching regional cuisine, others on country cooking and still others on confectionery items; you need to decide your interest and aims before enrolling for a training here.

1. Among the 3 important things taught at gourmet cooking schools are in-depth knowledge of various kinds of foodstuff, the chemical composition of foods and their break-down in the cooking process besides choosing and planning healthy, balanced meals. Various techniques of chopping, dicing and cutting food are also taught here besides related methods of preparing food.

2. Different ways of preparing meats, veggies, seasonal fruits and fresh dairy produce besides methods of sauce and dessert making are taught too as are the uses of different types of cookware and cuisine techniques from provincial France, including the traditional methods.

3. Those signing up for the top gourmet cooking schools with the aim of becoming a professional cook need to also understand beyond the fundamentals of great cooking style, the need for kitchen safety and the skills for business development, management and customer service, useful for those planning to start their own restaurant.

In order to have a bright future as a professional chef or even a continental cuisine expert, this is the place to be!

Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.cooking-guru.com and download his FREE Cooking Report “Master Chef Secrets” and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available! http://www.cooking-guru.com

These days’ pet supplies can cost you a fortune, which is not necessarily a concern for most when it comes to pampering their pets. However, it essential that the products, you purchase for your little pals, turn out to be the healthier option and provide the apt nutrition required. Some pet products tend to be tagged at exorbitant rates, but these products may not be enjoyed by your pets, or would not meet their basic nutritional needs. It has been seen that most people buy these supplies from online stores, or jut pick up something which they liked at the supermarket. However, it should be kept in mind that your pets have diverse requirements for nutrition, flavor, and health. You may opt for the latest pet product based on the television ad, but you need to keep in mind that what’s on the television is not real and should not be taken at face value other than the oddball television news.

Before you start storing your ladder with heaps of pet supplies, it is better for you to consult your vet. The vet is the best person to guide you about what would be a healthier choice for your pet. For example, there are separate ranges of supplies available for small and big dogs. These products are normally based on the dog’s capacity to chew food, how much they can digest, and also the amount, which is required by their bodies. Hence you should consult the vet on these issues, and thus purchase products, which meet the above requirements. Remember that your cat would not enjoy the taste of the biscuits, which were bought for your dog. So, if you’re planning on getting your dog to snack on kitty snacks, you’re bound to be disappointed. And if somehow you do manage to feed kitty food to your dog, better be prepped to receive some nasty morning surprises on your carpet.

The other factor you’ll need to keep in mind is that you’ll need to purchase pet supplies your dog or cat enjoys snacking on. It is not advisable to buy a new product in bulk because your pet may not like eating the same. Often pet owners buy huge quantities of these products on discounts or online sales, but the end result, hungry pets and a cartload of useless pet supplies residing on your kitchen counter. Also, there are chances that your pet could be allergic to certain kinds of pet foods. Hence, you should try and make them taste certain products and wait to see if there are any reactions. If you are planning to purchase new pet food products, it is better to get it in small quantities, check to see if your dog or cat takes to it and then if needed, buy more. The normal dog / cat food items ranges from the usual low priced products to the high end products, selecting the right sort can take some time, but some of the pet food products are not healthy for your pet, so do consult your vet prior to purchase.

Not all forms of pet supplies are appropriate to meet the nutritional requirements of your pets. Think about it, would you enjoy eating canned or processed foods the entire day? Then how do you expect your pet to do the same? It should be kept in mind that your pet supplies should be used once a day on a regular basis. You could use more only if the vet has asked you to do the same or if you are unable to make them regular or freshly cooked meals. Always check for the expiry dates of the pet supplies since there are chances that discounted products have crossed the required date. Remember, that discounted products tend be closer to the cut off date, so if you’re getting supplies at a discount, take care to read the expiry date on every product. The supplies for your pet include products like biscuits, chewing bones, tuna cans, milk based products, ready or processed forms of meats, and various other related options. You can either use them straight from the pack, or heat them before serving your pets. Make sure that you read all the mentioned specifications on the product so that you can feed your pet with healthy food options instead of the usual “come as you are”. Most of the pet products these days are more of “hype” than providing the usual value added nutrition for your pet. There are quite a few brands out there so sorting out through the lot can take a while. It is not only advisable but rather essential that you get an idea of what’s good for your pet by consulting your veterinarian. You’re not going to get this info off the television. Or you can opt to go online, read the reviews and make an informed decision all on your own.

There are some more wonderful resources out there like this site about Pet Supplies. Alternatively, for more information on other topics such look for sites like this one on bird supplies.

Less desirable and low value cars are cheaper to insure

When I was 17 I wanted to own a Ferrari and live life in the fast lane. Even if I could have afforded the car, then I couldn’t have afforded the insurance to cover it. At 17 you are brand new to the world of driving and statistically you are more likely to make an insurance claim. Mixing high-powered cars with inexperienced drivers is not something car insurance companies are super-keen about, the chance of a claim shoots through the roof with the price of the premium following it. When you are young and inexperienced, buy a low-powered, low value car to try and keep your car insurance premium to a minimum. If it is worth less then it will cost less to fix/replace when in your youthful exuberance you crash it. The same logic actually applies to everyone, the lower the value of the vehicle and the lower the car insurance policy will be in most cases. Sports and premium cars will always cost more to repair in an accident so the insurance will reflect this. New cars now feature myriads of anti-theft and driver aids that in many cases will help to reduce the cost of insurance so keep an eye on the spec sheet when looking at a new car. A good rule of thumb is that less desirable and low value cars are cheaper to insure.

Age is a concern

I mentioned it above and it bears repeating. Generally the younger you are the higher your car insurance premium. This is down to inexperience and the youthful belief that bad things will never happen to you. The statistics say otherwise, which is often a shock to an unsuspecting young driver who ends up in a crash wondering how it happened to him…Driving experience and age are usually linked and that leads to a method of reducing your insurance premium – whatever age you are you will benefit from advanced driving courses and many car insurers offer discounts for these qualifications. It may only be a five – 10 per cent saving for the course but on a premium of £1000 it’s worth having the saving and it will remain with you for years, so it should be a good investment, not to mention make you a better driver.

Keep adding to the no-claims bonus

The more years you can accumulate without making a claim the better as most car insurers will offer a discount on your insurance for this. Effectively you are proving you are good business to have and because you haven’t made any claims then you are a good risk for them to underwrite. There’s nothing you can do here but keep your nose clean and don’t make a claim. If you own a low value vehicle and dent it parking, you’d be advised not to make a claim on comprehensive insurance because it would reduce your no-claims bonus, likely to be for a small amount of money and you may even end up paying for most of it depending on excess. In that case, provided you have not caused damage to any other vehicles or property, keep quiet, fix it yourself and your saving on no-claims bonus will be sweet the following year – in time, when you have built up three or more years no-claims bonus, you can actually protect your bonus, meaning even if you make a subsequent claim you will not lose your bonus.

Convictions aren’t cool

If you are an inner-city teenager then an ASBO may be a badge of honour. Insurers are less impressed by convictions though, so it is best to avoid them if you can. Minor speeding offences are certainly not in the same category as serial killer though, so if you have a couple of points it will not be the end of the world or have a major influence on your premium depending on the insurer.

If you’ve got a garage, use it

What are garages for? If you ask the average person they’ll probably say for storing all the kids’ toys, the home gym, bicycles, the freezer and tumble-dryer. I have news for you all; the garage is designed to house your vehicle when you are not using it. The fact that it puts a physical barrier between any opportunist thieves and your car is a real good thing and car insurance companies will recognise this and reduce your premium if you park in a garage overnight. Using your garage will save you money; it doesn’t get any easier than that.

Anti-theft devices

Most modern cars come with immobiliser and alarms factory fitted and if you notify your insurer it will check to make sure they are to approved standards and will apply discounts if applicable. You can get other devices that slosh around in the passenger footwell until you park and then fix to generally your steering wheel or gear-stick. These are mechanical devices and some do attract further discounts if used, just do your homework before buying. Thatcham is the organisation which grades security devices and generally a decent mechanical security device will feature its Thatcham approval very prominently along with any premium discounts you may expect, so choose carefully.

Use a reputable broker

Car insurance is very big business with around 30million+ vehicles on the UK roads, so there is a wealth of car insurance companies to choose from. Ironically, the big names you are familiar with are probably in your head because of massive marketing campaigns on television, on-line etc. Regardless of the message, those marketing campaigns need to be paid for and that means they may not actually have the best rates, although the sheer scale of some of these businesses means prices will be keen due to buying or underwriting power. The best advice is to compare a couple of different prices from different companies. Call the insurer and then call a comparable competitor and then perhaps a small car insurance broker. Each one will ask you if you have a price already and you should tell them what it is. Generally if they want the business they know what to beat. The moment you get a broker saying they can’t match the price then you are probably close to the best market price or else speaking with a broker that is not a specialist in the area.

A word of caution on price comparison sites

There are plenty of price comparison sites around which promise to drive the cost of your insurance policy down – Money Supermarket, Go Compare, Confused etc. They certainly do help reduce the cost of insurance as most of the major players are fighting for business on the same platform. Where these price comparison sites do not perform so well is actually advising you on the sort of policy that’s best for you or your car. Would comprehensive be cheaper and more suitable than third party fire and theft? The point is you cannot ask the price comparison site for any advice, that’s where car specialist brokers have the edge. Compare it to buying a new house, would you buy one without a survey? You might and then when it subsides into the sea you’ll be praying your insurance will cover it…the point is you shouldn’t buy insurance without talking with an expert either.

Pick up the phone

The internet is a great shopping and selling tool, you know my feelings on that from previous articles…but I suggest if you speak to a real person at a brokerage then you have a much better chance of getting cheaper car insurance. They can ask more questions, clarify your requirements and if needed they can even delegate the rate (set the price themselves) if they really want the business. There is no substitute for human contact, just make sure you speak to at least three different brokers to get a true comparison.

Got a nice postcode?

If you live in a postcode where there are few thefts and claims then your insurance premium will be lower than living somewhere that is a known crime hotspot. If you can afford it, move to a posh area and you’ll benefit from lower insurance premiums. Not the easiest way to save on the cost of insurance for sure…

Mileage and use

The more miles you drive the more chance you have of being involved in a claim. It’s simple statistics. The fewer miles covered, the less your insurance premium should cost. Don’t tell lies though, if you exceed the stated mileage by a distance then it could invalidate your insurance.

Married with kids?

Insurers like selling car insurance to married couples mortgaged and with kids and jobs. You are very easy to credit check and generally display responsible behaviour which hints at a lower risk for the insurer. That can reduce your car insurance quote.

Don’t modify your car

We all see the bling bling cars that haunt Supermarket car-parks late at night and whether you like the tacky neon colours and loud exhausts is neither here nor there – the fact is that any sort of modification is likely to hike your car insurance premium. Modifications can draw attention, invalidate warranties and in the case of loud exhausts, can also be illegal (if above the noise limit). If illegal, then it could invalidate your insurance as well. The fact is that car manufacturers spend a lot of time developing their products so they work well and if you modify them then it’s all out the window and your insurer will be scratching his head wondering what he should charge – and it will almost always be more than a standard vehicle.

Maurice Gertski is an expert in car insurance and is dedicated to helping people lower their insurance premiums. Call Westhill Insurance to speak to specialists in car insurance or visit http://www.westhill-insurance.co.uk/car-insurance/car-insurance.aspx

Do you watch too much Television? Are you concerned about the effect Television watching may be having on your family? Here are some suggestions that may help you keep your Television watching under control.

1 FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOU WATCH

It is wise to analyze your Television watching habits to see if changes should be made. Keep a diary for a week or so, writing down how much time you spend on Television watching. You may also want to list the programs that you watched, what you learned, and how much you enjoyed these programs. The main thing, though, is to calculate how much time you spend on Television watching. You may be surprised at what you find. Just knowing how much your life is devoted to Television watching may move you to make charges.

2. REDUCE YOUR TELEVISION WATCHING TIME

Try to do without Television watching for one day a week, a whole week, or a month. Instead you may want to set limits on the time spend on Television viewing each day. If you cut Television watching by half hour each day, you will have an extra 15 hours every month. Use that time, in meaningful activities, such as; pursuing spiritual interest, reading a good book, or spending time with family and friends. Studies have shown that people who do little Television watching enjoy it more than people who watch a lot of it.

3. REDUCE CHILDREN’S TELEVISION WATCHING TIME.

One way to reduce Television watching is to move the Television out of the bedroom. Children who have Television in their room spend nearly one and half hour on Television watching than children who do not. Further, when a Television is in a youngster’s room, parents do not know what the child is viewing. Parents and couples will find out that they will have more time for each other if they move the television out of their bedroom too. Some, by choice, have decided not to have a television in the home at all.

4. REDUCE WHAT YOU WATCH

There are, of course, many good programs to see. Rather than surfing through the channels or watching whatever comes on, check the listings in advance to select, the programs you want to watch. Turn the television on when the program you have chosen begins and turn the television off when it is over. Or instead of watching a program when it is aired, you may wish to record it for later viewing. That will make it possible to watch at a more convenient time and to fast-forward through commercials.

5 BE SELECTIVE

You will probably agree with me that many television characters are just like “Lovers of themselves, Lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, unthankful, disobedient to parents, disloyal, having no natural affection, fierce, without self-control, puffed up with pride.

Being selective involves self-control. Have you ever watched the first few minutes of a drama or movie and, though you realized it was unacceptable, watched the entire film just to find out what would happen next? Many have however, if you have the will power to turn off the television so you can do something else, you will probably find that you don’t really care about what happened.

Television Watching is an exposé on the time an average person spends in front of the TV, addictive nature of too much Television watching,effects on the children etc. Family Matters provides interesting topics on family issues and parenting.

Before you purchase a family camping tent, answer these basic questions on how you will be using the tent and what type of camping you will be doing. By determining what type of camping tent is right for you before you buy, you will save money, time and have the perfect tent for your camping experience.

What Type Of Camping Tent Do You Need?

This all comes down to one question. What type of camping do you plan on? If you want to experience the thrills of hiking through the back country, a light weight camping tent for two is the best choice for you. If you are family camping in one location at a camp site, then you might want to opt for some creature comforts of home! Such as room camping tents and large family camping tents that will not only comfortably sleep your entire family but will hold all their personal gear as well.

How many people will be using the tent? And for what purposes?

As this article is geared toward family camping, we’ll stay with the large family style camping tents. First decide on how you will be using your tent. Are you just going to sleep in it? Are you also storing personal items (clothes, entertainment, toiletries) inside? Will you be using the tent to store other camping gear? These are all important to consider before you purchase a camping tent, because when a manufacturer states that a tent sleeps four people, what they really mean to say is – this tent will only fit four normal sized sleeping bags with room for little else! So if your family of four plans to use the tent for more than just sleep, then it’s wise to buy a large family camping tent that sleeps six and quite possibly a tent with more than one room (for those who are planning on camping with pre-teen and/or teenage kids – you know what I mean!).

What Kind Of Camper Are You? And Why This Affects The Type Of Camping Tent You Buy

Again ask yourself what kind of camping you are planning – gentle backpacking, extreme wilderness trekking or family campsite? Typically, if you are a family campsite camper, the amount of time or complexity of setting up your tent is less critical. Obviously, the simpler the better, but for family camping the ease of setting up a large or multiple room family camping tent is not as important of a feature. That is unless you get to your campsite after dusk, then you had better have packed your camping lanterns last! These days most large family camping tents can easily be set up in about 15-20 minutes – if you have read the set-up instructions and have all the guy lines, stakes and tarps handy and ready to use.

What Seasons And Typical Weather Are Most Likely To Encounter?

Obviously spring, summer and fall are the seasons we camp during the most. Yet depending on the geographic area, ask yourself how often could you experience more extreme weather? We all know that sudden rain storms and high winds do happen, and if you typically camp in areas where the possibility of extreme weather can happen, you want to be prepared. Every tent is water resistant to some degree, yet if you camp in an area where frequent rain storms occur, you may want to purchase a tent specifically designed to repel rain. The same thing can be said for high winds, scorching sun and heat and the camping tents that are designed for those types of camping situations, such as stronger poles, sun screens and lots of vents. Buy the tent with the proper features and your camping experience will be that much more wonderful!

Tent Design And Why It Matters

Camping tents come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors and formations. Choosing the best one for you again depends on what style of camper you are, where you typically camp and what you will be using your tent for. When purchasing a tent for family camping, remember you only have to set it up once and take it down once. So during your camping experience your tent should be comfortable for everyone to use and function for all activities. Here are several considerations: Height of tent – if you’re 6′4″ and you purchase a dome tent that is 5′6″ high at the tallest point, be prepared for lots of stooping, otherwise you may want to purchase a family style camping tent with enough height clearance for the tallest member of the family! Weather – if you camp in a constantly windy area (like some beaches) a dome style of tent would be better as it’s specifically designed to buffer high and constant winds. Humidity – camping in high humidity areas can bring lots of wonderful insects to your camping experience! You may want to purchase a tent with lots of screened vents and possibly a screened eating canopy as well. Personally, I’m not a bug-in-my-food kind of camper!

A Final Note On Family Camping Tents

Before you embark on your fabulous family camping vacation, set up your tent! Make sure all the guy lines are intact and that you have enough stakes (plus extra just in case) to set up your tent. Also clean the inside and outside of your tent in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions before you repack, you’ll be thankful you did when you get to your campsite!

Jana Puckett, Free lance writer, marketing consultant and owner of http://www.KazooCamping.com, a website devoted to family camping gear and information. Ms. Puckett lives in north Georgia with her family and can be reached at dreamlivecamp@kazoocamping.com.