Systematics and Biodiversity

Researchers in mammalogy from London, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Gloucestershire, UK have discovered a new species of rodent that is unlike anything previously identified.

In a new study published in Systematics and Biodiversity, researchers describe a new rodent species called the Laotian Rock Rat. It was found for sale as meat at a marketplace in Laos. The researchers brought it to London for a closer look at its skeleton and DNA.

Researchers found that the specimen was not particularly related to anything currently known. The group had to describe a new family of mammals for this single species. The last time a new mammal family was created to accommodate a new species discovery was in 1974 when the bumblebee bat was discovered.

The closest relatives to Laotian rock rats are a group of rodents that includes porcupines and guinea pigs, but this relationship is a rather distant one. The researchers think the Laotian rock rats may have split off from common ancestors a long time ago, with porcupines and guinea pigs evolving after that split.

The authors hope that by studying Laotian rock rats, they can solve an old puzzle. How did guinea pigs and their relatives get to South America at a time when it was surrounded by water? Until these rock rats came along, the only Old World relatives of guinea pigs were ones found in Africa or both Africa and Asia. This led some scientists to think that guinea pig ancestors got to South America from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean. Others insisted that they went through Asia and North America first. Understanding how the guinea pig's new Asian relative is connected to the rest of the family may help to explain this mystery.

Sesame Street Coaches Kids Through Parent’s Deployments, Returns

By John J. Kruzel

American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., April 29, 2008 – Following a workshop that helped children cope with a military parent’s deployment, the familiar, furry denizens of Sesame Street are starring in a new program focusing on multiple deployments and family adjustments upon a parent’s return.

Sesame Workshop, the makers of Sesame Street, today released “Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployment, Homecoming, Changes,” a video workshop that aims to aid children in understanding and unbundling the tangle of complex emotions many feel in the midst of a mother’s or father’s tours of duty away from home, and even broaches the difficult subject of dealing with a parent’s debilitating war injury.

More than 80 percent of those surveyed said the first installment of Sesame Workshop’s military outreach effort -- which covered all phases of deployment -- was incredibly effective, Gary E. Knell, president and chief executive officer of Sesame Workshop. “And they really wanted us to also go to the next step to deal with two issues,” he added, referring to multiple deployments and changes, especially mental or physical injuries parents suffer while deployed.

To help keep the program authentic to children’s experience, an advisory committee composed of members of military families and advocacy groups, child psychologists, educators and other experts offered perspective to Sesame Street creators throughout production.

Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit education effort, has been doing these special projects since its inception in 1968. The group has done outreach projects on subjects like early literacy, asthma, lead poisoning, going to the doctor and school readiness.

Performed in English and Spanish, the workshop will not air on television but will be distributed free to schools, child care programs and family support centers, thanks to a gift from Wal-Mart stores and other sponsors.

The previous Sesame Street workshop, a broader installment entitled “Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families Cope with Military Deployment,” covered all phases of deployment, from predeployment to homecoming. A separate Sesame Street program, “When Parents Are Deployed,” was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program.

Virginia Storms with Tornado Activity

According to the National Weather Service, three (3) tornadoes have given residents of Suffolk, Colonial Heights and Brunswick County a Monday to remember. Latest figures have 200 hurt or injured.

Property damage is mounting and Gov. Tim Kaine declared a Virginia-wide state of emergency as hazardous weather continued through the central part of the state.

Monday forecasts have more showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm. Tuesday will bring at least a 20% chance of precipitation.

From 1950 through the year 2001, 376 tornadoes were documented in Virginia. Nationally, the US. averages over 800 tornadoes per year. Tornadoes can strike anywhere in the US. during any month and any time of day. Virginia has seen as few as one tornado in a year (1982) to as many as 29 tornadoes (1993).

Tiger Woods Arthroscopic Surgery

<>

Woods had arthroscopic surgery April 15, two days after he finished three shots behind Trevor Immelman in the Masters. It was the second time in five years Woods had surgery on his left knee, this time to clean out some cartilage.

Woods will not defend his title at next week's Wachovia Championship and also misses the prestigious Players Championship the following week for the first time in his career.

Original estimates put Woods out for four to six weeks, which means he should be back in time for the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, which begins June 12. He could also return for the Memorial Tournament, which begins May 29. Woods gave no timetable.

Dr. Thomas Rosenberg performed the arthroscopic surgery in Park City, Utah. The same orthopedic surgeon also was involved in a procedure to drain fluid from the knee in 2002. This time, the operation was so secret that most did not know of it until the announcement on Woods' Web site that the surgery had been performed.

Heading into the Masters, Woods had won four of his five worldwide starts this year and had no finishes outside of the top five going back to last July's British Open, where he tied for 12th.

Your Stimulus Package Arriving Soon

• Starting in May, the Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, $3,000 of income and file a 2007 federal tax return. IRS will take care of the rest. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. Millions of retirees, disabled veterans and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment.
• You May Be Eligible Even if You Normally Do Not File a Tax Return If you have at least $3,000 in certain types of income, you may be eligible for the economic stimulus payment.
  
• Be aware that identity thieves are already pushing scams involving the stimulus payments. At least one telephone scam is making the rounds using the proposed rebates as bait.
  

Wesley Snipes Sentenced

• A federal judge on Thursday sentenced the actor Wesley Snipes to three years in prison for willfully failing to file tax returns.
• Mr. Snipes, who was convicted in February, received one year for each count, to be served consecutively, and an additional year of probation. The sentence was handed down by Judge William Terrell Hodges of Federal District Court.
• Mr. Snipes, who apologized for his actions before the sentence was announced, showed no immediate reaction to the verdict.
• Judge Hodges allowed Mr. Snipes and a co-defendant, Douglas Rosile, to remain free on bond until they were summoned by either the United States Marshals Service or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
• The sentencing came at the end of a daylong hearing in which lawyers for Mr. Snipes argued for leniency while federal prosecutors sought the maximum penalty possible.
• A jury found Mr. Snipes, 45, guilty on Feb. 1 of three misdemeanor counts of willfully failing to file tax returns, but acquitted him of felony conspiracy and tax fraud charges and three additional counts of failure to file.
• Judge Hodges imposed a one-year term for each charge, to be served consecutively. The actor also must settle all tax obligations, the judge said.
• Snipes, in refusing to pay taxes, followed tactics employed by so-called tax deniers, the government said. Such people claim the law doesn't require U.S. citizens to pay income tax, often relying on century-old Supreme Court cases and repudiated legal theories to make their case. The Justice Department earlier this year began a nationwide crackdown against the movement, pledging to target tax deniers with criminal and civil cases.
• Prosecutors estimated that Snipes failed to pay $15.6 million in income taxes over six years. He hid millions of dollars in offshore accounts and threatened U.S. government employees, including one who rejected a $4 million refund claim as frivolous, the government said in court papers.
• Snipes surprised the court before Hodges handed down the sentence by offering the government three checks totaling $5 million in unpaid taxes over several years, money the government first denied but then accepted. Prosecutors called it "grandstanding" to avoid jail time, and a mere down payment on the actor's still-undetermined multimillion dollar tax bill.
• Criminal tax prosecutions are relatively rare — usually the cases are handled in civil court, where the government has a lower burden of proof. Prosecutors said Snipes' case was important to send a message to would-be tax protesters not to test the government.

US Recession Inevitable?

As the sub-prime mortgage scandal continues to play out badly for many US companies, more and more questions have been raised as to whether the impact of a slowdown in one area will translate into a nationwide, or even global, recession. Growth prospects within the US are limited for this year by the unprecedented scale of bad securities that have become investments for many companies around the world, exposing them to grave losses and destroying investor confidence. According to polls, more and more Americans are becoming wise to the potential crises and have shored up spending, in turn triggering further softening of retail markets.

One cause of this problem with American consumer spending, the practically guaranteed market for many goods even in tough financial times, is that the borrowing people must first default on their mortgages before the securities (that their loans have been repackages and distributed) can truly become worthless. The speculation (or realization) that they will be unable to pay off their loans has led to the economic slowdown of the past several months, even though mortgage defaults have barely hiccuped in the same period.

Nevertheless, the certainty of two million or more foreclosures over the next year cannot translate into hefty consumer spending, because so many consumers will be unable to make ends meet and many more will be on the verge. While a plan has been introduced by the Bush administration to freeze mortgage loans for an unspecified number of borrowers, no reference to the specific criteria used to decide who is eligible has yet been made. Thus the underlying cause of this shifty-eyed economic malaise is in no way addressed.

Now the President has stated that the economy at large runs a great risk of recession without his impending stimulus package. Unfortunately, no one who can't pay for their house will be able to pay any taxes or credit card bills (which famously outpaced the median income this year), or for other things that cost money. A tax cut may be able to stem the defaults for a little while if implemented quickly, but if the Federal Reserve (the other institution that can help steer the economy) is any example, lip service and hawkish reticence is likely all the average American can expect. As job creation slowed to terrifyingly low numbers in November, (a paltry 18,000 new occupations) the US government finally issued a statement that growth cannot be expected to surpass 2% this year. Before it even started.

So, is recession inevitable? Well, if the definition of a recession includes "no longer being able to spend more money than one makes," or collectively changing expectations about wealth and the common good, then the answer is yes. If we continue on a path of breakneck consumerism, we will trade our economic security. No one is going to complain that Americans will always spend. After all, as a market of last resort, the US consumer has, time and time again, been able to keep the growing world economy robust and secure. But if these attitudes don't change, a recession will be the least of America's worries.

Escapeso is a realty company that helps buyers locate Austin Homes. Buyers can start looking for homes online using their Austin MLS search. Escapeso also provides a blog focusing on Austin real estate.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

What Causes A Recession?

By: Jamie Mades

Turn on the TV or go to your favorite news site and you hear about the looming recession…the dreaded “R” word of economics. We get bombarded with all kinds of statistics and theories, but have you ever wondered what causes a recession in the first place? Read on to get up to speed and learn what you can do to protect yourself.

Growth Creates Higher Prices

When the economy is growing, businesses are making money. They spend this new revenue, buying more goods to grow their business and share the profits with their employees by giving them a pay raise. Employees go out and spend their bigger salaries, buying more things and creating a higher demand for products.

Companies can capitalize on increased demand by making more goods or raising their prices. Raising prices is especially appealing because, let’s face it, if you could make more money just by asking for it, wouldn't you?

Wages Increase

For a while it’s one big party. Businesses are making more money…you’re getting a raise…everybody’s happy. Eventually, however, prices get so high that demand drops off. People slow their spending and goods start sitting on shelves.

Inventories Rise

By this time, businesses have more goods in production and have to add them to their existing stock. This creates an inventory surplus. Now the market is flooded with goods. That’s when prices should drop, but they can't...at least not right away.

Prices Are Slow to Fall

Companies would like to cut their prices and move their goods, but they’re in a bit of a pickle. If they lower their prices, they’ll make less money and won’t have enough to pay their new bills. Bills that happen to include employee pay raises. This may not come as a shock, but cutting salaries is incredibly unpopular. It’s bad for morale and can really hurt a company’s production.

Businesses have to wait until spending picks up again or start firing employees. Either way, it’s hard for them to lower their prices and sell off the excess inventory. Prices are slow to fall, sales suffer, businesses make less money and the economy slows down as a whole.

How Do You Fix It?

Recessions are a natural part of the business cycle. That being said, there are ways to minimize its effects. The Federal Reserve, Treasury Secretary and Congress all have different tools to stimulate the economy. If they go too far by pumping too much money into the economy, it creates an inflation problem. If they don’t do enough, then the economy remains sluggish and more people lose their jobs. Their goal is to walk the middle ground, doing just enough to get businesses moving again, without creating a monster of inflation.

Protect Yourself

The good news is that you can protect yourself and your family by making solid financial decisions, like spending less than you make and paying yourself first (i.e. saving.). Also, by working for companies that stand the test of time, you can insulate yourself from job loss. Prepare yourself, be patient and you’ll ride through and up the other side again in no time.

About the author: Jamie Mades is a Real Estate Consultant in Colorado with a background in mathematics & corporate training. If you want to know how you can protect yourself (& your real estate assets) in any economic cycle, drop him a line below. ==> http://www.coloradospringsrealestate-fortcarsonpetersonafbhomes.com Colorado Springs Real Estate

Article Source: www.isnare.com

What is a Recession?

Recession definitions (and fears) are running amuck.

1. decline in economic activity: a period, shorter than a depression, during which there is a decline in economic trade and prosperity

Econterms
"Definition: A recession is defined to be a period of two quarters of negative GDP growth.
Thus: a recession is a national or world event, by definition. And statistical aberrations or one-time events can almost never create a recession; e.g. if there were to be movement of economic activity (measured or real) around Jan 1, 2000, it could create the appearance of only one quarter of negative growth. For a recession to occur the real economy must decline."

New York Times
"A recession is typically defined as an extended period in which the economy shrinks, leading to a rise in unemployment and a drop in consumer spending and business investment."

Is there a recession in our immediate future?

We probably won't know for sure until the Business Cycle Dating Committee of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) issues a statement. NBER is considered the official agency for the measurement of business cycles in the U.S. and they make the determination on when a contraction (recession) officially begins and ends. "Contractions (recessions) start at the peak of a business cycle and end at the trough." The NBER definition for recession (contraction) is:
“a period of significant decline in total output, income, employment, and trade, usually lasting from six months to a year, and marked by widespread contractions in many sectors of the economy.”

NBER further states:
"The NBER does not define a recession in terms of two consecutive quarters of decline in real GDP. Rather, a recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales."
Although the press often defines a recession as two consecutive quarters of decline in GDP, the two consecutive quarters of decline in real GDP is not used by NBER due to the fact that not all recessions identified by them have consisted of two quarters - most have, but not all.

Just like you have good days and bad days, our economy has good days and bad days as part of the normal business cycle. Unfortunately, the 249 point drop the DJIA took on September 7, 2007 is a rather dramatic showing, but the financial markets are unusually skittish right now over the effects of the subprime mortgage failures and tighter credit policies, so we're probably going to have many market ups and downs over the next year.

The employment report released indicating a loss of 4,000 jobs in August and downward revisions for both June and July sent the DJIA spiraling, but as bad as the employment numbers are, they still only represent a period of three months, or one quarter.

Following are statements made by the NBER on the most recent peaks and troughs in our economy and can be viewed in their entireity on the NBER website.
The November 2001 trough was announced July 17, 2003.
The March 2001 peak was announced November 26, 2001.
The March 1991 trough was announced December 22, 1992.
The July 1990 peak was announced April 25, 1991.
The November 1982 trough was announced July 8, 1983.
The July 1981 peak was announced January 6, 1982.
The July 1980 trough was announced July 8, 1981.
The January 1980 peak was announced June 3, 1980.

Steve Forbes urged the Federal Reserve to lower their fed funds rate from 5.25 to 4.25, while Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank president Charles Plosser stated a cut may not be necessary. There certainly wasn't any shortage of opinions on whether or not the rate should be decreased at the FOMC meeting held on September 18, 2007.

Chairman of the Federal Reserve System, Ben Bernanke, is a former member of the Business Cycle Dating Committee of NBER so chances are, the decision made by the FOMC is the right choice for our teetering economy.

The 1/2 percent federal funds rate decrease from 5.25 to 4.75 made by the fed is the first decrease in the fed funds rate since June 25, 2003 when the rate was cut 1/4 point from 1.25 to 1.00 and sent the DJIA soaring 336 points after the announcement was made.

Will the federal funds rate decrease coupled with the discount rate decrease keep this country from falling into the murky waters of a recessionary downturn? Only time will tell, but we can rest assured we're in good hands with Ben Bernanke at the helm of our economic ship.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ - Free Articles Directory

About the Author

Patricia L Johnson is a writer residing in northern Illinois. She is a former special assignment writer/photographer and co-owner of the Articles and Answers News and Information sites. Visit us online at http://articles2007.spaces.live.com or http://www.articlesandanswers.com.

Rice in short supply at Costco, Sam's Club

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
3:57 PM PDT, April 23, 2008
The global run on rice has hit U.S. shores but appears limited to big-box warehouse stores. Customers concerned about rising rice prices have been cleaning out the shelves at Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Sam's Club and Costco Wholesale Corp. stores.

Sam's Club said today that customers will no longer be allowed to purchase more than four bags of jasmine, basmati and long-grain white rice per visit. The policy involves only bags of 20 pounds or larger and does not affect consumer packages.

The retailer said the policy was "effective immediately" across all of its U.S. stores.. It blamed the new limits on "supply and demand trends" and said it is working with suppliers "to ensure we are in stock, and we are asking for our members' cooperation and patience."

Earlier this week, Costco said it has seen sales spikes for flour, rice and some cooking oils and was considering limiting sales in stores where it had limited supplies. The chain said it is considering limiting the number of pallets a customer could purchase rather than stopping sales altogether.

Internationally, shortages of basic food commodities -- including rice, wheat and some oils -- has prompted protests and riots in recent months. In the United States, brewers have complained of shortages of certain types of hops used to make high-end beers and bakers have scrambled to find some specialty flours. With the exception of rising prices, the nation has escaped the problems seen in other countries.

The limits on bulk rice purchases by a major retailer such as Sam's Club are the first sign of any spillover in the United States.

The price of many foods, including beer, bread, coffee, pizza and rice have risen rapidly in recent months as the nation contends with its worst bout of food inflation since the 1990s. The cost of groceries is rising at an annual rate of about 5% this year. Rice jumped by almost 10% last month, according to government data.

"When you see a staple for your business or your family double in price over the last year, you want to minimize future price increases," said Tim Johnson, president-CEO of the California Rice Commission, which represents growers and millers of rice in the state.

Small businesses, including many restaurants, rely heavily on big warehouse chains for their supplies.

Scooping up rice sacks might be a rational economic move for small businesses that want to stock up before prices rise even higher, but it's not a response to the type of shortage that would prevent Americans from obtaining the grain, the analyst said.

"We don't have a rice shortage here in California or the United States," Johnson said.

The Department of Agriculture projects U.S. rice supplies unchanged from a year ago and at about the average for the last seven years.

Though the U.S. is one of the world's top rice growers, Americans don't consume much of the grain. Between 40% and 50% of what the U.S. grows annually is exported.

jerry.hirsch@latimes.com

Fighting A Fever

For almost all kids, fevers aren't a big problem. Once the cause of the fever is treated or goes away on its own, your body temperature comes back down to normal and you feel like your old self again. Most doctors say that kids with a fever less than 102° Fahrenheit (38.9° Celsius) don't need to take any special medication unless their fevers are making them uncomfortable.

It's a different story for newborns and very young infants, though. They should be evaluated by a doctor for any fever that reaches 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius) or higher.

If a kid has a higher fever, the doctor usually will tell a parent to give the child medicine. The two medicines most often recommended are acetaminophen (say: uh-see-tuh-mih-nuh-fen) or ibuprofen (say: eye-byoo-pro-fen). The medicine blocks the chemicals that tell the hypothalamus to turn up the heat. Kids should never take aspirin to treat a fever because it can cause a rare but serious illness.

If you have a fever, your mom or dad will probably ask you to drink fluids. That's important because as your body heats up, it's easy for it to get dehydrated (say: dee-hi-drayt-ed), which means there isn't enough water in your body. You have a lot of choices when it comes to fluids — juice, water, sports drinks, soup, flavored gelatin, and even ice pops. Before you know it, your mom or dad will pull the thermometer out of your mouth and say, "Your temperature is normal. No more fever!"

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: April 2007

Earth Day

By Matt Ford for CNN

(CNN) -- To consume? Or not to consume?


Since its inception in 1970 Earth Day has become much more commerical.

The debate is dividing environmentalists on Earth Day 2008.

The international day of eco-activism was born in a different era -- literally and metaphorically.

The first Earth Day was in 1970 and it still embodies all the qualities of the environmental movement at that time: angry, impassioned and positive. If it had a soundtrack it would have been by Jefferson Airplane and if it wore shoes they would be Birkenstocks.

But the world has changed, and while Earth Day still offers the same powerful mix of education and activism, the way people engage with the message has changed.

Marking the day through marketing

This year, as well as a whole host of official workshops and other activities, companies are offering ecologically conscious citizens the chance to shop their way to a better environment; an offer some environmentalists claim is contradictory to the fundamental tenets of sustainability.

Major retailers including Virgin, Banana Republic and Dell are all marketing special Earth Day offers to their customers, all promoting the message that we can consume with a clear -- or clearer - conscience.

Earth Day claim that their "international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year."

As more and more people become interested in marking Earth Day, it seems more and more corporations want to reflect their customer's new values in their marketing.

Plus, in an increasingly materialistic world many people seem to equate "participation" with "shopping" and the mall seems to have replaced the protest march in many people's minds -- and big business is there to meet them.

So, at Banana Republic one percent of sales from April 22-April 27 benefit the Trust for Public Land.

Virgin America and Method (that company that creates the hand soap provided on all Virgin America flights) are pledging $3 for every person flying with them on Earth Day for environmental restoration projects in California.

At Macy's customers can get 10-20 percent of most merchandise in return for making a $5 donation to the National Park Foundation.

Verizon Wireless is offering customers five tips on how they can celebrate and make the world a better place.

Wal-Mart is running a series of ads promoting their "Budget-friendly prices. Earth-friendly products."

Newsweek readers can turn the cover of the April 14 issue into an envelope they can use to send old plastic bags to Target and in return receive a reusable tote bag.

Most bizarrely, perhaps, Dell is offering to plant a tree for customers in MMRPG Second Life ("Each tree carries with it a link back to our Plant a Tree for Me page on Dell.com, where we hope residents will take the opportunity to participate and offset a bit of their carbon emissions in the real world," say Dell).

The perils of trying to buy a better world

The idea that we can buy our way out of environmental problems is ridiculous for British environmental campaigner George Monbiot, who has said green consumerism is becoming "a pox on the planet."

He blames the media's obsession with wealth and beauty for confusing the issue: "There is an inherent conflict between the aspirational lifestyle journalism which makes readers feel better about themselves and sells country kitchens and the central demand of environmentalism: that we should consume less."

"Uncomfortable as this is for both the media and its advertisers, giving things up is an essential component of going green... Ethical shopping is in danger of becoming another signifier of social status."

Others argue that companies have a definite role to play in the greening of our 21st century consumer society, but that they need to prove their interests are genuine.

"While it's important that major companies pay heed to events like Earth Day, it's equally important that any initiatives they are involved with are genuinely sustainable and not just about a quick press hit," says Clare Harris, editor of New Consumer magazine.

"We know many retailers want to be more sustainable in terms of their sourcing and social policy, but they have a long way to go to prove that they will remain committed over the long-term."

Using consumer power to force companies to change their ways is nothing new: boycotts and positive buying -- the favoring of ethical goods -- has been going on for some years.

It began with a boycott of South African goods co-ordinated by anti-apartheid groups in the 1980's, and was fine tuned by organizations like Fair Trade and the Body Shop in the 1990's.

This Earth Day the message seems to be: buy better, not more - and make sure those you shop with are green all the way to the core.

The Flavor Spray Diet

Spray the flavor on

By eliminating your toppings, gravies, dressings, and sauces the flavor spray provides the flavor that most diets are missing. No longer when you diet will you crave the sweet taste, or yearn for flavor when you count calories. Just spray our flavor spray and you will no longer need to satisfy your craving for flavor. Follow a low carb meal regimen, and allow flavor spray to add the toppings and sauce to your meal.

The Flavor Sprays contain zero calories, zero fat, and zero carbohydrates. Whether you are on a low carb, no carb, low fat, or counting calorie diet, the Flavor Spray makes it easy for you.

"I created this unique line of flavor sprays so people can enjoy the tastes of all of their favorite foods without experiencing the guilt. In all of my years of cooking and experimenting with spices, condiments, and flavors, I have never come across anything that can enhance the flavor of food this easily. We are living in a health-conscious society where people are constantly searching for a way to a healthier lifestyle - Flavor Spray is the solution," -Celebrity Chef David Burke.

Burke’s first cookbook, Cooking with David Burke was published in 1995, and his second, David Burke’s New American Classics, by Alfred A. Knopf launched in early April.

Zafu - Jean Sizes Perfected

Find your perfect jeans, pants and bras in 3 minutes

By answering questions about their body shape, users can get recommendations from Zafu.com on specific styles of jeans from various brands accompanied with pictures, prices and links to merchants. Don't be confused, Zafu does not sell. Instead, they point you in the right direction.

Zafu did their research by fitting thousands of real women with different body types, in the products they promote. By asking the right questions, they gather clues about you and suggest which apparel is right for you and which size.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

A zafu (座蒲 in Japanese or 蒲团 in Chinese) is a round cushion, about 35 cm (14 inches) in diameter, and often about 20 cm (8 inches) high, when fluffed. Although in U.S. English, zafu is often translated as "sewn seat", that is not the meaning of the Japanese kanji. "Za" (座) means "seat", and "fu" (蒲) means cattail. As a word, "zafu" means a seat made out of cattails. The origins of the Japanese zafu (座蒲) came from China where these meditation seats were originally made out of cattail. Today, that is no longer the case in Japan or China.