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Today people lead a very hectic lifestyle – always running around from place to place. It’s no wonder that sometimes our health can suffer. But not everyone wants to see an allopathic doctor just to get some chemically laden drug in the hopes that it will make their feel better.

Sometimes it will, but most often than not those chemicals end up making you feel worse. We get sick because we do not take time out of our busy days for ourselves. Our minds and bodies are so stressed out that we end up with a cold, headache or some other health issue. We need to learn to relax and reduce the stress in our lives. For most people this is a huge challenge and to help, they turn to massages, aromatherapy and even Reiki.

Healing

Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that is also used for stress reduction and relaxation. Reiki utilizes a practice similar to “laying of hands”. It is the use of touch to convey warmth, serenity, love, care and healing, through the channeling of energy to enhance a person’s own life force.

When experiencing pain or hurt, people tend to put their hands on the injured part of the body as the first part of trying to subdue the pain, and heal it. Mothers tend to caress or want to kiss their children’s wounds or scrapes as part of the process of comforting and healing. The same with sick people, relatives tend to hold the hands of a sick person in order to convey and transmit a feeling of comfort and care. Animals perform this same process instinctively. They tend, for example, to lick the area of pain, or wounds as a form of comfort and healing.

This “laying on hands” or touching to heal, stems from the principle that every living being or creature has a life force. This life force radiates from all parts of a person, and it is the harnessing and channeling of this life force or energy to heal, using certain Reiki techniques, which is what Reiki is all about. When a person’s life force energy is low, it is then that they are more likely to get sick and be depressed; but if their life force energy is high, then they will be healthy and happy.

Energy

The word Reiki can be broken down into two parts: Rei, and Ki. Ki is the life force or energy and is the source of life itself or Prana. In Japan, life energy is termed Ki. Ki is similar to the Chinese Ch’i, and pervades the whole of the earth, planets, stars, and universe, and these life energies affect and connect with our own living body’s Ki.

Rei on the other hand refers to the universal transcendental spirit, essence or mysterious power that exists in the universe.

In plain English, Reiki means “universal life energy”.

A Reiki Session

During a Reiki session, energy is channeled from the Reiki practitioner to the client through the palms of the practitioner when the palms are placed in certain positions on the client’s body. However, these same positions can be taught to the client for practice at home.

The Ki (Life energy force) that creates the healing, flows through the person’s chakras, down into the middle of the palms and through to the tips of the fingers. For the energy to be activated, both hands must be on the client’s body, or held just above it in the aura. One must also have the intent to heal.

Heat sensations, are often felt by both the practitioner and the client, as well as cold; a sensation of water flowing; trembling, vibrating, tingling, sound, color and even pain moving through the hands.

Reiki hand positions are primarily over the chakras. Chakras are energy transformers and bring in Ki from the Earth and Heavens into the human body.

Alternative Healing Treatment

Because Reiki is a simple, natural way to dispense spiritual healing and self-improvement, it is an effective alternative treatment that can be used for any illness, disease as well as for relaxation.

Reiki can also be used alongside other medical or therapeutic treatments to help relieve any negative side effects and speed recovery.

Even though Reiki is considered to be spiritual in nature, it is not a religion at all! Instead it is comprised of a special set of techniques based on ancient Tibetan healing methodologies that allows one to tap into this infinite and limitless source of life energy to heal.

Finding a Practitioner

These days most upscale massage parlors have a Reiki practitioner on staff. Reiki is considered a different form of massage in many US States and can only be performed by a Licensed Massage Therapist.

Photo Credit: networker

In today’s world everyone is watching their diet and those who are trying to lose a little extra weight may be disparaged enough to stay away from eating any chocolate.

However, there are many benefits to incorporating chocolate sensibly into your diet, whether you are dieting to lose weight or not.

Components of Chocolate

Everyone has a favorite type of chocolate: milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate. Each of these have varying proportions of cocoa butter and cocoa solids, as well as various fats, carbohydrates, vegetable proteins. Other components include potassium and magnesium in rather large amounts, with calcium and sodium too, along with vitamins A1, B1, B2, D, and E.

However, that’s not all that chocolate contains! The following stimulants can also be found in every bite of chocolate:

* Caffeine: This ‘get up and go’ stimulant increases intellectual activity and alertness. There is approximately 6 mg of caffeine wrapped inside an average size chocolate bar, compared to 100 to150 mg of caffeine found in a cup of regular coffee.

* Anandamide: The effects of marijuana are mimicked by this stimulant by affecting the same brain receptors. This results in a very mild ‘high’, similar to that felt from marijuana. In addition, there are also two other ingredients contained in chocolate that prevent the natural breakdown of anandamide, thereby prolonging the feeling of happiness.

* Catechins: This is an antioxidant which that has been shown to help protect the body against cardiovascular disease and possibly cancer. Catechins are found in higher amounts in chocolate than in black tea.

* Endorphins: Whenever we bite into a piece of chocolate, endorphins, which are natural opiates, are released by the brain in an increased amount, thereby elevating both our mood and reducing any pain.

* Phenylethylamine: This is the same chemical that is released in our bodies whenever we feel like we are falling in love. Phenylethylamines are chemically similar to amphetamines and therefore work as a psycho-stimulant.

* Theobromine: This stimulant invigorates the central nervous system, assists muscular exertion, and also works as a diuretic and appetite stimulant.

* Phenols: This can also be found in red wine, tea, fruits and vegetables. It decreases the chance of having coronary heart disease.

* Tryptophan: This is considered to be an essential amino acid which boosts the production of serotonin, an anti-depressant and natural stress-reducer. On the opposite side, chocolate cravings are often brought on by a decrease in serotonin levels in the brain.

So basically, eating that piece of chocolate, means that we are taking a proactive step towards improving kidney and digestive functioning, whilst minimizing our risks of cancer, heart disease and stroke. It also improves circulation and makes us feel happy and increases our tolerance for pain.

Other Benefits and Chocolate Facts

* Drinking low fat chocolate milk before exercising actually provides an equal, or possibly superior, muscle recovery period than drinking a high calorie, high carbohydrate recovery sports beverage.

* Women usually crave chocolate before the start of their menstrual cycle because it is rich in magnesium. Being deficient in magnesium actually worsens PMS symptoms. It is also eases menstrual cramps.

* Chocolate has been believed to be an aphrodisiac for centuries. In fact, the Aztec people believed that by eating chocolate, men would become invigorated and women would become less inhibited.

* Eating chocolate in its crudest form of pure cocoa guarantees that you will reap all the healthy benefits of chocolate. However, most people are not able to tolerate pure cocoa and resort to eating dark chocolate instead. It is a mixture of cocoa paste and sugar. This bittersweet chocolate has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure and increase HDL (High-density Lipoprotein) levels. HDL works to remove bad cholesterol from atheroma within the arteries and moves it back to the liver.

* Watch what you eat! Although chocolate has many benefits it still can pose a threat to any diet as it also contain sugar and fat. When it comes to chocolate, eating smaller quantities can reap the most benefits.

* Read the label before you eat your next bar of chocolate. It should say that chocolate is the number one ingredient under nutritional facts. Dark chocolate usually contains less sugar gram amount per serving than fat gram amount. If the chocolate you like lists any hydrogenated fats, do not eat it, as those are considered to be ‘bad fats’. Instead, opt for chocolate that has no added fat except cocoa butter.

* If you really want to help the environment at the same time as eating a piece of chocolate, then look for chocolate whose label reads Fair Trade. This guarantees that the farmers and workers who harvested the cocoa were paid and treated fairly.

Photo Credit: Darwin Bell

Nightclubs are very popular places for many adults to visit after work and on the weekends. But not many of them cater to a specific clientele. However, a new type of nightclub is quickly gaining popularity across the USA: Plus Size Nightclubs!

The clientele consists of rather large, big-boned, voluptuous women and men who are simply wanting a night out dancing without the rude stares and remarks usually made by club goers at other nightclubs.

From Florida to California, these ‘fat nightclubs’ are a warm welcome for many plus size dancers, especially with those people who jokingly admit that they are part of a new movement in America called the “Fat is Phat movement”.

One such nightclub is Club Bounce in California. Here people of larger shapes and sizes than your average size 0 model, are welcome to hit the dance floor without having an ounce of insecurity about their weight.

“Self-conscious? No! Not at all,” exclaims Monique Lopez, a shapely 23 year old woman, who chooses to dress in a tight, black dress with heels. “I was like,
‘I’m going to Club Bounce tonight. I’m going to wear my shortest skirt.’”

Equal Rights

The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance has been a strong supporter of equal rights for plus sized people in America since it was founded over 40 years ago. With chapters around the country, this nonprofit group believes that all Americans be treated equally regardless of their shape or size.

Whilst such associations have been around for a while, places like Club Bounce where overweight night-clubbers can go to party in a comfortable and accepting atmosphere are still catching on.

“When you’re not what they consider ideal, you know, and you’re out there trying to get your dance on at those other places, you get the looks, the stares, but not here. Everything’s accepted here,” says 30 year old, Vanessa Gray of Long Beach, California.

Parties

It seems that the whole plus sized nightclub idea originally stemmed from parties organized amongst plus sized friends on the internet. Owner of the Butterfly Lounge in Southern California, Kathleen Divine, explains:

“The whole thing really started on the Internet, with clubhouse parties organized online. Now you see a lot more large people out in public, not hiding behind their keyboards anymore.”

Even so, Lynn McAfe, of the Council On Size and Weight Discrimination, would prefer to see such nightclubs in every major city.

“It’s nice to have a place to go where you can do a little flirting and maybe bring your thin sister or somebody from work who isn’t fat, and they’ll be in your world for awhile,” says McAfe. “That’s an amazing experience for a lot of people who aren’t fat, to spend a day or night in a world of fat people.”

Fat or Phat

Owner of Club Bounce, 40 year old Lisa Marie Garbo, who opened the club over 5 years ago, says that she opened the nightclub because she was tired of being “the only fat girl at the local nightclub.”

Whilst Club Bounce attracts a relatively equal number of women and men, Garbo states that more than half of all the women are plus sized whilst only a quarter of the men are.

Garbo, herself has seen her weight go up and down since opening the nightclub and dancing on the dance floor, much like a lot of other people as well.

However, venues such as Club Bounce and the Butterfly Lounge, have caused some people to rethink their value, believing that they actually encourage people to remain overweight in a society where one-third of all adults are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I’m not a gain-weight advocate or anything like that,” says Garbo, who has been struggling with her weight since she was child. “My message to people is live your life no matter what size you are.”

On the other side of things, sociologist Karen Sternheimer believes that these plus sized nightclubs are creating places where overweight people can feel safe and free from any ridicule. This leads to better self-esteem, which Sternheimer believes, will encourage plus sized people to try to lose their extra weight, which, if not lost, could lead to heart disease and diabetes.

“As the country gets heavier and ultimately unhealthier, in many instances the problem is people feeling bad about themselves, and feeling bad about themselves doesn’t motivate people to lose weight,” says Sternheimer, author of “Connecting Social Problems and Popular Culture.”

Sternheimer says the best motivation comes from within; when obese people carry a positive attitude about themselves and their weight and then decide to lose the extra weight.

“Anything that helps people feel better about themselves,” she said, “there’s something positive to that.”

Photo Credit: fibroblast

Halloween is just around the corner and everyone is busy stocking up on candy and decorations. However, before you get too busy, take a minute to consider how un-eco-friendly Halloween really is.

Here are 7 great tips on making your Halloween green:

1. Ditch the Candy

It is estimated that trick-or-treaters collect about 5 to 10lbs of candy on Halloween. Instead of giving them sugar filled candy covered in wrappers that quickly fill up landfills, opt instead for healthy alternatives made with organic ingredients. Look for goodies that have been locally grown as well!

Whether you decide on candy or on something more nutritious, make sure that the wrapping is made of biodegradable or recyclable paper. If you are planning on making your own Halloween treats, you can use wax paper to cover them with.

Another option is to hand out treats that are non-edible but made from eco-friendly materials, such as crayons and coloring books made with recycled paper.

2. Wear an Eco-Friendly Costume

Instead of splurging all your money on fancy new costumes, you can visit a second hand shop to find pre-worn Halloween costumes. Remember that most of these costumes have only been worn once before! Don’t forget to donate your costumes back to thrift store after Halloween so someone else can use it next year.

Make your own costumes using eco-fabrics such as organic cotton, silk, hemp or bamboo. Recycle old prom dresses and suits.

Old boxes, plastic bags, and bottles found in your recycling bin can all be used one more time in the creation of Halloween costumes.

3. Save Gas

Each year nearly 36 million children in the USA go out trick or treating on Halloween, with the parents following behind them in their slowly moving car! All those emission fumes can do a great deal of damage to the quality of air, not to mention the money wasted on gas: for every 2 minutes that your car sits idling, it consumes the same amount of gas that is needed to drive 1 mile.

You could dress up alongside your child and walk with them from house to house to gather their treats. Not only does this give you some great quality bonding time with your child, but it also gives you an opportunity to meet your neighbors.

4. Reusable Halloween Bags

Give your children Halloween bags that are reusable that you have either made or bought from the store. You and your child can make a reusable Halloween bag by using a pillow case, old clothes, used paper bags and other eco-friendly items that you can find around your house.

You can get creative an add glitter and sticks to add charm to the Halloween bag.

5. Make A Haunted Eco-House

Nearly $5 billion is spent every year by Americans for their Halloween decorations. Save some money, and save the planet, by creating your own frightening decor by using recycled materials that you have lying around your home.

A few great ideas are to use soy or beeswax candles or LED lights, place them inside a paper bag that has a Halloween design cut out of the front and use them as lanterns. Old cereal boxes that have been painted can make great gravestones!

You can also use pumpkins, gourds and apples to decorate your home with. These are great because you will be able to eat them after Halloween is over.

6. Chose An Organic Pumpkin

This Halloween outdo yourself by choosing a locally grown organic pumpkin rather than a store bought one. Approximately 90% of pumpkins in the US, that are sold in stores, come from a 90 mile radius near Peoria, Illinois; which means that the pumpkins so readily available in your local grocery store actually travelled a very long distance to get there, burning fuel along the way.

In 2007, approximately 43,000 acres of land were used for pumpkin production in the US. However, these pumpkins were grown using chemical pesticides and fertilizers that hurt the earth and our health.

The sales of organic pumpkins have grown by 60% over the past three years. Support your local farmer this Halloween by buying one of his organically grown
pumpkins.

7. Compost Your Pumpkin

No matter where you obtain your Halloween pumpkin from, compost it after it has served its Jack-O-Lantern purpose. If you already have a compost pile in your garden then you can just throw your pumpkin into the pile and forget about it. If not, then start by cutting the pumpkin into smaller pieces and place them in an unnoticeable area of your garden. Add fallen leaves, egg shells, coffee grounds and vegetable peels on top of the pumpkin pieces. When a dark, crumbly soil appears, your compost will be ready.

Photo Credit: Joe Shlabotnik

Nutrition experts are forever going on about the benefits of eating natural and organic fruits and vegetables. However, half of all Americans are still malnourished, mostly because they lack fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet.

Food Insecure

The government has come up with a fancy new term to refer to hungry Americans – Food Insecure.

Before the current recession hit America, approximately 36 million people were receiving food assistance. These days that number has almost tripled!

Most US families are able to visit a locally run food pantry in order to obtain free food items. These food pantries are usually a tiny room inside a church or community center and receive the donated food from regional food banks, or local grocery stores. They also heavily depend on the generosity of the people in the neighborhood.

Inside these food pantries are shelves containing mostly non-perishable food items such as packaged or canned foods, juice boxes or juice mixes, dry milk powder and other household necessities. Some larger food pantries will even have a fridge that is stocked with dairy products and other such perishables.

The only drawback is that the food pantries do not contain any fresh produce, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Today, nearly 1 out of every 8 Americans require food assistance, but their local food pantry does not stock fresh produce, only pre-packaged, additive-stuffed non-perishable food products.

Backyard Growers

Long before the recession hit, lots of Americans were growing fruits and vegetables out of their own backyards. These backyard growers were enjoying working outside in their own gardens whilst at the same enjoying the fruits of their labors, literally!

However, the recession has caused many people to take a second look at growing vegetables in their backyards. Even those who do not have a backyard!

Although it will take some time for these gardens to sprout, one they start, they are soon overgrown with an abundant amount of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Once harvested, these backyard growers will try to eat as much of the food as possible and will either can, preserve or pickle their rest. They may even offer a few to their neighbors, friends and family members.

However, a person can only eat so much, and so the remainder of the harvest either gets left to rot in the garden, placed on a compost pile or gets thrown away.

But what if these extra produce was taken to the local food pantry instead? Better yet, what if everyone had the opportunity to grow their own food?

City Farming

In today’s world, land is a very valuable asset – but only if it is utilized to its fullest potential. Most people living in the city do not use their gardens to grow vegetables and let the land just sit only with the occasional mowing of the grass. There are thousands of backyards that are not being used and have plenty of room in them to set aside for a vegetable garden.

In North America alone, nearly 40% of the inhabitants don’t live in single detached housing where the yard space is undeniably theirs to use as they please.
The remaining 60%, who do have access to fertile land within city limits, do not do anything with it.

Sharing Backyard Space

A great solution to these problems is for people who have large enough backyards to share growing space with other people.

In response to these problems organizations have sprung up all along North America in an attempt to help connect people who wish to grow their own food, with those people who have ample land to share.

This type of community gardening is highly personalized, almost as if you are sharing your garden with extended family members. The goal is to help make sure that everyone in America has the opportunity to grow their own food, regardless of where they live.

Considerations

Whilst sharing your backyard with someone else in an effort to grow fresh fruits and vegetables, might sound like a wonderful idea, there are few things that you should take into consideration first.

Before deciding on anyone in particular, make sure that you meet them first in a public place. Discuss the days and times that you will make your garden space available to them.

Also figure out whether the other person has any gardening tools or if they will want to use yours. Where will the tools be kept when not in use?

Something else to consider is whether or not you will be supplying the seeds to be planted.

You will definitely need to agree on what types of fruits and vegetables you would like to grow in your garden.

Finally, you will also need to discuss who will harvest the food and how it will be distributed.

Photo Credit: woodleywonderworks

New research reveals that spirituality has a greater impact on a woman’s sex life than religion, alcohol or impulsivity; and that her overall wellbeing is directly related to her libido.

Latest Research

The research was conducted at the University of Kentucky, using a specific research measure called the Spiritual Transcendence Scale.

Researcher, Jessica Burris, stated:

“I think people have been well aware of the role that religious and spiritual matters play in everyday life for a very long time. But in the research literature, the unique qualities of spirituality, apart from religiousness, are not usually considered.”

These specific qualities are connectedness, universality, and prayer fulfillment. Of these, connectedness was believed to be the reason why women had multiple sexual encounters with multiple partners, and most often without using condoms.

Burris goes on to explain this phenomenon:

“Believing one is intimately tied to other human beings and that interconnectedness and harmony are indispensible may lead one to believe sexual intimacy possesses a divine or transcendent quality in itself. In fact, ascribing sacred qualities to sex has been positively associated with positive affective reactions to sex, frequency of sex, and number of sexual partners among university students.”

The 353 university student participants, of whom 61% were women, were asked to answer a questionnaire regarding their spiritual and religious views, sexual practices, impulsivity and alcohol use.

In regards to spirituality, the participants were asked to choose statements that reflected their own spiritual views, such as “In the quiet of my prayers and/or meditations, I find a sense of wholeness,” and “Although individual people may be difficult, I feel an emotional bond with all of humanity.”

One of the most interesting discoveries from the study was that men, who proclaimed themselves to be spiritual, were not affected sexually, and that they had a decrease in sexual encounters.

The researchers believe that men do not consider spirituality in a sexual connotation, because they biologically don’t view sex as a “gateway to emotional
intimacy.”

However, for women, spirituality was the greatest predictor in regards to their frequency of sex, multiple partners and failure to use condoms.

“It is possible female young adults yearn for greater connectedness with other humans. Spirituality, at least for women, could be considered a risk factor,” believes Burris.

Conversely, this raises another question: Are women more sexually active because of their spirituality; or does spirituality itself create an open-minded attitude that manifests itself through sex?

“Research suggests that spirituality provides predictive utility over and above personality traits such as conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness,” explains Burris. “So while it may be the case that spirituality is correlated with other variables that show similar relationships with human sexuality and sexual practices (such as openness to experiences), the relationship we observed, in my opinion, cannot simply be explained away by other variables.”

Similar Study

The October issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study, conducted at the Women’s Health Program at Monash University in Australia, in which an association was made between a woman’s happiness and her libido.

Approximately 300 women aged between 20 and 65, with half of whom being either pre-menopausal or post-menopausal were surveyed over the course of 28 days.

The participants were instructed to record their daily sexual events, and to also answer a questionnaire focusing on their wellbeing and sexual satisfaction.

The results indicated that more than 140 participants (split equally between the pre- and post-menopausal participants) felt sexually dissatisfied. Those participants that were post-menopausal demonstrated the most differences in overall wellbeing: women who were sexually satisfied scored 84 out of 110 on the questionnaire, whilst dissatisfied women scored only 76.
Women who were pre-menopausal provided similar results, with those women who were sexually dissatisfied scoring lower on vitality and cheerfulness. However the researchers found it difficult to conclude the results:

“The problem with interpreting this finding is that it is impossible to determine if dissatisfied women had lower well-being because they were sexually dissatisfied, or if the reverse is true, such that women who started with lower well-being tended to secondarily have sexual dissatisfaction,” said lead researcher Sonia Davison.

Beyond The Studies

The studies revealed a direct correlation between a woman’s wellbeing and her sexual libido. Davis suggested that this may be due to a variety of
circumstances such as low self-esteem or poor relationships.

However, there are herbal remedies that a woman can take to help naturally increase her libido. One such product is Female Essence. This all-natural supplement has been specifically formulated with a well-known aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant to gently increase a woman’s libido, as well as her self-confidence, by increasing sexual stamina and boosting energy levels. The herbs contained in Female Essence have also been proved to help lower inhibitions and reduce anxiety.

Photo Credit: alicepopkorn

Stargazers throughout the world will be able to watch the Orionid meteor shower tonight; weather permitting of course.

The Orionids

Every year two meteor showers occur as a direct result of the Earth passing through the dust that is released by Halley’s Comet: The Eta Aquarids and the Orionids, aptly named for the point inside the constellation Orion from whence the meteors appear to radiate.

Beginning around 15 October and ending around 29 October, the Orionid meteor shower is usually at its maximum during the early morning hours of 20 – 22 October.

Many thousands of years ago, Halley’s Comet left a trail of dust behind as it traveled through space. The Orionid meteor shower occurs when Earth travels right through that path of dust and debris. What appears to be shooting stars are merely tiny grains of dust vaporizing in Earth’s upper atmosphere.

Bill Cooke of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office says that:

“Flakes of comet dust hitting the atmosphere should give us dozens of meteors per hour.”

The Best Viewing

During the beginning of the Orionid meteor shower and again at the end, the Orionids themselves are hardly noticeable in the night sky. However, during its maximum, viewers in the Southern Hemisphere could possibly see up to 40 meteors per hour, whilst Northern Hemisphere viewers will see around 20 meteors per hour

The Orionid meteor shower will starts its maximum tonight and therefore the best time to watch, regardless of where you live, will be between 1am and dawn local time on Wednesday morning.

According to Space.com, this is possible because:

“That’s when the patch of Earth you are standing on is barreling headlong into space on Earth’s orbital track, and meteors get scooped up like bugs on a windshield.”

When the Earth enters the deepest part of Halley’s Comet’s dust, it will mark the beginning of the peak activity period of the Orionid meteor shower. This will probably occur at approximately 6am or 3am PT.

A few stray meteors could also be visible earlier tonight as well, although those people living in cities will see less meteors overall than those people living in rural areas. This is because light pollution in the cities will obscure the meteor’s brightness.

The Best Shower

According to Cooke, the Orionid meteor shower is one of the best showers to view:

“Since 2006, the Orionids have been one of the best showers of the year, with counts of 60 or more meteors per hour.”

However, actually predicting meteor showers is hard as the debris can stem from multiple streams. For instance, every time that Halley’s Comet travels around the sun on its elongated orbit, which is usually every 76 years, it actually leaves behind a new path of debris for the Earth to move through in the years to come. This pathway eventually starts to spread out over time and the Earth then passes through it every October during the Earth’s 365 day trek around the sun.

The past few years has seen more meteors during the Orionid meteor shower than ever before. Mikiya Sato and Jun-ichi Watanabe, researchers from Japan, believe that this is due to debris stemming from 1266 BC to 911 BC. NASA believes that this will be another good year to view the Oroinid meteor shower.

For many years prior to 2006, the Orionids reliably produced 15 to 20 meteors per hour at their peak which were easily visible for viewers under dark skies.

As luck would have it, there will also be about 5 to 10 meteors per hour during this peak period that are not related to the Orionids at all! These meteors will be much weaker and more sporadic than the Orionids.

The Orionids will move relatively fast. But the easiest way to distinguish an Orionid meteor is to trace it backwards. If it leads you back to the Orion
constellation, then you know that it was an Orionid meteor.

History

The discovery of the Orionid meteor shower has been credited to E. C. Herrick of Connecticut who, in 1839, was the first person to state that there was meteor activity around 8 – 15 October each year. In 1840 he made the observation that the “precise date of the greatest meteoric frequency in October is
still less definitely known, but it will in all probability be found to occur between the 8th and 25th of the month.”

However, on 18 October 1864, A. S. Herschel made the first accurate observation of the meteor shower, when it was seen that 14 meteors radiated out from the Orion constellation. A few days later on 20 October 1865, Herschel confirmed the sighting of a meteor shower originating from Orion.

Since then, the Orionids have become one of the most observed annual meteors showers.

Photo Credit: makelessnoise

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the best way to prevent injuries whilst raking leaves, cleaning gutters and performing other outdoor chores is to take proper health and safety precautions.

Dr. Dr. Laurence Laudicina, a spokesperson for the AAOS stated in a new release from the academy that:

“Many people work vigorously in the yard during the autumn season, and it often takes a toll on your body. Raking leaves and cleaning out the gutters are popular seasonal chores that can lead to falls or strain to your back and upper body.”

Last year 617,000 people in America suffered injuries that were sustained as a direct result from incorrectly using rakes, ladders and other outdoor garden supplies, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has stated.

In an effort to help prevent injuries, the AAOS, along with the Centers for Disease Control, have issued a few tips to help keep you safe whilst performing your Fall chores.

Wait a While

Although this might be frustrating for some, waiting for the full fall to rake leaves is better than doing quick rake jobs here and there. Planning on doing one big rake job, will prevent you from taking any safety shortcuts, that could result in slips, falls, and sore muscles, that you might take when doing small clean ups.

Choosing the Right Rake

Before attempting any outside chore, you should first carefully choose your tools. Although tempting, avoid borrowing a rake from your neighbor, as it may not be the right height or strength for you. When purchasing a rake, make sure to buy a rake that has a padded handle to avoid blisters (or wear gloves instead). Avoid cheap lightweight rakes that made from plastic as the lighter the rake is, the more of your own energy you will use to rake up the leaves. A few garden stores even carry ergonomically designed rakes that are intended to improve on ease of use and comfort and therefore prevent injuries.

Dress Warmly

It may sound too obvious, but most people do not dress warmly enough before working outside in the cool autumn weather. However, dressing warmly does not mean that you need to wear thick wooly clothes! Rather dress in lightweight layers that will keep you warm without trapping sweat to your body. Make sure that you wear a pair of sturdy gloves that have some grip to them. Also remember to wear a hat and scarf – just make sure that they don’t block your vision. You don’t want to trip over tree stumps or walk into low tree branches. Shoes or boots that are supportive, comfortable and have non-slip soles are the perfect accompaniment! Remember, that if you are allergic to mould or mildew, it is probably a good idea to wear a mask over your nose and mouth.

Warm Up

Doing a pre-rake workout for at least 10 minutes is a great way to avoid straining any muscles. In one hour of raking, you can easily burn at least 300 calories. Therefore, doing a few stretches, side bends and knee lifts will help prevent straining your back, neck and shoulder muscles. The stretches will also help get your blood flowing and mentally prepare yourself for the bending, lifting and raking that you are about to do.

Watch Your Posture

Keep an eye on your posture whilst you are raking up the leaves. Always stand up straight and try to rake the leaves to one side of your body, allowing your hands to alternate. Remember to always bend from your knees whenever you attempt to pick up piles of raked leaves, and never throw the leaves over your shoulders as this twisting motion can cause back injuries. Rather simply step to the side so that your entire body moves and not only your back and shoulders. Another tip is to not overfill the leaf bags, especially if the leaves are slightly damp. The bags should always be light enough for you to carry comfortably.

Take A Break

Take a 10 to 15 minute break from raking at regular intervals. The repetitive motions of raking the leaves up can become laborious after a bit. During your break you should do a few stretches to release any tension in your back and shoulders. Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated by sipping on water.

Ladders

Before using a ladder you will need to inspect it very carefully for any loose hinges, rungs or screws and to make sure that it is clean, especially if you have not used it for a while. Always place the ladder on firm level ground and check to see that it is fully open and locked before climbing and never sit or stand on the very top rung or pail shelf.

Photo Credit: Dan4th