Thursday, August 26, 2021
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Anti-Vax Moms Mamalitia
Triggered leftists are reportedly threatening a group of moms opposed to mandatory vaccines in California who have formed a pro-Second Amendment group empowering women called the “Mamalitia.”
On Sunday, the Mamalitia group announced it would cancel public meet-and-greet events after receiving terroristic threats following media hit pieces which mischaracterized the group as dangerous radical extremists.
“Mamalitia community has canceled all public meet and greet events due to media attacks, irresponsible reporting and false claims that have invited terrorist organizations to threaten our women and children,” reads a press release put out by the group.
“In a time where we should all be embracing and encouraging strong women with goals to protect their home and family, the media and politicians try to create a story that puts those same women and children in danger.”
Last week, the group was covered in a report by CBS Sacramento, which framed the organization as part of the January 6 event at the US Capitol, and accused them of using inflammatory language which could incite violence.
From CBS Sacramento:
Dr. Richard Carpiano is a professor of public policy and sociology at the University of California, Riverside who has followed the group and its movements on social media since its founding.
He says Aguilar was in Washington, D.C., in January when a violent coup stormed congress, though there’s no evidence she breached the building.
But she has been seen on social media alongside members of groups like the Proud Boys.
He’s concerned that with this rhetoric some group members could become violent.
“When you’re showing pictures of you with weapons, you are advertising services to train people in firearms. There’s no reason whatsoever to think they’re not pushing some extremist view,” he said.
The article also cited state Senator Richard Pan (also a former UC professor), who claimed the group had bullied and harassed lawmakers.
“Not only did they protest the public health measures but they then employed tactics to bully and intimidate people,” Pan told CBS Sacramento.
The group’s founder, Denise Aguilar, defended Mamalitia, saying, “We are not violent, we have not been on a watchlist. We are simply a group of women who are training each other and networking together.”
Mamalitia’s purpose, Aguilar says, is to arm women with guns, knowledge and survival skills.
The group says despite the attacks they’re still encouraging women to join their growing movement if they align with the following mission statement:
Mamalitia is a community of constitution loving women that recognize our empowerment comes from fully engaging in our children’s education, our wellness, food and financial sovereignty, and overall skills. We are committed to building the world we want to live in, getting back to our roots while empowering women from every walk of life.
“The tyrants have created women who are ready to go like it’s 1776,” the group proclaims on their website Mamalitia.org.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Possible Benefits of MCT Oil
What Are The Possible Benefits of MCT Oil?
Medium-chain triglycerides are a type of fat that is found in certain oils and dairy products. MCT oil is a supplement made of these fats. But what are the potential health benefits of MCT oil?
Many articles in circulation recommend the use of MCT oil. They claim that it can help people lose weight and that it has several other benefits.
This article explores the health benefits of MCT oil, as supported by scientific evidence. It also considers the risks around the use of MCT oil, as well as where to source it and how it can be used.
Overview
MCT oil can be derived from coconuts, and is often used to aid weight loss or improve stamina.
MCT oil is a dietary supplement that is made up of MCT fats, which are fats that can be found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and dairy products.
MCT oil is mainly used by people looking to lose weight, or boost their endurance during a workout.
Some supporters of MCT oil also claim it can improve the ability to think, as well as help with various forms of dementia.
What are MCTs & Why Are They Different From Other Fats?
Fats are made up of chains of carbon atoms, and most of the fats in a person’s diet are made up of 13 to 21 of these atoms. These are called long-chain fatty acids.
In contrast, short-chain fatty acids are made up of 6 or fewer carbon atoms.
MCTs refers to medium-chain triglycerides that sit in the middle of the other two types. They are of medium length and made up of 6 to 12 carbon atoms.
MCTs are found in coconut oil and are processed by the body in a different way to long-chain fatty acids. Unlike other fats, they go straight from the gut to the liver. From here, they are used as a source of energy or turned into ketones.
Ketones are substances produced when the liver breaks down a lot of fat, and they can be used by the brain for energy instead of glucose or sugar.
As the calories in MCTs are used straightaway, they are less likely to be stored as fat. This principle is the basis of the ketogenic diet, which many people believe is an effective way to lose weight.
Potential Health Benefits of MCT oil
There are several potential health benefits of MCT oil. Some of these are supported by scientific evidence, while others are yet to be proven. Each potential benefit and its available evidence is explored below:
1. Better Brain & Memory Function
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation have reported the pros and cons of MCTs in respect of brain and memory function, as well as their potential benefits for those with Alzheimer’s disease.
But to what extent are the claims surrounding MCTs backed up by scientific evidence?
A 2016 review notes that in three studies, the brain’s take-up of ketones in people with Alzheimer’s was the same as in healthy people. In contrast, the brain’s take-up of glucose was poorer in those with Alzheimer’s than healthy people.
The reviewers also note that ketosis has a slight beneficial effect on thinking ability for those with Alzheimer’s. Ketosis is when the brain uses ketones for energy instead of glucose.
More research is needed to say with certainty that MCTs or MCT oil can improve brain and memory function. That said, initial research is promising, and there is growing interest in the use of MCTs in this area.
2. Energy Boost & Increased Endurance
MCT oil may help to improve endurance, and provide energy for intense exercise.
Supporters of MCT oil claim that it can help boost a person’s energy and improve their endurance when they are working out.
A 2009 study found that consuming food rich in MCTs, rather than longer-chain fats, improved the time that recreational athletes could endure high-intensity exercise.
This evidence is encouraging but too limited to conclude for certain that MCTs or MCT oil can improve exercise endurance, as one 2010 study notes.
3. Weight Loss & Improved Weight Management
A popular claim that supporters of MCT oil make is that it helps with weight loss. This area has been studied the most by scientists.
A 2003 study found that MCTs increased the calories and fat that overweight men burned. It concluded that MCTs might be helpful in the prevention of obesity and to stimulate weight loss.
A 2014 study found that MCTs led to a greater increase in the hormones that reduce appetite and make a person feel full. This was in comparison with longer-chain fats.
The evidence suggests that MCTs may play an important role in weight loss and management.
However, it is important to note that studies have looked at MCTs as a type of dietary fat rather than MCT oil supplements specifically.
4. Lowered Cholesterol
MCTs may also have a part to play in helping to protect heart health by lowering cholesterol.
A 2009 study that looked at 40 women found that consuming coconut oil reduced bad types of cholesterol and improved good ones. The comparison was to soybean oil and taken alongside a calorie-controlled diet.
As MCT oil is high in the MCTs found in coconut oil, it is also likely to improve cholesterol levels. However, as the study did not look at MCT oil specifically, this cannot be said with certainty.
5. Lowered Blood Sugar Levels
MCTs may also help to improve blood sugar levels and play a potential role in diabetes management.
A 2007 study found MCT improved diabetes risk factors, including insulin resistance, in a small group of participants with type 2 diabetes.
Risks & Considerations
MCTs from dietary sources and MCT oil may have some health benefits. However, it is important to remember that when a person consumes these, they are consuming fats.
Taking MCT oil adds extra fats and calories to a person’s diet. As such, excessive use of MCT oil may not be beneficial and could lead a person to gain weight.
MCT oil supplements are created from versions of food oils, and so are not considered a natural product.
It is important to remember that MCT oil has a low smoke point, so it is not suitable for cooking.
However, solid coconut oil, which is high in MCTs, can be used in cooking and may be used to replace olive oil or other cooking oils.
Sources of MCTs
MCT oil supplements are available in many health food stores and are available for purchase online.
Some people prefer to consume MCTs in their diet, which may be more natural than taking supplements. MCTs are found in:
- coconut oil
- palm kernel oil
- milk
- butter
Takeaway
MCTs have many potential health benefits, and taking MCT oil supplements may also be beneficial.
While MCTs may not lead to dramatic weight loss, they may be able to play a role in overall weight management. They may also help boost energy and endurance, although more research is needed to prove this benefit.
A growing body of research also suggests that MCTs may improve a person’s ability to think and fight the effects of conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Again, this is an area that needs further study.
It is worth noting that consuming MCTs from dietary sources may mean that a person gets more nutritional benefit than taking MCT oil supplements.
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
13 Brilliant Uses for USED Coffee Grounds
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. But coffee is good for more than just a morning pick-me-up. Used coffee grounds have many practical uses in your home and in the garden. You can even incorporate used coffee grounds into your daily skincare routine.
Here are 13 clever uses for used coffee grounds:
- Body scrub – Turn used coffee grounds into an exfoliating scrub that will leave your skin silky smooth and glowing. Just mix coffee grounds with olive oil or coconut oil, brown sugar and a few drops of your preferred essential oil. Use in the shower to slough away dead skin cells from your arms, legs and feet.
- Fertilizer – Sprinkle some used coffee grounds directly over the soil in your garden for added nitrogen. Plants need nitrogen to grow and produce fruits or vegetables. Coffee grounds also keep soil moist. (Related: For the organic farmer: Grow healthier plants with organic fertilizer mixed with compost tea.)
- Pest control – Sprinkle some used coffee grounds wherever you need to shoo away pests like slugs and ants. The strong smell of coffee wards off these critters without harming beneficial plants or leaving traces of chemicals, as is the case with chemical pesticides.
- Facial scrub – Prepare an all-natural rejuvenating facial scrub by combining coffee grounds, jojoba oil, castile soap and your preferred essential oil. Use daily in the morning to feel more energized.
- Cookware cleaner – The coarse texture of coffee grounds is great for removing caked-on food bits and gunk from your pots, pans and dishes. Just sprinkle them directly onto your cookware and scrub with a soft sponge or brush. Make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward to remove the smell and taste of coffee.
- Refrigerator deodorizer – Put a bowl of used coffee grounds in the refrigerator to remove foul odors. You can also put a bowl of used coffee grounds in cupboards or in the closet to banish stubborn odors.
- Hand and foot deodorizer – Keep a dish of used coffee grounds by your kitchen sink or prep area for deodorizing your hands after handling pungent ingredients like onion and garlic. If you have smelly feet, wash them with cold water and then scrub them with used coffee grounds to eliminate odor.
- Garbage disposal deodorizer – To banish foul odors from your garbage disposal, send 1/4 teaspoon of used coffee grounds and a cup of ice down the disposal. Run it for a few minutes.
- Under-eye treatment – Look more awake by slathering some used coffee grounds onto the under-eye area. Leave on for 10–15 minutes before wiping them away with a wet cloth.
- Air freshener – Sprinkle some used coffee grounds onto your favorite wax melts and add them to your wax warmer. This is an easy and affordable way to freshen up your house without essential oils.
- Hair rinse – Massage used coffee grounds onto your scalp and rinse thoroughly for healthy, shiny hair. Plus, the caffeine in coffee grounds is thought to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss.
- Lip scrub – Gently exfoliate your lips with a homemade coffee lip scrub. Just mix coffee grounds with a few drops of sweet almond oil. Use no more than twice a week to avoid irritating your lips.
- Vermicompost – Vermicomposting involves feeding organic material to earthworms to make rich soil. Instead of throwing away used coffee grounds, put them in your vermicomposting bin. Worms will make short work of used coffee grounds and give you dark, rich soil in no time.
Friday, August 6, 2021
13 Cheap Family Weekend Getaways 2021
13
Cheap Family Weekend Getaways 2021
Fun affordable Personal and Family get away that we all can afford in the USA
BY BETH LUBERECKI
February 18, 2021
While it’s great to plan and save up for a big, weeklong family vacation, sometimes it’s just as good to get away for a long weekend with the kids. And weekend trips can often be cheaper—depending where you go, that is. Plan your next escape with one of these cheap family weekend getaways.1. Oxford, Mississippi
Known as the “Cultural Mecca of the South,” Oxford,
Mississippi, is a great alternative to pricier destinations like Charleston and
Savannah. Average daily hotel rates can start as low as the $75-range, and it’s
within a few hours by car from cities like Memphis (where you would fly to if
traveling by plane); Jackson, Mississippi; and Birmingham, Alabama. Admission
is free at the University of Mississippi Museum, whose collection includes
everything from 19th-century scientific instruments to artwork by Georgia
O’Keeffe and Man Ray and which offers a variety of kid-friendly events and
programs. William Faulkner’s home Rowan Oak is also under the museum’s
umbrella, where it’s free to roam the grounds and just $5 to tour the house.
Head to the historic town square to find Neilson’s Department Store (the oldest
continuously running department store in the South) and legendary Square Books,
where the whole family can find good reads and attend free live tapings of the
Thacker Mountain Radio Hour.
If you live close enough to either drive or take a train
into Washington, D.C., you can have an affordable weekend getaway here. That’s
because admission is free at the 17 DC-area Smithsonian museums, where the kids
can check out everything from dinosaur fossils to an Apollo Lunar Landing
Module, and the National Zoo, where you can find resident pandas Tian Tian and
Mei Xiang. There’s also no cost to visit major city landmarks like the Lincoln
and Jefferson Memorials, or to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol. It’s easy and
affordable to get around by foot or via the city’s Metro subway and bus system.
And there are lots of good, cheap eats to be found, from the legendary
half-smokes at local institution Ben’s Chili Bowl to the crab cake sandwiches
at Market Lunch in Eastern Market. Tip: To potentially save even more money,
check out hotels near Metro stops just across the Potomac River in Arlington,
Virginia, which can often be cheaper and are just a short subway ride away.
About two hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, Scranton is a cheap weekend getaway that ticks a lot of boxes—especially if you’ve got tweens and teens who’ve been binging The Office. There’s a free, self-guided walking tour that will take you to spots around the city made famous by the show. Little train lovers will want to visit the Steamtown National Historic Site (free admission, extra fees for train rides), while the whole family will enjoy spending time at Nay Aug Park, home to an oh-so-cool treehouse, two playgrounds, walking trails, and two pools plus a waterside complex ($5 for pools and waterslides, free for everything else). The park also sits along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, a more than-70-mile stretch for hiking and biking that travels alongside its namesake river. Average daily hotel rates in the city can start as low as $75.
Less than two hours from Chicago and Milwaukee, Rockford is
a city on the rise. This “Amateur Sports Capital of the Midwest” is home to
spots like the new Atwood Park Silent Sports Trail System, whose first five
miles are open for hiking and biking, and the site of free shows put on by the
Ski Broncs water-skiing team during the summer. Go fishing, ice skating,
hiking, or cross-country skiing at Rock Cut State Park (free admission) or try
to spot some paranormal activity at the supposedly haunted Tinker Swiss Cottage
Museum ($8 for adults, $5 for kids). The Burpee Museum of Natural History ($10
adults, $8 kids) features the world’s most-complete and best-preserved juvenile
T. rex skeleton (named Jane), while the Rockford Art Museum offers free
admission for kids ($7 adults), as well as free family-friendly programming.
The kids can also burn off some energy at the Grove Nature Playscape, a
playground made with materials like fallen logs and tree stumps at Severson
Dells Nature Center (free).
This perennial family fave for a beach trip also makes for a
cheap weekend getaway, with the average nightly hotel rate coming in at around
$110. In addition to 60 miles of free beaches, the area also offers a slew of
no- or low-cost activities for the whole family. There’s free admission at
spots like the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum and Vereen
Memorial Gardens, and free entertainment at locations like the Myrtle Beach
Boardwalk and Broadway at the Beach during the summer months. Myrtle Beach is
also home to more than 35 mini-golf courses and a state park ($8 adults, $4
kids) that’s great for surf fishing, bird watching, and shelling. Tickets to
the Brookgreen Gardens complex aren’t super cheap ($18 adults, $10 kids), but
they’re good for up to seven consecutive days, which means you can spend some
time at its Botanical Gardens one day and then come back to visit its
Lowcountry Zoo another.
An easy getaway from Los Angeles or San Diego, Murrieta
offers activities for all kinds of interests. The city is home to more than 50
free parks including California Oaks Sports Park, which has tennis and
basketball courts, a skateboard park, and a playground. It’s also a great place
for hiking and biking at spots like the Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use Area, where
you might see poppies and other wildflowers in bloom during the spring. Take
the mile-plus trail to Tenaja Falls or bring a picnic to Lake Skinner
Recreation Area ($6 adults, $3 kids), where there’s also a splash pad for the
little ones. Kid hotspot Mulligan Family Fun Center has mini-golf, go-karts,
arcade games, and rides. The Murrieta area is home to family-friendly breweries
like 8 Bit Brewing Company and is also a jumping-off point for Temecula Wine
Country. Average hotel rates are in the $75 to $115 a night range.
7. Dublin, Ohio
Get a taste of Ireland without having to travel across the
Atlantic in Dublin, Ohio. An easy drive from cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati,
and Indianapolis (and not far from Columbus, Ohio), Dublin offers authentic
Irish pubs and Celtic kid-friendly treats like the Shamrock Sundae at Graeter’s
Ice Cream. The whole family can search for the 11 magical spots on the free
Irish Fairy Door Trail and check out the sculptures that are part of the Dublin
Art in Public Places program, which include the striking Field of Corn honoring
the area’s farming history. Dublin offers more than 100 miles of bike trails
and 60 parks; don’t miss Ballantrae Community Park and its free splash pad,
located behind a statue of dancing hares, or the waterfalls located around the
city at spots like Indian Run Falls Park. Hotels in Dublin average around $125
a night.
Home to award-winning, sugar-sand beaches, the Pensacola Bay
area makes it easy to watch your budget and still have a great weekend getaway.
Hotel rates can start as low as $69 a night in the off-season and there’s a
range of options for every price point. In addition to spending time on the
sand, families can look for winged creatures of all kinds at spots along the
Pensacola Birding Trail; the area is a major stopping point for birds migrating
north in the spring. The free Pensacola Beach Eco-Trail features 29 stops
offering info about the plants and animals in the area, while Bay Bluffs Park
lets visitors travel by boardwalk along its namesake geologic feature. Set the
teens and their phones loose on the Pensacola Photo Trail and take the whole
fam back to the past at Historic Pensacola, where tickets ($8 adults, $4 kids)
are good for seven days and offer admission to several different sites.
For a budget-friendly weekend getaway in a bigger city, try
San Antonio, where average hotel rates are under $200 a night (and sometimes
way under). It’s free to visit San Antonio’s most famous landmark, the Alamo,
along with the city’s four other missions. You can stroll along the San Antonio
River Walk for no charge, or hike or bike along the River Walk Mission Reach
trail. Other admission-free spots to explore include the tranquil Japanese Tea
Garden and San Pedro Creek Culture Park, where the kids can splash around in
the water while also learning a little about the city’s history and culture.
Head to Historic Market Square for shopping and good eats, or stop by Yanaguana
Garden, an uber-cool free kids’ play space at the Hemisfair site that features
a splash pad, climbing structures, sand play area, and giant chess and checker
boards. End the day by attending a free showing of “San Antonio – The Saga,” a
video art projection displayed several nights a week on the façade of the
city’s San Fernando Cathedral.
Visit this middle of America city known for barbecue and jazz for some wallet-friendly family fun. It’s totally free to ride the KC Streetcar around the city’s downtown area; the route travels between River Market, home to the City Market farmers’ market and all kinds of food vendors, and historic Union Station, where you’ll find a planetarium and the Science City museum. Admission is free at the Peace Pavilion, which features 25 interactive exhibits to help teach kids about concepts like self-acceptance and cooperation, and the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, where you can learn all about how currency is made. Look for the more than 200 watery wonders in the City of Fountains and check out the Hallmark Visitors Center (free), where you can learn about the history of the greeting card company and even make a star-shaped bow to take home as a souvenir.
11. Clear Lake, IA
For a great selection of family-friendly activities and events, book a cheap family weekend getaway in Clear Lake, Iowa, says Sara Broers of Travel with Sara. “Located two hours south of Minneapolis and two hours north of Des Moines, right off of Interstate 35 in North Iowa, this town of nearly 8,000 people is filled with affordable family experiences,” she says. These include a family-friendly beach, boat tours on the historic Lady of the Lake, water sports galore, holiday events and even a kite festival on the lake in the middle of winter.
12. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
National and state parks are wonderful, budget-friendly
destinations that every family should explore, with a wealth of free or
low-cost activities ranging from hiking and boating to wildlife classes and
ranger-led talks. A great example is Great Smoky Mountains National Park in
Tennessee, which is within a half-day’s drive of approximately half the
nation’s population. Admission is free, and there are numerous campgrounds
throughout the park. Not a camping family? Head to nearby Gatlinburg, which
overflows with family-friendly accommodations for all budgets and styles.
Just an hour and half north of Atlanta in the North Georgia Mountains, Helen, Georgia, welcomes families to experience all this German town has to offer. “There is cheap river tubing, hiking, biking, golf and a fun, walkable downtown in Helen,” says Becky Beall of The Travel Voice by Becky. In fact, floating down the Chattahoochee through the heart of downtown Helen is one of the town’s most popular summer activities. Visitors also love shopping in the eclectic stores, sampling sweet treats at the Hansel & Gretal Candy Company, and touring the area’s wineries.
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