theheartysoul--2020-06-16--7 Surprising Reasons Your Dog Should Sleep On Your Bed Every Night

There has been a long-standing debate as to whether or not humans should sleep with their pets .
Some argue that having a dog or a cat in your bed is unhygienic , and others say it makes getting a good night ’ s sleep more difficult .
Despite this , one survey found the 55 percent of pet-owners allow their furry friends into their bed with them regularly [ 1 ] .
With all this confusion , you may be asking yourself- “ should I let my dog sleep in my bed ?
” Perhaps you already allow your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or maybe you ’ re considering it but you don ’ t know if you should .
While there are pros and cons to sharing your bed with an animal , pet-owners everywhere will be happy to know that there are actually a number of benefits to snuggling with your pooch at night .
Should I Let My Dog Sleep in my Bed ?
Allowing your dog into your bed can provide a sense of calm and security , can help you to relax , and can even improve the quality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sleeping with your pet can increase the bond you have with your animal .
Check out these amazing benefits of sleeping with your pet : A 2015 study found that people who participated in animal-assisted activities ( ie- they did activities with a dog instead of alone ) , demonstrated a decrease in depressive symptoms [ 2 ] .
But how do dogs have this effect on us ?
A study in Japan found that interacting with our pets can cause an increase in oxytocin– also known as the ‘ love hormone.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more oxytocin you have , the happier and less depressed you are .
So , if doing activities with your dog can make you happier , it is possible that sleeping with your dog could also have this effect .
Theta brain waves occur during deep meditation and the REM stage of sleep , and is a state of mental relaxation .
Other times when humans experience these types of brainwaves are when they ’ re daydreaming , running , in the shower , or doing any activity that is somewhat monotonous and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freely and is often when they come up with great ideas or solutions to their problems [ 4 ] .
The increase in oxytocin that pet-owners experience when they ’ re with their dog can promote theta brainwaves and improve sleep quality [ 5 ] .
Insomnia is often triggered by feelings of anxiety and stress or could be caused by a medical condition .
Studies have shown that sleeping with a pet can help people with obstructive sleep apnea ( OSA ) , nightmares , narcolepsy , parasomnias , and other sleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce anxiety and provide a feeling of safety , which decreases hyperarousal and hypervigilance , helping their human to fall asleep more easily .
This effect has also been witnessed in individuals who have insomnia due to PTSD [ 6 ] .
Read : Dogs are Born with Ears and Tails .
They Should Get to Keep Them .
A study from 2017 tracked the movement of both dogs and owners while sleeping over the course of seven nights .
The goal was to determine the sleep efficiency of the animal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score out of 100 .
Sleep efficiency refers to how much time you actually spend sleeping when you ’ re in bed .
The study found that humans and their dogs benefited from the co-sleeping arrangements .
The people in the study showed an average sleep efficiency of 81 percent , and the dogs 85 percent .
For reference , a score over 80 is considered satisfactory .
The researchers did note , however , that humans ’ sleep efficiency increased when their dog was in the room but not on the actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dogs has a number of physical effects on humans , including improving our cardiovascular health .
Studies have shown that human-dog interactions , such as petting , can actually lower your blood pressure [ 8 ] .
It is possible , then , that having a dog cuddled up to you all night long can produce the same effect , since dogs appear to have a calming presence for most individuals .
Speaking of which , that calm feeling that you get when you ’ re petting a dog is known as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survey of pet owners , 74 percent of respondents reported an improvement in mental health after they got a pet [ 9 ] .
This goes back to the increase in oxytocin that pet owners experience when they spend time with their animals .
Having your dog or cat in bed with you can reduce your levels of anxiety , which can help you to get a better night ’ s sleep .
Read : These dads said they didn ’ t want a dog .
Here ’ s how that worked out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allergies Later in Life If you have kids , allowing your dog to sleep with them ( as long as they are old enough so that its not dangerous ) can actually improve their immune systems .
A 2004 study found that children who were exposed to pets early in life had a lower instance of allergies as they got older [ 10 ] .
Sleeping with a Pet is Not for Everyone If you already have allergies , sleeping with your pet may aggravate your symptoms and make it more difficult for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s sleep .
Additionally , not all dogs will make great sleep partners .
This is because dogs are polyphasic sleepers , which means they have an average of three sleep/wake cycles per night time hour .
Humans , on the other hand , are monophasic , which means we have one sleep phase per 24 hours .
Dogs can sometimes be lighter sleepers as well , meaning they are more likely to wake up if they hear a sound [ 11 ] .
A well-adjusted , well-behaved dog will likely not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if your dog is more excitable or is causing you to wake up frequently throughout the night , it might be time to find a better place for them to sleep .
Despite these drawbacks , however , the research does seem to point toward a number of benefits , and for many pet owners they outweigh the disadvantages .
So if you ’ re thinking of allowing fido into your bed at night , perhaps it couldn ’ t hurt to give it a try , and if you ’ re already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science says you can continue to do so .
Keep Reading : New Giant Mattress Is 12 Feet Across , Perfect for All the Pets

There has been a long-standing debate as to whether or not humans should sleep with their pets. Some argue that having a dog or a cat in your bed is unhygienic, and others say it makes getting a good night’s sleep more difficult.
Despite this, one survey found the 55 percent of pet-owners allow their furry friends into their bed with them regularly [1].
With all this confusion, you may be asking yourself- “should I let my dog sleep in my bed?”
Perhaps you already allow your pet into your bed despite the nay-sayers, or maybe you’re considering it but you don’t know if you should. While there are pros and cons to sharing your bed with an animal, pet-owners everywhere will be happy to know that there are actually a number of benefits to snuggling with your pooch at night.
Should I Let My Dog Sleep in my Bed?
Allowing your dog into your bed can provide a sense of calm and security, can help you to relax, and can even improve the quality of your sleep. What’s more, sleeping with your pet can increase the bond you have with your animal. Check out these amazing benefits of sleeping with your pet:
1. It May Reduce Depression
A 2015 study found that people who participated in animal-assisted activities (ie- they did activities with a dog instead of alone), demonstrated a decrease in depressive symptoms [2].
But how do dogs have this effect on us? A study in Japan found that interacting with our pets can cause an increase in oxytocin– also known as the ‘love hormone.’ [3] Essentially, the more oxytocin you have, the happier and less depressed you are.
So, if doing activities with your dog can make you happier, it is possible that sleeping with your dog could also have this effect.
2. It Can Promote Theta Brainwaves
Theta brain waves occur during deep meditation and the REM stage of sleep, and is a state of mental relaxation. Other times when humans experience these types of brainwaves are when they’re daydreaming, running, in the shower, or doing any activity that is somewhat monotonous and automatic. It allows them to think freely and is often when they come up with great ideas or solutions to their problems [4].
The increase in oxytocin that pet-owners experience when they’re with their dog can promote theta brainwaves and improve sleep quality [5].
3. It Can Ease Insomnia
Insomnia is often triggered by feelings of anxiety and stress or could be caused by a medical condition. Studies have shown that sleeping with a pet can help people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), nightmares, narcolepsy, parasomnias, and other sleep disorders [6].
Pets help to reduce anxiety and provide a feeling of safety, which decreases hyperarousal and hypervigilance, helping their human to fall asleep more easily. This effect has also been witnessed in individuals who have insomnia due to PTSD [6].
Read: Dogs are Born with Ears and Tails. They Should Get to Keep Them.
4. It Can Improve Sleep Quality
A study from 2017 tracked the movement of both dogs and owners while sleeping over the course of seven nights. The goal was to determine the sleep efficiency of the animal and the human, and give them a score out of 100. Sleep efficiency refers to how much time you actually spend sleeping when you’re in bed.
The study found that humans and their dogs benefited from the co-sleeping arrangements. The people in the study showed an average sleep efficiency of 81 percent, and the dogs 85 percent. For reference, a score over 80 is considered satisfactory. The researchers did note, however, that humans’ sleep efficiency increased when their dog was in the room but not on the actual bed.
5. It Can Lower Blood Pressure
Contact with dogs has a number of physical effects on humans, including improving our cardiovascular health. Studies have shown that human-dog interactions, such as petting, can actually lower your blood pressure [8].
It is possible, then, that having a dog cuddled up to you all night long can produce the same effect, since dogs appear to have a calming presence for most individuals.
6. It Can Decrease Stress
Speaking of which, that calm feeling that you get when you’re petting a dog is known as “The Pet Effect”. In a survey of pet owners, 74 percent of respondents reported an improvement in mental health after they got a pet [9].
This goes back to the increase in oxytocin that pet owners experience when they spend time with their animals. Having your dog or cat in bed with you can reduce your levels of anxiety, which can help you to get a better night’s sleep.
Read: These dads said they didn’t want a dog. Here’s how that worked out for them
7. It Can Decrease Allergies Later in Life
If you have kids, allowing your dog to sleep with them (as long as they are old enough so that its not dangerous) can actually improve their immune systems. A 2004 study found that children who were exposed to pets early in life had a lower instance of allergies as they got older [10].
Sleeping with a Pet is Not for Everyone
If you already have allergies, sleeping with your pet may aggravate your symptoms and make it more difficult for you to get a good night’s sleep.
Additionally, not all dogs will make great sleep partners. This is because dogs are polyphasic sleepers, which means they have an average of three sleep/wake cycles per night time hour. Humans, on the other hand, are monophasic, which means we have one sleep phase per 24 hours. Dogs can sometimes be lighter sleepers as well, meaning they are more likely to wake up if they hear a sound [11].
A well-adjusted, well-behaved dog will likely not be a problem to sleep with, but if your dog is more excitable or is causing you to wake up frequently throughout the night, it might be time to find a better place for them to sleep.
Despite these drawbacks, however, the research does seem to point toward a number of benefits, and for many pet owners they outweigh the disadvantages. So if you’re thinking of allowing fido into your bed at night, perhaps it couldn’t hurt to give it a try, and if you’re already sleeping with your dog regularly, the science says you can continue to do so.
Keep Reading: New Giant Mattress Is 12 Feet Across, Perfect for All the Pets


theheartysoul--2020-06-16--Cheap Secrets Revealed: Never see ants in your home again

Just like all other insects , ants play an important role in our ecosystem .
They are an integral part of the outdoor world , and of course , that is where we ’ d like them to stay .
It becomes problematic when they invade your home .
Need to learn how to get rid of ants in your kitchen ?
We ’ ve got some natural ways to deter the tiny creatures : no toxic chemicals or fancy exterminator needed .
How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Kitchen There are many different ways to naturally remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it that way .
The one that works best for you will depend on how bad your problem is .
Perhaps you are looking for preventative measures , maybe ants are coming into your home but their colony is outside , or maybe the entire colony is attempting to take over your house .
Whatever the case , there is a solution in this list for you .
Read : Tick Control : How a Flock of Chickens May Be Your Best Bet 8 Chemical-Free Ways to Rid Your Home of Ants Ants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is why they most often invade the kitchen .
To start your ant eliminating process , first make sure you keep your kitchen as clean as possible .
This means wiping surfaces and cleaning floors to make sure there aren ’ t any crumbs , droplets , and other tasty ant-sized morsels to make them keep coming back .
After that , check out some of these natural methods to get them out and keep your home ant-free .
Ants are highly sensitive to scents , even more so than other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t like the smell of cinnamon .
There are a few ways you can use cinnamon to deter them : • Sprinkle ground cinnamon around their entry points into your home .
( 1 , 2 ) • Make a cinnamon essential oil spray ( ½ tsp cinnamon essential oil for every 1 cup of water ) and spray it around all areas where the ants come onto your home , where they tend to congregate , and also where they live .
( 1 , 2 ) • Put whole cinnamon sticks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other entryways .
( 1 , 2 ) While ants love sugar , borax is toxic to them .
The sugar attracts the worker ants who will take the sugar back to their colony and give it to the queen .
The borax then effectively poisons the queen .
When the queen goes down , the colony goes down with her .
Here ’ s what to do ( 1 , 2 ) : • Put ½ cup of white sugar and 1.5 tsp of borax into a jar .
• Pour in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the mixture has dissolved .
• Soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them in areas where the ants enter and congregate in your home .
You can also leave containers with the mixture out ( do not reuse the containers ) , or add the boric acid to maple syrup or liquid honey and spread on a disposable , flat surface such as a strip of cardboard .
( 1 , 2 ) This method is highly effective but it can take up to 3 weeks before the queen is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-do them a few times .
( 1 , 2 ) Again , there are more ways than one to use lemon to keep the ants at bay .
• Lemon eucalyptus oil : soak cotton balls in the essential oil ( do not dilute it ) .
Put them everywhere you have seen the ants and replace them weekly .
Keep them out of reach of children and pets .
( 1 , 2 ) • Oil of lemon eucalyptus ( OLE ) : Not the same as lemon eucalyptus oil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contains PMD , a known effective insect repellent .
It can be used in a similar fashion to lemon eucalyptus oil .
( 1 , 2 ) Just like cinnamon , lemon , eucalyptus essential oils , ants really don ’ t like the scent !
Either a spray or use strategically-placed soaked cotton balls should do the trick .
You can also choose to wash your floors and entryways with peppermint-scented soap to deter the ants from coming anywhere near your home .
( 1 , 2 ) Found in the garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DE is a powder that is safe if ingested by humans and pets but deadly for ants .
Sprinkle the powder around all potential ant-entry and hang-out points until the problem is solved .
( 1 , 2 ) Make a spray using a 1:1 ratio of distilled vinegar and water .
If you ’ d like , you can add a couple of drops of lemon essential oil ( or another proven anti-ant essential oil ) .
Spray it around all ant entry points and areas , being sure to shake it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2 ) Pouring boiling hot water into an ant hole will effectively kill many of the insect inside .
Remember that ant colonies are vast , so be sure to pour the water in any surrounding ant hills in your yard , this will help to ensure you get most if not all of the colony .
( 1 , 2 ) To be even more certain , boil the water with cayenne pepper or add cayenne pepper seasoning ( 3 ) .
After you ’ ve made a delicious pot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sprinkle them around the ants ’ entry points into your home , as well as any areas that tend to attract the bugs .
Change out the ground once they are dry .
( 1 , 2 ) No one wants ants in their house , however many of the commercial ant removal products are full of chemicals that are dangerous to both the environment and human health .
Try these natural methods and find one that works for you !
Keep Reading : If You See These 5 Insects in Your @ @ @ @ @ @

Just like all other insects, ants play an important role in our ecosystem. They are an integral part of the outdoor world, and of course, that is where we’d like them to stay. It becomes problematic when they invade your home. Need to learn how to get rid of ants? We’ve got some natural ways to deter the tiny creatures: no toxic chemicals or fancy exterminator needed.
How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Kitchen
There are many different ways to naturally remove the ants from your home and keep it that way. The one that works best for you will depend on how bad your problem is. Perhaps you are looking for preventative measures, maybe ants are coming into your home but their colony is outside, or maybe the entire colony is attempting to take over your house. Whatever the case, there is a solution in this list for you.
Ants come into your home looking for food, which is why they most often invade the kitchen. To start your ant eliminating process, first make sure you keep your kitchen as clean as possible. This means wiping surfaces and cleaning floors to make sure there aren’t any crumbs, droplets, and other tasty ant-sized morsels to make them keep coming back. After that, check out some of these natural methods to get them out and keep your home ant-free.
Ready to learn how to get rid of ants?
1. Cinnamon
Ants are highly sensitive to scents, even more so than other insects, and evidently they don’t like the smell of cinnamon. There are a few ways you can use cinnamon to deter them:
Sprinkle ground cinnamon around their entry points into your home.
Make a cinnamon essential oil spray (½ tsp cinnamon essential oil for every 1 cup of water) and spray it around all areas where the ants come onto your home, where they tend to congregate, and also where they live.
Put whole cinnamon sticks outside around doors, windows, and other entryways.
2. Borax, Water, and Sugar
While ants love sugar, borax is toxic to them. The sugar attracts the worker ants who will take the sugar back to their colony and give it to the queen.
The borax then effectively poisons the queen. When the queen goes down, the colony goes down with her. Here’s what to do:
Put ½ cup of white sugar and 1.5 tsp of borax into a jar.
Pour in 2 cups of boiling water and stir until the mixture has dissolved.
Soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them in areas where the ants enter and congregate in your home.
You can also leave containers with the mixture out (do not reuse the containers), or add the boric acid to maple syrup or liquid honey and spread on a disposable, flat surface such as a strip of cardboard.
This method is highly effective but it can take up to 3 weeks before the queen is dead, so you may have to re-do them a few times.
3. Lemon
Again, there are more ways than one to use lemon to keep the ants at bay.
Lemon Juice: spray lemon juice on entry points and popular areas.
Lemon eucalyptus oil: soak cotton balls in the essential oil (do not dilute it). Put them everywhere you have seen the ants and replace them weekly. Keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE): Not the same as lemon eucalyptus oil, OLE comes from a different tree and contains PMD, a known effective insect repellent. It can be used in a similar fashion to lemon eucalyptus oil.
4. Peppermint Oil
Just like cinnamon, lemon, eucalyptus essential oils, ants really don’t like the scent! Either a spray or use strategically-placed soaked cotton balls should do the trick. You can also choose to wash your floors and entryways with peppermint-scented soap to deter the ants from coming anywhere near your home.
5. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Found in the garden section of your local hardware store, DE is a powder that is safe if ingested by humans and pets but deadly for ants. Sprinkle the powder around all potential ant-entry and hang-out points until the problem is solved.
6. Vinegar
Make a spray using a 1:1 ratio of distilled vinegar and water. If you’d like, you can add a couple of drops of lemon essential oil (or another proven anti-ant essential oil). Spray it around all ant entry points and areas, being sure to shake it well before each use.
7. Boiling water
Pouring boiling hot water into an ant hole will effectively kill many of the insect inside. Remember that ant colonies are vast, so be sure to pour the water in any surrounding ant hills in your yard, this will help to ensure you get most if not all of the colony. To be even more certain, boil the water with cayenne pepper or add cayenne pepper seasoning.
8. Old Coffee Grounds
After you’ve made a delicious pot of joe, take the leftover coffee grounds and sprinkle them around the ants’ entry points into your home, as well as any areas that tend to attract the bugs. Change out the ground once they are dry.
The Bottom Line
No one wants ants in their house, however many of the commercial ant removal products are full of chemicals that are dangerous to both the environment and human health. We hope this guide on how to get rid of ants helps!
Read More: If the Mosquitos Always go Straight for You, Here’s What You Need to Know


theheartysoul--2020-06-18--12,000 lions being farmed in captivity to be shot dead by tourists in ‘canned hunts’

The recent and widely popular Netflix special , Tiger King , thrust the US big cat industry into the spotlight , showcasing the poor treatment and unhealthy environment in which these animals are kept .
Unfortunately , the use of captive animals for tourism and entertainment is not a new , or uniquely American , problem .
Lion farming is a massive and barbaric industry in South Africa .
There are an estimated twelve thousand captive-bred lions in the country , which is four times the wild population .
One man has made it his mission to expose this industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 1 ] .
Lord Michael Ashcroft is a businessman and philanthropist from the UK .
His recently published book and accompanying film , Unfair Game : An Exposé Of South Africa ’ s Captive-Bred Lion Industry , gives an in-depth look at the lion farming industry in South Africa and sheds light on a cruel practice known as “ canned hunts ” [ 2 ] .
He describes the industry as conscious , intentional cruelty , sometimes carried out with or for pleasure , and is demanding that action be taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice whereby lions are bred in captivity , then drugged and released into a small area so that a tourist ( who has paid thousands of dollars ) can shoot the animal .
Once these farm-bred lions have served their purpose , their bones and other body parts are often exported for use in the Asian medicine market .
The animals are used and abused for financial gain from the time they are cubs , being forced to play with tourists all day long when they should be sleeping for 16 to twenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow and develop .
Some of the footage that can be seen in the film includes a drugged lion being attacked by a pack of dogs , a sedated lion being shot in the back of a truck , and a lioness being shot while up in a tree [ 3 ] .
In his book , Ashcroft describes how he and an undercover team managed to save one of the lions that was about to be shot in a canned hunt .
The mission was titled Operation Simba , named for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mission , Ashcroft hired undercover operatives which included former members of the UK ’ s special forces .
The team base themselves in South Africa for several months to collect information and evidence to build their case .
Ashcroft points out how dangerous the mission was , since the industry has close ties with global organized crime .
They managed to recruit a South African Lion dealer as an undercover agent so they could infiltrate the business .
The agent , who they gave the codename Lister , was able to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruel treatment given to the lions [ 2 ] .
After months of expert undercover work , the team managed to save Simba , but Ashcroft is aware that much more needs to be done .
Not only are captive lions valuable as a tourist attraction , but their remains can be sold for large sums of money in countries like China where they are used to make pills and potions for unsubstantiated ‘ medicines ’ .
According to Ashcroft , an adult tiger skeleton can be worth up to twenty thousand dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only bring in up to four thousand dollars .
Because of this price difference , lion bones are often falsely passed off as being tiger bones [ 3 ] .
This bone trade is not only a problem for the lions , but can pose health risks for humans as well , since lions can carry zoonotic diseases similar to the novel coronavirus .
Many of the nearly three hundred breeding centers in South Africa rely on tourism as their main source of income- an industry that has all but vanished during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these centers will now either euthanize their animals or allow them to starve to death [ 4 ] .
Many wildlife conservation groups are hoping that the novel coronavirus pandemic will spell the end of the lion trade , given the fear over viruses that can be transmitted from wild animals .
An alliance of groups called the Lion Coalition wrote a letter to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) to request that they advise all governments to shut down wildlife markets : The government has suspended the annual quotas for captive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while a high level panel conducts a policy review , and their recommendations to determine the long-term future of the industry are expected at the end of 2020 [ 4 ] .
Keep Reading : Lion Cub ’ s Legs Deliberately Broken So He Couldn ’ t Escape While Tourists Posed For Photos

12,000 lions being farmed in captivity to be shot dead by tourists in ‘canned hunts’
The recent and widely popular Netflix special, Tiger King, thrust the US big cat industry into the spotlight, showcasing the poor treatment and unhealthy environment in which these animals are kept. Unfortunately, the use of captive animals for tourism and entertainment is not a new, or uniquely American, problem. Lion farming is a massive and barbaric industry in South Africa.
There are an estimated twelve thousand captive-bred lions in the country, which is four times the wild population. One man has made it his mission to expose this industry and put a stop to animal cruelty [1].
Lion Farming in South Africa
Lord Michael Ashcroft is a businessman and philanthropist from the UK. His recently published book and accompanying film, Unfair Game: An Exposé Of South Africa’s Captive-Bred Lion Industry, gives an in-depth look at the lion farming industry in South Africa and sheds light on a cruel practice known as “canned hunts” [2].
He describes the industry as conscious, intentional cruelty, sometimes carried out with or for pleasure, and is demanding that action be taken to stop it.
Canned hunting is a practice whereby lions are bred in captivity, then drugged and released into a small area so that a tourist (who has paid thousands of dollars) can shoot the animal. Once these farm-bred lions have served their purpose, their bones and other body parts are often exported for use in the Asian medicine market.
The animals are used and abused for financial gain from the time they are cubs, being forced to play with tourists all day long when they should be sleeping for 16 to twenty hours per day in order to properly grow and develop.
Some of the footage that can be seen in the film includes a drugged lion being attacked by a pack of dogs, a sedated lion being shot in the back of a truck, and a lioness being shot while up in a tree.
Operation Simba
In his book, Ashcroft describes how he and an undercover team managed to save one of the lions that was about to be shot in a canned hunt. The mission was titled Operation Simba, named for the lion they saved.
To carry out the mission, Ashcroft hired undercover operatives which included former members of the UK’s special forces. The team base themselves in South Africa for several months to collect information and evidence to build their case.
Ashcroft points out how dangerous the mission was, since the industry has close ties with global organized crime. They managed to recruit a South African Lion dealer as an undercover agent so they could infiltrate the business. The agent, who they gave the codename Lister, was able to provide much of the video footage depicting the cruel treatment given to the lions [2].
After months of expert undercover work, the team managed to save Simba, but Ashcroft is aware that much more needs to be done.
“Despite my feelings of euphoria at having saved Simba in the nick of time, it seemed clear that more needed to be done,” said Ashcroft. “It was obvious that those who profit by abusing lions are able to operate with great ease in South Africa.” [2]
Read: German Lab Called Out for Abhorrent Animal Cruelty
Big Cats are Worth Big Money
Not only are captive lions valuable as a tourist attraction, but their remains can be sold for large sums of money in countries like China where they are used to make pills and potions for unsubstantiated ‘medicines’.
According to Ashcroft, an adult tiger skeleton can be worth up to twenty thousand dollars, while an adult lion skeleton can only bring in up to four thousand dollars. Because of this price difference, lion bones are often falsely passed off as being tiger bones [3].
This bone trade is not only a problem for the lions, but can pose health risks for humans as well, since lions can carry zoonotic diseases similar to the novel coronavirus.
“Experts have told me of their belief that a major public health incident will occur in South Africa and Asia as a result of the lion bone trade,” he says [3].
The COVID-19 Threat to Captive Lions
Many of the nearly three hundred breeding centers in South Africa rely on tourism as their main source of income- an industry that has all but vanished during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, these centers will now either euthanize their animals or allow them to starve to death [4].
“Without tourism revenue, and an already appalling welfare record, thousands of captive lions are going to be left to starve,” said Michele Pickover, director of advocacy group the EMS foundation. “This is a catastrophe that could have been avoided.” [4]
Many wildlife conservation groups are hoping that the novel coronavirus pandemic will spell the end of the lion trade, given the fear over viruses that can be transmitted from wild animals.
An alliance of groups called the Lion Coalition wrote a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) to request that they advise all governments to shut down wildlife markets:
“Bovine tuberculosis has been documented among wild and captive-bred lions, posing a substantial risk of zoonosis to consumers and people involved in the lion bone trade, particularly those who work in breeding farms, slaughter and processing facilities in South Africa,” said the letter [4].
The government has suspended the annual quotas for captive lion breeders in the international bone trade while a high level panel conducts a policy review, and their recommendations to determine the long-term future of the industry are expected at the end of 2020 [4].
Keep Reading: Lion Cub’s Legs Deliberately Broken So He Couldn’t Escape While Tourists Posed For Photos


theheartysoul--2020-06-18--640-Square-Foot Solar-Powered Shipping Container House with Greenhouse for $25,000

Living off the grid was once considered a fringe movement reserved for solitarians and individuals preparing for the apocalypse , but it has begun receiving a lot more attention and interest from the general population over the last several years .
As the cost of living continues to rise , political upheaval and social unrest becomes increasingly common , and the threat of new viruses grows more and more every day , many people are looking for an out- a way to get away from it all- and off-grid living is becoming increasingly attractive .
One man is showing just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be , by teaching people how to build their own shipping container home .
The term “ off the grid ” , at its most basic , simply means disconnecting from your municipal power grid , however for many people the definition goes far beyond this baseline idea .
For most people , living off the grid means living sustainably and producing more resources than they consume .
It means generating your own electricity and growing your own food .
For others , it is a mode of survival , and allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of an emergency situation .
For the most extreme off-gridders , it is a political statement .
A complete divorce from the systems that they deem to be oppressive .
This form of primitive living becomes more of a statement of freedom and independence over anything else [ 1 ] .
There are many different forms that off-grid living can take , depending on the preferences of the individual , and although many of us immediately conjure up images of pioneers , today ’ s off-grid homes can be quite advanced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has designed a greenhouse home that can have you living your off-grid dream life for a mere 25 thousand dollars .
The design , which uses two used shipping containers stacked one on top of the other , provides shelter , food , and water- the three basic criteria for an off-grid home .
It also features a greenhouse attached to the side of the home in which you can grow your own fruits and vegetables .
Whichman combined several of the systems used in the Earthship design with shipping container @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy-efficiency .
The attached greenhouse makes growing your own food convenient and easy and helps to keep your home warm during the winter months .
Each shipping container is forty feet long and has 320 square feet of space on the inside .
Stacking two containers on top of each other not only doubles the size of the living space , but also provides more height to allow for a larger greenhouse attachment .
The containers can be left bare or covered in siding to provide better insulation and prevent the home from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , something that Whichman does highly recommend , particularly for those living in more arid climates .
The siding , he notes , also gives the cabin a more rustic look .
Read : Project combines hemp and solar to go totally off grid While prices may vary depending on your sources , Whicman most of the required materials , including the wire and pipe for electrical and plumbing , can be purchased for a few thousand dollars .
The cost breakdown is as follows : • Container : 2500 dollars plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Crane ( to stack the containers ) : approximately and extra two thousand dollars .
• solar panels , mounting brackets , charge controller , batteries , and electrical system : five to ten thousand dollars , depending on the size of the system and your power needs .
Whichman cautions that this kind of project can be very dangerous if you ’ re not careful , or if you don ’ t know what you ’ re doing .
Cutting through corrugated metal is risky , since it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re cutting it .
For full instructions for how to build your own off-grid shipping container home , go to offgridliving.net .
Keep Reading : Pandemic Leads To Urban Exodus As Families Turn To Self-Reliance And Off-The-Grid Living

Living off the grid was once considered a fringe movement reserved for solitarians and individuals preparing for the apocalypse, but it has begun receiving a lot more attention and interest from the general population over the last several years. As the cost of living continues to rise, political upheaval and social unrest become increasingly common, and the threat of new viruses grows more and more every day, many people are looking for an out- a way to get away from it all-and off-grid living is becoming increasingly attractive. One man is showing just how easy- and cheap- off-grid living can be, by teaching people how to build their own shipping container home.
What is Off-Grid Living?
The term “off the grid”, at its most basic, simply means disconnecting from your municipal power grid, however for many people the definition goes far beyond this baseline idea.
For most people, living off the grid means living sustainably and producing more resources than they consume. It means generating your own electricity and growing your own food. For others, it is a mode of survival and allows them to protect their family in the case of an emergency situation.
Image Credit: OffgridWorld.com
For the most extreme off-gridders, it is a political statement. A complete divorce from the systems that they deem to be oppressive. This form of primitive living becomes more of a statement of freedom and independence over anything else [1].
There are many different forms that off-grid living can take, depending on the preferences of the individual, and although many of us immediately conjure up images of pioneers, today’s off-grid homes can be quite advanced.
Build Your Own Shipping Container Home
Eric Whichman is the founder of offgridliving.net, who has designed a greenhouse home that can have you living your off-grid dream life for a mere 25 thousand dollars. The design, which uses two used shipping containers stacked one on top of the other, provides shelter, food, and water- the three basic criteria for an off-grid home.
It also features a greenhouse attached to the side of the home in which you can grow your own fruits and vegetables.
“I wanted to design something that met the basic criteria for self sufficiency while at the same time providing maximum living area, small footprint, and a large growing area to produce as much food as you could possibly eat,” explained Whichman.
Image Credit: OffgridWorld.com
Whichman combined several of the systems used in the Earthship design with shipping container home and greenhouse design to ensure maximum energy efficiency. The attached greenhouse makes growing your own food convenient and easy and helps to keep your home warm during the winter months.
Each shipping container is forty feet long and has 320 square feet of space on the inside. Stacking two containers on top of each other not only double the size of the living space but also provides more height to allow for a larger greenhouse attachment.
The containers can be left bare or covered in siding to provide better insulation and prevent the home from getting too hot in the warm summer months, something that Whichman does highly recommend, particularly for those living in more arid climates. The siding, he notes, also gives the cabin a more rustic look.
“The beauty of this design is that it’s practical,” says Whichman. “It uses natural and recycled materials to build a cabin on the cheap.” [2]
Shipping Container Home with Greenhouse – Designed by Eric Wichman – Originally Published on OffGridWorld.com
Cost Breakdown
While prices may vary depending on your sources, Whicman most of the required materials, including the wire and pipe for electrical and plumbing, can be purchased for a few thousand dollars. The cost breakdown is as follows:
Container: 2500 dollars plus freight to your location, per container.
Crane (to stack the containers): approximately and extra two thousand dollars.
solar panels, mounting brackets, charge controller, batteries, and electrical system: five to ten thousand dollars, depending on the size of the system and your power needs.
Total cost (containers plus greenhouse materials, wiring, plumbing, siding, insulation, flooring, etc.): $25,000 [2].
Image Credit: OffgridWorld.com
Image Credit: OffgridWorld.com
Precautions
Whichman cautions that this kind of project can be very dangerous if you’re not careful, or if you don’t know what you’re doing. Cutting through corrugated metal is risky since it’s heavy and could fall on you while you’re cutting it.
“Use proper safety equipment and if you’ve never modified a shipping container for hire someone to do it for you,” warns Whichman. “Always get help from someone with experience.”
Keep Reading: Anti-Solar Panels That Don’t Require Daylight To Generate Power


theheartysoul--2020-06-18--What Weeds Tell You About Your Soil

What Weeds Tell You About Your Soil

Weeds are the bane of every gardener ’ s existence , and we often go to great lengths to prevent them from taking over our lawns and gardens .
Despite their reputation , however , weeds aren ’ t all bad .
Some of them are beneficial to pollinators , and some make a tasty addition to a salad , but there ’ s one thing they all can do : they can give you important information about your soil .
Read : DIY Weed-Be-Gone Spray – Better Alternative That Works Compared To Harsh Chemicals If you have large patches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your property , it is likely because your soil is conducive to that particular plant .
For this reason , weeds can tell you a lot about the health of your soil .
This list from the Farmer ’ s Almanac gives you examples of common weeds and what they might be saying about your soil : Dandelions : poor , low calcium soil , that is high in potassium Pearly everlasting : acidic soil that is low in nutrients Yarrow : sandy , dry , low-fertility soil that is low in potassium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeds are quite useful , and can be a source of pollen for bees or even nutrition for people .
Dandelions are great for springtime pollinators , and their greens make an excellent , nutrient-dense addition to salads .
Purslane is also very nutritious and is delicious in salads and soups [ 1 ] .
Stinging nettle is sometimes referred to as a super-plant , and has been used in traditional medicine for a variety of issues ranging from allergies to sunburns , and is often used in herbal tea [ 2 ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeds out there as well , including Nasturtium ( edible flowers ) , bamboo , and prickly pear , to name a few [ 3 ] .
Check out this video to learn about several other types of edible weeds that might be growing in your garden .
Read : Bad Neighbors : 11 Plant Pairs Never to Grow Side by Side How to Get Rid of Weeds Weeds are called weed because of their tendency to take over your garden or lawn , and choke out other plants , and just because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not necessarily mean you want your entire yard filled with them .
While often pulling them out or digging them up is the most common and often the most effective method of weed-control , there are a few steps you can take to discourage them from growing in the first place .
One way to prevent weeds from proliferating is to cover them with mulch before they start to grow .
The mulch will block out the sunlight that the seeds need to germinate , while providing other benefits to your soil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trick [ 4 ] .
Cover crops work in a similar fashion to mulch , and can be used in certain situations .
Wheat , clover , and barley are all beneficial plants that can spread fairly easily and prevent sunlight from reaching the soil .
There is some research suggesting that weed growth can be stimulated by exposure to a sudden flash of light , which is what happens when you turn your soil .
For this reason , it is best to disturb your soil as little as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so at night to avoid exposing weed seeds to the sun .
Weeds also tend to grow near the edges of gardens , so just by simply keeping the edges trimmed you can avoid an invasion .
You should also avoid leaving wide open spaces in your garden , because that creates an easy spot for weeds to proliferate .
Of course , depending on the weed that is growing , you could always leave them be , and then eat them [ 4 ] .
Know Thy Enemy If you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is important to know what specific plant you ’ re dealing with in order to have the best shot at eradicating it .
If you ’ re not sure what type of weed is growing in your backyard , check out this list of common weeds and how to get rid of them .
Keep Reading : 10 Secret Ingredients to Make Your Garden Grow

Spring is a busy season for home gardeners. It’s the time to start raking matted leaves, edging the beds, removing winter protection wraps, inspecting for plants for damage, fertilizing the trees and plants, pruning flowering shrubs, and of course, pulling the weeds. Once the seeds for produce or flowers have been chosen and planted, the maintenance begins. This involves watering, harvesting, and naturally, fighting those weeds. The weed battle doesn’t really end. Therefore, it’s important to choose your weapon wisely. This homemade weed killer does the trick.
Much of the appeal of home-grown produce is that they are hormone and chemical-free, but that could change depending on the weed killer used.
Strong chemical herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides can contribute to water contamination. Commercial weed killers can pollute not only the groundwater but the soil, as well as garden insects, pollinators, and other wildlife around the garden. This can also detrimentally affect pets and children. Other issues may include irritating airways, skin, and eyes. A common ingredient in these herbicides is glyphosate, which is allegedly linked to causing cancer.
Cynthia Curl, an environmental health scientist at Boise State University in Idaho, said, “Many assumptions have been made about the safety of glyphosate that are now being actively questioned. We will see an explosion of information about glyphosate, and it’s about time. We’re really playing catch-up on this one.”
Read More: 10 Of The Best Gardening Subreddits
Vinegar as a weed killer
Vinegar-based weed killers work by drawing out moisture, and essentially drying weeds out. It can successfully kill weeds including:
Dandelions
Canada thistle
Chickweed
Buckhorn plantain
Quackgrass
Lambsquarters
Crabgrass
Pigweed (amaranth)
Bindweed (perennial morning glory)
One of the ways vinegar works is by lowering the pH of the soil, so keep in mind that it can also harm healthy plants. That’s the main disadvantage of some natural weed killers like this. To avoid destroying desired vegetation and flowers, here are some tips:
Use tarps to hide the wanted plants
Avoid using the natural week killer when it’s rainy or windy outside
Reapplication may be needed for stubborn weed growth
Not all homemade weed killers are the same. You may need to test different versions to get the desired effect.
This DIY weed killer’s ingredients are inexpensive and may already be waiting in your pantry. If not, it’ll cost about three dollars to make, which cheaper than another natural store-bought weed killer. Additionally, this DIY week killer is completely toxin-free and safe to spray around pets and children without worrying about them inhaling harsh chemicals.
Homemade Weed Killer Recipe
Ingredients:
1-gallon white vinegar (5% acetic acid)
¼ cup natural dish soap*
2 cups Epsom salt (regular salt can be substituted)
Directions:
Prepare a gallon-large container and a spray bottle to apply the weed killer. Pour the salt into the container. Add the vinegar, and mix it with the salt. Let sit for around an hour to allow the salt to dissolve. Add the dish soap and mix until all the ingredients are combined and pour the mixture into the spray bottle.
A Note on Dish Soap
You’ll often find dish soap in DIY weed killers like is this. While the soap its self is not doing the ‘weed-killing’ it is used in the formula as a binder to help the active ingredients stick to their intended targets. The acetic acid and salt work to dry out the leaves, which makes the plant unable to produce food. This is what causes the weeds to die.
Dawn dish soap is one you’ll often see and is originally used in this recipe. However, if you’re looking to use one that is more eco-friendly you can something natural and unscented like ECOS or Seventh Generation.
Additional Tips:
It may take up to 24 hours for the weeds to die completely, and bigger weeds may require more sprays than smaller ones.
Take care not to spray the grass or plants around the weeds since this weed killer will kill them as well.
This DIY Weed Killer is best used on sunny days since the sun helps hasten weed death once sprayed.
You don’t need potentially toxic chemicals to have a weed-free garden. This homemade weed killer is effective and non-expensive. Give it a try!
Keep Reading: Uses For Baking Soda In The Garden


theheartysoul--2020-06-18--Austin Is Getting a Village of 3D-Printed Affordable Homes—and They Look Incredible

There is no denying it : we are in a global housing crisis , and traditional home-building methods are not going to solve it .
The poor and homeless of course are the most affected by this lack of affordable housing .
There have been several solutions involving tiny homes and community projects , however , one is proving that it might just be the answer we ’ ve all been looking for : 3D printed homes .
Read : Young People are Choosing to Live in “ Pods ” Instead of Apartments With a combination of design creativity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game in the world of affordable housing for all .
They have created robot technology that allows them to build 3D printed homes in a cost-efficient way .
Partnered with the non-profit organization Mobile Loaves & Fishes , they are looking to build the first Community First !
Village in Austin , Texas .
( 1 , 4 ) The goal is to build an entire neighborhood capable of housing at least 40 % of Austin ’ s homeless population using ICON ’ s technology .
( 1 ) The welcome center itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 500 square feet , it was designed by Logan Architecture over several days and then constructed in just 27 hours .
It features black , white , and natural wood .
The interior design was done by designer Claire Zinnecker and home goods company Industry West .
The idea is to not just make affordable homes for people , but ones that are actually enjoyable to live in and can help people make positive changes in their lives .
( 1 , 4 ) Keep Reading : This Company is 3D Printing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ICON isn ’ t just working on building a village in Austin .
As we said , homelessness is a global issue and ICON wants to use their 3D printing technology to help people all over the world .
Currently , they are working with non-profit New Story to build a 50 home village in Tabasco , Mexico .
( 2 , 4 ) All of this is possible using a combination of robotics , digital software , and advanced materials , with the star of the show being ICON ’ s 3D @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This special machine ( 3 , 4 ) : • Can print walls up to 8.5 feet tall and foundations up to 28 feet wide at a speed of 5 to 7 inches per second • Requires a crew of just 4 to 6 people to operate • Comes with an integrated tablet-based operating system All buildings built by the Vulcan I are done so with Lavacrete , ICON ’ s Portland-based cement mix that is easy to source , incredibly strong , resilient to extreme weather conditions , and allows buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 4 ) ICON could very well be the future of affordable housing in countries around the world .
If you want to know more about the company and their upcoming projects , go to their website .
Keep Reading : World ’ s First Community of 3D Printed Homes is Set to House Mexico ’ s Poorest Families

There is no denying it: we are in a global housing crisis, and traditional home-building methods are not going to solve it. The poor and homeless of course are the most affected by this lack of affordable housing. There have been several solutions involving tiny homes and community projects, however, one is proving that it might just be the answer we’ve all been looking for: 3D printed homes.
Affordable 3D Printed Homes by ICON to End Homelessness
With a combination of design creativity and technological innovation, ICON is changing the game in the world of affordable housing for all. They have created robot technology that allows them to build 3D printed homes in a cost-efficient way. Partnered with the non-profit organization Mobile Loaves & Fishes, they are looking to build the first Community First! Village in Austin, Texas.
“ICON is pushing the envelope and is technologically laying out a new way of looking at how we build homes,” says Mobile Loaves & Fishes CEO Alan Graham.
The goal is to build an entire neighborhood capable of housing at least 40% of Austin’s homeless population using ICON’s technology.
The First Building
The welcome center itself is a gorgeous little building. Standing at 500 square feet, it was designed by Logan Architecture over several days and then constructed in just 27 hours. It features black, white, and natural wood. The interior design was done by designer Claire Zinnecker and home goods company Industry West. The idea is to not just make affordable homes for people, but ones that are actually enjoyable to live in and can help people make positive changes in their lives.
Not Just in Texas
ICON isn’t just working on building a village in Austin. As we said, homelessness is a global issue and ICON wants to use their 3D printing technology to help people all over the world. Currently, they are working with non-profit New Story to build a 50 home village in Tabasco, Mexico. (2,
3D House Printing Technology
All of this is possible using a combination of robotics, digital software, and advanced materials, with the star of the show being ICON’s 3D printing technology, named the Vulcan I. This special machine (4):
Is mobile
Prints continuously on-site
Weighs 2000 pounds
Can print walls up to 8.5 feet tall and foundations up to 28 feet wide at a speed of 5 to 7 inches per second
Is waste-free
Is weather resistant
Requires a crew of just 4 to 6 people to operate
Comes with an integrated tablet-based operating system
All buildings built by the Vulcan I are done so with Lavacrete, ICON’s Portland-based cement mix that is easy to source, incredibly strong, resilient to extreme weather conditions, and allows buildings to be built quickly and affordably. (4)
Read: Man Converts Ambulance Into Tiny Home on Wheels for $13,000
Cost
Affordability is the biggest hurdle that ICON is attempting to get over. They want these homes to be as affordable as possible.
Currently, a 3D-printed home from the Vulcan printer costs $10,000 US. The company says they have plans to lower that cost all the way down to just $4000.
All of this depends on several factors, including:
Equipment failures
How long walls should dry for
As always happens with projects such as this one, it will be a constant battle as more and more obstacles come up.
ICON could very well be the future of affordable housing in countries around the world. If you want to know more about the company and its upcoming projects, go to its website.
Keep Reading: Formerly Homeless Man Moves Into the First 3D-Printed Tiny Home
Sources:
1. “New Story and ICON Unveil the First Permitted 3D-Printed Home” ICON. March 2018.
2. “Printing Homes for the Homeless in Austin” ICON. September 2019.
3. “How ICON Is Building the $4,000 3D-Printed Homes of the Future” Dwell. February 2019.
This article originally appeared on The Hearty Soul in June 2020 and has been published here with permission.


theheartysoul--2020-06-18--The Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Meatloaf That’s Keto and Paleo Friendly

In this meatloaf recipe , you get the delicious kick of jalapeno poppers without the time-consuming prep .
Better yet , unlike the original version , this meatloaf is completely keto and paleo-friendly .
Jalapeno poppers , or jalapeno bites , are jalapeno peppers that have been stuffed with cheese and spices , breaded , and deep-fried .
They are very popular appetizers , especially for those who enjoy the tang of spicy foods , the crunch of a crispy coating , and the warmth of melted cheese .
Since they ’ ve become popular , jalapeno poppers have become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuffing them with meat , making them vegetarian , wrapping them with bacon , roasting them instead of frying , but in our case , we take the hassle out of preparing one pepper at a time .
Instead of flour or breadcrumbs , this recipe is filled with flaxseeds or almond flour .
Instead of corn syrup-filled ketchup , use sugar-free with the recipe below .
Healthy doesn ’ t mean a dish can ’ t be irrefutably delicious .
With the mouth-watering meat paired with the spiciness of jalapeno peppers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone will love .
• 1.5 lbs ground beef , or ground pork ( or half of each for extra flavor ) • 1 tsp coconut aminos ( or soy sauce if you prefer ) • Add the ground beef , chopped onion , garlic , pork rinds , eggs , Italian seasonings , pepper , mustard powder and coconut aminos in a large bowl and mix it until they ’ re fully combined , using a spoon or your hands .
• Spray nonstick cooking spray into a bread pan and pour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Spread the softened cream cheese on top of the bottom meatloaf layer .
• Top the meatloaf with the second half of the meat mixture .
• Add extra ketchup to the top of the meatloaf , then cover it with foil before baking it .
• Bake at 400 degrees for about an hour .
• TIP : You can place the mixture into one large bread pan or two small bread pans .
If you use two small bread pans this meatloaf will cook faster so adjust the baking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foods into the meatloaf to change it up .
Variations could include : You can also wrap the outside of the meatloaf in bacon .
Get creative !
For the non-dairy cream cheese , you could use store-bought varieties made from nuts , coconut , or tofu or make your own .
For homemade cashew cream cheese : Soak 2 cups of raw cashews in for 4 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes .
Drain and rinse the nuts before blending until smooth , adding : Blend until all the ingredients are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheese for four hours until it ’ s firm and cold .
Use as a spread or in recipes just like this one .
Lasts in the fridge for up to 2 weeks .
For the sugar-free ketchup , you can also buy or make your own .
Simmer the following ingredients in a pot , covered , for 30 minutes .
Stir every 5 minutes and give it a taste halfway through the cooking process .
Adjust the flavors if needed .
After 30 minutes , remove the lid from the pot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 15 minutes .
Blend until the ketchup is smooth .
The ketchup will thicken as it cools .
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 weeks , or freeze for 6 months .

In this meatloaf recipe, you get the delicious kick of jalapeno poppers without the time-consuming prep. Better yet, unlike the original version, this meatloaf is completely keto and paleo-friendly.
Jalapeno poppers, or jalapeno bites, are jalapeno peppers that have been stuffed with cheese and spices, breaded, and deep-fried. They are very popular appetizers, especially for those who enjoy the tang of spicy foods, the crunch of a crispy coating, and the warmth of melted cheese.
Since they’ve become popular, jalapeno poppers have become reinvented with countless recipes changing them, stuffing them with meat, making them vegetarian, wrapping them with bacon, roasting them instead of frying, but in our case, we take the hassle out of preparing one pepper at a time.
Instead of flour or breadcrumbs, this recipe is filled with flaxseeds or almond flour. Instead of corn syrup-filled ketchup, use sugar-free with the recipe below. Healthy doesn’t mean a dish can’t be irrefutably delicious. With the mouth-watering meat paired with the spiciness of jalapeno peppers, this meatloaf is full of flavor that everyone will love.
JALAPENO POPPER STUFFED MEATLOAF RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
1.5 lbs ground beef, or ground pork (or half of each for extra flavor)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp fresh minced garlic
1/2 cup ground flaxseed or almond flour
2 eggs
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tbs mustard powder
1 tsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce if you prefer)
8 oz non-dairy cream cheese, softened*
1/2 cup cooked bacon
2 jalapeno peppers, diced
5 tbs sugar-free ketchup*
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the ground beef, chopped onion, garlic, pork rinds, eggs, Italian seasonings, pepper, mustard powder and coconut aminos in a large bowl and mix it until they’re fully combined, using a spoon or your hands.
Spray nonstick cooking spray into a bread pan and pour half the meat mixture into the pan.
Spread the softened cream cheese on top of the bottom meatloaf layer.
Add the jalapenos and bacon bits.
Top the meatloaf with the second half of the meat mixture.
Add extra ketchup to the top of the meatloaf, then cover it with foil before baking it.
Bake at 400 degrees for about an hour.
TIP: You can place the mixture into one large bread pan or two small bread pans. If you use two small bread pans this meatloaf will cook faster so adjust the baking itme accordingly.
You can add different foods into the meatloaf to change it up. Variations could include:
Cheese
Spinach
olives
Jalapenos
cream cheese
soft boil eggs
You can also wrap the outside of the meatloaf in bacon. Get creative!
Recipe credits to Low Carb Inspirations
*Notes:
For the non-dairy cream cheese, you could use store-bought varieties made from nuts, coconut, or tofu or make your own.
For homemade cashew cream cheese: Soak 2 cups of raw cashews in for 4 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes. Drain and rinse the nuts before blending until smooth, adding:
¼ cup coconut oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp sea salt
Blend until all the ingredients are combined and smooth. Refrigerate the cream cheese for four hours until it’s firm and cold. Use as a spread or in recipes just like this one. Lasts in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
For the sugar-free ketchup, you can also buy or make your own. Simmer the following ingredients in a pot, covered, for 30 minutes.
6 ounces organic tomato paste
1 cup water
½ tsp stevia
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon each onion & garlic powder
¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
1/8 teaspoon each ground cinnamon & cloves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Stir every 5 minutes and give it a taste halfway through the cooking process. Adjust the flavors if needed. After 30 minutes, remove the lid from the pot and allow the ketchup to cook for another 15 minutes. Blend until the ketchup is smooth. The ketchup will thicken as it cools. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 weeks, or freeze for 6 months.
Keep Reading: How To Make Sweet And Savory Bacon Jerky


theheartysoul--2020-06-18--This Woman DIY’ed a Floor Out of 7,500 Pennies and It’s Stunning

Are you wanting to update the floors in your home in a beautiful but inexpensive way ?
This DIY penny floor just might be the design that you need .
Not only is it absolutely stunning , but it only costs , well , pennies !
On May 5th , Kat Von D posted on Facebook about her penny floor room .
When Kelly Graham , owner of the Etsy shop Camias Jewelry Designs , saw how much interest the post was attracting , she thought “ hmmm… maybe I should share my own penny floor with my followers ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the floor in her entrance hall needed an update .
An avid DIY-er already , she had the idea to cover her boring laminate floor with a beautiful mosaic made of pennies .
( 1 ) She went to the bank and bought rolls of pennies – 7,500 pennies , to be exact .
Over the course of about three weeks , she sorted all of the pennies and came up with her design .
She then laid each penny in position on the six square-foot space before gluing them all down .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the floor and covering it in a clear resin coating .
Five years later , the penny floor looks as gorgeous as ever .
( 1 ) How To DIY Your Own Penny Floor If you ’ re feeling inspired by Kelly ’ s penny mosaic and want to make your own , we ’ ve got some simple steps for you courtesy of Epoxycraft.com .
• Test Run Read through all of these steps and do a trial run on a small patch of flooring that isn ’ t super visible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of practice runs before you feel ready to do the whole floor .
• Get Your Pennies Even for a small area you will need a few thousand pennies .
Measure your floor and order your pennies in advance .
If you get part way and think you won ’ t have enough , you can always order more .
• Ensure a Level Floor Make sure you sand away and bumps or lumps and fill in any holes .
If you ’ re floor is really problematic you may need to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or plywood – sand and clean the floor before you begin .
• Stick Your Pennies Down Lay down your pennies and glue , glue , glue !
• Finishing Coat Now it ’ s time to pour the epoxy all over the floor .
Choose one that is solvent-free and durable and won ’ t affect the finished look of your floor .
Wessex Permakote is a great option for this , as it will fill in the gaps so you don ’ t need to use a grout with .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gel in 45-50 minutes and be completely hard to the touch in 6 hours .
It will take about four days to reach it ’ s best quality and hardness .
For more info on DIY penny floors , go here .
Since posting the before , during , and after photos of her penny floor , Kelly has had over 15,000 comments and 136,000 shares .
The coins , which are all laid face up , have not discolored thanks to the grout and resin finish .
The best part about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 75 .
Now that ’ s an interior design price tag we can get behind .
( 1 ) Keep Reading : How To Make Your Own DIY Rain Chain + Design Ideas To Get You Inspired

Are you wanting to update the floors in your home in a beautiful but inexpensive way? This DIY penny floor just might be the design that you need. Not only is it absolutely stunning, but it only costs, well, pennies!
DIY Mosaic Penny Floor
On May 5th, Kat Von D posted on Facebook about her penny floor room. When Kelly Graham, owner of the Etsy shop Camias Jewelry Designs, saw how much interest the post was attracting, she thought “hmmm… maybe I should share my own penny floor with my followers”.
Back in 2015, Kelly decided the floor in her entrance hall needed an update. An avid DIY-er already, she had the idea to cover her boring laminate floor with a beautiful mosaic made of pennies. (1)
The Process
She went to the bank and bought rolls of pennies – 7,500 pennies, to be exact. Over the course of about three weeks, she sorted all of the pennies and came up with her design. She then laid each penny in position on the six square-foot space before gluing them all down. She finished off the project by grouting the floor and covering it in a clear resin coating. Five years later, the penny floor looks as gorgeous as ever. (1)
“I’ve got a few kids and it still looks in top shape,” she says. (1)
Read: How to Make A DIY Rustic Live Edge Countertop
How To DIY Your Own Penny Floor
If you’re feeling inspired by Kelly’s penny mosaic and want to make your own, we’ve got some simple steps for you courtesy of Epoxycraft.com.
Materials
West System G/5 Five-minute adhesive
Disposable brush
Foam roller cover
2 measuring bowls
1 smooth-walled mixing container
Long spatulas
Electric paint stripper
Appropriate sealant
Instructions
Test Run
Read through all of these steps and do a trial run on a small patch of flooring that isn’t super visible. You might have to do a couple of practice runs before you feel ready to do the whole floor. Get Your Pennies
Even for a small area you will need a few thousand pennies. Measure your floor and order your pennies in advance. If you get part way and think you won’t have enough, you can always order more. Ensure a Level Floor
Make sure you sand away and bumps or lumps and fill in any holes. If you’re floor is really problematic you may need to put down plywood and paint it. Floor or plywood – sand and clean the floor before you begin. Stick Your Pennies Down
Lay down your pennies and glue, glue, glue! Finishing Coat
Now it’s time to pour the epoxy all over the floor. Choose one that is solvent-free and durable and won’t affect the finished look of your floor. Wessex Permakote is a great option for this, as it will fill in the gaps so you don’t need to use a grout with. Let it Sit
The epoxy finish will gel in 45-50 minutes and be completely hard to the touch in 6 hours. It will take about four days to reach it’s best quality and hardness.
For more info on DIY penny floors, go here.
A Floor Gone Viral
Since posting the before, during, and after photos of her penny floor, Kelly has had over 15,000 comments and 136,000 shares. The coins, which are all laid face up, have not discolored thanks to the grout and resin finish. The best part about this floor design? It only cost her $75. Now that’s an interior design price tag we can get behind. (1)
Keep Reading: How To Make Your Own DIY Rain Chain + Design Ideas To Get You Inspired
https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/a32407534/how-to-make-penny-floor/


theheartysoul--2020-06-18--Meet Magnolia Earl, the First-Ever Adopted Child to Be Named a Gerber Baby!

Remember the Gerber Baby Photo Contest ?
Well , the 2020 contest has come to a conclusion and the results are as historic as they are adorable .
Meet your new 2020 Gerber Baby Magnolia Earl , the first-ever adopted child to become the company ’ s ‘ spokesbaby ’ .
Little Magnolia , who turned one year old on May 9th , is already making history .
She is representing adopted children and families everywhere as the first-ever adopted child to be named as the Gerber spokesbaby .
( 1 , 2 ) Magnolia ’ s parents Courtney and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to adopt her last year .
Now , Magnolia lives with her parents and two older sisters , Whitney , 12 , and 8-year-old Charlotte who is also adopted .
( 1 , 2 ) The couple is still in contact with Magnolia ’ s birth parents , who are very proud of her achievement .
There is a lot of love for this little girl everywhere .
( 1 , 2 ) Read : No , Our Family Doesn ’ t ‘ Match ’ But Thanks to Adoption , It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t the first historic moment for Gerber .
Two years ago , the contest winner was two-year-old Lucas Warren , who has Down Syndrome .
Last year Gerber was represented by Kairi Yang , the first-ever baby of Hmong descent to be the face of the brand .
( 1 , 2 ) Since the contest began 10 years ago , Gerber has featured babies of a variety of backgrounds .
In a statement about the contest , the company said : Congratulations to Magnolia and her family !
We can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keep Reading : Couple with down syndrome celebrate 22 years of marriage – this is their secret to happiness

Remember the Gerber Baby Photo Contest? Well, the 2020 contest has come to a conclusion and the results are as historic as they are adorable. Meet your new 2020 Gerber Baby Magnolia Earl, the first-ever adopted child to become the company’s ‘spokesbaby’.
Magnolia Earl Becomes the First-Ever Adopted Child Gerber Baby
Little Magnolia, who turned one year old on May 9th, is already making history. She is representing adopted children and families everywhere as the first-ever adopted child to be named as the Gerber spokesbaby. (1, 2)
Magnolia’s parents Courtney and Russel Earl waited six months to finally be able to adopt her last year. Now, Magnolia lives with her parents and two older sisters, Whitney, 12, and 8-year-old Charlotte who is also adopted. (1, 2)
“This is incredible,” Courtney Earl told Today.com. “It means that when people see our families, or if you see a family that doesn’t necessarily match, that you don’t have to question the belonging of anybody in that family.” (1)
Her husband Russell agrees.
“Mommy always says a family is built on love,” He added. “We may all look different, but we’re one family.” (1)
The couple is still in contact with Magnolia’s birth parents, who are very proud of her achievement. There is a lot of love for this little girl everywhere. (1, 2)
Read: No, Our Family Doesn’t ‘Match’ But Thanks to Adoption, It’s Filled With Love
Gerber Celebrating Diversity
This isn’t the first historic moment for Gerber. Two years ago, the contest winner was two-year-old Lucas Warren, who has Down Syndrome. Last year Gerber was represented by Kairi Yang, the first-ever baby of Hmong descent to be the face of the brand. (1, 2)
Since the contest began 10 years ago, Gerber has featured babies of a variety of backgrounds. In a statement about the contest, the company said:
“At Gerber, we have always recognized that every baby is a Gerber baby…In the 10 years we have hosted Photo Search, we have been proud to feature babies of diverse backgrounds. This year is no exception by featuring Magnolia, our first adopted Gerber Spokesbaby.” (2)
Congratulations to Magnolia and her family! We can’t wait to see the campaign.
Keep Reading: Couple with down syndrome celebrate 22 years of marriage – this is their secret to happiness


theheartysoul--2020-06-19--6 Homemade Frozen Dog Treat Recipes to Try This Summer

Summer is the season for dogs and their owners to thrive .
Instead of bundling up for the necessary daily walks through the rain and cold , the weather is beautiful and inviting for people and their pets to enjoy together .
Walks are just the tip of the iceberg as pups are taken for park dates , picnics , and games of fetch at the beach .
While spending so much time outdoors , it ’ s important to stay cool and hydrated , and that goes for our fur babies as well !
Be sure to pack water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dogs bring so much joy into the owner ’ s lives , and to try and pay that back , it ’ s time to show them some extra love with these frozen dog treat recipes .
These recipes all take only a few minutes to whip up , and they contain healthy ingredients full of benefits for our precious pups .
They look so delicious ; you might be tempted to give these “ pupsicles ” a lick yourself .
Read : Stop Feeding Your Pup Toxic Dog Food !
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With only three , simple ingredients , you can create a wholesome treat for your pup filled with probiotics , protein , and healthy fats .
If you don ’ t have molds , you can always use ice cube trays .
• In a small bowl , mash up the banana until it ’ s smooth .
• Stir in the yogurt and peanut butter , and mix until evenly combined .
• Spoon into dog bone molds ( or ice cube trays ) .
Fill evenly and smooth the top .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the counter to ensure there are no air bubbles and the mixture is evenly distributed .
• Freeze for a minimum of 5 hours or even overnight .
• To remove , tap the molds or trays on the counter to loosen then turn out .
If you have any trouble , quickly run the mold under warm water to help the treats release .
• Store in the freezer for up to 3 months .
High in calcium , protein , and antioxidants , these treats filled with yogurt and berries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become a dog ’ s favorite .
• In your dog treat mold or ice cube tray , sprinkle in your strawberries and blueberries .
• Spoon in the yogurt .
Fill evenly and smooth the top .
• Tap the molds on the counter to ensure there are no air bubbles and the mixture is evenly distributed .
• Freeze for a minimum of 5 hours or overnight .
• To remove , tap the trays on the counter to loosen then turn out .
If you have any trouble , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help the treats release .
• Store in the freezer for up to 3 months .
Read : People Who Talk to Their Dogs This Way Actually Have Stronger Bonds , Studies Prove Be sure to use pumpkin puree , not pumpkin pie mix for this recipe .
The latter will add a lot of extra sugar and other ingredients to this treat .
You can also swap the banana for mashed cantaloupe , blueberries , and kiwis .
• Add the banana and pumpkin puree to your blender and mix until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have a blender , you can mix by hand using a fork , especially if you use a nice ripe banana .
• Combine the yogurt and mashed banana/pumpkin mix in a large bowl .
Add the honey .
Stir until the mixture is smooth .
• Spoon the mixture into silicone candy molds or ice cube trays .
• Freeze overnight , then pop out to serve .
Here ’ s a treat rich in flavor and low in sugar with two layers , one of chicken stock and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Who says frozen dog treats can ’ t be gourmet ?
• In a small bowl , combine peanut butter and parsley ; set aside .
• Divide chicken broth evenly into a silicone ice cube tray , filling the tray halfway full .
Place into freezer and freeze until set , about 1 hour .
• Spoon peanut butter mixture into the tray , filling the tray full .
Place into freezer and freeze until hard , at least 4 hours .
Watermelon is refreshing and hydrating , especially when frozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot summer day .
Be sure to remove the watermelon seeds first ; they may cause intestinal blockage in dogs .
To make this recipe easier , use seedless watermelons .
• One can of coconut milk • Scoop out about 1/4 of the melon .
• Blend together with the can of coconut milk – add more watermelon if you want a darker pink .
• Pour into ice cube tray and freeze for five hours or overnight .
Peas and carrots are full of health benefits for dogs but you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herbs , and fruits .
To avoid the mess of melting drips , gives these treats to your puppies while enjoying the outdoors .
• Fill each Popsicle mold about halfway with chicken broth .
• Sprinkle some peas and carrots into each mold .
• Pour the rest of the broth to fill each mold , leaving a little bit of room for the Popsicle stick .
• Let your dogs enjoy these outside outside or place the pupsicle in a bowl .
Keep Reading : Animal Shelter Creates ‘ Real-Life ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their Personalities

Summer is the season for dogs and their owners to thrive. Instead of bundling up for the necessary daily walks through the rain and cold, the weather is beautiful and inviting for people and their pets to enjoy together. Walks are just the tip of the iceberg as pups are taken for park dates, picnics, and games of fetch at the beach. While spending so much time outdoors, it’s important to stay cool and hydrated, and that goes for our fur babies as well! Be sure to pack water and cooling foods on these outdoor trips. Dogs bring so much joy into the owner’s lives, and to try and pay that back, it’s time to show them some extra love with these frozen dog treat recipes.
These recipes all take only a few minutes to whip up, and they contain healthy ingredients full of benefits for our precious pups. They look so delicious; you might be tempted to give these “pupsicles” a lick yourself.
Read: Stop Feeding Your Pup Toxic Dog Food! Here Are 20 Foods That Are 100x Better
6 Homemade Frozen Dog Treats
Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats
With only three, simple ingredients, you can create a wholesome treat for your pup filled with probiotics, protein, and healthy fats. If you don’t have molds, you can always use ice cube trays.
Ingredients
1 cup (8oz/120g) plain yogurt (no sweetness or flavors)
1/2 cup (4oz/120g) natural peanut butter, smooth
1 ripe banana
Instructions
In a small bowl, mash up the banana until it’s smooth.
Stir in the yogurt and peanut butter, and mix until evenly combined.
Spoon into dog bone molds (or ice cube trays). Fill evenly and smooth the top.
Tap the molds or trays against the counter to ensure there are no air bubbles and the mixture is evenly distributed.
Freeze for a minimum of 5 hours or even overnight.
To remove, tap the molds or trays on the counter to loosen then turn out. If you have any trouble, quickly run the mold under warm water to help the treats release.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Yogurt and Berries Dog Treats
High in calcium, protein, and antioxidants, these treats filled with yogurt and berries are healthy, sweet, and are sure to become a dog’s favorite.
Ingredients
1 cup (8oz/120g) plain yogurt
10 strawberries, diced
20 blueberries
Instructions
In your dog treat mold or ice cube tray, sprinkle in your strawberries and blueberries.
Spoon in the yogurt. Fill evenly and smooth the top.
Tap the molds on the counter to ensure there are no air bubbles and the mixture is evenly distributed.
Freeze for a minimum of 5 hours or overnight.
To remove, tap the trays on the counter to loosen then turn out. If you have any trouble, quickly run the mold under warm water to help the treats release.
Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Read: People Who Talk to Their Dogs This Way Actually Have Stronger Bonds, Studies Prove
Pumpkin Banana Pup Pops Hypoallergenic Dog Treat
Be sure to use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix for this recipe. The latter will add a lot of extra sugar and other ingredients to this treat. You can also swap the banana for mashed cantaloupe, blueberries, and kiwis.
Ingredients
1 cup plain non-fat yogurt
1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon honey
1 ripe banana
Instructions
Add the banana and pumpkin puree to your blender and mix until it’s well-combined. If you don’t have a blender, you can mix by hand using a fork, especially if you use a nice ripe banana.
Combine the yogurt and mashed banana/pumpkin mix in a large bowl. Add the honey. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
Spoon the mixture into silicone candy molds or ice cube trays.
Freeze overnight, then pop out to serve.
Chicken Parsley Frozen Dog Treats
Here’s a treat rich in flavor and low in sugar with two layers, one of chicken stock and one of peanut butter mixed with parsley. Who says frozen dog treats can’t be gourmet?
Ingredients
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine peanut butter and parsley; set aside.
Divide chicken broth evenly into a silicone ice cube tray, filling the tray halfway full. Place into freezer and freeze until set, about 1 hour.
Spoon peanut butter mixture into the tray, filling the tray full. Place into freezer and freeze until hard, at least 4 hours.
DIY Frozen Watermelon Dog Treats
Watermelon is refreshing and hydrating, especially when frozen with coconut milk and enjoyed on a hot summer day. Be sure to remove the watermelon seeds first; they may cause intestinal blockage in dogs. To make this recipe easier, use seedless watermelons.
Ingredients
A quarter of a watermelon
One can of coconut milk
Instructions
Scoop out about 1/4 of the melon.
Blend together with the can of coconut milk – add more watermelon if you want a darker pink.
Pour into ice cube tray and freeze for five hours or overnight.
Recipe credits to Roxy from Grrfeisty
DIY Chicken Pupsicles for Dogs
Peas and carrots are full of health benefits for dogs but you can swap them for other dog-friendly veggies, herbs, and fruits. To avoid the mess of melting drips, gives these treats to your puppies while enjoying the outdoors.
Ingredients
14 oz can of chicken broth
1/2 cup of peas
1/2 cup of chopped carrots
Instructions
Fill each Popsicle mold about halfway with chicken broth.
Sprinkle some peas and carrots into each mold.
Pour the rest of the broth to fill each mold, leaving a little bit of room for the Popsicle stick.
Freeze for 2–3 hours.
Let your dogs enjoy these outside outside or place the pupsicle in a bowl.
Keep Reading: Animal Shelter Creates ‘Real-Life’ Living Room for Dogs to Show off Their Personalities


theheartysoul--2020-06-18--Photographer Gives Birth to Twins, One Dark-Skinned and the Other Albino, and They Are a Sight For S

Photographer Gives Birth to Twins, One Dark-Skinned and the Other Albino, and They Are a Sight For Sore Eyes

When Judith Nwokocha , a Nigerian-Canadian photographer first saw her albino twins , she thought the nurses had handed her the wrong baby .
[ 1 ] The 38-year-old photographer based in Calgary , Alberta , Canada had been trying to conceive for eight years with her husband who is also African .
They were finally blessed with the most adorable set of twins through IVF , and now at four years old , people have a hard time believing the children are twins because of their different skin colors .
The boy , Kamsi , is dark-skinned while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ albinism a few days after her birth .
However , just like all other babies born out there , the twins are uniquely adorable and thankfully , they don ’ t see any color differences and are growing up as best friends .
According to Judith , even before the first scan confirmed that she was having twins , she ’ d already known .
She also had several points of worry during her pregnancy and afterward .
Read : Elderly Persons Look At Their Younger Reflections in This Beautiful Photo Series by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as beautiful as any other In an essay written by Judith for Love What Matters , she admitted she ’ d been shocked that her baby girl was born an albino because her family didn ’ t have any history of the condition .
She also worried about the girl ’ s future and how she would cope in an often discriminatory society .
She explains that her husband had also been in denial at first when they learned of the baby girl ’ s condition , and they later decided to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got around the feeling of worry and fear until their babies turned one .
Judith wrote that she finally began to see the beauty in her baby girl ’ s condition , “ her gold hair , her brown eyes , her pink lips and everything about her.
” The fear eased when she noticed how everyone always admired the lovely girl wherever she went .
They would often swoon at the sight of her stunning beauty and she ’ s always the center of positive attention .
Aside from sensitive skin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little girl with a bustling personality and a strong will .
Judith explains that she ’ s using her skills as a professional photographer to showcase the beauty of having twins with dramatically different skin tones .
They are perfect in every way , and Kachi ’ s charming brother , Kamsi , evidently loves and adores her from their photos .
“ I always tell her how beautiful she is , because she really is .
I wouldn ’ t trade her condition for a million dollars because she ’ s perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have its challenges but I ’ m teaching her to be strong and conquer whatever may come her way .
I ’ m showcasing the beauty in albinism by constantly taking pictures of her and twin brother .
I ’ m not sure she ` s aware of her uniqueness at the moment , but eventually she ’ ll know , and it ’ s my responsibility to educate her and teach her to love herself no matter what.
” Read : Just One Day Before Baby Aiden Past from Microcephaly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an inherited congenital condition characterized by the absence of pigment ( melanin ) in the skin , hair , and/or eyes .
[ 3 ] It occurs when there is a defect in one of the genes that control the production of melanin in the body .
Kachi was born with a type of oculocutaneous albinism ( OCA ) , the more common of the two forms of the conditions where the skin , hair , and eyes are totally without pigment .
[ 4 ] The other form , ocular albinism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] One in 20,000 babies around the world are born with oculocutaneous albinism , and they usually experience a range of eye conditions , usually decreased vision sharpness and strabismus , sensitivity of the skin to light , and increased risk of cancer .
[ 4 ] Albinism is common across Africa and quite rare in the rest of the world .
[ 6 ] This is believed to be a result of consanguinity , the inheritance of identical genes by descent .
In many parts of Africa , even in this modern-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ridiculed , and sometimes abused or even hunted due to countless superstitious myths , and legends about their condition .
They are also the objects of intra-racial skin tone discrimination where people from their own races question their true identities .
However , albinism doesn ’ t make a person any different from everybody else .
It should be regarded as a point of uniqueness such as blue eyes or red hair .
No one should be discriminated against because of anything , especially not a congenital condition they didn ’ t choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful .
All the myths , legends , and superstitions are completely false and should never be taken seriously .
People with albinism deserve to be treated equally and with dignity as stakeholders in society .
Read : One photographer captured the unique appearance of these girls and the Internet is left stunned Keep Reading : I Gave Birth to the Babies With ‘ White ’ Hair & This Is What I Need You to Know

When Judith Nwokocha, a Nigerian-Canadian photographer first saw her albino twins, she thought the nurses had handed her the wrong baby. [1]
The 38-year-old photographer based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada had been trying to conceive for eight years with her husband who is also African. They were finally blessed with the most adorable set of twins through IVF, and now at four years old, people have a hard time believing the children are twins because of their different skin colors. The boy, Kamsi, is dark-skinned while the girl, Kachi, was diagnosed with albinism a few days after her birth. However, just like all other babies born out there, the twins are uniquely adorable and thankfully, they don’t see any color differences and are growing up as best friends.
According to Judith, even before the first scan confirmed that she was having twins, she’d already known. She also had several points of worry during her pregnancy and afterward.
“The second scan revealed we’re having twins; I was told the twins might have Down syndrome,” Judith explained. [2] “At seven weeks Kachi was always behind, was very small, she stopped growing, I remember the doctors telling me she might not make it — I’m so grateful she did. She didn’t cry initially so I was thinking what’s going to happen, how is she going to be? I was shocked. I thought they had handed me somebody else’s baby, I didn’t believe she was mine.”
Albino twins: A rarity as beautiful as any other
In an essay written by Judith for Love What Matters, she admitted she’d been shocked that her baby girl was born an albino because her family didn’t have any history of the condition. She also worried about the girl’s future and how she would cope in an often discriminatory society.
“I loved my princess like every mother would love her baby but worried about her condition,” Judith wrote. “Gradually, worry turned to sadness and I started questioning God, wondering why He would put me in such a situation. I worried about her future, how society would treat her, how she’ll be accepted, etc. I envied other black babies and thought, ‘Why me? Why was I the one to have an albino baby?’ How did I get black and white twins?”
She explains that her husband had also been in denial at first when they learned of the baby girl’s condition, and they later decided to attend counseling. However, they never really got around the feeling of worry and fear until their babies turned one. Judith wrote that she finally began to see the beauty in her baby girl’s condition, “her gold hair, her brown eyes, her pink lips and everything about her.” The fear eased when she noticed how everyone always admired the lovely girl wherever she went. They would often swoon at the sight of her stunning beauty and she’s always the center of positive attention.
Aside from sensitive skin and eyesight, Kachi is a perfectly healthy little girl with a bustling personality and a strong will. Judith explains that she’s using her skills as a professional photographer to showcase the beauty of having twins with dramatically different skin tones. They are perfect in every way, and Kachi’s charming brother, Kamsi, evidently loves and adores her from their photos.
“I always tell her how beautiful she is, because she really is. I wouldn’t trade her condition for a million dollars because she’s perfect to me in every way. Albinism may have its challenges but I’m teaching her to be strong and conquer whatever may come her way. I’m showcasing the beauty in albinism by constantly taking pictures of her and twin brother. I’m not sure she`s aware of her uniqueness at the moment, but eventually she’ll know, and it’s my responsibility to educate her and teach her to love herself no matter what.”
More about albinism
Albinism is an inherited congenital condition characterized by the absence of pigment (melanin) in the skin, hair, and/or eyes. [3] It occurs when there is a defect in one of the genes that control the production of melanin in the body. Kachi was born with a type of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), the more common of the two forms of the conditions where the skin, hair, and eyes are totally without pigment. [4] The other form, ocular albinism, primarily affects the eyes. [5]
One in 20,000 babies around the world are born with oculocutaneous albinism, and they usually experience a range of eye conditions, usually decreased vision sharpness and strabismus, sensitivity of the skin to light, and increased risk of cancer. [4]
Albinism is common across Africa and quite rare in the rest of the world. [6] This is believed to be a result of consanguinity, the inheritance of identical genes by descent. In many parts of Africa, even in this modern-day, albinos are still ignorantly stigmatized, ridiculed, and sometimes abused or even hunted due to countless superstitious myths, and legends about their condition. They are also the objects of intra-racial skin tone discrimination where people from their own races question their true identities.
However, albinism doesn’t make a person any different from everybody else. It should be regarded as a point of uniqueness such as blue eyes or red hair. No one should be discriminated against because of anything, especially not a congenital condition they didn’t choose, one that’s actually really beautiful. All the myths, legends, and superstitions are completely false and should never be taken seriously. People with albinism deserve to be treated equally and with dignity as stakeholders in society.
Keep Reading: Doting Dad Catches Adorable Twin Babies Engaged In The Sweetest Conversation With Each Other
Sources