theheartysoul--2020-08-11--Our Must Buy Gifts For Grandma

Our Must Buy Gifts For Grandma

Aren ’ t grandmothers the best ?
They feed us , comfort us , and take care of us when we ’ re sick .
They love spoiling us , so it ’ s important that we show Grandma how much we love and appreciate her by spoiling her a little right back .
We asked the team to put together a list of 25 of our favorite gifts for Grandma to help you spoil your grandmother in the best way possible .
Picking out the perfect gift to give the woman who says her grandchildren are her greatest gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve created a list of gifts we know our grandmothers would love and yours will , too .
Disclaimer : This guide includes affiliate links from Amazon .
When you click on one of the links , we may earn a commission from your purchase of the product or other products on amazon This one is especially good for grandmothers who walk or use public transit to do their groceries .
Not only does the grocery cart aspect make it easier for them to carry their groceries home with them , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while waiting in line , at the bus stop , or simply if they get tired part-way on their walk home .
Click here to buy this gift .
Is tea time your grandmother ’ s favorite time of day ?
Then Teadrops tea samplers are for her .
No tea bags or steepers necessary , these drops of organic tea , sugar , and spices dissolve into hot water for the perfect cuppa anytime .
You can purchase a sampler set that includes two drops each of citrus ginger , sweet peppermint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and matcha green tea , or a set that includes five drops of each tea type .
For the two-drop sampler set click here .
For the five-drop sampler set click here .
Your grandmother has spent her whole life cooking for a crowd .
Make her everyday cooking easier with the all-in-one cooker that does everything .
Meals will be quick and easy for her to put together , and she will have fewer pots and pans to clean up after .
Dinner made simple !
Click here to buy this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is pretty enough to be kept out on the side table next to your Grandma ’ s sewing chair for all to see .
Best of all , it helps her keep all of her sewing necessities in one place .
Perfect for the grandma that ’ s always stitching together something for her grandkids .
Click here to buy this gift .
Sometimes you just need a shoe that ’ s quick and easy to slip on your feet when you ’ re running out to do errands , walk to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door .
These shoes are one of the best gifts for Grandma because they are easy to slide on and they also have a concealed orthotic for arch support .
Not only will she look stylish , but her feet , knees , and hips will be thanking her , and in turn , she will be thanking you !
Click here to buy this gift .
Give Grandma the gift of freshly grown herbs all year round .
This herb growing kit is easy to use and helps her to grow organic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Click here to buy this gift .
Some of us are more absent-minded than others .
If your Grandma is always misplacing items like her keys , wallet , remote control , etc , then these Tile Trackers will help her out .
All she has to do is attach them to her often misplaced items and then she can track them via the Bluetooth on her phone .
No more wasting 30 minutes searching for the keys when she ’ s trying to leave the house .
Click here to buy this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Grandma who ’ s favorite pastime is knitting .
Help her to keep all of her knitting needles organized and in one , easy-to-store and carry place .
Click here to buy this gift .
Grandmas deserve to have warm , cozy feet always .
That ’ s why these warming slippers make the best Christmas gifts for grandma .
Even on the coldest winter days , she ’ ll have warm slippers to come home and slide her toes into .
These slippers are the perfect Christmas gift for grandma – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Click here to purchase this gift .
This gift is amazing because not only does it act as beautiful decor for a couch or a bed , but it is also cozy and warm .
Imagine grandma curling up with her grandkids for a bedtime story , or coming home on a cold winter day , slipping her feet in those warming slippers and wrapping herself up in a thick , warm blanket .
It ’ s like you ’ re returning the warmth and love she gives you every day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blanket .
Click here to buy this gift .
Don ’ t let Grandma ’ s aches and pains get the better of her .
These warming lavender-scented pillows are the best Christmas gifts for Grandma .
They can be placed wherever she ’ s experiencing discomfort – neck , back , or shoulders – so she can get that sweet relief she so deserves .
Click here to buy this gift .
You really can ’ t have too many blankets , especially if those blankets are heated ones .
Keep grandma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throw .
The best part about this one is that it is machine washable , so whether she spills her tea or the grandkids do , it ’ s super easy to clean .
Click here to buy this gift .
If your Grandma likes to stay up-to-date on all things home and garden but prefers print to reading off of a screen , then a magazine subscription is a great choice .
These are the best Christmas gifts for Grandma because not only are they inexpensive , but they are the gift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Click here to buy Good Housekeeping .
Click here to buy Better Homes and Garden .
What better gift to give Grandma then something she can do with her favorite people ?
This board game set is something she can pull out at every family get together for some good , old fashioned family fun .
Click here to buy this version .
Click here to buy this version .
If your grandmother is anything like our grandmothers , she loves a good book .
Paperback books , however , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a lot of space in your home .
Kindles are great birthday presents for Grandma because they solve all those problems .
Plus , she can enlarge the font to make it easier for her to read .
Click here to buy this gift .
As we age , it ’ s important to keep our brains active to keep them healthy .
This book of puzzles and mind games will not only entertain her but also keep her brain healthy for years to come .
Maybe she ’ ll even let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her !
Click here to buy this gift .
If your grandmother is the type who can almost always be found in the kitchen cooking up original recipes or ones taught to her by her grandmother , then this is the gift for her .
Fill it up with some of her favorite recipes , as well as leave room for her to keep adding to it .
This will make a wonderful family heirloom gift one day , complete with Grandma ’ s handwriting and all .
Click here to buy this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own children and hours spent watching the grandkids , Grandma deserves some pampering .
These paraben and chemical-free products are perfect birthday gifts for grandma .
They will help her relax and rejuvenate her body from head to toe .
Click here to buy this gift .
Give your Grandma a leg-up in her garden this year !
These easy-to-use garden kits have a variety of options to suit your Grandma ’ s growing needs .
They have a chili pepper kit , colorful flower kit , a cocktail kit , salad greens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pizza ingredients , salsa ingredients , and a tranquility kit .
Click here to buy this gift .
Your Grandma is going to need a great mug to drink that tea you got her out of ( or her morning coffee , if she ’ s more of a ‘ cup o ’ joe ’ type of woman ) .
This is the perfect mug for the job .
After all , grandmothers really do feel like magical beings who are always watching out for us anyways , aren ’ t they ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the grandchildren are quite young , then this is a cute gift that she will enjoy reading .
This journal is a prompted fill-in-the-blank book that they can fill out .
As you guessed it , it ’ s all about why they love their grandmother .
Click here to buy this gift .
The best mother ’ s day gift for Grandma is one that celebrates her pride and joy , her family .
Nothing will make her happier than to have a place to display all of her beautiful kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inscription that reads “ the love of family is life ’ s greatest blessing ” she ’ s sure to hang it high where all of her guests will see it .
Click here to buy this gift .
Grandmothers love to show off the fact that they are grandmothers .
This pillow will allow her to do just that .
After all , being a grandmother is a pretty sweet gig .
Click here to buy this gift .
If your Grandma prefers a glass of cabernet over a mug of earl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass for her .
Etched with the phrase “ I ’ m the FUN Grandma !
” , she ’ ll laugh every time she cracks open a bottle .
These glasses are dishwasher friendly , so the phrase is guaranteed not to come off .
Click here to buy the stem-version .
Click here to buy the stem-less version .
This frame allows you to share photos directly from your phone to your Grandma ’ s photo frame instantly via email or an app .
The frame can flip through an array @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine how tickled Grandma will be when a new photo of her grandbabies appears .
These photos are the mother ’ s day gifts for grandma that she will enjoy every single day .
Click here to buy this gift .
With this gift guide , we are sure you ’ ll pick the right gifts for Grandma , whether it ’ s for her birthday , Mother ’ s Day , or the Holiday season .
Keep Reading : The Perks Of Living Near Grandma


theheartysoul--2020-08-13--Losing a Mother is Like Losing a Part of Yourself

Losing a mom is like a losing a light that had been illuminating your whole life .
Only once it ’ s gone do you realize how dark the world is without it .
You may try to adjust to this darkness , but you will never forget the light you lost .
And as people expect you to stop grieving as time passes , you can ’ t .
Because you wake up in the darkness every day , surrounded by reminders you of your mom .
Reminding you how much you need her .
You Will Remember Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will wish for more time that you will never get .
You think of the million things you would have done differently , but it hadn ’ t occurred to you that mom won ’ t be around forever .
Well , you knew it logically , but not in your heart .
The wound of her death will never fully heal since a piece of you has been torn away .
You may look through her phone , her social media accounts , her to-do lists , her little scribbles , searching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snippets of advice will be found , beautiful memories , or nothing at all .
You will search for closure , but the final note won ’ t be enough .
Nothing will seem to be enough .
Little things will remind you of her .
The earrings she gave you as a present , the TV show you used to watch together , the dessert she would go nuts for .
You want to remember her and these reminders may cause you to tear up in the most unlikely places .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t expect .
Because when you think you are finally over her passing , a new bout of yearning will hit you .
Read : Few People Know That Father ’ s Day Was Created Because Of A Mining Accident In West Virginia During The 1900s Worst of all , people who still have their mothers will struggle to understand .
People won ’ t know how to react to your pain and will say clumsy and hurtful things .
But you ’ d rather that than the people who ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what to say , ” and they ’ ll put their discomfort before your mountain of pain .
You may discover who your true friends are , and know that your mother would be happy for you for that .
After a few weeks pass , people will expect you to be okay .
After all , the death of a parent is natural and you had some time to grieve .
They don ’ t feel the pain you are wading through each day and they are blind to it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ world has changed , become darker somehow , and you need more time before you could enjoy the things you used to .
Your usual routine is gone and that ’ s okay .
You will return to it eventually .
You won ’ t get used to the pain , but you will learn to cope with it , and some days will be better than others .
Sometimes you will feel like you are back to normal , and others , you will cry at the sight of a mother duck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be events your mother will miss , birthdays , weddings , milestones , and your successes .
When something good happens , you want to jump to tell her the news because you know it would make her proud .
Then the darkness falls over you all over again .
It ’ s More Than Just ‘ Loss ’ Explaining to people “ I ’ ve lost my mother ” feels like a lie .
“ Lost ” sounds like a silly accident , a misplacement .
“ Lost ” is when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s a child who runs off at the mall and is found a few hours later .
“ Losing a mother ” is like stepping on a landmine .
You survive , but bits of shrapnel will keep on working their way out of you , each one as painful as the last .
It ’ s explosive , it ’ s gut-wrenching , and it feels as “ natural ” as amputating a limb .
Whenever people expect you to be over it , you want to scream .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge part of you is missing ?
Read : A Clinical Psychologist Explains Why Grief Isn ’ t Something to Just Get Over Grieving Your Mother Will Help You Heal Although the world expects you to walk it off , allow the grief to come out .
Don ’ t keep it bottled , because the pain of this magnitude is like shaking a cola bottle .
It will explode and often when you least expect it .
So cry and scream as much as you need to .
Your true friends will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close .
You will need companionship at this time , even if you don ’ t quite feel like it .
Don ’ t isolate yourself ; talk to those who care about you .
Tell them all of the amazing stories about your mom and tell them how much you miss her .
Find groups of people who are going through the same thing as you .
They will understand on a fundamental level .
They will make you feel heard .
Find a grief counselor to help you process all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially if you already struggle to communicate your feelings .
Above all , take care of yourself .
Allow yourself to take all the time you need to grieve .
There are no set rules for how long you should feel sad , but if you feel stuck or in a cycle of depressive symptoms , it ’ s best that you seek professional help .
Losing a mother is a perfectly valid reason to see a therapist .
You don ’ t need to go through this alone .
Be patient with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the sunshine .
Eat healthy food .
Get enough sleep and rest .
Talk about your feelings to those who care about you .
Treat yourself the way your mother had treated you whenever you were going through a hard time .
For more information on how to work through a bereavement , read here .
Remember her .
She may be gone but her memories live on .
Through them , she will always be there for you .
Keep Reading : How to Deal with Grief : Beautiful Advice from @ @ @

Losing a mom is like a losing a light that had been illuminating your whole life. Only once it’s gone do you realize how dark the world is without it.
You may try to adjust to this darkness, but you will never forget the light you lost. And as people expect you to stop grieving as time passes, you can’t. Because you wake up in the darkness every day, surrounded by reminders you of your mom. Reminding you how much you need her.
You Will Remember Your Mother Long After Her Death
And you will wish for more time that you will never get. You think of the million things you would have done differently, but it hadn’t occurred to you that mom won’t be around forever. Well, you knew it logically, but not in your heart. The wound of her death will never fully heal since a piece of you has been torn away.
You may look through her phone, her social media accounts, her to-do lists, her little scribbles, searching for one last message from her. Snippets of advice will be found, beautiful memories, or nothing at all. You will search for closure, but the final note won’t be enough. Nothing will seem to be enough.
Little things will remind you of her. The earrings she gave you as a present, the TV show you used to watch together, the dessert she would go nuts for. You want to remember her and these reminders may cause you to tear up in the most unlikely places. The grief will hit you at moments you don’t expect. Because when you think you are finally over her passing, a new bout of yearning will hit you.
Read: Few People Know That Father’s Day Was Created Because Of A Mining Accident In West Virginia During The 1900s
Other People Won’t Understand Your Mourning
Worst of all, people who still have their mothers will struggle to understand. People won’t know how to react to your pain and will say clumsy and hurtful things. But you’d rather that than the people who ignore you because “they don’t know what to say,” and they’ll put their discomfort before your mountain of pain. You may discover who your true friends are, and know that your mother would be happy for you for that.
After a few weeks pass, people will expect you to be okay. After all, the death of a parent is natural and you had some time to grieve. They don’t feel the pain you are wading through each day and they are blind to it. But you are not okay. Your world has changed, become darker somehow, and you need more time before you could enjoy the things you used to. Your usual routine is gone and that’s okay. You will return to it eventually.
You won’t get used to the pain, but you will learn to cope with it, and some days will be better than others. Sometimes you will feel like you are back to normal, and others, you will cry at the sight of a mother duck walking with her ducklings.
There will be events your mother will miss, birthdays, weddings, milestones, and your successes. When something good happens, you want to jump to tell her the news because you know it would make her proud. Then the darkness falls over you all over again.
It’s More Than Just ‘Loss’
Explaining to people “I’ve lost my mother” feels like a lie. “Lost” sounds like a silly accident, a misplacement. “Lost” is when you can’t find your car keys. It’s a child who runs off at the mall and is found a few hours later. “Losing a mother” is like stepping on a landmine. You survive, but bits of shrapnel will keep on working their way out of you, each one as painful as the last. It’s explosive, it’s gut-wrenching, and it feels as “natural” as amputating a limb. Whenever people expect you to be over it, you want to scream. Can’t they see that a huge part of you is missing?
Grieving Your Mother Will Help You Heal
Although the world expects you to walk it off, allow the grief to come out. Don’t keep it bottled, because the pain of this magnitude is like shaking a cola bottle. It will explode and often when you least expect it.
So cry and scream as much as you need to. Your true friends will stay by your side so hold them close. You will need companionship at this time, even if you don’t quite feel like it. Don’t isolate yourself; talk to those who care about you. Tell them all of the amazing stories about your mom and tell them how much you miss her.
Find groups of people who are going through the same thing as you. They will understand on a fundamental level. They will make you feel heard.
Find a grief counselor to help you process all of the chaotic emotions rushing through you, especially if you already struggle to communicate your feelings.
Care For Yourself
Above all, take care of yourself. Allow yourself to take all the time you need to grieve. There are no set rules for how long you should feel sad, but if you feel stuck or in a cycle of depressive symptoms, it’s best that you seek professional help. Losing a mother is a perfectly valid reason to see a therapist. You don’t need to go through this alone.
Be patient with yourself. Take walks. Go out into the sunshine. Eat healthy food. Get enough sleep and rest. Talk about your feelings to those who care about you. Treat yourself the way your mother had treated you whenever you were going through a hard time. For more information on how to work through a bereavement, read here.
Remember her. She may be gone but her memories live on. Through them, she will always be there for you.


theheartysoul--2020-08-13--5 Things Every Woman Deserves In a Relationship

We all go into relationships for different reasons .
Once you ’ re committed to someone for any frame of time , you deserve to experience true happiness from the intimacy that comes with being attached , mentally , and physically , to someone else .
If you think about it , relationships are a big deal .
Two people with different mindsets and characters come together and try to build a union .
It ’ s beautiful and amazing , and while it requires a lot of effort to work , it shouldn ’ t be all struggles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent in every relationship , but it shouldn ’ t come at the expense of your happiness .
Don ’ t settle for less because you ’ re trying to “ find a middle ground to make things work.
” We often mistake the idea of making things work with pushing them despite the blaring odds .
Relationships can encounter so many struggles that they become tasteless and lackluster , devoid of happiness or pleasure , and yet the partners continue to “ compromise ” .
Everyone deserves to be happy in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to each gender .
Traditionally , society propels the idea that women have to put in more work in a relationship , which always tips the balance before things even get started .
She ’ s expected to come up with numerous ways to “ keep her man ” .
This mentality needs put to rest because both partners must contribute equally before any relationship can work .
No one should expect the other to go above and beyond just to “ keep them ” .
You owe your partner trust and fidelity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People have different ways of expressing and understanding love , but there are a few things that remain the same regardless of personal ideologies .
Below are 5 things every woman wants and deserves in a relationship : Safety isn ’ t all about taking her into your more secure home or providing her with financial security .
Any woman can provide these things for herself before going into a relationship .
Safety in this context is more mental and emotional .
She deserves to be with someone she knows will never hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
She wants you to prove that you are ready to be a huge part of her support system .
When her insecurities and fears kick in , you are the knight in shining armor that swoops in and shoves them away .
She wants someone who will block the toxicity of society by letting her know how amazing she is .
Society ’ s standards of beauty , success , and happiness are often too high and unrealistic , and she wants someone who will hold her hand while she moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concepts are invalidated .
Make your heart her safe haven .
Let her know that no matter what she goes through in life , she ’ ll always have you to lean and depend on .
She can look to you to protect and keep her safe from the harsh realities of life .
Read : Getting Stoned With Your Spouse Could Reduce Conflict in Your Marriage Even if she already has a best friend , who says you can ’ t be one too ?
A best friend is someone who knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why some people often refer to their family members as best friends because they know you better than even you know yourself , and they are fully involved in your life .
Your best friend is someone you completely associate yourself with , and it ’ s always so beautiful to be each other ’ s best friends in a relationship .
A woman wants her man to be the person who accepts her entirely for who she is .
He ’ s never judgmental or unnecessarily critical but will always tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She wants him to be the person she never has to pretend around .
She may be a strong woman , but when things get too tough for her , she can have a good cry on his shoulder and regroup .
She deserves a person with whom she can never keep any secrets .
There ’ s nothing to be embarrassed about because they accept everything about you .
It doesn ’ t matter what you ’ re passing through in life – they will stay until the end .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more , and every woman deserves this in her relationship .
For the female mind , appreciation is extremely important and it ’ s one of those little things that make her world go round .
Sure , men love it too , but it ’ s on a whole other dimension for women .
She wants those cute little signs that show you appreciate her efforts and think of her as indispensable .
She wants to feel like she ’ s a grounded part of your life .
She wants to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re thankful that she ’ s yours .
Women love that stuff , trust me .
When she gets all dolled up for you , say something like “ Wow , Babe !
You look amazing .
I love the outfit !
” When cooks dinner , even if it ’ s terrible , let her know you appreciate the effort .
When she listens to you go on and on about something for hours , touch her cheek and tell her you appreciate her just listening .
Very few things would make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweet gestures and words of application do – actions that mean someone SEES her .
However , there are many ways of expressing appreciation , especially for people who are not good with words .
As long as she gets the message , you ’ re right on track .
Read : It ’ s better to Be Single than Fight for the Wrong Relationship Trust is the driving force of every relationship , contrary to the general conception that loves moves everything forward .
You can love someone and still be unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause you to be in a relationship with one foot out the door at all times .
A woman will guard her heart and keep you at an arm ’ s length if you give her untrustworthy vibes .
She won ’ t share certain things with you and will always be convinced you ’ re doing something shady behind her back .
Trust isn ’ t merely about keeping her secrets .
She wants to believe that you ’ ll stay faithful to her – if it ’ s not an open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you belong solely to her .
When you take trips or go out at night with your crew , she won ’ t worry about you getting entangled with anyone else because she knows the kind of man she has .
Every woman deserves this peace of mind .
She also wants you to trust her in the same light .
You may have dealt with broken trust in the past , but this is now and you are looking to the future with another person .
Do not let the events of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy .
Trust your woman , lay your insecurities to rest , and never make her feel doubted .
There ’ s always a possibility that things may go wrong , but as long as they haven ’ t , keep an open mind about the one you love .
Show her you desire her , show her you love her Don ’ t just go saying the words , “ I love you.
” Show her .
A man who desires a woman for a night and one who wants her for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I love you.
” The words count , of course , but the actions matter more .
It ’ s not just about buying her gifts and taking her on expensive dates and vacations ( although these things actually count ) .
It ’ s your genuine expression when you see her , your respect for her feelings , your eagerness to make her happy , the way you hold and cuddle her , and just how much you desire to be with her .
Women want to feel wanted .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking of her always .
She wants to feel desired .
Women deal with a lot of insecurities and there ’ s not always anything we can do to stop them .
Let your woman know that she ’ s the most beautiful for you .
Let her know that you love every inch of her body and wouldn ’ t want to change it a bit .
If she wants to improve on herself , support her , and appreciate her efforts .
Kiss her before she sleeps and when she wakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Surprise her once in a while and let her know how much effort she ’ s worth .
Keep Reading : No , Our Family Doesn ’ t ‘ Match ’ But Thanks to Adoption , It ’ s Filled With Love

We all go into relationships for different reasons. Once you’re committed to someone for any frame of time, you deserve to experience true happiness from the intimacy that comes with being attached, mentally, and physically, to someone else. If you think about it, relationships are a big deal. Two people with different mindsets and characters come together and try to build a union. It’s beautiful and amazing, and while it requires a lot of effort to work, it shouldn’t be all struggles and compromise.
Compromise is necessary to an extent in every relationship, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your happiness. Don’t settle for less because you’re trying to “find a middle ground to make things work.” We often mistake the idea of making things work with pushing them despite the blaring odds. Relationships can encounter so many struggles that they become tasteless and lackluster, devoid of happiness or pleasure, and yet the partners continue to “compromise”.
Everyone deserves to be happy in their relationships, but some needs are specific to each gender. Traditionally, society propels the idea that women have to put in more work in a relationship, which always tips the balance before things even get started. She’s expected to come up with numerous ways to “keep her man”. This mentality needs put to rest because both partners must contribute equally before any relationship can work. No one should expect the other to go above and beyond just to “keep them”. You owe your partner trust and fidelity and staying faithful is your obligation.
People have different ways of expressing and understanding love, but there are a few things that remain the same regardless of personal ideologies. Below are 5 things every woman wants and deserves in a relationship:
She deserves safety and security
Safety isn’t all about taking her into your more secure home or providing her with financial security. Any woman can provide these things for herself before going into a relationship. Safety in this context is more mental and emotional. She deserves to be with someone she knows will never hurt her or let any harm come to her. She wants you to prove that you are ready to be a huge part of her support system.
When her insecurities and fears kick in, you are the knight in shining armor that swoops in and shoves them away. She wants someone who will block the toxicity of society by letting her know how amazing she is. Society’s standards of beauty, success, and happiness are often too high and unrealistic, and she wants someone who will hold her hand while she moves into a frame of mind where these concepts are invalidated.
Make your heart her safe haven. Let her know that no matter what she goes through in life, she’ll always have you to lean and depend on. She can look to you to protect and keep her safe from the harsh realities of life.
Read: Getting Stoned With Your Spouse Could Reduce Conflict in Your Marriage
She deserves a best friend
Even if she already has a best friend, who says you can’t be one too? A best friend is someone who knows you better than anyone else. This is why some people often refer to their family members as best friends because they know you better than even you know yourself, and they are fully involved in your life.
Your best friend is someone you completely associate yourself with, and it’s always so beautiful to be each other’s best friends in a relationship. A woman wants her man to be the person who accepts her entirely for who she is. He’s never judgmental or unnecessarily critical but will always tell her the truth for her own good. She wants him to be the person she never has to pretend around. She may be a strong woman, but when things get too tough for her, she can have a good cry on his shoulder and regroup.
She deserves a person with whom she can never keep any secrets. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about because they accept everything about you. It doesn’t matter what you’re passing through in life – they will stay until the end. A loving best friend makes you love yourself more, and every woman deserves this in her relationship.
She deserves to feel appreciated
For the female mind, appreciation is extremely important and it’s one of those little things that make her world go round. Sure, men love it too, but it’s on a whole other dimension for women. She wants those cute little signs that show you appreciate her efforts and think of her as indispensable. She wants to feel like she’s a grounded part of your life. She wants to know that you see her and you’re thankful that she’s yours. Women love that stuff, trust me.
When she gets all dolled up for you, say something like “Wow, Babe! You look amazing. I love the outfit!” When cooks dinner, even if it’s terrible, let her know you appreciate the effort. When she listens to you go on and on about something for hours, touch her cheek and tell her you appreciate her just listening. Very few things would make a woman’s heart race like sweet gestures and words of application do – actions that mean someone SEES her.
However, there are many ways of expressing appreciation, especially for people who are not good with words. As long as she gets the message, you’re right on track.
Read: It’s better to Be Single than Fight for the Wrong Relationship
Trust, trust, and trust again
Trust is the driving force of every relationship, contrary to the general conception that loves moves everything forward. You can love someone and still be unable to trust them, and this will cause you to be in a relationship with one foot out the door at all times. A woman will guard her heart and keep you at an arm’s length if you give her untrustworthy vibes. She won’t share certain things with you and will always be convinced you’re doing something shady behind her back.
Trust isn’t merely about keeping her secrets. She wants to believe that you’ll stay faithful to her – if it’s not an open relationship. She wants to know that you belong solely to her. When you take trips or go out at night with your crew, she won’t worry about you getting entangled with anyone else because she knows the kind of man she has. Every woman deserves this peace of mind.
She also wants you to trust her in the same light. You may have dealt with broken trust in the past, but this is now and you are looking to the future with another person. Do not let the events of the past prevent you from being truly happy. Trust your woman, lay your insecurities to rest, and never make her feel doubted. There’s always a possibility that things may go wrong, but as long as they haven’t, keep an open mind about the one you love.
Show her you desire her, show her you love her
Don’t just go saying the words, “I love you.” Show her. A man who desires a woman for a night and one who wants her for a lifetime can both easily say, “I love you.” The words count, of course, but the actions matter more. It’s not just about buying her gifts and taking her on expensive dates and vacations (although these things actually count). It’s your genuine expression when you see her, your respect for her feelings, your eagerness to make her happy, the way you hold and cuddle her, and just how much you desire to be with her.
Women want to feel wanted. She wants to know that someone somewhere is thinking of her always. She wants to feel desired. Women deal with a lot of insecurities and there’s not always anything we can do to stop them. Let your woman know that she’s the most beautiful for you. Let her know that you love every inch of her body and wouldn’t want to change it a bit. If she wants to improve on herself, support her, and appreciate her efforts. Kiss her before she sleeps and when she wakes up, treat her tenderly and lovingly. Surprise her once in a while and let her know how much effort she’s worth.
Keep Reading: No, Our Family Doesn’t ‘Match’ But Thanks to Adoption, It’s Filled With Love


theheartysoul--2020-08-15--Bald eagle attacks government drone, sending it plummeting into Lake Michigan

“ Bald eagle attacks drone – and wins ” is not exactly a headline you might expect to read on any given day .
As the bald eagle population around Lake Michigan continues its incredible comeback , an attack like this one isn ’ t as far-fetched as it seems .
On July 21st , 2020 , environmental quality analyst Hunter King was flying a drone belonging to the Michigan Department of Environment , Great Lakes , and Energy ( EGLE ) , when , ironically , it was attacked by a bald eagle .
( 1 , 2 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quadcopter , was helping to map erosion on the shoreline of the lake .
This data is important to help communities prepare for and deal with rising water levels .
When King pressed the “ Go Home ” button , all seemed normal until the drone began “ twirling furiously ” mid-flight .
The Phantom 4 was in an altercation with one of the Lake ’ s top predators , the bald eagle .
( 1 ) The eagle was attacking the drone .
Flight speed dropped immediately from 20 mph to 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ span of 3.5 seconds , the drone was sending 27 warning notifications , one of which telling King that the propeller is torn off .
( 1 , 2 ) The final warning signal was telling King that the $ 950 drone was falling at a rate of 30 feet per second , finally crashing into the water below .
( 1 ) King didn ’ t actually see the eagle with the drone , but he saw it flying away in victory .
When he went to attempt to retrieve it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the battle .
By all accounts the eagle was completely unharmed , proving that modern technology was no match for it .
( 1 , 2 ) Eagle attacks drone ?
More like defenseless drone falls victim to evil bird ( just kidding ) .
After several hours of searching with help from the witness couple , King did not find the drone .
A few days after the altercation , EGLE Unmanned Aircraft Systems coordinator Arthur Ostaszewski took a kayak into the lake to search for the drone , and he also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why Did an Eagle Attack a Drone EGLE says they can ’ t be certain of why this eagle had a vendetta out for the drone .
They asked that Michigan ’ s Department of Natural Resources do something to reprimand the eagle for the attack , however , the department has said that they do not have the authority to do so to an individual , non-human wildlife .
( 1 , 2 ) In the 1970s , the bald eagle population in Michigan had reached an all-time low of just 79 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the birds now have 849 active nesting sites as of 2019 data .
( 2 ) EGLE ’ s drone team is now working on ways to prevent future drone attacks , primarily in ensuring the design is as un-Seagle-like as possible .
( 1 , 2 ) Keep Reading : Photographer Captures the Perfect Shot of a Stunning Bald Eagle

“Bald eagle attacks drone – and wins” is not exactly a headline you might expect to read on any given day. As the bald eagle population around Lake Michigan continues its incredible comeback, an attack like this one isn’t as far-fetched as it seems.
Bald Eagle Attacks Drone at Lake Michigan
On July 21st, 2020, environmental quality analyst Hunter King was flying a drone belonging to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), when, ironically, it was attacked by a bald eagle. (1, 2)
The drone, a Phantom 4 Advanced Quadcopter, was helping to map erosion on the shoreline of the lake. This data is important to help communities prepare for and deal with rising water levels. When King pressed the “Go Home” button, all seemed normal until the drone began “twirling furiously” mid-flight. The Phantom 4 was in an altercation with one of the Lake’s top predators, the bald eagle. (1) The eagle was attacking the drone.
Flight speed dropped immediately from 20 mph to 10 mph. (2) In the span of 3.5 seconds, the drone was sending 27 warning notifications, one of which telling King that the propeller is torn off. (1, 2)
The final warning signal was telling King that the $950 drone was falling at a rate of 30 feet per second, finally crashing into the water below. (1)
“It was like a really bad roller coaster ride,” King described. (1)
King didn’t actually see the eagle with the drone, but he saw it flying away in victory. When he went to attempt to retrieve it, he met a couple who had witnessed the battle. By all accounts the eagle was completely unharmed, proving that modern technology was no match for it. (1, 2) Eagle attacks drone? More like defenseless drone falls victim to evil bird (just kidding).
Finally Found?
After several hours of searching with help from the witness couple, King did not find the drone. A few days after the altercation, EGLE Unmanned Aircraft Systems coordinator Arthur Ostaszewski took a kayak into the lake to search for the drone, and he also came up empty-handed. (1)
Why Did an Eagle Attack a Drone
EGLE says they can’t be certain of why this eagle had a vendetta out for the drone.
“The attack could have been a territorial squabble with the electronic foe, or just a hungry eagle… Or maybe it did not like its name being misspelled.” (1)
They asked that Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources do something to reprimand the eagle for the attack, however, the department has said that they do not have the authority to do so to an individual, non-human wildlife. (1, 2)
A Population on the Rise
In the 1970s, the bald eagle population in Michigan had reached an all-time low of just 79 nesting sites. In a stunning recovery, the birds now have 849 active nesting sites as of 2019 data. (2)
EGLE’s drone team is now working on ways to prevent future drone attacks, primarily in ensuring the design is as un-Seagle-like as possible. (1, 2)
Keep Reading: Photographer Captures the Perfect Shot of a Stunning Bald Eagle


theheartysoul--2020-08-14--My father trafficked me throughout my entire childhood. It looked nothing like people think

When you think of child trafficking , what do you think of ?
Children in foreign countries being starved and beaten , tied up in dark , dingy basements , and only brought out when their “ owner ” has a “ job ” for them ?
While there are certainly cases like the horrific one I just described , what you probably didn ’ t think of are children in the United States and North America being passed around by trusted adults , often their own family members .
Melanie Cholish is a survivor of this , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trafficking that is taking place right in front of their very eyes .
One day back in July , Melanie saw a poster that shows a young girl crying and tied up naked in what looks to be a basement .
A shadowy figure stands ominously in the background .
The poster reads : Having been a victim of child trafficking , she decided to write a post on her Facebook page telling her story , with the goal of educating people on the full scope of child trafficking in the states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her Own Father Melanie was five or six years old the first time her father trafficked her off to someone , and he continued to do so until she was in her teens .
Never was she hit , or yelled at , or taken anywhere against her will – she was a child , she trusted her father , and she had no way of knowing that what she was experiencing wasn ’ t right or normal .
( 1 ) She goes on to describe how these transactions usually occurred .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into an amusement park dressing room , where her father would tell her to wait .
A couple of minutes later , a strange man would come in , acting like he was looking for his own daughter .
She would then walk out holding his hand and often be given a treat , like an ice cream cone .
No one ever expected a thing .
( 1 ) Melanie goes on to describe other situations where her father passed her off to some “ kind ” stranger : • Left by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man would come and then the two would leave together for a while .
( 1 ) • Airports where she was passed to another man and then later back to her father as if the stranger was her uncle .
( 1 ) The point she wants to make is that all of these situations were completed right out in the open because they were relatively unsuspicious looking .
( 1 ) Unless there was a hypervigilant stranger watching , how was anyone to know ?
Read : Flight Attendant Trusted Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Trafficking The other point Melanie wants to make is that there aren ’ t typically signs of physical abuse for these children .
Melanie was never hit , tied up , or beat up .
She says that usually , they ’ re treated with fake kindness .
( 1 ) As well as being physically violated , she says one of the most damaging parts is what this “ fake kindness ” does to the victims ’ ability to trust others later on in life .
( 1 ) Many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same thing : why didn ’ t she scream , run , or make a scene ?
We forget that they are children – while they may feel uneasy about it , they don ’ t know that it is wrong or that they are being violated .
( 1 ) Looking at Melanie ’ s family , you would not have suspected a thing either .
Her father coached little league .
Her mother , who knew of and even helped with these situations on occasion , was just a regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts , the Cholish family was just a regular family .
( 1 ) Read : Hundreds of nuns trained in Kung Fu biked the Himalayas to oppose human trafficking According to UNICEF USA , child trafficking is defined as : Though we may think of child trafficking as something that happens in other countries , the reality is that it happens every single day in the United States .
According to Unicef ( 2 ) : • 77 % of trafficking victims are exploited in their country of residence • Most trafficking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens • 1 in 7 child “ runaways ” in America are likely victims of child trafficking For most of us , these statistics are incomprehensible .
How could someone do such a thing to anyone , and especially to a young child ?
Unfortunately , there is no real answer to that .
What You Can Do Melanie says the best thing you can do is talk to and educate children , especially in the schools .
She goes on to say that you , as a regular citizen , can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watch the other children , and if you see something that you find even slightly off , say something .
Unicef also lists ways you can be a part of the solution on their website ( 2 ) : • Send an email to your local elected officials urging them to keep traffickers and trafficking victims top of mind • Spread the word by sharing this article or posting on your own social media accounts using the UNICEF USA Social Press Kit and the hashtag # EndTrafficking Let ’ s fight to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else has to have a story like Melanie ’ s .
Keep Reading : This Superhero Dad Has Rescued Over 1,600 Kids From Sex Trafficking

When you think of child trafficking, what do you think of? Children in foreign countries being starved and beaten, tied up in dark, dingy basements, and only brought out when their “owner” has a “job” for them?
While there are certainly cases like the horrific one I just described, what you probably didn’t think of children in the United States and North America being passed around by trusted adults, often their own family members. Melanie Cholish is a survivor of this, and she took to Facebook to educate people on the trafficking that is taking place right in front of their very eyes.
Melanie Cholish’s Child Trafficking Story
One day back in July, Melanie saw a poster that shows a young girl crying and tied up naked in what looks to be a basement. A shadowy figure stands ominously in the background. The poster reads:
“The real pandemic is child sex trafficking.” (1)
Having been a victim of child trafficking, she decided to write a post on her Facebook page telling her story, with the goal of educating people on the full scope of child trafficking in the states is.
Trafficked By Her Own Father
Melanie was five or six years old the first time her father trafficked her off to someone, and he continued to do so until she was in her teens. Never was she hit, or yelled at, or taken anywhere against her will – she was a child, she trusted her father, and she had no way of knowing that what she was experiencing wasn’t right or normal.
“I was never once tied up in a dark place such as this picture. It’s important for people to educate themselves on what trafficking can really look like.” she wrote in her post.
Child Trafficking in Unassuming Situations
She goes on to describe how these transactions usually occurred. Often she and her father would go into an amusement park dressing room, where her father would tell her to wait. A couple of minutes later, a strange man would come in, acting like he was looking for his own daughter. She would then walk out holding his hand and often be given a treat, like an ice cream cone. No one ever expected a thing.
Melanie goes on to describe other situations where her father passed her off to some “kind” stranger:
Left by the pool on vacations, where a man would come and then the two would leave together for a while.
Airports where she was passed to another man and then later back to her father as if the stranger was her uncle.
The point she wants to make is that all of these situations were completed right out in the open because they were relatively unsuspicious looking. Unless there was a hypervigilant stranger watching, how was anyone to know?
Fake Kindness
The other point Melanie wants to make is that there aren’t typically signs of physical abuse for these children. Melanie was never hit, tied up, or beat up. She says that usually, they’re treated with fake kindness. (1)
“…they’re often praised, given treats, and made to feel like what is happening is good (and normal or because they’re special).”
As well as being physically violated, she says one of the most damaging parts is what this “fake kindness” does to the victims’ ability to trust others later on in life.
A “Normal” Life
Many of us reading her post are probably thinking the same thing: why didn’t she scream, run, or make a scene? We forget that they are children – while they may feel uneasy about it, they don’t know that it is wrong or that they are being violated.
“Most children trafficked in the US are so conditioned they don’t know anything else. It’s their normal,” she writes. “There was no reason I knew to scream out for help. I wasn’t in danger; this was just my normal life.”
Looking at Melanie’s family, you would not have suspected a thing either. Her father coached little league. Her mother, who knew of and even helped with these situations on occasion, was just a regular, small-town stay-at-home mom. By all accounts, the Cholish family was just a regular family.
Read: This Superhero Dad Has Rescued Over 1,600 Kids From Sex Trafficking
Child Sex Trafficking In America
According to UNICEF USA, child trafficking is defined as:
“the recruitment, coercion, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of children under the age of 18 for the purpose of exploitation. It is a violation of their rights and their well-being and denies them the opportunity to reach their full potential.” (2)
Though we may think of child trafficking as something that happens in other countries, the reality is that it happens every single day in the United States. According to Unicef:
Child trafficking occurs in all 50 states
77% of trafficking victims are exploited in their country of residence
Most trafficking victims in the United States are U.S. citizens
1 in 7 child “runaways” in America are likely victims of child trafficking
For most of us, these statistics are incomprehensible. How could someone do such a thing to anyone, and especially to a young child? Unfortunately, there is no real answer to that.
What You Can Do
Melanie says the best thing you can do is talk to and educate children, especially in the schools.
“We don’t need to be graphic; but teachers, schools, need to talk to children about things like this in a child-safe way. Assume these children aren’t being taken to doctors. Teachers can make a huge difference. Talk to children. Go with your gut. Schools need to not be scared to act on what they feel. Conrad Wesier had a social worker in the elementary school who pulled me out of class on more than one occasion after teachers noticed “things” and it went nowhere. Social services were never notified. And they should have been.” Melanie writes.
She goes on to say that you, as a regular citizen, can be mindful when you’re out. Watch the other children, and if you see something that you find even slightly off, say something.
“If you’re waiting in line at a park, notice who goes in and out with what child. If you see something; spea up. If you’re wrong, fine you ruined someone’s day, apologize. If you’re right, you saved someone’s life.”
Unicef also lists ways you can be a part of the solution on their website (2):
Let’s fight to end child sex trafficking so that no one else has to have a story like Melanie’s.
Keep Reading: These Bikers Take Victims Of Child Abuse Under Their Wings And Protect Them
Sources
“Melanie Cholishs Book”. Facebook. “Child Trafficking in the U.S.” Unicef USA
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on The Heart Soul in August 2020. It has been republished here with permission.


theheartysoul--2020-08-17--Father and Son Build 50,000 New Beehive Colonies Around the World

Stuart and Cedar Anderson , a father and son team living in rural Australia revolutionized backyard beekeeping .
They sought a different way to harvest honey ; a way that doesn ’ t include wearing a hot uncomfortable suit , smoking out the hive , and potentially killing bees in the process .
They succeeded in creating the Flow Hive .
The Flow Hive : The New and Easy Way to Harvest Honey from Bees They launched their invention about five years ago : The Flow Hive , a hive that releases the honey through a tarp .
The Andersons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin production .
They reached this amount within five minutes after posting .
After 15 minutes , people contributed about a quarter of a million dollars .
When the campaign ended , they had raised $ 12.2 million .
This allowed them to help thousands of people become beekeepers for the first time .
Fast Company awarded the Flow Hive as the 2016 World Changing Idea winner .
A second version of the product , which was crowdfunded in March 2018 managed to raise about $ 1,500,000 .
The idea spread quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more attractive than the old-school method of removing stacked movable boxes one at a time to harvest the honey .
The process is time-consuming and can stir up the bees , which is why the protective bee clothing is necessary .
That ’ s not the case for Flow Hive .
“ People have been scraping frames and spinning honey for hundreds of years , and that works and that ’ s fine , ” says Matt Bludorn , a backyard beekeeper and ER physician in Bryan , Texas .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” [ 1 ] The Flow Hive makes the process of harvesting honey much easier ; this might help novice beekeepers stay committed to their backyard hives .
The Flow Hive uses artificial honeycombs that bees fill with honey and cover them with wax .
Through a window on the side of the hive , the beekeeper could keep an eye on the bees .
When the comb is filled with honey , they use a lever to twist the honeycomb .
Then the cells with the honey will pour it through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] The process of twisting the combs to release the honey is mesmerizing in and of itself .
Best of all , the bees are hardly disturbed .
“ I think there is a human fascination with , ‘ let ’ s turn a handle , press a button , and some produce will materialize , ’ ” says cofounder Cedar Anderson .
“ There aren ’ t many things in the world you can do that with .
We ’ ve designed a system that allows you to turn a handle and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right from your very small footprint in your backyard or on your rooftop.
” Another appealing factor is that a simple hobby connects the keeper to natural food .
“ Lots of people come to us and say things like , ‘ We needed an excuse to get the kids off the iPad–they ’ re down there harvesting honey , and they ’ re learning about the world we all depend on , ’ ” he says .
The Rise of Interest in Backyard Beekeeping The marketing for the initial product consisted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a time lapse .
That video did the rest , ranking a million views within 30 hours after it was posted .
“ That ’ s when we knew that the world wanted our invention , ” Anderson says .
He views the Flow Hive as a method to support bees on a global scale .
“ We know that insects , in general , are on the decrease.
” He adds , “ We know that the bees are struggling .
We know that the way humans use pesticides and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best for our pollinators and a lot of the insects.
” About half of the 51,000 Flow Hives sold from its release to 2018 were purchased by new beekeepers .
According to Anderson , this creates a positive ripple effect .
Flow Hive users often share their honey with their neighbors .
And with fresh honey , they convince them to avoid using pesticides in their own gardens .
This invention was launched at the perfect time .
There ’ s a growing preference for local natural food , along with a rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the United States , several cities including New York City , Los Angelos , and Washington DC , have lifted the ban on local beekeeping due to its high demand .
“ The rate of beginners getting into beekeeping has more than doubled in a decade , ” says Kim Flottum , editor of Bee Culture .
He notes that many beginners tend to abandon their hives at a faster rate than they had in the past .
It ’ s easy to assume that beekeeping turns out to be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taking care of a Flow Hive is not completely challenge-free .
It still requires work and expertise to ensure the bees are healthy and well .
“ Simply having bees isn ’ t saving the bees , ” says Flottum .
The challenge increases with the number of bees in cities since there ’ s a risk of running out of nectar sources .
As beehives become more numerous , the number of pollinator-friendly flowers also need to multiply .
Some people argue that it may be more prudent to focus on supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( After all , the flowers will retroactively help the bees and the other pollinators at risk . )
Still , some people believe that the Flow Hive is just a fad .
Once the hype dies down , the new beekeepers will move on .
“ Keeping homicidal , venomous insects quickly loses its charm , ” John Chesnut , a botanist who keeps hives in California ’ s San Luis Obispo County , “ unless you ’ re deeply committed , and the Marie Antoinette-style make-believe farmers are just going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” So if you ’ re interested in beekeeping , do your research .
Ensure you ’ re prepared for a long-term commitment to the wellbeing of the bees .
Advocating for Bees , Pollinators , and the Environment The Andersons ’ humble startup , BeeInventive , has now become a company with a staff of 35 people .
They believe that helping people connect to bees will increase advocacy for the at-risk pollinators .
“ You get this sense of a broader community , ” says Anderson .
“ You ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is talking about politics , they don ’ t agree , but everyone agrees we need to save the bees .
So we end up with this network now of 130 different countries with people talking about bees , and people joining forums , and people being incredibly passionate about the environment and about bees .
I think it can only be a good thing.
” [ 3 ] If you ’ re interested in more information about the Flow Hives , see the online store here .

Stuart and Cedar Anderson, a father and son team living in rural Australia revolutionized backyard beekeeping. They sought a different way to harvest honey; a way that doesn’t include wearing a hot uncomfortable suit, smoking out the hive, and potentially killing bees in the process. They succeeded in creating the Flow Hive.
The Flow Hive: The New and Easy Way to Harvest Honey from Bees
They launched their invention about five years ago: The Flow Hive, a hive that releases the honey through a tarp. The Andersons set a goal of raising $70,000 to begin production. They reached this amount within five minutes after posting. After 15 minutes, people contributed about a quarter of a million dollars. When the campaign ended, they had raised $12.2 million. This allowed them to help thousands of people become beekeepers for the first time.
Fast Company awarded the Flow Hive as the 2016 World Changing Idea winner. A second version of the product, which was crowdfunded in March 2018 managed to raise about $1,500,000.
The idea spread quickly. After all, it’s much more attractive than the old-school method of removing stacked movable boxes one at a time to harvest the honey. The process is time-consuming and can stir up the bees, which is why the protective bee clothing is necessary. That’s not the case for Flow Hive.
“People have been scraping frames and spinning honey for hundreds of years, and that works and that’s fine,” says Matt Bludorn, a backyard beekeeper and ER physician in Bryan, Texas. “But I think this works a little better.” [1]
How the Flow Hive Works
The Flow Hive makes the process of harvesting honey much easier; this might help novice beekeepers stay committed to their backyard hives.
The Flow Hive uses artificial honeycombs that bees fill with honey and cover them with wax. Through a window on the side of the hive, the beekeeper could keep an eye on the bees. When the comb is filled with honey, they use a lever to twist the honeycomb. Then the cells with the honey will pour it through a tap into a jar. [2]
The process of twisting the combs to release the honey is mesmerizing in and of itself. Best of all, the bees are hardly disturbed.
“I think there is a human fascination with, ‘let’s turn a handle, press a button, and some produce will materialize,’” says cofounder Cedar Anderson. “There aren’t many things in the world you can do that with. We’ve designed a system that allows you to turn a handle and get beautiful produce ready for the table right from your very small footprint in your backyard or on your rooftop.”
Another appealing factor is that a simple hobby connects the keeper to natural food. “Lots of people come to us and say things like, ‘We needed an excuse to get the kids off the iPad–they’re down there harvesting honey, and they’re learning about the world we all depend on,’” he says.
The Rise of Interest in Backyard Beekeeping
The marketing for the initial product consisted of shooting a video with an iPhone 4 and a time lapse. That video did the rest, ranking a million views within 30 hours after it was posted.
“That’s when we knew that the world wanted our invention,” Anderson says.
He views the Flow Hive as a method to support bees on a global scale. “We know that insects, in general, are on the decrease.” He adds, “We know that the bees are struggling. We know that the way humans use pesticides and the way we farm isn’t the best for our pollinators and a lot of the insects.”
About half of the 51,000 Flow Hives sold from its release to 2018 were purchased by new beekeepers. According to Anderson, this creates a positive ripple effect. Flow Hive users often share their honey with their neighbors. And with fresh honey, they convince them to avoid using pesticides in their own gardens.
This invention was launched at the perfect time. There’s a growing preference for local natural food, along with a rise in concern for pollinators such as bees. In the United States, several cities including New York City, Los Angelos, and Washington DC, have lifted the ban on local beekeeping due to its high demand.
“The rate of beginners getting into beekeeping has more than doubled in a decade,” says Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture. He notes that many beginners tend to abandon their hives at a faster rate than they had in the past. It’s easy to assume that beekeeping turns out to be more difficult and time-consuming than people expect.
The Controversy Behind Flow Hive
Taking care of a Flow Hive is not completely challenge-free. It still requires work and expertise to ensure the bees are healthy and well. “Simply having bees isn’t saving the bees,” says Flottum.
The challenge increases with the number of bees in cities since there’s a risk of running out of nectar sources. As beehives become more numerous, the number of pollinator-friendly flowers also need to multiply. Some people argue that it may be more prudent to focus on supporting flowers and plant life than keeping bees. (After all, the flowers will retroactively help the bees and the other pollinators at risk.)
Still, some people believe that the Flow Hive is just a fad. Once the hype dies down, the new beekeepers will move on. “Keeping homicidal, venomous insects quickly loses its charm,” John Chesnut, a botanist who keeps hives in California’s San Luis Obispo County, “unless you’re deeply committed, and the Marie Antoinette-style make-believe farmers are just going to disappear in a season or two.”
So if you’re interested in beekeeping, do your research. Ensure you’re prepared for a long-term commitment to the wellbeing of the bees.
Advocating for Bees, Pollinators, and the Environment
The Andersons’ humble startup, BeeInventive, has now become a company with a staff of 35 people. They believe that helping people connect to bees will increase advocacy for the at-risk pollinators.
“You get this sense of a broader community,” says Anderson. “You’ll find that come Christmastime, your family is talking about politics, they don’t agree, but everyone agrees we need to save the bees. So we end up with this network now of 130 different countries with people talking about bees, and people joining forums, and people being incredibly passionate about the environment and about bees. I think it can only be a good thing.” [3]
If you’re interested in more information about the Flow Hives, see the online store here.


theheartysoul--2020-08-17--This Sea Slug Uses Photosynthesis and Looks Like Cluster of Leaves

These little animals are like something out of a Dr. Seuss book .
They are called leaf sheep and they look like a cartoon version of a farm animal , act like plants , and their habitat is the sea floor .
Strangest of all , these leaf sheep use photosynthesis to get energy , one of the very few animals to do so .
Sea Creatures that Look Like a Sheep and a Cluster of Leaves Costasiella kuroshimae ( more easily known as ‘ leaf sheep ’ ) nourish themselves with a process called kleptoplasty .
They eat algae @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absorb them into their bodies .
Kleptoplasty can only be done by a single-celled organism .
Basically , leaf sheep are solar-powered sea plant slugs with the face of a farm animal .
These sea slugs have no connection to actual sheep , besides for their cute little faces .
[ 1 ] These little creatures are only about 5 mm long and reside in the shallow waters around Indonesia , the Philippines , and Japan .
Their heads are white with beady little eyes , and their bodies look like a cluster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can come in any different colors and shapes , just like with real plants .
[ 2 ] The head of the slug could have a wide brownish band , brown patches , red spots , blue patches , and their rhinophores could have a mix of white and black .
[ 3 ] This is one of the extremely few sea creatures that optimize photosynthesis , which is what most plants use to make their own food by turning light energy into nourishment .
Chloroplasts are one of the plant cell organelles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of proteins , oils , and starches .
This makes chloroplasts one of the most important characteristics of plants to conduct photosynthesis .
Chloroplasts can be found in all green structures in all greenery , like stems and unripe fruits , but most photosynthesis happens in the leaves .
[ 4 ] When these slugs use kleptoplasty , they basically “ steal ” undigested chloroplasts from food , like algae in this case .
Then the chloroplasts continue to function and give energy to the leaf sheep .
To be clear , leaf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; they simply absorb the organelles that do the photosynthesis for them and use the provided energy .
This allows the slug to survive without eating for periods of time .
Other Animals that Use Photosynthesis The pea aphid is a tiny white , almost translucent-looking , insect that feeds on plants .
It can produce pigments found in chloroplasts and chromoplasts , which gives them a reddish color and perhaps allows photosynthesis .
More research in needed to confirm this , and discover what these insects would gain by making energy from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are little black reptiles with yellow spots , and they live in symbiotic relationships with algae .
Their embryos are in clear-colored eggs that are laid on underwater plants in shallow areas so that they can have access to sunlight .
Algae found in the embryos helps provide energy for growth and development from the sun .
This extra source of energy increases the eggs ’ chance of survival .
These salamanders are the only species among all vertebrae that directly benefit from photosynthesis .
Usually highly developed organisms like other salamanders prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 ] Leaf sheep aren ’ t the only sea slugs that use photosynthesis .
The green sea slug is a beautiful creature that resembles a wide , bright leaf .
It eats algae and consumes chloroplasts and some genes from it .
This allows them to gain energy from the sun through photosynthesis using kleptoplasty .
“ We collect them and we keep them in aquaria for months , ” said Sidney Pierce , a biologist at the University of South Florida in Tampa .
“ As long as we shine a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , they can survive [ without food ] .
” [ 7 ] These incredible creatures show the diversity of flora and fauna , and how fascinating it could be when they cross into each other .
As researchers dive into this process of gaining energy , many speculate if photosynthesis will become possible for humans one day .
[ 8 ]

These little animals are like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. They are called leaf sheep and they look like a cartoon version of a farm animal, act like plants, and their habitat is the sea floor. Strangest of all, these leaf sheep use photosynthesis to get energy, one of the very few animals to do so.
Sea Slug that Look Like a Sheep and a Cluster of Leaves
Costasiella kuroshimae (more easily known as ‘leaf sheep’) nourish themselves with a process called kleptoplasty. They eat algae, suck out its chloroplasts, and absorb them into their bodies. Kleptoplasty can only be done by a single-celled organism. Basically, leaf sheep are solar-powered sea plant slugs with the face of a farm animal. These sea slugs have no connection to actual sheep, besides for their cute little faces. [1]
These little creatures are only about 5 mm long and reside in the shallow waters around Indonesia, the Philippines, and Japan. Their heads are white with beady little eyes, and their bodies look like a cluster of leaves. Their “plumage” can come in any different colors and shapes, just like with real plants. [2]
The head of the slug could have a wide brownish band, brown patches, red spots, blue patches, and their rhinophores could have a mix of white and black. [3]
How Leaf Sheep Use Photosynthesis
This is one of the extremely few sea creatures that optimize photosynthesis, which is what most plants use to make their own food by turning light energy into nourishment. Chloroplasts are one of the plant cell organelles that aid energy storage and the synthesis of proteins, oils, and starches. This makes chloroplasts one of the most important characteristics of plants to conduct photosynthesis. Chloroplasts can be found in all green structures in all greenery, like stems and unripe fruits, but most photosynthesis happens in the leaves. [4]
When these slugs use kleptoplasty, they basically “steal” undigested chloroplasts from food, like algae in this case. Then the chloroplasts continue to function and give energy to the leaf sheep. To be clear, leaf sheep cannot photosynthesize on their own; they simply absorb the organelles that do the photosynthesis for them and use the provided energy. This allows the slug to survive without eating for periods of time.
Other Animals that Use Photosynthesis
The Pea Aphid
The pea aphid is a tiny white, almost translucent-looking, insect that feeds on plants. It can produce pigments found in chloroplasts and chromoplasts, which gives them a reddish color and perhaps allows photosynthesis. More research in needed to confirm this, and discover what these insects would gain by making energy from sunlight. [5]
The Spotted Salamander
Spotted salamanders are little black reptiles with yellow spots, and they live in symbiotic relationships with algae. Their embryos are in clear-colored eggs that are laid on underwater plants in shallow areas so that they can have access to sunlight. Algae found in the embryos helps provide energy for growth and development from the sun. This extra source of energy increases the eggs’ chance of survival.
These salamanders are the only species among all vertebrae that directly benefit from photosynthesis. Usually, highly developed organisms like other salamanders prevent this sort of symbiotic behavior. [6]
The Green Sea Slug
Leaf sheep aren’t the only sea slugs that use photosynthesis. The green sea slug is a beautiful creature that resembles a wide, bright leaf. It eats algae and consumes chloroplasts and some genes from it. This allows them to gain energy from the sun through photosynthesis using kleptoplasty.
“We collect them and we keep them in aquaria for months,” said Sidney Pierce, a biologist at the University of South Florida in Tampa. “As long as we shine a light on them for 12 hours a day, they can survive [without food].” [7]
These incredible creatures show the diversity of flora and fauna, and how fascinating it could be when they cross into each other. As researchers dive into this process of gaining energy, many speculate if photosynthesis will become possible for humans one day. [8]
Keep Reading: Woman Shares Photos of an Amazing Flower-Like Bug That Looks like A Work of Art
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-08-17--The “Man Without Money” Has Thrived Without a Dollar to his Name for Over 15 Years

Do you think you could live without money ?
Rely only on what you find , what is gifted to you by others , and what nature provides ?
This many – the man without money – did .
This is his story .
In the Fall of the year 2000 at the age of 39 , Daniel Suelo chose to live without money .
He gave away all of his possessions , left his last $ 30 in a phone booth , and walked into the desert in Moab , Utah to live off of what he calls “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that for 15 years , returning in 2016 to care for his elderly parents .
( 1 , 3 ) His long-time friend and author Mark Sundeen decided to write a book about Suelo , titled The Man Who Quit Money .
When his friend first told him of his plan , he thought Suelo was losing his mind .
After the economic crash of 2008 and witnessing the way that Suelo lived , however , he started to understand the concept a bit more .
( 1 ) “ Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know what the solution is but I ’ m going to disobey .
Our financial system is so big we can ’ t control it and in so many ways we feel enslaved by it .
Worse , we feel powerless to change it.
” Sundeen said .
“ The fact is , if everyone lived like the average American , the world would actually collapse more quickly than if everyone lived like Suelo.
” ( 1 ) So how did Suelo live for those 15 years ?
Suelo did not accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone .
He did not accept food stamps or anything given out by the government .
( 1 ) He changed his legal name from Shellabarger to Suelo , the Spanish word for soil .
He threw away his driver ’ s license and passport and went completely off-grid .
( 1 , 3 ) He lived primarily outdoors , camping in the wilderness or living in caves .
Occasionally he stayed in communes or spent a night or two in a kind stranger ’ s home .
( 1 ) He lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in a cave on the edge of a cliff in the Arches National Park in Utah .
The cave was 200 feet across and 50 feet tall .
( 1 ) He bathed in the creek , drank spring water , forged for food , and carved a bed out of rock in the cave .
He made himself a make-shift stove that he would use to cook the roadkill that he collected .
( 1 ) Any hikers passing by were welcomed to stay , even if he wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would leave a note letting others know that they could use his home , eat his food , read his books , and even take them , if they wanted .
( 1 ) After several years of living in that cave , a ranger discovered him and gave him a $ 120 ticket for violating the 14-day rule of how long you can camp in the park .
When Suelo told him that he did not use money and didn ’ t even have a driver ’ s license , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see a judge to determine what to do .
( 2 ) Thankfully for Suelo , the judge was kind , and they agreed on him completing 20 hours of service at a center for abused women and children , upon Suelo ’ s suggestion .
After that , he went back to his life , moving into a smaller , harder to find cave .
( 2 ) His goal in life has always been to take as little as he can and give back as much as possible .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living in a commune in Georgia when he received a tax return in the mail .
Needing to make it to a friend ’ s wedding across the country , he decided to cash it in for a brand-new convertible that he then drove across America .
After that temporary pause in the money-less life , he continued about his minimalist existence .
( 1 , 3 ) Where is He Now Today , Suelo lives in Fruita , Colorado , where he is caring for his aging parents and managing their finances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ license reinstated so that he can drive his parents around .
( 1 , 3 ) He now operates a blog , Zero Currency , where he shares stories of his time living in the wilderness and covers topics surrounding capitalism and the environment .

Do you think you could live without money? Rely only on what you find, what is gifted to you by others, and what nature provides? This many – the man without money – did. This is his story.
The Man Without Money
In the Fall of the year 2000 at the age of 39, Daniel Suelo chose to live without money. He gave away all of his possessions, left his last $30 in a phone booth, and walked into the desert in Moab, Utah to live off of what he calls “gift economy”. He lived like that for 15 years, returning in 2016 to care for his elderly parents. (1, 3)
His long-time friend and author Mark Sundeen decided to write a book about Suelo, titled The Man Who Quit Money. When his friend first told him of his plan, he thought Suelo was losing his mind. After the economic crash of 2008 and witnessing the way that Suelo lived, however, he started to understand the concept a bit more. (1)
“Here’s someone who is saying I don’t know what the solution is but I’m going to disobey. Our financial system is so big we can’t control it and in so many ways we feel enslaved by it. Worse, we feel powerless to change it.” Sundeen said. “The fact is, if everyone lived like the average American, the world would actually collapse more quickly than if everyone lived like Suelo.” (1)
So how did Suelo live for those 15 years?
Living on Gift Economy
Suelo did not accept money or consciously barter or trade with anyone. He did not accept food stamps or anything given out by the government. (1)
“My philosophy is to use only what is freely given or discarded and what is already present and already running (whether or not I existed).” he said on his website. (2)
He changed his legal name from Shellabarger to Suelo, the Spanish word for soil. He threw away his driver’s license and passport and went completely off-grid. (1, 3)
He lived primarily outdoors, camping in the wilderness or living in caves. Occasionally he stayed in communes or spent a night or two in a kind stranger’s home. (1)
He lived in caves quite often, living several years in a cave on the edge of a cliff in the Arches National Park in Utah. The cave was 200 feet across and 50 feet tall. (1) He bathed in the creek, drank spring water, forged for food, and carved a bed out of rock in the cave. He made himself a make-shift stove that he would use to cook the roadkill that he collected. (1)
Any hikers passing by were welcomed to stay, even if he wasn’t there. When he was away, he would leave a note letting others know that they could use his home, eat his food, read his books, and even take them, if they wanted. (1)
After several years of living in that cave, a ranger discovered him and gave him a $120 ticket for violating the 14-day rule of how long you can camp in the park. When Suelo told him that he did not use money and didn’t even have a driver’s license, the pair drove into town the next day to see a judge to determine what to do.(2)
Thankfully for Suelo, the judge was kind, and they agreed on him completing 20 hours of service at a center for abused women and children, upon Suelo’s suggestion. After that, he went back to his life, moving into a smaller, harder-to-find cave. (2)
His goal in life has always been to take as little as he can and give back as much as possible. (1)
A Temporary Lapse
In 2001, Suelo was living in a commune in Georgia when he received a tax return in the mail. Needing to make it to a friend’s wedding across the country, he decided to cash it in for a brand-new convertible that he then drove across America. After that temporary pause in the money-less life, he continued about his minimalist existence. (1, 3)
Where is He Now
Today, Suelo lives in Fruita, Colorado, where he is caring for his aging parents and managing their finances. He had his driver’s license reinstated so that he can drive his parents around. (1, 3) He now operates a blog, Zero Currency, where he shares stories of his time living in the wilderness and covers topics surrounding capitalism and the environment.
Keep Reading: Someone Asks Why Billionaires Don’t Use Their Money To Solve World Problems, This User Explains It Perfectly
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-08-17--Photographer Captures Rare White Baby Reindeer While Hiking In Norway

Like something out of an enchanting fairytale , a baby reindeer with snow-white fur popped out on an icy plain in Norway and photographer Mads Nordsveen was there to capture him for the rest of the world to see [ 1 ] .
This happened in December 2018 , and the photos are still giving us chills because this animal is so beautiful and rare it ’ s believed in some places to be a mythical creature .
I can ’ t be the only one who often thinks reindeer ( caribou in North America ) are magical and therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to associate these beautiful , gentle creatures with the whole idea of Christmas and the magical nature of Santa .
Well , that ’ s until one pops out of the back forest and comes snooping about for a snack in your backyard .
Speaking to Caters News , Nordsveen , 24 , explained that the animal was so white that it was almost completely camouflaged by the snow [ 2 ] .
However , the little thing appeared to be at ease in his terrain , making no move to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wobbly legs for a picture .
“ I was walking in the mountains looking for nice landscapes for my travel photography when out of nowhere I saw this wonderful little creature , ” Nordsveen said “ He came very close to me and we looked at each other straight in the eyes .
He was quite relaxed when he saw that I was calm and friendly.
” In some Scandinavian traditions and Norwegian folklore , spotting a white reindeer is a sign of good luck and blessing .
Nordsveen described his encounter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magical ” and ” a fairytale moment ” .
“ He behaved as if he was posing for my photos… he was very curious and funny , like a little explorer , ” the photographer said .
“ He came very close to me , and we looked at each other straight in the eyes .
After some minutes the mother of the white deer came out of trees just behind .
It walked around for some minutes before running back to its mother.
” Nordsveen shared the beautiful photos on Instagram and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
People were thankful he was there to capture the amazing animal .
We occasionally need to see such adorable sights for sore eyes .
Firstly , they are very real and not creatures of ancient magic .
A white reindeer ’ s appearance can be caused by one of two genetic mutations – leucism and albinism .
Leucistic reindeer , also called piebald , are born with a genetic mutation that strips their fur of its grey or brown pigment .
They could either be born completely or partially white , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traces of dark pigments in their eyes , hooves , and antlers , topped with the sweetest red noses you could ever see .
On the other hand , albino reindeer are always born with pink eyes and completely white fur and hooves .
Nordsveen ’ s little reindeer is a leucistic one since his eyes and antlers are pigmented .
This unique condition enables them to blend naturally into the snowy habitat , and as Nordsveen observed , the white deer could almost disappear into the snow .
The white reindeer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birth defects including tweeted spines , blindness , and hunched backs .
Out in the wild , they struggle desperately to survive , and aside from their physical limitations , the deer are so white they have trouble hiding in non-snowy terrain .

Like something out of an enchanting fairytale, a baby reindeer with snow-white fur popped out on an icy plain in Norway and photographer Mads Nordsveen was there to capture him for the rest of the world to see [1]. This happened in December 2018, and the photos are still giving us chills because this animal is so beautiful and rare it’s believed in some places to be a mythical creature.
I can’t be the only one who often thinks reindeer (caribou in North America) are magical and therefore, unreal. It’s so easy to associate these beautiful, gentle creatures with the whole idea of Christmas and the magical nature of Santa. Well, that’s until one pops out of the back forest and comes snooping about for a snack in your backyard.
Speaking to Caters News, Nordsveen, 24, explained that the animal was so white that it was almost completely camouflaged by the snow [2]. However, the little thing appeared to be at ease in his terrain, making no move to run or hide and eventually posing his cute, wobbly legs for a picture.
“I was walking in the mountains looking for nice landscapes for my travel photography when out of nowhere I saw this wonderful little creature,” Nordsveen said “He came very close to me and we looked at each other straight in the eyes. He was quite relaxed when he saw that I was calm and friendly.”
A stroke of luck on a wintery morning
In some Scandinavian traditions and Norwegian folklore, spotting a white reindeer is a sign of good luck and blessing.
Nordsveen described his encounter with the sweet creature as “very magical” and ” a fairytale moment”.
“He behaved as if he was posing for my photos… he was very curious and funny, like a little explorer,” the photographer said. “He came very close to me, and we looked at each other straight in the eyes. After some minutes the mother of the white deer came out of trees just behind. It walked around for some minutes before running back to its mother.”
Nordsveen shared the beautiful photos on Instagram and they’ve been liked over 62,000 times. People were thankful he was there to capture the amazing animal. We occasionally need to see such adorable sights for sore eyes.
All Image Credits: Mads via Instagram
The mystery behind white reindeer
Firstly, they are very real and not creatures of ancient magic.
A white reindeer’s appearance can be caused by one of two genetic mutations – leucism and albinism. Leucistic reindeer, also called piebald, are born with a genetic mutation that strips their fur of its grey or brown pigment. They could either be born completely or partially white, sometimes with pigmented patches. They have traces of dark pigments in their eyes, hooves, and antlers, topped with the sweetest red noses you could ever see. On the other hand, albino reindeer are always born with pink eyes and completely white fur and hooves.
Nordsveen’s little reindeer is a leucistic one since his eyes and antlers are pigmented. This unique condition enables them to blend naturally into the snowy habitat, and as Nordsveen observed, the white deer could almost disappear into the snow.
The white reindeer’s condition comes with a host of birth defects including tweeted spines, blindness, and hunched backs. Out in the wild, they struggle desperately to survive, and aside from their physical limitations, the deer are so white they have trouble hiding in non-snowy terrain.
“The piebald condition is frequently associated with other harmful physical conditions, including skeletal deformities,” says the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries [3]. “Piebald deer are rare, typically occurring at less than 1 percent of the population. Piebald deer can be more common on a local basis, especially in areas where deer hunters protect them.”
References


theheartysoul--2020-08-17--“Sheep Pigs” Are real and They’re like Giant Fuzzy Dogs

Have you ever seen an animal and you can ’ t quite figure out what species it is ?
I ’ ve seen giant hamsters and thought they were baby rabbits .
I ’ ve seen sheepdogs and called them furry lions .
I can ’ t believe how many times I ’ ve fallen for the striped donkey trick and thought I was seeing a zebra .
I ’ m that clueless with lovely animals sometimes .
This time , I can ’ t be the only one trying to decide if these adorable fuzzy sweethearts are either sheep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are adorable animals coated with wool bags and it ’ s one of the reasons why people love having them on farms .
Dogs are our perfect fur buddies and you can ’ t ever argue about their cuteness .
Pigs , on the other hand , are not so high up on the cuteness scale .
When most people think of pigs , they imagine sparsely-furred , snorting animals rolling about in mud all day long .
Well , the sheep pigs of Hungary are about to change your mind .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but somehow , they have the adorable features of both animals .
On the outside , the Mangalica pig looks like a sheep with a full wool coat but with the face and legs of a pig [ 1 ] .
As it moves and follows its owner all over the place , the sheep pig looks like an overfed , furry dog .
They are some of the cutest animals you ’ d ever see and are mostly bred as pets and high-end meat sources in Europe , mostly because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmhouse .
Also known as Managlista or Mangalitza , the sheep pig was first created when geneticists crossbred some hardy varieties of Hungarian pig ( Bakonyi and Szalontai ) with the European wild boar in 1833 [ 2 ] .
They were also crossbred with a Serbian pig breed .
The animals thrived well , growing fast and requiring no special care .
They were originally intended for the tables of Austro-Hungarian emperors , but due to the rising availability of food and technology for preservation , the species became nearly extinct in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Mangalica was the most popular pig breed in Eastern Hungary until 1950 .
Their numbers progressively decreased from 30,000 to just over 200 as of 1991 .
They were almost functionally extinct when animal geneticist Peter Toth came to the rescue .
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 , Toth acquired the last of the Mangalica to protect the species from total decimation [ 3 ] .
Now the President of the Mangalica Breeders Association , Toth has worked hard to repopulate the species over the years with Hungarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 7,000 sows producing 20,000 to 60,000 piglets every year in the region .
The sheep pigs are also found in smaller numbers across Austria , Serbia , the Czech Republic , Switzerland , Canada , Germany , Romania , the United States , and Slovakia .
Many varieties of the Mangalica were originally developed , but most of them are either extinct or they never survived long enough to breed in thousands .
The three main Mangalica varieties currently in existence are “ swallow-bellied ” , “ blonde ” , and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a black upper body with a blonde portion on its lower body .
The red Mangalica is ginger-colored , while the blonde , as the name implies , is blonde-colored .
Some of the extinct varieties are the wolf , black , and baris , although debates about their reproduction by crossbreeding pure varieties are on-going in Hungary .

Have you ever seen an animal and you can’t quite figure out what species it is? I’ve seen giant hamsters and thought they were baby rabbits. I’ve seen sheepdogs and called them furry lions. I can’t believe how many times I’ve fallen for the striped donkey trick and thought I was seeing a zebra. I’m that clueless with lovely animals sometimes.
This time, I can’t be the only one trying to decide if these adorable fuzzy sweethearts are either sheep, pigs, or dogs. Sheep are adorable animals coated with wool bags and it’s one of the reasons why people love having them on farms. Dogs are our perfect fur buddies and you can’t ever argue about their cuteness. Pigs, on the other hand, are not so high up on the cuteness scale. When most people think of pigs, they imagine sparsely-furred, snorting animals rolling about in mud all day long.
Well, the sheep pigs of Hungary are about to change your mind. They have no DNA of sheep or dogs, but somehow, they have the adorable features of both animals. On the outside, the Mangalica pig looks like a sheep with a full wool coat but with the face and legs of a pig [1]. As it moves and follows its owner all over the place, the sheep pig looks like an overfed, furry dog. They are some of the cutest animals you’d ever see and are mostly bred as pets and high-end meat sources in Europe, mostly because they produce too little lean meat for the farmhouse.
A Hungarian breed of domestic pigs
Also known as Managlista or Mangalitza, the sheep pig was first created when geneticists crossbred some hardy varieties of Hungarian pig (Bakonyi and Szalontai) with the European wild boar in 1833 [2]. They were also crossbred with a Serbian pig breed. The animals thrived well, growing fast and requiring no special care. They were originally intended for the tables of Austro-Hungarian emperors, but due to the rising availability of food and technology for preservation, the species became nearly extinct in the region by the mid-20th century.
The Mangalica was the most popular pig breed in Eastern Hungary until 1950. Their numbers progressively decreased from 30,000 to just over 200 as of 1991. They were almost functionally extinct when animal geneticist Peter Toth came to the rescue.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Toth acquired the last of the Mangalica to protect the species from total decimation [3]. Now the President of the Mangalica Breeders Association, Toth has worked hard to repopulate the species over the years with Hungarian farmers. There are said to be over 7,000 sows producing 20,000 to 60,000 piglets every year in the region.
The Mangalica make such adorable pets, and according to one breeder, “if you treat them nicely, they’ll become as tame as dogs–they’ll follow you, play with you.”
Mangalica varieties
The sheep pigs are also found in smaller numbers across Austria, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Romania, the United States, and Slovakia.
Many varieties of the Mangalica were originally developed, but most of them are either extinct or they never survived long enough to breed in thousands. The three main Mangalica varieties currently in existence are “swallow-bellied”, “blonde”, and “red”.
The swallow-bellied Mangalica has a black upper body with a blonde portion on its lower body. The red Mangalica is ginger-colored, while the blonde, as the name implies, is blonde-colored. Some of the extinct varieties are the wolf, black, and baris, although debates about their reproduction by crossbreeding pure varieties are on-going in Hungary.