theheartysoul--2020-06-11--Amazon Is Selling A DIY Backyard Guest House That Can Be Built In 8 Hours

Tiny homes have exploded in popularity over the last several years , thanks to television shows like Tiny House Nation , Tiny House , Big Living , Tiny House Hunters , and more .
While many of us are fascinated by this somewhat alternative way of living , we may not all be ready to take the plunge and move into a tiny home of our own just yet .
For those of you who want to dip your toes into the water of tiny home living , there are several options available for you to purchase and build your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be converted into a studio , a garden house , a pool house , or any other use you can think of .
When the DIY Allwood Solvalla Studio Cabin Kit hit Amazon ’ s virtual shelves , it caused a frenzy and sold out very quickly .
The kit was restocked in mid-May and sold out again [ 1 ] !
Luckily , you can purchase the kit for this tiny home , as well as many others , straight from the retailer .
This 172-square foot cabin works well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a guest house , home office , granny suite , or a small retail space .
It can even be set up on the rooftop of a multistory building .
The kit comes with do-it-yourself instructions , requires only a minimal amount of tools to be put together , and can be assembled in approximately two days by two people .
The design consists of two 86 square foot units , which should not require a permit since most communities permit structures under 100 square feet to be built without one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with financing options available .
You can purchase one on Amazon or on the Allwood website .
Read : Eco-Friendly Tiny House in The Woods Cost Under $ 14K The Claudia is slightly larger , at 209 square feet .
With windows on three out of the four walls , the design of this little cabin is popular because it lets in a lot of light .
According to the website , it is an ideal choice for a pool house , summer house , family guest house , granny suite , home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because it is a bit bigger , two adults would take approximately three days to put the Claudia together .
This model costs 8 850 dollars , and for an additional cost you can purchase subflooring plywood and additional thermal panels to make it suitable for use during colder weather .
You can purchase the Claudia on Amazon or on the Allwood website .
The Arlanda is even larger than both the Solvanna and the Claudia .
At 227 square feet , this design gives you the option to put up a wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , or to add a bathroom .
Assembly for this product will take two adults approximately four days to complete , and the kit costs 9 190 dollars .
You can purchase it on the Allwood website .
Read : Do You Want To Build A Tiny House With Just A Screw Driver ?
Allwood also carries a number of DIY saunas , including the Allwood Barrel Sauna 220 .
The barrel shape , while not creating less space for the user , decreases the space that needs to be heated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round shape also allows for better air circulation , allowing you to enjoy longer sessions in your sauna for a lower cost .
The kit comes with all the essentials of a sauna , and can comfortably seat four adults .
It costs 3 990 dollars and can be purchased on the Allwood website .
Larger versions like this one are also available .
It is important to note that none of these tiny cabins come equipped with HVAC or electricity , so if you truly want to turn it into a stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to install those things yourself .
Most of them also do not come with a bathroom , so if you wish to have one you will likely need to add an addition , and handle the installation of plumbing separately .
If , however , you just want a small space to act as a studio or pool shed , these backyard guest houses come with everything you need .
Keep Reading : This Family Of 4 Built A Tiny Home Village – One Home For Each Family Member

Tiny homes have exploded in popularity over the last several years, thanks to television shows like Tiny House Nation, Tiny House, Big Living, Tiny House Hunters, and more. While many of us are fascinated by this somewhat alternative way of living, we may not all be ready to take the plunge and move into a tiny home of our own just yet. For those of you who want to dip your toes into the water of tiny home living, there are several options available for you to purchase and build your own DIY backyard guest house, that can be converted into a studio, a garden house, a pool house, or any other use you can think of.
Build Your Own Backyard Guest House
When the DIY Allwood Solvalla Studio Cabin Kit hit Amazon’s virtual shelves, it caused a frenzy and sold out very quickly. The kit was restocked in mid-May and sold out again [1]! Luckily, you can purchase the kit for this tiny home, as well as many others, straight from the retailer.
The Allwood Solvalla Studio Cabin Kit
This 172-square foot cabin works well in a variety of settings and can act as a guest house, home office, granny suite, or a small retail space. It can even be set up on the rooftop of a multistory building.
The kit comes with do-it-yourself instructions, requires only a minimal amount of tools to be put together, and can be assembled in approximately two days by two people. The design consists of two 86 square foot units, which should not require a permit since most communities permit structures under 100 square feet to be built without one.
The kit costs 6 750 dollars, with financing options available. You can purchase one on Amazon or on the Allwood website.
Image Credit: Allwood
Read: Eco-Friendly Tiny House in The Woods Cost Under $14K
Allwood Claudia
The Claudia is slightly larger, at 209 square feet. With windows on three out of the four walls, the design of this little cabin is popular because it lets in a lot of light. According to the website, it is an ideal choice for a pool house, summer house, family guest house, granny suite, home office, or standalone retail space.
Because it is a bit bigger, two adults would take approximately three days to put the Claudia together. This model costs 8 850 dollars, and for an additional cost you can purchase subflooring plywood and additional thermal panels to make it suitable for use during colder weather.
You can purchase the Claudia on Amazon or on the Allwood website.
Image Credit: Allwood
Allwood Arlanda
The Arlanda is even larger than both the Solvanna and the Claudia. At 227 square feet, this design gives you the option to put up a wall to have a separate bedroom and living area, or to add a bathroom.
Assembly for this product will take two adults approximately four days to complete, and the kit costs 9 190 dollars. You can purchase it on the Allwood website.
Image Credit: Allwood
Allwood Sauna
Allwood also carries a number of DIY saunas, including the Allwood Barrel Sauna 220. The barrel shape, while not creating less space for the user, decreases the space that needs to be heated by 23 percent by eliminating corners. The round shape also allows for better air circulation, allowing you to enjoy longer sessions in your sauna for a lower cost.
The kit comes with all the essentials of a sauna, and can comfortably seat four adults. It costs 3 990 dollars and is on the Allwood website. Larger versions like this one are also available.
Image Credit: Allwood
Additional Requirements
It is important to note that none of these tiny cabins come equipped with HVAC or electricity, so if you truly want to turn it into a stand alone living space, you will have to install those things yourself. Most of them also do not come with a bathroom, so if you wish to have one you will likely need to add an addition, and handle the installation of plumbing separately.
If, however, you just want a small space to act as a studio or pool shed, these backyard guest houses come with everything you need.
Keep Reading: Woman Spends $4,000 Transforming Shipping Container Into An Unbelievable Home
Source


theheartysoul--2020-06-11--Lion Cub’s Legs Deliberately Broken So He Couldn’t Escape While Tourists Posed For Photos

Warning : This article contains some distressing content Time and time again , humans prove themselves to be the most ruthless and dangerous ‘ animals ’ on the planet .
Animal cruelty being one of the worst offenses , we hear these tragic stories again and again .
The latest of these comes from Russia , where a lion cub ’ s legs were broken to take pictures with tourists on the beach .
Simba the young lion cub was found tied up in a barn in the Dagestan region of Russia sick , tortured , and beaten .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was taken away from his mother to be used as a prop for pictures with tourists on the beach .
( 1 , 2 ) Of course , lion cubs don ’ t stay small and harmless forever .
When Simba began to reach an age where he could run away , his owners broke his legs .
When they no longer needed him his torturers left him alone in a cold barn .
Not only were Simba ’ s legs broken , but he was starving , ill , had open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done to his spine .
Sick , in incredible amounts of pain , and unable to walk , Simba was on the brink of death .
( 1 , 2 ) Read : Pregnant Elephant Dies After Locals Fed Her Pineapple With Firecracker Inside When brought to specialist veterinarian Karen Dallakyan , Simba was skin and bone with pressure sores , intestinal obstructions , and muscle wasting .
After several surgeries , the young lion had to relearn how to walk with his newly functioning hind legs .
Though permanently deformed , Simba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( 1 , 2 ) Today there is video footage from the specialist showing Simba with a thick , beautiful coat of fur and snuggling his favorite toy – a big white teddy bear – in his cage .
( 1 , 2 ) Dallakyan explained to Russian president Vladimir Putin about the cruelty that Simba had suffered .
Shocked and dismayed , the president took the allegations seriously and ordered a criminal investigation against the perpetrators .
( 1 , 2 ) The photographer who worked with Simba the previous summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was the people he sold the cub to afterward who did it .
Currently , the investigation is still underway .
( 1 , 2 ) Keep Reading : German Lab Called Out for Abhorrent Animal Cruelty

Warning: This article contains some distressing content
Time and time again, humans prove themselves to be the most ruthless and dangerous ‘animals’ on the planet. Animal cruelty being one of the worst offenses, we hear these tragic stories again and again. The latest of these comes from Russia, where a lion cub’s legs were broken to take pictures with tourists on the beach.
Lion Cub’s Legs Broken for Tourist Photo-Op
Simba the young lion cub was found tied up in a barn in the Dagestan region of Russia sick, tortured, and beaten. He was only a few weeks old when he was taken away from his mother to be used as a prop for pictures with tourists on the beach. (1, 2)
Of course, lion cubs don’t stay small and harmless forever. When Simba began to reach an age where he could run away, his owners broke his legs. When they no longer needed him his torturers left him alone in a cold barn. Not only were Simba’s legs broken, but he was starving, ill, had open sores and wounds, and had damage done to his spine. Sick, in incredible amounts of pain, and unable to walk, Simba was on the brink of death. (1, 2)
Read: Pregnant Elephant Dies After Locals Fed Her Pineapple With Firecracker Inside
A Rescue Mission
When brought to specialist veterinarian Karen Dallakyan, Simba was skin and bone with pressure sores, intestinal obstructions, and muscle wasting. After several surgeries, the young lion had to relearn how to walk with his newly functioning hind legs. Though permanently deformed, Simba is now on the road to recovery. (1, 2)
Today there is video footage from the specialist showing Simba with a thick, beautiful coat of fur and snuggling his favorite toy – a big white teddy bear – in his cage. (1, 2)
A Criminal Investigation
Dallakyan explained to Russian president Vladimir Putin about the cruelty that Simba had suffered. Shocked and dismayed, the president took the allegations seriously and ordered a criminal investigation against the perpetrators. (1, 2)
The photographer who worked with Simba the previous summer has denied the torture and claims that it was the people he sold the cub to afterward who did it. Currently, the investigation is still underway. (1, 2)
Keep Reading: German Lab Called Out for Abhorrent Animal Cruelty


theheartysoul--2020-06-11--The protein-filled coconut cookies you can eat for breakfast

I don ’ t need an excuse to eat cookies for breakfast , and I ’ m sure not many people do .
Truth be told , it ’ s best not to eat something too unhealthy in the morning since it can cause sugar spikes and low energy later .
However , these low carb coconut cookies are packed with coconut , sunflower seeds , protein powder , and other delicious and nutritious ingredients to create the perfect , sweet morning treat .
Cookies are not usually associated with health and weight-loss , but the ingredients are packed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support you in reaching your goals .
Just don ’ t eat too many , calories count too !
😉 Coconut is packed with nutrients , including protein , minerals , B vitamins , and manganese , which is essential for metabolizing carbohydrates , proteins , and cholesterol [ 1 ] .
This fruit is high in a type of fat in the form of medium-chain triglycerides ( MCTs ) .
The body process MCTs differently than other fats .
MCTs are absorbed directly from the small intestine and are used for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits of MCTs found that these fats can promote weight loss when they are eaten instead of long-chain saturated fats from animal products .
Additionally , since coconut is high in fiber and low in carbs , it can help stabilize blood sugar [ 2 ] .
Coconut oil is also rich in MCTs , which , as already mentioned , can aid with energy and increases satiety .
Satiety is essential when it comes to weight loss since it ’ ll keep people from snacking until they feel hungry again .
Coconut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it ’ s used as a part of a balanced diet [ 3 ] .
Sunflower seeds are high in fiber , which improves digestion , manages blood sugar , helps lower cholesterol , and promotes weight loss .
Combining the fiber with the protein content in these seeds , they keep the body feeling satisfied for longer periods of time [ 4 ] .
Cinnamon has always been a popular addition to deserts but it has recently become popular because of its numerous health benefits , including weight loss .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since it ’ s thought to help improve cell sensitivity to the hormone insulin .
Cinnamon can also aid in blocking the activity of certain digestive enzymes that slow the absorption of carbohydrates into the body .
Additionally , cinnamon is high in fiber , which can promote satiety [ 5 ] .
While this all sounds impressive , and surely cinnamon has some medicinal value , the amount found in each of these cookies will not be enough to take advantage of its effects .
What cinnamon does to in this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the calories .
When it comes to the benefits of cinnamon , usually you need to consume between 1-6g with a carbohydrate-containing meal ( 0.5-2 1/4 tsp ) [ 6 ] .
Of course , even healthy treats should be consumed in moderation , especially recipes with calorically-dense foods like coconut and seeds .
Fortunately , these cookies are packed with nutrients and proteins to keep you full all morning .
Plus , they are sweet , creamy , and absolutely delicious .
Calories do count , so let ’ s try not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Notes : * Feel free to use any nuts or seeds you wish instead ( pumpkin seeds work great ) .
** Feel free to use any protein powder source you would like ( i.e .
whey , pea , hemp , collagen , beef protein , or a plant-based blend. )
.
Please note this will change the taste and texture of the cookie , and may no longer make it paleo , keto , etc .
***If you do not wish to use a non-caloric sweetener , like stevia or monk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup .
This should add approximately 4 grams of sugar to each cookie .
Stevia or monk fruit are the preferred sweeteners because it is one hundred times sweeter than sugar and has no effect on our blood sugar .
• Roughly chop the sunflower seeds ( or other nuts you may wish to use ) in the blender until they ’ re broken up into small chunks .
• Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir together .
If you notice the mixture is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tablespoon of coconut oil and possibly more water .
• Scoop the dough into about 18 round cookies and place them onto a cookie tray .
• Gently press the cookies down to flatten .
( They will not flatten in the oven . )
• Bake for about 15 minutes or until the bottoms of the cookies are slightly browned .
• You can use 2 cups of coconut shreds if you do not have/want sunflower seeds .
• Alternatively , you use any other kind of nut or seed instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any flavored or unflavored protein powder to change up the flavor of the cookies .
• You can place this coconut whipped cream recipe in between two cookies to make an incredible coconut cookie sandwich !
This recipe was inspired by Megan Kelly from Renewing All Things

I don’t need an excuse to eat cookies for breakfast, and I’m sure not many people do. Truth be told, it’s best not to eat something too unhealthy in the morning since it can cause sugar spikes and low energy later. However, these low carb coconut cookies are packed with coconut, sunflower seeds, protein powder, and other delicious and nutritious ingredients to create the perfect, sweet morning treat.
Cookies are not usually associated with health and weight-loss, but the ingredients are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats to support you in reaching your goals. Just don’t eat too many, calories count too! 😉
Coconut is packed with nutrients, including protein, minerals, B vitamins, and manganese. [1]. This fruit is high in a type of fat in the form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) [2].
Sunflower seeds are high in fiber, which can aid digestion, help manage blood sugar and cholesterol. Combining the fiber with the protein content in these seeds, they keep the body feeling satisfied for longer periods of time [3].
One last thing…
Of course, even healthy treats should be consumed in moderation, especially recipes with calorically-dense foods like coconut and seeds. Fortunately, these cookies are packed with nutrients and proteins to keep you full all morning. Plus, they are sweet, creamy, and absolutely delicious. Calories do count, so let’s try not to consume too many empty ones.
Coconut Protein Cookies
Makes about 18 cookies
Ingredients
1.5 cups of shredded coconut flakes
½ cup of sunflower seeds*
½ cup of collagen (grass-fed whey works too)**
10–15 drops of liquid stevia or monk fruit sweetener***
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of Ceylon cinnamon
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1/8 cup of water
Notes:
* Feel free to use any nuts or seeds you wish instead (pumpkin seeds work great).
** Feel free to use any protein powder source you would like (i.e. whey, pea, hemp, collagen, beef protein, or a plant-based blend.). Please note this will change the taste and texture of the cookie, and may no longer make it paleo, keto, etc.
***If you do not wish to use a non-caloric sweetener, like stevia or monk fruit, you can replace it with 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup. This should add approximately 4 grams of sugar to each cookie. Stevia or monk fruit are the preferred sweeteners because it is one hundred times sweeter than sugar and has no effect on our blood sugar.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Roughly chop the sunflower seeds (or other nuts you may wish to use) in the blender until they’re broken up into small chunks. Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir together. If you notice the mixture is too crumbly then try adding in another tablespoon of coconut oil and possibly more water. Scoop the dough into about 18 round cookies and place them onto a cookie tray. Gently press the cookies down to flatten. (They will not flatten in the oven.) Bake for about 15 minutes or until the bottoms of the cookies are slightly browned.
Additional Notes:
You can use 2 cups of coconut shreds if you do not have/want sunflower seeds.
Alternatively, you use any other kind of nut or seed instead of sunflower seeds.
You can use any flavored or unflavored protein powder to change up the flavor of the cookies.
You can place this coconut whipped cream recipe in between two cookies to make an incredible coconut cookie sandwich!
Nutrition Facts (per 1 cookie) Calories 125 Total Fat 10g Carbohydrates (2g as fiber) 4g Protein 7g
This recipe was inspired by Megan Kelly from Renewing All Things
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24470093/ [2]“5 Impressive Benefits of Coconut.” Healthline. Anne Danahy, MS, RDN. July 23, 2019


theheartysoul--2020-06-13--How To Make A Self-Feeding Fire – Lasts For A Whopping 14 Hours

Campfires are synonymous with summer .
It wouldn ’ t be a proper camping trip without roasting marshmallows and hot dogs , and telling stories around the fire until late into the evening .
Fires do , however , require constant maintenance , attention , and work , or else they ’ ll burn out .
They need constant stoking , and you have to continuously add kindling and new logs to keep the flame burning .
One man , however , said enough is enough , and came up with his own self-feeding fire design so that campers can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the glow without so much work .
Bob Hansler is an outdoorsman who operates a Youtube channel where he posts videos demonstrating survival and primitive technology , wilderness skills , and bushcraft .
He is the mastermind behind the self-feeding fire , which he says can burn for over fourteen hours [ 1 ] .
The design involves creating two “ ramps ” positioned on either side of the fire pit .
The logs are stacked along each ramp , with the idea that the ramp will self-feed the logs into the bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build your own , you don ’ t need any special materials , as you can see from the photos , Bob built his from just a few sturdy sticks .
Not only did Hansler ’ s fire last for fourteen hours , but it also survived a downpour of about one and a quarter inches of rain- an impressive feat for a campfire [ 1 ] .
You can watch the whole video below .
Read : Tutorial : Build an amazing DIY pergola and fire pit with swings While campfires can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous if not tended to properly .
Be sure to keep the following things in mind during your next camping trip : Know the rules .
You should be well-aware of the fire regulations for the area where you are setting up camp .
Remember that these rules change depending on the weather and the time of year , so pay attention to posted signs and ask if you ’ re not sure [ 2 ] .
Always use a pit .
Most campsites offer fire pits and if they do , use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where fires are allowed but a pit is not provided , be sure to dig your own that is in an open area that is away from overhanging branches , power lines , or anything that could potentially catch fire .
After digging your pit , circle it with rocks and ensure that there is a ten-foot radius around the pit that is clear of anything that could catch fire [ 2 ] .
Put out the match .
If you use a match to start the fire , make sure that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
You can either pour water over it , or simply throw it directly into the fire .
Never use lighter fluid , gas , or any other flammable liquid to start a fire , as these could get out of control [ 2 ] .
Keep water close by .
Always have a bucket of water and a shovel close by when you build a fire .
You can use the water to put out any flames that get away from the pit , and a shovel can be used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any flames that escape the ring .
Keeping a few feet of ground surrounding your fire damp is also a good way to prevent the fire from travelling [ 2 ] .
Read : This Awesome Tent Cot Means No More Sleeping On The Cold , Hard Ground When Camping Watch the wind .
A strong breeze can blow your fire out of control quickly , so make sure you have nothing flammable within fifteen feet of the fire , including your campsite and clothing [ 2 ] .
Never leave a fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sudden breeze could take your fire out of control in an instant , so it is important that you have at least one set of eyes on the fire at all times so you can react quickly if anything goes wrong [ 2 ] .
Always extinguish your fire properly .
It is crucial that when you ’ re done with your fire you put it out properly every time .
Dump water on it , stir the ashes with a shovel , then dump water on it again .
You should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold- the general rule is that if it is too hot to touch , it ’ s too hot to leave .
Make sure you thoroughly soak larger logs with water , and move the rocks that make up your ring around to check underneath for burning embers .
You should also never bury coals underneath , since they could smoulder and catch fire again [ 2 ] .
Keep Reading : Fire Safety Tips for Preventing House Fires , from the Laundry Room to the Kitchen

Campfires are synonymous with summer. It wouldn’t be a proper camping trip without roasting marshmallows and hot dogs, and telling stories around the fire until late into the evening.
Fires do, however, require constant maintenance, attention, and work, or else they’ll burn out. They need constant stoking, and you have to continuously add kindling and new logs to keep the flame burning. One man, however, said enough is enough, and came up with his own self-feeding fire design so that campers can just sit back and relax and enjoy the glow without so much work.
Self-Feeding Fire
Bob Hansler is an outdoorsman who operates a Youtube channel where he posts videos demonstrating survival and primitive technology, wilderness skills, and bushcraft. He is the mastermind behind the self-feeding fire, which he says can burn for over fourteen hours.
The design involves creating two “ramps” positioned on either side of the fire pit. The logs are stacked along each ramp, with the idea that the ramp will self-feed the logs into the bottom as they each burn through.
To build your own, you don’t need any special materials, as you can see from the photos, Bob built his from just a few sturdy sticks. Not only did Hansler’s fire last for fourteen hours, but it also survived a downpour of about one and a quarter inches of rain- an impressive feat for a campfire [1].
You can watch the whole video below.
Read: Tutorial: Build an amazing DIY pergola and fire pit with swings
Campfire Safety Tips
While campfires can be fun, they can also be dangerous if not tended to properly. Be sure to keep the following things in mind during your next camping trip:
Know the rules. You should be well-aware of the fire regulations for the area where you are setting up camp. Remember that these rules change depending on the weather and the time of year, so pay attention to posted signs and ask if you’re not sure [2].
Always use a pit. Most campsites offer fire pits and if they do, use them. If you’re somewhere where fires are allowed but a pit is not provided, be sure to dig your own that is in an open area that is away from overhanging branches, power lines, or anything that could potentially catch fire. After digging your pit, circle it with rocks and ensure that there is a ten-foot radius around the pit that is clear of anything that could catch fire [2].
Put out the match. If you use a match to start the fire, make sure that it is completely out before getting rid of it. You can either pour water over it, or simply throw it directly into the fire. Never use lighter fluid, gas, or any other flammable liquid to start a fire, as these could get out of control [2].
Keep water close by. Always have a bucket of water and a shovel close by when you build a fire. You can use the water to put out any flames that get away from the pit, and a shovel can be used to throw sand or dirt on top of any flames that escape the ring. Keeping a few feet of ground surrounding your fire damp is also a good way to prevent the fire from travelling [2].
Read: This Awesome Tent Cot Means No More Sleeping On The Cold, Hard Ground When Camping
Watch the wind. A strong breeze can blow your fire out of control quickly, so make sure you have nothing flammable within fifteen feet of the fire, including your campsite and clothing [2].
Never leave a fire unattended. As mentioned, a strong, sudden breeze could take your fire out of control in an instant, so it is important that you have at least one set of eyes on the fire at all times so you can react quickly if anything goes wrong [2].
Always extinguish your fire properly. It is crucial that when you’re done with your fire you put it out properly every time. Dump water on it, stir the ashes with a shovel, then dump water on it again. You should not leave the fire until it is cold- the general rule is that if it is too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Make sure you thoroughly soak larger logs with water, and move the rocks that make up your ring around to check underneath for burning embers. You should also never bury coals underneath, since they could smoulder and catch fire again [2].
Keep Reading: Fire Safety Tips for Preventing House Fires, from the Laundry Room to the Kitchen


theheartysoul--2020-06-13--Hotel Stays Open During Lockdowns to House Homeless Locals, And They’re Repaying the Favor With Odd

Hotel Stays Open During Lockdowns to House Homeless Locals, And They’re Repaying the Favor With Odd Jobs

Since the tourism industry has been all but completely sidelined during the COVID-19 pandemic , hotels around the world have been forced to close their doors .
Some , however , have chosen to remain open in an act of true altruism and offered up their rooms to homeless people in their area for free .
One of these hotels is the Fownes Hotel in Worcester , England .
Here , homeless locals have been offered a room to themselves and food to eat , and now these guests are returning the favor .
Hotel for the Homeless : A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former bricklayer and one of the guests at the Fownes Hotel .
In an effort to show his gratitude to the hotel staff for their kindness , he put his skills to good use and has built a wall and a patio at the hotel .
Other guests have begun doing odd jobs around the hotel as well , including gardening and room-cleaning .
This has been a huge help to the staff at the hotel , since they ’ ve been operating with a skeleton crew of only eleven people , meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the hotel since restrictions began in March .
Peter Swinbourne , who has been homeless for 25 years , is immensely grateful for the kindness he ’ s received , saying that the hotel staff “ saved ” him .
Restaurant employees have been working seven days per week to provide three-course meals for the guest , which are delivered to their rooms in disposable containers to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmissions .
Assistant manager Julie Merrick explained that the hotel decided to remain open simply because they wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area doing this , the Fownes staff has been working overtime , but Merrick says that they have been very brave and gone above their job role , and it ’ s brought them closer as a team [ 1 ] .
Read : First Tiny Home Community for the Homeless Opens In San Jose , California The action taken by the Fownes Hotel is an example of “ Housing First ” strategy to combat homelessness .
It is a recovery-oriented approach that focuses on finding independent and permanent housing for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with additional supports and services as needed [ 2 ] .
This is contrary to the traditional strategy employed to end homelessness , in which affected individuals are expected to find jobs and address their addictions and health problems before they can be provided with housing .
The underlying principle of Housing First is that people are much more capable at moving forward with their lives and addressing whatever issues put them on the streets in the first place if they have a roof over their heads .
Housing comes first , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance , education , employment , substance abuse , employment , and community connections [ 2 ] .
In a press release published by the Canadian Homelessness Research Network , authors made the case for the housing first strategy : The Housing First approach is comprised of five core principles : • Immediate access to housing with no housing readiness requirements .
This is the opposite of traditional “ treatment first ” strategies , which require individuals affected by homelessness to be place in emergency services and are expected to address certain issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are deemed “ ready ” for housing .
Housing is not conditional on sobriety or abstinence , and is completely voluntary [ 2 ] .
• Clients ’ choice for housing and supports .
This is a rights-based , client-centered approach in which clients are given the right to choose the location and type of housing they will receive , as well as which services they will use and when they will use them [ 2 ] .
• Individualized and client-driven supports .
Individuals have access to a range of treatment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , culturally appropriate , and portable , that address the unique needs of the individual .
This could include housing stability , health and mental health needs , and life skills .
This could also include income supports and rent supplements , with the idea that no individual should use more than thirty percent of their income on rent [ 2 ] .
• Recovery orientation .
Housing First does not simply focus on meeting basic needs , but also on supporting recovery .
It focuses on individual well-being , and gives them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow them to develop and maintain social , recreational , educational , occupational and vocational activities .
This also means access to a harm reduction environment for those who are struggling with addictions , which aims to reduce the risks associated with substance abuse and addictive behaviors , not only for the individual but for the community at large [ 2 ] .
• Community integration .
If people receive housing but then become or remain socially isolated , it could compromise the stability of their housing .
One of the goals of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people affected by homelessness to reintegrate into their communities through socially supportive engagement and opportunities to participate in meaningful activities [ 2 ] .
Read : Vatican palace turned into home for poor and homeless at pope ’ s behest Help for the Future The Fownes Hotel has partnered with a homeless charity to host workshops on how to manage the guests ’ addictions , seek benefits , and find future accommodation .
The hotel bar has been cleared of all alcohol as a precaution , and there is no alcohol permitted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the only hotel that has taken on this type of initiative .
Another hotel in British Columbia , Canada , has also opened its doors to the homeless people in their community .
Keep Reading : When Did It Become Acceptable For Americans With Mental Illnesses To Freeze To Death ?
– Opinion

Since the tourism industry has been all but completely sidelined during the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels around the world have been forced to close their doors. Some, however, have chosen to remain open in an act of true altruism and offered up their rooms to homeless people in their area for free.
One of these hotels is the Fownes Hotel in Worcester, England. Here, homeless locals have been offered a room to themselves and food to eat, and now these guests are returning the favor.
Hotel for the Homeless: A Show of Gratitude
Eddie Boult is a former bricklayer and one of the guests at the Fownes Hotel. In an effort to show his gratitude to the hotel staff for their kindness, he put his skills to good use and has built a wall and a patio at the hotel.
Other guests have begun doing odd jobs around the hotel as well, including gardening and room-cleaning. This has been a huge help to the staff at the hotel, since they’ve been operating with a skeleton crew of only eleven people, meanwhile over forty five guests have been staying at the hotel since restrictions began in March.
Peter Swinbourne, who has been homeless for 25 years, is immensely grateful for the kindness he’s received, saying that the hotel staff “saved” him.
“I have never slept in a double bed before,” he said. “I’m happy here—this is a five-star hotel putting up homeless people.” [1]
Restaurant employees have been working seven days per week to provide three-course meals for the guest, which are delivered to their rooms in disposable containers to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmissions.
“The food is also excellent,” said 55-year-old Terrence Marriot, who’s been staying at the hotel for six weeks. “I feel a lot healthier than when I came in.” [1]
Assistant manager Julie Merrick explained that the hotel decided to remain open simply because they wanted to help.
“Our new guests have been lovely and grateful for the support they had been given and treat their rooms with respect,” she said [1].
As the only hotel in the area doing this, the Fownes staff has been working overtime, but Merrick says that they have been very brave and gone above their job role, and it’s brought them closer as a team [1].
Read: First Tiny Home Community for the Homeless Opens In San Jose, California
Housing FIrst Strategy
The action taken by the Fownes Hotel is an example of “Housing First” strategy to combat homelessness. It is a recovery-oriented approach that focuses on finding independent and permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness, and then providing them with additional supports and services as needed [2].
This is contrary to the traditional strategy employed to end homelessness, in which affected individuals are expected to find jobs and address their addictions and health problems before they can be provided with housing.
The underlying principle of Housing First is that people are much more capable at moving forward with their lives and addressing whatever issues put them on the streets in the first place if they have a roof over their heads. Housing comes first, followed by supports including physical and mental health assistance, education, employment, substance abuse, employment, and community connections [2].
In a press release published by the Canadian Homelessness Research Network, authors made the case for the housing first strategy:
“Housing is not contingent upon readiness, or on ‘compliance’ (for instance, sobriety). Rather, it is a rights-based intervention rooted in the philosophy that all people deserve housing, and that adequate housing is a precondition for recovery.” [3]
The Housing First approach is comprised of five core principles:
Immediate access to housing with no housing readiness requirements. This is the opposite of traditional “treatment first” strategies, which require individuals affected by homelessness to be place in emergency services and are expected to address certain issues like addictions or mental health before they are deemed “ready” for housing. Housing is not conditional on sobriety or abstinence, and is completely voluntary [2].
Clients’ choice for housing and supports. This is a rights-based, client-centered approach in which clients are given the right to choose the location and type of housing they will receive, as well as which services they will use and when they will use them [2].
Individualized and client-driven supports. Individuals have access to a range of treatment and support services that are voluntary, individualized, culturally appropriate, and portable, that address the unique needs of the individual. This could include housing stability, health and mental health needs, and life skills.
This could also include income supports and rent supplements, with the idea that no individual should use more than thirty percent of their income on rent [2].
Recovery orientation. Housing First does not simply focus on meeting basic needs, but also on supporting recovery. It focuses on individual well-being, and gives them access to a range of supports that allow them to develop and maintain social, recreational, educational, occupational and vocational activities.
This also means access to a harm reduction environment for those who are struggling with addictions, which aims to reduce the risks associated with substance abuse and addictive behaviors, not only for the individual but for the community at large [2].
Community integration. If people receive housing but then become or remain socially isolated, it could compromise the stability of their housing. One of the goals of the Housing First strategy is to help people affected by homelessness to reintegrate into their communities through socially supportive engagement and opportunities to participate in meaningful activities [2].
Help for the Future
The Fownes Hotel has partnered with a homeless charity to host workshops on how to manage the guests’ addictions, seek benefits, and find future accommodation. The hotel bar has been cleared of all alcohol as a precaution, and there is no alcohol permitted on the hotel grounds [1].This is not the only hotel that has taken on this type of initiative. Another hotel in British Columbia, Canada, has also opened its doors to the homeless people in their community.


theheartysoul--2020-06-13--People Who Struggle to Get Out of Bed May Be More Intelligent, Evidence Suggests.

Do you often find yourself staying up into the wee hours of the morning , working on a project or engaging in a hobby ?
Do you find that you don ’ t want to get out of bed when your alarm goes off ?
People who tend to sleep in late are often considered lazy and are associated with lower productivity in their work and daily lives , but science says this may not be the case .
If you often find you just don ’ t want to get out of bed in the morning , research suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re lazy- it may be because you ’ re smart .
If You Don ’ t Want to Get Out of Bed , Don ’ t Worry A 2009 study entitled “ Why Night Owls are More Intelligent ” says that having control over when you go to bed and when you wake up is a sign of intelligence [ 1 ] .
The study was conducted by psychologists Satoshi Kanazawa and Kaja Perina , in which they gave intelligence tests to students from 80 high schools and 50 middle schools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again five years later .
At the time of the second test , they had the 15 197 participants report when they went to bed and when they got up on weekdays and weekends , with the goal of determining whether childrens ’ sleeping habits correlated with intelligence [ 2 ] .
The researchers found that children who went to bed later and got up later were likelier to have higher intelligence , a finding that spanned across a wide range of demographic variables , such as ethnicity , education , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can this be ?
There are a few factors that could explain these results .
Kanazawa explains that sleeping in late is “ evolutionarily novel ” , which is a good thing .
He says that it was rare for our ancestors to sleep in late , and the ability for one to choose their values and preferences ( in this case , their circadian rhythms ) in the face of genetic predisposition is a sign of intelligence .
In short , the study says that smarter people have a greater ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owls tend to exhibit higher degrees of intelligence than people with other sleeping patterns [ 2 ] .
Read : It ’ s science : Giving experiences instead of toys boosts your kid ’ s intelligence and happiness Kanazawa is not the only one to conduct a similar study with comparable results .
Another 2009 study that monitored the brain activity of 16 extreme night owls and 15 extreme early birds in a lab .
The participants had their brain activity monitored twice : once an hour and a half after waking up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
For reference , the early birds tended to get up around seven and were ready to go to sleep at eleven , while the night owls had no problem staying up past three in the morning and waking up at eleven .
The researchers found that both groups performed similarly in the morning responsiveness test , but the night owls showed faster reaction times and greater awakeness in the evening test .
Despite the fact that both groups were getting the same amount of sleep , the night owls were able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer period of time before becoming mentally fatigued when compared to the early risers [ 3 ] .
Scientists still are not certain as to why people who work late into the night tend to be more creative , but one possible reason could be that it is because staying up late is an adaptation to living outside the norm .
This is what researchers at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan found .
Hans Van Dongen , associate research professor at the Sleep and Performance Research Center at Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to do with the fact that evening people also tend to be more extroverted .
Read : Evidence Your Older Sibling Is Probably Smarter Than You What Does this Mean for Morning People ?
If you ’ re an early riser and you ’ re reading this , you may be concerned thinking “ does this mean that I am unintelligent ?
” .
You can relax , because the reality is this correlation is not quite that linear .
It turns out that whether you like to get up early or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one set of brain cells , which is at least in part determined by genetics .
Van Dongen and his colleagues found that a small group of brain cells , called suprachiasmatic nuclei , emit signals to the rest of your body to determine the time of day- essentially they are what determines your biological clock .
For early risers , this body clock tends to run two hours ahead of schedule , while for late sleepers it runs two hours later [ 4 ] .
It is important to note that while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when you get up may be less important than originally thought , the actual number of hours you sleep each night does have an impact on your health .
A study by the University of Southampton determined that while people who go to bed later and wake up later are not , in fact , at any kind of socioeconomic , cognitive , or health disadvantage , those who spend a longer time in bed ( twelve hours or more ) may be at an increased risk of death [ 5 ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The standard work day is from nine to five , but those hours may not be ideal for you- whether you ’ re an early bird or a night owl .
Some people do their best work early in the morning , while others find they ’ re more motivated and have their best ideas at midnight or later .
If you have a job that allows you to work on your own schedule , then choose to work at the times when you feel the most productive , regardless of whether or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of regular working hours .
If not , try talking to your boss about working from home occasionally to allow you more autonomy over your schedule .
The moral of the story is , you should not work against your energy levels , but rather with them .
Pay attention to when you feel most productive , and maximize that time .
Keep Reading : Brilliant People Prefer To Be Alone , According To Science

Do you often find yourself staying up into the wee hours of the morning, working on a project or engaging in a hobby? Do you find that you don’t want to get out of bed when your alarm goes off?
People who tend to sleep in late are often considered lazy and are associated with lower productivity in their work and daily lives, but science says this may not be the case. If you often find you just don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, research suggests that it is likely not because you’re lazy- it may be because you’re smart.
If You Don’t Want to Get Out of Bed, Don’t Worry
A 2009 study entitled “Why Night Owls are More Intelligent” says that having control over when you go to bed and when you wake up is a sign of intelligence [1].
The study was conducted by psychologists Satoshi Kanazawa and Kaja Perina, in which they gave intelligence tests to students from 80 high schools and 50 middle schools, once at the beginning of the experiment and again five years later. At the time of the second test, they had the 15 197 participants report when they went to bed and when they got up on weekdays and weekends, with the goal of determining whether childrens’ sleeping habits correlated with intelligence [2].
The researchers found that children who went to bed later and got up later were likelier to have higher intelligence, a finding that spanned across a wide range of demographic variables, such as ethnicity, education, and religion [2].
But how can this be? There are a few factors that could explain these results.
The Answer Lies in Evolution
Kanazawa explains that sleeping in late is “evolutionarily novel”, which is a good thing. He says that it was rare for our ancestors to sleep in late, and the ability for one to choose their values and preferences (in this case, their circadian rhythms) in the face of genetic predisposition is a sign of intelligence.
In short, the study says that smarter people have a greater ability to adapt novel behaviours, hence why night owls tend to exhibit higher degrees of intelligence than people with other sleeping patterns [2].
Night Owls are Mentally Alert for Longer
Kanazawa is not the only one to conduct a similar study with comparable results. Another 2009 study that monitored the brain activity of 16 extreme night owls and 15 extreme early birds in a lab. The participants had their brain activity monitored twice: once an hour and a half after waking up, and again 10.5 hours after waking up.
For reference, the early birds tended to get up around seven and were ready to go to sleep at eleven, while the night owls had no problem staying up past three in the morning and waking up at eleven.
The researchers found that both groups performed similarly in the morning responsiveness test, but the night owls showed faster reaction times and greater awakeness in the evening test. Despite the fact that both groups were getting the same amount of sleep, the night owls were able to stay awake and alert for a longer period of time before becoming mentally fatigued when compared to the early risers [3].
Night Owls are More Creative
Don’t want to get out of bed? You may be more creative because of it. Scientists still are not certain as to why people who work late into the night tend to be more creative, but one possible reason could be that it is because staying up late is an adaptation to living outside the norm. This is what researchers at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan found.
“Being in a situation which diverges from conventional habit, nocturnal types often experience this situation, may encourage the development of a non-conventional spirit and of the ability to find alternative and original solutions,” explained Professor Marina Giampietro, lead author of a study [4].
Hans Van Dongen, associate research professor at the Sleep and Performance Research Center at Washington State University, believes that this could have to do with the fact that evening people also tend to be more extroverted.
“One could reasonably envision a link between the personality trait of extroversion and the finding of creativity,” he says [4].
What Does this Mean for Morning People?
If you’re an early riser and you’re reading this, you may be concerned thinking “does this mean that I am unintelligent?”. You can relax, because the reality is this correlation is not quite that linear. If you don’t get out of bed early, though, you might be on to something.
It turns out that whether you like to get up early or stay up late is highly dependent on one set of brain cells, which is at least in part determined by genetics.
Van Dongen and his colleagues found that a small group of brain cells, called suprachiasmatic nuclei, emit signals to the rest of your body to determine the time of day- essentially they are what determines your biological clock. For early risers, this body clock tends to run two hours ahead of schedule, while for late sleepers it runs two hours later [4].
Sleep is Still Important
It is important to note that while the specific time you go to bed and when you get up may be less important than originally thought, the actual number of hours you sleep each night does have an impact on your health.
A study by the University of Southampton determined that while people who go to bed later and wake up later are not, in fact, at any kind of socioeconomic, cognitive, or health disadvantage, those who spend a longer time in bed (twelve hours or more) may be at an increased risk of death [5].
Work According to Your Energy Levels
The standard work day is from nine to five, but those hours may not be ideal for you- whether you’re an early bird or a night owl. Some people do their best work early in the morning, while others find they’re more motivated and have their best ideas at midnight or later.
If you have a job that allows you to work on your own schedule, then choose to work at the times when you feel the most productive, regardless of whether or not they fall within the preconceived notion of regular working hours. If not, try talking to your boss about working from home occasionally to allow you more autonomy over your schedule.
The moral of the story is, you should not work against your energy levels, but rather with them. Pay attention to when you feel most productive, and maximize that time.
Keep Reading: Stephen Hawking’s Last Warnings To Humanity


theheartysoul--2020-06-16--Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting (Vegan and Gluten-free Options)

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and sandwich cookies are among the best desserts out there .
They are sweet and , for many people , nostalgic .
This recipe brings these two sweets together for one mega dessert .
These carrot cake cookies have the softness and creaminess of carrot cake and cream cheese frosting combined with the fun snacky-ness of sandwich cookies .
We have provided two versions of this easy , mouth-watering recipe , the original and one with healthier ingredients suited for those with gluten-free , dairy-free , or vegan diets .
Whichever recipe you choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a delicious soft cookie filled with the cinnamon-y flavors of carrot cake and vanilla , creamy frosting .
Enjoy !
• one cup of brown sugar or 225 grams • One cup or 130 grams of all-purpose flour • one cup or 90 grams of grated carrots • Combine the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until creamy .
• Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until well-combined .
• In a separate bowl , combine the flour , cinnamon , baking powder , baking soda , and salt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms .
• Add in the carrots , raisins , and oats .
Mix until well combined .
• Using an ice cream scoop or spoon , place about 1 tbsp on a baking pan lined with a parchment paper or a baking mat .
• Bake at 350 degrees F or 177 C for 15 minutes and allow the cookies to cool completely .
• For the filling : Add the cream cheese , confectioners ’ sugar , vanilla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mix until well incorporated .
You want a creamy consistency .
• After the cookies have cooled , make the sandwich by adding the mixture to the center of a bottom cookie and adding another to the top .
See Notes below for additional options • Combine the coconut oil and coconut sugar in a bowl and beat until creamy .
• Add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat until well combined .
• In a separate bowl , combine the gluten-free flour , cinnamon , baking powder , baking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well combined .
• Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms .
• Add in the carrots , raisins , and oats .
Mix until well combined .
• Using an ice cream scoop or spoon , place about 1 tbsp of cookie dough on a baking pan lined with a parchment paper or a baking mat .
• Bake at 350 degrees F or 177 C for 15 minutes and allow the cookies to cool completely .
• For the filling : Blend the coconut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixture becomes a powdery consistency .
Add the vegan cream cheese , coconut butter , and vanilla extract until the filling is well-combined and creamy .
• After the cookies have cooled , make the sandwich by adding the mixture to the center of a bottom cookie and adding another to the top .
Read : The protein-filled coconut cookies you can eat for breakfast For a homemade all-purpose gluten-free flour mix , combine the following : Measure out a cup for the cookie recipe and store the rest of the flour in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future recipes .
For the filling : You can substitute the cream cheese with vegan nut , tofu , or coconut cream cheese .
You could use store-bought or make your own : • Soak 1 ½ cup raw cashews overnight in the fridge or for 30 min in hot water .
( The longer they soak the creamier the cream cheese will be . )
• Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a food processor along with : • Blend until the ‘ cream cheeze ’ is smooth and use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store this cream cheese in the fridge for up to 5 days .
• For more tips on this recipe , see Nora Cooks .

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and sandwich cookies are among the best desserts out there. They are sweet and, for many people, nostalgic. This recipe brings these two sweets together for one mega dessert. These carrot cake cookies have the softness and creaminess of carrot cake and cream cheese frosting combined with the fun snacky-ness of sandwich cookies.
We have provided two versions of this easy, mouth-watering recipe, the original and one with healthier ingredients suited for those with gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan diets. Whichever recipe you choose, you’ll end up with a delicious soft cookie filled with the cinnamon-y flavors of carrot cake and vanilla, creamy frosting. Enjoy!
Related recipe: Gluten free zucchini bread recipe
Carrot Cake Cookies
Serves: 10
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter or 113 grams
one cup of brown sugar or 225 grams
1 egg
a few drops of vanilla extract
One cup or 130 grams of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
Half tsp of baking powder
½ tsp of baking soda
pinch of salt
one cup or 90 grams of grated carrots
1 cup or 60 grams of oats
¼ cup of raisins
Cream Cheese Filling:
120 grams or 4oz of cream cheese, softened
125 grams or 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons of butter
½ tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Combine the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until well-combined. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until well combined. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms. Add in the carrots, raisins, and oats. Mix until well combined. Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, place about 1 tbsp on a baking pan lined with a parchment paper or a baking mat. Bake at 350 degrees F or 177 C for 15 minutes and allow the cookies to cool completely. For the filling: Add the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and butter to a bowl. Mix until well incorporated. You want a creamy consistency. After the cookies have cooled, make the sandwich by adding the mixture to the center of a bottom cookie and adding another to the top. Enjoy your carrot cake cookie sandwiches!
Healthy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Cookies with a Vegan Option
Ingredients:
½ cup coconut oil
1 cup of coconut sugar
1 egg or flax egg or egg replacer
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour*
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
½ tsp of baking powder
½ tsp of baking soda
pinch of salt
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup gluten-free oats
¼ cup of raisins
Cream Cheese Filling:
1 cup coconut sugar
2 tsp tapioca flour
4 oz of cream cheese, softened**
2 tbsp coconut butter
½ tsp vanilla extract
See Notes below for additional options
Directions:
Combine the coconut oil and coconut sugar in a bowl and beat until creamy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat until well combined. In a separate bowl, combine the gluten-free flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until well combined. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until a dough forms. Add in the carrots, raisins, and oats. Mix until well combined. Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, place about 1 tbsp of cookie dough on a baking pan lined with a parchment paper or a baking mat. Bake at 350 degrees F or 177 C for 15 minutes and allow the cookies to cool completely. For the filling: Blend the coconut sugar with the tapioca flour until the mixture becomes a powdery consistency. Add the vegan cream cheese, coconut butter, and vanilla extract until the filling is well-combined and creamy. After the cookies have cooled, make the sandwich by adding the mixture to the center of a bottom cookie and adding another to the top. Enjoy your carrot cake cookie sandwiches!
Read: The protein-filled coconut cookies you can eat for breakfast
Notes:
*DIY Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend
For a homemade all-purpose gluten-free flour mix, combine the following:
2 cup almond flour
1 1/3 tapioca starch
2/3 coconut flour
Measure out a cup for the cookie recipe and store the rest of the flour in a sealed container in the fridge for future recipes.
**Vegan Option for a Cream ‘Cheeze’ Filling
For the filling: You can substitute the cream cheese with vegan nut, tofu, or coconut cream cheese. You could use store-bought or make your own:
DIY Vegan Cream Cheese


theheartysoul--2020-06-16--This Floating Projection Light Turns Your Pool into an Aquarium

Summertime is finally upon us , and if you haven ’ t used that pool all year , now would be the time to get it back in shape .
Home pools are going to be deeply appreciated this summer since most popular hotspots are still closed off to the public .
However , we could have all the raving fun we want at home with just a few unique additions , like turning the swimming pool into an aquarium .
While you could always illuminate your pool using simple disco lights or the built-in pool lights , where ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Amazon are selling the Rainbow Reef Aquarium Pool Light , a floating projection light ball with carve-outs that turns your pool into a galaxy or an aquarium [ 1 ] .
It ’ s perfect for families who love to swim at night and it adds something uniquely beautiful to the pool .
This is going to be great for the Fourth of July and special days when your kids need a bit of extra flair for swim time .
If you don ’ t have a pool , you could always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , toss your ball in the tub , and enjoy the transformation .
Also , you could use it out of the water to illuminate your walls and floors .
When it comes on , it adds colorful silhouettes of tiny fishes and a large shark at the bottom of the poll .
The star variant highlights your pool with blue , red , and white stars .
It ’ s water-proof and can float , so you don ’ t have to worry about attaching it to anything .
The effect is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as people swim .
The fish appear to be swimming along and it ’ s just a lovely feeling .
It ’ s totally entertaining for kids and adults of all ages .
The device is made of plastic and is powered by 4 AA batteries ( not included in the package ) .
You can also switch between 3 different light modes , including white lights , color lights , and color-changing mode .
Fondly nicknamed the disco fish , this floating device is extremely simple , easy to use , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ambiance to your pool .
Who needs pool lights when you can have a whole aquarium with friendly fish eager to swim ?
Currently , this device is sold out both on Overstock and Amazon , and the vendors are not sure when it would be back in stock .
The device was last sold for $ 27 before it went out of stock .
A couple of helpful reviews from verified purchases on Amazon : “ My kids love taking this in the pool at night .
There are several different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is fun .
Battery insertion is easy enough .
The part I didn ’ t realize & seems funny for a pool , is that the instructions say to not leave it in the water or the sun .
I tossed it in the pool the night it arrived , so we could see it ; then had to jump in & get it because the instructions said to not leave it in the water .
Pool lights need to be off to get the full effect as well .
Overall , really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue in common – they wish it was brighter .
A couple of similar items still in stock :

Summertime is finally upon us, and if you haven’t used that pool all year, now would be the time to get it back in shape. Home pools are going to be deeply appreciated this summer since most popular hotspots are still closed off to the public. However, we could have all the raving fun we want at home with just a few unique additions, like turning the swimming pool into an aquarium.
While you could always illuminate your pool using simple disco lights or the built-in pool lights, where’s the fun in those? Overstock and Amazon are selling the Rainbow Reef Aquarium Pool Light, a floating projection light ball with carve-outs that turns your pool into a galaxy or an aquarium [1]. It’s perfect for families who love to swim at night and it adds something uniquely beautiful to the pool. This is going to be great for the Fourth of July and special days when your kids need a bit of extra flair for swim time.
If you don’t have a pool, you could always turn off the lights in the bathroom, toss your ball in the tub, and enjoy the transformation. Also, you could use it out of the water to illuminate your walls and floors.
When it comes on, it adds colorful silhouettes of tiny fishes and a large shark at the bottom of the poll. The star variant highlights your pool with blue, red, and white stars. It’s water-proof and can float, so you don’t have to worry about attaching it to anything. The effect is even more exciting when the ball bounces as people swim. The fish appear to be swimming along and it’s just a lovely feeling. It’s totally entertaining for kids and adults of all ages.
The device is made of plastic and is powered by 4 AA batteries (not included in the package). You can also switch between 3 different light modes, including white lights, color lights, and color-changing mode.
Fondly nicknamed the disco fish, this floating device is extremely simple, easy to use, and it adds a lot of exciting color and ambiance to your pool. Who needs pool lights when you can have a whole aquarium with friendly fish eager to swim?
Currently, this device is sold out both on Overstock and Amazon, and the vendors are not sure when it would be back in stock. The device was last sold for $27 before it went out of stock.
A couple of helpful reviews from verified purchases on Amazon:
“My kids love taking this in the pool at night. There are several different modes of viewing the fish, which is fun. Battery insertion is easy enough. The part I didn’t realize & seems funny for a pool, is that the instructions say to not leave it in the water or the sun. I tossed it in the pool the night it arrived, so we could see it; then had to jump in & get it because the instructions said to not leave it in the water. Pool lights need to be off to get the full effect as well. Overall, really cute.”
Most customers had one tiny issue in common – they wish it was brighter.
One customer wrote: “It’s not very bright. Probably good for a small pool, but ours is 15x 26 and it is difficult to make out the fish.”
Another wrote: “Amazing simple product. My son had a similar product that projected stars at the ceiling. This one projects various types of fish at the pool. Colors and images are amazing at night and add so much to my backyard.”
A couple of similar items still in stock:
Bluetooth Speakers with Colorful Lights
Juesi Floating Pool Lights for Swimming Pool (solar-powered)
LOFTEK Floating Pool Lights


theheartysoul--2020-06-16--Dolphins Bring “Gifts” From the Sea to the Shores Because They Miss Their Human Visitors

How do you say , “ Aww… thank you ” , in Dolphin ?
These animals are just too sweet and there ’ s nothing we can do but love them every day .
A pod of nine Australian humpback dolphins at a popular tourist spot in Queensland is reportedly delivering “ gifts ” to the staff and volunteers [ 1 ] .
The friendly long-nosed creatures are used to being fed and played with by humans , but it ’ s been several weeks since they received any visitors due to the coronavirus restrictions .
These days , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the few people they see by bringing them gifts from the sea .
The dolphins are esteemed residents at Barnacles Cafe & Dolphin Feeding at Tin Can Bay , north of the Sunshine Coast .
Their wonderful gifts include sea sponges , corals , barnacle-encrusted bottles , reefs , and anything that seems like it might make the volunteers happy .
A post on the Café ’ s Facebook page read : “ The pod has been bringing us regular gifts , showing us how much they ’ re missing the public interaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you all.
” Read : This Man Was Only Filming Seagulls , but He Suddenly Captures an Incredible Once-In-A Lifetime Scene The pod is led by the alpha male named Mystique , who would often bring the largest pieces of coral and glass bottles on his nose .
Following closely behind would be the other members of his family – Patch , Ella , Harmony , Squirt , and four others .
According to reports from volunteers , the dolphins have been doing this for quite a long time .
They ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hilarious gift items to be presented to their carers .
However , the behavior seems to have been on the rise lately , possibly because they miss seeing people and getting pampered .
According to Dolphin expert Barry McGovern , the animals probably miss the snacks more than the humans .
Dolphins are notoriously gifted mimics and fast learners – they pick up human behavior very quickly and may have seen people gifting others in the past .
They are highly intelligent and demonstrate traits like self-awareness , empathy , grief , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love their playtime more than anything .
The Café has finally opened as lockdown restrictions were relaxed in Australia .
They ’ ve since edited their initial post to alert the dolphin lovers : “ Since the restrictions have eased we have been able to reopen the dolphin feeding & café .
Put a smile on someone ’ s face and come spend some time to feed these beautiful creatures , they are definitely missing you all.
” Read : Dolphins appear to glow as they glide through bioluminescent waves There are 42 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , and generally , their numbers are dwindling out in the wild waters .
Some of the biggest threats these animals face include climate change , plastic pollution , fisheries bycatch , and offshore oil and gas developments , including seismic blasting [ 3 ] .
Seismic blasting is one of the most controversial oil exploration methods where high-powered air guns are used to blast seafloors to map oil reserves .
This often results in the injuring and killing of hundreds of aquatic animals within each working location .
The most common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottlenose , and they are of “ least concern ” with over 600,000 still swimming the oceans and seas .
However , humpbacks are facing a terrible fate .
Each of the four species under this genus is flagged from “ vulnerable to critically endangered ” by the IUCN [ 4 ] .
Their numbers are decreasing rapidly with only a few thousands of each species left in the wild .
To protect the dolphins , the best thing we can do is to keep the ocean clean .
Globally , 100,000 aquatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plastic pollution [ 5 ] .
This includes dolphins , whales , porpoises , sea lions , and seals .
They feed or choke on these items and it ’ s a sad reality to imagine how they suffocate due to human carelessness .
We need stronger policies to prevent the poaching of dolphins and the use of chemicals in fishing .
Dolphins are one of nature ’ s blessings to humans , and we have to help keep them safe .
Here are some resources to learn more about the dangers they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fisheries : Protect Wild Dolphins : Admire Them from a Distance .
The Dolphin Project : 10 WAYS TO HELP PROTECT THE OCEANS WWF : Plastic in our oceans is killing marine mammals ASCOBANS : What You can Do to Protect Whales , Dolphins and Porpoises !
Keep Reading : Fish recorded singing dawn chorus on reefs just like birds

How do you say, “Aww… thank you”, in Dolphin? These animals are just too sweet and there’s nothing we can do but love them every day. A pod of nine Australian humpback dolphins at a popular tourist spot in Queensland is reportedly delivering “gifts” to the staff and volunteers [1].
The friendly long-nosed creatures are used to being fed and played with by humans, but it’s been several weeks since they received any visitors due to the coronavirus restrictions. These days, it appears they are trying to interact with the few people they see by bringing them gifts from the sea.
The dolphins are esteemed residents at Barnacles Cafe & Dolphin Feeding at Tin Can Bay, north of the Sunshine Coast. Their wonderful gifts include sea sponges, corals, barnacle-encrusted bottles, reefs, and anything that seems like it might make the volunteers happy.
A post on the Café’s Facebook page read: “The pod has been bringing us regular gifts, showing us how much they’re missing the public interaction and attention. They are definitely missing you all.”
Read: This Man Was Only Filming Seagulls, but He Suddenly Captures an Incredible Once-In-A Lifetime Scene
A form of social interaction
The pod is led by the alpha male named Mystique, who would often bring the largest pieces of coral and glass bottles on his nose. Following closely behind would be the other members of his family – Patch, Ella, Harmony, Squirt, and four others.
According to reports from volunteers, the dolphins have been doing this for quite a long time. They’d occasionally swim up to the shores bearing hilarious gift items to be presented to their carers. However, the behavior seems to have been on the rise lately, possibly because they miss seeing people and getting pampered.
According to Dolphin expert Barry McGovern, the animals probably miss the snacks more than the humans.
“Nothing surprises me with dolphins and their behavior anymore. They do everything: They use tools, they have culture, they have something similar to names in signature whistles,” said McGovern, a Ph.D. student at the University of Queensland [2]. “In all likelihood, they probably don’t miss humans per se. They probably miss a free meal and the routine.”
Dolphins are notoriously gifted mimics and fast learners – they pick up human behavior very quickly and may have seen people gifting others in the past. They are highly intelligent and demonstrate traits like self-awareness, empathy, grief, and most of all, playfulness. Dolphins love their playtime more than anything.
“They often play with bits of weed and coral and all sorts of things and just leave it on their rostrum (nose). They’re used to getting fed now, so they’re used to humans coming in. When it’s not happening, maybe it’s just out of boredom,” McGovern said.
The Café has finally opened as lockdown restrictions were relaxed in Australia. They’ve since edited their initial post to alert the dolphin lovers: “Since the restrictions have eased we have been able to reopen the dolphin feeding & café. Put a smile on someone’s face and come spend some time to feed these beautiful creatures, they are definitely missing you all.”
Read: Dolphins appear to glow as they glide through bioluminescent waves
Protect the humpback dolphins
There are 42 species of dolphins presently identified in the world, and generally, their numbers are dwindling out in the wild waters. Some of the biggest threats these animals face include climate change, plastic pollution, fisheries bycatch, and offshore oil and gas developments, including seismic blasting [3]. Seismic blasting is one of the most controversial oil exploration methods where high-powered air guns are used to blast seafloors to map oil reserves. This often results in the injuring and killing of hundreds of aquatic animals within each working location.
The most common dolphin species in the wild is the bottlenose, and they are of “least concern” with over 600,000 still swimming the oceans and seas. However, humpbacks are facing a terrible fate. Each of the four species under this genus is flagged from “vulnerable to critically endangered” by the IUCN [4].
Australian humpback dolphin (Sousa sahulensis) – Vulnerable
Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) – Critically endangered
Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) – Endangered
Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) – Vulnerable
Their numbers are decreasing rapidly with only a few thousands of each species left in the wild. To protect the dolphins, the best thing we can do is to keep the ocean clean. Globally, 100,000 aquatic mammals die annually as a result of plastic pollution [5]. This includes dolphins, whales, porpoises, sea lions, and seals. They feed or choke on these items and it’s a sad reality to imagine how they suffocate due to human carelessness. We need stronger policies to prevent the poaching of dolphins and the use of chemicals in fishing.
Dolphins are one of nature’s blessings to humans, and we have to help keep them safe. Here are some resources to learn more about the dangers they face and how to help:
NOAA Fisheries: Protect Wild Dolphins: Admire Them from a Distance.
The Dolphin Project: 10 WAYS TO HELP PROTECT THE OCEANS
WWF: Plastic in our oceans is killing marine mammals
ASCOBANS: What You can Do to Protect Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises!
Keep Reading: Fish recorded singing dawn chorus on reefs just like birds


theheartysoul--2020-06-16--A Coat of Many Colors: The Silver-Eared Mesia Is All the Burst of Color You’ll Need Today

Summer is just starting and this bird has us wishing autumn was already here .
The silver-eared mesia ( Leiothrix argentauris ) is a beautiful bird blessed with a plethora of stunning colors .
It ’ s a songbird of the babbler family called Timaliidae and can be found in several countries across Asia .
This colorful bird is named for the unique silver patches around its ears , although the entire body is highlighted with a range of lovely autumnal hues .
With a tiny black face , that contrasts sharply with its silver ears , gray tail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yellow wings , gray wingtips , and the sweetest olive-green back , this bird is one of nature ’ s most adorable designs ( and yes , that was a mouthful ) [ 1 ] .
It ’ s also one of the few bird species where there ’ s not much of a distinction between the males and females .
The most obvious difference is that the males have red-orange throats while the females have a yellow color .
With an adult size of about 15.5–17 cm ( 6.1-6.7 in ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.75-1oz ) , these birds are extremely tiny and not always that obvious – despite the barrage of colors .
Thankfully , they travel in noisy flocks and often prefer cool , moist typical climates .
While mostly found in Hong Kong and Pakistan , they can also be found year-round in gardens and bushes in Southern China , Myanmar , Nepal , Thailand , Vietnam , Laos , and Malaysia .
Read : Huge owl hatches chicks outside man ’ s window — now the brood watches TV with him These birds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They travel in groups of 6 to 30 and have a characteristic sweet , whistling song that ’ s often belted out in relaxing tunes .
For this reason , along with their adorable colors , these birds are subject to relentless poaching in the area and are usually kept as cage birds .
However , the bird is currently categorized as “ least concern ” on the IUCN red list , but they still need to be protected and regulated [ 2 ] .
Experts believe there are about 7 subspecies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to shift and change in ratios .
Read : Extremely Rare Dwarf Kingfisher Fledgling Photographed for the Very First Time The females lay a clutch of four eggs at once in a tiny cup-shaped nest .
Their diet consists mostly of insects , seeds , and fruits , and they can often be found poking under nests and leaves searching for critters and fallen berries .
Despite being somewhat social , the birds are not always that easy to spot .
Local resorts and gardens appreciate the burst of cheerful color they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would often leave out feeders with the birds ’ favorite snacks at strategic locations to attract them and other local species .
Keep Reading : What Would It Look Like If Birds Left Tracks In The Sky ?

Summer is just starting and this bird has us wishing autumn was already here. The silver-eared mesia (Leiothrix argentauris) is a beautiful bird blessed with a plethora of stunning colors. It’s a songbird of the babbler family called Timaliidae and can be found in several countries across Asia.
This colorful bird is named for the unique silver patches around its ears, although the entire body is highlighted with a range of lovely autumnal hues. With a tiny black face, that contrasts sharply with its silver ears, gray tail, yellow feathers, bright red wing patch, yellow wings, gray wingtips, and the sweetest olive-green back, this bird is one of nature’s most adorable designs (and yes, that was a mouthful) [1].
It’s also one of the few bird species where there’s not much of a distinction between the males and females. The most obvious difference is that the males have red-orange throats while the females have a yellow color.
With an adult size of about 15.5–17 cm (6.1-6.7 in) and an average weight of 22–29g (0.75-1oz), these birds are extremely tiny and not always that obvious – despite the barrage of colors. Thankfully, they travel in noisy flocks and often prefer cool, moist typical climates. While mostly found in Hong Kong and Pakistan, they can also be found year-round in gardens and bushes in Southern China, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Malaysia.
Read: Huge owl hatches chicks outside man’s window — now the brood watches TV with him
True songbirds
These birds may be noisy but they beautifully so. They travel in groups of 6 to 30 and have a characteristic sweet, whistling song that’s often belted out in relaxing tunes. For this reason, along with their adorable colors, these birds are subject to relentless poaching in the area and are usually kept as cage birds. However, the bird is currently categorized as “least concern” on the IUCN red list, but they still need to be protected and regulated [2].
Experts believe there are about 7 subspecies under the argentauris species since color patterns tend to shift and change in ratios.
Read: Extremely Rare Dwarf Kingfisher Fledgling Photographed for the Very First Time
The females lay a clutch of four eggs at once in a tiny cup-shaped nest. Their diet consists mostly of insects, seeds, and fruits, and they can often be found poking under nests and leaves searching for critters and fallen berries. Despite being somewhat social, the birds are not always that easy to spot. Local resorts and gardens appreciate the burst of cheerful color they add to the scenery, so they would often leave out feeders with the birds’ favorite snacks at strategic locations to attract them and other local species.


theheartysoul--2020-06-16--Not Everyone Can Solve This ‘Simple’ Math Problem from the 1950s without A Calculator

A math question from the ‘ 50s is causing a major stir online , and most people aren ’ t actually able to solve it correctly without using our saving grace – the calculator [ 1 ] .
I know you ’ re thinking this is another one of those annoyingly difficult questions that pop up occasionally and everyone always seems to have a different answer .
On the contrary , it ’ s probably something you encountered back at school .
If you ’ re like me and you were not exactly one of the best math students back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another chance to prove yourself .
I tried it , and it ’ s actually one of the hardest math problems I ’ ve come across .
Can you solve it ?
Read : Teacher uses LEGO to explain math to children .
Brilliant !
The math problem is this : Still feeling confident right there ?
People online are coming up with a barrage of different answers .
It ’ s gotten to a point where they can ’ t decide what the correct answer is , but it ’ s actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer is set in stone .
However , the more contradicting the answers are , the more viral a question will go .
Have you solved it yet ?
If your answer is zero , four , seven , or a decimal fraction , you might want to take another go at it before taking a peek at the solution .
Think of this as a brain teaser , and while they may be a bit pesky sometimes , they are certainly interesting and great for improving your memory and processing abilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ let ’ s talk a bit about how the Order of Operation which is known as PEMDAS ( British version – BEDMAS ) came to be .
It ’ s not all Euclid and Pythagoras .
Our helpful Parentheses/Brackets Exponent Multiplication Division Addition and Subtraction had to have come from somewhere right ?
While the actual origin and inventors have remained unknown for decades , historians say that the Order of Operation was created out of a desperate need for simplified solutions [ 2 ] .
As early as the 6th Century BC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their animals , crops , and carry out trades .
Many communities invented their own systems of counting .
For instance , the Babylonians worked with a system based on 60 , while most others took their measurements in 10s .
Of courses , the only thing they could initially do was to add and subtract .
They could lump two groups of sheep together to make one whole group , or remove a few tubers from a heap of crops to have less .
However , these two operations were simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a method for adding the same repeated number at a faster rate , and multiplication was born .
There had to be a way to undo this operation and hence came division .
For centuries , the only thing people did as math was adding , subtracting , multiplying , and dividing .
Over time , there was a need for faster multiplication , and people came up with exponents .
How to undo this ?
Take the root of the operation .
They also came up with groupings for clarity such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a convention when people needed a generally approved method of solving expressions containing multiple operations .
It seemed wrong to do whatever a person thought was right when they have to solve something like ( 3 + 2 ) x 3 – 4 ÷ 8… There had to be a standard way of getting through it , and that ’ s how PEMDAS was born .
You solve the expression inside grouping symbols such as brackets first , then do exponents and roots , then multiply and divide , and finally add and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be interchanged or solved from left to right without any particular order .
The solution to the above question Then we move on to add and subtract from left to right as follows : Was this what you got ?
If so , then congratulations !
Good job .
If you didn ’ t get the answer correctly , that ’ s okay .
At least you ’ ve learned something new .
Win-win !
Looking to try some more problems ?
Check these out : Very few people can solve this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viral Math Problem That Has People Up In Arms

A math question from the ‘50s is causing a major stir online, and most people aren’t actually able to solve it correctly without using our saving grace – the calculator. I know you’re thinking this is another one of those annoyingly difficult questions that pop up occasionally and everyone always seems to have a different answer. On the contrary, it’s probably something you encountered back at school. If you’re like me and you were not exactly one of the best math students back in middle school, this might be another chance to prove yourself. I tried it, and it’s actually one of the hardest math problems I’ve come across. Can you solve it?
The hardest math problem is this:
Still feeling confident right there? People online are coming up with a barrage of different answers. It’s gotten to a point where they can’t decide what the correct answer is, but it’s actually a simple PEMDAS operation and the final answer is set in stone.
However, the more contradicting the answers are, the more viral a question will go. Have you solved it yet?
If your answer is zero, four, seven, or a decimal fraction, you might want to take another go at it before taking a peek at the solution. Think of this as a brain teaser, and while they may be a bit pesky sometimes, they are certainly interesting and great for improving your memory and processing abilities.
While you’re at it, let’s talk a bit about how the Order of Operation which is known as PEMDAS (British version – BEDMAS) came to be. It’s not all Euclid and Pythagoras. Our helpful Parentheses/Brackets Exponent Multiplication Division Addition and Subtraction had to have come from somewhere right?
While the actual origin and inventors have remained unknown for decades, historians say that the Order of Operation was created out of a desperate need for simplified solutions. As early as the 6th Century BC, people needed math to keep count of their animals, crops, and carry out trades. Many communities invented their own systems of counting. For instance, the Babylonians worked with a system based on 60, while most others took their measurements in 10s.
Of courses, the only thing they could initially do was to add and subtract. They could lump two groups of sheep together to make one whole group, or remove a few tubers from a heap of crops to have less. However, these two operations were simply insufficient.
They went ahead to invent a method for adding the same repeated number at a faster rate, and multiplication was born. There had to be a way to undo this operation and hence came division.
For centuries, the only thing people did as math was adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
Over time, there was a need for faster multiplication, and people came up with exponents. How to undo this? Take the root of the operation. They also came up with groupings for clarity such as parentheses and fractional terms.
PEMDAS became a convention when people needed a generally approved method of solving expressions containing multiple operations. It seemed wrong to do whatever a person thought was right when they have to solve something like (3 + 2) x 3 – 4 ÷ 8… There had to be a standard way of getting through it, and that’s how PEMDAS was born. You solve the expression inside grouping symbols such as brackets first, then do exponents and roots, then multiply and divide, and finally add and subtract.
However, addition and subtraction can be interchanged or solved from left to right without any particular order.
The solution to the above question
9 – (9 ÷ 9) + 9 – (9 ÷ 9) = ?
9 – (1) + 9 – (1) = ?
Then we move on to add and subtract from left to right as follows:
9 – 1 + 9 – 1 = ?
8 + 9 – 1 = ?
17 – 1 = 16
The final answer is 16.
Was this what you got? If so, then congratulations! Good job. If you didn’t get the answer correctly, that’s okay. At least you’ve learned something new. Win-win!
Did you get it? Try these next:


theheartysoul--2020-06-16--Recluse Dies, Leaves Behind Hundreds of Secret Sculptures

Many artists throughout history did not rise to prominence or receive recognition for their work until after their death .
Veijo Rönkkönen was one of these individuals .
No one even knew he was an artist until he passed away and left behind a forest filled with Secret Sculptures .
The Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Garden , which is located in the woods surrounding the now-deceased artist ’ s home , receives about 25 thousand visitors every year .
There are nearly five hundred figures on the grounds , including statues of children holding each other up in the air and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the figures have real human teeth which seem to grin eerily at guests as they walk by , while others have speakers inside them that make unintelligible sounds [ 1 ] [ 2 ] .
One of the largest parts of the garden features over two hundred male statues doing various yoga poses , which some believe are self-portraits of Rönkkönen himself [ 2 ] .
The secret sculptures are not considered very lifelike , but instead have blank , sunken eyes , gaunt proportions , and creepy smiles , which give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , a sinister quality [ 2 ] .
Read : Artist Creates Hyperrealistic Animal Sculptures out Of Sand and You ’ d Almost Believe They Were Real Veijo Rönkkönen was born in 1944 Parikalla , Finland .
He started working at the local paper mill when he was just sixteen years old , where he continued to work for the rest of his life .
He was known as a recluse and barely went anywhere other than to go to work and then return to his farm [ 3 ] .
Around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the mill , he began creating his sculptures .
Local legend says that he used his first paycheck from the mill to purchase apple seeds and a bag of concrete in order to start his sculpture garden [ 1 ] .
While he rarely travelled anywhere , he was said to be very well-read , and the variety of ethnicities in his statues represent his knowledge of the world [ 2 ] .
While Rönkkönen was alive , he refused to showcase his work .
He never discouraged visitors , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourism activities that began happening as interest in his collection grew .
Following Rönkkönen ’ s death in 2010 , Finnish Businessman Reino Uusitalo purchased the site with plans to provide it with management to maintain it .
It was reopened to the public on July 23 , 2011 , with an exhibit honoring the artist that remained in place until September 30 , 2011 [ 3 ] .
Keep Reading : Stunning Living Sculpture Changes Its Appearance With The Seasons

Many artists throughout history did not rise to prominence or receive recognition for their work until after their death. Veijo Rönkkönen was one of these individuals. No one even knew he was an artist until he passed away and left behind a forest filled with Secret Sculptures.
The Veijo Rönkkönen Gardens
The Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Garden, which is located in the woods surrounding the now-deceased artist’s home, receives about 25 thousand visitors every year.
There are nearly five hundred figures on the grounds, including statues of children holding each other up in the air and older adults in traditional dress. Some of the figures have real human teeth which seem to grin eerily at guests as they walk by, while others have speakers inside them that make unintelligible sounds [1][2].
One of the largest parts of the garden features over two hundred male statues doing various yoga poses, which some believe are self-portraits of Rönkkönen himself [2].
The secret sculptures are not considered very lifelike, but instead have blank ,sunken eyes, gaunt proportions, and creepy smiles, which give them an other-worldly or, in some cases, a sinister quality [2].
Read: Artist Creates Hyperrealistic Animal Sculptures out Of Sand and You’d Almost Believe They Were Real
Veijo Rönkkönen: The Secret Sculptor
Veijo Rönkkönen was born in 1944 Parikalla, Finland. He started working at the local paper mill when he was just sixteen years old, where he continued to work for the rest of his life. He was known as a recluse and barely went anywhere other than to go to work and then return to his farm [3].
Around the same time that he began working at the mill, he began creating his sculptures. Local legend says that he used his first paycheck from the mill to purchase apple seeds and a bag of concrete in order to start his sculpture garden [1].
While he rarely travelled anywhere, he was said to be very well-read, and the variety of ethnicities in his statues represent his knowledge of the world [2].
Visiting the Garden
While Rönkkönen was alive, he refused to showcase his work. He never discouraged visitors, but he never took an active role in the tourism activities that began happening as interest in his collection grew.
Following Rönkkönen’s death in 2010, Finnish Businessman Reino Uusitalo purchased the site with plans to provide it with management to maintain it. It was reopened to the public on July 23, 2011, with an exhibit honoring the artist that remained in place until September 30, 2011 [3].
Keep Reading: Stunning Living Sculpture Changes Its Appearance With The Seasons