theheartysoul--2020-06-24--These Are the Best Exercises to Help Burn Fat As Fast As Possible

Things are heating up in the northern hemisphere and this means one thing : swimsuit season .
Some of us decide to use this as motivation to tone up a bit to boost our confidence on the beach .
These are some of the best exercises to help you burn fat and feel good all over .
Now let ’ s be clear : every body is a bikini body .
If you do want to step up your workout regimen , however , these are the moves you want to be doing .
Furthermore , you can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific area , like our bellies ) , it ’ s an exercise myth .
These exercises will help you to tone your muscles and aid with fat loss over-all .
Walking Walking isn ’ t the first thing people think when they think exercise , but it ’ s actually one of the best things for your body .
In fact , in places where people walk more , such as European countries , the percentage of the population that is overweight or obese is much lower than those that rely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great option for people who have problems with their knees and hips because it ’ s lower impact .
So grab your spouse , your neighbor , your dog , or just your headphones and favorite podcast and get out there .
Just 45 minutes to one hour a day of brisk walking will do wonders for your health .
Incline Running Running and jogging is a fantastic way to burn fat and calories .
It also helps to improve the health of your heart , lungs , and bones .
Running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just that much harder and get a bit more out of your run in the same amount of time .
You can do this by adding an incline to the treadmill , or you can find a hilly route to run outside .
If you want to really turn things up a notch , find a somewhat steep , somewhat long hill or set of stairs near your home and run repeats .
This won ’ t just burn calories , but it will also help to tone and lift your butt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rowing Machine While it ’ s lovely to get out on the water , we don ’ t all have access to a proper rowing boat or a safe place to row .
Indoor rowing machines bridge that gap beautifully and allow you to get a full-body cardio workout in no matter what the weather is doing outside .
The rowing machine has a lower impact on your joints , as well .
When rowing make sure that : Your back stays straight and your core tight You push with your legs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulling , keep your shoulders down and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you pull your elbows into your sides .
For more information on proper form , watch this video below .
HIIT High-Intensity Interval Training is the solution for everyone who despises sustained cardio like running , biking , swimming , rowing , etc .
Be fair warned , however : HIIT training is intense .
It also typically involves a lot of jumping , so be prepared to modify if you have any joint or other issues that make this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercising or have never tried HIIT before , start out with videos or classes that are labeled “ beginner ” and work your way up from there .
Yoga Though not a calorie-burning powerhouse , yoga is amazing for mobility and muscular endurance , not to mention it can help you to destress .
Stress is bad for your health for so many reasons , but one of those is it can cause you to hold onto unwanted fat .
Incorporating yoga into your exercise routine will help keep your body and mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
Strength Training No , lifting weights won ’ t make you look “ bulky ” .
What they will do , however , is help you replace fat mass with lean muscle mass .
Even at rest , muscle is more metabolically active than fat , so the more muscle you have the more calories you will burn as you go about your regular day .
Strength training is also the type of exercise that will give you the Michelle Obama arms , Halle Berry legs , and J-Lo booty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doing 4 Exercises for 10 Minutes a Day Can Help Banish Lower , Mid , and Upper Back Pain Burpees Everyone ’ s favorite love-to-hate exercise is popular for a reason : there ’ s not a part of the body that it doesn ’ t touch .
Burpees will have your heart pounding and muscles working in seconds .
Legs , back , chest , shoulders , arms , core – you name it , burpees do it .
How-to : Standing tall with your feet hip-distance apart , push your hips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When you are in the bottom position , place your hands on the floor outside of your feet and hop your legs back so that you are in the plank position .
Lower your body down to the floor , then push through the heels of your hands to lift yourself back up into the plank position .
Jump your feet back up towards your hands , then , keeping your weight in your heels , jump up from that position , hands high in the air .
Check out this video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burpees If regular burpees just aren ’ t enough for you , consider this variation .
Essentially , this move combines burpees with a medicine ball slam .
Follow the same steps as above , except this time , start by lifting the ball high in the air , then using both your arms and legs , slam the ball into the ground .
Then , place your hands on top of the ball and complete the rest of your burpee from that position and repeat .
Overhead Medicine Ball Slams Take out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a medicine ball slam .
This is another move that ’ s got it all ( legs , arms , core , cardio ) as long as you do it properly .
How-to : Standing with your feet hip-distance apart , squat down and pick up the ball , keeping your back straight and core tight .
Lift the ball high into the air , then using both your arms and legs , slam the ball back into the ground .
Squat down to pick the ball back up and repeat .
Note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ squat down to use your legs to pick up the ball , not bend over and use your back .
Especially as you fatigue , using your back to pick up the medicine ball will likely cause injury .
Check out this video for a medicine ball slam tutorial .
Side-to-Side Medicine Ball Slams This move uses your legs , arms , and all parts of your core , in particular your obliques and your lats .
These are the muscles that help to give shape to your torso .
How-to : With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torso and lift the ball up above one of your shoulders .
Slam the ball down on the outside of your pink toe .
Squat down to pick the ball up and repeat on the opposite side .
Continue this motion , alternating sides each time .
Russian Twists Finally , a move where you can sit down !
Russian twists are a great core move because the twisting motion allows you to activate all parts of your abdominal muscles .
How-to : Sit up tall with your knees bent in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your abs engage , then lift your feet slightly off of the ground .
If this is too hard , you can touch your toes lightly to the ground for more stability .
Keeping your back straight and pulling your belly button into your spine , twist your torso ( not just your shoulders ! )
to touch the ground on one side of your body .
Come back to the center and twist your torso to touch the other side .
For bonus difficulty , you can straighten your legs or you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine ball or dumbbell .
Check out this video below for a Russian Twist tutorial .
Keep Reading : 5 Best Exercises to Stave off the Effects of Aging If You ’ re Over 40 Planks Sometimes overlooked , planks are another catch-all exercise .
Core , Shoulders , legs , and butt , they get your whole body fired up .
Form is important here : Your back should be flat , shoulders away from your ears , and belly button pulled in towards your spine – no sinking in the lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as you can maintain your form .
Once you can no longer do that , drop down , take a short rest , then get back into position .
Push yourself to hold it longer each time .
If you find a straight-arm plank hard on your wrists , drop down to your elbows instead .
Check out this video below on common plank mistakes and how to correct them .
Bosu Ball Planks When you ’ re ready to turn your planking up a notch or two , try doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Bosu ball .
This will challenge your stability , which makes your core work even harder .
Mountain Climbers Like the cardio-version of a stationary plank , mountain climbers will have your heart racing in no time !
How-to : Start in a straight-arm plank position .
Drive one knee in towards your chest , then switch legs , mimicking the running motion .
To keep it interesting , add variations : Pull each knee across your body towards the opposite shoulder for more of a twisting motion , or bring each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same side to get in a side-crunch .
Combination Exercises Combination exercises are particularly effective for those short on time .
This means instead of just doing a squat or a lunge , you incorporate a push or pulling exercise in with it .
For example , A squat with a dumbbell press , or a lunge with a cable pull or dumbbell row .
This way you ’ re working all parts of your body in half the amount of time .
The most important aspect of any exercise routine is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it safely , and it makes you stronger and healthier .
When it comes to health and fitness , exercise is only part of the equation .
If you don ’ t eat healthfully , the results won ’ t come .
Finally always remember this : Workout because you love your body and want it to be healthier , not because you hate your body and want it to be smaller .

Things are heating up in the northern hemisphere and this means one thing: swimsuit season. Some of us decide to use this as motivation to tone up a bit to boost our confidence on the beach. These are some of the best fat burning exercises exercises.
15 Best Fat Burning Exercises
Now let’s be clear: every body is a bikini body. If you do want to step up your workout regimen, however, these are the moves you want to be doing. Furthermore, you can’t actually spot-reduce (lose fat in one specific area, like our bellies), it’s an exercise myth. These fat burning exercises will help you to tone your muscles and aid with fat loss over-all.
Walking
Walking isn’t the first thing people think when they think exercise, but it’s actually one of the best things for your body. In fact, in places where people walk more, such as European countries, the percentage of the population that is overweight or obese is much lower than those that rely on cars and driving. Walking is also a great option for people who have problems with their knees and hips because it’s lower impact. So grab your spouse, your neighbor, your dog, or just your headphones and favorite podcast and get out there. Just 45 minutes to one hour a day of brisk walking will do wonders for your health.
Incline Running
Running and jogging is a fantastic way to burn fat and calories. It also helps to improve the health of your heart, lungs, and bones. Running on an incline forces you to work just that much harder and get a bit more out of your run in the same amount of time. You can do this by adding an incline to the treadmill, or you can find a hilly route to run outside. If you want to really turn things up a notch, find a somewhat steep, somewhat long hill or set of stairs near your home and run repeats. This won’t just burn calories, but it will also help to tone and lift your butt. You’re welcome in advance!
Rowing Machine
Another one of my favorite fat burning exercises! While it’s lovely to get out on the water, we don’t all have access to a proper rowing boat or a safe place to row. Indoor rowing machines bridge that gap beautifully and allow you to get a full-body cardio workout in no matter what the weather is doing outside. The rowing machine has a lower impact on your joints, as well. When rowing make sure that:
Your back stays straight and your core tight
You push with your legs, not just pull with your arms
When pulling, keep your shoulders down and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you pull your elbows into your sides.
For more information on proper form, watch this video below.
HIIT
One of the best, and fastest, fat burning exercises around! High-Intensity Interval Training is the solution for everyone who despises sustained cardio like running, biking, swimming, rowing, etc. Be fair warned, however: HIIT training is intense. It also typically involves a lot of jumping, so be prepared to modify if you have any joint or other issues that make this difficult.
If you are new to exercising or have never tried HIIT before, start out with videos or classes that are labeled “beginner” and work your way up from there.
Yoga
Though not a calorie-burning powerhouse, yoga is amazing for mobility and muscular endurance, not to mention it can help you to destress. Stress is bad for your health for so many reasons, but one of those is it can cause you to hold onto unwanted fat. Incorporating yoga into your exercise routine will help keep your body and mind feeling and looking good from the inside out.
Strength Training
No, lifting weights won’t make you look “bulky”. What they will do, however, is help you replace fat mass with lean muscle mass. Even at rest, muscle is more metabolically active than fat, so the more muscle you have the more calories you will burn as you go about your regular day. Strength training is also the type of exercise that will give you the Michelle Obama arms, Halle Berry legs, and J-Lo booty. Lift on, ladies.
Burpees
Everyone’s favorite love-to-hate fat burning exercises is popular for a reason: there’s not a part of the body that it doesn’t touch. Burpees will have your heart pounding and muscles working in seconds. Legs, back, chest, shoulders, arms, core – you name it, burpees do it.
How-to: Standing tall with your feet hip-distance apart, push your hips back, and sink into a squat. When you are in the bottom position, place your hands on the floor outside of your feet and hop your legs back so that you are in the plank position. Lower your body down to the floor, then push through the heels of your hands to lift yourself back up into the plank position. Jump your feet back up towards your hands, then, keeping your weight in your heels, jump up from that position, hands high in the air. Check out this video below for more details.
Medicine Ball Burpees
If regular burpees just aren’t enough for you, consider this variation. Essentially, this move combines burpees with a medicine ball slam. Follow the same steps as above, except this time, start by lifting the ball high in the air, then using both your arms and legs, slam the ball into the ground. Then, place your hands on top of the ball and complete the rest of your burpee from that position and repeat.
Overhead Medicine Ball Slams
Take out the burpee and you’ve got a medicine ball slam. This is another move that’s got it all (legs, arms, core, cardio) as long as you do it properly.
How-to: Standing with your feet hip-distance apart, squat down and pick up the ball, keeping your back straight and core tight. Lift the ball high into the air, then using both your arms and legs, slam the ball back into the ground. Squat down to pick the ball back up and repeat. Note: It is very important that you squat down to use your legs to pick up the ball, not bend over and use your back. Especially as you fatigue, using your back to pick up the medicine ball will likely cause injury.
Check out this video for a medicine ball slam tutorial.
Read More: Dad Says He’s ‘Motivating’ Mom With PPD To Lose Weight By Having Kids Call Her Miss Piggy
Side-to-Side Medicine Ball Slams
This move uses your legs, arms, and all parts of your core, in particular your obliques and your lats. These are the muscles that help to give shape to your torso.
How-to: With your feet hip-distance apart, rotate your torso and lift the ball up above one of your shoulders. Slam the ball down on the outside of your pink toe. Squat down to pick the ball up and repeat on the opposite side. Continue this motion, alternating sides each time.
Russian Twists
Finally, a move where you can sit down! Russian twists are a great core move because the twisting motion allows you to activate all parts of your abdominal muscles.
How-to: Sit up tall with your knees bent in front of you. Tilt backward until you feel your abs engage, then lift your feet slightly off of the ground. If this is too hard, you can touch your toes lightly to the ground for more stability. Keeping your back straight and pulling your belly button into your spine, twist your torso (not just your shoulders!) to touch the ground on one side of your body. Come back to the center and twist your torso to touch the other side. For bonus difficulty, you can straighten your legs or you can add weight, such as a medicine ball or dumbbell.
Check out this video below for a Russian Twist tutorial.
Planks
Sometimes overlooked, planks are another catch-all exercise. Core, Shoulders, legs, and butt, they get your whole body fired up. Form is important here: Your back should be flat, shoulders away from your ears, and belly button pulled in towards your spine – no sinking in the lower back!
Only hold your plank for as long as you can maintain your form. Once you can no longer do that, drop down, take a short rest, then get back into position. Push yourself to hold it longer each time. If you find a straight-arm plank hard on your wrists, drop down to your elbows instead.
Check out this video below on common plank mistakes and how to correct them.
Bosu Ball Planks
When you’re ready to turn your planking up a notch or two, try doing it with your hands or feet on a Bosu ball. This will challenge your stability, which makes your core work even harder.
Read more: Nutritionist Says Pizza Is A Healthier Breakfast Than Cereal
Mountain Climbers
Like the cardio-version of a stationary plank, mountain climbers will have your heart racing in no time!
How-to: Start in a straight-arm plank position. Drive one knee in towards your chest, then switch legs, mimicking the running motion. To keep it interesting, add variations: Pull each knee across your body towards the opposite shoulder for more of a twisting motion, or bring each knee wide towards the elbow on the same side to get in a side-crunch.
Combination Exercises
Combination exercises are particularly effective for those short on time. This means instead of just doing a squat or a lunge, you incorporate a push or pulling exercise in with it. For example, A squat with a dumbbell press, or a lunge with a cable pull or dumbbell row. This way you’re working all parts of your body in half the amount of time.
The most important aspect of any exercise routine is that you enjoy it, you can do it safely, and it makes you stronger and healthier. When it comes to health and fitness, exercise is only part of the equation. If you don’t eat healthfully, the results won’t come.
Finally always remember this: Workout because you love your body and want it to be healthier, not because you hate your body and want it to be smaller.
Have a good workout!
Keep Reading: You’re (Probably) Fat Because You’re Happy With Your Marriage


theheartysoul--2020-06-24--Do Apple Cider Vinegar Baths Help Eczema?

Eczema affects more than 30 million people in the United States [ 1 ] .
The itchy , burning , red rash that can cause your skin to swell and peel is painful , can be embarrassing for some , and is often difficult to get rid of .
Finding an all-natural treatment for the skin condition can be life-changing , and you could have it in your cupboard right now .
Apple cider vinegar has been used in a variety of ways to treat skin conditions , and an apple cider vinegar bath may be an effective treatment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things to consider first before you try it .
Apple cider vinegar , or ACV , is fermented apple juice .
When yeast is added to apple juice , it converts the fruit sugar into alcohol , which is then turned into acetic acid by bacteria .
This acid is what gives ACV its sour taste and strong smell .
The vinegar is commonly used in the kitchen in salad dressings and other recipes but has also been used as a remedy for a variety of skin conditions for thousands of years [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Use Topical Hemp Oil for the Most Common Skin Issues Eczema is also called atopic dermatitis , and it can flare up at different times in your life , causing your skin to be dry , itchy , red , and easily irritated [ 3 ] .
Healthy skin is protected by an acidic barrier and typically has a pH under five .
Scientists think that people with eczema have elevated skin pH .
For reference , a pH under seven is considered acidic , and over seven is basic .
When you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acidic barrier doesn ’ t function the way it ’ s supposed to .
This allows moisture to escape and lets skin irritants in .
Additionally , without that barrier , your skin is not able to guard against bad bacteria , which is why people with eczema are more prone to staph infections , because they have more staph bacteria colonizing on their skin [ 2 ] .
Eczema can also be triggered by soaps , detergents , and even some tap water because washing your skin with soaps and other cosmetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your skin [ 2 ] .
There is currently no cure for eczema , so the goal of treatment is to ease uncomfortable symptoms [ 3 ] .
It is important to note that very little research has been done on the effects of ACV and eczema , and therefore there is little to no scientific evidence to support the use of apple cider vinegar for treating the skin condition .
Most of the evidence that supports ACV for eczema is anecdotal , and there are two main reasons why apple cider vinegar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first is that it could help balance the skin ’ s acidity levels .
A 2016 study conducted on mice found that when a vinegar-based cream was applied to the animals ’ skin , it helped balance the pH level and stop eczema skin lesions from forming [ 4 ] .
This study , however , has not been conducted with humans .
The second way ACV might help reduce the symptoms of eczema is by reducing inflammation and infection .
When applied to the affected skin , it could reduce swelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 5 ] .
Read : Heart Disease : 10 Warning Signs that Appear On Your Skin Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic , which can benefit the body in many ways , but can be harmful if it is overused .
It could potentially injure soft tissues such as the tissue in your mouth , throat , stomach , and kidneys [ 2 ] .
Topically , ACV can also cause chemical burns when used in excess .
For this reason , it is always important to check with your doctor before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and always use small , diluted amounts of vinegar , and to check the skin carefully for any sign of an adverse reaction [ 6 ] .
As mentioned , there is also very little scientific evidence to suggest that apple cider vinegar is an effective treatment for eczema .
A study conducted by Lydia Luu and colleagues at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville , found that after the vinegar was applied to the skin , the skin ’ s pH declined immediately , but the effects did not last for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more than 70 percent of their patients experienced mild side effects from using apple cider vinegar .
The team did acknowledge that recent research is showing that diluted apple cider vinegar could improve the skin barrier integrity in patients with eczema , but more study is needed [ 7 ] .
How to Prepare an Apple Cider Vinegar Bath The following directions are from the Eczema Rescue Store : • Mix 2 cups of ACV into a warm bath if using a tub .
Use 4 tsp .
per gallon , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the bath for 30+ minutes .
Toys help a child soak .
• Gently pat the skin dry with a soft , cotton towel .
Leave the skin slightly moist .
• Moisturize immediately while the skin is still damp with an eczema moisturizer .
• After applying an eczema moisturizer , apply eczema clothing to reduce itching and allow emollients to stay in place for optimum treatment .
Other Ways to use Apple Cider Vinegar for Eczema The Eczema Rescue Store also suggests using apple cider vinegar as a toner to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept in a jar in your bathroom : • Mix 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1/2 cup of water .
For particularly sensitive skin , you can start with just 2 tbsp .
of ACV in 1 cup of water .
• Use a cotton ball to apply the ACV to the affected area ( s ) as a skin toner .
The authors of the site also strongly encourage rinsing and moisturizing your skin very well after applying ACV , since vinegar can be drying , as well as diluting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you notice your skin reacting to the vinegar , they suggest diluting it further [ 8 ] .
Keep Reading : Eczema ?
Psoriasis ?
Wrinkles ?
These Are the Best Supplements For Skin Disclaimer : This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice , diagnosis or treatment and is for information only .
Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication .
Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have read here .

Apple cider vinegar is a constant staple in my home. If I don’t have a full gallon jug of it in my pantry, that means I haven’t paid attention to how much of it I’m using. I find tons of different uses for it, from making salad dressing to cleaning. I even use it as a throat rinse for when I have a sore throat. Can’t speak to the science behind it, but it really helps relieve sore throat pain for me. Your mileage may vary there.
Apple cider vinegar is a key ingredient in numerous recipes that I make too, like ketchup and home made broth. Given how much I go through it, I recently decided to take a stab at making some of it myself. The results were pretty good, so I figured I’d share them.
How to make apple cider vinegar
Before we get down to making apple cider vinegar, let’s talk safety. It’s vital that everything you use for this recipe is disinfected. That means any jars, bowls, spoons, measuring cups, everything needs to be properly disinfected. Unwanted bacteria can wreck your apple cider vinegar and make it unusable. We don’t want that, right?
Here’s what you’ll need to make apple cider vinegar:
A quart-sized glass jar
Apples (scraps and peels work too)
Sugar
Filtered water (not tap, not chlorinated)
And here’s how to make it:
Step one: fill your clean glass jar 75% of the way full of chopped up apples. If you’ve made an apple-heavy recipe and have a lot of scraps, this is a great way to use them. You don’t need to buy fresh apples to chop up, scraps work fine.
Step two: stir 1 tablespoon of sugar in with every cup of water used for this recipe. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Pour water over the apple pieces until they’re fully covered with water. You’ll want to leave at least one inch of empty space at the top of the jar.
Step three: cover the jar, but don’t seal it tight. I used a mason jar for my recipe and used one of the lid rings to seal a piece of an old t-shirt over the top.
Step four: set in a warm, dark location for two weeks. Stir it up about once a day if you remember. Every few days is fine too.
Step five: check for any brown or gray film that forms on top of the vinegar. Skim any of this film off.
Step six: after two weeks, strain the apple scraps out of the vinegar and discard. These scraps can be composted, fed to chickens or ducks, or simply thrown away. At this point, your apple cider vinegar should smell a bit like vinegar but it won’t have that real sharp vinegar smell to it.
Step seven: your apple cider vinegar will strengthen a bit with time. To make it a bit more pungent, set your strained apple cider vinegar aside again for another two to four weeks. Give it a sniff at the two week mark and again every week after that. Trust me, you’ll know when it’s done.
The verdict
I’m a junkie for DIY stuff, even if it doesn’t make economic sense to make something myself. I get a lot of joy out of making stuff. Apple cider vinegar is definitely one I’ll do again. It was just so easy, and the good, organic, store-bought stuff can get really pricey. 10/10, I recommend!
Keep Reading: How To Make A Beautiful Log Planter


theheartysoul--2020-06-24--‘Right-sized’ prefab smart home now available to order

As different types of tiny homes continue to pop up everywhere , one thing remains clear : people are highly interested in alternative living .
They want a home that is better for both the environment and their bank account that allows them to live larger with less .
If DIY home-building isn ’ t your thing , however , perhaps these eco-friendly , made-to-order prefab smart homes are .
Presented at CES 2018 by Green Builder Media , the Flex Home is every environmental enthusiast ’ s dream home .
The Flex Home ( 1 , 2 ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and solar system that works to make your home as energy-efficient as possible .
• Has its own microgrid so that it produces all of its own energy .
• Uses water-conserving products and fixtures to use as little water as possible .
• Is made entirely of non-toxic , sustainable materials inside and out .
The Flex House is 760 square feet in size , already making it more efficient than a traditional home .
From there , it uses high-efficiency lighting , appliances , HVAC systems , and water heating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate zones so that heating and cooling occur only when and where they are needed .
The thermostat and HVAC are set up with the smart home system so that they can be controlled via a smartphone or voice commands .
( 1 , 2 ) The goal of the Flex Home is to be net-zero for carbon emissions and help people live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle .
The prefab has been designed to support the use of Hybrid cars so homeowners can drive as efficiently as they live .
( 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Flex Home is built , read here .
Read : Do You Want To Build A Tiny House With Just A Screw Driver ?
The basic design for the Flex Home includes ( 1 , 2 ) : As they say on their website , the Flex Home was designed with affordability in mind .
The base model ranges from $ 85,000 to $ 100,000 , not including permits , delivery , and site preparation .
You will have your home ready to walk into in eight to twelve weeks from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 ) If the Flex Home is the environmentally-friendly home you ’ ve always dreamed of living in , visit their website for more details on ordering and preparation .
Keep Reading : This Family Of 4 Built A Tiny Home Village – One Home For Each Family Member

As different types of tiny homes continue to pop up everywhere, one thing remains clear: people are highly interested in alternative living. They want a home that is better for both the environment and their bank account that allows them to live larger with less. If DIY home-building isn’t your thing, however, perhaps these eco-friendly, made-to-order prefab smart homes are.
The New Eco-Friendly Prefab Smart Homes
Presented at CES 2018 by Green Builder Media, the Flex Home is every environmental enthusiast’s dream home. The Flex Home (1, 2):
Is a fully integrated smart home and solar system that works to make your home as energy-efficient as possible.
Has its own microgrid so that it produces all of its own energy.
Uses water-conserving products and fixtures to use as little water as possible.
Is made entirely of non-toxic, sustainable materials inside and out.
The Flex House is 760 square feet in size, already making it more efficient than a traditional home. From there, it uses high-efficiency lighting, appliances, HVAC systems, and water heating. The water heater divides the home into separate zones so that heating and cooling occur only when and where they are needed. The thermostat and HVAC are set up with the smart home system so that they can be controlled via a smartphone or voice commands. (1, 2)
The goal of the Flex Home is to be net-zero for carbon emissions and help people live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. The prefab has been designed to support the use of Hybrid cars so homeowners can drive as efficiently as they live. (1, 2)
To read more about how the Flex Home is built, read here.
Read: Do You Want To Build A Tiny House With Just A Screw Driver?
House Layout
The basic design for the Flex Home includes (1, 2):
Bathroom
Master bedroom
Smaller bedroom or office
Kitchen
Two living areas
A flexible “niche” area
Flex House Cost
As they say on their website, the Flex Home was designed with affordability in mind. The base model ranges from $85,000 to $100,000, not including permits, delivery, and site preparation. You will have your home ready to walk into in eight to twelve weeks from the time of order. (1, 2)
If the Flex Home is the environmentally-friendly home you’ve always dreamed of living in, visit their website for more details on ordering and preparation.
Keep Reading: This Family Of 4 Built A Tiny Home Village – One Home For Each Family Member


theheartysoul--2020-06-24--‘This Scares Me,’ Arctic Hits 100.4°F—Hottest Temperature on Record

The Earth ’ s poles have been an area of intense study for the past several years .
The North and South Poles are the coolest climatic regions on the planet , and they affect the climate of everywhere else on Earth .
For this reason , climatologists use the poles as a measuring stick to determine the state of the climate crisis [ 1 ] .
Scientists are becoming increasingly concerned over an Arctic heat wave that has been occurring in Siberia .
Currently , things are not looking good .
Verkhoyansk is a small Siberian town about 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Saturday , June 20 , temperatures in the town reached 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit .
If this figure is verified , it will be the highest temperature reading that has ever been recorded in the region since scientists began keeping records in 1885 [ 2 ] .
If confirmed , this reading will also be the northernmost 100 degree reading that has ever been recorded , and will break the record for the highest temperature on record in the Arctic .
The following day , temperatures in the region reached 95.3 degrees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not an anomaly .
For comparison , for comparison , the average temperature in Verkhoyansk in June is 68 degrees [ 3 ] .
Other Russian towns in the Arctic Circle have also been experiencing alarmingly high temperatures .
Nizhnyaya Pesha reached 86 degrees on June 9 , and Khatanga hit 77 degrees on May 22 .
Temperatures in Khatanga this time of year are usually around 32 degrees , and the previous heat record for the area was 53 degrees fahrenheit [ 4 ] .
In May , surface temperatures in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average , which is an alarming sign .
Not only were May temperatures hotter than usual in the area , but temperatures were higher than normal throughout most of the winter and spring as well .
Russia as a whole has experienced record-high temperatures in 2020 , with an average increase 1.9 degrees celsius ( 35 degrees fahrenheit ) .
Although this doesn ’ t sound like much , it is actually quite significant and could have disastrous consequences [ 4 ] .
Could 2020 Be the Hottest Year on Record ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are rising faster than anywhere else because ocean currents carry heat towards them .
Normally , the massive amounts of snow and ice located at either end of our planet reflect much of that heat , but as it continues to melt away , the areas are getting hotter and hotter [ 4 ] .
Because of this , 2020 is shaping up to possibly be the hottest year on record for the entire planet .
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has estimated that there is a 75 percent chance that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since scientists began measuring global temperatures [ 5 ] .
The agency has also calculated that there is a 99.9 percent chance that 2020 will be in the top five hottest years ever recorded [ 5 ] .
What Does this Mean for the Planet ?
We have already been seeing the effects of climate change for several years now , with severe weather becoming increasingly common and problematic all around the world .
Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the rising temperatures , stating that some of Russia ’ s cities were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first melts it could have serious consequences for the people living there [ 4 ] .
The thawing permafrost has been partly blamed for the diesel fuel spill that occurred in Siberia earlier this month , and high temperatures and high winds have exacerbated the wildfires that have been burning across significant portions of Siberia .
The increasing temperatures have also encouraged rapid growth of the Siberan Silk Moth population , which will have disastrous consequences for the forests in the area because their larvae eat at conifer trees [ 4 ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and environments around the world are being affected by climate change .
The wildfires in Australia at the beginning of the year are just one example of how rising global temperatures can destroy habitats and wipe out animals .
The main culprit for this increase in temperature is global CO2 emissions , which , because of the COVID-19 pandemic , will likely be lower this year .
Karsten Haustein , a climate scientist at the University of Oxford , says that although the number of new emissions has been temporarily reduced , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmosphere is still a major concern .
The global shutdowns due to the coronavirus crisis do , however , provide us with an opportunity .
Keep Reading : Earth ’ s Ozone Layer Is Healing , Bringing Some Good News on Global Wind Movement

The Earth’s poles have been an area of intense study for the past several years. The North and South Poles are the coolest climatic regions on the planet, and they affect the climate of everywhere else on Earth. For this reason, climatologists use the poles as a measuring stick to determine the state of the climate crisis [1]. Scientists are becoming increasingly concerned over an Arctic heat wave that has been occurring in Siberia.
Currently, things are not looking good.
An Arctic Heatwave
Verkhoyansk is a small Siberian town about 70 miles north of the Arctic Circle. On Saturday, June 20, temperatures in the town reached 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. If this figure is verified, it will be the highest temperature reading that has ever been recorded in the region since scientists began keeping records in 1885 [2].
If confirmed, this reading will also be the northernmost 100 degree reading that has ever been recorded, and will break the record for the highest temperature on record in the Arctic.
The following day, temperatures in the region reached 95.3 degrees, which indicates that Saturday’s reading was not an anomaly. For comparison, for comparison, the average temperature in Verkhoyansk in June is 68 degrees [3].
Other Russian towns in the Arctic Circle have also been experiencing alarmingly high temperatures. Nizhnyaya Pesha reached 86 degrees on June 9, and Khatanga hit 77 degrees on May 22. Temperatures in Khatanga this time of year are usually around 32 degrees, and the previous heat record for the area was 53 degrees fahrenheit [4].
In May, surface temperatures in Siberia were 50 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than average, which is an alarming sign. Not only were May temperatures hotter than usual in the area, but temperatures were higher than normal throughout most of the winter and spring as well.
“Although the planet as a whole is warming, this isn’t happening evenly,” explained Freja Vamborg, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). “Western Siberia stands out as a region that shows more of a warming trend with higher variations in temperature. So to some extent large temperature anomalies are not unexpected. However, what is unusual is how long the warmer-than-average anomalies have persisted for.” [4]
Russia as a whole has experienced record-high temperatures in 2020, with an average increase 1.9 degrees celsius (35 degrees fahrenheit). Although this doesn’t sound like much, it is actually quite significant and could have disastrous consequences [4].
Read: Evidence of 90-million-year-old rainforest uncovered beneath Antarctic ice
Could 2020 Be the Hottest Year on Record?
The temperatures at the Earth’s poles are rising faster than anywhere else because ocean currents carry heat towards them. Normally, the massive amounts of snow and ice located at either end of our planet reflect much of that heat, but as it continues to melt away, the areas are getting hotter and hotter [4].
Because of this, 2020 is shaping up to possibly be the hottest year on record for the entire planet. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has estimated that there is a 75 percent chance that this year could be the hottest year since scientists began measuring global temperatures [5].
The agency has also calculated that there is a 99.9 percent chance that 2020 will be in the top five hottest years ever recorded [5].
What Does this Mean for the Planet?
We have already been seeing the effects of climate change for several years now, with severe weather becoming increasingly common and problematic all around the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the rising temperatures, stating that some of Russia’s cities were built on permafrost, and if that first melts it could have serious consequences for the people living there [4].
The thawing permafrost has been partly blamed for the diesel fuel spill that occurred in Siberia earlier this month, and high temperatures and high winds have exacerbated the wildfires that have been burning across significant portions of Siberia.
The increasing temperatures have also encouraged rapid growth of the Siberan Silk Moth population, which will have disastrous consequences for the forests in the area because their larvae eat at conifer trees [4].
These consequences are not unique to Siberia, and environments around the world are being affected by climate change. The wildfires in Australia at the beginning of the year are just one example of how rising global temperatures can destroy habitats and wipe out animals.
COVID 19: A Unique Opportunity
The main culprit for this increase in temperature is global CO2 emissions, which, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will likely be lower this year. Karsten Haustein, a climate scientist at the University of Oxford, says that although the number of new emissions has been temporarily reduced, the build-up of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere is still a major concern. The global shutdowns due to the coronavirus crisis do, however, provide us with an opportunity.
“We are very unlikely to be able to notice any slowdown in the built-up of atmospheric GHG levels,” he said. “But we have the unique chance now to reconsider our choices and use the corona crisis as a catalyst for more sustainable means of transport and energy production (via incentives, taxes, carbon prices etc).” [6]
Grahame Madge, a climate spokesman for the Met Office, agrees:


theheartysoul--2020-06-24--Common vintage tool is puzzling everyone. Can you guess what it was used for?

The world moves quickly and new technologies come in regularly to displace the old .
With generations growing up now who don ’ t even understand why we say “ dial a phone number ” , it ’ s easy to see how much has changed in the last 50 to 100 years .
Recently , however , a photo was shared of a tool who ’ s name and purpose stumped even those with the longest of memories .
Can you guess what it is ?
Read : What Are Those Grids of Glass in the Sidewalk — And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the picture shared on the nostalgia website Do You Remember looks like it is most likely some type of gardening tool .
It ’ s easy to think that , due to its scoop-like appearance with a sharper piece on the inside .
This was a common guess in the comment thread , however , if you are thinking it is some type of trowel then you had better guess again .
In the photo , this mystery object does appear to be a hand-held object .
The shape of the handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so .
Some guessed that rather than a garden tool , perhaps it was used sea-side to open up clams .
Again , those people are also wrong .
Read : Remembering Typing Class : The Class That Actually Mattered In The Long Run As it turns out , this vintage ‘ tool ’ is not really a tool after all – it is an oil spout .
In the days before plastic bottles , oil came in cans .
Cans are more difficult to pour oil from without it glugging everywhere and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were made to be inserted for a spill-free pour .
Oil spouts were made to be reused , so there are actually many of them still kicking around .
They were used primarily when you would go fill up at the gas station .
An attendant would come out and pour oil from the can into your tank using the oil spout .
Afterward , they would discard the can but keep the tool to use for subsequent customers .
Not many of us will remember the days before gas pumps or plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a mere relic of days gone by .
Though no longer used , it is always fun to take a quick dive into history via vintage tools and other old items .
Keep Reading : Man Shows How He Uses a Old Washing Machine to Generate Free Electricity

The world moves quickly and new technologies come in regularly to displace the old. With generations growing up now who don’t even understand why we say “dial a phone number”, it’s easy to see how much has changed in the last 50 to 100 years. Recently, however, a photo was shared of a tool who’s name and purpose stumped even those with the longest of memories. Can you guess what it is?
Guess the Vintage Tool
At first glance, the picture shared on the nostalgia website Do You Remember looks like it is most likely some type of gardening tool. It’s easy to think that, due to its scoop-like appearance with a sharper piece on the inside. This was a common guess in the comment thread, however, if you are thinking it is some type of trowel then you had better guess again.
In the photo, this mystery object does appear to be a hand-held object. The shape of the handle as well as the estimated size suggests so. Some guessed that rather than a garden tool, perhaps it was used sea-side to open up clams.
Again, those people are also wrong.
The Oil Spout
As it turns out, this vintage ‘tool’ is not really a tool after all – it is an oil spout. In the days before plastic bottles, oil came in cans. Cans are more difficult to pour oil from without it glugging everywhere and making a mess, so oil spouts were made to be inserted for a spill-free pour.
Oil spouts were made to be reused, so there are actually many of them still kicking around. They were used primarily when you would go fill up at the gas station. An attendant would come out and pour oil from the can into your tank using the oil spout. Afterward, they would discard the can but keep the tool to use for subsequent customers.
Not many of us will remember the days before gas pumps or plastic oil containers, and oil spouts have become a mere relic of days gone by. Though no longer used, it is always fun to take a quick dive into history via vintage tools and other old items.
Keep Reading: Locked Your Keys in the Car—Again? A Firefighter Explains What to Do


theheartysoul--2020-06-24--Married Couple Discovers They Were Childhood Sweethearts Two Decades Later

Destiny , anyone ?
Who would have thought those adorable 6-year-olds playing in the sand would be married one day ?
It ’ s amazing what love , friendship , and a dash of fate can do .
When Heidi Parker was six years old , she went with her family from Sheffield , South Yorkshire to Bodrum , Turkey , for a summer holiday [ 1 ] .
Her 1997 vacation was made more interesting when she met Ed Savitt , also six , who came to the resort with his family from Putney , South West London .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and immediately became friends .
There was no pretense , no fronting , no awkward small talks , or introductions .
They simply settled down to play on the beach and went everywhere holding hands .
The friendship was cut short when the holiday came to an end but luckily , they met again at Newcastle University in 2011 .
They didn ’ t recognize each other until years later , but today , they are happily married and have been serving some major goals since 2017 , when their story went deservedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains that she ’ d completely forgotten about him .
That year , he hit her up on Facebook and asked if she could help him understand the washing machine in her old apartment .
Heidi had been a third-year student in business and economics while Ed , now the owner of DropShot Coffee in Southfields , was studying psychology .
Weeks later , the pair finally saw each other and the attraction was instant .
One pizza date later and they were inseparable .
Read : “ It Was Like Opening a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woman with Purse She Lost 65 Years Ago Finding out about their first meeting Ed proposed to Heidi in 2015 , four years after their second meeting in college .
Months later , while they were having dinner with their moms in southwest London , Heidi ’ s mom , Kay Parker , mentioned that Heidi had met a sweet boy named Ed while on vacation when she was 6 .
The group laughed at the “ total coincidence ” that Heidi ’ s first love shared the same name as her true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luckily , Mrs. Parker was rummaging in the attic two weeks later and found a photo of Heidi and the young boy from 1997 .
He looked eerily like her daughter ’ s fiancé , so the woman posted the picture to her daughter .
Indeed , it was her fiancé !
Heidi admits that she has no memories of him as a child , but when Ed shared the shocking news with his parents , they dug out five more photos of the children during the same holiday so the couple could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saves Life of Malnourished Homeless Vet , Discovers He ’ s Been Missing for 40 Years 19 years after their chance meeting on the beaches of Turkey , the couple tied the knot in a lovely ceremony in August of 2017 .
It was a beautiful celebration at Haddon Hall , a delightful piece of European architecture originally built in the 12th century .
The couple honeymooned in the Maldives and recreated their first picture from Turkey , with Heidi wearing a black one-piece and Ed wearing blue-checkered shorts and a fish motif @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was 5 , Photographer Recognized Her Estranged Father While Taking Homeless Man ’ s Photos , Rescues Him

Destiny, anyone? Who would have thought those adorable childhood sweethearts playing in the sand would be married one day? It’s amazing what love, friendship, and a dash of fate can do.
When Heidi Parker was six years old, she went with her family from Sheffield, South Yorkshire to Bodrum, Turkey, for a summer holiday [1]. Her 1997 vacation was made more interesting when she met Ed Savitt, also six, who came to the resort with his family from Putney, South West London. They met at a kids’ club and immediately became friends. There was no pretense, no fronting, no awkward small talks, or introductions. They simply settled down to play on the beach and went everywhere holding hands.
The friendship was cut short when the holiday came to an end but luckily, they met again at Newcastle University in 2011. They didn’t recognize each other until years later, but today, they are happily married and have been serving some major goals since 2017, when their story went deservedly viral.
Heidi, now 29, explains that she’d completely forgotten about him. That year, he hit her up on Facebook and asked if she could help him understand the washing machine in her old apartment. Heidi had been a third-year student in business and economics while Ed, now the owner of DropShot Coffee in Southfields, was studying psychology.
“He didn’t know how to use the washing machine in the student flat,” said Heidi, now a communications manager in Southwest London. “And he found a piece of post with my name on, realized I had lived there the year before and decided I could help. He Facebooked me asking how the washing machine worked, and I let him know… basically because he was hot.”
Weeks later, the pair finally saw each other and the attraction was instant. One pizza date later and they were inseparable.
Finding out about their first meeting as childhood sweethearts
Ed proposed to Heidi in 2015, four years after their second meeting in college. Months later, while they were having dinner with their moms in southwest London, Heidi’s mom, Kay Parker, mentioned that Heidi had met a sweet boy named Ed while on vacation when she was 6. The group laughed at the “total coincidence” that Heidi’s first love shared the same name as her true love. Only if they knew.
Luckily, Mrs. Parker was rummaging in the attic two weeks later and found a photo of Heidi and the young boy from 1997. He looked eerily like her daughter’s fiancé, so the woman posted the picture to her daughter. Indeed, it was her fiancé!
“I was astonished when I saw the picture. I just yelled, ‘Mum – you know who that is!’ I was so shocked I actually had to lie down,” Heidi told Independent [2]. “Ed was amazed too… we couldn’t believe it.”
Heidi admits that she has no memories of him as a child, but when Ed shared the shocking news with his parents, they dug out five more photos of the children during the same holiday so the couple could rebuild their memories.
“He looks really different whereas I look the same,” continued Heidi. “I remember being in kids club, that’s where I must have met him, and setting up a nail varnish stall outside with my sisters. I actually think we painted Ed’s nails.”
Recreating their old picture
19 years after their chance meeting on the beaches of Turkey, the couple tied the knot in a lovely ceremony in August of 2017. It was a beautiful celebration at Haddon Hall, a delightful piece of European architecture originally built in the 12th century.
The couple honeymooned in the Maldives and recreated their first picture from Turkey, with Heidi wearing a black one-piece and Ed wearing blue-checkered shorts and a fish motif t-shirt.
“It was brilliant,” said Heidi. “We love telling people how we met, twice. And recently we have been back to Bodrum to see where we met. It was really exciting to go back to where the miracle began.”
Ed added: “I’m not one to believe in miracles, the story changed my life.”
Keep Reading: 10 Things You’ll Only Feel When You’ve Found The Man You Should Marry


theheartysoul--2020-06-26--Paris Is Building the World’s Largest Organic Rooftop Farm

Imagine you ’ re in the middle of a massive , sprawling city- a concrete jungle , as they say .
You step out onto the roof of a large building , and find not an empty , concrete rooftop as you might expect , but instead a sprawling greenspace filled with trees , bushes , and vines growing a variety of fruits and vegetables .
That scene may sound like a dream , but it is soon to become a reality in Paris , France , when the world ’ s largest rooftop farm is open for business .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ organic rooftop farm in the southwest corner of one of the world ’ s most visited cities will be roughly the size of three football fields [ 1 ] .
The farm will be located on top of a major exhibition complex in the fifteenth arrondissement called the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles , and will feature its own on-site restaurant and bar with the capacity to seat three hundred people .
Diners will be able to choose from dishes that feature produce that was grown on site , while enjoying panoramic views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 ] .
More than thirty different plant species will be grown in the footop garden , which will produce one metric tonne of fruit every day during the high season .
Not only will this produce be used to supply the restaurant , but will also be available for local residents in southwest Paris [ 1 ] .
Pascal Hardy is the founder of the urban-farming company Agripolis , which is the organization behind the project .
He wants to improve the food availability for local residents , while still making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read : First Floating Ocean Hybrid Platform Can Generate Power From Waves , Wind And Solar Hardy says that the goal of the project is to make the farm a globally recognized model for sustainable production .
It will use advanced water technology , and does not require soil , which will allow the farm to use resources extremely efficiently [ 1 ] .
While not the first rooftop farm to exist , this one will be innovative in many ways .
Agripolis will be launching their own technique in aeroponic vertical farming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the farm will use a closed water system which will reduce the risk of any pollutants .
Additionally , because the produce will be going to people who live in the immediate area , the carbon footprint of the farm will be significantly smaller than that of a traditional farm [ 2 ] .
The average meal has to travel 4200 miles to get to your table , which has a significant impact on the environment .
By having farms right in the heart of urban centers , where the majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to travel is drastically reduced , therefore shrinking the carbon footprint of your meal [ 3 ] .
Given that an urban setting is a unique environment , urban farms require unique solutions to common problems like waste management , space utilization , resource management , and energy efficiency .
This results in the creation of more inventive problem-solving , which leads to better quality and quantity of food while using the least amount of resources [ 3 ] .
Urban farms also bring jobs to a community , fuel economic growth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health by making healthy food more accessible to people living in urban centers .
They improve food quality in the area , as well as food security , and they provide much-needed green space that can cool and clean the atmosphere in the city and balance out carbon emissions produced by human activity [ 1,3 ] .
Finally , urban agriculture takes advantage of previously unused , vacant spaces .
In theory , any flat rooftop in a city could serve as a plot for an urban farm [ 1 ] .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision is one in which every flat roof and abandoned surface are covered in these unique growing systems .
Once open , the farm will be offering educational tours , team-building workshops , and special events .
Local residents will also have the opportunity to lease their own small vegetable plots to help them re-connect with where their food comes from [ 1 ] .
Paris already has other agricultural sites throughout the city , including the eco-farm La Recyclerie , and the underground organic mushroom La Caverne , and has committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city by the end of this year .
This new project was originally planned to be open by April 2020 , but closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have set them back , and the farm is not yet available to the public .
There are several other spaces around the city that are expected to get their own agricultural plots , and by this time next year , Paris may be the world leader in urban agriculture .

Imagine you’re in the middle of a massive, sprawling city- a concrete jungle, as they say. You step out onto the roof of a large building, and find not an empty, concrete rooftop as you might expect, but instead a sprawling greenspace filled with trees, bushes, and vines growing a variety of fruits and vegetables.
That scene may sound like a dream, but it is soon to become a reality in Paris, France, when the world’s largest rooftop farm is open for business.
The World’s Largest Rooftop Farm
At 150 690 square feet, ths organic rooftop farm in the southwest corner of one of the world’s most visited cities will be roughly the size of three football fields [1].
The farm will be located on top of a major exhibition complex in the fifteenth arrondissement called the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, and will feature its own on-site restaurant and bar with the capacity to seat three hundred people. Diners will be able to choose from dishes that feature produce that was grown on site, while enjoying panoramic views of the nation’s capital [2].
More than thirty different plant species will be grown in the footop garden, which will produce one metric tonne of fruit every day during the high season. Not only will this produce be used to supply the restaurant, but will also be available for local residents in southwest Paris [1].
Pascal Hardy is the founder of the urban-farming company Agripolis, which is the organization behind the project. He wants to improve the food availability for local residents, while still making the farm commercially viable and environmentally sustainable.
“Our fresh produce will be used to feed the inhabitants across the south-west of the city – either directly, through veg-box schemes or via shops, hotels and canteens – thereby helping to reduce food miles,” Hardy says [2].
Read: First Floating Ocean Hybrid Platform Can Generate Power From Waves, Wind And Solar
A Sustainable Farming Method
Hardy says that the goal of the project is to make the farm a globally recognized model for sustainable production. It will use advanced water technology, and does not require soil, which will allow the farm to use resources extremely efficiently [1].
“We’ll be using quality products, grown in rhythm with nature’s cycles, all in the heart of Paris,” says Hardy [1].
While not the first rooftop farm to exist, this one will be innovative in many ways. Agripolis will be launching their own technique in aeroponic vertical farming. No pesticides will be required, and the farm will use a closed water system which will reduce the risk of any pollutants. Additionally, because the produce will be going to people who live in the immediate area, the carbon footprint of the farm will be significantly smaller than that of a traditional farm [2].
Read: IKEA Released Free Design For Garden Sphere That Feeds a Neighborhood
The Benefits of Urban Farming
The average meal has to travel 4200 miles to get to your table, which has a significant impact on the environment. By having farms right in the heart of urban centers, where the majority of consumers live, the distance food has to travel is drastically reduced, therefore shrinking the carbon footprint of your meal.
Given that an urban setting is a unique environment, urban farms require unique solutions to common problems like waste management, space utilization, resource management, and energy efficiency. This results in the creation of more inventive problem-solving, which leads to better quality and quantity of food while using the least amount of resources [3].
Urban farms also bring jobs to a community, fuel economic growth, help build communities, and improve public health by making healthy food more accessible to people living in urban centers. They improve food quality in the area, as well as food security, and they provide much-needed green space that can cool and clean the atmosphere in the city and balance out carbon emissions produced by human activity [1,3].
Finally, urban agriculture takes advantage of previously unused, vacant spaces. In theory, any flat rooftop in a city could serve as a plot for an urban farm [1].
The Vision for the Future
Hardy’s vision is one in which every flat roof and abandoned surface are covered in these unique growing systems.
“Each will contribute directly to feeding urban residents who today represent the bulk of the world’s population.” [2]
Once open, the farm will be offering educational tours, team-building workshops, and special events. Local residents will also have the opportunity to lease their own small vegetable plots to help them re-connect with where their food comes from [1].
Paris already has other agricultural sites throughout the city, including the eco-farm La Recyclerie, and the underground organic mushroom La Caverne, and has committed to planting 100 hectares of vegetation throughout the city by the end of this year. This new project was originally planned to be open by April 2020, but closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic have set them back, and the farm is not yet available to the public.
There are several other spaces around the city that are expected to get their own agricultural plots, and by this time next year, Paris may be the world leader in urban agriculture.
Keep Reading: Hospital Grows Organic Rooftop Garden


theheartysoul--2020-06-26--School Stumbles Upon Chalkboards From 1917 During Renovation, Perfectly Preserved Lessons Provide Ra

School Stumbles Upon Chalkboards From 1917 During Renovation, Perfectly Preserved Lessons Provide Rare Look Into Past.

Museums and historic sites across the country allow us to get a glimpse into what life was like for people living decades before us .
While these places are always interesting and informative , there is nothing quite like finding your own relic of the past , whether that be a grandparent ’ s old diary or a time capsule hidden by strangers several years ago .
The staff members at one school in Oklahoma uncovered their own piece of the past when they discovered perfectly preserved chalkboards from 1917 hiding behind their walls .
Back in 2015 construction workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City , removing chalkboards to be replaced with new Smart Boards , when they found even older chalkboards underneath .
These boards , which had been preserved with the chalk still on them , contained hand-drawn calendars suggesting that they were from the year 1917 .
English teacher Cynthia Comer described the boards as eerie , with the vibrant colors looking like they had been drawn that day .
Principal Sherry Kishore was particularly impressed with the penmanship displayed on the boards , saying that handwriting like that is not nearly as common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessons , while essentially the same as what is taught today , used very different techniques .
One example of this is a wheel used to teach multiplication tables .
Read : There are Ancient Ruins Older Than The Pyramids In Canada There were three other classrooms besides Comer ’ s where old chalkboards were also found , all of them with a Thanksgiving theme depicting pilgrims , turkeys , and Mayflower ships .
One chalkboard appeared to have a “ countdown to Christmas ” calendar , one had student ’ s names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us a glimpse into a music lesson from 1917 [ 4 ] .
Another interesting lesson was what appears to be the pledge of allegiance , although the wording is different from the version written in 1892 .
It read : There was , however , one lesson that is no longer a part of our school curriculum , titled “ My Rules to Keep Clean ” , which included things like “ take my bath often ” and “ clean my teeth ” [ 1 ] .
Principal Kishore called the discovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and began working with the school district and the city to have the chalkboards preserved .
While there is no definitive proof that the boards are in fact from 1917 , it is difficult to argue with the evidence .
At the time of discovery , it was uncertain as to whether or not the boards would be too delicate to be removed from the walls , so attempts were underway to preserve the chalk without removing the boards [ 4 ] .
The discovery in Oklahoma shows that while we often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sometimes they are hiding right below our noses .

Museums and historic sites across the country allow us to get a glimpse into what life was like for people living decades before us. While these places are always interesting and informative, there is nothing quite like finding your own relic of the past, whether that be a grandparent’s old diary or a time capsule hidden by strangers several years ago.
The staff members at one school in Oklahoma uncovered their own piece of the past when they discovered perfectly preserved chalkboards from 1917 hiding behind their walls.
Uncovering the Past
Back in 2015 construction workers were at Emerson High School in Oklahoma City, removing chalkboards to be replaced with new Smart Boards, when they found even older chalkboards underneath.
These boards, which had been preserved with the chalk still on them, contained hand-drawn calendars suggesting that they were from the year 1917. English teacher Cynthia Comer described the boards as eerie, with the vibrant colors looking like they had been drawn that day.
“To know that it was drawn 100 years ago… it’s like you’re going into a looking glass into the past,” she said [1].
Principal Sherry Kishore was particularly impressed with the penmanship displayed on the boards, saying that handwriting like that is not nearly as common today. She also noted that the lessons, while essentially the same as what is taught today, used very different techniques.
One example of this is a wheel used to teach multiplication tables.
“I have never seen that technique in my life,” she said [2].
Read: There are Ancient Ruins Older Than The Pyramids In Canada
There were three other classrooms besides Comer’s where old chalkboards were also found, all of them with a Thanksgiving theme depicting pilgrims, turkeys, and Mayflower ships.
“When you walk into these rooms it’s like they just left the lesson and they’re expecting to come back the next day and start again,” Kishore said [3].
One chalkboard appeared to have a “countdown to Christmas” calendar, one had student’s names written on it, and one gave us a glimpse into a music lesson from 1917 [4]. Another interesting lesson was what appears to be the pledge of allegiance, although the wording is different from the version written in 1892. It read:
“I give my head, my heart, and my life to my God and One nation indivisible with justice for all.” [1]
There was, however, one lesson that is no longer a part of our school curriculum, titled “My Rules to Keep Clean”, which included things like “take my bath often” and “clean my teeth” [1].
Keep Reading: Boy Accidentally Finds 66-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Eggs
Preserving History
Principal Kishore called the discovery the “highlight of her career”, and began working with the school district and the city to have the chalkboards preserved.
While there is no definitive proof that the boards are in fact from 1917, it is difficult to argue with the evidence. At the time of discovery, it was uncertain as to whether or not the boards would be too delicate to be removed from the walls, so attempts were underway to preserve the chalk without removing the boards [4].
The discovery in Oklahoma shows that while we often go looking for relics of the past, sometimes they are hiding right below our noses.
Keep Reading: Perfectly preserved ancient Roman mosaic floor discovered in Italy


theheartysoul--2020-06-26--Tennessee Dog Celebrates 20th Birthday as Oldest Golden Retriever in History

There ’ s no question that we all love our pets like they ’ re our children .
Most pet-owners are aware , however , that our animals are not with us for a long time , so we have to enjoy them as much as we can while we have them .
One couple has been lucky enough to enjoy their dog far longer than anyone expected , and now are the proud owners of the oldest golden retriever in history .
On April 24 , August the golden retriever , or “ Augie ” , as her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned twenty years old , becoming the oldest golden retriever ever [ 1 ] .
Augie was born on April 24 , 2000 , and , to no fault of her own , was rehomed twice over the next fourteen years .
She was then adopted by Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt , who are both active in their local golden retriever rescue organization .
Given Augie ’ s age when they adopted her , the couple was not expecting to have her in their lives for very long .
Over the last six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RV trips all across the country , played fetch with her in the pool , and she has had the chance to play with several canines and feline siblings , including three other golden retrievers- Sherman , Belle , and Bruce [ 2 ] .
Augie got to celebrate her milestone birthday with a dog-friendly carrot cake and a party with her family .
According to the Hetterscheidts , Augie is surprisingly healthy for her age .
She is often a bit shaky when she first stands up , but is still able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going for walks in the backyard .
After being diagnosed with some kidney problems six years ago , she has been eating a mixture of wet and dry Hill ’ s Prescription Diet k/d , and has been taking supplements to support her kidneys and joints .
Her parents have also been giving her subcutaneous ( SQ ) fluids twice per week , which has helped her significantly [ 2 ] .
SQ fluids are fluids that are injected with a needle just under the skin to help a dog who is dehydrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or is undergoing surgery [ 3 ] .
Usually , golden retrievers live about ten to twelve years .
Some can live up to thirteen or fourteen years , however sadly many do not reach even the average age for their breed .
Golden Retrievers used to have an average lifespan of sixteen or seventeen years , but over the last forty to fifty years that has been significantly reduced .
This is because golden retrievers die of bone cancer , lymphoma , and cancer of the blood vessels more than any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterinarians are still not sure why Golden Retrievers experience higher rates of cancer than other breeds , but research is being done in this area .
Because humans carry 95 percent of the same DNA as the dogs , understanding why gold retrievers are more susceptible to cancer could have human implications as well [ 4 ] .
Read : Animal Shelter Creates ‘ Real-Life ’ Living Room for Dogs to Show off Their Personalities How to Help Your Dog Live a Long and Healthy Life The website Golden Hearts offers five tips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping it to live a long life : • Listen to your veterinarian .
Your veterinarian will get to know your dog and will be able to give the best advice with regards to medications for fleas , ticks , and worms , as well as food and exercise , and will be able to work with you and your dog to create a healthy-living action plan .
• Listen to your dog .
Just because one thing works for another dog , doesn ’ t mean that it is going to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it comes to choosing the best food for your pup .
Even if a certain food is supposedly the best for your breed , if your dog doesn ’ t like it , he won ’ t eat it .
Pay attention to your dog ’ s behaviour and try to figure out what he ’ s telling you .
• Feed your dog high-quality food .
Many people try to buy the cheaper brand of dog food to save money in the short-term , but it ends up coming back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the road .
Talk to your veterinarian and do your research- the higher price tag will be worth it in the end .
• Groom regularly .
Keeping your dog ’ s nails , paws , coat , teeth , and ears clean can prevent ear infections or gum , teeth and skin issues that could turn into bigger problems if they ’ re not dealt with right away .
• Exercise regularly .
Golden retrievers are more prone to obesity , so regular exercise is important for keeping them at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and heart stay strong [ 2 ] .
Keep Reading : Science Says Dogs Can Sniff Out Untrustworthy People

There’s no question that we all love our pets like they’re our children. Most pet-owners are aware, however, that our animals are not with us for a long time, so we have to enjoy them as much as we can while we have them.
One couple has been lucky enough to enjoy their dog far longer than anyone expected, and now are the proud owners of the oldest golden retriever in history.
Augie the Oldest Dog
On April 24, August the golden retriever, or “Augie”, as her family calls her, made history when she turned twenty years old, becoming the oldest golden retriever ever [1].
Augie was born on April 24, 2000, and, to no fault of her own, was rehomed twice over the next fourteen years. She was then adopted by Jennifer and Steve Hetterscheidt, who are both active in their local golden retriever rescue organization. Given Augie’s age when they adopted her, the couple was not expecting to have her in their lives for very long.
Over the last six years, they have taken Augie on RV trips all across the country, played fetch with her in the pool, and she has had the chance to play with several canines and feline siblings, including three other golden retrievers- Sherman, Belle, and Bruce [2].
Augie got to celebrate her milestone birthday with a dog-friendly carrot cake and a party with her family.
Read: Retired Nurse Creates a Hospice for Dying Dogs
Life as a Twenty-Year-Old Golden Retriever
According to the Hetterscheidts, Augie is surprisingly healthy for her age. She is often a bit shaky when she first stands up, but is still able to move around quite well and enjoys going for walks in the backyard.
After being diagnosed with some kidney problems six years ago, she has been eating a mixture of wet and dry Hill’s Prescription Diet k/d, and has been taking supplements to support her kidneys and joints. Her parents have also been giving her subcutaneous (SQ) fluids twice per week, which has helped her significantly [2].
SQ fluids are fluids that are injected with a needle just under the skin to help a dog who is dehydrated, suffering from a medical condition, or is undergoing surgery [3].
How Long do Golden Retrievers Typically Live?
Usually, golden retrievers live about ten to twelve years. Some can live up to thirteen or fourteen years, however sadly many do not reach even the average age for their breed.
Golden Retrievers used to have an average lifespan of sixteen or seventeen years, but over the last forty to fifty years that has been significantly reduced. This is because golden retrievers die of bone cancer, lymphoma, and cancer of the blood vessels more than any other breed in the country.
Scientists and veterinarians are still not sure why Golden Retrievers experience higher rates of cancer than other breeds, but research is being done in this area. Because humans carry 95 percent of the same DNA as the dogs, understanding why gold retrievers are more susceptible to cancer could have human implications as well [4].
Read: Animal Shelter Creates ‘Real-Life’ Living Room for Dogs to Show off Their Personalities
How to Help Your Dog Live a Long and Healthy Life
The website Golden Hearts offers five tips for keeping your golden retriever healthy and helping it to live a long life:


theheartysoul--2020-06-26--Dear Dads, Take More Pictures Of Mom And Her Kids

If there ’ s one thing that a lot of parents have in common , it ’ s that they love taking pictures of their children .
Their cameras are constantly at the ready to capture all of the candid moments that our kids experience throughout their childhood , so they can have memories to look back on when they ’ re grown and gone .
While having photos of your kids is wonderful , there ’ s one thing that often gets left out- photos of you .
Moms everywhere are starting to realize that they ’ re missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now they ’ re calling on their significant others for help .
Read : I Raised 2 Successful CEOs and a Doctor—Here ’ s One of the Biggest Mistakes I See Parents Making Dads , take more pictures of mom Mom and blogger Sophie Cachia posted a candid photo of herself with her son that was taken by her husband on her Instagram page with the following caption : She argues that mom is behind the camera so often that she can often be left out of family memories completely .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from other mothers who have the same problem .
Another similar request was made via a Facebook post by motivational speaker and author Kayln Maree Schimpf , who urged men to take photos of their wives while they have the chance .
Her post , which has now gone viral , asks men to take the photo regardless of what she looks like , or even if she tells you no .
“ You may not think about it often , or at all honestly .
But how many photos does she capture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your life you ’ ve built .
But when she is gone , those photos won ’ t show your children the woman who was behind the camera , ” she continued [ 2 ] .
Schimpf urges women ( and their significant others behind the camera ) not to worry about whether or not they ’ re looking their best- whether their hair is messy , they have no makeup on , or they ’ re wearing a dirty old t-shirt .
She points out that one day , when mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about those things .
They will only care about having those memories to look back on [ 2 ] .
Read : Parental Burnout : Moms Need Equality In Raising Children , Self-Care , and Most Importantly , Massages It Doesn ’ t Have to be Perfect Cindy Gatewood also spoke up in a blog post for Motherly requesting that dads pull out their phones more frequently to capture candid moments between his wife and his children : She emphasised that too often women are concerned about the photo looking perfect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the house has to be clean , or they have to be wearing a nice outfit , because of what she calls the “ social media mentality ” .
We always assume that every picture we take has to be uploaded to Facebook or Instagram , where everyone will see it , but Gatewood points out that this does not have to be the case .
Photos don ’ t have to be put on display , but they will be precious memories for the children one day when their mother is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dad , Too Melissa Willets realised upon reading Schimpf ’ s post that not only does she not have many photos of herself with her kids , but neither does her husband- most of the photos are of the kids only .
While it ’ s wonderful to capture your children enjoying their childhood- to freeze those moments in time- it ’ ll be more valuable to them one day to have photos of their parents and not just of themselves .
Each of these posts , by Cachia , Schimpf , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when everyone always has a camera in their pocket , too often we forget to capture the little moments .
The messy moments .
The non-curated , unposed , joyful moments in life that we will hold dear one day when our families are no longer together in the same way .
So moms , don ’ t be afraid to have your photo taken .
Don ’ t worry about getting the perfect angle , or just the right setting , or having the right makeup on .
When you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day , none of that will matter , but what will matter is the memory that you ’ ve captured that can be cherished for years to come .
Keep Reading : Moms , Here ’ s A Reminder You ’ ll Always Be ‘ Home Base ’ For Your Boys

If there’s one thing that a lot of parents have in common, it’s that they love taking pictures of their children. Their cameras are constantly at the ready to capture all of the candid moments that our kids experience throughout their childhood, so they can have memories to look back on when they’re grown and gone. While having photos of your kids is wonderful, there’s one thing that often gets left out- photos of you. Moms everywhere are starting to realize that they’re missing photos of themselves with their children, and now they’re calling on their significant others for help. Please, its time to take more pictures with mom.
Dads, take more pictures of mom
Mom and blogger Sophie Cachia posted a candid photo of herself with her son that was taken by her husband on her Instagram page with the following caption:
“Dear Men, Take the photo. Take the god damn photo. We spend days capturing beautiful moments of you and the kids. So whenever you see one of us with our babies, a beautiful candid moment, take the bloody god damn photo.” [1]
She argues that mom is behind the camera so often that she can often be left out of family memories completely. Her post received an overwhelming amount of support from other mothers who have the same problem.
Another similar request was made via a Facebook post by motivational speaker and author Kayln Maree Schimpf, who urged men to take photos of their wives while they have the chance. Her post, which has now gone viral, asks men to take the photo regardless of what she looks like, or even if she tells you no.
“You may not think about it often, or at all honestly. But how many photos does she capture of you, of your family and of your life you’ve built. But when she is gone, those photos won’t show your children the woman who was behind the camera,” she continued [2].
Schimpf urges women (and their significant others behind the camera) not to worry about whether or not they’re looking their best- whether their hair is messy, they have no makeup on, or they’re wearing a dirty old t-shirt. She points out that one day, when mom is gone, her children will not care about those things. They will only care about having those memories to look back on [2].
Read: Quotes For When Moms Are Just Gonna Mom
It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect
Cindy Gatewood also spoke up in a blog post for Motherly requesting that dads pull out their phones more frequently to capture candid moments between his wife and his children:
“I looked through my phone the other day and realized I have tons of pictures of my husband playing with our kids, but we don’t have many of ME with the kids. And it’s totally my fault. I’m either always behind the camera, or never want him take a candid picture of me.” [3]
She emphasised that too often women are concerned about the photo looking perfect. They have to have makeup on, the house has to be clean, or they have to be wearing a nice outfit, because of what she calls the “social media mentality”.
We always assume that every picture we take has to be uploaded to Facebook or Instagram, where everyone will see it, but Gatewood points out that this does not have to be the case. Photos don’t have to be put on display, but they will be precious memories for the children one day when their mother is no longer with them.
“Take the pictures to show them the love she had for them. Take the pictures so they can always remember how silly she was. Take the pictures so they can see how beautiful she was. It doesn’t matter if she’s in her pajamas and on day four of dry shampoo, please, take the picture.” [3]
Take more pictures of Mom, but don’t forget about Dad.
Melissa Willets realised upon reading Schimpf’s post that not only does she not have many photos of herself with her kids, but neither does her husband- most of the photos are of the kids only.
While it’s wonderful to capture your children enjoying their childhood- to freeze those moments in time- it’ll be more valuable to them one day to have photos of their parents and not just of themselves.
Each of these posts, by Cachia, Schimpf, and Gatewood, are great reminders that in a time when everyone always has a camera in their pocket, too often we forget to capture the little moments. The messy moments. The non-curated, unposed, joyful moments in life that we will hold dear one day when our families are no longer together in the same way.
So moms, don’t be afraid to have your photo taken. Don’t worry about getting the perfect angle, or just the right setting, or having the right makeup on. When you and your kids look back on it one day, none of that will matter, but what will matter is the memory that you’ve captured that can be cherished for years to come.
Keep Reading: Girl, 7, Selling Lemonade To Fund Own Brain Surgeries Says ‘I Hope I Make It’
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-06-26--Grandfather bravely comes out as gay at 90 years old, proving it’s never too late to embrace your tr

Grandfather bravely comes out as gay at 90 years old, proving it’s never too late to embrace your true self

It ’ s never too late to embrace your true self .
No one embodies that more than when this grandfather comes out as gay .
After living in secrecy 90 years , Kenneth Felts was ready to be his authentic self .
Grandfather Comes Out as Gay At 90 Years Old At the age of 90 , Kenneth , who lives in Colorado , decided to write his memoirs .
As they tend to do , writing about his life brought up some emotional memories .
For Kenneth , the most difficult of these were of his first love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Kenneth is gay and has known this for a very , very long time .
His first love was with a man named Phillip .
Their relationship was secret and could never thrive because of their fears of the anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes of the 50s and 60s .
( 1 ) The lack of community for gay people and his fear of being ousted by his friends and family caused Kenneth to bury himself as deeply into the closet as he could .
( 1 ) He first came out in an emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identifies as a lesbian .
She is extremely proud of him for finally making the decision to live the rest of his life fully as he is .
( 1 ) Read : Moms Offer Free Hugs at Pride Parade for Kids Whose Parents Rejected Them After speaking with his daughter , Kenneth wrote an email to his friends and family , and then later published a lengthy post on his Facebook page informing the others in his life .
In his post , he explained that he always felt as though he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named Ken and a gay man named Larry .
( 1 ) Over 50 years after ending his love affair out of fear of anti-gay repercussions , Kenneth was met with an outpouring of love and acceptance from his community .
( 1 ) In the past , Kenneth was afraid to be open about who he was because there really wasn ’ t a community for gay people back then the way there is now .
Where he lived , if you decided to come out you were largely on your own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of losing the people closest to him .
( 1 ) Since coming out , Kenneth has embraced himself and the LGBTQ+ community with gusto .
Most of his photos on Facebook feature him wearing a rainbow hooded sweatshirt .
He has become an active fundraiser for many LGBTQ+ charities and participated in the Denver Pride Virtual 5km walk .
In that event , he raised $ 450 for the Center on Colfax , an LGBTQ+ organization in Colorado .
( 1 ) Now , he encourages others who are afraid to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lives as their authentic selves .
His hope is that his story will inspire others to make the most of their lives and live them the way they want to while they still have it .
( 1 ) What happened to his first love , Phillip ?
If you ’ re wondering this , you ’ re not alone .
This is why Kenneth recently addressed this in a Facebook post .
You can see it below .
Keep Reading : Gay Teacher Shuts Down Homophobic Mom Who Pulled Her Kids @ @ @

It’s never too late to embrace your true self. No one embodies that more than when this grandfather comes out as gay. After living in secrecy for 90 years, Kenneth Felts was ready to be his authentic self.
Grandfather Comes Out as Gay At 90 Years Old
At the age of 90, Kenneth, who lives in Colorado, decided to write his memoirs. As they tend to do, writing about his life brought up some emotional memories. For Kenneth, the most difficult of these were of his first love – with a man.
Kenneth is gay and has known this for a very, very long time. His first love was with a man named Phillip. Their relationship was secret and could never thrive because of their fears of the anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes of the 50s and 60s.
The lack of community for gay people and his fear of being ousted by his friends and family caused Kenneth to bury himself as deeply into the closet as he could.
“I’ve been in the closet all my life – deep in the closet, behind rows and rows of clothing,” he explained to The Denver Post. “I had great trepidation as to what people would say. I was very concerned because I needed people and I couldn’t stand the thought of losing them just because I decided to finally be who I really was.”
He first came out in an emotional conversation with his daughter Rebecca, who identifies as a lesbian. She is extremely proud of him for finally making the decision to live the rest of his life fully as he is.
“He’s just so brave and he doesn’t even realise that he is, but it’s extraordinary,” she says.
Facing His Fears
After speaking with his daughter, Kenneth wrote an email to his friends and family, and then later published a lengthy post on his Facebook page informing the others in his life. In his post, he explained that he always felt as though he was two people: A straight man named Ken and a gay man named Larry.
Over 50 years after ending his love affair out of fear of anti-gay repercussions, Kenneth was met with an outpouring of love and acceptance from his community.
In the past, Kenneth was afraid to be open about who he was because there really wasn’t a community for gay people back then the way there is now. Where he lived, if you decided to come out you were largely on your own. He was terrified at the idea of losing the people closest to him.
“People who came out came out on their own, without support. And I guess I didn’t have the courage to face society at that time, so I just went ahead and buried it.”
Read More: A gay couple found a baby boy abandoned on the subway. Now, he’s their son
From Closeted to Activist
Since coming out, Kenneth has embraced himself and the LGBTQ+ community with gusto. Most of his photos on Facebook feature him wearing a rainbow hooded sweatshirt. He has become an active fundraiser for many LGBTQ+ charities and participated in the Denver Pride Virtual 5km walk. In that event, he raised $450 for the Center on Colfax, an LGBTQ+ organization in Colorado.
Now, he encourages others who are afraid to come out to have the courage to live their lives as their authentic selves. His hope is that his story will inspire others to make the most of their lives and live them the way they want to while they still have it.
What happened to his first love, Phillip?
If you’re wondering this, you’re not alone. This is why Kenneth recently addressed this in a Facebook post. You can see it below.
Lead Image Credit: Kenneth Felts | Facebook
Keep Reading: This gay couple’s mindblowing first dance at their wedding shocked their guests