theheartysoul--2020-04-26--Dolphins appear to glow as they glide through bioluminescent waves

Witnessing an entire pod of dolphins is , for most of us , a once-in-a-lifetime experience .
Imagine , then , if you saw one swimming below the water ’ s surface , and they were ‘ glowing ‘ .
This may sound like the stuff of science fiction novels , but one man recently witnessed exactly that- and has some incredible footage to prove it .
Patrick Coyne shared the video he captured of the pod of dolphins that appeared to be glowing neon blue on Instagram .
It is not , however , the dolphins themselves that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 1 ] .
This glowing blue water spans about 28 kilometers ( 17 miles ) along the coast of California , but scientists aren ’ t sure how long this phenomenon will last .
It is caused by a microorganism in the water called dinoflagellates , that glows in order to defend itself from predators .
This event , which hasn ’ t occurred since 2013 , is also known as the “ red tide ” , because during the day the microorganisms make the water look slightly red , while at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are disturbed by waves [ 2 ] .
Read : Dozens of Creatures Thought to Be Extinct Found Alive in ‘ Lost City ’ in the Jungle There are many marine organisms that produce light .
Certain fish dangle a glowing light in front of them to attract prey , and some squid shoot out bioluminescent liquid instead of ink to confuse predators .
Other organisms glow to attract a mate [ 3 ] .
Species that are able to glow contain a molecule called luciferin , which produces light when it reacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present will vary depending on the animal , and many of them also produce luciferase , which acts as a catalyst to speed up the reaction .
Animals can control when they light up in accordance with their needs , for example , if they are looking for a meal or a mate .
Some can create a sort of bioluminescence bomb by bundling luciferin and oxygen together into a “ photoprotein ” , and many can even choose the intensity or the color of the light they produce .
There are thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , there are also some that actually take in bacteria or other bioluminescent creatures in order to light up .
Most of the light produced through bioluminescence in the ocean appears to be blue-green in colour because they have shorter wavelengths of light .
Light doesn ’ t travel through water as easily , which is why colors with shorter wavelengths are more common [ 3 ] .
In the deep sea , many animals are red .
This is because red has a very long wavelength , and therefore can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ocean , rendering those animals invisible .
There are some creatures , however , that have evolved to be able to both emit and see red light , such as the dragon fish [ 3 ] .
Read : Blue Whales Have ‘ Unprecedented ’ Bounce Back From Brink Of Extinction Why Do Some Creatures Glow ?
There are many purposes to bioluminescence .
One is to help the creature attract or find prey .
An animal may cause part of their body to glow in order to attract a food source to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use their glowing light to give them better visibility and allow them to find their next meal .
Another reason for bioluminescence is to attract a mate .
Some use their different colors to distinguish between males and females , and others use them to communicate with a potential mate .
Finally , many organisms use bioluminescence as a form of protection .
A strong or bright flash of light can scare off a predator , or at least distract and confuse them long enough to make an escape .
This flashing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as is the case with the dinoflagellates , and attract larger predators that could scare off their attackers [ 3 ] .
See it While You Can Scientists are not sure how long this phenomenon will last , so if you live in the Newport Beach area , you should try to see it while you still can .
Scripps Oceanography has said that the best time to see the glowing waters is from a dark beach , at least two hours after sunset [ 2 ] .
Newport Beach isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ‘ glows ’ either .
Glowing Beaches in the Maldives are a world attraction .
In fact , its number 7 on this list of 21 Unbelievable Places That Look Like They ’ re From Another Planet .

Witnessing an entire pod of dolphins is, for most of us, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Imagine, then, if you saw one swimming below the water’s surface, and they were ‘glowing‘.
This may sound like the stuff of science fiction novels, but one man recently witnessed exactly that- and has some incredible footage to prove it.
Bioluminescent Waves
Patrick Coyne shared the video he captured of the pod of dolphins that appeared to be glowing neon blue on Instagram. It is not, however, the dolphins themselves that are glowing, but rather the ocean water [1].
This glowing blue water spans about 28 kilometers (17 miles) along the coast of California, but scientists aren’t sure how long this phenomenon will last. It is caused by a microorganism in the water called dinoflagellates, that glows in order to defend itself from predators.
“The algae makes a light when a fish or little shrimp tries to eat it,” says Dimitri Deheyn, a Scripps Oceanography research scientist. “That light attracts a bigger fish that can eat whatever is trying to eat the algae” [2].
This event, which hasn’t occurred since 2013, is also known as the “red tide”, because during the day the microorganisms make the water look slightly red, while at night they glow in areas where they are disturbed by waves [2].
Read: Dozens of Creatures Thought to Be Extinct Found Alive in ‘Lost City’ in the Jungle
What Makes the Plankton Glow?
There are many marine organisms that produce light. Certain fish dangle a glowing light in front of them to attract prey, and some squid shoot out bioluminescent liquid instead of ink to confuse predators. Other organisms glow to attract a mate [3].
Species that are able to glow contain a molecule called luciferin, which produces light when it reacts with oxygen. The types of luciferin present will vary depending on the animal, and many of them also produce luciferase, which acts as a catalyst to speed up the reaction.
Animals can control when they light up in accordance with their needs, for example, if they are looking for a meal or a mate. Some can create a sort of bioluminescence bomb by bundling luciferin and oxygen together into a “photoprotein”, and many can even choose the intensity or the color of the light they produce.
There are thousands of species that have bioluminescence capabilities, however, there are also some that actually take in bacteria or other bioluminescent creatures in order to light up. Most of the light produced through bioluminescence in the ocean appears to be blue-green in colour because they have shorter wavelengths of light. Light doesn’t travel through water as easily, which is why colors with shorter wavelengths are more common [3].
In the deep sea, many animals are red. This is because red has a very long wavelength, and therefore cannot be seen in the depths of the ocean, rendering those animals invisible. There are some creatures, however, that have evolved to be able to both emit and see red light, such as the dragon fish [3].
Read: Blue Whales Have ‘Unprecedented’ Bounce Back From Brink Of Extinction
Why Do Some Creatures Glow?
There are many purposes to bioluminescence. One is to help the creature attract or find prey. An animal may cause part of their body to glow in order to attract a food source to swim near them, or some may use their glowing light to give them better visibility and allow them to find their next meal.
Another reason for bioluminescence is to attract a mate. Some use their different colors to distinguish between males and females, and others use them to communicate with a potential mate.
Finally, many organisms use bioluminescence as a form of protection. A strong or bright flash of light can scare off a predator, or at least distract and confuse them long enough to make an escape. This flashing of light could also act as an alarm, as is the case with the dinoflagellates, and attract larger predators that could scare off their attackers [3].
See it While You Can
Scientists are not sure how long this phenomenon will last, so if you live in the Newport Beach area, you should try to see it while you still can. Scripps Oceanography has said that the best time to see the glowing waters is from a dark beach, at least two hours after sunset [2].
Newport Beach isn’t the only place in the world that ‘glows’ either. Glowing Beaches in the Maldives are a world attraction. In fact, its number 7 on this list of 21 Unbelievable Places That Look Like They’re From Another Planet.


theheartysoul--2020-04-27--She’s a model citizen, but she can’t hide in China’s ‘social credit’ system

Imagine living in a society where your every move – both on and offline – is able to be monitored by the government .
They can see everywhere you go , hear everything you say , and know everything about you , from who you hang out with to what you purchase at the store .
Now imagine that they take all of that information and add it up to give a score that can control your freedoms and opportunities throughout the country .
If you ’ re thinking that this is some made-up dystopian world in a Black Mirror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is soon to be modern-day China .
Set to be operating fully across the country by the end of 2020 , China ’ s social credit system is one that tracks everything you do and say both on the internet and real-life and assigns you a reputation score , of sorts .
Essentially , when you do good things , you are rewarded points , and when you do things the government deems less admirable , you have points taken away .
Those with high scores will receive perks , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 ) : • Better opportunities for the best jobs Those with low scores , however , will have difficulty doing anything .
Travel , internet use , government jobs , and access to credit will be increasingly restricted .
The person may even be subject to public shaming .
( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) The use of this system is achieved by advanced surveillance cameras that use facial recognition , body scanning , and geo-tracking to follow each of their 1.4 billion citizens ’ every move .
Information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that monitors online activity , and government records like medical , educational , financial , and criminal records will also be factored in .
( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) It ’ s more complex than just doing right and wrong .
There are several factors that influence a person ’ s score ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) : • What you buy : For example , too much alcohol will lower your score , items that suggest responsibility will raise it .
• Financial status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and family are and what they do and say .
For example , if your brother does something to lower his score , such as say something anti-government online , your score will also go down .
• Who you date and marry • How often you visit aging parents • What you say about the government online These are just a few examples of what can affect someone ’ s score .
More importantly , a child ’ s score is heavily impacted by their parent ’ s scores .
A good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards a stable future .
A bad score… well , you get the idea .
Read : China Begins Breeding Pigs as Heavy as Polar Bears to cope With the Nation-wide Pork Shortage What happens to citizens with bad scores ?
Having been in the works since 2009 , some 10 million Chinese people who live in trial areas have already experienced the crippling impact that having a low score can have on their lives .
A citizen with a bad score will be blocked from buying airline or train tickets , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose their jobs entirely .
If you are a dog owner and you do something like let your dog off-leash in a leash zone or don ’ t stoop and scoop , you can have your dog taken away .
( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) For many Chinese citizens , this is viewed as a good thing .
They feel they will be safer , and that their trustworthiness – a virtue of utmost importance in Chinese culture – will be rewarded .
The problem ?
Those with high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they benefit from the system and fear for their children ’ s future otherwise .
Those with lower scores have less opportunity and are more likely to stay there , making it difficult for children of lower status to break out of that cycle .
The government has complete control , and anyone who attempts to speak out will effectively be silenced .
( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) How the Chinese People Feel About The Credit System For many Chinese people , they are completely fine with it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and many feel this system will keep them safer .
Several even believe that this system was imported from the Western world , with one citizen telling The Conversation : There are many Chinese who believe that it will improve the ongoing issue of fraud in the country .
( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) Not every citizen agrees , however .
Liu Hu , an investigative journalist who has solved serial murder cases and discovered corruption at the highest levels of government , has been effectively locked out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government views him as an enemy and he has received his low score due to “ speech crimes ” .
( 1 ) His score has ruined his career , essentially put him under house arrest , and has become a threat to his family ’ s future .
( 1 ) All things considered , it looks like the Chinese government is well on their way to implementing this system nation-wide , and most of its citizens don ’ t seem to be too bothered by it .
That being said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received in the western world , professor and associate dean at Ocean University Law School Xin Dai says academics are discussing some of the privacy issues and risks that it imposes .
He reminds us , however , that the information we receive in North America doesn ’ t necessarily give the full scope of the system .
( 4 ) Time will tell what effect this system has on China , and the implications it may have for all countries that do business there .
Keep Reading : Poland And Denmark Refuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Registered In Offshore Tax Havens

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on April 27, 2020.
Imagine living in a society where your every move – both on and offline – is able to be monitored by the government. They can see everywhere you go, hear everything you say, and know everything about you, from who you hang out with to what you purchase at the store.
Now imagine that they take all of that information and add it up to give a score that can control your freedoms and opportunities throughout the country.
If you’re thinking that this is some made-up dystopian world in a Black Mirror episode, you’re wrong.
This is soon to be modern-day China.
China’s Social Credit Score
Set to be operating fully across the country by the end of 2020, China’s social credit system is one that tracks everything you do and say both on the internet and real-life and assigns you a reputation score, of sorts. Essentially, when you do good things, you are rewarded points, and when you do things the government deems less admirable, you have points taken away. Those with high scores will receive perks, such as:
VIP treatment at hotels and airports
Cheap loan options
First-rate access to the country’s top universities
Better opportunities for the best jobs
Those with low scores, however, will have difficulty doing anything. Travel, internet use, government jobs, and access to credit will be increasingly restricted. The person may even be subject to public shaming.
The use of this system is achieved by advanced surveillance cameras that use facial recognition, body scanning, and geo-tracking to follow each of their 1.4 billion citizens’ every move. Information will be collected using a smartphone app that monitors online activity, and government records like medical, educational, financial, and criminal records will also be factored in.
What makes a good or bad score?
It’s more complex than just doing right and wrong. There are several factors that influence a person’s score:
What you buy: For example, too much alcohol will lower your score, items that suggest responsibility will raise it.
Financial status and financial responsibility
Who your friends and family are and what they do and say. For example, if your brother does something to lower his score, such as say something anti-government online, your score will also go down.
Who you date and marry
Donations and volunteering
How often you visit aging parents
What you say about the government online
Perceived sincerity for crimes committed
Cheating in online games
School reports
These are just a few examples of what can affect someone’s score. More importantly, a child’s score is heavily impacted by their parent’s scores. A good score will get them a head start towards a stable future. A bad score… well, you get the idea.
What happens to citizens with bad scores?
Having been in the works since 2009, some 10 million Chinese people who live in trial areas have already experienced the crippling impact that having a low score can have on their lives.
A citizen with a bad score will be blocked from buying airline or train tickets, will have trouble being promoted, or even lose their jobs entirely. If you are a dog owner and you do something like let your dog off-leash in a leash zone or don’t stoop and scoop, you can have your dog taken away.
For many Chinese citizens, this is viewed as a good thing. They feel they will be safer, and that their trustworthiness – a virtue of utmost importance in Chinese culture – will be rewarded.
The problem? Those with high scores won’t speak out because they benefit from the system and fear for their children’s future otherwise. Those with lower scores have less opportunity and are more likely to stay there, making it difficult for children of lower status to break out of that cycle. The government has complete control, and anyone who attempts to speak out will effectively be silenced.
Read: China promotes education drive to make boys more ‘manly’
How the Chinese People Feel About The Credit System
For many Chinese people, they are completely fine with it. They are no strangers to government surveillance, and many feel this system will keep them safer. Several even believe that this system was imported from the Western world, with one citizen telling The Conversation:
“Things in the west are better because they have a mature credit system, right?” (2)
There are many Chinese who believe that it will improve the ongoing issue of fraud in the country.
Not every citizen agrees, however. Liu Hu, an investigative journalist who has solved serial murder cases and discovered corruption at the highest levels of government, has been effectively locked out of society because of his score. The government views him as an enemy and he has received his low score due to “speech crimes”. (1)
His score has ruined his career, essentially put him under house arrest, and has become a threat to his family’s future.
An Uncertain Future
All things considered, it looks like the Chinese government is well on their way to implementing this system nation-wide, and most of its citizens don’t seem to be too bothered by it. That being said, after mass attention this system has received in the western world, professor and associate dean at Ocean University Law School Xin Dai says academics are discussing some of the privacy issues and risks that it imposes. He reminds us, however, that the information we receive in North America doesn’t necessarily give the full scope of the system. (4)
“This entire thing is just so massive, and it varies across place to place. It is easy to sort of misinterpret or only catch part of it, without seeing the entire picture.” (4)
Time will tell what effect this system has on China, and the implications it may have for all countries that do business there.
Keep Reading: AI “Nanny” Being Created by Chinese Scientists to Grow Babies in Artificial Wombs
Sources
“Leave no dark corner.” ABC. Matthew Carney. September 17, 2018. “Hundreds of Chinese citizens told me what they thought about the controversial social credit system.” The Conversation. December 17, 2019. “How the West Got China’s Social Credit System Wrong.” Wired. July 29, 2019. “The Game of Life: Visualizing China’s Social Credit System.” Visual Capitalist. Katie Jones. September 18, 2019.
This article originally appeared on The Hearty Soul in April 2020 and has been published here with permission.


theheartysoul--2020-04-27--‘You’re the woman without a tribe. You, my dear, are not broken. People just don’t know how wonderfu

Some women seem to have it all .
They ’ re stunningly beautiful , they have a successful career , and they have a supportive significant other .
On top of that , they appear to move in a pack with their posse of equally as beautiful and successful women .
Without fail , every weekend brings photos and videos of this girl gang going to concerts , festivals , and clubs together , brunching together and cottaging together , all while taking an endless number of perfect candid shots with tags like # girlsquad and # mygirls .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lucky enough to have a group of close girlfriends who you can call up at a moment ’ s notice to be by your side , then that is wonderful .
You should feel blessed to have such a close-knit group of friends .
If this is not you , and you constantly find yourself watching these women , wondering why you don ’ t have what they have , please know that there is nothing wrong with you , and you are not alone .
Read : 6 Phrases Happy People Never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know that you are not broken just because you don ’ t have a consistent group of girlfriends that you hang out with every weekend .
Instead , Murphy encourages all you “ tribeless ” women to look at this as a strength .
You are independent , you make your own decisions and your own path .
You know who you are and where you want to go , and you will continue down your own path whether people want to join you on that journey or not .
You may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beside you for a while , but who eventually leave your path to join another , and you may meet one or two special individuals who stay with you for your entire life .
Whatever the case may be , there is nothing wrong with being the girl who migrates between friend groups .
Remember that having friends of all kinds can fill your life with color .
Work friends who you only see at the office , childhood friends who you catch up with every few years , and friends you met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all have a purpose .
These friendships , while they may not be extraordinarily close , can provide warmth , happiness , and interest to your life .
In the same way , just because you are not a close confidant for someone else , doesn ’ t mean that you are not important to them , or that they don ’ t enjoy having you in their life .
You also provide variety and color to other people ’ s lives , and there is immense value in that .
Close , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and perhaps there are people in your life who just don ’ t know how wonderful you are yet .
Continue to be your true , authentic self , and the right people will recognize your value .
These people will actively work to deepen your friendship and hold onto it for as long as possible .
Read : Dentistry Student Shares Touching Story of Being Raised by Father with Down Syndrome Focus on Those Who Matter When you do find those people- those kindred spirits who want to dance to your music- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Listen to their music as well , and try to be a part of their world as much as they are a part of yours .
This does not mean comprising who you are but instead allowing that person to help you access parts of yourself that you didn ’ t even know existed .
True , lifelong friendships are much rarer than you might think , but when you develop them they provide you with countless benefits .
When you find a friend who loves you for exactly who you are and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , make sure that you , in turn , celebrate theirs .
You may not have a posse of female friends following you wherever you go , but you do have something to offer , and your presence , friendship , and love , is valuable , so continue being unapologetically you .
Celebrate and enjoy the relationships that you have , and those who see your value will celebrate with you .
Keep Reading : Top 20 Motivational Quotes To Unlock The Power Of Gratitude

‘You’re the woman without a tribe. You, my dear, are not broken. People just don’t know how wonderful you are yet.’ You are not alone.
Some women seem to have it all. They’re stunningly beautiful, they have a successful career, and they have a supportive significant other. On top of that, they appear to move in a pack with their posse of equally as beautiful and successful women.
Without fail, every weekend brings photos and videos of this girl gang going to concerts, festivals, and clubs together, brunching together and cottaging together, all while taking an endless number of perfect candid shots with tags like #girlsquad and #mygirls.
If this describes you, and you are lucky enough to have a group of close girlfriends who you can call up at a moment’s notice to be by your side, then that is wonderful. You should feel blessed to have such a close-knit group of friends.
If this is not you, and you constantly find yourself watching these women, wondering why you don’t have what they have, please know that there is nothing wrong with you, and you are not alone.
‘The Girl Without a Tribe”
Harley Murphy wants you to know that you are not broken just because you don’t have a consistent group of girlfriends that you hang out with every weekend.
“It doesn’t make you odd or mean that you are not likable because you don’t hang out with the same people every week,” she says [1].
Instead, Murphy encourages all you “tribeless” women to look at this as a strength. You are independent, you make your own decisions and your own path. You know who you are and where you want to go, and you will continue down your own path whether people want to join you on that journey or not.
You may meet some people who want to walk beside you for a while, but who eventually leave your path to join another, and you may meet one or two special individuals who stay with you for your entire life. Whatever the case may be, there is nothing wrong with being the girl who migrates between friend groups.
Remember that having friends of all kinds can fill your life with color. Work friends who you only see at the office, childhood friends who you catch up with every few years, and friends you met while you were backpacking South America, all have a purpose. These friendships, while they may not be extraordinarily close, can provide warmth, happiness, and interest to your life.
In the same way, just because you are not a close confidant for someone else, doesn’t mean that you are not important to them, or that they don’t enjoy having you in their life. You also provide variety and color to other people’s lives, and there is immense value in that.
Close, lifelong friendships take time to develop, and perhaps there are people in your life who just don’t know how wonderful you are yet. Continue to be your true, authentic self, and the right people will recognize your value. These people will actively work to deepen your friendship and hold onto it for as long as possible.
“You dance to the beat of your own drum. If you make enough music, people will dance. They may dance with you for a season, or for your entire life.” [1]
Read: Dentistry Student Shares Touching Story of Being Raised by Father with Down Syndrome
Focus on Those Who Matter
When you do find those people- those kindred spirits who want to dance to your music- make sure you nurture that relationship. Listen to their music as well, and try to be a part of their world as much as they are a part of yours. This does not mean comprising who you are but instead allowing that person to help you access parts of yourself that you didn’t even know existed.
True, lifelong friendships are much rarer than you might think, but when you develop them they provide you with countless benefits. When you find a friend who loves you for exactly who you are and celebrates you for all of your quirks, make sure that you, in turn, celebrate theirs.
You may not have a posse of female friends following you wherever you go, but you do have something to offer, and your presence, friendship, and love, is valuable, so continue being unapologetically you. Celebrate and enjoy the relationships that you have, and those who see your value will celebrate with you.


theheartysoul--2020-04-27--Grandma’s Rules for Hanging Out the Laundry

For many people , laundry seems like a laborious , or at least annoying , chore .
First , the clothes need to be sorted , then washed , dried , folded and put away .
Certain more delicate items , or items that risk shrinking , can ’ t go in the dryer and instead need to be hung , and many dress shirts require ironing before they can be worn again .
Despite how time-consuming laundry can be , the modern process of doing laundry is significantly simpler and easier than it ever was before .
Centuries ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clothing , there was no need to wash clothes .
It wasn ’ t until they began fashioning clothing out of fabric that they needed to find a way to keep this new clothing clean .
As humans continued to develop and modernize , their desire for cleanliness and personal hygiene also began increasing [ 1 ] .
Humans first began washing their garments in whatever body of water they lived near , by pounding the clothes with rocks .
Gradually , as civilizations began to develop and become more sophisticated , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soaps and tools were invented to make the process more efficient and effective , allowing people to wash their clothes more frequently , and thus have more clothes [ 2 ] .
The first electric washing machine wasn ’ t invented until 1908 , and the first automatic washing machine didn ’ t arrive on the scene until 1951 [ 2 ] .
The use of washing machines became increasingly widespread , however , dryers were much less common .
It wasn ’ t until 1938 that the use of the dryer started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost of these machines was prohibitive for the majority of families through the forties and sixties .
In fact , clothes dryers didn ’ t become a common home appliance until the 1990s [ 3 ] .
While most of us have automatic dryers in our homes now , our grandparents , and even many of our parents , will remember the days of hanging their clothes on the line .
Read : Nursing Home Lets You ‘ Virtually Adopt ’ a Lonely Grandparent in Isolation to Keep Them Company over Video Calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laundry Although it may seem like a fairly straight-forward task , there were rules for how to properly hang your clothes in order to dry them effectively , and not heeding these rules could land you in trouble .
Rule # 1 : Wipe down the clothesline .
Since the clothesline is kept outside , it frequently collects dust and dirt that could then get on your clean clothes when you hang them up .
A quick wipe is all it takes to prevent this from happening , but if this step is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to do the laundry all over again .
Rule # 2 : Hang the socks by the toes .
If you hang your socks by their tops , the heavier , foot-portion of the sock will weigh it down and stretch it out at the ankles .
Your socks will still gradually stretch over time if you hang them by the toes , but it will happen slower , allowing you to get more wear out of your socks .
Rule # 3 : Sheets on the edges , underwear in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent your neighbors from getting a good look at your unmentionables , but larger items also take up more space , so hanging them first made sure there was adequate room for them on the line .
Rule # 4 : Color-code your laundry .
The general rule is whites go with whites , and darker colors get hung separately .
This way , if any of the colors bled while drying , they wouldn ’ t ruin your bleached items .
White items should also be hung in the sun , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid fading .
Rule # 5 : Shirts are hung by the bottom , not the top .
If you hang shirts by the shoulders , the clothespins are likely to leave large dimples and wrinkles , which can be difficult to iron out .
The bottom of the shirt is easier to iron , and if there are any wrinkles that you can ’ t get out , they can be hidden simply by tucking the shirt in .
Rule # 6 : Clothespins do double-duty .
When you hang your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clothespin with its neighbor .
The reason for this is purely economical- clothespins are easily lost , and so to cut down on the number of pins that you need , you simply use one pin to hang two items .
Rule # 7 : Clothespins come inside .
This is for the same reason that you hung two items per peg : losing pegs is frustrating , and for the frugal clothes-washer , keeping them inside lessens how often you have to go out and purchase new ones .
Rule # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter , too .
Today , our homes have better ventilation , and most of us don ’ t heat them with a fireplace , so hanging the laundry inside during the winter may be more of an option if you have space for it .
However , the rule used to be that no matter what , clothes were dried outside , or else you run the risk of having your clothes smell like the fireplace , or smelly musty because they didn ’ t dry fast enough indoors [ 4 ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great-Grandparents Knew ( That Most Of Us Have Forgotten ) The Benefits of Hanging your Clothes to Dry While the modern clothes dryer may offer convenience , there are still many people around the world who continue to hang their clothes out on the line , and this age-old practice actually has a number of benefits .
If you ’ re looking for a way to cut back on your utility bills , hanging your clothes outside on the line can save you some money .
In fact , ditching your dryer could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every year [ 5 ] .
Part of these savings comes from energy conservation , which , incidentally , is also beneficial to the environment .
Switching to line-drying could reduce your carbon footprint by 2 400 pounds per year , and some experts have estimated that if all Americans line-dried their clothing for just half the year , it could reduce our CO2 emissions by over three percent [ 5 ] .
Line drying is also much gentler on clothing and can improve freshness and decrease odors without the use of additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be particularly beneficial for those who are more sensitive to fragrances and chemicals that are found in many detergents and dryer products .
Additionally , line-drying your clothes may be safer .
Ultraviolet light from the sun helps to disinfect laundry , which is particularly important for items like underwear , bras , and diapers .
You also don ’ t have to worry about your dryer catching fire , which accounts for 15 600 structure fires every year in the United States [ 5 ] .
Clothes-washing has come a long way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a point of efficiency that allows us to do the laundry on a whim , without too much headache .
While line-drying may seem like a laborious task , perhaps your grandmother was onto something .
Technological advancements do come with their benefits , but sometimes the old way of doing things may actually be better .
If you ’ re looking for ways to save a little money and lessen your impact on the environment , you may want to give line-drying a try , if nothing else it will get you @ @ @ @ @ @ @

For many people, laundry seems like a laborious, or at least annoying, chore. First, the clothes need to be sorted, then washed, dried, folded and put away. Certain more delicate items, or items that risk shrinking, can’t go in the dryer and instead need to be hung, and many dress shirts require ironing before they can be worn again.
Despite how time-consuming laundry can be, the modern process of doing laundry is significantly simpler and easier than it ever was before.
A Brief History of Clean Clothes
Centuries ago, when humans wore animal skins as clothing, there was no need to wash clothes. It wasn’t until they began fashioning clothing out of fabric that they needed to find a way to keep this new clothing clean. As humans continued to develop and modernize, their desire for cleanliness and personal hygiene also began increasing [1].
Humans first began washing their garments in whatever body of water they lived near, by pounding the clothes with rocks. Gradually, as civilizations began to develop and become more sophisticated, the washing process became more industrialized. Different soaps and tools were invented to make the process more efficient and effective, allowing people to wash their clothes more frequently, and thus have more clothes [2].
The first electric washing machine wasn’t invented until 1908, and the first automatic washing machine didn’t arrive on the scene until 1951 [2].
The use of washing machines became increasingly widespread, however, dryers were much less common. It wasn’t until 1938 that the use of the dryer started to become known, however, the cost of these machines was prohibitive for the majority of families through the forties and sixties. In fact, clothes dryers didn’t become a common home appliance until the 1990s [3].
While most of us have automatic dryers in our homes now, our grandparents, and even many of our parents, will remember the days of hanging their clothes on the line.
8 Simple Rules for Hanging Out the Laundry
Although it may seem like a fairly straight-forward task, there were rules for how to properly hang your clothes in order to dry them effectively, and not heeding these rules could land you in trouble.
Rule #1: Wipe down the clothesline. Since the clothesline is kept outside, it frequently collects dust and dirt that could then get on your clean clothes when you hang them up. A quick wipe is all it takes to prevent this from happening, but if this step is forgotten, it could result in you having to do the laundry all over again.
Rule #2: Hang the socks by the toes. If you hang your socks by their tops, the heavier, foot-portion of the sock will weigh it down and stretch it out at the ankles. Your socks will still gradually stretch over time if you hang them by the toes, but it will happen slower, allowing you to get more wear out of your socks.
Rule #3: Sheets on the edges, underwear in the middle. This rule was mostly to prevent your neighbors from getting a good look at your unmentionables, but larger items also take up more space, so hanging them first made sure there was adequate room for them on the line.
Rule #4: Color-code your laundry. The general rule is whites go with whites, and darker colors get hung separately. This way, if any of the colors bled while drying, they wouldn’t ruin your bleached items. White items should also be hung in the sun, while colors should be left in the shade to avoid fading.
Rule #5: Shirts are hung by the bottom, not the top. If you hang shirts by the shoulders, the clothespins are likely to leave large dimples and wrinkles, which can be difficult to iron out. The bottom of the shirt is easier to iron, and if there are any wrinkles that you can’t get out, they can be hidden simply by tucking the shirt in.
Rule #6: Clothespins do double-duty. When you hang your laundry out, each item should share a clothespin with its neighbor. The reason for this is purely economical- clothespins are easily lost, and so to cut down on the number of pins that you need, you simply use one pin to hang two items.
Rule #7: Clothespins come inside. This is for the same reason that you hung two items per peg: losing pegs is frustrating, and for the frugal clothes-washer, keeping them inside lessens how often you have to go out and purchase new ones.
Rule #8: Clothes get hung in the winter, too. Today, our homes have better ventilation, and most of us don’t heat them with a fireplace, so hanging the laundry inside during the winter may be more of an option if you have space for it. However, the rule used to be that no matter what, clothes were dried outside, or else you run the risk of having your clothes smell like the fireplace, or smelly musty because they didn’t dry fast enough indoors [4].
The Benefits of Hanging your Clothes to Dry
While the modern clothes dryer may offer convenience, there are still many people around the world who continue to hang their clothes out on the line, and this age-old practice actually has a number of benefits.
If you’re looking for a way to cut back on your utility bills, hanging your clothes outside on the line can save you some money. In fact, ditching your dryer could save you more than two hundred dollars every year [5].
Part of these savings comes from energy conservation, which, incidentally, is also beneficial to the environment. Switching to line-drying could reduce your carbon footprint by 2 400 pounds per year, and some experts have estimated that if all Americans line-dried their clothing for just half the year, it could reduce our CO2 emissions by over three percent [5].
Line drying is also much gentler on clothing and can improve freshness and decrease odors without the use of additional chemicals or fabric softeners. This may be particularly beneficial for those who are more sensitive to fragrances and chemicals that are found in many detergents and dryer products.
Additionally, line-drying your clothes may be safer. Ultraviolet light from the sun helps to disinfect laundry, which is particularly important for items like underwear, bras, and diapers. You also don’t have to worry about your dryer catching fire, which accounts for 15 600 structure fires every year in the United States [5].
Grandma Knew Best
Clothes-washing has come a long way from its humble beginnings and has reached a point of efficiency that allows us to do the laundry on a whim, without too much headache. While line-drying may seem like a laborious task, perhaps your grandmother was onto something.
Technological advancements do come with their benefits, but sometimes the old way of doing things may actually be better. If you’re looking for ways to save a little money and lessen your impact on the environment, you may want to give line-drying a try, if nothing else it will get you outside to get some fresh air.
Keep Reading: Woman Decides To Stop Doing All The Chores For Her Family And Document The Results


theheartysoul--2020-04-28--5 Important Brain Games to Help Support Your Dog’s Cognitive Health

The first problem new pet owners may encounter is that their puppy seems restless , despite all the hours of playtime they were given .
While exercise is a great way to tire your new little one out , it doesn ’ t fully stimulate them mentally .
Imagine going for a run or swimming every day but you never get to read a book , complete a crossword puzzle , or have an in-depth conversation with another person .
It would get boring rather quickly !
Dogs are very intelligent animals that should be taken care of with these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know where to start ?
Well , you have come to the right place for enriching your canine companion ’ s everyday life… If you adopted a purebred dog , they have generations of instincts that were carefully bred for and fostered by fanciers .
Not allowing your pet to act on their natural instinct can be very damaging to their mental health and cause them to act out in destructive ways .
If you have a herding dog , such as the Border Collie or the Corgi , they love order in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a farmer that works with herding dogs about how to tame these wild fur babies and direct towards productive playtime .
Teaching your pet how to corral a few exercise balls in the yard is a great way to get their brains thinking !
The same goes for a terrier breed , they like to chase down small rodents so play with small moving toys or rig up a system where they can chase a toy .
There are dog toys that are like cat toys with a fluffy thing connected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into what your dog breed was originally supposed to do for a job is a great place to get started when trying to find new ways to entertain them .
Read : How to Introduce Your Dog to Raw Food If you look up puzzles for dogs , there is a variety to choose from .
Buttons , small doors , sliding contraptions , wobblers , and DIY games are all great ways to keep your pup ’ s mind sharp .
Toys created specifically to have small crevices in them to hide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for you to get some chores completed .
The same can be done with items in the house like a tennis ball with an opening or placing treats under plastic Tupperware .
Training your pet with obedience tricks gets two jobs done at once : they get to be mentally stimulated while learning their manners !
Start small by teaching them the basics like Sit , Down , Stay , Come , and Leave It .
Keep increasing the level of difficulty with these tricks by adding distractions like going outside , having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to the park to teach tricks .
Once your canine has a good hold on their basic manners , you can move into doing more complex tricks like sitting between your legs , playing dead , or holding something in their mouth without dropping or eating it .
Your dog has to listen and pay attention to you when given commands , thus keeping all of their attention .
By introducing new scenarios , you are challenging the pup to respond in the way they were taught , which requires a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ People Foods ’ You Should Feed Your Dog While teaching your pet how to jump through hoops or keep still to place a treat on their muzzle is crowd-pleasing , teaching them how to distinguish between certain objects can be even cooler .
Research has found that dogs can learn up to 150 different words , which gives owners the awesome opportunity to train their pets on how to distinguish between different objects .
When doing this for the very first time , start by having two very different dog toys that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different they are , the easier it will be for your pet to tell the difference between the two when asked to bring one to you .
It is a matter of naming the two toys differently and conditioning the pup to associate the name with the toy .
Do not get discouraged when you name a red ball “ red ball ” and you ask your pup to get a red rope , they might bring you a different toy .
This is because dogs are color blind !
Playing with other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get your canine companion ’ s mind working .
Dogs are social creatures and learn from other dogs or people through active interaction .
By playing with other dogs , your pup will learn dog social cues , how to navigate around grumpy dogs , and learn who not to mess within the pack .
And when playing with their owners , it strengthens the loving bond between owner and pet .
Keep Reading : Man Made His Wife Choose Between Her Rescue Dogs And Him – She Picked The Dogs

The first problem new pet owners may encounter is that their puppy seems restless, despite all the hours of playtime they were given. While exercise is a great way to tire your new little one out, it doesn’t fully stimulate them mentally. Imagine going for a run or swimming every day but you never get to read a book, complete a crossword puzzle, or have an in-depth conversation with another person. It would get boring rather quickly!
Dogs are very intelligent animals that should be taken care of with these attributes in mind. Don’t know where to start? Well, you have come to the right place for enriching your canine companion’s everyday life…
1. Breed Specific Games
If you adopted a purebred dog, they have generations of instincts that were carefully bred for and fostered by fanciers. Not allowing your pet to act on their natural instinct can be very damaging to their mental health and cause them to act out in destructive ways.
If you have a herding dog, such as the Border Collie or the Corgi, they love order in their environment. Take time to learn from a farmer that works with herding dogs about how to tame these wild fur babies and direct towards productive playtime. Teaching your pet how to corral a few exercise balls in the yard is a great way to get their brains thinking!
The same goes for a terrier breed, they like to chase down small rodents so play with small moving toys or rig up a system where they can chase a toy. There are dog toys that are like cat toys with a fluffy thing connected to a string and handle.
Doing research into what your dog breed was originally supposed to do for a job is a great place to get started when trying to find new ways to entertain them.
2. Puzzles
If you look up puzzles for dogs, there is a variety to choose from. Buttons, small doors, sliding contraptions, wobblers, and DIY games are all great ways to keep your pup’s mind sharp.
Toys created specifically to have small crevices in them to hide treats can entertain your pet long enough for you to get some chores completed. The same can be done with items in the house like a tennis ball with an opening or placing treats under plastic Tupperware.
3. Obedience Training
Training your pet with obedience tricks gets two jobs done at once: they get to be mentally stimulated while learning their manners!
Start small by teaching them the basics like Sit, Down, Stay, Come, and Leave It. Keep increasing the level of difficulty with these tricks by adding distractions like going outside, having friends over at the house, or going to the park to teach tricks. Once your canine has a good hold on their basic manners, you can move into doing more complex tricks like sitting between your legs, playing dead, or holding something in their mouth without dropping or eating it.
Your dog has to listen and pay attention to you when given commands, thus keeping all of their attention. By introducing new scenarios, you are challenging the pup to respond in the way they were taught, which requires a lot of brainpower!
4. Language
While teaching your pet how to jump through hoops or keep still to place a treat on their muzzle is crowd-pleasing, teaching them how to distinguish between certain objects can be even cooler. Research has found that dogs can learn up to 150 different words, which gives owners the awesome opportunity to train their pets on how to distinguish between different objects.
When doing this for the very first time, start by having two very different dog toys that your pet really likes. The more different they are, the easier it will be for your pet to tell the difference between the two when asked to bring one to you. It is a matter of naming the two toys differently and conditioning the pup to associate the name with the toy.
Do not get discouraged when you name a red ball “red ball” and you ask your pup to get a red rope, they might bring you a different toy. This is because dogs are color blind!
5. Playing with Others
Playing with other dogs and people is a wonderful way to get your canine companion’s mind working. Dogs are social creatures and learn from other dogs or people through active interaction. By playing with other dogs, your pup will learn dog social cues, how to navigate around grumpy dogs, and learn who not to mess within the pack. And when playing with their owners, it strengthens the loving bond between owner and pet.
Keep Reading: Man Made His Wife Choose Between Her Rescue Dogs And Him – She Picked The Dogs


theheartysoul--2020-04-28--World’s Loneliest Dolphin Dies After Two Years In Tiny Pool

A sadly preventable tragedy occurred at an abandoned marine park near Tokyo , in Japan .
Honey the bottlenose dolphin , who made headlines back in 2018 for being left alone in a small , murky tank , has died .
The Plight of Honey the Dolphin Nicknamed “ the world ’ s loneliest dolphin ” , Honey was one of the animals left behind at the Inubosaki Marine Park Aquarium that closed down in 2018 .
The park closed due to Financial struggles after a series of earthquakes and tsunamis in 2011 .
Also still left in the park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reptiles .
There is now just one employee tasked with feeding the remaining animals .
( 1 , 2 , 3 ) Left alone in a small pool with nothing to stimulate her , Honey swam listless circles of her tiny , dirty tank .
( 1 , 2 , 3 ) When Honey ’ s situation was discovered , she quickly gained worldwide attention as well as a large movement in Japan to rescue the dolphin .
The Dolphin Project , a dolphin welfare , rescue , and rehabilitation organization based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made several attempts to rescue Honey .
Unfortunately , they were unable to strike a deal in time and Honey died alone in her tank on March 29 , 2020 .
( 1 , 2 , 3 ) Read : This is Why We Need Wildlife Crossings Sadly , the situation in which Honey lived out her remaining days is not an isolated incident .
The Dolphin Project has found many dolphins like Honey in the United States , Haiti , South Korea , Guatemala , Nicaragua , Indonesia , Brazil , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barry on Earth Day in 1970 , they work hard to rescue and rehabilitate these animals .
In some cases , they are taken to a sanctuary , in others they can be successfully reintroduced into the wild .
( 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ) Their mission is to end dolphin exploitation and slaughter and to educate the public about dolphin captivity .
Over the last 50 years , they have ( 5 ) : • Rescued and reintroduced countless dolphins back into the wild .
• Successfully pushed Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capture of dolphins for dolphinaria .
• Built Camp Lumba Lumba , the first permanent dolphin rehabilitation and release center in Kemujan , Karimun Jawa , Indonesia .
• Forced the closure of Marine Park Dolphinaris in Arizona .
Click here to read more about the history of The Dolphin Project .
In 2003 , The Dolphin Project went to Japan to take on the cruel and controversial drive hunts that take place in Taiji .
It is during one of these hunts that Honey was captured .
( 1 , 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dolphins are driven into a cove from where they can ’ t escape .
They are then either captured alive for captivity in aquariums and marine parks , or they are slaughtered for meat .
They have been monitoring these hunts ever since and are still working towards making them illegal .
( 5 ) The Dolphin Project was part of the documentary The Cove , an exposé that brought global attention to these horrific hunts .
The film won the 2010 .
Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature .
( 5 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hunts here .
Read : Blue Whales Have ‘ Unprecedented ’ Bounce Back From Brink Of Extinction Dolphins are highly intelligent , sentient creatures .
They are also highly social .
They are playful creatures who live in pods or families .
They are not meant to be kept in small pools , and definitely not meant to be left alone .
( 4 , 5 ) According to The Dolphin Project , there are many reasons why dolphin captivity is so cruel : • Pods of dolphins swim up to 100km in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captivity , they have limited space to roam , which also can cause aggression amongst the group .
• In their pods , or families , who they usually remain with for life , they have a signature whistle .
When they arrive in captivity they are placed with dolphins they don ’ t know and therefore can ’ t communicate with .
• Pools and tanks are completely bare , leaving little to stimulate the dolphins ’ minds .
Many captive dolphins are regularly given ulcer and anti-depression medications to combat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many dolphins develop depression and begin to practice self-harm , float listlessly around their pools , and purposefully “ beach ” themselves on the pool deck because of a lack of will to live .
• Dolphins are kept hungry enough so they will do as the trainers instruct during a performance or a swim-with-the-dolphins experience .
• When they are fed , a captive dolphin must get used to eating a diet of dead fish , as opposed to the live ones they are used to eating in the ocean .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals to deep-dive , so they have too much sun exposure .
Despite the zinc oxide applied to their backs , they still end up blistered and sunburnt .
• Many tanks are heavily chlorinated .
This is irritating to the dolphins ’ eyes and results in permanent damage .
Read : With No Tourists , Australian Scuba Tours Are Planting Coral Instead What You Can do to Help Thanks to the dedicated marine animal activist groups around the world like The Dolphin Project , awareness , and , most importantly , change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more of us who get involved to help these causes , the sooner dolphin and other marine life captivity can be a thing of the past .
There are a few things you can do now to start making a difference right away : • Educate yourself and others .
Read and share articles like this one to increase awareness around the globe of this cruel industry .
• Boycott marine parks and any business that uses animals as entertainment .
• Petition your government to change the laws .
• Volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
If we work together , we can end dolphin and marine life cruelty and captivity .
Keep Reading : Dolphins appear to glow as they glide through bioluminescent waves

A sadly preventable tragedy occurred at an abandoned marine park near Tokyo, in Japan. Honey the bottlenose dolphin, who made headlines back in 2018 for being left alone in a small, murky tank, has died.
The Plight of Honey the Dolphin
Nicknamed “the world’s loneliest dolphin”, Honey was one of the animals left behind at the Inubosaki Marine Park Aquarium that closed down in 2018. The park closed due to Financial struggles after a series of earthquakes and tsunamis in 2011. Also still left in the park are 46 penguins and hundreds of fish and reptiles. There is now just one employee tasked with feeding the remaining animals. (1, 2, 3)
Left alone in a small pool with nothing to stimulate her, Honey swam listless circles of her tiny, dirty tank. (1, 2, 3)
When Honey’s situation was discovered, she quickly gained worldwide attention as well as a large movement in Japan to rescue the dolphin. The Dolphin Project, a dolphin welfare, rescue, and rehabilitation organization based out of California in the US, made several attempts to rescue Honey. Unfortunately, they were unable to strike a deal in time and Honey died alone in her tank on March 29, 2020. (1, 2, 3)
Read: This is Why We Need Wildlife Crossings
The Dolphin Project
Sadly, the situation in which Honey lived out her remaining days is not an isolated incident. The Dolphin Project has found many dolphins like Honey in the United States, Haiti, South Korea, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Indonesia, Brazil, and Columbia. Founded by Richard O’Barry on Earth Day in 1970, they work hard to rescue and rehabilitate these animals. In some cases, they are taken to a sanctuary, in others they can be successfully reintroduced into the wild. (1, 2, 3, 5)
Their mission is to end dolphin exploitation and slaughter and to educate the public about dolphin captivity. Over the last 50 years, they have (5):
Rescued and reintroduced countless dolphins back into the wild.
Successfully pushed Mexico to pass a law in 2002 banning the capture of dolphins for dolphinaria.
Built Camp Lumba Lumba, the first permanent dolphin rehabilitation and release center in Kemujan, Karimun Jawa, Indonesia.
Forced the closure of Marine Park Dolphinaris in Arizona.
Shut down Indonesia’s traveling dolphin circus.
Click here to read more about the history of The Dolphin Project.
In 2003, The Dolphin Project went to Japan to take on the cruel and controversial drive hunts that take place in Taiji. It is during one of these hunts that Honey was captured. (1, 5)
The Taiji Drive Hunts
During these hunts, pods of dolphins are driven into a cove from where they can’t escape. They are then either captured alive for captivity in aquariums and marine parks, or they are slaughtered for meat. They have been monitoring these hunts ever since and are still working towards making them illegal. (5)
The Dolphin Project was part of the documentary The Cove, an exposé that brought global attention to these horrific hunts. The film won the 2010. Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. (5)
Read more about the Taiji Dolphin Drive hunts here.
Read: Blue Whales Have ‘Unprecedented’ Bounce Back From Brink Of Extinction
Dolphin Captivity Controversy
Dolphins are highly intelligent, sentient creatures. They are also highly social. They are playful creatures who live in pods or families. They are not meant to be kept in small pools, and definitely not meant to be left alone. (4, 5)
According to The Dolphin Project, there are many reasons why dolphin captivity is so cruel:
Pods of dolphins swim up to 100km in a day in the wild. In captivity, they have limited space to roam, which also can cause aggression amongst the group.
In their pods, or families, who they usually remain with for life, they have a signature whistle. When they arrive in captivity they are placed with dolphins they don’t know and therefore can’t communicate with.
Pools and tanks are completely bare, leaving little to stimulate the dolphins’ minds. Many captive dolphins are regularly given ulcer and anti-depression medications to combat the mental stress of their captivity.
Many dolphins develop depression and begin to practice self-harm, float listlessly around their pools, and purposefully “beach” themselves on the pool deck because of a lack of will to live.
Dolphins are kept hungry enough so they will do as the trainers instruct during a performance or a swim-with-the-dolphins experience.
When they are fed, a captive dolphin must get used to eating a diet of dead fish, as opposed to the live ones they are used to eating in the ocean.
Tanks are not deep enough for the animals to deep-dive, so they have too much sun exposure. Despite the zinc oxide applied to their backs, they still end up blistered and sunburnt.
Many tanks are heavily chlorinated. This is irritating to the dolphins’ eyes and results in permanent damage.
Read: With No Tourists, Australian Scuba Tours Are Planting Coral Instead
What You Can do to Help
Thanks to the dedicated marine animal activist groups around the world like The Dolphin Project, awareness, and, most importantly, change is happening. That being said, the more of us who get involved to help these causes, the sooner dolphin and other marine life captivity can be a thing of the past.
There are a few things you can do now to start making a difference right away:
Educate yourself and others. Read and share articles like this one to increase awareness around the globe of this cruel industry.
Boycott marine parks and any business that uses animals as entertainment.
Donate to a rescue project.
Petition your government to change the laws.
Volunteer with a local organization if you have one.
If we work together, we can end dolphin and marine life cruelty and captivity.
Keep Reading: Dolphins appear to glow as they glide through bioluminescent waves


theheartysoul--2020-04-29--A 425-Pound Tiger Living in a Harlem Apartment? Yes, It Happened

Long before Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin became household names , there was another Tiger King in town- or “ Tiger Man ” , as they called him .
In 2001 , Antoine Yates became known as New York City ’ s Tiger Man , when he was found to be keeping a 425-pound tiger in his Harlem apartment .
Mr. Yates was 31 years old and working as a construction worker when he purchased the eight-week-old Siberian-Bengal mix .
Inspired by his fascination with Chinese culture , he named the little cub Ming [ 1 ] .
Ming grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of twenty pounds of chicken thighs per day , the little tiger grew to its full-grown weight of 425 pounds in just three years .
Yates built a sandbox in Ming ’ s room , and played games like hide-and-go-seek with items sprayed with cologne , or gave Ming frozen slabs of meat to play with as they thawed .
In his words , he did things with the tiger to “ stimulate his mind ” .
Yates considered Ming to be his best friend and claims that he had a natural bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , raising a four hundred pound tiger was no different than raising a monkey or a snake [ 1 ] .
Read : The Cheetah Whisperer : Photographer Takes a Nap under a Tree with His Cheetah Bestie Yates had put a down payment on a plot of land north of the city where he planned to create his own “ Garden of Eden ” - a space where humans and animals could interact in harmony with one another .
This interruption occurred in 2003 .
Yates had brought home a stray kitten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little cat , Yates attempted to intervene .
The result was a big , tiger-sized gash to the leg .
The Tiger Man took himself to the hospital and told doctors that he had been attacked by a pitbull .
Judging by the size of the wound , however , the doctors suspected that Yates wasn ’ t telling them the truth .
They notified the authorities , and when officers arrived at his apartment , they managed to get a glimpse inside using a miniature camera .
Of course , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a small NYC apartment , so Yate ’ s secret was out .
An officer then repelled down the side of the building , shot Ming with a tranquilizer gun , and the tiger was carried out of the apartment on a tarp [ 1 ] .
Read : Scientists Discovered A Bunch Of New Spiders In Australia And Honestly , They ’ re Pretty Cute Housing Authority officials stated that they had no idea that Yates was keeping a tiger .
His neighbors , however , often complained about the urine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saland , the case ’ s prosecuting attorney , says that a situation like this could never happen today .
Ming was relocated to an animal sanctuary called Noah ’ s Lost Ark in Berlin , Ohio , where he died of natural causes in 2019 .
Yates , on the other hand , served three months in prison and five years of probation for reckless endangerment and possession of a wild animal .
Read : Zookeepers Self-Isolate In A UK Wildlife Park For 3 Months To Take Care Of Animals There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States alone , compared to only 3900 in the wild .
Only about six percent of these tigers live in accredited zoos or facilities [ 3 ] .
Despite what some of these tiger-owners might say , breeding wild animals in captivity is not a form of animal conservation .
In most cases , private tiger owners are not properly trained to care for these animals , and after years of unhealthy human contact , confined spaces , poor diets or health issues from inbreeding , they can not be released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not support population growth [ 3 ] .
The exotic pet industry also helps fuel the illegal wild animal trade .
Cubs are the main attraction at many of the wildlife parks , which means owners are constantly breeding to keep a regular supply of baby animals .
Tigers that have grown too big for contact with the public are less useful , and so are often sold illegally .
This helps to sustain the black market trade of wildlife , which encourages poaching and capture of tigers in the wild [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Again Despite his stint in jail , Yates says that he loved his experience taking care of “ unusual ” pets , and if he had the chance , he would do it again .
As for his opinion on the Tiger King ?
Keep Reading : Neglected Circus Bengal Tiger is Rescued and Finds Love

Long before Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin became household names, there was another Tiger King in town- or “Tiger Man”, as they called him.
In 2001, Antoine Yates became known as New York City’s Tiger Man, when he was found to be keeping a 425-pound tiger in his Harlem apartment.
Ming the Tiger
Mr. Yates was 31 years old and working as a construction worker when he purchased the eight-week-old Siberian-Bengal mix. Inspired by his fascination with Chinese culture, he named the little cub Ming [1].
Ming grew quickly, and through a steady diet of twenty pounds of chicken thighs per day, the little tiger grew to its full-grown weight of 425 pounds in just three years.
https://youtu.be/CXXdf0SBEZE
“I didn’t want to domesticate him,” said Yates. “I did a lot of enrichment with him to feed his instinct. I was like a drill sergeant.” [1]
Yates built a sandbox in Ming’s room, and played games like hide-and-go-seek with items sprayed with cologne, or gave Ming frozen slabs of meat to play with as they thawed. In his words, he did things with the tiger to “stimulate his mind”.
Yates considered Ming to be his best friend and claims that he had a natural bond with the animal. In his opinion, raising a four hundred pound tiger was no different than raising a monkey or a snake.
A Plan Interrupted
Yates had put a down payment on a plot of land north of the city where he planned to create his own “Garden of Eden”- a space where humans and animals could interact in harmony with one another.
“It was all carefully thought-through — I was a matter of months from securing the property,” he said. “My whole intention was to keep Ming low-key for a little bit of time before moving him, but it was interrupted.”
This interruption occurred in 2003. Yates had brought home a stray kitten, and when Ming lunged at the little cat, Yates attempted to intervene. The result was a big, tiger-sized gash to the leg.
The Tiger Man took himself to the hospital and told doctors that he had been attacked by a pitbull. Judging by the size of the wound, however, the doctors suspected that Yates wasn’t telling them the truth.
They notified the authorities, and when officers arrived at his apartment, they managed to get a glimpse inside using a miniature camera. Of course, it is difficult for a 425-pound tiger to hide in a small NYC apartment, so Yate’s secret was out.
An officer then repelled down the side of the building, shot Ming with a tranquilizer gun, and the tiger was carried out of the apartment on a tarp.
Harlem’s Best-Kept Secret
Housing Authority officials stated that they had no idea that Yates was keeping a tiger. His neighbors, however, often complained about the urine smell coming from his apartment. Jeremy Saland, the case’s prosecuting attorney, says that a situation like this could never happen today.
“Today, someone in the hallway would record it roaring, and it would be all over Instagram or Twitter,” he explained [2].
Ming was relocated to an animal sanctuary called Noah’s Lost Ark in Berlin, Ohio, where he died of natural causes in 2019. Yates, on the other hand, served three months in prison and five years of probation for reckless endangerment and possession of a wild animal.
“I never put the public or another soul in harm’s way. I’m not a hard-core criminal,” Yates insisted. “I’m just a person with a passion for animals.”
Captive Tigers in America
There are an estimated five thousand captive tigers in the United States alone, compared to only 3900 in the wild. Only about six percent of these tigers live in accredited zoos or facilities.
Despite what some of these tiger-owners might say, breeding wild animals in captivity is not a form of animal conservation. In most cases, private tiger owners are not properly trained to care for these animals, and after years of unhealthy human contact, confined spaces, poor diets or health issues from inbreeding, they cannot be released back into the wild, so they do not support population growth.
The exotic pet industry also helps fuel the illegal wild animal trade. Cubs are the main attraction at many of the wildlife parks, which means owners are constantly breeding to keep a regular supply of baby animals.
Tigers that have grown too big for contact with the public are less useful, and so are often sold illegally. This helps to sustain the black market trade of wildlife, which encourages poaching and capture of tigers in the wild.
He Would do it Again
Despite his stint in jail, Yates says that he loved his experience taking care of “unusual” pets, and if he had the chance, he would do it again. As for his opinion on the Tiger King?
“I was turned off by it,” he said. “It just shows how ignorant these so-called exotic animal lovers can be.”


theheartysoul--2020-04-29--IKEA Released Free Design For Garden Sphere That Feeds a Neighborhood

There are a lot of issues with modern-day agriculture .
It requires hundreds of acres of land , millions of gallons of water , and massive amounts of fossil fuels .
Large , mono-crop operations are more susceptible to pests and disease , so they must be treated with herbicides and pesticides to prevent crop losses , and they deplete the soil , which in turn decreases the nutritional value of the food that is being grown .
For all of these reasons , and many more , modern agriculture is not only damaging the health of our environment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
This begs the question : how can we feed our growing population nutritious food without damaging our environment ?
Scientists and researchers around the world have been working to find solutions to this problem , and not too long ago one group from an IKEA lab came up with an innovative answer .
In 2017 , the furniture giant IKEA released the blueprints for the Grow Room , which could be downloaded for free .
The spherical structure was designed in the company ’ s lab Space 10 by architects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab ’ s purpose is to develop innovative and ground-breaking solutions for the future , which is where the inspiration for this product came from [ 1 ] .
The Glow Room has multiple tiers designed to sustainably grow food for an entire community .
There are seventeen steps involved in building the structure , and all you need is two rubber hammers , sixteen sheets of plywood , and a visit to a local fab lab with a CNC milling machine [ 2 ] .
Unlike other IKEA products , the parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with all the necessary tools .
Instead , users can download the files provided by the company to create the plywood pieces , then take it to a fab lab to be cut professionally .
Once they have the pieces ready to go , they can assemble them following the instructions provided online [ 2 ] .
The Growroom is intended mainly to be used in neighborhood gardens in cities , however , if you are particularly ambitious , you could build one for your own backyard .
Read : How One Man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Community Farmers Market According to their website , Space10 is “ a research and design lab on a mission to enable a better everyday life for people and planet.
” [ 4 ] Prioritizing a collaborative approach , they research and design innovative solutions to major shifts that are expected to take place within society , and that will affect both people and the planet in the years to come [ 4 ] .
The Growroom was designed to enable people to grow food locally and sustainably .
The makers of the product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing how outsourcing our food production to large farms that are far beyond city limits means that it must travel hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles to get to us .
The problem , of course , is that cities don ’ t typically have enough space to grow food .
In some cases , even a small community garden plot is not feasible .
The Growroom presents a way for fresh food to be grown within city limits and provides people who live in these urban areas with greater access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Growroom have already been built in Helsinki , Moscow , Rio de Janeiro , San Francisco , Seoul , and Sydney .
Space10 explains that they are designed to act as a small oasis , or “ pause ” architecture , to allow people in busy cities to connect with nature and to enjoy the smell and taste of the herbs and plants growing within it .
It can stand freely in any location and is meant to be an example of contemporary and shared architecture [ 3 ] .
Keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anyone Can Build

There are a lot of issues with modern-day agriculture. It requires hundreds of acres of land, millions of gallons of water, and massive amounts of fossil fuels. Large, mono-crop operations are more susceptible to pests and disease, so they must be treated with herbicides and pesticides to prevent crop losses, and they deplete the soil, which in turn decreases the nutritional value of the food that is being grown. Now, a concept called a garden sphere could help feed entire communities.
For all of these reasons, and many more, modern agriculture is not only damaging the health of our environment, but it is affecting our own health as well. This begs the question: how can we feed our growing population nutritious food without damaging our environment?
Scientists and researchers around the world have been working to find solutions to this problem, and not too long ago one group from an IKEA lab came up with an innovative answer.
The IKEA Garden Sphere
In 2017, the furniture giant IKEA released the blueprints for the Grow Room, which could be downloaded for free.
The spherical structure was designed in the company’s lab Space 10 by architects Sine Lindholm and Mads-Ulrik Husumto. The lab’s purpose is to develop innovative and ground-breaking solutions for the future, which is where the inspiration for this product came from.
The Glow Room has multiple tiers designed to sustainably grow food for an entire community. There are seventeen steps involved in building the structure, and all you need is two rubber hammers, sixteen sheets of plywood, and a visit to a local fab lab with a CNC milling machine.
Unlike other IKEA products, the parts do not come in boxes or flatpacks with all the necessary tools. Instead, users can download the files provided by the company to create the plywood pieces, then take it to a fab lab to be cut professionally. Once they have the pieces ready to go, they can assemble them following the instructions provided online.
The Growroom is intended mainly to be used in neighborhood gardens in cities, however, if you are particularly ambitious, you could build one for your own backyard.
“This means most people — in theory — could produce almost anything themselves,” the organization said in a press release.
Creating Healthy Communities
According to their website, Space10 is “a research and design lab on a mission to enable a better everyday life for people and planet.”
Prioritizing a collaborative approach, they research and design innovative solutions to major shifts that are expected to take place within society, and that will affect both people and the planet in the years to come.
The Growroom was designed to enable people to grow food locally and sustainably.
“An urban farm pavilion and example of food-producing architecture, it was designed to trigger conversations about how to meet the rising demand for food by growing it in our cities.”
The makers of the product considered problems with our current agricultural system, citing how outsourcing our food production to large farms that are far beyond city limits means that it must travel hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles to get to us.
The problem, of course, is that cities don’t typically have enough space to grow food. In some cases, even a small community garden plot is not feasible. The Growroom presents a way for fresh food to be grown within city limits and provides people who live in these urban areas with greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Local food represents a serious alternative to the global food model. It reduces food miles, our pressure on the environment, and educates our children of where food actually comes from. The result on the dining table is just as fascinating.”
Local versions of the Growroom have already been built in Helsinki, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Seoul, and Sydney.
Space10 explains that they are designed to act as a small oasis, or “pause” architecture, to allow people in busy cities to connect with nature and to enjoy the smell and taste of the herbs and plants growing within it. It can stand freely in any location and is meant to be an example of contemporary and shared architecture.
Keep Reading: Permaculture Garden Produces 7000 Pounds of Organic Food Per Year on a Tenth of an Acre


theheartysoul--2020-04-29--DIY Weed-Be-Gone Spray – Better Alternative That Works Compared To Harsh Chemicals

Spring is a busy season for home gardeners .
It ’ s the time to start raking matted leaves , edging the beds , removing winter protection wraps , inspecting for plants for damage , fertilizing the trees and plants , pruning flowering shrubs , and of course , pulling the weeds .
Once the seeds for produce or flowers have been chosen and planted , the maintenance begins .
This involves watering , harvesting , and naturally , fighting those weeds .
The weed battle doesn ’ t really end .
Therefore , it ’ s important to choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Much of the appeal of home-grown produce is that they are hormone and chemical-free , but that could change depending on the weed killer used .
Strong chemical herbicides , fungicides , and pesticides can contribute to water contamination .
[ 2 ] Commercial weed killers can pollute not only the groundwater but the soil , as well as garden insects , pollinators , and other wildlife around the garden .
This can also detrimentally affect pets and children .
Other issues may include irritating airways , skin , and eyes .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is allegedly linked to causing cancer .
[ 3 ] Cynthia Curl , an environmental health scientist at Boise State University in Idaho , said , “ Many assumptions have been made about the safety of glyphosate that are now being actively questioned .
We will see an explosion of information about glyphosate , and it ’ s about time .
We ’ re really playing catch-up on this one.
” [ 3 ] How to Use A Natural Vinegar-Based Weed Killer Vinegar-based weed killers work by drawing out moisture , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can successfully kill weeds including : One of the ways vinegar works is by lowering the pH of the soil , so keep in mind that it can also harm healthy plants .
That ’ s the main disadvantage of some natural weed killers like this .
To avoid destroying desired vegetation and flowers , here are some tips : • Use tarps to hide the wanted plants • Avoid using the natural week killer when it ’ s rainy or windy outside • Reapplication may be needed for stubborn weed growth • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same .
You may need to test different versions to get the desired effect .
[ 4 ] This DIY weed killer ’ s ingredients are inexpensive and may already be waiting in your pantry .
If not , it ’ ll cost about three dollars to make , which cheaper than another natural store-bought weed killer .
Additionally , this DIY week killer is completely toxin-free and safe to spray around pets and children without worrying about them inhaling harsh chemicals .
Read : 15 Medicinal Plants That Can Easily Be Grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ container and a spray bottle to apply the weed killer .
• Pour the salt into the container .
• Add the vinegar , and mix it with the salt .
Let sit for around an hour to allow the salt to dissolve .
• Add the dish soap and mix until all the ingredients are combined and pour the mixture into the spray bottle .
Read : Forest garden with over 500 edible plants requires only a few hours of work monthly You ’ ll often find dish soap in DIY weed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soap its self is not doing the ‘ weed-killing ’ it is used in the formula as a binder to help the active ingredients stick to their intended targets .
The acetic acid and salt work to dry out the leaves , which makes the plant unable to produce food .
This is what causes the weeds to die .
[ 5 ] Dawn dish soap is one you ’ ll often see and is originally used in this recipe .
However , if you ’ re looking to use one that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unscented like ECOS or Seventh Generation .
According to the Environmental Working Group ( EWG ) , most DAWN soap products don ’ t rate that well when it comes to environmental friendliness .
[ 6 ] For more plant healthy dish soaps , check out the list here .
• It may take up to 24 hours for the weeds to die completely , and bigger weeds may require more sprays than smaller ones .
• Take care not to spray the grass or plants around the weeds since this weed killer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This DIY Weed Killer is best used on sunny days since the sun helps hasten weed death once sprayed .
You don ’ t need potentially toxic chemicals to have a weed-free garden .
This homemade weed killer is effective and non-expensive .
Give it a try !
[ 1 ] Green View Fertilizer .
10 Tips to Get Your Garden Ready for the Spring Season : This checklist will help you get a good start on a new season .
https : //www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/10-tips-to-get-garden-ready-for-spring/ [ 2 ] Derek Markham .
6 homemade herbicides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth .
Tree Hugger .
https : //www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/homemade-herbicide-kill-weeds-without-killing-earth.html July 15 , 2014 [ 3 ] Marla Cone , Kaiser Health News .
What you need to know about a popular weed killer ’ s alleged link to cancer .
PBS News .
https : //www.pbs.org/newshour/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-a-popular-weed-killers-alleged-link-to-cancer April 8 , 2019

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


theheartysoul--2020-04-29--Bring Back Home Economics Classes In Schools Because Our Kids Lack Basic Life Skills

Home Economics was fixed into the education system in the 1960s .
It was intended to educate girls in domestic activities to feed and care for their future families .
While the sex-specific aspects of it may be antiquated , the lessons themselves have become more necessary than ever .
For example , adolescents tend to maintain a poor diet without ever having learned how to prepare basic healthy meals .
With today ’ s obesity epidemic , the implementation of education surrounding meal planning and cooking would indeed be a crucial part of a long-term solution .
[ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t just ‘ women ’ s work.
’ It ’ s work for anyone who needs to eat .
Food preparation is just one of the many skills taught by Home Economics classes .
Others include filing taxes , time management , and home maintenance .
While many students today may be able to solve complicated math equations , they lack the skills they need to independently navigate the real world .
Schools are focused on academia and standardized test scores , leaving graduating students handicapped when it comes to basic skills to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ High School Hosts ‘ Adulting Day ’ to Teach Students Real-life Basics Before They Graduate Not Just for Girls Anymore Home Economics classes have been stigmatized to be “ for girls , ” unnecessary , and easy compared to courses like chemistry or algebra .
In an education system where the focus is on grades more than a practical understanding of the material , Home Ec has become extremely undervalued .
This is not to devalue other main-stays of the educational system but to revalue what has been lost .
High school is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , and while they may have averages high enough to get into university , they lack basic skills to function as adults .
It ’ s unrealistic to expect them to know how to stick to a budget , manage their financials , purchase or rent property , or even sew a button or a hem if they were never taught how to do it .
Students may not have been aware that these skills even existed .
It is in these ways high school has failed at preparing them .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Texas at Arlington , discovered that her students weren ’ t aware that they had to pay property taxes for owning property for the rest of their lives , just because they were never given that information while studying in high school .
Every semester , Harvey teaches a week of “ math lab ” to teach her students about taxes , car and credit card payments , paychecks , and all of the math skills even the liberal arts majors need to know .
She added , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremes .
Right now , we ’ re trying to send people into STEM kind of careers .
However , I think administrators and legislators also need to think about people coming out of high school or even college without the ability to manage their money and to know how to lead a productive life.
” [ 2 ] Read : Alaska High School Teacher Hunted a Moose and had his Students Butcher the Animal to Learn Life Skills For many reasons .
Some parents don ’ t have the time .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly than to teach a novice how to do it .
Some parents don ’ t have these skills themselves .
After all , many adults hire cleaning help , order take out on the regular , or hire repairmen for basic tasks .
Some parents don ’ t think about preparing their kids for the real world until the kid is ready to move out , and by then , it ’ s too late .
Some parents are uncomfortable teaching kids about finances , for example , because it ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation , which can do more harm than good .
Additionally , not all students have the same advantages as others .
Children who come from homes with issues that prevent them from learning life skills should have just as much opportunity to learn Home Economics as any other child .
High school is the perfect time to institute these classes , since teenagers are beginning to crave independence and think about their future as adults .
Home Ec acknowledges these feelings and can help them grow .
It can teach them how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to be wise when it comes to spending , how to be efficient with time and money , and how to be confident in their abilities as functioning adults .
Adult life is more than working hard to get good grades .
Students need to be taught how to work smart , and to do that , they need to know how to take care of themselves .
Remember , this isn ’ t about displacing the sciences , maths , or English , its about making room for something to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think ?
Keep Reading : State leaders pushing to teach all students how to budget money , balance a checkbook in high school

Home Economics was fixed into the education system in the 1960s. It was intended to educate girls in domestic activities to feed and care for their future families. While the sex-specific aspects of it may be antiquated, the lessons themselves have become more necessary than ever. For example, adolescents tend to maintain a poor diet without ever having learned how to prepare basic healthy meals. With today’s obesity epidemic, the implementation of education surrounding meal planning and cooking would indeed be a crucial part of a long-term solution. [1] After all, cooking isn’t just ‘women’s work.’ It’s work for anyone who needs to eat.
Food preparation is just one of the many skills taught by Home Economics classes. Others include filing taxes, time management, and home maintenance. While many students today may be able to solve complicated math equations, they lack the skills they need to independently navigate the real world. Schools are focused on academia and standardized test scores, leaving graduating students handicapped when it comes to basic skills to take care of themselves.
Related: High School Hosts ‘Adulting Day’ to Teach Students Real-life Basics Before They Graduate
Home Economics Is Not Just for Girls Anymore
Home Economics classes have been stigmatized to be “for girls,” unnecessary, and easy compared to courses like chemistry or algebra. In an education system where the focus is on grades more than a practical understanding of the material, Home Ec has become extremely undervalued. This is not to devalue other main-stays of the educational system but to revalue what has been lost.
High school is meant to set up students for adult life, and while they may have averages high enough to get into university, they lack basic skills to function as adults. It’s unrealistic to expect them to know how to stick to a budget, manage their financials, purchase or rent property, or even sew a button or a hem if they were never taught how to do it. Students may not have been aware that these skills even existed. It is in these ways high school has failed at preparing them.
For example, Marti Harvey, a lecturer at the University of Texas at Arlington, discovered that her students weren’t aware that they had to pay property taxes for owning property for the rest of their lives, just because they were never given that information while studying in high school.
“It’s a failing of our educational system that students don’t leave high school with this basic understanding, among other things. That’s why we need to bring back the old home economics class,” Harvey wrote on Dallas News. “Call it ‘Skills for Life’ and make it mandatory in high schools. Teach basic economics along with budgeting, comparison shopping, basic cooking skills, and time management. Give them a better start in real life than they get now.”
Every semester, Harvey teaches a week of “math lab” to teach her students about taxes, car and credit card payments, paychecks, and all of the math skills even the liberal arts majors need to know.
She added, “We tend to be a society of extremes. Right now, we’re trying to send people into STEM kind of careers. However, I think administrators and legislators also need to think about people coming out of high school or even college without the ability to manage their money and to know how to lead a productive life.” [2]
Read: Alaska High School Teacher Hunted a Moose and had his Students Butcher the Animal to Learn Life Skills
Why Don’t Parents Teach Home Economic Skills?
For many reasons. Some parents don’t have the time. It’s easier to sew a button quickly than to teach a novice how to do it. Some parents don’t have these skills themselves. After all, many adults hire cleaning help, order take out on the regular, or hire repairmen for basic tasks. Some parents don’t think about preparing their kids for the real world until the kid is ready to move out, and by then, it’s too late. Some parents are uncomfortable teaching kids about finances, for example, because it’ll expose the children to their own financial situation, which can do more harm than good.
Additionally, not all students have the same advantages as others. Children who come from homes with issues that prevent them from learning life skills should have just as much opportunity to learn Home Economics as any other child.
High school is the perfect time to institute these classes, since teenagers are beginning to crave independence and think about their future as adults. Home Ec acknowledges these feelings and can help them grow. It can teach them how to be safe from marketing ploys, how to be wise when it comes to spending, how to be efficient with time and money, and how to be confident in their abilities as functioning adults.
Adult life is more than working hard to get good grades. Students need to be taught how to work smart, and to do that, they need to know how to take care of themselves.
Remember, this isn’t about displacing the sciences, maths, or English, its about making room for something to make a valuable return. What do you think?
Keep Reading: State leaders pushing to teach all students how to budget money, balance a checkbook in high school