theheartysoul--2020-03-26--The healing power of finding humor in difficult situations

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted nearly everyone around the world .
Our day-to-day lives have been changed in a significant way , and there is currently no way of knowing exactly when -or if- things will return to the way they were before .
In these scary , uncertain times , people are looking for ways to cope .
Some are using yoga or meditation , some are starting new at-home exercise regimes , and some learning a new skill or picking up a new hobby .
One trend that has emerged over the last several weeks is the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global situation .
Late-night hosts and comedians like Jimmy Fallon , Jimmy Kimmel , Stephen Cobert , and Trevor Noah , are streaming online monologues since their talk shows have been shut down , satirical Instagram accounts like “ Quentin Quarantino ” are popping up everywhere , and you can ’ t go on Facebook or Twitter without seeing at least a handful of memes poking fun at the situation .
While some may regard these types of jokes as inappropriate given the severity of the situation , for many , humor is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stress and anxiety they are feeling during such uncertain times .
According to mental health professionals , humor is an effective way to soothe nerves and decrease stress hormones .
Psychologist Sean Trumen of St. Paul , Minnesota , explains that comedy can act as a mental armor , which can help people get through difficult situations .
Jokes and witty conversations have a way of making you feel closer to the people around you , which is particularly important while we aren ’ t able to actually be with our friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel closer to them .
Jokes encourage you to look at a situation in multiple ways , which helps you to reappraise it and see a hidden benefit , or realize that it is not as bad as it first appeared [ 2 ] .
Two studies from the Stanford psychophysiology laboratory showed that when subjects were confronted with stressful imagery , humor was a more effective coping strategy than solemnity , and positive or optimistic humor was more effective than cynicism .
The study found that positive humor works by forcing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lesser effect because while it distances the subject from the situation , it does so without creating a new mental scenario , therefore not facilitating reappraisal [ 3 ] .
Researchers have also found that the use of humorous reappraisal can lead to greater levels of creativity and cognitive flexibility [ 3 ] .
How to Use Humor to Deal With Stress There are many ways in which you can utilize humor to help you get through these difficult times .
If you ’ re not sure how to start , experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to smile .
Even a fake smile , simply making the motion with your mouth , causes your body to release endorphins and makes you feel happier .
Eventually , that fake smile will lead to a real one [ 4 ] .
Next , you may find it beneficial to take a step back and try to reframe the situation .
This is where jokes can come in handy .
We often hear people say “ one day , we ’ re going to look back on this and laugh ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
When you reframe using humor , you become much more aware of the absurdities of your situation , and you can ’ t help but laugh , even just a little [ 5 ] .
Recruit friends to join you in your quest for humor , and make it into a game .
Hold a contest to see who ’ s gone the most days without getting out of their pajamas .
Send memes back and forth , or challenge your friends to silly competitions like juggling rolls of toilet paper-sharing jokes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even when you ’ re in separate homes [ 6 ] .
With all your extra time , you can watch funny movies , T.V .
shows , and stand-up specials , or read funny books .
Netflix has created a new extension called Netflix Party , which allows you to watch a movie or show at the same time as your friends , and have a virtual movie night .
You can organize a zoom chat after to laugh about what you just watched [ 6 ] .
Other Ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many other ways to decrease the amount of stress and anxiety you are feeling due to the current global situation .
If you are becoming overwhelmed with the onslaught of COVID-19 media coverage , take a break from it .
Don ’ t read or watch the news , stay off social media , and avoid talking about it with others .
Repeatedly hearing about the pandemic can be upsetting , so understand where your limit is and operate within those boundaries .
When external events are causing an increase in stress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can to reduce stress in ways that you can control .
Now is the time to take care of your body .
Try to eat healthy , well-balanced meals , incorporate movement into your routine every day , and get plenty of sleep .
Decreasing internal stressors will help you to better cope with circumstances beyond your control .
Taking deep breaths , stretching , and meditating are other great ways to reduce stress .
Find an online yoga video , or use a meditation app if you need guidance , and take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many people are unable to work during this time or have moved to working from home .
Either way , you likely have more time on your hands than you are used to , so now is the perfect opportunity to re-engage in an old hobby , or try learning a new skill .
Immersing yourself in an activity can help to take your mind off of the stress you might be feeling .
Finally , connect with others .
Call your friends on the phone , or organize a group Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is during difficult times that we need community the most , and while being physical with your loved ones may not be possible , even just hearing their voices , or seeing them through a screen can help you feel connected [ 7 ] .
This Too Shall Pass While we ’ re in the thick of this , it can feel like there is no way out , but remember that even the direst circumstances will change , and even the most severe situations will come to an end .
There may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic will end , but we know that it will .
Do what you need to do to adjust to this new “ normal ” , and if you are having difficulty coping , be sure you reach out to someone .
There are many psychologists who are now offering online sessions , and if you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed and unable to deal with it , please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration ’ s ( SAMHSA ’ s ) Disaster Distress Helpline : 1-800-985-5990 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1-800-846-8517 ) .
Looking to keep things light ?
Here are a few articles that might make you chuckle : Mom Gets the Ultimate Text From Her Neighbor : “ Your Kid Is Naked in Your Window ” There Are Merit Badges For Adults Because Adulting Is Hard 129 Ways to Get a Husband in the 50s ( a hilarious list ) A Call Center Worker Resigns From His Job With A ‘ Sorry For Your Loss ’ Card

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted nearly everyone around the world. Our day-to-day lives have been changed in a significant way, and there is currently no way of knowing exactly when -or if- things will return to the way they were before.
In these scary, uncertain times, people are looking for ways to cope. Some are using yoga or meditation, some are starting new at-home exercise regimes, and some learning a new skill or picking up a new hobby.
One trend that has emerged over the last several weeks is the use of humor to deal with the current global situation.
Late-night hosts and comedians like Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Cobert, and Trevor Noah, are streaming online monologues since their talk shows have been shut down, satirical Instagram accounts like “Quentin Quarantino” are popping up everywhere, and you can’t go on Facebook or Twitter without seeing at least a handful of memes poking fun at the situation.
Humour as a Coping Mechanism
While some may regard these types of jokes as inappropriate given the severity of the situation, for many, humor is an effective coping mechanism to deal with the stress and anxiety they are feeling during such uncertain times.
According to mental health professionals, humor is an effective way to soothe nerves and decrease stress hormones. Psychologist Sean Trumen of St. Paul, Minnesota, explains that comedy can act as a mental armor, which can help people get through difficult situations.
“It’s a really powerful way to manage the unmanageable. Just to make fun of it and to gain control by laughing at it. That’s a really powerful psychological move we can make,” he said [1].
Jokes and witty conversations have a way of making you feel closer to the people around you, which is particularly important while we aren’t able to actually be with our friends and families and need a way to feel closer to them.
Jokes encourage you to look at a situation in multiple ways, which helps you to reappraise it and see a hidden benefit, or realize that it is not as bad as it first appeared [2].
Two studies from the Stanford psychophysiology laboratory showed that when subjects were confronted with stressful imagery, humor was a more effective coping strategy than solemnity, and positive or optimistic humor was more effective than cynicism.
“If you are able to teach people to be more playful, to look at the absurdities of life as humorous, you see some increase in wellbeing,” said study co-author Andrea Samson [3].
The study found that positive humor works by forcing a change of perspective. Negative humor has a lesser effect because while it distances the subject from the situation, it does so without creating a new mental scenario, therefore not facilitating reappraisal [3].
Researchers have also found that the use of humorous reappraisal can lead to greater levels of creativity and cognitive flexibility [3].
How to Use Humor to Deal With Stress
There are many ways in which you can utilize humor to help you get through these difficult times. If you’re not sure how to start, experts say a good first step is just to smile. Even a fake smile, simply making the motion with your mouth, causes your body to release endorphins and makes you feel happier. Eventually, that fake smile will lead to a real one [4].
Next, you may find it beneficial to take a step back and try to reframe the situation. This is where jokes can come in handy. We often hear people say “one day, we’re going to look back on this and laugh”, so why not make that day today? When you reframe using humor, you become much more aware of the absurdities of your situation, and you can’t help but laugh, even just a little [5].
Recruit friends to join you in your quest for humor, and make it into a game. Hold a contest to see who’s gone the most days without getting out of their pajamas. Send memes back and forth, or challenge your friends to silly competitions like juggling rolls of toilet paper-sharing jokes with friends can help bring you together, even when you’re in separate homes [6].
With all your extra time, you can watch funny movies, T.V. shows, and stand-up specials, or read funny books. Netflix has created a new extension called Netflix Party, which allows you to watch a movie or show at the same time as your friends, and have a virtual movie night. You can organize a zoom chat after to laugh about what you just watched [6].
Other Ways to Deal With Stress and Anxiety
There are many other ways to decrease the amount of stress and anxiety you are feeling due to the current global situation.
If you are becoming overwhelmed with the onslaught of COVID-19 media coverage, take a break from it. Don’t read or watch the news, stay off social media, and avoid talking about it with others. Repeatedly hearing about the pandemic can be upsetting, so understand where your limit is and operate within those boundaries.
When external events are causing an increase in stress, it is important to do what you can to reduce stress in ways that you can control. Now is the time to take care of your body. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, incorporate movement into your routine every day, and get plenty of sleep. Decreasing internal stressors will help you to better cope with circumstances beyond your control.
Taking deep breaths, stretching, and meditating are other great ways to reduce stress. Find an online yoga video, or use a meditation app if you need guidance, and take a few minutes of calm every day.
Many people are unable to work during this time or have moved to working from home. Either way, you likely have more time on your hands than you are used to, so now is the perfect opportunity to re-engage in an old hobby, or try learning a new skill. Immersing yourself in an activity can help to take your mind off of the stress you might be feeling.
Finally, connect with others. Call your friends on the phone, or organize a group Zoom chat to get together virtually. It is during difficult times that we need community the most, and while being physical with your loved ones may not be possible, even just hearing their voices, or seeing them through a screen can help you feel connected [7].
This Too Shall Pass
While we’re in the thick of this, it can feel like there is no way out, but remember that even the direst circumstances will change, and even the most severe situations will come to an end. There may be no way of knowing when this pandemic will end, but we know that it will.
Do what you need to do to adjust to this new “normal”, and if you are having difficulty coping, be sure you reach out to someone. There are many psychologists who are now offering online sessions, and if you or a loved one is feeling overwhelmed and unable to deal with it, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517).
Looking to keep things light? Here are a few articles that might make you chuckle:
Mom Gets the Ultimate Text From Her Neighbor: “Your Kid Is Naked in Your Window”
There Are Merit Badges For Adults Because Adulting Is Hard
129 Ways to Get a Husband in the 50s (a hilarious list)
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-04-17--Why Babies Born in April are Special

Why Babies Born in April are Special

People make references to the month they were born in all the time to explain certain aspects of themselves .
While most of this is just casual talk , perhaps there ’ s more to the month we were born in than we may have originally thought .
There have been a few studies on babies born in April that perhaps their birth month has played a role in some characteristics of those people .
Of course , we don ’ t know for sure , but there are some pretty neat associations for people born in this month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s still fun to read about .
The Science is in : Why April Babies are So Special April is the first true month of spring and often brings some sunshine , warmer temperatures , the first flowers , and longer daylight hours .
A few studies that have been done on babies born in April have come up with some interesting results .
A study published in The Journal of Informatics in Health and Biomedicine looking at how birth month affects lifetime disease risk found that babies born in April have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as asthma .
This could be because April babies are exposed to the pollen and allergies in the spring air earlier than babies born other months of the year .
( 1 ) Keep Reading : I Gave Birth to the Babies With ‘ White ’ Hair & This Is What I Need You to Know A study done by The University of British Columbia ’ s Sauder School of Business found that babies born in April are one of the more-likely groups to become CEOs and business leaders later in life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with how kids are grouped in school .
April babies are in the older portion of the class , which means in the early preschool and kindergarten years , they will be further along in their development and more likely to assume a leadership role in the class .
( 2 ) Turns out , there is actually a scale you can test people on to determine how likely they are to have a naturally more positive outlook .
This is known as the hyperthermic scale .
The higher your score @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely be .
A Hungarian study found that spring babies , including those in April , are more likely to have a high scale and therefore positive outlook on life than those born other times of the year .
( 3 ) A study published by the Sleep Research Society found that babies born in the spring and summer months were more likely to go to bed and subsequently reach sleep mid-point later than those born in autumn or winter .
The study also found , however , that this really only applied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go to bed earlier regardless of birth month .
Overall , this study reflected previous studies showing that those in spring and summer preferred going to bed later .
While the results were statistically significant , thy were quantitatively small ( 4 ) .
Several studies have been conducted on how the time of year you are born in can affect your risk for developing melanoma later in life .
While the results of these studies have been mixed and inconclusive , it ’ s still something to think about .
April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which researchers think has to do with being exposed to UV rays earlier in life .
This is why it is extra important for parents of spring and summer babies to impress the use of sunscreen and protective clothing on their children .
( 5 ) Of course , regardless of your birth month , smart sun protection is always a good idea .
While this may not be a positive note , or ‘ special ’ its certainly interesting .
Obviously , all babies are special for many reasons , not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epidemiological studies , like many on this list , only find association and don ’ t deal with cause and effect .
So taking the results can be done with a grain of salt , and there are always exceptions to the rules .
That being said , to all the April babies out there : feel free to share this with your non-April born friends and family members to remind them just how amazing you are !
Keep Reading : Newborn Baby Stares Down Doctors Just Moments After Birth

People make references to the month they were born in all the time to explain certain aspects of themselves.
“I can’t stand the cold! I was born in July, I guess I’ll always be a summer baby at heart.”
“If I had to choose snow or sand, I would always choose snow. I was born in February, after all!”
While most of this is just casual talk, perhaps there’s more to the month we were born in than we may have originally thought.
There have been a few studies on babies born in April that perhaps their birth month has played a role in some characteristics of those people. Of course, we don’t know for sure, but there are some pretty neat associations for people born in this month. 100% true or not, it’s still fun to read about.
The Science is in: Why April Babies are So Special
April is the first true month of spring and often brings some sunshine, warmer temperatures, the first flowers, and longer daylight hours. A few studies that have been done on babies born in April have come up with some interesting results.
Low Asthma Risk
A study published in The Journal of Informatics in Health and Biomedicine looking at how birth month affects lifetime disease risk found that babies born in April have a lower risk of respiratory issues such as asthma. This could be because April babies are exposed to the pollen and allergies in the spring air earlier than babies born other months of the year. (1)
Born Leaders
A study done by The University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business found that babies born in April are one of the more-likely groups to become CEOs and business leaders later in life. The study concluded that this likely has to do with how kids are grouped in school. April babies are in the older portion of the class, which means in the early preschool and kindergarten years, they will be further along in their development and more likely to assume a leadership role in the class. (2)
Optimists
Turns out, there is actually a scale you can test people on to determine how likely they are to have a naturally more positive outlook. This is known as the hyperthermic scale. The higher your score, the more naturally optimistic you will likely be. A Hungarian study found that spring babies, including those in April, are more likely to have a high scale and therefore positive outlook on life than those born other times of the year. (3)
Night Owls
A study published by the Sleep Research Society found that babies born in the spring and summer months were more likely to go to bed and subsequently reach sleep mid-point later than those born in autumn or winter. The study also found, however, that this really only applied to males, and that females tended to go to bed earlier regardless of birth month. Overall, this study reflected previous studies showing that those in spring and summer preferred going to bed later. While the results were statistically significant, thy were quantitatively small (4).
Need More Sun Protection
Several studies have been conducted on how the time of year you are born in can affect your risk for developing melanoma later in life. While the results of these studies have been mixed and inconclusive, it’s still something to think about. April babies possibly have an increased risk, which researchers think has to do with being exposed to UV rays earlier in life. This is why it is extra important for parents of spring and summer babies to impress the use of sunscreen and protective clothing on their children. (5) Of course, regardless of your birth month, smart sun protection is always a good idea. While this may not be a positive note, or ‘special’ its certainly interesting.
Obviously, all babies are special for many reasons, not just the month they were born in. Epidemiological studies, like many on this list, only find association and don’t deal with cause and effect. So taking the results can be done with a grain of salt, and there are always exceptions to the rules. That being said, to all the April babies out there: feel free to share this with your non-April born friends and family members to remind them just how amazing you are!


theheartysoul--2020-04-17--Man Transforms His Staircase Into Wine Cellar That Can Hold 156 Bottles

An Oenophile is someone who is a lover and a connoisseur of wine [ 1 ] .
This is a person who not only loves drinking wine , but loves to learn about it , try an unending variety of it , and of course , collecting it .
For many people who enjoy keeping a large collection of wine on hand , storage can often pose a significant challenge .
After all , not many of us live in grand chateaus with large cellars with the capacity to store hundreds of bottles .
Aside from a lack of space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the appropriate conditions can be even more problematic , since the incorrect temperature or light conditions can affect its quality .
One Australian man , however , seems to have found the perfect solution .
Murray Berrill lives in Australia and owns his own business , Murray Berril Constructions .
Recently , he decided that the stairs in his home took up a lot of space , but that space wasn ’ t being used effectively .
To solve the problem , he converted them into a wine cellar , while still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took him a week and a half to build complete , and was quite expensive , given the high-quality craftsmanship .
Berrill said he spent 500 dollars on the drawers alone .
Read : Man Builds a Custom Kayak with Pouches So He Could Take Safely His Dogs Out Into the Water What are the Proper Conditions to Store Wine ?
It is very important when you ’ re collecting wine that you store it at the right temperature .
If you don ’ t , you run the risk of spending money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have it go off before you can drink it .
The first rule of wine storage , and perhaps the most important , is temperature .
Keeping your wine in an area that is too cold or too warm is an almost guarantee that it will spoil .
It should never be kept below 25 degrees Fahrenheit ( -4 Celsius ) , and never above 68 degrees Fahrenheit ( 20 celsius ) .
The optimal storage temperature for wine is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit , or 13 degrees Celsius [ 3 ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too .
They should always be kept horizontally , in order to keep the cork moist .
This is particularly important for long-term storage because a dried-out cork can cause the bottle to leak and the wine to age prematurely [ 3 ] .
You should also store your wine in a dark place because UV light can damage its flavors and aromas .
As much as possible , store your wine in the dark [ 3 ] .
The humidity of your wine cellar can also impact the quality and longevity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is between 60 and 68 percent- any lower and the corks could dry out , too high and the labels could peel off the bottles , making it difficult to know which one is which [ 3 ] .
Berril kept the rules of proper wine storage in mind when building his unique 156-bottle cellar .
The stairs , of course , will keep the bottles out of direct light at all times , and they have been properly insulated to protect the wines from temperature changes , particularly in the summer months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering adding in a small unit that will keep the wine chilled .
His genius craftsmanship has caused a stir after he posted the final product on his company ’ s Facebook page , with many people commenting on his ingenuity and skill .
Only one person had a problem with it : Keep Reading : Wife Builds Pub In Back Garden To Stop Husband Sneaking Off For A Pint

An Oenophile is someone who is a lover and a connoisseur of wine [1]. This is a person who not only loves drinking wine but loves to learn about it, try an unending variety of it, and of course, collecting it. So if they don’t already have a wine cellar, they want one.
For many people who enjoy keeping a large collection of wine on hand, storage can often pose a significant challenge. After all, not many of us live in grand chateaus with large cellars with the capacity to store hundreds of bottles.
Aside from a lack of space, ensuring that your wine is stored in the appropriate conditions can be even more problematic, since the incorrect temperature or light conditions can affect its quality.
One Australian man, however, seems to have found the perfect solution.
Wine Cellar in the Stairs
Murray Berrill lives in Australia and owns his own business, Murray Berril Constructions. Recently, he decided that the stairs in his home took up a lot of space, but that space wasn’t being used effectively. To solve the problem, he converted them into a wine cellar, while still maintaining their functionality as stairs.
“I hate dead space when renovating a house, as you’re essentially paying for nothing. So we thought of putting the wine in drawers in the staircase rather than behind it,” he said [2].
It took him a week and a half to build complete, and was quite expensive, given the high-quality craftsmanship. Berrill said he spent 500 dollars on the drawers alone.
“We had to work out how all the bottles were going to fit and make sure the entire design was strong enough,” he said [2].
What are the Proper Conditions to Store Wine?
It is very important when you’re collecting wine that you store it at the right temperature. If you don’t, you run the risk of spending money on a good bottle, only to have it go off before you can drink it.
The first rule of wine storage, and perhaps the most important, is temperature. Keeping your wine in an area that is too cold or too warm is an almost guarantee that it will spoil. It should never be kept below 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 Celsius), and never above 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 celsius). The optimal storage temperature for wine is around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or 13 degrees Celsius [3].
How you store the bottles is important, too. They should always be kept horizontally, in order to keep the cork moist. This is particularly important for long-term storage because a dried-out cork can cause the bottle to leak and the wine to age prematurely [3].
You should also store your wine in a dark place because UV light can damage its flavors and aromas. As much as possible, store your wine in the dark [3].
The humidity of your wine cellar can also impact the quality and longevity of your wine. The ideal humidity is between 60 and 68 percent- any lower and the corks could dry out, too high and the labels could peel off the bottles, making it difficult to know which one is which [3].
Proper Conditions in the Stairs
Berril kept the rules of proper wine storage in mind when building his unique 156-bottle cellar. The stairs, of course, will keep the bottles out of direct light at all times, and they have been properly insulated to protect the wines from temperature changes, particularly in the summer months.
Berril said that he is also considering adding in a small unit that will keep the wine chilled.
His genius craftsmanship has caused a stir after he posted the final product on his company’s Facebook page, with many people commenting on his ingenuity and skill. Only one person had a problem with it:
“Only complaint is that there [aren’t] enough stairs!” [2]
Keep Reading: What Happens to Your Body When You Haven’t Drunk Alcohol for 30 Days
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-04-17--How To Attract Thousands Of Ladybugs To Your Garden & Keep Them There

Gardeners have a lot to worry about .
They have to contend with weather conditions , such as rain , sunlight , and temperature fluctuations , as well as neighborhood animals like rabbits , moles , or even deer who might try to use their garden as an all-you-can-eat buffet .
One of the toughest battles gardeners have to face , however , come in the smallest packages : bugs .
When pests enter your garden , they can destroy everything in their path before you even have a chance to stop them .
It is no surprise , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to prevent bugs from taking up residence in their flower beds and vegetable patches .
There are some bugs , however , that are highly beneficial to your garden .
One of these critters is the humble ladybug .
Read : Want to Help Bees ?
Leave the Dandelions Alone This Spring Ladybugs , also known as lady beetles or “ ladybird beetles ” , are excellent at pest-control , because their primary food source are aphids [ 1 ] .
If you ’ re a gardener , you are most likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insect that feeds off of plant sap .
In particular , they like to feed on flower buds and fruit , which can distort this part of the plant and ruin it .
Even just a few aphids can destroy one plant [ 2 ] .
While adult ladybugs do consume these nasty little pests , it is actually their larvae that are the most effective pest-controllers .
Ladybug larvae are insatiable feeders and consume massive amounts of aphids every day .
The problem , however , is that since they look nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistake them for pests and try to get rid of them .
Ladybug larvae are very tiny and are spiny and almost alligator-like in appearance .
Although they lack visual appeal , they are the ones you want populating your garden [ 3 ] .
That does not mean , however , that you don ’ t also want adult ladybugs in your garden .
The more female adults you have , the more larvae you will have .
Considering that a female ladybug produces around one thousand eggs every season , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start building a massive , pest-fighting army [ 1 ] .
Ladybugs will also eat other insects , like mealybugs , spider mites , and the eggs and larvae of a number of larger insect pests such as Colorado potato beetle [ 1 ] .
Read : One Dragonfly Can Eat 100 ’ s of Mosquitoes Per Day : Keep These Plants in Your Yard to Attract Dragonflies !
Not All Ladybugs are Created Equal While you may think that all ladybugs are the same , there are actually many different species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ types , for instance , that are herbivores , and so they feed on crops like corn , spinach , and soybeans .
These , of course , are not the ones you want in your garden .
The Asian species , Harmonia axyridis , tend to be the most aggressive predators , however , they also enjoy the warmth and are more likely to try to get into your home than other species .
The Hippodamia convergens is an American native species that are also highly effective at pest control , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the environment .
Of course , you may not be able to tell which type of ladybug you have in your garden , but this information might be beneficial if you are purchasing ladybugs ( more on that later ) [ 1 ] .
How to Attract Ladybugs to Your Garden If you want to entice ladybugs to take up residence amongst your plants , you need to make your garden an attractive home for them .
This means avoiding the use of chemical sprays , like insecticides and herbicides- even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t typically affected by chemical sprays , they don ’ t particularly like them , either .
If you currently use sprays on your garden , you will need to stop spraying for around five or six weeks before you might see some ladybugs return [ 1 ] .
One sure-fire way to attract more ladybugs to your garden is to attract more aphids .
While it may seem counterintuitive to want to try and bring more aphids to your garden when your goal is to be rid of them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roses , Nasturtium , and pot marigolds are aphid-prone plants , and planting cabbage , lettuce , radish , tomatoes , and potatoes will attract them to your vegetable garden [ 1 ] .
Ladybugs don ’ t just eat aphids and other soft-shelled insects .
They also enjoy plant nectar and pollen , especially when they ’ re growing .
There are many plants that will attract ladybugs , and they include : If you are still having trouble attracting ladybugs to your garden , you have the option of purchasing them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a helpful way to get the ball rolling .
The ladybugs that you purchase are always collected from the wild .
Once you bring them home , you should immediately spray some water into the bags and put them in the refrigerator .
This will prevent them from becoming dehydrated and will slow them down if they ’ ve been agitated during travel .
Ladybugs can be stored in the fridge for up to three months .
Some of them will die , but most of them will recover quickly once they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only release a few thousand ladybugs into your garden at a time .
If you do it all at once , and they don ’ t stick around , then you ’ ve lost your entire population .
Your garden should be well-watered when you introduce the beetles , and it is best done in the late evening when the darkness and cool temperatures will keep them from flying away .
It is very important that your garden has been made insect-friendly before you introduce the ladybugs , or else they will fly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some gardeners use different techniques to keep their ladybugs from flying away , such as spraying them a solution of equal parts soda and water .
The sugar sticking to their outer wings will temporarily disable their flight , which may keep them there long enough to lay at least one batch of eggs .
The practice doesn ’ t harm them , and the solution will wear off in a week or two .
Another trick is to cover a plant that is infested with aphids with a cloche .
This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as long as they ’ re feeding on bugs they ’ ll be happy , and will likely drop a few eggs before taking off [ 1 ] .
Bugs often get a bad rap in gardens , but there are some that can do your plants a wealth of good .
As always , when you ’ re considering trying a new technique in your garden , be sure to head over to your local garden shop and consult with the experts .
They will have knowledge specific to the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to direct you to where you can purchase ladybugs if that is the route you have chosen to take .
Keep Reading : 10 Perennial Vegetables That Grow Back Every Year

Gardeners have a lot to worry about. They have to contend with weather conditions, such as rain, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations, as well as neighborhood animals like rabbits, moles, or even deer who might try to use their garden as an all-you-can-eat buffet. One of the toughest battles gardeners have to face, however, come in the smallest packages: pests. In this article, we’ll talk about how to attract ladybugs to your garden to help get rid of unwanted pests.
When pests enter your garden, they can destroy everything in their path before you even have a chance to stop them. It is no surprise, then, that most dedicated gardeners work very hard to prevent bugs from taking up residence in their flower beds and vegetable patches.
There are some bugs, however, that are highly beneficial to your garden. One of these critters is the humble ladybug.
Read More: How To Attract Praying Mantises To Your Garden
How are Ladybugs Beneficial?
Ladybugs, also known as lady beetles or “ladybird beetles”, are excellent at pest control, because their primary food source is aphids. Don’t confuse them with tortoise beetles though, those are a pest!
If you’re a gardener, you are most likely familiar with aphids- the tiny, soft-bodied insect that feeds off of plant sap. In particular, they like to feed on flower buds and fruit, which can distort this part of the plant and ruin it. Even just a few aphids can destroy one plant.
While adult ladybugs do consume these nasty little pests, it is actually their larvae that are the most effective pest-controllers. Ladybug larvae are insatiable feeders and consume massive amounts of aphids every day.
The problem, however, is that since they look nothing like their adult form, many gardeners mistake them for pests and try to get rid of them. Ladybug larvae are very tiny and are spiny and almost alligator-like in appearance. Although they lack visual appeal, they are the ones you want populating your garden.
That does not mean, however, that you don’t also want adult ladybugs in your garden. The more female adults you have, the more larvae you will have. Considering that a female ladybug produces around one thousand eggs every season, you want to attract them to your garden to start building a massive, pest-fighting army.
Ladybugs will also eat other insects, like mealybugs, spider mites, and the eggs and larvae of a number of larger insect pests such as the Colorado potato beetle.
Not All Ladybugs are Created Equal
While you may think that all ladybugs are the same, there are actually many different species of beetle. There are some types, for instance, that are herbivores, and so they feed on crops like corn, spinach, and soybeans. These, of course, are not the ones you want in your garden.
The Asian species, Harmonia axyridis, tend to be the most aggressive predators, however, they also enjoy the warmth and are more likely to try to get into your home than other species. The Hippodamia convergens is an American native species that are also highly effective at pest control, and they may be better for your garden and the environment.
Of course, you may not be able to tell which type of ladybug you have in your garden, but this information might be beneficial if you are purchasing ladybugs (more on that later).
How to Attract Ladybugs to Your Garden
If you want to entice ladybugs to take up residence amongst your plants, you need to make your garden an attractive home for them. This means avoiding the use of chemical sprays, like insecticides and herbicides- even if they’re organic.
While ladybugs aren’t typically affected by chemical sprays, they don’t particularly like them, either. If you currently use sprays on your garden, you will need to stop spraying for around five or six weeks before you might see some ladybugs return.
One sure-fire way to attract more ladybugs to your garden is to attract more aphids. While it may seem counterintuitive to want to try and bring more aphids to your garden when your goal is to be rid of them, ladybugs will follow their food source.
Roses, Nasturtium, and pot marigolds are aphid-prone plants, and planting cabbage, lettuce, radish, tomatoes, and potatoes will attract them to your vegetable garden.
Ladybugs don’t just eat aphids and other soft-shelled insects. They also enjoy plant nectar and pollen, especially when they’re growing. There are many plants that will attract ladybugs, and they include:
Angelica
Calendula
Caraway
Chives
Cilantro
Cosmos
Dill
Fennel
Feverfew
Marigold
Statice
Sweet Alyssum
Yarrow
Purchasing Ladybugs
If you are still having trouble attracting ladybugs to your garden, you have the option of purchasing them. It is inexpensive and can be a helpful way to get the ball rolling.
The ladybugs that you purchase are always collected from the wild. Once you bring them home, you should immediately spray some water into the bags and put them in the refrigerator. This will prevent them from becoming dehydrated and will slow them down if they’ve been agitated during travel.
Ladybugs can be stored in the fridge for up to three months. Some of them will die, but most of them will recover quickly once they are introduced into the garden. You should only release a few thousand ladybugs into your garden at a time. If you do it all at once, and they don’t stick around, then you’ve lost your entire population.
Your garden should be well-watered when you introduce the beetles, and it is best done in the late evening when the darkness and cool temperatures will keep them from flying away.
It is very important that your garden has been made insect-friendly before you introduce the ladybugs, or else they will fly off somewhere more appealing to them.
Some gardeners use different techniques to keep their ladybugs from flying away, such as spraying them a solution of equal parts soda and water. The sugar sticking to their outer wings will temporarily disable their flight, which may keep them there long enough to lay at least one batch of eggs. The practice doesn’t harm them, and the solution will wear off in a week or two.
Another trick is to cover a plant that is infested with aphids with a cloche. This will keep the ladybugs inside the covering, and as long as they’re feeding on bugs they’ll be happy, and will likely drop a few eggs before taking off.
The Beneficial Bug
Bugs often get a bad rap in gardens, but there are some that can do your plants a wealth of good. As always, when you’re considering trying a new technique in your garden, be sure to head over to your local garden shop and consult with the experts. They will have knowledge specific to the area in which you live and will be able to direct you to where you can purchase ladybugs if that is the route you have chosen to take.
We hope this guide on how to attract ladybugs to your garden yields better harvests for you! Happy gardening.
Read next: One Dragonfly Can Eat Hundreds Of Mosquitoes Daily. Here’s How To Attract Them


theheartysoul--2020-04-17--21 Unbelievable Places That Look Like They’re From Another Planet

Humans can make some pretty amazing things , but nothing we ever do will beat the awe-inspiring natural phenomena created by mother nature .
Several of these sites are so other-worldly looking that you might not even believe they ’ re on our planet at all .
They can be found on nearly every continent , so there is no shortage of extraterrestrial nature to behold no matter where you are from .
1 ) Tianzi Mountains , China Formed 400 million years ago through the rising and falling patterns in the earth ’ s crust , this beautiful 67 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quartz sandstone .
It is located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie , 55km from Zhangjiajie City .
( 1 ) James Cameron even drew inspiration from these mountains for iconic scenes in the 2009 film Avatar .
2 ) Pamukkale , Turkey .
Though these pools look like they are covered in ice , this is actually not the case at all .
They are formed from large pools of water deep under the surface that is heated by volcanic lava .
The hot water dissolves and becomes saturated with pure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the earth ’ s surface and runs down the hillside .
In the cooler outside air , the calcium precipitates out and clings to the soil , forming travertines , or calcium cascades that are “ frozen ” into stone .
( 2 ) 3 ) Baikal Lake , Siberia ( Russia ) This 20 to 25 million-year-old freshwater lake is one of the largest and deepest in the world and holds one-fifth of the world ’ s freshwater .
During the cold winter months the lake freezes , but the water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gorgeous turquoise-coloured rock and you can see up to 130m deep into the lake .
To see the emerald ice , visit between January and May .
( 3 ) 4 ) Zhangye Danxia Landform in Gansu , China After these mountains shot up from tectonic plate collisions , 540 million years ago , rivers formed and deposited red sandstone .
Throughout time , different types of sedimentary rock formed containing varying amounts of salt in the mud and stones .
This is what gives the slopes their dazzling array of colours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cave , Vietnam The world ’ s largest cave , inside which you can fit skyscrapers , is certainly something to behold .
It was formed 2 to 5 million years ago where river water eroded away at the limestone beneath the mountains .
Where the limestone was weak , the walls collapsed leaving massive skylights .
The cave itself is more than 200m wide , 150m high , and about 9km long .
( 5 ) 6 ) Dragonblood Trees , Socotra , Yemen The island of Socotra , Yemen , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can find the prehistoric Dragonblood Forest .
Though the odd canopy-like shape of the trees is an interesting sight , the trees get their name from the red resin it secretes known to locals as emzoloh .
Unfortunately , climate change is causing a disruption in the monsoon season vital to the survival of these trees , and they are slowly disappearing .
( 6 ) 7 ) Glowing Beach , The Maldives The stunning sparkling waters of this popular vacation destination are as remarkable as they are tricky to spot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the warm water , they are difficult to predict and don ’ t often come all the way into shore .
Most often they occur far out in the ocean and can only be seen from the beach when there is a current strong enough to wash large numbers of them into shore .
( 7 ) 8 ) Red Beach , Panjin , China This crimson coloured marsh gets its famous hue thanks to the chenopodium , or red weed , that grows there .
This is a government protected area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use to explore this rare and delicate ecosystem .
( 8 ) 9 ) Salar De Uyuni , Bolivia The world ’ s largest salt flat , stretching out over more than 10,000 square kilometres , these flats have been providing tourists and photographers with a stunning mirror effect for their photos for years .
( 9 ) 10 ) Monte Roraima , Venezuela The highlands of this mountain range that borders Venezuela , Brazil , and Guyana , Suriname , and French Guiana are made of ancient sedimentary rock that is over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the oldest known sedimentary rock on earth .
( 10 ) 11 ) Fly Geyser , Nevada , USA This famous site is part mother nature , part man-made .
They were created accidentally in 1964 when a geothermal power company drilled a test well deep into the ground .
The well was either improperly capped or left unplugged entirely , allowing burning hot water to shoot out of the holes and deposit calcium carbonate on the surface .
Slowly over the last few decades , those deposits have been growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bright green and red mounds of sediment are now over 6-feet tall .
The colour comes from thermophilic ( heat-liking ) algae that thrive in the warm climate .
( 11 ) 12 ) Grand Prismatic Spring , Wyoming , USA Deeper than a 10-story building , larger than a football field , and covering nearly every color of the rainbow , this is Yellowstone National Park ’ s most photographed monument .
It gets its color from thermophilic ( heat-loving ) bacteria in the water , and these microbes have actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( 12 ) 13 ) Naica Mine , Mexico Not a tourist attraction but an actual functioning lead-zinc mine in Chihuahua , the mine is famous for its massive gypsum crystals .
( 13 ) 14 ) Antelope Canyon , Arizona , USA To the native Navajo people of the area , this canyon is known as “ the place where water runs through rocks ” .
The tribe considers it to be a spiritual place and sacred to their culture and way of living .
( 14 ) 15 ) Abraham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature-human combo , this artificial lake was created in 1972 during the construction of the Bighorn Dam .
It is famous for its frozen bubbles , but there is more than meets the eye here .
These bubbles are made of methane gas that forms when organic matter sinks to the bottom of the lake for bacteria to feed on .
Those bacteria release the gas and , in the winter , those bubbles rise up and then freeze in stacks just under the surface of the ice .
These bubbles , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at any time .
This gas is highly flammable , so lighting up a cigarette while observing the bubbles is not advisable , or you might be in for an explosion you weren ’ t counting on being a part of .
( 15 ) 16 ) The Wave , Arizona , USA Though a popular site to visit , it is important to note that in order to see the famous Wave , you must first obtain a permit , then you must be prepared to complete the 6-mile trail-less hike using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permits are giving a day , and they can see up to 150 applications , so plan your trip accordingly .
( 16 ) 17 ) Glowworms Cave , New Zealand This 30 million-year-old masterpiece is lit up by – you guessed it- glowworms !
This special worm is unique to New Zealand , making this the only place in the world you can see this spectacular sight .
( 17 ) 18 ) The Pinnacles , Western Australia This forest of earth mounds can be found an hour ’ s drive north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major city on the west coast .
They were formed 25 to 30 thousand years ago from seashells deposited after the ocean receded to where it is today .
Gradually over time , the pinnacles were formed from sea winds that pushed and moved the sand around .
( 18 ) 19 ) Dallol Volcano , Ethiopia Found in Africa ’ s Rift Valley , the Dallol Volcano is known as one of the hottest places on earth .
It gets its color from the magma that heats the groundwater from the surrounding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surface and dissolves potash , salts , and other minerals .
This salty brine then comes out in the hot springs and evaporates , leaving salt formations on the floor of the craters .
These can be yellow , brown , orange , white , and even green thanks to minerals and algae in the mud .
( 19 ) 20 ) Cave in Algarve , Portugal As if the beautiful beaches and warm waters weren ’ t enough , the caves in Algarve are a cool place to visit and break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most popular cave is Benagil Cave , found at Benagil Beach .
( 20 ) 21 ) Giant ’ s Causeway , Northern Ireland Though the legends of fighting giants that created these hexagonal rocks stacked up on top of each other are a fun tale , in truth , this natural phenomenon is a unique result of a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago .
( 21 ) The earth is full of incredible natural formations , many still undiscovered .
Once all this social isolation is over , if you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , please do , and don ’ t forget to take a few pictures along the way !
Keep Reading : 11 natural phenomenons caught on camera that you won ’ t believe aren ’ t photoshopped

Humans can make some pretty amazing things, but nothing we ever do will beat the awe-inspiring natural phenomena created by mother nature. Several of these sites are so other-worldly looking that you might not even believe they’re on our planet at all.
21 Unbelievable Natural Places Around the World
They can be found on nearly every continent, so there is no shortage of extraterrestrial nature to behold no matter where you are from.
Asia
1) Tianzi Mountains, China
Formed 400 million years ago through the rising and falling patterns in the earth’s crust, this beautiful 67 square kilometer mountain range is made of quartz sandstone. It is located in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area of Zhangjiajie, 55km from Zhangjiajie City. (1) James Cameron even drew inspiration from these mountains for iconic scenes in the 2009 film Avatar.
2) Pamukkale, Turkey.
Though these pools look like they are covered in ice, this is actually not the case at all. They are formed from large pools of water deep under the surface that is heated by volcanic lava. The hot water dissolves and becomes saturated with pure white calcium, which it then carries to the earth’s surface and runs down the hillside. In the cooler outside air, the calcium precipitates out and clings to the soil, forming travertines, or calcium cascades that are “frozen” into stone. (2)
3) Baikal Lake, Siberia (Russia)
This 20 to 25 million-year-old freshwater lake is one of the largest and deepest in the world and holds one-fifth of the world’s freshwater. During the cold winter months the lake freezes, but the water is so clear that it turns to gorgeous turquoise-coloured rock and you can see up to 130m deep into the lake. To see the emerald ice, visit between January and May. (3)
4) Zhangye Danxia Landform in Gansu, China
After these mountains shot up from tectonic plate collisions, 540 million years ago, rivers formed and deposited red sandstone. Throughout time, different types of sedimentary rock formed containing varying amounts of salt in the mud and stones. This is what gives the slopes their dazzling array of colours. (4)
5) Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
The world’s largest cave, inside which you can fit skyscrapers, is certainly something to behold. It was formed 2 to 5 million years ago where river water eroded away at the limestone beneath the mountains. Where the limestone was weak, the walls collapsed leaving massive skylights. The cave itself is more than 200m wide, 150m high, and about 9km long. (5)
6) Dragonblood Trees, Socotra, Yemen
The island of Socotra, Yemen, is the only place in the world where you can find the prehistoric Dragonblood Forest. Though the odd canopy-like shape of the trees is an interesting sight, the trees get their name from the red resin it secretes known to locals as emzoloh. Unfortunately, climate change is causing a disruption in the monsoon season vital to the survival of these trees, and they are slowly disappearing. (6)
7) Glowing Beach, The Maldives
The stunning sparkling waters of this popular vacation destination are as remarkable as they are tricky to spot. Caused by blooms of bioluminescent plankton in the warm water, they are difficult to predict and don’t often come all the way into shore. Most often they occur far out in the ocean and can only be seen from the beach when there is a current strong enough to wash large numbers of them into shore. (7)
8) Red Beach, Panjin, China
This crimson coloured marsh gets its famous hue thanks to the chenopodium, or red weed, that grows there. This is a government protected area, however there are designated pathways tourists can use to explore this rare and delicate ecosystem. (8)
South America
9) Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
The world’s largest salt flat, stretching out over more than 10,000 square kilometres, these flats have been providing tourists and photographers with a stunning mirror effect for their photos for years. (9)
10) Monte Roraima, Venezuela
The highlands of this mountain range that borders Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana are made of ancient sedimentary rock that is over 2 billion years old. This is some of the oldest known sedimentary rock on earth. (10)
Pictures: Ukrainian Photographer Captures a Magical World of Snails in Incredible Macro Shoot
North America
11) Fly Geyser, Nevada, USA
This famous site is part mother nature, part man-made. They were created accidentally in 1964 when a geothermal power company drilled a test well deep into the ground. The well was either improperly capped or left unplugged entirely, allowing burning hot water to shoot out of the holes and deposit calcium carbonate on the surface. Slowly over the last few decades, those deposits have been growing by a few inches each year. The bright green and red mounds of sediment are now over 6-feet tall. The colour comes from thermophilic (heat-liking) algae that thrive in the warm climate. (11)
12) Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming, USA
Deeper than a 10-story building, larger than a football field, and covering nearly every color of the rainbow, this is Yellowstone National Park’s most photographed monument. It gets its color from thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria in the water, and these microbes have actually led to important medical and scientific advancements. (12)
13) Naica Mine, Mexico
Not a tourist attraction but an actual functioning lead-zinc mine in Chihuahua, the mine is famous for its massive gypsum crystals. (13)
14) Antelope Canyon, Arizona, USA
To the native Navajo people of the area, this canyon is known as “the place where water runs through rocks”. The tribe considers it to be a spiritual place and sacred to their culture and way of living. (14)
15) Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada
Another mother nature-human combo, this artificial lake was created in 1972 during the construction of the Bighorn Dam. It is famous for its frozen bubbles, but there is more than meets the eye here. These bubbles are made of methane gas that forms when organic matter sinks to the bottom of the lake for bacteria to feed on. Those bacteria release the gas and, in the winter, those bubbles rise up and then freeze in stacks just under the surface of the ice. These bubbles, however, can crack and release the gas at any time. This gas is highly flammable, so lighting up a cigarette while observing the bubbles is not advisable, or you might be in for an explosion you weren’t counting on being a part of. (15)
16) The Wave, Arizona, USA
Though a popular site to visit, it is important to note that in order to see the famous Wave, you must first obtain a permit, then you must be prepared to complete the 6-mile trail-less hike using a map and compass. Only 20 permits are giving a day, and they can see up to 150 applications, so plan your trip accordingly. (16)
Oceana/Australia
17) Glowworms Cave, New Zealand
This 30 million-year-old masterpiece is lit up by – you guessed it- glowworms! This special worm is unique to New Zealand, making this the only place in the world you can see this spectacular sight. (17)
18) The Pinnacles, Western Australia
This forest of earth mounds can be found an hour’s drive north of Perth, Australia’s only major city on the west coast. They were formed 25 to 30 thousand years ago from seashells deposited after the ocean receded to where it is today. Gradually over time, the pinnacles were formed from sea winds that pushed and moved the sand around. (18)
Africa
19) Dallol Volcano, Ethiopia
Found in Africa’s Rift Valley, the Dallol Volcano is known as one of the hottest places on earth. It gets its color from the magma that heats the groundwater from the surrounding highlands. The hot water moves to the surface and dissolves potash, salts, and other minerals. This salty brine then comes out in the hot springs and evaporates, leaving salt formations on the floor of the craters. These can be yellow, brown, orange, white, and even green thanks to minerals and algae in the mud. (19)
Europe
20) Cave in Algarve, Portugal
As if the beautiful beaches and warm waters weren’t enough, the caves in Algarve are a cool place to visit and break up your time spent sunbathing. The most popular cave is Benagil Cave, found at Benagil Beach. (20)
21) Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Though the legends of fighting giants that created these hexagonal rocks stacked up on top of each other are a fun tale, in truth, this natural phenomenon is a unique result of a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. (21)
The earth is full of incredible natural formations, many still undiscovered. Once all this social isolation is over, if you have the chance to go see any of them, please do, and don’t forget to take a few pictures along the way!
Keep Reading: 11 natural phenomenons caught on camera that you won’t believe aren’t photoshopped


theheartysoul--2020-04-18--World’s Largest Sea Turtle Emerges From The Sea And It Is Amazing

Turtles are some of the most interesting and yet elusive creatures on our planet .
Currently , there are 356 known species of turtles that exist , but only seven known species of sea turtles [ 1 ] .
The largest of these species is the Leatherback sea turtle , whose evolutionary roots go back more than 100 million years , is one of the only species that coexisted with the dinosaurs [ 2 ] .
While many species of turtles have hard , bony shells , the leatherback sea turtle has a flexible , rubber or leather-like covering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teardrop shape , and is bluish-black in color , with white splotches speckled across it .
The shell ’ s ridges allow it to dive deeper than any other turtle- up to 4200 feet– where it can remain for up to 85 minutes [ 3 ] .
Leatherback turtles are the largest known turtles on Earth , and those that live in the Atlantic ocean near Canada can have a shell that measures up to 1.5 meters in length and have an average weight of 400 kilograms ( more than 880 pounds ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Live ?
The leatherback sea turtle is usually found in the temperate , subtropical , and tropical waters of the Atlantic , Pacific , and Indian ocean .
They typically nest on tropical and subtropical beaches , but they feed in temperate waters , so they travel approximately 18 thousand kilometers ( over 11 thousand miles ) between these areas every year .
During the summer , the largest population of leatherback turtles can be found in Atlantic Canada , where there is an abundance of jellyfish , which are their main prey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever come ashore in Canada , as they will only leave the water to nest on tropical and subtropical beaches [ 2 ] .
These turtles have a unique ability to generate and maintain body heat , which allows them to swim in the colder waters of the North Atlantic , unlike other turtle species [ 3 ] .
The leatherback sea turtle is categorized by the World Wildlife Fund ( WWF ) as a vulnerable species .
This means that they are facing a high level of extinction in the wild [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interactions with fisheries , their populations in the Pacific ocean have declined over the last twenty years .
Leatherbacks are more likely to come into contact with fisheries because of their long migration patterns .
Since their primary source of food is jellyfish , leatherbacks are also more likely to mistakenly eat a plastic bag that is floating in the ocean , which can ultimately kill them .
Additionally , as water levels rise due to climate change , the beaches where turtles go to nest are gradually disappearing , making it increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
The Largest Sea Turtle in the World Recently , beach-goers in an unknown location got the rare opportunity to see one of these massive turtles in the wild .
The turtle that was spotted emerged from the sea , took a brief rest on the sand , and then returned to the water .
You can watch the incredible video here : Sightings such as these are incredible examples of how stunning our planet ’ s wildlife can be , and are consistent reminders of how important it is that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oceans and our environment to protect our most vulnerable creatures .
Keep Reading : Endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles nest in peace at empty beaches as Coronavirus keeps people in lockdown

Turtles are some of the most interesting yet elusive creatures on our planet. Currently, there are 356 known species of turtles that exist, but only seven known species of sea turtles [1].
The largest of these species is the Leatherback sea turtle, whose evolutionary roots go back more than 100 million years, is one of the only species that coexisted with the dinosaurs [2].
Leatherback Sea Turtles
While many species of turtles have hard, bony shells, the leatherback sea turtle has a flexible, rubber or leather-like covering, hence the name. It has a teardrop shape, and is bluish-black in color, with white splotches speckled across it. The shell’s ridges allow it to dive deeper than any other turtle- up to 4200 feet– where it can remain for up to 85 minutes [3].
Leatherback turtles are the largest known turtles on Earth, and those that live in the Atlantic ocean near Canada can have a shell that measures up to 1.5 meters in length and have an average weight of 400 kilograms (more than 880 pounds) [2].
Where do they Live?
The leatherback sea turtle is usually found in the temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. They typically nest on tropical and subtropical beaches, but they feed in temperate waters, so they travel approximately 18 thousand kilometers (over 11 thousand miles) between these areas every year.
During the summer, the largest population of leatherback turtles can be found in Atlantic Canada, where there is an abundance of jellyfish, which are their main prey. They will not, however, ever come ashore in Canada, as they will only leave the water to nest on tropical and subtropical beaches [2].
These turtles have a unique ability to generate and maintain body heat, which allows them to swim in the colder waters of the North Atlantic, unlike other turtle species [3].
Threats to Leatherbacks
The leatherback sea turtle is categorized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as a vulnerable species. This means that they are facing a high level of extinction in the wild [4].
Due to overharvesting and interactions with fisheries, their populations in the Pacific ocean have declined over the last twenty years. Leatherbacks are more likely to come into contact with fisheries because of their long migration patterns.
Since their primary source of food is jellyfish, leatherbacks are also more likely to mistakenly eat a plastic bag that is floating in the ocean, which can ultimately kill them. Additionally, as water levels rise due to climate change, the beaches where turtles go to nest are gradually disappearing, making it increasingly difficult for them to reproduce [4].
The Largest Sea Turtle in the World
Recently, beach-goers in an unknown location got the rare opportunity to see one of these massive turtles in the wild. The turtle that was spotted emerged from the sea, took a brief rest on the sand, and then returned to the water.
You can watch the incredible video here:
Sightings such as these are incredible examples of how stunning our planet’s wildlife can be, and are consistent reminders of how important it is that we continue to strive to clean up our oceans and our environment to protect our most vulnerable creatures.
Keep Reading: Inside the ‘Absurd’ Plan to Bring the Amazon Rainforest to Europe
Sources:


theheartysoul--2020-04-18--Some Farmers are Selling Directly to Consumers to Avoid Produce Dumps

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has had a drastic effect on economies in every country around the world .
Hardly any industry has gone unscathed and we are staring down the barrel of the worst economic downturn since the 2008 financial crisis .
In times like these , it is always the small businesses that get hit the hardest .
Municipalities and local shops , restaurants , and cafes have been encouraging those who are able to support these businesses as much as they can : order delivery , donate , and promote them .
One industry that always seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifestyles is the one that supplies those businesses : the farming industry .
With the closure of schools , hotels , restaurants , and other big buyers for the farming industry , farms have been left with a surplus of product and no one to sell it to .
Most of this product , such as fish and meats , raw dairy , and fresh fruits and vegetables can not be stored for any great length of time .
For many farms , this has resulted in being forced to dump millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of eggs , and bury tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce back into the soil .
( 1 ) This has been a time of heartbreak for farming families as they have watched hours of hard work go to waste and thousands of dollars of future income be destroyed .
There is not much support for the farmers currently , either , as policymakers are scrambling to find solutions .
This has resulted in farmers trying to come up with other places to send their products .
Many have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local food banks and shelters , however , these places only have so much capacity to accept and store these goods .
Processing plants are largely at capacity , and the farmers themselves have limited cold storage of their own .
In Florida , where they have had the extra hit with the closure of the cruise line industry , farmers have taken to cutting out middle steps and selling directly to consumers .
( 2 ) The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has set up an online program to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In most cases , you will need the ability to go and pick up the products yourself , however , because you will be in direct contact with the farmers , you will be able to talk to them directly if you have transportation issues .
( 2 ) If you live in Florida and want to connect with farmers near you , visit this link .
Read : Desert Farm Grows 17,000 Tons of Food without Soil , Pesticides , Fossil Fuels or Groundwater Other Ways to Help Farmers During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can help your local farmers during this difficult time .
First of all , check to see if your local farmer ’ s market is still open .
In Edmonton , Alberta in Canada , farmers have petitioned the federal government to name markets and everything along the food-supply chain essential .
Following COVID-19 guidelines , markets have been able to remain open .
( 3 ) If you are unsure if your local farmer ’ s market is still open , you can look in this directory to find more information on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consider signing up for the CSA ( Community Supported Agriculture ) .
This is a way you can access fresh produce straight from a local farmer .
• Many local farms either have their own or are a part of services that deliver boxes of fresh produce straight to your door .
Check out this list of produce delivery services , sorted by where in the United States you live .
You can also simply look up some of your local farmers and find out if they are selling directly to consumers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are all currently being forced to stay home , can ’ t go out to eat at restaurants , and have to cook most of our own food now .
This means we all need fresh food – dairy , meats , and produce – at home .
If we all do our part and buy our fresh foods from farmers , we will help to support them and their families , instead of buying products in grocery stores that have been imported from other places .
There has never been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eating local .
Keep Reading : How One Man Turned His Backyard Garden Into a Full-Fledged Community Farmers Market

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has had a drastic effect on economies in every country around the world. Hardly any industry has gone unscathed and we are staring down the barrel of the worst economic downturn since the 2008 financial crisis.
In times like these, it is always the small businesses that get hit the hardest. Municipalities and local shops, restaurants, and cafes have been encouraging those who are able to support these businesses as much as they can: order delivery, donate, and promote them. One industry that always seems to be forgotten in our increasingly urban lifestyles is the one that supplies those businesses: the farming industry.
Farmers are hit hard by COVID-19
With the closure of schools, hotels, restaurants, and other big buyers for the farming industry, farms have been left with a surplus of product and no one to sell it to. Most of this product, such as fish and meats, raw dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables cannot be stored for any great length of time. For many farms, this has resulted in being forced to dump millions of gallons of milk, smash hundreds of thousands of eggs, and bury tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce back into the soil. (1)
This has been a time of heartbreak for farming families as they have watched hours of hard work go to waste and thousands of dollars of future income be destroyed.
Read: Hospital Grows Organic Rooftop Garden
Florida Farmers are Selling Direct to consumers
There is not much support for the farmers currently, either, as policymakers are scrambling to find solutions. This has resulted in farmers trying to come up with other places to send their products. Many have been donating as much as they can to local food banks and shelters, however, these places only have so much capacity to accept and store these goods. Processing plants are largely at capacity, and the farmers themselves have limited cold storage of their own.
In Florida, where they have had the extra hit with the closure of the cruise line industry, farmers have taken to cutting out middle steps and selling directly to consumers. (2)
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has set up an online program to help connect consumers directly with their local farmers. In most cases, you will need the ability to go and pick up the products yourself, however, because you will be in direct contact with the farmers, you will be able to talk to them directly if you have transportation issues. (2)
If you live in Florida and want to connect with farmers near you, visit this link.
Read: Desert Farm Grows 17,000 Tons of Food without Soil, Pesticides, Fossil Fuels or Groundwater
Other Ways to Help Farmers During the Coronavirus Pandemic
There are several ways you can help your local farmers during this difficult time.
First of all, check to see if your local farmer’s market is still open. In Edmonton, Alberta in Canada, farmers have petitioned the federal government to name markets and everything along the food-supply chain essential. Following COVID-19 guidelines, markets have been able to remain open. (3)
If you are unsure if your local farmer’s market is still open, you can look in this directory to find more information on who you need to call.
Other options are food box delivery services:
Consider signing up for the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). This is a way you can access fresh produce straight from a local farmer.
Many local farms either have their own or are a part of services that deliver boxes of fresh produce straight to your door. Check out this list of produce delivery services, sorted by where in the United States you live.
You can also simply look up some of your local farmers and find out if they are selling directly to consumers, or if they would be willing to.
The Bottom Line
We are all currently being forced to stay home, can’t go out to eat at restaurants, and have to cook most of our own food now. This means we all need fresh food – dairy, meats, and produce – at home. If we all do our part and buy our fresh foods from farmers, we will help to support them and their families, instead of buying products in grocery stores that have been imported from other places.
There has never been a better time to start buying and eating local.
Keep Reading: How One Man Turned His Backyard Garden Into a Full-Fledged Community Farmers Market


theheartysoul--2020-04-20--Land O’ Lakes drops Native American image from packaging after nearly 100 years

No matter how long a company has been in business for , and no matter how “ iconic ” their logo , imagery , or marketing has been , there is always room for positive change .
Popular cheese and butter company Land O ’ Lakes is proving this with the recent announcement of a logo change leading up to their 100 year anniversary .
( 1 , 2 ) Out With the Old , in With the Progressive For nearly 100 years , an image of a Native American woman has adorned the packaging of Land O ’ Lakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota in 1921 has recently announced that consumers will no longer be seeing this image on their products .
Instead , there will be pictures of their farmers , with the words “ farmer-owned ” above the logo and “ since 1921 ” below .
( 1 , 2 ) According to Beth Ford , president , and CEO of Land O ’ Lakes , this new packaging will better reflect the values and foundation of their company .
( 1 , 2 ) “ As Land O ’ Lakes looks toward our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need packaging that reflects the foundation and heart of our company culture—and nothing does that better than our farmer-owners whose milk is used to produce Land O ’ Lakes ’ dairy products , ” Ford said in a press release .
“ As a farmer-owned co-op , we strongly feel the need to better connect the men and women who grow our food with those who consume it.
” ( 2 ) The new logo is set to be fully rolled-out by the end of 2020 .
Read : People Are Going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the company has come under fire for its logo .
The imagery of a Native American woman has been called racist by activists and other supporters of Native American rights .
The use of it promotes stereotypes and that Native Americans are mascots as opposed to real people who are very much a part of modern society .
This has a negative impact on the self-esteem of Native American people , especially children .
( 1 ) Chief executive of the National Congress of American Indians Kevin Allis told the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , and wants to encourage other companies with this type of imagery to follow Land O ’ Lakes lead .
( 1 ) Though the company has not made any statements about the removal of the original logo in regards to its connection with racism and unfair stereotyping towards Native American people , it is being celebrated in this way regardless .
( 1 ) Read : Butter Nutrition 101 : Is Butter Bad for You or Is Butter Good for You ?
The origin of the logo The original logo was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an advertising firm named Arthur C. Hanson in 1928 .
Thirty years later , it was redesigned by Chippewa artist Patrick DesJarlait .
According to DesJarlait ’ s son Robert , his father touched up her features and redesigned her dress to reflect Chippewa culture .
Though Robert doesn ’ t feel as though the Land O ’ Lakes woman was designed to be a stereotype or harmful , he understands why many Chippewa and other Native American people were uncomfortable with the logo .
He agrees that the company made the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Lakes decision to change their century-old logo will have a positive ripple-effect for so many people .
It promotes the correction of the harmful and racist narrative that has plagued the indigenous populations of America for generations .
It brings attention to the farmers who work hard every day so that millions of Americans can have food on the tables .
Lastly , it shows not only how businesses and corporations can have a big influence on the normalization of harmful stereotypes , but also that they have the power to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good .
Keep Reading : 13 Unhealthiest Drinks On the Planet

No matter how long a company has been in business for, and no matter how “iconic” their logo, imagery, or marketing has been, there is always room for positive change. Popular cheese and butter company Land O’ Lakes is proving this with the recent announcement of a logo change leading up to their 100 year anniversary. (1, 2)
Out With the Old, in With the Progressive
For nearly 100 years, an image of a Native American woman has adorned the packaging of Land O’Lakes products. The farmer-owned cooperative founded in Minnesota in 1921 has recently announced that consumers will no longer be seeing this image on their products. Instead, there will be pictures of their farmers, with the words “farmer-owned” above the logo and “since 1921” below. (1, 2)
According to Beth Ford, president, and CEO of Land O’Lakes, this new packaging will better reflect the values and foundation of their company. (1, 2)
“As Land O’Lakes looks toward our 100th anniversary, we’ve recognized we need packaging that reflects the foundation and heart of our company culture—and nothing does that better than our farmer-owners whose milk is used to produce Land O’Lakes’ dairy products,” Ford said in a press release. “As a farmer-owned co-op, we strongly feel the need to better connect the men and women who grow our food with those who consume it.” (2)
The new logo is set to be fully rolled-out by the end of 2020.
A Celebrated Decision
In recent years, the company has come under fire for its logo. The imagery of a Native American woman has been called racist by activists and other supporters of Native American rights. The use of it promotes stereotypes and that Native Americans are mascots as opposed to real people who are very much a part of modern society. This has a negative impact on the self-esteem of Native American people, especially children. (1)
Chief executive of the National Congress of American Indians Kevin Allis told the New York Times that he is pleased with the change, and wants to encourage other companies with this type of imagery to follow Land O’Lakes lead. (1)
“Americans need to learn the truth about the beauty and diversity of tribal nations, peoples and cultures today and discarding antiquated symbols like this are a step in the right direction.” (1)
Though the company has not made any statements about the removal of the original logo in regards to its connection with racism and unfair stereotyping towards Native American people, it is being celebrated in this way regardless. (1)
The origin of the logo
The original logo was designed by an artist who worked for an advertising firm named Arthur C. Hanson in 1928. Thirty years later, it was redesigned by Chippewa artist Patrick DesJarlait. According to DesJarlait’s son Robert, his father touched up her features and redesigned her dress to reflect Chippewa culture. Though Robert doesn’t feel as though the Land O’Lakes woman was designed to be a stereotype or harmful, he understands why many Chippewa and other Native American people were uncomfortable with the logo. He agrees that the company made the right decision. (1)
The Bottom Line
Land O’Lakes decision to change their century-old logo will have a positive ripple-effect for so many people. It promotes the correction of the harmful and racist narrative that has plagued the indigenous populations of America for generations. It brings attention to the farmers who work hard every day so that millions of Americans can have food on the tables. Lastly, it shows not only how businesses and corporations can have a big influence on the normalization of harmful stereotypes, but also that they have the power to make positive change and use their influence for good.


theheartysoul--2020-04-20--Move Over Solar Panels – Solar Driveways May Soon Power Your Home

It ’ s clear as a sunny , summer day that distributed solar power is increasing in popularity .
In 2013 , a new solar power system was installed in the United States every 4 minutes .
[ 1 ] By 2015 , the number of new solar power systems installed in the United States accelerated to one every 2.5 minutes .
[ 2 ] And last year , the United States added more than 2 million solar installations .
[ 3 ] “ The rapid growth in the solar industry has completely reshaped the energy conversation in this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , and CEO of the trade group SEIA told Green Tech Media .
“ This $ 17 billion industry is on track to double again in five years , and we believe that the 2020s will be the decade that solar becomes the dominant new form of energy generation.
” Read : Kenya Installs the First Solar Plant That Transforms Ocean Water Into Drinking Water Solar power is one of the most versatile methods of producing electricity .
It can be scaled up to power thousands of homes or scaled down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a smartphone .
Generally , solar power systems consist of a handful of panels added to a rooftop , but solar panels can be made into shingles that look natural on a home ’ s roof .
and they can even be made clear , potentially replacing the glass in a home with clean energy-producing solar panels .
A company based in Budapest has come out with a new way to power your home with the Sun : solar panel driveways .
The company , Platio Solar , has spent the last half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fits into urban spaces , like driveways , seamlessly .
[ 4 ] Not only do Platio Solar ’ s driveway solar panels produce clean energy , but they ’ re made from recycled plastic bottles , helping provide a longer-term use for otherwise single-use plastics .
Read : ‘ Anti-Solar ’ Cells Could Keep the Power Going at Night According to Platio Solar ’ s website : Platio is a Budapest-based tech company focused on manufacturing sustainable building materials for pavements since 2015 .
Our product is the Platio Solar Paver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology part of modern architecture .
By using recycled materials for its production and providing a new clean energy source for cities , buildings , homes , and marinas , we pave the way to a greener future .
Platio Solar claims to be the first in the world to innovate a way to generate solar energy using the driveways of residential homes .
Not only that , but the panels , made from 400 polyethylene terephthalate bottles ( PET ) , once compressed into the panels are also more durable than concrete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar panel driveway system is able to meet the annual energy needs of the average home , according to Platio Solar ’ s website .
It can also be used to power an electric car .
Read : Company Is Using Plastic Bottles To Make Roads That Last 3x Longer Than Asphalt The company is currently offering installation quotes for those interested in having a solar panel driveway system installed .
The systems come in different colors as well , such as red , green , blue , and brown , helping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home more easily .
To learn more , check out Platio ’ s video introducing the driveway solar panel system :

It’s clear as a sunny, summer day that distributed solar power is increasing in popularity. In 2013, a new solar power system was installed in the United States every 4 minutes. [1] By 2015, the number of new solar power systems installed in the United States accelerated to one every 2.5 minutes. [2] And last year, the United States added more than 2 million solar installations. [3]
“The rapid growth in the solar industry has completely reshaped the energy conversation in this country,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president, and CEO of the trade group SEIA told Green Tech Media. “This $17 billion industry is on track to double again in five years, and we believe that the 2020s will be the decade that solar becomes the dominant new form of energy generation.”
Read: Kenya Installs the First Solar Plant That Transforms Ocean Water Into Drinking Water
Solar power is one of the most versatile methods of producing electricity. It can be scaled up to power thousands of homes or scaled down to power a small electronic device, like a smartphone. Generally, solar power systems consist of a handful of panels added to a rooftop, but solar panels can be made into shingles that look natural on a home’s roof. and they can even be made clear, potentially replacing the glass in a home with clean energy-producing solar panels.
A company based in Budapest has come out with a new way to power your home with the Sun: solar panel driveways. The company, Platio Solar, has spent the last half a decade developing new solar technology that fits into urban spaces, like driveways, seamlessly. [4] Not only do Platio Solar’s driveway solar panels produce clean energy, but they’re made from recycled plastic bottles, helping provide a longer-term use for otherwise single-use plastics.
According to Platio Solar’s website: Platio is a Budapest-based tech company focused on manufacturing sustainable building materials for pavements since 2015. Our product is the Platio Solar Paver, a design paving solution that makes solar technology part of modern architecture. By using recycled materials for its production and providing a new clean energy source for cities, buildings, homes, and marinas, we pave the way to a greener future.
Platio Solar claims to be the first in the world to innovate a way to generate solar energy using the driveways of residential homes. Not only that, but the panels, made from 400 polyethylene terephthalate bottles (PET), once compressed into the panels are also more durable than concrete and are equally non-slip. A 215-square-foot solar panel driveway system is able to meet the annual energy needs of the average home, according to Platio Solar’s website. It can also be used to power an electric car.
Read: Company Is Using Plastic Bottles To Make Roads That Last 3x Longer Than Asphalt
The company is currently offering installation quotes for those interested in having a solar panel driveway system installed. The systems come in different colors as well, such as red, green, blue, and brown, helping the system match with the colors of the home more easily.
To learn more, check out Platio’s video introducing the driveway solar panel system:
Keep Reading: California-Based Company Develops Clear Solar Panels


theheartysoul--2020-04-22--The original Volkswagen Beetle repurposed to create a fashionably old-fashioned mini bike!

Anyone reading this who is a ‘ 90 ’ s kid will remember the game of Punch Buggy played in the car on long family road trips .
Any parent of a ‘ 90 ’ s kid will remember the fights they had to break up in the back seat when one sibling hit the other too hard or didn ’ t play by what they considered the “ car rules ” .
While the rules of punch-buggy-no-punch-backs might be widely debated , one thing for certain is not : these German-made cars ’ bubble-like structures were iconic .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( though they were no longer sold in the US after 1980 ) , one enthusiast has begun repurposing the old cars into adorable , albeit funny-looking , scooters .
Read : Wife Builds Pub In Back Garden To Stop Husband Sneaking Off For A Pint Self-proclaimed “ maker and builder of a variety of things ” Brent Walter has created the “ Volkspod ” by welding together the fenders from all four corners of old VW Beetles .
The scooters have a rear and taillights from the original car and wide bicycle-type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – and hold on you will want to do .
These slightly alien-looking bikes have a 3 horsepower engine and can go up to 25 miles per hour .
That ’ s pretty quick for a simple scooter !
Read : Man Transforms His Staircase Into Wine Cellar That Can Hold 156 Bottles Volkswagen Down to the Details Not only do these bikes have the same bulbous shape that you ’ re used to seeing from the VW Bug line , but they ’ ve got all the small details too .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front of the bike , the step to help you get on , and the engine , too .
Though these little bikes may not be ideal for long trips or highway driving , they ’ re great for a short scoot into town or a leisurely tour of the neighborhood on a sunny day .
If you want to learn more about his mini-bikes ( and maybe even how to make one for yourself ! )
you can follow along with Brent on his Instagram , walter_werks .

Many of us had parents who owned an iconic Volkswagen Beetle. Even if your parents did not own one, there is no way you did not notice these adorable bug-like cars on the road every day. In fact, this little car is so well-loved that many of us ended up buying one for ourselves when we “grew up.”
The Volkswagen Beetle – An Icon
Image Credit: Instagram
Anyone reading this who is a ’90s kid will remember the game of “Punch Buggy,” which was played in the car on long family road trips. You’d all try to punch one another first the minute a volkswagon beetle was seen en route. Any parent of a ’90s kid will remember the fights they had to break up in the back seat. These usually occurred when one sibling hit the other too hard or didn’t play by what they considered the “car rules.”
The End of a Legend
Image Credit: Instagram
While the rules of “punch-buggy-no-punch-backs” might be widely debated, one thing for certain is that nobody could argue that these German-made cars’ bubble-like structures were not iconic. Unfortunately, production of the original ended in 2003. Also, the Volkswagon beetle was no longer sold in the US after 1980. However, one enthusiast has begun repurposing the old cars into adorable, albeit funny-looking, scooters.
Man Creates a Mini Bike Volkswagen Beetle
Image Credit: Instagram
Self-proclaimed “maker and builder of a variety of things,” Brent Walter, has created the “Volkspod.” But how you may ask? Well, by welding together the fenders from all four corners of old Volkswagon beetles. The scooters have the rear and taillights of the original car. It also sports a pair of wide bicycle-type handlebars for the rider to hold onto. These little bikes can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. That’s pretty quick for a so-called simple scooter!
Why the VW?
Image Credit: Instagram
Motivated by a desire to showcase his abilities and craft a captivating exhibit for automotive events, Walter embarked on the journey of crafting what he fondly refers to as the Volkspod. His inspiration arose from a wish to fashion a scooter tailored for VW exhibitions. This innovative project allowed him not only to repurpose the remaining fenders from his vehicle construction endeavors but also to refine his welding proficiencies by intricately joining delicate sheet metal panels from old Volkswagon Beetles.
Right from its inception, Walter diligently chronicled the evolution of the Volkspod on his Instagram account. Through a series of numerous engaging posts, he intricately unfolds the step-by-step genesis of these motorcycles, catering to the fervent motor enthusiasts eager to delve into the intricacies of their construction process.
Volkspod – Down to the Details
Image Credit: Instagram
Not only do these bikes have the same bulbous shape that you’re used to seeing from the Volkswagon Beetle line, but they’ve got all the small details too. The classic Volkswagen crest can be found on the front of the bike, the step to help you get on, and the engine, too.
The Perfect “Round-Town Bike
Image Credit: Instagram
Though these little bikes may not be ideal for long trips or highway driving, they’re great for a short scoot into town. Picture yourself leisurely touring the neighborhood on a sunny day! If you want to learn more about this adorable mini-bike, you can follow along with Brent on his Instagram, walter_werks.
Fancy Building Your Own Volkswagon Beetle Mini Bike?
Image Credit: Instagram
As an avid enthusiast of the volkswagon beetle, you might have wondered how you could attempt this DIY endeavor. However, there is quite a bit of precision cutting, intricate welding, and dedicated effort involved in crafting this mobility contraption.
Keep Reading: The Inventor of a ‘Water-Powered Car’ That Died In A Restaurant Yelling ‘They Poisoned Me’
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