theheartysoul--2020-07-08--Kids Don’t Need Plastic Junk. So, Please Stop Buying It.

Dolls , trucks , Lego , and action figures are all classic children ’ s toys that have one thing in common : they ’ re all made of plastic .
In fact , in 2017 the website ecobirdy.com conducted a survey which found that 90 percent of all children ’ s toys are made entirely out of plastic [ 1 ] .
These brightly-colored plastic toys are placed conveniently at children ’ s eye-level at the store checkout , so they see the fun toy right when they ’ re tired and over-stimulated from shopping for the last hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also tired from dragging your kid around while you do errands , and so in order to avoid the imminent tantrum you give in to their begging and buy their object of desire .
The question is , though , do our kids really need these toys , and how are they impacting the health of your child and the planet ?
Read : New plant-based bottles will degrade in a year According to environmentalists , children ’ s toys are contributing to the amount of plastic found in landfills and oceans [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive , and in 2019 the total toy sales across the globe reached over 90 billion dollars [ 3 ] .
Plastic toys , which tend to be fun-looking and brightly colored , make up approximately 90 percent of that market [ 4 ] .
These toys are made cheaply and are not meant to last , since kids move on quickly to the next craze anyways .
A poll by the British Heart Foundation conducted a survey which found that more than 25 percent of parents have thrown away toys that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children have , on average , four toys that they ’ ve never played with even once [ 2 ] .
Like any other type of plastic , plastic toys have a negative impact on the environment , since the plastic they are made from is nearly impossible to recycle .
Plastic generates many problems for the environment since it takes thousands of years to break down , and even when it does , it leeches microplastics into our oceans and soil that are ending up in human bodies [ 6 ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plastic problem is through recycling .
Unfortunately , this solution has been largely ineffective because less than ten percent of plastic waste gets recycled [ 7 ] .
What makes the plastic toys more problematic than other types of plastics is that they have no hope of being recycled- they are essentially destined for the landfill at some point in time .
Brent Bell , vice president of recycling at Waste Management , a company that provides recycling solutions to businesses and residences in North America , says that very few toys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
This is because typically plastic toys are also composed of other materials , like metals , that can ’ t be separated out and thus are prohibitive for recycling centers [ 5 ] .
Read : Is Your Teabag Exposing You to Microplastics ?
Yes , According to New Research Plastic toys don ’ t just impact the health of the environment- they could be impacting your child ’ s health , too .
One example of this is phthalates , which is a chemical that is used to soften the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This chemical has been linked to a number of health issues including birth defects , cancer , and diabetes [ 8 ] .
Since children , particularly babies and young toddlers , are constantly putting their toys in their mouths , they are at an increased risk for experiencing health complications due to phthalate exposure .
There is also a mental component that happens when you give in to your child who is having a meltdown over wanting the shiny plastic toy on the shelf : a rush of dopamine floods their brain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many functions including behavior , emotion , and cognition , and also communicates with the front part of the brain that ’ s associated with pleasure and reward [ 9 ] .
You know that rush of happiness you get when you buy something new ?
That ’ s a dopamine response , but we tend to refer to it more commonly as “ retail therapy ” .
When we constantly give in to our children ’ s tantrums over new toys , we are teaching them that having a meltdown is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , and setting them up to turn to shopping and over-consumption as a means to happiness .
Environmental experts are now encouraging parents to look to the toys of the past , that were made with more sustainable materials and lasted longer .
Items made from wood , cotton , natural rubber , and metal are all better for the environment and can be good replacements for plastic toys .
The other problem with plastic toys is the rate at which children go through them .
Children now receive plastic toys for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties and many other places , but these products only provide entertainment to a child for a very short period of time before they get forgotten and eventually discarded .
Perhaps it is time we reevaluate how many toys our kids actually need , and begin encouraging them to play with the toys they already have , instead of constantly needing more .
In a world that is so heavily focussed on consumerism , this can be a difficult task , but it is more than worth the effort .
Keep Reading : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year .
15 Tips for a “ Green ” Holiday Season

Dolls, trucks, Lego, and action figures are all classic children’s toys that have one thing in common: they’re all made of plastic. In fact, in 2017 the website ecobirdy.com conducted a survey which found that 90 percent of all children’s toys are made entirely out of plastic [1].
These brightly-colored plastic toys are placed conveniently at children’s eye-level at the store checkout, so they see the fun toy right when they’re tired and over-stimulated from shopping for the last hour. You, the parent, are also tired from dragging your kid around while you do errands, and so in order to avoid the imminent tantrum you give in to their begging and buy their object of desire.
The question is, though, do our kids really need these toys, and how are they impacting the health of your child and the planet?
Read: New plant-based bottles will degrade in a year
Plastic Toys and the Environment
According to environmentalists, children’s toys are contributing to the amount of plastic found in landfills and oceans [2].
The toy industry is massive, and in 2019 the total toy sales across the globe reached over 90 billion dollars [3]. Plastic toys, which tend to be fun-looking and brightly colored, make up approximately 90 percent of that market [4].
These toys are made cheaply and are not meant to last, since kids move on quickly to the next craze anyways. A poll by the British Heart Foundation conducted a survey which found that more than 25 percent of parents have thrown away toys that are in perfect working order, and that children have, on average, four toys that they’ve never played with even once [2].
Like any other type of plastic, plastic toys have a negative impact on the environment, since the plastic they are made from is nearly impossible to recycle.
“If it’s a flimsy plastic toy that clearly isn’t going to have more than a lifetime of a few days or weeks, would you really want to be getting that material?” said Kevin Brigden, senior scientist at Greenpeace International Science Unit. “As soon as you open it, you’ll be putting it into the waste stream.” [5]
Plastic generates many problems for the environment since it takes thousands of years to break down, and even when it does, it leeches microplastics into our oceans and soil that are ending up in human bodies [6].
One way we have tried to address the plastic problem is through recycling. Unfortunately, this solution has been largely ineffective because less than ten percent of plastic waste gets recycled [7].
What makes the plastic toys more problematic than other types of plastics is that they have no hope of being recycled- they are essentially destined for the landfill at some point in time. Brent Bell, vice president of recycling at Waste Management, a company that provides recycling solutions to businesses and residences in North America, says that very few toys are good candidates for recycling [5].
This is because typically plastic toys are also composed of other materials, like metals, that can’t be separated out and thus are prohibitive for recycling centers [5].
Plastic Toys and Your Child’s Health
Plastic toys don’t just impact the health of the environment- they could be impacting your child’s health, too. One example of this is phthalates, which is a chemical that is used to soften the plastic that toys are made from. This chemical has been linked to a number of health issues including birth defects, cancer, and diabetes [8].
Since children, particularly babies and young toddlers, are constantly putting their toys in their mouths, they are at an increased risk for experiencing health complications due to phthalate exposure.
There is also a mental component that happens when you give in to your child who is having a meltdown over wanting the shiny plastic toy on the shelf: a rush of dopamine floods their brain.
Dopamine is a chemical that controls many functions including behavior, emotion, and cognition, and also communicates with the front part of the brain that’s associated with pleasure and reward [9].
You know that rush of happiness you get when you buy something new? That’s a dopamine response, but we tend to refer to it more commonly as “retail therapy”. When we constantly give in to our children’s tantrums over new toys, we are teaching them that having a meltdown is an effective way to get a “reward”, and setting them up to turn to shopping and over-consumption as a means to happiness.
It’s Time to Make a Change
Environmental experts are now encouraging parents to look to the toys of the past, that were made with more sustainable materials and lasted longer. Items made from wood, cotton, natural rubber, and metal are all better for the environment and can be good replacements for plastic toys.
The other problem with plastic toys is the rate at which children go through them. Children now receive plastic toys for birthdays, Christmas, in grab-bags at parties and many other places, but these products only provide entertainment to a child for a very short period of time before they get forgotten and eventually discarded.
Perhaps it is time we reevaluate how many toys our kids actually need, and begin encouraging them to play with the toys they already have, instead of constantly needing more. In a world that is so heavily focussed on consumerism, this can be a difficult task, but it is more than worth the effort.
Keep Reading: The Most Jolly and Wasteful Time of Year. 15 Tips for a “Green” Holiday Season


theheartysoul--2020-07-08--The 15 Giant Tortoises That Saved a Species–Breeding 1,900 Babies–Finally Returned to Their Galapago

The 15 Giant Tortoises That Saved a Species–Breeding 1,900 Babies–Finally Returned to Their Galapagos Island Home

After 55 years spent away from home , these giant tortoises have finally made their triumphant return back to their home on the Galapagos Islands .
Their survival as a species is all thanks to one of the world ’ s most successful captive breeding programs .
In the mid-1960s , the giant Española tortoise was close to extinction .
Hundreds of the species were gathered up to be used as food by passing mariners in the late 1800s .
These people also introduced invasive species to the island like goats , which further affected the giant tortoises ’ ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , 2 ) By the mid-1960s there were only 14 Española tortoises left on the island .
To save them from certain extinction , they were gathered up and taken to a special sanctuary .
The goal was to breed the giant tortoises safely in order to bolster the population and then return the giant tortoises back to their home .
( 1 , 2 ) On June 15th , 2020 , that goal was finally reached .
With the goats having been eradicated from the island by 1978 and the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tortoises were finally able to go home .
( 1 , 2 ) “ This captive breeding program , in addition to the management actions implemented on Española island , give us peace of mind that we managed to save a species that would otherwise have become extinct .
It can only be described as successful and an example of the conservation efforts that we implement as a National Government in synergy with our allies , ” said Paulo Proaño , Ecuador ’ s Minister of Environment and Water .
( 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know about the glowing Sea Turtle At the start of the program back in the sixties , the Galapagos Conservancy performed a worldwide search to see if there were any other Española tortoises around the planet other than the 14 from the island .
Finding other tortoises , particularly males , would be extremely beneficial to the survival of the species .
These other Española tortoises would contribute to the genetic variability of the tortoises , which strengthens genetics and makes them less vulnerable to disease and illness .
( 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 80-year-old tortoise at the San Diego Zoo .
He had been brought to the San Diego Zoo by a research team in the 1930s .
Dubbed “ Diego ” for the Zoo he came from , he was also brought in to participate in the program .
( 1 , 2 ) Now 100 years old , Diego is now responsible for roughly 40 % of the giant tortoises now living on the island .
He was also brought back to live his remaining decades of life in his home .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March but delayed due to the coronavirus shutdowns , the giant tortoises finally made the trip home in June .
They were brought to Española in boats , then strapped to the backs of biologists , who carried them inland to an area with plenty of cacti for them to eat .
( 1 , 2 ) This was no easy feat – each tortoise weighs around 77 pounds , with some weighing more than 120 pounds .
For the heavier tortoises , biologists went in teams of two in a relay-style transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , the biologists stayed to observe the tortoises for four more hours before leaving them to themselves .
( 1 , 2 ) How You Can Help The Galapagos Islands are incredibly rich in diverse and unique species that are vital to the planet ’ s ecosystems .
Unfortunately , many of them are at risk .
Visit The Galapagos Conservancy website to learn more about how you can help support their different initiatives .
Read : A Century Later , Baby Tortoises Have Been Discovered Thriving On the Galapagos Island of @

After 55 years spent away from home, these giant tortoises have finally made their triumphant return back to their home on the Galapagos Islands. Their survival as a species is all thanks to one of the world’s most successful captive breeding programs.
Giant Tortoises Return to Española Island
In the mid-1960s, the giant Española tortoise was close to extinction. Hundreds of the species were gathered up to be used as food by passing mariners in the late 1800s. These people also introduced invasive species to the island like goats, which further affected the giant tortoises’ ability to thrive in their homeland. (1, 2)
By the mid-1960s there were only 14 Española tortoises left on the island. To save them from certain extinction, they were gathered up and taken to a special sanctuary. The goal was to breed the giant tortoises safely in order to bolster the population and then return the giant tortoises back to their home. (1, 2)
On June 15th, 2020, that goal was finally reached. With the goats having been eradicated from the island by 1978 and the population now at 2,300, the giant Española tortoises were finally able to go home. (1, 2)
“This captive breeding program, in addition to the management actions implemented on Española island, give us peace of mind that we managed to save a species that would otherwise have become extinct. It can only be described as successful and an example of the conservation efforts that we implement as a National Government in synergy with our allies,” said Paulo Proaño, Ecuador’s Minister of Environment and Water. (1, 2)
Read: Everything you need to know about the glowing Sea Turtle
Diego the Tortoise
At the start of the program back in the sixties, the Galapagos Conservancy performed a worldwide search to see if there were any other Española tortoises around the planet other than the 14 from the island. Finding other tortoises, particularly males, would be extremely beneficial to the survival of the species. These other Española tortoises would contribute to the genetic variability of the tortoises, which strengthens genetics and makes them less vulnerable to disease and illness. (1, 2)
Their search found one: an 80-year-old tortoise at the San Diego Zoo. He had been brought to the San Diego Zoo by a research team in the 1930s. Dubbed “Diego” for the Zoo he came from, he was also brought in to participate in the program. (1, 2)
Now 100 years old, Diego is now responsible for roughly 40% of the giant tortoises now living on the island. He was also brought back to live his remaining decades of life in his home. (1, 2)
The Incredible Journey Home
Originally planned for March but delayed due to the coronavirus shutdowns, the giant tortoises finally made the trip home in June. They were brought to Española in boats, then strapped to the backs of biologists, who carried them inland to an area with plenty of cacti for them to eat. (1, 2)
This was no easy feat – each tortoise weighs around 77 pounds, with some weighing more than 120 pounds. For the heavier tortoises, biologists went in teams of two in a relay-style transport. Once all the tortoises were brought in, the biologists stayed to observe the tortoises for four more hours before leaving them to themselves. (1, 2)
How You Can Help
The Galapagos Islands are incredibly rich in diverse and unique species that are vital to the planet’s ecosystems. Unfortunately, many of them are at risk. Visit The Galapagos Conservancy website to learn more about how you can help support their different initiatives.
Read: A Century Later, Baby Tortoises Have Been Discovered Thriving On the Galapagos Island of Pinzon


theheartysoul--2020-07-08--African Rain Frogs Look Like Little Angry Avocados

We all have those bad days , once in a while , and if you ’ re not an excellent actor , you ’ d end up walking around with a grumpy face that screams , “ Not in the mood.
” Well , lucky for us it only happens once in a while .
Think of these little guys who have to wear that annoyed look every day of their lives .
Whose spirit animal is this ?
Well , in any case , at least the rain frogs are adorable .
The Black Rain Frog , Breviceps fuscus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brevicipitidae , native to South Africa , and found only in the southern slopes of the Cape Ford Belt [ 1 ] .
All species of rain frogs are typically tiny-bodied amphibians native to Eastern and Southern Africa .
The Black Rain Frog is a burrowing species that does not require open water to survive and can typically be found at elevations of 3300ft ( approx 1,000m ) .
The frogs have small round bodies with very short limbs and toes .
An adult Black Rain Frog may grow as tall as 1.6-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are mostly a dark brown shade or a very dark grey with granulated skin .
The skin has no warts but appears excessively rough due to the almost even sprinkle of granules .
Perhaps , the most unique thing about this species is the configuration of facial features that makes them appear permanently angry .
They may seem unapproachable , but they are not actually annoyed all the time .
It ’ s just their natural face .
Read : Everything you need to know about the glowing Sea Turtle As if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this frog has the uncanny ability to puff itself up when it feels endangered or threatened , making it even look angrier and sometimes , haughty .
Some of the frogs look more heartbroken than angry , but it ’ s tough to catch any positive vibes from these little guys .
Just like other species in the rain frog family , the Black Rain Frog shows direct development , which means there is no free-living larval stage .
The female lays about 42 eggs per clutch in a half-inch ( 15mm ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small , about 0.2in ( 5mm ) in diameter , yellow-colored , and highly susceptible to attacks from small predators .
This is why the males can often be seen guarding the eggs until they hatch .
On the IUCN red list , the Black Rain Frog is of least concern even though they are found in only one location in the world .
They are native to the area and the populations do not appear to be threatened , although afforestation and recruiting habitat loss are possible issues .
Read : Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You Need to Know About That ‘ Human-Sized ’ Bat Going Viral Keep Reading : These Valais Blacknose Sheep Look Like Stuffed Animals Even Though They ’ re Real – and They Make Amazing Pets

We all have those bad days, once in a while, and if you’re not an excellent actor, you’d end up walking around with a grumpy face that screams, “Not in the mood.” Well, lucky for us it only happens once in a while. Think of these little guys who have to wear that annoyed look every day of their lives. Whose spirit animal is this? Well, in any case, at least the rain frogs are adorable.
The Black Rain Frog, Breviceps fuscus, is a small species from the Brevicipitidae, native to South Africa, and found only in the southern slopes of the Cape Ford Belt [1]. All species of rain frogs are typically tiny-bodied amphibians native to Eastern and Southern Africa. The Black Rain Frog is a burrowing species that does not require open water to survive and can typically be found at elevations of 3300ft (approx 1,000m).
The frogs have small round bodies with very short limbs and toes. An adult Black Rain Frog may grow as tall as 1.6-2 in (40-51 mm). They are mostly a dark brown shade or a very dark grey with granulated skin. The skin has no warts but appears excessively rough due to the almost even sprinkle of granules.
Perhaps, the most unique thing about this species is the configuration of facial features that makes them appear permanently angry. They may seem unapproachable, but they are not actually annoyed all the time. It’s just their natural face.
Huffing and puffing
As if the weird face isn’t enough, this frog has the uncanny ability to puff itself up when it feels endangered or threatened, making it even look angrier and sometimes, haughty. Some of the frogs look more heartbroken than angry, but it’s tough to catch any positive vibes from these little guys.
Just like other species in the rain frog family, the Black Rain Frog shows direct development, which means there is no free-living larval stage. The female lays about 42 eggs per clutch in a half-inch (15mm) wide burrow. The eggs are extremely small, about 0.2in (5mm) in diameter, yellow-colored, and highly susceptible to attacks from small predators. This is why the males can often be seen guarding the eggs until they hatch.
On the IUCN red list, the Black Rain Frog is of least concern even though they are found in only one location in the world. They are native to the area and the populations do not appear to be threatened, although afforestation and recruiting habitat loss are possible issues.
One comment on Instagram read: “If I were an animal, this would be me. This frog reminds me of grumpy cat, and the funny thing about all these angry-looking animals is that they somehow manage to still be adorable. Don’t you just love that lil down-turned pout!”
Photos:
Keep Reading: Aldi investigates claims live snake found in bag of lettuce


theheartysoul--2020-07-10--Aunt Shares Post About the Moment Her Nephew Crawled Into A Stranger’s Arms

Kids are more perceptive than we give them credit for .
When all we need is a hug , kids can pick up on that .
And since they are blessed with being unhindered by routine social standards , they can give the bests hugs .
Anyone who has been cuddled by a child knows how precious and heart-warming every second is .
A child ’ s love is a blessing that is boundless .
They ’ ll even show love to a stranger , as you ’ ll see from this story .
During a high school football game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached a stranger sitting near him on the bleachers .
Her name was Angela During and the pair chatted for about 20 minutes before she had to leave during halftime to meet up with her daughter .
During their conversation , he ended up crawling onto her lap and they talked as if they were long-time friends .
It was a cute interaction and no one thought much of it afterward .
Two weeks later , Isaiah and Angela were present at another game when Isaiah found her again .
His aunt assumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , but she was in for a surprise .
“ Isaiah walked right up to her smiling , crawled in her lap and laid his head down on her shoulder , ” Star Balloon-Bradley , Isaiah ’ s aunt , wrote on her now viral Facebook post .
“ She welcomed him with open arms .
This lady patted and rocked Isaiah to sleep like he had given birth to him .
It was the sweetest !
” [ 1 ] In the post , she added photos of Isaiah snuggling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can come across shy at first , but some people he immediately warms up to , and Mrs. Angela During is one of those persons , ” said Isaiah ’ s mom , Thameka Miller .
“ He can discern if a person needs a hug , and he loves elderly people.
” Star kept apologizing to Angela if Isaiah was bothering her and said it was totally okay if Angela didn ’ t want to entertain him anymore , but Angela waved her off and assured her he wasn ’ t a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was her new friend , ” said Star in her post .
So , she just cuddled him , and enjoyed every moment .
Angela had her own child at a home , a fifteen-year-old , which meant these kinds of snuggles have been missing for a while .
She explained to Star that “ moments like these are priceless.
” Read : No One Came to His Graduation So His Teacher Decided to Celebrate With Him Instead The Heart-Warming Picture of a Little Boy Hugging a Stranger Goes Viral The post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnered over one million likes .
Star has a good idea as to why this little moment has received so much attention .
“ With all of the racial tension that ’ s going on I ’ m glad to see the pictures like these because it goes to show color don ’ t matter to a lot of people .
It really don ’ t !
” Star said in her post “ Arguing over stuff as such makes us miss the simple pleasures in life.
” [ 2 ] As she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t even know Angela ’ s name yet , but Star knew she ’ d find out soon enough .
“ I hate I didn ’ t get her name but I will next game because I ’ m sure Isaiah will make his way back to her .
I love her and don ’ t know her !
” When the pictures went viral , Angela was finally identified and Star updated her post with : “ We found out who she is .
Her name is Mrs. Angela .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , y ’ all !
It ’ s awesome how God connects people together for whatever reason !
” Read : Dad Who Grew Up Without A Father Starts Basic Skills YouTube Channel Thameka , Isaiah ’ s mother , has a similar idea as to why this moment has touched so many people .
She believes that the photos show race from a child ’ s perspective , and this is beautifully emotional revelation .
“ I think with the racial tension that has manifested lately this story helps to restore hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of love , ” Thameka said .
“ Also , the innocence of a child and how love has no color boundaries.
” Once Angela found out about the viral post , she felt honored and blessed by the experience .
“ I am humbled by the kind words everyone has spoken .
Isaiah is absolutely adorable !
I pray people will see Jesus in all this & know His love is beyond measure & that is how I want to love & life my life .
I ’ m not worthy but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] While this event may be a couple of years old , its message is even more important today .
It ’ s incredible that Isaiah had only met Angela briefly before feeling comfortable enough to embrace her .
In his adorable , innocent way , he teaches us how the world could become a better place if we would show the same sort of love and understanding toward each other , no matter our backgrounds .
Keep Reading : Not so random acts : Science finds that being kind pays off

Kids are more perceptive than we give them credit for. When all we need is a hug, kids can pick up on that. And since they are blessed with being unhindered by routine social standards, they can give the bests hugs. Anyone who has been cuddled by a child knows how precious and heart-warming every second is. A child’s love is a blessing that is boundless. They’ll even show love to a stranger, as you’ll see from this story.
During a high school football game, a little boy named Isaiah Miller approached a stranger sitting near him on the bleachers. Her name was Angela During and the pair chatted for about 20 minutes before she had to leave during halftime to meet up with her daughter. During their conversation, he ended up crawling onto her lap and they talked as if they were long-time friends. It was a cute interaction and no one thought much of it afterward.
Two weeks later, Isaiah and Angela were present at another game when Isaiah found her again. His aunt assumed their interaction would be similar to last time, but she was in for a surprise.
“Isaiah walked right up to her smiling, crawled in her lap and laid his head down on her shoulder,” Star Balloon-Bradley, Isaiah’s aunt, wrote on her now viral Facebook post. “She welcomed him with open arms. This lady patted and rocked Isaiah to sleep like he had given birth to him. It was the sweetest!” [1]
In the post, she added photos of Isaiah snuggling with Angela on the bleachers.
“Isaiah can come across shy at first, but some people he immediately warms up to, and Mrs. Angela During is one of those persons,” said Isaiah’s mom, Thameka Miller. “He can discern if a person needs a hug, and he loves elderly people.”
Star kept apologizing to Angela if Isaiah was bothering her and said it was totally okay if Angela didn’t want to entertain him anymore, but Angela waved her off and assured her he wasn’t a bother at all. “She said he was her new friend,” said Star in her post.
So, she just cuddled him, and enjoyed every moment. Angela had her own child at a home, a fifteen-year-old, which meant these kinds of snuggles have been missing for a while. She explained to Star that “moments like these are priceless.”
Read: No One Came to His Graduation So His Teacher Decided to Celebrate With Him Instead
The Heart-Warming Picture of a Little Boy Hugging a Stranger Goes Viral
The post has been shared over 350,000 times and garnered over one million likes. Star has a good idea as to why this little moment has received so much attention.
“With all of the racial tension that’s going on I’m glad to see the pictures like these because it goes to show color don’t matter to a lot of people. It really don’t!” Star said in her post “Arguing over stuff as such makes us miss the simple pleasures in life.” [2]
As she posted the photos, Isaiah and Star didn’t even know Angela’s name yet, but Star knew she’d find out soon enough. “I hate I didn’t get her name but I will next game because I’m sure Isaiah will make his way back to her. I love her and don’t know her!”
When the pictures went viral, Angela was finally identified and Star updated her post with: “We found out who she is. Her name is Mrs. Angela. She’s such a sweet lady, y’all! It’s awesome how God connects people together for whatever reason!”
Read: Dad Who Grew Up Without A Father Starts Basic Skills YouTube Channel
Spreading Unconditional Love During a Troubled Time
Thameka, Isaiah’s mother, has a similar idea as to why this moment has touched so many people. She believes that the photos show race from a child’s perspective, and this is beautifully emotional revelation.
“I think with the racial tension that has manifested lately this story helps to restore hope in humanity and it shows the power of love,” Thameka said. “Also, the innocence of a child and how love has no color boundaries.”
Once Angela found out about the viral post, she felt honored and blessed by the experience. “I am humbled by the kind words everyone has spoken. Isaiah is absolutely adorable! I pray people will see Jesus in all this & know His love is beyond measure & that is how I want to love & life my life. I’m not worthy but He sure is!” [3]
While this event may be a couple of years old, its message is even more important today. It’s incredible that Isaiah had only met Angela briefly before feeling comfortable enough to embrace her. In his adorable, innocent way, he teaches us how the world could become a better place if we would show the same sort of love and understanding toward each other, no matter our backgrounds.


theheartysoul--2020-07-10--Walking Sharks That Can Leave The Water Discovered In Indo-Australian Archipelago

The ocean is possibly the most mysterious place on our planet , and somehow manages to continuously surprise even the most veteran biological and environmental scientists .
Its latest curveball ?
Walking sharks .
Admittedly , these creatures are not a brand-new discovery , but a twelve-year-long study by Conservation International , the CSIRO , Florida Museum of Natural History , the Indonesian Institute of Sciences and Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries , has resulted in the discovery of four new species of walking sharks since 2008 [ 1 ] .
Before you start imagining a Jaws-style monster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can relax- your beach vacation is under no threat .
These marine creatures , also known as epaulette sharks , are only three feet in length and pose no danger to humans [ 2 ] .
Their ability to withstand low-oxygen environments and walk on their fins does , however , give them a distinct advantage over small crustaceans and mollusks , which are their main prey .
These fascinating animals that live near Australia move their pectoral fins in the front and their pelvic fins in the back to walk along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coral reef outside the water at low tide .
This allows them to move between tide pools and along the reef to feed upon crabs , shrimp , and small fish [ 3 ] .
The addition of four new species of epaulette sharks brings the total to nine different species .
What makes these sharks unusual ( besides their ability to walk ) , is that the researchers believe that they only started evolving around nine million years ago , which is relatively short in evolutionary terms .
Mark Erdmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the vice president of Conservation International ’ s Asia-Pacific marine division says that this makes them the youngest sharks on the planet [ 4 ] .
Gavin Naylor , director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the University of Florida says that this is highly unusual , since most sharks evolve very slowly .
This is because they typically live for a very long time and are slow to reproduce .
It appears , however , that walking sharks in the tropical waters surrounding Australia , Papua New Guinea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read : New Species of Turtle Has Been Discovered ( and they ’ re handsome ) Naylor explains that it could be the sharks ’ home , which are the rich coral reefs in their native waters , that are what has driven their ability to evolve and diversify rather quickly .
These reefs are dynamic and are continually shifting as sea levels rise and fall , currents change , reefs flourish or die , and temperatures change .
The sharks who live there must adapt to their changing environment [ 3 ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely evolved after they moved away from their original population , became genetically isolated , and then developed into a new species .
She also describes these species as “ homebodies ” - they lay their eggs in the reefs and don ’ t typically travel far from where they were born .
Because of this , there isn ’ t much gene flow between habitats , and even small obstacles like stretches of deep water have provided enough separation to allow them to develop into unique species [ 3 ] .
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Species–Breeding 1,900 Babies–Finally Returned to Their Galapagos Island Home Because many species of walking sharks have only been recently discovered , scientists still have much to learn about these unique creatures .
While they face similar threats as other sharks like overfishing and harvesting for the aquarium trade , none of them are currently thought to be threatened or endangered .
Dudgeon pointed out though that due to their lack of information , they can ’ t be certain of this .
Erdmann says , however , that the discovery of four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a remarkable ability to evolve and adapt to environmental changes , which will help protect their numbers as the world ’ s climate continues to change rapidly [ 4 ] .
Keep Reading : Hawaii Group Sets Record For Largest Haul of Plastic Removed From The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The ocean is possibly the most mysterious place on our planet, and somehow manages to continuously surprise even the most veteran biological and environmental scientists. Its latest curveball? Walking sharks.
Admittedly, these creatures are not a brand-new discovery, but a twelve-year-long study by Conservation International, the CSIRO, Florida Museum of Natural History, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences and Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, has resulted in the discovery of four new species of walking sharks since 2008 [1].
Meet the Walking Sharks
Before you start imagining a Jaws-style monster charging across the beach toward you, you can relax- your beach vacation is under no threat. These marine creatures, also known as epaulette sharks, are only three feet in length and pose no danger to humans [2].
Their ability to withstand low-oxygen environments and walk on their fins does, however, give them a distinct advantage over small crustaceans and mollusks, which are their main prey.
These fascinating animals that live near Australia move their pectoral fins in the front and their pelvic fins in the back to walk along the seafloor, or sometimes on top of the coral reef outside the water at low tide. This allows them to move between tide pools and along the reef to feed upon crabs, shrimp, and small fish [3].
“During low tides, they became the top predator on the reef,” says Christine Dudgeon, a researcher at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia [3].
The addition of four new species of epaulette sharks brings the total to nine different species. What makes these sharks unusual (besides their ability to walk), is that the researchers believe that they only started evolving around nine million years ago, which is relatively short in evolutionary terms.
Mark Erdmann, a co-author of the study, and the vice president of Conservation International’s Asia-Pacific marine division says that this makes them the youngest sharks on the planet [4].
Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research at the University of Florida says that this is highly unusual, since most sharks evolve very slowly. This is because they typically live for a very long time and are slow to reproduce. It appears, however, that walking sharks in the tropical waters surrounding Australia, Papua New Guinea, and eastern Indonesia are still evolving.
“This may be the one place in the world where speciation is still going on for sharks,” Naylor says [3].
Read: New Species of Turtle Has Been Discovered (and they’re handsome)
Fast Adapters
Naylor explains that it could be the sharks’ home, which are the rich coral reefs in their native waters, that are what has driven their ability to evolve and diversify rather quickly. These reefs are dynamic and are continually shifting as sea levels rise and fall, currents change, reefs flourish or die, and temperatures change. The sharks who live there must adapt to their changing environment [3].
Dudgeon says that these new species likely evolved after they moved away from their original population, became genetically isolated, and then developed into a new species.
“They may have moved by swimming or walking on their fins, but it’s also possible they ‘hitched’ a ride on reefs moving westward across the top of New Guinea, about two million years ago,” she explained [2].
She also describes these species as “homebodies”- they lay their eggs in the reefs and don’t typically travel far from where they were born. Because of this, there isn’t much gene flow between habitats, and even small obstacles like stretches of deep water have provided enough separation to allow them to develop into unique species [3].
“We believe there are more walking shark species still waiting to be discovered,” said Dudgeon [2].
Read: The 15 Giant Tortoises That Saved a Species–Breeding 1,900 Babies–Finally Returned to Their Galapagos Island Home
Mystery Sharks
Because many species of walking sharks have only been recently discovered, scientists still have much to learn about these unique creatures. While they face similar threats as other sharks like overfishing and harvesting for the aquarium trade, none of them are currently thought to be threatened or endangered.
Dudgeon pointed out though that due to their lack of information, they can’t be certain of this.
“We really just don’t know how they’re doing,” she said [3].
Erdmann says, however, that the discovery of four new species proves that modern sharks have a remarkable ability to evolve and adapt to environmental changes, which will help protect their numbers as the world’s climate continues to change rapidly [4].
Keep Reading: Hawaii Group Sets Record For Largest Haul of Plastic Removed From The Great Pacific Garbage Patch


theheartysoul--2020-07-10--Miner to millionaire: Man sells largest-ever Tanzanite gems for $3.3M

Many of us dream of winning the lottery and becoming instant millionaires overnight .
One man in Tanzania did almost exactly that .
Not by winning the lottery , but by finding two of the largest pieces of Tanzanite in the world .
Saniniu Laizer is a small-scale mining boss in Tanzania .
Through his mining operation , along with a large cattle farming business , the 52-year-old employs more than two hundred people .
Near the end of June , his employees found two massive pieces of the rare gemstone Tanzanite , one weighing 9.27 kilograms and the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the largest-ever tanzanite gemstone was 3.38 kilograms , making this the largest find in history [ 1 ] .
Mr. Laizer , who does not do any of the actual mining himself was not present at the time of the discovery .
His workers , for their part , seem to be very happy for their boss .
Laizer had sold the gemstones to the Tanzanian government for 3.3 million dollars US .
Tanzanian President John Magufuli is also very happy about the situation .
Read : Arizona Is Home To Ancient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The World ’ s Oldest !
Why is Tanzanite so Precious ?
Tanzanite is an exceedingly rare blue gemstone , whose mineralogical name is actually “ blue zoisite ” .
It was given the name “ Tanzanite ” by Tiffany and Company because they thought it would be easier to market and spark customer interest .
The name Tanzanite is inspired by the location in which the gem can be found , since the only known deposits of the precious stone can be found in Northern Tanzania .
All mines are located in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles in size and found in the Merelani Hills near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and the city of Arusha .
Tanzanite was not discovered in commercial quantities until the 1960s , and is now the second most popular blue gemstone after sapphire .
It is the only gemstone with a large and growing popularity that has such a limited known supply , and there are some who believe that the current source of Tanzanite could be depleted in only thirty years [ 3 ] .
Read : This NYC Museum has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Breathtaking Mr. Laizer has four wives and thirty children , but is not planning on using his newfound wealth on just his own family .
First things first , he ’ s planning on throwing a big party .
Once the celebrating is over , however , he plans on giving back to his community .
Having not had an education himself , he wants to use his money to invest in future generations so that they can go to school .
He also plans on distributing ten percent of the profits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to be over fifteen hundred US dollars per person- an amount that can go very far in Tanzania .
Because Laizer has a mining licence , local mining officials are celebrating a find as a success story in the fight against illegal prospecting , which is a problem in the area [ 1 ] .
Since last year there have been several trading centers set up around the country where artisanal miners can sell their findings to the government , in an effort to improve conditions in the industry [ 2 ] @

Many of us dream of winning the lottery and becoming instant millionaires overnight. One man in Tanzania did almost exactly that. Not by winning the lottery, but by finding two of the largest pieces of Tanzanite in the world.
From Miner to Millionaire
Saniniu Laizer is a small-scale mining boss in Tanzania. Through his mining operation, along with a large cattle farming business, the 52-year-old employs more than two hundred people.
Near the end of June, his employees found two massive pieces of the rare gemstone Tanzanite, one weighing 9.27 kilograms and the other weighing 5.1 kilograms. The previous record for the largest-ever tanzanite gemstone was 3.38 kilograms, making this the largest find in history [1].
Mr. Laizer, who does not do any of the actual mining himself was not present at the time of the discovery.
“He has logistics experts, engineers, geologists who help him in the planning of the operations,” said manager Kiria Laizer. “He doesn’t himself go to the pit to dig. He has a number of tried labourers who … do the mining,” [2].
His workers, for their part, seem to be very happy for their boss.
“It’s a really challenging experience. It’s tough of course, working in this dusty area. We inhale a lot of dust and get sick, but we haven’t lost the determination to work. We feel grateful that our boss has finally got these stones. We are planning to have roast meat together when we return to the mining site.” [2]
Laizer had sold the gemstones to the Tanzanian government for 3.3 million dollars US. Tanzanian President John Magufuli is also very happy about the situation.
“This is a confirmation that Tanzania is rich,” he said to minerals minister Doto Biteko [1].
Read: Arizona Is Home To Ancient, 200 Million-Year-Old Trees, Some Of The World’s Oldest!
Why is Tanzanite so Precious?
Tanzanite is an exceedingly rare blue gemstone, whose mineralogical name is actually “blue zoisite”. It was given the name “Tanzanite” by Tiffany and Company because they thought it would be easier to market and spark customer interest.
The name Tanzanite is inspired by the location in which the gem can be found, since the only known deposits of the precious stone can be found in Northern Tanzania. All mines are located in an area that is about eight square miles in size and found in the Merelani Hills near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and the city of Arusha.
Tanzanite was not discovered in commercial quantities until the 1960s, and is now the second most popular blue gemstone after sapphire. It is the only gemstone with a large and growing popularity that has such a limited known supply, and there are some who believe that the current source of Tanzanite could be depleted in only thirty years [3].
Read: This NYC Museum has a 9,000-Pound Amethyst Geode, and it’s Breathtaking
Paying it Forward
Mr. Laizer has four wives and thirty children, but is not planning on using his newfound wealth on just his own family. First things first, he’s planning on throwing a big party.
Once the celebrating is over, however, he plans on giving back to his community. Having not had an education himself, he wants to use his money to invest in future generations so that they can go to school.
“I want to build a shopping mall and a school. I want to build this school near my home. There are many poor people around here who can’t afford to take their children to school,” he said [2].
He also plans on distributing ten percent of the profits among his workers, which would work out to be over fifteen hundred US dollars per person- an amount that can go very far in Tanzania.
Because Laizer has a mining licence, local mining officials are celebrating a find as a success story in the fight against illegal prospecting, which is a problem in the area [1]. Since last year there have been several trading centers set up around the country where artisanal miners can sell their findings to the government, in an effort to improve conditions in the industry [2].
Keep Reading: Thunderegg: Ordinary Rocks With Crystal Surprise Inside!


theheartysoul--2020-07-09--Margarita Trucks Could Be Rolling into Your Neighborhood Soon and 2020 Needs Them

Many of us have fond memories of hearing the sound of the ice cream truck rolling through our neighbourhood when we were kids , and the excitement that followed .
There was nothing quite like a sweet ice cream cone to cool you off on a hot summer day .
As adults , that excitement has perhaps worn off a bit- until now .
For residents of San Antonio , Texas , the ice cream truck of your childhood has been replaced by an upgraded , adult version .
Say hello to the margarita truck .
The COVID-19 pandemic hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnny Hernandez ’ s restaurant La Gloria was amongst the thousands of foodservice establishments across the country that were forced to close its doors .
As reopening plans began to roll out at the end of May in San Antonio , Texas , Hernandez came up with a creative way that he could still serve his restaurant ’ s loyal customers without them having to leave the safety of their own homes .
The restaurant ’ s first margarita truck hit the streets on May 28th and has been bringing taco kits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and of course , their famous margaritas , right to the doorsteps of San Antonio residents ever since .
Originally , the truck only operated within a three-mile radius of Crockett Park downtown , a neighborhood of San Antonio .
Since its inception , however , the restaurant has added a second truck and now services Leon Valley , Alamo Heights , and other neighborhoods as well [ 2 ] .
Read : This Woman ’ s Blistering Burn Shows Why You Should Never Make a Margarita in the Sun How Much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of La Gloria ’ s famous margaritas , you must first place an order online .
A single 16-ounce drink will start at ten dollars , or you can get a margarita kit that serves six and starts at 38 dollars .
Flavours include prickly pear , blue , mango , and their signature house margarita , but alcohol can only be delivered if at least one food item is also ordered .
The truck operates Monday to Wednesday from three in the afternoon to eight in the evening , Thursday to Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from noon until six [ 1 ] .
If you live in the San Antonio area and would like the margarita truck to pay a visit to your house , check out their website to find out when they ’ re going to be in your neighbourhood and to place your order .
Keep Reading : Restaurant in Amsterdam Provides Patrons with Private Greenhouses to Enforce Social Distancing

Many of us have fond memories of hearing the sound of the ice cream truck rolling through our neighbourhood when we were kids, and the excitement that followed. There was nothing quite like a sweet ice cream cone to cool you off on a hot summer day. As adults, that excitement has perhaps worn off a bit- until now. For residents of San Antonio, Texas, the ice cream truck of your childhood has been replaced by an upgraded, adult version. Say hello to margarita trucks.
The Margarita Trucks
The COVID-19 pandemic hit the restaurant industry hard, and chef Johnny Hernandez’s restaurant La Gloria was amongst the thousands of foodservice establishments across the country that were forced to close its doors.
As reopening plans began to roll out at the end of May in San Antonio, Texas, Hernandez came up with a creative way that he could still serve his restaurant’s loyal customers without them having to leave the safety of their own homes.
The restaurant’s first margarita trucks hit the streets on May 28th and has been bringing taco kits, chips and salsa, Mexican street corn, and of course, their famous margaritas, right to the doorsteps of San Antonio residents ever since.
“Today, safety is top of mind for everyone, and many of our customers are simply not ready to dine out,” Hernandez said. “However, we know that doesn’t mean they don’t crave one of our famous margaritas.” [1]
Originally, the truck only operated within a three-mile radius of Crockett Park downtown, a neighborhood of San Antonio. Since its inception, however, the restaurant has added a second truck and now services Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, and other neighborhoods as well [2].
Read: This Woman’s Blistering Burn Shows Why You Should Never Make a Margarita in the Sun
How Much For a Margarita?
To get one of La Gloria’s famous margaritas, you must first place an order online. A single 16-ounce drink will start at ten dollars, or you can get a margarita kit that serves six and starts at 38 dollars.
Flavours include prickly pear, blue, mango, and their signature house margarita, but alcohol can only be delivered if at least one food item is also ordered.
The margarita trucks operates Monday to Wednesday from three in the afternoon to eight in the evening, Thursday to Saturday from noon until eight, and Sunday from noon until six [1].
If you live in the San Antonio area and would like the margarita trucks to pay a visit to your house, check out their website to find out when they’re going to be in your neighbourhood and to place your order.
How to Start Your Own Food Truck Business
A food truck business can be a great way to make a living, especially during these pandemic times. A successful food truck can bring in 500 thousand dollars per year, wth start-up costs starting at just 40 thousand dollars [3].
To start a successful food truck business you need four things: a competitive and appealing concept that makes you stand out, a good business and financial plan, an effective marketing strategy to build your customer base, and of course a fully-equipped food truck.
Here are eight steps to starting your own food truck business, according to fitsmallbusiness.com:
Step One: Market Research
The difference between success and failure in the food truck business (or any business, for that matter) often comes down to planning. When you start your business, you want to make sure that you are supplying a demand, or filling a hole in the market.
This includes deciding where you’re going to park your truck so that customers know where to find you. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the local laws, since each municipality will have rules governing where you can and cannot park your truck.
The next step is knowing your competition. Find out what else is out there, and try to do something different. Having a good idea is fantastic, but not if someone is already doing it in your area. Take some time to visit other food trucks to get a feel for what’s popular and to know what the most profitable times are, too, since time of day will affect what type of cuisine you offer.
Step 2: Get a Name and an Idea
Once you’ve done the research, you can decide what type of cuisine you’re going to offer. This should take into consideration what’s popular in your area, but should also be something that you’re passionate about or interested in.
Your name, then, should reflect the type of food you’re offering and the vibe you want to give out. Try to make it unique, descriptive, and relatively easy to pronounce, since many food trucks rely heavily on word-of-mouth to gain customers.
Along with the name, of course, goes your logo. This should be reflective of the name and the concept that you chose, and be exciting and noticeable enough to stand out amongst other food trucks.
Step 3: Create a Business Plan
You need a good business plan to know how long it will take before your food truck turns a profit. This plan should include:
Business description: including the food truck industry in you area, future possibilities, the concept, the theme, and other markets that could impact your business.
Market analysis: identify market trends in the food truck industry in your area, your target market, and your competitors.
Organization and management: How do you plan to run your business? This includes operating procedures, staffing, etc.
Product line: this includes your menu, ingredients, procedures, costs, and selling prices.
Marketing plan: How do you plan to get the word out there? Consider influencer marketing and social media marketing in this plan.
Funding: how much funding do you need to start your business? Where is that money going to come from?
Financial projections: you should break down your projected expenses, profits, and losses for at least your first three to five years.
Step 4: Get Your Licence and Registration
There are several permits that you need in order to operate a food truck, that could range from 100 to 500 dollars in price depending on where you live. At the very least, you will need a business licence and a food service permit, however you may also require one or more of the following:
Mobile Food Facility Permit
Health Permit
Food Safety Certification
Food Handler Permit for employees
Workers’ Compensation
Business Insurance
You may also need a parking permit and registration, and depending on your area, you may be required to have a commercial kitchen that you use to prepare your food. Make sure you do your research ahead of time and factor these costs into your plan.
Step 5: Finance your Business
Starting a food truck business can cost anywhere from 40 thousand to 200 thousand dollars. Mobile-cuisine.com offers an excellent breakdown of potential costs for you to get a rough estimate of what it will take to start your own food truck business.
There are several financing options available to small business owners, including equipment financing programs, small loans, investors, and crowdfunding, to name a few. Do some research to find out what’s available in your area and to determine your best option.
Step 6: Design Your Menu Board
The menu attached to the side of your truck is the best way to show customers what kind of food you’re offering. It should reflect your theme, but also be easy to read. Try to keep food descriptions as concise as possible, and highlight your best-sellers.
Step 7: Get the Truck
Purchasing a food truck can cost anywhere from 3250 dollars to 200 thousand dollars, depending on whether you get new or used, and how much work needs to be done. This cost amount includes the cost of retrofitting the truck with the necessary equipment and wrapping it with your design.
It is very important that you don’t cut corners when you buy a truck, because this could potentially save you thousands of dollars down the road. You also need to make sure that the truck is properly insured, should anything happen to it.
Step 8: Market your Truck
The final step to getting your food truck business going is, of course, marketing it! You will want to use a combination of online and traditional marketing strategies, including social media marketing, taking your truck to local events, mailing flyers, and building a good website [3].
A Lot of Work, a Lot of Reward
There is quite a lot of leg work involved in starting up a food truck business, but if you do it right you can be extremely successful. Many people across the country have quit their nine to five office jobs in favor of the road, and have never looked back.
Operating a food truck is hard work, but it can be fun and rewarding, and allow you more freedom with your life than you ever thought possible.
Keep Reading: “Sangria Slushies” Are Like Boozy Slurpees For Adults


theheartysoul--2020-07-12--A Couple Spend $3K to Turn an Old RV Into a Cozy Home For Five

Plenty of people are making the switch from traditional homes to living the tiny house life .
Many of those people , however , are single people , couples who don ’ t have kids , or couples whose kids are grown and gone .
For those with young kids , this seems impossible – until now .
This couple turned an old RV remodel into a tiny home for their family of five .
This is how they did it .
Old RV Remodel for Family of Five on a Budget Ashley and Dino Patrone didn ’ t originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into an old RV remodel when they purchased land in Ventura , California .
Having just sold their traditional five-bedroom home , they were looking for something small to rent while they built their dream home on their new land .
As most who are in the rental market in California won ’ t be shocked to hear , the couple was surprised how expensive it was going to be to rent an apartment for their family to live in during the build .
Instead , the couple decided to flip the used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 8000 into something the family could actually comfortably live in .
Just $ 3000 of renovations later , the 180 square feet RV was transformed into a modern , chic , all-purpose home for five .
Ashley and Dino did most of the renovations themselves over the span of three weeks .
Dino had a background in construction , which certainly helped .
From there , the couple just figured out how to do the things that they didn ’ t know .
Ashley describes the RV as less than an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first got it .
The entire inside was basically stripped of what was there before .
Gross blue carpet was replaced with light-colored wood flooring , wallpaper was taken down and replaced with wood trim , and all the built-in furniture was removed to make better use of the space .
All cabinets were painted to match the new look and add to the brightening of the interior .
Read : Eco-Friendly Tiny House in The Woods Cost Under $ 14K One one end of the RV remodel is the master bedroom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their two sons and daughter sleep in .
There are sliding doors on all rooms to maximize space while still allowing for some privacy .
The kitchen is reminiscent of ones you would see in a small city apartment : compact that uses space wisely .
They have a ceramic tile backsplash and a countertop that the couple made out of an IKEA desktop , cut to fit the counters and the space .
In the windowed corner of the RV , they have a beautiful dark wood table for the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right-sized ’ prefab smart home now available to order All the parents reading this probably have the same thought : sounds nice , but how on earth do they keep it from becoming a complete mess ?
Keeping a small space tidy with three energetic kids isn ’ t easy , but Ashely and Dino have really cracked down on living a more minimalistic life .
Essentially , the entire family has learned how to function and be happy living with less stuff .
The family parked the RV remodel on the land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on and lived the simple life until it was done .
If you are curious about their renovation process and what life is like living with a family of five in a 180 square foot RV , check out Ashley ’ s blog , Arrows & Bow .
Keep Reading : Tiny smart home looks like a space ship and can sleep a family of 4 — see inside

Plenty of people are making the switch from traditional homes to living the tiny house life. Many of those people, however, are single people, couples who don’t have kids, or couples whose kids are grown and gone. For those with young kids, this seems impossible – until now. This couple turned an old RV remodel into a tiny home for their family of five. This is how they did it.
Old RV Remodel for Family of Five on a Budget
Ashley and Dino Patrone didn’t originally plan on moving their three young kids into an old RV remodel when they purchased land in Ventura, California. Having just sold their traditional five-bedroom home, they were looking for something small to rent while they built their dream home on their new land.
As most who are in the rental market in California won’t be shocked to hear, the couple was surprised how expensive it was going to be to rent an apartment for their family to live in during the build. Instead, the couple decided to flip the used 2003 Cougar Keystone camper they had purchased for $8000 into something the family could actually comfortably live in.
Just $3000 of renovations later, the 180 square feet RV was transformed into a modern, chic, all-purpose home for five. Ashley and Dino did most of the renovations themselves over the span of three weeks. Dino had a background in construction, which certainly helped. From there, the couple just figured out how to do the things that they didn’t know.
A True Fixer-Upper
Ashley describes the RV as less than an ideal space to live in when they first got it.
“The state of the RV was old and blue and dirty. The curtains were horrible and huge and the whole feeling just felt dark,”
Image Credit: Arrows&Bow
The entire inside was basically stripped of what was there before. Gross blue carpet was replaced with light-colored wood flooring, wallpaper was taken down and replaced with wood trim, and all the built-in furniture was removed to make better use of the space. All cabinets were painted to match the new look and add to the brightening of the interior.
Read: Eco-Friendly Tiny House in The Woods Cost Under $14K
Sleeping Arrangements
One one end of the RV remodel is the master bedroom, on the other are triple bunk beds that their two sons and daughter sleep in. There are sliding doors on all rooms to maximize space while still allowing for some privacy.
Bedroom Before. Image Credit: Arrows&Bow
Bedroom After. Image Credit: Arrows&Bow
The Kitchen
The kitchen is reminiscent of ones you would see in a small city apartment: compact that uses space wisely. They have a ceramic tile backsplash and a countertop that the couple made out of an IKEA desktop, cut to fit the counters and the space. In the windowed corner of the RV, they have a beautiful dark wood table for the family to eat at.
Image Credit: Arrows&Bow
Read: ‘Right-sized’ prefab smart home now available to order
Clutter-Free Living
All the parents reading this probably have the same thought: sounds nice, but how on earth do they keep it from becoming a complete mess?
Keeping a small space tidy with three energetic kids isn’t easy, but Ashely and Dino have really cracked down on living a more minimalistic life. Essentially, the entire family has learned how to function and be happy living with less stuff.
“We just don’t buy a lot and if we do bring something in, we get rid of something,”
The family parked the RV remodel on the land they were building their new dream home on and lived the simple life until it was done.
If you are curious about their renovation process and what life is like living with a family of five in a 180 square foot RV, check out Ashley’s blog, Arrows & Bow.
Keep Reading: Tiny smart home looks like a space ship and can sleep a family of 4 — see inside
https://www.dwell.com/article/budget-rv-renovation-ad01380e


theheartysoul--2020-07-12--Open Zip Ties With a Broken Bobby Pin

Open Zip Ties With a Broken Bobby Pin

Have you ever gotten a package in the mail or brought something home from the store that is closed up with zip ties ?
Zip ties can be a pain to remove , even if you have a pair of scissors on hand .
If you don ’ t , getting them off becomes a near-impossible task .
Thankfully , there ’ s a very effective hack for undoing zip ties , and all you need is a bobby pin !
This simple method for removing zip ties was demonstrated in a Tik Tok video from maikocosplay .
The directions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bobby pin ( if you don ’ t typically wear them in your hair , they ’ re easy to carry around in a wallet or purse ) • Bend the flat end ( the one without the grooves ) back and forth until it breaks .
This will leave you with a broken end that is flat .
• Insert the broken , flat end into the zip tie and press down on the tongue that is gripping the tie in place .
• This will release the rest of the zip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free [ 1 ] .
Beth Skwarecki of Lifehacker.com has also tested a similar method using a paperclip and has confirmed that it works just as well .
This is a good alternative for those who don ’ t usually use bobby pins , and the benefit to this method is you don ’ t have to take the time breaking it , which can sometimes take several minutes [ 1 ] .
Read : 100-Year-Old Life Hacks That Are Surprisingly Useful Today Ten More Handy Uses for Bobby Pins Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pins is to hold their hair in place , and they are the popular choice for hair stylists giving updos for weddings , proms , and other fancy occasions .
There are , however , many other creative uses for these handy little pins .
Here are a few ways you can use them to make some everyday tasks easier : A nail holder .
If you clip a bobby pin to a nail , you can secure it while you hammer it in place without getting your fingers in the way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A toothpaste clip .
As you gradually use up your toothpaste , clip a bobby pin to the end to keep the end of the tube empty .
Slowly move the pin up to help you get every last squeeze out of the tube .
Pitting cherries and olives .
Push the ends of the pin into the fruit , making sure that they are on either side of the pit .
Push them until the end pops out the other side of the cherry or olive , then grab the ends to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you do it right , the pit will come right out with it .
Tape roll marker .
When you ’ re done using your clear tape , pin it so you can avoid the inevitable task of trying to find where the tape roll ends the next time you need it .
Zipper .
Next time you ’ re zipper breaks , thread the bobby pin through the bokeh part of the zipper to act as a stand-in until you can get it fixed .
Bag clipper .
Bobby pins work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-resealable bags , like the ones used for chips , closed .
Reset your electronics .
If you ’ ve ever had to reset one of your electronics , like your wireless modem , for example , you know how difficult it can be .
Bobby pins are the perfect size for fitting into those tiny holes .
Thread spool .
Wrapping a thread around a bobby pin makes a great makeshift spool , and is a good way to keep lots of thread together in a sewing basket .
Fitting a t-shirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gather up excess fabric and take a shirt from baggy to fitted without needing to sew .
Anti-clogging device .
Bobby pins work very well for getting into drains to dislodge hair or debris that ’ s clogging your shower or sink drain [ 2 ] .
Bobby pins are a great item to have around the house because they are useful in so many situations .
They are also cheap , and can be purchased at most dollar stores , drug stores , and even some grocery stores .
Pick yourself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have on hand the next time you need to untie some zip ties , reset your wifi modem , or unclog a drain .
Keep Reading : 10 Hacks to Keep Your Produce Fresh

Have you ever gotten a package in the mail or brought something home from the store that is closed up with zip ties? Zip ties can be a pain to remove, even if you have a pair of scissors on hand. If you don’t, getting them off becomes a near-impossible task. Thankfully, there’s a very effective hack for undoing zip ties. Here’s how to undo zip ties with a broken bobby pin.
How to Undo Zip Ties
This simple method for removing zip ties was demonstrated in a Tik Tok video from maikocosplay. The directions are as follows:
Acquire a bobby pin (if you don’t typically wear them in your hair, they’re easy to carry around in a wallet or purse)
Bend the flat end (the one without the grooves) back and forth until it breaks. This will leave you with a broken end that is flat.
Insert the broken, flat end into the zip tie and press down on the tongue that is gripping the tie in place.
This will release the rest of the zip tie, which can then be pulled free [1].
A handy household tip for those who need to get zip ties off of your bread, bags of apples, Doritos and other everyday things that one might need to remove zip ties from. pic.twitter.com/gHA0h839y2 — Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 3, 2020
Beth Skwarecki of Lifehacker.com has also tested a similar method using a paperclip and has confirmed that it works just as well. This is a good alternative for those who don’t usually use bobby pins, and the benefit to this method is you don’t have to take the time breaking it, which can sometimes take several minutes [1].
Read: 100-Year-Old Life Hacks That Are Surprisingly Useful Today
Ten More Handy Uses for Bobby Pins
Of course, the most common way people use bobby pins is to hold their hair in place, and they are the popular choice for hair stylists giving updos for weddings, proms, and other fancy occasions.
There are, however, many other creative uses for these handy little pins. Here are a few ways you can use them to make some everyday tasks easier:
A nail holder. If you clip a bobby pin to a nail, you can secure it while you hammer it in place without getting your fingers in the way, saving you a potentially painful experience.
A toothpaste clip. As you gradually use up your toothpaste, clip a bobby pin to the end to keep the end of the tube empty. Slowly move the pin up to help you get every last squeeze out of the tube.
Pitting cherries and olives. Push the ends of the pin into the fruit, making sure that they are on either side of the pit. Push them until the end pops out the other side of the cherry or olive, then grab the ends to pull it all the way through. If you do it right, the pit will come right out with it.
Tape roll marker. When you’re done using your clear tape, pin it so you can avoid the inevitable task of trying to find where the tape roll ends the next time you need it.
Zipper. Next time you’re zipper breaks, thread the bobby pin through the bokeh part of the zipper to act as a stand-in until you can get it fixed.
Bag clipper. Bobby pins work very well as a clip to keep non-resealable bags, like the ones used for chips, closed.
Reset your electronics. If you’ve ever had to reset one of your electronics, like your wireless modem, for example, you know how difficult it can be. Bobby pins are the perfect size for fitting into those tiny holes.
Thread spool. Wrapping a thread around a bobby pin makes a great makeshift spool, and is a good way to keep lots of thread together in a sewing basket.
Fitting a t-shirt. Bobby pins are a great way to gather up excess fabric and take a shirt from baggy to fitted without needing to sew.
Anti-clogging device. Bobby pins work very well for getting into drains to dislodge hair or debris that’s clogging your shower or sink drain [2].
A Cheap and Useful Tool
Bobby pins are a great item to have around the house because they are useful in so many situations. They are also cheap, and can be purchased at most dollar stores, drug stores, and even some grocery stores.
Pick yourself up a pack of bobby pins today to have on hand the next time you need to untie some zip ties, reset your wifi modem, or unclog a drain.


theheartysoul--2020-07-12--Seal Is Beaten Unconscious By Tourists So ‘Children Could Take Pictures With It’

For every heartwarming story you hear about people rescuing animals from terrible situations and nursing them back to health , it sometimes seems like there are dozens more about people taking advantage of vulnerable animals and mistreating them .
The latest sad story is one of a beaten seal on the shores of the Caspian Sea , who was left unconscious and thrown back into the ocean .
Images have circulated online of a group of men attacking a seal with sticks and boulders as it swam close to shore at a beach in the village of Kuryk , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The brutal attack continued for several minutes until the animal was unconscious , and was supposedly done so that it would cooperate with some children who wanted photos with it .
The witness said that once they were finished with the animal , they threw its motionless body back into the sea .
No one knows if the animal survived .
Read : Dogs are Born with Ears and Tails .
They Should Get to Keep Them .
This incident happened just days after another baby seal was pelted with stones and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aktau , just 43 miles from Kuryk .
Both attacks have been shared through various news outlets , inciting rage from the public and disapproval from authorities in Kazakhstan .
Saken Dildakhmet , a spokesperson for the Ministry of Ecology , Geology and Natural Resources described the way the people in the video acted as “ outrageous and wild ” , and is asking the public to respect nature .
According to local environment authorities , seals are naturally curious animals that will often approach humans , and they should be admired not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some reports of seals biting swimmers in the area who have had to go to the hospital to receive a rabies shot , which may be the impetus behind the recent seal attacks [ 1 ] .
Read : 12,000 lions being farmed in captivity to be shot dead by tourists in ‘ canned hunts ’ What You can do to Help Stop Animal Abuse Preventing animal cruelty is not just the job of lawmakers and activist groups- it takes all of us to stand up and speak out when we see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be difficult to discern if what you are seeing is animal cruelty .
The following are types of abuse to look out for : Neglect .
This is the failure to provide basic needs for an animal , and is the most common form of abuse .
Neglect could include hoarding , lack of shelter or veterinary care , or tethering and abandonment , among others .
Direct abuse .
This is much more obvious , and much more traumatizing to witness .
Direct abuse is beating or physically attacking an animal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , since violence toward animals often signifies a larger pattern of violence that can include people as well [ 2 ] .
If you witness animal abuse , the best thing you can do is contact your local animal control agency right away .
If you are unfamiliar with the organizations in your area , you can simply dial 9-1-1 .
If there are no proper animal welfare agencies in your area and the local law enforcement is not equipped to handle animal abuse cases , you can also contact the Humane Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you call , it is important to give them as much detail as possible , and include dates , times , specific details , footage and photographs if you have them .
As mentioned , neglect can often be difficult to spot .
Here are some warning signs that something might be wrong : Hoarding animals , is when someone is housing far more animals than they can properly care for .
If you think this may be happening , you should contact your local animal welfare authorities right away .
Untreated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an animal is being neglected , and not receiving proper veterinary care .
Emaciation , scabs , and hair loss can also be signs of untreated illness or disease .
If you see this , you should let the owner know of the condition if possible , and as always alert authorities as quickly as possible .
Inadequate shelter , particularly during times of extreme hot or cold weather , can be deadly for an animal .
If you see an animal in these conditions , be sure to document it right away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alert authorities as quickly as possible , since conditions can worsen quickly .
The same goes for animals left in cars in the heat .
In this case , time is crucial because animals can overheat in a matter of minutes depending on the conditions .
Read : This Dog Fell Out of a Car Window into Oncoming Traffic .
Keep Your Dog Safe With These Tips !
Chained animals can experience significant suffering , especially if they are left like that continuously .
Again , if you see this happening , try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities .
If you witness physical abuse , such as someone beating an animal , the best thing you can do is report it immediately to the authorities .
If you choose to get involved , it is important that you do so very carefully and avoid involving yourself physically , since not only could this compromise your own safety , but it could compromise the investigation into an animal abuse case .
Finally , if you are witness to or become aware of organized cruelty , such as dog fighting , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the Humane Society of the United States right away .
This activity is illegal across the entire country and is often linked to other criminal activity [ 2 ] .
Animal cruelty is shocking , senseless , and , for most of us , impossible to understand .
The sad truth is that this kind of behaviour happens every day around the world .
It is up to all of us to be vigilant and look out for animals who are more vulnerable to abuse , and to report instances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Keep Reading : Animal Abusers Will Now Be Registered Like Sex Offenders , This is the Punishment

For every heartwarming story you hear about people rescuing animals from terrible situations and nursing them back to health, it sometimes seems like there are dozens more about people taking advantage of vulnerable animals and mistreating them. The latest sad story is one of a beaten seal on the shores of the Caspian Sea, who was left unconscious and thrown back into the ocean.
A Beaten Seal for a Photo Op
Images have circulated online of a group of men attacking a seal with sticks and boulders as it swam close to shore at a beach in the village of Kuryk, on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea.
The brutal attack continued for several minutes until the animal was unconscious, and was supposedly done so that it would cooperate with some children who wanted photos with it.
“They beat the seal up until it passed out,” said an unnamed witness. “Then they pulled it out of the water so that children could take pictures and have fun” [1].
The witness said that once they were finished with the animal, they threw its motionless body back into the sea. No one knows if the animal survived.
Read: Dogs are Born with Ears and Tails. They Should Get to Keep Them.
Public Outcry
This incident happened just days after another baby seal was pelted with stones and rocks by tourists in the city of Aktau, just 43 miles from Kuryk.
Both attacks have been shared through various news outlets, inciting rage from the public and disapproval from authorities in Kazakhstan.
Saken Dildakhmet, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources described the way the people in the video acted as “outrageous and wild”, and is asking the public to respect nature.
“Such an attitude can cause a great damage to the fauna of the Caspian Sea and adversely affect the behaviour of these animals who may become aggressive and attack people” [1].
According to local environment authorities, seals are naturally curious animals that will often approach humans, and they should be admired not harmed. Unfortunately, there have been some reports of seals biting swimmers in the area who have had to go to the hospital to receive a rabies shot, which may be the impetus behind the recent seal attacks [1].
Read: 12,000 lions being farmed in captivity to be shot dead by tourists in ‘canned hunts’
What You can do to Help Stop Animal Abuse
Preventing animal cruelty is not just the job of lawmakers and activist groups- it takes all of us to stand up and speak out when we see it happening. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to discern if what you are seeing is animal cruelty. The following are types of abuse to look out for:
Neglect. This is the failure to provide basic needs for an animal, and is the most common form of abuse. Neglect could include hoarding, lack of shelter or veterinary care, or tethering and abandonment, among others.
Direct abuse. This is much more obvious, and much more traumatizing to witness. Direct abuse is beating or physically attacking an animal, and should be reported right away, since violence toward animals often signifies a larger pattern of violence that can include people as well [2].
If you witness animal abuse, the best thing you can do is contact your local animal control agency right away. If you are unfamiliar with the organizations in your area, you can simply dial 9-1-1. If there are no proper animal welfare agencies in your area and the local law enforcement is not equipped to handle animal abuse cases, you can also contact the Humane Society of the United States for help.
When you call, it is important to give them as much detail as possible, and include dates, times, specific details, footage and photographs if you have them. As mentioned, neglect can often be difficult to spot. Here are some warning signs that something might be wrong:
Hoarding animals, is when someone is housing far more animals than they can properly care for. If you think this may be happening, you should contact your local animal welfare authorities right away.
Untreated wounds are an important warning sign that an animal is being neglected, and not receiving proper veterinary care. Emaciation, scabs, and hair loss can also be signs of untreated illness or disease. If you see this, you should let the owner know of the condition if possible, and as always alert authorities as quickly as possible.
Inadequate shelter, particularly during times of extreme hot or cold weather, can be deadly for an animal. If you see an animal in these conditions, be sure to document it right away by taking photos or video, and alert authorities as quickly as possible, since conditions can worsen quickly.
The same goes for animals left in cars in the heat. In this case, time is crucial because animals can overheat in a matter of minutes depending on the conditions.
Chained animals can experience significant suffering, especially if they are left like that continuously. Again, if you see this happening, try to get some footage and alert the authorities.
If you witness physical abuse, such as someone beating an animal, the best thing you can do is report it immediately to the authorities. If you choose to get involved, it is important that you do so very carefully and avoid involving yourself physically, since not only could this compromise your own safety, but it could compromise the investigation into an animal abuse case.
Finally, if you are witness to or become aware of organized cruelty, such as dog fighting, you should report it to the local authorities as well as the Humane Society of the United States right away. This activity is illegal across the entire country and is often linked to other criminal activity [2].
Together Against Animal Abuse
Animal cruelty is shocking, senseless, and, for most of us, impossible to understand. The sad truth is that this kind of behaviour happens every day around the world. It is up to all of us to be vigilant and look out for animals who are more vulnerable to abuse, and to report instances of cruelty as soon as we see them.
Keep Reading: Animal Abusers Will Now Be Registered Like Sex Offenders, This is the Punishment


theheartysoul--2020-07-13--The Locust Plague in East Africa Is Sending Us a Message, And It’s Not Good News

The first half of 2020 has been a challenging one , and for many countries , it ’ s only getting started .
On top of the coronavirus pandemic , East Africa is now dealing with a massive locust plague that is threatening the economies of those countries along with the health and livelihoods of the people who live there .
If the Australia wildfires weren ’ t a strong enough sign that we are facing a global climate crisis , then this certainly is .
Weather patterns across the globe are changing rapidly , and this is being felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2019 , the eastern part of the continent saw one of the wettest years ever recorded , which provided the perfect breeding ground for locusts .
( 1 ) They are now swarming in the trillions , destroying crops from Kenya to Ethiopia and Yemen , even reaching all the way to Northern India .
These massive swarms are wreaking havoc on local economies and many in the region are concerned about famine and economic downturn as a result .
What ’ s more concerning , is why this is happening in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Dino Martins , an entomologist that works at the Mpala research center in Northern Kenya , there are four reasons why these ideal breeding conditions are forming ( 1 ) : As climate change continues and weather patterns change around the world , more and more rain will occur in this region , and the locusts will continue to thrive and reproduce .
The first of these incredible swarms , which numbered in the hundreds of billions , appeared late last year due to the unusually warm , wet conditions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged in the trillions .
A third-generation is expected this month , July 2020 , that will outnumber that still .
( 1 ) Read : A small city is devoting 1,000 acres of land to America ’ s vanishing bees Locusts , which look like regular grasshoppers , sometimes live a more solitary life .
During dry spells , however , they are forced into the small areas of land that still have vegetation left for them to feed on and live in .
They are suddenly crowded together , which releases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This serotonin surge does a couple of things ( 2 ) : When rain then returns to the region and allows vegetation to return , the locusts , who are crowded together , then reproduce more rapidly .
Due to reproduction , they are now even more crowded than they were before , shifting from a solitary life to what ’ s called a gregarious phase , or a group lifestyle .
( 2 ) The gregarious lifestyle produces a few changes to the locusts ( 2 ) : • Allows their brains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are typically always in motion , covering up to 80 miles or even more in a single day .
They can stay in the air for long periods of time without needing rest , allowing them to cross vast seas and other bodies of water .
( 2 ) They are called plagues because they completely devastate agricultural areas , leading to famine and poverty .
These have been occurring in parts of Africa and the Middle East since the beginning of time , only now they are getting worse .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight in crops in a single day .
While you may not think that sounds like much when you have a swarm of say 40 to 80 million locusts ( which can be 460 square miles in size ) can eat 423 million pounds of plants in one day .
( 2 ) According to the National Geographic , that ’ s the equivalent of a swarm the size of Paris eating the same amount of food in a day as half of the population of France .
( 2 ) Currently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plagues is by spraying the affected areas with pesticides .
As best they can , experts try to compare current weather patterns with historic records to pick out areas where swarms may develop and spray those before they happen .
The remoteness of the breadth of the area makes this difficult , however , as do the limited resources that many of these countries have at their disposal .
( 1 , 2 ) Rick Overson of Arizona State University ’ s Global Locust Initiative said recently in an interview with NPR that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only is their scope too small , but eventually we won ’ t be able to continue using them .
Pesticides , of course , are damaging both to human health and to the environment .
( 1 ) Pesticides do not just kill locusts , but also other important insect species such as bees .
These chemicals also eventually sink into the soil , end up leaching into crops and bodies of water , and work their way up the food chain to us .
( 1 , 2 ) Locust swarms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world .
Action against climate change needs to happen quickly to prevent future devastation from occurring .

The first half of 2020 has been a challenging one, and for many countries, it’s only getting started. On top of the coronavirus pandemic, East Africa is now dealing with a massive locust plague that is threatening the economies of those countries along with the health and livelihoods of the people who live there. If the Australia wildfires weren’t a strong enough sign that we are facing a global climate crisis, then this certainly is.
The East Africa Locust Plague 2020
Weather patterns across the globe are changing rapidly, and this is being felt heavily in many parts of Africa. In 2019, the eastern part of the continent saw one of the wettest years ever recorded, which provided the perfect breeding ground for locusts. (1)
They are now swarming in the trillions, destroying crops from Kenya to Ethiopia and Yemen, even reaching all the way to Northern India. These massive swarms are wreaking havoc on local economies and many in the region are concerned about famine and economic downturn as a result. What’s more concerning, is why this is happening in the first place. (1)
According to Dino Martins, an entomologist that works at the Mpala research center in Northern Kenya, there are four reasons why these ideal breeding conditions are forming (1):
Local environmental degradation
Overgrazing
Deforestation
Expansion of deserts
Essentially, human intervention that is causing climate change.
“There is a deeper message,” he told the Harvard Gazette, “and the message is that we are changing the environment.” (1)
As climate change continues and weather patterns change around the world, more and more rain will occur in this region, and the locusts will continue to thrive and reproduce.
The first of these incredible swarms, which numbered in the hundreds of billions, appeared late last year due to the unusually warm, wet conditions. This past April, a second wave emerged in the trillions. A third-generation is expected this month, July 2020, that will outnumber that still. (1)
Read: A small city is devoting 1,000 acres of land to America’s vanishing bees
What is a Locust Plague?
Locusts, which look like regular grasshoppers, sometimes live a more solitary life. During dry spells, however, they are forced into the small areas of land that still have vegetation left for them to feed on and live in. They are suddenly crowded together, which releases serotonin in their central nervous systems. This serotonin surge does a couple of things (2):
Makes the locusts more sociable
Promotes a more varied appetite
Promotes more rapid movements
When rain then returns to the region and allows vegetation to return, the locusts, who are crowded together, then reproduce more rapidly. Due to reproduction, they are now even more crowded than they were before, shifting from a solitary life to what’s called a gregarious phase, or a group lifestyle. (2)
The gregarious lifestyle produces a few changes to the locusts (2):
Their color and body shape
Increases endurance
Allows their brains to grow larger
They then create swarms that are typically always in motion, covering up to 80 miles or even more in a single day. They can stay in the air for long periods of time without needing rest, allowing them to cross vast seas and other bodies of water. (2)
Read: 1.5 million cicadas expected to emerge after 17 years underground
Locust Plagues
They are called plagues because they completely devastate agricultural areas, leading to famine and poverty. These have been occurring in parts of Africa and the Middle East since the beginning of time, only now they are getting worse. (2)
Each locust will eat its weight in crops in a single day. While you may not think that sounds like much when you have a swarm of say 40 to 80 million locusts (which can be 460 square miles in size) can eat 423 million pounds of plants in one day. (2)
According to the National Geographic, that’s the equivalent of a swarm the size of Paris eating the same amount of food in a day as half of the population of France. (2)
Read: World record lightning ‘megaflash’ in South America — 440 miles long — confirmed by scientists
Plague Prevention
Currently, the number one solution for controlling locust plagues is by spraying the affected areas with pesticides. As best they can, experts try to compare current weather patterns with historic records to pick out areas where swarms may develop and spray those before they happen. The remoteness of the breadth of the area makes this difficult, however, as do the limited resources that many of these countries have at their disposal. (1, 2)
Rick Overson of Arizona State University’s Global Locust Initiative said recently in an interview with NPR that these solutions are not enough. Not only is their scope too small, but eventually we won’t be able to continue using them. Pesticides, of course, are damaging both to human health and to the environment. (1)
Pesticides do not just kill locusts, but also other important insect species such as bees. These chemicals also eventually sink into the soil, end up leaching into crops and bodies of water, and work their way up the food chain to us. (1, 2)
“The drama and spectacle of the outbreak right now is important to cover, but the more nuanced narrative involves the slow, ratchet method of building infrastructure: If you wait until it’s reactive and forget about it until it happens again, we’re going to be in this situation forever.” he explained. (1)
Locust swarms are a major threat to food security around the world. Action against climate change needs to happen quickly to prevent future devastation from occurring.
Keep Reading: ‘This Scares Me,’ Arctic Hits 100.4°F—Hottest Temperature on Record