theheartysoul--2020-08-04--How to Grow Basil to Produce a Bountiful Harvest All Season Long

Sweet basil is a culinary herb that ’ s at the heart of Italian cuisine , and it ’ s also the base of most varieties of pesto .
There may be a discrepancy in how to pronounce it ( “ bay-sil ” or “ bah-sil ” ) but there ’ s no denying it ’ s delicious aroma .
Although sweet basil may be the most famous of its kind , there are many different cultivars .
Whichever variety you choose to grow , basil plants will keep on giving .
Unlike a crop of beets and radishes which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to produce for months if they are treated well .
Best of all , once you get the hang of it , basil is easy to grow .
Basil plants prefer warm weather although they can tolerate higher heat .
They require well-drained but moist soil .
Choose the area to plant them accordingly , whether you pick a spot in a garden or in a windowsill gardening bin .
The area should be able to get full access to open sunlight .
Wait for warm weather before planting the basil seeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just be a waste of seeds .
If you want to get the gardening started early , use a grow light and a heat mat to grow them indoors to ensure the soil temperature is warm enough before you transport the seedlings into the outdoor garden .
Water the basil plants regularly and deeply , and dress with compost or aged manure .
Basil plants vary in height but most grow to about one or two foot tall .
[ 1 ] These guidelines are applicable to indoor-grown basil , but they won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often since they usually won ’ t grow as quickly as outside in a sunny garden .
The best part of harvesting basil is that you can harvest leaves whenever you need to cook with them .
Ensure this happens often to prevent the plant from flowering .
Pruning the leaves regularly will allow the plant to generate more leaves that you can enjoy all summer long .
If you do see flower heads forming , pinch them off to prevent the plant from putting energy into producing seeds , instead of producing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using scissors to snip off the upper leaf clusters close to the set of leaves below it .
If you don ’ t have scissors , just pinch the basil off with your fingers .
New growth will sprout from the point of the cut , continuing to grow basil throughout the season .
Prune at least once a week or every two weeks .
If your plant is healthy , it will produce a lot of leaves and stems , so stock up on basil recipes , like Italian dishes or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you had a successful harvest , save some seeds to plant for next year .
Here ’ s how : Designate one basil plant as your seed producer .
Avoid pruning it and allow it flower until those flower heads turn into seeds .
Allow the seeds to brown while they are on the plant .
If the rainy weather threatens the seeds , clip them , and bring them indoors to dry out .
Pull the dry seed pods from the stem and remove the small black seeds from the pods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a paper envelope and store in a cool , dry environment until the warm weather arrives next year .
[ 3 ] Read : Use This Guide To Know When Fruit and Vegetables Are In Season To Save Money The Different Varieties of Basil There are numerous kinds of basil to plant depending on your taste preferences .
Here are a few to choose from : Sweet basil is the go-to variant .
If a recipe calls for just ‘ basil , ’ it ’ s referring to this kind .
The dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spicy taste .
Thai basil has a bold spicy flavor reminiscent of licorice .
The leaves are small and narrow alongside pretty purple blossoms .
Thai basil does well in high-temperature cooking , such as in stir-fries .
Holy basil got its name for being a sacred plant in Hinduism .
It ’ s in many Thai dishes like pad kra pao .
It ’ s bitter when raw , so ensure you cook it to enjoy it in recipes .
This version of basil is sweet with a strong lemony scent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish and chicken recipes .
Purple basil leaves are purple in color , as so named , with large leaves .
They have a strong clove aroma with less sweetness than other varieties .
It ’ s best used in salad , pesto , or other recipes with fresh basil since the leaves turn an unappetizing black shade when heated .
[ 4 ] Read : How to Prune Tomatoes for a Successful Harvest Basil is very versatile and works well in salads , wraps , sandwiches , pasta , and soups .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in pesto .
So check out this 5-Minute Classic Pesto Recipe or try out this recipe below if you prefer to swap the usual pine nuts with cashews .
• ¼ cup water ( you can add more for a thinner consistency ) • Pre-soak the cashew nuts in a bowl of warm water for 3-4 hours and strain the water through a sieve .
• Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender .
Process into a thick mixture , adding a little more water if the consistency is too thick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and add more to taste .
Store this creamy cashew pesto in an airtight jar or container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge .
Keep Reading : Gardening Experts Say You Should Always Plant Flowers in Your Vegetable Patch

Basil is a culinary herb that’s at the heart of Italian cuisine, and it’s also the base of most varieties of pesto. There may be a discrepancy in how to pronounce it (“bay-sil” or “bah-sil”) but there’s no denying it’s delicious aroma. Although sweet basil may be the most famous of its kind, there are many different cultivars. In this article, we’ll talk about how to grow basil for an awesome harvest all summer long.
Whichever variety you choose to grow, basil plants will keep on giving. Unlike a crop of beets and radishes which end after the harvest, basil will continue to produce for months if they are treated well. Best of all, basil is easy to grow once you get the hang of it.
What is Basil?
Basil is a fragrant, tender annual herb that produces large, flat, round leaves and spikes of flowers that numerous pollinators visit for food. Basil is a commonly used herb and is delicious on numerous dishes. A little more about Basil:
Latin name: Ocimum basilicum
Other names: Albahaca, Basilic, Basilic Commun, Basilic Grand, Basilic Grand Vert, Basilic Romain, Basilic aux Sauces, Basilici Herba, Basilici Herba, Common Basil, Garden Basil, Krishna Tulsi, Munjariki, Ocimum basilicum, St. Josephwort, Surasa, Sweet Basil, Vanatulasi, Varvara, Visva Tulsi.
Native to: India
Invasiveness: No
Tenderness: Annual
Sun: Full Sun
Water: 1 inch weekly
Soil: Nutrient-rich, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness zone: Zones 10-11, annual elsewhere
When to plant: 2 weeks after last spring frost
Spacing: 12-16 inches
Plant height: 6–12 in.
Bloom period: Summer
Time to maturity: 3-4 weeks
Container friendly: Yes
Fertilizer: 10-10-10 every 2-3 weeks
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Deer resistant: Yes
Pest resistant: No
How To Grow Basil
Basil plants prefer warm weather although they can tolerate higher heat. They require well-drained but moist soil, rich in nutrients and with a pH of 6-7. Choose the area to plant them accordingly, whether you pick a spot in a garden or in a windowsill gardening box. The area should be able to get full access to direct sunlight for a minimum of 8 hours daily.
Wait for warm weather before planting the basil seeds. Trying to jumpstart these plants will just be a waste of seeds. If you want to get the gardening started early, use a grow light and a heat mat to grow them indoors to ensure the soil temperature is warm enough before you transport the seedlings into the outdoor garden.
Water the basil plants regularly and deeply, and dress with compost or aged manure. Basil plants vary in height but most grow to about one or two feet tall.
When to Harvest Basil
These guidelines are applicable to indoor-grown basil, but they won’t need to be trimmed as often since they usually won’t grow as quickly as outside in a sunny garden.
The best part of harvesting basil is that you can harvest leaves whenever you need to cook with them. Ensure this happens often to prevent the plant from flowering. Pruning the leaves regularly will allow the plant to generate more leaves that you can enjoy all summer long.
If you do see flower heads forming, pinch them off to prevent the plant from putting energy into producing seeds, instead of producing more leaves.
Prune the basil by using scissors to snip off the upper leaf clusters close to the set of leaves below it. If you don’t have scissors, just pinch the basil off with your fingers. New growth will sprout from the point of the cut, continuing to grow basil throughout the season.
Prune at least once a week or every two weeks. If your plant is healthy, it will produce a lot of leaves and stems, so stock up on basil recipes!
Storing Fresh Basil
If you have a basil plant, my recommendation, in general, is to only harvest as much as you need and allow the plant to continue to grow. If you’ve purchased or been given some basil branches, that isn’t really an option! The simplest way to store fresh basil is to simply place the base of the stems in a glass of fresh water. Some sites recommend covering the basil stems with plastic, but I prefer a plastic-free kitchen and don’t see much of a difference between covered vs. uncovered. Basil should stay fresh for about a week using this method.
How To Dry Basil
As the growing season comes to a close, you’ll want to harvest all of your basil to prevent any of it from going to waste. Fresh basil will only keep for about a week, so drying basil becomes necessary if you want to preserve it long term. It’s a pretty simple process, here’s how to do it:
Wash your basil. You don’t want to accidentally include any insects or dirt during the drying process! Remove all leaves from their stems Preheat your oven to its lowest setting, preferably under 180 degrees Fahrenheit Spread your basil leaves on a baking sheet, making sure not to overlap them Bake your leaves for 2 hours and 30 minutes Alternatively, you can use a food dryer for this. Doing so will be more efficient and save energy and money.
Harvesting Basil Seeds
If you had a successful harvest, save some seeds to plant for next year. Here’s how: Designate one basil plant as your seed producer. Avoid pruning it and allow it to flower until those flower heads turn into seeds. Allow the seeds to brown while they are on the plant.
If the rainy weather threatens the seeds, clip them, and bring them indoors to dry out. Pull the dry seed pods from the stem and remove the small black seeds from the pods. Seal the fully dried seeds in a paper envelope and store in a cool, dry environment until the warm weather arrives next year.
The Different Varieties of Basil
There are numerous kinds of basil to plant depending on your taste preferences. Here are a few to choose from:
Sweet Basil
Sweet basil is the go-to variant. If a recipe calls for just ‘basil,’ it’s referring to this kind. The dark green leaves have a sweet but slightly spicy taste.
Thai Basil
Thai basil has a bold spicy flavor reminiscent of licorice. The leaves are small and narrow alongside pretty purple blossoms. Thai basil does well in high-temperature cooking, such as in stir-fries.
Holy Basil
Holy basil got its name for being a sacred plant in Hinduism. It’s in many Thai dishes like pad kra pao. It’s bitter when raw, so ensure you cook it to enjoy it in recipes.
Lemon Basil
This version of basil is sweet with a strong lemony scent. It goes well with grilled veggies or fish and chicken recipes.
Purple Basil
Purple basil leaves are purple in color, as so named, with large leaves. They have a strong clove aroma with less sweetness than other varieties. It’s best used in salad, pesto, or other recipes with fresh basil since the leaves turn an unappetizing black shade when heated.


theheartysoul--2020-08-04--Robin Williams’ Daughter Donated To Homeless Shelters In Honor Of His Birthday

On August 11th , 2014 , the whole world was saddened to learn that the great comedian Robin Williams had taken his own life .
Now every year on his birthday , his daughter Zelda donates to a charity in his memory .
This year for his 69th birthday , she decided to do just what her dad would have wanted : do something good while making a big joke about it .
This is what she did .
Zelda Williams Donates to Homeless Shelters on Her Father Robin William ’ s Birthday Hands up if the number 69 makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the very least roll your eyes outwardly and smile to yourself while everyone else has a good chuckle .
Knowing that her father wouldn ’ t have let his 69th birthday on July 21st go by without making a joke about it , she decided to put a little twist on her usual charitable donation tradition .
This year , she chose to donate $ 69.69 to as many homeless shelters as possible .
( 1 ) She then created a thread on that tweet announcing each shelter that she donated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 1 ) : Her decision was met with much praise and a whole lot of laughter .
Read : 11 Quotes From Robin Williams On Money , Life , Love , Sex , And Loneliness Iconic roles such as Genie in Disney ’ s Aladdin and his character of Mrs. Doubtfire landed Robin Williams fans from across the globe .
Many people responded by donating to organizations in his memory as alongside her .
Zelda was overwhelmed by the response and took to Twitter again the next day to thank everyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Her followers have praised her for carrying on her dad ’ s legacy of kindness and generosity , and many of the charities that received donations have commented as well , thanking her for the influx of donations received because of her original tweet .
( 1 ) You Can Still Donate Even though his birthday has passed , you can still donate .
After all , charities need our help every single day of the year .
You can donate as much or as little as you want or are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
Also , in honor of Robin Williams , don ’ t forget to keep laughing .
Keep Reading : Robin Williams ’ Daughter Finds Priceless Photos Of Her Dad During Isolation Cleaning

On August 11th, 2014, the whole world was saddened to learn that the great comedian Robin Williams had taken his own life. Now every year on his birthday, his daughter Zelda donates to a charity in his memory. This year for his 69th birthday, she decided to do just what her dad would have wanted: do something good while making a big joke about it. This is what she did.
Read: Mom begs for birthday cards for boy who has given up on life
Zelda Williams Donates to Homeless Shelters on Her Father Robin William’s Birthday
Hands up if the number 69 makes you laugh in most situations, or at the very least roll your eyes outwardly and smile to yourself while everyone else has a good chuckle.
Knowing that her father wouldn’t have let his 69th birthday on July 21st go by without making a joke about it, she decided to put a little twist on her usual charitable donation tradition. This year, she chose to donate $69.69 to as many homeless shelters as possible. (1)
“Today would’ve been Dad’s 69th birthday, so to honor him (& that glorious number), I will be donating $69.69 to as many local homeless shelters as I can. Join me if you like, but regardless, know I am wishing you all at least one hearty, immature belly laugh on Dad today.” she tweeted. (1)
She then created a thread on that tweet announcing each shelter that she donated to. Some of the shelters included were (1):
The Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Union Rescue Mission
PATH
GLIDE
The San Francisco LGBT Center
The Midnight Mission
Her decision was met with much praise and a whole lot of laughter.
Fans Joined Her Cause
Iconic roles such as Genie in Disney’s Aladdin and his character of Mrs. Doubtfire landed Robin Williams fans from across the globe. Many people responded by donating to organizations in his memory as alongside her. Zelda was overwhelmed by the response and took to Twitter again the next day to thank everyone who participated in her dad’s special day.
“Wanted to pop back to say I’ve gotten a ton of these. Charities are receiving $69.69 all over the world! The ripples of good you all spread is helping SO MANY! It’s more than just a ‘nice’ gesture… you’ve spread kindness like Dad spread laughter, & I am forever grateful.” she wrote. (1)
Wanted to pop back to say I’ve gotten a ton of these. Charities are receiving $69.69 all over the world! The ripples of good you all spread is helping SO MANY! It’s more than just a ‘nice’ gesture… you’ve spread kindness like Dad spread laughter, & I am forever grateful ♥ https://t.co/98kHxX9nIH — Zelda Williams (@zeldawilliams) July 22, 2020
Her followers have praised her for carrying on her dad’s legacy of kindness and generosity, and many of the charities that received donations have commented as well, thanking her for the influx of donations received because of her original tweet. (1)
You Can Still Donate
Even though his birthday has passed, you can still donate. After all, charities need our help every single day of the year. You can donate as much or as little as you want or are able because every bit goes a long way.
Also, in honor of Robin Williams, don’t forget to keep laughing.
Keep Reading: Robin Williams’ Daughter Finds Priceless Photos Of Her Dad During Isolation Cleaning


theheartysoul--2020-08-04--Easy Chocolate Pie with Gluten-free, Vegan, and Paleo Options

Over the past few years of working with health experts all over the world , there ’ s one major @ @ @ @ @ .
You don ’ t have to rely on expensive medications for the rest of @ @ @ @ @ problems can often be resolved with a good diet , exercise and a few powerful @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve gone through hundreds of scientific papers and ‘ superfood ’ claims and @ @ @ @ @ % that are : We then put this valuable information into the Superfood as Medicine @ @ @ @ @ guide on the 7 most powerful superfoods available , including : • DIY recipes to @ @ @ @

When people think of pie, their minds tend to veer to the fruit variety, but this Chocolate Pie will end that. This recipe is luscious, rich, and completely foolproof. Unlike French Silk Pie or Chocolate Chiffon Pie, this variation is simple, basic, and a classic that everyone loves. Best of all, the decadent chocolate filling can be paired with any topping you’d like, from whipped cream to fruit and berries, nuts, chocolate or caramel sauce, chocolate shavings, crushed cookies, you name it. It’s also perfect on its own as a simple slice of classic and delicious chocolate pie.
This recipe is great for the occasional indulgence. There should be no guilt over the occasional ‘unhealthy’ treat as long as it’s eaten in moderation. It can help prevent the unhealthy cycle of yo-yo dieting and all of the mental stress that brings. However, if you’d prefer a healthier approach or you have food allergies and restrictions, try our second option featured below. This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, has no refined sugar, with a vegan variation.
Whichever version you choose, you’re in a for a chocolate-y, scrumptious treat!
Easy Chocolate Pie
Ingredients
1 whole pie crust, baked and cooled (or can use Oreo or graham cracker crust)
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. salt
3 c. whole milk
4 whole egg yolks
6 1/2 oz. weight bittersweet chocolate, chopped finely
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. butter
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir or whisk together. Pour in the milk and egg yolks, and whisk together. Stir over medium heat until the mixture just barely comes to a boil and becomes thick, about roughly 6–8 minutes. The second it starts to bubble and become as thick as pudding, remove it from the heat. Add the chocolate, vanilla, and butter, and stir until everything is beautifully combined. Pour the pudding into the pie crust and place in the fridge to chill for 4 hours uncovered. Cut into slices and serve with whipped cream!
Read: 5 Zucchini Desserts That’ll Make Everyone Want to Eat Their Veggies
Healthy Vegan Chocolate Pie with a Homemade Crust
For the homemade crust:
2 1/2 cups almond flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1 egg (see notes for vegan version)*
For the filling
1 cup coconut cream
1 cup coconut oil
½ cup cacao powder
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
Coconut whipped cream for serving if desired (recipe below)
Directions:
To make the crust:
Add the almond flour and salt to a mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Stir in the maple syrup and coconut oil. Mix until it reaches a soft, sandy-like texture either with a fork or by hand. Add the egg (or water)* and mix until a soft dough comes together. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Press the dough into the pie dish to form the crust. The dough may feel a little oily at this point. Prick the crust several times with a fork.
To par-bake the crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Bake in center of oven until golden and firm, about 15–20 minutes. Cover up the crust with foil if it turns brown too quickly. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
To make the filling:
Place all the ingredient in a saucepan and heat over low heat and stir until combined. Transfer the mixture into a blender and blend 2–3 minutes on high. Pour the filing into the cooled crust and refrigerate for at least four hours. Decorate coconut whipped cream if desired (recipe below). Slice and serve.
Notes:
*For an egg-free crust, replace the egg with 2–3 tbsp of cold water. The crust will be a little crumblier without the egg binding.
Read: Carrot Cake Muffins Recipe With Cheesecake Fillings (GF, Vegan, Paleo Option)
Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
13.5 oz full-fat coconut milk
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:


theheartysoul--2020-08-04--Ex-Kindergarten teacher’s post about why she quit teaching goes viral for how real it is.

Teaching is one of the most difficult and yet most important jobs you can have .
Despite this , teachers are continuously underpaid , underappreciated , and lack the support they need from their school boards and the families of their students .
This former kindergarten teacher quit teaching for reasons that may surprise most people .
This is her story .
Jessica Gentry got into teaching because she loves kids and wanted to help make the world a better place .
The idea was never to quit teaching .
Not long into her career , however , she knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quitting , she put up a post on Facebook explaining why , which has now gone viral for how raw and honest her words were .
( 1 ) Gentry did not quit for the reasons that many people might like to believe , such as ( 1 ) : No , she quit for reasons that she knew would make many people uncomfortable if said out loud , but she knew it was important for them to be heard .
Read : Scotland becomes the first country in the world to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five overarching reasons why Gentry quit .
Each of these reasons are as complex as they are unfortunate , especially when it is ultimately the children , our future , who are the most affected .
In her post , she talks about how people like to put the blame on the kids for why teaching has become so difficult .
That , she said , is just simply not the truth .
According to her , kids are just kids , like they always have been .
It ’ s parenting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways that they are not equipped to dealing with .
She goes on to explain that kids are most likely to act out in environments where they feel the safest .
Kids who are well-behaved in the classroom are able to be that way because they have safety and stability at home .
For the children who don ’ t , which is a group increasing in size , school is their safe place .
Gentry says the school ’ s response to these challenges are to try to “ modernize ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means introducing more and more technology into the classrooms .
The problem with this , she writes , is that it ignores things like hands-on learning and relationship building , things kids need in order to grow into proper functioning adults .
She says that so much of the focus has been put on technology that even in interviews , employers care more about how good she is with technology than how she is with children .
3 .
The Insistence on More Training As things are becoming more and more chaotic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be affected , departments and school boards have determined that the teachers just need more training .
This is problematic for a couple of reasons : – It takes away multiple planning periods each week – Pulls teachers out of school and away from students during class time – Are all assessment based instead of about teaching Afterward , teachers must administer these new assessment tools with little to no help .
It takes weeks to have each child go through the assessment and takes away from actual instruction time , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk about how despite teachers and parents theoretically being on the same team , they are no longer partners .
The teacher is no longer right , and they are no longer able to effectively discipline and teach their students without complaints from the parents .
She explains how she has been yelled and cursed at by parents who are unable to attend a field trip because they never responded to the multiple notices going home asking for parent volunteers .
When the next trip came around and those parents did attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at their phone .
Lastly , Gentry explains that both her mental and physical health were suffering because of her job .
She loves her students and wanted so badly to be a positive influence in their lives and help them to succeed .
Ultimately , however , she knew that if she was not in a good place herself , her presence in the classroom would begin to have the opposite effect than what she desired .
Read : ‘ Adulting 101 ’ The High School Class That Teaches Real-World Survival Skills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one of many passionate educators who are beaten down and broken by the profession .
If changes aren ’ t made soon , our children will continue to suffer and lose great teachers like her .
If you ’ re a parent , support your child ’ s teacher .
Listen to what they have to say , and figure out how you can work with them for the betterment of your children .
If you ’ re a principal , school board member , or a member of the government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post and understand that she is not unique , this is not just one person ’ s opinion .
Our teachers need more support .
They need to be heard , they need to be helped , and they need to be championed .
Share this article with your friends and family if you agree .
The more people hear Gentry ’ s story , the higher chance there is for change .
Keep Reading : Educators Believe ‘ Parents Should Be Panicked ’ About Schools Opening Back Up In The Fall

Ex-Kindergarten teacher’s post about why she quit teaching goes viral for how real it is.
Teaching is one of the most difficult and yet most important jobs you can have. Despite this, teachers are continuously underpaid, underappreciated, and lack the support they need from their school boards and the families of their students. This former kindergarten teacher quit teaching for reasons that may surprise most people. This is her story.
Why This Ex-Kindergarten Teacher Quit Teaching
Jessica Gentry got into teaching because she loves kids and wanted to help make the world a better place. The idea was never to quit teaching. Not long into her career, however, she knew that she had to quit. After quitting, she put up a post on Facebook explaining why, which has now gone viral for how raw and honest her words were. (1)
Gentry did not quit for the reasons that many people might like to believe, such as (1):
Low pay
Lack of passion
Wanting a different career
No, she quit for reasons that she knew would make many people uncomfortable if said out loud, but she knew it was important for them to be heard.
“Some would allow them to assume that… let them be comfortable in their assumptions because your truth may lead to discomfort of others. Well… I’m not some. That ain’t me.” (1)
Read: Scotland becomes the first country in the world to add LGBTQI history to school curriculum
Five Main Reasons She Quit Teaching
There are five overarching reasons why Gentry quit. Each of these reasons are as complex as they are unfortunate, especially when it is ultimately the children, our future, who are the most affected.
1. “The Kids Have Changed”
In her post, she talks about how people like to put the blame on the kids for why teaching has become so difficult. That, she said, is just simply not the truth. According to her, kids are just kids, like they always have been. It’s parenting and society that is changing around them in ways that they are not equipped to dealing with.
“Parents are working crazy hours, consumed by their devices, leaving kids in unstable parenting/coparenting situations, terrible media influences… and we are going to give the excuse that the KIDS have changed? What did we expect them to do?” she writes. (1)
She goes on to explain that kids are most likely to act out in environments where they feel the safest. Kids who are well-behaved in the classroom are able to be that way because they have safety and stability at home. For the children who don’t, which is a group increasing in size, school is their safe place.
“The kids flipping tables at school?” she says. “They don’t have a safe place at home. Our classrooms are the first place they’ve ever heard ‘no’, been given boundaries, shown love through respect.” (1)
2. School’s Reliance on Technology
Gentry says the school’s response to these challenges are to try to “modernize” and keep up with society. This primarily means introducing more and more technology into the classrooms.
The problem with this, she writes, is that it ignores things like hands-on learning and relationship building, things kids need in order to grow into proper functioning adults.
“Kids already can’t read social cues and conduct themselves appropriately in social settings… let’s toss more devices at them because it looks good on our website.” (1)
She says that so much of the focus has been put on technology that even in interviews, employers care more about how good she is with technology than how she is with children.
3. The Insistence on More Training
As things are becoming more and more chaotic in the classroom and students’ learning continues to be affected, departments and school boards have determined that the teachers just need more training. This is problematic for a couple of reasons:
– It takes away multiple planning periods each week
– Pulls teachers out of school and away from students during class time
– Are all assessment based instead of about teaching
Afterward, teachers must administer these new assessment tools with little to no help. It takes weeks to have each child go through the assessment and takes away from actual instruction time, where the kids learn.
“Just this year, a new math assessment was introduced for K teachers. We had to attend a training on a school day (time missed with students) then it took us THREE WEEKS to administer it… one on one… to 21 students. Such. A. Waste. All of the info I could have told you about them without taking away from precious instructional time.” (1)
4. Customer Service Mindset
Gentry goes on to talk about how despite teachers and parents theoretically being on the same team, they are no longer partners. The teacher is no longer right, and they are no longer able to effectively discipline and teach their students without complaints from the parents.
“I’ve seen the Facebook rants about attendance and getting “the letter”. Well, here’s the thing… I can’t teach your child if he’s not in school,” she writes. “I’ve had parents stand me up multiple times on Conference Days then call to tattle on me when I refused to offer an after school option. I’ve had parents tell me that I’m not allowed to tell their child ‘no’” (1)
She explains how she has been yelled and cursed at by parents who are unable to attend a field trip because they never responded to the multiple notices going home asking for parent volunteers. When the next trip came around and those parents did attend, they spent the entire day looking at their phone.
5. Her Own Health
Lastly, Gentry explains that both her mental and physical health were suffering because of her job. She loves her students and wanted so badly to be a positive influence in their lives and help them to succeed. Ultimately, however, she knew that if she was not in a good place herself, her presence in the classroom would begin to have the opposite effect than what she desired.
“Watching them [the students] come in… dirty clothes… chaos at home… and knowing they need more than you can give them in a classroom of 21, with less and less support, multiple languages spoken, several different disabilities… it breaks you. We become emotional eaters. We become couch potatoes to zone out. We become so short-fused that our families suffer.” (1)
Read: ‘Adulting 101’ The High School Class That Teaches Real-World Survival Skills That’s Going Viral
The Bottom Line
Gentry is just one of many passionate educators who are beaten down and broken by the profession. If changes aren’t made soon, our children will continue to suffer and lose great teachers like her.
If you’re a parent, support your child’s teacher. Listen to what they have to say, and figure out how you can work with them for the betterment of your children.
If you’re a principal, school board member, or a member of the government, hear what Gentry has said in her post and understand that she is not unique, this is not just one person’s opinion. Our teachers need more support. They need to be heard, they need to be helped, and they need to be championed.
Share this article with your friends and family if you agree. The more people hear Gentry’s story, the higher chance there is for change.
https://www.someecards.com/news/news/ex-kindergarten-teacher-quit-viral/


theheartysoul--2020-08-04--Who Are Your Real Friends? Choose Quality Over Quantity

When we are younger , we tend to consider every playmate and classmate our friend .
Birthday parties in elementary school are large affairs with friends crowded around the table .
As we grow older , this crowd diminishes .
We begin to notice different kinds of friends , including those who are just casual acquaintances .
We end up losing friends .
Some friends we speak to once in a blue moon , perhaps when we chance upon each other at a party .
Although we talk about meeting up , we hardly ever do .
Some friends we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ’ re self-conscious when we spend time with them .
This is either because we are shy and we ’ ve yet to let our guard down , or they ’ ve have given us reasons in the past to keep our guard up .
Some friends we meet often and have many similar interests , but we keep the conversations about external things .
We enjoy their company but we never quite began discussing personal issues .
Then there are our true friends .
They know us better than we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people we call in a crisis and we can trust them to give us good feedback that ’ s honest but never scathing .
We also call them during good times , because we know that they will always be thrilled at our successes .
These friends bring a light to our life by existing in it .
Read : The Truth Is We Outgrow Those Who Don ’ t Know How To Love Us The difficulty of maintaining friendships as adults As we age , friendships become challenging .
The amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to drop the friendship ball .
Friends move countries , change careers , and pick an entirely different life path , some of which are impossible to follow .
Some nights , we suddenly recall a beloved friend from way back when and wonder what they are doing .
This may prompt us to reach out and sometimes the relationship is reborn and sometimes it isn ’ t .
But it makes us miss the friendships we had and makes us value the ones we have .
While we may grieve friendships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is often a blessing in disguise .
Although life is busy between jobs , kids , romantic relationships , health , and all the ways life is busy , good friends will set time aside for friendships .
Some people can ’ t be bothered .
[ 1 ] Friendship is a two-way street .
If one person is committed , but the other isn ’ t , it won ’ t last .
And the longer it does , the higher the chances that someone will be emotionally hurt .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend may become a hindrance to our growth and life goals .
Some people aren ’ t good for us , and we can try to fix the friendship by communicating and setting boundaries , but if these attempts fail , it ’ s better to leave the friend behind .
Let go of friends who are dragging you down Our priorities change as we grow older , and that ’ s not a bad thing .
Some friends may not be understanding of that and demand more time than we could give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mature , or perhaps they are in a different stage of life than yours and can ’ t relate .
As long as you are giving the friendship your all , you are doing your part .
You shouldn ’ t have to sacrifice yourself to be there for friends who expect you to be there for them at the drop of a hat .
On the flip side , if you are putting effort into a friendship and the other party doesn ’ t seem to reciprocate , let them be .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will contact you again and you will be able to discuss friendship expectations to avoid any future confusion and distress .
However , there ’ s a chance they might not reach back out .
This can be extremely painful and it ’ s ok to grieve as you let that friend go .
Once you do that , use your energy to develop healthier friendships .
[ 2 ] Better yet , use that energy to develop yourself .
“ You have to try to help people understand and accept you , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accept yourself enough that you believe you can make somebody else ’ s life brighter just by being in it , ” said Donald Miller , author of Scary Close : Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy .
[ 3 ] It ’ s hard to let a friend go , especially when there were years of memories with them .
Just know that if the friendship dies , the memories won ’ t .
You can still think fondly on those days and be grateful for how they impacted your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely .
Read : Some People Enter Our Lives Only To Teach Us Not To Be Like Them When it comes to friends , quality beats quantity We don ’ t need a dining table full of friends at our birthday parties anymore .
More often than not , if we tried to invite 20–30 people to a party , most won ’ t be able to show up .
But true friends you could count on being there .
Thirty friends who you can ’ t be yourself around don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two people who know you inside and out .
These are the people that will always have your back .
“ When it comes to friendship , we put quantity over quality , so it becomes a question of how many people will show up to your birthday party , ” said Sue Johnson , founder of the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy .
“ The real question is if you can open up and be vulnerable with a few of these folks .
Are you willing to tune in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ?
” [ 3 ] More often than not , having a ton of friends means we have no friends .
It ’ s better to focus our energies on the people that matter .
Keep Reading : Jada Pinkett Smith Says Friendship Is More Important Than Romance in a Marriage

When we are younger, we tend to consider every playmate and classmate our friend. Birthday parties in elementary school are large affairs with friends crowded around the table. As we grow older, this crowd diminishes. We begin to notice different kinds of friends, including those who are just casual acquaintances. We end up losing friends.
Some friends we speak to once in a blue moon, perhaps when we chance upon each other at a party. Although we talk about meeting up, we hardly ever do.
Some friends we can’t fully be ourselves around and we’re self-conscious when we spend time with them. This is either because we are shy and we’ve yet to let our guard down, or they’ve have given us reasons in the past to keep our guard up.
Some friends we meet often and have many similar interests, but we keep the conversations about external things. We enjoy their company but we never quite began discussing personal issues.
Then there are our true friends. They know us better than we know ourselves. They are the first people we call in a crisis and we can trust them to give us good feedback that’s honest but never scathing. We also call them during good times, because we know that they will always be thrilled at our successes. These friends bring a light to our life by existing in it.
Read: The Truth Is We Outgrow Those Who Don’t Know How To Love Us
The difficulty of maintaining friendships as adults
As we age, friendships become challenging. The amount of responsibilities we have to juggle sometimes forces us to drop the friendship ball. Friends move countries, change careers, and pick an entirely different life path, some of which are impossible to follow. Some nights, we suddenly recall a beloved friend from way back when and wonder what they are doing. This may prompt us to reach out and sometimes the relationship is reborn and sometimes it isn’t. But it makes us miss the friendships we had and makes us value the ones we have.
While we may grieve friendships that have fallen to the wayside, this is often a blessing in disguise. Although life is busy between jobs, kids, romantic relationships, health, and all the ways life is busy, good friends will set time aside for friendships. Some people can’t be bothered. [1]
Friendship is a two-way street. If one person is committed, but the other isn’t, it won’t last. And the longer it does, the higher the chances that someone will be emotionally hurt.
People change and what was once a good friend may become a hindrance to our growth and life goals. Some people aren’t good for us, and we can try to fix the friendship by communicating and setting boundaries, but if these attempts fail, it’s better to leave the friend behind.
Let go of friends who are dragging you down
Our priorities change as we grow older, and that’s not a bad thing. Some friends may not be understanding of that and demand more time than we could give. Often, they have yet to mature, or perhaps they are in a different stage of life than yours and can’t relate. As long as you are giving the friendship your all, you are doing your part. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice yourself to be there for friends who expect you to be there for them at the drop of a hat.
On the flip side, if you are putting effort into a friendship and the other party doesn’t seem to reciprocate, let them be. If they are true friends, they will contact you again and you will be able to discuss friendship expectations to avoid any future confusion and distress. However, there’s a chance they might not reach back out. This can be extremely painful and it’s ok to grieve as you let that friend go. Once you do that, use your energy to develop healthier friendships. [2] Better yet, use that energy to develop yourself.
“You have to try to help people understand and accept you, which conversely means you have to understand and accept yourself enough that you believe you can make somebody else’s life brighter just by being in it,” said Donald Miller, author of Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy. [3]
It’s hard to let a friend go, especially when there were years of memories with them. Just know that if the friendship dies, the memories won’t. You can still think fondly on those days and be grateful for how they impacted your life, even if you lose contact completely.
When it comes to friends, quality beats quantity
We don’t need a dining table full of friends at our birthday parties anymore. More often than not, if we tried to invite 20–30 people to a party, most won’t be able to show up. But true friends you could count on being there. Thirty friends who you can’t be yourself around don’t hold a candle to having one or two people who know you inside and out. These are the people that will always have your back.
“When it comes to friendship, we put quantity over quality, so it becomes a question of how many people will show up to your birthday party,” said Sue Johnson, founder of the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy. “The real question is if you can open up and be vulnerable with a few of these folks. Are you willing to tune in emotionally and respond if they reach for you?” [3]
More often than not, having a ton of friends means we have no friends. It’s better to focus our energies on the people that matter.


theheartysoul--2020-08-04--MIT Tests ‘Dream Incubation’ Device That Manipulates The Content of People’s Dreams

You have likely heard of lucid dreaming .
Perhaps you have even had a lucid dream yourself .
In case you are uncertain , a lucid dream is a dream in which the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming [ 1 ] .
Because the dreamer is aware that what they are experiencing is not reality , they can sometimes then control what happens in their dream .
Researchers from MIT have now taken the idea of lucid dreaming a step further .
In an Inception-style fashion , they have developed an experimental device and protocol to manipulate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are dreaming [ 2 ] .
By making participants recall specific cues that can trigger targeted dream themes and experiences , a research team at MIT has managed to control what happens in their dreams .
The team , which was led by neuroscientist Adam Haar Horowitz , took advantage of a state of consciousness known as hypnagogia , which is the fluid first stage of sleep .
This stage differs from REM sleep in that people can still hear and process audio as they transition between being awake and being asleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mind as “ tippy , loose , flexible , and divergent ” .
During this lucid state of mind , the researchers are able to induce “ targeted dream incubation ( TDI ) ” using a wearable device called Dormio , which is a sleep-tracking device that can alter dreams by tracking hypnagogia , then introduce cues based on incoming physiological data at precise times throughout the sleep cycle to enable them to direct the content of dreams [ 3 ] .
Read : Sleeping Next To Someone Who Snores Could Be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first pilot study was conducted in 2018 using six participants .
Since then , they have conducted a larger study with fifty participants that has replicated and extended the results of the initial study .
So how does the protocol work ?
In the larger experiment , participants fell asleep while wearing the Dormio device .
During this time , audio cues such as “ remember to think of a tree ” were played via an associated app .
The Dormio device tracks physiological data that signals when the person has fallen asleep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefly wakes them up and asks them to say what was going through their mind as they slept , and the app records their verbal dream report [ 2 ] .
This TDI process is continued during a series of repeated dreams , awakenings , and prompted recordings , all which , in theory , center around a state of directed hypnagogia [ 2 ] .
The goal of the study was to assess whether or not Dormio could successfully identify the sleep onset period and if researchers could manipulate dream content through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system is still being refined , the results show that Dormio can influence dreams to a significant extent .
When Dormio prompted the participants to think of a tree before and during hypnagogia , 67 percent of the dream reports collected by the app mentioned a tree .
One participant described their dream upon waking : A control group , on the other hand , showed almost no references to a tree .
The participants in this group were not prompted to think of a tree , only to observe their thoughts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Stroke by Up to 85 Percent : Study The team believes that Dormio and TDI protocols can shed light on the role of dreams in the overnight transformation of experiences into memories [ 4 ] .
This can then be used for a variety of learning techniques that involve sleep-based memory consolidation , or a tool to improve creativity and problem-solving .
He points to historical figures like Mary Shelley or Salvador Dalí , who both found creative inspiration from their dreams .
In addition , the nature of this new device @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreams easier for researchers and participants .
This work could lead to new innovations in commercial technologies to address sleep onset , sleep quality , sleep-based memory consolidation , and learning .
A number of other universities have begun their own studies related to Dormio , and the team is also leading collaborations with artists , using dreams to augment artistic creativity .
Keep Reading : 7 Surprising Reasons Your Dog Should Sleep On Your Bed Every Night

You have likely heard of lucid dreaming. Perhaps you have even had a lucid dream yourself. In case you are uncertain, a lucid dream is a dream in which the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming [1].
Because the dreamer is aware that what they are experiencing is not reality, they can sometimes then control what happens in their dream.
Researchers from MIT have now taken the idea of lucid dreaming a step further. In an Inception-style fashion, they have developed an experimental device and protocol to manipulate the content of people’s dreams while they are dreaming [2].
Dream Incubation
By making participants recall specific cues that can trigger targeted dream themes and experiences, a research team at MIT has managed to control what happens in their dreams.
The team, which was led by neuroscientist Adam Haar Horowitz, took advantage of a state of consciousness known as hypnagogia, which is the fluid first stage of sleep. This stage differs from REM sleep in that people can still hear and process audio as they transition between being awake and being asleep or vice-versa.
Horowitz describes that state of mind as “tippy, loose, flexible, and divergent”.
“It’s like turning the notch up high on mind-wandering and making it immersive — being pushed and pulled with new sensations like your body floating and falling, with your thoughts quickly snapping in and out of control.” [2]
During this lucid state of mind, the researchers are able to induce “targeted dream incubation (TDI)” using a wearable device called Dormio, which is a sleep-tracking device that can alter dreams by tracking hypnagogia, then introduce cues based on incoming physiological data at precise times throughout the sleep cycle to enable them to direct the content of dreams [3].
“Dormio takes dream research to a new level, interacting directly with an individual’s dreaming brain and manipulating the actual content of their dreams,” says Robert Stickgold, director of the Center for Sleep and Cognition at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School [3].
To Dream of a Tree
The team’s first pilot study was conducted in 2018 using six participants. Since then, they have conducted a larger study with fifty participants that has replicated and extended the results of the initial study.
So how does the protocol work? In the larger experiment, participants fell asleep while wearing the Dormio device. During this time, audio cues such as “remember to think of a tree” were played via an associated app.
The Dormio device tracks physiological data that signals when the person has fallen asleep. When this happens, the system briefly wakes them up and asks them to say what was going through their mind as they slept, and the app records their verbal dream report [2].
This TDI process is continued during a series of repeated dreams, awakenings, and prompted recordings, all which, in theory, center around a state of directed hypnagogia [2].
“Targeted dream incubation is a protocol for reactivating memories during sleep in a manner that leads to incorporation of the targeted memory, or related memories, into dream content,” the researchers explained [2].
The goal of the study was to assess whether or not Dormio could successfully identify the sleep onset period and if researchers could manipulate dream content through pre-sleep verbal prompts. While the prototype system is still being refined, the results show that Dormio can influence dreams to a significant extent.
When Dormio prompted the participants to think of a tree before and during hypnagogia, 67 percent of the dream reports collected by the app mentioned a tree. One participant described their dream upon waking:
“I was following the roots with someone and the roots were transporting me to different locations… I could hear the roots of the tree pulsating with energy as if they were leading me to some location.” [2]
A control group, on the other hand, showed almost no references to a tree. The participants in this group were not prompted to think of a tree, only to observe their thoughts.
Application of Dream Incubation
The team believes that Dormio and TDI protocols can shed light on the role of dreams in the overnight transformation of experiences into memories [4]. This can then be used for a variety of learning techniques that involve sleep-based memory consolidation, or a tool to improve creativity and problem-solving.
“Dreaming about a specific theme seems to offer benefits post-sleep, such as on creativity tasks related to this theme,” Haar Horowitz says.
He points to historical figures like Mary Shelley or Salvador Dalí, who both found creative inspiration from their dreams.
“The difference here is that we induce these creatively beneficial dreams on purpose, in a targeted manner.” [2]
In addition, the nature of this new device and protocol will make studying sleep and dreams easier for researchers and participants.
“Most sleep and dream studies have so far been limited to university sleep labs and have been very expensive, as well as cumbersome, for both researchers and participants,” says professor of media arts and sciences Pattie Maes. “Our research group is excited to be pioneering new, compact, and cheap technologies for studying sleep and interfacing with dreams, thereby opening up opportunities for more studies to happen and for these experiments to take place in natural settings.” [3]
This work could lead to new innovations in commercial technologies to address sleep onset, sleep quality, sleep-based memory consolidation, and learning.
A number of other universities have begun their own studies related to Dormio, and the team is also leading collaborations with artists, using dreams to augment artistic creativity.
Keep Reading: 7 Surprising Reasons Your Dog Should Sleep On Your Bed Every Night


theheartysoul--2020-08-04--Artist Starts a Colorful Wedding Dress Business After Her “Fire” Wedding Dress Goes Viral

Art is all about self- discovery and the way it ’ s expressed is strictly up to the individual .
Every artist has a unique story to tell , and what ’ s better than one inspired by love ?
Taylor Ann Linko had been working hard at her big break for many years .
Ever since she was a little kid in elementary school , all she wanted was to be a famous artist recognized for awesome creations .
Her art revolves around colorful paintings , and she spent a lot of time as a kid decorating fruit baskets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s friends .
She later went on to face painting and other artistic interests , most of which were stepping stones her true dream [ 1 ] .
The wedding that changed her life Taylor had always been a color freak , a lover of paint and decoration , not surprisingly white-colored items weren ’ t common in her closet .
Here desire to pain white surfaces is strong , and clothes weren ’ t excluded .
One week to her wedding , she was banned from touching any paint to avoid getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that although she ’ s a shy person , art is her way of expressing herself without restrictions .
For her wedding dress , she took a while shopping for the perfect one until she found a lovely “ Savoy ’ s Bellezza ” .
However , it was too… white .
Just all white .
No color , no flair , and no artsy feels .
Just a plain white dress that didn ’ t put any sparks in her heart .
Of course , she decided to color it .
Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artsy , colorful , and yet reserved personality .
She ’ d spent her entire life adding color to whatever she touched , and her wedding wasn ’ t going to be excluded .
She chose colors that meant something to her heart .
“ Purple is my all-time favorite so that was a must .
Blue is Chris ’ s favorite color .
( Husband ) .
Yellow was my Grandfathers favorite color , I wanted to include it to remember him and honor him at the wedding , he was like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a face painter then and had this wonderful color combo I used for sunsets , starting with yellow and then orange , red , maroon , purple , blue it was perfect combo .
All the colors I wanted in a harmonious way that reflected a sunset , ” Taylor wrote .
After trying several techniques , she decided to paint her dress with an airbrush .
It was a lot of work , and she even got dip-dye all over herself at some point , but she completed it one week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stunning masterpiece that appeared as though she had set colorful fire to the bottom .
Perfection .
Taylor went on to color her hair in the same tones as the dress and appeared at her wedding , at the Pine Rose Cabins in California , looking like a stunning goddess !
Read : Sashiko stitching : An Ancient Japanese Sewing Art that Allows You to Visibly Mend Your Clothes and Turn Them into Style Taylor ’ s wedding had been covered by photographer James Tang who did an amazing job with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knot , Taylor ’ s photos suddenly went viral and she began receiving belated congratulations and dress inquiries from all over the world .
Photos of her wedding dress had been featured on a UK blog and they went viral afterward .
Although she wasn ’ t credited , people sought her out and got in touch across all platforms .
Her dress was a beauty to behold and thousands of women wanted their wedding dresses colored as well .
Taylor was finally presented with a business idea that has been a success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studio and started her business painting wedding dresses .
Finally , she was living her dream .
Keep Reading : Designing an end to a toxic obsession : The Lawn

Art is all about self- discovery and the way it’s expressed is strictly up to the individual. Every artist has a unique story to tell, and what’s better than one inspired by love?
Taylor Ann Linko had been working hard at her big break for many years. Ever since she was a little kid in elementary school, all she wanted was to be a famous artist recognized for awesome creations. Her art revolves around colorful paintings, and she spent a lot of time as a kid decorating fruit baskets and selling them to her mom’s friends. She later went on to face painting and other artistic interests, most of which were stepping stones her true dream [1].
The wedding that changed her life
Taylor had always been a color freak, a lover of paint and decoration, not surprisingly white-colored items weren’t common in her closet. Here desire to pain white surfaces is strong, and clothes weren’t excluded. One week to her wedding, she was banned from touching any paint to avoid getting it on her skin.
“When I said I was going to paint my wedding dress, I was surprised no one tried to steal all my paint and hide it until after the big day. Trust me there were some really concerned people! But white is not allowed in my closet………so I had to ;),” she wrote on her website.
Taylor writes that although she’s a shy person, art is her way of expressing herself without restrictions.
“Just so happens, my heart is filled with Art. Painting, Sculpting, Sewing, Drawing, Makeup….& that tends to show though, from doodles on my arm to paint on my wedding dress,” she wrote.
For her wedding dress, she took a while shopping for the perfect one until she found a lovely “Savoy’s Bellezza”. However, it was too… white. Just all white. No color, no flair, and no artsy feels. Just a plain white dress that didn’t put any sparks in her heart.
Of course, she decided to color it.
“When anyone heard what I was doing to my dress this expression just stuck to their face of worry and shock without a single word to say in reply. My poor Mom, she bought me the dress and was helping me cut out the colorful lace appliques she thought were going on the dress when I had a risky change of plans,” she wrote.
Read: Startup Re-Engineers Spoiled Milk Into Biodegradable Clothing
Lighting up the love…
Taylor wanted a dress that would showcase her artsy, colorful, and yet reserved personality. She’d spent her entire life adding color to whatever she touched, and her wedding wasn’t going to be excluded.
She chose colors that meant something to her heart.
“Purple is my all-time favorite so that was a must. Blue is Chris’s favorite color. (Husband). Yellow was my Grandfathers favorite color, I wanted to include it to remember him and honor him at the wedding, he was like a Dad to me. I worked as a face painter then and had this wonderful color combo I used for sunsets, starting with yellow and then orange, red, maroon, purple, blue it was perfect combo. All the colors I wanted in a harmonious way that reflected a sunset,” Taylor wrote.
After trying several techniques, she decided to paint her dress with an airbrush. It was a lot of work, and she even got dip-dye all over herself at some point, but she completed it one week out from the wedding. It was a stunning masterpiece that appeared as though she had set colorful fire to the bottom. Perfection.
Taylor went on to color her hair in the same tones as the dress and appeared at her wedding, at the Pine Rose Cabins in California, looking like a stunning goddess!
Read: Sashiko stitching: An Ancient Japanese Sewing Art that Allows You to Visibly Mend Your Clothes and Turn Them into Style
A dream was born
Taylor’s wedding had been covered by photographer James Tang who did an amazing job with the pictures. Months after she tied the knot, Taylor’s photos suddenly went viral and she began receiving belated congratulations and dress inquiries from all over the world.
Photos of her wedding dress had been featured on a UK blog and they went viral afterward. Although she wasn’t credited, people sought her out and got in touch across all platforms. Her dress was a beauty to behold and thousands of women wanted their wedding dresses colored as well.
Taylor was finally presented with a business idea that has been a success ever since!
“The art of painting wedding dresses started when my dress went viral. I’ve always been a very colorful artist. So I got to experimenting and brainstorming how to incorporate my passion for art and color into my wedding,” she told Bored Panda.
She rented a small studio and started her business painting wedding dresses. Finally, she was living her dream.
Photo Credits: Taylorannart, Jamesphotography
Other dresses by Taylor:


theheartysoul--2020-08-06--Pro boxer Manny Pacquiao wins $1.5 million, uses it to build 1,000 homes for the poor

Most people who have enough money to do so will donate to charitable causes here and there .
Few do what one of the world ’ s greatest boxers of all time has done .
Manny Pacquiao builds homes for the poor with the money from his winnings , bringing hope to an entire community .
Back in 2016 , using the $ 1.5 million he earned after his big fight against Floyd Mayweather , Manny Pacquiao built 1000 homes for people living in poverty in the Philippines .
( 1 , 2 ) What would propel him to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Simple : he knows how these people are feeling because he used to live just like them .
Pacquiao and his six siblings were raised only by their mom and grew up as poor as you can imagine .
They lived in a cardboard shack in the Sarangani province of the Philippines where some days all they had was water to drink .
( 1 ) He left home as a young teenager in an attempt to support his family .
He lived on the streets of Manila while he tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be one of the greatest boxers of all-time , he is using his wealth and fame to support the people who need it the most .
( 1 , 2 ) Now , he is not just a fighting champion , but he is also a senator in the Philippines .
He enjoys his sport and entertaining people , however , his work in the senate empowers him to make the lives of the citizens of his home country better .
He spent over $ 2 million purchasing land and building homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and homeless , knowing that giving back is not just something he can do , but something he should .
( 1 , 2 ) Not His First Charitable Work This huge project is not Pacquiao ’ s first time giving back to the less fortunate .
He is known for giving away money and food regularly to the Philippino people .
Of course , Manny Pacquiao isn ’ t the only celebrity with a big heart to match the size of their wallet .
Other celebrities have also donated plenty to charitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used their power , influence , and money to help those in need .
• Amal and George Clooney : All of the money that Hello Magazine paid for their wedding photos was donated to a variety of charitable organizations .
They also started the Clooney Foundation for Justice , where they have helped to put over 3000 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon through school .
( 3 ) • Rory Mcllroy : The golfer from Northern Ireland donated $ 1.24 million in 2015 , including all of his winnings from the Dubai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has continued to donate millions and has founded the Rory Foundation which regularly donates to kids ’ charities .
( 3 ) • Taylor Swift : This singer-songwriter has donated millions of dollars to music education , Tennessee wildfire relief , Louisiana flood victims and food banks , and elephant conservation funds .
( 3 ) She is also known for helping out her fans and even once tipped a waitress $ 500 on an $ 800 bill .
( 4 ) • George Lucas : The famous Star Wars director sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2012 for $ 3.71 billion .
Rather than keep it for himself , however , he donated the entire sum to charity .
( 3 ) • John Cena : This tough-looking WWE fighter has granted over 500 wishes with the Make A Wish Foundation and is a big supporter of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer charity .
( 3 ) • J.K. Rowling : The first-ever author to land a spot on Forbes list of billionaires promptly took herself off the list by donating $ 166 million to charity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ few examples of celebrities using their wealth to help those in need .
We can only hope that other wealthy people will follow their example and work to improve the lives of people all over the world with the wealth that they have been blessed with .

Most people who have enough money to do so will donate to charitable causes here and there. Few do what one of the world’s greatest boxers of all time has done. Manny Pacquiao builds homes for the poor with the money from his winnings, bringing hope to an entire community.
Manny Pacquiao Builds Homes for the Poor
Back in 2016, using the $1.5 million he earned after his big fight against Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao built 1000 homes for people living in poverty in the Philippines. (1, 2) What would propel him to use the money in such a selfless manner? Simple: he knows how these people are feeling because he used to live just like them.
From Poverty to Boxing Champion
Pacquiao and his six siblings were raised only by their mom and grew up as poor as you can imagine. They lived in a cardboard shack in the Sarangani province of the Philippines where some days all they had was water to drink. (1)
He left home as a young teenager in an attempt to support his family. He lived on the streets of Manila while he tried to earn a living boxing. Now known to be one of the greatest boxers of all-time, he is using his wealth and fame to support the people who need it the most. (1, 2)
“I feel what they’re feeling because I’ve been there,” he told USA TODAY Sports in the past. “I’ve slept in the street. That was my life before. So hard. That’s why I feel what they’re feeling right now.” (1)
Now, he is not just a fighting champion, but he is also a senator in the Philippines. He enjoys his sport and entertaining people, however, his work in the senate empowers him to make the lives of the citizens of his home country better.
“In the Senate, the fight is for improving the quality of life of the Philippine citizens. Being a senator is inspiring work.” (1)
He spent over $2 million purchasing land and building homes that he gave away to the poor and homeless, knowing that giving back is not just something he can do, but something he should. (1, 2)
“As I went around my country, I realized there were so many people who need help, who look up to me for inspiration,” he said. “And because of their trust and confidence, I now represent my people’s interests as a senator.” (2)
Not His First Charitable Work
This huge project is not Pacquiao’s first time giving back to the less fortunate. He is known for giving away money and food regularly to the Philippino people.
“He sits in front of his house giving money away to people; they go for blocks. I’ve seen it. Food and money. Food and money. He believes that’s part of the higher purpose, because once he gives it away, he believes God will replenish it.” his promoter Bob Arum said back in 2010. (1)
Of course, Manny Pacquiao isn’t the only celebrity with a big heart to match the size of their wallet. Other celebrities have also donated plenty to charitable causes.
Charitable Celebrities
Each of these celebrities has used their power, influence, and money to help those in need.
Amal and George Clooney : All of the money that Hello Magazine paid for their wedding photos was donated to a variety of charitable organizations. They also started the Clooney Foundation for Justice, where they have helped to put over 3000 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon through school. (3)
: All of the money that Hello Magazine paid for their wedding photos was donated to a variety of charitable organizations. They also started the Clooney Foundation for Justice, where they have helped to put over 3000 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon through school. (3) Rory Mcllroy: The golfer from Northern Ireland donated $1.24 million in 2015, including all of his winnings from the Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open, to charity. He has continued to donate millions and has founded the Rory Foundation which regularly donates to kids’ charities. (3)
The golfer from Northern Ireland donated $1.24 million in 2015, including all of his winnings from the Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open, to charity. He has continued to donate millions and has founded the Rory Foundation which regularly donates to kids’ charities. (3) Taylor Swift: This singer-songwriter has donated millions of dollars to music education, Tennessee wildfire relief, Louisiana flood victims and food banks, and elephant conservation funds. (3) She is also known for helping out her fans and even once tipped a waitress $500 on an $800 bill. (4)
This singer-songwriter has donated millions of dollars to music education, Tennessee wildfire relief, Louisiana flood victims and food banks, and elephant conservation funds. (3) She is also known for helping out her fans and even once tipped a waitress $500 on an $800 bill. (4) George Lucas: The famous Star Wars director sold his company, Lucasfilm, to Disney in 2012 for $3.71 billion. Rather than keep it for himself, however, he donated the entire sum to charity. (3)
The famous Star Wars director sold his company, Lucasfilm, to Disney in 2012 for $3.71 billion. Rather than keep it for himself, however, he donated the entire sum to charity. (3) John Cena: This tough-looking WWE fighter has granted over 500 wishes with the Make A Wish Foundation and is a big supporter of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer charity. (3)
This tough-looking WWE fighter has granted over 500 wishes with the Make A Wish Foundation and is a big supporter of the Susan G. Komen breast cancer charity. (3) J.K. Rowling: The first-ever author to land a spot on Forbes list of billionaires promptly took herself off the list by donating $166 million to charity. (3)
These are just a few examples of celebrities using their wealth to help those in need. We can only hope that other wealthy people will follow their example and work to improve the lives of people all over the world with the wealth that they have been blessed with.


theheartysoul--2020-08-06--This Man Once Set a World Record with a 3-Story Tomato Plant Yielding 400 Pounds of Tomatoes. Here a

This Man Once Set a World Record with a 3-Story Tomato Plant Yielding 400 Pounds of Tomatoes. Here are his tips

If I told you it is possible to grow three-story high tomato plants that are GMO and chemical-free , would you believe me ?
This Alabama man ’ s giant tomato plants are legendary in the state and they are completely organic .
This is how he grew them .
Charles Wilbur set a Guinness World Record in 1985 with his 28-foot-tall giant tomato plant carrying almost 400 pounds of tomatoes .
His record has stood until 1999 , with the plants bearing cherry tomatoes that weigh in at around 2.5 pounds each .
( 1 , 2 ) The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 ) He had four of these giant tomato plants that brought in almost 1400 pounds of tomatoes in just one growing season .
( 1 , 2 ) So how did he grow these plants to be so large and produce so much using entirely organic methods ?
The secret is out in Charle ’ s book How to Grow World Record Tomatoes .
Though his book is worth the read and goes into far greater depth about how he grew such monstrous plants , we ’ ve collected a few of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your feet wet with .
Suckers take energy to grow , just as the rest of the plant does .
If you allow them to grow , they will take up valuable resources from the rest of the plant so that it can ’ t grow as tall or produce as many tomatoes .
( 2 ) They usually grow in the corner between the leaf and stem , where you want to pinch them off to remove them .
Just make sure that you are not pinching off the fruit clusters that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will be removing what should be your future tomatoes .
( 2 ) Charles advises to pinch suckers off with your fingers or tweezers instead of cutting them for easier plant healing , and to never let them grow beyond 1.5 inches .
The longer they are when you remove them , the more traumatic the wound will be to the plant when you remove them .
( 2 ) If you want your tomato plants to grow nice and tall , they will need something to grow on and support them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to find cages tall enough to suit your needs , so instead you ’ ll have to do what Charles did : stack them on top of one another .
( 2 ) He recommends using soft , 3-ply string to tie branches loosely to wires outside of the cages as they grow .
This will allow for easier picking later .
( 2 ) Read : This is How to Correctly Plant Tomatoes to Grow 5–8 ft Plants He creates what he calls “ super compost ” .
This consists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is then put in an air-tight container to preserve the most nitrogen possible .
This is called anaerobic composting and preserves up to 90 % of the nitrogen produced as the contents break down .
( 1 ) It ’ s best to set the compost in a sunny area so that it reaches 160°F .
This will kill off diseases and any weeds seeds that may harm the tomato plants .
( 1 ) Just as the cleanliness and chemical-levels in water can affect human health , so can it affect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ) Charle ’ s recommends using pond water over the chlorinated and treated water that comes out of most of our taps .
When watering , he says to cover a wide circumference around your plants .
This is because the roots grow horizontally and extend much further than you might assume , reaching lengths of several feet long .
( 1 ) When you are choosing to grow entirely organic plants , protecting them from weeds without using herbicides can be quite challenging .
This is where ground cover can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles used tightly packed bales of hay , however , non-invasive perennials that don ’ t grow very tall , such as clover , could work beautifully here as well .
( 1 ) Do you think you have the tomato growing skills to finally break Charle ’ s 35-year-old record ?
Perhaps using his book you just might .
Keep Reading : How to Grow Basil to Produce a Bountiful Harvest All Season Long

If I told you it is possible to grow three-story high tomato plants that aren’t some Frankenstein lab experient, would you believe me? This Alabama man’s giant tomato plants are legendary in the state and they are completely organic. This is how he grew them.
The Giant Tomato Plant Legend
Charles Wilber set a Guinness World Record in 1985 with his 28-foot-tall giant tomato plant carrying almost 400 pounds of tomatoes. His record has stood until 1999, with the plants bearing cherry tomatoes that weigh in at around 2.5 pounds each. (1, 2) The Guinness record is 65 feet! (3)
He had four of these giant tomato plants that brought in almost 1400 pounds of tomatoes in just one growing season. So how did he grow these plants to be so large and produce so much using entirely organic methods? The secret is out in Charle’s book How to Grow World Record Tomatoes.
Charles Wilber with his giant tomato plants. Image via AcresUSA
5 Tips for Growing Tomatoes
Though his book is worth the read and goes into far greater depth about how he grew such monstrous plants, we’ve collected a few of his secrets here for you to get your feet wet with.
1. Pinch Suckers
“Suckers, if allowed to grow, become full-fledged stems, which in turn will send off more suckers, forking again and again,” he says in his book. “If these suckers are pinched off, the stem can be trained to grow straight up the cage.”
Suckers take energy to grow, just as the rest of the plant does. If you allow them to grow, they will take up valuable resources from the rest of the plant so that it can’t grow as tall or produce as many tomatoes. (2)
They usually grow in the corner between the leaf and stem, where you want to pinch them off to remove them. Just make sure that you are not pinching off the fruit clusters that grow directly off the stem, or you will be removing what should be your future tomatoes.
Charles advises to pinch suckers off with your fingers or tweezers instead of cutting them for easier plant healing, and to never let them grow beyond 1.5 inches. The longer they are when you remove them, the more traumatic the wound will be to the plant when you remove them.
2. Build Tall Cages
If you want your tomato plants to grow nice and tall, they will need something to grow on and support them. You most likely won’t be able to find cages tall enough to suit your needs, so instead you’ll have to do what Charles did: stack them on top of one another.
“The plant can climb to the top of the cage and then spill over and come back down, or a second cage can be set atop the first,” he writes.
He recommends using soft, 3-ply string to tie branches loosely to wires outside of the cages as they grow. This will allow for easier picking later.
Tomato grower showing off what he achieved using Wilber’s moethods
3. Use Compost
He creates what he calls “super compost”. This consists of :
Hay
Grass
Weeds
Kitchen scraps
Fresh manure
This mixture is then put in an air-tight container to preserve the most nitrogen possible. This is called anaerobic composting and preserves up to 90% of the nitrogen produced as the contents break down.
It’s best to set the compost in a sunny area so that it reaches 160°F. This will kill off diseases and any weeds seeds that may harm the tomato plants.
Read: Green-Thumbed Man Grows Plants Worth $15,000 Per Leaf, Inspired by Grandmother’s Love
4. Water Type
Just as the cleanliness and chemical levels in water can affect human health, so can it affect the health of your tomato plants.
Charles recommends using pond water over the chlorinated and treated water that comes out of most of our taps. When watering, he says to cover a wide circumference around your plants. This is because the roots grow horizontally and extend much further than you might assume, reaching lengths of several feet long.
5. Weed Protection
When you are choosing to grow entirely organic plants, protecting them from weeds without using herbicides can be quite challenging. This is where ground cover can make a big difference.
Charles used tightly packed bales of hay, however, non-invasive perennials that don’t grow very tall, such as clover, could work beautifully here as well.
Do you think you have the tomato growing skills to finally break Charle’s 35-year-old record? If not, he has a book that tells all.
Happy giant tomato growing!
Image via Thirftbooks
Keep Reading: Rose Succulents: The Rare Plants That Could Have Come Straight Out Of a Fairytale
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-08-06--Engineers Have Found a Way to Make More Durable Roads Out of Old Tires And Rubble

About half of the waste produced worldwide every year can be attributed to construction , demolition , and renovation , and there are about one billion tires that are thrown away annually around the world [ 1 ] .
Experts , governments , and organizations are looking for ways to cut down on this waste by moving toward what is known as a circular economy : an economic system of closed loops in which raw materials , components , and products lose their value as little as possible , renewable energy sources are used and systems thinking is at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materials is the ideal way to cut down on waste while also lessening our reliance on new or “ virgin ” materials .
Engineers in Australia have now developed a new material for more durable roads based on this principle , using old tires as the base .
A team from RMIT University in Australia is using a blend of old tires and rubble left over from construction projects to make a new road material that is better able to handle the impact of traffic .
Recycled concrete aggregate ( RCA ) is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes beneath the asphalt layer on top , but the addition of tire crumbs improves its ability to handle the elements .
Civil engineer Mohammed Saberian Boroujeni , part of the team who developed the material , says that traditional road bases are made of unsustainable virgin materials like quarried rock and sand .
In order to test the material , the team used machines that were designed to simulate the stress produced by passing vehicles over time .
This allowed them to tweak the “ recipe ” in order to find the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which turned out to be 0.5 percent fine crumb rubber to 99.5 percent RCA [ 3 ] .
Read : ‘ Anti-Solar ’ Cells Could Keep the Power Going at Night There are four layers that make up a road : a subgrade , a base , a sub-base , and an asphalt layer on top .
Each layer must be strong enough to withstand the pressure of heavy vehicles , while also being flexible enough to prevent the road from cracking over time .
While RCA can work alone as a base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it improves its strength and durability .
The research team in Australia demonstrated during tests that their blend of rubble and rubber performed well when tested for stress , acid and water resistance , as well as strength , deformation and dynamic properties .
It also shows less shrinkage and greater flexibility to prevent cracking [ 1 ] .
Chief investigator Professor Jie Li says that both the construction and scrap tire industries are still producing significantly more waste than what is being reused , but recycling in both areas is on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blend is the right choice for better roads and a better environment , as industries push toward a circular economy that eliminates waste and does a more efficient and effective job at reusing resources [ 3 ] .
Currently , in Australia , only sixteen percent of scrap tires are recycled domestically , and about 3.15 million tons of RCA is added to stockpiles every year as opposed to being reused .
For this reason , the Australian government banned the export of certain waste materials in 2019 , with the goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-value recycled commodities [ 1 ] .
Read : Company Collects 80 % of City ’ s Recyclable Plastics and Turns It All into Lumber Car tires present a major waste problem globally .
While they can be retread and reused up to a point , this can not be done indefinitely .
End of life tires ( ELTs ) are difficult to recycle because they are made with a complex mix of materials .
They don ’ t biodegrade so they are often left to pile up in landfills .
Tires in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there they leach toxins into the soil and water , which creates a significant health risk .
Tire dumps are a fire risk , and when they do catch fire they are notoriously difficult to put out .
As more and more cars are put on the road every year , figuring out what to do with ELTs is becoming increasingly important .
As such , a variety of strategies to deal with them have emerged , and the European Union has led the charge .
Today , one hundred percent of tires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe [ 4 ] .
There are a number of innovative ways Europe has used to deal with their tire problem , the most prominent of which is burning them for electricity or heat generation .
This practice is known as “ energy recovery ” , and about half of Europe ’ s tires are used in this way .
Tires are just as dense as coal but they don ’ t produce nitrous oxides , making them a greener fuel source than coal .
Tires do , however , produce some pollutants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burning and scrubbing technologies , this impact can be reduced .
Businesses across the EU have begun using tires in many areas , including as the base for rubber tracks and playground surfaces , asphalt , and of course roads .
Railways have also begun using recycled tires as fitted rubber pads underneath railway or tram tracks to reduce noise and vibration [ 4 ] .
More and more cars are put on the roads every year .
This is why putting strategies in place to deal with the used tires they generate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The more we can repurpose old materials like ELTs for other uses , and the closer we can get to a circular economy , the better off our planet will be .
Keep Reading : Company Is Using Plastic Bottles To Make Roads That Last 3x Longer Than Asphalt

About half of the waste produced worldwide every year can be attributed to construction, demolition, and renovation, and there are about one billion tires that are thrown away annually around the world [1].
Experts, governments, and organizations are looking for ways to cut down on this waste by moving toward what is known as a circular economy: an economic system of closed loops in which raw materials, components, and products lose their value as little as possible, renewable energy sources are used and systems thinking is at the core [2].
Reusing old materials is the ideal way to cut down on waste while also lessening our reliance on new or “virgin” materials. Engineers in Australia have now developed a new material for more durable roads based on this principle, using old tires as the base.
Recycling Tires for More Durable Roads
A team from RMIT University in Australia is using a blend of old tires and rubble left over from construction projects to make a new road material that is better able to handle the impact of traffic.
Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is already used as a base layer that goes beneath the asphalt layer on top, but the addition of tire crumbs improves its ability to handle the elements. Civil engineer Mohammed Saberian Boroujeni, part of the team who developed the material, says that traditional road bases are made of unsustainable virgin materials like quarried rock and sand.
“Our blended material is a 100 percent recycled alternative that offers a new way to reuse tyre and building waste, while performing strongly on key criteria like flexibility, strength, and permanent deformation.” [3]
In order to test the material, the team used machines that were designed to simulate the stress produced by passing vehicles over time. This allowed them to tweak the “recipe” in order to find the correct ratio of rubber to RCA, which turned out to be 0.5 percent fine crumb rubber to 99.5 percent RCA [3].
The Anatomy of a Road
There are four layers that make up a road: a subgrade, a base, a sub-base, and an asphalt layer on top. Each layer must be strong enough to withstand the pressure of heavy vehicles, while also being flexible enough to prevent the road from cracking over time.
While RCA can work alone as a base layer, adding the recycled rubber to it improves its strength and durability. The research team in Australia demonstrated during tests that their blend of rubble and rubber performed well when tested for stress, acid and water resistance, as well as strength, deformation and dynamic properties. It also shows less shrinkage and greater flexibility to prevent cracking [1].
Better Roads, Cleaner Environment
Chief investigator Professor Jie Li says that both the construction and scrap tire industries are still producing significantly more waste than what is being reused, but recycling in both areas is on the rise.
“Solutions to our waste problems will come not only from reducing how much goes to landfill and increasing how much we recycle; developing new and innovative uses for our recycled materials is absolutely vital,” said Li [1].
Boroujeni believes that their recycled blend is the right choice for better roads and a better environment, as industries push toward a circular economy that eliminates waste and does a more efficient and effective job at reusing resources [3].
Currently, in Australia, only sixteen percent of scrap tires are recycled domestically, and about 3.15 million tons of RCA is added to stockpiles every year as opposed to being reused. For this reason, the Australian government banned the export of certain waste materials in 2019, with the goal of building Australia’s capacity to generate high-value recycled commodities [1].
Tire Recycling Around the World
Car tires present a major waste problem globally. While they can be retread and reused up to a point, this cannot be done indefinitely. End of life tires (ELTs) are difficult to recycle because they are made with a complex mix of materials. They don’t biodegrade so they are often left to pile up in landfills.
Tires in landfills are problematic because as they sit there they leach toxins into the soil and water, which creates a significant health risk. Tire dumps are a fire risk, and when they do catch fire they are notoriously difficult to put out.
As more and more cars are put on the road every year, figuring out what to do with ELTs is becoming increasingly important. As such, a variety of strategies to deal with them have emerged, and the European Union has led the charge. Today, one hundred percent of tires are processed in some way in continental Europe [4].
Dealing With The Problem
There are a number of innovative ways Europe has used to deal with their tire problem, the most prominent of which is burning them for electricity or heat generation. This practice is known as “energy recovery”, and about half of Europe’s tires are used in this way.
Tires are just as dense as coal but they don’t produce nitrous oxides, making them a greener fuel source than coal. Tires do, however, produce some pollutants. By using the correct method of burning and scrubbing technologies, this impact can be reduced.
Businesses across the EU have begun using tires in many areas, including as the base for rubber tracks and playground surfaces, asphalt, and of course roads.
Railways have also begun using recycled tires as fitted rubber pads underneath railway or tram tracks to reduce noise and vibration [4].
More and more cars are put on the roads every year. This is why putting strategies in place to deal with the used tires they generate will become more important than ever. The more we can repurpose old materials like ELTs for other uses, and the closer we can get to a circular economy, the better off our planet will be.
Sources


theheartysoul--2020-08-06--Lindt To Launch Vegan Chocolate Range Made With Oat Milk This Year

Vegans and the dairy intolerant rejoice : Lindt is set to release a line of vegan chocolates made with oat milk this year .
To make it even better , the chocolates will come in more environmentally friendly packaging .
This is what you need to know .
Lindt is one of the world ’ s leading chocolate brands known especially for their truffles with the creamy , soft center .
The company also has a line of chocolate bars .
Until now , they have been inaccessible to vegans and those looking to avoid dairy .
Now they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will at first come in three flavors ( 1 ) : The initial launch will be in Germany in November and will cost €2.99 ( 3.55 USD ) per 100g bar .
Fingers crossed that the new bars will make their way around the world not long after .
( 1 ) On top of choosing oat milk , one of the most environmentally-friendly options for milk alternatives , the company is also changing up the packaging from their traditional bars .
The chocolate will be wrapped in entirely recycled materials to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( 1 ) Read : Almonds are out .
Dairy is a disaster .
So what milk should we drink ?
Lindt is not the first company to jump on the vegan chocolate bandwagon .
As the demand for dairy-free chocolate increases around the world , plenty of major chocolate brands are creating products for this market : • Mars Bar released three vegan versions of their classic bar in the UK last year .
( 1 ) • Rumour has it that Mondalez , who owns Cadbury , is working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar .
( 1 ) We say that the more companies that want to make vegan and environmentally friendly-versions of their chocolate and candy bars the better .
Bravo , Lindt !

Vegans and the dairy intolerant rejoice: Lindt is set to release a line of vegan chocolates made with oat milk this year. To make it even better, the chocolates will come in more environmentally friendly packaging. This is what you need to know.
Lindt To Release Line of Vegan Sustainable Chocolates
Lindt is one of the world’s leading chocolate brands known especially for their truffles with the creamy, soft center. The company also has a line of chocolate bars. Until now, they have been inaccessible to vegans and those looking to avoid dairy.
Now they have created a line of chocolate bars that will at first come in three flavors (1):
Hazelnut
Salted Caramel
Cookie
The initial launch will be in Germany in November and will cost €2.99 (3.55 USD) per 100g bar. Fingers crossed that the new bars will make their way around the world not long after. (1)
Sustainability-Focused
On top of choosing oat milk, one of the most environmentally-friendly options for milk alternatives, the company is also changing up the packaging from their traditional bars. The chocolate will be wrapped in entirely recycled materials to help lessen the company’s environmental impact. (1)
Read: Almonds are out. Dairy is a disaster. So what milk should we drink?
Other Vegan Chocolate Bars
Lindt is not the first company to jump on the vegan chocolate bandwagon. As the demand for dairy-free chocolate increases around the world, plenty of major chocolate brands are creating products for this market:
Mars Bar released three vegan versions of their classic bar in the UK last year. (1)
Rumour has it that Mondalez, who owns Cadbury, is working on a vegan version of their Dairy Milk bar. (1)
We say that the more companies that want to make vegan and environmentally friendly-versions of their chocolate and candy bars the better. Bravo, Lindt!