Pets are good for your health :)

  Everyone who has a pet would probably agree that the pet not only has become there best friend but is a member of the family. Pets are wonderful and make you happy, but they can also make you healthy too!
Within 15 to 30 minutes a cat or a dog can lower your stress levels. Your body will begin to produce more serotonin and produce less cortisol (a hormone associated with stress), putting you in a much better mood.
Many tests have found that pet owners also have a lower blood pressure, and one test even showed that children with hypertension had a lower blood pressure while petting their dog.  Pets may also be linked with lower cholesterol levels.  Studies have also shown that people who own cats or dogs are also less likely to die from a cardiac disease.
  Pets are also great therapy for people who struggle with depression.  Pets don't judge and care about their owners. Pets also give the person something to care for and think about, rather than focusing on how they feel.
  People who own pets are also likely to be more active, being that dogs need to be walked.  Walks will benefit both the animal and the owner and will help you meet your exercise goals leading to a healthier life style. 
  It has also been found that people who own cats are less likely to have a stroke.  This could be because the calming effect that cats have or because they help their owners not to focus on stressful thoughts.
   It has been shown that it is good to have pets around while children are growing up because these children tend to have a stronger immune system from the exposure to animals.  Animals could also help infants that are likely to develop asthma to not get it. 
   One cool way that a dog can help a person with diabetes is that they can alert them about there blood sugar dropping early enough before it gets dangerous.  The person with the dropping blood sugar gives of a scent that the dog can smell.
   Animals are often used in therapy and can help kids, who for instance could have autism, with sensory integration.
   Dogs can also help people who have epilepsy, they can sometimes alert the person of a seizure before it happens or alert parents of a child having a seizure in another room or they may lie up against the person having a seizure to prevent injury.
  Dogs can also be trained to give a person a better quality of life and help those with diseases such as Parkinsons or people who are blind.

Pets are amazing and help people in so many different ways.

Info from:
 http://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-pets-improve-your-health
Picture from:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/peterwedderburn/100112823/stray-dogs-and-cats-should-the-taxpayer-pay-the-bills/

Pets!

    I am definitely an animal person, and if I had to give myself a label I would say I'm a dog person; although I do like cats too.  I have two pugs that I absolutely adore. tthey are my babies and I love spending time with them.  We play together, walk together, eat together, and cuddle together.  There are a lot of people that don't want pets and I understand that we are all different in this world, but I think a lot of people feel that a pet is just work, when really a pet gives back to you as much as if not more then what you give to them.  Sure, I will admit that dogs do take a lot of time and energy.  You have to walk them, bathe them, feed them, pick up after them, take them outside, and take them to the vet.  But, they are so worth it.  They give you so much and they care about you; they become your best friend and part of the family.  Sure you have to walk them but personally, walking my dogs has become one of the best parts of my day; it's fun and it's a healthy activity to do.  Pets are so worth it.  They make you laugh a lot.  My little pug makes me laugh all the time because he is so small and everything he does is so cute. Pets also just want to make you happy.  My older pug hates to see me upset and will always run over to me right away and give me kisses and lets me pet her tummy (she thinks that since tummy rubs feel so good to her and make her happy that giving tummy rubs must make me really happy, she's so sweet :) ).

    When you have had a  long or hard day there is nothing like coming home to animals that love you and just want your attention.  Playing with your pet can really reduce your stress and turn a rough day into the best day.   Another favorite thing to do with my pet is curl up with them on the couch and snuggle with them after a busy day.  It's so relaxing and they are so cute and sweet.
   I personally feel that a pet can benefit your health, whether your sick with the flu or struggling with a serious illness.  Pets care about their owners and can sense when they are not well.  My pug will lay with me for hours when I'm sick and even will check on me throughout the night to make sure I'm ok.  Seeing a friendly animal can also greatly reduce your stress which in turn leads to a healthier you.  Lastly, you have to walk your dog and this is good for both the owner and the dog.
   A pet is a wonderful addition to almost any family.  They don't judge and are super forgiving.  They thouroughly care about their owner, make them laugh, and become their best friends.

Picture from:
http://thebestvacuumforpethair.org/

Daylight Savings Time

    The sun is starting to shine more, the weather is warming up, the flowers are starting to bloom, the trees are growing new leaves, people are coming out of hibernation in their homes, Spring is on its way.  This also means that daylight savings time is here.  It started at 2:00 a.m. on March 11 and we sprung ahead an hour. This brings happiness for some people because the days will be lighter longer which means that you can spend more time outdoors, but others aren't so happy about losing an hour of sleep.  Why do we have daylight savings time? And, who thought of it?

    The idea of Daylights saving time was thought of by a very famous man, Benjamin Franklin.  Benjamin Franklin realized that people could make better use of daylight and save a lot of resources such as the oil burned in lamps.  The idea of Daylight Saving time really took off during World war I, when Germany became the first state to adopt it.  By doing this they saved a lot of coal for the war effort.  The United States set up a federal law for the start and end times of Daylight Saving Time in 1918, but it was not mandatory for states to participate.  Today, Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Marianas Islands don't recognize Day Light Savings.  However, during World War II, Daylight Saving Time was mandatory for the whole country in order to save resources for the war. During world War II Daylight Saving Time was recognized year round. After the war, Daylight Savings went back to being optional.

    Does Daylight Saving Time really save energy?  Studies have been done that support both sides of this argument. Some studies have shown that since and hour is added to the evening when it's warmer the use of air-conditiong cancels out the amount of electricity saved.  Other studies have shown that Daylight Saving Time does save electricity.  other factor such as location and climate are thought to have effects on whether or not energy is actually saved.
    Some studies have also shown that Daylight Savings leads to an increase in people doing active activities such as jogging and a decreased amount of time watching TV.  Other Studies have shown that Daylight savings can be harmful to health because it messes with a persons circadian rhythm.  one study even found that the risk for heart attacks increases in the beginning of spring after the time change. 
    Daylight Savings Time has both positives and negatives.  Some people love it and other don't.  Whether you like it or don't just don't forget to set your clock ahead so that you don't show up late to your next event! :)

Info:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/12/120309-daylight-savings-time-2012-what-time-is-it-spring-forward-nation/
Picture:
http://newperspectivesradioshow.wordpress.com/2011/03/26/clock-goes-forward-one-hour-tonight/
 

icream

What of you could go somewhere and create your own ice cream right on the spot at a super fast speed?  Well at icream in Chicago you can!  I've never actually been there but I've read about it and seen it on TV.

You can either create your own Ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshake, ore even hot pudding!  The create the ice cream using liquid nitrogen machines  that freezes it within seconds.  You can customize everything!  You get to pick your milk which ranges from soy to whole, you pick your flavored syrups, and you even can pick the colors so you could have pink colored mint flavored ice cream if you want! The mixture is then put into the mixer and the worker selects the size and base and then it is mixed with the liquid nitrogen.  They have a bunch of flavors including cake, chocolate, vanilla, cheesecake, mint, strawberry, and many more.  They also have a wide range of candies, cookies, and fruits to add in to the ice cream!

Check out their page for more information and to watch a video about the store :)
http://www.icreamcafe.com/about/

Mclovin it!

    When your craving a big and juicy burger, crispy and tender chicken nuggets, or the crunchy on the outside soft on the inside salty fries where do you go?  McDonalds of course! :)  It is definitely not hard to fin one these days, there everywhere!  Everyone knows there name and almost every one had eaten there.  When di it all start though? Well, here's a little information to help answer that question.

   In 1940 Dick and Mac McDonald open the McDonald's barbeque restraunt in San Bernardino, California.  It was a drive in restaurant that featured a wide ranged menu.  in 1948 Dick and Mac McDonald shut down their restaurant for a few months due to some alterations and when it reopened in December of 1948 it had definitely changed.  It was now a self service restaurant with a menu of nine items that included hamburgers, cheeseburgers, coffee, soft drinks, milk, potato chips, and pie.  The main item on the menu was the hamburger and it was sold for only 15 cents!  In 1949 the famous McDonalds french fries replace the potato chips on the menu and the triple thick milkshake is born.  In 1954 multimixer Ray Kroc visits the McDonalds restaurant and becomes very interested when he finds that the McDonald brothers are looking for a nation wide franchising agent.  in 1955 Kroc opened his first McDonalds in Des Plaines, Illinois.  The building had the famous gold arches and they attracted a lot of attention. Kroc made $366.12 on the first day in sales. In 1956 Kroc hires a man named Fred Turner to be a counter person, Turner would later become the chairman for McDonalds.  In 1958 Mcdonalds sold its 100 millionth hamburger and in 1959 its 100th restaurant opened in Wisconsin!   

   In 1961 Hamburger University opened in the basement of the McDonalds in Elk Grove, Illinois. In 1962 the Denver, Colorado McDonalds provides the first McDonalds with indoor seating.  In 1963 the 500th restaurant opens in Ohio.  McDonalds celebrates its 10th anniversary in 1965 and offers public stock for the first time.  In 1966 McDonalds has its first televised commercial and it features Ronald McDonald.  In 1967 Mcdonalds becomes international and restaurants are oopened in Canada and Puerto Rico.  In 1968 the famous Big Mac is created.  In 1969 the logo is revise to feature the two golden arches.  In 1971 the characters of Hamburgler, Grimace, Mayor McCheese, Captain Crook, and the Big Mac are created. 
    In 1973 the quarter pounder is added to the menu.  The first Ronald McDonald house opened in 1974.  The Egg McMuffin was created in 1975 and McDonalds now served breakfast.   The McDonalds All American High School Basketball team started in 1977.  In 1978 the 5,000 restaurant opened in Japan.  In 1979 the happy meal was created and the 25th anniversary is celebrated in 1980.  McDonalds celebrates its 30th anniversary in 1985 and salads are added to the menu in 1987.  In 1988 Fortune Magazines states that McDonald's hamburgers are one of the 100 things that America makes best. In 1992 a McDonalds opens in Warsaw, Poland and breaks the opening day sales record. In 1996 McDonalds.com launches.  The Happy meal celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2004 and in 2005 McDonalds celebrates its 50th anniversary.  In 2006 the snack wrap is introduced.  In 2009 the McCafe Coffee line is added to the menu and in 2010 smoothies and frappes are added to the menu. In 2011 McDonalds added the Chipotle Barbeque burger and snack wrap to their menu.

McDonalds Facts:
-McDonalds has more than 33,000 restaurants worldwide
-1.7 million people are employed at McDonalds
-McDonalds is in 119 countries

Informatioin from:
http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcdonalds_history_timeline.html
http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company.html

Picture from:
http://thestamp.umd.edu/food/mcdonalds.html

Crazy for Orange Leaf!

  I looove Ice cream and I eat it all of the time.  I love almost any ice cream that has Oreos in it, I mean what can't be better with Oreos? I know right! Well, during the winter I've been eating a lot of Dairy Queen, but recently a new place opened in town and it's called Orange Leaf.  Orange Leaf serves soft serve frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.  At first, I was a little skeptical because I've heard that frozen yogurt can sometimes have a sort of bitter taste, but I still wanted to give it a try.  One day about a week ago some friends invited me to come with them and it sounded like a lot of fun so of course I said yes.  At first I wasn't going to eat due to not being very hungry because of a few health issues but after watching every one make their creations I couldn't resist getting a bowl to go.  It was the most amazing thing I think I've ever tasted!
   The atmosphere of the place is really cool.  You walk in and the whole place is painted in bright colors like bright orange and lime green.  They also have a lot of bright and lighted up pictures.  Orange Leaf is set up really nice there is a tiled wall in the back with all of the yogurt machines, a toppings bar, and then the check out.  The rest of the place is filled with tables that have really cool curvy chairs and couches for you to sit on and hang out with friends while enjoying your delicious concoction.
   When you walk in you immediately go to the back of the restraurant and pick out the size of bowl you want, either huge or huger :). Then you move on to the yogurt machines.  They have a bunch of flavors to choose from and you can get as many and as much or little as you want.  Some of the flavors include cheesecake, vanilla, chocolate, brownie batter, white chocolate, mango, strawberry, cookies and cream, and my personal favorite birthday cake!  Next you move on to the toppings bar where you get to select what you want from and ocean of choices.  There is a bunch of stuff to choose from including cereals, M&M's, candy bars, Oreos, cookies, fruit, candies, and much, much more!  Then you put your creation on a scale and you pay by the ounce.  I felt the price was pretty reasonable, about 33 cents per ounce.  The worker then gives you the most amazing spoon that is orange and shaped like a mini shovel (I saved mine).  It is now time to enjoy the most delicious and personalized creation! Yum!  I would definitely give this place 5 stars and recommend it!

Picture from:
http://www.bargainez.com/deal/frozen-yogurt-at-orange-leaf-frozen-yogurt/

Marshmallows!

There fluffy and sweet, almost like eating a cloud; marshmallows! Everyone loves a good marshmallow and there are so many ways to enjoy them. In the winter you can put them in a warm cup of hot chocolate where they melt and add a creaminess to your delicious, chocolaty drink. In the summer you can roast them over a campfire and either enjoy them plain, burnt or golden brown, or you can put them between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate for a delicious and sticky s'more. You can also use marshmallows in baking to create tasty rice krispie bars or some delectable fudge. The marshmallow is used a lot in our society but where does it come from? Well, lets find out.
Would you believe me if I told you that marshmallows originally came from a plant? Well, they did! Marshmallows came from a sweet sap produced by the mallow plant found in marshes and is native to Europe and West Asia. Hence the name marsh-mallow. This plant was originally used for medicinal purposes such as curing inflammation and sore throats and didn't become a yummy treat until the 19th century.
The French found that if you mixed the mallow sap with egg whites and corn syrup a moldable substance was formed; the marshmallow was born! Eventually, the plant extract was replaced by gelatin. This way of baking produced the same fluffy concoction but took a lot less work. In the 1900's marsmallows were sold in tins as penny candies and also during this time period the mallow cup was created by the Boyer brothers. Marshmallows really grew in popularity during the 1920's and many treats were created such as the moon pie.
Marshmallows continue to be a classic treat and are enjoyed plain, in fun shapes such as peeps, inside of candy bars, in frostings, and in many other treats!
Marshmallow facts:
-the first known s'mores recipe came from a Girl Scout cook book in 1927
-Americans buy 90 million pounds of marshmallows a year (about the same amount of weight as 1,286 gray whales!)
- In 2003 the largest s'more was made and it used 20,000 marshmallows, all toasted, and 7,000 chocolate bars. It weighed 1,600 pounds!
-more than 50% of marshmallows sold each summer are roasted over a fire
-The term s'more is thought to stand for "gimmie some more"
-Americans spend about 125 million dollars on marshmallows each year
-Ligonier, Noble County, Indiana is the marshmallow capital of the world

Information from:
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/food/2011/01/its-a-marshmallow-world/
https://boyercandies.com/mallowhistory.php
http://mallowmaster.com/Marshmallow%20facts.htm
http://www.candyusa.com/FunStuff/FunFactsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=973

Picture From:
http://www.bigoven.com/glossary/Marshmallow