Community gardens sprouting up in yards

Updated: Tuesday, 23 Nov 2010, 5:33 AM CST
Published : Tuesday, 23 Nov 2010, 5:15 AM CST

If mowing the lawn is too much of a hassle a new organization is encouraging residents to grow community gardens.

"We have an enormous front yard and we didn't know what we wanted to do with it," said Joshua Merritt, homeowner.

Merritt thought about landscaping - but when he heard about Urban Patchwork Neighborhood Farms he changed his mind.

"We use yards where people don't want to garden on their own, or don't want to mow anymore or pay someone to mow," said Paige Hill, Executive Director Urban Patchwork Neighborhood Farms. "We come in and turn that into growing space for food."

Paige Hill otherwise known as Farmer Paige started the organization and turned her backyard in the Skyview neighborhood in Central Austin into a large garden.

There's also chickens for fresh eggs. But the idea for creating these gardens is to bring neighbors together.

The landowner gets a portion of the harvest as well as volunteers who help tend the garden.

"We set up a farm stand in the neighborhood so anyone can come along and volunteer for their veggies or buy their veggies," said Hill.

"A lot of these neighborhoods in Austin are becoming more in the true sense of the word," said Merritt. "More and more young families are looking at this as a place to raise their children."

And that's led to a new push to get neighbors to grow more than just vegetables but grow a sense of community.

"How much more local of eating can you do than something that came from your house, your yard, or from someone in your neighborhood that's the beauty of it," said Merritt.

Right now there are 10 Urban Patchwork farms in six neighborhoods within the city of Austin.

If you think you would like to use a portion of your yard to grow a community garden you can learn more about the program here .

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Understanding the Differences Between Traditional Dental Insurance and Discount Dental Plans

Most people know that maintaining their oral health is essential to a healthy lifestyle. They want to make the commitment to improve their oral health, but have a hard time choosing between traditional dental insurance and a dental discount plan. It is therefore important that you understand how the differences between dental insurance and dental discount plans can affect you.

Dental insurance policies can be typically characterized by monthly premiums, deductibles and annual maximums. As an alternative, dental discount plans are designed to be as accessible as possible; they do not share any of the characteristics of dental insurance.

The monthly premiums for typical dental insurance policies may be as much as a month for individuals and in excess of 0 per month for family plans. As an alternative, discount dental plans are far less costly. Dental discount plans cost under per month for individuals, under per month for couples and under per month for families. Plus, if you check around, you can find a plan that includes free vision care discounts as well.

Usually, people using dental insurance must meet their deductible before their dental insurance starts to cover their dental care; when making comparisons it’s therefore important to consider the cost of the deductible as one of the overall costs associated with dental insurance. It is difficult to put a specific cost on the deductible because it depends on the dental insurance policy you own. Having said that, annual deductibles usually vary from to 0 per covered individual.

Dental discount plans do not have deductibles. Instead, dental discount plan members pay a membership fee that qualifies them to pay discounted rates at participating dentists at the time services are rendered.

Most dental insurance plans cap the amount of reimbursement to an annual maximum that is typically ,000 to ,500 per year. The insured person is then responsible for 100% of all costs over and above the annual maximum. Dental discount plans do not have annual maximums. Plan members are able to use their discount dental cards as often and as much as they want to. There is absolutely no limit to the amount of money cardholders can save by using a dental discount plan.

People with dental insurance policies are always moaning about the time-consuming red tape they are forced to deal with, including the need to provide written claims, exclusions on pre-existing conditions and the excessive waiting periods for major procedures. As an alternative, easy to use dental discount plans are designed to save members time as well as money!

Nearly all dental insurance policies require policyholders to go through a tedious and very time consuming written claims process, every time they have a claim! There is no such tedious paperwork and hassles for dental discount cardholders; discount dental plan members simply present their membership card to a participating provider at the time of service to receive their discounts.

Dental insurance plans will often impose a long waiting period or even refuse to cover certain procedures. If you are considering dental insurance you need to be aware that many dental insurance policies have exclusions on pre-existing conditions and may require up to as much as an 18 month waiting period before giving you the go ahead for any major dental treatment. As an alternative, dental discount plans are free of such limitations and become active immediately, allowing plan members to join and start saving on their dental care straight away.

Many dental discount plans offer significant savings on dental specialties, such as orthodontics and teeth whitening, while most dental insurance policies rarely cover such procedures.

Because of the escalating cost of dental insurance, dental insurance has become inaccessible to a large number of individuals and families. Cost effective dental discount plans are accessible to individuals, families and businesses as an alternative to unaffordable traditional dental insurance.

Dental discount plans are also an easy and flexible way for businesses to save time and money on valuable dental care for their employees.

Despite the differences between traditional dental insurance and dental discount plans, they can even be used together in certain situations to maximize savings.

To summarize, dental discount plans are an affordable and easy to use alternative to traditional dental insurance and offer plan members substantial savings on most dental procedures.

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Weight Loss Diet Learn To Control Hunger

The concept of a diet is simple enough, but the follow through is what tortures most people. What\’s the hardest part about dieting? Hunger ! Intense hunger and cravings causes many people to cave in when they see a plate of cookies tormenting them while they are on their diet.

Two of the main reasons that we find it hard to lose weight is because of the fat that is absorbed in our body and because we get hungry. If we eat a good meal then everything we eat instantly turns to fat. If we eat only small portions or “rabbit food” then we get hungry and\’need to eat more. It\’s a vicious circle that many dieters face everyday.

Dieting is much easier once you learn to control hunger throughout the day. Over the past decade, a variety of products have come to market to control hunger. One popular way many dieters are suppressing their appetites is by drinking protein shakes as replacement meals. The more protein you take in, the more fat your body will burn.

The question to ask today is, do any safe appetite suppressants exist? About 10 years ago there was a national epidemic of people dying because of taking a popular appetite suppressant that caused major health issues. However, there are indeed safe and practical alternatives to these dangerous hunger control supplements.

Fibers

Do you know that there are several types of foods which are rich in fiber? If you eat such foods frequently, suppressing your appetite and getting rid of hunger would be as easy as pie for you, since fiber keeps you full for a long time. Besides, fiber-rich foods also keep you from gaining weight by maintaining your normal blood sugar level. One such food is the good old apple.

Yet another fiber-rich food is legumes and nuts. Whenever I feel hungry, I often eat grams, black beans, peas, soybeans, groundnuts, etc., of course in raw forms. They are not only a good and easy way to keep hunger away for a considerable period of time but also helpful in weight loss, since they too are rich in protein content just like eggs.

Hoodia Gordonii

What is the best appetite suppressant on the market today?\’ This is a question that millions of us ask ourselves every day. The best appetite suppressants are ones that contain natural antioxidants. Don\’t settle for less when your health depends on the results.

Right now, one of the most trusted herbal appetite suppressants is the supplement made from Hoodia. Not only is it able to prevent you from binge eating because of its appetite reduction mechanism, it also makes you feel full. When taken properly, hunger control is possible, and your weight loss goals can be achieved with less pain.

A natural appetite suppressant without any bad side effects is what every dieter hopes for. This is a way to control your appetite without having to resort to drugs. It is possible for you to use hoodia while on a calorie controlled diet. It is always advisable to drink plenty of fresh water and to exercise regularly. Strong appetite suppressants are formulated to suppress the appetite while increasing an individual\’s metabolism helping to burn more calories.

So appetite suppressants are currently the most effective diet remedies to prevent you gaining weight again. Some appetite suppressants are addictive, and their effect tends to wear off if used over an extended time, such that people need to take larger doses to produce the same result, which in turn increases the risk of addiction, which in turn increases other risks.

Most natural appetite suppressants are usually considered safer, although it is important to remember that the overuse of even the most natural, unprocessed product can still have serious side effects.

Exercise

Exercise can also help you control your appetite and weight, and it has a number of other positive health effects. Exercise and eating the right foods are instrumental as well, but if you are hungry all of the time you will likely eat more than you should.

To get the best weight loss results this medication is used in combination with a well planned diet and exercise to reduce weight. Never have there been so numerous weight loss remedies and appetite suppressants available and these tablets are employed for the short-term management of weight collectively with suitable diet and physical exercise.

Even so, to maximize the impact they could have, exercise, a healthy diet and not pigging out on your preferred foods can go a long way in bolstering the effects of taking them. When used in conjunction with a sensible diet and exercise program, it can help you lose weight more quickly.

When it comes to losing weight, it is easier said than it is to do… If you think thin and take on that very positive attitude prior to your weight loss efforts, you will have won half the battle.

Natural appetite suppressants assist in the fight against obesity by jump starting sustained attempts to alter unhealthy eating habits. As a result, you get a cleansed, lean, energetic, and healthy body. Find out more about howLearn To Control Hunger
Paul Rodgers specializes in marketing natural health and beauty products about

weight loss diet: weight loss

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Teachers fight for pre-k and prep time

Updated: Monday, 22 Nov 2010, 10:59 PM CST
Published : Monday, 22 Nov 2010, 10:52 PM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) - There was not a drop of rain outside, but dozens of Austin school teachers opened their umbrellas outside the Austin school board meeting Monday night.

"If there is a rainy day fund it's time to use it," said Carole San Miguel, a tenth grade teacher at LBJ High School.

She is part of the local teachers' union Education Austin. Members of the group rallied together on two issues where they see no room for compromise - full day pre-k funding and teacher planning periods.

The superintendent is suggesting cutting two planning times down to one as the district tries to figure out how to shave between $32 to $60 million off the 2011-2012 budget.

?"Without enough time to plan properly you can't teach properly," said Steven Wallach, who teaches several subjects at Travis High School including World Geography and U.S History.

Co-President of Education Austin, Rae Nwosu, said teachers would have to take on more students which means less teachers would be needed. That is where the cost savings comes in.

"They're depending on teachers to put in time for no pay to make their schedule and make their set of priorities work and I think it's despicable," said Wallach.

Pre-kindergarten teachers are fighting to keep the full day program from dwindling down to half a day.

"It's not just protecting our jobs, it's protecting our children," said Erika Avenivas who teaches at Lucy Read Pre-K Demonstration School.

Federal funding that cover half of the pre-k day runs out at the end of the year. The superintendent has not said that the program will be cut, but it is still a mystery where the money will come from to keep it going.

Teachers hope the board takes it off the table.

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Start a business opportunity for home

best Internet home business opportunity is no longer a single opportunity but for many online entrepreneurs now means that the best combination of online and leader opportunities all running at the same time. The perfect work at home business opportunity is for everyone else.

You are one of the people who dislike their current job and want something new, different, and without their skills and experience the benefit of another person, a work-at-home business opportunity is right for you. A major advantage of the beginning of a real business opportunity stay at home is that you can earn passive income.

From a successful work from home business opportunity can be a lucrative financial opportunity if approached correctly. You could start with some time to do some research. StartHome-based business> on the Internet is an ally of the persistent. From a free stay at home business online do not have to spend thousands of dollars on learning materials.

If you own start an online business of your things for you in business. They know they have a good start you need to find what you are going. There are literally thousands of things thatyou can do to make your own online business. He wants to leave the rat race today follow the example of these self-made millionaires with their online home based business?

Profitability is very high when you choose a company with a proven honest. The longer a company has been around, the more you'll find it. The next step in your quest to find a principal activity of largePossibility is the company's products with the compensation plan / marketing coupled deals. Just make sure that companies have a product or service, new or re-organize the people. Finding a company that has a management team to help mentor you advice and training materials.

The Internet Home Business Opportunity is where you find financial freedom. Unlike many corporate environments, business opportunities at home is a happyFUN and businesses. All you need to succeed with this opportunity to work from home business is a time commitment of 2-3 hours per day limit.

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Good Home Based Business Ideas for a strong economy

Since the unemployment rate rising and continue to fight against the economy, many individuals are seeking employment home based business ideas and self-determination. The truth is that everyone can and as his boss, but the problem is to choose the work that is done and the home based business opportunities are right for you.

When you start a Home Based Business, the first thing you want is what you choose something that you would actually do. With with your interest or hobby, you better at what you do and love doing it. Have you ever thought that actually make working fun! Now you can be when you choose the right design.

The second thing you must do what is "important business is to work on your house. If you have a few hours a week for working only one, then select a business that requires only that the work of data entry and paid online surveys are great> Business Ideas for this time. However, if you have more time then Affiliate marketing can be a good choice.

You need to think about the business, the investment-based computer, you must do the beginning of your home. These investments can range from a few dollars to thousands, depending on the business of your choice.

If computer work is not for you, then there are many home based business that does not require a computer. AHome care, catering, cleaning and much more. Of course, you will probably have to use the computer for a few days your business, but not all.

There are hundreds of things you can do. The most important thing is to take time, and select what you have success with. Once again, something I like to do to increase your success rate unbelievable.

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A company without your full-time job

Starting a business in a bad economy makes a very smart move. It provides a backup option and can be used as a strong cash generator. For example, the small home business or internet business is easy to install and requires minimum capital.

There are many benefits to work full time and running a business. A regular job offers services for families and the business side allows you to achieve your dreams and to maximize taxDeductions and earn extra income.

There is a wealth of information available on the Internet bookstores and libraries, corporate guidelines for creating a. But before directly, it is always good to chalk a plan of time and effort you are willing to invest in business and management.

Analyze your time available

Within a week there are 168 hours. Of these, sleeping, eating, personal care, time with family andsocial life would take about 94 hours. If 40-50 hours per week, working regular 5 days, it would be a surplus of 30 + hours and on weekends to work on your business. But planning is essential, because you do not want to overdrive a job, the job is fun to go.

Choose the Right Business

The important next step is to ensure the availability to choose the right moment of business based on your passions and skills. A business is a good site that does not Compromising your regular job, family and social responsibilities, but you can realize your dreams of financial soundness.

Plan the structure

After identifying the type of activity that interests you, take a graphic work or workflow of the company. Here you will find all the help and resources needed to launch and run the company. Listening to "spread the word" your goals on the Internet from family and friends about your products and services> The company has to offer.

Use Internet

There are two ways to run your business "online" and "offline." Traditional offline companies have centuries where the focus is to expand in the business by word of mouth. The power of the World Wide Web is well known to one and all. It has the ability, all of the known physical and geographic boundaries to connect people around the world.

E 'online businesses, the benefits are manyin marketing their products online and the convenience of working from home after work full time. Harness the power to reach your online business prospects and customers and expand your business globally.

It 'important, companies are your expectations to a realistic level when you start a. Being on the ground and under the rules of business, you can progress inevitable. The Journeyyou and your mind on the implementation of an enterprise as a whole is the best investment you can make ready. Makes it strong enough to survive any kind of activity and is not afraid of the fluctuations in the labor market.

Get a big lead and run your business!

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