Straw Bale Homes - Advantages of Alternate Construction Methods

Let's face it. This planet is in a crisis. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. To create the energy we needed to sustain our modern comforts, we've polluted our atmosphere with countless gasses that will eventually warm the planet. A major part of this is the energy we squander heating and cooling our homes which is produced using fuels that emit greenhouse gasses. The solution is simple. Build homes that use less energy.

Earthen homes are at the top of the list. These are also known by the name of earth ships. Problem is that a majority of the living area on an earth ship is subterranean and doesn't meet many fire codes for egress as I understand.

One other is the chord wood house. This is also an excellent choice and I don't believe there are many downsides to this method except it's walls are nothing but firewood logs cut to length and put together with mortar like a brick house. I say it's a downside because we really need to save as many trees as possible. No, I'm not a tree hugger sorta guy, I just know that trees are the one element of nature that, if left alive, will scrub many of the bad gasses out of our atmosphere.

So then we come to building homes out of bales of rice or wheat straw. The straw is something we have been actually throwing away as waste in this country for years. Yet when put together as wall units, produce a very high restivity factor of R-39 to R-52 with a wall thickness of 14 to 16 inches. Wow, the common house built in America today using standard building methods is generally R-13 to R-19. R or resistivity is a number measuring a material's resistance to heat flow. R stands for resistance. Anyway, there is over double the difference in how much heating and cooling these walls can contain. Less energy used, less greenhouse gasses spilled into the atmosphere.

Once the walls are up, then the home is wrapped with a fabric that allows moisture to exit but not enter the walls and then is covered in about one inch of cement. These structures are as beautiful as they are functional. Even better is that only 20% or so of the structure is lumber so trees are saved. The cost is probably 50% less than standard construction methods and they last for ages. There are straw bale buildings in my area of Tennessee that have withstood the elements for well over a century.

Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer who has been in drafting and design since the late 1980's. He teaches Architectural Drafting over the internet at http://houseplandrafting101.net, draws House Plans professionally at http://customhouseplans.8m.com and offers Free Strawbale House Plans at customhouseplans.8m.com/strawbale

Toilet Paper Under The Bathroom

Glass Blocks For Your Home Or Business

Glass blocks are slowly becoming a popular material in construction. When we speak of glass regarding its use in building, homes and other architecture, people tend to think that we are referring to the stained glass used inside churches. Still others think of it as the relatively thin piece of glass used in some windows, the type which can easily be broken. Although it is true in a certain aspect, the construction glass that we are talking about is the glass block. It is somewhat similar to our typical brick, although it is made of glass. Hence they are called glass bricks in other regions of the globe.

Glass blocks are used in buildings due to its strength and its cost. It is stronger than brick and cheaper too. An important factor why glass is being used in office buildings is because it lets the light in, hence enhancing the overall ambience once you are inside. On the outside, glass enhances the appearance of a building. It does not look drab like other buildings made of brick, rather, it looks kind of sophisticated, especially when properly maintained. Maintaining it is no trouble since the detergents used in cleaning glass can be any ordinary detergent used at home. You can say goodbye to complex industrial cleaners that cost a lot.

You can also use them in your homes to add grandeur in your house. It can easily be cleaned so your house would always look good as new. These glass tiles can be installed in your patio, bathroom or kitchen. It will make your house appear shiny and clean.

If you are interested in knowing more about glass blocks, you can easily surf the web for information. Glass blocks have a lot of varieties that has different specific purposes. You can already budget your money since you can also check for prices online.

Online yellow pages will provide you with a list or businesses who sell glass blocks and their specific locations. You can further narrow down your search by adding the name of your city and state, so that you may view the list of stores in your hometown or the nearest one to you.
If you don't have an internet connection at home, you can just browse through your ordinary yellow pages. You should search for home improvement stores.

Once you have your list of stores, you should start calling them one by one. Each store has different types of glass blocks, so you can check which ones they offer. Furthermore, you can compare prices of their product. Once you have chosen where to buy, the next step would be to know how to properly install them. Again, you can check the internet or you can ask the home improvement store for the proper procedure.

Looking for information about about glass blocks? Theodor Cartman recommends the best glass blocks when buying.

Structural Framing Beams

How to Plan for a Kitchen Remodeling or Renovation Project

Deciding to remodel your kitchen is one of the best investments you can make. The kitchen is where people spend most of their waking hours while at home. It is where they cook, eat, and gather with the family. It is also where they talk and share ideas about the latest trends and fashions. Consequently, it is not surprising that the kitchen would be on the top of the list of home improvement projects. Having an up to date, modern kitchen, allows people not only to function better with new cabinets and appliances, but also enables them to feel that they are indeed living in modern society.

Kitchen remodeling however can be a very messy and disruptive home improvement project. And the length of the disruption can take as long as a month or more, even when well planned out.

To mitigate the disruption of a kitchen renovation project, planning is absolutely essential. The first item to consider is whether you will do it yourself, or hire a general contractor. Regardless of what route, a homeowner needs to first sketch out some kitchen remodeling ideas to ensure the kitchen design and costs will meet their targeted functional requirements and budget. If a general contractor is to be hired these initial sketches will be helpful in communicating your kitchen remodeling plans and ideas.

During the planning phase, the homeowner should identify the main objectives of the future kitchen. They should research the latest products on the market including: cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. If the kitchen is more than 5 years old, there are a lot of new products to choose from. For example, Silestone is quickly surpassing Granite and Corian, as the premier countertop surface as it is extremely hard, elegant in appearance, and comes in many colors. For cabinets, the trend appears to be towards lighter colors as they help the appearance of lightening and enlarging a room. In regards to appliances, the Stainless Steel look appears to be in. And for flooring, vinyl or wood is the trend. Tile looks nice, however, it can be unforgiving in a room where things tend to get dropped. In addition, if there is no radiant heating planned for the floor, tile has the tendency to feel cold on the feet.

It is also important to consider any structural changes to the existing kitchen area. Is a new kitchen island desired, or will walls or doorways need to be moved or installed?

When developing your kitchen remodeling plan, it is important to note that professional kitchen designers like to think of a triangle when starting a new kitchen design. The three points of the triangle include the Sink, Refrigerator, and Stove. Make sure your sketches consider this, as it will ensure a good functional kitchen. Also, consider adequate walking areas and space for an eating area, such as a table or center island, with applicable space included for chairs. I would suggest that the walking areas be wide enough for two people to walk through at the same time.

The sketches should also include dimensions, as these will be needed when meeting with the general contractor or kitchen designer. Finally, consider where the existing outlets and power for the stove are, and assess if additional outlets will be needed or old outlets relocated.

For more help on remodeling your kitchen, see HomeAdditionPlus.coms Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet will help ensure that your kitchen remodeling project goes smoothly and you get the finished kitchen you are looking for. In addition, it will help to ensure that your remodeled kitchen will be accomplished on time and on budget.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com.

Exterior Wood Beams

Favorite Grandparent Memory

Several years ago while sitting in The Coffee Exchange with my nine-year-old granddaughter Alicia, our conversation turned to her mother's choice of lifestyle.

She expressed to me how she felt about it.

Alicia and her sister had a dad in their life, but they also had someone extra, her mother's female paramour.

There we were sitting at a two-seated table next to the wall. I looked at Alicia, admiring my beautiful granddaughter.

"So Alicia, how are things at home?" I looked at her expectantly.

"They're ok, Nana." She looked up from sipping her hot chocolate.

"You look a little sad Alicia, is everything really ok"? I asked.

"Yeah," she glanced at me, and then took another sip.

"I like Helen, she is a lot of fun, but sometimes her and mom embarrass me."

"What do you mean" I watched her face carefully.

"They took us to the park once and while Lynn and I were playing on the swings, they sat on the bench kissing," she looked down at her hot chocolate.

"I see what you mean, that would be embarrassing and I can see how you would be upset." I told her.

I looked at Alicia, her face troubled.

She removed her spoon from the cup and placed it on the table, "my greatest fear Nana, is that I will grow up to be like her."

"Alicia, I'm going to tell you something, and I want you to remember it for the rest of your life, it's something you can apply to anything in life."

I sent a prayer to God asking for divine wisdom to give my granddaughter the words she needed to heal.

"You have to realize people choose what they want to do in life, and your mother chose to live this kind of a lifestyle. You don't have to follow in her footsteps because God has given us free will, and that means we get to choose what path we go down in life."

Alicia smiled at me, and finished her hot chocolate. She placed the cup on the table, and then looked up at the wall where a picture hung between us. The picture had two houses with two paths leading up to the houses, and the sky was stormy looking.

"Nana, do you see that picture with the houses and two paths leading to the houses."

"Yes." I replied wondering what wonderful words of wisdom were about to erupt from my granddaughter.

"The path on the left is me, and the other path on the right is my mom." We are both going down different paths in life."

I beamed at her, "I couldn't have said it better, sweetheart."

She smiled back at me, her face brightening considerably.

"You know Nana, I'm glad we had this talk, because it really bothered me.

"Honey, you can come and talk to me anytime.

We rose from our chairs and left, both of us feeling better for having a heart-to-heart talk.

Catharine Leona Joy Parks was born in Chatham,Ontario on June 5, 1953 to a Canadian mother and an American father. Her early childhood was spent in the church growing up in a strict environment but at an early age started to desire more. With an adventuresome spirit she would join her brother escaping from her bedroom window after bedtime and going downtown with him to dances, plays and the movies, to enjoy all the things that her religious parents denied her.

Spending her earlier years in Windsor and drawing for countless hours, Catharine creative by nature- an artist was born. Catharine sold her first art work in grade 5, chosen from the art museum where it hung on display, a cartoon caricature from the old comic strip, Lil' Abner.

Catharine's love of words started from early childhood when she would make up fictitious words and songs. She has been writing songs since 1983.
On January 25, 2007, she published her first devotional, A Glimpse of the Cross, on the Mustard Seed Ministries Site. Cliffhanger was published June 10, 2007 on DivineCaroline a flagship site of Real Girls Media Network, Inc.

Feng Shui Tips For Your Home and Garden

The entry to a home or the doorway into rooms is where your first view is encountered. Doorways and entrances to anything should feel welcoming. They should be clear and the pathway should allow ease of movement.

The Chi, (or energy flow), should never be made stagnant at this point. Pictures and ornamental decorations in this area should be pleasing and round leafed plants in pots attract prosperity into the home. Another tip to remember is that if you have doorways from front to back that are visible, the flowing of energy should be stopped from escape.

A Feng Shui cure for this problem, can be by placing a plant as suggested to the side of the entry: thus creating an environment to capture the Chi flow. The essence of creating good flow and attracting harmony, involves placement.

Feng Shui recognizes that small problems can have a major effect on your life, and that a well kept home will always have better chi than one where maintenance tasks have been allowed to pile up. The minor problems and inconveniences that plague a poorly maintained home can restrict your freedom of movement, cloud your ability to understand a situation, make it difficult to take advantage of opportunities, and waste your resources.

Think of Chi as an important guest you wish to welcome to your home, and make your formal entry - and the access to it from the street - as inviting as possible.

The principles of Feng Shui can be applied to your garden as well. By applying Feng Shui principles to your garden you can attract positive energy, wealth and good fortune. Given below are a few tips and ideas on how to Feng Shui your garden.

The most important principles of Feng Shui in the garden are curves and proportion. Your house is the Yin energy and your garden is the Yang energy. The Yang aspect in Feng Shui is about light and space. Try to incorporate all the five elements of Feng Shui in your garden as much as possible.

- Use a pond, birdbath or fountain to represent the water element.
- Use a sundial or bronze statue in the garden for metal.
- Use trees and shrubs for wood.
- Use plants or flowers that are red and orange in color to represent fire.
- Use earth to represent the earth element.

Water features such as pools, ponds and fountains are beautiful and encourage beneficial chi. They also symbolize prosperity and create yin (feminine) energy.

You can create more Yang (masculine) energy by using garden lights to add light to the garden's dark areas. Remember balance and harmony is the key to a Feng Shui Garden.

Please take the time to visit our site - http://www.GardenandHomeDecorSite.com - to help with creating beneficial Chi in your environment.

We offer beautiful stone water fountains, wall fountains, garden planters, bird houses and feeders, garden furniture and hammocks, garden statues and plaques.

In addition, we offer home decor such as an array of different types of candles, glass sculptures, vases, and table-top fountains. Turn your garden, patio, deck, or home into the oasis you have always dreamed of.

An Introduction to Feng Shui

An ancient Chinese practice that may have begun around 4000 BCE or earlier, Feng Shui is commonly used in western cultures today to decorate homes and arrange furniture. Many people claim that Feng Shui can affect one's personal relationships, physical well-being, and even finances. However, the practice was traditionally used in China to choose a place to live, a place to be buried, or even for crop arrangement and agricultural planning.

Pronounced "fung-shway" or "fung-shwee" in English, the words "fung shui" are literally translated to mean "wind-water". The practice is believed to promote positive Qi, which can help to improve one's life, by using the laws of heaven and earth. Qi is often translated to mean "energy flow" or the energy that is active in all things.

An early example of the use of Feng Shui in China is Banpo, an archaeological site in the Yellow River Valley, which was discovered in 1953 and is made up of settlements dating back to around 4500 BCE. The doors of dwellings there were astronomically aligned to the winter solstice. Similar alignments have been discovered within ancient ruins elsewhere in the world, so the Chinese were not the only ones using such building practices.

There are numerous classical techniques of Feng Shui, including Bagua, Zi Bai, Ba Zhai, and Qimen Dunjia, all utilizing differing methods and practices. Overall, Feng Shui seems to be based on Taoist principles, an understanding that nature is full of energy and very alive.

Practice of Feng Shui incorporates the compass (lo-pan) and the Ba-Gua, a grid in the shape of an octagon which contains I-Ching symbols. I-Ching, Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements are basic principles derived from Taoism and play a large part in the practice of Feng Shui.

I know this all may seem very complicated at first, but there's no need to be intimidated for there are many resources which were created to make it easier for you to use Feng Shui decorating techniques in your home! You can easily find tips for decorating each room of your house according to Fen Shui, as well as adding the use of crystals, fountains, or clocks to decorate your home for optimal prosperity. There is even a Feng Shui technique for the proper use of colors in your home.

Without a doubt, your home or office can be beautifully decorated, uniquely organized, and Qi-optimized using Feng Shui techniques! Whether you're planning to redecorate or just re-arrange and re-organize, why not do it the Feng-Shui way? You can start now with an informative eBook, how-to videos, or even sign up for an online class!

Heather Richards has been in business for herself for over 25 years now and understands the importance of delivering quality, informative and relevant information. Heather has a team of Professional Consultants and fellow Business Owners who contribute and assist to ensure she delivers information of a high standard. For many FREE Tips and Hints on a broad range of Topics Relevant to especially Women in today's society, Register for Your FREE Monthly Health and Happiness Magazine that includes great tried and tested Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes by our very own "Vegan & Health Consultant" Included on our Web Site is an ever expanding range of Self Help, How to Get Healthy and Finding Happiness eBooks which answer many burning questions. Visit the NEW women's Social Networking Club today at http://www.WomensInfoProducts.com

Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, Chicken Rice & Malaysian Food

Nasi Lemak
Rice cooked with coconut milk(cream) for traditional Malay dishes, is called Nasi Lemak.
Traditionally, it comes as a platter with cucumber slices, Ikan Bilis (small dried anchovies), roasted peanuts, hard boiled egg, and hot spicy sambal (traditional chili sauce), is the basic version. Nasi lemak can also come with any other accompaniments such as stir fried water kangkong (convolvulus), chicken, cuttlefish, cockle, beef curry and etc.
There are even Chinese version Nasi Lemak, which is usually non-halal, as sometimes pork is added. And also Vegetarian version Nasi Lemak, in which vegetarian ingredients replace the traditional ingredients.

Nasi Lemak is also considered National Dish of Malaysia, as the most widely eaten food in Malaysia. Not only for its inexpensiveness, but also because the basic version Nasi Lemak, which comes with only anchovies, hard boiled egg and sambal, is available everywhere and consumable by all ethnic groups.

Roti Canai
Is a type of flat-bread food widely consumed in Malaysia by all the ethnic groups, commonly sold in Mamak stalls (Tamil Muslim restaurants), Indian restaurants and Malay restaurants. For it's availability and popularity, it is claimed to be the second National Dish of Malaysia.
As the name implies, Roti canai is said to have been introduced by immigrant labor from Chennai, India (formerly known as Madras. However, the first instance of the use of the name Chennai is said to be in a sale deed dated August 1639 to Francis Day, an agent for the British where there is a reference to the place of the current Chennai) where a similar combination of parotta and dalcha - the accompanying lentil curry - is served.

Roti Canai is usually served with 'dhal' (lentil) curry, it can be taken with sugar or condensed milk.
There are numerous variations of Roti Canai to suite individual's taste, common variations include: Roti Telur, (with eggs), Roti Planta (stuffed with margarine and sugar), Roti Bawang (onion bread), Roti Sardin (stuffed with sardine), roti pisang (banana bread).
There are also a lot of different curries used besides dhal, such as Kari Ayam (chicken curry), Kari Daging (beef curry), Kari Kambing (mutton curry), Kari Ikan (fish curry), Kari Campur (mixed curry, mixture of dhals and curries can be selected)

Chicken Rice
Usually referred to Hainanese Chicken Rice, roots in Hainan Cuisine and it was introduced by Hainanese overseas Chinese. The most commonly served Chicken Rice is "White Chicken" and rice. Chicken Rice accompanied with Bean Sprouts is common especially in Ipon, a town in Perak Malaysia. Which contributes to a version called "Ipoh Chicken Rice". Whereas, "Roasted chicken" is another popular version of chicken rice widely consumed by Malaysian, as there is also Malay or Halal version Chicken Rice (Nasi Ayam), usually served with Roasted Chicken, and it is commonly available in Malay Restaurants or Stalls.

Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, Chicken Rice are the three most consumed foods in Malaysian, for their convenient, fast, low prices and being accepted by most of the people. Making it the de facto traditional Malaysian Fast Food today.

Being a multicultural country, Malaysians have over the years adapted each other's dishes to suit the taste buds of their own culture. Malay version Chicken Rice is a good example of cross-culture influence, Malaysians of Chinese descent have adapted the Indian curry, and made it more dilute and less spicy to suit their taste. Chinese Fried Rice and Noodles have been crossed with Indian and Malay tastes and thus Malay fried rice, fried noodles and Indian fried rice, fried noodles were born.

On top of the most widely consumed Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai and Chicken Rice, which represent Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisine respectively. There are also Nyonya food, Thai food and others.

Nyonya food
It was invented by the Peranakan people of Malaysia. It uses mainly Chinese ingredients but blends them with South-East Asian spices such as coconut milk, lemon grass, turmeric, screwpine leaves, chillies and sambal. It can be considered as a blend of Chinese and Malay cooking.

Thai Food
It also features strongly in Malaysian cuisine, such as the most popular Tom Yam are widely available in various restaurants and stalls, especially in the northern region.

Other food
Such as those introduced by Filipinos (mostly in Sabah, a state in East Malaysian) and Indonesian migrants, also have their restaurants or stalls, catering to both their same ethnic group of clients and local clients. Being culturally close to Malaysia, a lot of Indonesian food have been accepted by Malaysians as a part of their daily dishes, like Satay (sate), Soto (food), Rendang (dry curry), Cendol (dessert) and others.

Tony Ng,

Contributor of Best Malaysian Food portal, at http://www.bestmalaysianfood.com/

The Latest De Laurentiis Production in Chef Coats and Chef Pants

The Food Network's popular hostess Giada De Laurentiis has become a celebrity due not only to her extensive culinary training background but also to her tremendous personal charm and alacrity. A master chef of global renown, she continues to demonstrate her extraordinary talent and accessibility with the great success of her line of food products, brand alliances, bestselling cookbooks, and her presence on The Today Show as well as her Food Network programs.

Giada was born in Rome and grew up in a big Italian family in which food culture was a centerpiece. She is the granddaughter of noted movie producer Dino De Laurentiis; and as a child she spent much of her time in her grandfather's DDL Foodshow restaurant, as well as in kitchen aprons in her family's kitchen. She graduated with an anthropology degree from UCLA, and made a decision to work in the culinary field. At Le Cordon Bleu in Paris she specialized in both pastry and cuisine. Afterwards she returned to California where she worked at the world-famous Fine Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton; and at Wolfgang Puck's chic Beverly Hills restaurant Spago. She also founded a Los Angeles catering company, GDL foods.

In 2002 a Food Network executive read an article about her and her family in Food & Wine magazine, and invited her to put on chef pants and audition on the network. Since that time Giada has become one of the Food Network's most popular hostesses, and she won an Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Host. She won another Emmy for Everyday Italian, her daytime cooking program. In 2007 she launched her primetime program, Giada's Weekend Getaways. This show takes Giada to North American destinations where she explores the best restaurants and leisure activities in each city she visits. Giada has also starred in Food Network's special programs, including Capri and Santorini; Giada in Paradise; and in the role of judge on The Next Food Network Star.

Giada's bestselling cookbooks allow the viewers of her television programs to experiment with and to share their own favorite recipes. Giada's first book was Everday Italian, which was a showcase for the great recipes demonstrated on her daytime television program. Her second cookbook, Giada's Family Dinners and her third book, Everyday Pasta, quickly rose to the number one spot on the New York Times' bestseller list. Her fourth cookbook, Giada's Kitchen, was published in October 2008 by Random House; and is eagerly awaited by her fans. In addition to her television and writing successes, Giada has changed chef coats to become a spokeswoman for Barilla - the largest manufacturer and producer of pasta in the world. In 2008 Barilla's Italian subsidiary, Academia Barilla, licenses and produces four Giada De Laurentiis brand products: Sea Salt with Lemon Zest; Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Tuscan Herb Mix; and Balsamic Vinegar. These Giada products are exclusively available at Crate and Barrel stores.

Giada was a frequent guest on The Today Show. At the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin she was a correspondent; which in turn led to her promotion as a co-host on The Today Show where she highlights the latest trends in cuisine, lifestyle, and travel. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Todd; they have one daughter, Jade.

The De Laurentiis family is famous for a lot more than putting on chef coats and wearing chef pants. Giada's creativity and her sweeping cosmopolitan worldview are the latest De Laurentiis production; this time wearing kitchen aprons and a sparkling wit.

Christmas Trees Around the World

Understanding how cultures are really different, have a look at how different countries decorate their Christmas Trees. A seemingly small thing, everyone more or less assumes that all Christmas Trees are decorated just like theirs. Once you understand that something so common as the Christmas tree is decorated differently, you can begin to understand how different it is selling to different markets.

German Christmas Trees (Weihnachtsbaum)

Many of today's Christmas traditions started in Germany. There are at least 2 stories about how the Weihnachtsbaum began.

The first, Martin Luther is supposed to have gone for a walk in the woods near his home. He saw how beautifully the stars shone through the forest. He wanted to share the beauty with his wife so he cut down a fir and took it home. He used small candles on the branches and said that it would be a symbol of the beautiful Christmas sky.

Another legend says that in the early 16th century, people in Germany combined two customs that had been practiced in different countries around the world. The Paradise tree, a fir decorated with apples, representing the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The second, a small, pyramid-like frame called The Christmas Light decorated with glass balls, tinsel, and a candle on top. The Christmas Light was a symbol of the birth of Christ as the Light of the World. Changing the tree's apples to tinsel balls and cookies and combining this new tree with the Light placed on top, the German's created the tree that many of us know now.

Today, the Weihnachtsbaum is traditionally decorated by the parents in secret with lights, tinsel, and ornaments by the mother and is lit and revealed on Christmas Eve with cookies, nuts, and gifts under its branches.

Canadian Christmas Trees

German settlers migrated to Canada from both Germany and the United States before 1800. These immigrants brought many of the things that we associated with Christmas today. Advent calendars, gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies and the Christmas trees.

English Christmas Trees

Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, put up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1848. Almost immediately, the Christmas tree became a tradition in England, the United States, and Canada. Today, the Norway spruce is the traditional tree used in British homes. The Norway spruce used to be a native species in the UK (until the last Ice Age) and it has been reintroduced before the 1500s.

Swedish Christmas Trees (Julgran)

Most Swedes buy their Julgran well before Christmas Eve. It is common to take the Julgran inside and decorate it just a few days before Christmas. Julgran are decorated with stars, sunbursts, and snowflakes made from straw. Other decorations include colorful wooden animals and straw centerpieces.

Norwegian Christmas Trees (Juletre)

Norwegians will often make a trip to the woods to select a Juletre themselves. The Juletre was only introduced into Norway in the latter half of the 19th century. On Christmas Eve the Juletre is usually done by the parents while the children wait out of site. Juletre are decorated with white lights, tinsel, Norwegian flags and other ornaments. Children often use shiny, colored paper to make paper baskets that are filled with candy or nuts. Chains made of colored paper are also very popular. Colored lighting is becoming popular, but the white lights are more like the candles they are supposed to represent.

Japanese Christmas Trees

Only about 1% of the Japanese are Christian, so Christmas is not a national holiday there and the year end celebration is more important than Christmas. Trees are decorated with small toys, gold paper fans and lanterns, wind chimes and small candles. A popular ornament is origami creations, with the origami swan being the most popular.

Greenlandic Christmas Trees

Because of the arctic climate, Christmas trees don't grow in Greenland so theirs are shipped in from Denmark. Greenlanders decorate theirs with candles and bright ornaments.

Italian Christmas Trees (Albero di Natale )

The presepio (nativity scene) is very common in Italy. The scene is often set out in the shape of a triangle which is the base of a pyramid-like structure called the ceppo. This is a wooden frame arranged to make a pyramid several feet high. It is decorated with colored paper, gilt pine cones, and miniature colored pennants. Small candles are fastened to the tapering sides. A star or small doll is hung at top. The shelves above the manger scene have small gifts of fruit, candy, and presents. The ceppo is in the old Tree of Light tradition which became the
Albero di Natale in other countries. Some houses even have a small ceppo for each child in the house.

Brazilian Christmas Trees (rvore de Natal )

Christmas falls during the summer in Brazil. Some people decorate pines with pieces of cotton that represent falling snow.

Philippine Christmas Trees

Since fresh pine trees are too expensive for many Filipinos, handmade trees are often used. Filipinos often make Star lanterns from bamboo sticks, covered with brightly colored rice paper or cellophane, and usually feature a tassel on each point. One will be placed in each window, representing the Star of Bethlehem.

Chinese Christmas Trees

Only 3 to 4% of Chinese are Christian and few people celebrate Christmas. Of the small percentage of Chinese who do celebrate Christmas, most erect artificial trees decorated with paper chains, paper flowers and lanterns. Christmas trees are called "trees of light."

Saudi Arabian Christmas Trees

Christians living in conservative Muslim Saudi Arabia have to celebrate Christmas privately in their homes. Christmas lights are generally not tolerated. Most families place their Christmas trees somewhere out of site and decorate as they do in their home country

Decorating the Christmas Tree with Feng Shui

When decorating the Christmas tree, think about colors. Green is a calming color and red a fiery and energetic color. These colors balance each other out, and they happen to be traditional Christmas colors. The Christmas tree should be in the center of the main room, or slightly to the left of the main room.

A Feng Shui tree should have something that family and friends put on of their own, something special as part of the decorations. Decorating the Christmas Tree should be a shared experience that will help create a special moment and increase the good energies of this festive ritual.

Decorating the Christmas Tree For Geeks

No, not Greeks, Geeks. A Geek Christmas tree is something to behold. It is usually a 'regular' Christmas tree, but a Geek will occasionally use an old PC as the base and make branches with old IT material. Decorations include CD's, a broken mouse or two, old USB keys, the CPU from old mother boards and other similar shiny material. The star on top is built out of any appropriate material that is sitting around. Often the star sill be based on the 'flavor' of the Geek. A Star Wars Geek may use a Death Star model as the star of their tree.

Since there are many breeds of Geek, ornaments may be figurines from Star Wars, Harry Potter, World of Wars, and Star Trek. Fake snow at the base of the tree is usually the Styrofoam left over from packing material.

Now that you have seen the differences in Christmas Tree decoration, you can begin to work on how you will sell to different markets.

Are you committed to speeding up your international sales cycles?

Learn how to combine cross-cultural marketing tools and international sales strategies for faster sales.

Join us on the International Sales Road Map.

Would you like to develop your international business?
Are you a beginner at international sales and marketing?
Read the Beginners Guide Discover Your International Business.

Cindy King is a Cross-Cultural eMarketer & International Sales Specialist, aligning businesses with different cultures. She has over 25 years field experience in international business development and helps mid-sized business owners create international business development strategies that shorten time to profitability.

Healthy Hints - Spring Cleaning for Mind, Body and Soul

When you look out your window you see the evidence of Spring's new birth everywhere. The trees are bright with green again, tulips are blooming and the birds are back with their songs. In harmony with nature, we wish to feel new again too.

It's natural at this time of year to want to clean house. The cold dark days of Winter leave us feeling sluggish and unmotivated. Winter excess fades our skin and expands our waistlines. Spring allergies may indicate an overworked liver thanks to all those holiday celebrations. Unfinished projects and household clutter impede the flow of energy through our lives. The spirit is ready to wake from hibernation and enjoy new connections.

This article provides great suggestions to begin cleansing your body, mind and soul of the past. Prepare to have your best Spring ever.

Freshen Up Your Body

Spring is naturally the most popular time of year to begin a cleansing program. A cleanse can help us shed unwanted pounds and improve our energy. According to Chinese medicine, Spring is associated with the liver - an organ essential to digestion and the elimination of toxins. Some foods and drink that are especially troublesome for the liver include alcohol, chemicals, drugs, fried foods and meats. An overworked liver may cause low energy, stress, mood swings, and inflammatory conditions.

There are many kinds of cleanses to choose from, based on the needs of the individual. One simple recommendation is to do a few days of fresh fruit and vegetable juices, along with plenty of water. Increase exercise and sweating to help rid the body of excess toxins. Adding more greens to your diet now will help to freshen, cleanse and build the body. In Staying Healthy with the Seasons Dr. Elson Haas also recommends water with lemon, fresh organic cold-pressed olive oil, milk thistle herb and olive leaf extract to support and disinfect the liver.

Along with what you eat, how you eat your food is also important to your overall health. Eating a meal under stress disrupts the body's ability to properly digest and absorb the nutrients the food provides. Before you begin to eat, take a few slow deep breaths into your belly. As you eat, chew well and stop when you feel full. These subtle changes can bring a great deal of healing to your body.

Clear Your Head and Home

In Winter we spend most of our time indoors and often this leads to a lot of clutter build-up. A cluttered desk, closet or room is usually an indicator for a cluttered mind as well. We hold onto material possessions that we no longer need and this creates a stuck energy in our lives as well as our homes. As Karen Kingston writes in Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui: "an ordered home means an ordered mind." She suggests trying the clutter test on each item in your space. Ask: "Does it lift my energy when I think about it or look at it? Do I absolutely love it? Is it genuinely useful?" If you answer "no" or "sort of" to any of these questions, let it go. Trash it, give it away or recycle it. Make room in your mind and your space for the new. This same principle applies to the clutter of limiting ideas and memories in your mind. If they are not serving the purpose of your life, it's time to say good-bye.

As you transition your wardrobe from cold weather to warm weather, fill some bags with clothes you haven't worn and drop them off with your favorite charity. A general rule to follow is if you haven't worn it in over a year, you won't miss it.

Nourish Your Soul

The spirit or soul is what connects us with something larger, with Nature itself and with our innate creativity. Feeding your spirit is a very individual experience. For some it means religious celebration and being part of a like-minded community.

Others find inner peace through yoga, tai chi or meditation. For some, a spiritual experience can be as simple as a walk in the park, a day at the shore, an afternoon of gardening or laughing with a child. Whatever your preference, create the time to connect with yourself. Enjoy deep belly breaths, write in a journal, reflect.

Once the soil of your life is replenished, what will you plant? Allow yourself permission to daydream, an oft overlooked but extremely important activity. It is in daydreaming that you learn the most about your true self, your creative wishes and desires. Visualize the life that you want. Create an action plan and take your first small steps. The Spring rain will make your dreams grow and blossom, the Summer sun will give them strength and power, and the Fall harvest will bring you success and achievement. But only if you begin today.

2006-2008 Heather Holistic. All Rights Reserved.

For more information and support on creating your action plan, please contact me at http://www.HeatherHolistic.com

Heather Cottrell is a certified Holistic Health Counselor and founding director of Heather Holistic, a private practice offering Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling. Through individual programs, group workshops and teleclasses, Heather Holistic empowers you to be your happiest and healthiest self with proper nourishment of mind, body and soul. Visit http://www.HeatherHolistic.com to schedule a private phone consultation and sign up to receive the free Heather Holistic eNewsletter.