text:
With the cold days of winter rapidly approaching, we will be spending more and more time indoors. Because of this, it is important to understand what role the composition of our home textiles plays on our health and emotional well-being. Some of the most beautifully decorated homes are resplendent in a variety of natural fiber textiles. Not only do these materials lend texture and a sense of wholeness to a living space, but they also can significantly contribute to one's positive sense of well-being for a scientific reason: the reduction of static electricity.
As the temperature drops outside and the moisture content in the inside air falls, the potential for static electricity rises. Most of you have experienced the unpleasant feeling of walking across a carpeted room and zapping yourself on the kitchen faucet. Why is static such a problem in the winter? The answer: low humidity, warm indoor air, and the chemical composition of the materials inside your home.
The Triboelectric Series is a list of common materials that become charged when they come in contact with other materials in the list. For example, dry skin is on the positive end, and polyester is near the negative end. When dry skin rubs against polyester, what do you get? Static cling. This is because the materials readily give up or attract other electrons and become charged. Synthetic carpet and drapes (which pick up charge from the hot dry air coming from the heating vents) are big culprits in generating and holding large static charges because they are made mostly of plastic, which is at the far negative end of the Triboelectric list.1
The large static potentials that are held by our synthetic drapes, upholstery, and carpets also produce an abundance of positive ions. Studies have shown that an excess of positive ions in the air interferes with various physiological processes, producing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, depression, anxiety, and sluggishness.2
Do these symptoms sound familiar? If you're anything like me, in the winter, I turn into an unmotivated, sometimes melancholy couch potato. Could it be that the large number of synthetics I have in my house is contributing to my seasonal depression? Absolutely.
So what can you do to create a healthier living space this winter?
First, try to ventilate your home with fresh air at regular intervals, even if it means opening the windows for just a brief amount of time during the warmest part of the day. This allows much-needed negative ions back into the air that circulates through your house, particularly if you have a forced air heating system. The abundance of negative ions is responsible for the wonderful sense of well-being that you get when you walk along the ocean or hike in the mountains. Negative ions are found in natural fresh air, but when winter approaches and we keep our windows closed, we fail to replenish the air with beneficial negative ions. The synthetic materials continue to generate positive ions, the ion imbalance increases, and the air inside becomes stale and oppressive.
Second, try to choose natural materials like wood, cork, and natural linoleum instead of synthetic carpets and naturally pigmented clay plaster and milk-based paint rather than vinyl wallpaper. Also, select a water-based or natural oil-based wood finish in lieu of a polyurethane or acrylic-based one for your wood flooring and furniture.
If you're on a tight budget and can't afford to replace the flooring in your home, there are a couple of quick and inexpensive solutions for synthetic carpets. First, you can try covering the carpet with a large cotton area rug. This will help eliminate the contact between static producing surfaces. Second, you can spray down your carpet and drapes with a 10% soap solution and water for a temporary reduction in static. Plain water works, too, but it evaporates quickly. Note: we don't recommend applying anti-static agents on your carpet because they don't last long and usually contain toxins.
Finally, avoid wearing synthetic materials if possible. Cotton is the material of choice for its resistance to static, so bundle up in layers of cotton clothing. Reducing the number of synthetic materials on your skin and in your home will keep you warm, happy, and much more static-free during the winter months ahead.
1. For a complete list of the Triboelectric Series, see "Triboelectric Effect," http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triboelectric_effect
2. The Role of Ions in Body Chemistry, http://blog.watershed.net/2009/05/25/the-role-of-ions-in-body-chemistry/, from The Negative Ion Report: The CBS Nightly News, Feb 14, 1995.


text:
Sorted by:
How to Create and Send E-Mail Messages in Windows Live Mail
Windows Live Mail (available as a free download from the Windows Live download page) allows you to quickly create e-mail messages from any computer that's connected to the Internet. E-mail is the cornerstone [more…]
How to Format Text in Windows Live Mail E-Mail Messages
Even if you've created messages in Windows Mail before, you might not realize that Windows Live Mail now has a whole set of formatting tools that you can use to format your e-mail messages. Formatting [more…]
How to E-Mail a Photo in Windows 7
E-mailing a photo in Windows 7 is a great way to share your photos with your friends and family. Most people today have access to a digital camera (even if only on their cell phones) and have started swapping [more…]
How to View Digital Images in the Windows 7 Photo Viewer
You can use the Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 7 to view and organize each of the photos and digital images in your ever-growing image collection. Microsoft moved the Photo Gallery tool from Windows 7 [more…]
Game Cheats for Minesweeper in Windows 7
One of the simplest, most absorbing games ever created — and a longtime personal favorite of Bill Gates — Minesweeper has been around since the days of Windows 3.1. Yet, most people don't know that there [more…]
How to Add Gadgets to the Windows 7 Desktop
You can now add gadgets directly to a Windows 7 desktop. Windows gadgets are little desktop programs that can interact with you, with Windows, with files and folders, with your network, and with other [more…]
View and Organize Images in Windows 7's Pictures Library
Your Pictures Library is easily the best place to store and view your digital images in Windows 7. When Windows 7 imports your digital camera's photos, it automatically loads them into the Pictures Library [more…]
How to Copy Photos to a CD or DVD Using Windows 7's Pictures Library
Not only is the Pictures Library in Windows 7 the best place to view your photos. it's also a great starting point for copying photos to a CD or DVD. CDs and DVDs are great ways to share your memories [more…]
How to Manage Libraries in Windows Media Player 12
Take control of your Windows Media Player 12 experience by managing its library. Media Player 12 automatically sorts through your libraries' stash of digital music, pictures, videos, and recorded TV shows [more…]
How to Resize and Crop a Photo in Windows 7's New Paint Application
Windows Paint, Windows 7's improved drawing program, lets you resize or crop photos. Resizing photos makes them small enough for e-mails or size-specific for inclusion in a document. Many photos can also [more…]
How to Set Up Media Player in Windows 7
Windows Media Player, the Windows 7 built-in boom box, sucks you in from the start. Once you set up Media Play in Windows 7, you can use it to play CDs, as well as play, organize, and generally enjoy almost [more…]
How to Sign Up for a Windows Live ID in Windows 7
Before you download Windows Live Essentials, you need a Windows Live ID — Windows Live Messenger doesn't work without it (among others). If you don't already have a Windows Live ID, you'll need to sign [more…]
How to Crop Photos by Using Windows Live Photo Gallery
You can use Windows Live Photo Gallery to crop your photos. When you look through your photos you might find that there is something in the photo that distracts from the image or that the focal point simply [more…]
How to Use WordPad in Windows 7
Although it's nowhere near as advanced as Word, you can use WordPad in Windows 7 to create polished, professional-looking documents. Windows 7 has made improvements to the options and features available [more…]
How to Change the Way the Start Menu Search Works in Windows 7
In Windows 7, you can also use the Start Menu to begin a search. When you type a keyword, the search engine will scour your computer looking for files. The Start Menu Search is effective on its own, but [more…]
How to Edit Word Documents in Windows 7 WordPad
Many people resort to using WordPad because they're having issues with Microsoft Word. And, if you really want and need formatting — and you don't have time to get Word straightened out — you can use WordPad [more…]
How to Customize Windows 7's Search Settings
The Windows 7 search feature is a wonder compared to its predecessors. You can even customize Windows 7's default search settings to fine-tune the results you get. These changes can speed up the process [more…]
How to Publish a Movie in Windows 7 Using Windows Live Movie Maker
You have four choices when publishing a movie in Windows 7 using Windows Live Movie Maker. These choices determine how the final product will be saved. If you want your friends to be able to view your [more…]
How to Move Quick Launch Toolbar Icons to Windows 7 Taskbar
If you installed an older Vista (or Windows XP) program and it told you that it was putting an icon on the Quick Launch toolbar, you can track down that program's icon and move it to the new and improved [more…]
How to Pin a File or Folder to the Windows 7 Taskbar
In Windows 7, you pin a file or folder to the taskbar to have them available at a moment's notices — well, sort of. Unfortunately, you can't turn individual documents or folders into icons on the toolbar [more…]
How to Customize the Windows Media Player 12 Jump List
When you right-click the Windows Media Player icon in the Windows 7 taskbar, you'll see a jump list of the songs you listen to most frequently. You can customize the Windows 7 Windows Media Jump List so [more…]
How to Make Windows 7 Forget Your Windows Live Messenger Password
Many Windows 7 users choose to have Windows Live Messenger remember their password when they're setting up Messenger. If you want to use Messenger with more than one user ID, you'll need to go back [more…]
Game Cheats for Solitaire in Windows 7
Solitaire is the oldest of all the Windows games. This traditional game has captured the hearts and spare cranial cycles of millions. Yet, most people don't know that there are game cheats they can employ [more…]
Windows 7 Multiplayer Game Basics
Windows XP shipped with several multiplayer games that allowed you to play opponents on the Internet. These disappeared with Windows Vista. In Windows 7, they're back. You can once again play Windows multiplayer [more…]
Game Cheats for FreeCell in Windows 7
FreeCell, Microsoft's first Solitaire variant, mimics the card game of the same name. Game play in FreeCell resembles regular Solitaire in many ways, as you use the cards to build suit stacks and sequential [more…]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
my Nutrition
my Fitness
Other Goals
my SparkPoints
Web Search
Articles & Videos Home
Health & Wellness
Health A-Z
Cold & Flu
GERD (Heartburn)
Healthy Heart
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Pain Management
Seasonal Allergies
Weight Loss
Healthy Family
Pregnancy & Postpartum
Instant Inspiration
Lifestyle Centers
Beauty & Style
Brides To-Be
Family Wellness
Healthy Home
Pet Health
Senior Health
The SparkPeople Blog
Community Home
Message Boards
Challenge Central
Secrets of Success
Member Blogs
Friend Feed
Advertisement --
Learn more
about ads on this site.
The Diet Gorilla
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I once heard about a concept called a diet gorilla. I think it came from the word guerilla, but either the person changed it to be funny or didn't know that was the original. Either one works, but somehow, having a real gorilla (or someone in a really good gorilla suit) following me around to ensure I stick to my diet sounds like it could be really helpful.
Picture this... You're working at your desk, and get kind of stuck. You know what you need. Just a little snack. So you get up and head to the vending machines. The gorilla follows you, gets in your way, and hands you some carrots and hummus instead.
I need that kind of help. My children went for donuts today. Not only did I buy one for myself, but I ate TWO. Where was my gorilla when I needed him? He could have steered me away, and handed me my water bottle with fresh crushed ice and 22 oz. of tasty clear water. Later, when working on a dumb little project at home, I ran out of time, and cooked DiGiorno pizza for the kids. I ate more than they did. My diet gorilla could have taken my plate from me and thrown it on the floor. Not that I want to clean up a mess, but that is how I picture my diet gorilla behaving.
I've read so many books on dieting, believe most of them, and find myself at my heaviest once again. I eat for every reason in the book(s): boredom, procrastination, frustration, loneliness, fatigue, etc. etc. Now we can add habit to the list.
I'd like my diet gorilla to get my kids out of bed for me so I can go for a run in the mornings. He could wake me up, fix me a protein shake and shove me out the door with my MP3 player in hand. When I got back, my kids would all be ready for breakfast, which I wouldn't mind fixing, but the hardest job of getting them moving in the morning would be taken care of, giving me time for that run. Ooh. And my diet gorilla could map out a good run for me that suits my current abilities.
The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. If anyone knows where I could go to hire a diet gorilla, please let me know. And also keep in mind that I can't afford the like of Jillian from TBL.
Share This Post With Others
Report Inappropriate Blog
Member Comments About This Blog Post
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
You have a diet gorilla - she lives inside you and you are in charge of her and when she comes to talk to you or encourage/discourage you. I am sure she would prefer to encourage you to make healthy decisions, rather than stand back and watch you beat yourself up when you do things you have 'decided' not to do.
You are in charge of yourself and your decisions and choices - it would be great in some ways if someone outside ourselves made all our decisions and told us what to do - no responsibility at all - but wouldn't it be a very childlike place to be - surely we all want to be mature adults who take charge of our own lives, make our own decisions? It's hard sometimes, but, once we get a real sense of being a self-powered adult, it is a very liberating feeling.
You CAN do it if you want to, have a chat with your gorilla and let her pop up whenever you need her, but remember, you are in charge of her. She's a lovely character and I think I will welcome her into my kitchen and dining room too!
Thank you for sharing her (or her sister)
1462 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
Maybe you should try an accountability partner her on SP. No one can make you do what needs to be done, but being held accountable and encouraged may help.
1462 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
Do you have a reward for reaching a goal?
I know some days are harder than others for me and so I literally write on both my hands the letters EYB. It is the initials for my favorite band, Eli Young Band, so I am reminded of my reward ( a concert trip to see them) every time my hands approach my mouth. I keep alcohol wipes near by in case I have a meeting I should look professional for then write the letters back after the meeting.
1462 days ago
Add Your Comment to the Blog Post
Log in to post a comment
Disclaimer: Weight loss results will vary from person to person. No individual result should be seen as a typical result of following the SparkPeople program.
Advertisement --
Learn more
about ads on this site.
Get An Email Alert Each Time
RADFAMX6 Posts
See Today's Featured Member Blog Posts
More Blogs by RADFAMX6
I've hit Rock Top
- 2/20/2015
- 2/21/2014
Defining Moments
- 8/28/2012
Knowing what I really want
- 7/16/2012
View All ›
close ×


text:
therapy-g Hair Vitamins
Therapy-g vitamins provide the ultimate compliment to external hair, providing essential vitamins and minerals for healthy hair maintenance. Full, luxurious hair beings from the inside out!
Take two vitamins daily as a dietary supplement, preferably with a meal.
Guaranteed AuthenticGuaranteed Authentic
Folica is an authorized distributer of this product and guarantees its authenticity.Close
Take two vitamins daily as a dietary supplement, preferably with a meal.
Right Balance Of Vitamins And Minerals - Nice And SmallNo fillers in this for sure - the size makes it easy to swallow compared to huge vitamins that have fillers just to make the larger. I like that is has iron as most vitamins seem to leave that out or don't have the right amount. Works for me - been using these for about 3 years now. Easy for adults to open the childproof cap.
Was this review helpful?(Yes)(No)Jul 18, 2014Paula / CAHAIR TYPEDark Brown / Color Treated Hair / Fine or Thin Hair
Use this link to send this review via e-mail, Twitter, or to post to your blog.Close


text:
Feb. 21, 2012
Northern Illinois Huskies (12-13, 6-7 MAC) at Central Michigan Chippewas (13-14, 5-8 MAC)
NIU-CMU Notes
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tipoff: 6:00 PM CT
Location: Mount Pleasant, Mich. | McGuirk Arena
Radio: WLBK 1360-AM DeKalb - Andy Garcia on the call
Live Stats: CMUChippewas.com
The Match-Up
Northern Illinois plays its 14th road game of the year with its 42nd all-time meeting against Central Michigan.
A Look at Central Michigan
Central Michigan enters the game off of back-to-back losses. Since winning 11 of 14 games from Nov. 24-Jan. 14, CMU has gone 2-7. The Chippewas average 71.5 points per game and give up 71.2. They are shooting 38.1 percent from the field and allow opponents to shoot 39.5 percent. Central Michigan features two scorers that average double figures in Crystal Bradford (14.1 PPG) and Jessica Green (11.8 PPG).
Last Time Versus Central Michigan
The two teams last met in DeKalb on Jan. 5 in the MAC opener, and the Chippewas won 86-67. CMU shot 51.6 percent and scored the most points any team has scored this season against the Huskie defense. An 18-8 turnover edge for CMU led to a 29-5 advantage in points off turnovers and 17-2 edge in fast break points. CMU was up 36-32 at the half and ended the game on a 32-15 run. Crystal Bradford led CMU with 27 points, while Satavia Taylor paced NIU with 17.
NIU at CMU Revisited
The loss for NIU back on Jan. 5 was its third in a row during a six-game losing streak at the time, which is the longest positive or negative stretch under Head Coach Kathi Bennett ... CMU's 51.6 shooting percentage is the third highest NIU has given up all season ... In the seven games prior to the loss, NIU had not allowed an opponent to shoot above 38.3 percent and had not given up more than 72 points ... Satavia Taylor scored a career-high 17 points.
Injury Update
Danny Pulliam underwent successful knee surgery on Dec. 8. Pulliam will be out for the season with a torn meniscus and microfracture surgery in her right knee.
Bennett Under the Weather
NIU Head Coach Kathi Bennett was absent from NIU's 77-57 loss to EMU at the NIU Convocation Center last Saturday due to sickness. NIU Associate Head Coach Marsha Frese served as acting head coach. Bennett will be back on the sideline versus the Chippewas.
So She Wants to be a Coach
In conjunction with the NCAA Women's Final Four and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association in Denver, Colo., senior Courtney Shelton will partake in the WBCA's So You Want To Be A Coach program. Shelton will get to participate in a coaching workshop and get professional development and career advancement through education, skills enhancement, networking and exposure as a member of the program. In order to be eligible for the program, a player must be in the final year of eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year, must want to pursue a career in coaching, must be a credit to the sport both on and off the court, must be nominated by her head coach, must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and must be able to attend all three days of the program.
Eagles Flew to High
EMU (6) and NIU (3) both entered Saturday's game on winning streaks but it was the Eagles who kept theirs alive thanks to a 44.8 percent shooting performance from the field in a 77-57 win. EMU is just the sixth team all season to score in the 70s and the seventh to shoot above 40 percent.
Eagles' Thievery
EMU held a 20-12 turnover advantage that helped the Eagles possess a 14-0 edge in fast break points and a 23-10 edge in points off turnovers.
James Games
The main player NIU struggled with versus EMU was Tavelyn James, who leads the MAC and ranks second in the nation in scoring. James scored 29 points against NIU to mark the third highest total by an opposing player this season versus NIU.
Familiar Foe for Davis
Senior forward Kim Davis was a walk-on for the Eagles' in the 2008-09 campaign. She played 24 games and made 10 starts, averaging 1.0 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game. She then transferred to NIU in 2009-10 as a student and found her way onto the roster for the 2010-11 NIU season. Davis is 0-3 against her former school. At home in a 79-63 loss to EMU on Jan. 5, 2011, Davis played 22 minutes off the bench, totaling four points, six assists and one steal. In a 62-35 road loss on Feb. 19, 2011, she started and played 35 minutes, compiling 11 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. During NIU's 64-52 loss at EMU on Jan. 8, she posted two points and five rebounds in 18 minutes as a starter. In what could be her final game against her former team, Davis went off for a career-high 26 points. 14 of the points came off her career-day at the line as she was 14-for-15. The last time a Huskie scored 26 or more points was on Feb. 1, 2011, when Marke Freeman scored 26 against Bowling Green.
Dominant Davis
Over the last four games, Kim Davis is averaging 17.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 65.7 percent from the field and 86.2 percent from the free throw line.
Free Throw Show
With a team percentage of 73.0 from the free throw line, NIU ranks 48th in the nation as of Feb. 19.
Three in a Row, Finally
The Huskies won back-to-back games four times prior to pulling through with a three-game winning streak in their fifth try with the Ball State win last Thursday. The last time NIU ran off a three-game winning streak was Nov. 14-19, 2010.
Half Impact
Helping NIU to a 34-19 halftime lead in the Ball State win was having a trio score in double figures for the first time this season in a half. Claire Jakubicek led with 11, while Amanda Corral and Courtney Shelton had 10 apiece on a combined 7-for-7 shooting.
Thorp Speed
In the last three games, Jenna Thorp has come on quick with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks while shooting 9-for-18 from the field. Her eight points versus Ball State were the most she's scored in a game since Dec. 11 at Chicago State when she had eight that day as well. In the eight games prior to her last three, she had scored six points total.
Distributing All Over the Court
Over the last four games, Courtney Shelton has 30 assists and only 11 turnovers. She leads the team with 85 assists, which are already a new single season high for her. Shelton's 1.1 assist-to-turnover ratio is good for sixth in the MAC and her 3.5 assists per game are good for seventh as of Feb. 19.
Millett Hall Mallet
Miami's Millett Hall has not been friendly to NIU lately, and to any opponent this season except Bowling Green, but the Huskies changed that with one of their best all-around games of the season in last the win. The last time the Huskies won in Oxford was in 2008 -- a span of two games. Prior to the game, the RedHawks were 12-1 at home this season and had only lost to Bowling Green, who only has one loss in MAC play.
Manhandling Miami
NIU held Miami to its lowest shooting percentage (31.6) since the RedHawks' season-opening loss at Temple and third lowest point total (58) of the season. The RedHawks entered the game averaging 70 points per contest and shooting 41.7 percent from the field. Miami's 16 points at halftime were the lowest total the RedHawks have had in any half this season.
Putting the O in Ohio
Against Miami in Oxford, Ohio, the Huskies eclipsed the 70-point mark for the fourth time and posted their second highest shooting percentage (54.3) of the season.
Shel of a Double-Double
Courtney Shelton's 13-point, 13-assist double-double against Miami was the first point-assist double-double for NIU since Marke Freeman did so on Feb. 20, 2010 against Toledo. Shelton's 13 assists were one away from tying the single-game program record set by Gena Stubbs in 1988. The last time a Huskie had 13 assists in a game was in 1986 (Val Leitzen). Shelton is now one of seven players in the history of the program to have a 10-plus-assist game. The double-double was the second of Shelton's career.
Revenge is Served
Last season, NIU took down Ohio in Athens during the regular season but fell at home 72-66 to the Bobcats in the first round of the MAC Tournament, ending Kathi Bennett's first season. In their first meeting since, the Huskies avenged the loss with a 50-46 win on Feb. 4 in DeKalb.
Pointless Impact
Courtney Shelton only took three shots against Ohio and scored no points for just the second time in the last two seasons -- a span of 51 games -- but she still found a way to have a large impact on the game. Try a career-best 11 rebounds and a then-season-high eight assists for nearly a pointless double-double.
Corral is in the Zone
Over the last seven games, Amanda Corral has found a nice scoring groove. She's scored in double figures five times for an average of 11.9 points per game. She has also been very accurate, going 27-for-50 (54%) from the field, including 11-for-15 (73.3%) from three-point land. On the season, she is averaging 9.6 points per game and shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from behind the arc.
No Flash in the Pan
Prior to the win over Kent State, NIU had not won a game against the Golden Flashes since 2006 -- a span of four games.
Threes to Victory
The Kent State win was fueled large in part by three-pointers as NIU established season highs in threes made and percentage by going 8-for-14 (57.1%). Courtney Shelton led the way with a 5-for-10 performance en route to a season- and game-high 23 points.
Good Rhode Win
Prior to the win at Akron, NIU had not won at Rhodes Arena since 2006. Fittingly, the last two win for the Huskies at Akron were on the same exact day -- January 25 -- one in 2006 and the other in 2012.
Streaks Snapped
With NIU's win at Western Michigan on Jan. 19, a few streaks were ended. NIU stopped a four-game MAC losing streak and a six-game losing streak overall. The Huskies also put an end to WMU's six-game home MAC winning streak and a three-game winning streak against NIU.
Three's Company
Three scorers reached double-figures against Ball State, which marked the 10th time this season that NIU has had three or more players score 10-plus points. Claire Jakubicek led the way with 17. Amanda Corral and Courtney Shelton had 10 each. NIU is 8-2 when having three or more players score in double figures this season.
Dominating Defense
As of Feb. 19, NIU ranks third in the MAC in opponent field goal percentage (37.3) and second in opponent three-point percentage (28.0). The Huskies are 11-7 when holding opponents under 40 percent shooting and are 8-3 when outshooting their foes. The Huskies also rank fourth in the MAC in scoring defense (58.9 PPG).
Board Beasts
With rebounding margin of +4.0, NIU ranks third in the MAC and 67th in the NCAA as of Feb. 19. NIU's 72.9 percent defensive rebounding clip is tops in the league. The Huskies have outrebounded their opponents 18 times this year and are 12-6 when doing so.
Double-Double on the Marke
Amanda Corral's 16-point, 10-rebound double-double against Temple was the first by an NIU guard since last year's leading scorer Marke Freeman poured in 23 points and 17 boards in a 56-48 win at Ohio on Jan. 1, 2011.
Corral repeated the feat at Indiana Dec. 17 with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Corraling MAC West Player of the Week
In just her first seven days of collegiate action, freshman Amanda Corral has already caught the MAC's attention, garnering MAC West Player of the Week on Nov. 21st. Corral led NIU to a 2-0 record by averaging 13.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
Percent of Production Returning
The Huskies return seven players from last year, including three starters in Kim Davis, Danny Pulliam, and Courtney Shelton, and welcome seven newcomers. In terms of production, NIU returns 64 percent of its minutes, 49 percent of its points, 45 percent of its rebounds, 71 percent of its assists, 44 percent of its blocks, and 53 percent of its steals.
Bennett's Year 2 Success
In Year 2 of each of her three prior head coaching stops throughout her career, Bennett has posted a combined win-loss total of 44-38. Her Year 2 win total has been an increase from Year 1 in two of the three stops. Indiana was the only place she did not have an increase, as she led the Hoosiers to 17 wins after totaling 20 in her first season in Bloomington.
NIU Picked to Finish 4th in MAC West
The Mid-American Conference coaches and select media chose the Huskies to finish fourth in the West Division this year in the MAC Preseason Poll.
Huskies Ink Three on Signing Day
On signing day on Nov. 9, NIU received National Letters of Intent from forward McKenzie Hoelmenn (Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North), guard Alexis Lindstrom (Howards Grove, Wis./Howards Grove), and forward Nichole Wittman (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson), Hoelmenn is Max Preps' No. 3 player from Minnesota and No. 87 player in the nation. Max Preps ranks Wittman and Lindstrom No. 41 and No. 133 in their respective states.
Graduating Huskies
For the fourth straight year, NIU's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) topped the 80 percent mark. With an 82 percent GSR, the Huskies sit two points above the four-class national average. The women's basketball team is one of four NIU programs to post a perfect 100 percent GSR as every freshman and transfer student-athlete who entered NIU between 2001-04 graduated.
NIU on TV
On Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, NIU's contest at Eastern Michigan was televised by the Mid-American Conference's regional cable partner SportsTime Ohio. The game will be NIU's only scheduled regular season TV appearance.
On the Air
Every NIU basketball game of the 2011-12 season can be heard on the Northern Illinois Sports Network, Presented by IMG. Women's games home and away can be heard on 1360-AM WLBK and Huskie All-Access at NIUHuskies.com. Home games can also be watched live through Huskie All-Access. Andy Garcia and Ethel Gregory will be on the call.
Up Next for NIU
The Huskies end a mini, two-game road trip with a 3:30 PM CT game at Toledo on Saturday, Feb. 25.


text:
Sam Smith Opens Up About Sexuality in Fader Cover Story
Since breaking onto the music scene as a featured vocalist on Disclosure's 'Latch,' Sam Smith has been making huge strides. With his debut LP, 'In the Lonely Hour,' releasing this week, at only 22, this British R&B singer has mended broken hearts and crafted an album that grabs fans the way Adele's '22' did a few years ago.
With vocals he said were inspired by listening to Whitney Houston, Smith's ballads have sparked some interest on who these songs were inspired by. And the U.K. breakout opens up about his personal life in the upcoming issue of Fader.
"'In the Lonely Hour' is about a guy that I fell in love with last year, and he didn't love me back," he tells Fader for its 'Summer Music' issue. "I think I'm over it now, but I was in a very dark place. I kept feeling lonely in the fact that I hadn't felt love before. I've felt the bad things. And what's a more powerful emotion: pain or happiness?"
And when asked whether or not the object of his unrequited love knows about it, he said, "He does. I told him about it recently, and obviously it was never going to go the way I wanted it to go, because he doesn't love me. But it was good as a form of closure, to get it off my chest and tell him. I feel better for it. I feel almost like I signed off this part of my life where I keep giving myself to guys who are never going to love me back. It feels good to have interviews like this, to chat about it and put stuff to bed. It's all there now, and I can move on and hopefully find a guy who can love me the way I love him."
While some may grab the Kleenex and tear up at Smith's journey through love, he does address why he's only come out so publicly now, saying that this would be a "non-issue" for straight people.
"I am comfortable with myself, and my life is amazing in that respect," he explained. "I'm very comfortable and happy with everything. I just wanted to talk about him and have it out there. It's about a guy and that's what I wanted people to know—I want to be clear that that's what it's about. I've been treated as normal as anyone in my life; I've had no issues. I do know that some people have issues in life, but I haven't, and it's as normal as my right arm. I want to make it a normality because this is a non-issue. People wouldn't ask a straight person these questions."
Although he knows officially coming out will become another issue that will be tacked onto, his every intent is to focus on his art. "That's why I make the music I make. I want to make the music that's not there anymore," he reveals. "I'm so passionate about the singing voice. I genuinely feel like there's a snobbery in the industry where people feel like playing an instrument makes you a better songwriter or musician. What I'm trying to do actually with my album is show that it's my voice that's leading. It's my voice that's the instrument."
Read the rest of Fader's cover story on Sam Smith here.


text:
|46 Jimmy Booth
Head Football Coach Ruffin McNeill Discusses The Start Of Spring Practice
Third-Year Head Coach Ruffin McNeill Welcomes Back 15 Returning Starters, 48 Lettermen
An unselfish local product who continues to adjust to positional moves, most recently accepting an assignment in ECU's backfield as a short-yardage blocking back after relocating to the offensive line from defense prior to spring drills in 2012 ... Experienced limited action in the defensive trenches as a freshman and sophomore before jumping across the line of scrimmage ... Possibility still exists for a return to the guard or center position should depth concerns develop during the course of the season ... Did not record any rushes during the spring scrimmage schedule, but did offer blocking protection on several occasions as an introduction to the position ... Has taken full advantage of four years in ECU's strength and conditioning program to add approximately 20 pounds to his signing day weight ... Several power numbers rank among the best on the team with lifts of 625 pounds (squat), 425 (bench), 315 (push jerk) and 362 (power clean) ... The latter lift (clean) marked a positional record and currently ranks as the fifth-highest total in program history.
2012: Did not experience any game-day reps during junior season while transitioning to the offensive side of the ball.
2011: Experienced action in two contests, playing at Houston and Navy ... Did not record any statistics during the season.
2010: During first season on active roster, played in 11 games as a reserve defensive lineman ... Made collegiate debut at Virginia Tech after missing first two contests (Tulsa, Memphis) due to a left knee injury ... Totaled 14 tackles with nine assists and five solo hits ... Credited with 1.0 tackle for a loss and 0.5 sacks ... 11-of-14 tackles came on second-half rushes ... Tallied a career-best three hits (one solo) in debut against the Hokies ... Other multiple-hit efforts were against Southern Miss (two), N.C. State (two) and Navy (two) ... Registered first sack of career at Southern Miss, combining with Antonio Allison to bring down Austin Davis for a nine-yard loss in the second quarter ... Booked both tackles against the Wolfpack during the first drive of fourth quarter ... Picked up initial career quarterback hurry in second frame against NCSU, forcing a Russell Wilson incompletion ... Recorded first career TFL at Virginia Tech, teaming up with Matt Thompson to stop David Wilson for a three-yard loss in the fourth quarter after initial career tackle was an assisted hit on Wilson in the third.
2009: Redshirted during initial season in the Pirate program ... Officially signed with East Carolina in February.
High School: A two-year starter and letterman on varsity unit ... Earned first-team all-county honors and served as program's captain as a senior ... Led Rampants in tackles for lost yardage and was selected as the Greenville Daily Reflector's Defensive Player-of-the-Year in 2008 for coach Todd Lipe ... In all, was a member of a J.H. Rose program that captured two state championships (2005, 2006) ... Tallied a team-best nine sacks as a junior in 2007 ... Cites win over rival New Bern as most memorable moment to date in football career.
Personal: Full name is Jimmy Alvin Booth, Jr. ... Nickname is J.B. ... Born December 8, 1990 at Greenville, N.C. ... Son of Jimmy and Sharon Booth ... A health fitness specialist major ... Hobbies include basketball and writing poetry ... Lists former Green Bay Packers' defensive standout George Koonce as favorite all-time Pirate player ... Also considered Duke as top choice before signing with ECU ... Wore No. 56 in high school because of Lawrence Taylor, but lists Julius Peppers as favorite NFL player.


text:
College Hockey:Princeton outguns Morrisville in exhibition
PRINCETON, N.J. — Will MacDonald scored twice as Princeton outshot Morrisville 57-11 and defeated Morrisville 7-1 in an exhibition game Saturday.
Nick Julas scored a first-period goal for Morrisville, which was outshot 25-2 in the second period.
Kevin Lohry put the Tigers ahead for good 57 seconds into the second period, and MacDonald followed with his first goal of the game later in the period for a 3-1 lead.
Princeton added four goals in the final period.
The following is a self-policing forum for discussing views on this story. Comments that are derogatory, make personal attacks, are abusive, or contain profanity or racism will be removed at our discretion. USCHO.com is not responsible for comments posted by users. Please report any inappropriate or offensive comments by clicking the "Flag" link next to that comment in order to alert the moderator.
Please also keep "woofing," taunting, and otherwise unsportsmanlike behavior to a minimum. Your posts will more than likely be deleted, and worse yet, you reflect badly on yourself, your favorite team and your conference.


text:
- 3-day hiking adventure on Mt Kinabalu in Sabah
- Experience UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mt Kinabalu, a very popular climbing spot
- Follow your guide on two challenging yet rewarding hikes on the mountain and admire incredible views
- Stay overnight at the Laban Rata rest house, nestled halfway up the mountain with gorgeous views
- Watch a beautiful sunrise at Low's Peak
- No experience necessary!
- All meals, accommodation and hotel transportation are included
What You Can Expect
You'll be picked up at your Kota Kinabalu hotel in the morning and taken to Kinabalu National Park. Follow your guide on a nature walk through the trails to learn about the park's abundant flora and fauna. Or, if you prefer, have free time to explore the park on your own.
Head to your hotel for check-in and then have lunch at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Mountain Garden with your guide to learn more about the park's plant diversity.
In the evening, enjoy another great meal at the same restaurant before heading back to your hotel.
Overnight: Kinabalu Park Hill Lodge/Liwagu Suite, Perkasa Hotel or Pine Resort in Kinabalu National Park
Day 2: Kinabalu National Park -- Mt Kinabalu (B,L,D)
Have breakfast at Balsam Restaurant, where you will also collect your boxed lunch of a sandwich, piece of chicken, fruit and water. Then, head to the park headquarters to meet your guide for a drive to Timpohon Gate.
When you arrive, receive a safety briefing and training on what to expect during your hike. Then, embark on a moderate 4-mile (6-km) hike with your guide. Depending on the group's ability level, the hike will take between 6 and 8 hours.
Along a rainforest trail, you'll see a beautiful waterfall. Stop at various huts along the way to rest and fill up your water bottle, and break for lunch in Layang Layang before continuing the second half of your hike, where you'll enter a whole new landscape of forests, rocks and inclines.
Emerge onto a rocky plateau as you approach Laban Rata, a hotel on Mt Kinabalu. Upon check-in, freshen up for a buffet dinner at the dining hall at your desired time. Indulge in both Malaysian and Western dishes to refuel for your next day. Be sure to get to bed early, as tomorrow's hike will be very early!
Overnight: Laban Rata on Mt Kinabalu
Day 3: Mt Kinabalu -- Kota Kinabalu (B, L)
Gear up for today's hike around 2:30am. Follow your guide to the summit at Low's Peak, a 2-mile (3-km) hike for a total of 3 or 4 hours. Navigate rock faces and take in views of the forest and valley during this exhilarating experience.
Your guide will be available for assistance and point out the best ways to approach tricky portions of the climb.
It'll be around 6am when you reach the top of Low's Peak, giving you incredible views in all directions of St John's Peak to the west, Donkey's Ears to the east and the distinctive South Peak. You'll be rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise at 13,451 feet (4,100 meters) – a truly unforgettable experience.
After enjoying the sunrise, return back to Laban Rata for a hearty breakfast and check-out. Make your way back down to Timpohon Gate on a 2- to 4-hour hike. Relax over lunch at Balsam Restaurant before being driven comfortably to your Kota Kinabalu hotel.
Customer Reviews
December 2013
The tour itself was great, and the individual providers were wonderful. However, the coordination
and communication left something to be desired. Viator subcontracted the tour, but I didn't know
who the subcontractor was until I arrived. Partly as a result, I expected to be picked up at 6:30 the
first morning, and my ride didn't arrive until 8:00. Between that time, I had no idea who to call. It seemed
at every handoff, there was some question as to who who arrive next and at what time. Further, there
was no predatory information for the hike, such as a recommended gear list, or information about
the availability of water on the trail. This led me to carry more gear and water than I needed. While part of this is my fault, when I pay to have someone do the preparation and thinking for me, I expect a bit more.
Still the services, accommodations and staff I interacted with was great, and the hike was wonderful.