How to Prepare Your Pantry for Severe Weather:

When a winter storm or hurricane shows up in the forecast, the first thing most of us do is make a bee-line for the grocery store. But besides milk and bread, what other food items should fill your cart?

The Importance of Non-perishable Food

Grocery shopping for inclement weather isn't all that different from ordinary grocery shopping. You should feel free to buy the foods you normally eat and enjoy, but be careful if many of them are found down your grocer's refrigerated and frozen food aisles!

Such foods will do you little good if you lose electricity during the storm. 

If widespread power outages are expected (as is common when storms pack strong winds, significant icing, or accumulating heavy snow) you'll want to make it a point to stockpile "non-perishables" — foods that require no cooking or refrigeration. Even if you don't expect to lose power, it's still a good idea to grab a handful of non-perishables just in case.  

Because non-perishables, or ready-to-eat foods, are made to be eaten "as is," many people struggle with ideas of how to make a meal of them. Here are some suggestions to help get you started:

Ready-to-Eat Breakfast Items:

• Cereal
• Dry milk (use bottled water if threat of contamination exists)
• Fresh fruit (apples, oranges, grapefruits, and bananas stay fresh for days to weeks)
• Canned or dried fruits 
• Granola bars
• Protein bars

Ready-to-Eat Lunch/Dinner Items:

• Canned meats (tuna, chicken, Vienna sausages, Spam)

• Canned soups, broths
• Canned vegetables, beans 

Ready-to-Eat Snack Items:

• Nuts
• Nut butter's (peanut butter, almond butter, etc.)
• Snack crackers (saltines, goldfish)
• Pre-packaged cookies
• Trail mix
• Bottled or boxed juices 
• Bottled water

How Much Food Is Enough Food?

Determining how much food to buy can be stressful.

After all, if you get snowed in and are unable to leave your house, you need a large enough food supply to outlast the storm. 

The next time you're faced with this predicament, follow these three tips to keep from under-buying and overspending.

1. Know how long the storm is forecast to affect your area.

2. Consider how much food your family eats in a days' time. Buy that amount for the number of days the storm will last, plus enough for an additional one or two days.

3. If widespread power outages are expected, avoid buying a lot of "fresh" foods and stick mainly with ready-to-eat options. If the threat of a power outage is slim to none, buy what you wish, but also pick up a few non-perishable items to be on the safe side.

Let The World Laugh, Just Do it !!

We live in a place of miracle where anything can happen anytime. One moment you think that you can’t do a certain task and the very next moment something like a miracle happens and you achieve that task, which was no less than impossible for you earlier.

Frankly speaking, I don’t believe in miracles at all. Then what is it that makes someone very successful, so rich in their life; but others always face failure and poverty in their life. Or in simple terms why miracle happens often for few and it takes years for others. I believe that whatever a person is today in his life is only and only because of himself. If he is successful or failure, rich or poor, whatever he is, only he is responsible for that, no one else.

Human always tries to blame others for his failure, for all the wrong things in his life and gives himself full credit for his success. The most tragic part is human gets influenced by others more than by himself. Most people have stopped following their dreams because of others, but deep inside their heart they still want to follow their dreams. Ask someone around you the reason behind not following dreams, I am pretty sure the answer will be something like, my parents or colleagues don’t think it’s the best option to pursue in life or my friends and relatives thinks that it’s very risky.

Let me tell you that every single time you will try to do something different in your life, you will meet hundreds of people to laugh at you and to stop you from doing that. But rather getting influenced by them you should let your inner voice dominate over the thinking of others who don’t even know you properly. How can people know better about you than you?

So, let your heart speaks !! Let your inner feeling dominate the thinking of people around you. No one around you knows better than you.

How Long Do Germs Live?

Germs are bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that cause infections. Some pathogens die almost instantly outside the body, while others may persist for hours, days, or even centuries. How long germs live depends on the nature of the organism and its environment. Temperature, humidity, and the type of surface are the most important factors that affect how long germs survive. Here's a quick summary of how long common bacteria and viruses live and what you can do to protect yourself from them.

How Long Viruses Live

In a sense, viruses aren't exactly alive because they require a host in order to reproduce. Viruses generally remain infectious longest on hard surfaces as opposed to soft ones. So, viruses on plastic, glass, and metal do better than those on fabrics. Low sunlight, low humidity, and low temperatures extend the viability of most viruses.

However, exactly how long viruses last depends on the type. Flu viruses are active about a day on surfaces, but only about five minutes on hands. Cold viruses remain infectious around a week. Calicivirus, which causes stomach flu, can persist for days or weeks on surfaces. Herpes viruses can survive at least two hours on skin. Parainfluenza virus, which causes croup, may last for ten hours on hard surfaces and four hours on porous materials. The HIV virus dies almost immediately outside the body and almost instantly if exposed to sunlight. The Variola virus, responsible for smallpox, is actually quite fragile. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, if an aerosol form of smallpox was released into the air, experiments show 90 percent of the virus would die within 24 hours.

How Long Bacteria Live

While viruses do best on hard surfaces, bacteria are more likely to persist on porous materials. In general, bacteria remain infectious longer than viruses. How long bacteria live outside the body depends on how different external conditions are to their preferred environment and whether or not the bacteria are capable of producing spores. Spores, unfortunately, may persist in adverse conditions and for a long time. For example, spores of the anthrax bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) can survive for decades or even centuries.

Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Salmonella, two common causes of food poisoning, can live for a few hours to a day outside the body. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus, responsible for wound infections, toxic shock syndrome, and potentially deadly MRSA infections) forms spores that allow it to survive for weeks on clothing. According to a study conducted by Anders Hakkansan and his team at the University of Buffalo, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes (responsible for ear infections and strep throat) can survive on cribs and stuffed animals overnight, sometimes even if the surfaces were cleaned.

Other Types of Germs

Bacteria and viruses aren't the only microbes responsible for infections and disease. Fungi, protozoa, and algae can make you sick, too. Fungi include yeast, mold, and mildew. Fungal spores can survive decades and possibly centuries in the soil. On clothing, fungi can last for several months.

Mold and mildew die without water within 24 to 48 hours; however, spores are much more durable. Spores abound pretty much everywhere. The best protection is to keep humidity low enough to prevent significant growth. While dry conditions prevent growth, it's easier for spores to circulate. Spores may be reduced using HEPA filters on vacuums and HVAC systems.

Some protozoa form cysts. Cysts are not as resistant as bacterial spores, but they can live for months in soil or water. Boiling temperatures typically prevent protozoan infections.

Minimizing How Long Germs Live

Your kitchen sponge is a breeding ground for germs because it is damp, nutrient-rich, and relatively warm. One of the best ways to limit the life expectancy of bacteria and viruses is to reduce humidity, keep surfaces dry, and keep them clean to reduce nutrient sources. According to Philip Tierno, director of microbiology at the New York University School of Medicine, viruses may live on household surfaces, but they quickly lose their ability to duplicate themselves. Humidity under 10 percent is low enough to kill bacteria and viruses.

• Simple hand washing with soap and water is your best defense against picking up germs.
• Disinfect surfaces to kill unwanted pathogens. Bleach and alcohol are two common household disinfectants.
• Wash fabrics that may be contaminated using hot water (60°C or 140°F) and bleach. The heat of a clothes dryer also helps kill bacteria and viruses. 

It's also important to note being "alive" is not the same as being infectious. Flu viruses may live for a day, yet pose much less threat even after the first five minutes. While a cold virus may live for several days, it becomes less infectious after the first day. Whether or not germs are infectious depends on how many pathogens are present, the route of exposure, and a person's immune system.

Interesting..!!

Facts About Cheques:

Texas billionaire and former Presidential candidate Ross Perot wrote a blank cheque to fund and save the 500-year old Treaty Oak in Austin Texas which was poisoned by a vandal.

Hugh Hefner’s father, a public accountant, turned him down when he needed money to start Playboy as he did not think the magazine was a good business investment. However, as he was about to leave, his mother took him aside and gave him a $1000 cheque from her savings to help his venture.

A man tried to cash a cheque he got in some junk mail for $95,000 and the bank did it.

Francis Crick, co-discoverer of the structure of the DNA molecule and Nobel Prize laureate, sent a letter accompanied by a cheque for 10 guineas to Winston Churchill, saying that the money should be used for the establishment of a brothel at the Cambridge University, instead of a chapel. 

When Jim Carrey was broke he wrote himself a cheque for $10 million and gave himself 5 years, in those 5 years he went over the $10 million mark because of Dumb & Dumber and The Mask.

An oversized cheque (i.e. Publishers Clearing House sized) can be redeemed for their cash value, but a bank may charge you extra for clearing it.

The band Oasis promised a full refund for a show, but after immediately regretting the offer, issued autographed cheques with the band’s logo on it, in the hopes that people would frame them instead of cashing them. 

Atari’s first world tournament in 1981 didn’t go so well with initial winning cheques bouncing, low participation and contestants having to use their own quarters for games.

The signature line on cheques is not a line at all. It’s actually the word ‘signature’ written over and over again.

Nobel Prize laureate receives a diploma, a gold medal and a cheque worth 10 million Swedish kronor. 

The Knights Templars established an early yet advanced banking system involving safety deposit boxes, cheques, and loans. 

Todd Salimuchai, a man with no citizenship, tried hijacking a plane after being tortured in China for illegally immigrating to cash an $800k drug money cheque. 

Bill Murray wrote Wes Anderson a blank cheque so that he wouldn’t have to cut a scene from Rushmore.

There’s such a thing as a left-handed cheque book. 

In Canada, a common way to pay your monthly rent is to give your new landlord 12 cheques, dated for the first day of the next 12 months.

All Palestinian families who had a member killed by Israeli troops after the outbreak of the Second Intifada received a $10,000 cheque from Iraq’s then-president Saddam Hussein.

Canadian cheques can legally be written in English, French or Inuit.

The US government sends a cheque to Cuba every year for USD$4000 to lease Guantanamo Bay and the Cuban government ignores them as they don’t consider the deal legitimate.

The cheque is spelled check in American English.

In 1980, a bet was made on rising commodities prices between Population Bomb author Paul Ehrlich and growth economist Julian Simon. Erlich lost in 1990 and mailed a cheque to Simon for $576.07 without even including a note, still less admit he was wrong.

Before Jerry Springer was on TV he was a politician in Cincinnati, who was forced to resign after paying for a prostitute with a cheque. 

Since 2003, you can cash a cheque by sending a picture of it to your bank.

Tips for Staying Warm in Winter Weather:

Bitter cold temperatures. Icy winds. Blowing snow. Winter has many ways of exposing you to the cold. But just because the winter weather is cold, doesn't mean you have to be. When the mercury drops, try these tips — they'll keep you toasty and warm until you can make it back indoors, fireside.

Dress in (Up to 3) Layers

Layering insulates the body by creating pockets of warm air around it, which ensures that it keeps a core temperature of 98.6 °F. According to proper layering etiquette, you should dress in as many as three layers depending on how cold it is and what you'll be doing outside: a base layer, a mid-layer, and an outer layer.

The base layer of clothing is the one that's worn next to your skin. It includes form-fitting clothing (like thermal underwear) that provides warmth and keeps you dry. Clothing made of synthetic materials that move moisture away from the skin is best. Avoid wearing cotton when possible, since it absorbs moisture and can trap wetness against your skin, making you colder.

The middle layer of clothing is meant to insulate the body by keeping heat in and cold out. Wool, fleece, and polyester sweaters, sweatshirts, pullovers, and long-sleeved tops do this job well.

The outer, or shell, the layer of clothing includes pants and a jacket or coat. Ideally, this layer should be waterproof, yet breathable.

Keep Dry

No matter how many layers of clothing you wear, they won't do you a bit of good unless they remain dry. An umbrella, weather-proof coat, and snow boots can help with this. (Once clothing gets wet, the moisture evaporates from its surface, causing it to cool and you to feel much colder.)

Not only can rain, freezing rain, or snow dampen clothing, but sweating can, too. If you find you've layered so well that it's causing you to overheat, you'll want to remove that thermal top or layering tee.

Wear a Hat, Mittens, Sunglasses

It's said that as much as 70% of the body's heat is lost through the head. Whether or not you believe this cold weather lore, one thing is certain — wearing a hat will help keep you warmer, if for no other reason than you'll have less skin exposed to the elements.

As for the body's extremities (fingers, toes, and feet), take extra care to keep them warm. They're among the first to experience the effects of frostbite. When it comes to the question of gloves vs. mittens, go with the latter. True, mittens are bulkier, but they keep hands warmer by clustering the fingers together.

And don't forget your eyes! While they aren't necessarily in danger of getting cold, having snow on the ground (if there is any) can actually make the sun's UV rays stronger — so throw in some shades!

Keep Hydrated

While you wouldn't think it, dehydration is a real concern during cold weather. Not only does cold airstrip our bodies of moisture because it is drier, but winter winds carry moisture away from the skin's surface through the process of evaporation. What's more, people don't naturally feel as thirsty in winter as they do when the weather is hot.

Drink plenty of water and hot drinks (which offer both hydration and warmth), even if you don't feel thirsty. This will help you stay well hydrated, which makes it easier for you to stay warm. (Being dehydrated makes it harder for the body to concentrate on maintaining a safe core temperature.) One drink you'll want to avoid is alcohol. While a nip or two may give you a "warming" sensation, alcohol actually causes dehydration.

Keep Moving

The more active you are in cold weather, the more heat your body will generate as a result.

If you do plan to sit or stand outside for long periods of time, wiggle your hands and toes every few minutes to keep the blood (and therefore, heat) circulating in these extremities.

Home Chemistry for De-Icing Your Windshield:

No need to wait for your car's defroster to warm up to melt the ice on your car's windshield. Here are a few different ways you can defrost your windshield quickly using science. 

SIMPLE TIPS TO DE-ICE A WINDSHIELD

If it's not super cold outside, warm water works well as a quick defroster. You can pour warm water over your windshield and use the wipers to clear it off. If it's really cold outside, all you are going to accomplish is adding a thick layer of ice to your windshield (best case) or cracking your windshield from the temperature difference (worst case).

Saltwater works for the same reason salt works as a de-icing agent (and warm saltwater would be your best bet). The ions in the salt lower the freezing point of water so a little ice will be melted by the saltwater. This water will attempt to re-freeze, but the temperature will need to be colder than 32°F for that to occur. All salts aren't created equal to de-icing. Normal table salt works when it isn't really cold. Road salt, which has a different chemical composition, works better when the temperature is very low. Salt exposure isn't great for your car, so keep that in mind. Actually, any chemical that you add to water acts as an impurity and lowers the freezing point of water so wiper fluid would melt the ice more quickly than pure water, too.

A quicker way to melt the ice on your windshield is one you may already know — placing your bare hand against the windshield. This works because (a) your hand is warm and (b) your hand is solid.

Warm solids contain more particles per unit area to convey heat to the windshield than you would get from the warm air (molecules in the air are very far apart). So, any warm solid will de-ice the windshield better than air. Any warm liquid will de-ice better than air for the same reason (ice melts faster in water than it does in the air of the same temperature).

You don't have to use your hand. The base of a warm shoe would work; so would a warm book. The denser the object is, the more effective it will be. Therefore, you'll get more de-icing power from your shoe than you would from.. say... your sock. The heat capacity of the material matters, too, which is part of why your hand is such a great defrosting tool.

If it's not too cold, go with a warm, damp towel on the windshield. If it's bitterly cold, the ice scraper is still your best bet. If you have a garage and live in a warm climate, you can prevent the frost from forming in the first place by parking inside.

You can also use common household chemicals to defrost your windshield. These materials apply freezing point depression to clear the ice. It's a good idea to use your wipers and fluid after you apply them because they can be sticky or corrosive. From the list, rubbing alcohol is your best bet for speeding defrosting without damage:

• Pickle juice (saltwater brine)
• Beet juice
• Kool-Aid (or other sugary soft drink)
• Soda (with sugar)
• Vinegar
• Rubbing alcohol